Monday, September 30, 2019

Eating Healthily with a Busy Lifestyle Essay

Healthy eating is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle, yet it is often overlooked. As a wellness professional, it’s important to take care of your own wellness in order to maintain the right physical and mental state to help others. When hungry and busy, it’s easy to grab whatever’s closest or whatever sounds tasty at the moment. Unfortunately, the food that sounds best doesn’t always make us feel the best, and the most convenient foods are not often the healthiest. At the same time, healthy eating as a busy wellness professional does not have to become a chore. Many people end up with a misconception that healthy eating is more difficult than it actually is. It simply requires a little bit of planning and thought. The benefits of healthy eating far outweigh any extra time it requires. Written by Larry Lewis I and many others are promoting the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle, but what does that actually mean? In general, most would agree that a healthy person doesn’t smoke, is at a healthy weight, eats a balanced healthy diet, thinks positively, feels relaxed, exercises regularly, has good relationships, and benefits from a good life balance. Maybe I should start by trying to look at a few definitions for the word – lifestyle. A definition in The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language says : ‘A way of life or style of living that reflects the attitudes and values of a person or group’. In an Encyclopedia of Public Health: Lifestyle is defined as: In public health, â€Å"lifestyle† generally means a pattern of individual practices and personal behavioural choices that are related to elevated or reduced health risk’. The World Health Organisation in 1946 defined health as ‘A complete state of mental, physical and social well-being not merely the absence of disease’. Wikipedia: defines a lifestyle as the way a person lives. This includes patterns of social relations, consumption, entertainment, and dress. A lifestyle typically also reflects an individual’s attitudes, values or worldview. A healthy lifestyle is generally characterized as a â€Å"balanced life† in which one makes â€Å"wise choices†. A final definition of lifestyle is: The aggregation of decisions by individuals which affect their health, and over which they more or less have control. What is the definition of Healthy Living? The World Health Organization (WHO), defines Health as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not simply just the absence of disease. The actual definition of Healthy Living is the steps, actions and strategies one puts in place to achieve optimum health. Healthy Living is about taking responsibility for your decisions and making smart health choices for today and for the future. So healthy living would consist of: Physical (For The Body) * Good Nutrition, Eating Right * Getting Physically Fit, Beneficial Exercise * Adequate Rest * Proper Stress Management Emotional Wellness (For The Mind) * Self-Supportive Attitudes * Positive Thoughts and Viewpoints * Positive Self-Image You Also Need to Give and Receive * Forgiveness * Love and Compassion * You Need to Laugh and Experience Happiness. * You Need Joyful Relationships With Yourself and Others. Spiritual Wellness * Inner Calmness * Openness to Your Creativity * Trust in Your Inner Knowing And all aspects of one’s self, must work in harmony to achieve wellness, so you need to create a balanced life. Why is it Important? Ahealthy lifestyle is a valuable resource for reducing the incidence and impact of health problems, for recovery, for coping with life stressors, and for improving quality of life. There is a growing body of scientific evidence that shows our lifestyles play a huge part in how healthy we are. From what we eat and drink, to how much exercise we take, and whether we smoke or take drugs, all will affect our health, not only in terms of life expectancy, but how long we can expect to live without experiencing chronic disease. Conditions such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, joint disease, and mental illness are responsible for a vast number of deaths and disabilities. Currently, we rely almost exclusively on the provision of clinical care by highly trained health professionals as our major strategy to deal with these conditions. Many health problems can be prevented or at least their occurrence postponed by having a healthy lifestyle. * Why don’t you have a healthy lifestyle? It’s a busy life for most of us. And keeping ourselves healthy is all too rarely near the top of our list of ‘things to do’. Convenience often wins – we are all so busy that convenience is at a premium. Good Health Is ’Simple – But It’s Not Easy’ It is so important to make ‘keeping healthy’ a part of our day-to-day living habits. Your health depends on what you do throughout the day, everyday. A healthy lifestyle is absolutely vital. Here is a real simple solution – slowly improve your lifestyle in a step-by-step way. If you take one new health step every two months, for example, in two to three years you will be among the healthiest ten percent of people in the Western world. And boy will you see and feel the benefits. Improvements do not have to be large steps; take one small step for your health today, keep that one going, and add another one every two months. Have a plan – maybe introduce 6 improvements over the course of a year. Can You Adopt A Healthy Lifestyle? Whatever your age, fitness level or body shape, its never too soon or too late to start thinking about living healthily. You can take a step towards healthy living by making one change now to your daily life. That won’t be so hard will it? Are You Living A Healthy Lifestyle? Do you wake up with enthusiasm for the day ahead? Do you have the high energy you need to do what you want? Do you laugh easily and often, especially at yourself? Do you confidently find solutions for the challenges in your life? Do you feel valued and appreciated? Do you appreciate others and let them know it? Do you have a circle of warm, caring friends? Do the choices you make every day get you what you want? The Components Of A Healthy Lifestyle Eating Healthily The right nutrition is necessary to live a healthy lifestyle. Your body requires a well balanced dietevery day in order to maintain the adequate amounts of vitamins, nutrients and minerals needed to maintain a healthy body. To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligently is an art. La Rochefoucauld French Writer An Active Lifestyle You will need to include fitness as part of your life. Physical fitness keeps your weight in check, helps you sleep better at night, prevents heart attacks and strokes and other health problems, and generally prolongs your life. Basically there are so many benefits of exercising that you really can’t live a full life without it. Those who think they have not time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness. Edward Stanley Earl of Derby Stress Management Emotional stress plays an important role in many illnesses, both directly and indirectly. People are also more likely to smoke, overeat, drink too much, work too hard, argue with others and so on, when they are feeling stressed. Thus, stress management is an important part of your new lifestyle, and meditation and relaxation techniques are truly a key part of living a healthy lifestyle. Diseases of the soul are more dangerous and more numerous than those of the body. Marcus Tullius Cicero Roman Philosopher Make Friends With Yourself Loving yourself is a key to a healthy, happy lifestyle. Self-esteem is all about how much people value themselves; the pride they feel in themselves, and how worthwhile they feel. Self-esteem is important because feeling good about yourself can affect how you act. The power of love to change bodies is legendary, built into folklore, common sense, and everyday experience. Love moves the flesh, it pushes matter around†¦ Throughout history, â€Å"tender loving care† has uniformly been recognized as a valuable element in healing. Larry Dossey Physician Powering Up Your Mind And Body Programme your mind for total success. Develop a vision, a compelling future that excites and inspires you, and focus on it daily. Don’t let anything knock you of course, or make you question its possibility. I promise you, by taking control of your thoughts, you will improve your life in a big way. In minds crammed with thoughts, organs clogged with toxins, and bodies stiffened with neglect, there is just no space for anything else. Alison Rose Levy Journalist Life Balance If you want to achieve a healthy lifestyle you must take steps to ensure you maintain a certain level of balance†¦ spiritually, physically, emotionally, socially, mentally and financially. You need to balance work and family, and all the other areas of your life without spreading yourself too thin and having a guilt trip when you do one thing, but think you should be doing another. All of the key areas of our lives overlap and interlink, effecting each other. Unless we create for ourselves satisfaction in each and every part of our life, we can never truly be fulfilled, or live a contented, happy and healthy life. No success in public life can compensate for failure in the home. Benjamin Disraeli British Prime Minister Being Healthy is so important. Just change one thing in your life today. Have a healthy lifebeginning now. Living a healthy lifestyle will bring you happiness, health and the life of your dreams. You can fit into your favourite pair of jeans again. You can enjoy all the benefits that perfect health offers you. You can feel your best at all times of the day. I have spent over ten years working in the area of personal development and in helping others to achieve their potential. It is the belief that everyone should be helped and encouraged to reach their full potential that motivates me in my work as a coach and blogger. I’m passionate about this because I have seen its effects in my own life and the lives of others. I am 100% committed to making the difference, and I pray this is obvious to you through my blog. Life Coaching with Larry I hope this article has helped you in some way today. If you have ended up asking yourself more questions instead of getting questions answered then maybe I can help you. Take up my free 30 minute session to see if life coaching is for you. Does this sound familiar? * In midlife transition and lost the spark and direction? * Looking for more clarity, meaning and joy? * Feeling stuck or confused about your future? * Want to do more, be more, achieve more? https://www.healthylifestylesliving.com/health/healthy-lifestyle/what-is-a-healthy-lifestyle/ https://www.healthylifestylesliving.com/health/healthy-lifestyle/what-is-a-healthy-lifestyle/ https://www.healthylifestylesliving.com/health/healthy-lifestyle/what-is-a-healthy- https://www.healthylifestylesliving.com/health/healthy-lifestyle/what-is-a-healthy-lifestyle/ https://www.healthylifestylesliving.com/health/healthy-lifestyle/what-is-a-healthy-lifestyle/ https://www.healthylifestylesliving.com/health/healthy-lifestyle/what-is-a-healthy-lifestyle/ https://www.healthylifestylesliving.com/health/healthy-lifestyle/what-is-a-healthy-lifestyle/

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Food & Beverage Operations Management Essay

FOOD PRODUCTION It is a process of preparing food in which raw materials are transformed into ready-to-eat food products for human consumption in the home or in any food processing industries. Food production can be classified into various types which are: traditional, centralized, batch cooking, call order, Assembly cooking, sous-vide, cook-chill, cook-freeze. Traditional Cooking. It is the simple and fast way to cook food. This cooking is done mostly in clay pots as per our tradition. Cooking in clay pots maintains moisture, keeps food warm for hours and the flavor of the food is unique. Centralized. Centralized cooking is done in large kitchen units that have the capacity to cook up to 100,000 meals. This kitchen serves a set of schools, orphanages, etc†¦located around the unit. 3. Batch Cooking. In this, the cooking is done in large batches in advance to save time so that the work is done in speed on weekdays. 4. Call Order. It is produced specifically when someone requests the item so that the item can be made as per the desire of the customer. Most of the fast-food corners have adopted this method of cooking. 5. Assembly Cooking. It is also known as bulk cooking. It means cooking in advance which is then stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 days which can be cooked later and consume by the customers. It is a time-saving technique. 6. Sous-Vide. It is a method of cooking in which food is vacuum-sealed in a plastic pouch and placed in a water bath for longer than normal cooking times. 7. Cook-Chill. In this, the food is cooked and then chilled to 3 degrees C in a central kitchen. It preserves food for up to 4 days before it is reheated for eating. 8. Cook-Freeze. In this, the food is cooked and then frozen to -20 degrees C in a central kitchen. It preserves food for up to 8 weeks before it is reheated for eating. CITATION Loc l 2057 (Locus Assignments)Food and Beverage Service Systems. CITATION Sky l 2057 (Sky City Careers)There are mainly 5 categories of service which includes: 1. Table Service It is a style of food service where the diner sits at the table and the food is served by a waiter/waitress. This is the oldest form of service. This following service comes under this category: English Service French Service Silver Service American Service Russian Service Guerdon Service Snack Bar Service 2. Assisted Service In this category, the guest enters in the dining area and helps himself to the food from a buffet counter. This category of service includes only Buffet Service. 3. Self-Service In this type of service, the guest enters in the dining area, selects his own tray or from the food counter and carries food by himself to his seating place. This category includes Cafeteria Service. 4. Single Point Service In this category, the guest orders pay for his order and get served all at a single point. This following service comes under this category:- Take-Away Service Vending Machine Food Courts Kiosks 5. Specialized Service In this category, the guest is served at the place, which is not meant or designated for food & beverage service like guest rooms. This following service comes under this category:- Tray Service Grill Room Service Trolley Service Home-Delivery Lounge Service Room Service 1.2. DISCUSS FACTORS AFFECTING RECIPES AND MENUS FOR SPECIFIC SYSTEMS Factors affecting recipes and menus for specific systems are: Size of operation Objectives of the operation Quality of the operation Nature of the menu Quality of customers The budget of the customers Customer needs Availability of resources CITATION Loc l 2057 (Locus Assignments)1.3. Compare the cost and staffing implications for different systems. Self-service outlets and vending machines Costs implications -Food served is mostly made of readily available low-cost raw materials. Only minor storage requirements. Staff implications-Very low costs. Few or no kitchen staff at all. Service can be managed by one unskilled person. Cafeteria, pubs, bars and buffet services Costs implications- Low service costs. Food costs depending upon the business aims. Staff implications – Skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled kitchen and service staff. Fewer employees than table service restaurants. Restaurants(English and American table service) Costs implications – Ranging from low to high-quality production, material, and storage costs according to quality level of an outlet. Staff implications- Combining high-skilled and less-skilled assistants will help keep costs down. Restaurants (French and Russian table service), Gourmet restaurants, high-level event catering. Costs implications – High-quality raw materials, often seasonal ingredients. Staff implications – High-skilled kitchen and service staff. CITATION Nel l 2057 (Nelson College London)1.4. Justify the suitability of systems for particular food and beverage outlets. IN-FLIGHT CATERING CITATION runs l 2057 (RUS)TRAY SERVICE is done in airlines because of the following factors:- There is no place for the kitchen in flights. It is easy to serve. It is more hygienic. It takes less effort by the service staff. There are disposable utensils which are easy to clear. TASK 2; 2.1Discuss the use of financial statements in food and beverage operations. 2.2Demonstrate the use of cost and pricing processes. 2.3Analyze the purchasing processes. SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT RECORD SHEET Programme Pearson BTEC Level 5 HND in Hospitality Management Learner Name Keerti Krishna Ratnala Assessor Name Mr. Osden Dias Unit No. & Title Unit 5: Food & Beverage Operations Management. Target Learning Aims Assignment No. & Title To understand different food & beverage production and service systems with financial controls used in food & beverage operations. Issue Date Interim Submission Date Final Submission Date Target criteria Criteria Achieved Final Assessment Comments Summative comments Resubmission authorization* Resubmission Date: * All resubmissions must be authorized. Only 1 resubmission is possible per assignment. Assessor Signature Date: Learner comments Learner Signature sd1719hndh_keerti@ragc.in Date: INTERNAL VERIFICATION – ASSESSMENT DECISIONS Programme title Pearson BTEC Level 5 HND in Hospitality Management Assessor Mr. Osden Dias Internal Verifier Unit(s) Unit 5: Food & Beverage Operations Management. Assignment title To understand different food & beverage production and service systems with financial controls used in food & beverage operations. Learner’s name Keerti Krishna Ratnala List which assessment and grading criteria the assessor has awarded. Pass Merit Distinction INTERNAL VERIFIER CHECKLIST Comments Do the assessment criteria awarded match those targeted by the assignment brief? Y/N Has the work been assessed accurately? Y/N Is the feedback to the learner: Constructive? Linked to relevant assessment and grading criteria? Identifying opportunities for improved performance? Agreeing actions? Y/N Does the assessment decision need amending? Y/N Assessor signature Date Internal Verifier signature Date Lead Internal Verifier signature (if required) Date Confirm action completed Remedial action is taken Assessor signature Date Internal Verifier signature Date Lead Internal Verifier signature (if required) Date

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Determinants of Belonging to a Union Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Determinants of Belonging to a Union - Essay Example Determinants of Belonging to a Union This study establishes that an average person who never attended college and lives outside the South and the Central City earns an average hourly rate of $7.57 has a probability of 0.61 of being unionized. This is because the overall available jobs are not as abundant as they are within the city. It is also presumed that, the black peoples are likely to be in unions than the white counterparts. In addition, persons with low wages tend to align themselves to unions. This study intends to test all these assumptions and examine a model of the determinant factors of belonging to a union. SAMPLE This study uses a data set of 1,876 individuals. 25 % of this populace belongs to a union. The minimum and maximum age of this sample is 34 and 46 years respectively. The average age for this sample is established to be 39 years. The samples attributes include 65% married, 24% divorced and 11% never been married, 24% are graduates, 42% live in the south, 30% in the central city while 71% in an SMSA. In addition, 28% are black. It is significant to note that, the levels of education of the sample vary significantly. The average grade attained in high school and college is 13. Majority of the people f orming a sample comprises of those without education to grade 18 of education. The average wage per hour in this sample is $7.57. The wage variance is significant. The average work experience of the sample is 12.8 years, which include persons who have, worked between 0.1 years to 29 years. This study examines the correlation amid variables. It is observable that, the marital status and the unions are dependent variables. This is indicated by (never married ?2 = 4.6, df= 1, P?0.05, single verses married: ?2 = 5.3, df-=1, P?0.05). On the contrary, the general anticipation that more than expected single individuals are unionized. They include divorced and those never married. On the other and, less tan anticipated married individuals do not belong to a union. Similarly, the variables living in the central city, south and in an SMSA and being unionized are dependent. This survey reveals that, less than expected populace of the South are unionized (?2 =41.96, df=1, p? 0.001); more than t he anticipated populace of a central city are unionized (?2= 17.8, df=1, P?0.001) and more than the anticipated SMSA inhabitants are unionized (?2= 11.2, df=1, P?0.001). The presumed assumption of more than the anticipated black people belong to unions attestable (?2= 12.5, df=1, P?0.001). In addition, the race and being unionized are dependent of each other. The survey indicates that the correlation between age and being unionized is not significant (t=-0.52, df=1874, P?0.05). The grade attained have a highly significant correlation with being unionized (t=-3.75, df=708.47, P?0.001).This implies that, the members of the union have between grade 13 and 14. In addition, the correlation between wage and being unionized is highly significant (t=-6.65, df=1874, P?0.001). A union member earns an average of $8.68 compared to a non-unionized employee’s hourly wage rate of $7.2. The study further examines that, the correlation between the total number of years of experience and being unionized is highly significant (t=-2.32, df=1874, P?0.05). Similarly, the re is insignificant difference between experience of a non-unionized member and a unionized member. It is notable that, the average number of years of experience for a non-unionized member is 12.7 while that, of a unionized member is 13.2. The other fundamental aspect is the wage difference across the races. It is notable tat, the

Friday, September 27, 2019

Systems and Operations Management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Systems and Operations Management - Assignment Example If we define this question the answer that we will get goes something like this: managing the activities, decisions and responsibilities of the resources so that it can produce and deliver the quality products or services in a stipulated span of time is called as Operations Management. Mainly, Operations Management about managing resources to create goods and services (Slack et al., 2010). In today’s competitive world, every organization has the operations management team that oversees the smooth functioning of the operations in terms of production and delivery of products and services. As Hayes et al. (2005) claims, effective operations strategy should be consistent and contribute to give competitive advantage. The person who manages this particular team is called as Operations Manager and it is his/her responsibility to see the operation is going smooth. Strategic Importance of the Digital Economy A decade before the Civil War, which was in 1850, the economy of the United St ates was not very big. It was even smaller than that of Italy. But after 40 years of the war United States was world’s largest economy. The reason behind this enormous progress is the railroads. What they did was connect the east and the west along with the interior parts with both the sides. With this move the industrial goods of the eastern part of the country gained access for the rest of the country; they scaled the economy with stimulation of the steel and manufacturing industries (Arthur, 2011). And this had made the economy to prosper many folds making it the largest economy. These types of changes are not unusual. Since 60 years or so there has been a great transformation in the economy of the country and most of the reforms are being done by the technology that has entered the country almost unnoticing. The entry of the technology has brought new social classes with them and also creates different classes of business. In today’s fast paced world is it possible to think such silent and slow yet deep economic transformation? If we look at the genetic or nano technology we can see the same, however, the time for them has not yet come in full force (Arthur, 2011). But it is arguable that there is something deep that is going as far as the information technology is concerned, which is way beyond the computers or the social media or e-commerce. The business processes that were completely human effort are now being executed electronically without losing time. These processes are executed in an unseen strictly digital domain (Katz and Koutroumpis, 2012). Let us take a look at an example. If you think about 20 years back, when you had to go somewhere in flight you would have a paper ticket that you would produce to a human being in the airport counter. After that the person would register your ticket, check your luggage in and help you know if the flight has arrived or not. All these activities were to be done manually by human interventions (Art hur, 2011). However, today, in the time of information technology, when you go to the airport you just need to swipe your frequent flyer card or credit card in the kiosk and you will get all the necessary stuffs – boarding pass, luggage tag, receipt etc. in just few seconds, without any human intervention. Once you swipe your card, an enormous conversation is being initiated among the

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Deviant behavior within cults Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Deviant behavior within cults - Essay Example According to an estimate some three thousand (3,000) of such cults have been reported to exist all over the world with a total population of at least three million people attached to them as their followers. The secret religious ceremonies in Greek were technically called the Mysteries. The history of Mysteries is traced back to the days of ancient Greece in the year 600 B.C. when in a Greek city Eleusis, the people practiced a cult of Eleusinian Mysteries. Those Greek who practiced this cult, which involved the worship of Demeter, the goddess of fertility, were promised blessings in the life hereafter. In ancient Rome the group, comprising mostly of soldiers, and belonging to the 'Mithraism Cult' also practiced Mysteries. The members of this cult worshipped the god of fire and light called Mithra. (Raitt, Jill., n.p.n.d.) It was not easy to become a member of a cult in ancient times. Before their admittance into a particular cult, people had to undergo rigorous tests of their patience and staunch adherence. Some of the steps and mechanism involving induction of new members into the cult included: 2. The new entrants then take an oath and pledge for their adherence to the cult so as to become permanent member. The members develop a sense of belonging to that particular cult whose membership they attain. The followers of the cult then begin to imbibe within them the characteristics of cult, their mentality converting into strong allegiance to the group as denoted by the phrase "Us vs Them" 3. Belief of the members: Members gradually are made to develop a belief that it is only they or their group which is on the path of truth. And the other forms of truth as described in other various divinely religions become meaningless to them. The process of operative exclusivists comes into play allowing awareness of several unrevealed dogmas and special information only to those who are interested and proved their loyalty within the group. 4. The natural outcome of this belief is the segregation of such a group from the existing society. The feelings of hostility for other members of society who are not members of such a cult are emanated from the process of indoctrination from cult's beliefs. 5. Self-negation: Cults demand sacrifice of personal wishes, desires or wishes from its members. It is through the practice of this principle of self-negation that members exhibit willingness to sacrifice their self-comfort, getting along without money, and crushing their ambitious dreams for fulfilling cults motives and the so-called salvation The Modern Cults As the time passed, the meaning of cult underwent a change especially after 1960s. The new definition

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Mona Golabek in The Pianist of Willesden Lane Essay

Mona Golabek in The Pianist of Willesden Lane - Essay Example Berkeley Rep offers an advisory about any stage effect of potential concern to patrons’ health. This show has none. We don’t offer advisories about subject matter, as sensitivities vary from person to person. If you have any concerns about content, please contact the box office. Mona Golabek doesn't just tell a great story. Seated at a concert grand, she accompanies her tale with music that infuses, illustrates, amplifies and elevates "The Pianist of Willesden Lane" to make the personal universal and another generation so personal that you can't help but feel your heart swell in response. Great music can do that. Skillfully blended with an affecting tale, it can do even more. If there was a dry eye in the house at Wednesday's Berkeley Repertory Theatre opening, my own were too filled with tears to see it.Each piece of music tells a story, Golabek's mother told her. She learned her mother's story along with keyboard technique in her piano lessons. Director Hershey Felder , who adapted Golabek's book for stage - and whose Eighty-Eight Entertainment is a co-producer - builds on that connection to shape the play and intensify particular scenes. Then he adds well-selected visuals to the sensory package.  package. From the beginning, Jura's dream is to make her concert debut with Grieg's Piano Concerto in A Minor. Felder, best-known for his popular solo shows about composers (he performed "George Gershwin Alone" at the Rep last summer), uses the concerto to frame "Pianist" from beginning to  end (Cohen and Mona, 45-49). The first movement - brilliantly, probingly performed by Golabek - sets up the fraught conditions in 1938 Vienna. The second intensifies the dramatic perils of the Blitz. The third brings the piece to its passionate  resolution. In between, Golabek's beautifully rendered pieces by Beethoven, Debussy and Chopin enhance the families and Vienna's Jews worsening fortunes - as told by Golabek as the young Jura - and her escape through th e Kindertransport program. Felder heightens the impact with archival photos and newsreel footage, projected in the large, antique gilt picture frames hanging about the midnight blue  stage. Golabek doesn't convey the comfort of an actor, but she grows more assured and riveting as she traces Jura's life in London, assuming the voices of the

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Social Responsibility Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Social Responsibility - Essay Example The supermarkets serve as the liaison between the manufacturers and consumers. The questions pertaining to corporate social responsibility are applicable to both the manufacturers and dispensers (or the supermarkets). The rest of this essay will ponder the question of how successful supermarkets in the UK have been in providing a sufficient range of products while also taking into consideration the long term consequences on people and environment. One of the issues related to corporate social responsibility is 'green consumption', meaning a consumption pattern that is ecologically sustainable. This translates into finding the right balance between "agricultural production and consumers, particularly the new food economy and the growth in sales of organic produce" (Gilg, Barr & Ford, 2005). Research conducted to understand the relation between citizen attitudes and responsible consumption reveals an interesting finding. In spite of most people in Britain saying that they are concerned about the environment and its health is of great importance to them, their consumption patterns remain unsustainable. ... If lack of creating awareness among consumers is a failure on part of the supermarkets, being direct contributors to environmental pollution is another criticism against supermarkets. Given that 74 percent of the retail sector in the UK is garnered by large supermarket stores, the amount of environmentally hazardous material such as plastic that they use for packaging and carry-bag needs is huge. But, some section of the sector has risen to the challenge and has erected strict rules related to plastic bags. As Lucy Neville-Rolfe states, "It is really to be welcomed that Tesco, Marks & Spencer, and some of the others, have taken sustainability seriously, and are trying to do more. But, if we want localism, variety of supply and smaller distribution chains, we want the big four supermarkets to grow less and we want more genuine choice in the high street. For instance, I read in the Guardian today about 300,000 carrier bags being fished out of the Thames on the Isle of Dogs. Why don't the leading supermarkets across UK do what the town of Modbury in Devon has done and say, "We are not going to give free carrier bags any more"'" (New Statesman, 8 Oct. 2007) Moreover, research also suggests that consumers are not entirely happy with the range of products being offered them. A common complaint among consumers is the lack of real meaningful variety among the merchandise on offer. This standardization of commodities is a phenomenon that is closely related to the 'lack of human touch' that has come to define the supermarket experience. But not all is negative about how supermarkets are perceived by the general public in the UK. With more supermarket chains in the UK taking social responsibility seriously, their endeavours in this direction have contributed to a

Monday, September 23, 2019

Rephrase Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Rephrase - Essay Example The world is changing is changing more rapidly than ever before, to be able to succeed, managers and employees need to perform at a higher level. Most organizations have discovered that to be able to reach and remain in the top of the competitive environment, they need to build a competitive advantage. Competitive advantage is the ability of organizations to perform better than other organizations because they are producing desired goods and services more effectively and efficiently than its competitors. The main items that help in building a competitive advantage is quality, innovation, efficiency, and responsiveness to customers’ changing needs. In the today’s competitive environment, organizations look for new ways to improve themselves (BECERRA-FERNANDEZ, 2008). This shows that knowledge is crucial to the success of an organization. This paper looks at how organizations in the UAE can succeed if they develop proper knowledge management, organizational trust, creativ ity, and innovation and how these elements are related. Knowledge management is a crucial aspect in gaining insights over the competitive edge in the framework of the EAU economy. Knowledge has proved to be beneficial in helping organizations gain an advantage over other competitors in the market. The concept of efficiency and effective management of knowledge is a crucial aspect in all organizations. When knowledge is managed, organizations get ways to take advantage of opportunities and are able to reduce the chances of errors. Knowledge management goes through some steps which include; identification of need, knowledge acquisition, and sharing. Knowledge acquisition is the process that a company tries to obtain information from internal and external sources. External knowledge sources include customers, suppliers, partners, competitors, and external experts. This is the process of extracting knowledge

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Philosophy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 3

Philosophy - Essay Example I would ask journalists to interview me. I would begin organizing a protest movement. We would begin to apply pressure on the decision-makers. If no results were forthcoming, I would take more drastic, and perhaps illegal, action. I would blockade government buildings. I would try to shut down the government through peaceful means as protestors recently tried to do in Wisconsin. I would help lead the students on a strike march to Sacramento. Throughout this whole process I would feel justified to take these actions because I would see the government's policies as illegitimate and undemocratic. The only response to those kind of policies is to protest and cause maximum disruption. Part 2 Socrates makes a number of very intelligent points to Euthyphro. In my situation, I have said that the policies of the government are not just. This injustice is what motivates me to take actions against the government. I have a definition of justice in this context which would be something like this: in a financial crisis, the burden of cuts should be shared somewhat equally across society; it is unfair to pass all of the costs on to students who have very little money to begin with. I understand that not everyone would agree with this idea.

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Dissociative Identity Disorder Essay Example for Free

Dissociative Identity Disorder Essay The syndrome commonly known as Multiple Personality Disorder but now called Dissociative Identity Disorder (American Psychiatric Association, 198) might be thought of as a recent phenomenon. The diagnostic literature shows the definition of multiple personality as evolving significantly over the editions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. In the DSM-1, these behaviors were called dissociative reaction, (American Psychiatric Association, 1952), which came to be called hysterical neurosis, dissociative type in the DSM-II (American Psychiatric Association, 204). In each of these, multiple personality was not seen as a distinct disorder but was grouped with somnambulism, amnesia, and fugue states. Only in the DSM-III does Multiple Personality Disorder appear as a separate diagnostic category, with a definition of this behavior. This disorders defining features were argued to be the existence within the individual of two or more distinct personalities, each of which is dominant at a particular time (American Psychiatric Association, 257). The DSM-IIIR of 1987 gave nearly identical defining features as the existence within the individual of two or more distinct personalities or personality states (American Psychiatric Association, 269). The defining features evolved further in the DSM-IV where this behavior pattern came to be termed Dissociative Identity Disorder. Its features became the presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states that recurrently take control of behavior (American Psychiatric Association, 484). This subtle change is significant; distinct personalities were no longer seen as existing within the person or as a part of the person, but the behaviors displayed different states or identities. This definition is less organismic and more behavioral-environmental in theory than earlier versions. With the readers extrapolation, the personality is variable behavior or as topographical subdivisions of behavior, occasioned by discriminative stimuli and controlled by reinforcement contingencies. Here, the personality is showing more variability than that of the average or normal individual; the individual lacking one coherent personality displays a personal repertoire of behaviors which is very diverse, with large variability in the relationship between antecedents and responses. The antecedents, that is, people, places, events, and so forth, of the individual in question occasion more responses of an idiosyncratic nature which are maintained by reinforcement contingencies unique to that individual. Along t his approach, one writer took the new definition to mean that the individual displaying these behaviors could no longer be described as having more than one personality. Instead, the person should be viewed as having less than one whole, coherent personality (Sapulsky, 95). Similarly, Kohlenberg and Tsai (82) observed that these individuals may have not developed all the characteristics of a stable, single personality. History Multiple personality was first recognized and described by the French physician Pierre Janet the late 19th century. In the year 1982 psychiatrists were talking about â€Å"the multiple personality epidemic. Yet those were early days as multiple personal ¬ity became an official diagnosis of the American Psychiatric As ¬sociation only in 1980. Ten years earlier, in 1972, multiple personality had seemed to be a mere curiosity. â€Å"Less than a dozen cases have been reported in the last fifty years. † You could list every multiple personality recorded in the history of Western medicine, even if experts disagreed on how many of these cases were genuine as the word for the disorder was rare. Ten years later, in 1992, there were hundreds of multiples in treat ¬ment in every sizable town in North America. Even by 1986 it was thought that six thousand patients had been diagnosed. After that, one stopped counting and spoke about an exponential increase in the rate of diagnosis since 1980. Clinics, wards, units, and entire private hospitals dedicated to the illness were being established all over the continent. Maybe one person in twenty suffered from a dissociative disorder. Clinicians were still reporting occasional cases as they appeared in treatment. Soon the number of patients would be ¬come so overwhelming that only statistics could give an impression of the field (Modestin, 88-92). Public awareness of the disorder increased in contemporary times after a case was the subject of The Three Faces of Eve (1957). In the 1980s and early 90s, such factors as recognition of child abuse, public interest in memories recovered from childhood (whether of actual or imagined events), allegations of so-called satanic ritual abuse, and the willingness of many psychotherapists to assume a more directive role in their patients treatment, led to what came to be regarded as a rash of overdiagnoses of multiple personality. Causes The cause of multiple personality is not clearly understood, but the condition seems almost invariably to be associated with severe physical abuse and neglect in childhood. It is believed that amnesia the key to formation of the separate personalities occurs as a psychological barrier to seal off unbearably painful experiences from consciousness. The disorder often occurs in childhood but may not be recognized until much later. Social and psychological impairment ranges from mild to severe. The fairly-necessary-condition evolved together with the characterization of multiple personality disorder (MPD). According to Cornelia Wilbur and Richard Kluft, â€Å"MPD is most parsimoniously understood as a posttraumatic dissociative disorder of childhood onset. † Here the childhood onset and the presence of trauma are not parts of an empirical generalization or a statistically checkable fairly-necessary-condition. They are part of the psychiatrists` understanding of multiple personality disorder, part of what they mean by â€Å"MPD. † There is nothing methodologically or scientifically wrong with this. I warn only against having it both ways. There is a tendency (a) to define the concept â€Å"MPD† (or dissociative identity disorder) in terms of early childhood trauma, and (b) to state, as if it were a discovery that multiple personality is caused (in the sense of fairly-necessary-condition) by childhood trauma (Horton and Miller, 151-159). Moreover, child sexual abuse became part of the prototype of multiple personality. That is, if you were giving a best example of a multiple, you would include child abuse as one feature of the example. The connection between abuse and multiplicity became stronger and stronger during the 1970s, just when the meaning of â€Å"child abuse† moved from the prototype of battered babies through the full range of physical abuse and gradually centered on sexual abuse. As a point of logic it is useful to see how concepts are used to lift themselves up by their own bootstraps. Those sounds highly figurative, but consider this. In a 1986 essay Wilbur wrote, â€Å"In discussing the psychoanalysis of MPD, Mershkey (330) pointed out that childhood trauma is central and causal. † In fact he ended his prize winning essay by posing some questions. He said that in recent previous reports of multiplicity â€Å"childhood trauma is central and causal† (327-340). The connection between multiple personality and real, not fantasized, child abuse was cemented in clinical journals throughout the 1990s. By 1992 there were vivid musterings of data about the relationship between incest and multiple personality. Philip Coons (299) had stated in his classic 1994 essay on differential diagnosis of multiple personality, he wrote that â€Å"the onset of multiple personality is early in childhood, and is often associated with physical and sexual abuse. At that time no child multiples were known. But the hunt was on. The first in what is now a long series of books of contributed papers about multiple personality had a fitting title: Childhood Antecedents of Multiple Personality (311-315). Prevalence The number of different personalities per MPD patient has shown a substantial increase since the 19th century. During the 19th century, most cases involved only two personalities. Since 1944, however, almost all cases have involved three or more personalities. Modern cases average from 6 to 16 personalities per patient (Coons 305). For instance Modestin (89) reported that 44% of 74 MPD patients each had more than 10 personalities and 8 of these patients had more than 20 personalities each. North, Ryall, Ricci, and Wetzel (2003) plotted the mean number of MPD per patient as a function of year, between 1989 and 2000. In 1989, the average MPD patients manifested just fewer than 10 personalities; by 1999, MPD patients displayed an average of just under 25 personalities per patient. At the present time, MPD appears to be culture-bound syndrome. The explosion of cases since 1970 has thus far remained largely restricted to North America. The diagnosis is very rarely made in modern Europe, despite its turn-of-the-century prominence as a center for the study of MPD. It is also very rare in Great Britain (Modestin,90). Modestin (92) surveyed all of the psychiatrists in Europe concerning the frequency with which they had seen patients with MPD. Depending on how it was calculated, the prevalence rate ranged between . 5% and 1. 0%. More interesting, Modestin noted that 90% of the respondents had never seen a case of MPD, whereas three psychiatrists had seen each seen more than 20 MPD patients. Hence, the frequency of multiple personality has been debated over time. There were some descriptions of these behaviors early in this century, but from the 1920s to the early 1970s, there was a surprising dearth of cases (Spanos, 145). Kohlenberg (138) termed it relatively rare while other reports saw it as very numerous in number; more cases were reported from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s than in the previous two-hundred years. The tremendous increase in reported cases has occurred almost exclusively in North America (Spanos, 147). This behavior pattern is rarely reported in Great Britain, France, and Russia; no case has ever been reported in Japan (Spanos, 160). In both North America and Switzerland, most diagnoses are made by a small minority of professionals while the vast majority of professionals rarely if ever see such a case (Modestin, 90-91). The dramatic increase in the reported numbers of cases has been attributed to differing factors. Possibly, cases which were undiagnosed in previous decades are now being diagnosed because of greater awareness of this condition; it has also been proposed that the condition is now being overdiagnosed in individuals whose behaviors are readily suggestible (American Psychiatric Association, 94). It is probably safe to conclude that the prevalence of Dissociative Identity Disorder is in dispute at this time; some may also dispute the validity of this diagnosis as the DSM-IV, unlike earlier versions of the DSM, does not provide any diagnostic reliability information (American Psychiatric Association, 99). Diagnosis On balance, with the behaviors labeled Dissociative Identity Disorder or DID hereafter, the variability between behavioral repertoires is very high, possibly so extreme that the repertoires do not compose one stable personality (Sapulsky, 64). The person himself or herself may even report being a different person, complete with a different name or identity. Although the behavioral variability is more extreme here, it is still on a continuum with the average person; we all can exhibit several personalities and there are circumstances under which any person might claim to be a different person (Sackeim Devanand, 21). Among the behaviors correlated with a diagnosis of DID, self-report is less controlled by public, environmental events and more controlled by events which are private to the person providing the self-report (Kohlenberg Tsai, 139). The most apparent question is: What type of experiences could account for this extreme behavioral variability, in the self-report of being a different person, with differences in sex, age, race, physical appearance, and so forth. Some writers report that this disorder may only become apparent to a professional or others when different people attend meetings, interviews, or therapy; that is, the same individual attends but with a different self-report of identity, memories, and personality (Sackeim Devanand, 25). In so doing, individuals displaying these behaviors can receive a great deal of reinforcing attention from professionals for engaging in these behaviors. Individuals displaying behaviors correlated with a diagnosis of DID may be reassured of no further abuse and may be encouraged to try to be themselves in as many ways as they can. The different self-reports and personalities become a source of gratification (self-reinforcement) for the formerly abused victims and the professional alike (Spanos, 153). The danger here is that a person with degrees of behavioral variability could be shaped iatrogenically to reporting to be a divergent person by professionals zealously looking for this disorder (Merskey, 329) To quote one skeptic, the procedures used to diagnose MPD often create rather than discover multiplicity (Spanos, 153). Pain complaints, paralysis, blindness, and so forth, also consist of a self-report of a private event. Each of these may be accompanied by publicly observable events such as wincing, reluctantly moving, reporting or appearing to be unable to move or see ( Skinner) Both the self-reports and the public evidence for these differences are under stimulus control of the different personality repertoires in cases of these behaviors. When such an individual displays a specific personality, the self-report of pain or other symptom comes or goes with the other behaviors. Originally, the public signs of pain were authentic afflictions in the past as the result of abuse; months or years later, such indications could be self-produced, rule-governed behavior as part of the personality repertoire. These pains and related behaviors could be reinforced and shaped into a real affliction by well-meaning others as the verbal behavior acquired differential stimulus control of operant pain behavior. The rep orts of pain and related behaviors can persist as operant behavior maintained by its consequences in the absence of the original painful stimuli (Bonica and Chapman, 732). As for the reports in the literature of allergic and other responses being present in some personalities and not others, these too can potentially be accounted for via verbal behavior mechanisms. There are reports that individuals can develop rashes, a wound or a burn or other physiological symptoms in response to anothers verbal suggestions, that is, under hypnosis, although it has been argued that many of these symptoms are likely self-inflicted when observers are not present (Johnson, 298). Actual reports of hypnotically induced dermatological changes are difficult to substantiate; such effects are difficult to produce and are not as common an occurrence as often reported (Johnson, 302). These reports are not all due to the acts of the person showing the symptoms; instead, these symptoms may be due to an interaction of verbal behavior and conditioning mechanisms. Verbal behavior can also facilitate the development of stimulus control via respondent or operant conditioning (Skinner). If an experimenter were to flash a light in your eyes and then shock you, the experimenter would expect you to come to recoil to the light after some number of such pairings. If the experimenter were to tell you that he or she was going to shock you after every light flash, then it would be expected for you to recoil to the light sooner. Relating this to the differential presence of symptoms is not a big leap. Here, the individuals who display the divergent personalities have self-instructed and subsequently conditioned themselves to display symptoms when performing different behavioral repertories. Over time, the symptoms may come under the stimulus control of the emotions displayed, in addition to the persons verbal behavior, and appear spontaneous to the person himself or herself. To support the argument for conditioning mechanisms producing somatic symptoms, Smith and McDaniel (69) showed that a hypersensitive cellular response to tuberculin was modulated by respondent conditioning. Individuals can also exert control over a variety of autonomic functions as diverse as dysmenorrhea to seizure activity, via biofeedback . Treatment From the foregoing assumptions, therapy for persons displaying the behaviors in question must consist of extinguishing a reasonable share of the behavioral variability in the repertoire and reinforcing behavioral stability and generalization; literally, to shape one personality. Kohlenberg (138) reported being able to increase the frequency of specific behaviors composing one personality of an individual who exhibited DID-like behaviors by differential reinforcement of that personality. When placed on extinction, these behaviors returned to baseline frequencies. Other techniques might involve the client role-playing and rehearsing several social interactions and experiencing some situations expected to produce normal emotional behaviors. Kohlenberg (139) reported success at reintegrating the personalities in a dual personality individual by teaching assertiveness skills via role playing. Caddy (268) also used assertiveness training and shaping in reintegration. The therapist might videotape client s as they behave, to use for feedback and in shaping and instructing more cohesive behavior. There might also have to be a way of teaching the client to engage in more social-referencing, or seeking public feedback in more instances of what is acceptable behavior. Whereas you or I might ask, Did you see (or hear) something? when we are unsure of seeing or hearing, individuals whose behaviors are consistent with the label of DID may have to learn to ask, Am I still behaving as me? The therapist could not answer this question alone but family members and significant others could. This process would have to continue until the person reports being the same individual with the same experiences, and has less observable variability in his or her personal repertoire. Even if a therapist were to try to undertake such an intervention, and most would probably not, this process could be long and arduous, due to the multiple sources of control that would require adjustment, and the possibly well-meaning sabotage by those who attend to and reinforce the variability. Indeed, based on this account, control of the behaviors in this pattern would be difficult for anyone to establish. Even the therapist who encourages variance is not exerting control unless unpredictable behavior is the target behavior. As a result, these individuals may have been and will likely be in therapy for years (American Psychiatric Association).

Friday, September 20, 2019

Differences between Qualitative and Quantitative Research

Differences between Qualitative and Quantitative Research DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATITVE RESEARCH METHODS What is the difference between quantitative and qualitative research? In a nutshell, quantitative research generates numerical data or information that can be converted into numbers. Qualitative Research on the other hand generates non-numerical data. Many times those that undertake a research project often find theyare notaware of the differences between Qualitative Researchand Quantitative Research methods. Many mistakenly think the two terms can be used interchangeably. So what is the difference between Qualitative Research and Quantitative Research? Qualitative Research is primarily exploratory research. It is used to gain an understanding of underlying reasons, opinions, and motivations. It provides insights into the problem or helps to develop ideas or hypotheses for potential quantitative research. Qualitative Research is also used to uncover trends in thought and opinions, and dive deeper into the problem. Qualitative data collection methods vary using unstructured or semi-structured techniques. Some common methods include focus groups (group discussions), individual interviews, and participation/observations. The sample size is typically small, and respondents are selected to fulfill a given quota. Quantitative Research is used to quantify the problem by way of generating numerical data or data that can be transformed into useable statistics. It is used to quantify attitudes, opinions, behaviors, and other defined variables – and generalize results from a larger sample population. Quantitative Research uses measurable data to formulate facts and uncover patterns in research. Quantitative data collection methods are much more structured than Qualitative data collection methods. Quantitative data collection methods include various forms of surveys – online surveys, paper surveys, mobile surveys and kiosk surveys, face-to-face interviews, telephone interviews, longitudinal studies, website interceptors, online polls, and systematic observations. Snap Survey Software is the ideal solution for a Quantitative Research tool where structured techniques such as large numbers of respondents and descriptive findings are required. Snap Survey Software has many robust features that will help your organization effectively gather and analyze quantitative data Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research Methods The similarities and differences between quantitative and qualitative research methods can be confusing. Here is a simplified explanation. In quantitative research, you generally end up with data reduced to numbers, which are analyzed using statistics. Frequently, quantitative research is used to support or expand a theory that already exists. In qualitative research, you usually dont end up with numbers. Instead, you will describe and analyze a phenomenon using words. Sometimes, qualitative research is used to develop new theory that didnt exist before. The first thing to do in any research project is conceive, clarify and write a research question. After composing the research question, you compose a research plan, which includes the research method or methods you think would be best in answering the question. Quantitative and Qualitative Research What is the difference between quantitative and qualitative research? In a nutshell, quantitative research generates numerical data or information that can be converted into numbers. Qualitative Research on the other hand generates non-numerical data. Only measurable data are being gathered and analyzed in quantitative research. Qualitative research focuses on gathering of mainly verbal data rather than measurements. Gathered information is then analyzed in an interpretative manner, subjective, impressionistic or even diagnostic. Here’s a more detailed point-by-point comparison between the two types of research: 1. Goal or Aim of the Research Quantitative Research on the other hand focuses more in counting and classifying features and constructing statistical models and figures to explain what is observed. Qualitative Quantitative Hypothesis Broad Narrow Description Whole picture Focused Type of Research Exploratory Conclusive 2. Usage Qualitative Research is ideal for earlier phases of research projects while for the latter part of the research project, Quantitative Research is highly recommended. Quantitative Research provides the researcher a clearer picture of what to expect in his research compared to Qualitative Research. Qualitative Quantitative Phase Early Late 3. Data Gathering Instrument The researcher serves as the primary data gathering instrument in Qualitative Research. Here, the researcher employs various data-gathering strategies, depending upon the thrust or approach of his research. Examples of data-gathering strategies used in Qualitative Research are individual in-depth interviews, structured and non-structured interviews, focus groups, narratives, content or documentary analysis, participant observation and archival research. On the other hand, Quantitative Research makes use of tools such as questionnaires, surveys, measurements and other equipment to collect numerical or measurable data. 4. Type of Data The presentation of data in a Qualitative Research is in the form of words (from interviews) and images (videos) or objects (such as artifacts). If you are conducting a Qualitative Research what will most likely appear in your discussion are figures in the form of graphs. However, if you are conducting a Quantitative Research, what will most likely appear in your discussion are tables containing data in the form of numbers and statistics. 5. Approach Qualitative Research is primarily subjective in approach as it seeks to understand human behavior and reasons that govern such behavior. Researchers have the tendency to become subjectively immersed in the subject matter in this type of research method. In Quantitative Research, researchers tend to remain objectively separated from the subject matter. This is because Quantitative Research is objective in approach in the sense that it only seeks precise measurements and analysis of target concepts to answer his inquiry. Determining Which Method Should Be Used Debates have been ongoing, tackling which method is better than the other. The reason why this remains unresolved until now is that, each has its own strengths and weaknesses which actually vary depending upon the topic the researcher wants to discuss. This then leads us to the question â€Å"Which method should be used?† If your study aims to find out the answer to an inquiry through numerical evidence, then you should make use of the Quantitative Research. However, if in your study you wish to explain further why this particular event happened, or why this particular phenomenon is the case, then you should make use of Qualitative Research. Some studies make use of both Quantitative and Qualitative Research, letting the two complement each other. If your study aims to find out, for example, what the dominant human behavior is towards a particular object or event and at the same time aims to examine why this is the case, it is then ideal to make use of both methods.

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Delinquent Parents :: essays research papers fc

Delinquent Parents? Gone are the good old days when mom and dad were around to teach their children about morality and the basics of growing up. Instead, we see parents who have replaced caring and personal involvement with the purchase of material goods. We see parents who are afraid to discipline their children and who are afraid to set boundaries. We see parents who are afraid to hug their children and be involved in their lives. A child's behavior shows the kind of home he or she comes from. Parents are suppose to be role models, but what do we find. Parents are neglecting their responsibility. Parents, who ought to teach by precept and example, have fallen prey to the "do as I say, but not as I do" syndrome. We as a society, often times fail to look at the root cause of many of the adolescent problems being witnessed today. I watched a PBS documentary entitled "The Lost Children of Rockdale County." I found this documentary to be very disturbing look into th e lives of middle to upper class youth. Though the focus of the program was sexual promiscuity, drugs, pornography, and alcohol, but what I found far more troubling was the tremendous breakdown that exists between the children of Rockdale County and their parents. This entire documentary was full of houses that were empty and void of supervision and adult presence. Some recent research on adolescent behavior has provided an insight into factors that contribute to juvenile delinquency. The relationships between parents and children play a significant role in the social well being of the children. Children who do the best, have parents who use both a great deal of warmth and caring with their children and also exercise a high level of control over their children's actions. High levels of warmth and control characterize the form of parenting referred to as authoritative. (Teenagers in Trouble, Gallagher, p.2) Authoritative parents are both firm and fair. Rarely did I see this type of p arent in the program. "I thought that if I disciplined you, you would run away" was one comment made by a mother whose daughter had gone on a drinking bing at age twelve, blacked out, and realized she had been raped when she came to. Many of the parents documented were not able to connect with their children and even when they did, they thought that just showing concern was enough.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Epic of Gilgamesh and Book of Genesis of the Holy Bible Essay -- Epic

Epic of Gilgamesh and the Book of Genesis    History tells us that since we have been able to write, our human race has had the habit of recording historical tales, or stories.   Most of the first stories were tales of heroic men, scouring their land in search of some noble prize.   These stories are known as epics, and they give us an excellent idea of the lifestyles and basic thought processes of early humans.   Along the lines of these epics are the accounts told in the Bible, especially those in the Old Testament.   As with the epics, these legends give us some spiritual idea of the beginning of time and the accounts of early man.   If we compare the stories and characters of the first epic, The Epic of Gilgamesh, with those of the first chapter of the Bible, Genesis, we not only discover some striking similarities, but also some notable differences.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   If there is one thing that all early accounts revolve around, that is the idea of a divine being or, in other words, god.   Early humans were extremely religious, holding the belief that their very lives were in the hands of their god.   This holds true for both the people of biblical times as well as those of the epic era.   However, even as both groups believed in a supreme being, they harbored different feelings and beliefs about the subject.   In the epic, many gods are mentioned and worshiped, such as Ninsun and Shamash.   These gods can give birth to mortals, and can communicate with these mortals, usually through dreams.   In Genesis, there is mention of only one God, a being that created the earth and skies, as well as huma... ...nces; in the Bible it rained for forty days, and in the epic only seven.   In Genesis, Adam and Eve try to become god-like by eating the forbidden fruit.   In the epic, Gilgamesh attempts to be a god by gaining everlasting life.   In both cases, neither succeed.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Epic of Gilgamesh and the Book of Genesis are two of the earliest accounts of human civilization.   In their own way, they set an example of how the population of the past lived.   They also set guidelines for the way that we could live our lives.   By reading of the commitment that Abraham made and the mistakes that Gilgamesh and Adam made, we can shape our own lives.   Through the differences and similarities, both accounts hold as much value for the people of today as they did for the people who wrote them.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Julius Caesar - Summary Of Act I-v :: essays research papers

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar is a play about loyalty, betrayal, love, and deception. There are many characters with fairly in-depth personalities. Some of the main characters are Cassius, the crafty, deceptive, witty man who is the leader of the conspiracy that killed Caesar. Brutus, the noble, honest, honorable man who is one of the key members of the conspiracy. There is also Antony, who is Caesar’s right hand man. He is shrewd and ruthless man, willing to do anything to get revenge for Caesar’s death. Act I is centered around introducing the play and some of its characters. The play opens around a crowd of people waiting for Caesar’s return after his victory over Pompey’s sons. As the parade marches by, a soothsayer bids Caesar to "beware the ides of March." Later in Act I, Cassius persuades the frightened Casca to join the conspiracy during a violent storm. They both plan to visit Brutus later with fake petitions to help persuade Brutus to join the conspiracy. Act II opens with Brutus contemplating whether to join the conspiracy or not when Lucius brings Brutus one of Cassius’s petitions. Cassius and five other conspirators enter. Brutus agrees to become a conspirator, but refuses to take and oath, including Cicero in the conspiracy, and killing Mark Antony. Brutus then leaves with Caius Ligarius for the Capitol. Later in the morning, Caesar’s wife, Calpurnia, begs Caesar not to go to the Capitol. He is finally persuaded to go by Decius. Mark Antony and the conspirators enter, and they all leave for the Capitol together. On the way, Artemidorus tries to warn Caesar of his impending death with a letter, which never makes it to Caesar. Portia sends her servant, Lucius, to the Capitol for news while she speaks with a soothsayer who will try to warn Caesar a second time. In Act III, Caesar, along with the conspirators, makes his way to the Capitol. The soothsayer and Artimedorus both try to warn Caesar to no avail. He is killed at the Capitol, stabbed first by Casca with the words "Speak, hands, for me!" All the conspirators except Brutus follow Casca’s lead and stab Caesar. Caesar tries to fend off all the blows until he sees Brutus’s raised dagger. Caesar dies after Brutus stabs him with the words, "Et tu, Brutè? Then fall, Caesar!" Brutus then explains the conspirators reasons for killing Caesar at his funeral. Julius Caesar - Summary Of Act I-v :: essays research papers The Tragedy of Julius Caesar is a play about loyalty, betrayal, love, and deception. There are many characters with fairly in-depth personalities. Some of the main characters are Cassius, the crafty, deceptive, witty man who is the leader of the conspiracy that killed Caesar. Brutus, the noble, honest, honorable man who is one of the key members of the conspiracy. There is also Antony, who is Caesar’s right hand man. He is shrewd and ruthless man, willing to do anything to get revenge for Caesar’s death. Act I is centered around introducing the play and some of its characters. The play opens around a crowd of people waiting for Caesar’s return after his victory over Pompey’s sons. As the parade marches by, a soothsayer bids Caesar to "beware the ides of March." Later in Act I, Cassius persuades the frightened Casca to join the conspiracy during a violent storm. They both plan to visit Brutus later with fake petitions to help persuade Brutus to join the conspiracy. Act II opens with Brutus contemplating whether to join the conspiracy or not when Lucius brings Brutus one of Cassius’s petitions. Cassius and five other conspirators enter. Brutus agrees to become a conspirator, but refuses to take and oath, including Cicero in the conspiracy, and killing Mark Antony. Brutus then leaves with Caius Ligarius for the Capitol. Later in the morning, Caesar’s wife, Calpurnia, begs Caesar not to go to the Capitol. He is finally persuaded to go by Decius. Mark Antony and the conspirators enter, and they all leave for the Capitol together. On the way, Artemidorus tries to warn Caesar of his impending death with a letter, which never makes it to Caesar. Portia sends her servant, Lucius, to the Capitol for news while she speaks with a soothsayer who will try to warn Caesar a second time. In Act III, Caesar, along with the conspirators, makes his way to the Capitol. The soothsayer and Artimedorus both try to warn Caesar to no avail. He is killed at the Capitol, stabbed first by Casca with the words "Speak, hands, for me!" All the conspirators except Brutus follow Casca’s lead and stab Caesar. Caesar tries to fend off all the blows until he sees Brutus’s raised dagger. Caesar dies after Brutus stabs him with the words, "Et tu, Brutè? Then fall, Caesar!" Brutus then explains the conspirators reasons for killing Caesar at his funeral.

Monday, September 16, 2019

Loa Loa Essay

Loa Loa â€Å"African Eye worm† [pic] [pic] Loa Loa By Amanda Green Microbiology 210 Loa Loa is a parasite known more commonly as the â€Å"African Eye Worm†. This may be one of the most feared of the parasites. They are classified as filarial worms, meaning they thrive in human tissues. Before the 1920’s , Loa Loa infections occurred more frequently in the United States now it is more commonly found in West Africa and equatorial Sudan. It prefers areas with hot, wet climates, like swamps and rainforests. They are cylindrical and have a cuticle with three main outer layers. This protects the nematodes (larvae) so they can invade the digestive tracts of animals. The outer layers are non cellular. The adult Loa Loa is a thin small worms ranging in length from 20 – 70 mm long and 350 – 430 mm wide. Males are smaller than the females. Loa Loa was first described in 1770 by a French surgeon, Mongin. He was the first surgeon to try to remove a worm from the eye of a woman in Santa Domingo. He was unsuccessful. Another observation came form a French ships surgeon, who observed an eye worm in slaves being taken to the West Indies from Africa in 1778. The first person to identify the microfilaria of Loa Loa in 1890 was Dr. Patrick Mason when he was invited to examine blood smears with Dr. Stephen Mackenzie. This person was thought to have â€Å"sleeping sickness of the Congo. † To reproduce the female produces a pheromone to attract males. After mating the female produces large numbers of active embryos called microfilaria. These microfilaria find their way to the blood stream where they can be transmitted through a bite to the next host. Loa Loa is an obligate endoparasite that feeds on fluids in the tissues of humans. The parasite contains pharyngeal glands and intestinal epithelium that produce digestive enzymes that enable them to feed on the hosts’ body fluids. Extracellular digestion begins within the lumen and is finished intracellularly. The adult parasite has been known to live up to 15 years. A human infected by Loa loa is termed Loiasis. People become infected by the transmission by deerflies. Once the deerfly lands on the host and bites, the larvae then drops into the opening of the skin and burrows into the subcutaneous tissues. The larvae then migrate through the body, commonly to the eye. They congregate in the lungs at night. Damage can be done to the eyes as it crawls through the cornea and conjunctive tissues. It can easily be seen and felt in the eye up to an hour. When they are deeper into the body they can cause encephalitis, if they reach the brain, which can lead to death. Joint pain can occur from swelling if the parasite stays near a joint for a period of time. The larva can remain unnoticed for months or years before becoming an adult, mating, and producing offspring. They continuously travel through deep and connective tissues, often even without the person feeling any sensation other than occasional itching. A person may feel the greatest discomfort when the worm slows or reaches a sensitive spot. It is then that the immune reaction starts, with localized redness and swelling called Calabar. This type of reaction is thought to be caused by a type of allergic reaction to dead worms and their byproducts. Skin eruptions and muscle pain may be evident. Once the worm dies the surrounding tissues may abscess. An accumulation of serous fluid in a sacculated cavity called hydrocele is a less common symptom. Colonic lesions, fibroblastic endocarditis, membranous glomerulonephritis, retinopathy, arthritis, and peripheral neuropathy can occur but are less common in people native to endemic areas. To diagnose Loasis, physicians look for Calabar swelling and the presence of worms in the conjunctiva. Those are the main tests used to diagnose an infestation. Some laboratory tests can help with the diagnosing including, C – reactive protein, elevated eosinophils (called eosinophilia), and IgE quantification. Identification of microfilariae by microscopic examination is the most practical diagnostic test. The collection of the blood specimen is extremely important with the known periodicity of the microfilariae. The smear is stained with Giemsa or hematoxylin and eosin. Concentration techniques can be used for increased sensitivity, including centrifugation of the blood sample hemolyzed in 2% formalin. Checking for microfilaria in the blood on a newly suspected case is not recommended because it can take may years for them appear. Loa Loa is endemic only to parts of West Africa. A study done by S. Wanji at the University of Boea in Cameroon found that in 16 rural villages in southern Cameroon 2. 2% to 19. 23% of people were infected. It also showed that males are almost twice as likely to become infested as females. The level of infection increases from the ages of 15 to 65 years old and then drops. The treatment’s side effects for Loa Loa are more life-threatening than the actual infestation. Two of the most common treatments are diethylcarbamazine and ivermectin. Both of thes e treatments can cause encephalitis, coma, or death in people with high microfilaria loads. These drugs kill the microfilaria but not the adult worms. Other treatments include chemotherapy and surgical removal.

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Environmental Degradation – Air Pollution

The environmental degradation is the deterioration of environment through depletion of resources, such as soil, water and air. When natural habitats destroyed or natural resources depleted, the environment are degraded. Here's, one example of air pollution which lead to environment degraded in London. London in SE England had the reputation of one of the most polluted cities in Europe in the 1950s. Air pollution had reached such a serious stage that it caused the London Smog in 1952 that caused 4000 deaths and a host of other related ailments among the Londoners. One of the main causes of the serious air pollution was the burning of fossil fuels by the many manufacturing industries producing iron and steel, automobiles, machinery, textiles and food. Coal and Oil were the main sources of fuel for the factories which resulted in the release of carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, smoke, soot and other particulates. Inefficient machinery and obsolete techniques coupled with the improper monitoring worsened the air pollution. the severe air pollution was causing acid rain, smog and health problems. London being the capital city has a very population density and a large volume to transport vehicles such as aircrafts landing and taking off at the Heathrow airport, lorries and buses on the streets, steamships and boats along the Themes River and private cars; all which were burning up coal, petrol and diesel in large quantities. This led to additional pollutants such as carbon monoxide, lead and carbon being released into the air. Fossil fuel combustion was also prevalent in the domestic households. Even fuel wood was burned to provide heating for homes. Inefficient combustion techniques and building construction led to incomplete burning and excessive release of air pollutants such as gases, smokes and particulates. Thermal electricity generation using fossil fuels further contributed to the worsening of the air quality. n addition, ignorance on the part of individuals and the authorities as regards the burning of garbage, accidental fires and burning of forests aggravated the air pollution. The lack of proper monitoring, legislation and implementation of environmental quality laws did little to alleviate the situation, thus leading to serious degradation of air quality with its heavy toll on human life, livestock, fish and vegetation.

Attorney Client Privelege Essay

The attorney-client privilege, which dates back to the reign of Elizabeth I, was originally based on the concept that an attorney should not be required to testify against the client and, thereby, violate a duty of loyalty owed to the client. At that time, it was the lawyer who held the privilege. Today, the privilege is held by the client; while it may be asserted by the lawyer on behalf of the client, only the client can waive the privilege. Silverman, 1997) Although Silverman states that only the client can waive the privilege; he forgot to mention that if a client discloses to his attorney that he plans on committing a crime that would harm someone else, the attorney is then obligated to report it to the authorities. If a client is discussing a matter with their attorney in a public place and someone over hears it; that can be used in court. Only conversations between the attorney-client in private are considered privileged information. The attorney-client privilege is important to our criminal justice system for the simple fact that a client would be more apt to tell the truth to their attorney. When the attorney does not have all of the facts at hand; they may not be able to represent the client appropriately. If a client knew the information they were disclosing to their attorney wasn’t in confidence; they may not tell the attorney what they need to know. Our Constitution protects us from wrongful imprisonment and the US Supreme court upholds the very old legal concept. If there wasn’t attorney-client privilege then the defense would not need to fight for their client in court, thus making it easier for the prosecution to not have to properly present their case. This could result in innocent people going to prison being stripped of their liberty. One of the major concerns facing attorney-client privilege is e-discovery. With the prevalence of electronic communication, preserving client confidentiality during document production is more challenging than ever. An attorney must track and find all the information that is pertinent to their case. This includes investigating possible electronic information. If the attorney does not have the same information that the prosecution may have; it can damper the case. Electronic information is not included under attorney-client privilege. Therefore, the client should privilege the attorney with any information that may be available to the prosecution through e-discovery.

Saturday, September 14, 2019

Effectiveness of 4p’s in Terms of Mch and Education Essay

Conditional cash transfers (CCTs) are among the most popular social protection schemes today. Promoted by multilateral institutions, notably the World Bank, CCTs have been adopted in at least 30 countries as of 2008, with further ones expected to follow suit in the coming years (WB‘s CCT Webpage). The map below shows these country-adopters. CCTs are grounded on the principle that human capital accumulation is a development vehicle which can be achieved by providing money to poor households, often to women, on conditions that they ensure children‘s regular attendance in school, accompany them to health clinics, and participate in classes and workshops on topics related to health, nutrition, and sanitation (St. Claire 2009: 177; Bradshaw 2008: 188; Hall 2006: 691). Citing the experiences of Latin American countries, particularly Mexico and Brazil, advocates have repeatedly claimed that CCTs are an effective and efficient means of reducing poverty and hunger, keeping childre n in school, enhancing the use of preventive healthcare, empowering women, and increasing the freedom of poor households to invest in their varied needs (WB‘s CCT Webpage; ECLAC 2004). No wonder, with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) deadline getting near, CCTs have been in vogue in a number of countries, including that archipelagic country in the east—the Philippines. In view of the worsening poverty situation and the MDG targets, the Philippine government ran a pilot CCT project in 2007, targeting 6,000 poor households in two provinces and two cities. It proceeded to implementing a full-scale program in 2008, calling it Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and targeting 320,000 additional households. When Benigno Aquino III was elected president in 2010, he decided to sustain his predecessor‘s 4Ps, and further expand its coverage so that when he bows out of the presidency in 2016, it will have reached a total of 4.3 million households (PCIJ 2011). Quoting the Philippine Development Plan 2011–2016, CCTs are the ―cornerstoneâ€â€" upon which the government ―has anchored [the] epic battle against poverty in the landâ€â€" (ibid.). This research has avoided the usual route of scrutinizing the implementation and (non)impact of CCTs in particular, and of development programs in general. It has taken one step back, and examined the factors that influenced or helped shape the government‘s decision to adopt CCTs in a country marked by a long history of poverty and inequality, and was once described as the Latin America in Asia1. The interest on this topic grew out of the observation of the government‘s continued adherence to the so-called residual type of social policy and social provision despite the lessons learned from and the criticisms hurled at past and on-going initiatives. It is in fact worth noting that the 4Ps which of late is called Pantawid Pamilya, is just one of the targeted and pallia tive poverty reduction measures pursued in the country. An earlier one, and internationally acclaimed at that, is the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan (Linking Arms Against Poverty) or KALAHI which has been the flagship poverty reduction program since 2003. A critical review of the KALAHI program reveals that its overall intervention does not offer a more permanent and effective way out of poverty because it lacks coherent plans and mutually supporting projects; and that its social protection component is neither broadly implemented nor viewed to provide permanent economic opportunities for the poor to accumulate assets and to engage in permanent income generating activities (Lim 2009: 29). An assessment of the Philippines‘ performance vis-à  -vis the MDGs supports this analysis. It stresses that†¦ Social protection in the Philippines is not universal; it is simply a bundle of safety net measures targeted at the poorest of the poor. It is [neither] a rights-based entitlement for all citizens†¦[nor a determined effort to] address the structural causes of poverty†¦Since it only targets the ―poorest of the poorâ€â€", many poor remained excluded from the government‘s anti-poverty programs. (Serrano in S ocial Watch Philippines 2010: 23) The analytical position adopted here is that ―policy choices are very politicalâ€â€" no matter how they are couched in technocratic jargon and touted as neutral (Fischer 2010: 40). As further explained, ―social policies are the outcomes of political bargains and conflicts since they touch upon power in society—its distribution and accessibility to different political actorsâ€â€" (Mkandawire 2004: 11 and 12). It is therefore imperative to unravel the interplay of different political processes, institutions, and actors, along with their diverse agenda and ideological persuasions in order to gain a better understanding of social policy choices. This research posits that the Philippine government‘s decision to adopt CCTs reflects the unchanged social policy trajectory marked by the tendency towards targeted, palliative, and supposedly apolitical social provision, not to mention externally-influenced, drawing ―encouragementâ€â€" and support from multilateral institutions, all at the expense of structural reform and redistribution (i.e., asset reform, employment creation, recall of unfair international trade rules and agreements). This trajectory has been defined by the interaction of various political institutions, also called ―the rules of the gameâ€â€", as well as actors, notably the elites whose longstanding dominance in the political and economic arenas has compelled and enabled them to suppress or overturn reform efforts that threaten their position and hold of power. That being said, CCTs paint a bleak picture for the long-term solution to poverty and inequality in the country mainly because like many other World Bank/multilateral donor-backed initiatives, they preclude rationalizing and confronting the structural roots of these problems. Framed in a way that appeals to the elites, middle class, masses, policymakers, bureaucrats, academics, and even a number of progressives—a program that addresses the laziness of the poor by requiring them to do something in exchange for some amount; a program that invests in the well-being of children; a program that efficiently uses the limited resources of government; a program that is supposedly ―apoliticalâ€â€", ―neutralâ€â€", or ―non-partisanâ€â€" and thus effectively reduces the likelihood of manipulation by politicos—a broad agreement of outright support for Pantawid Pamilya has been created despite warnings that it may only serve the Washington Consensus agenda of limiting the state, leaving the market to take care of income and welfare distribution, and granting mere safety nets to people who lose out in the process. Pantawid Pamilya is nothing but a continuation of the purportedly apolitical social policy of the country, and as such, runs the risk of obstructing government and society from going beyond palliatives and undertaking the untidy process of structural reform and distribution. With a situation like this, it is not to be expected that the program will catalyze the shift towards a redistributive and/or universal social provision. UNDP‘s Human Development Reports Webpage The Philippines is a country in the Southeast Asia in the western part of the Pacific Ocean. Its population based on the 2007 census is 88.5 million, of which 44.8 are males and 43.8 are females. Its average population growth rate as of that same year is 2.04 which registers a .32 decrease from 2000‘s 2.36. (NSO Website) Based on World Bank records, the growth in the country has been averaging around five percent over the last 10 years, except in 2010, where it has reached 7.6 percent, the highest in 30 years. Despite this positive picture, however, poverty continues to plague the country, while inequality remains a huge obstacle in achieving major strides in poverty reduction. The 2009 Official Poverty Statistics, the latest poverty report of the National Statistical Coordination Board, reveals that poverty incidence among the population has declined from 33.1 percent in 1991 to 24.9 percent in 2003, 26.4 in 2006, and 26.5 in 2009. Nevertheless, there still remains more than a quarter of the population, or roughly 23.14 million Filipinos livening in poverty. As for subsistence incidence among the population, the figures have decreased from 16.5 percent in 1991 to 11.1 in 2003, 11.7 in 2006, and 10.8 in 2006. As often the case, the official report differs from the unofficial report, especially if the bases are the perceptions of the poor themselves. Based on the survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations, self-rated poverty has ranged from 46 to 72 percent between 1991 and 2009. These numbers are obviously way about the official estimates. Within that period, overall self-rated hunger has averaged at 13.3 percent, of which moderate hunger has roughly been 9.8 percent, and severe hunger, 3.4 percent. Moderate hunger is when a family went hungry at least once in the last three months, while severe hunger is when a family often went hungry in the last three months. (SWS‘ Social Weather Indicators Webpage ) Inequality has shown a downward trend, but despite this decreasing gini ratio—from 0.4605 in 2003 to 0.4580 in 2006 to 0.4484 in 2009—it is still highest among the members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (UNDP as cited in NSCB 2011: 8). For instance, for the year 2009, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam recorded a gini ratio of 0.394, 0.425, and 0.378, respectively (ibid.). In terms of the Human Development Indicators, on one hand, the country‘s performance has been promising. Its score has consistently increased from 0.550 in 1980 to 0.571 in 1990, 0.602 in 2000, 0.641 in 2010, and 0.644 in 2011, although these are still below the global and the East Asia and the Pacific averages (UNDP‘s Human Development Reports Webpage). – 5 – It is also important to take into account the spatial dimension of poverty. The regions with highest poverty incidence by families are the Caraga Region (39.8%) and the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (38.1%), while those with highest number of poor families are Central Visayas (415,303) and Bicol (385,338). The regions with highest subsistence incidence are the Zamboanga Peninsula (18.6%) and Northern Mindanao (15.6%), while those with the highest number of subsistence poor families are Central Visayas (181,649) and Bicol (137,527). Almost 40% of the income poor families are in Luzon, and 40% of the subsistence poor families are in Mindanao. (NSCB‘s 2009 Poverty Statistics Webpage) Moreover, majority of the poor are still located in the rural area with figures that have remained in the 70-percent-mark since 1985 based on the estimates of Balisacan (2006). (Emma_s_RP_Final_Draft_Nov_2011)

Friday, September 13, 2019

Policy Analysis of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Essay

Policy Analysis of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act - Essay Example The main purpose of the given work is to analyze the benefits and drawbacks of the new policy and provide recommendations for improvement. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: Policy Analysis Problems in the national health care system have long been a matter of serious public concern in the United States. Overspending, low efficiency, and the lack of insurance coverage have become the main policy priorities in America. More often than not, politicians and policymakers use health care problems to speed up their political careers. President Obama was probably the first to systematically address the problem of health care from within. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act marks a new stage in the evolution of American health care. Its potential benefits for common American citizens cannot be overestimated. Nonetheless, the controversy surrounding the ACA continues to persist, and it is imperative that policymakers address the existing policy inconsistencies, to ensu re that the proposed changes benefit the American society. Literature Review Needless to say, health care reforms and problems with health care provision are popular objects of empirical analysis. Much has been written and said about the main problems faced by American citizens and medical professionals. A wealth of strategies and recommendations was developed to improve the quality and efficiency of health care in the United States of America. Nonetheless, most policies provide only short-term solutions to issues surrounding health care provision. In this context, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is believed to have the potential to change the situation to the better. Given the scope of medical care problems in the United States, it is no wonder that the ACA has immediately become the most popular object of policy analysis. Health care professionals and medical practitioners provide their ideas regarding the new policy and evaluate its inconsistencies. Based on their findings, the proposed legal provisions exemplify both a promise and peril of health care in the U.S., depending on the direction American policymakers choose to take in their striving to improve the quality of medical care in America. In their study, Davis et al (2010) evaluate the financial consequences and implications of the new act. The authors analyze how the new law affects the quality, organization, and delivery of health care, financial incentives of health care providers, and its capacity to provide the best health care and improve health care outcomes for everyone (Davis et al, 2010). This study is probably the most successful attempt to reconsider the ACA from a financial viewpoint. Davis et al (2010) state that, prior to enactment of the Act, Medicate expenditures were projected to grow at 6.8 percent every year through 2019; with the ACA, these rates of growth will reduce by 5.5 percent. The fact is that the ACA involves a reform of Medicare, which will enhance the val ue of health care provided and, simultaneously, reduce the rates of spending growth (Davis et al, 2010). Another problem addressed by the ACA is the rapid growth of health care premiums, which burden millions of American families. With the new policy, including a public health insurance plan, system savings could reach an estimated $3 billion between 2010 and 2020 (Davis et al, 2010). The policy will also relieve the burden of health care pr

Thursday, September 12, 2019

Criminal justice and the crime problem Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Criminal justice and the crime problem - Essay Example Under the first grouping, individuals may commit crimes under direct influence of drugs. This could be violent or non-violent means of gaining goods or money. Often compulsive drug users commit crimes to buy more drugs for use, for themselves and groups. Further, drugs could be used to strengthen group relationships and to establish better member rapport. Dealing with drugs and drug taking through strong preventive and punitive measures could exacerbate the situation and lead to more complexities. Therefore, it is necessary that cases of individual committing crimes after taken drugs be established. It has been established beyond doubt that crime and drugs are interrelated since research has provide that â€Å"Criminals test positive for drug use (NEW-ADAM, Probation monitoring)† (Drugs and Crime: Criminal Justice and the criminal problem: Drugs cause crime: further evidence). However, it would be farfetched to suggest that drugs induce crimes. This because it is quite possible to carry out crimes without the use of drugs , or to use drugs without indulging in criminal activities, although using illicit drugs may be considered a type of crime. These types of crimes are carried out under influence of some psychoactive products, which could be induced through use of strong stimulants. These drug groups render the consumer aggressive and displaying high level of antisocial behaviour patterns that could culminate in to crimes, depending upon situational factors. It is also possible that the perpetrator may be in a state of mental disorientation and not having adequate control over mental faculties, or though processes while indulging in this type of drug induced crimes. Another aspect could be in terms of the fact that these drug groups could enhance performance under its influence. The economic factor underpins such drug induced crimes. Invariably, the person commits crimes to obtain funds to take care of his drug habits. His sponsors may pay him either