Published opinion of Rosa Brooks from Los Angeles Times analysis Personal Statement

Published opinion of Rosa Brooks from Los Angeles Times analysis - Personal Statement Example Because as economists put it, when US cough, the world catches cold. The recent years have seen the stronger and tighter relations among nations as they open up their borders for freer trade through the formation of trade blocs and regional partnership. Aside from local produce, most of the consumers' income in US is spent in cheaper imported goods coming from Asian trading partners like China, Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand. These nations have long been the biggest trading partners of US and have long benefited from the strong demand in our country. With the technological development, services have also been imported from these nations as well through business process outsourcing. So, with these nations heavily dependent on US partnership, it is irrefutable that the economic recession in our country will also bring about slowdown in other smaller and less stable economies. On the other hand, the collapse of Lehman Brothers is also expected to sabotage growth in the Eurozone. So, it's not just the US which should be given with this letter and th e much needed economic assistance from IMF and WB.

REFLECTION ON TRANSITION ACTIVITIES Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

REFLECTION ON TRANSITION ACTIVITIES - Essay Example The program aims to improve lifestyle of diabetic patients and learn the various perspectives on the management of diabetes more effectively. In this regard, the essay aims to proffer my personal reflection on the specific transition activity focusing on diabetic management. In the process, an examination of the learning modules would provide ample information on areas where evidence contradicts reality. As such, the discourse would reveal how the transition activities have contributed towards the honing of personal and professional skills. An assessment of these skills through the transition activity would enable me to gauge specific areas which need to be improved and enhanced. Finally, the reflection would reveal specific scenarios to support the contentions in the essay. The diabetes management program at Lakeside Medical Center clearly outlined the following learning objectives, to wit: classification of Diabetes Mellitus, Insulin Therapy, Management of Newly Diagnosed, and the Science of Nutrition, among others. I attended four (4) sessions specifically detailed as follows: The first session was learning about â€Å"What is Diabetes (exploring diabetes, lifestyle, etc.). The second session focused on carbohydrates (CARB) awareness including the amount and types of carbohydrates. The third session detailed reading and understanding food labels. Finally, the fourth session discussed possible short term and long term complications of diabetes and understanding medication and health profile. From the modules, I learned that nursing care for diabetes encompasses a combination of glucose monitoring, specialized diet, regular exercise and proper medications. Since diabetes is considered a chronic illness, patients diagnosed with the disease must be made aware that the responsibility and accountability of daily management of one’s illness is the patient himself. The

Nuclei And Mitochondrial Fraction

Nuclei And Mitochondrial Fraction The objective of this experiment is to prepare a nuclei and mitochondrial fraction using differential centrifugation, from a rat liver homogenate sample. The amount of activity of mitochondria in the fractions can be measured using succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) as a marker. To measure the percentage recovery of the SDH of Mitochondrial, Nuclei and supernatant fractions in comparison to the Homogenate and to Calculate the specific and relative activity of SDH in each fraction. Figure 1: Shows a typical animal cell with the individual organelle components. Figure 2: Shows the typical features and functions of the organelles of interest in this report. Figure 1 + 2 Created on Microsoft paint with reference to Essential Biology (2004) Individual organelles differ in size but are all usually around 10nm in diameter. There is a small surface area and size/density depends on the organelle, the smaller organelles being lysosomes and ribosomes. Mitochondria differs in cell type depending on the energy demand of that organ, the more ATP that is required in a particular organ the more mitochondria found. E.g. more mitochondria found in heart and liver cells than in a white blood cell like a lymphocyte. Smaller organelles include lysosomes and ribosomes. Metabolism can be detected using various methods such as use of inhibitors. These can be both competitive and non-competitive, an example is seen with arsenic with inhibits pyruvate dehydrogenase. Another method is with the use of radioisotopes to measure activity aswell as histochemistry, immunocytochemistry and electromicroscopy. Preparation of the homogenate occurs in various stages. Firstly the homogenisation of liver cells. This can be done using a Potter Elvehjem homogeniser to extract organelles without damaging the actual cell. This is a simple and effective homogenisation method. A small gap is made within the cell wall which is then pressurised which forces the contents i.e organelles, cytoplasm etc. out of the cell. This occurs at a low temperature and mild pH, and to keep the isotonic solution a sucrose buffer is used, therefore since there is the same water potential inside the cell and outside the cell there is no net movement of water (osmosis) and thus the cell remains the same size. Homogenized cells also must be kept at low temperatures to prevent autolysis (the degradation of a cell by its enzymes). (www.bookrags.com). Figure 3 shows a classic Potter Elvehjem homogeniser Image taken from (umwcellbiology.org) The second stage is fractionation of the homogenate sample. This process is called centrifugation and can be further split into either a differential centrifugation or a density gradient centrifugation. The differential centrifugation splits the impure fraction into separate compartments due to the size of the various organelles in question and there density. The centrifuge applies a gravitational force onto the sample to separate components. The rate of centrifugation is determined by the acceleration or speed applied to the homogenate and is usually measured in revolutions per minute (RPM) or g. Depending on the density of the organelles will determine their isolation at a given speed. The higher density organelles and the bigger organelles separate at a lower speed centrifugation. (K. Wilson 2005). The separation forms a pellet which is the precipitate proportion of the sample and the component of interest and a supernatant which is the liquid component. The supernatant readily de canted from the sample without removing the precipitate. Diferemces in centrifugation occur due to the techniques used, differential centrifugation is based upon the sedimentation rate of particles and thus the sedimentation rate separates them based on size and density. After initial sedimentation the largest particles separate first into pellet and supernatant (K. Wilson 2005). Density gradient centrifugation separates organelles using a media. Various media can be applied and depending on the particles will be best for certain types and may not work well for others. (K. Wilson 2005). The 4 fractions we will obtain are nuclei, mitochondrial, supernatant and homogenate. Various tests can be carried out to distinguish between fractions and to determine their actual purity, testing for specific enzymes can code for the activity occurring in the cell fractions therefore indicating the most abundant component. Some tests include: Testing for DNA in both nuclei and mitochondrial fractions. This is because DNA is contained within the nucleus but also within the mitochondria. This is because relating to the endosymbiotic theory mitochondria was a separate aerobically respiring bacterial cell which was later engulfed by an early eukaryotic cell to merge into one aerobically respiring cell. Mitochondria is maternally inherited in the case of the majority of multicellular organisms, this is due to the higher number of mtDNA molecules in the ooecyte and much fewer in a sperm cell which are mostly degraded before fertilization takes place. Test for histones which indicate nuclei fraction as well as testing for various enzymes such as ATPase found in cytoplasmic (supernatant) and mitochondrial fractions and phosphotase kinase indicating microsomes and golgi apparatus are present. Some enzymes are exclusive to the citric acid cycle which occurs in the mitochondria, therefore testing for these enzymes indicates the presence of mitochondria in a fraction. The enzyme marker to test for mitochondria which we use is succinate dehydrogenase which is exclusive to the inner mitochondrial membrane. Succinate dehydrogenase is formed only during the citric acid cycle so is only given as an indication of mitochondria. However, since during the homogenisation process the mitochondria could potentially burst spilling their contents into the cytoplasm (supernatant fraction), this does not therefore give an accurate indication of mitochondria present in a fraction. Succinate dehydrogenase breaks down succinate into fumurate, therefore t he measurement of formazan indicates presence of succinate dehydrogenase. Measuring Succinate Dehydrogenase Activity (Red Formazan assay) This occurs in 2 reactions: 1: succinate + FAD à ¨ fumarate + FADH2 SDH breaks down succinate into fumarate. This is an oxidation reaction since the succinate loses 2 electrons, in addition a reduction of the enzyme flavin adenine dinucleotide occurs (FAD gains 2 electrons) (FAD + 2 electrons à ¨ FADH2) Figure 4: Shows the redox reaction which occurs with succinate and FAD. Image taken from natuurlijkerwijs.com SDH activity is measured by the formation of formazan a deep red compound formed from the reduction on a tetrazolium salt. The reduced FADH2 reduces tetrazolium salt (INT). 2: FADH2 + INT à ¨ FAD + formazan Centrifugation and calculating the relative centrifugal field. (K. Wilson 2005) G = W2r = 4 II2 r (rPM)2 = 1.1110-5r (rPM)2 3600 G= Relative centrifugal force (RFC) r = Radical distance from axis of rotation w = Angular velocity rPM = Revolutions per minute. T = 9 É ² (In Rt/Rb) 2 W2rp2 (Pp -P) É ² = Viscosity of medium rp = Radius of particle Pp = Density of particle P = Density of medium Rt = Radius to top of centrifuge tube Rb = Radius to bottom of centrifuge tube. There are many differences in types of centrifuges available and results depend on the speed of the centrifugation and whether a vacuum is present and the type of rotor used. (K. Wilson 2005) Analysis of marker enzymes in subfractions determines the recovery of subcellular organelles, with comparison to previous tests, quantative data can be used to assess contamination of fractions. Showing whether the subfractionation method has been successful or not. These tests also hold health benefits and implications e.g. microsome C causes cell death and can be found in mitochondrial fractions, however in cancer patients no microsome c is present, indicating no cell death will occur a common feature of cancer cells. Enzyme measurement in subcellular fractions however does hold some implications such as the solubility of the environment which may cause differences in enzyme function. Another implication is latency of enzymes, this refers to whether proteins are bound to the enzyme which in turn activates them once bound signalling enzyme function. There may also be low recovery of enzymes in the fractions due to poor recovery of the organelles which they come from, in particular if the enzyme is confined only to a specific region. Over the 3 week period centrifugation will separate the fractions according to size/density and separating the sample into the pellet and supernatant fractions. The speed of the centrifuge determines whether the pellets will separate. A lower speed is needed to separate the nuclei fraction due to the higher density, whereas the higher speed is needed to separate the supernatant due to the smaller density remaining organelles. (K. Wilson 2005). The protein content is also measure for each fraction using the biuret assay, absorbance values are given which determine the protein content of each fraction. Finally succinate dehydrogenase is measured. This causes a redox reaction and causes e- ions are released, using formazan as an indicator this changes the colour of solution red, showing a redox reaction has taken place. From this research I can predict that the mitochondrial fraction is expected to have the highest results in specific activity due to fewer proteins present in that fraction. Results: Calculations: Formazans molar extinction coefficient (E490nm) = 20,100 M-1 cm-1 The specific activity and relative activity of the fractions can be determined by measuring the concentration using Beer- Lamberts Law: (www.chemguide.co.uk) A = ÃŽ µ x l x C A = Absorbance (no units) ÃŽ µ = Epsilon. The adsorbtion coefficient M -1 cm -1 l= Cuvettes light path length, this is the length of solution a light passes through (always 1 cm) C= Concentration of substance in M (moles in 1 litre) Rearrange to give concentration: C = A / ÃŽ µ x l Units: M-1 x cm-1 = 1 / M x cm C = A / ÃŽ µ x l Gives units: ( 1/ (1/M x cm) x cm). This can be simplified to give 1/ (1/M) And further simplified to give units: M (moles per litre or dcm -3) Know values: ÃŽ µ = the formazan adsorption coefficient is 20,100 M -1 cm -1 A = refers to the absorbance at 490nm values for each fraction are found in the mean-control table section. Using the equation: C = A / ÃŽ µ x l We can work out the concentration of formazan formed in the reaction. The concentration value is for 1 litre, therefore we must calculate the actual concentration from the actual assay volume used. Concentration = amount/volume rearranged to give A = C x V The final assay volume from week 3 is 6 ml* due to the addition of ethyl acetate. * Note by mistake 6ml of ethyl acetate was added instead of 4 ml giving a different final volume to the other groups. Converting 6ml into its litre value and x by the concentration gives the accurate mole product of formazan produced. Reaction time needs to be included to give the accurate units. Activity units can be determined using the following equation. Activity = Moles of formazan/reaction time (12 minutes) This gives the activity in M -1 Calculating total activity and specific activity of the fractions. Table 1: Total volumes from each cellular fraction. Fraction Total Volume (ml) Homogenate 12 Nuclei Fraction 12 Mitochondrial Fraction 12 Supernatant Fraction 26 To do this we need to take into the account: The total volume The total protein of the fraction. Dilution factor The total volume values for each fraction can be found in table 1. The sample of each fraction used was 0.2ml, therefore the amount of moles of formazan calculated is in 0.2ml. (0.2 / total volume) x moles of formazan in 0.2ml X by the dilution factor of each fraction to give the total activity for each fraction, the values are given in table 4. To determine the specific activity we must consider the total protein of the fraction. Values are given in table 3. Specific activity = Total activity of fraction/ total protein of fraction Table 2: Bovine serum albumin (BSA) solution concentrations Volume (ml) BSA (10mg/ml BSA 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.2 1.6 0.1m NaOH 2.0 (blank) 1.8. 1.6 1.4 1.2 0.8 0.4 Table 3: Values for BSA standard curve. See Graph 1 for the results from the corresponding fraction absorbance. Protein Amount (mg) 0 (blank) 2 4 6 8 12 16 Absorbance at 550nm 0 0.105 0.184 0.275 0.354 0.511 0.531 Table 4: Protein amount in homogenate and subcellular fractions. Homogenate 0.05ml Nuclei 0.2ml Mitochondria 0.2ml Supernatant 0.2ml Average Absorbance (550nm) 0.169 0.054 0.174 0.199 Protein amount in samples aliquot (mg) 3.6 1.18 3.8 4.15 Protein concentration in fraction (mg/ml) 72 5.9 19 20.75 Protein amount in fractions total volume (mg) 864 70.8 228 539.5 Graph 2: Shows the difference in protein amount amongst cellular fractions. Table 5: Actual concentration of fraction after dilution. Dilution Factor Actual concentration (mg/ml) Homogenate 20 3.6 Nuclei 3 2 Mitochondrial 20 0.95 Supernatant 1 20.75 Table 6: Formazan content absorbance at 490nm. Fraction Control Test 1 Test 2 Mean-Control Homogenate 0.132 0.58 0.52 0.42 Nuclei 0.21 0.352 0.326 0.13 Mitochondrial 0.057 0.391 0.265 0.27 Supernatant 0.132 0.52 0.33 0.29 Results for Homogenate: From table 5, we have the absorbance of homogenate as 0.42 this divided by the adsorption co-efficient gives: 0.42/20,100 = 2.1 x 10 -5 M The units for concentration are left as moles per litre (M). To get this into moles in the actual volume used (6ml not 1 litre) 2.1 x 10 -5 M x 0.006 lite = 1.3 x 10-7 M Include the reaction time of 12 minutes to give moles per minute. 1.3 x 10-7 M /12mins = 1.010-8 M -1 To determine total activity and specific activity. The total volume from table 1: for the homogenate is 12ml, however the sample used was only 0.2ml we therefore divide actual volume / used volume x concentration of H x dilution factor (20 in the case of the homogenate from table 5 values) Total activity = (12/0.2) x1.0x10-8 M -1 x 20 = 1.2 x 10 -5 M -1 specific activity = 1.2 x 10 -5 M -1/ total amount protein in homogenate from table 4 1.2 x 10 -5 M -1/864= 1.3 x 10-8 M min-1 Results for nuclei fraction: 0.13/20,100 M-1 cm-1 = 6.5 x 10-6 In 0.006 litre : 6.5 x 10-6 x 0.006 = 3.9 x 10-8 M 3.9 x 10-8 M / 12 = 3.2 x 10-9 M min-1 Total activity = 3.2 x 10-9 M min-1 x (12/0.2) x 3 = 5.8 x 10 7M min-1 Specific activity = 5.8 x 10 7/ 70.8 = 8.2 x 10 -9 M min-1 Results for mitochondria: C = 0.27/20,100 m-1 cm -1 = 1.3 x 10-5à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ËœM 1.3 x 10-5à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ËœM x 0.006 = 7.8 x 10-8 M 7.8 x 10-8 M / 12 = 6.5 x 10-9 M min-1 Total activity = 6.5 x 10-9 M min-1 x (12/0.2) x 20 = 7.8 x 10-6 M min-1 Specific activity = 7.8 x 10-6 M min-1/228 = 3.4 x 10-8 M min -1 Results for supernatant: C = 0.29/20,100 m-1 cm -1 = 1.4 x 10-5à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ËœM 1.4 x 10-5à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ËœM x 0.006 = 8.7 x 10-8 M = 8.7 x 10-8 M / 12 = = 7.3 x 10-9 M min-1 Total activity = 7.3 x 10-9 M min-1 x (26/0.2) = 9.4 x 10-7 M min-1 Specific activity = 9.4 x 10-7 M min-1/539.5 = 1.7 x 10-9 M min -1 Percentage recovery of Succinate Dehydrogenase for the fractions This is done by dividing the amount of Succinate dehydrogenase in the individual fractions by the original homogenate and then multiplied by 100 to give a percentage. Table 7: Shows the total activity for each of the fractions. Fraction Total Activity Homogenate 1.2 x 10 -5 M -1 Nuclei 5.8 x 10 7M min-1 Mitochondria 7.8 x 10-6 M min-1 Supernatant 9.4 x 10-7 M min-1 Nuclei fraction: (5.8X10-7/1.210-5 ) x 100 = 4.8% Mitochondria fraction (7.810-6/1.210-5 ) x 100 = 65% Supernatant fraction (9.410-7/1.210-5) x 100 =7.8% Relative Specific Activity of Succinate Dehydrogenase This is found by dividing the specific activity of the fractions (found above) by the specific activity of the homogenate (found above). Table 8 shows the specific activity for each of the fractions: Fraction Specific Activity Homogenate 1.4 x 10-8 M min-1 Nuclei 8.2 x 10 -9 M min-1 Mitochondria 3.4 x 10-8 M min -1 Supernatant 1.7 x 10-9 M min -1 Nuclei fraction 8.2 x 10 -9 M min-1 /1.4 x 10-8 M min-1 = 0.586 Mitochondrial fraction 3.4 x 10 -8 M min-1 /1.4 x 10-8 M min-1 = 2.429 Supernatant fraction 1.7 x 10 -9 M min-1 /1.4 x 10-8 M min-1 = 0.121 Discussion: Note: There was very little protein found in the nuclei fractions total volume, this is abnormally low since we would expect this to be higher. From the results we can determine that the this supports our prediction that The mitochondrial fraction is expected to have the highest results in specific activity due to fewer proteins present in that fraction. Organelles have been isolated from each other as seen with the differing proportions of protein found in each fraction as well as the differing values for specific and total activity calculated. However the homogenate is expected to have the highest total activity due to the higher amount of protein since all fractions are present. However since protein was found in the cytoplasm or supernatant fraction, this indicates that there was an error in the separation of the fractions as SDH is present where it usually isnt found. Succinate dehydrogenase works by transferring 2 electrons from succinate which transfers it to fumerate, which blocks the rest of the reaction when it binds to FAD, from the measurement of formazan gives the value of activity. Results show that the relative specific activity is highest in the mitochondrial fraction, as well as the percentage recovery of the fractions. Therefore demonstrating that the fractions were purified and that the homogenisation and centrifugation has been relatively successful in separating fractions. However there were some inaccuracies from the results, this includes the very low protein amount found with in nuclei fraction, this was however predicted to contain a higher amount of protein due to the nature of the organelle and the enzymes contained within it. Another inaccuracy in this experiment is that SDH was found within the supernatant. This is primarily a marker for mitochondria so would not usually be found within the cytoplasm, however due to mitochondria bursting and releasing its contents into the cytoplasm during the homogenisation stage and centrifugation the enzyme succinate dehydrogenase was present. Since the test was carried out under the same conditions in a neutral pH buffer we can conclude that this was a fair test, however is it often found that the more molecules present in a The separating of the homogenate could be improved by using another method of homogenisation, in this experiment we used a Potter Lethem homogeniser which is a glass and plastic hand homogeniser. This perhaps isnt the most accurate at pressurising cells with the force needed to accurately release cell content. Alternative homogenisers include ultrasonic and rotor based homogenisers which may provide more accurate. (www.proscientific.com) A different centrifugation method used. During this experiment differential centrifugation was used, however density gradients may provide more accurate at purifying a sample (www.coleparmer.co.uk). This method works by placing various layers after layer of gradient media such as sucrose in a tube with the heaviest layer at the bottom and the lightest at the top. The cell fraction to be separated is placed on top of the layer and centrifuged. Density gradient separation can be classified into two categories. Rate-tonal (size) separation. Isopycnic (density) in which organelles separate until their density matches the surroundings of the media in which they are. A very good medium for separating organelles is an iodinised media. (www.coleparmer.co.uk). Accuracy of the absorbance and accuracy of obtaining the protein amount. Results are slightly low indicating inaccuracy in both collecting the samples and also measuring the absorbance, this could be due to error in homogenisation and centrifugation techniques but could also be due to error in the reading of absorbance using the Spectrophotometric assay since U.V wavelength has different absorbance levels if either oxidised or reduced enzymes absorb light therefore giving innacurate indication to enzyme present (www.millipore.com) . This may affect the absorbance levels in the fractions if specific enzymes are affected thus giving an altered absorbance level and therefore undermined protein amount. Another method to measure enzyme assay could be to use a caliometric method which measures heat radiance given off instead of the absorbance levels. Some of the organelles which remain in the supernatant fraction are the smaller and less dense proportions of the cell such as ribosomes and lysosomes. Further centrifugation at a higher speed can be used to separate these smaller less dense organelles into pellets. This can also be used to further purify bacteria. In conclusion we see that as predicted, the specific activity is highest in the mitochondrial fraction and the total activity is highest in the homogenate. The % recovery of each fraction and the relative specific activity for each fraction calculated shows a higher proportion in the mitochondrial fraction also. Overall the results indicate accurate laboratory skills and results conclude what was intended, however some slight changes to laboratory equipment would mean that some of the results such as SDH found in the supernatant may not come about in a future test.

Cyrano De Bergerac :: Cyrano De Bergerac Essays

While reading Cyrano de Bergerac, I found myself often wondering whether or not Cyrano had led a happy life. Actually, I never once wondered that, but that is irrelevant, because Cyrano’s happiness is the focus of this essay. Was he happy? Truth be told, I cannot say for sure. If we look upon his life, it would seem that he was a bit of a martyr, always sacrificing his happiness for the sake of others. This is probably the case, but I do not believe that he led his life with his happiness as any sort of goal. That will be a defining case in my argument. What I really believe is that he simply did not care about his happiness. In that sense, he did not so much sacrifice it, as he annexed and divided it when he saw fit. To a further extent, this apathy towards himself probably came from a low self-worth, almost certainly spawned not from his elephantine nose, but the fair maiden Roxanne. Finally, the nose itself, the very icon of de Bergerac, was probably not the problem that Cy rano believed it to be. All of this, however obscure it may seem, is crucial to the question posed of me now. Cyrano’s happiness was not viewed by him with either a favor or a goal. I cannot believe that Cyrano cared about his own happiness whatsoever. Really, that apathy would probably be the only way that he could emotionally accept his dangerously selfless undertakings. Case in point, his giving of Roxanne to the incredibly undeserving Christian. No real happiness in that action. Roxanne and Christian’s, maybe, but certainly not his own, and he loved Roxanne. Had Cyrano actually wanted to be happy, the pangs of grief that he would feel as he gave her away would certainly have ripped him apart. But if Cyrano convinced himself that he did not care about his own happiness, then it would at least take the edge off of those bitter emotions that surely plagued his soul whenever he saw his love’s face. This triggered diffidence, with all the sacrifice that Cyrano made, may have been the only defense mechanism that he had. Continuing on from Cyrano’s carelessness for his happiness, we may easily make a jump to his sense of self-worth. Any man who would sacrifice his own love, thus, his entire world, for the sake of his rival cannot have a concern for himself.

Career Development Plan Essay

The recent merger of InterClean and EnviroTech (ICET) has opened many opportunities for employee promotions. In an effort to stimulate our employees, focus on their strength and talents, and teach them new skills that will assist in our overall success, management has decided to revamp the way training’s been done in the past by implementing a new training performance format. Our new training module will focus on sanitation standards, communication, customer service and satisfaction and networking. The program will consist of 9 steps that will key in on industry knowledge. The training format will consist of new training evaluation and mentoring needs, focus on objectives of training and mentoring, reviewing performance standards, analyze delivery methods, examine contents for training and mentoring, address time frames and evaluation methods, feedback, and lastly explore alternative avenues for further development. Once this program is implemented, we believe our employees will develop an expertise in their respective areas that will have a positive impact in ICET’s organizational competitiveness, performance and productivity. The new training and mentoring needs The new training format will impact the way ICET does business. The focus of the new three week training will be to teach our sales associates about sanitation standards, communication, customer service and satisfaction and networking. Each step in the new training format will help us attain overall success that will benefit the employee and our company as well. However, training alone will not offer one on one simulation. Therefore, we are implementing a mentoring program that will give employees accessibility to learn and work with mentors that have specific knowledge about interested areas for a period of six month to ensure well rounded working knowledge from key experts. Objectives of the training and mentoring program The objective of training will be vital to attain future success. Therefore, the first objective will be to learn about the sanitation standards and regulations so that we will be well informed as we cross over into health care service solutions. The second objective we will focus on is communication. The key concentrations will be listening, and planning to attain effective decision making. The third objective will be customer service and satisfaction as related to personal attention and quality service and lastly the fourth objective will be on the importance of networking to build relationships with key industry contacts. With regards to the mentoring program our focus will be to combine all the aforementioned above that will blend with our new mentoring program. This will allow employees to focus on their specific career development goals they would like to accomplish within the organization by working aside once a week for six month period with a mentor that is an expert in the chosen area. Performance standards The performance standards will be rated based on job role expectations. The indicators for example in sales will be based on revenue generated. This will be measured by how many sales deals were closed and the type of products. Market integration or expansion also be measured. Here the ability to find new perspective customer or even cross over into other types of health care businesses such as nursing homes or medical rehabs will be taken into evaluated and lastly customer retention based on quality customer service and feedback will also be considered. We feel all expectations will be reasonable and attainable once training is completed. Delivery methods Delivery methods are vital when training is being implemented. The focus is to keep the trainee interested and integrated during training. Therefore, we will focus on three training methods; experimental, integrative and reinforcement. For sanitation standards we will train with fact sheets, videos and or pamphlet and booklets. This will fall under the reinforcement methods. For the communication objectives, we will use skits because it will teach the trainee real life simulations which can be critiqued to help improve and fine tweak any area that need improvement. This delivery method will fall under the experimental method. As for the customer service objective, we will use dialogue. This will allow the trainee to participate and improve their delivery when meeting a customer and or closing the deal. This style will fall under the integrative methods and lastly we will use networking via conventions and or conferences so the trainee can interact with other business professionals. As for the mentoring program we will offer face to face interaction once weekly with expert mentors by area. Content for training and mentoring To achieve the best outcomes for ICET, we believe the content of the training program should be closely correlated tot to our business strategy and organizational goals. Therefore we will evaluate the skill and ability of employees that best match the open positions. This will be done by evaluating experience, worker, and occupational requirements. For example, experience will evaluated based on former training, experience, certifications or licenses. Worker requirements will be based on basic skills, cross functional skills, knowledge and education and lastly occupational requirement will be measure by general work activities, work and organizational content (Cascio 2005). Time frame Setting realistic time frames for employees to be trained properly is an important part of a successful training and mentoring program. Forming new habits or learning new methodologies take times which is why we have decided that employees will receive three week training so they feel fully acclimated and comfortable when they are out on the field. As for the mentoring program, we have decided to make it a three month program because we feel in order to appreciate and truly learn hands on the employee should be exposed to the daily routines of the mentor. Once the employee gets a good grasp of each section during the allotted training time, we believe they will be motivated and continue to develop their skills via applied experience they attain while working. Evaluation methods A good evaluation will most often use multiple methods because a well rounded objective decision can be archived. Therefore, we have decided that we will evaluate employees by these three standards; group interviews so we may see how the candidate behaves and reacts to intimidating settings, person to person simulations to see how the employee performs when selling a product and lastly via personality questionnaire to see if the employee characteristic match up with the extroverted personality we are looking for. Feedback Constructive feedback can make all the difference if you want to keep employees motivated. Therefore, it is our commitment to make sure that all feedback is constructive and address all the good quality the employee posses as well as the areas of improvement that will develop them further. Hence, we will sit with employees and perform verbal feedback that is clear and precise so that there is no room for misunderstanding. We want the make sure the employee is encouraged and understands that we are committed and interested in their career development and well being. We would also like to get feedback regarding the training program and any areas of weakness that can be improved. We will build an anonymous questionnaire so that the employee can be candid and honest without feeling as if there are attached strings. Alternate avenues for those who need further development Lastly, we would like to provide alternate avenues for employees who would like press further. Therefore, we will provide access to continuing education course twice a year. We will also have updated listing of conferences and training that will go beyond on internal training so that employees will be aware of the latest trends, approaches, and opportunities in their specific field. We believe this will help the employee morale as they will have access to any continuing education as needed. In conclusion, we believe our new training module will teach and provide the employees with all the necessary tools to become and maintain success.. Our focus on sanitation standards, communication, customer service and satisfaction and networking will set our employees apart from the rest because they will be well rounded and well informed. Once this program is completed, the employees will develop an expertise in their respective areas that will have a positive impact in ICET’s organizational competitiveness, performance and productivity. Reference http://www.indiana.edu/~uhrs/training/performance_management/define.htm

Life Cycles, Standards and Best Practices Life Cycles Essay

This paper will outline the systems development life cycle as it pertains to both the development of a custom application and the selection of proprietary systems. The major types and classifications of health care information standards and specific organizations that develop and regulate standards will be explained. The need for security information systems will be revealed and the methods to accomplish security of these systems will be addressed. Three best practices for effective IT alignment and strategic planning will be outlined. Running head: Life Cycles, Standards and Best Practices 3 Description of Systems Development life Cycle as it Pertains to Both the Development of a Custom Application and the Selection of Proprietary Systems The Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC), is a six step project development process that was designed to help the development team develop the end product. The players involved are the users, systems analysts, programmers and technical specialists (Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC), 2006-2013). In the first step of the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC), an examination of the economic, technical, behavioral or organizational aspect of the business is reviewed. A determination will be made as to what needs to be done during this step (Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC), 2006-2013). In the second step, the organization examines any identified problems that need to be corrected. Proposals may be drafted outlining the solutions that must be satisfied. The third step identifies how the system will accomplish the tasks. The physical and logical designs come together in this step of the process; the computer hardware is joined with the communication and security issues (Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC), 2006-2013). In the forth step, the new system is actually developed. Once all the necessary components are received and programs installed, then all the users of new system must now be trained. Once the system is up and running and users are using and becoming acclimated to the new system, the system’s performance must also be tested. Adjustments will be made accordingly and respectively (Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC), 2006-2013). During the fifth step, the system is now being used. Either the old system is going to be shut down completely and the new system used immediately, or the new will be implemented Running head: Life Cycles, Standards and Best Practices 4 and the old system will be gradually phased out (Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC), 2006-2013). During the sixth step, the system has been in operation for a while and has been evaluated many times over. It is important that the users are kept in the loop regarding any changes to the system (Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC), 2006-2013). After the six steps have been completed and accomplished, the system must go on, therefore, it is important to maintenance the system accordingly ensuring updates, are being done, new features installed properly and debugging when necessary (Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC), 2006-2013). Description of Major Types and Classifications of Health Care Information Standards and the Specific Organizations That Regulate These Standards The Standards Development Process consists of four methods: Ad hoc, De facto, Government mandate and Consensus. ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is and organization that oversees the flow of documentation and the international approval of standards developed by its members. The members of the organization hale from many different countries. ANSI (American Nation Standards Institute) is the United States body of the ISO (International Organization for Standardization). ANSI (American Nation Standards Institute) as stated is the United States body of the ISO (International Organization for Standardization). The ANI (American Nation Standards Running head: Life Cycles, Standards and Best Practices 5 Institute) oversees the work of SDO (Standards Development Organization) and publishes the SDO (Standards Development Organization) standards. SDO (Standards Development Organization) must be accredited by the ANSI (American Nation Standards Institute) and must follow strict guidelines to develop standards within the ANSI (American Nation Standards Institute) criteria. There are well over two hundred fifty SDOs (Standards Development Organization) which represent many industries to include health care. It is noteworthy to point out that recently within the last ten years, the IT industry has moved away from the formal process of development standards through the SDO (Standards Development Organization). The route that IT is taking is a less formal approach. The Linux is an example of IT establishing a standard with little formal input (Wager, Lee, & Glaser, 2009). There are many types of vocabularies and to date there is still no one single vocabulary. Common coding and classifications systems include ICD-9, CPT and DRGs. The International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) is used in the United States for the purpose of coding diseases and procedures. The federal government publishes an update each year and it can be used by virtually everyone. It is also noteworthy that many companies also republish the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9), creating a more user-friendly version. Initially it was created to compare illness and death all over the world but then it took a role in hospital reimbursement (Wager, Lee, & Glaser, 2009). Current procedural Terminology (CPT), introduced in 1966, is published and updated each year by the American Medical Association (AMA). Originally the Current procedural Running head: Life Cycles, Standards and Best Practices 6 Terminology (CPT) was used in the medical field as a source for uniform language to describe any type of medical and surgical services. Currently the Current procedural Terminology (CPT) is being used as standard for reimbursement services in doctor’s offices, facilities offering outpatient services and also ambulatory care (Wager, Lee, & Glaser, 2009). Diagnosis related Groups (DRG) are used for insurance purposes for determining inpatient reimbursements. The Diagnosis related Groups (DRG) is a classification scheme that basically identifies the types of patients a hospital treats in relation to what said treatment cost the hospital. Diagnosis related Groups (DRG) are divided into twenty major systems and then they are further subdivided into over five hundred subdivisions the Medicare reimbursement (Diagnosis-related group (DRG), 2013). Discuss the Need for, and Identify Methods of, Accomplishing the Security of Information Systems Threats the health care information systems come in many forms, such as technology malfunctions and tampering. Human nature, which we have no control over, can also cause threats to security information systems in the form of floods, fires or power outages (Wager, Lee, & Glaser, 2009). Whether the threats are caused by internal, external, intentional or unintentional factors, the organization has to safeguard itself from all types of threats. Internal threats can be caused by employees logging on to inappropriate websites. External threats can be caused by someone outside the company such as a hacker. Intentional threats can be caused by an employee who was terminated. Because of the termination, the employee may sabotage documents, files or the hardware on the computer itself. For this reason, employers do not allow employees to return to Running head: Life Cycles, Standards and Best Practices 7 the work area after they have been terminated. If the employee is permitted to return, it is with a security officer and then only long enough to collect personal effects. Another more serious example of an intentional threat is computer viruses. They can pose serious damage to patient information (Wager, Lee, & Glaser, 2009). Unintentional threats are also very serious and these are the threats that occur when the employee logs on to a website or checks his personal email from work and that website attaches a virus. Computer viruses as stated above are considered intentional, but in this respect, I believe that the employee is not thinking about viruses when he or she is checking personal email or going on websites such as Facebook, but the virus can be critical to the organization. For this reason, most employers have the employee sign an Affidavit stating that the employee understands and agrees with the organizations policies about computer and even phone use. The necessity for a security information system is a must as this can be vital to the success of the organization. The organization’s information must be protected. The company needs to ensure that there is no unauthorized disclosure of classified information. In order to do this, the organization must put administrative, physical and technical safeguards in place (Wager, Lee, & Glaser, 2009). Administrative safeguards come in the form of risk analysis which is an eight part process designed to identify risks and threats that can cause vulnerability in any area within the organization. Risk analysis is quite new to the healthcare industry. It has also established policies and procedures and specific consequences for all employees that do not adhere to these policies and procedures (Wager, Lee, & Glaser, 2009). Running head: Life Cycles, Standards and Best Practices 8 Physical safeguards are necessary to protect all equipment and computer hardware and software. Certain employees may be assigned to specific duties to ensure the safeguard of computers and workstations (Wager, Lee, & Glaser, 2009). Technical safeguards are vital as the organization must protect patient information. It is important for employees not to share passwords. All computers must be logged off or shut down appropriately after use. The organization should do audits often to ensure the safeguard of data and files. The internet is used commonly in all organizations. In an effort to further safeguard the organization, firewalls are built between the organization’s network used in house and the internet (Wager, Lee, & Glaser, 2009). One of the most common problems with computers in general is viruses. Virus can come in many forms and can be fatally destructive. The most typical type of virus is the worm which can come in the form of an email. The unsuspecting person opens the email; the worm stores itself on the computer and then starts to duplicate itself over and over again. This type of email usually is mass produced to many email addresses and each person may be subject to this virus. This is why people are encouraged not to open suspicious looking email or email from unknown parties. To help prevent becoming victim to such viruses, antivirus software is recommended. Create at Least Three (3) Best Practices for Effective IT Alignment and Strategic Planning In an effort to reach the goal of IT alignment and strategic planning, there must be a sound relationship between what IT invest will cost and the organization’s goals. Both the alignment and the organization’s strategy must be understood by the organization and both meet the organizational needs. Running head: Life Cycles, Standards and Best Practices 9 The three best practices for effective IT alignment and strategic planning I found that will be suffice in creating the relationship between IT and the organization’s goals are diversity within the groups, looking at the big picture and open dialogue among senior management of all levels. In order to achieve the set goals, the organization must realize that excluding areas in the organization may be harmful to the success and some people may feel slighted. This is why it is imperative for the company to include people from all areas of the company. Those people included in the group should also include all types of managers from lower level management all the way up to senior an executive managers. Including all types of managers provides the diversity among the group. They understand the day to day operations of the organization and each area, each manger can bring something viable to the table (Strategic Communications, 2010). No one should be stifled. Everyone should have a voice. This open dialogue should be encouraged and it should be understood from the beginning that no one is there to criticize and because there is diversity among the group, there will be times that something is said that may not set well with another department or perhaps a manager. It should be understood that all dialogue should be constructive. Strategic planning is not an easy task and everyone should realize that it is for the betterment of the organization that everyone works together in an effort to accomplish the goal (Strategic Communications, 2010). Everyone in the organiztion must keep their eyes on the big picture. The organization’s misison, vision and values must be kept in the forefront of everyone’s mind. During the strategic planning process, there will debates as everyone will not agree, but it is important for the goup to Running head: Life Cycles, Standards and Best Practices 10 remember why they are holding the planning process and also what goal they are attempting to achieve. In summary, the organization must include all the key players, but it must not forget about the key stakeholders. The key stakeholders are those people that will be charged with implementation of the plan. The orgaziniation may also find it beneficial to give these stakeholders a voice along the way as well. With open dialogue, management at all levels and a sound plan, the organization will most likely stay on the path to success.

The Difference Between Public Relations and Journalism

The Difference Between Public Relations and Journalism To understand the difference between journalism and public relations, consider the following scenario. Imagine that your college announces it is raising tuition (something many colleges are doing due to drops in government funding). The public relations office issues a press release about the increase. What do you imagine that release will say? Well, if your college is like most, it will probably stress how modest the increase is, and how the school still remains very affordable. Itll probably also talk about how the hike was absolutely necessary for the face of continuing funding cuts, and so on. The release may even have a quote or two from the president of the college saying how much he/she regrets having to pass the ever-increasing cost of running the place on to students and how the raise was kept as modest as possible. All of this may be perfectly true. But who do you think wont be quoted in the college press release? Students, of course. The people who will be affected most by the hike are the very ones who wont have a say. Why not? Because of students likely to say the increase is a horrible idea and will only make it more difficult for them to take classes there. That perspective doesnt do the institution any favors. How Journalists Approach a Story So if youre a  reporter for the student newspaper assigned to write an article about the tuition hike, whom should you interview? Obviously, you should talk to the college president and any of the other officials involved. You should also talk to students because the story isnt complete without interviewing the people who are most affected by the action being taken. That goes for tuition increases, or factory layoffs, or for anyone else whos ever been hurt by the actions of a large institution. Thats called getting both sides of the story. And therein lies the difference between public relations and journalism. Public relations is designed to put the most positive spin on anything done by an institution like a college, a company or a government agency. Its designed to make the entity look as wonderful as possible, even if the action being taken - the tuition increase - is anything but. Why Journalists Are Important Journalism isnt about making institutions or individuals look good or bad. Its about portraying them in a realistic light, good, bad or otherwise. So if the college does something good - for instance, offering free tuition to local people who have been laid off - then your coverage should reflect that. Its important for journalists to question those in power because thats part of our primary mission: to serve as a kind of adversarial watchdog keeping an eye on the activities of the powerful, to try and ensure that they dont abuse that power. Unfortunately, in recent years public relations has become more powerful and ubiquitous even as newsrooms across the country have laid off thousands of reporters. So while there are more and more PR agents (reporters call them flacks) pushing positive spin, there are fewer and fewer journalists there to challenge them. But thats why its more important than ever that they do their jobs, and do them well. Its simple: We are here, to tell the truth.

Writing Tips for Kids Text More to Be a Better Writer!

Writing Tips for Kids Text More to Be a Better Writer! Many people have requested my commiseration on the issue of texting (text messaging) and the demise of the English language.   Isn’t it horrible, they say, how this new form of writing where â€Å"hmwrk† means â€Å"homework,† â€Å"4wrd† means â€Å"forward† and â€Å"2mro† passes for â€Å"tomorrow† has destroyed the ability of our youth to spell properly? Well, at least one study of pre-high school students in Great Britain, as reported by the BBC, has shown that using texting lingo and chat abbreviations is not a problem for the future integrity of the English language, and that it might actually help students learn to spell properly.   After all, it takes some actual thought to spell â€Å"4wrd† in this creative way and to understand why it can be spelled this way at all.   Rather than blindly copy words letter for letter without thinking, students must understand why they are spelling words the way they are spelling them. I personally love the abbreviations and language of texting.   It’s a language all 2 itself.   And it’s nearly impossible to make a spelling or grammatical error, so I get a rest from my otherwise constant grammatical vigilance.   Perhaps the best part is that texting makes writing fun!   (NB:   â€Å"fun† is a noun, not an adjective, in that sentence.) I have no difficulty switching from txtng one moment to writing in full English sentences the next.   If as I suggested, txt-speak is its own language, why would young people, who learn languages with so much more ease than do their adult counterparts, have any more difficulty than I do in becoming â€Å"bilingual† in text message shorthand and formal English? I’m pleased that my opinions on this subject are not wholly unsupported.   The aforementioned BBC News article reported â€Å"rather than damaging reading and writing, ‘text speak’ is associated with strong literacy skills.†Ã‚   In fact, the more fluency a student had with informal â€Å"text-speak,† the more skills that student was found to develop in formal English writing. This report was an interim installment and further information will be released in 2011.   4 now, however, I am encouraged and will continue to txt away.   U might want 2 encourage ur kids 2 do it 2. Want to be sure your writing has the right tone, formal or informal, for what you need? Contact The Essay Expert. We 3 gr8 writing! Category:Grammar Writing TipsBy Brenda BernsteinNovember 7, 2010

Poem Lyrics of Some of the Best Emily Dickinson Poems

Poem Lyrics of Some of the Best Emily Dickinson Poems Here are the poem lyrics of some of the best Emily Dickinson poems. To make your browsing more effective, I have included a bit of each poem after the title. A Bird Came DownEmily DickinsonA bird came down the walk:He did not know I saw; A Door Just Opened on a StreetEmily DickinsonA door just opened on a streetI, lost, was passing byA Drop Fell on the Apple TreeEmily DickinsonA drop fell on the apple treeAnother on the roof;A Light Exists in SpringEmily DickinsonA light exists in springNot present on the year A Long, Long Sleep, a Famous SleepEmily DickinsonA long, long sleep, a famous sleepThat makes no show for dawnA Narrow Fellow in the GrassEmily DickinsonA narrow fellow in the grassOccasionally rides; A Thought Went up My Mind To-DayEmily DickinsonA thought went up my mind to-dayThat I have had before,After Great Pain, a Formal Feeling ComesEmily DickinsonAfter great pain, a formal feeling comesThe Nerves sit ceremonious, like Tombs Because I Could Not Stop for DeathEmily DickinsonBecause I could not stop for Death,He kindly stopped for me; Death Sets a Thing of SignificantEmily DickinsonDeath sets a thing significantThe eye had hurried by,Delight Becomes PictorialEmily DickinsonDelight becomes pictorialWhen viewed through pain,Departed to the JudgmentEmily DickinsonDeparted to the judgment,A mighty afternoon;Each Life Converges to Some CentreEmily DickinsonEach life converges to some centreExpressed or still;For Each Ecstatic InstantEmily DickinsonFor each ecstatic instantWe must an anguish payGod Gave a Loaf to Every BirdEmily DickinsonGod gave a loaf to every bird,But just a crumb to me;God Permit Industrious AngelsEmily DickinsonGod permit industrious angelsAfternoons to play.He Fumbles at Your SpiritEmily DickinsonHe fumbles at your spiritAs players at the keysHeaven Is What I Cannot Reach!!Emily DickinsonHeaven is what I cannot reach!The apple on the tree,Hope is the Thing With FeathersEmily DickinsonHope is the thing with feathersThat perches in the soul, I Died for Beauty But Was ScarceEmily DickinsonI died for beauty but was scarceAdjusted in the tomb, I Felt a Funeral in My BrainEmily DickinsonI felt a funeral in my brain,And mourners, to and fro, I Found the Phrase to Every ThoughtEmily DickinsonI found the phrase to every thoughtI ever had, but one;I Had Been Hungry All the YearsEmily DickinsonI had been hungry all the years-My noon had come, to dine-I Had No Time to Hate, BecauseEmily DickinsonI had no time to hate, becauseThe grave would hinder me,I Heard a Fly Buzz When I DiedEmily DickinsonI heard a fly buzz when I died;The stillness round my form I Like to See It Lap the MilesEmily DickinsonI like to see it lap the miles,And lick the valleys up, I Lived on Dread; to Those Who KnowEmily DickinsonI lived on dread; to those who knowThe stimulus there isI Measure Every Grief I MeetEmily DickinsonI measure every grief I meetWith analytic eyes;I Never Hear the Word EscapeEmily DickinsonI never hear the word escapeWithout a quicker blood,I Never Saw a MoorEmily DickinsonI never saw a moor,I never saw the sea; I Taste a Liquor Never BrewedEmily DickinsonI taste a liquor never brewed,From tankards scooped in pearl; If I Can Stop One Heart From BreakingEmily DickinsonIf I can stop one heart from breaking,I shall not live in vain;If You Were Coming in the FallEmily DickinsonIf you were coming in the fall,Id brush the summer by Im Nobody! Who Are You?Emily DickinsonIm nobody! Who are you?Are you nobody, too? Success is Counted SweetestEmily DickinsonSuccess is counted sweetestBy those who neer succeed. Did you like this poem? Why not receive free classic poems by email? Here are the poem lyrics of some of the best Emily Dickinson poems. To make your browsing more effective, I have included a bit of each poem after the title. T Was Just This Time Last Year I DiedEmily DickinsonT was just this time last year I died.I know I heard the corn, The Sky is Low, the Clouds Are MeanEmily DickinsonThe sky is low, the clouds are mean,A travelling flake of snowThe Wind Trapped Like a Tired ManEmily DickinsonThe wind tapped like a tired man,And like a host, Come in,There is No Frigate Like a BookEmily DickinsonThere is no frigate like a bookTo take us lands away,Theres a Certain Slant of LightEmily DickinsonTheres a certain slant of light,On winter afternoons Theres Been a Death in the Opposite HouseEmily DickinsonTheres been a death in the opposite houseAs lately as to-day.This is My Letter to The WorldEmily DickinsonThis is my letter to the world,That never wrote to me, Wild Nights! Wild Nights!Emily DickinsonWild Nights! Wild Nights!Were I with thee, You Left Me, Sweet, Two LegaciesEmily DickinsonYou left me, sweet, two legacies,A legacy of loveDid you like this poem? Why not receive free classic poems by email?

Proctor and Gamble Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Proctor and Gamble - Term Paper Example Being in the Fortune 500 list shows that the organization has strong worth and quality while they conduct their business in producing goods and services for the consumers (PG.com Home: Sustainability, company, brands, 2011). The operations of Procter and Gamble are present in above 80 countries worldwide. The brand range of this organization is numbering up to 300. That is 300 brands in the market of around 160 countries at a global level. The brand range of Procter and Gamble consist of beauty care products, the Gillette products and the various types of household care products (PG.com Home: Sustainability, company, brands, 2011). Procter and Gamble have the confidence that 3 billion times a day, the products of P&G touch the lives of the people. The headquarters for this organization is in Cincinnati, Ohio. The number of employees working for this organization is around 138,000 employees. To provide products and services to consumers that are branded and possess a high quality level and also give valuable products to consumers so that consumers have a healthy life style and also focus on healthy living for the generations that come ahead. This vision for Procter and Gamble will result in successful sales of the products due to the consumers; this makes the organisation more profitable and valuable, allowing the communities and shareholders to have a successful living and working life as well. Principles of the organization help in framing a strong mission and vision of the organization. The principles of the organization should be embed within the employees so that they perform their work accordingly and produce the best results. The Principles of Procter and Gamble are: To equally value the interests of the organization and the interests of the individual. If the individual’s interests and the organization’s interest are in

HOMEWORK 6 Personal Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

HOMEWORK 6 - Personal Statement Example It can hence be noted that a variance may hence be considered as unfavorable or on the contrary be favorable. Viewing a prepared income statement budget report, one visualizes how the variance does affect the overall net income of that company. Hence one can hence make deductions on whether they are favorable or unfavorable. This occurs when actual net overall income is less than the expected then the variance would be considered to be unfavorable. Hence, higher revenues can cause a favorable variance. Nonetheless, extreme higher costs and expenses do result in causing an unfavorable form of variance in a company (Richards, 1995). Sales variances can be considered to be favorable when the real sales can be seen as greater than the expected or what would be termed as the targeted sales. They can be unfavorable when the expected sales are lower than the targeted sales. Cost variances are favorable when real costs happen to be lower than the targeted costs. In many a times at the production level, sales of a company may be affected. Lower control in the quality of the production process may result to sub-standard quality of the goods. This ultimately would translate to poor sales for the company hence making lower levels of expected income. Things involving delays in the production process could also affect the products being readily available in the market and hence deter volume of sales. Failures which happen to arise in the production department subjected in satisfying specifications of customers also inhibit sales. Hence, it can be observed that considerate investigation and thorough research on the importance of these sales volume variances can translate to identifying those responsible for the overall dismal sales performance for the company (Richards, 1995). Furthermore, the company has to use such vital information so as to manage the various anticipated costs to be incurred. For instance, to determine volume variances, one needs to compare a static

Child Labour in Bangladesh Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Child Labour in Bangladesh - Essay Example Workers are oftentimes forced to work long hours in unsafe working conditions for little pay and some are forced to start working at a very young age. I will argue whether sweatshops actually raise the standard of living in third world countries, if in fact unfair working conditions are better than no job at all, or if sweatshops are merely exploitation When the terms â€Å"sweatshop† and/or â€Å"child labour† are used, there are a host of images that come to the readers mind. The broad majority of these are of course negative; however, a few scant positive opportunities exist with relation to the term as well. For purposes of this research, this brief analysis essay will consider some of the most relevant pros and cons associated with the existence and operation of sweatshops within the developing world. Furthermore, this paper will also seek to engage the reader with the understanding that regardless of the level of exploitation or non-exploitation that may or may not be taking place within the supply chains of many Multi-National Corporations. As such, this essay will attempt to weight both sides of these arguments in an attempt to determine whether exploitation of vulnerable/at-risk individuals and/or societies defines the means or production across the board or whether this means of production actually helps to raise the standard of living in some of the poorest and most economically depressed regions of the world (Ray & Chatterjee, 2012). As a means of fully understanding this question, this author will first consider the fact that almost invariably when one mentions the down sides of child/sweat shop labour, the phrase itself is nearly invariably used in conjunction with child-labour. Although this is not the case in all situations, the two terms have become so interchangeably used so as to oftentimes blur the

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) - Essay Example In earlier times it was considered that the business is only responsible for the shareholders’ interest and other investors who have invested in the business but later on it was realized that business is not only responsible for its shareholders but each and every stake holder who is affected by the activities of the company (Sacconi, 2004, p.6). Corporate social responsibility is a broader concept as per which the corporate organizations has some responsibilities towards the society as a whole and therefore should practice ethical behavior and should also work towards the development of the society. This is a way of paying back to the society for the resources it has used and the environment in which it operates (Murthy, 2007, p.13). Thus Corporate Social responsibility can be described managing business responsibly (The world business organization, n.d, p.4). As per the OECD guidelines CSR activities should be such which through which the MNCs can contribute in economies and promote social welfare and sustainable environmental development in the countries in which they are operating such type of activities in turn will reduce the obstacles faced by the companies like agency problems in those areas (Heal, 2004, p.12). The corporate social responsibility helps the company in a number of ways. For example by following the CSR activities the company can reduce the risk at the same time it can reduce the wastage of scarce resources as the CSR guidelines will lay down the principles which will be followed to while working. CSR activities also helps the company to gain the brand equity as the companies who contributes towards the society are favored more and are respected everywhere. CSR also helps in increasing employees’ productivity and performance by promoting staff welfare (Heal, 2004, p.13-19). Thus by ensuring corporate social responsibility the companies can also improve their own performance. As per Mr. Gerald

Response Paper One Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Response Paper One - Assignment Example Most of these issues point to the knowledge-preparation of nurses and delivery of a compassionate care. Nursing educators and students promote learning and competence by changing the methods used in learning nursing concepts. It has been identified that nursing education placed less emphasis on rote learning and memorization and greater emphasis on locating and understanding information or critical thinking. Does this mean that nurse educators should not require learners to memorize information such as the classifications of medications or normal blood values? Does the emphasis on finding information rather than memorizing it impact critical thinking skills of learners? Memorization vs. Critical Thinking Students who used memorization as a learning strategy are viewed as passive learners(Cherry & Jacob, 2005, p. 72). Memorization familiarized the students with different nursing concepts and serves as guide during academic evaluation and examinations. However, nursing education today face the challenge of an ever-changing treatment modalities and technological advances. The health care environment become increasingly complex, researches are updated, and care centers on patient and evidence-based practice.

Advertising Campaign among the United Kingdom and Italy Essay

Advertising Campaign among the United Kingdom and Italy - Essay Example As pointed by De Mooij and Keegan (3), advertising culture includes personality, cognition, expression, and emotion, which are all influential in shaping consumer behavior. To be successful advertisers are required to know the similarities as well as the differences of consumers in diverse cultural (3).Cross cultural communication solutions are critical to effective cross cultural advertising for any country, including the United Kingdom and Italy. Services and products are usually designed and marketed at a domestic audience. When a product is then marketed at an international audience the same domestic advertising campaign abroad will in most cases be ineffective.The essence of shock advertising is convincing people that a product is meant for them and shock advertising are all about morality. They usually involve sniffing out, simply for the sake of provocation, the ripest cultural taboo. By purchasing it, they will receive some benefit, whether it be lifestyle, status, convenienc e or financial. However, when an advertising campaign is taken abroad different values and perceptions as to what enhances status or gives convenience exist. These differences make the original advertising campaign defunct. It is therefore critical to any cultural advertising campaign that an understanding of a particular culture is acquired. The problems of communicating to people in diverse culture are one of the great creative challenges in advertising. Communication is more difficult because cultural factors largely determine the way various phenomena are perceived. Its perceptual framework is different; perception of the message itself differs. So, there are some shock advertising features in adapting from culture to culture. In Italy and in the UK shock advertising feeds on the market's inclination to reward the unconventional and take advantage of the media's shifting stand on of public sensibilities. 2. The differences and similarities in the using of Shock advertising. Some brands use shock tactics in advertising to break through ad clutter and make people take notice. The question is whether these shock tactics work or whether they just upset people. Benetton and Barnardo, Calvin Klein and FCUK have all been challenged for being too shocking. Benetton (Italy), its first steps in shock advertising were connected with "multi-racial" theme, the idea of colors, they showed a group, made up of people with different colored skin.(Appendix 1) "It was fantastic, so exhilarating to show the products in such a new and simple way." (13) Then the company uses attitudinal and unconventional advertising to mix political and social issues with their ad messages in their campaigns. There was a genuine interest in human rights and other socially conscious causes: "The purpose of advertising is not to sell more. It's to do with institutional publicity, whose aim is to communicate the company's values. We need to convey a single strong image, which can be shared anywhere in the world."(13) So, Benetton's advertising draws public attention to universal themes. The shocking photographs of Benetton's immaterial advertising had no parallel whatsoever in its material offerings. Not in its brightly colored shirts, not in the atmosphere of its stores and not in its point-of-purchase materials. Sure this contrast was shocking too, but it was shock for the sake of shock (and an immediate cash flow). Sooner or later the initial rush was

Response Paper One Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Response Paper One - Assignment Example Most of these issues point to the knowledge-preparation of nurses and delivery of a compassionate care. Nursing educators and students promote learning and competence by changing the methods used in learning nursing concepts. It has been identified that nursing education placed less emphasis on rote learning and memorization and greater emphasis on locating and understanding information or critical thinking. Does this mean that nurse educators should not require learners to memorize information such as the classifications of medications or normal blood values? Does the emphasis on finding information rather than memorizing it impact critical thinking skills of learners? Memorization vs. Critical Thinking Students who used memorization as a learning strategy are viewed as passive learners(Cherry & Jacob, 2005, p. 72). Memorization familiarized the students with different nursing concepts and serves as guide during academic evaluation and examinations. However, nursing education today face the challenge of an ever-changing treatment modalities and technological advances. The health care environment become increasingly complex, researches are updated, and care centers on patient and evidence-based practice.

Selecting Leaders Essay Example for Free

Selecting Leaders Essay As you may already know leaders hold a vital role within a team and it takes certain skills and qualities to be a good leader. Different leaders can emerge through a group of people and stand out as having those skills required and others are select from groups of people who have all be looked at or applied for the same position. In this task I am going to looking into how leaders might emerge or be selected. A lot of people believe that leaders can emerge through groups by showing their natural abilities. I personally believe that this is true to a certain extent because all good, effective, respected leaders do seem to have a natural talent to lead a group of people to success. This natural talent consists of certain qualities that really so put them above other people who may be around them. These qualities could be: * Communication skills * Integrity * Problem solving * Courage * Quick thinking * Luck A number of people have looked at and researched the type of qualities that leaders have and have come up with Trait Theories. Psychologists such a Bird (1940), Warren Bennis (1998), Stogdill (1948) and Mann (1959) have all come up with similar theories. They all say that leaders are people who can express themselves fully. They are people that know what they want, why they want it and how to let people what they want to a team or people. In they receive the co-operation, respect and support of their team. They explain how good leaders, such as Margaret Thatcher, Nelson Mandella etc, have a number of general or individual qualities or traits. Early research into traits showed that these different characteristics that appear to separate the leaders from the followers. John Gardner looked at large number of organisations in the USA and the people in charge of them. He came to the conclusion that people who had the qualities are good leaders and have a high chance of getting tasks done effectively and quickly with the utmost success. The qualities that he found and studied were: * Physical vitality and stamina * Intelligence and action-oriented judgement * Eagerness to accept responsibility * Task competence * Understanding of followers and their needs * Skill in dealing with people * Need for achievement * Capacity to motivate people * Courage and resolution * Trustworthiness * Assertiveness * Decisiveness * Self-confidence * Adaptability/flexibility http://www.infed.org/leadership/traditional_leadership.htm The majority of Gardners qualities have certain aspects of a persons behaviour, skills and others to do character and mental ability. More recently studies have been made on people who have a mixture of traits that might be good for particular situations. The British Army is one of the public service organisations which has a huge emphasis on leadership and having good leaders. They have two separate levels of entry one for squadies and the other for officers. Before people join the Army the recruiters look for the trait qualities of a good leader within them and in their academic records and put them through the selection procedures for officer level. This branch of selection as well as being based on the general fitness required for Army life. They assess recruits on their ability to use their natural qualities and take a group of people and impose their own will on these people to get them to be and effective force for whatever situation gets thrown their way. During this time they look for high levels of confidence when instructing people, normally their peers, on what they have to do. As well as confidence they look for problem solving skills by setting command tasks. Here the assessors look for the for the ability to make and instant decision after being faced with a challenging situation and then being able to give clear orders on how they want the task to be completed in the quickest and most effective way. This will be done at a Regular Commission Board (RCB). It is designed to find out whether a person is capable of the Army Officers role. Every officer applicant must pass before proceeding to officer training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. The RCB is carried out in Westminster and it lasts for four days. In the long run this is a good way of getting the right leaders in the Army who will lead their men to success. It is designed to take the raw natural talent of an individual and mould it into a great leader for the British Army through encouragement and expert training. This gives all potential officers the basic ideas on how to take charge of a large number of people but offers no real hands on experience until they have finished training and they are in the battlefield in a real life situation. The Armys two tear holds very good for those who want to take the officer route but these people may be young and unable to release their potential, without any real military experience behind them. On the other hand it holds no favours or advantages for those who took the squadie route. These people may be the people who didnt have the academic grades or signs of potential before they joined but have come up through the rank structure and shown that they can take a group of people and turn them into a good team. From here it seems obvious that a person with these qualities and some sort of military experience should be given the opportunity to be an officer. It isnt as easy as it sounds though and more often than not they will stay within the ranking structure of a squadie. In other public services, such as the Police, every person starts of at the same level, Police Constable. This allows everyone to develop qualities at the same rate and eventually the right leader will emerge through the job. When people have made themselves seen for having the qualities they hold and the potential to be promoted to the next stage up. To reach this next stage they have to take part in a promotion board with and exam at the end to be promoted, to Sergeant from PC in the Police force. This system unlike the Army gives everyone the opportunity to show their qualities and ability to be a leader. Unfortunately its a very long process and is subject to job availability. Just recently though the Police have introduced a high potential development system. Like the Armies officer training route it is a system set to spot potential early and offer a fast track to promotion with people who have the right characteristics. Similarly to the Army a weakness of this process is that candidates my lack experience and possible respect from their team. Leaders can also emerge as leaders due being faced with a challenge i.e. conflict, operation or even a major disaster. These situations can sometime bring the best out of some people where they need to take the situation by the scruff of the neck and get the team through it successfully. Sometime this can be good when you are faced with situations like this regularly but when it comes to a day to day basis and there is nothing to give the adrenaline rush that may trigger this kind of reaction are they able to give the same type of control. Task 6b Within the public services there are a number of selection processes that evaluate and make the most of leadership shills and qualities. I am now going to look at the RCB I mentioned before and evaluate how good it is and how effective it is to turn out good leaders. The RCB is made up of two parts the briefing and main board. All candidates have to do the two day Briefing process which assesses the candidates suitability to go on to the Main Board. It also provides information on the structure and role of the Army and also candidates will be informed on what they can expect and what is expected of them on the main board. During this briefing there are a number of different tasks to be carried out by the candidates. One of these tasks being a computer based assessment known as an ACMAP, Army Commission Mental Aptitude Profile. This gives the assessors information on the candidate verbal, numerical and abstract abilities. A long side this there are a number of other activities which bring individuals up to the same standard so that candidates can give of their best when attending the Main Board. Throughout the process various Military Officers will assess the candidates. After this each candidate sits a debrief interview. During the interview the Officer will explain to the candidate how well they did and give them their results. Selection for the Main Board is based upon the potential shown by candidates at the Briefing. Prior to selection, candidates will be required to meet our physical selection standards. The briefing before the main RCB is designed to asses all candidates on their potential before taking part in the RCB which then leads on to officer training and entry into the Army at officer level. If this didnt take place some people who werent capable of leading a group of people into war or like situations. From this they can select people with high potential to take part in the RCB and be very effective officer within the Army structure. The Main Board forms the second component of the assessment and selection process for entry to RMAS and lasts four days. The Board selects from the field of suitably qualified candidates, those with the potential qualities of character, ability and leadership who should, after training, be able to command a sub-unit (platoon or troop) in the performance of common military tasks in peace and war. Arriving mid-morning of day one, candidates complete the battery of physical assessments then go on to complete an essay and undertake the computer based assessments: Army Commission Mental Aptitude Profile (ACMAP) Multiple Choice Assessments (MCTA). Day two gets under way with an Opening Discussion followed by a number of interviews designed to show the Army what you have to offer. Remember, sell yourself, make us want to buy. The remainder of day two is given over to outdoor activities including Opening Tasks and the Opening Race. Day Three commences with the written Planning Exercise leading into the discussion element where you are expected to answer some questions relating to your chosen plan. It is the one part of the Main Board that candidates never forget. After being inside for the morning, attentions once again turn to your performance outside in the Command Tasks and Individual Obstacles. The day culminates in a formal dinner in the Mess, this is a chance for candidates to sample life as a young officer. The last day of the Board is the last chance to show us what you have to offer. This is done in the form of the Closing Race where candidates must complete a number of objectives in a given time. After the race the Brigadier gives candidates a closing address before departing RCB. Over the assessment phase you will have shown the Board members your potential and it is this that the Boarding conferences are based upon. Board members discuss the evidence that they have collected and use this to reach the Boards decision. Candidates dont compete against each other at RCB, they compete against a standard; above the line and you pass, below the line and you fail. If selected, candidates will have demonstrated that they have the potential to be an Army Officer. Candidates will have rightly earned themselves a place at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (provided you pass the Army medical). We aim to dispatch the result letter to candidates on a Friday afternoon so that all candidates know their result by Monday.

Enhancements of IC Engines in Real-world Conditions

Enhancements of IC Engines in Real-world Conditions   Aatif Shaik, Aditya Upadhyaya R, Gowtham,  K N, Sachin B N Abstract – Optimizing engine performance of IC Engines is a very shady field. Other than reputed companies Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), who publish their reports, the rest of the industry does not throw much light into aftermarket modification field. As an end-user, a customer wanting to optimize his vehicle in terms of power, mileage usability is often mislead into buying products modifying his automobile that will produce no useful gains. This mini-project will be done on 2-wheeler motorcycles ranging from 150cc-350cc. It aims at bridging the gap between the products and the end-user’s knowledge of it. It will take on many such optimizing/modifying techniques, such as installing air-filters, spark plugs, exhaust systems, engine oils etc., and try to demystify what is actually happening there for the use of the said end-user. This mini-project will involve testing of various parameters of an engine, such as Brake Horse Power, Torque, Exhaust Emissions, Inlet Manifold Pressure etc., of a completely stock Engine. It is again tested after modifications for the same parameters. The results are then compared to give an outline of the effect of the modification. Each modification is done separately for the results to be completely independent of each other. All of the tests are conducted in real-world conditions, so as to ensure the reliability of the result. The final report (end of the project work) will give a much needed clarity on the modifications; will also comment on the safety of using such techniques and its cost effectiveness for the end-user. Market Situation – In a stock motorcycle (factory-made, unmodified), it is so designed that the whole system is as generic as possible. That is, it is supposed to be appropriate for a wide-band of end-users. Taking this line, the manufacturers tune down most of the engine parameters in favour of mileage fuel efficiency, as these are the two major parameters that an end-user looks while buying the automobile. As time passes, the user, who now is accustomed to the automobile, might feel the need to enhance and optimize his automobile. He therefore researches about all the modifications that he can do to his automobiles, so as to increase the performance and efficiency. Parameters for testing – Power produced (at the wheels) Torque produced (at the wheels) Fuel efficiency These parameters were chosen because of the following reasons – Power produced at the wheel was taken, instead of engine power, because this gives an accurate idea of how the motorcycle will perform in the real world. It also includes the losses that will occur due to external conditions, and therefore will give a realistic feel to the test. Torque produced at the wheel was taken, instead of engine torque, because of the same reasons as above, that is, it will give an accurate idea of performance in the real world. Fuel efficiency is an obvious factor and a parameter to be considered, as most endusers will ultimately look at this for their decisions. It gives an indication of how well the engine is taking the modifications and will also represent whether the modification done is cost-effective or not. Specifications of modifications used – Results – Air filter modification For load testing, there is a 1.11sec difference in acceleration timings, in partial load conditions. Whereas, there is a 1.24sec difference in acceleration timings with full load condition. In both cases, the modified motorcycle’s timings were better. For the crispness of throttle, it was seen that the modified setup has a better crispness than the stock setup. For initial fuel efficiency, it was seen that the stock setup fared better than the modified setup. For the cold starting test, it was seen that there is no difference between stock and modified setup. Dyno test Synthetic Oil modification – For load testing, there is a 2.25sec difference in acceleration timings, in partial load conditions. Whereas, there is a 2.17sec difference in acceleration timings with full load condition. In both cases, the modified motorcycle’s timings were better. For the crispness of throttle, it was seen that the modified setup has a relatively better crispness than the stock setup. For initial fuel efficiency, it was seen that the stock setup fared better than the modified setup. For the cold starting test, the stock setup fared badly, whereas the modified setup. Dyno Test – Exhaust Muffler modification For load testing, there is a 2.1sec difference in acceleration timings, in partial load conditions. Whereas, there is a 1.65sec difference in acceleration timings with full load condition. In both cases, the modified motorcycle’s timings were better. For the crispness of throttle, it was seen that the modified setup has an extremely good crispness when compared to the stock setup. For initial fuel efficiency, it was seen that the stock setup fared better than the modified setup. For the cold starting test, it was seen that there is no difference between stock and modified setup. Dyno Test – Discussions – Air Filter – The modified setup performed better than the stock setup, because of the extra amount of air going into the engine cylinder. This allowed the fuelinjected to calibrate and add more fuel to the air-fuel mixture, thereby gaining power. In the modified setup, as there is no restriction, aside from the filter material, the engine was free to suck air to its maximum capabilities, allowing the fuel-injection system to inject more fuel, thereby increasing power and torque. This is seen as the constant increase throughout the power-band. The crispness of throttle was better in modified setup because the lesser obstruction in the intake system, which allowed air to be sucked in freely. Cold-starting was not affected because of the fuel-injected system, which automatically calibrates the appropriate amount of fuel to be injected in all conditions. Synthetic Oil – The modified setup performed better than the stock setup, as the synthetic oil gives better lubrication than the stock setup. This is due to the inherent nature of the synthetic oil, which provides better lubrication and wear-resistance throughout all temperatures with respect to stock mineral oil. The crispness of throttle was better in modified setup because the lesser friction, which allowed that engine to rev freely and quickly. Due to greater lubrication, lesser friction was present, thus minimizing friction losses, which attributed to the higher power and torque output in the modified setup. Cold-starting was better in modified setup, as the inherent nature of the oil made less viscous allowing it to start freely and quickly, compared to stock setup. The synthetic oil also kept the engine temperature lower than the stock setup, thus further helping it to work efficiently. Exhaust Muffler – The modified setup performed better than the stock setup, as the free-flow exhaust muffler allowed the exhaust gases to flow out more freely than the stock setup. This allowed the piston to have lesser load on it to push the gases out, therefore giving a higher power and torque output. This can be seen in the consistent increase in power and torque from 3500rpm. As the load on the piston decreased, the engine was allowed rotate freely, thus giving it a more free nature, whereas the stock setup constricted the engine very much. The crispness of throttle was better in modified setup, because of the free flowing gases in the exhaust system, which allowed that engine to push more and more gases out for the same rpm. Cold-starting was not much different compared to stock setup, as the starting depended on initial air-fuel mixture temperature, which doesn’t get affected by this modification. Final Conclusion – It depends on the end-user on whether he wants to do certain modifications. From the results and discussions, we can see a general increase in performance for all the modifications used, provided those are done under correct procedures. These results were fairly satisfying, and also laid to rest some of the general misconceptions that were attached to such modifications. Apart from power enhancing, the mini-project also tried to bridge the gap between the aftermarket modifications and the customer’s knowledge of it. Dealing with how the actual results of how a modification might work-out and whether their claims were correct. It is concluded that the manufacturer’s claims of increasing power and performance which are indeed true, But the manufacturer also claims increase in mileage which is not true since it comes with of a small drop of mileage. If the end-user can adjust with the drop, then they can find the modifications useful. References Effect of Intake air filter condition on vehicle fuel economy. By Kevin Norman, Shean Huff, Brian West United States Department of Energy. Synthetics vs Mineral Oils By A Jackson Exhaust Tuning on 4 stroke Engine; experimentation simulation By Gordon P Blair, D.O Mackey , G.F Chatfield Society of Automobile Engineers Internal Combustion Engines MIT Open Courseware Professor. Wai Cheng

Capstone Experiences in Career and Technical Education :: Employment Jobs Businesses Essays

Capstone Experiences in Career and Technical Education Capstones are culminating experiences in which students synthesize subject-matter knowledge they have acquired, integrate cross-disciplinary knowledge, and connect theory and application in preparation for entry into a career (Fairchild and Taylor 2000). Durel (1993) evocatively describes them as a "rite of passage" or "liminal threshold" through which participants change their status from student to graduate. A capstone course should be both a synthesis—reflection and integration—and a bridge—a real-world preparatory experience that focuses on the postgraduation future (Fairchild and Taylor 2000; Rhodus and Hoskins 1995). In career and technical education (CTE), capstones are most often found in postsecondary business, agriculture, and allied health programs; in their emphasis on integration, experiential learning, and real-world problem solving, they would be valuable in any CTE field. This Brief discusses the rationale for capstones, presents evidence of their effectiveness, and describes ways to use them in CTE. Why Capstones? Many types of work now require more than technical expertise (Fairchild and Taylor 2000; Magney 1996). In many fields, a wide range of nontechnical skills is now essential: leadership, teamwork, problem solving, decision making, critical thinking, interpersonal communication, information management (Fairchild and Taylor 2000; Rhodus and Hoskins 1995). For example, in organizations with flatter hierarchies, management responsibilities are now being downshifted to technicians (Magney 1996). Information technology graduates need not only specialized technical skills but also project management skills and awareness of global concerns and business practices (Novitzki 1998). Nurses must be prepared for change management, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary collaboration in the volatile health care field (Rains, Richardson, and Fowler 1999). To achieve these outcomes, the objectives of a capstone course, project, or experience typically include the following (Fairchild and Taylor 2000; Rhodus and Hoskins 1995; Thomas 1998): . To provide students an opportunity to synthesize knowledge from formal and informal learning and apply it to contemporary issues in the field . To help prepare students for a successful career by providing experiences that enhance their labor market advantage . To increase students' understanding of the big picture, including ethical and social issues related to the field . To help students understand the relevance of theory and research to practice How Effective Are Capstones? What benefits do students receive from capstone experiences? Agriculture capstone graduates (Andreasen and Trede 1998) recognized the application of knowledge from other courses as the most beneficial outcome.

Essay --

STATEMENTOF PURPOSE â€Å"The real secret of success is enthusiasm†-Walter Chrysler This is Sneha Vynathi Garaga, pursuing final year of under-graduation from Keshav Memorial Institute of Technology (www.kmit.in) in Electronics and Communication Engineering. It is with great incitement and warmth that I write this personnel statement to discuss my academics and motivation for pursuing graduate studies. In my schooling, after identifying my diligence in academics, I was selected to attend five-day 58th International Astronautical congress (IAC) held at Hi-tech city, Hyderabad. I was inspired immensely by the speech given by Sunita Williams and it was, indeed, a huge source of inspiration for me to pursue my career in the field of technology. Following this motivation, I opted for Electronics and Communication Engineering as my under-graduate major. Though my major in under-graduation is electronics, I am applying for Master’s study in Computer science. I joined my under-graduate college with interest towards electronics; however, later I realized that I have a great inclination towards c...