Heat transfer by convection Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Warmth move by convection - Essay Example A square hole was utilized whereby its base and top dividers were protected. One of the side dividers was assumed cold while the opposite side hot. Alumina/water nanofluid was utilized as the working liquid. It was reasoned that utilizing distinctive thermophysical models may prompt inverse pattern estimations for Nusselt number particularly in high strong volume portions. Impacts of tendency edge (somewhere in the range of 00 and 1200) of a square cavity loaded up with Cu/water nanofluid on heat move (Abu-Nada and Oztop). The limit states of the two analyses were comparative. Diverse water based nanofluids containing Cu, Ag, CuO, Al2O3 and TiO2 nanoparticles were put in a depression with volume portion up to 20%. One side of the dividers was warmed utilizing warmer mounted on the divider; hole edge differed somewhere in the range of 00 and 900 (Ogut). Expanded focus builds heat move rate. Normal Nusselt number has a high affectability to thickness contrasted with the warm conductivi ty at high Rayleigh numbers; appropriate consistency model ought to be chosen (SAEED ZEINALI HERIS, Masoumeh Borhani Pour, Omid Mahian, Somchai Wongwises, 2014). Stream of Cu, Al2O3, and TiO2 nanoparticles is suspended in water in a cavity where top and base dividers are protected; right divider is kept cold while the left divider is exposed to the intermittent warmth transition. Utilization of Cu and TiO2 with volume parts up to 20% prompts greatest and least warmth expulsion from heat source separately (Ghasemi and Aminossadati). Stream of Cu/water nanofluid (volume parts up to 5%) in a square hole and the base exposed to steady warmth transition while cooling is directed by entering a nanofluid stream from the left divider and leaving from the correct divider (Shahi et al). It was inferred that an expansion in the volume division expanded the normal Nusselt number in the cavity. Lin and Voili recreated the impacts of particles size on characteristic convection stream of Al2O3/water nanofluid with volume portion up to 5% in square cavity

Stresses for Trainee Counselling Psychologists | Review

Worries for Trainee Counseling Psychologists | Review Title: A basic editorial on the accompanying examination paper: Kumary, A Martyn, B. (2008) Stresses announced by UK student advising therapists. Guiding Psychology Quarterly, March; 21:19-28 The possibility of entering any postgraduate preparing project can regularly be scaring. Due to the scholarly responsibility required, but since of the passionate requests and potential budgetary stranglehold put on an understudy. These issues alone can leave learners in both guiding and related mental callings defenseless against stress, which can not just harm the prosperity of the understudy, however bring down the general nature of care experienced by patients when students are on position (Cushway Tyler 1996; Kumary Baker 2008). Kumary Martyns make the straightforward contention, based freely around Crushways (1992) investigation of UK clinical brain research learners, that there are key parts of preparing that sway on self-revealed feelings of anxiety. These included poor oversight, money related costs, childcare, individual treatment and additional management. A portion of these stressors distinguished can't be thought of as basic or essential parts of preparing however this in itself is a territory of key discussion. (Kumary et al 2008). Other research has likewise featured a similar key issues inside guiding (Szymanska 2002), yet has just seen one issue in disengagement and in light of this, the current examination was an examination of UK directing brain research learners self-reports of their encounters of pressure when preparing. One may go as far to scrutinize the discerning of any investigation looking at potential worry inside such callings thinking about that having experienced a college qualifica tion as of now, understudies are as of now acquainted with a moderate degree of stress and it essentially goes with the domain (Cooper Quick 2003). Then again, such an investigation has never been directed and may deliver convincing outcomes. Subjects were anything but difficult to recognize and get albeit just UK directing students who were reading for Part 1 of the BPS certificate were enrolled. Is it true that we are to expect this is when feelings of anxiety are at an ideal level? Surveys were conveyed to all organizations. While the general attributes of the example are very much spoken to, there was just a 41% bring rate back. This is acceptable, however not remarkable in contrast with look into directed in comparable areas, notwithstanding various follow-up messages and calls (Robertson Sundstorm 1990). A monetary motivating force may have improved this arrival rate, however prepaid return wraps were given. Anyway this information was gathered in 2003, yet not submitted for distribution until 2007. Morally, this deferral in investigation and distribution produces results that are as of now four years outdated in training framework that is continually developing (Hadley et al 1995). While such a basic technique may at first appear to be sound, after looking into it further, the contrasts between the preparation projects of clinical and guiding are just disregarded and there is some proof to recommend that the uniqueness between the two obstruct a reiteration of an apparently clear methodology last counseled in 1992 by Cushway. Beside the time slip by, it is consequently imperative to consider different issues encompassing the alteration of an approach recently used to examine worry in clinical learners. Right off the bat, guiding therapist preparing will in general be less experimentally orientated than its clinical partner and most NHS presents are just open on Clinical Psychologists (Mayne, Norcross Sayette 2000). For instance, it is commonly acknowledged that guiding clinicians center more around the remedial collusion with customers finishing 450 hours of contact before third year's over preparing (Hadley et al 1995). While there are extensive similitudes between the two controls, Norcorss (2000) records numerous remarkable contrasts including proficient exercises, hypothetical directions, work and preparing settings, graduate confirmations and research regions. The inquiry what are the distinctions in preparing clinical and advising analysts? - doesn't fit a simple answer since brain research can be applied from numerous points of view. Customarily, the principle contrast is in their preparation and point of view (Mayne et al 2000). It would seem, by all accounts, to be an oversight on Kumary et als (2008) section to utilize a comparative, adjusted procedure, recently applied to clinical learners when the pressure causing variables might be very extraordinary. With these distinctions plot in more detail, the old system would seem to require a progressively extreme change or adjustment from that utilized beforehand. Two fundamental instruments were utilized to inspect worry inside the example. The Counseling Psychology Trainee Stress Survey (CPTSS) and The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ12) (Wemeke, Goldberg Yalcin 2000). The CPTSS was created from Cushways (1992) stress review for clinical brain research students with four classifications (scholastic stressors, arrangement stressors, authoritative stressors and individual stressors). What is concerning is the absence of both research affirming the legitimacy of the measure and the little meeting to generate new ideas utilizing five students under those headings. Besides, from their conversation the CPTSS, built from 36 things, was just directed on a further six learners. This led to certain progressions being made with the creators choosing four engaging classes somewhat not quite the same as Cushways; scholastic requests, absence of emotionally supportive networks, situation stressors and individual and expert turn of events. This presentati ons neither united or discriminant legitimacy. At long last, in spite of other progressively substantial types of polls accessible estimating worry (for instance the Psychological Stress Measure (PMS), this examination picked one which was immediately formulated from a short examination and stays untested in everybody (Lemyre Tessier 2003; Trovato et al 2006). The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ12) then again has been explicitly approved for use in non-crazy populaces (Wemeke et al 2000). Since it is an abbreviated, 12-thing adaptation of the GHQ, it considers brisk finish, is probably going to expand member reaction, rushes to code and factual slip-ups likewise become more uncertain. For the motivations behind this examination, it has all the earmarks of being the perfect decision and has been utilized to extraordinary impact in an enormous group of pervious work (Winefield, Goldney, Winefield, Tiggemann 1989; Vaglum Falkum 1999; Quek, Low, Razack, Loh 2001). An ongoing audit by Jackson (2007) be that as it may, called attention to that the 28 thing is generally utilized on the grounds that the GHQ28 has been all the more broadly utilized in other working populaces, which considers better examinations, yet the unwavering quality coefficients have extended from 0.78 to 0.95 in various investigations and Jackson closes (2007, p. 57) that: ‘In utilizing this device with postgraduate understudies directing exploration in numerous territories of word related wellbeing, the GHQ once in a while neglects to give dependable and powerful proportions of prosperity that typically correspond profoundly with different proportions of workplaces or associations Notwithstanding how cautiously overview information is gathered and examined, the estimation of the conclusive outcome relies upon the honesty of the respondents answers to the inquiries posed. In the course of the most recent twenty years, analysts have discussed broadly about the honesty of people groups self-reports, and no obvious end has risen (Zechmeister, Zechmesiter, Shaughnessy 2001). On the off chance that somebody is asked whether they making the most of their shower, there is commonly no compelling reason to address whether this precisely mirrors their genuine sentiments. Be that as it may, in regular daily existence there are a few circumstances in which scientists ought to have motivation to be suspect. Overview inquire about includes receptive estimation since respondents realize that their reactions are being recorded. Weights might be solid for individuals to react as they might suspect they ought to as opposed to what they really feel or accept (Zechmeister et al 20 01). The term used to depict proposals pressures is social attractive quality and in Kumary Martyns study (2008) these issues are available completely (Zechmeister et al 2001). For instance, a student guiding clinicians mentalities towards their own pressure and wellbeing levels, might be a long ways from their genuine upsetting social reactions. Both the examiners regulated depend entirely on self report and this offers ascend to some further analysis. The methodology is clear, yet there is an exchange off between taking into consideration a basic investigation and the perplexing utilization of polls in any review based examination. It is a fine equalization that is hard to keep up. Self-report polls are completely replied at various occasions and in various areas by each subject. Thus, the measures are helpless against mistakes brought about by jumbling factors. For instance, a student filling in a pressure based measure may have quite recently had an especially distressing day or experience that will impact their score. They could even have tests in half a month. Then again, revealing the issue of time-the board and stress might be good for nothing when the respondent clearly has the opportunity to plunk down and partake in such an investigation in any case. The outcomes from any self report likewise need certainty. While there is no perfect direct proportion of pressure, it is conceivable to show signs of improvement sign by estimating a portion of the physiological impacts in the body. For instance, stress may be better estimated by means of pulse, circulatory strain, breathing rate, mind waves, muscle pressure, skin conductance or temperature (Lemyre et al 2003). While all the more exorbitant, such an examination could be recreated utilizing skin conductance screens, worn via learner directing analysts and relate every day exercises with any changes. This may deliver results recording what parts of the course offer ascent to more pressure and permit f

Margaret Atwood Says Its OK to Read Whatever You Want

Margaret Atwood Says Its OK to Read Whatever You Want I recently had the pleasure of  reading  Margaret Atwoods book In Other Worlds. An essay collection that examines science fiction and her  relationship with it, In Other Worlds  is essentially a memoir of Atwoods reading life. Its a look at the books that shaped one of the most respected and beloved contemporary writers, and its a case for reading widely and without pretension. Here are four favorite quotesreally, the whole book is terrific and you should read itto remind you that yes, Veronica, it really is OK to read whatever the hell you want. For this recovering book snob, it was a timely reminder and a kick in the pass. After all, itf its good enough for  Margaret Atwood, its good enough for me. On reading Ray Bradbury when she was supposed to be doing homework: I was, in fact, leading a double life, or even a triple one: the terms highbrow, middle brow, and lowbrow were much in use at that timethe metaphor was based on some idea of Neanderthals having receding foreheadsbut I seemed to have a taste for all three kinds of brow, which I cant say ever disturbed me. On taking a course from an academic she greatly admired: He had the added benefit of being a reader at all three brow levels, which pleased me a lot; its always encouraging to be told that it is intellectually acceptable to read the sorts of things that you like to read anyway. (emphasis mine) On the joy of stumbling upon never-before-heard-of books in the library when you should be doing Very Serious Research: In those stacks there were more obscure books than you could ever hope to find elsewhere, even on the Internet today, and I whiled away many a misspent hour  reading about things that were none of my business. On the perks of growing up in a snobbery-free environment: Nor did I make any distinctions between great  literature and any other kind. I just liked  reading. Sign up to Unusual Suspects to receive news and recommendations for mystery/thriller readers. Thank you for signing up! Keep an eye on your inbox.

Mass Killings And Its Effects On Society - 3280 Words

Contemporary society suffers from a wide range of problems nowadays. It is a fact that the human development comes at the new stage of development, which starts to harm society. Nowadays there is a considerable increase in gun abuse, violence, murders and thefts, which have a negative impact on the society. There is no nation in the world, which can be confident in its safety from terrorism and mass killings. Millions of people are worried about nation’s welfare and prosperity regarding the increasing number of mass killings. It is mandatory to study the essence of mass killings and its reasons of the nationwide spread. In general, mass killings form a threat to the society not only in the US, but in the whole world as well. Mass killings have become a problem, which emerged from the country’s level of development and country’s internal processes. The nature of mass killings is hard to predict. According to the statistics, the average age of a murderer is 33.5 years old. Despite this fact, mass killings involve people of different ages and occupations. There is a vast percent of teenagers, who commit murders within the walls of the school (Duwe, 2005). It may seem that gun access may cause gun abuse and violence among residents, which later results in mass killings (Fox, 2013). However, it is essential to see into the roots of the problem. Community believes that a free access to gun results in violence and gun abuse. All life facilities have become extremely expensive, andShow MoreRelated`` Not Here : If We re Truly Serious About Stopping Massacres Like1687 Words   |  7 Pages we need to cure our addiction to evil† informs readers about the truth behind massacres. Metcalf says that violence performed in the form of mass killing have definite causes. People are fascinated by the violence. He further suggests that evil and mass killing incidents in Aurora and Port Arthur are just few examples of that evil. The evil in our society is growing in large portion and people are more attracted towards violence. The article discusses invention of superheroes during late 1930s inRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book Society Death 983 Words   |  4 PagesSocieties Death The main objective of this course is to create meta-level questions about the courses students are learning about. This course about death puts students into the perspective of how death is surrounded by them everywhere they go, in the book Daytripper the main character admits â€Å"He just realized that even when he’s not writing about it people will keep dying† (2-3). Through the plentiful use of death the book Daytripper has the reader contemplating their own death and how muchRead MoreGeneral Idi Amin Dada And The Act Of Killing1585 Words   |  7 PagesIn both documentaries, General Idi Amin Dada and The Act of Killing, the authors spent a considerable amount of time with the perpetrators of mass murder. In The Act of Killing Joshua Oppenheimer gets access to the executioners, gangsters and paramilitary leaders who carried out millions of mass killings. In General Idi Amin, Barbet Schroeder spent time with the third Ugandan President and one of the greatest ma ss murderers, Idi Amin Dada. Schroeder was able to document his firsthand account of eventsRead MoreAn Ounce Of Prevention Is Worth A Pound Of Cure1748 Words   |  7 Pagesare too many examples: massacres killing up to 20 or 30 people at a time and murder-suicides which often claim the lives of innocent people are no longer a rare occurrence. Suicides are committed by mentally ill civilians almost daily, and typically leave behind no clear motive for killing either self or others. Unfortunately, mental illness is not a sickness where doctors can provide an easy â€Å"cure† and the medicines that are available often have more side effects than benefits. With few tools toRead MoreThe Destructive Power of Peer Pressure Essay1408 Words   |  6 Pages Peer pressure and acts of mass blind obedience are all too common occurrences in our everyday society. A person, who under any other circumstances would never act in such a way, will commit unthinkable acts when backed by a single person or even worse, a large mass of individuals. It’s almost always destructive, and the person or persons involved usually always end up feeling regretful and bewildered by their actions. When thinking about group peer pressure, there are several otherRead More The Truth About Serial and Mass Murders Essay1033 Words   |  5 Pageskiller is the same; there are some who are mass murderers who go on killing rampages for reasons of their own, and then there are the serial killers that love to kill people because it makes them feel some sort of emotion. People often mistake these killers as one and the same, but in reality they are completely different in the ways they are profiled by the police, how they commit their murders and the effect they have on the community and the nation. Granted mass and serial murders are both killers,Read MoreEssay on Pulling the Trigger on Gun Rights1050 Words   |  5 Pagessettle differences, and win wars. Today the government is trying to find ways to revoke the 2nd amendment, so that only the police and military can carry guns. The second amendment is the individual right to keep and bear arms. This push to eliminate society from having guns in their possession is said to protect citizens. Pro-gun citizens are upset that the government is trying to take away their guns, because it would be harder to protect them-selves from people that get guns illegally or use theirRead MoreThe Effects Of Mass Media On Our Society1471 Words   |  6 Pages Amber alert can caution millions to any serious activities of child-abduction. With a touch of a finger through smartphones, this alert system activates an urgent bulletin to galvanize the community for assistance and safety. Today, mass media has undergone a significant change in terms o f how they reach out to the public. During the early 19th century, the dominant form of media was the printing press through newspapers, magazines, and books. Eventually, the late 19th century throughout the 20thRead MorePsychological Profile of a Killer1577 Words   |  7 PagesDuring the last decade the world has witnessed a staggering elevation in serial killings. To give some insight into the scale of the problem posed by the serial killer, in the United States can be gained from examining the statistics for just one year. In 1989 (the last year for which detailed figures are available) there were 21,500 recorded homicides, of which some 5,000 are unsolved. Unofficial sources believe that as many as a hundred serial killers may be at large at any given time. Add toRead MoreEssay Roles of Mass Media in Society973 Words   |  4 PagesRoles of Mass Media in Society Term of mass media or press has been used since around ten decades ago. At early age, type of mass media that society knows was only printed mass media such as newspaper, flyer, or brochure, but as the century goes by, other type of mass media, such as television, radio and internet, began to appear. In a society, mass media has many functions, due to its capability; mass media could bring not only positive effects but also negative effects to society. Nevertheless

The Procedure For An Outpatient Liposuction Procedure Is...

Liposuction is a procedure that is becoming very popular and common. Liposuction is a surgery to remove unwanted excess fat from the body such as the stomach, hips, thighs, buttocks, face and neck. This type of surgery is most commonly known for being a cosmetic type of surgery but is also done to those who need it to maintain a healthier lifestyle. Liposuction can be a lengthy process but there are also liposuctions that are done quickly and are outpatient procedures. Before you have the procedure done you must first consult your doctor and see if this surgery is right for you. The doctor will then conduct and interview with you and ask you simple questions regarding your daily activities such as eating habits, amount of exercise you do, if you smoke or drink, and if you are currently on any medications, along with many more questions. During the interview you will also be able to ask the doctor any questions regarding the procedure and what specific procedure will be right for you. An outpatient liposuction procedure is single procedures done in simple areas such as the face, arms, and neck. An inpatient procedure usually take hours and afterwards you must stay in the hospital for at least one day if there are no complications but with an outpatient procedure you can be done and out with everything in an hour or two depending on how long it takes for the anesthesia to ware off. The basic steps are the same with all liposuction procedures; there are several differentShow MoreRelated The Truth about Cosmetic Surgery Essay1150 Words   |  5 Pagesmost popular trends in America today. Whether you are reading a magazine, watching the news, or a television program, you are likely to see something about cosmetic surgery. Within the past year, there have been several television programs dedicated to people â€Å"bettering† themselves through body augmenting surgeries. Millions of people undergo risky surgery every year simply to improve or enhance a feature or body part. While the results may seem foolproof and glamorous, it is actually a very risky

Erythropoietin and Athletes Free Essays

Erythropoietin and Athletes Steven D. Jackson Student, American Military University Abstract Erythropoietin (EPO) use as a performance enhancing agent in sport carries both significant and detrimental risks to go along with its suggested benefits. As such, it was banned by the International Olympic Committee in 1990. We will write a custom essay sample on Erythropoietin and Athletes or any similar topic only for you Order Now Shortly thereafter, successful and reliable testing methods have been developed to test athletes for its potential use. Despite widespread knowledge of its potential adverse effects and the testing for its attempted use, EPO use remains substantial amongst endurance athletes of nearly all ages and disciplines, both professional and amateur. This paper will provide a history of EPO as a performance enhancing substance, explain its associated risks and perceived and actual benefits, attempt to analyze why athletes feel compelled to use it, and examine the sanctions, regulations, and weighty repercussions associated with its use. Erythropoietin and Athletes In sport, there are a virtually limitless number of ways in which one can influence or positively impact physical or mental performance. These methods can come in the form of mechanical aids, pharmacological aids, physiological aids, nutritional aids, and psychological aids. Regardless of its source, any means by which one seeks to improve performance by enhancing the physiological capacity of a particular system of the body, removing psychological constraints which adversely affect performance, or by accelerating recovery from training or competition is called an ergogenic aid (MacKenzie, 2001). These may include something as simple and innocuous as a healthy meal consumed the night prior to a competition, but seemingly, the ergogenic aids which athletes are turning to more increasingly are those that have been banned by organizations such as the World Anti-Doping Agency, the International Olympic Committee, and the like. Often, these substances have been banned because they not only represent perverse and unethical behavior, but also, as is the case for a substance like recombinant erythropoietin, because they can have serious adverse health effects for heir users. Over time, these substances have changed, but the desire to gain an unfair competitive advantage remains. Hematopoiesis is the process which involves the production of mature cells in the blood and in lymphoid organs. Mature erythrocytes, or red blood cells, have no nucleus, so they cannot reproduce in the traditional fashion as other cells can. Erythropoiesis, then, is the process by which erythrocytes are produ ced. Erythropoietin is a naturally occurring hormone found within the human body which controls this red blood cell production. It is released by the kidneys, and to a lesser extent the liver, and in very little quantities in the brain in response to a negative feedback. The physiological stimulus of erythropoietin production is hypoxia, or prolonged oxygen deficiency in body tissue, and in the majority of instances is related to the number of circulating erythrocytes within the kidneys. At high altitudes, for example, where the pressure oxygen in the air is reduced, oxygen delivery to the body’s tissues initially decreases. This drop in oxygen triggers the release of erythropoietin, which travels via the blood to the red bone marrow and stimulates red blood cell production (Shier, Butler, Lewis, 2011). This is important to note, as this negative feedback of loss in oxygen is essentially no different than the body observing a loss in blood, which also necessitates the release of erythropoietin. In cases of hemolysis or hemorrhage, erythrocyte production will also increase rapidly and substantially for the body to attempt to accommodate for the amount of blood lost. However, overproduction of erythrocytes does not occur, both in extreme hypoxic environments and even after the most severe loss of erythrocytes (Robinson, et al. , 2006). This balance is very important, because adequate oxygen delivery to tissues depends on having a sufficient number of red blood cells to transport oxygen. Decreases in their number or function can hinder oxygen delivery and thus affect exercise performance. Red blood cells serve a primary function of facilitating this transport of oxygen, which is bound to the hemoglobin found in red blood cells. Hemoglobin contains iron, which binds oxygen. As such, the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood is determined by its hemoglobin content. Accordingly, when hemoglobin levels fall, exercise performance is subsequently impaired. Being familiar with this, athletes, trainers, and coaches often practice iron supplementation in an effort to prevent anemia and attempt to boost hemoglobin levels. However, this supplementation cannot boost the blood’s oxygen carrying capacity beyond that which is normal. Consequently, doctors, trainers, and athletes have come up with various alternative means to try to boost blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity, and in turn boost performance (Mottram, 2011). In traditional medical settings, the need for a means to raise red blood cell counts in patients suffering from kidney failure in order to alleviate their extreme anemia, as they have so few red blood cells that they typically experience near-permanent exhaustion. The demand for a way to treat these kidney patients precipitated the development of synthesized erythropoietin. There was no question that they needed red blood cells, and the proposition of providing them via erythropoietin seemed logically safer than the more natural and traditional repeated transfusions and dialysis. The same logic applied to the much larger number of people whose kidneys were weak or damaged, but not yet failing. Raising their red blood cell count, and subsequently their hemoglobin levels, up to a normal amount like the more attractive option, and it was only a matter of time before it could be discovered (Burch, 2011). In 1985, the gene responsible for the synthesis of erythropoietin was successfully cloned for the first time. This synthesized erythropoietin is known as recombinant erythropoietin, and first became available in Europe in 1987 and was later patented by Amgen in 1989 (Mottram). With this development, it quickly became evident that recombinant erythropoietin would be used illegally as a performance enhancer in endurance sports. As such, the International Olympic Committee elected to ban this drug in 1990, even though all forms of blood doping had been officially banned since 1984 (Robinson, et al. ). In its earliest clinical trials, recombinant erythropoietin proved very successful, and it was quickly put to use with patients requiring their hemoglobin be raised to normal levels. The trials showed the drug’s benefits outweighed its risks, but not by much. In 2005, researchers and kidney specialists concluded their trials ahead of schedule when they were stunned by what they found. After years of raising red blood cell counts in patients to normal healthy levels, which also raised their hematocrit—the proportion of red blood cells to total blood volume—doctors were not seeing decreased occurrences of troke, heart complications, and even death. These rates were actually increasing. Therein laid the problem with EPO use, especially in uncontrolled environments and when used by athletes (Burch). Before EPO’s adverse effects were widely known, and to a great extent even today, its proposed benefits led to its immediate abuse by endurance athletes. The first cases were reported in several newspapers within the four years after recombinant EPO appeared in Europe. These articles claimed a link between rumored EPO abuse and the deaths of 18 Belgian and Dutch cyclists. This unfortunate wave seemed to roll on for some time, seemingly striking hardest amongst in the sport of cycling, and often resulting in death. For some time, cyclists publicly denied using EPO, but at the 1998 Tour de France, a masseuse for the Festina team was caught with EPO and several other banned drugs. The entire team and its staff were ejected from the Tour, and eventually seven of the nine Festina riders admitted to doping. Even the winner that year, Marco Pantani, was ejected the following year for signs of EPO use in an earlier drug test (Eichner, 2007). Though the bulk of EPO use reported in the media comes from cycling, other sports are not free from it. Chinese runners, swimmers, and rowers, Russia’s top female cross-country skiers, Finland’s tops skiers, and Germany’s top runners all have been caught for suspected EPO use of some kind or another. Russian and American runners and sprinters, including American sprinter Kelli White, have been stripped of medals and handed bans for their admitted EPO use after failing drug tests. Even Lance Armstrong—who has always denied any EPO use—has been suspected of illegal EPO use brought about by claims of his former teammates (Eichner). Perhaps the greatest contributing factor for the prevalence of continued illegal EPO use is in its difficulty of detection. While some athletes may think that they are using a drug for which there is no means of detection, which is not the case, others may simply know that EPO can be a very elusive drug to detect. Early detection strategies for EPO use as a drug were limited to blood testing only. Though blood tests could confirm inconsistent hematocrit levels and other blood markers compared to base samples in athletes who may have been using EPO supplementation up to, and sometimes over, a week prior, or those that had been using EPO when they originally provided a base sample and had discontinued its use, a direct method for detection in urine had yet to be established. Furthermore, early attempts at developing a urine test proved to be expensive, overly sensitive, and unreliable. Since blood doping had been common practice in some endurance sports for decades due to its clear performance advantages, it regrettably became even more attractive once recombinant EPO became available. Athletes have exploited these limitations of testing, particularly in sports that relied solely on urine specimen testing (Robinson, et al. . Successful urine testing had finally been developed and came into the picture in 2000. Serving as the only direct method of recombinant erythropoietin detection approved by the Court of Arbitration for sport, this method utilized electrophoretic techniques to separate the isoform profiles of recombinant and endogenous erythropoietin found in urine according to their isoelectric points (Diamanti-Kandarakis, et al. , 2005). Not only could this newly approved testing mathematically and scientifically identify EPO use—or discontinuation of its use—but it could also isolate the various forms of forms of EPO, including erythropoietin alpha, beta, omega, and delta, as well as newer generations of EPO analogues like darbepoetin and mimetic peptides. The disadvantage of such an effective urine testing method, however, was that it discouraged athletes from recombinant EPO use. Athletes now fearful of getting caught moved back to using—or rather misusing—blood doping and transfusions in an attempt to raise hematocrit and hemoglobin levels. For that reason, some international sports federations elected to limit their testing to either blood or urine. However, more recently the trend has been to attempt to keep their current testing procedures randomized (Robinson, et al. ). The risks of illegal EPO use remain high. Some athletes choose to supplement with EPO in smaller doses with the intent of limiting their potential exposure in drug tests, and, just as likely, with the expectation that this practice would be â€Å"safer. Regardless, the results of EPO use are largely unpredictable, and tests have revealed that hematocrit values in EPO users can greatly exceed what is considered the healthy or normal upper limit of 50 percent. Once the hormone has been put in the body, the athlete is at great risk for substantial increases in blood viscosity. This places the individual in danger of thrombosis, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, hypertension, stroke, and pulmonary embolism. However, with the ever-increasi ng pressures to excel in competition, and the draw of larger rizes, purses, sponsorships, and notoriety in sport today it is not beyond reason as to why teams, athletes, trainers, and coaches would feel compelled to explore an option which may offer athletes a clinically documented six to eight percent increase in their VO2max and 13 to 17 percent increased time to exhaustion (Kenney, Wilmore, Costill, 2012). Athletes who use banned EPO also risk disqualification from a particular competition, with the risk apparently greater if the athlete’s result is good, as the top-placing finishers in competitions almost certainly are subject to testing more and more frequently. They can also be banned from their sport, typically for a minimum of a year, but potentially for life. In their quest for enhanced performance, athletes can easily get caught up in the hype surrounding these sorts of substances and the purported benefits they might bestow. Unfortunately, too many athletes are blinded by ambition and do not consider the consequences of their actions until their careers have become jeopardized or their health has been seriously affected. Considering recent reports of even amateur athletes being dealt bans and imposed fines after testing positive for EPO use in events that are considered recreational, the need is definitely present for the likes of the World Anti-Doping Agency and the International Olympic Committee to take more aggressive and decisive action in the battle against doping and illegal drug use. The misuse of medical and biotechnological advancements to enhance athletic performance is an issue that will clearly not go away on its own. It is imperative for sports federations to be able to collect blood samples from their competitors and institute a continuity system which keeps track of appropriate individual values. The appropriate way to fight blood doping and EPO use is to markers for each individual athlete to have a record of each marker and measure of their blood. In this way it will not be necessary to take into account complicating factors during testing and analysis such as sex, ethnic origin, and the kind of sport in which the athlete is participating. With a system such as this, it would be possible to identify which athletes are manipulating their bodies based on their own set reference values and markers over time. This, combined random, unannounced testing is the only way currently possible to effectively mitigate doping. Even still, it is supremely difficult for sports organizations and control agencies in sport to stay ahead of the always sophisticated doping methods. Summary Erythropoietin and all of its forms were developed with the intent of rehabilitating and alleviating the extreme symptoms of kidney patients. Their appeal is strong to competitive athletes, especially with more and more on the line each year. Despite their undeniable ability to enhance performance, EPO can cause serious negative health effects. In an era where performance-enhancing drug abuse is rampant across nearly all disciplines of sports despite rigorous legislation and testing throughout the world, it is necessary to understand the harmful effects of all substances when considering their use. The undesirable effects of EPO use are virtually countless, but—and perhaps worse yet—the potential long-term effects of chronic use are not well known. References Burch, D. (2011). Blood sports. Natural History 119(6), 14-16. Diamanti-Kandarakis, E. , Konstantinopoulos, P. , Papiliou, J. , Kandarakis, S. , Andreopoulos, A. , Sykiotis, G. (2005). Erythropoietin abuse and erythropoietin gene doping. Sports Medicine, 35(10), 831-840. Eichner, E. (2007). Blood doping. Sports Medicine, 37(4/5), 389-391. Kenney, L. W. , Wilmore, J. H. , Costill, D. L. (2012). Physiology of sport and exercise (5th ed. ). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics Mackenzie, B (2001). Ergogenic aids. Retrieved from http://www. brianmac. co. uk/ergoaids. htm Mottram, D. R. (2011) Drugs in sport (5th ed. ). New York: Routledge. Robinson, N. N. , Giraud, S. S. , Saudan, C. C, Baume, N. N. , Avois, L. L, Mangin, P. P. , Saugy, M. M. (2006). Erythropoietin and blood doping. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 40, i30- i34. Shier, D. , Butler, J. , Lewis, R. (2012). Hole’s essentials of human anatomy physiology (11th ed. ). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill How to cite Erythropoietin and Athletes, Essay examples

Male Domination In Othello Essay Example

Male Domination In Othello Paper Male domination in society is a stigma, which has always existed, and one that may not cease to exist. However, the difference does exist in the way the women of the different ages chose to accept such behaviour and render themselves victims of such circumstance. In relation to the Elizabethan period, and having the characters of Desdemona, Emilia, and Bianca in mind it can be true to say it may have been harder for them not to accept it than it is today. In reality, it was not even noticed by some of the women and for the few who noticed it, they could do nothing more than accepting it as their fate and trying to live with it. In discussing the victimisation of the above named women in this male dominated society, both sides of the argument for each character would be explored with emphasis on their individual struggles for independence. The fair warrior Desdemona as referred to by her husband Othello undoubtedly struggles throughout the play. From her struggle for independence from her father Brabantio, to the struggle for her life from her husband Othello. Shakespeare seems to deceive the audience to think that Desdemona may be one of his unique female characters who fight for the rights of women. However, this power which we see her possess at the beginning of the play as she tells her father that she did love the moor to live with him, to the ones which has been endowed on her as she is referred to as the general gradually fades away. The first indication of Desdemonas victimisation in this male dominated society is evident when Iago refers to her body as if it was the property of Brabantio. He says to him your heart is burst, you have lost half your soul, even now, now, very now an old black ram is tupping your white ewe. We will write a custom essay sample on Male Domination In Othello specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Male Domination In Othello specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Male Domination In Othello specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer This signifies that in the Elizabethan society, Brabantio like other fathers considered Desdemonas body and life to be their full possession. Furthermore, the use of an animal imagery to describe her white ewe does not only reflect Iagos underestimation of human nature but the degradation of women in the society by men. This is clearly the case for the fact that he could say it while talking to her father. Desdemona on the other hand, like almost every other woman in the Elizabethan period seems to have accepted the convention that women are inferior to men and are the properties of either her father or husband. This is shown when she says I do perceive here a divided duty. I am hitherto your daughter. But heres my husband. The audience would initially admire her bravery towards her father, but after getting a deeper understanding of the plot, it becomes evident that her marriage to Othello was not a sign of freedom but rather a change from one dominator to another. Desdemonas suffering and humiliation in Cyprus is deeply rooted in the villainous actions of another man called Iago. Iago convinces Othello that Desdemona is making him a cuckold by sleeping with Cassio. She suffers from this false accusation because it is a world dominated by men. It is possible that Othello takes Iagos words over that of Desdemona not because he is truly convinced that she is unfaithful, but because it is a word of a man over that of a woman. Desdemona just like Hero in the play Much Ado about Nothing shows total submissiveness even at the point of death. Even after receiving a very undeserving slap from Othello in public, all she says is I will not stay to offend you. At this point, the women in the audience may feel more embarrassed and less sympathetic at the timidity of Desdemona. Desdemona voices out her pains through the willow song that she narrates to Emilia. Her reference to her mothers maid called Barbary who died singing it signifies not just her own pain and suffering but one that has been passed down from generation to generation. Regardless of Desdemonas eventual defeat as she dies in the hands of Othello, she does deserve some credit for some of her few acts of bravery. Her rebellion against her father is an act that may not have been very common during the Elizabethan period because the fathers had the right to discipline them when they deemed it fit and virtually had power over them. She did not only get married out of her fathers will but she married an African. This would have been extremely rare especially for someone of her social class. Finally, as she passes out her last response to Emilia when being asked who killed her I myself shows her refusal to accept to be a victim of this male dominated society. Emilia is used by Shakespeare to balance the contrast between the other victims of this male dominance. That is, Desdemona the very chaste one and Bianca the prostitute. Emilia is one character who is not just a victim of this male dominated society but is clearly aware of her position. This is shown clearly in her relationship and attitude towards her husband Iago and her conversation with Desdemona. Emilias marriage is one we see to lack some of the main components of holy matrimony, as Iago is neither protective nor loving to her. The few dialogues that she has with Iago are filled with scorn and insults. He says to her it is a common thing to have a foolish wife, This shows the standards which the men gave their wives. The use of Emilia by Iago as an instrument for destroying Desdemonas marriage and eventually her death is the peak of her victimisation. This is because it is one thing that she would do anything to stop. Her desperation for attention and affection from Iago may have pushed her to act blindly. On stealing the handkerchief, she says my wayward husband hath a hundred times wooed me to steal it. I know nothing than to please his fantasy Her language is usually in an angry tone and underneath it lies her regret at marriage and all the insults that come with it. In response to Othellos maltreatment of Desdemona she says I will be hanged if some eternal villain, some busy and insinuating rogue, some cogging, cozening slave to get some office have not devised this slander. It seems like she finds it acceptable for her to be victimised but not an in innocent and self-sacrificing person like Desdemona. Like Beatrice in Shakespeares Much Ado about nothing, Emilia justifies the case for the women who are involved in extra marital affairs. This is clearly shown in her speech while discussing with Desdemona. Critics have called this speech the renaissance plea to womens liberation. In this speech, she says it is the husbands fault that their wives cheat on them. She systematically points out each of the things which the women have to go through. From when husbands slack their duties by pouring our treasures in foreign laps, break out in peevish jealousies, throwing restraint upon us or when they strike us. This feminine speech is like a cry out for all women and one can imagine the relief and pleasure, which it would have given the women in the audience. Through this Shakespeare shows empathy for the women. He also indirectly cautions the men in the audience and tells them that the women have as much reason as they do to cheat on them. It is no mistake that Emilia , like her mistress is killed by her husband. Shakespeare emphasises the point that they are victims of this male dominated society by juxtaposing their deaths. Prior to Emilias death, she ensures that she speaks defends Desdemonas chastity and regains her dignity by exposing Cassio to Othello. She says I will speak as liberal as the north;let Heaven and the men and devils, let them all cry shame against me yet I will speak. The use of the word men just between Heaven and devil suggests that some of the men like Cassio and lodovico may possess heaven like characters while others like Iago and Othello may act devilish. Bianca seems to be less of a less of a victim in this society if compared to Emilia and Desdemona. At the end of the plot, she is the last woman standing and the chances are that her status would be elevated in the society if all goes well in her relationship with Cassio. Although it can be said that her profession gives her more insults than Emilia and Desdemona would have ever received. However, it would be unfair to assume that it would be a womans desire to sell her body and dignity for money. For this reason, we can say that she is forced into this circumstance. In a society where men saw women as nothing more than instruments of satisfying their bodily pleasures, prostitution was one of the very desperate measures which the very less privileged women would have to take up. This generates insults not only from the men but also from her fellow woman. Emilia says to her O fie upon thee strumpet! Her reply to this statement gains the sympathy of the audience as it indicates her struggle to be tagged as something beyond what she does. She says to her I am no strumpet, but of life as honest as you that thus abuse me. On a deeper note, this may also be a confirmation of Iagos suspicion that Emilia may have had an affair with Othello. Bianca also has her time of rebellion when she tells Cassio if youll come to supper tonight,you may;if you will not, come when you are next prepared for. In this statement, she shows that she perceives a little power left in her possession regardless of how she is looked at in the society. Cassios exit to run after her emphasises this point. And this may cause the audience to look at her with a little more respect. Ultimately, Shakespeare exposes the circumstances which the women in the Elizabethan period faces and also presents it in a way which shows his opposition to it. Furthermore, his use of these three characters who are of different social standings illustrates that no woman was free from being victimised in this male dominated society.

Company Profile Kia Lim Berhad Essays

Company Profile Kia Lim Berhad Essays Company Profile Kia Lim Berhad Essay Company Profile Kia Lim Berhad Essay Kia Lim Berhad was set up as the holding company of Syarikat Kia Lim Kilang Batu Bata Sdn Bhd (SKL) and Kangkar Raya Batu Bata Sdn Bhd (KRBB) bricks manufacturers, which had been operating since 1973. SKL has set up a fully automated plant employing German technology. It was incorporated in Malaysia on 8 May 1995 as public limited company and listed in the KLSE Main Board (Industrial Products) on 29 May 1996. Commercial production commenced in mid 1999. KRBB installed a second plant in late 1991, which is fully automated and capable of producing common, block and facing bricks. The Group has diversified its range of products to include clay-roofing tiles, facing bricks and pavers. The Groups products are exported to regional markets like Singapore, Japan, Taiwan and Qatar. Kian Joo Can Factory Berhad Kian Joo Can Factory Berhad is manufacturer and distributor of tin cans and 2-piece aluminium beverage cans. They also produced polyethelene terephalate products, corrugated fibreboard cartons, provision of engineering services, letting of property, provision of share registration and provided management services. Kim Hin Industry Berhad The Company (KHI), which is Kuching-based, started operations in 1975 as a small-scale manufacturer of clay bricks. In 1979 it ceased this activity and ventured into the manufacture of mosaic tiles. It changes its name from Kim Hin Industry Sdn Bhd to present form on conversion. From a single production line, the Company now has three factories with 24 production lines. Today, KHI is one of Malaysias largest integrated ceramics manufacturers. The Group is a fully integrated manufacturer of wall, floor and homogeneous tiles, with installed production capacity of 19m sq m p.a. The Group has invested approximately RM266m in state-of-the-art Italian tile manufacturing plant and equipment. Kris Components Berhad Kris Components Bhd was incorporated on 9 September 1975 in Malaysia as a private limited company but converted to a public company on 2 November in year 1995. Its principal activities are manufacturing and stamping of precision metal parts and anodizing high-end cosmetic surface-finishing metal parts. YTL Cement Berhad YTL Cement Berhad listed on KLSE Second Board on September 6, 1993 and transferred to Main Board (Industrial Products) on June 26, 1997. It is incorporated on 29 January 1977 in Malaysia as a private limited company and converted into a public limited company on 4 May 1992. It change its name from Buildcon Sdn Bhd to Buildcon Bhd on conversion and to YTL Cement Bhd on 26, February in year 1997. The Company manufactures and supplies ready-mixed concrete to the construction industry. The Groups operations are located in Westport, Selangor, Bukit Sagu, Pahang and Pasir Gudang, Johor. Body of Contents Company Analysis Kia Lim Berhad Refer to Table 1, common-size analysis of capital structure shows that the liabilities constitute 76% and equity 24% of the companys financing in 2001 compare with 30% of total liabilities and 70% equity in the companys financing in 1996. Debt ratio and total to debt equity ratio increases sharply in 2001 compare to the previous years. In 2001, the company financed its assets approximately 72% of its debt. It was supported when the trend index of long-term liabilities (391.926%) exceeds its current liabilities (308.003%) and shareholders equity (55.331%) ( refer to Table 2). From Table 2, we can see that cash and bank balances decreases sharply from 99.356% to 2.813%. Yet the companys the companys cash flow adequacy ratio is 0.745, which is less than 1. This implies that the internal cash sources in the company were insufficient to maintain its dividend and current operating growth levels. There is a need for the company to seek for external financing in order to fulfill the requirement of the company. Table 3 shows the financial ratios of Kia Lim Berhad, which indicates that the company is facing liquidity needs. The current ratio of the company dropped over the past 5 years and the inventory turnover decreases. Kia Lim Berhads return on invested capital showed unfavorable level, where every unit of invested capital generates less profits to the company from 1998 onwards. The return on common equity also decreases over the past 5 years. The growth rate is decreasing, which the SEGR drop from 0.062% in Year 1997 to 0.185% in Year 2001. This can be seen from Table 1, which total equity capital is 28% in 2001 compare to 70% in 1996. This indicates that when the indebtedness of the company reaches a risky point, the more financial leverage the company has. The company sales show an average declining trend, which it decreases sharply in Year 2000 (-32.084%) and rebound to 100.529% in Year 2001. The forecasted sales for the next year are RM 32062120.43, which the sales are dropping and the companys net profit is forecasted to decline in Year 2003. The dollar of amount earned on behalf of each share decreases from RM 0.08 (1998) to RM 0.04 (1999) and further decreases to nil. This means there is no earning generate for each share of the company. Similar behavior was found in dividends yield, in which it decreases from 3.14 in year 1997 to 1.58 in year 1999. Kian Joo Can Factory Berhad From Table 4, we can conclude that the highest proportion of total liabilities and equity to total equity capital, are recorded in year 1999. As an overall, the average of total liabilities and total equity constitutes 41.6% and 78.37% each year of Kian Joos financing. Besides that, Table 5 reveals the trend of selected accounts, which year 1996 as the base year. The highest record of net income is in year 1997, which is 80.839%. However, the performance of Kian Joo Can Factory in year 1999 is worsening due to the net income earned are decrease for two consecutive years. A tremendous drop in net income in year 2000, which is almost 44.8% less than previous year reflect the company is overcapacity and may attract the new competitors enter into this industry. In year 1998, we can see that the trends of almost all the account selected are downturn because financial crisis occur in that year. Over these five years, the average of sales is 22.18%. Since the inventory growth is more than sales growth over the 5 years period, the company has more funds to invest in inventory. By reviewing Table 6, we find out the return on invested capital is in increasing trend except for year 1997 and 1998. The highest ratio is in year 1997. A large portion variability of the return on common equity of this company is due to changes in return on assets. Notice that the sustainable equity growth ratio, which relative to the prior year is shrink over the four years period except for year 2001. However, the average of this measurement over the five years period is 0.36%. For the debt ratio, there is a sudden drop between year 1998 and 1999 due to 23.6% increase in long term debts. The total debt to equity ratio record the highest amount in year 1998 due to the economic crisis and the company increase their credit line. In year 2000, there is a sudden drop from RM2 dividends yield to RM1.52. After year 1999, earnings per share are decrease for two consecutive years. This is because reducing in net profit over the years. There is an improvement in PE ratio except the year 20 01. Since economic recession in year 1998, the company must sell their stock in higher price, that is RM28.3 in order to get RM1 earnings. The forecasted sales of this company for year 2003 are RM473, 509,169, which is 1.17% less compare with previous year. However, net income is expected increase 5.97%, which is from RM28, 220,000 raise to RM29, 904,528. In summary, the company will performed better in year 2003 since the forecasted net income is higher. Kim Hin Industry Berhad Table 7 shows a common size analysis of capital structure for Kim Hin Industry Berhad. For year 1996, liabilities constitute 16.702% and this percentage decreases to 0.099% in year 2000, which indicates that the obligations of Kim Hin Industry are reducing. However, in year 2001, this amount increases 0.015% to 0.114%. From the table, it shows the shareholders equity of Kim Hin industry Berhad is stable over years. The reserve of this company reaches its peak in year 1998. This may be due to the economic crisis that makes the company to increase their reserve in the bank to face the contingency in the future. From Table 8, we can see that cash and bank balances increase the most in year 2001 (2492.699%) if compared with the other short-term assets. This indicates that Kim Hin Industry Berhads liquidity needs is improving over the year. Although long term asset and long term liability show a downturn from year to year, they are still remained above the level of total long term assets based on year 1996. From here we can see that sales growth are faster than the inventory growth. This is a good sign for Kim Hin Industry Berhad. This may be due to the better inventory system in this company. Net income shows a rising trend over these six consecutive years except in year 1998, the net income decreased 33.954% if compared with year 1996. Besides, account receivables are growing faster than the sales (118.975% versus 110.042%), this is suggestive for a more aggressive credit policy. After doing the time series forecasting of the value of sales and net income in year 2003, we predict that both categories will be in a decreasing trend, which reach an amount of RM 15,561,322.19 for net income and RM 150,277,952 of sales. From Table 9, the value of cash flow adequacy ratio (CFAR), which is 1.01606, indicates that this company is able to cover these cash without a need for external financing. The debt ratio of this company over five years is decreasing from year to year. This implies that the portion of assets that are being financed by the creditors are keep on dropping. Furthermore, the debt to equity is decreasing from year 1997 (0.352044 times) to 2001 (0.161399 times). The highest ROCE over these five business-operating years is in year 1997 which yield an amount of 27.8%. The growth rate is decreasing, which shows by the SEGR, from 25.03% in year 1997 to -5.827% in year 1998. After year 1998, the growth rate increase steadily from year 1999 (7.116%) to 2001(11.35%). Although the companys earning per share decreases from 0.18 in year 1997 to 0.05 in year 2001, the dividend yield increases from 0.53 in year 1997 to 0.98 in year 2001. In year 1998, dividend yield comes to it highest point of 3.23 which designates that the selling price of each share, the company will get RM 3.23 dividend in return. The PE ratios of Kim Hin Industry Berhad fluctuate over time. The highest PE ratio among these five years is in year 2000, which yields that the company should sell its share for RM 27.90 in order to earn RM 1.00. Kris Components Berhad Table 10 shows a common-size analysis of capital structure for Kris Components Berhad. For year 2001, liabilities constitute 52.1% and equity 47.9% of Kriss financing, while long term liabilities equal l2.41%. Total liabilities is increase from 22.44% in year 1997 to 52.1% in year 2001, whereas total equity capital has decreased from 77.56% to 47.9%. This shows that there is a greater likelihood of insolvency in company since the higher the proportion of debt, the larger the interest charges and debt repayment. Table 11 shows the trend index of selected accounts of Kris Components Berhad. The cash and cash balances was decrease dramatically from 864% in year 2000 to 530.3% in year 2001, whereas inventory is increase substantially from 639.3% to 1049.8%. This shows that the company has more funds invested in inventory in year 2001. However, the inventory growth is less than sales growth from year 1998 to year 2001. Net income is in an increasing trend except from year 1999 to 2000. Therefore, we have forecasted the sales and net income using regression model for year 2003. As the result, estimated sales in 2003 is RM 484,523,776.2 while the estimated net income is RM46,118,828.51. Refer to Table 12, the total debt to equity ratio shows an increasing trend during the 5 years period. This indicates the proportion of the companys capital that derived from debt is larger compared to other sources of capital. The total debt to equity ratio in year 2001 (108.475%) shows that the likelihood of insolvency in the company is greater especially during periods of earnings decline. The debt ratio of the company also increases over the 5 years period. It shows the portion of assets that is financed by creditors is increase from year to year. The return on invested capital ratio is fluctuated over the 5 years period. It shows 12.43% in 1999 indicates the company is able to attract financing compare with previous year. Kriss higher return on common shareholders equity as compared to its return on invested capital reflects the favourable effects of financial leverage. That is, Kris is successfully trading on the equity. Kriss cash flow adequacy ratio for the five-year period is 0.364, implying that funds generated from operations are insufficient to maintain dividends and current operating growth levels and there is a need for external financing. Kris sustainable equity growth rate in year 2001 is 12.14% compare with 10.01% in year 2000, markedly improve relative to prior years. This indicates better future growth in sales and earning. The year 2001 net income of RM19.771 million and dividend of RM 3.711 million leave sufficient funds for reinvestment and internally financed growth. While earnings per share increase from RM0.20 in year 1998 to RM0.42 in year 2001, the PE ratio was fluctuate during that period. Dividend yield was decline. Declining in dividend yield is attributable mainly to increase in PE ratio. YTL Cement Berhad Refer to Table 13, the company total liabilities decreased since 1999 with 65.1% compare to 36.36% (2002). Besides that, the overall total shareholders equity fluctuates each year with a moderate high percentage (63.64%) in 2002. The total debt to equity ratio is decreased from year 1999 to 2002. There is a sudden decreased of almost 70% from 186.506% in 1999 to 57.139% in 2002. Table 14 indicates that the sales and the net income of the company was in good condition for 4 consecutive years with an increment from 79% (1999) to 188% (2002) and net income increased from 21% (1999) to 438% (2002). In addition, we have forecasted the sales and net income using regression model for year 2003. As the result, estimated sales for year 2003 slightly decrease with the amount of RM 382,055,745.50 compare to 2002 with the amount of RM 422,639,071 while there is a rise in estimated net income for 2003 with RM7,454,009.69 (refer to Appendix). From the short-term liquidity ratio of YTL Cement Berhad, we analyze the companys inventory turnover. From Table 14, we can see that the companys inventory turnover increased over 4 consecutive years from year 1999 to 2002. We can also see that there is a sudden increased of almost 50% in 2000 due to an increased in YTL Cement Berhads sales from 109% in 2000 to 188% in 2002. This shows that there is effectiveness in managing inventory by YTL Cement Bhd. Besides that, CFAR for YTL Cement Berhad for 5 years period is 2.33 (refer to Table15). This ratio indicates that the company is able to cover cash needs without a need for external financing. The return on invested capital (ROIC) is increased from year 2000 to 2002. This is cause by the increment in the net income of the company over the past 3 years. Similar to ROIC, return on common equity (ROCE) of the company also increased. This is cause by the rise of the net income of the company over the past 3 years from 113% (2000) to 438% (2002) (refer to Table14). Sustainable equity growth rate (SEGR) recognizes the internal growth for YTL Cement Bhd depends on both earnings retention and return earned on earnings retained. There is an improvement on SEGR for 5 consecutive years from 1998 to 2002 after a sudden drop from 13.52% in 1997 to 1.58% in 1998 due to the occurrence of financial crisis (refer to Table15). From the view of financial market measures, YTL Cement Berhad EPS increased for 4 consecutive years from 0.03 in 1999 to 0.479 in 2002. This shows that the company earnings had improved over the periods. The company had lower PE ratio during year 2002, 2001, 2000 compare with the previous 3 years. This is good for the company. The company highest DY (5.12) was in 1998 compare to other years (refer to Table 15).

Black Inventors - Patent Holders List Index R

Black Inventors - Patent Holders List Index R Black history inventors are listed alphabetically: use the A to Z index bar to navigate and select or just browse the many listings. Each listing has the name of the black inventor followed by the patent number(s) which is the unique number assigned to an invention when a patent is issued, the date the patent was issued, and a description of the invention as written by the inventor. If available, links are provided to in-depth articles, biographies, illustrations and photos on each individual inventor or patent. How to submit to the database. Victor Llewellyn Ransom #3,231,866, 1/25/1966, Traffic data processing system#3,866,185, 2/11/1975, Method and apparatus for gathering peak load traffic data Debrilla M Ratchford #4,094,391, 6/13/1978, Suitcase with wheels and transporting hook Ernest P Ray #620,078, 2/21/1899, Chair supporting device Lloyd P Ray #587,607, 8/3/1897, Dust pan Andre Reboucas NA 1895 approx Torpedo Craig C Redmond, Sr. #6,085,356, 7/11/2000, Waist Band Expander Judy W Reed #305,474, 9/23/1884, Dough kneader and roller Humphrey H Reynolds #275,271, 10/7/1890, Window ventilator for railroad cars#437,937, 4/3/1883, Safety gate for bridges Mary Jane Reynolds #1,337,667, 4/20/1920, Hoisting and loading mechanism Robert Randolph Reynolds #624,092, 5/2/1899, Nonrefillable bottle Jerome Bonaparte Rhodes #639,290, 12/19/1899 Water closet Albert C Richardson #255,022, 3/14/1882, Hame fastener#446,470, 2/17/1891, Churn#529,311, 11/13/1894, Casket-lowering device#620,362, 2/28/1899, Insect destroyer#638,811, 12/12/1899, Bottle William H Richardson #343,140, 6/18/1889, Cotton chopper#405,599, 6/18/1889, Childs carriage#405,600, 6/1/1886, Childs carriage Charles V Richey #584,650, 8/3/1897, Car coupling#587,657, 10/26/1897, Railroad switch#592,448, 12/28/1897, Railroad switch#596,427, 12/13/1898, Fire escape bracket#615,907, 6/3/1913, Combined cot, hammock, and stretcher#1,063,599, 7/7/1931, Telephone register and lock-out device#1,812,984, 2/14/1933, Lockout for outgoing calls for telephone systems#1,897,533 6/15/1897, Time control system for telephones Alvin Longo Rickman #598,816, 2/8/1898, Overshoe James Ricks #338,781, 3/30/1886, Horseshoe#626,245, 6/6/1899, Overshoe for horses Norbert Rillieux #3,237, 8/26/1843, Improvement in sugar works#4,879, 12/10/1846, Sugar processing evaporator Cecil Rivers 6,731,483, 2/14/2003, Circuit breaker with single test button mechanism Louis W Roberts #3,072,865, 1/8/1963, Gaseous discharge device#3,257,620, 6/21/1966, Device for gas amplication by stimulated emission and radiation GASAR#3,377,576, 4/9/1968, Gallium-wetted movable electrode switch Elbert R Robinson #505,370, 9/19/1893, Electric railway trolley#594,286, 11/23/1897, Casting composite or other car wheels Hassel D Robinson #D 66,703, 2/24/1925, Design for a traffic signal casing#1,580,218, 4/13/1926, Traffic signal for automobiles Ira C Robinson #3,577,514, 5/4/1971, Sustained release pharmaceutical tablets James H Robinson #621,143, 3/14/1899, Lifesaving guard for locomotives#623,929, 4/25/1899, Lifesaving guard for street cars John Robinson #356,852, 2/1/1887, Dinner pail Neal Moore Robinson #1,422,479 7/11/1922 Vehicle wheel Arnold Romain #402,035 4/23/1889 Passenger register Raymond E Rose #3,618,388 11/9/1971 Control apparatus Archia L Ross #565,301, 8/4/1896, Runner for stoops#605,343, 6/7/1898, Bag closure#638,068, 11/28/1899, Trousers support or stretcher Joseph Ross #632,539, 9/5/1899, Hay press David N Roston #556,166, 3/10/1896, Feather curler Edwin R Russell #2,855,269, 10/7/1958, The separation of plutonium from uranium and fission products#2,992,249, 7/11/1961, Ion exchange absorption process for plutonium separation#3,296,123, 1/3/1967, Removal of cesium from aqueous solution by ion exchange#3,309,323, 3/14/1967, Thorium oxide or thorium-uranium oxide with magnesium oxide Jesse Eugene Russell #5,930,247, 7/27/1999, Broadband data reception system for Worldnet access#6,044,403, 3/28/2000, Network server platform for Internet, Java server and video application server John Russell #6,968,993, 11/17/2003, Mailbox assembly Joseph L Russell #3,995,011, 11/30/1976, Preparation of tungsten hexafluoride from halogen and hydrogen fluoride Lewis A Russell #544,381, 8/13/1895, Guard attachment for beds Earl Ryder #3,129,095, 4/14/1964, High silicon cast iron

Global economy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 1

Global economy - Essay Example Nevertheless, the end of 2010 was marked with the U.S.’s decision to throw additional money into the domestic economy, to encourage economic growth and slow down the economic downturn. Controversial and radical, the decision to apply to quantitative easing became one of the most actively discussed issues in economics. That quantitative easing has far-reaching implications for the domestic and global economy cannot be denied, but its role in the development and expansion of the positive economic growth is yet to be defined. At the end of 2010, the Central Bank of America announced its decision to pump up additional $600bn into the domestic economy (Elliott & Inman 2010). The decision to use quantitative easing mechanisms was justified by the failure of the American federal authorities and the Fed to accelerate economic growth, encourage lending, and reduce unemployment (Elliott & Inman 2010). It should be noted, that the past recession became the worst economic downturn in Amer ica and the rest of the world since the Great Depression (Elliott & Inman 2010). As a result, traditional instruments of economic recovery failed to improve the situation. Quantitative decision for the U.S. was similar to the instrument of last resort, when there is nothing else the Fed can do to alleviate the burden of economic problems within the country. As part of its strategy, the Fed would purchase long-term Treasury bills every month, until the middle of the year, totaling to $75bn (Elliott & Inman 2010). The United States claims that quantitative easing is simply inevitable, when the state wants to preserve â€Å"ultra-low† interest rates for an extended period, thus keeping the amount of the borrowing costs unchanged for at least two years (Elliott & Inman 2010). The principal intentions of quantitative easing are but positive. The reality, however, is not as bright as economic theory tries to create it. Even if quantitative easing has a potential to support relative stability in the U.S., it may have damaging and even fracturing effects on the global economy. It should be noted, that economic theory treats quantitative easing as â€Å"the central bank’s asset purchases that are designed to inject money directly into the economy to raise asset prices, boost spending and so keep inflation on track to meet the 2% target† (Ganley 2010). The most probable sources of additional assets for the Central Bank include â€Å"insurance companies, banks and non-financial institutions, pension funds and firms† (Ganley 2010). Such injections directly into the economy are justified by the rapid contractions in the amount of spending that follow global financial crises (Ganley 2010). More often than not, quantitative easing is used to stop price deflation and encourage real output (Ganley 2010). The history of quantitative easing dates back to the beginning of the 1990s, when Japan found itself in the midst of a deep economic and financial crisis (Kurihara 2006). â€Å"The development and implementation of the zero interest policy had to encourage economic recovery but did not produce any real effect on the economic development in the country† (Kurihara 2006). Quantitative easing was introduced to initiate long-term economic growth in Japan. Unfortunately, and after so many years of economic recovery and growth in Japan, whether quantitative easi

The Prefabricated Houses Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

The Prefabricated Houses - Term Paper Example One of these types of buildings is known as "prefabricated house" that kind of housing can be finished in short period and manufactured off-site in advance. It consists of standard sections that can be easily shipped, assembled, and dis-assembled. Moreover, the cost of  prefabricated  unit  is equivalent to  30-40%  of the cost of typical unit. This paper explores prefabricated housing, benefits, types, installation procedure, misconceptions, and future prospects. Prefabricated Houses Defined Prefabrication is a process of assembling the components of a particular structure in a factory and transporting the finished assemblies or sub-assemblies to the construction site where the final product is to be installed. The process is an alternative to the traditional on-site construction practice where raw material is gathered and assembled on location of construction (Daab, 2008). The primary principle of prefabrication is grouping comparable construction tasks and applying assem bly line techniques on construction site where skilled labor is available. The process is also called off-site manufacture (OSM). The practice is more effective when modularization is also employed, that is, the process of repeating units of form throughout the structure, or when several replica of the same basic structure are to be built (West 1). According to Callcutt Review of House building Delivery (2007) prefabrication is time-saving, economical, and provide high quality end product. In addition, the process has a potential to offer faster construction, cleaner and safer working conditions, reduced housing faults, reduced construction waste, and more energy efficient homes. On the other hand, some of the challenges of prefabricated housing include: interface detailing, handling and supply chain logistics, transportation to location, investment ability, and social stigma (West 1).Schweitzer and Michael state: "The earliest known examples of successful prefabricated housing in A merica came soon after, however, the "great house" of Edward Winslow was sent from England to Cape Ann northeast of Boston in 1624 to provide for the fishing fleet already operating there. The building was reportedly moved several times subsequently and parts of its supposedly were built into a house in Salem, Massachusetts, still standing today, more than 300 years later."(57) Types of Prefabricated Housing According to BRE and UK Department for Communities and Local Government (Callcutt, 2007) there are three types of prefabricated systems used by housing market. It includes volumetric systems, partial modularization, and prefabrication of elements. Volumetric systems include completely assembled three-dimensional modular units manufactured in a factory and installed on location. Partial modularization includes standardized units or elements while prefabrication of elements refers to an assortment of individual systems including 'frames' and 'structural insulated panels (SIP)'.Eac h of these systems has its own pros and cons, however, all of these are important for prefabricated housing market because of their use in isolation or combination as hybrid techniques(Callcutts,2007). Three types of prefabricated housing market sections include modular, penalized, and precut. A modular home system consists of three-dimensional unit. It includes interior and exterior walls, plumbing, wiring, and other kinds of utility

Service Provisions for the Elderly

Service Provisions for the Elderly ANSWER: Have you ever wondered why people say it is rude to ask a girl for her age? Do you know why most adults cringe every time they celebrate their birthdays? Truth be told, most of us fear aging because we associate it the gradual loss of our physical and mental abilities which in turn affects our emotional state. Bernard Nash asks, â€Å"Does it not strike you that we all want to live longer but none of us wants to grow old?†[1] Tangelder, J. (2014). He believes that aging, to most of us, is like a paradox. We enjoy life enough for us to choose to live longer yet we fear the effects of aging because it links towards the inevitable end. Most of us view aging as a loss of the benefits of our youth and the gain of multiple drawbacks of aging like diseases and illnesses such as dementia and hypertension. Physically speaking, it is a known fact that we lose a lot of control when we age. We lose the ability to walk properly, pee at will, see clearly, hear accurately, and so on. Also, aging introduces things that we do not have control of like arthritis, diabetes, sleep disorder, and many more. Aging even affects most of us emotionally. People get depressed from losing all the control that they once has. All these negative ideas leaves most of us with the fear of growing old. However, people need to understand that there are multiple ways to â€Å"age gracefully† and cope with these changes through the advent of medical advancements and growing concerns of aging. We can now cope to the point where we can enjoy the transition from being young to becoming elderly. All people need is a little support as we go through all these changes of being an elderly. One of the most important kind of support that people need is emotional support. We can get these support from our own families and friends. Some people also find comfort by going to their church community or marae based community. Also, here in New Zealand, there are a lot of support groups that can help people who get depressed from not being able to do what we were so accustomed to do. In Auckland alone, there are multiple organisations such as GROW, Balance NZ, Emotions Anonymous, Franklin Depression Support Group, Raeburn House, Men’s Change Support Group, and many more. All of which aims to help those undergoing change and depression. There even is a Depression Helpline. All these networks for us to use so that we can learn a thing or two about battling our demons of aging. Furthermore, there are multiple support organisations that help with common geriatric issues. One for which is Health and Disability Advocacy Service. Advocates help those who think their rights are being violated. In this case, one’s rights to health and disability service. Advocates side with the service-user. They generally listen to one’s concerns, explain your rights, suggest different courses of action, and support the actions that one takes. In New Zealand, this is a free service. This service is very important because it is always nice to have someone behind your back. If things go south, at least you know there is a group willing to listen and help with your health and disability problems. As we all know, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. â€Å"Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually even the ability to carry out the simplest tasks.†[2] (â€Å"Alzheimer’s Disease†, 2011, p. 1). Because of this, I believe that Alzheimer’s New Zealand is another support organization that assists the elderly to cope with this particular disease. They are a non-profit organisation that support people with this disease by giving information and education programmes to aid in better understanding of the disease. They also assist people by giving them useful information on how to provide financial support in availing of further assistance from other supportive organisations. HealthEd is another support organisation that helps with the aging process. Basically, HealthEd provides a list of free health catalogue resources conveyed by the Ministry of Health and Health Promotion Agency. Though they do not provide free services, what they offer is free information. People in New Zealand will be able to access unlimited information about certain health diseases or issues such as arthritis, Alzheimer’s, stroke, and many more. For me, information is very vital because it helps people understand what they have, what they are going through, and how they can cope. There may be information on how to contain the disease, maintain good health, or eliminate the disease all together. Age Concern is also an important organisation here in New Zealand. Their primary focus is to promote the dignity, respect, rights, and wellbeing of older people. Similar to HealthEd, they have many useful articles in their own website about aging. They help the elderly in New Zealand by providing information and support. They want to have a society in which the elderly are included rather than excluded. They want to establish a place where the elderly plays a valued role in the community. Age Concern also helps with social isolation, loneliness, and elder abuse. Finally, the SuperGold Card is one way of showing how much New Zealand appreciates and values the contributions of the elderly. Basically, by having this card, the elderly can enjoy discounts and offers from different establishments. There is no actual retirement age in New Zealand but once elderly can no longer work, they generally have limited funds. Having these discounts will help them enjoy the finer things in life. After all, they do deserve it. Besides the different support organisations, New Zealand also has different service provisions that the elderly can choose to avail. One example is the hospital. Here in New Zealand, there are many private hospital establishments that specialize in elderly care. People who choose to avail this service are those who require hospital level of care. Whoever avails of this service can be assured that qualified clinical staff will be with them for the duration of their stay. Doctors, nurses, therapists, pharmacists, and other medical staff will be present in these establishments. Hospices are another service provision present in New Zealand. Hospice New Zealand (2014) explains that hospice care has a unique whole person approach – which means physical, spiritual, emotional and social needs are equally important – a multidisciplinary team provides care for the person who is dying and their families and friends, both before and after a death.[3] Hospices tailor-fits an elder’s treatment plan based on what he or she thinks is important. If an elderly service user believes that being a part of the community is essential to growing old, then the hospice sees to it that the service user remains part of the community. Based on my current experience, this is done by taking them out of the house and having them do things they like such as bowling or doing the groceries. Residential Care is also a service provision in which the elderly can avail. This is a long-term care given in a rest home which includes rest home care, continuing hospital care, and dementia care. Residents of New Zealand get a Residential Care subsidy through government funding. This is very important because this helps geriatric people financially. Even if the government does not pay all the cost of this service, it is a very big help compared to other countries where they need to spend money from their own pockets. Nursing Homes is similar to Residential Care. The biggest difference is the level of care offered by these homes. Residential Care is more on the activities of daily living while Nursing Homes involves the medical aspect such as giving of medication and providing basic first aid when needed. According to Jenni Wiltz (2013), nursing care facilities provide room, board and care for patients who aren’t able to live on their own or in an assisted living facility due to serious debilitation or a medical condition.[4] Another service provision that is out there is Independent Living services. Adolf Ratzka (2003) defines Independent Living as a philosophy and a movement of people with disabilities who work for self-determination, equal opportunities and self-respect.[5] Independent Living does not mean that the service user does not need any help at all. Independent Living is being able to have the same rights and choices that other non-disabled people have. Even if we grow old, that does not mean we lose the control we have in making choices for ourselves. I also consider Day Care a crucial service provision that can assists the elderly. Before we get old, we enjoy doing different things like swimming, horseback riding, or going to the beach. When we get old, it does not mean we stop liking these things. Day Care is a programme where the elderly can continue to enjoy the things they used to do. In the place I work, we see to it that our service users do things they enjoy. We take them swimming, bowling, laughter yoga, and many more. All these support organisations and service provisions are there for a reason. As an employee of Kindly Residential Care and Rest Home, I believe that the above mentioned organisations and services should be accessed so that our service users can enjoy the finer things in life. By introducing them and their families to these options, our service users will have the dignity to age gracefully. They might even consider this stage in their lives to be the best among the rest and, possibly, look forward to what awaits them in the not so distant future. ANSWER: SOCIAL ISOLATION OF THE INDIVIDUAL AND THEIR FAMILY When people grow old, it is a known fact that they gradually lose the different abilities and skills they once had. This muddles one’s emotions to a point of them losing their own self-confidence thereby choosing to isolate themselves from their families, friends and others. But social isolation isn’t only a result of one’s own doing, society tends to isolate the elderly thinking they are too fragile to do anything. Kindly Residential Care Rest Home understands the importance of being part of a bigger whole. We have partnered with different organizations to ensure that our service users remain part of society. We also have a series of activities and programs that our service user can choose to be a part of such as: Day care Swimming 10 pin bowling Fishing Horseback riding Group recreational activities like coloring, drawing, and painting. Music therapy Laughter yoga Others ASSUMPTION OF AUTOMATIC LOSS OF INDEPENDENCE Society has this concept that the older people get, the more they would need our assistance. Though this is somewhat true, it does not mean these people automatically lose all sense of independence. They may not be able to do the things they used to do but they still have right to independence and choice. In Kindly Residential Care Rest Home, we make sure that our service users are given the dignity to remain as independent as possible through various ways such as: Giving them a chance to choose. They can choose what to wear, what to eat, or what chores they want to do. Encourage and empowering them to do things. Assigning of tasks will make them feel like they are part of a bigger picture. Supporting them as needed. We do not do things for them but we assists them whenever there is a need. Being patient and letting them do things at their own pace. As long as the job is done, it does not really matter how long it takes. Educating the service users, their families, and society. Everyone should know what the service user is going through so that everyone will be on the same page when it comes to caring for the service user. UNABLE TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT OWN CARE People often have this misconception about the elderly not being able to make sound decisions about many things especially their own care. Most elderly people retain the ability to make decisions but there are a few that require aid and support. We, at Kindly Residential Care Rest Home, believe in supporting our service users in whatever decisions they make as long as no harm will come to them. By partnering with other organizations, we can assure our service users that they can make the best educated decision regarding their health. Our partners are: Health and Disability Advocacy Service Age Concern Grey Power Carers New Zealand HealthEd Alzheimer’s New Zealand SeniorLine Others DISSATISFYING INTERACTIONS WITH THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY People often write off the elderly because they assume that the elderly have no clue as to what they are doing or as to what is currently going on around them. We live in a fast-paced world and people think that the elderly take too long to catch up. People think the elderly cannot learn new things. Especially in the medical community, medical staff tends to do things for the service user to speed up the process. Instead of giving the elderly a chance to accomplish something, most staff ignores this. This results in both parties having the wrong conception towards each other. Most medical communities feel like the elderly are always unsatisfied with their help while the elderly feel like they are being taken for granted. Kindly Residential Care Rest Home sees to it that every service user is given full attention especially when it comes to their medical status. This can be achieved through: Prioritizing the service user Practicing active listening Personalizing the type of care towards the needs of the service user Quarterly review to check what is working, what needs to be done, and what to improve on. Proper training of staff if needed UNCERTAINTY OF SUPPORT SERVICES AND TREATMENTS People usually fear the unknown. The elderly never had the same access to internet as we do. Knowing and getting specific information about the different support services and treatments out there was very hard to come by. And once they do come by a specific support service or treatment they have not heard of, they will be very skeptical and hesitant to try it. Unlike today’s generation, we can easily read people’s comments and testimonials about a certain support service or treatment. Through those, we can make a sound decision whether to go through with the program or not. Kindly Residential Care Rest Home fully understands this dilemma most service users have and we have dedicated ourselves to helping our service user find the right support service or treatment that best suits them. Because of our vast knowledge and partnership with support organizations, we make sure each service user knows about their options by: Explaining about the program Telling them about the advantages and disadvantages of the support service or treatment Giving recommendations Enrolling them for a trial period if possible Making follow-ups to see if the service user is satisfied with the service BIBLIOGRAPHY http://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/resourcefinder/listings/resource/73/support-groups/ http://advocacy.hdc.org.nz/ http://www.alzheimers.org.nz/about-us http://www.ageconcern.org.nz/ http://www.caughey-preston.org.nz/services/hospital-care/ REFERENCES Tangelder, J. (2014). Aaaaagh! I’m Getting Old. Power to Change: Experience his Power. Retrieved from http://powertochange.com/experience/life/gettingold/ Alzheimer’s Disease: Fact Sheet. (2011). National Institute of Aging, No. 11-6423, Pg. 1. Hospice New Zealand. (2014). What is Hospice? Retrieved from http://www.hospice.org.nz/ Ratzka, A. (2003). What is Independent Living – A Personal Definition. Journal of Independent Living Institute. Retrieved from http://www.independentliving.org/def.html [1] Tangelder, J. (2014). Aaaaagh! I’m Getting Old. Power to Change: Experience his Power. Retrieved from http://powertochange.com/experience/life/gettingold/ [2] Alzheimer’s Disease: Fact Sheet. (2011). National Institute of Aging, No. 11-6423, Pg. 1. [3] Hospice New Zealand. (2014). What is Hospice? Retrieved from http://www.hospice.org.nz/ [4] Wiltz, J. (2013). Residential Care VS Nursing Home. Journal of Livestrong.com. Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/164027-residential-care-vs-nursing-home/ [5] Ratzka, A. (2003). What is Independent Living – A Personal Definition. Journal of Independent Living Institute. Retrieved from http://www.independentliving.org/def.html

Establishign a Company Pmo, Ppm & Governance Structure

A project management culture is important in today’s competitive environment. If the company is to thrive and meet future financial targets, project management principles and practices must be a part of our business management model. Every employee must understand how critical this undertaking is. Below are examples (Gary, Larson, 2008) of business environment drivers that are moving the company to create this extremely important initiative. oIn high-tech industries, the product life-cycle is averaging 1 to 3 years.Approximately 30 years ago, life cycles of 10 – 15 years were not uncommon. Time to market for new products with short life cycles has become increasingly important. oThe open global markets of today demand cheaper products and services but also better products and services. This coincides with the quality movement and the practice of building quality into the project plan. oThe growth in new knowledge and understanding has increased the complexity of project s because projects encompass the latest advances from the materials used to the specifications, codes, equipment and specialists required to complete the project objectives.Increased competition has placed much emphasis on customer satisfaction. No one settles for generic products and services. The demand is around customized products and services that cater to specific needs. Years ago there was more of a â€Å"one-size fits all† approach. Now there is a great deal of selection. In summary, there are a substantial number of environmental forces requiring the company to take project management to the next step. The company project management initiative will position us for the future business environment which will require increased accountability, flexibility, innovation, speed and continuous improvement.This briefing will describe this company initiative and plans to create a Project Management Office (PMO), initiate Project Portfolio Management, an improved governance stru cture and addresses a change in culture to assure project management and proper governance are part of our daily activities. Establish Project Management Office Project Management Offices often have different styles (Morris, 2008). The company PMO will have a style of â€Å"Operational Partner. † The PMO is not only to create the project management methodology and governance, it will also help organizations grow and meet their strategic targets.The PMO will also be a major factor in project selection through Project Portfolio Management (PPM). This will assure projects are being selected for their overall contribution and alignment to the company strategies. The responsibilities of the PMO are: oMethodology Creation – Creates successful and repeatable processes in support of the company project management methodologies. oProvide Project Management – Supply the project management function to the company business units. Centralized Reporting – Organizationa l level reporting providing complete views of all project activity and summarizing cost and progress reporting for the entire company. oKnowledge Center – Act as an advisor and will maintain a knowledge center for project documentation. oProject Selection – Creating criteria and methods for project selection via a Project Portfolio Management process. The plan (see accompanying MS Project File) to establish the Project Management Office starts with a Brainstorming session with the CIO.This session leverages participant innovation and â€Å"out of the box† thinking to establish the PMO strategy management elements (Vision, Mission, Goals). Once the strategy management elements are defined, the PMO design and architecture phase will start. During this phase, the PMO Responsibilities, Authority and Accountabilities (RA&A) are documented, the team architecture is defined and the facilities requirements are documented. Choosing the PMO team could be the single most i mportant decision in establishing the PMO (Campbell, Baker, 2007).During the development phase, the PMO staff, team operating rhythm, PMO processes will be created and the facilities build up occurs. Establish Project Portfolio Management A Project Portfolio Management (PPM) methodology will be established. The purpose of the PPM is to assure approved projects are aligned with the company strategic goals and priorities. This methodology will provide information that enables better business decisions. Figure 1 shows a conceptual project scoring matrix that may be used to measure projects against specific criteria.Projects that are approved will be tracked to assure the business case comes home and the forecasted return on investment is realized. The plan (see accompanying MS Project File) to establish PPM, like the PMO, starts with a brainstorming session and again will include the CIO and leverage participant innovation and â€Å"out of the box† thinking. The key outcome of t he session is to define and document the objectives of the PPM and each step of a PPM gated process. The PPM gates to be defined are: oGate 1 – Define and Prioritize Business Strategy Gate 2 – Capture and Publish Idea oGate 3 – Publish Business case for Idea Review and Rating oGate 4 – Idea Analysis and Approval oGate 5 – Finalize Design Document oGate 6 – Approval Each gate will go through a design phase prior to entering the development phase. A formal tracking method and visual controls will be created to include â€Å"return on investment† verification. The net present value (NPV) model will be used to access the project against management’s minimum desired rate-of-return to compute the present value of all cash inflows.If the result is positive, it will be eligible for further consideration. Other project considerations are shown below. oIncreasing market share oIncreases difficulty for competitors to enter market oCreatio n of an adjacent product or service oIncreases independence from unreliable suppliers oCreation of new technology that enables new products or product derivatives oCreation of a product that will increase sales of more profitable products oReduced production defectsFigure 1 – Conceptual Project Scoring Matrix (Gary, Larson, 2008) Each project will be scored against the selection criteria. Based on the scoring for the project a total scoring based on the weighting will reflect the final score. Establish Governance Structure In order for the PPM to function properly, an Investment Review Board (IRB) must be put in place to assure proposed projects are brought through the approved process, voted on based on the selection criteria established and formally tracked to the success criteria stated in the business case.Each functional area will have representation on the IRB. This assures that impacts to the overall company priorities can be assessed and result in the best possible go vernance of the projects and priorities in alignment with the company strategies. Like the other major planning components of this company initiative, the plan to build the new Governance Structure will start with a brainstorming session. The session will include the CIO and a representative from each of the functional areas.This provides an opportunity for a manager from each area to help shape this important board and voice any risks or issues to assure these are addressed in the design and architecture phase in creating the governance structure. The session will focus on foundational elements in creating the new structure such as board chartering, RA&A (Responsibility, Authority & Accountability), team structure and operating rhythm. A draft of a governance board structure is shown in figure 2 to facilitate initial discussions. Figure 2 – Governance Board Structure Establish Culture Change/Communication PlanThe success of this company initiative is in the hands of every te am member in the company. If we are going to remain competitive and thrive in a global market, we must take our business disciplines in project management and governance to the next level. A communication plan is part of the overall plan to assure the flow of information horizontally and vertically. Culture change requires a high degree of multi-faceted communications (hybrid of high touch and no-touch). This plan supports a corporate communications expert to help assure â€Å"the right information† is getting to â€Å"the right individuals† as â€Å"the right time. This includes branding the activities for promotional purposes and creation of escalation paths for any employee (non-management and management alike) with questions, concerns and issues surrounding the initiative. This effort will mitigate previous issues where a top down deployment of a company initiative did not enable the escalation of issues and concerns related to the implementation challenges experi enced by the employees. Summary This plan requires a commitment from all employees. We can not afford to fail in our efforts.Securing our future growth and prosperity are paramount in the challenging business climate of today. To help the company make this successful journey, extensive use of the Independent Review process (to be created by the PMO) will assure full implementation of the initiative and achievement to the expected level of performance. The benefits of this initiative will be seen and felt by every employee in the way of focused efforts that are sized and prioritized for the approved resources and aligned to the company strategies resulting in greater levels of shareholder value.Thank you in advance for your support of this plan. NOTE: A non-recurring budget snapshot for the development and implementation of this initiative is shown in figure 3. Figure 3: Non-recurring Budget SnapshotReferences Morris, Rick A. (2008) The Everything Project Management Book 2nd Edition Avon, MA: Adams Media Gary, C. F. , Larson, E. W. (2008) Project Management – The Managerial Process New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Irwin Campbell, G. M. , Baker, S. B. (2007) Project Management Fourth Edition New York, NY: Penguin Group