Football Essays - College Football National Champions,

Football Personal Statement Describe and discuss a significant experience or achievement that has special meaning to you. The 1998 varsity football season was both a significant experience and achievement for me. It was so extraordinary that it defiantly has a special meaning to me. As a team we won North Coast Section (NCS) of California, Division III, and were ranked number one in the state, Division III. This immense reward was not simply given out to every team but instead we had to earn it. After it was all over and completed I could truthfully say that earning it was not easy. One week after we got out for summer last year we started preparing ourselves physically for the upcoming season. As a team through the whole summer we lifted and ran four days a week. It was difficult because all the other high school kids were at the beach, while I was working hard in the gym or on the track. In the championship game I was the one out there while they were the ones in the stands wishing they could be a part of it all. That summer was when I knew varsity football was going to be a commitment. The night before we were going to begin double days, two practices every day for a week, we all slept in the gym as one group united as a team. During that evening we discussed and set goals that we would strive for and that would guide are season on a prosperous path. We came up with three goals: go u ndefeated, win NCS, and be number one in the state. From that point on I committed myself to the team and that it stood for and represented. I knew this commitment would need my devotion and I felt I could make sacrifices in my life in order to be committed. We came into the season ranked number one and that meant we had to keep it. In order to maintain at the top we had to go undefeated. This was once again not easy because the season was mostly filled with tough opponents who would not simply allow us to win. I did not play the star role in these games but I was simply on two special teams, kick off and kick return, and played a little time at linebacker. I still was part of it all by devoting myself 100% to every game and practice. We defeated our first nine opponents and ended up in the playoffs. We gave it our all and won two playoff games versus two of the most competitive opponents I have ever played. In the championship game the special teams I was on were unbelievable. The kickoff team caused the other team to turnover the ball and the return team returned the ball all the way for a touchdown, the first time all season. I was part of both of these teams and am proud to say it. It was a game that brought me pride and happiness. I can now say that this season was well worth the commitment because the reward was so magnificent. We were not simply a championship team but a family. Throughout the season we bonded to each other and moved each week toward a common goal. It felt so good inside to have reach each of our goals. I now look at the plaque on my wall and the championship football ring on my hand and words such as: pride, courage, commitment, sacrifice, and family come to mind. Bibliography none

10 Cool Facts About Lithium

10 Cool Facts About Lithium Here are some facts about lithium, which is element atomic number 3 on the periodic table. Lithium is the third element in the periodic table, with 3 protons and the element symbol Li.  It has an atomic mass of 6.941.  Natural lithium is a mixture of two stable isotopes (Lithium-6 and Lithium-7).  Lithium-7 accounts for over 92% of the natural abundance of the element.Lithium is an alkali metal.  It is silver-white in pure form and so soft it can be cut with a butter knife.  It has one of the lowest melting points and a high boiling point for a metal.Lithium metal burns white, though it imparts a crimson color to a flame.  This is the characteristic that led to its discovery as an element.  In the 1790s, it was known that the mineral petalite  (LiAISi4O10)  burned crimson in a fire. By 1817, the Swedish chemist  Johan August Arfvedson had determined the mineral contained an unknown element responsible for the colored flame. Arfvedson named the element, although he was unable to purify it as a pure metal. It wasnt until 1855 that British chemist  Augus tus Matthiessen and German chemist Robert Bunsen finally managed to purify lithium from lithium chloride. Lithium does not occur free in nature, though it is found in nearly all igneous rocks and in mineral springs.  It was one of three elements produced by the Big Bang, along with hydrogen and helium. However, the pure element is so reactive its only found naturally bonded to other elements to form compounds.  The natural abundance of the element in the Earths crust is about 0.0007%. One of the mysteries surrounding lithium is that the amount of lithium believed to have been produced by the Big Bang is about three times higher than what scientists see in the oldest stars.  In the Solar System, lithium is much less common than 25 of the first 32 chemical elements, probably because the atomic nucleus of lithium is practically unstable, with two stable isotopes possessing extremely low binding energies per nucleon.Pure lithium metal is extremely corrosive and requires special handling.  Because it reacts with air and water, the metal is stored under oil or enclosed in an inert atmo sphere. When lithium catches fire, the reaction with oxygen makes it difficult to extinguish the flames. Lithium is the lightest metal  and the least dense solid element, with a density about half that of water. In other words, if lithium did not react with water (which it does, somewhat vigorously), it would float.Among other uses, lithium is used in medicine, as a heat transfer agent, for making alloys, and for batteries. Although lithium compounds are known to stabilize mood, scientists still dont know the exact mechanism for the effect on the nervous system. What is known is that reduces activity of the receptor for the neurotransmitter dopamine and that it can cross the placenta to affect an unborn child.The transmutation of lithium to tritium was the first man-made nuclear fusion reaction.The name for lithium comes from Greek lithos which means stone. Lithium occurs in most igneous rocks, although it does not occur free in nature.Lithium metal is made by electrolysis of fused lithium chloride.

Video Conferencing For Thronton's Training Department Research Proposal

Video Conferencing For Thronton's Training Department - Research Proposal Example Overall, it is estimated over 11 million business meeting occurring on a daily basis (Verizon, 1999). However, similar study in 2003 indicated that the majority of face-to-face meeting participants believe that meetings are a waste of time (Verizon, 2003). This situation reveals two organizational problems. First, the amount of time that people spend in meetings makes it difficult for them to participate in most of them. Second, it can be difficult to remember what was said or accomplished in each one. These problems arise primarily from how participants attend meetings and how archives of meetings are created for later remembering and information retrieval. As participants are frequently traveling to attend face-to-face meetings, the cost-benefit ratio of attending meetings is also soaring. This in turn gives rise to a feeling of â€Å"wasted time.† Similar situation when too much time, efforts and finances are spent ineffectively occurs with corporate training of personnel at Thronton’s company. Practically, for Thronton’s company yearly cost of corporate personnel training exceeds a million dollars due to traveling and accommodation expenses for hundreds managers. Global trainers are brought to Thronton’s training center in Kentucky two times per year to ensure that qualifications of company’s employees are current and adequately correspond to Thronton’s business needs. The training and development at Thronton’s is conducted in the several areas that are critical for any type of business, particularly: In addressing the need to provide wider access to professional development and offer a more flexible form of training, Thronton’s company should develop a three-year training and development strategy addressed entirely through videoconferencing technology, particularly desktop video conference (DVC) as a main method on delivering

Conspiracy Theories Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Conspiracy Theories - Assignment Example However, it failed among high-knowledge respondents. According to the results, it is very difficult to completely reduce misperceptions concerning health care reform among people that have sophistication as well as motivation to reject the corrective information. The study aimed at exploring the relationship that exists between birth control conspiracy beliefs as well as perceived discrimination and contraceptive behavior as well as attitude on African-Americans. From the cross-sectional anonymous telephone survey, it is clear that a greater percentage of the respondents observed that discrimination is targeted at African America women. The results also support birth control conspiracy beliefs. Female respondents perceived discrimination when obtaining contraceptive services or family planning. The study discovered that greater perceived discrimination and stronger conspiracy beliefs were linked to negative attitudes towards contraceptive methods, especially birth control pills, as well as with contraceptive intentions and behavior. According to the research, perceived discrimination and conspiracy beliefs may play a key role in African-Americans’ attitudes the use of contraceptive methods. Several conspiracy theories have been put forth in trying to explain the cholera epidemic. In case of an outbreak that leads to death, government officials often racialize the dead as being indigenous. Just like in the Eastern Venezuela they also suggest that their culture is to blame. However, the true picture is that the state, international politics as well as global capitalism were complicit in such a genocidal plot. Even though it is rather easy to attribute such conspiracy theories to cultural and epistemological differences, it is the political economies that plays key role in such incidences. Political economies exclude some communities from accessing authoritative information sources to

Ethical Issues Essay Example for Free

Ethical Issues Essay Researchers found that 10 percent of employees at all levels report feeling pressured to compromise ethical standards in the workplace (Managing Business Ethics by Trevino and Nelson 2007). Ethical issues are faced by every industry in the business world as well as communities, public and private organizations and individuals. Leadership, internal practices, and training may impact the proper implementation of business ethics. Halliburton is one of the many large corporations involved in unethical business practices. This paper examines ethical issues faced by public sector employees and employees of private sector firms that conduct business with and for government agencies. The paper discusses Halliburton, a U. S. defense contractor (former vice president Dick Cheney’s old firm), ethical issues and the impact on stakeholders involved. The goal is to highlight the ethical issues and make recommendations for how prospective employees and managers can handle similar situations. Background Since 2001, energy services company Halliburton and its former subsidiary Kellogg Brown Root (KBR) have performed unspecified services to the United States military in Iraq, Kuwait, and several other countries under a no-bid, long-term global logistics contract, (LOGCAP). In February 2003, Halliburton received a five-year extension, $7 billion no-bid contract for services in Iraq. During the course of awarding and executing these contracts at least two people made the decision to become whistle blowers, a government employee, and a Halliburton/KBR procurement employee. The government employee disclosed that Halliburton/KBR was involved in closed-door meetings with the Army Corps of Engineers that resulted in the no-bid, multi-year, billion dollar contract awarded exclusively to Halliburton/KBR (Morning Edition October 29, 2004). The procurement employee disclosed the specific activities within Halliburton/KBR that resulted in overcharging the government and taxpayers for goods and services while simultaneously eliminating competition among potential vendors. Some allegations include soliciting higher priced products and services because the government pays a fee based on the total of goods/services procured and manipulating purchases orders to maintain a maximum of $2,500 to avoid the bidding process between prospective vendors. Specifically, Halliburtons subsidiary Kellogg, Brown Root hired a Kuwaiti company, Altanmia, to supply fuel at about twice the going rate, then added a markup, for an overcharge of at least $61 million, according to a December 2003 Pentagon audit. The only problem is that $61 million is taxpayer money. Perception of Unethical Practices of Dick Cheney From the beginning many American citizens raised an eyebrow towards the decision to have Halliburton as a U. S defense contractor. This public outrage stemmed from the former vice president’s former employment as the chief executive officer (CEO) of Halliburton from 1995 through August 2000. KBR, the companys former subsidiary has been the main government contractor working to restore Iraqs oil industry that was awarded without competitive bidding in 2001. According to Cheneys 2001 financial disclosure report, the vice presidents Halliburton benefits included three batches of stock options comprising 433,333 shares. He also has a 401(k) retirement account valued at between $1,001 and $15,000 dollars. His deferred compensation account was valued at between $500,000 and $1 million, and generated income of $50,000 to $100,000. Halliburton has contracts worth more than $1. 7 billion for its work in Iraq, and it could make hundreds of millions more from a no-bid contract. During Cheney’s tenure as the defense secretary, the Pentagon chose Halliburton’s subsidiary KBR to study the cost effectiveness of outsourcing some military operations to private contractors. Based on the results of the study, the Pentagon hired KBR to implement an outsourcing plan (Washington Post Sep 26, 2003). Many companies like Bechtel, Exxon, Blackwater and Halliburton have profited from the Iraq war. It is no secret that war creates wealth for those companies canny enough to exploit it, and not be killed by it. Is Dick Cheney one of these? After his departure from office former vice president Cheney will be free to profit in whatever way he feels. The ethical question is, however, has he ever really left it? And by not leaving it, was he in ethical violation of his oath of office, at the very least? Stakeholders The stakeholders in this situation are the client, which is the U. S. government and American taxpayers who are the investors or funders of the government; the vendors, who through the bidding process maintain a competitive and profitable business environment; and employees who make sure that their employers receive the best value for the services and products they procure. Ethical dilemmas The first ethical dilemmas is if employees should bring wrongdoing to the surface and if so, how? Will the decision violate the privacy of vendors or other employees? Is it legal to disclose certain activities related to defense contracts? Secondary ethical issues relate directly to the stakeholders. Is the U. S. government unfairly awarding contracts? Is that awarding process facilitating a culture of overcharging, which is absorbed by U. S. taxpayers? Are vendors intentionally overcharging Halliburton/KBR? Are Halliburton/KBR’s procurement practices eliminating competition in the marketplace? Analysis The primary issue in this situation is whistle blowing. â€Å"Whistle blowing means calling attention to wrongdoing that is occurring within an organization. †(Nadler and Schulman 2006) Halliburton is still under investigation by the FBI. Perhaps the negative publicity and the case caused the contract to be divided with Halliburton winning one of the parts in a public bid. The underlying secondary issues include exposing potentially fraudulent business activities, financial irresponsibility, and illegally profiting from public funding. The government employee wrote and spoke to superiors about the activities. The government employee sought legal counsel upon deciding to go public with their disclosure. Finally, both made their testimonies to the proper investigating bodies including the FBI, the U. S. House of Representatives Committees on Government Reform and Energy and Commerce. For their troubles, the government employee and Halliburton/KBR procurement employee were forced into a whistle-blowers protection program. Conclusion In the public sector, whistle blowers are often faced with the dilemma that their choice to disclose can constitute a criminal act. In both cases these employees called attention to suspected activities within their organizations before going outside or public. Employees faced with this dilemma must identify the stakeholders and ethical issues that concern them, and then make calculated decision whether or not to disclose. The facts surrounding whether or not the U. S. government are unfairly awarding contracts will be an ongoing issue. Despite all the measures set forth to regulate the procurement of contracts, greed for money will play a critical factor for the people that have weak ethical character. Whether you are the employee or employer being the standard bearer in ethical situations will earn the respect of others as well as keeping you out of big trouble. References Analysis: FBI investigates whether Pentagon officials committed fraud in their handling of a no-bid contract to a subsidiary of Halliburton before the Iraq War. (10:00-11:00 AM)(Broadcast transcript). (Oct 29, 2004). Morning Edition, p. NA. Retrieved February 08, 2009, from General OneFile via Gale. Donahue, J. (Nov-Dec 2005). Treading on the taxpayer. Multinational Monitor, 26, 11-12.p. 7(2). Retrieved February 08, 2009, from General OneFile via Gale. Nadler, J. Schulman, M. Whistle Blowing in the Public Sector. Santa Clara University Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. Retrieved February 9, 2008, from http://www. scu. edu/ethics/practicing/f ocusareas/government_ethics/introductio n/whistleblowing. html. Profile: US Army will allow bidding for contract work in Iraq initially given to Halliburton. (10:00-11:00 AM)(Broadcast transcript). (Sept 8, 2004). Morning Edition, p. NA. Retrieved February 08, 2009, from General OneFile via Gale.

Effect of Adrenaline on Cardiac Arrests Survival

Effect of Adrenaline on Cardiac Arrests Survival Effect of Adrenaline on Survival in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrests: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial Hem Patel The study shepherded by Jacobs et al juxtaposed the effect of adrenaline on survival in out-of-hospital cardiac arrests with a randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial. This study was the first of its kind to address the knowledge deficit of two majors goals: survival of the patient to a hospital discharge and return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Cardiac arrest occurring out of hospital is a significant public health issue causing fatality rates upwards of 90%, although improving in the recent decades.1 Thus, the researchers analytically examined the relationship between the uses of adrenaline in such patients through a randomized control led trial (RCT) in the region of Western Australia (WA), under government contract with St John Ambulance Western Australia (SJA-WA). Being on top of the studies’ hierarchy, RCT studies like this one, quite evidently fortified the experiment’s internal validity. The creation of comparable groups in the study allowed the control of confounding variables enhancing the internal validity. An investigationRandomized controlled trials, such aslike RCTthis one, decreases the sampling bias by decreasing the likelihood of chance results occurring, thus enhancing the internal validity of the study. which was evident in the Jacob study. Logistic regression modeling further augmented this investigation The investigation was further augmented by logistic regression modeling which was undertakenin order to control for the effect of potential confounders1 (i.e. the patients’ initial cardiac rhythm, age and ambulance response time). on the relationship between study drug and patient outcome.1 Although, as a result of a small sample size, often the case with RCTs, and specific geographical demographics, limited external validity was a given. Low external validity was evident in this study as only one major hospital in the region of WA took part in it. The other hospitals requested did not participate due to rejection from their hospital ethics board.This was evident in this study as four of the five hospitals requested to participate felt the ethicality of the study superseded their own ethical board, negatively. Hence, the total number of patients being able to participate in this study had quite drastically decreased, in turn hampering the power of the study. However, two very crucial experimental qualities in high precision and internal validity were upheld consistently throughout the experiment, in spite of the very limited external validity. All out-of-hospital cardiac arrests attended by SJA-WA paramedics between 11 August 2006 and 30th November 2009 were screened into the experiment for entry into the trialwere entered into the trial.1.1 Patients suffering a cardiac arrest from any cause, aged 18 years or older with resuscitation commenced by paramedics were eligible for entry as well; indicating a moderately strict eligibility and inclusion criteria. Patients were excluded based on having no resuscitation commenced, were of an age less than 18 years, and eligible patients’ personal declination. n and randomization number of patient lost/As noticed, the external validity along with confounding bias of the study decreased due to the increased criterion required for a patient to take part in the trial. It may look as if few categories were used to determine the eligibility of the patient, though many factors such as patient age, male gender, bystander witnessed, response interval, and the study drug were accounted for through univariate analysis. The only confounding variable, which was accounted for, stated by the study is the factor of initial shockable rhythm (when a particular type of cardiac rhythm is treatable using a defibrillation) – one that is not very significant (p-Value of 0.24) in changing the efficacy of adrenaline in out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. Being able to eliminate thisese potential confounding variables and biases, internal validity increased showing that the lack of a causal relationship between effect of adrenaline and cardiac arrests was less likely to be an upshot of an uncontrolled confounding variable, rather than one accounted for. In regards to a This studyRCT study, has a sample size of 534 patients, one that is of a moderate size in comparison to other RCT studies., out of whichOut of 534 patients, 272 were randomly assigned to the group being treated with adrenaline and 262 to that of the placebo group.1.1 As eEach of the patients had an completely equal chance to be presented with either of the treatments, and this randomization of the participants controlled for a potentiality of a sampling bias – a chance yet again enhancing the internal validity. Additionally, although very diminutive confounding bias was associated with this study, the potential of selection bias was still present as the study took place only in Western Australia. it was unable to exclude the potential for selection bias as the participation in the study by the SJA-WA paramedics was voluntary, only 40% of eligible patients were recruited. However, trial patients were well matched on baseline characteristics (age p-value of 0.69, location of arrest p-value of 0.25, volume of trial drug versus placebo drug administered p-value of 0.28).1 , Henceforth, no reason to suggest that paramedics who participated in the trial were more likely to selectively enroll patients into the trial.1 . Furthermore, to reduce the possibility of confounding bias, all paramedics in WA underwent the same type of training familiarizing them of this trial protocol; even if they were not participating in the actual experiment. This further enhanced the internal validity of the study. As mentioned above, as resuscitation commenced by paramedics, the patients were eligible for entry, where if they were administered adrenaline it would be at a rate of 1mL every 3 minutes, with no other drugs entering through tracheal administration. Prior to the commencement of each trial to be presented with an equal chance of the level of treatment for each of these patients specific training of the pharmacology of adrenaline, familiarization with the trial protocol, further practice in intravenous cannulation and cardiac simulation exercises along with testing was undertaken to ensure the prerequisite resuscitation competency standard had been achieved. This training was provided to all of the paramedics in the WA area regardless of their intention to participate in the study; being able to decline confounding bias from the patient-care givers’ aspect, enhancing the internal validity.Analyzed above in this critical appraisal are many aspects of the study that allow for a s tudy it to be very well received by majority of the readers, although there were a couple of limitations. Firstly, the researchers were unable to achieve full patient recruitment as planned (4103 patients who had cardiac arrests attended by an ambulance). This study was designed as a multicenter trial involving a five-ambulance service. , Ddespite having ethical approval from the Human Research Ethics Committee of the University of WA, four out of five hospitals opted out.otherwise. Thus, giving this gave the study a moderate sample size, increasing the chance of making a type two error and ; essentially decreasing both the internal validity and the power of the study. The failure to achieve an adequate sample size left the trial underpowered (power of 40%) to detect significant effects on survival to hospital discharge.1 The second limitation to the study was the ability for it to continue, as the study experimental drugs had gone past their expiry date and no additional funding wa s available. Granted,ing the patient as well as researcher blinding was well preserved in this study such that, the researchers can consider the likelihood of these factors being differentially distributed between the two study arms (placebo vs. adrenaline) to be small.1 The researchers claim that there is a significant (3.4 times) increase in the likelihood of achieving ROSC pre-hospital if the patients were administered adrenaline versus the placebo (23.5% versus 6.4%; OR 3.4; 95% CI 2.0-5.6; p-value 1).1 They base this conclusion on the oOdds ratio (OR), which were used to quantify the odds of achieving ROSC pre-hospital depending on the administration of the placebo or the adrenaline. how strongly the presence of the outcome was associated with the presence of the administered adrenaline versus the placebo saline solution2. After adjustment for confounders (age, sex, initial rhythm shockable, ambulance response interval and study drug) using the logistic regression model, there was little change in the effect of adrenaline on ROSC (OR. 3.5; 95% CI 2.1-6.0).1 The degree of precision that a study maintains is defined by a confidence interval. The experimenters claim that they are 95% confident that the odds ratio of being ROSC pre-hospital with the administration of adrenaline is between 2.1 and 6.0 indicates a moderately definite statement (explained further). However, there was insignificant evidence (OR 2.2; 95% CI 0.7 – 6.3; p-value 0.15) of the patient administered with adrenaline versus placebo to survive until hospital discharge. Because 1.0 is included in the confidence interval, the researchers acknowledge it as not statistically significant. However, from a clinical standpoint, 3.5 times greater chances of the patient achieving ROSC are significant and one should definitely consider applying such a method, if in the position to do so. Results indicated the OR for ROSC achieved pre-hospital patients at 3.4 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.0-5.6; P saline placebo. The outcomes dictate an approximate 16% greater advantage of a chieving ROSC pre-hospital with the administration of adrenaline than having the placebo. Statistical significance is generally considered at 20%, but in aspects dealing with topic as such, upwards of 5% could statistically mean more to the medical community; allowing to save more lives.3 At an OR of 2.2 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.7 – 6.3; P = 0.15) indicates no difference between the two testing groups with the p-value greater than that of the alpha value of 0.05. Results are further negatively supported by the CI including the value of 1, demonstrating statistical insignificance; decreasing the study’s precision in this aspect of the outcome, although balanced by the significance in the previous outcome. The findings of this study are equivocal to several other clinical trials designed the to assess the efficacy of adrenaline in cardiac arrest. The most dominant feature about this study is that it is the first ever-randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial of adrenaline in cardiac arrest, while others all have been non-randomized trials. Similar results were replicated through the Rresearch conducted by Olasveengen et al. also His study reported a doubling in the proportion of patients achieving ROSC with an OR of 1.99 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.48-2.67), and achieving similar non-significant increasing results in the proportion surviving to hospital discharge4..4 Although, Jacob’s study, although further expanded on the generality of the efficacy of drug to locations of arrests, ambulance response interval, cardiac arrest witnessed (bystander and paramedic) and airway management; bringing greater appreciation to this study..1 Three sources of Mill’s Canons were evidently utilized to support the causality. The strength of association was statistically significant, as noted by the greater effect of adrenaline in ROSC being achieved pre-hospital transportation. An increase dosage of adrenaline would directly increase ROSC, and possibly an increase number of patients survive to hospital discharge.1, 5Adrenaline stimulates ÃŽ ²-adrenergic receptors which stimulate the increase of blood flow indicates the final Mill’s Canon in biological plausibility. Thus, it can be noticed that a causal relationship can be agreed upon adrenaline and increased ROSC being achieved pre-hospital. Jacobs points out the importance of his study’s contribution to clinical research on adrenaline usage during cardiac arrests, and at the same provides suggestions to further research avenues. To be able to determine the optimal dose or timing of adrenaline administered during cardiac arrest are the two main areas of further research. In my opinion, the study was done welldone, extremely well, providing sufficient evidence for a relationship between the adrenaline and an increase ROSC in 18 and above out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. With the elimination of a majority of the biases, through the use ofwith logistical regression and creating comparable groups (placebo versus adrenaline), internal validity and the precision of the study was enhanced. .The findings of this study are clinically important in that it established efficacy for the continuous use of adrenaline in cardiac arrest as currently recommended.5 With a study related to such a topic, the sample size should adequa tely be increased to allow for a greater power and external validity in the study; allowing a generalization to a greater portion of the public. References Jacobs IG, Finn JC, Jelinek GA, Oxer HF, Thompson PL. Effects of adrenaline on survival in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.resuscitation2011; 82: 1138-1143. Szumilas, M. Explaining odds ratios.National Center for Biotechnology Information2010; 19(3): 227-229. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2938757/ (accessed 28 October 2014). Pocock, SJ. Clinical trials with multiple outcomes: a statistical perspective on their design, analysis, and interpretation.Elsevier1997; 97. Olasveengen TM, Sunde K, Brunborg C, Thowsen K, Steen PA, Wik I. Intravenous drug administration during out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a randomized trial.JAMA2009; 302: 2222-2229. Vandycke C, Martens P. High dose versus standard dose epinephrine in cardiac arrest a meta-analysis.Resuscitation2000; 45: 161-166

The nature of skills

Skills represent your talents, abilities, and aptitudes – in short, what you are good at doing. Skills are built gradually by repeated training or other experiences. They may be, manual, intellectual or mental, perceptual or social. (Source: I) Skills are built gradually by repeated training or other experience. May also be defined as any competence possessed by someone; in an employment using there hands well among manual workers. The acquisition of skill is a tortuous process that takes us through the following sequence: 1. Unconscious incompetence This is the stage when ignorance is bliss, when it looks easy and you don't realise how much there is to it. In an example of a skilful presenter to the observer, he may be performing the task effortlessly. 2 Conscious incompetence This is the realisation that, when you first try to emulate the skilful performer, you can't do it. This is an unpleasant discovery which may shock you into giving up and returning to the relative comfort of stage 1. 3 Conscious competence This stage is hard work! It is when you are able to do a competent presentation, but only by investing an enormous amount of conscious effort into every aspect of it. You have to force yourself to make adequate eye contact with the audience and to stand still. You have to force yourself not to talk to the visual aids and to synchronise your gestures with your main messages. This is such hard work that you may decide that it isn't worth the effort and abandon your attempt to acquire the skills in question. 4 Unconscious competence This is the skilful stage when you too can do professional presentations effortlessly! Even this, however, isn't the end of the story, because of the real danger of complacency creeping in. The more skilful you are, the more you tend to cut corners which, if unchecked for long periods, degenerate into bad habits. The answer is to drop back to conscious competence every now and again to check things out and eradicate the bad habits. (Source: iii) The four basic learning strategies are as follows; 1. Trial and Error 2. Being Told or Instructed 3. Copying or imitation 4. Thinking for yourself (class notes 4rm 26-11-02) A perfect example illustrating the application of the methods outlined above would be acquisition of Social competence (Source; II) DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVEMENT OF VARIOUS DIFFERENT TYPES OF SKILLS Various different types of skills to be outlined in TASK 2 can be developed and improved through a number of processes the main ones being: 1. Learning 2. Education 3. Training; this is a planned process to modify attitude, knowledge or skill behaviour through learning experience to achieve performance in an activity or range of activities. 4. Personal development; an inevitable process which is unique to each individual, and which enables that individual to develop, increasing knowledge, skill, moral values and understanding. 3rd TASK SUMMARY OF FINDINGS FROM PREVIOUS TASK I believe that by carrying out this ‘skills audit' on myself to fulfil the requirement of the set task 3, I will gain further incite into the current level skills and with that in mind I should hopefully be able to identify the sklls that require more attention in future. Communication I speak to others with ease and clarity, giving information and explanations which are clear and easily understood. I have identified that I need to improve on this by listening actively to others. Motivation Showing a lot of energy and enthusiasm is always good for motivation; I need to do this a lot more in order to improve the current skill level. Delegation This is a task that I readily seem to take for granted, in order to build a reflective team I will need to focus more on this aspect of leadership and attempt to increase my capabilities in it. Decision – making I have to always evaluate the alternative lines of action in order to make appropriate decisions. Lots of information is also required to help this process. Strength My strength is self-confidence and understanding what my weaknesses are. I try to be as realistic and am willing to learn from past failures and successes. I'm reliable and I can cope with pressure and control my emotions. Weaknesses My main weaknesses may lie in time management, a skill which performed in a grouped situation I able to cope with, but individually on a task, I will need to work upon suggestion include planning more effectively.

Automobile Industry Essay

Strong demand growth due to rising incomes, growing middle class, and a young population is likely to propel India among the world’s top five auto-producers by 2015 Growth in export demand is also set to accelerate. Tata Nano and the upcoming Pixel have opened up the potentially large ultra low cost car segment Innovation is likely to intensify among engine technology and alternative fuels. Advantage India Rising investments Policy support India has significant cost advantages; auto firms save 10-25 per cent on operations in India compared to Europe and Latin America A large pool of skilled manpower and a growing technology base will induce greater investments. The government aims to develop India as a global manufacturing as well as R&D hub There has been a wide array of policy support in the form of sops, taxes and FDI encouragement. FY10 Market size: USD57.7 billion    Notes: R&D – Research and development, FDI – Foreign direct investment; FY – Indian financial year (April – March); FY16E – estimated figure for financial year 2016; estimates are from the government’s Automotive Mission Plan (2006 – 2016) ADVANTAGE INDIA. For updated information, please visit www.ibef.org. 3. Automotives AUGUST 2012 Contents ï  ¶ Advantage India ï  ¶ Market overview and trends ï  ¶ Growth drivers ï  ¶ Success stories: Maruti, Tata Motors ï  ¶ Opportunities ï  ¶ Useful information For updated information, please visit www.ibef.org 4 Automotives AUGUST 2012 Evolution of the Indian automotives sector 20.4 million units (2012) 11 million units (2007) 2008 onwards 0.6 million units (1992) 1983 – 1992 0.4 million units (1982) Before 1982 †¢ Closed market †¢ Only 5 players †¢ Joint venture (JV) Indian government and Suzuki to form Maruti Udyog; started production in 1983 †¢ Component manufacturers also entered via JV route †¢ Buyer’s market 1993 -2007 †¢ Sector de-licensed in 1993 †¢ Major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) started assembly in India †¢ Imports allowed from April 2001 †¢ Introduction of value added tax in 2005 †¢ More than 35 players in the market †¢ Removal of most import controls †¢ Indian companies gaining global identity †¢ Long waiting periods and outdated models †¢ Seller’s market Source: Tata Motors, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Aranca Research, Notes: JV – Joint Venture MARKET OVERVIEW AND TRENDS For updated information, please visit www.ibef.org 5 Automotives AUGUST 2012 The automotives market is split into four segments Automobiles Two-wheelers Passenger vehicles Commercial vehicles Three-wheelers Mopeds Passenger cars Light commercial vehicles Passenger carriers Scooters Utility vehicles Motorcycles Multi-purpose vehicles Medium and heavy commercial vehicles Goods carriers Electric twowheelers For updated information, please visit www.ibef.org MARKET OVERVIEW AND TRENDS 6 Automotives AUGUST 2012 Revenues have been growing at a strong pace → Gross turnover of automobile manufacturers in India expanded at a CAGR of 17.7per cent over FY07-1 1 Excluding three wheelers, cars account for the largest share of revenues (66.2 percent in 2010) Revenue trends over the past few years in USD million 70.0 60.0 50.0 40.0 30.5 30.0 20.0 10.0 0.0 FY07 FY08 FY09 FY10 FY11 66.2% 36.6 33.3 21.5% Trucks Cars 58.6 CAGR: 17.7% 43.3 → Market* break-up by revenues (2010) 12.3% Two Wheelers Source: SIAM, Datamonitor, Aranca Research Note: *does not include three wheelers For updated information, please visit www.ibef.org MARKET OVERVIEW AND TRENDS 7 Automotives AUGUST 2012 Sector’s growing strength evident from rise in total production figures Total production of automobiles in India (million units) 16.0 → → 12.0 7.6 8 8.4 10.0 8.0 6.0 1.3 0.4 0.4 1.2 0.4 0.4 1.6 0.6 0.5 1.3 0.5 0.6 1.8 2.4 4.0 6.5 8.5 Notes: CAGR – Compound annual growth rate 10.5 Passenger vehicles was the fastest growing segment during that period with a CAGR of 14.5 per cent 14.0 13.4 0.8 0.8 3.0 2.0 0.0 FY05 FY06 FY07 FY08 FY09 0.4 0.5 FY10 0.6 0.6 FY11 FY12 Passenger Vehicle Three Wheelers Commercial Vehicle Two Wheelers Source: SIAM, Aranca Research For updated information, please visit www.ibef.org MARKET OVERVIEW AND TRENDS 0.8 0.8 3.1 15.5 Automobiles production increased at a CAGR of 13.2 per cent over FY05-12 18.0 8 Automotives AUGUST 2012 Market break-up by production volume → Two wheelers dominate production volumes; in FY12, the segment accounted for more than three quarters of total automotives production in the country Market share by volume (FY12) → In fact, India is the world’s second largest two wheeler producer; the country is also the fourth largest commercial vehicle producer 4% 4% 16% Two Wheelers Passenger Vehicle Commercial Vehicle Three Wheelers 76% Source: SIAM, Aranca Research For updated information, please visit www.ibef.org MARKET OVERVIEW AND TRENDS 9 Automotives AUGUST 2012 Market break-up of individual segments by production volumes †¦ (1/2) Shares in production of passenger vehicles (FY11) Shares in production of commercial vehicles (FY11) 11.5% Passenger cars 8.1% 36.0% MCV & HCV Passenger Carriers MCV & HCV Goods Carriers LCV Passenger Carriers 49.7% 6.1% LCV Goods Carriers Utility vehicles/multipurpose vehicles 88.5% Source: SIAM, Aranca Research Notes: LCV – Light commercial vehicle; MCV – Medium commercial vehicle; HCV – Heavy commercial vehicle For updated information, please visit www.ibef.org MARKET OVERVIEW AND TRENDS 10 Automotives AUGUST 2012 Market break-up of individual segments by production volumes †¦ (2/2) Shares in production of three wheelers (FY12) Shares in production of two wheelers (FY12) 15.8% Goods carriers 15.6% 5.3% Mopeds Motorcycles Passenger carriers Scooters 84.2% 79.1% Source: SIAM, Aranca Research For updated information, please visit www.ibef.org MARKET OVERVIEW AND TRENDS 11 Automotives AUGUST 2012 Exports have also grown strongly †¦ (1/2) → Automobiles export volumes increased at a CAGR of 22.4 per cent over FY05–FY12 Over this period, the fastest growth was in the two wheeler segment (25.8 per cent) followed by three wheelers (21.9 per cent) Exports of automobiles from India (million units) 2 1.8 1.6 1.4 1.2 1 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0 2 0.5 0.6 0.8 1 0.5 1.1 0.5 1.5 0.4 0.5 0.3 0.2 0.03 0.1 → 0.2 0.04 0.1 0.2 0.05 0.1 0.2 0.06 0.1 0.04 0.2 0.04 0.2 0.08 0.3 FY05 FY06 FY07 FY08 FY09 FY10 FY11 FY12 Passenger Vehicle Commercial Vehicle Three Wheelers Two Wheelers Source: SIAM, Aranca Research For updated information, please visit www.ibef.org MARKET OVERVIEW AND TRENDS 0.1 0.4 12 Automotives AUGUST 2012 Exports have also grown strongly †¦ (2/2) → Two wheelers accounted for the largest share in exports (by volume) at 67 per cent in FY12 Passenger vehicles account for a sizeable 18 per cent of overall exports Exports shares by volume (FY12) → 18% Passenger Vehicle 3% 12% 67% Commercial Vehicle Three Wheelers Two Wheelers Source: SIAM, Aranca Research For updated information, please visit www.ibef.org MARKET OVERVIEW AND TRENDS 13 Automotives AUGUST 2012 Presence of a clear leader in each segment of the market → The automotives industry is concentrated with market leaders in each segment commanding a share of over 40 per cent Market Leader Passenger Vehicles MCVs & HCVs LCVs Three Wheelers 45% 16% Others 15% 7% 63% 23% 7% 59% 30% 4% 4% 41% 40% 10% Motorcycles Scooters 59% 24% 7% 6% 51% 21% 14% Source: SIAM, Aranca Research Notes: Data is for FY10 10% For updated information, please visit www.ibef.org MARKET OVERVIEW AND TRENDS 14 Automotives AUGUST 2012 Notable trends in the Indian automotives sector †¢ Large number of products available to consumers across various segments; this New product launches has gathered pace with the entry of a number of foreign players †¢ Reduced overall product lifecycle have forced players to employ quick product launches Improving productdevelopment capabilities †¢ Increasing R&D investments from both the government and the private sector †¢ Private sector innovation has been a key determinant of growth in the sector; two good examples are Tata Nano and Tata Pixel – while the former has been a success in India, the latter is intended for foreign markets †¢ In FY11, the CNG market was worth more than USD330 million and CNG cars Alternative fuels and taxis are expected to register a CAGR of 28 per cent over FY11-FY14 †¢ The CNG distribution network in India is expected to increase to 250 cities by 2018 from 30 cities in 2009 For updated information, please visit www.ibef.org MARKET OVERVIEW AND TRENDS 15 Automotives AUGUST 2012 Contents ï  ¶ Advantage India ï  ¶ Market overview and trends ï  ¶ Growth drivers ï  ¶ Success stories: Maruti, Tata Motors ï  ¶ Opportunities ï  ¶ Useful information For updated information, please visit www.ibef.org 16 Automotives AUGUST 2012 Sector has been benefitting from strong demand and product innovation Growing demand Growing demand Policy support Strong government support Increasing investments Rising incomes, young population Inviting Greater availability of credit and financing options Goal of establishing India as an automanufacturing hub R&D focus; GOI has set up technology modernisation fund Large domestic market Policy sops, FDI encouragement Resulting in Rising investments from domestic and foreign players Greater innovation in products; market segmentation Strong growth in exports as well Strong projected demand making returns attractive Notes: GOI – Government of India; For updated information, please visit www.ibef.org GROWTH DRIVERS 17 Automotives AUGUST 2012 Rising incomes and a growing middle class driving domestic demand growth Rising incomes; growing middle class †¢ Changing income dynamics of India’s population 70 million households Aspirers: annual income INR90,000200,000 Seekers: annual income INR200,000500,000 Strivers: annual income INR500,0001,000,000 Globals: annual income >INR1,000,000 Personal (nominal) disposable income is expected to rise annually at 8.5 per cent over FY11-15 Rising middle class – size of the middle class expected to touch 550 million by 2025 from 50 million in 2010 Favourable demographics – a young population is also driving up the demand for cars Demand for commercial vehicles have got a boost due to development of roadways and greater market access 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 2005 Strivers 2010 Seekers 2015 Deprived    Deprived annual income

Free Essays on “The Sources Of International Law And Art. 38”

International law: an overview International law consists of rules and principles which govern the relations and dealings of nations with each other. International Law, which is in most other countries referred to as Public International Law, concerns itself only with questions of rights between several nations or nations and the citizens or subjects of other nations. In contrast, Private International Law deals with controversies between private persons, natural or juridical, arising out of situations having significant relationship to more than one nation. In recent years the line between public and private international law have became increasingly uncertain. Issues of private international law may also implicate issues of public international law, and many matters of private international law nave substantial significance for the international community of nations. International Law includes the basic, classic concepts of law in national legal systems status, property, obligation, and tort (or delict). It also includes substantive law, procedure, process and remedies. The Sources of International Law. Article 38 (1) The Court, whose function is to decide in accordance with international law such disputes as are submitted to it, shall apply: (a) international conventions, whether general or particular, establishing rules expressly recognized by the contesting states; (b) international custom, as evidence of a general practice accepted as law; (c) the general principles of law recognized by civilized nations; (d) subject to the provisions of Article 59, judicial decisions and the teachings of the most highly qualified publicists of the various nations, as subsidiary means for the determination of rules of law. (2) This provision shall not prejudice the power of the Court to decide a case ex aequo et bono, if the parties agree thereto. After treaties, the sources of international law mentioned in Art. 38(1) of ... Free Essays on â€Å"The Sources Of International Law And Art. 38† Free Essays on â€Å"The Sources Of International Law And Art. 38† International law: an overview International law consists of rules and principles which govern the relations and dealings of nations with each other. International Law, which is in most other countries referred to as Public International Law, concerns itself only with questions of rights between several nations or nations and the citizens or subjects of other nations. In contrast, Private International Law deals with controversies between private persons, natural or juridical, arising out of situations having significant relationship to more than one nation. In recent years the line between public and private international law have became increasingly uncertain. Issues of private international law may also implicate issues of public international law, and many matters of private international law nave substantial significance for the international community of nations. International Law includes the basic, classic concepts of law in national legal systems status, property, obligation, and tort (or delict). It also includes substantive law, procedure, process and remedies. The Sources of International Law. Article 38 (1) The Court, whose function is to decide in accordance with international law such disputes as are submitted to it, shall apply: (a) international conventions, whether general or particular, establishing rules expressly recognized by the contesting states; (b) international custom, as evidence of a general practice accepted as law; (c) the general principles of law recognized by civilized nations; (d) subject to the provisions of Article 59, judicial decisions and the teachings of the most highly qualified publicists of the various nations, as subsidiary means for the determination of rules of law. (2) This provision shall not prejudice the power of the Court to decide a case ex aequo et bono, if the parties agree thereto. After treaties, the sources of international law mentioned in Art. 38(1) of ...

Light and Elodea Leaf Cells essays

Light and Elodea Leaf Cells essays Abstract The purpose of this investigation is to determine if a decrease in light affect the time of cyclosis. Elodea leaf cells were subjected to 6 different intensities of light. The time it took one cytoplasm to move around a certain distance was measured after each change in the amount of light. It took 23s when the light intensity was on 5, the same time it took for the cytoplasm to move the same distance when light intensity was on 8. Leaving the conclusion that might be no connection between light and time of cyclosis. Cyclosis is the circulation of cytoplasm within a cell and this movement may be increased by light. (Columbia Encyclopedia) As the cytoplasm moves around the large central vacuole, it carries with it dissolved substances as suspended organelles. (Bedford 9) Chloroplasts are organelles responsible for photosynthesis in the plant. Examples of cells in which cyclosis can be seen are the leaf cells of small aquatic plants, such as Elodea leaf. By timing the movement of a single chloroplast in a certain given distance with different intensities of light it is possible to test if light has an effect in cyclosis. Does a decrease in light affect the time of cyclosis? It might affect if the time (speed) of the chloroplast creates a pattern as the light intensity differs. Or it might not affect whatsoever if the time finds no connection with the different amount of light given. So to find out if light interferes in cyclosis one chloroplast is going to be observed and timed as it moves around within the cell. A drop of water was placed in the center of a clean microscope slide. To the drop was added a torn piece of an Elodea leaf. The wet mount was first observed under low power and then under high power. So that the lab could be done easier a group of 4 people was formed. One person was responsible for observing the Elodea leaf in th ...

Telecommuting at IBM Indiana Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Telecommuting at IBM Indiana - Essay Example It was in the 19702 that the company enjoyed about 70% of the computer market share. The reputation that the company name was tagged with gave the company trusted reputation. Half of the company’s business volume was spread out worldwide. It was in the mid-1980s, however, that the company started to have problems. The profits of the company had started to plunge down. Analysts concluded that the reasons behind the downfall were not many but were strong enough to shaken an established company. They were: the bureaucratic and slow moving setup of the company, maintenance of old business strategies and reluctance to replace them with newer ones, incorrect assessment of business risks. As said by Ducker (1993), it is a business sin to sacrifice tomorrow’s opportunity on the altar of yesterday. This was precisely the reason why IBM got off-track its road to success. Though IBM did try to cope up with the growing trends of the market by introducing a PC in the market almost o vernight after Apple introduced the first PC in the mid-1970s but they could actually never get out of the MAINFRAME mask that they had put on themselves. Then the time came when IBM was being administered by JOHN AKERS who was a career IBMer in the ear 1985. Since the downfall of the company had already begun several steps were being taken by the administered in order to downsize the company. A summary of the downsizing of the company can be viewed in the attached table. Table 1: The IBM Timeline from 1970 to 1994. YEARS PROGRESS AT IBM. 1970s IBM owns about 70% of the computer market share. 1980s IBM continues to grow but at a slower rate. 1985 Profit margins begin to slip. 1985 – 1993 Downsizing resulted in employee number moving from 405,000 to 300,000. 1987 – 1992 Stocks dropped from $176 to $ 49. 1991-1992 Unprecedented losses. 1994 Employee number decreases to 225,000. The administered however resigned in the year when despite all his efforts the company continu ed to lose stocks and suffered major losses in year 1992.Louis V. Gerstner then replaced the former head of the company. Further downsizing of employees was then consented upon by the management of the company. THE PROPOSAL The establishment of the company’s office in the state of Indiana was an evident example of the problem the company was facing overall. The Indiana office reduced its number of employees to about 30% in the year 1992. The General Manager Operation s for the State of Indiana was foreseeing another cut in the number of employees. This step was extremely unaffordable as any further cut in the number of employees could have resulted in the deletion of key essential employees of the company that were required to run it. This could have put the company into further trouble. An alternative idea was proposed by the then operations manager of IBM Indiana Office in the year 1993. He proposed that instead of reducing the number of personnel working at the organizatio n furthermore the employees should be equipped with technological devices to assist them. This would in turn enable the employees to be able to work from home. The terminology commonly coined for such a task is Telecommuting. TELECOMMUTING While all the other offices of the IBM were trying their hands at downsizing the people at Indiana were eager to try something new. The first person to take up this change was none other than the executive Vice President of the Indiana Operations himself. It was decided that employees who spent more than half of their

Functions of Management at Ska-Arabia Oil Company Essay

Functions of Management at Ska-Arabia Oil Company - Essay Example Planning Planning is the first function of management that has been fundamental to the success of SKA-ARABIA. Cole (2003) observes that all the aspects of management depend on planning to a large extent. It involves conducting an analysis of the present situation of an organization, as well as its future. After this analysis, the managers set the strategies for accomplishment of the organizational goals that are based on where the management would like the organization to be in future. Planning is a continuous process through out the company’s life especially due to the fact that changes may be necessary so that an organization can cope with the dynamics of the operating environment. In other words, planning helps Basrah managers to strategize and to develop solutions to emerging issues. It has been significant to the managers in dealing with challenges facing the business as well as the utilization of opportunities for the success of the organization. I am involved in the pla nning process through provision of fuel consumption forecast to the management to maintain proper level quantities of fuel at SKA-ARABIA. I am also involved in scheduling any preventative maintenance beyond our responsibilities within the Fuels Department and forwarding to the Maintenance Department of the company. I assisted in planning the establishment and administration of a bulk fuel storage site with 660cbm in Jet A-1 and 26k in JP-8 Aviation fuel in line with stockage objectives. Bradford (2000 p 58) observes that strategic planning is the practice whereby an organization changes its course of action to accomplish upcoming objectives. The managers in SKA-ARABIAÂ  are in charge of constantly evaluating the operating environment and the internal factors that affect business through strategic planning to ensure that the organizational goals are accomplished. This involves conducting a SWOT (Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities and Threats) analysis to ensure that the business rem ains on track. The analysis is conducted quarterly and recommendations implemented immediately. This flexibility in planning has maintained profitability and constant growth since the company’s inception. Organizing Organizing is the second function in which the managers prepare for implementation of the plan. This is accomplished through evaluating and allocating the available resources to facilitate the accomplishment of organizational goals. Shen (2005) observes that without proper organization, a company may face the problem of insufficiency of resources in some departments while others may be operating with a surplus of resources. Such a situation may hamper the realization of organizational goals. Resources are significant for accomplishment of organizational goals. The organization requires diverse resources to maintain competitiveness in the market. The management of SKA-ARABIAÂ  Oil Company ensures consistency in regard to the availability of resources to avoid shor tages of inputs. These resources include assets such as premises, employees, equipment and finances among other resources that facilitate production and the organization’s competitive advantage. Through organization, managers in the company are able to establish working teams and assign tasks to the workers. Departments are assigned roles and the organizational hierarchy is distinct in the organization. I am in charge of liaison with the Ministry of Oil, local and international airports