Visit to Hill Station Essay Example for Free

Visit to Hill Station EssayOur school was closed for summer vacations on 18th May. It was very hot in Delhi. My parents decided to go to Niligiris. I too accompanied them. We packed our luggage and got ready for the journey. We went to Coimbatore by train. The railway journey was rather tiresome. From Coimbatore we went to Ooty by bus. We reached there in the afternoon and put up at a hotel. Ooty is one of the best hill-station of India. It may be called the queen of hill-station. It has many beauty spots. Next day, after breakfast, we were move with tourists form different parts of the country. People were making all sorts of purchases. After lunch we went to botanical gardens. We enjoyed the expense of horticultural beauty around our mettles content. Niligiris has a healthy climate. It is a beautiful summer resort. The mountain slopes are covered with tall, green trees which present a caring sight at sunset and look very grand.The morning and evening hours are very pleasant. A cool breeze sets up and refreshes the mind. It makes one forget the oppressive heat of the plains. I felt happy in the company of nature. The bright hued flowers, the clouds sailing across the sky and the snow covered peaks of the high mountains in the distance filled my heart with joy. We stayed there for fortnight. I returned to Delhii reluctantly. The memory of my visit to Niligiris is still fresh in my mind.

Operationalize Sustainability Essay Example for Free

Operationalize Sustainability EssayWe must strive to become systems thinkers if we be to benefit from the interrelationships of the triple bottom line of sustainability mission, environment, and community (sustainability. army. mil). welcome to the military strategy for the environment. As one of the largest organizations in America, the troops has joined the movement towards sustainability. With 4 available resources, 5 functional beas and 7 course of studys and implementation as well asls, the Army is surging forward with applying sustainability practices.The purpose of this work is to divulge into the Armys P2, or Pollution Prevention program, as well as giving baste suggestions on celebrateing waste. Pollution Prevention (P2) is defined as the systematic effort to minimize, or eliminate altogether, process waste and other pollutants before that are generated (army. mil). P2 is a program that is just one tool to do achieve sustainability. This program trick be app lied to almost all aspect from field training, housing, family life, introduction operations and munitions productions.To operationalize the P2 program, the Army has applied the grassroots principles of pollution prevention as well as developed the P2 power structure reduce, re handling, recycle and dispose in an environmentally safe manner. The first priority in the hierarchy is reduction. The Pollution Prevention Act (PPA) defines this as Any practice which 1) reduces the amount of any hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant entering any waste stream or otherwise poked into the environment (including fugitive emissions) prior to recycling, treatment, or disposal and 2) reduces the hazards to public ealth and the environment associated with the release of such substances, pollutants, or contaminants.The term includes equipment or technology modifications, process or procedure modifications, reformulation or redesign of products, substitution of raw materials, and improve ments in housekeeping, maintenance, training, or parentage control (army. mil) In the P2 program, this definition is applied to the broad goal of reducing or eliminating the environmental impacts of consuming resources and the waste that is generated from it.This waste piece of ass come from Army vehicle maintenance such as oil changes or leaving computers and lights on at the end of the work day. Reuse and recycle in hierarchy are meant for pollution that cannot be prevented. In this case, pollution should be treated in an environmentally safe manner whenever feasible. The resources of a nation must be constantly managed expanded then gathered, gathered then distributed each person or group sometimes gaining, sometimes losing, but always treated plum and with respect. (OToole, 1993, p. 108)For example, Fort Bragg Army base in North Carolina has built an entire village out of materials recycled or diverted from the Fort Bragg landfill. This recycled trash village is apply in tra ining and preparing troops for deployment. If the first three actions cannot be taken, the last step in the P2 hierarchy is to disposal, removal and discharge of pollution into the environment should be employed only as a last resort and should be conducted in an environmentally safe manner.We will look at how these problems have arisen, and how they are all symptoms of a way of living that we have taken for granted, which has produced great progress but also growing side effects (Senge, 2008, p. 10) While this program and many others are giving the Army advances in the right direction toward sustainability, there are other efforts that can be made to help prevent waste. In sustainability, waste is not reserved to trash alone. Waste can be the unnecessary use of, or degradation, of resources.For the Army, a suggestion for prevention can be monitoring the use of electronics. Each office in the military has several computers since the military communicates largely with emails, share d rives and electronic training and personnel records. These computers are continuously on throughout the day, even after personnel go home. U. S. organizations squander $2. 8 billion a year to power unused machines, emitting nigh 20 million gobs of carbon dioxide (Swartz, 2009) In some cases, such as hospitals with shift workers, there may be a need for bustling computers.In other cases, the Army can implement a timer, programmed for the end of a shift, to turn off all computers. The exception may be to get by one on for additional use of people working late, but the others would automatically shut off, saving the force use instead of having computers in slumber mode throughout the night. Simply shutting down PCs at night can save a company with 10,000 PCs over $260,000 a year and 1,871 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, the report says. (Swartz, 2009) The same goes for radios, printers, faxes, unnecessary machinery and all other excessive electronics. Another suggestion would b e to create self-sustaining gyms.Exercise and the military go hand in hand. Exercise is directed and required to have a successful military career. Many people go to the gym, not just spry duty but also dependent spouses, veterans, civil service workers and civilians with base access. The treadmill, elliptical, bikes and stair climbers are the most used equipment in the gym due to the mutation of patrons. Eco-friendly gyms have been popping up worldwide. (Huey, 2008) This can be used to the Armys advantage by using the energy output from the machines in use to generate the electricity for the lighting in the gym and operation of TVs. Instead of having TVs on and available at all times, have TVs operational only on the machine while it is in use, being powered by the operator.A unique and key feature of green gyms is that they can actually use the energy generated from people exercising and use that to power their facilities. (Huey, 2008) Obviously this may not sustain an entire g ym, considering air conditioning, heating and the size of the gym to include compete courts, but this can help to drastically lower energy usage. The Army also wastes equipment, which can produce pollution upon disposal. This equipment is the boots, jackets, uniforms, camel packs, Gerber tools, etc. that is issued to troops. When a troop completes basic training, or boot camp, the required initial equipment items are issued. When a troop deploys to an overseas location, newfound equipment is issued, even if the troop recently completed boot camp.This results in a double issue of equipment to the same troops, with no requirement to turn in unused or unneeded equipment. While Soldiers have embraced the RFI process, they recently identify one noteworthy problem area in the RFI process Their clothing records having duplicate items that were previously issued. (Maj. Wright, 2009) Military members are also issued a clothing margin every year for new uniforms. This results in money los t and equipment waste and abuse. Troops can throw away unused equipment without properly recycling the materials.To help put a check on equipment, the Army can implement a turn in, tag out system. This means troops will have to turn in old, worn out equipment, such as boots, to be issued new pairs. A tag out on issued items will be kept electronically in a database to ensure individuals are not being issued double items. Supply personnel can look up by pull in and determine if the troop has already received an item. With old equipment being turned into supply, the right people can properly and environmentally safely dispose or recycle used equipment.Also, by documenting equipment that is issued out and what equipment is being turned in, supply personnel will be better equipped in ordering new items efficiently rather than ordering excessive products and wasting money. Although the Army has taken many positive steps toward operationalizing sustainability, there are many more that c an be taken. The Army may never be fully sustainable due to numerous training missions that use fuel, energy and natural resources, but every effort counts toward reducing, recycling and disposing of pollution properly.These advances can be applied toward other military branches as well. For instance, the Navy dumps thousands of gallons of fuel into our atmosphere to make the planes twinkle and able to land on carriers at sea. While this maneuver is done for safety, the amount of gas put into the plane initially is known to be too much upon landing. This is an obvious area to improve on. Sustainability can be operationalized by every business, organization and company in the world.What weve discovered on our journey is that implementing sustainability is a lot like implementing any other corporate change initiative. (Hitchcock, 2006, p. 167) The military is always changing and always adapting. In conclusion, the Army has many programs and tools that are operationalizing sustainabil ity practices. The P2 program is a great start to handling systems that produce waste and pollution. The hierarchy of reduce, reuse, recycle and dispose of in an environmentally safe manner is the right mental capacity for sustainability. The Army also has areas that can be improved upon, as with any company. The Army is making progress towards sustainability, which is progress in the right direction for a better future.Bibliographyhttp//www.greeniacs.com/GreeniacsArticles/Gyms-Get-Sustainable.htmlwww.gdrc.org/sustdev/concepts/19-n-step.htmlhttp//www.usatoday.com/tech/science/environment/2009-03-25-pc-power-company-costs_N.htmhttp//www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/about_ikea/pdf/sustainability_Report_2009.pdf

Conflict Management in the Construction Industry

date Management in the bend IndustryThe nature of the social system effort in Hong Kong is much(prenominal) that there is an existing negate surrounded by the major facial expression exteriorize participants, owners, design professionals and generateors. The locution industry is well-known for high directs of conflicts and contests. manifestation is wrench, and no matter how complicated the technology. It is besides a project-based industry with to to each one one project being unique. Within a project life cycle, a large(p) number of separate firm are involved. Failures by one party can affect those engaged in a project and, as bet often takes substantial period of times during which national economic circumstances can change, it is unavoidable that dis definee go away arise.From the above-mentioned scenario, it should non be surprised that the techniques of conflict forethought and challenge resolution in construction industry are more developed, compared to the industry, one superpower be inclined to ask the questions as to whether there is any(prenominal) hope for the industry in geting to reduce the serious and extent of conflicts and junks? correspond to Fenn et al(1997), conflict can be managed, possibly to point of preventing it from masterminding to dispute whereas, dispute require resolution and , therefore, are associated with distinct justifiable issue.The purpose of this paper will firstly describe the definition of conflict management and dispute resolution. And similarly identify the causes of the conflicts and disputes in Hong Kong construction industry. Fin in ally, this study will also identify the way of clod conflict management and the dispute resolution methods to be used.2. Conflict Management in Construction Industry2.1 The definition of conflict managementConflict may be defined as a contest mingled with people with opposing needs, ideas, beliefs, values or goal. Conflict on team is unavoidable however , the results of conflict are not predetermined. Conflict might increase and lead to non-productive results or conflict can be beneficially resolved and lead to caliber final products.Therefore, learning to manage conflict is essential to a superior team. Though really few people go looking for conflict, more often than not. Conflict results because of lacking communication between people with regard to their needs, ideas, beliefs, goals, or values. Conflict management is the principle that all conflicts cannot consequentially be resolved, but learning how to manage conflicts can decrease the odds of non-productive escalation.According to Algert, N.E., and Watson, K. (2002), Conflict management involves obtaining skills cogitate to conflict resolution, self-awareness about conflict modes, conflict communication skills, and establishing a structure for management of conflict in your environment.2.2 The causes of conflict in constructionConstruction is significantly polar from m anufacturing, in which the same sobers are produced a thousand times. Also, construction does not allow for the change of variable while holding the persist fixed in order to study its effects. The nature of the construction referred to earlier so conflicts among owners, design professionals and contractors are general.To suggest that these parties are prone to confrontational interaction and conflict would be a major statement in the construction industry.Owners are even arguing with their design professionals over design service exempt of errors and neglect in design services rendered, aesthetic considerations and budget overruns.(p.4-white)Accordingly, Howell et.al (1998, cited by Vorster 1993) proposed a nomenclature of elements that summarize four causes behind conflict in the construction environmentIn collar scope definitionThe design professionals responsibility to define and design the project scope so as to make full the owners functional, budgetary, time and environm ental project criteria. When the design professional fails to meet their responsibility, the owner is most always dissatisfied with the result, with the effect that strict correspondence soon ensues between the parties. Also, when the scope of the realise is unclear, this presents an unhappy relation for future between the owner and the contractor, arguing about the scope and quality of the cook, and whether in fact the work is properly defined by the contract documents prepared by the design professional.Inappropriate contract typeContracts are endemic as causes of conflict within the construction industry almost every stage of the construction process is regulated by an agreement of some sort. Some of the areas of contract dispute are breach of contract in contract clause interpretation, inspection of work clauses, indemnity clauses, payment of supplies, and liability to third parties, just to name a few possible areas of contract dispute. scummy communicationInfrastructures a re unique products with more complex production process than other and most of building products are a combined effort of some(prenominal) peoples or organization. So many professionals acquire contribution to do a building in various capacities. Among construction team members, each may score different aim in relation to their profession, but their main aim should be to complete the project within a given plan. Conflict between team members may arise when their objectives are inconsistent. Also, their interpretations of contract documents, terms, and conditions can diverge, leading to discrepancies and conflict. In short, all causes of conflict within an area are inter cogitate.UncertaintyFor outside a) Environmental concerns b) Social impacts c) Economicsd) Political risks e) Weather f) Regulationg) Unforeseen site condition.For internal a) Error in design b) Construction methods and workmanshipIn figure 10.3 which is one example of what the owner should consider when identify ing potential conflicts. We can identify which of them may be realized at the interfaces among the multiple participants in an deputation construction management delivery system. Certain conflicts in the relationship among the owner, designer, CM and trade contractor can be eliminated in various situations if a different delivery system is selected.(P.205-White)2.3 Methods of conflict management used in construction industry in HKIn the construction industry, ask anyone if they completed a construction project without any conflict. The answer 100% of the time will be NO. The successful project managers must be implement strategies to avoid or monitor conflict in their construction project.The following common steps are used by the project managers when developing a successful conflict managementConflict identificationConflict analysisDesign and implementation of a conflict managementMonitoring and review of the conflict management.(P.202-White)Prevention is the trump method in th e management of the conflict in construction industry. The methods include struggle review boards or advisorsnegotiationQuality (Total quality management and quality assurance)Procurement systemswhich are all non-blinding process.Baden-Hellard (1988) emphasized that construction industry has a built-in potential for conflict arising from the differences always present in values, principles and interest. Thus, when differences arises from unforeseen events, no matter how well the clients, design team and contractors have managed the project, better methods of resolving the differences are needed.Dispute review boards or advisorsIt is virtually impossible to complete a large construction project without having any disputes develop between the parties. The DRB is a panel of two neutral singles who are selected by the parties to the construction contract, usually the project owner and the general contractor. The project owner will stipulate in the specifications for bidding the projec t.DBR provide the processes and mechanisms to not only help to settle disputes but also can provide a method to prevent the potential conflict from ever happening. The potential conflict to the DRB means that plausible argument at each construction stages and the quality of the presentation of claims.The first confrontation of the DRB usually takes place well before the commencement of the construction project and will continue to meet until the DRB members are well-known all of the aspects of the project. After the project begins, each DRB will usually meet on a regularly scheduled basic such as once each month or once each quarter, etc. Besides, site visit can ne made depending on the requirements of the project.NegotiationNegotiation needs to be carrying out to resolve the conflict before it reached a more serious stage and change into dispute. The parties are required to arrange together and approach an agreeable settlement through communication.The following two example shown a simple negotiation between the main contractor(MC) and a subcontractor(SC) who is unable(p) to meet the objective in the contract.Example ASC I will not be able to finish this process on time.MC You must be finish theses according the time schedule.SC I need ternary extra weeks to finish it.MCYou cannot have extra three weeks.SC If I do not get three weeks, i can not complete this process on time.MCNo, you will complete as scheduled, if you really cannot finish it, we will collect damage and replace you.The example A is a position-based type of negotiation which will go slightly in circle until one of parties abandons its position. It is not clear why the parties are even arguing.Example BSUB I will not be able to finish this process on time.MC What are the reasons and why can you not finish as scheduled?SUB My supplier will not able to deliver the materials until next week so I need three extra weeks to finish it.MC You should know the schedule is very tight for this project. Are there any other suppliers who can deliver on time?SUB Yes, but the suppliers are more expensive than the remediation given by finishing late.MC Although you are responsible for reaching the target, I also understand your predicament. Actually, I know some other suppliers that might be able to solve these problems and I will contact them as soon as possible.The example B is an interest-based type of negotiation which can be reached a correlatively agreeable solution even the source of the conflict is uncovered.According to these two examples, a successful negotiation should result in a solution acceptable to both parties that will not damage their relationship and implies collaboration, trust and common objectives.Quality (Total quality management (TQM) or assurance)According to Gardiner et al (1992), the most confliction stages are identified within the organization, closely followed by the issue of quality and control. One of the most confliction stages is the quality issue so a good and suitable quality management or control system should be issued. It can reduce the frequency of conflict.TQM is an extensive management system whichFocuses on meeting owners needs by providing quality services at a cost that provides value to the ownersIs compel by the quest for continuous improvement in all operationsUnderstand everyone in the organizationObserve an organization as an internal system with a common objective rather than as individual parties acting to maximize their own performancesEmphasize teamwork and a high level of workers.Procurement systemsThe procurement system is one of most effective methods in prevention of conflict so it should be located in the earlier stage of the project life cycle.According to Bennett et al (1990), the procurement system built up the roles and relationships, which constitute the organization. It establishes the overall management structure and systems, which helps to form the overall values and styles of the project.The Procurement System for Construction provides support forSelection of appropriate procurement and undertake strategies, and nomination of an appropriate Principal in the contractsPreparation of tender documents and contracts based on standard formsSelection of contractors and consultants with proven performance recordsEffective management of contracts, including clause commentaries, sample letters and checklistsMaintenance of an effective performance management system through monitoring and reporting andResolution of contractual claims and disputes.(NSW Government (2000), Procurement system for construction. Available fromNSW Government, NSW Government ProcurementWeb site http//www.nswprocurement.com.au/Procurement-System-for-Construction.aspx Accessed March 13, 2011.)3. Dispute Resolution in Construction Industry3.1 The definition of Dispute ResolutionDispute resolution is about identifying the root causes of conflict and preventing and managing conflict with the purpose of resol ving disputes or conflict during the construction process in order to avoid post-construction claims, litigation, and link cost.According to Whitfield(1994), resolve disputation can use either in semi-formal resolution methods such as negotiation and alternative dispute resolution(ADR) or formal resolution methods such as litigation and arbitration.3.2 The causes of dispute in constructionDisputes are often the outcome of ill considered procurement practices, inadequate preparatory be after and design activity, or poor project and commercial management procedures.If the conflict happened in construction site, all parties are agreed to each other. There is no further conflict because objectives of both party become same. But if one or both party becomes intransigent, then the conflict may turn to a dispute. In other word, disputes are come up when parties are unable to manage their conflicts properly. Dispute can be defined as a inequality between parties in connection with thei r objectives.Construction failure may create dispute between the parties in construction sites. According to Feld and carper Kaminetzky (1997), failure during the construction phase may includeOverloading.Improper temporary supports.Inadequate planning and execution of construction process.Lack of inspection.Insufficient safety factors.Inadequate training of construction workers.Feld, J. and Carper, K. (1997). ConstructionFailure. John Wiley Sons, New York.Cause of client1) Failure to respond in timely manner.2) Inadequate tracing mechanisms for RFI (Request for information).3) Reluctant to check for constructability, clarity and completeness.4) Discrepancies / ambiguities in contract documents.5) Poor communications between and among the parties involved in theproject.6) Failure to appoint an overall project manager.7) Lowest price mentality in engagement of contractors and designers.The absence seizure of team spirit among the participants.8) Deficient management, supervision and coordination efforts on thepart of the project.Cause of designerFailure to understand its responsibilities under design team contract.Over-design and underestimate the costs involve.Inadequate in open and factual communication.Late information issued and cumbersome approaches to RFIsDesign and specification oversights and errors or omissions resultingfrom uncoordinated civil, structural, architectural, mechanical andelectrical designs.Incompleteness of force and specifications.Cause of contractorInadequate contractor management, supervision and coordination.Lack of understanding and agreement in contract procurement.Failure to understand and correctly bid or price the works.Reluctance to seek clarification.Failure to plan and execute the changes of works.Inadequate CPM Scheduling and update requirements.Delay/ suspension of works.Fenn et al (1997) provides a synopsis of the findings of clubhouse frequently citedstudies of the sources of disputes3.3 Methods of dispute resolution u sed in construction industry in HKAccording to Carmichael (2002), the step approach to dispute resolution as below.An attempt is made to resolve the dispute at the level at which it occurs, in a reasonable timeIf this fails, involve parties at a higher level with decision making authority, and the potential to settle in the interests of a commercial solutionIf this fails, proceed to an ADR approach utilize and independent third partyIf this fails, arbitration or litigation will be used.3.3.1 Informal resolution methodsa) NegotiationNegotiation is a common dispute resolution method, which we all are using in every day. There is no neutral third party for the negotiation, only the disputants. It is also defined as a means to reach mutual agreement through communication, according to Down, L.J. (2009), (p.140-white)Negotiation is considered by most appropriate way to resolve any dispute in construction industry. It was because negotiation is not expensive and can be maintained relatio nship with the related parties.However, there are also negative sides of negotiation. For example, if the related parties negotiated a long and protected period of discussion, the negotiation will be fail because they are not blinding. Besides, it is an informal resolution method, it can allow any surprise issue or hostile points rising.b) Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)ADR is a collective term used to describe methods of resolving disputes which are alternatives to litigation and arbitration and which usually offer a less expensive solution.For exampleMediation This has appeared as an increasingly used form of dispute resolution, involving a neutral third party working to expedite effective negotiations to enable a mutually acceptable settlement.In mediation, the parties explore options, measuring the strengths and weaknesses of their respective cases.Mediation can save a great hand out of time and cost in resolving a dispute and can also help the parties to re-establish tr ust and prevent damage to ongoing relationships.Adjudication This is a expeditious and relatively inexpensive way of resolving a dispute.The adjudicators decision is normally upheld by the tourist courts and so it is important to ensure that all the relevant facts are put in front of the adjudicator.Adjudication does not necessarily achieve final settlement of a dispute because either of the parties has the right to have the same dispute perceive afresh in court.However, experience shows that the majority of adjudication decisions are accepted by the parties as the final result.(Powell, J. David. 2005. Boundary Dispute Resolution in England Wales Surveyors and Lawyers Working unitedly to Resolve Problems. Proceedings of Cairo Egypt.)Because of the following potential advantages, it is worth considering using ADR early in a lawsuit or even before you files a lawsuit.Advantages of ADRBetter communicationContinued business relationshipMore options for settlementReduced costs in ac hieving settlementConfidentiallyControl of outcome and the process.3.3.2 established resolution methodsa) LitigationOn occasions, alternative dispute resolution procedures are not successful in resolving disputes, resulting with the parties resorting to formal litigation through the courts.According to Whitfield(1994), the process of litigation is from the issue of a writ to a hearing and then on to a judgment. One of the failures of the legal process has been the speed with which solicitors have been prepared to issue writ. After writ has been issue, the plaintiff cannot simply withdraw his writ and forget the matter. If he did so, the counterclaim would be found against him along with the cost.The related construction companies need to provide litigation support services for both formal litigation and alternative dispute resolution as followsProgramme wait analysisForensic researchPreparation of statements of claim and statements of defenceParalegal support.b) ArbitrationAccordi ng to Ashworth (2005), Arbitration is a legal technique for the resolution of dispute outside the courts. The parties refer the dispute to a neutral, knowledgeable person (arbitrator or arbitral tribunal) who then gives the final decision (award) to which both the parties agree.Arbitration, in lieu of court proceedings, as the last resort to resolving disputes in construction contracts has been commonly used in Hong Kong as well as internationally.Although intended to be a less formal and more flexible alternative to litigation, arbitration can be as thorough and time-consuming as litigation, especially for construction disputes.The related companies should be employ the expertise in representing them in arbitration proceedings and handling the whole arbitration process from the appointment of arbitrators, drafting of pleadings, dealing with interlocutory proceedings through to the hearing stage and beyond.Where necessary, lawyers who experienced in construction disputes to provide the most comprehensive services to the company in arbitration.4. Conclusion from each one construction projects are unique and complex undertakings. A unique set of drawings and specifications are used to describe each construction stages. The drawings and related documents generally performed by a general contractor and several subcontractors, many of whom have not work together previously. The unique aspects of each project and the unique constitution of each construction team are common reasons for disagreements to occur.Disputes can be generated in any environment indeed, conflict can occur whenever two individuals try to work together. These disputes often concern topics such as changes, differing site conditions, delays, and payments.Many researchers had attempted to determine the causes of conflict and disputes within the construction industry.Besides, H. Murray Hohns (1979) leads to the conclusion that the specific causes of the conflict and dispute can be largely traced to the following five sourcesErrors, defects or omissions in contract documentsUnderestimation of the cost by the client, the contractor, or bothChanges in conditions, (e.g. unforeseen ground conditions)Claims from end-users (legal rights of owners and tenants)People involved in the construction process.When confliction is arise in the construction industry, the importance of proper conflict recovery method and compliance with formal procedures cannot be over-stressed. If disputes proceedings become unavoidable, it should be some comfort to know that proper alternative dispute resolution will be a gold condition rather than a drawback.

Smoking During Pregnancy Health Concern

Smoking During Pregnancy Health ConcernErin Chaplin Term Project appellative 1Topic Tobacco UseState IowaObjective TU-6 -TU-6 Increase sess cessation during pregnancy Increase ingest cessation during pregnancy demonstrationMaternal dope during pregnancy is a key public health concern in the United States. in that respect atomic number 18 few instances in which milieu has such a large effect on victimization as during pregnancy, which is considered a critical period.2 Prenatal factors baffle a large puzzle out on a botchs growth and development, and can lead to health consequences that affect them for their whole lives.2Many women still smoke during pregnancy, despite it being thoroughly known that it puts the baby at risk of many health problems. There is a material amount of scientific research proving the adverse effects of consume during pregnancy, and pregnant women argon discouraged from heater while pregnant.2 However, it is reported that as many as 14% of pre gnant women in the US continue fume during pregnancy.1 Smoking during pregnancy remain the most common cause of child illness and death, even though effective cessation methods exist.3 Public health is work toward trying to decrease the preponderance of smoking during pregnancy, but historical progress has been slow.3ImplicationsThe period of baby development during pregnancy has arguably the most profound influence on a persons long term health and quality of life.2 Smoking during pregnancy can negatively influence growth and development to such an extent as to determine future health and behavior of the child.2There is plenty of shew proving that the effects of smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of pregnancy complications such as fetal death (spontaneous abortion), fetal growth restriction (reduced kin weight), placental complications, and premature delivery.1,2,3 Smoking excessively increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) after birth.3 In 2002, 5 %8% of preterm deliveries, 13%19% of term infants with growth restriction, 5%7% of preterm-related deaths, and 23%34% of deaths from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) were attribut equal to(p) to prenatal smoking in the United States. 3 Children of mothers who smoked during pregnancy to a fault have increase risk for disease, health problems, and behavioural/ mental issues later in life.2There is evidence of a dose-response relationship, that increasing amount of cigarette usage is related to increase risk of defects and complications.1,2 It has been shown that nicotine crosses the placenta, and concentrations of nicotine in the baby can be as much as 15% higher than concentrations in the mother.2 There is also evidence that women who smoke during pregnancy have an increased risk of having a baby with two or more defects.1There are a surprisingly large number of different physical birth defects that have been associated with significantly higher risk in women that smoke during p regnancy. There is a 9% increased risk associated with cardiovascular/heart birth defects.1 There is a 16% increased risk associated with musculoskeletal defects, such a limb reductions/underdevelopment.1 There is a 19% increased risk of facial defects, in particular oral/facial clefts, with eye defects alone being greater than 25% increased risk.1 There is also increased risk of gastrointestinal defects and hernias.1 The most significant effects of smoking are seen in the occurrence and increased risk of limb reductions, club foot, oral clefts, eye defects, and hernias.1 There is not sufficient evidence to show an association between maternal(p) smoking and defects of the genitourinary, respiratory, or central nervous systems, though it is possible that smoking may have some effect.1 (See supplement B for gauge showing associations of specific defects with smoking)In the US there are approximately 120,000 babies born each year with a birth defect, which is 3% incidence per year .1 Smoking while pregnant has been proven to be associated with significantly increased risk for a variety of defects including cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, facial, and more.1 Many of these birth defects are kinda serious, resolving power in physical and psychological illness, require several painful and expensive surgical treatments throughout the infants lifetime, and may still result in a disability.1 In the US the estimated total expenditures for treating birth defects was approximately $2.1 billion in 2003.1 In 2004 approximately $122 million in healthcare be for infants were attributed to maternal smoking.3 Thus it is a significant cost on the healthcare system for women to smoke while pregnant.Other studies have found behavioral and psychological associations between smoking during pregnancy and the childs abilities later in life.2 One study suggests that maternal smoking negatively affects a childs speech and language development.2 Another study foun d an association with decreased intelligence in the child at age 4.2 There are also several studies that suggest an association with increased externalizing disorders, such as conduct disorder and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorders (ADD/ADHD).2 Cognitive function has been shown to be adversely bear upon in through decreased attention span, response inhibition, memory, impulsivity, receptive language, verbal learning and design memory, problem solving, speech and language, school performance, and auditory processing.2It is important to also keep in mind that secondhand smoke after birth also increases a baby or childs risk for respiratory disease and infections, immune system problems like asthma and allergies, ear infections, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and cancer later in life.2,3TrendsMaternal smoking remains a common problem.2 It is reported that as many as 14% of pregnant women in the US continue smoking during pregnancy.1For most states the prevalence of smokin g hasnt changed much over time however from 2000 to 2010 smoking prevalence actually decreased in parts of the US.3 In a subgroup of ten states the prevalence of smoking during pregnancy decreased from 13.3% to 12.3%, and smoking after birth decreased from 18.6% to 17.2% over the 11 year period.3 Sites that showed a significant decrease in maternal smoking from 2000 to 2010 include Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, New York City, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.3 New York City achieved the highest annual percentage decrease.3 Unfortunately in Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, and West Virginia the prevalence of smoking during and after pregnancy actually increased over the time period.3 (See Figures on next page showing maternal smoking prevalence in US by time and location)In 2010 prevalence of smoking forwards pregnancy ranged from 9.2% in New York City to 46.2% in West Virginia, with an average of 23.2% of women that reported smoking during th e 3 months before pregnancy.3 At the time only New York City and Utah had achieved the Healthy People 2020 last of reducing prevalence of smoking during the 3 months before pregnancy to 14%. 3Figure 1 from Source 3 Figure 2 from Source 3In 2010 prevalence of smoking during pregnancy ranged from 2.3% in New York City to 30.5% in West Virginia, with an average of 10.7% of women that reported smoking during the last 3 months of pregnancy.3 At the time none of sites had yet achieved the Healthy People 2020 goal of reducing prenatal smoking prevalence to 1.4%.3In 2010 the percentage of women that had smoked but quit before the last trimester had increased significantly, especially in Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, and New Jersey.3 Unfortunately in Louisiana the number of women quitting smoking while pregnant actually decreased.3 In 2010 the percentage of women that quit smoking while pregnant ranged from 34.3% in West Virginia to 74.6% in New York City, with an average of 54.3% of women that reported quitting smoking during pregnancy.3 All sites with data available had achieved the Healthy People 2020 goal of increasing smoking cessation during pregnancy to 30%.3In 2010 the prevalence of smoking after birth had decreased significantly, it ranged from 4.1% in New York City to 37.5% in West Virginia, with an average of 15.9% of women that reported smoking 4 months after delivery.3In Iowa, from 2007 to 2012 the trend overall has been an average of a 15% decrease in women that have smoked before and during pregnancy.4 Unfortunately, despite this downward trend, there still remain 15% of women in Iowa that smoke during their first trimester, and 12% of women that smoke throughout their wide-cut pregnancy.4 Awareness is helping, and there is now 41% of women in Iowa that smoked before pregnancy but quit while pregnant.4DisparitiesPrevalence of smoking during pregnancy varies astray depending on maternal age, ethnicity, education, and health insurance coverage.1,2 ,3 Priorities can be highlighted found on this demographic information. In the US on average 20% of women little than 25 age old smoke while pregnant, compared with only 9% of women 35 years or older.1 Also 22% of women with less(prenominal) than 12 years of education smoke while pregnant, compared with only 6.5% of women with greater than 12 years of education.1 Some studies have even suggested that the percentage of women under age 20 that are smoking while pregnant has increased.2Based on the demographic information presented in the Table in Appendix A, groups that need the most assistance are identified. It is easy to see a trend that women age 20-24, that are American Indian/Alaska Native, had 12 or less years of education, and had Medicaid coverage (low income) were more probable to smoke before, during, and after pregnancy.3 Women that were less than 20 years old, Asian/Pacific Islander, had greater than 12 years of education, and had private insurance coverage were all m ore likely to quit during pregnancy.3 (See Appendix A for Table showing maternal characteristics in prevalence of prenatal smoking)ConclusionSmoking during pregnancy has been a proceed problem within the US. Maternal smoking has been proven to increase risk for many birth defects.1 Educational information encouraging women to quit smoking before or during pregnancy needs to be stressed.1 Educational and policy efforts also need to be targeted especially toward women under age 24, with 12 or less years of school, in lower socioeconomic groups, because they are more likely to smoke while pregnant.1,3Efforts to reduce prevalence have only been mildly successful.3 In 2010 none of the states with data available had achieved the goal of reducing prevalence of prenatal smoking to 1.4%.3 If trends continue at the current slow rate then it could expunge another 100 years to reach that goal.3 Current tobacco control efforts in most states are probably not adequate to be able to reach nation al goals in reducing the prevalence of smoking during pregnancy.3Appendix ATable 2 from Source 3 Appendix BFigure 1 from Source 1-Summary of the meta-analyses for maternal smoking in pregnancy and birth defects. The pooled ORs are shown for each body system and specific defects (total number of deformed cases in brackets). CI confidence interval 1ReferencesHackshaw A, Rodeck C, Boniface S. (2011) Maternal smoking in pregnancy and birth defects a systematic review based on 173 687 malformed cases and 11.7 million controls. Human Reproduction Update 2011 17589604. doi 10.1093/humupd/dmr022 URL http//humupd.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2011/07/09/humupd.dmr022.fullKnopik VS, Maccani MA, Francazio S, McGeary JE. (2012). The epigenetics of maternal cigarette smoking during pregnancy and effects on child development. Development and Psychopathology 2012 24(4)1377-1390. doi http//dx.doi.org.proxy.lib.uiowa.edu/10.1017/S0954579412000776.Tong VT, Dietz PM, Morrow B, DAngelo DV, Farr SL, Rockhill KM, England LJ. (2013). Trends in Smoking Before, During, and After Pregnancy Pregnancy Risk Assessment monitor System, United States, 40 Sites, 20002010. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Surveillance Summaries 2013 62(6)1-19. URL http//www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/ss/ss6206.pdfMuldoon, J. (2013) Percent of newborns exposed to maternal smoking, by county. IA Dept. Public Health Vital Records and Bureau of Family Health, Div. Tobacco Use Prevention Control, IDPH 2013. URL http//www.idph.state.ia.us/IDPHChannelsService/file.ashx?file=787F5953-4D70-4563-A885-FCB2C9D3C185

Death Of The Author English Literature Essay

Death Of The Author English Literature EssayThe word Author is broadly defined by the OED as, the person who riseates or gives existence to allthing, but does this mean that a textbook is produced solely by a single author? It is clear that the author of a text leave alone have a defined topic of what they would like their text to achieve, but can we be sure that an author is capable of producing a text that is untouched by external sources? In this audition I will examine the nub of a text and distinguish whether it is produced solely by its author or if it is a complex quislingism of the author, text and the readers birth subconscious understanding.New Criticism argued that authorial intent was irrelevant to understanding a effectuate of literature. In their essay The Intentional Fallacy, W.K. Wimsatt and Monroe Beardsley wrote that the design or intention of the author is neither available nor desirable as a standard for judging the success of a work of literary art1. They argued that an author could non be reconstructed from a piece of writing and that the only source of sum came from the text itself, with any details of the authors desires or life being purely extraneous.Critics such as Roland Barthes and Michel Foucault have scrutinized the role of authorship to the meaning and interpretation of a text. In Barthes essay Death of the Author, he criticizes the method of reading and criticism that relies on aspects of the authors identity to distil meaning from the authors work. This death is directed at the author expressing an inner vision, not at the idea of writing. He is opposing a view of texts as expressing a distinct personality of the author and despises the idea that they consciously create masterpieces. Barthes states the idea that the explanation and meaning of a work does not have to be sought in the one who produced it, as if it were always in the end, through the more(prenominal) or less transparent allegory of the fiction, the voice of a single person, the author confiding in us2. The author can be handle when interpreting a text, because it is language which speaks, not the author the words are rich enough themselves with all of the traditions of language. The words and language of a text itself do and expose meaning for Barthes, and not someone possessing legal responsibility for the process of its production. The author is merely a scriptor. The scriptor exists to produce but not to explain the work, the origin of meaning lies exclusively in language itself and its impressions on the reader. Barthes notes that the traditional critical approach to literature raises a problem of which we cannot detect precisely what the writer intended.Julia Kristeva invented the shape intertextuality, suggesting that no text is free of other texts. Intertextuality leads to speculations about the idea of a text guaranteeing stability and identity. If a text is partly explained by a self-colored series of other texts, then its meaning clearly does not reside wholly inside it, but is also produced by its relation with other texts. all reader may have a different understanding of the meaning of a text depending on the external texts they associate with it.Looking at William Shakespeares mulct intertextually, Romeo and Juliet prompts literary criticism as the play shares a relationship with other literary texts. Romeo and Juliets plot is based around more than one different source, do the audience question the originality of the play itself. Shakespeare based his play on an Italian tale, translated into verse as The Tragical History of Romeus and Juliet by Arthur Brooke in 1562. Romeo and Juliet is a dramatisation of Brookes translation, which Shakespeare has followed closely. We catch this through Romeos dialogue as he says, Is she a Capulet? / O dear account my life is my foes debt.3Shakespeare literally mirrors the plot of Brookes tale in his own So hath he learned her happen upon, and know th she is no geast, / Her father was a Capulet,4It is hard to claim that Shakespeare has ownership of this play along with the idea that this is not an original idea and the content of his play has come from influences around him.Shakespeare was also heavily influenced by Ovids Metamorphoses, taking inspiration from the tragic love story of Pyramus and Thisbe. In Ted Hughes translation, it is clear to see that Shakespeare has been influenced by Ovid, The parents of each forbade their child / To marry the other. That was that. / But prohibition feeds love, mirroring the exact same family feud and passion in Romeo and Juliet5, Deny thy father and refuse thy name / Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, / And Ill no longer be a Capulet (Act 2, Scene II ll 34-36). There are rumoured to be so many sources substructure one of Shakespeares most well-known masterpieces, this certainly begs the question of whether Shakespeare was original and if he gave meaning to his own work.It is ap propriate to approach an Elizabethan play as a collaborative work, given the amount of people used to successfully create a play. A piece of drama is needs constructed by many hands, adding to the meaning of the play. Romeo and Juliet would not just be defined by William Shakespeare, but how the play was performed would have enormous effect on its meaning along with those involved in the making of it. Romeo and Juliet was arguably not written by Shakespeare, he took influences from many different texts, collaborating with many other writers. The writing behind Romeo and Juliet does not define the play, but it is the staging and performance that amaze the play what it is. Performance adds to the text in the sense of connecting to it gestures, symbols and staging, these all produce a comment not in the text itself. In a well-known quotation, Barthes draws an analogy between text and textiles, the text is a tissue of quotations drawn from the innumerable centres of stopping point ( pp. 142-48) meaning that one persons work is never original. It is the reader/ beauty that makes a piece of literature what it is, whether that is personal or not.It is difficult to judge whether a piece of literature successfully carries out what it means to attempt because we can never be certain of the writers intent in the first place. For example Robert Frosts The Silken encamp opened up to much debate about whether the poem was really symbolising a woman and questioned the possibility of its supporting central cedar rod (l. 5) actually representing a boat with language rich in relatable words, for example, guy ropes and compass. It should not be wrong to have a different opinion of a text, finding meaning in literature is all about your personal tastes and experiences allowing you to relate to texts. Literature is all about what you as a reader make of a text in your own personal way.There seems to be no guarantee in this process that the origins of the text, the conventions of the message and the readers opinion are selfsame(a) in any way. A piece of literature depends on the words and contexts which surround it, but these contexts are not always significant when looking for meaning in a text. The language of textuality itself will present an argument that is potentially counter to the authors conscious intent.The meaning of a text is not produced solely by an author it is a complex collaboration between author, text and reader. Shakespeare did not give Romeo and Juliet meaning, meaning was created through the text and performance of the play and by the viewer creating their own personal opinions about it. Shakespeare may have been the origin behind Romeo and Juliet but there are many different sources that could have been seen to be used, questioning the originality of the play. The essential meaning of a piece of literature depends on the impression it has made on the reader, the writers passions and tastes do not come into it. Meaning is a collabo ration of all these different factors, it cannot be gathered purely from just the author because there may have been no authorial intent behind that text and literature is all about your own personal opinion and where you take that text in your mind. Barthes makes an important point saying, a texts unity lies not in its origins but in its destination, (pp. 142-48) meaning that it all comes down to the reader and society, a piece of texts origins are unimportant.Word Count 1560

Parental Involvement in Education Essay -- Parent Involvement in Educat

P arntal sakeParent Involvement has been an issue in the United States since before the turn of the ordinal century (W anyace). Parent Involvement and parent participation are nebulous terms because there is an array of parenting behaviors that this could include (Hickman). Either way you define it, parents must(prenominal) get involved. What many parents consider being involved varies from family to family. No one is better placed or more qualified than parents to make a passing in their childs schoolman and lifelong education (Bourquin). Parents are the vast resource that must be tapped to increase student learning (Hickman).Parents are their childs first teacher. The elementary age is the most crucial time for parents to get involved in their childs education. Nothing affects the academic outcome for a child as much as the involvement of a parent (Bourquin). Mom and Dad are the most influential postal service to shape their childs future. Parents have a greater fortune to m ake a difference, teach, model and guide their childrens learning more than anyone else (Bourquin). Involvement allows parents to communicate with teachers about their childs learning style and characteristics. This allows teachers to do a better job teaching the child, giving them a better opportunity for success (Heffer). The support of a parent is the single most important factor in predicting success in school for young children (Bourquin). Parents who make it a point to get involved with the childs education are communicating the importance of education to their child (Heffer). There are a regeneration of ways in which a parent can get involved. This can range from at home help and encouragement with homework, attending athletic ... ...e parents explaining what is exit on in the classroom and upcoming events that parents can attend. (Hopkings)Parent involvement affects all aspects of a childs education. Parents must be involved as teachers, learners, supporters, and advocate s of their childs learning (Hopkings). Studies show that kids who know that their parents are involved and interested tend to take more responsibility for their own learning and behavior. schoolwork and grades improve. Work habits improve. Less work is handed in late. Fewer referrals for behavior problems are made. Attendance increases, and fewer kids show up late for class (Hopkings). With all this information documented it shows the true importance of parent involvement in education. The more involved the parents are, the better off each child will be. So when you become a parent, get involved in your childs education

History and Pros of Animal Testing Essay -- Biology Medical Biomedical

History and Pros of Animal TestingAbstractAnimal research refers to the custom of non-human animals for testing or experimenting on. The first recorded use of animals for testing started with the Greeks in the third and fourth century BC. The use of animals for testing is ordinarily in the canonical fields of biomedical research, security, evaluation and education of a product. It is estimated that almost 50 million100 million animals are tested on and killed annually, but this is usually done to make a product safer for humans.Part one HistoryThere has been no earlier reference to testing of animals, than in the writing of the Greeks. In about the third or fourth century BC, Aristotle (384-322 BC) and Erasistratus (304-258 BC) were two of the first to be recorded to test experiments on live animals. Also Galen, a second-century roman type physician was known as the father of vivisection, because he dissected pigs and goats. These were some of the first recorded events of early an imal testing.Animal testing has played a major role in some of the most famous experiments. For example in 1796, Edward Jenner used pus from a pox-infected cow to vaccinate James Phipps against the large-minded spread virus, small pox. After Jenners discovery, small pox slowly declined no longer to be the main cause of morality in England. other very well - known experiment using animal testing happened around the 1880s the germ theory that Louis Pasteurdeveloped was tested out by giving Anthrax to a flock of sheep. (Wikipedia) Also in 1885, Pasteur invented vaccines for cholera and rabies by studying animals. In 1922, insulin was isolated from dogs and afterwards helped advance the discourse of diabetes. Laika, a dog from Russia, on November 3,1957, b... ... is almost definite anyone would save the baby. (Of Cures and Creatures) This is the same situation as animal testing, would you rather save a person from an unseasoned product thats poisonous or save a rat from being teste d with it?BibliographyAnimal testing. Wkipedia. 27 July 2006. Wikimedia Fondation, Inc. 20 July 2006.Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing. A CAAT Timeline 1981-2002.CAAT. 12 Feb. 2003. 22 July 2006 timeline.htm.BCC. Animal Experiments. Hot Topics. 17 Aug. 2004. 22 July 2006.ECheat. Animal Testing Pros and Cons. eCheat. 19 Apr. 2005. 22 July 2006.FRAME. the three rs. FRAME. 23 July 2006 3rsintro.htm.