Group Development Model Essay

You are required to organize your company dinner. The company has chosen 20 people from various departments to be in the dinner committee. Using a group development model, discuss the stages that the group will go through from the beginning to the end of the task (organizing dinner). A group is defined as two or more interacting and interdependent individuals who come together to achieve specific goals. Formal groups are working groups defined by the organizational structure that have designated work assignment and task. Informal groups are groups that is independently formed to meet the social needs of their members. There are five stages in a group development model which are forming, storming, norming, performing and adjourning. The forming stage in which people join the group and then define the group’s purpose, structure and leadership. Team members tend to behave quite independently. The members of the team get to know one another, exchange some personal information, and make new friends. Supervisors of the team tend to need to be directive during this phase. From 20 people, I will decide who is going to be decorating sub committee, food sub committee, funding sub committee, marketing sub committee, program sub committee, and volunteer sub committee. Because of they are from different departments, they tend to know each other first before they start working. They have to determine what activities and programs are already in place and serving the needs of the community. Determine the need for the dinner and availability of resources. The next stage is storming. Storming stage characterizes by intragroup conflicts and disagreement among group members. Team members open up to each other and confront each other’s ideas and perspective. Normally tension, struggle and sometimes arguments occur. Supervisors of the team during this phase may be more accessible, but tend to remain directive in their guidance of decision-making and professional behavior. All the subcommittee has to set goals for the dinner. They have to know their target population and their desired objective or outcome. They have to brainstorm ideas and at this stage all ideas are good ideas. They also can explore the idea of partnership to share the workload or get mileage out of the work they do. The third stage of group development is norming stage. It is characterized by close relationships and cohesiveness. The team manages to have one goal and come to a mutual plan for the team at this stage. Some may have to give up their own ideas and agree with others in order to make the team function. In this stage, all team members take the responsibility and have the ambition to work for the success of the team’s goals. The sub committee now able to find a leader among them and establish a small but effective working group with a broad range of skills that is able to function as a team. The subcommittee also has to compare the skills and abilities of the committee members against the task to be performed to determine what training is required. Besides that, they have to determine the actual fiscal resources necessary. The fourth stage of group development is performing stage when the group is fully functional and work on group tasks. The team members are now competent, autonomous and able to handle the decision-making process without supervision. Supervisors of the team during this phase are almost always participative. Even the most high-performing teams will revert to earlier stages in certain circumstances. At this stage, all sub committees implement what they plan before. They are co-operating together and help each other to succeed the dinner. Each member knows their responsibilities and tasks. The marketing subcommittee has to publicize to catch the attention of their target group and make them want to seek more information about the dinner. The program subcommittee has to make sure all needed material such as equipment is on hand and in good working order. The final stage of group development stage is adjourning stage which group members are concerned with wrapping up activities rather than task performance. This stage involves completing the task and breaking up the team.

Case Study Economics †Microsoft and Monopoly Essay

Microsoft has monopoly in PC operating systems, Windows operating systems which are used` in more than 80% of Intel based PC’s. This market has high technological barriers. Threat to Microsoft is not from new operating systems but from alternate products such as browsers, which are new softwares that can be used with multiple operating systems and can also act as an alternative platform to which applications can be written. This posed a threat to Windows monopoly and perhaps its long-term existence. Initially Microsoft had tried to subdue competition by asking for explicit market sharing agreements with competitors (such as Netscape). A failure to do so, allegedly, led Microsoft to adopt anti-competitive strategies. This led to a set of consolidated civil actions against Microsoft in 1994 by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and twenty U.S. states. DoJ alleged that Microsoft abused monopoly power in its handling of operating system sales and web browser sales. Issues: The issue central to the case was whether Microsoft was allowed to bundle its flagship Internet Explorer (IE) web browser software with its Microsoft Windows operating system. Bundling them together is alleged to have been responsible for Microsoft’s victory in the browser wars (specifically Netscape) as every Windows user was forced to have a copy of Internet Explorer. It was further alleged that this unfairly restricted the market for competing web browsers (such as Netscape Navigator or Opera) that were slow to download over a modem or had to be purchased at a store. Underlying these disputes were questions over Microsoft’s allegedly anti-competitive strategies – to impose high entry barriers – including forming restrictive licensing agreements with OEM computer manufacturers, entering into exclusionary agreements with ICPs and ISPs, altering its application programming interfaces (APIs) to favor Internet Explorer over third party web browsers, restricting alterations to its boot up sequence and active desktop, and above all Microsoft’s intent in its course of conduct .i.e. to kill competition by any means and deprive consumers of product choice, especially in browsers, by discouraging innovation. Microsoft’s Anti-competitive Strategies: 1. Microsoft invested money to develop, test and promote IE for free to all users. In competition to Netscape browsers which was being sold for a price. They even paid some customers to use IE instead of Netscape browser. 2. Microsoft put a condition to PC manufacturers to license, preinstall and distributes IE on every Window PC. By this, they were able to distribute IE on every PC by tying up IE to Windows 95, which was a monopoly version. 3. This was extended to the Windows 98, successor of Window 95, misusing their operating system monopoly to exclude competition and deprive customer of free choices. They made removal of IE from Windows 98 technically more difficult. 4. Microsoft restricted all OEM’s to remove any part of IE software or to add any other browser in the pc in a more prominent or visible way. So OEM’s are deprived of the choices they can make about which browser should be offered to customer. 5. Microsoft entered with anti competitive agreement with all largest and most popular ISP’s and OSP’s. It gave the list of ISP’s in folders with OS that enabled users to subscribe to their services and substantial value to ISP’s. 6. Microsoft entered anti competitive agreement with ICP’s to not pat or compensate his competitors for the distribution, marketing or promotion of the ICPs’ content, to not promote any other to inhibit competition. This way Microsoft precluded competition on the merits between Microsoft’s browser and other browser, used Windows operating system monopoly to extend to Internet browser market, and maintained Windows operating system monopoly. Microsoft stated that the merging of Microsoft Windows and Internet Explorer was the result of innovation and competition, that the two were now the same product and were inextricably linked together. Also, the consumers were now getting all the benefits of Internet Explorer for free. Those who opposed Microsoft’s position countered that the browser was still a distinct and separate product which did not need to be tied to the operating system, since a separate version of Internet Explorer was available for Mac OS. They also asserted that IE was not really free because its development and marketing costs may have kept the price of Windows higher than it might otherwise have been. The case was tried before U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson. While the initial verdict went against Microsoft, the verdict was overturned on appeal. Nonetheless, EU recently found Microsoft guilty of anti-trust conduct and slapped a fine of US$1.3 billion in 2008, the largest fine ever imposed on a company.

Human Competition According Adam Smith and Karl Marx

â€Å"Human competition† according to â€Å"Adam Smith† is brought about by â€Å"selfish interests† (Ebenstein & Ebenstein, 2000, pp. 494 – 495).â€Å"Adam Smith† made this extremely clear when he said that â€Å"the free decentralized action of economic agents in a system of competition and private property brings advantages for each of them†¦each one moved by his selfish interest† (Ebenstein & Ebenstein, 2000, pp. 494 – 495). Interestingly, this is an unconscious thought of an individual according to â€Å"Adam Smith† (Ebenstein & Ebenstein, 2000, pp. 494 – 495).Causes of Human Competition According to Adam Smith â€Å"Adam Smith† said that competition was actually brought about by individual’s pursuit of a better life (Ebenstein & Ebenstein, 2000, pp. 494 – 495). People constantly find ways to reach their objectives not only to satisfy their own selfish interests but to enhance ones personal condition as well (Ebenstein & Ebenstein, 2000, pp. 494 – 495).Consequences of Human Competition According to Adam Smith What’s good about the unconscious desire of man to achieve self-interest is that, eventually, he or she will not only achieve a better life but that of others in the society as well (Ebenstein & Ebenstein, 2000, pp. 494 – 495).Human Competition According to Karl Marx â€Å"Human competition† according to â€Å"Karl Marx† is determined by his or her material conditions (Marx’s Theory of Human Nature: Alienation, n.d., n.p.). â€Å"Karl Marx† stated that â€Å"human competition† is highly related to the satisfaction of simple economic needs (Marx’s Theory of Human Nature: Alienation, n.d., n.p.).Causes of Human Competition According to Karl Marx Meanwhile, the following are some of the causes of â€Å"human competition† according to â€Å"Karl Marx†:First of all, â€Å"human competition† according to â€Å"Karl Marx† sprouted from â€Å"man’s existence† (Marx’s Theory of Human Nature: Alienation, n.d., n.p.). It means that the existence of man requires satisfaction of human economic needs and so the aforementioned cause â€Å"human competition† (Marx’s Theory of Human Nature: Alienation, n.d., n.p.).Furthermore, the historical act technically referred to as â€Å"the act of producing the means to satisfy human economic needs† also brought about â€Å"human competition† (Marx’s Theory of Human Nature: Alienation, n.d., n.p.).Last but not least, survival is another cause of â€Å"human competition† (Marx’s Theory of Human Nature: Alienation, n.d., n.p.). â€Å"Karl Marx† explained that since man â€Å"enters into a conscio us relation with nature for survival†, then he or she obliges himself or herself to â€Å"produce his or her means of subsistence† which eventually leads to human competition (Marx’s Theory of Human Nature: Alienation, n.d., n.p.).Consequences of Human Competition According to Karl Marx The following are some of the consequences of â€Å"human competition†:First of all is that it leads to the â€Å"division of society into economic classes† (Marx’s Theory of Human Nature: Alienation, n.d., n.p.). For instance, in the â€Å"means of production†, â€Å"human competition† already exists because there are two types that exist, namely: â€Å"1) owners or the capitalists; and 2) non-owners of the means of production or the workers† (Marx’s Theory of Human Nature: Alienation, n.d., n.p.).These two types compete for ownership with regards to anything that may be utilized to â€Å"produce material needs and maintain existence† (Marx’s Theory of Human Nature: Alienation, n.d., n.p.).In addition to that, since â€Å"human competition† is highly related to the â€Å"mode of production†, it has also led to the â€Å"determination of the totality of the social superstructure† (Marx’s Theory of Human Nature: Alienation, n.d., n.p.). Simply put, â€Å"human competition† then also determines the composition of the State as well as political institutions (Marx’s Theory of Human Nature: Alienation, n.d., n.p.).

Ethics and Moral Principles Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Ethics and Moral Principles - Essay Example The application of moral philosophies to business enterprises is a challenging undertaking especially considering the fact that the market is a mix of various personalities and culture, therefore what seems to be right for one party may be unbecoming for another. This, Hume & Sayre-McCord (2006), emphasize, calls for careful attention when applying these philosophies in diverse world with a mix of personalities Owing to the fact that business ethics is an extension of moral philosophy, several businesses come up with specific organizational culture that enables them to concentrate on enhancing their employees’ moral responsibility. The creation of organizational culture has the benefit of producing honest employees with a refined business ethics. Perhaps application of moral philosophy like enforcing codes of behavior within an organization fosters discipline among the employees in the end. Moral philosophies play a major role as far as employee relations and public perception are concerned. Most people use these philosophies as the yardsticks for determining the moral standing and perception of the organization (Hume & Sayre-McCord, 2006). Ferrell, Fraedrich, and Ferrell (2013) confirm that the behavior of individuals is solely a function of their moral ethics and these in turn affect their ability to make wise and informed decisions. Moral philosophy is an integral part of behavior and decision making in that it shapes the individual ethics of various employees in a business setting for example an employee may decide not to participate in office gossip. Due to the damaging nature of the talks, the employee makes an ethical decision, duly guided by the moral philosophies that they uphold. Employees who embrace the moral philosophy will tend to make wiser decisions in any environment. This philosophy also has the tendency of polishing their general behavior. Another element of behavior and decision-making is the engagement and participation in corporate social responsibility (Ferrell, Fraedrich, & Ferrell, 2013).  This may include the employees taking the initiative to help the needy, and actively participating in improving the social and economic conditions of the immediate environment. Individuals act in a responsible manner and shun self-interest to devoting service to humanity due to the virtues that moral philosophy instills on them. This shift of behavior and decision-making skills is beneficial both to the organization, and to the public at local and regional levels (Ferrell, Fraedrich, & Ferrell, 2013).   With many organizations across the world adopting moral philosophies in their business environment, certain global strategic plans have received a boost, as they require the spirit of moral and ethical responsibility from each one of us (Gillroy, & Bowersox, 2002).  . A classic example is the going green initiative. Virtually all organizations participate in environmental conservation activities like reducing and reu sing environmental waste. This global initiative propelled by moral philosophy, has attained major milestone in curbing global warming that is part of the global strategic plan. Hence, moral philosophies have a positive impact on the global strategic planning. Gillroy, and Bowersox (2002) state that moral philosophies may have a significant impact in the alleviation of poverty around the world especially in the hard hit nations in Africa through embracing the recommendation

Human rights Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Human rights - Essay Example Under the universal declaration of human rights, specific articles have been put in place in regard to spelling out on what rights are. For example, article 1 of the universal declaration of human rights, it is spelled out that all human beings are equal in dignity and rights. Analytically, this could be termed as the primary concept of interpreting how every human being should be treated. This means that any act of discriminating or undermining the state of another human being is uncalled for. Another major article is article 3, which stipulates that e very person has the rights to life. In relation to this article, it is correct to argue that any act by another human being that threatens the life of another human being could amount to violation of this right. In this regard, it is indispensable that human rights are critical and needs to be protected effectively. Time and again, political intrigues have been cited as the major course for human rights violations (Donnelly 10). As the political class fight for power and supremacy, most of the human rights are violated. This has been evidenced by historical genocides violence against the minority groups. Nevertheless, violation of human rights could also come in terms of other social economic factors that minority groups are

Political Corruption in Africa Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 10000 words

Political Corruption in Africa - Dissertation Example TABLES AND FIGURES Table 1 - Features of Qualitative and Quantitative Methods 7 Table 2 - Most Corrupt Nations 20 Table 3 - Index of Economic Freedom 25 FIGURE Figure 1 - World's Most and Least Corrupt Nations 18 Abstract Political corruption is a malaise that has infected governments since the Roman Empire as power corrupts. The damage inflicted by corrupt officials reflects on the believability of government, and impacts the populace, with the degree of the foregoing dependent upon the extent of corruption ingrained in its leadership and institutions. This study shall examine corruption, focusing on Africa, to determine if there are ways in which to stem the increasing wave of malpractice that has and is gripping our moral fiber. Through an investigation of political corruption, this examination shall seek to uncover its variations, forms, used and abuses, equating the conditions that foster its use, and th mechanisms to stem corruption in government. 1.0 Introduction In equating the subject matter of this study, political corruption lies at the core of this examination. The subject, political corruption, as described by Harris (2003, p. 1)" is a multifaceted and mutable concept, defiant of precise or comprehensive definition". In delving into the context, Lasswell (1958, p. 6) starts off the process by defining "politics as the art of who gets what, when, and how". When one considers the definition of corruption as "The act of the process of corrupting The state of being corrupt" (Houghton... According to the research findings the bounds of political corruption skirt bribery, certain forms of patronage, conflict of interest, extortion, nepotism, graft, embezzlement, and cronyism for their individual and or collective illegitimate gain. The preceding can and does give rise to a broad number of actions that facilitates the preceding as represented by the encouragement and or turning a blind eye to drug trafficking as well as money laundering and human trafficking. As the paper stresses corruption in some countries and regions of the world is so rampant that it is an expected by product of interaction, that is sometimes referred to a ‘kleptocracy’, which means, ‘rule by thieves’. The foregoing has been delved into in order to provide the understanding of the wide range of ramifications that encompass political corruption as an examination. As such, the Aim of this study is to examine the issues of political corruption from an international comparative perspective, focusing on Africa a region where the preceding is rife. The foregoing multiple Objectives are closely intertwined. The argument of this study seeks to examine the existing measures that are in sub-Saharan Africa to combat political corruption, and the extent to which these are effective and or ineffective and why such measures seem unlikely to become utilised as a result of the fact that the instruments for combating political corruption do not have correspo nding governance systems that have the abilities and or capabilities to monitor as well as implement such provisions.

Software to Support Assessment of the Comprehensive Classroom Essay

Software to Support Assessment of the Comprehensive Classroom Technology Plan - Essay Example I am supposed to click to and fro through many pages. I am forced to look at pictures of commodities whether I want to or not, whilst attempting to find the product that I need. As a student, I am bound to figure out that the design of this website is flat. Whilst the criteria are split into sub-segments, these sub-segments are not visually identified in navigation. Therefore, in the organization platform section, there is not a single item in the look of the course-plotting links to inform the student that all administration platforms are a different sub-segment from other types of administration platforms. Additionally, varying commodities exhibited and sold on this website are supposed to be the leading items even if it means navigating through this website through the â€Å"all† criterion. Every sub-segment is supposed to have its individual color piece so that it is distinct where the student is on the website (Williams, Boone and Kingsley, 2004, p. 213). Adding a â€Å" quick search† section would enable a student to simply list all commodities or services on one page. Utilizing the uncomplicated visual technology, it is likely to have the picture for every commodity come forth when the cursor is moved above the product. Visual recognition is still existent. The stocking of the commodity is slow and makes the impression of a heavy site. Is a student looks at the home page of a commodity’s criterion; there is a huge chance that they will look at the following page. Consequently, preloading the pictures for the following pages in the background will be helpful. Such an approach will make the pictures appear on the following pages. The commodity data is surrounded by exceedingly additional visual dialogue. It is similar to attempting to hear trades tone in a noisy room. The segment that deals with the number of people who purchased a certain commodity is very busy and distracts new students (Williams,

Customer relationship Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Customer relationship - Essay Example All the environmental factors along with the target market must be properly analyzed in order to determine the strategic plans so that the company can reach every customer easily. When wants and needs are very clearly understood, a company can therefore find the spot which is also known as the sweet spot and thus can easily address it on the particular target. The ESSENTIAL PHONES basically defines a market by clearly focusing on the services and also on the products that are currently meeting the customer needs and wants. (Hennig, 2000, pp. 459-500) In order to pinpoint the customers wants and needs, ESSENTIAL PHONES is trying to look at the bigger picture and is trying to obtain the key data such as geographic, population, cost of living, and languages which are spoken in the particular areas that may help in driving the wants and needs of the customers. ESSENTIAL PHONES is obtaining this information by doing simple observation and by the local knowledge. When people buy different things, they are therefore engage in a special kind of process known as the decision making process. Same is the case with the ESSENTIAL PHONES. People when try to buy the goods or the products of this company, they first pass the decision making process that whether to buy or not. (Paul, 2003, pp. 300-382) The decision making process or also known as the consumer decision making process is the process through which the consumers go through when they decide to purchase or to buy something. The very first step in this process when consumers are trying to buy the cell phones from the ESSENTIAL PHONES is to recognize that they actually need a new and a branded cell phone. Though they may have an idea that which cell phone they would like to buy or to purchase, therefore they probably want to do some kind of research in order to know and also to narrow down a few

New poduct for WALKERS CRISPS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

New poduct for WALKERS CRISPS - Essay Example When the company started, its first flavours released to the market were cheese and onion flavours. Currently, Walkers has introduced very many types of flavours in the potato crisps produced and this has attracted a lot of customers who appreciate the different tastes that come in the different flavours. Due to its vast numbers in its customers, Walkers has proved to be a company that can accommodate the introduction of new products. Therefore, I propose introduction of Walkers Fresh Juice production and sale. Despite the beverages sold in the PepsiCo. Inc, the company does not produce fresh juice. With its huge acres of land for farming potatoes for the manufacture of crisps, I feel this company can use part of that land to grow fruits that can be used to make the fresh juice. For a company that is currently aiming to produce and sell healthy foodstuff, it is my strong belief that making fresh juice for sale will serve this purpose while attracting a great number of customers who are already loyal to Walker’s crisps company. It is also part of PepsiCo’s mission, to be the global company for production of consumer products that will produce the best foods and beverages. (BOONE et al 2011). One of the growing trends in the United Kingdom in food production is the desire by the consumers to have healthy and safe snacks. According to recent studies and research projects, it has been noted that a high number of people are much interested in natural and healthy drinks and also foods. An example is how fat content and even salt has been reduced in the manufacture of some snacks so as to respond to the issues that have been raised concerning health.( GREAT BRITAIN 2004). This trend has been accelerated by the government of the United Kingdom, when it put strict regulations in labelling of nutritional value of foods and beverages as a measure of controlling obesity in the country. In this market, there has been a lot of emphasis to the manufacturers to use

Two Descriptions Essay Example for Free

Two Descriptions Essay Description 1: Positive The new city pool was packed with eager patrons. Some stood in line for the massive water slide they’d been waiting all winter to try. Others took turns jumping from the diving boards. Small children splashed and slapped at the water in the wading pool, their mothers never far from reach. Laughter mingled in the air with the smell of buttery popcorn. Occasionally, a surprised scream would erupt, followed by the telltale splash of someone having been pushed into the pool by a friend. Hot afternoon sunlight glistened on the water. Sunbathers stretched and napped on large beach towels. Off to the side, a father and son sat under the food pavilion sharing an ice cream cone. Description 2: Negative The new city pool was at its maximum capacity with 75 patrons packed inside. Impatient children groaned while they waited in a long, snaking line for the massive water slide. A parade of people jumped from two diving boards. Most of these uncoordinated attempts ended in belly flops. Small children squealed, piercing the air with either excitement or horror at the notion of having to get wet. The stench of fried foods and chlorination permeated the air. Mothers chased their unruly offspring all over the burning concrete just to slather on one more pat of sunscreen. The hot afternoon sun cast a blinding white light over the surface of the pool. Sunbathers in a variety of shapes and sizes lay about on beach towels like lazy farm animals. A few feet away, a father and son sat under the food pavilion sharing an ice cream cone. It dripped a sugary liquid onto the concrete. Ants were already making their way to the fresh mess. Analysis Strategy two can be found in the way the long line for the water slide is mentioned in the second description, but not in the first. In description one, the object for which people were waiting was emphasized. In description two, the long line itself was stated. Strategy two was again used at the end of both descriptions. In the first, the reader is left with the sweet impression of a father and son enjoying a special moment. In the second, the reader is left with the image of bugs invading what would have otherwise been a great family moment. The use of strategy three is evident in the way the smell of the air is revealed. In the first description, it is made to sound delicious (â€Å"the smell of buttery popcorn†). In the second, the smell is referred to as a â€Å"stench†. Strategy four was implemented when describing the sunbathers. Description one emphasizes the large towels, while description two suggests the sizes of the sunbathers themselves are large, like â€Å"lazy farm animals.† Strategy five can be seen in description two when fun and games is suggested through â€Å"a friend† being placed at the end of the lengthy sentence. In description two, the diving board experience is accentuated in a negative way via short sentence structure in the line, â€Å"most of these uncoordinated attempts ended in belly flops†. The most important thing learned while completing this exercise is that attention must be paid to how a writer describes something if he or she is to successfully convey the intended tone.

Theories and a biopsychology of addiction

Theories and a biopsychology of addiction The biopsychology of addiction examines the interaction of biological aspects associated with addictive behaviors. The word addiction comes from the Latin verb addicere meaning to enslave (Yucel, Lubman, Solowij, Brewer, 2007). The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fourth Edition-Text Revision identifies drug addiction as a dependence syndrome with essential features of a lack of control over drug use despite significant drug-related problems (Kranzler Li, 2008). The prevalence and problems associated with drug addiction cost an estimated $524 billion a year, including health care, productivity loss, crime, incarceration, and drug enforcement (NIDA, 2009). Advanced research confirms that addiction is a disease because it alters the brain. It shares common attributes with other chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes. The underlying concept is that there is a disruption in healthy functioning that results in serious, harmful consequences, although treatable, that can potentially last a lifetime (NIDA, 2009). Recreational drug use usually begins in adolescents at a stage in development most vulnerable to executive functioning impairment. Executive functioning impacts decision making, judgments, and emotional regulation. Brown, et al. (2008) found an increase in drinking during the age span between 16 to 20 years that fuels neurological damage and social impairments. Beckson (2005) reported an increase in adolescent drug use. Preven tion of drug addiction needs to start during adolescents because it usually begins during this stage in development. The goal of this paper is to explore multiple factors related to the biopsychology of addiction, including the molecular level of synaptic neuron communication, neurotransmitters, brain anatomy, drugs of abuse, relapse, and long-term effects of addiction. The genetic and environmental influences along with stress play significant roles in drug addiction. Theories of addiction exist with a growing agreement among experts that the Incentive Sensitization Theory of Addiction provides the best explanation. Robinson and Berridge (2003) describe several theories. Opponent Process Theory of Addiction The first theory described by Robinson and Berridge (2003), is the Opponent Process Theory of Addiction representing the traditional view of addiction. Pinel (2009) refers to this theory as the Physical-dependence Theories of Addiction. Initially drugs are taken for the positive feelings, but gradually build tolerance and dependence to the drug. Withdrawal symptoms begin and compulsive drug cravings take over. Drug use continues in an effort to avoid negative withdrawal symptoms and achieve the pleasurable effects again. Other names for this traditional theory of addiction include pleasure-pain, positive-negative reinforcement, opponent process, hedonic homeostasis, hedonic dysregulation, and reward allostasis (Robinson Berridge, 2003). Limitations exist with this theory because not all drugs, such as heroin, produce serious withdrawal symptoms. A major argument against this theory is that after a period of abstinence the rate of relapse remains high despite the lack of withdrawal s ymptoms. Positive-incentive Theory of Addiction Another theory described by Robinson and Berridge (2003) involves aberrant learning suggesting that drugs create a strong connection to natural reward centers based on learning through classical conditioning. Pinel (2009) refers to this theory as the Positive-incentive theories of drug addiction. Explicit learning as a subcategory of aberrant learning describes the learning process through declarative associations at a conscious level between actions and outcome. Explicit learning also involves the declarative predictive relationships between environmental cues and expectation or anticipation of rewards, such as drugs. Declarative learning does not sufficiently explain the transition from recreational drug use to drug addiction. Addicts do not report exaggerated declarative memories or expectations of drug pleasure because they know the pleasure gained is not worth the consequences suffered (Robinson and Berridge, 2003). Implicit learning as a second subcategory of aberrant learning describes the unconscious procedural learning that occurs automatically by pairing a stimulus and response. Drug use becomes an automatic response through the corticostriatal loops operating through the dorsal striatum (Robinson Berridge, 2003). The aberrant learning theory does not hold up under scrutiny either because implicit learning does not actually generate an automatic response, such as tying your shoe, because it is compulsion that motivates the continuation of drug use and drives the cycle of addiction. Incentive Sensitization Theory of Addiction The Incentive Sensitization Theory of Addiction best explains the transition from drug use to drug addiction. According to Robinson and Berridge (2008), the theory states that repeated drug use changes brain cells and brain neural circuitry creating a hypersensitivity to repeated drug use and associated drug cues. Incentive sensitization generates a pathological motivation or wanting of drugs that last for years, even after abstinence. The wanting of drugs may be implicit by an unconscious wanting or explicit by a conscious craving. The addicts focus on drugs is created from an interaction between incentive salience mechanisms with associated learning mechanisms. Pathological motivation generated from sensitization of brain circuits stems from a Pavlovian conditioned incentive or motivational process, known as incentive sensitization. Associative learning can trigger the motivation for drugs through incentive attributes, such as within the context of associated drug experiences and i nteractions. The pathological motivation drives the addict to seek and obtain drugs at any cost. However, the stimulus-response learned association does not fully explain the core problem of addiction. Damage or dysfunction in cortical regions creates changes in executive functioning resulting in impairments. These impairments play an important role in the addicts poor choices about drugs coupled with pathological incentive motivation for drugs triggered through incentive sensitization. Sensitization specifically refers to the increase in drug effect caused by repeated drug use. Incentive sensitization is essence of the theory. Engagement of brain incentive or reward systems, include the mesotelencephalic dopamine systems. It is the hypersensitivity in the motivation circuitry that contributes mostly to the addictive wanting of drugs. Evidence in favor of the incentive sensitization from past studies includes three features of incentive stimulus: Pavlovian conditioned approach to behavior, Pavlovian instrumental transfers, and conditioned reinforcement. The sensitization related changes in the brain are important for the transition from casual to compulsive drug use. Changes in the brain include a much larger increase in the density of dendritic spines on medium spiny neurons in the core of the nucleus accumbens. It relates to development of psychomotor sensitization. Studies further indicate that the neural changes underlying sensitization may be sufficient to promote subsequent addict-like behaviors. The essential factor in addiction is neural sensitization. Nature versus Nurture On the one hand, a genetic predisposition toward drug addiction appears evident for a substantial number of individuals. Researchers are continuing to identify specific genes related to drug addiction. The use of Quantitative Trait Locus Mapping contributes to identify specific genes for the risk and protection against addictive behavior (Crabbe, 2002). On the other hand, the learning hypothesis suggest drugs promote the learning of strong stimulus-response habits leading to compulsive behavior paired with rituals involved in consuming drugs (Robinson Berridge, 2008). Associative learning occurs in drug addiction through Pavlovian conditioning. The motivation for drugs becomes incentive sensitive when encountering familiar associations within the context and surrounding of the drug use, friends, location, and the like. Churchland (2004) argues that everything we know is the result of both our genetic makeup and our environmental experiences. Science has shown that development depends upon both genes and experience. Genes produce the hardware and experience provides the software. Learning occurs through genetic unfolding that generates changes in cells through memory systems of learning experiences constructed from environmental experiences. Our brain neuromodulators act upon synapses and become strengthened with repeated exposure that provides the foundation for learning. According to Kranzler and Li (2008) drug addiction stems from a combination of genetic, environmental, social, and psychological factors. The study of addiction involves multiple disciplines, including neuroscience, epidemiology, genetics, molecular biology, pharmacology, psychology, psychiatry, and sociology. It is not a matter of nature versus nurture, but more accurately nature and nurture. It is well known that addiction stems from a genetic predisposition and environmental stress and influences. Li, Mao, and Wei (2008) report that an estimated 40% to 60% of genetic factors appear responsible for drug addiction and the remaining percentage of factors relate to environmental factors. Genes and common pathways appear to underlie drug addictions. In a study conducted by Li, Mao, and Wei (2008), an extensive review of the genetic research associated with drug addiction resulted in the creation of the Knowledgebase of Addiction-Related Genes (KARG). The KARG is the first database of a bioinformatic compilation of genetic research on addiction. Through statistical analysis of the database, the authors found five common pathways in addiction, including neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, long-term potentiation, GnRH signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, and Gap junctions. Advances in science from the use of new technology, such as tillingarray and proteomics, provid e new avenues in studying the underlying pathways and genetic composition of addiction and how addiction forms from environmental influences. Brain Communication Chemical messengers called neurotransmitters carry information across tiny spaces, called synapses that exist between neurons (Cruz, Bajo, Schweitzer, Roberts, 2008). The brain communicates through electrical and chemical signals transmitted from neuron to neuron. A neuron represents the brains communication network. A neurotransmitter is released from one neuron into the synapse within 20 to 50 nanometers of the receiving neuron (Lovinger, 2008). The releasing neuron is referred to as presynaptic neuron and has at the tip of its axon terminals small pockets known as vesicles. These vesicles contain neurotransmitters that release molecules when activated by the action potential stimulated by the presynaptic neuron. The neurotransmitter is released into the synaptic gap between the two neurons. The post-synaptic neuron receives the neurotransmitter and binds it to the receptor site. According to Lovinger (2008) two major categories of neurotransmitter receptors, include the ligand-gated ion channel (LGIC) receptors and G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCR). The LGIC produces an excitatory or an inhibitory reaction depending on the action potential. The GPCRs represent proteins that bind neurotransmitter molecules and activate intercellular reactions. Once the neurotransmitter is released it becomes rapidly removed by neurotransmitter transporters. The neurotransmitter transporters are housed on the surface of the neurons cell membrane and rapidly retrieve the neurotransmitter pulling it inside the neuron. The uptake reloads the neurotransmitter into vesicles and the cycle repeats. Other brain chemicals exist, such as neurotrophins and steroid hormones. Lovington (2008) describes neurotrophins as peptides or amino acids secreted from different neuron structures, such as axon terminals and dendrites. Neurotrophins support neurons and assist in synaptic plasticity and neuron survival. Many are located within the central nervous system and the neural mechanisms that contribute to addiction (Lovinger, 2008). Steroid hormones represent small molecules that assist with intercellular communication. These hormones are found throughout the central nervous system as well. Lovinger (2008) further describes agonist as molecules that bind to and activate receptors. Antagonists also bind to neurotransmitter receptor sites by competing and blocking receptor activation. Many molecules serve as neurotransmitters, such as the amino acids, glutamate, and glycine. Histamines and different peptides also act as neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters play a significant role in addiction. Neurotransmitters Fitzell (2007) defines neurotransmitters as molecules in the brain that transmit chemical reactions in order for neural communication to occur. There are approximately 100 billons neurons in the brain. Neurons release neurotransmitters from one neuron to the next via a presynapitc nerve terminal and receptor site at the synapse. The releasing of a neurotransmitter either triggers a message to other neurons in a chain reaction or a message to disengage signals. There are several neurotransmitters that activate specific receptors site referred to as fitting a key into a lock (Fitzell, 2007). The neurotransmitters include noradrenaline (norepinephrine), and adrenaline (epinephrine), acetylcholine, GABA, glutamate, dopamine, serotonin, opioids and other peptides, and endocannbinoids. Endorphins and enkephalins produce natural opiates in the brain related to intense pleasure. Noradrenaline (norepinephrine) has a stimulating effect on the brain. It is responsible for regulating the heart, breathing, body temperature, and blood pressure. It also may play a role in hallucinations and depression (Fitzell, 2007). Adrenaline (epinephrine) controls paranoia and the fight-or-flight response. It is also responsible for our appetite and feelings of thirst (Fitzell, 2007). Acetylcholine is responsible for muscle coordination, nerve cells, memory, and is involved in the transmission of nerve impulses in the body (Fitzell, 2007). It has a significant role in reaction to stress. GABA is found throughout the brain and in numerous sensory neurons (Cruz, Bajo, Schweitzer, Roberto, 2008). It functions as a regulator of transmitting nerve signals, and it acts on receptor sites, including GPCR, by functioning as an inhibitor. Activation of the receptor sites prohibit the release of neurotransmitters. Ethanol acts as an excitatory for the release of GABA and has a role in alcohol intoxication and contributes to the brains hyperexcitable during alcohol withdrawal. Opiods, cannabinoids, and alcohol all act on GABA through the same brain regions. Glutamate functions as a major excitatory neurotransmitter in the lower brain region (Clapp, Bhave, Hoffman, 2008). It serves most brain neurons and is found throughout the brain. Two receptors, AMPA and NMDA, appear to be involved in learning and memory. Acute alcohol consumption inhibits the release of glutamate and appears to play a role in inhibiting synaptic plasticity and impairment of memory (Lovinger, 2008). Gass and Olive (2008) studied glutamates influence on drug addiction. Studies found that all drugs of abuse utilize glutamate transmissions producing a long-term neuroplasticity in the brain. Glutamate contributes to compulsive drug-seeking behavior and drug-associated memories. Dopamine serves as the most significant neurotransmitter in the brain. It is responsible for controlling our moods, energy, and feelings of pleasure (Fizell, 2007). Dopamine influences brain mechanisms of reward, evaluation of environmental stimuli, general behavioral activity level, and some brain disorders. According to Cruz, Bajo, Schweitzer, and Roberto (2008), dopamine becomes pervasive throughout the brain and is produced by only a few neurons. It is considered a pure neuromodulator because it becomes activated only by GPCRs. There are five dopamine receptor sites, D1 through D5. Half of the neurons connect to the substantia nigra pars reticulate forming the direct pathway to activating the cortex (Cruz, Bajo, Schweitzer, Roberto, 2008). The other half connect to the globus pallidus internal segmane forming the indirect pathway to slow down cortical output. Dopamine controls performance of action, including the intoxication from alcohol and other drugs (Cruz, Bajo, Schweitzer, Roberto, 2008). Many drugs target dopamine transmission, and dopamine plays a significant role with all drugs. Cocaine, amphetamine and other stimulant drugs either block or reverse the action of the dopamine transporter (Lovington, 2008). As a result, the level of dopamine in the synapse increases. Research shows that interference with dopamine transmission generates an intoxicating and addictive effect with drugs and alcohol Nicotine and alcohol stimulate dopamine. Morphine and other opiates slow GABA activity and indirectly increase the activity of dopamine. It also contributes to learning environmental cues in relation to the context of drug use that encourages drug and alcohol use. Fitzell (2007) describes serotonins role in the brain as relating to the five senses, sleep, aggressive behavior, eating, and hunger. Its release brings about a sense of calm, happiness, peace, satisfaction, signals of fullness, and reduced appetite. A decrease of serotonin or blockage in the brain cells results in aggression and violent behavior. Low levels of serotonin are associated with depression and increased appetite. Serotonin is a very powerful mood enhancer and appetite regulator located in the base of the brain (Fitzell, 2007). According to Lovinger (2008), neurons connect to other neurons through the central nervous system, including the cerebral cortex and other forebrain structures. Serotonin influences sensations related to environmental stimuli, perception, learning and memory, and sleep and mood. Serotonin activity involves 15 CPCRs that either increase or decrease neuron output. It is the target of psychoactive drugs, such as LSD, mescaline, and psilocybin that serve as agonists of serotonin. Amphetamines, such as MDMA also known as ecstasy, interfere with serotonin transporters and increase serotonin levels. It is suspected that the effect may result in sensory-enhanced effects. Alcohol appears to cause a reduction of serotonin uptake. Opioids and other peptides contribute to the brains communication by decreasing excitatory glutamate and inhibitory GABA at the cell level (Cruz, Bajo, Schweitzer, Roberto, 2008). However, GABA continues to have an excitatory effect throughout the brain producing the pain-relieving effect of opioids as well as opioid dependence. Peptides help neuromodulation of the brain through GPCRs. These peptides serve as agonists to receptor sites for morphine, heroine, and other opiate drugs (Lovington, 2008). Three opiate receptors of importance include mu-type, delta-type, and kappa-type (Befort, et al., 2008). Reduction in opioid peptide actions interfere with promoting an increase in dopamine. Lovinger (2008) describes another hormone of particular importance, the corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH). CRH communicates signals of stress, mood, and changes in bodily functions. CRH and its receptors play a role in stress, drug addiction, and relapse. The opioid peptides, endorphins, and enk ephalins affect mood, produce intense feelings of pleasure, and can reduce and relieve pain. Endorphins also help in managing stress. Enkephalins help the body fight pain (Fitzell, 2007). Wand (2008) describes a the stress response as involving a glucocorticoid response generated from the hypothalamic pituitary-adrenal (HPA), activation of peptides corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF), and activation of the sympathetic nervous system releasing epinephrine and nonrepinephrine. Endocannabinoids (endogenously formed cannabinoids) and other lipid-derived neuromodulators are involved in synaptic communication and acute reinforcing effects of drugs (Cruz, Bajo, Schweitzer, Roberto, 2008). Lovinger (2008) describes the receptor site CB1 linked to GPCR as functioning to inhibit the release of neurotransmitters. CB1 acts as agonists and influences both inhibitory and excitatory synaptic transmissions (Cruz, Bajo, Schweitzer, Roberto, 2008). As a result, a decrease in several neurotransmitters occurs, including GABA and glutamate. A long-term synaptic depression may occur produced by retrograde endocannabinoid signaling. A consequence of this occurrence plays a key role in learning and memory and associated addiction (Lovinger, 2008). Brain Anatomy of Addiction The brain attempts to counteract the chemical changes caused by drug addiction. The process of neuroadaption or neuromodulation strives to reinstate homeostasis in the brain. Drug addiction influences all aspects of the brain with several significant regions serving more dominant roles. The mesotelencephalic dopamine system is a diffuse pathway consisting of dopamine neurons associated with pleasure (Pinel, 1998). Its cell bodies are connected to two structures in the midbrain tegmentum: substantia nigra or the ventral tegmental area. The axons of these two structures extend into different structures in the telencephalic sites. These structures include frontal cortex, striatum, septum, cingulated cortex, amygdala, and nucleus accumbens. The mesotelencephalic dopamine system is associated with motivation of behaviors and self-administering addictive drugs, sexual behavior, and eating (Pinel, 1998) The substania nigra is a midbrain nucleus of the tegmentum and contains cell bodies of many of the neurons of the mesotelencephalic dopamine system. Its dopaminergic neurons terminate in the striatum (Pinel, 1998). The nigrostriatal pathway is a dopaminergic tract from the substantia nigra to the striatum. The striatum is composed of the caudate and putamen and serves as the terminal of the dopaminergic nigrostriatal pathway. The ventral tegmental area is located medial to the substania nigra and contains cell body of many neurons in the mesotelecephalic dopamine system (Pinel, 1998). The nucleus accumbens is a nucleus located between the striatum and the basal forebrain. It is a major terminal in the mesotelencephalic dopamine system. It plays a critical role in the experience of pleasure (Pinel, 1998). Koob and Simon (2009) indicate that the mesocorticolimbic pathway is the brain circuit that transmits dopamine in the rewarding effects of alcohol and other drugs. The mesocorticolimbic dopamine system represents the reward system in the brain. Neural inputs and outputs interact with the dopamine projections from the ventral tegmental area to the basal forebrain (Koob Simon, 2009; Ikemoto, 2007). Pinel (1998) describes the prefrontal cortex as the large area of the frontal cortex anterior to the primary and secondary motor cortex. It consists of three large areas: dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, and medial prefrontal cortex (Pinel, 1998). The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is the large area on the lateral surface of the prefrontal lobes and plays a role in memory for temporal sequence of events but not the actual events, response sequencing, inhibiting incorrect but previously correct responses, developing and following plans of action, and creative thinking. Pinel (1998), indicates that the orbitofrontal cortex is the large area of prefrontal cortex on its anterior pole and inferior surface. Damage to the orbitofrontal cortex results in marked personality changes, an inability to inhibit inappropriate behaviors, and influences social behaviors. The medial prefrontal cortex is the area of the prefrontal cortex on the medial surface of the prefrontal lobe s that when damaged, produces a blunting affect (Pinel, 1998). Amygdala is a major structure in the limbic system. It is an almond-shaped nucleus of the anterior temporal lobe. The central nucleus of the amygdala has the highest density of enkephalins. Enkephalins are found in the cell bodies of GABA neurons, the most abundant type of neuron in the nucleus of the amygdala (Cruz, Bajo, Schweitzer, Roberto, 2008). The amygdala is responsible for the fight or flight emotional reaction. The extended amygdala signifies brain structures located near the front of the lower brain region, referred to as the basal forebrain (Befort, et al.). The extended amygdala is comprised of a number of structures, including the nucleus accumbens (NAcc), the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA), and the bed nucleus of stria terminals (BNST). It plays a role in relation to the acute reinforcing effects of drugs and the negative effects of compulsive drug use and reward. The CeA consists mostly of GABA as inhibitory neurons with neuron connections or project to the brainstem or BNST. It is considered the gate that controls information through the intra-amygdaloidal circuits. Befort, et al. (2008) describes the central extended amygdala (EAc) as a network formed by the central amygdala and the BNST controls. It plays a significant role in drug cravings, drug-seeking behaviors, drug rewards, and drug dependence. Hippocampus is the allocortical limbic system structure of the medial temporal lobes and extends from the amygdala at its anterior end to the cingulated cortex and fornix at itsposterior end (Pinel, 1998). The basolateral amygdala mediates motivational effects of drug use and the context associated with drug use in forming emotional memories (Koob, 2009). It plays a major role in learning and memory, particularly in relation to associated drug behaviors. Feltenstein and See (2008) provide a depiction of the brain anatomy and drug related connections in the mesocorticolimbic system. Dopamine projects from cell bodies in the VTA and connect to limbic structures via the mesolimbic pathway (amaygdala, ventral pallidum, hippocampus, and NAcc, and cortical areas (mesocortical pathway, including the prefrontal cortex, the orbitofrontal cortex, and the anterior cingulated gyrus) (Feltenstein See, 2008); Ikemoto, 2007). The NAcc and ventral pallidum serve as the primary effects of drug abuse. The amygdala and hippocampus serve a role in learning as it relates to the process of addiction. The amygdala and ventral hippocampus impact learning in discrete stimulus-response associations. The amygdala and dorsal hippocampus impact learning through stimulus-to-stimulus associations important in contextual learning. The prefrontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, and anterior cingulate gyrus regulate emotional responses, cognitive control, and executive functioning (Feltenstein See, 2008). Feltenstein See (2008) further indicated that repeated drug exposure leads to neuroadaptions at the cellular level of the prefrontal NAcc glutamatergic pathway that contributes to the persistent addictive behaviors, including diminished cognitive control and hyper-responsiveness to drug-associated stimuli. The mesolimbic pathway is involved in the acute reinforcing effects of drugs and various conditioned responses related to drug cravings and relapse. Cycle of Addiction Drug addiction forms through progressive stages of drug use, impulsivity, and compulsion. Addiction begins with the choice to use drugs for a variety of reasons, such as peer pressure or curiosity; however not everyone who uses drugs develop an addiction. As the drug begins to change neuron interactions, the brain develops neuroadaptive reactions to the drugs invasion. Drug use gradually shifts from recreational drug use to a compulsive drug need based on changes in the brain circuitry. Everitt, et al. (2008) discovered that low levels of dopamine receptors in the nucleus accumbens predict the propensity to escalate cocaine intake and the shift to compulsive drug-seeking and drug addiction. Kobb (2009) describes three stages of addiction: preoccupation/anticipation, binge intoxication, and withdrawal/negative effect. The three stages feed into each other, become intensified over time, and shift from positive reinforcement to negative reinforcement (Kobb, 2009). Drug use starts with experimentation and enjoying the pleasurable attributes of the drug. In time the addict focuses more on obtaining and using drugs that begins to shift impulsivity to tolerance and cravings in the drug relationship. As the drug begins to control the addict, the positive emotions begin to shift to negative emotions. The addict requires continued use of the drug in order to avoid negative reinforcement and to achieve positive reinforcement. The addict shifts into a compulsive need for the drug. According to Koob and Simon (2009), the binge/intoxication stage of addiction involves the nucleus accumbens-amygdala reward system, dopamine inputs from the ventral tegmental area, local opioid peptide circuits, and opioid peptide inputs in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. The stage of negative withdrawal involves a decrease in function of the reward system and the brain stress neurocircuitry. The preoccupation/anticipation (craving) stage involves key afferent projections to the extended amygdala and nucleus accumbens, specifically the prefrontal cortex (for drug-induced reinstatement), and the basolateral amygdala (for cue-induced reinstatement). Compulsvie drug-seeking behavior appears driven by ventral striatal-ventral pallidalthalamic-cortical loops. In particular, the orbitofrontal cortex in the prefrontal cortex area influences impulsivity and compulsivity in drug addiction (Torregrossa, Quinn, Taylor, 2008). It is also critical in decision making and response selection. The orbitofrontal cortex influences impulsivity in three specific ways: delaying gratification, inability to inhibit strengthened motor responses, and an inability to reflect on potential consequences of action (Torregrossa, Quinn, Taylor, 2008). Schoenbaum and Shaham (2008) concur with the concept of an altered orbitofrontal cortex in drug addicts with a lasting decline in plasticity or the ability to encode new information. Drugs Classifications Commonly Abused Drugs commonly abused change the brains chemistry by interfering with the neurotransmitters and receptor sites. Different classes of drugs appear to affect different receptors either through overproducing a neurotransmitter or blocking the production of a neurotransmitter. All drugs of abuse share enhancement in the mesocorticolimbic dopamine activity, although at different levels. Depressants Ethanol is the primary drug in alcochol. It changes serotonin levels, and acts as a substitute for endorphins. According to Frezell (2007), behaviors that occur when under the influence of the drug include sleepiness, possible violence or aggression, depression, and a dulling of psychological pain. After the effect of alcohol wears off, sleep disturbance, depression, lack of endorphins to relieve normal pain, and cravings for more alcohol occur in reaction to the brains reduction in producing endorphins. Cruz, Bajo, Schweitzer, and Roberto (2008), indicate that alcohol increases the inhibitory effect of GABA and decreases the excitatory action of glutamate. GABA is involved with the intoxication effects of alcohol and the long-term effects, including tolerance and dependence. The CeA adapts to the changes as alcohol dependence forms. Feltenstein and See (2008) indicate that ethanol interacts with a wide variety o

Anorexia Nervosa: Causes and Treatments

Anorexia Nervosa: Causes and Treatments Abigail Gallacher Problem: Too many teenagers are becoming anorexic. Question: What are researchers doing to prevent it? Introduction. Anorexia nervosa is a huge issue among men and women of all ages. Anorexia Nervosa, or anorexia for short, is a disease that too many people get. There are a wide range of reasons why people may become anorexic. Anorexia nervosa normally occurs during puberty, and occurs in more females than in males, but some males do have anorexia too. There are two types of anorexia. One type is linked to another common eating disease called Bulimia, where a person will binge eat and then throw up afterwards to try and get rid of it. The second type is restricting yourself completely of food. It is the obsessive fear of gaining weight, and so individuals will try to control their body weight by starvation, purging, vomiting, excessive exercise, and the use of diet pills. Anorexia nervosa is a biological issue, and there are many of biological reasons behind it. Research gives us reason to believe that anorexia nervosa is often inherited, and can often run in families. Recent research suggests that inherited and biological factors increase a persons chance of becoming anorexic by 55%, and a teenage female who has a sibling or parent/guardian with anorexia are twelve times more likely to become anorexic themselves. Also, studies show that identical twins have a higher chance of becoming anorexic. This may because they are identical, but one could feel like the other is slimmer, prettier, taller, and a lot more things that teenage girls often think about, causing them to have major self esteem issues. Identical twins have a higher chance of becoming anorexic than fraternal twins or ordinary siblings. There is a brain structure called hypothalamus, which is the brain structure responsible for regulating eating disorders. Neurotransmitters carry a message from cell to cell in the brain and nervous system. This transmitter affects binging behaviour in bulimics and anorexics. To meet the criteria of having anorexia, a persons body weight needs to be 85% less than what is expected. An estimated 53.7% of women will suffer from anorexia in their lifetimes. In August 2013, as many as 10 in 100 females in the US suffered with Anorexia, but figures are increasing all the time. â€Å"The Guardian† published an article on 30th January 2014 with the title â€Å"Rise in hospital admissions for young people with eating disorders†, which says that the most common age for anorexics to be in hospital is 15 years old. It also says that in October 2013, there was an 8% rise in anorexics to be admitted to hospital. In â€Å"The Independent† on Sunday 16th November, it has an article named â€Å"Eating disorders soar among teens – and social media is to blame†. In this article, it says the number of children and teenagers seeking help for an eating disorder has risen by 110% over the last three years, which is shocking. ChildLine says it has received more than 10,500 calls from teenagers struggling from with food and weight-related anxiety in the past year. The rise in anorexia can be because of social media, school stress, self esteem issues, and the growth of celebrity culture. This graph shows that the highest percentage of people with anorexia is ages 16-20. The BBC news estimates that 165,000 people are suffering from anorexia and 10% of deaths are because of it. Children as young as three have been hospitalised with anorexia. Short term and long term effects of anorexia The short term effects of anorexia include; malnutrition, weight loss, hair loss, dry skin, organ malfunction, dizziness, dehydration, easily blacking out, weakness, mental problems, low heart rate, depression, low heart rate and low body temperature. The long term effects of anorexia are malnutrition, irregular heart beats, organ failure, depression and even suicide. So what are we trying to do about it? Scientists in the UK are examining the DNA in people with anorexia in the hope that they will understand why some people get the disorder and others do not. They believe there is a link between genetics and eating disorders, and they think they can try to predict who could be at risk. Researchers are trying to determine the impact of the brain, hormones, genetics and appetite control biology on people with anorexia. Researchers believe that the Alzheimers drug may be used to prevent people from binge eating. Memantine, which is found in the drug, is also what the area in the brain which causes people to binge eat facilitates. According to Science daily, researchers used an experimental model to simulate binge eating behaviour, and they were able to â€Å"identify the area of the brain associated with binge eating and then suppress the area by applying memantine directly to that area. There are some problems with this idea, however. If they think that taking memantine will reduce the risk of binge eating or anorexia, a person would have to eat before taking it, which is not what people with anorexia would wish to do. Scientists have looked at the environment, genetics, personalities and biochemistry in people with anorexia, but the more that is learned, the more complex it appears. To understand people with eating disorders, scientists are looking at the neuroendocrine system, which is a combination of the hormonal system and the central nervous system. This system regulates multiple functions of the mind and body. Many of these mechanisms are disturbed in people with anorexia. Scientists have been able to show that excess levels of cortisol in anorexia are caused by a problem in or near the hypothalamus. The ANITT (Anorexia Nervosa Intensive Treatment Team) service is a step below specialist inpatient care and a step above outpatient therapy. It is for people who may not need or benefit from inpatient care. This programme includes group and individual therapy, dietetic and psychiatric therapy. The diagram above shows the criteria for ANITT and and the care plan and treatment services offered. I think the ANITT programme is a good idea and will help teenagers overcome their problem because it works with the person, not against them, and the diagram shows them exactly hat to expect, so they know what is coming, and it also gives them another option besides becoming a patient in the hospital, which may scare the teenager and force them not to cooperate. At least, which this service, they get a choice. They will hopefully work with the dietitian and become a stable weight. This will take time but when they are at a â€Å"safe weight†, it will gain trust between patient and dietitian. Then the patient will go to therapy for eighteen months, twice a week. After the eighteen months are over, the patient will go to reduced-intensity therapy for six months, but it will not be as extreme. After these two years are over, the patient will either be discharged, continue with another six to twelve months of therapy, or proceed to support treatment services. The patient will only be discharged if they want to or if they have achieved a full and good recovery. If the patient goes to support treatment services, they will be focusing on improving the quality of the patients life, physical and psychological risk management and gaining a good relationship with the team. This treatment is more flexible and varied than the others, which I think may appeal to patients. They also work with the patients to make realistic goals, and helping them overcome barriers, rather than working against the patients. The patients who used this programme said that the staff were supportive, and the care they received was brilliant. I think this programme is extremely effective because teenagers are not taken away from their families, which is brilliant because I think this is the time in a persons life that they need family the most, so taking them away will not improve the problem or benefit the child at all. According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) (1), almost 50% of people with anorexia meet the criteria for depression. Only 1 in 10 people with anorexia receive treatment, (2), and up to 24 million people in the USA suffer from an eating disorder, (3). According the the National Spectrum of Eating Disturbances, about 91% of surveyed women on a college campus have admitted to controlling their weight through dieting, (4). It says 95% of people with eating disorders are between the ages of 12 and 25, (5), which shows that it mostly occurs in teenagers, because of stress and eagerness to â€Å"fit in†. According to The National Institute of mental Health, women are much more likely to develop an eating disorder than men, and only an estimated 5-15% of those who have an eating disorder are men, (6). According to The Renfew Centre foundation for eating disorders, the body image portrayed on television is something only 5% of people posse ss naturally, (7). I think all girls need to know this because they are extreme dieting to be like someone who is portrayed falsely. If they knew their idols real weight, rather than what they are seeing on television, I think there would be a lot less teenagers with anorexia, because according to Prevention of Eating Problems with Elementary Children, 47% of girls in 5th-12th grade reported wanting to loose weight because of magazine pictures, (8), and according to IBID, 69% of girls in 5th-12th grade reported that magazine images influences their idea of a perfect body image, (9). This is why I think it is so important that the media should stop falsely portraying these actors and actresses and models, and let girls see what they are really like. References http://www.anad.org/get-information/about-eating-disorders/eating-disorders-statistics/# Characteristics and Treatment of Patients with Chronic Eating Disorders, by Dr. Greta Noordenbox, International Journal of Eating Disorders, Volume 10: 15-29 The Renfrew Center Foundation for Eating Disorders, â€Å"Eating Disorders 101 Guide: A Summary of Issues, Statistics and Resources,† 2003 Shisslak, C.M., Crago, M., Estes, L.S. (1995). The Spectrum of Eating Disturbances. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 18 (3): 209-219 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), The Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), offices of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.7 The National Institute of Mental Health: â€Å"Eating Disorders: Facts About Eating Disorders and the Search for Solutions.† Pub No. 01-4901. Accessed Feb. 2002. The Renfrew Center Foundation for Eating Disorders, â€Å"Eating Disorders 101 Guide: A Summary of Issues, Statistics and Resources,† 2003 Prevention of Eating Problems with Elementary Children, Michael Levine, USA Today, July 1998 Ibid

Electronic Product Code Project Essay -- Business Management Marketing

Electronic Product Code Project Table of Contents Executive Overview†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦3 Stage 1: Determination of Scope and Objectives†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦....4 Stage 2 – Systems Investigation and Feasibility†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.4 Stage 3 – Systems Analysis†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.7 UPC DFD (Legacy System)†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦....9 Stage 4 – System Design†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.9 Stage 5 – Detail System Design†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.10 EPC DFD (New System)†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦14 Stage 6 – Implementation†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 14 Stage 7 – Changeover†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.15 Stage 8 – Evaluation and Maintenance†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...17 Appendix A – Cost Benefit Analysis Chart†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦19 References†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...................23 Executive Overview: As a small grocery chain we are currently struggling to maintain our revenue stream and profitability against the competitive threats of the global warehouse chains (Costco, Wal-Mart, etc). We continue to find ourselves behind the curve in this competitive situation. These larger retailers have been able to use their greater resources and economies of scale to not only beat us on cost but also industry innovation. According to the electronic periodical Baseline, â€Å"Several dozen retailers and suppliers, including Unilever, Coca-Cola, Kraft Foods, and Wal-Mart have signed on to the next generation UPC called the Electronic Product Code (EPC)†, (Mullin, 2002). With the implementation of this technology a customer will be able to virtually walk through a store, collect all their groceries, and walk out without ever having to stop for a cashier or checkout procedure. The electronic retail chain Best Buy, which sells electronic devices along with household appliances, implemente d this technology in many of its stores and has increased revenue, along with customer satisfaction due to always having proper stock on hand. We believe that this innovation will have a profound effect on our customer base, especially the highly desired, short attention span, and technically astute demographic of the 20-45 year olds. There are many other large retailers looking at this technology for the same reason (increased revenue) and studies show that smaller retailers would be willing to implement this same technology if initial installation costs decreased (2002). Our groc... ...illion USD 0.002 USD Reduction in Unsaleables 3.0 million USD 0.001 USD Reduction in Out-of-Stock 4.2 million USD 0.002 USD Point of Sale Efficiency 7.5 million USD 0.003 USD Total savings at outlets 46.9 million USD 0.022 USD Estimated Costs: Annual Costs: 9.7 million USD Tag Costs: 0.0 million USD One-time Costs: 96.6 million USD Integration Cost: 7.8 million USD Reader Costs (including installation): 88.7 million USD It is assumed that all tags costs are carried by your supply chain partners References Mullin, Eileen; (September 5, 2002). Electronic Product Code, Baseline, Retrieved February, 17th 2004 from http://www.baselinemag.com EPC Global Website: http://archive.epcglobalinc.org/aboutthetech.asp AARFID Incorporated Website: http://www.aarfid.com/middleware.html RFID News Website: http://www.rfidnews.org/ RFID Journal Website: http://www.rfidjournal.com/article/archive/9?topics=9&imageField2.x=11&imageField2.y=5 RFID Online Source Book: http://www.frontlinemagazine.com/rfidonline/

Wedding Speech Delivered by the Groom -- Wedding Toasts Roasts Speeche

Wedding Speech Delivered by the Groom I’d like to start by thanking Alan for his kind words and also to thank him on behalf of everyone for footing the bill for today’s festivities†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Having had a wonderful spread and knowing what we have to look forward to tonight, I now understand why he had the heating turned off all last winter! I was going to begin with ladies and gentlemen but on looking around I'm glad I didn't. So here goes. Distinguished guests, those of lesser distinction, and those of no distinction at all†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Family, relatives, (new and old), in-laws and outlaws, friends, friends of friends, and freeloaders Welcome to our wedding reception. I would particularly like to extend a warm welcome to all our guests from Mississippi and Kentucky†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Welcome to the wonderful state of California, and for those of you who want to put your watches forward, it’s now 2005†¦..!! I’ll never forget the first time Peggy took me to meet her parents. There was me trembling at the knees and there was Alan sitting in his white satin robe and fluffy slippers†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ I thought, â€Å"I need to break the ice here†, so I asked him what football team he supports. Of course he replied State University, so I said â€Å"it must be exciting when you win a match. â€Å" Don’t Know† he said, I’ve only supported them for 40 years†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Seriously though†¦.. The bible tells us, ‘Who so-ever finds a wife, finds a good thing’. .. ...ure life together. These are taken from the book â€Å"The differences between man and wife†: Learn to work the toilet seat. If it's up, put it down. We need it up - you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down. We don't remember dates. Mark birthdays and anniversaries on a calendar and remind us frequently beforehand BEER is as exciting for us as handbags are for you ALL men see in only 6 colours. Peach, for example, is a fruit, not a colour. Lastly and most importantly†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. Christopher Columbus didn’t need directions, and neither do we. And with that I'd ask you to charge your glasses and be upstanding for a toast to the bridesmaids. I give you the bridesmaids Wedding Speech Delivered by the Groom -- Wedding Toasts Roasts Speeche Wedding Speech Delivered by the Groom I’d like to start by thanking Alan for his kind words and also to thank him on behalf of everyone for footing the bill for today’s festivities†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Having had a wonderful spread and knowing what we have to look forward to tonight, I now understand why he had the heating turned off all last winter! I was going to begin with ladies and gentlemen but on looking around I'm glad I didn't. So here goes. Distinguished guests, those of lesser distinction, and those of no distinction at all†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Family, relatives, (new and old), in-laws and outlaws, friends, friends of friends, and freeloaders Welcome to our wedding reception. I would particularly like to extend a warm welcome to all our guests from Mississippi and Kentucky†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Welcome to the wonderful state of California, and for those of you who want to put your watches forward, it’s now 2005†¦..!! I’ll never forget the first time Peggy took me to meet her parents. There was me trembling at the knees and there was Alan sitting in his white satin robe and fluffy slippers†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ I thought, â€Å"I need to break the ice here†, so I asked him what football team he supports. Of course he replied State University, so I said â€Å"it must be exciting when you win a match. â€Å" Don’t Know† he said, I’ve only supported them for 40 years†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Seriously though†¦.. The bible tells us, ‘Who so-ever finds a wife, finds a good thing’. .. ...ure life together. These are taken from the book â€Å"The differences between man and wife†: Learn to work the toilet seat. If it's up, put it down. We need it up - you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down. We don't remember dates. Mark birthdays and anniversaries on a calendar and remind us frequently beforehand BEER is as exciting for us as handbags are for you ALL men see in only 6 colours. Peach, for example, is a fruit, not a colour. Lastly and most importantly†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. Christopher Columbus didn’t need directions, and neither do we. And with that I'd ask you to charge your glasses and be upstanding for a toast to the bridesmaids. I give you the bridesmaids

The Fault in Our Stars Reflective Response

The Fault in our Stars Reflective Response People have a wide range of philosophies and beliefs on how they should live their lives. The anticipated approach in which they should confront their fears, their challenges, and their daily decisions varies greatly from the true outcomes. Many people are hopefully to become the idea of greatness they envision and Gus being a romantically oriented person obsessed over the idea of becoming Hazel’s knight in shining armor. Learning of his impending death put him in the same position as Hazel.He could now understand the psychological effects of living life on the true edge, not knowing what the next day will bring for yourself or those around you. In his letter, Gus takes on a tone of disparity due to his realization of human inconsistencies. He understands the conflicting ideas of human emotion and the truthful brutality of reality. Being split between his own hopes of leaving a mark and his acceptance that â€Å"like doctors say: Fir st, do no harm† (312) Gus accepts the outcomes with reservation.Due to the relationship and emotional attachment between Gus and Hazel, Hazel’s beliefs create a slight bias that has great effect on giving of living on the edge he now sees the world as Hazel views it. Gus now is split between his own ideas of romanticism, which is apparent when he continues to bring up true heroism, yet his situation directs him towards the true analytical understanding of the world. In a final attempt to do what matters Gus’ true nature of romanticism emerges. Though his mind is convinced to accept that the less the splash the better he clearly wants to make that impression deep down.For Hazel he attempts to continue her vision of him being her knight in shining armor by showing her even after death he is there to love her. Gus is the true example of internal conflict in a male’s mind. The rationality and emotional connections to values become entangled and confused. As al l humans in a period of crisis they begin to understand the true nature of their personalities, but become removed from the blissful ignorance of the world in order to lessen their damaging effect.The indecisiveness and confusion that Gus has at the time of writing his letter is a universal response to insecurity and hopelessness. In many situations of bleakness I myself have been torn between making the instinctual protective decision or the ethical response in which others are spared of impairment. It is unclear what the right course of action is in order to benefit both yourself and others, but in terms of personality I feel that I compare closely to what Gus tries to be.I know that he wants to be a good person that works for the benefit of others, but at the same time his own hopes influence his actions so that he can be seen as a martyr. After sorting through his thoughts Gus finally decides that making a difference is Hazel’s life is the most important thing that he can do in his limited time. By adopting and living her ideas he provides her a sense of unity with him even after he is gone. Gus’ letter reveals more than just about his own internalizations.His thoughts give secondary support to Hazel’s and maintain relevance to the reader because of its universality. In terms of the novel Gus’ letter provides the reader with an applicable question to think about. Many people wonder if they’re making a difference in the world, but few people understand what it means to make a difference, but seeing things in a relatively unaltered view allows the reader to connect with the ideas, emotions, and thoughts Green was attempting to communicate.Gus’ letter also illustrates the two-sidedness of the world. As Gus says â€Å"a desert blessing, an ocean curse† (313) perspective changes the impact of everything. Even the few things in the universe that remain constant are not always consistent. In the end Gus becomes to heroic romantic martyr that he dreams of becoming although he wished for things to have happened differently for his own purposes. Gus makes his choices at he says at the end of the letter and he like all those who search for happiness are able to attain it.

Dreamland by Sarah Dessen Essay

Dreamland written by Sarah Dessen is a book about a young woman named Caitlin. Caitlin was a normal girl in high school, living with her parents and her older sister Cass. Cass is the very opposite of Caitlin. Cass is outgoing, popular, a cheerleader, and was recently accepted into Yale. But on the morning of Caitlin’s sixteenth birthday, her and her parents wake up to find Cass’s letter telling that she ran away to New York to be with her boyfriend. Everybody’s about to change but Caitlin most of all. With everybody in a panic to find Cass, Caitlin just stays to herself knowing that Cass always knows what she is doing. After about 3 weeks everything calmed down. Caitlin tries to find something to keep her mind off of things. So her and her best friend Rina tried out for cheerleading and made the team. Her mom was more exited about it than she was. Her mom was at every practice and game cheering Caitlin on. Although Caitlin didn’t cheerleading at all, she was just happy her mom was happy. With her being a cheerleader now she hung out with the other cheerleaders and the football players. She was expected to be perfect and to date a football player. But that just wasn’t her. Then one night at a party she meets Rodgerson. She falls in love with him right away. With his mysterious side and dreamy green eyes he was perfect to her. She soon found out that he sells drugs and smokes cigarettes. But she loves being around him and being with him. She started smoking too and doing drugs with him. Everything was going perfect; her parents really liked him. One night Rodgerson was showing Caitlin around his house when he was supposed to be meeting with his father. When his father stormed through the room Caitlin hid behind the door and watched Rodgerson’s dad yell at him and he suddenly hit him right across the face. Rodgerson fell to his feet while his dad kept yelling and finally left, slamming the door behind him. Caitlin, stunned, slowly walked over to Rodgeron on the floor and just hugged him trying to be there for him. After that night they never talked what happened. Caitlin never brought it up, only because she was afraid of what she may find out. They just acted like nothing had happened. Even when she noticed new bruises on his body knowing where they had come from. One day she was let out from school late and Rodgerson had been waiting for over 45 minutes for her. She new he would be upset because he hated to wait. She was nervous as she got into his car so she immediately tried to explain what had happened when he told her to shut up and hit her right across the cheek. She couldn’t move, not just because of the excruciating pain but because she was so surprised. She just sat back in the seat and they drove in silence. Before she got down to get in her house he apologized not looking her in the eye and she just nodded slowly. When she got inside she told her parents that she had slipped outside on the black ice. They believed her. After what happened they never talked about it again. She just ignored it and thought he wouldn’t do it again. Then he hit her again, and then again. He would hit her almost every time he would get upset. She didn’t know what to do so she just covered the bruises with bagging clothes and if someone saw she would just make an excuse. Her grades were failing, she quit cheerleading, and was doing more drugs. She was always in a daze, in a dreamland. It was the first day April, the annual party at Caitlin’s house. While everyone was busy making food and setting up, Caitlin decided to stay in bed all day since she didn’t have to meet Roderson until later. Then Rina came, they hadn’t talked in months. She woke Caitlin up with a bathing suit and suntan lotion in hand. She told Caitlin they where going to the lake. She didn’t give her any option. Especially when everyone was telling her to go too. Caitlin was so nervous that she would have Rodgerson waiting on her. She tried to tell Rina, but she didn’t listen. So she tried to call Rodgerson but he wouldn’t answer. When she finally made it home, she saw his car. She ran to his car and got inside and immediately told him what happened. He slapped her and punched her so hard the door opened and she fell out of the car onto the grass. She couldn’t get up the pain was too much. He started to yell at her to get up, but she couldn’t. She could here the party behind her, she was praying someone would just come out to find them. The neighbor across the street saw it all and called the police and her mother. She could feel her mother come up behind her crying and screaming. She could here commotion and sirens getting closer and closer. All she could remember was Rodgerson being handcuffed and taken away. Finally awaken from her dreamland, Caitlin is taken to a rehabilitation center for care. They did not press charges on Rodgerson. Rodgerson had to do community service and goes to jail frequently. After several months of her rehabilitation, she went home to her family and friends. She had no more bruises or pain. She was back to herself, she was happy. But what made her most happy was seeing her sister Cass comes out behind everyone and gives her a hug. Overall, I did really like this book. It taught me lessons and I hope it teaches other girls the lessons too. One example is how to always tell someone if your hurting or something is happening in your relationships. I did get a little bored while reading some parts because it was on going and over detailed. That is the only thing I did not enjoy about it. But this book was a very good one, and I would recommend it all girls. To first see how some people could hurt you when you least expected and to always have someone to talk to and not hide from it.

Gender differences Essay

It could be said that to some extent the view that processes within schools may lead to gender differences in educational achievement is true. The theory of Interactionist looks at the individual rather than society; therefore it is a bottom up theory. Interactionist argue that the processes within the schools such as the hidden curriculum may lead students in gender differences in educational achievement, as what happens inside the school which is unwritten is what influences the individual in educational achievement, not the formal curriculum or what is written rule such as the subjects which is being studied influences the student to achieve. The sociologist Goffman explains that everyone in society is â€Å"presenting the self in everyday life†. What he means is that everyone is a puppet of society and not in control of what they say or do, but in fact they are attached in strings and act for example in play, such as a female may play the role of a mother at home but play the role of a student at school. Some argue that the structure and settings of schools, generally creates gender differences in educational achievement, for example the socialisation aspect is that the students are socialised into tolerable forms of behaviour ‘pupils are given drill in how to move about the school, sit in desk, raise hands†¦ the puritan of hard work, sober living and good manners is continuously urged upon them. ‘ This socialisation naturally created gender differences as males are seen or expected to behave in classrooms in the manner of ‘masculine’ while females are seen or expected to behave in ‘feminine’ behaviour or otherwise it could be considered odd, and therefore the students who do behave odd are looked at differently or called ‘deviant’. The sociologist Postman and Weingartner, studied that the hidden curriculum consisted of discovering that; knowledge is beyond the power of students and is in case none of their business; secondly recall is the highest form of intellectual achievement and therefore the collection of ‘facts’ is the goal of education; the voice of authority is to be trusted more than independent judgement; feelings are irrelevant in education; passive acceptance is a more desirable response to ideas than active criticism. This study proves that the individual does not play in an important role but rather how to ‘survive’ the school and just pass the exams was important and therefore not keen on which gender is learning or how but on how they should just ‘pass the time’ in school and move on as education is not about the self but on facts and memorising, and not understanding. As a result it could be said that the study of classroom interaction is the idea that the ‘reality’ of the classroom is a negotiated reality. For students and teachers, the hidden curriculum consists of learning how to survive in the classroom.

Request for Proposal (Rfp) Essay

Executive Summary The purpose of this report was to find information about RFP in order to successfully implement Supply Chain Management software. The main source for all this information was the internet. Each of the RFP sources have an assortment of advantages and disadvantages. However, after analyzing each of them carefully, I came to the conclusion that the first and second option together would be the best choice to use since we are doing this for the first time. This decision would initially be costly but would reduce the expenses in the future. It would also be efficient because it would allow us to eliminate inferior vendors, which in turn would facilitate us in implementing the appropriate SCM software. Additionally, it would reduce project costs and formalize our problems and opportunities. All in all, after extensive research and analysis, I would say that this is the best decision for us to undertake. Table of Contents 1.Executive Summary 2.Summary of Research 3.Review of the source 4.Recommendation 5.References Summary of Research Outline 1.Internet searching †¢Websites that provided information about Supply Chain Management (SCM) and Request For Proposal (RFP) 2.Analyzed and evaluated the information and source 3.Selected a few reliable sources 4.Read selected information 5.Chose three sources 6.Analyzed the sources 7.Summarized each of them Resources used The main resource used was the internet. The following resources were utilized: Priority Integrated Marketing, Technology Evaluation Centers website. Finding as much information about the subject as possible in order to read and compare was important. Comparison of the information allowed me to determine the description of RFP and decide which information could be useful. In order to confirm the resources were reliable, a criterion of whether the website belonged to a professional company had to be met. Additionally, most of the resources gave general descriptions, but only those that could be useful were selected. A thorough read of all the information provided in order to isolate the most important aspects had to be undertaken. Review of the source RFP # 1 Source: Priority Integrated Marketing Title: â€Å"How to Write a Request for Proposal (RFP)† ProsCons †¢Explained the purpose of RFP †¢Listed the common elements of RFP †¢Described type of writing (language) that should be used †¢Emphasized the most important element of RFP †¢Provided RFP template †¢Described RFP process steps †¢Elements description is too vague †¢Template is general †¢RFP real example not included RFP # 2 Source: Technology Evaluation Centers Title: â€Å"Supply Chain Management (SCM) RFP Template† ProsCons †¢RFP Template for concrete purpose such as SCM †¢Listed SCM functions †¢A free sample in Excel included †¢Possibility to order appropriate template †¢Ordered template developed by the professionals †¢Template delivered as Excel spreadsheet †¢Purpose of RFP is not explained †¢Described RFP generally †¢Free sample is for transportation service †¢Ordered template is not free RFP # 3 Source: Internet Title: â€Å"ABC of RFP: how to develop an effective request for hazardous waste management services† ProsCons †¢Describes the importance and purpose of RFP †¢Process divided in stages †¢Explanation of every stage †¢Summary of key consideration at the end of stage A and B †¢RFP for the waste service †¢Some points not relevant †¢RFP for longer term cooperation †¢Template is not included Recommendation As was mentioned in one of the sources, RFP is time consuming. However, a good RFP could be beneficial for the company especially if the correct SCM software had to be chosen. Since this is the first time we are using RFP, we should use a combination of both option 1 and option 2. The first option explained the purpose and intention of RFP. It explains all the elements that need to be included in RFP, with brief descriptions accompanying each of them, and emphasizes the most important element. Also, it describes all the steps that should be taken into consideration. In addition, the first one included a request for proposal template which would give us an idea of how it is supposed to look like. The second option is a typical Supply Chain Management (SCM) RFP template which could be useful in our current situation. It lists the features and functions, and serves as a knowledge foundation reference throughout the entire time of our SCM software project utilization. Furthermore, the se cond option provides a free sample in Excel that we can use in order to prepare our RFP. Moreover, it also gives the option for ordering the appropriate RFP for our current situation which we can take into consideration because it is our first time using RFP. Although, it could be costly, a good RFP would eliminate inferior vendors and help use implement correct SCM software, which would be beneficial towards, and reduce future expenses. References †¢ How to Write a Request for Proposal (RFP). (n.d.). Minneapolis Web Design. Retrieved September 20, 2012, from http://www.netdynasty.com/articles/how-to-write-a-request-for-proposal.asp †¢ Supply Chain Management (SCM) RFP Template. (n.d.). Free RFP Template Samples. Retrieved September 20, 2012, from http://rfp.technologyevaluation.com/store.asp?catid=5&productid=879