Sm C102 Quiz #2

Correct Question: Which of the following models uses a schematic model of the sequence of steps in a problem and the conditions and consequences of each step? Your Answer: Decision trees Correct Question: The way to build in greater flexibility in your workers is to do which of the following? Your Answer: Provide a broader range of training Incorrect Question: If the best operating level of a piece of equipment is at a rate of 400 units per hour and the actual output during an hour is 300 units, which of the following is the capacity cushion?Your Answer: 75 percentCorrect Question: The ability to rapidly and inexpensively switch production from one product to another enables what are sometimes referred to as:Your Answer: Economies of scopeCorrect Question: Capacity planning involving acquisition or disposal of fixed assets such as buildings, equipment or facilities is considered as which one of the following planning horizons?Your Answer: Long-rangeCorrect Question: Capacity planning involving hiring, layoffs, some new tooling, minor equipment purchases, and subcontracting is considered as which one of the following planning horizons?Your Answer: Intermediate rangeCorrect Question: If the actual output of a piece of equipment during an hour is 500 units and it's best operating level is at a rate of 400 units per hour, w hich of the following is the capacity utilization rate?Your Answer: 1. 25Correct Question: A process flowchart uses which of the following symbols to represent tasks or operations in a flow diagram?Your Answer: RectangleCorrect Question: A process flowchart uses symbols to represent which of the following?Your Answer: Flows of material or customersCorrect Question: According to Little's law, which of the following can be used to estimate inventory?Your Answer: Throughput rate times flow timeCorrect Question: A process flowchart uses which of the following symbols to represent a decision point in a flow diagram?Your Answer: DiamondCorrect Question: A process flowchart uses which of the following symbols to represent storage areas or queues in a flow diagram?Your Answer: Inverted triangleCorrect Question: To reduce process throughput time you might try which of the following actions?Your Answer: Change the sequence of activitiesCorrect Question: An advantage of a make-to-stock process is which of the following?Your Answer: Rapid delivery of a standard productCorrect Question: Which of the following basic types of process structures is one which equipment or work processes are arranged according to the progressive steps by which the product is made?Your Answer: Assembly lineCorrect Question: Assume a fixed cost for a process of $15,000. The variable cost to produce each unit of product is $10 and the selling price for the finished product is $25.Which of the following is the number of units that has to be produced and sold to break-even?Your Answer: 1,000 unitsCorrect Question: Which of the following is not considered a major process flow structure?Your Answer: FabricationCorrect Question: A difference between project and continuous flow categories of process flow structures is which two of the following?Your Answer: The size of the productCorrect Question: Which of the following is not a basic type of process structure?Your Answer: Product-process matrixCorrect Question: You are hired as a consultant to decide if your client should purchase a new, highly specialized, piece of equipment. The product to be produced by this equipment is forecast to have a total worldwide demand of 15,000 units over the entire product life. The initial investment to acquire and install the equipment is $256,000. The variable cost to produce each unit will be $15 and the selling price for the finished product will be $30. Which of the following best describes the situation the firm is facing?Your Answer: The company's total margin will be less than its investment

Economic Theory and Application Essay

1. The following graph: (not able to recreate, but in the text), shows a firm with a kinked demand curve a. What assumption lies behind the shape of this demand curve? The kinked demand curve assumes that other firms will follow price decreases and will not follow price increases. For instance, in an oligopoly model, based on two demand curves that assumes that other firms will not match a firm’s price increases, but will match its price increases. The kinked demand curve model of oligopoly implies that oligopoly prices tend to be â€Å"sticky† and do not change as much as they would in other market structures given the assumptions that a firm is making about the behavior of its rival firms. Kinked demand was an initial attempt to explain sticky prices. It is an economic theory regarding oligopoly and monopolistic competition. b. Identify the firm’s profit-maximizing output and price. In Figure 9.1 in the textbook, the firm’s profit-maximizing output and price is when there is an increase in price over the average marginal cost (the difference between p1 and the point vertically down from there that cuts the MC curve) Profit maximization is the process by which a firm determines the price and output level that returns the greatest profit. There are several approaches to this definition. The total revenue total cost method relies on the fact that profit equals revenue minus cost, and the marginal revenue – marginal cost method is based on the fact that total profit in a perfectly competitive market reaches its maximum point where marginal revenue equals marginal cost. c. Use the graph to explain why the firm’s price is likely to remain the same, even if marginal costs change. If marginal costs increase or decrease within the discontinuous range of the marginal revenue curve, the point at which marginal revenue equals marginal cost will remain the same. Thus, price and output do not change, even though costs (and profits) are different. Marginal cost is the additional cost of producing an additional unit of output. Marginal cost shows the changes in costs as output changes. Total variable costs change as the level of output varies but total fixed costs are constant regardless the level of output. Therefore, total fixed costs do not influence the marginal costs of production and actually average fixed costs decreases continuously as more output is produced. Because total fixed cost is constant, average fixed cost must decline as output increases ad spreads the total fixed cost is constant over a larger number of units of output. Both average variable cost and average cost first decrease and then increase. 2. Some games of strategy are cooperative. One example is deciding which side of the road to drive on. It doesn’t matter which side it is, as long as everyone chooses the same side. Otherwise, everyone may get hurt.

Mass Media + Politics

How, and to what extent, do the media shape the public agenda? What is the question about? I feel as though the question is asking two things; 1, how, as in the models used to illustrate the media and its shaping of the public agenda. And 2, to what extent, through the barriers and limits of the public and also government can the media do this. I will need to explore the different models that highlight this idea, such as the issue-attention cycle, issue-attention theory, and several other models explaining how agendas are set.I will also need to discover the important factors that the media use to shape how these ideas are brought across to the public which then create the public agenda. These factors that allow this to happen are priming and framing. What is my main argument? My main argument for this essay is that the media strongly mould and manipulate us (the public’s) opinions, views and ideas of what is, and isn’t, important in our lives and what we are exposed to .I will also explain that the models and theories previously mentioned illustrate the steps and levels that this occurs at. I think it is also important to mention framing and priming, and their impact on agenda setting. Framing and priming are the vessel that the media manipulates to shape public agenda, and will be my main idea that is carried throughout my essay, as I believe these are the two main factors that are the ‘how’ in the process of media shaping public agenda.What is the outline of my essay? For my introduction I will define what public agenda is, and explain how the media plays such an integral part in not only our personal opinions, but the views and values of the public as a whole. I will then explain several of the agenda-setting theories and models, such as McCombs, McCombs and Shaw’s, Down’s and Rochefort and Cobb’s creations. After discussing these models, I will introduce priming and framing.I will define these ideas and give k ey examples of how these factors apply in everyday life. Priming and framing will be the main body of my essay, and I will explain the extent to which they affect how the media shape and influence public agenda. I will conclude my essay by summarising how the different models of agenda-setting, along with priming and framing, allow the media to influence the public agenda, and the limitations placed upon this.

Suprime letting Literature review Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Suprime letting Literature review - Essay Example While there is no official credit profile that describes a sub prime borrower, it is generally accepted that people in the United States having a credit score below 620 points will fall into this category. In an attempt to tap this burgeoning market, lenders often speculate and take risks associated with lending to people with poor financial records. Sub prime offers an opportunity for borrowers with a less than ideal credit record to gain access to credit. It has been found that over the past six years, home ownership nationwide increased from 66 percent of the working population, to almost 70 percent. The pros and cons of sub prime markets will now be discussed in the literature review .The obvious advantage of Sub-Prime letting is of course the fact that people with poor credit history, low income and no assets are able to borrow money from many banks and lending company's .This is advantageous also as small or no deposit is accepted and this may prove attractive to many people wh o are not aware of the consequences of such borrowing or lending.However this market has its cons in the sense that it is unpredictable due to variable interest rate and the debtors may not be able to able to keep up with the payments thus causing credit victimization as the lenders may be able repossess the property/ business and are able to profit from re-sale through draconian lending contracts. Aims The main research question therefore is "To what extent has the sub- prime phenomenon of the US financial markets affected the UK economy" The reason for selecting this topic is the recent financial crisis in the US sub-prime markets which has caused a world wide concern as to its concerns for its e effects and fall-outs on the EU Bloc which includes the UK. The research will be undertaken through a variety of secondary and primary research methodologies to have a better understanding of the research question within the given time scale.Secondary Research Questions What is Sub-Prime letting What is the relationship between the UK and American Housing market What are the current conditions in the American Housing market with reference to Sub prime letting The aim is to identify the correlations between American Mortgage lenders and the UK lenders. Economic conditions, interest rates, inflations and other factors. With reference to economic conditions we may be able to identify as to why people are subjected to the sub prime market. What are the pros and cons of sub prime mortgage lending Research Strategy Research is a fact finding activity (Dominowski, 1980). The aim of primary research is to make known something previously unknown to human beings and to advance human knowledge by making it more certain or better fitting; the aim is discovery (Elias, 1986). Kerlinger (1970) uses more technical language to define it as the systematic, controlled, empirical and critical investigation of hypothetical propositions about presumed relations among natural phenomena. The research philosophy depends on the way we think about the development of knowledge and this thinking affects the way we do search (Saunders 2000). Whilst undertaking the research, a clear understanding of

Opinion of reading for Journalism class Assignment

Opinion of reading for Journalism class - Assignment Example It is their job to present facts and that only – of course, having put to mind the ability of knowing the limit of what must be presented or not. During the early parts of the second half of the twentieth century, the media allegedly had not been able to do its rightful job. Disputes between the â€Å"black† and the â€Å"white† Americans were told to be [worsened] by the way the media had presented it to the public. With already prejudiced opinions about the â€Å"blacks,† they – as the Kerner Report found out – â€Å"have failed to communicate† the truth. A breach of confidence over knowing what was true – or not – had evolved. Today’s situation, fortunately, is unlike the past. Although there are still issues between the conflicting â€Å"colors† in America in the present, having elected a â€Å"black† president must now prove that the â€Å"white† Americans have accepted that there is [really] no race superior than the other; and with their ability to influence the public’s idea about something, the media must take serious steps toward realizing that with their â€Å"almost-unlimited† right to free expression, considering the civil right of a person, a society or an organization is one essential idea that must not be put

AlNabulsi sweet company in Saudi Arabia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

AlNabulsi sweet company in Saudi Arabia - Essay Example AlNabulsi sweet company in Saudi Arabia AlNabulsi sweet company is that deals in production, marketing and distribution of sweets and other confectioneries with sweet production reaching up to 250 varieties of sweet products. (Sinha 2006, p.30). On that note, AlNabulsi sweet company generates up to $ 690 in annual sales of its sweet products. The corporate mission of the sweet company, which is nearly 120 years old, is to be the best sweet company in the world by satisfying its clients every day. Several business strategies have been adopted by AlNabulsi sweet company in its approach to efficient maximum production and increased profits. There are strategic choices that have been utilized in the past; others are used presently while there are plans targeted for the future. For example, there is inter-sourcing or outsourcing where the AlNabulsi sweet company determines the tasks to conduct inside and outside the organization. Another one is designing commodity strategy in which the Company establishes a well explained report of its purchases (Ahlstrom & Bruton 2009, p.375). On that note the company has several objectives that can help it achieve the above business strategies in the next 5 years. These objectives are attainable because of the several resources the company has such enough, human labor, machinery like sweet processing machines, skilled personnel and large number premises among others. These include: (a) Expansion Regionally Currently, AlNabulsi sweet company is f ound in more than 80 countries with supplies to more than about 100 million users. It plans to spread to more than 150 countries in the next five years. Similarly, the company targets nations with vibrant economy in the Middle East and other Arabian nations in Africa for its expansion such as Iraq, Pakistan, Iran, Egypt, Tunisia and Indonesia among others. Regional expansion in these countries boosts spending of consumers and thus increases the chances of the company in meeting its strategies (Sinha 2006, p.30).

How Do Consumer Characteristics Influence Buying Behavior Research Paper

How Do Consumer Characteristics Influence Buying Behavior - Research Paper Example It is evidently clear from the discussion that the quantity of purchase and the types of products in purchasing have come across the shifting in the consumer buying habits. On the contrary, previously marketers and organizations were able to comprehend the consumers buying behaviors and patterns through their experiences of selling the products to the consumers. However, firms and marketing decision makers lost direct contact with the customers with the augmentation of the market and organizations. Therefore, the consumer-buying behavior is one of the most significant aspects for the organizations in today’s time to be acquainted with the buying patterns and habits of the consumers so that they can focus on their products or services to the market. Since the consumer market profoundly depends upon the buying behaviors of the customers, therefore organizations should understand the market before developing or designing any marketing strategies. As a result, to the constantly ch anging buying patterns of the consumers, consumer research has become one of the imperative methods for the marketers and enterprises where they are spending millions of dollars for the study of consumer habits. Moreover, consumer research allows the marketers to gain more knowledge about the consumer behavior and their habits of buying a particular product or service. Furthermore, this research also makes the enterprise identify and recognize the responsibility of the customer towards the overall product that includes its features, price, advertising and several others over its competitors. The research will also lead to the surveillance that consumer enormously varies in age, income, education, taste and quite a lot of other factors. In addition, the consumer characteristics that influence their purchasing habits also include elements such as cultural, social, personal, and psychological characteristics. Therefore, the consumer research findings provide a great deal of assistance to the firms, as they are then able to determine the strong association between the marketing stimulus and the customer reaction.

Learning Theory Paper Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Learning Theory Paper - Assignment Example He focused on how some adults were self-directed in their learning and others were not. He found that 70% of adult learners were self-directed and they did not rely on academic learning as the way that they learned (Tough, 2002). Tough was interesting in examining why there were differences and he wanted to add information about why adult learners felt compelled to improve themselves with or without formal learning (Tough, 2002). The information that Tough presented provided more information on how to assist the adult learner beyond what had been provided in the past. Tough realized that adults were learning in many different ways and they were often discovering learning in nontraditional ways. Adults were learning all the time and it was a part of their everyday life. He found that most adults did not value this outside learning, because they associated learning with formal education (Merriam, Caffarella, and Baumgartner, 2007). In a survey that was done by Patrick Penland, a library school professor, it was found that adult learners were primarily interested in professional development, information that would enhance their family, and those things that would help them move forward in their jobs (Merriam, Caffarella, and Baumgartner, 2007; Tough, 2002). Tough categorized learning into several episodes and asked adult learners to report on projects that were about seven hours (Tough, 1971). He found that adults usually talked about their day in episodes, or spans of time that described a certain event. He also saw that adults were spending about15 hours a week learning, but that this time may be spent on learning many different things at once (Tough, 2002). Tough found that some adult learners (about 10%) were not interested in learning and that they were content with not learning. When the 10% of adults were questioned, Tough found that they had done many things in their lifetime to learn different things, and in their current

Social and Physical Benefits of Parks and Recreation Literature Review Essay - 1

Social and Physical Benefits of Parks and Recreation Literature Review Paper - Essay Example n areas in cities in the form of parks and recreation spaces are essential because of their social, physical and psychological benefits, besides preserving the natural resources of the locale. There is increasing evidence from research studies that indicates that â€Å"the presence of natural areas contributes to increased quality of life in many ways† (Chiesura, 2004, p.129) of city residents. Urban nature in the form of parks, forests, and green belts, and its components such as trees and water, positively impacts the environment and ecology of a region. It accomplishes â€Å"important environmental services such as air and water purification, wind and noise filtering, and microclimate stablilization† (Chiesura, 2004, p.130). Thus, parks promote physical health by providing green spaces and fresh air for exercising and walking, and increase social well-being through opportunities for interacting with neighbors at a shared, common location. The social and psychological services of parks and recreation are vital for the livability of modern cities (Chiesura, 2004). This is reiterated by Gidlof-Gunnarsson and Ohrstrom, 2007) who emphasize on the importance of providing easy access to nearby ‘noise-free’ green areas offering relief from environmental stress such as traffic sounds, and opportunities for rest and relaxation. Chiesura (2004) examined the significance of parks for citizens’ well being, and for urban sustainability. The author conducted a survey among visitors of an urban park in Amsterdam, to investigate people’s â€Å"motives for urban nature, the emotional dimension involved in the experience of nature and its importance for people’s general well being† (Chiesura, 2004, p.129). The results demonstrate that parks and recreation spaces are beneficial services fulfilling human needs of an immaterial and nonconsumptive nature. The positive functions of green areas also extends to reduced fear, fewer incivilities, and lower levels of

Analyzing Pro Forma Statements Essay Example for Free

Analyzing Pro Forma Statements Essay Upper management has propositioned the financial analysis team to develop Pro Forma financial statements covering the next five years for the new product line that increases revenue in a similar but slightly different market. (The make-believe company is a restaurant group, the make-believe new product is pizza). The financial statement helps assess the possible financial impacts of pizza. The Pro Forma statements are based on the current year’s (2014) Balance Sheet and Profit/Loss Statement and are projected for an 18% increase in sales each year for the next five years. Analysis for the Pro Forma statement indicates that sales increases from the 2014 mark of $571,379 to $1,307,177 by the end of 2019. Consequently, the projected additional revenue will have the following financial, reflected on the Profit/Loss Statement: Cost of Goods Sold increases by $25,000 per year (pizza is a low cost product after the equipment and license overhead is paid for). Currently COGS is $182,129, after year five the COGS will be $282,129. Therefore projected gross profit will grow to $1,025,048 from $414,250 Wages increase by 12.5% in the first year because of the new hires. Every year after the wage expense increases 2.5% because of merit based raises and bonuses. In 2014 our wage expense is $172,704, by 2019 it will grow to $214,462. Credit Card Fees and Taxes are expected to grow 20% each year because of the additional sales from $14,852 and $17,800 to $37,325 and $44,292 respectively The budget for Supplies, Water/Sewage, Utilities, Repairs and Maintenance will also increase every year by 20% given the additional sales. The following table organizes this data: Net profit is projected to grow from $109,531 to $332,283 by 2019 The Current Assets accounts of Cash, Accounts Receivables, Inventories, Pre-paid Assets, and Other are also projected to increase. Cash is projected to increase from the current amount of $200,000 to $457,552 by the end of 2019. Accounts Receivables will increase from the current amount of $371,379 to $$849,625. Inventory will increase from the current amount of $9,100 to $20,819 by the end of projected period, and Prepaid Assets will climb from $2,500 to $5,816. Total Fixed Assets are not projected to increase, the property and equipment assets associated with Total Fixed assets will depreciate stagnantly by $15,000 over the 5 year projected period. The Asset category, â€Å"Other† will increase from $988 to $2,107. Along with the increase of these asset accounts, the Liabilities Account of Account Payable will increase from $147,179 to $365,682 by the end of 2019. From the prepared Pro Forma projections, expanding the product line to pizza is good for the bottom line. Net Profit will increase by approximately 322%  and Cash is projected to increase by 228%. The additional retained earnings over the five year period from the pizza line can be used to finance the project. In other words, by applying the retained earnings from the pizza line project back into the company we can finance the project in-house. References: Parrino, R., Kidwell, D. S, Bates, T.W. (2012). Fundamentals of corporate finance (2nd ed). Hoboken NJ: Wiley.

The house of wisdom

The house of wisdom The House of Wisdom Case Study: Al-Khwarizmi. Abu Jafar Al-Mansur was taking no chances with his new imperial capital, Baghdad, for this was to be a city like no other. The second Abbasid caliph of the Muslims ordered his architects to mark the layout of the walls of his proposed city, a perfect circle, in keeping with the geometric teachings of the caliphs beloved Euclid, the great Greek mathematician who lived in the fourth and third centuries B.C, and was specialized in geometry (Hayhurst). Twelve years before work began on the capital, al-Mansurs brother Saffah completed the overthrow of the Umayyad dynasty, which has risen to power in the Muslim world three decades after the death of the Prophet Muhammed in 632. Saffah, sent his forces under the Abbasids distinctive black banners to hunt down the remaining members of the House of the Umayyads. The only significant figure to escape alive was Prince Abd al-Rahman, who fled to North Africa before going on to establish Western Caliphate in southern Spain. However, the victory o f the Abbasids, who found it politically possible to declare their direct lineage to the Prophet through his paternal uncle Abbas, was less a blood dispute between an aging dynasty and an ambitious pretender that it was an extensive cultural revolution throughout the Islamic lands. Al-Mansurs young court was virtually surrounded by established centers of Christian, Persian, and pagan learning; on the other hand, he had to go looking for one important element of what might be called Abbasid intellectual policy. At the caliphs invitation, an Indian scholarly delegation skilled in the movements of the starts arrived in Baghdad bearing Hindu scientific texts, an important jumping-off point for early Arab astronomy and mathematics. The Hindu sages understood how to solve equations based on trigonometric sine function and had devised smart ways to predict eclipses. The caliph ordered an official translation of the Hindu material into Arabic, part of an increasingly organized effort to absorb Persian and Indian knowledge. This same approach, accompanied by much original research was soon afterwards applied with the ancient learning of the Greeks (Lyons). The Umayyads laid the groundwork for scientific inquiry, but much of their early focus was on questions of Islamic law and the practice of medicine, a field in which they, like their successors, relied heavily on Christian physicians from Syria and Persia. The Abbasid caliphs delibrately pushed back these boundaries to make more room for the study of both philosophy and the hard sciences. According to the Arab historian Said al-Andalusi, who died in 1070, much of the credit for this goes to the founder of Baghdad:There was a surge in spirit and an awakening in intelligence. The first of this dynasty to cultivate science was the second caliph, Abu Jafar al-Mansur. He was, in addition to his profound knowledge of logic and law, very interested in philosophy and observational astronomy; he was fond of both and of the people who worked in these fields (Lyons). Another chronicler notes that the caliph directed numerous foreign translations into Arabic, including classic works of Hindu, Pe rsian, and Greek scholars, and set the direction for future research. Once in possession of these books, the public read and studied them avidly. (Lyons) To host the vast scale of work needed to study, translate, and store the huge volume of Persian and Greek texts, al-Mansur established a royal library modeled after those of the great Persian kings. Working space, administrative support, together with financial support were also required for the small army of scholars who take up these tasks and then build on them in creative and original ways. This was the origin of what became known as Bayt al Hikma or the House of Wisdom the collective institutional and imperial expression of early Abbasid intellectual ambition and official state policy. Overtime, the House of Wisdom came to comprise a translation bureau, a library and book repository, and an academy of scholars and intellectuals from across the empire. Its overriding function, however, was the safeguarding on invaluable knowledge, a fact reflected in other terms applied at times by arab historians to describe the project, such as the Treasury of the Books of Wisdom or simply the Treasury of Wisdom. Experts affiliated with the imperial institution staffed the caliphs observatory as well and took part in scientific experiments at his command. But the House of Wisdom also played an important role in the cultivation of Abbasid literary works (Lyons). Large sums of public funds were dedicated to the House of Wisdom and related projects of cultural and intellectual enrichment. Even diplomacy and on occasion war, was harnessed to the drive for greater knowledge. Abbasid delegations to the rival Byzantine court often conveyed requests for copies of valuable Greek texts, successfully securing works by Plato, Aristotle, Hippocrates, Galen, and Euclid; a copy of Ptolemys astronomical masterpiece soon became famous among the Arabs. The influential ninth-century scholar and translator Hunaun ibn Ishaq provides a taste of the length to which the Arab sages would go to obtain necessary material, in this case a missing medical manuscript: I myself searched with great zeal in quest of this book over Mesopotamia, all of Syria, Palestine and Egypt, until I came to Alexandria. I found nothing, except about half of it, in Damascus (Lyons). The caliphs and their officials were not the only ones behind this campaign. The effort became an integral feature of the Abbasid society itself and was supported enthusiastically by the social and political elite, from high born princes to merchants, bankers, and military officers. Even the concubines of the caliphs were known on occasion to contract with scholars for specialized translations. A former highwayman and childhood friend of Caliph al-Mamun, the seventh Abbasid ruler, turned his own facility for astrology into vast political power and wealth; he later fathered three children, known as the Sons of Musa, all of whom did original research in astronomy, mathematics, and engineering and generously funded other scholars and translators. Scholarships and other intellectual activities became an important means of social advancement, further breaking down what remained of the Arabs traditional hierarchy. They also encouraged competition for patronage among scholars from different traditions, primarily Arab and Persian, a phenomenon that ensured that high quality scientific and literary work would be carried out for centuries. The most skilled translator could earn huge sums of their work one was reputed to have been paid the weight of each completed manuscript in gold or rise to high office on the strength of their intellectual accomplishments. Without this institutional support, the considerable talents of the diverse scholars now under Abbasid rule would never have united into a powerful intellectual movement. Over the course of 150 years, the Arabs translated all available Greek books of science and philosophy. Arabic replaced Greek as the universal language of scientific inquiry. Higher education became increasingly organized in the early ninth century, and most major Muslim cities featured some type of university. One such institution, al-Azhar mosque complex in Cairo, has been the seat of uninterrupted instruction for more than one thousand years. Scholars traveled great distances to study with the most celebrated masters, dotted throughout the empire. Travel, and the accompanying exposure to new experiences and new ways of thinking, was an important element of a scholars education in a society that retained great reverence for the spoken word; other than face-to-face, how else could a learned man meet his colleagues and collect and debate their ideas? No one did more to advance the latest trends and then explain and popularize the results than the mathematician and astronomer Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi. Born around 783, al-Khwarizmi was able to take full advantage of the social mobility and intellectual meritocracy that characterized early Abbasid scholarly life in Baghdad. Little is known of his exact origins, although his name suggests that he or his family originally came from Khwarazm. Al-Khwarizmis Muslim faith is made clear by the pious prefaces to some of his works, but his descendants may have been Zoroastrians. Al-Khwarizmis years of greatest productivity corresponded with the reigns of the Abbasid caliph Al-Mamun and his two successors Al-Mutasem and Al-Wathiq. As a prominent researcher attached to al-Mamuns House of Wisdom, al-Khwarizmi went on to attain rare heights in such disciplines as astronomy, arithmetic, and algebra. He was considered at the head of the institution (Sayili). Al-Khwarizmi is known to be the author of the zij, a book containing astronomical tables. His first two tables were known as the Sindhind. The zij provided the Muslims with all the tools needed to locate the positions of the sun, the moon, and the five visible planets. The zij was used to a great extent to regulate the five daily prayers and to mark the crescent moon which determines the start of the lunar month. Al-Khwarizmis Arabic text has been lost, but it survives in 12th century Latin translation. There exists the proof that the so-called Arabic numerals were conveyed to the West. For Muslims, The Book of Addition and Subtraction explained fully a system that was already in some use by the early ninth century, and within a little more than 100 years it had led to the discovery of decimal fractions. Actually, the book was called the Book of Addition and Subtraction to the Hindu Calculations, and this reveals that Muslims were open to many civilizations and they built their knowl edge upon older civilizations and scientific discoveries. The Indians were the first to come up with the decimal place system of nine numerals and zero, apparently the system that we use today. Al-Khwarizmi used decimal fractions to find the roots of numbers and later to calculate the value of Pi the ratio of a circle to its radius, correctly to a notable sixteen decimal places (Brezina). Nothing could reveal the real power and ability of Al-Khwarizmi more than his short work on algebra. The Book of Restoring and Balancing (Kitab al-jabr wal-muqabala) was the perfect guide and also the perfect gift to caliph al-Mamun and the Muslim society. The book was considered the simplest and most useful in arithmetic for the day-to-day matters. The book was referred to in cases of inheritance, legacies, trade, law-suits, and dealings among members of the society. Also, the book was consulted where measuring of lands, digging of canals, geometrical computations and other subjects were concerned. To fit with the Islamic rules of islam, Al-Khwarizmi included a simple algebraic operation that solves the inheritance problem for any size assets. Besides, the calculation of the Zakat, the annual religious tax, was included in the guide (Lyons). South Korea and Taiwan export more manufactured goods in two days than Egypt in a year; 35% of Cairenes live in slums; in Saudi Arabia, up to 30% of people live in poverty. Since 1950 the Arab population has risen from 79m to 327m, but real wages and productivity have barely moved since 1970. Intellectual life is atrophying. More books are translated into Spanish in a year than have been translated into Arabic in the past 1,000, states the UNs Arab Human Development Report. The authors trace much of the regions problems back to Arab societys methods of child-rearing (the authoritarian accompanied by the overprotective) which, they argue, affects how the child thinks by suppressing questioning, exploration and initiative. All of which perfectly suits the Arab worlds leaders and corrupt bureaucratic elites. Should we care? Very much so. Already, poor economic opportunities, endemic corruption, education based on rote learning, state-sponsored Jew hatred, soaring youth populations and unemployment are a recipe for social catastrophe. Add the rise of radical Islam and the growth of Al-Qaeda and the mix becomes something explosive. Paradoxically, the answer to the Arab worlds future lies in its past. A millennia ago Arab and Muslim thinkers, writers, scientists and doctors led an intellectual revolution that is still shaping our world. Without the pioneering work of the 9thcentury mathematician known as al-Khwarizmi, for example, thered probably be no comput ers. The legacies of Baghdads House of Wisdom and Al-Andalus prove there are no contradictions between Islam and intellectual innovation, the motor of any dynamic society. The answer to the Arab worlds problems, say a growing number of modern Islamic thinkers and scholars, can be found in ijtihad. The word shares a root with jihad, meaning holy war or struggle. Jihad nowadays is often interpreted to mean military struggle in Iraq or Palestine, or even suicide bombing. But jihad also means the spiritual and intellectual struggle for knowledge, for self-enlightenment.

Literature Review: Smoking And Coronary Artery Disease

Literature Review: Smoking And Coronary Artery Disease Cigarette smoking highly boosts the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), and the associated risk is particularly high in subjects with diabetes mellitus (DM) (Mà ¼hlhauser, 1994). The prevalence of smoking worldwide is one and quarter billion adult smokers, 10% of them reside within South East Asian countries. Smoking prevalence in these countries is a range from 12.6% to 40% in Singapore and Laos, respectively. Malaysia is recording 21% adult current smokers (Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA), 2008). Cigarette smoking is estimated to cause more than five million deaths, making it the leading cause of preventable mortality worldwide (Peto et al., 1996). Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer consider the three relevant causes of smoking related mortality (Centers for Disease Control Prevention, 2008). It has well known that cigarette smoking increases the risk of microvascular complications in DM (ie, nep hropathy, retinopathy, and neuropathy) probably by its metabolic effects (worsening diabetes control and insulin resistance) in combination with increased inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. It appears to be stronger in type 1 diabetic patients, while the enhanced risk for macrovascular complications, coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and peripheral vascular disease, is most pronounced in type 2 diabetic patients (Eliasson, 2003, Haire-Joshu et al., 1999, Solberg et al., 2004). Smoking cessation can safely and cost effectively be recommended for all patients, and it is a gold standard against which other preventive behaviors should be evaluated. Stopping smoking at any age has a considerable impact on improving life expectancy, reducing morbidity and reducing health care costs associated with treating smoking related conditions (Asaria et al., 2007, Ward, 2008), but effective strategies are lacking cessation support (Everett and Kessler, 1997). There are several treatment interventions have been identified as essential to achieve cessation. These interventions include brief counseling by multiple health care providers, use of individual or group counseling strategies, and use of pharmacotherapy (Haire-Joshu et al., 1999). Smoking cessation medicines are among the most cost-effective disease prevention interventions available (Fiore, 2000). There are several types of them assist in smoking cessation are available. (Wu et al., 2006). The 2008 update to Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence, a Public Health Service-sponsored Clinical Practice Guideline Panel identified seven first-line (FDA-approved) medications (bupropion SR, nicotine gum, nicotine inhaler, nicotine lozenge, nicotine nasal spray, nicotine patch, and varenicline) and two second-line (non-FDA-approved for tobacco use treatment) medications (clonidine and nortriptyline) as being effective for treating smokers (Fiore et al., 2008). The most commonly used formulation is nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). It reduces motivation to smoke and many of physiological and psychomotor withdrawal symptoms usually experienced during an attempt to quit smoking, and therefore, may increase the likelihood of remaining abstinent (Gourlay and McNeil, 1990, W est and Shiffman, 2001). NRT is currently recommended as a safe intervention to general populations and higher-risk groups, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, adolescents, and smokers with cardiovascular disease (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), 2008). Systematic reviews show that all forms of NRT have been proven to be effective (Fiore et al., 2008) and it increase quit rate one and a half to two fold in comparison with placebo. There are many studies provide good evidence that smoking cessation pharmacotherapy enhance the success of quit smoking attempt (Cahill et al., 2008, Fiore et al., 2008, Hughes et al., 2007, Stead et al., 2008). Unfortunately, there are insufficient evidences to recommend one delivery system over another. Literature review This review will cover the aims of this research. Globally, it was estimated that there are about 1.3 billion smokers, half of whom will die from smoking-related diseases (Shafey et al., 2009). While in Malaysia, the Third National Health and Morbidity Survey has reported some decline in smoking statistics among general population (18 years and above) in Malaysia with an overall smoking rate of 21.5%; male and female smoking rates of 46.4% and 1.6%, respectively (Ministry of Health, 2006). To our knowledge, there is limited information about the prevalence of smoking among diabetes mellitus patients, but it seems to be mirror to general population, at least for young adults. Findings from the national Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System show that the prevalence of smoking in young adults with diabetes mellitus is similar to the prevalence in the general population (Ford et al., 2004). Other study in the United States found the age-adjusted prevalence of smoking was 27.3% and 2 5.9% among people with and without diabetes, respectively. The prevalence of smoking did not differ significantly between participants in both groups when they were stratified by age, sex, race, or education (Ford et al., 1994). Few studies examined the prevalence of tobacco use with diabetic patients, information that is critical for targeting prevention efforts. There is no estimated prevalence for smoking in diabetes mellitus patients in Malaysia. Few studies was conducted about the knowledge and awareness of diabetic patients towards smoking cessation and its pharmacotherapies. There is a survey done in the United Kingdom to investigate awareness of pharmacotherapeutic aids to smoking cessation in diabetic cigarette smokers. A structured questionnaire-based interview was held by research nurse individually with current smokers in a private room. Of 597 diabetic patients attending a routine clinic, one hundred diabetic patients were current smokers. The majority of them were type 2 diabetic patients (96%). There were 66% and 54% had heard about NRT and bupropion, respectively. Those who had heard about NRT, only 49% considered it safe with diabetes, while who knew of bupropion 39% thought it unsafe in diabetic patients. Approximately 84% were aware of the UK National Health Service (NHS) quit line, but only 8% had used it. The authors conclude that this subpopulation has poor knowledge and awareness of NRT and bupropion as aid s to quit smoking (Gill et al., 2005). A qualitative study done in the United States, aimed to investigate beliefs about cigarette smoking and smoking cessation among Urban African Americans with Type 2 Diabetes. Focus groups and a short survey were used to assess cigarette use patterns, perceived smoking health effects, preferences for treatment, and attitudes toward smoking cessation among this subpopulation. Twenty five participants were included in this study. The mean age was (SD) 48.5 years ( ±10.23), 60% female, smoked 20.9( ±12.54) cigarettes per day. Regarding the beliefs and knowledge about smoking and diabetes, Participants believed that smoking increased their risk for all health outcomes, though there was not a clear understanding of how. Furthermore, they believed smoking decreased their appetite and quitting smoking makes you gain weight, and that it would negatively affect diabetes. Regarding beliefs and opinions about stopping most participants desired to quit and believed it was important t o quit, but were not motivated to quit or confident they could achieve cessation (Janet L. Thomas et al., 2009). Another study established in the United States, aimed to assess what smokers believe about the health risks of smoking and the effects of smoking filtered and low-tar cigarettes, as well as their awareness of and interest in trying so-called reduced risk tobacco products and nicotine medications. It was conducted between May and September 2001. They gathered data on demographic characteristics, tobacco use behaviors, awareness and use of nicotine medications, beliefs about the health risks of smoking, content of smoke and design features of cigarettes, and the safety and efficacy of nicotine medications. The findings of this study showed a substantial percentage of respondents either answered incorrectly or responded dont know to questions about health risks of smoking (39%), content of cigarette smoke (53%), safety of nicotine (52%), low-tar cigarettes and filtered cigarettes (65%), additives in cigarettes (56%), and nicotine medications (56%). The smokers characteristics most commo nly associated with misleading information when all six indices were combined into a summary index were as follows: those aged 45 years or older, smokers of ultra-light cigarettes, smokers who believe they will stop smoking before they experience a serious health problem caused by smoking, smokers who have never used a stop-smoking medication, and smokers with a lower education level. Those who believed they would stop smoking in the next year were more knowledgeable about smoking. The authors conclude that smokers are misinformed about many aspects of the cigarettes they smoke and stop smoking medications (Cummings et al., 2004). Unfortunately, there is a dearth of information on the efficacy of smoking cessation pharmacotherapies in diabetic patients because large-scale studies involving this group do not report results separately for them. Additionally, there are few direct head to head comparison studies among them in this subgroup population. In an open-label, randomized trial conducted in Belgium, France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States, compared varenicline with transdermal NRT for smoking cessation. Participants were randomized to receive either 12 weeks of varenicline or 10 weeks of transdermal NRT (Aubin et al., 2008). The primary end point was continuous abstinence rate (CAR) during the last 4 weeks of each treatment. Secondary end points were CARs from the last 4 weeks of treatment through weeks 24 and 52 and the 7-day point prevalence of abstinence assessed at the end of treatment, week 24, and week 52. The Minnesota Nicotine Withdrawal Scale (MNWS) and The modified Cigarette Evaluation Questionnaire (mCEQ) measures of craving, withdrawal, and smoking satisfaction were assessed at baseline and at each weekly visit through week 7 (or at early termination). Data were analyzed in both the prespecified primary analysis population (all randomized participants who received at least 1 dose of study drug: 376 varenicline, 370 NRT) and the all-randomized population (378 varenicline, 379 NRT). CARs were significantly higher in the last 4 weeks of treatment of varenicline group compared with NRT group (55.6% vs 42.2%, respectively; Odds ratio (OR) = 1.76; 95% CI, 1.31-2.36; P < 0.001). At week 24, there was no significant difference in CARs (32.2% and 26.6%; OR = 1.33; 95% CI, 0.97- 1.82). At week 52, CARs were not significantly higher for varenicline over to NRT in the primary analysis population, although the difference in CARs remain significant through week 52 in all-randomized population analysis (25.9% vs. 19.8%; OR = 1.44; 95% CI, 1.02-2.03; P = 0.04). The 7-day point prevalence of abstinence at week 12 was significantly higher for varenicline compared with NRT (62.0% vs 47.0%, respectively; OR = 1.71; 95% CI, 1.27-2.30; P < 0.001). The d ifferences in 7-day point prevalence of abstinence were not significant at week 24 or week 52. For weeks 1 through 7, the average scores of MNWS and mCEQ for cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and the reinforcing effects of smoking were significantly lower with varenicline compared with NRT (all population analysis, P à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ °Ã‚ ¤ 0.001). Varenicline group had significantly lower MNWS subscale scores for negative affect and restlessness compared with NRT (both, P < 0.001); there was no difference between varenicline and NRT in the subscale scores for increased appetite or insomnia. A guideline Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: 2008 Update is a product of the Tobacco Use and Dependence Guideline Panel. This guideline contains strategies and recommendations designed to assist clinicians; tobacco dependence treatment specialists; and health care administrators, insurers, and purchasers in delivering and supporting effective treatments for tobacco use and dependence (Fiore et al., 2008). A meta-analysis displayed the effectiveness of the first-line smoking cessation medications compared with placebo at 6 months post-quit. They determined the estimated abstinence rate and odds ratio at 6 months post-quit (95% CI) compared with placebo estimated abstinence rate of 13.8% and estimated odds ratio of 1.0. Varenicline had the highest estimated abstinence rate and odds ratio (33.2% and 3.1), while nicotine gum had the lowest estimated abstinence rate and odds ratio (19.0% and 1.5). Another multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial compared the efficacy and safety of varenicline with placebo for smoking cessation in 714 smokers with stable cardiovascular disease that had been diagnosed for > 2 months. Participants received either varenicline (1 mg twice daily) or placebo at ratio 1:1, along with smoking-cessation counseling, for 12 weeks. Follow-up lasted 52 weeks. The primary end point was carbon monoxide-confirmed CAR for last 4 weeks of treatment. The secondary outcomes were the CAR from week 9 through 52; CAR for weeks 9 to 24 and 7-day point prevalence of tobacco abstinence at weeks 12 (end of drug treatment), 24, and 52. The CAR was higher for varenicline than placebo during weeks 9 through 12 (47.0% versus 13.9%; odds ratio, 6.11; 95% CI, 4.18 to 8.93) and weeks 9 through 52 (19.2% versus 7.2%; odds ratio, 3.14; 95% CI, 1.93 to 5.11). The varenicline and placebo groups did not differ significantly in cardiovascular mortality (0.3% ve rsus 0.6%; difference, _0.3%; 95% CI, _1.3 to 0.7), all-cause mortality (0.6% versus 1.4%; difference, _0.8%; 95% CI, _2.3 to 0.6), cardiovascular events (7.1% versus 5.7%; difference, 1.4%; 95% CI, _2.3 to 5.0) (Rigotti et al., 2010). Nides and his colleagues conducted a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, trial to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of three varenicline doses in adult smokers. Bupropion hydrochloride was included as an active control. Participants were randomized to receive varenicline 0.3 mg once daily, varenicline 1 mg once daily, varenicline 1 mg BID, bupropion SR 150 mg BID, or placebo for 7 weeks, with the option of participation in follow-up through week 52. The varenicline groups received active drug for 6 weeks, followed by placebo for 1 week. The primary efficacy outcome in this study was CAR for any 4-week period from baseline through week 7. Secondary efficacy outcomes involved the 4-week CAR for weeks 4 through 7, 4 through 12, 4 through 24, and 4 through 52; cravings and withdrawal symptoms, assessed using the MNWS and the brief Questionnaire of Smoking Urges (QSU-brief); reinforcing effects of smoking, assessed using the mCEQ; and changes in body weight (Nides et al., 2006). The findings of this study presented that the patients treated with varenicline (except of those who received varenicline 0.3 mg once daily) or bupropion SR had significantly higher CARs for any 4 weeks compared with placebo (P < 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively). The CARs for any 4 weeks were 48.0% for varenicline 1 mg BID (OR = 4.71; P < 0.001), 37.3% for varenicline 1 mg once daily (OR = 2.97; P < 0.001), 33.3% for bupropion SR (OR = 2.53; P=.002), and 17.1% for placebo. No statistical comparison was performed between the varenicline and bupropion SR groups. Only varenicline 1 mg BID was significantly more efficacious than placebo throughout the entire follow-up period (P à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ °Ã‚ ¤ 0.01). Varenicline 0.3 mg once daily and varenicline 1 mg once daily were significantly more efficacious than placebo through week 7 (P à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ °Ã‚ ¤ 0.05), and bupropion SR was significantly more efficacious than placebo through week 12 (P à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ °Ã‚ ¤ 0.05). Scores on the MNWS and QSU-brief indicated reductions from baseline in cravings with varenicline 1 mg BID compared with placebo at each weekly time point during active treatment (week 2: P < 0.01; weeks 1 and 3-6: P < 0.001). Varenicline 1 mg BID was also associated with consistent improvements from baseline (the day before the TQD) to week 1 in scores on several subscales of the mCEQ compared with placebo, including satisfaction (mean change, -4.82; P < 0.05), enjoyment of respiratory tract sensations (mean change, -0.84; P < 0.05), and aversion (mean change, 0.82; P < 0.05). (The mCEQ was not used beyond week 1 of the active-treatment period.) There were no significant differences on any of the mCEQ measures between the lower doses of varenicline and placebo (Nides et al., 2006). Rationale/Justification Few studies examined the prevalence of tobacco use with diabetic patients, information that is critical for targeting prevention efforts. To our knowledge, there is no estimated prevalence for smoking in diabetes mellitus patients in Malaysia. Most people today recognize major health risks from smoking, but this general knowledge does not necessarily translate into a belief that one is personally at high risk of becoming seriously ill as a consequence of smoking. Furthermore, general awareness of health risks does not mean that people are adequately informed about smoking in ways that might influence their smoking behavior. Because the knowledge, beliefs, and preferences of smokers facilitate maximum receptivity to programs, these are important considerations when developing effective cessation interventions. Therefore, we will investigate smokers knowledge about the health risks of smoking and their awareness of nicotine medications. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of information on the efficacy of smoking cessation pharmacotherapies in diabetic patients because large-scale studies involving this group do not report results separately for them. Additionally, there are few direct head to head comparison studies among them in this subgroup population. Objectives General objectives Determine the prevalence of smoking among diabetic patients in outpatient clinic at General Hospital Penang. To investigate diabetic smokers knowledge about the health risks of smoking and their awareness of nicotine medications. To estimate direct head-to-head comparison between varnicline and nicotine patch regarding to their efficacy in smoking cessation. Specific objectives Determine the prevalence of smoking among diabetic patients. To assess the knowledge of diabetic smokers about the health risks of smoking and their awareness of nicotine medications. To compare between varenicline and NRT in the abstinence rate of smoking. To compare between varenicline and NRT in the cravings and withdrawal symptoms, assessed using the MNWS and QSU-brief. To compare between varenicline and NRT in the reinforcing effects of smoking, assessed using the mCEQ. To compare between varenciline and NRT in changes in body weight. Research Methodology Study design This study comprises different types of study design according to the different objectives. For estimating the prevalence of the smoking among DM patients, it will be achieved by review the medical records for all diabetic patients who attend the diabetic outpatient clinic during 2010. Besides assessing the smoking status, we will collect also specific demographic and diabetic-related data. Any medical records does not contain information about smoking status will be excluded. The second objective in investigating knowledge and awareness of diabetic smokers about the health risks of smoking, smoking cessation and smoking cessation pharmacotherapies, the study design it will be cross-sectional survey. All the diabetic smoker patients who attend the outpatient diabetic clinic at General Penang Hospital in 2011 will be invited to participate in the survey. The questionnaire will be either distributed or interviewed by the clinical staff. The questionnaire will be based on another study. More detailed information on how the survey was conducted can be found elsewhere (Cummings et al., 2004). The questionnaire will be divided to two sections involving: socio-demographic, tobacco-related and diabetes-specific health information; knowledge and awareness towards the health risks of smoking and their knowledge of smoking cessation and smoking cessation pharmacotherapies. The sociodemographic information will include (age, sex, race à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ etc); diabetic-related information, it will contain: type of diabetes, type of diabetic treatment, duration of diabetes; while for smoking related information will involve: number of cigarettes smoking per day, age started smoking, duration of smoking, are there any attempt to stop smoking for any period of time, Are there other smokers in the household. To compare treatment effect of varenicline and nicotine patch in abstinence rate of smoking cessation for diabetic smoker patients and to investigate the impact of the smoking cessation on the diabetic control. The study design will be randomised, open-label, parallel group study. The participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio either to varenicline or nicotine patch treatments. Subject who will receive varenicline will administer 0.5 mg/day for 3 days, 0.5 mg twice daily for 4 days, then 1 mg twice daily thereafter. Full dosing was achieved by the target quit date (TQD) and continues up to 12 weeks. Participant who will receive nicotine patch applied transdermal patches each morning starting on the TQD for 10 weeks. Doses of NRT were 21 mg/day for the first 6 weeks, 14 mg/day for 3 weeks, then 7 mg/day for 3 weeks. We choose these two treatments (nicotine patch and varenicline) for several reasons. Nicotine patch is the most commonly used pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation (Burton et al., 2000, Pierce et al., 1995, West et al., 2001). Given that many smokers in general population use this treatment to quit smoking, it is important to determine treatment effect of other agents relative to the patch. Furthermore, recent data suggest that there is decline in the efficacy of nicotine patch over the previous 10 years (Irvin et al., 2003, Jorenby et al., 1999, Pierce and Gilpin, 2002). Varnecline is selected in this study because yet there is limited studies publish about the effectiveness of this treatment in the diabetic smoker population. Also, varnecline was found to be the highest efficacy in the 2008 PHS Guideline meta-analysis (odds ratio 3.1) comparing to placebo (Fiore et al., 2008). Finally, smokers could be encouraged to seek out this prescribed agent, and insurers and health care syste ms could be encouraged to make this treatment more widely available, if it could be demonstrated that varnecline is more efficacious than over-the-counter medication (such as nicotine patch). In this study we will collect three types of end points: efficacy, measuring of craving and withdrawal symptoms, and investigating the impact of smoking cessation on diabetic outcome. The primary outcome for efficacy in the study it will be self-reported CAR, confirm by exhaled CO levels of 6 ppm or below, during the last 4 weeks of treatment (varenicline and NRT, weeks 9-12 after TQD) The secondary is the CAR from the last 4 weeks of each treatment until 6 months. Other secondary outcomes are 7-day point prevalence of tobacco abstinence at weeks end of drug treatment and at 6 months. Continuous abstinence define as self-reported abstinence from any tobacco- or nicotine-containing product during the specific period and it will be verified by carbon monoxide (CO) level à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ °Ã‚ ¤ 10 ppm. If the CO level is more than 10 ppm will be classified as a smoker regardless of self-reported abstinence. Point prevalence abstinence define as self-reported abstinence from any tobacco- or nicotine-containing product in the past 7 days that was not contradicted by expired air CO > 10 ppm. These are traditional standards for assessing efficacy of smoking cessation interventions (Fiore et al., 2008, Hughes et al., 2003). The Minnesota Nicotine Withdrawal Scale (MNWS) (Cappelleri et al., 2005) will be used to assess urge to smoke, depressed mood, irritability, anxiety, poor concentration, restlessness, increased appetite and insomnia. The modified Cigarette Evaluation Questionnaire (mCEQ) (Cappelleri et al., 2007) will be used to assess smoking satisfaction, psychological reward, aversion, enjoyment of respiratory tract sensations and craving reduction. The two previous questionnaires will be administered baseline visit and at each weekly visit through week 6 (after TQD) and at the end of treatment or at termination for participants who discontinued the study before week 6 (TQD). While the MNWS will be administered to all participants, the mCEQ will be administered only to participants who report smoking since their last completed questionnaire. Furthermore, we will assess the level of the nicotine dependence by using the Modified Fagerstrà ¶m Test for Nicotine Dependence (Heatherton et al., 1991) that range to three score ranges: (0-3) score indicate to low dependent, (4-6) score indicate to moderate dependent and (7-10) score indicate highly dependent. It will be administered at the baseline of the study. Schematic presentation of study design: Screening all diabetic patients medical records to estimate prevalence of smoking among them Interviewed structured questionnaire for all diabetic smoker to: To know characteristics of diabetic smoker (sociodemographic, diabetic history and tobacco use history) Investigate the knowledge towards smoking cessation and its pharmacotherapies Patients who attend quit smoking clinic Assessed for eligibility Excluded: Did not meet entry criteria Withdrew consent Randomized at ratio 1:1 Allocated to Varnicline (2mg or 1mg) (For 12 weeks) and arrange for quit date Allocated to nicotine Patch (For 12 weeks) and arrange for quit date Follow up at the end of treatment (12 weeks) and at 6 months to assess: Abstinence rate of smoking cessation the cravings and withdrawal symptoms the reinforcing effects of smoking changes in body weight Analysis Inclusion criteria The inclusion criteria it will be varying among the different objectives: For investigating the knowledge and awareness towards smoking cessation and its pharmacotherapies, smoker and ex-smoker diabetic patients (either type I or II) of both sexes aged à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ °Ã‚ ¥18 years will be included. For the direct comparison between nicotine patch and varenicline, Diabetic smokers of both sexes aged à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ °Ã‚ ¥18 years who smoke à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ °Ã‚ ¥10 cigarettes/day and willing to quit smoking. Exclusion criteria Patient is currently using any form of tobacco other than cigarettes; any form of NRT or other smoking cessation therapy. Significant depression requiring behavioral counseling and those using medications with psychoactive effects (e.g., antidepressants, antianxiety agents). other active psychiatric diseases because of previously identified limitations with delivery of the specific counseling intervention in such subjects. History of skin allergies or evidence of chronic dermatosis. Patient has medical contraindications for any of the study medications. Pregnant, breastfeeding women or at risk of becoming pregnant. Drug abuse or HIV infected patient. Recent (à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ °Ã‚ ¤3 months) history of myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, serious cardiac arrhythmia, or other medical conditions that the healthcare provider deemed incompatible with study participation. Participation within the last 12 months in a formal smoking cessation program.

Influenzas Impacts on Manchesters Society :: Journalism Media Studies Health Essays

Influenza's Impacts on Manchester's Society Society Shaken Like countless cities across the globe, Manchester, England has had a difficult time adjusting to the impact of influenza. Countless residents are ill. Numerous schools have been closed. A recent decree has banned children under the age of 13 from "picture-houses and all places licensed for amusement." Now, public discussion has begun which could impede upon personal liberties in defense of the public health. A proposed Health Ministry would have the power to compel individuals to medical examinations and quarantines. One proponent within the Ministry of National Service has argued that such powers would mean that "not only influenza, but consumption, venereal disease, and many other of our most deadly plagues could be banished form the land in a few decades." Still, others wonder if such powers could actually be effective enough to warrant the invasion of privacy which they require. "It ain't the government's job to go looking down your throat and up your knickers" complained Manchester native Ms. Winston. Within the judicial system, the strain of influenza has required the easing of some legal precedent. In one example, a recently arrested lady doctor was quickly released from custody per the instruction of the Lord Mayor so that she may aid in the fight against the influenza. This leniency is understandable given the great toll which the extremely contagious disease has had upon health care workers. Recent reports indicate that within Manchester, over 300 nurses are infected, 10 have died, and one half of the ambulance staff is infected with influenza. Gravediggers, too, have been overburdened by the epidemic. The government has recently required that the City Engineer's department lend workers to aid with the required grave digging. Advertisement Epidemic? While the doctors and nurses of Manchester battle vigorously and daily against the influenza outbreak, another struggle rages on within the local papers. Advertising firms have seized upon a boom in local sales of influenza-related products. Companies are capitalizing on the public's increased interest in news reports in order to promote various, competing preventions and remedies for the disease. "'Tis only natural," reports Mr. Robert Thompson, maker of one product claiming to aid in the fight against influenza, "that we provide the people with the critical information of how one might best guard himself or herself against the Influenza. And, it so happens that my Thompson's Pure Phenol is irrefutably the best qualified product to do so. Influenza's Impacts on Manchester's Society :: Journalism Media Studies Health Essays Influenza's Impacts on Manchester's Society Society Shaken Like countless cities across the globe, Manchester, England has had a difficult time adjusting to the impact of influenza. Countless residents are ill. Numerous schools have been closed. A recent decree has banned children under the age of 13 from "picture-houses and all places licensed for amusement." Now, public discussion has begun which could impede upon personal liberties in defense of the public health. A proposed Health Ministry would have the power to compel individuals to medical examinations and quarantines. One proponent within the Ministry of National Service has argued that such powers would mean that "not only influenza, but consumption, venereal disease, and many other of our most deadly plagues could be banished form the land in a few decades." Still, others wonder if such powers could actually be effective enough to warrant the invasion of privacy which they require. "It ain't the government's job to go looking down your throat and up your knickers" complained Manchester native Ms. Winston. Within the judicial system, the strain of influenza has required the easing of some legal precedent. In one example, a recently arrested lady doctor was quickly released from custody per the instruction of the Lord Mayor so that she may aid in the fight against the influenza. This leniency is understandable given the great toll which the extremely contagious disease has had upon health care workers. Recent reports indicate that within Manchester, over 300 nurses are infected, 10 have died, and one half of the ambulance staff is infected with influenza. Gravediggers, too, have been overburdened by the epidemic. The government has recently required that the City Engineer's department lend workers to aid with the required grave digging. Advertisement Epidemic? While the doctors and nurses of Manchester battle vigorously and daily against the influenza outbreak, another struggle rages on within the local papers. Advertising firms have seized upon a boom in local sales of influenza-related products. Companies are capitalizing on the public's increased interest in news reports in order to promote various, competing preventions and remedies for the disease. "'Tis only natural," reports Mr. Robert Thompson, maker of one product claiming to aid in the fight against influenza, "that we provide the people with the critical information of how one might best guard himself or herself against the Influenza. And, it so happens that my Thompson's Pure Phenol is irrefutably the best qualified product to do so.

Alcohol and Alcoholism Essay -- Drinking Binge Alcoholic Effects Essay

Alcohol and Alcoholism Alcohol is a drug, but unlike the other drugs, marijuana, cocaine, heroine, and probably all the others for some reason this is socially accepted and is legal. Alcohol is bad for you and does have long term affects associated with it. Such as the long addiction to it, effects on the body, and the social interaction effects. Alcohol, and alcoholism is common in America, but drinking is more common around kids. Social drinking a term kids and drinkers have come accustom to, social drinking is defined by one standard drink per hour, and no more than 3 per day, but some people just socialize around people that drink as heavily as they do and confuse that for social drinking. Addiction to alcohol can be acquired easily if not careful, binge drinking and family history are all keys in the identification of addiction. Family history could be linked to alcoholism by finding out if your family had problems in the past with alcohol, and it is determined by studies that genes have effects on alcohol. Alcohol is a drug, but legal unlike the other drugs on the street, in my opinion drugs are all harmful to the body, and can have serious problems to you in the long run. Alcohol can effect the body in multiple ways. The tranquilizing effects of being drunk, acts like a stimulate, but is a depressant, and causes the brain to lower self control, and impairs vision, other senses and effects bodily coordination. This tranquilizing e... Alcohol and Alcoholism Essay -- Drinking Binge Alcoholic Effects Essay Alcohol and Alcoholism Alcohol is a drug, but unlike the other drugs, marijuana, cocaine, heroine, and probably all the others for some reason this is socially accepted and is legal. Alcohol is bad for you and does have long term affects associated with it. Such as the long addiction to it, effects on the body, and the social interaction effects. Alcohol, and alcoholism is common in America, but drinking is more common around kids. Social drinking a term kids and drinkers have come accustom to, social drinking is defined by one standard drink per hour, and no more than 3 per day, but some people just socialize around people that drink as heavily as they do and confuse that for social drinking. Addiction to alcohol can be acquired easily if not careful, binge drinking and family history are all keys in the identification of addiction. Family history could be linked to alcoholism by finding out if your family had problems in the past with alcohol, and it is determined by studies that genes have effects on alcohol. Alcohol is a drug, but legal unlike the other drugs on the street, in my opinion drugs are all harmful to the body, and can have serious problems to you in the long run. Alcohol can effect the body in multiple ways. The tranquilizing effects of being drunk, acts like a stimulate, but is a depressant, and causes the brain to lower self control, and impairs vision, other senses and effects bodily coordination. This tranquilizing e...

An Argumentative Essay Regarding the building of the Keystone pipeline

With an increasing global population and ever industrializing society's, environmental concern is rarely given priority over economic incentive. But what people fail to realize is that our environmental failures, and relative apathy about it set up a plethora of problems for future generations to deal with. One of the most important decisions president Obama will face in the next year will be whether or not to approve the building of the Keystone XL pipeline, a massively sized, and massively controversial oil pipeline that would stretch all the way from Alberta Canada, to American oil refineries along the Gulf Of Mexico.Despite the economic incentive present, the building of the Keystone XL pipeline should not happen because of the environmental risks posed, and the fact that it bolsters our dependence on fossil fuels. Oil pipelines are prone to environmentally devastating spills, and have never proved to be an effective long term solution for the transport of crude oil. A pipeline t he size of the Keystone XL would simply be a disaster waiting to happen.The proposed pipeline would stretch over 2,000 miles, and go directly above the Ogalalla Aquifer in the central United States. The Ogalalla aquifer is one of the largest, and most important in the entire United States, â€Å"About 27 percent of the irrigated land in the United States overlies this aquifer system, which yields about 30 percent of all ground water used for irrigation in the United States. The aquifer system supplies drinking water to 82 percent of the 2. 3 million people (1990 census) who live within the boundaries of the High Plains study area.† (Dennehy)The sheer size of the aquifer makes it so that the Keystone XL would have to go over it in order to reach it's destination, so what damage a spill would have is only magnified by the agricultural importance of the aquifer. There have been 24 oil pipeline spills in the US alone over the last decade, spilling over 680 thousand tonnes of oil. (List of Oil Spills). And even despite a recent spill in Arkansas, proponents of the pipeline still have failed to properly look into it's potential impact. â€Å"†¦the study is missing some critical elements, including an in-depth review of pipeline safety issues, added pollution in refinery communities and a special assessment of the impact on wildlife†¦. Keystone XL is rife with issues that exacerbate climate change and environmental injustices. † (Mogerman).Rather than be concerned with the issues presented by the pipeline, or the past precedent of failure many pipelines have had in the US, Keystone supporters seem to only be focused on the profit it's building would turn.And many wealthy supporters have turned to lobbying News programs into downplaying it's risks. â€Å"TV Outlets Mentioned Jobs Benefits Twice As Often As Spill Risks. Television outlets overlooked the threat of Keystone XL to the sensitive ecosystems along the pipeline route, mentioning the r isk of a spill in just 20 percent of coverage since Election Day, November 6, 2012. Meanwhile, 43 percent of television coverage promoted the jobs benefits of the pipeline.† (Fitsimmons)The media is the most effective way to get a message to the public, and wealthy oil corporations have proved they're willing to spend money to get a persuasive message across to the public, â€Å"Keystone pipeline supporters outspend it's opponents 35 to 1†¦ Some of this money going to news stations to encourage a positive view be portrayed. † (Israel) If the Keystone pipeline is built, a potential spill poses immense environmental risk to humans and wildlife alike, but supporters fail to acknowledge these risks and continue to push for it's production.America should be moving toward widespread usage of renewable energy, for the sake of its economy and environment; the building of the Keystone XL pipeline would only further our national dependence on non-sustainable sources of energ y.America, like many countries worldwide has been making a push toward sustainable energy on all fronts, and as public support of the shift becomes more and more apparent, â€Å"85% of Iowan's support wind farms, and this number is an accurate gauge of the approximate public attitude nationwide.† (Haugen) large energy companies, and other companies like car manufacturers become more and more likely to jump on the bandwagon and help the progress, â€Å"Green car madness has taken over. This year we have seen more electric and hybrid vehicle startups than ever before. † (Morrison) Nearly everyone recognizes the benefits of the shift, both in terms of how it would help our environment in the long term, but also the economic impact it would have, (reduced gas costs, lower electric and other utilities bills†¦ etc. ) But still, many large companies work to impede the progress in favor of  maintaining our dependence on fossil fuels.The American Petroleum institute has worked with many oil industry protection companies to stymie the renewable energy movement, even in some cases, â€Å"posing as environmentalist groups in order to attract the support of environmentalists while simultaneously pushing their anti-renewable agenda. † (Blankenhorn) Many of these companies striving against renewable energy also support the building of the Keystone pipeline, using the justification that the building of the pipeline would lower gas prices.But what they fail to acknowledge is the basic economic fallacy of this, â€Å"Fossil energy prices are not going to fall. The more you remove carbon-based resources from the ground, the more it costs to get more. † (Blankenhorn) The law of supply and demand dictates that as supply lessens, demand goes up, and as does price. So even if prices are lowered in the short term, the fact that crude oil is a non-renewable resource assures that the pipeline is in no way a permanent solution to gas prices so many peo ple worry about. Perhaps a more permanent solution to gas prices would to eliminate gas altogether.Rather than pumping money into a project like the pipeline that would simply increase our dependence on fossil fuels, more money should be put into the research and development of sustainable energy. With the US dollar that will go into building the Keystone pipeline, â€Å"Approximately 12. 2$ billion† (TransCanada), with that money alone, we could afford to put a whole home solar panel system on over 1. 8 million homes across the country (Wholesale Solar), or purchase a Nissan Leaf electric car (no gas emissions, 108 mpg) for over four hundred thousand people.(Gunther)Supporters of the Keystone Pipeline argue that the jobs created by the pipeline, and the money that would in turn be pumped into the economy validates its building. Approval of the pipeline would immediately add many job opportunities to the American workforce, â€Å"It's estimated that the Keystone XL project w ould help create at least 20,000 new American jobs in manufacturing and construction, said House Speaker John Boehner. † (Shierter) This immediate influx of jobs would benefit the national economy and reduce unemployment.Supporters also say that it's building would help reduce gas prices throughout the country, a pressing issue that effects a large number of people. â€Å".. they say the few pipelines that do connect Canada's oil production region to the US currently flow where refining capacity is limited. This means less gasoline for your tank. The result would mean more supply for US consumers, and therefore, lower gasoline prices. † (Sanati) With the pipeline carrying nearly 800,000 barrels of oil a day directly into U. S. Refineries, our foreign dependence would be significantly reduced, and the ‘everyday person' would see a drop in their gas prices.Supporters say that these economic incentives are enough enough to outweigh the environmental risks of building the pipeline. While the fact that the pipeline being built would immediately create 20,000+ jobs for American people is a fact, and can't be refuted, what supporters like John Boehner fail to acknowledge is the permanence of these jobs. The national energy panel came out with a report regarding the economic impact of building the pipeline, saying â€Å"†¦ once up and running, the operation of the pipeline would only support 35 permanent and 15 temporary jobs, mostly for inspections, maintenance and repairs.Based on this estimate, routine operation of the proposed pipeline would have negligible socioeconomic impacts. † (Buford) What good in an influx of 20,000+ jobs if, once done with their initial job are no longer needed? The idea that the jobs created by the pipeline should be enough to make us want to build it is a short-sighted evasion of facts. Rather than thrust people into impermanent jobs related to the pipeline employers nationwide should be pushing people towa rd working in the field of renewable energy, â€Å"The field of renewable energy has expanded vastly over the last 10 years, creating over 2.3 permanent jobs worldwide.A number expected to continue increasing. † But America has yet to embrace this shift as other countries have â€Å"In the United States, federal policies have been weak and inconsistent over the years. Still, a study for the American Solar Energy Society found that the U. S. renewables sector employed close to 200,000 people directly in 2006 and another 246,000 indirectly. † (Bezdek) The potential is there for renewable energy to emerge as a power player in terms of national employment in the U.S, other countries show it's massive potential, â€Å"In 2006 Germany had some 259,000 direct and indirect jobs in the renewables sector.The number is expected to reach 400,000-500,000 by 2020 and then 710,000 by 2030. † (Buhler) Yet the U. S still seems wary to make a commitment to renewable energy, in ma ny ways do to powerful oil companies and other people with economic interests in oil working to impede a national shift. Rather than focus on the short term employment that would come from the Keystone Pipeline, the American government and energy companies should work on shifting from fossils fuels, to renewable energy.It would not only benefit the environment, but expand an already existing field of permanent jobs. The risks posed by building the Keystone XL pipeline outweigh it's economic potential by a large margin. It's building would only further delay us as a country from moving toward widespread renewable energy. As inhabitants of this Earth it is our responsibility to preserve and protect the Earth and it's natural resources for future generations, to build the Keystone pipeline would contradict that philosophy.Many people have stepped up for the cause and publicly opposed the pipeline, whether through petitions, letters to political figures, or actual demonstrations, this p ublic pressure is what convinces politicians to support a stance, and this will to protect is exactly what will end up preserving our Earth. â€Å"We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity, belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, then we may begin to use it with love and respect. † An Argumentative Essay Regarding the building of the Keystone pipeline With an increasing global population and ever industrializing society's, environmental concern is rarely given priority over economic incentive. But what people fail to realize is that our environmental failures, and relative apathy about it set up a plethora of problems for future generations to deal with. One of the most important decisions president Obama will face in the next year will be whether or not to approve the building of the Keystone XL pipeline, a massively sized, and massively controversial oil pipeline that would stretch all the way from Alberta Canada, to American oil refineries along the Gulf Of Mexico.Despite the economic incentive present, the building of the Keystone XL pipeline should not happen because of the environmental risks posed, and the fact that it bolsters our dependence on fossil fuels. Oil pipelines are prone to environmentally devastating spills, and have never proved to be an effective long term solution for the transport of crude oil. A pipeline t he size of the Keystone XL would simply be a disaster waiting to happen.The proposed pipeline would stretch over 2,000 miles, and go directly above the Ogalalla Aquifer in the central United States. The Ogalalla aquifer is one of the largest, and most important in the entire United States, â€Å"About 27 percent of the irrigated land in the United States overlies this aquifer system, which yields about 30 percent of all ground water used for irrigation in the United States. The aquifer system supplies drinking water to 82 percent of the 2. 3 million people (1990 census) who live within the boundaries of the High Plains study area.† (Dennehy)The sheer size of the aquifer makes it so that the Keystone XL would have to go over it in order to reach it's destination, so what damage a spill would have is only magnified by the agricultural importance of the aquifer. There have been 24 oil pipeline spills in the US alone over the last decade, spilling over 680 thousand tonnes of oil. (List of Oil Spills).And even despite a recent spill in Arkansas, proponents of the pipeline still have failed to properly look into it's potential impact. â€Å"†¦the study is missing some critical elements, including an in-depth review of pipeline safety issues, added pollution in refinery communities and a special assessment of the impact on wildlife†¦. Keystone XL is rife with issues that exacerbate climate change and environmental injustices. † (Mogerman). Rather than be concerned with the issues presented by the pipeline, or the past precedent of failure many pipelines have had in the US, Keystone supporters seem to only be focused on the profit it's building would turn.And many wealthy supporters have turned to lobbying News programs into downplaying it's risks. â€Å"TV Outlets Mentioned Jobs Benefits Twice As Often As Spill Risks. Television outlets overlooked the threat of Keystone XL to the sensitive ecosystems along the pipeline route, mentioning the r isk of a spill in just 20 percent of coverage since Election Day, November 6, 2012. Meanwhile, 43 percent of television coverage promoted the jobs benefits of the pipeline.† (Fitsimmons)The media is the most effective way to get a message to the public, and wealthy oil corporations have proved they're willing to spend money to get a persuasive message across to the public, â€Å"Keystone pipeline supporters outspend it's opponents 35 to 1†¦ Some of this money going to news stations to encourage a positive view be portrayed. † (Israel) If the Keystone pipeline is built, a potential spill poses immense environmental risk to humans and wildlife alike, but supporters fail to acknowledge these risks and continue to push for it's production.America should be moving toward widespread usage of renewable energy, for the sake of its economy and environment; the building of the Keystone XL pipeline would only further our national dependence on non-sustainable sources of energ y. America, like many countries worldwide has been making a push toward sustainable energy on all fronts, and as public support of the shift becomes more and more apparent, â€Å"85% of Iowan's support wind farms, and this number is an accurate gauge of the approximate public attitude nationwide.† (Haugen)Large energy companies, and other companies like car manufacturers become more and more likely to jump on the bandwagon and help the progress, â€Å"Green car madness has taken over. This year we have seen more electric and hybrid vehicle startups than ever before. † (Morrison) Nearly everyone recognizes the benefits of the shift, both in terms of how it would help our environment in the long term, but also the economic impact it would have, (reduced gas costs, lower electric and other utilities bills†¦ etc. )But still, many large companies work to impede the progress in favor of  maintaining our dependence on fossil fuels. The American Petroleum institute has worked with many oil industry protection companies to stymie the renewable energy movement, even in some cases, â€Å"posing as environmentalist groups in order to attract the support of environmentalists while simultaneously pushing their anti-renewable agenda. † (Blankenhorn) Many of these companies striving against renewable energy also support the building of the Keystone pipeline, using the justification that the building of the pipeline would lower gas prices.But what they fail to acknowledge is the basic economic fallacy of this, â€Å"Fossil energy prices are not going to fall. The more you remove carbon-based resources from the ground, the more it costs to get more. † (Blankenhorn) The law of supply and demand dictates that as supply lessens, demand goes up, and as does price. So even if prices are lowered in the short term, the fact that crude oil is a non-renewable resource assures that the pipeline is in no way a permanent solution to gas prices so many peo ple worry about. Perhaps a more permanent solution to gas prices would to eliminate gas altogether.Rather than pumping money into a project like the pipeline that would simply increase our dependence on fossil fuels, more money should be put into the research and development of sustainable energy. With the US dollar that will go into building the Keystone pipeline, â€Å"Approximately 12. 2$ billion† (TransCanada), with that money alone, we could afford to put a whole home solar panel system on over 1. 8 million homes across the country (Wholesale Solar), or purchase a Nissan Leaf electric car (no gas emissions, 108 mpg) for over four hundred thousand people.  (Gunther)Supporters of the Keystone Pipeline argue that the jobs created by the pipeline, and the money that would in turn be pumped into the economy validates its building. Approval of the pipeline would immediately add many job opportunities to the American workforce, â€Å"It's estimated that the Keystone XL proje ct would help create at least 20,000 new American jobs in manufacturing and construction, said House Speaker John Boehner. † (Shierter) This immediate influx of jobs would benefit the national economy and reduce unemployment.Supporters also say that it's building would help reduce gas prices throughout the country, a pressing issue that effects a large number of people. â€Å".. they say the few pipelines that do connect Canada's oil production region to the US currently flow where refining capacity is limited. This means less gasoline for your tank. The result would mean more supply for US consumers, and therefore, lower gasoline prices. † (Sanati) With the pipeline carrying nearly 800,000 barrels of oil a day directly into U. S. Refineries, our foreign dependence would be significantly reduced, and the ‘everyday person' would see a drop in their gas prices.Supporters say that these economic incentives are enough enough to outweigh the environmental risks of buil ding the pipeline. While the fact that the pipeline being built would immediately create 20,000+ jobs for American people is a fact, and can't be refuted, what supporters like John Boehner fail to acknowledge is the permanence of these jobs. The national energy panel came out with a report regarding the economic impact of building the pipeline, saying â€Å"†¦ once up and running, the operation of the pipeline would only support 35 permanent and 15 temporary jobs, mostly for inspections, maintenance and repairs.Based on this estimate, routine operation of the proposed pipeline would have negligible socioeconomic impacts. † (Buford) What good in an influx of 20,000+ jobs if, once done with their initial job are no longer needed? The idea that the jobs created by the pipeline should be enough to make us want to build it is a short-sighted evasion of facts. Rather than thrust people into impermanent jobs related to the pipeline employers nationwide should be pushing people toward working in the field of renewable energy, â€Å"The field of renewable energy has expanded vastly over the last 10 years, creating over 2.3 permanent jobs worldwide.A number expected to continue increasing. † But America has yet to embrace this shift as other countries have â€Å"In the United States, federal policies have been weak and inconsistent over the years. Still, a study for the American Solar Energy Society found that the U. S. renewables sector employed close to 200,000 people directly in 2006 and another 246,000 indirectly. † (Bezdek) The potential is there for renewable energy to emerge as a power player in terms of national employment in the U.S, other countries show it's massive potential, â€Å"In 2006 Germany had some 259,000 direct and indirect jobs in the renewables sector.The number is expected to reach 400,000-500,000 by 2020 and then 710,000 by 2030. † (Buhler) Yet the U. S still seems wary to make a commitment to renewable energy, i n many ways do to powerful oil companies and other people with economic interests in oil working to impede a national shift. Rather than focus on the short term employment that would come from the Keystone Pipeline, the American government and energy companies should work on shifting from fossils fuels, to renewable energy.It would not only benefit the environment, but expand an already existing field of permanent jobs. The risks posed by building the Keystone XL pipeline outweigh it's economic potential by a large margin. It's building would only further delay us as a country from moving toward widespread renewable energy. As inhabitants of this Earth it is our responsibility to preserve and protect the Earth and it's natural resources for future generations, to build the Keystone pipeline would contradict that philosophy.Many people have stepped up for the cause and publicly opposed the pipeline, whether through petitions, letters to political figures, or actual demonstrations, th is public pressure is what convinces politicians to support a stance, and this will to protect is exactly what will end up preserving our Earth. â€Å"We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity, belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, then we may begin to use it with love and respect. †

Organizational Behaviour Essay

Explain ‘Y’ theory of Mc Gegor. Answer: Douglas McGregor proposed two   Ã‚  Home theories by which to view employee motivation. He avoided descriptive labels and   Ã‚  About simply called the theories Theory X and Theory Y. Both of these theories begin with Privacy the premise that management’s role is to assemble the factors of production,   Ã‚  Reprints including people, for the economic benefit of the firm. Beyond this point, the two   Ã‚  Terms of Use theories of management diverge. Theory Y The higher-level needs of esteem and self-actualization are continuing needs in that they are never completely satisfied. As such, it is these higher-level needs through which employees can best be motivated. Theory Y makes the following general assumptions: †¢ Work can be as natural as play and rest. †¢ People will be self-directed to meet their work objectives if they are committed to them. †¢ People will be committed to their objectives if rewards are in place that address higher needs such as self-fulfillment. †¢ Under these conditions, people will seek responsibility. †¢ Most people can handle responsibility because creativity and ingenuity are common in the population. Under these assumptions, there is an opportunity to align personal goals with organizational goals by using the employee’s own quest for fulfillment as the motivator. McGregor stressed that Theory Y management does not imply a soft approach. McGregor recognized that some people may not have reached the level of maturity assumed by Theory Y and therefore may need tighter controls that can be relaxed as the employee develops. Theory Y Management Implications If Theory Y holds, the firm can do many things to harness the motivational energy of its employees. Decentralization and Delegation – If firms decentralize control and reduce the number of levels of management, each manager will have more subordinates and consequently will be forced to delegate some responsibility and decision making to them. 2. Job Enlargement – Broadening the scope of an employee’s job adds variety and opportunities to satisfy ego needs. 3. Participative Management – Consulting employees in the decision making process taps their creative capacity and provides them with some control over their work environment. Performance Appraisals – Having the employee set objectives and participate in the process of evaluating how well they were met. 5. If properly implemented, such an environment would result in a high level of motivation as employees work to satisfy their higher level personal needs through their jobs. 2. Explain Chris Argyris’s immaturity – maturity theory. Answer: Chris Argyris developed the Theory of Immaturity-Maturity. Individuals progress at different rates from the total immaturity of early childhood (being passive, dependent, shallow, limited activity) to maturity (active, independent, deeper thoughts, more varied interests). Most organizations have bureaucratic or pyramidal values that foster immaturity in workers and â€Å"in many cases, when people join the workforce, they are kept from maturing by the management practices utilized in their organizations† (Hersey 65). Argyris’s Immaturity-Maturity Theory is the most intriguing of these motivational theories. Unfortunately, most organizations still adopt the bureaucratic or pyramidal style of leadership. This authoritarian style often resembles a family with a dominating parent (management) exercising almost total control over the children (employees). It is no wonder in these environments that trust and creativity are rare. There are exceptions however. The leadership of the author’s employer, the YWCA of Nashville, values employees and treats them with respect. As a result, YWCA staff members are more independent and have room to grow. It is easy to apply this theory to many circumstances outside the workplace. Families in which parents are either over-protective or, on the other extreme, do not protect their children at all may have offspring who are immature and have trouble forming long-term relationships. Governments with strong central authority where people have little personal freedom usually have citizens who are dependent financially and psychologically. Schools where rigid rules are more important than the free flow of ideas will probably graduate students with narrow views and a lack of creativity. It is obvious that human beings flourish only when they are in an environment with trust, support and independence. The fact that bureaucratic/ pyramidal values still dominate most organizations, according to Argyris, has produced many of our current organizational problems. While at Yale, he examined industrial organizations to determine what effect management practices have had on individual behaviour and personal growth within the work environment. Personality changes According to Argyris, seven changes should take place in the personality of individuals if they are to develop into mature people over the years. †¢ First, individuals move from a passive state as infants to a state of increasing activity as adults. Second, individuals develop from a state of dependency upon others as infants to a state of relative independence as adults. Third, individuals behave in only a few ways as infants, but as adults they are capable of behaving in many ways. †¢ Fourth, individuals have erratic, casual, and shallow interests as infants but develop deeper and stronger interests as adults. †¢ Fifth, the time perspective of children is very short, involving only the present, but as they mature, their time perspective increases to include the past and the future. †¢ Sixth, individuals as infants are subordinate to everyone, but they move to equal or superior positions with others as adults. Seventh, as children, individuals lack an awareness of a â€Å"self,† but as adults they are not only aware of, but they are able to control â€Å"self.