Thursday, November 28, 2019

Stress Essays - Stress, Acute Stress Reaction, Norepinephrine

Stress This research paper explains stress and its causes and cures. The research paper will attempt to determine whether there is an effective way to cure stress. Stress is an integral part of life. The complete absence of any stress results in death. Stress plays a key role in daily life, influencing - if not governing - happiness, productivity and health. Stress is known to cause various psychiatric disorders involving anxiety and depression, including posttraumatic stress disorder, major depression, generalized anxiety, and multiple personality disorders.This research will also attempt to explain ways to cure the illness's caused by Stress. The more stress one puts on thereselves the weaker one's immune system becomes. With a weakened immune system we become susceptible to disease and injury. Stress is an adaptive response. It's the body's reaction to an event that is seen as emotionally disturbing, disquieting, or threatening. To prepare for an event, the body increases its heart rate and blood pressure; more blood is then sent to your heart and muscles, and your respiration rate increases. . In the first stage of stress, alarm, the body mobilizes its "fight or flight" defenses, either to resist the stress-causing factor or adapt to it. In this stage, the pituitary-adrenocortical system pours hormones into the bloodstream. The pulse quickens, the lungs take in more oxygen to fuel the muscles, blood sugar increases to supply added energy, digestion slows, and perspiration increases. In the second stage of stress, resistance, the body begins to repair the incidental damage caused by the arousal in the alarm stage. If the stressful situation is resolved, the stress symptoms vanish. If the stressful situation continues, however, a third stage, exhaustion, sets in, and the body's adaptive energy runs out. This stage can continue until some vital organs are affected, and then disease or even death can occur. There are three types of stress, mental, physical, chemical. These different variations of stress all cause similar effects to one's body. Each of these stresses can come from many sources. Most of these have appeared as a primary threat in our environment. Mental stress occurs from a shock as severe as the death of a loved one or from a simple thing like a faulty alarm clock making one late for work. Physical stress on the body can be caused by anything from not getting adequate sleep to a severe whiplash injury from a car accident. In addition, there is a chemical stress which may come from environmental pollution, the side affects of medications or even consumption of overly refined food. Compounding all this is the tension cycle, in which mental stress triggers physical stress or vice versa, leading to a downward spiral of health and happiness and an increasingly painful series of symptoms. Mental stress and Physical Stress are linked due to the fact that if one has mental stress it can cause physical stress. Man's response to psychological stress differs little from sources of potential physical harm (i.e., with surges of adrenaline, a rise in blood pressure and heart rate, and a 4x increase in blood flow to the muscles needed to fight or run away.) Physical symptoms may include a headache, upset stomach, muscle tension, neck or backache, rapid breathing, sweaty palms, and exhaustion. Mentally, you may feel distracted, have trouble concentrating, be illogical or forgetful, or you may have scary thoughts or feel suspicious. You may become easily irritated and impatient, or you may feel tense, depressed, angry or alone. You may have difficulty sleeping. Chemical Stress, however, is cause from manmade substances or objects. our body to make a certain number and quality of enzymes, antibodies, and hormones. These are the end products. The raw materials to make these end products come from our foods. Lack of a suffiecient diet can cause chemical stress. Chemical stress can also come from pesticides, insecticides, polluted air and water, heavy metals such as mercury or lead, asbestos and artificial food additives. Stress in general causes the immune system to weaken to a great extent. There are many health problems related to diminished immune systems including allergies and susceptibility to different diseases such as fungus and yeast infections. With the premature degeneration the stress will cause an acceleration in the aging and the break down of tissues. Physical consequnces such as cellular damage is caused by highly unstable molecules called free radicals. Because of the highly unstable nature of the "free radicals", they can be extremely toxic and are a primary result of stress that undermine the immune system and threaten health. Ironically, the body's immune system

Monday, November 25, 2019

Louisiana essays

Louisiana essays Louisiana, known as a hunter and fishermans paradise, has been part of the Union since 1812. The land was part of the Louisiana Purchase bought from Napoleon for 15,000,000 dollars in 1812. It was named after Louis XIV. The capital was originally New Orleans, but was changed in 1849 to Baton Rouge. In 1861 Louisiana seceded from the Union and soon joined the Confederacy. In 1867 Louisiana was re-admitted to the Union. In 1869, sulfur is first produced in the United States. In 1838, the first Mardi Gras parade was held in New Orleans and in 1837 the town of Shreveport was founded. The new capital was completed in Baton Rouge in the year 1932. Huey P. Long was assassinated in the state capital in 1935. In 1973, a team of surgeons performed Louisianas first heart transplant. Two years later in 1975, the Superdome in New Orleans was completed at a total cost of 163,313,315 dollars. Louisiana was the eighteenth state to join the Union. Along with many different dates, there are also many emblems of Louisiana. The Louisiana bird would be known as the Brown Pelican. The state tree is the Cypress Tree. The state dog is known as the Catahula Leopard Dog. Our state flower is the Magnolia and was adopted in the 1900s. Louisianas highest point is Driskill Mountain at a height of 535 feet above sea level. New Orleans is the lowest point and is 5 feet below sea level. Our largest lake is half the size of Rhode Island. New Orleans is also our largest city. In 1800, Louisiana wasnt part of the United States. Louisiana covers 47,752 square miles and is somewhat larger than New York. It ranks 31st in land size among other states in the United States of America. It might not be the same in a few years because the land area is constantly changing due to land erosion along the coast. It erodes at a rate of 16 square miles per year. ...

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Pollution Control Measures Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Pollution Control Measures - Essay Example Consequently, this paper explores the merits of the three pollution control measures to establish the optimal pollution control measure that should be adopted by the countries. Discussion Benefits and marginal costs are compared to establish the amount of pollution that should be accepted in society. This is called the optimal pollution level, where the marginal social costs and marginal social benefits are equal. Similarly, the marginal cost of pollution damage and the marginal cost of pollution control are compared to establish when pollution control measures should be employed. Under this concept, pollution should be reduced if the benefits gained are higher than the control costs (Hoel, 1998). This is as demonstrated in the graphical representation below on the marginal cost of pollution damage versus the marginal cost of pollution control. Qmax in the graph above shows the maximum level of pollution that is expected when pollution control measures are not employed. Thus, the pol lution amount will drop from Qmax when the control policies are introduced in the market. On the other hand, MCD is the marginal cost of damage that is caused by pollution emissions. Similarly, MCC is the marginal cost of control that has the tendency of rising as the levels of pollution fall (Hoel, 1998). The optimal control level is represented by the Q* in the graph, where the MCD and MCC are equal. This is the level at which the pollution control cannot be exceeded since the benefits will be less than the marginal cost of undertaking the pollution control measure. This practice of balancing the marginal cost and benefit is known as the equimarginal principle (Hoel, 1998). Legal regulation is one of the pollution control measures employed by government agencies, which involves setting the emission standards for specific products or industries under the legislative guideline. The major advantage of legal regulation is that it specifies results compared to other control measures (W eyzig, 2009). Thus, it is possible to ensure that producers do not allow a risky level of pollutants. However, this control measure has the potential of experiencing inflexibility when the economic players are required to meet the same standard. This can only work where activities polluting the environment are same. Consequently, pollution tax is effective in an industry that has numerous and different plants. This will involve charging the plants by per unit of emission they make in their production activities. Taxation will be effective in controlling the level of emission since the plants operating in the market will consider reducing the pollution level provided the marginal cost is lower compared to the tax (Tucker, 2011). Under the taxation control measure, the Qmax of pollution before the pollution control measures are introduced will shift to Q1, as reflected in the graph below, when a pollution tax of T1 is introduced. This is because the manufacturers in the market will pr efer to lower their pollution level by undergoing a cost E shown in the graph, instead of paying a tax that is equal to F + E for these units as reflected in the graph above (Tucker, 2011). In addition, the manufacturers will be forced to pay a charge equivalent to B + D for the pollution level of Q1 they cause. This cost is lower than B+ D – E+ F that they will be required to pay if they do not reduce their pollution l

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Loss of Biodiversity Due to Pollution Research Paper

Loss of Biodiversity Due to Pollution - Research Paper Example The Gulf of Mexico is opulent in biodiversity and exceptional habitats, and hosts the solitary recognized nesting shoreline of Kemp’s Ridley, the world’s rare sea turtle. It has an interesting circulation array which stretches it organic and socioeconomic significance; water from the Caribbean come into commencing the south over the Yucatan Channel amid Cuba and Mexico and, after warming up in the basin, goes out over the northern Florida Canal amid the United States and Cuba to produce the Gulf River in the North Atlantic that assists to standardize the macroclimate of the western Europe. Creeks and bays are public along Gulf seashores with other reefs, sea grasses, and coastal wetlands, principally Spartina alterniflora, usual in the north, and certain oyster’s ridges, native to national sea greenswards, and mangrove forests in the south. Off shore, coral ridges are conjoint in several areas in the southern Gulf, alongside northwest Cuba, beside Florida Keys, and one district off Texas. Creatures that call Gulf of Mexico home vary from infinitesimal to gigantic. (Day, 2013). Gulf Oil Spill Gulf oil spill is acknowledged as the nastiest spill in the account of United States. Inhabitants from the Gulf of Mexico echo that, tallies of fish, mantra rays, sharks, dolphins and sea turtles are escaping the spirals of oil and cleaners to the trivial waters off the coasts of Alabama and Florida. Marine biologists suggest that these animals feel the adjustment in water chemistry and attempt to drip the polluted water dead zones by swimming in the direction of the oxygen rich shallows (National Research Council, 2012). Immediate Impact Under normal Gulf season, death is expected during laying and nesting period (Marion, 2011). The oil spills instantaneously endangered brown pelican, the egrets, the laughing gulls and other shore and migrant birds, beached with greased fuzz as they strained to rear their young nestlings. Their fledglings faced and still face an indeterminate future, as they begin their expedition on infested water. Dead and vanishing sea creatures still attempt to leak from the oxygen depreciated water, because of methane gas from the oil, which depletes oxygen at a very high speed, as illustrated in the pictures below (Benn & Bolton, 2011). Physical Effects Physical effects comprise of demise by asphyxia, with oil hindering air openings or gills. By numbing sensual organs, oil upsets creatures’ ability to discover food or sense predators. Many birds and other inhabitants succumbed to death as a consequence of hypothermia, bec ause oil led to lessening of the protecting effect of plumages and fur. Since the oil spill, crabs have been documented hiking out of water, as a toxic gleam approaches the shoreline. During morning hours, they are observed floating stomach up in the water, in a bid to get more oxygen. Nevertheless, the air they inhale is loaded with chemicals blowing up from the water (National Research Council, 2012). Impact of the oil spill on coral reefs presents unique physical conditions. This is because healthy coral reefs are amongst the most organically assorted and economically treasured ecologies on earth, providing vital ecosystem services. They are a foundation of nourishment for millions, guard seashores from storms and corrosion, offer habitation, procreating and nursery lands for economically essential fish species, offer businesses and revenue to local economies from angling, leisure, and tourism, are a basis of treatments, and hotspots for aquatic multiplicity. Immediate spill resu lted to death of some corals, leading to subsequent smothering and sinking of them. Over time, reduction of photosynthesis, development and reproduction has been documented. Regardless of this, the extent of coral reef damage unswervingly attributable to the Gulf Spill has remained unusually minor (Marion, 2011). Toxic effects Skin ulcerations, destruction to the spleen, liver, lungs and

Monday, November 18, 2019

Ghana Cocoa Industry Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Ghana Cocoa Industry - Essay Example However, it is of great significance to note that output varies on an annual basis. Factors such as price fluctuations, politics, and management play a crucial role in influencing output. Discussed in this paper is the role of politics in influencing cocoa production in Ghana, and interventional strategies set up to boost production of cocoa in the country. In addition, the paper also analyzes the cocoa industry in Ghana from different theoretical perspectives. Political theory centers on the analysis of economics influence on political ideologies. Tenants of the theory uncover the interplay of relationships between law, politics, and economics. In addition, it analyzes the development of various institutions in different economics and social systems for example, capitalist, socialist, and communist systems. Competing interests of specific individuals, groups or institutions affect a countrys economic development. This theory enables individuals visualize and understand the formation of public policies. Small-scale farmers in Ghana lack the resources to export their produce directly. They rely on intermediaries (businesspersons) and the government to broker deals with customers interested in their produce. Herein, lays the root cause of the countrys economic problem. These farmers receive meager compensation compared to the parties charged with the task of brokering the deal. As a result, poverty in Ghana is at an all-time high despite its flourishing cocoa industry. As mentioned, Ghana ranks second after Ivory Coast in the cocoa export industry (Ecobank, 2013). The country lost the title amidst waves of political upheaval in the country. In a bid to advance their personal interests, influential individuals mismanaged the cocoa industry. Through the Cocoa Marketing Board, farmers received fixed compensation for their produce.

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Importance of Career Planning and Development

Importance of Career Planning and Development Yogi Berra once said. So will not know what youre here, you may wind up somewhere else Many of the good will of certain professional career began with the objectives, only to find myself, 10 years later, I wonder what went wrong. If you want to get serious in your career, you should take time to develop good career map. Ask yourself the following questions: where I want five years from now? Ten years from now? Assess the current situation and whether or current employer cannot fulfill its objectives. If not, what companies to target as prospective employers? As you map the ideal future that can achieve your goals can be set behind the fear is not. They work toward you and give the fuel a fire. But beware Motivation can be difficult. Their values may change over the course of his career, and youll find new things to inspire you perhaps may have. When you were just out of college, working conditions may be the biggest motivating factor. As you progress through your career, you probably know, that were going here BEGIN lottery, get a real, pretty skinny and Chief Financial Freedom and get inspiration from Beat the search. Other people are a challenge, or something of value is fueled by the opportunity to participate. Tap their own sources, and his career can be satisfying Importance of Career Planning and Development Until recently, workers will have access to the organization, his career in his career. Now past. Steeds Employees still very popular because they naively believe that the continuity of work and organizational values are well-immune Discounts added. However, increased competition, rapid technological change, restructuring and dishonest means, not high performance protection against dismissal of employees. More likely is the lack of a traditional business. Experts estimate that popular that race is a rapid settlement Realistic and orientation problems, prevention and active employees the opportunity to explore power. The creation and career goals. Career Planning and Development two processes career employee (centered) and career management (organization center) is. Human resource management task, but it is a planning, career planning and management of human resources is part of, be state by many organizations is not included. Ideally, a professional development and planning process, which met match interests and organizational needs, must overcome. That the business skills for a career development. Careered strategic objective, strategic and organizational planning and staff need the same profile in competitive situations to get the skills to ensure development is an important element of the organization and skilled workforce. Human Resource Planning and Career Planning and Development Employees are increasingly concerned about the quality of life Battle of the lack of expertise in order to build talent worldwide Trade unions focus more on career planning and development: Higher levels of education and expectations of employees. Institutions and the feeling of obligation to employees. Employees Responsibility Every employee Belgium honorable career planning and development should be more concern. Unfortunately ignores the responsibility of individuals, I quickly left the organization. Passive acceptance of the employees in D control of your career and your future career, employment opportunities are aimed at reducing chance achieve. Career planning and development agencies an offer to return home, usually not written to every employee of the organizations needs. Employees professional and personal goals and skill level of critical analysis of the personal and professional interests between the doors to career planning. Human resources should be Supreme leader and pro-active career planning needs of individual and institutional development are important. Human resources personnel and organizational development planning and entire careers to know about training among employees are to promote. Factors in career development Employees must take responsibility for their own professional development. White is not right flat course, and optimal development of conflict. Dying for career development and a key factor in successfully to reduce development. Performance employee is bad, very little training and development debates on Promotion of opportunities for international assignments. Exposure workers, senior decision makers for their excellent performance management. Workers, communication, presentation and training for businesses are known organization can develop a success, and participation in social activities. ReputationA business opportunity stars and long-term work for the glory of commercial success as a home full time employees. So institutions may be an important factor Mentor Successful managers usually have a mentor or sponsor who helps advance their career by offering advice, giving instruction and opening up career opportunities. The protà ©gà ©, by developing more skills and self-confidence, performs better and provides longer. Advice, to encourage businesses to identify and talent to support the use of diversity Consult a front frame development and growth is all the people Advice to the company helps create awareness about the value. Coaching motivated and improve employee job satisfaction Ingratiation- a good way to pay special powers in relation to leaf can be an effective strategy. Development Develop knowledge and skills to further enhance the value of labor and thus an attractive body continues. International experience primarily for senior management career (international experience), all of the keys to success. Languages and business managers in other channels set to the increasingly global demand is not awesome development in the English Department internationalization, but the second (third Test) language. Languages and business managers in other channels set to the increasingly global demand is not awesome development in the English Department internationalization, but the second (third Test) language. Computer and a keyboard a competitive advantage, computer skills required. Highly efficient technology, can Networking It is important that employees of the Belgian network of contacts can be useful in carrier spending Goals, success, motivation and designer, is just the beginning of the employee, and most of them go Networking It is important that employees of the Belgian network of contacts can be useful in carrier spending Golf Golf indispensable work, in Asia, where golf is the most important names in the transaction met. Golf at this time, the New Millennium Assembly and now starting over as a result of negotiations eventually Assembly Career plateau More career opportunities for staff to promote an awesome reference to a minimum met. When this happens, further progress may be blocked employees. For a worker is required to the roof to escape, its important for travelers to enhance and develop themselves to change and transition. Employees are now reaching plateaus earlier in their careers than did their predecessors and far earlier than their own expectations so it is important for organizations and individuals to prepare to cope with the phenomenon successfully, particularly when the signs of an impending plateau are observed. The risk of obsolescence is less if organizations accept responsibility for employee development and if employees are prepared to invest time in their development. Dual Career Womens way more specific to human resource management policies, and his two officers and the passengers were staff spouses.HR employee expectations with the existing route must be careful to fill in personal development programs, including wives. Dual-career couples, two lines will be presented for flexibility, work and role of work in Belgium as a clear distinction between (for non coping mechanisms) and career planning and skills development. Work Family Conflict Work in the family show both income and single parent families against families. People no longer a problem and what is the formula to successfully balance work and family. Work and family difficulties with the names of women seeking to compete as a mother to make the unity of the traditional family, wife and homemaker. Place the family and colleagues get the first guy to satisfy the problem. Family, Children and delivery of ALS policy to work to support the costs of monitoring and flexible work hours at home, part-time, Flexible terrible not to leave to help die, but the staff commitment. Outplacement Help recruit other investment career as a special order is the same design. Outplacement consultants are low, but the change, career assessment, evaluation, training, interviews will consult new services to develop methods of finding a job offer administrative and secretarial. Career Human Resource Management What is needed careful planning and hoe en route to his career achieve your goals. Marina is a great opportunity, many of its limitations. Very limit of the directors and managers blow to your advantage as human resource management, popular experts was obtained. Individual and to gather and assess the needs and desires of human resources, improving peoples happiness, success is the ability to employ works, prices will lead to more information. The variety of jobs jobs are available, and one and a professional summary. Compensation Remuneration for HRM employees has lagged behind that paid to employees in functions. So why, employee and employer making mistake on their career planning and development? First, they have unrealistic goals. Personal career goals to cut the break are not manageable. If you read books in a year are planning to try for 100, two short of the years before the end to read all good books last weekend. For example, would be a manageable goal, two pounds per month to read. Finally you can customize with you it would be measured month. Two Years more likely you will receive with this approach and the overall goal of 200 pounds to read. Even more unrealistic expectations are realistic, if you target your check with friends and mentors. Also, if unrealistic career goals are rarely met and held that the individuals overall concept is useless and ignored. Second, limited access and many are working in the realm that is a business plan. They see work as a type of work or job itself. The range of career opportunities and job satisfaction can have a significant impact on overall negative effect. Expand your horizons and work in training other related businesses difficult to cross. Learn the different skills and you will find more opportunities. Third, plan a career that detailed above, and leaves no room and no problem over time in response to external or internal conditions may change. Also, rules detailed list of action items to be a little sense of priorities absence. The action against leads to little or no effective career> plan to. Fourth, a career planning skills and acknowledge that other options depending on the plan you career is doomed to failure. Develop a plan that his own companys growth and progress needs to accelerate development are wrong. Career planning and direction, and its responsibility is solely your responsibility. Your organizations resources can provide, but it is your responsibility to take your career plans and measures necessary to develop. Fifth, many take unnecessary risks that lack of planning your career. You do not have options, developing real, yet the basic skills and understanding necessary to work to move to switch to the next level or to prepare properly. You should inform the decision, the appropriate insurance carrier with its plan to develop the results planned. Getting there: five core areas of management and careers in their plan that not many (1) you (set unrealistic goals,( 2) career plans, coverage and scope, is limited (3) if you plan an overly broad career, (4) planning your career depends on others, and Meaning (5) their future careers and the lack of an unnecessary risk with their career they plan to take.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Billy Liar :: Drama

How I Would Play Billy Page 36, Act 2, Lines â€Å"†¦Rita, will you listen for one minute!†¦ No, listen to what I’m telling you!† Until Page 39, Lines â€Å"He can’t wash himself, never mind the pots.† The reason I chose Billy to discuss how I would play his role in the play is not only I was him in the short scene presented to the class, but he has more to him than meets the eye. There are so many things which distinguish Billy character, and make him unique. Billy is proposed to three different girls, he starts tells small fibs to make his life sound more interesting, but gradually people realise that he is lying and he makes up more lies to get himself out of trouble. Eventually his life seems to be based on lies. In the scene I have chosen it begins with Billy on the phone with the domineering Rita. He seems to be over powered by her frequent and poignant questions not to mention her intolerant attitude. In this case I would play Billy with a sense of awareness about him, as if he didn’t want anyone to hear what he was saying. By that I mean a softer voice, and he would keep looking over his shoulder to check no one was there listening. Towards the end of the phone call however I would make sure Billy would be getting worked up because Rita was saying that she would be going round there to collect the ring and she wouldn’t take no for an answer. Billy would raise his voice slightly, and he would be gritting his teeth trying to hold his anger in. Eventually Rita hangs up on him and he slams the phone down releasing his anger from the phone call. In the phone call I would have Billy pausing a lot, making it sound like Rita would be interrupting him. Also I would have him say the line â€Å"Of course it’s all right...† with a very soft and gentle tone, trying to calm her down, and convince her that nothing has happened to her precious ring. On top of that this is the first case that you see Billy lying, in this particular scene I have chosen. The ring is certainly not at the jewellers, it is sitting on Barbara’s finger. During the phone call I would have Billy walking back and fourth about four steps at a time. This should represent that a lot is going on in his head and that he is nervous. I would have him waving his left hand around, as if he is making everything up on the spot, his right hand

Monday, November 11, 2019

High Stakes Testing Essay

Tests are a very important tool for measuring achievement; therefore, they should be part of a system which provides equitable learning access to all students. The No Child Left Behind Act of 2002 (NCLB) which requires states to develop accountability systems and provide assessment of the students’ performance in order to receive federal funding accordingly has led to the necessity of implementing large-scale testing. The goal of using these types of tests can be considered praiseworthy if – the tests are designed in such a way that all students are tested on a curriculum they have had a fair opportunity to learn (especially racial and ethnic minority students or students with a disability or limited English proficiency) – the tests are scored properly, taking into account that the test scores of those students with limited English skills should be interpreted in accordance with those limitations – the tests are used appropriately. For example, a test that has been validated only for diagnosing strengths and weaknesses of individual students should not be used to evaluate the educational quality of a school. The public schools of North Carolina, for example, carry a very high-stakes accountability program known as â€Å"The New ABCs of Public Education. † which has had a major impact on curriculum, instruction, assessment, and school personnel throughout the state. The program requires: End-of-Grade Tests (3-8 and 10), End-of-Course Tests (on Algebra I, Algebra II, Biology, Chemistry, Civics & Economics, English I, Geometry, Physical Science, Physics, U. S. History, NCCLAS ), Tests of Computer Skills, Competency Tests, Writing Assessments Grades 4, 7, and 10, IDEA ® English Language Proficiency Tests. Each North Carolina school, as well as any school in any other state has to give itself an annual report card, with assessment results broken down by poverty, race, ethnicity, High Stakes Testing 2 disability, and English-language proficiency. In this way, the race for more and better information about school performance sets off. More attention should be paid to the quality of data educational authorities receive as it is a fact that there are schools which are painting a picture prettier than reality, thus misleading authorities, taxpayers and what is even worse, keeping students trapped in low quality institutions. Under NCLB, if schools fail to make adequate yearly progress on state tests for three consecutive years, students can use federal funds to transfer to higher-performing public or private schools, or to obtain supplemental education services from providers of their choice but this could not be possible if the low-quality institutions they attend remain invisible under misleading reports of pretended excellence. In many districts, raising test scores are the most important indicators of school improvement so teachers feel the pressure to ensure that test scores go up. Knowing that schools that fail for four to five consecutive years may face state takeovers, have their staffs replaced, or be bid out to private management some teachers narrow the curriculum and teach only what is covered on the test. There are many issues that should be taken into account when it comes to evaluating high stake assessment. One of them is the reliability of high stake tests which is definitely at risk when large subject domains (mathematics, language arts) are measured with relatively few questions and a narrow focus on skills and knowledge. Major decisions like getting a diploma or being promoted to the next grade require a balance of information including in-class performance, interviews, observation, projects, and class work. Perhaps the most important critical claim is that standardized tests do not measure critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, and other similar important aspects of intelligence. Students who are perfectly intelligent can perform poorly in high-stakes testing, and this can have serious consequences for the student as well as his or her school. High Stakes Testing 3 In my opinion, the first of the three most important issues in high stakes testing is the type of test used. Large-scale high-stakes testing programs are primarily focused on serving the goals of norming and selection rather than student mastery of content and problem-solving (Pellegrino, Chudowsky, & Glaser, 2001). These two types of testing are almost impossible to reconcile. A second issue of great importance is assessment of learning versus assessment for learning (Stiggins, 2002) There is a distinction between high-stakes testing (assessment of learning) and the formative assessment techniques that teachers may use throughout the year to foster learning (assessment for learning). In the case of the former, the goal of the test is to measure what students know or can do. In the case of the latter, the goal of the test is to provide information that will improve student learning. The third most important issue is, in my opinion, the test / curriculum adjustment. Appropriate assessments measure the objectives set out at the classroom level and at the same time reflect curriculum (or content) that has been selected to reach the specified objectives. To sum up, any decision about a student’s continued education, such as retention, tracking, or graduation, should not be based only on the results of a single test, but should include other relevant and valid information. The classroom is the realm of the teacher. State tests do not tell teachers how to teach, they suggest what should be taught, so there is no reason why students cannot learn how to think critically, solve problems or develop their creativity. State tests are taken at the end of the year or course, so teachers have the opportunity to diagnose their students’ needs and work on their improvement so that by the time they sit for the tests they can feel confident and succeed as expected. It is only fair to use test results in high-stakes decisions when students have had a real opportunity to master the materials upon which the test is based and this cannot be achieved without an active and professional teacher.

Friday, November 8, 2019

Blood Pressure Definition and First Aid Basics

Blood Pressure Definition and First Aid Basics Ever noticed how a hose spouting water in your favorite Saturday-morning cartoon always looked like it was a snake vomiting footballs? Despite the fact that the water coming out of the end of the hose was running smoothly, its still a pretty good representation of how blood flows through our veins: in waves that we call pulses. The Pressure of the Blood Blood pressure is the force  exerted against blood vessel walls by the blood as it flows through them. Because of the way arteries and veins are used by the circulatory system, arterial walls are much thicker and withstand higher pressures than venous walls do. Arteries have the ability to expand and constrict much more than veins can, which is necessary to adjust blood pressure. Because they exert that control, they have to be sturdy. When we measure blood pressure, we are measuring the pressure in the arteries. Usually, we measure the pressure in the brachial artery, although it is possible to measure blood pressure in other arteries as well. Blood pressure is manually measured using a stethoscope to listen blood flow turbulence, a cuff to constrict blood vessels enough to stop the flow, and a sphygmomanometer (big, fancy word for a pressure gauge and a squeeze bulb).   Electronic blood pressure monitors dont need humans (other than the one theyre testing) or stethoscopes. There are plenty of blood pressure monitors in homes today. If you have a blood pressure monitor or are considering buying one, you may be wondering what exactly blood pressure is and if you should monitor it. Why Does It Matter? Anyone who has left the water on in the garden has seen the hole that rushing water can make under pressure. That erosion can also happen in the body if high blood pressure is not treated. High blood pressure can also lead to strokes and aneurysms. An aneurysm is a weak spot in an artery that swells until it bursts, and hypertension makes that process happen faster. The Pulse Blood does not flow smoothly through arteries. Instead, it surges through the arteries each time the heart beats. That surge is known as the pulse and is easily felt through arteries in the wrist and neck. Even though blood is surging through the blood vessels, there is pressure on the vessels at all times. Indeed, the pulse we feel is really the difference between the pressure exerted against the arterials walls during the hearts rest and during the hearts contractions. Why an Upside Down Fraction? When blood pressure is measured, we commonly record the pressure as two numbers, one above the other,  like a fraction. The difference between a fraction and a blood pressure is that the top number of a blood pressure is always higher than the bottom number (example: 120/80). The top number is the systolic blood pressure. This is the pressure in the artery during the beating of the heart (systole). This is the pressure that creates the pulse we feel in the wrist or neck.The bottom number is the diastolic blood pressure. This is the pressure that is always in the artery, even when the heart is resting between beats (diastole).

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Factors that compelled Tesco to exit the Japanese Market The WritePass Journal

Factors that compelled Tesco to exit the Japanese Marketï » ¿ Executive summary Factors that compelled Tesco to exit the Japanese Marketï » ¿ ). Tesco failed to establish enough scalable business after its 8 years operation in Japan. According to CEO, Philip Clarke, Japanese shopping habits were very different from those envisioned in business strategies and business processes of Tesco. According to Clarke, the British consumers enjoy carrying out a â€Å"big shop† once in a week since there is enough room to keep their shopping. In contrast, for many Japanese, space is premium and carrying out a big shop is not an option. Tesco, like other foreign retail companies, failed to adapt fully to the local shopping habits of the Japanese consumers. Consumers switching from branded luxury products in Tesco stores to more affordable private labels. Despite the demand for staple food and household items remaining flat, some consumers switched from purchasing branded luxury products to private labels that are more affordable. However, the penetration of such private labels products has not been popular compared to branded products because the Japanese consumers are still conscious of the product brand of the item they purchase. A series of food safety scares hit the market. The outbreak of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in Japanese cows, use of non-approved additives in packaged foods and product origin being mislabeled eroded consumer confidence and caused a series of food safety scares in the grocery retail market. The British business format of Tesco failed to compete with department and supermarket stores in Japan. The people of Japan put much emphasis on the quality and freshness of food items. They, therefore, prefer to shop many times in a week instead of carrying out a single bulk shopping in a weekly basis. Departmental store food halls began offering high price but high quality foods while low priced standard food products were offered by supermarkets. Although discount stores started increasingly introducing fresh food product to encourage more customer visits, they were considered to be at the lower end of the market along with convenience stores. The small retail channels have increased their market share in recent years because their business format meets the Japanese consumers’ preference for shopping several times each week. They have also widened their range of services such as the provision of added-value services, bill-paying facilities, cash machines and delivery services. The small retail channels business format is in contrast with Tesco business format. As a result, Tesco faced a challenge of penetrating the highly competitive business segment. The Japanese people are highly demanding and fussy consumers who need to be provided with a wide selection of goods and foodstuffs. The Japanese consumers also value freshness of their produce, and they are likely to question of the stock in a hypermarket such as Tesco. Japanese consumers make frequent visits to many different stores per week instead of carrying out a one stop-shop within a single supermarket store. Conclusion In summary, the expansion strategy taken by Tesco into the Japanese market was a well-timed one. However, the Japanese market posed many difficulties which prevented Tesco penetrating the market and achieving profits. Despite that Tesco invested many resources and formulated strategies to gain the Japanese retail market, its failure to establish a business format to suit the Japanese consumers’ lifestyle envisaged its eventual exit. Other foreign retail companies such as Carrefour SA of France had failed to attain profit. Economic factors also led Tesco’s exit as consumers changed preference. The consumer patterns of the Japanese can be difficult to accommodate and formulate a business format to suit their demands and lifestyle. References Humby C, et al. (2008) Scoring Points: How Tesco Continues to Win Customer Loyalty. London: Kogan Page Publishers. Tesco’s internal data, 2009 (www.tesco.com) Williamson C, et al. (2013) Strategic Management and Business Analysis. London: Routledge.

Monday, November 4, 2019

Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 16

Case Study Example The first recommendation for the company would be to ensure that the information technology department is adequately funded. This is likely to enable the department come up with systems that can help the management to make logical decisions concerning resource distribution and future plans. The funds can also be used to upgrade the systems hence, ensuring efficiency in carrying out tasks. The other recommendation would be for the firm to embark on an implementation plan to enable the top and middle level management to dialogue. The meeting would involve the discussion of strategies to be implemented versus tactics and resource required. This would ensure that there is even flow of information and that implementation of strategies take place. According to Gulachek, a business continuity plan can have a vast effect on the whole organization (6). When plans such as those of the middle level managers of the company are carried out without involving other members, the effect would be the rise of conflicts. For the I.T. planning process to have an impact on ModMeters various demands have to be accomplished. The demands made by the management at the company, to the I.T. department are two. One is to create and implement an automated system. The second demand is the execution the system. The system offers customers the chance to make direct purchases. Planning effort, forces certain disciplines to better understand and plan around their dependency on IT for their daily operations (Gulachek 6) .The department should therefore first, establish the necessary tools and resources required in strategic implementation. These requirements include more funds, so as to acquire the tools that can enable the development of an automated system. The staff members will also be increased so as to hasten the process of labeling applications and files to display the new logo. The department is also required to establish the methodology they are going to use to develop the system they

Saturday, November 2, 2019

The American Health Concerns Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The American Health Concerns - Essay Example It is the responsibility of the individual citizen to take care of the personal health. It is not the responsibility of the medical field, the government or the corporate American that shares the blame. It has been noted with serious concern that many Americans are physically inactive, spending many hours watching TV or with computers for leisure activities, doing school work, or working from the computer. Choosing to drive short distances instead of walking is another contributing factor. Modern technology, which minimizes physical demands, can also be a massive factor. The individual should carry the blame, although not in all health cases. There are other significant health issues that the government should take the blame. Quite a sizeable number of the United States citizens have complained the failure of the government, in ensuring proper and effective medical checkup. Some citizens have reported going to the hospital, for medical attention, only to go back home and attended mai nly due to insufficient medical personnel, or pure negligence from doctors. The government has also failed in public health initiative that is aimed at improving and protecting the general health. The public health initiative should be carried out through a promotion of improved healthy lifestyle, extensive research for diseases and prevention. A lot of unregulated food supplements have found their way in the market, and it is my observation that this is a failure by the government to protect public health.