Company Analysis Northwest Airlines Essays - American Brands

Company Analysis Northwest Airlines Company Analysis: Northwest Airlines Introduction to Business BN-1020 Dr. Randall By, James Academia Introduction Northwest Airlines is one of the pioneers in the airline transportation industry and is ranked at the fourth largest air carrier in the United States today. The success of the carrier depends on the quality and reliability of the service at a reasonable price. Close competitors force Northwest to innovate their services by increasing efficiency. This essay will try to examine different perspectives in the services needed to successfully complete the companys objectives. The analysis will explain historical and financial perspectives that may give a better understanding of the current market trend of the organization. Services Northwest Airlines is engaged principally in the commercial transportation of passengers and cargo. (5) NWA is a complete full service air transportation carrier that is the forth-largest air carrier in the world that services over 750 destinations located in 120 different countries on 6 continents. They operate 2,600 flights daily around the world and operate more than 200 nonstop between the United States and Asia each week. Headquarters is based in Minneapolis/St. Paul. The main connecting hubs are located at Detroit, Minneapolis, Memphis, and Tokyo. Northwest employs 50,600 employees nationwide as of Dec. 31, 1998. (6) NWA also has 1269 Stockholders as of Feb. 26, 1999. (6) Northwest continues to improve cargo shipping by proudly dedicating 12 Boeing 747 aircraft and easily becoming one of the largest cargo airlines in the world. (4) Cargo is very profitable for Northwest because Northwest has predicted cargo revenue will top the 900 million mark in 2000. (3) The enormous fleet o f aircraft contains 400 airplanes. (1) Northwest has subsidiaries wholly owned (Unless otherwise indicated by NWA) by Northwest Aircraft, Northwest Aerospace Training corps, MLT Inc, Express Airlines, and Express Airlines I. (6) History Northwest Airlines began service on October 1, 1926, flying mail between Minneapolis / St. Paul and Chicago. (2) They started passenger transportation in July 7, 1927. (2) Throughout the years Northwest has grown steadily by acquiring new system routes in the northwestern region of the USA. The year 1930 was a landmark in history because Northwest moved their home base operation to their present headquarters in St. Paul. The air service grew overnight with the acquisition of Southern Airways in 1936. Northwests famous red tail was introduced for the first time on February 1948. The reason why Northwest selected a red tail is because the majority of flights flew over the northern hemisphere. If a flight were to have an accident in snowy surroundings the red tail would easily identify the aircraft. Expansion efforts continue throughout the system but the largest and most significant expansion happened on January 6, 1986. Northwest agrees to purchase Republic Airways and Northwest employees increased from 17,000 employees to approximately 33,000 over night. Northwest continues to expand service in both European and southeastern Asian countries. In 1993, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines purchases 51% of Northwests common stock making KLM an owner and a code-sharing partner. Northwest finds that code sharing is beneficial towards the coverage of and expansion of their service so northwest acquire alliances with China Air, Continental Airlines, and Alaska Airlines to name a few. Northwest is still looking to expand their service coverage by obtaining new routes. Opinion Northwest Airlines has proved that their dedication to superior air service will be their main objective. The mission of the company clearly explains how Northwests corporate culture focuses on their main objectives. The people of Northwest Airlines will provide reliable, convenient, and consistent air transportation that meets or exceeds customer expectations and earns a sustainable profit (1) Northwest enforces values and guiding principles into the workers so that the customers and employees can get a full understanding of where the company stands concerning these issues. (1) Northwests Values 1. Safety First 2. Honesty and Integrity 3. Trustworthiness 4. Respect for self, others, and for property 5. Caring 6. Resourcefulness Guiding Principles 1. Never Compromise Safety 2. Always Emphasize Cleanliness 3. Always put customers first 4. Always support and inspire each other 5. Always strive to Improve These principles and values form the ideal employee. These positive ideals also create an ideal work environment and maintain high morals and attitudes in the workforce. My experience with Northwest has been very positive. I was able to travel to twelve different countries so far in my career

Ringling Museum essays

Ringling Museum essays The Ringling Museum of Art was worth the trip to Sarasota, Florida. At first I didnt know what to expect, I thought it would be a boring museum of prints or a limited collection on display for a period of time; however, this was not the case. At first I didnt put two and two together but upon arrival at the museum two plus two suddenly became four. John Ringling was co-founder and owner in 1884, along with his five brothers, of the Ringling Brothers Circus. Later in 1907 they acquired the Barnum Zan then in 1927 the Ringling Museum of Art and then later he added the winter quarters for the circus. Also during this time from about 1924 to 1931 John and his wife collected 600 pieces of various works of art including paintings, sculptures, and furniture for the museum. The various works of art spam from the 1500s through the Renaissance period to the 19th Century and include works from Francesco Salviati, Carlo Dolci, Paolo Veronese. John and Mable new of the importance of expo sing people to the artworks of the world and in 1930 the museum opened to the general public. Unfortunately six years after the opening of the museum John died in 1936 leaving this wonderful exhibit to the people of Florida. After ten years of turmoil over ownership the State of Florida in 1946 agreed to continue the legacy left by John and his wife. The Museum now comprises sixty-six acres including the new college...

Reflection for movie Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Reflection for movie - Essay Example The Invisible War shows that such an assumption is not only false; it is horribly skewed by the media and the government itself because rape continues to be endemic to the army and unresolved enough to persist up to the present without any definite solutions for its prevention and remediation. The film demonstrates the irony between the image and the reality of female soldiers. The film starts with a patriotic song and testimonies of women, who dreamt of being soldiers, of serving their country and feeling pride in doing so. That is the ideal image. The reality is shattered when all of these women, once idealistic and patriotic, declared that they were all raped, not just once, but many times, in the army. It does not matter if they served in the Coast Guard, the Navy, the Army, or the Air Force. It does not matter where they where during their service. These women, who wanted to serve their country so sincerely and genuinely, were raped not long after starting their services. The U. S. government and the army want to send the image that they are gender-sensitive by hiring women, but they do not protect their rights and interests at all. With rape so pervasive in the army, it is a shame that they even hire women whom they cannot protect. The media and the government are in it, in hiding and undermining the invisible war, because rape continues to rise and prevention and remediation measures are barely accessible to the victims. ... Cioca’s broken jaw from the rape she experienced needs immediate surgery, but one year after her complaint, she does not get the financial support she needs. It is heartbreaking how, as a victim, the government either forgot her or consciously wants to forget about her. I do not want to think about conspiracy- that the government is purposely trying to kill these veteran soldiers who reported about rape that involved their superiors or peers. But when Cioca talked about the medicine that the government gave her, which when combined are lethal and already killed other vets, I am now doubtful of the motives of the government. If the government cared enough for these women, why not give them the therapy and resources they need to move on with their lives, aside from putting their rapists behind bars for their entire lifetime? None of these is happening. Why? The government and the army work together in perpetuating a patriarchal world, where women are still seen as sexual objects , as commodities that can be raped and thrown aside. Instead of offering laws, measures, and controls that will provide justice and support for the victims and that will prevent rape in the army, the government only offers empty promises to those who are raped. Patriarchy is not dead. It is in the government that is blind and deaf to the support and justice needed by raped veteran soldiers. It is in the army that does not provide proactive measures to stop rape and other justice and financial support services and resources for the rape victims. Patriarchy is alive. It must be killed. And we must wage an all-out war against it before another one of our valiant female soldiers get raped. Crying for Women that Others Do Not Cry for in No Woman, No Cry Christy Turlington

EXPLAINING bEHAVIOUR Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

EXPLAINING bEHAVIOUR - Essay Example According the psychoanalytical theory of Freud, a child goes through a series of psychosexual stages as he grows up. Each stage is dominated by the development of sensitivity in a particular erogenous or pleasure-giving zone of the body. Freud identifies five stages of psychosexual development: the oral, anal, phallic, latent and genital. The oral phase starts from the moment of birth, when both needs and their fulfilment involve participation of child’s tongue, lips and teeth. Mouth is the first zone of body the child can control and due to this the most part of his sexual energy is focused on it. Later, when the child can control other parts of his body, a certain part of his energy still remains ‘cathected’ to his mouth. Therefore it is natural for a child to have a moderate interest to oral pleasures at this stage (Frager & Fadiman, 2000). As the child grows up new zones of pleasure appear. At age between two and four years the child is learning how to control the anal sphincter and bladder, they obtain much of his attention. The process of toilet training excites the child’s interest to self-discovery. Since parents interfere with elimination pleasures, the child develops ambivalent attitudes toward them. As children resolve the conflict between their needs for parental love and instinctual gratification they evolve lifelong attitudes toward cleanliness, orderliness, punctuality, submissiveness, and defiance (Bateman & Holmes, 1995). At the age of tree years the child enters the phallic stage of development: he focuses on his genitals. This phase is called phallic because the child starts to realize whether he has penis or not. At that point children understand the difference between two sexes. During phallic stage of development children treat their parents as a potential threat to fulfilment of their needs (Frager &

Athletic programs Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Athletic programs - Essay Example As I reflect upon my experiences from these sports programs, I believe that the lessons I have imbibed greatly contributed to my overall development as an individual. I reckon that the benefits I have derived from joining these programs make be better equipped in facing the challenges of high school life. As a part of the athletic programs, I have greatly appreciated the concept of teamwork. These programs have made me realize that through team effort goals would achieved more efficiently. Instead of working or playing on my own, I have grown to become a team player. In my high school years, this characteristic would help me relate with my group mates or peers both inside and outside the classroom. Moreover, participating in athletic programs has assisted me in gaining self-confidence. Through the guidance of trainers, I developed my belief in my skills as a soccer player, student and individual who is part of a team. This trait also enabled me to easily accept rejections and failures. As a high school student, this is vital because such gives me the courage to try various pursuits. Should I fail in these endeavors, I could easily inspire myself to improve and find ways to further hone my skills to succeed. The athletic programs have also molded me to embody sportsmanship.

The Outsourcing Industry Philippines Health And Social Care Essay

The Outsourcing Industry Philippines Health And Social Care Essay The outsourcing industry is currently a growing trend in the Philippines providing employment opportunities for many young professionals. The Philippine outsourcing industry has grown 46% annually since 2004 (Rivette, 2010) and is currently representing 21% of the $7.2 billion of total Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) revenues worldwide. With the increase in BPO employment opportunities, more and more young Filipino professionals are applying for and working as call center agents. Approximately 400,000 Filipinos are already employed as call center agents (Rivette, 2010) and with a growth rate of 46% annually, it can be estimated that another 200,000 Filipinos will be joining this work force next year. However, despite the economic benefits of the expansion of BPO in the Philippines, an increase in work-related diseases in call center companies have also been reported. The most researched work-related disease in call centers in the Philippines is on sexually transmitted infections, particularly HIV-AIDS. According to the study done by the UP Population Institute (2010), 20% of male call center agents are commercial sex workers while 14% of them give payment in exchange for sex. The study also showed that 1/3 of call center agents have had casual sex in the last 12 months. These statistics validate the increase in risky sexual behavior among call center agents in the Philippines. However, increase in risky sexual behavior is only a part of the lifestyle of most call center agents. Other poor lifestyle choices observed among call center agents is their patronage of fast food, smoking, consumption of alcohol, increased caffeine intake, decreased sleep, and decrease physical inactivity. Besides poor lifestyle choices, the nature of their work also predisposes them to stress and disturbances in their sleeping pattern. All of these factors predispose them to health problems particularly hypertension, obesity, and diabetes. A number of studies have already been condu cted on the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases and call center agents in the Philippines but there are currently no studies yet on the incidence of other diseases among call center agents. This study would like to bridge this information gap because knowledge on the development of other diseases like hypertension and diabetes are also as important as knowledge on the increased transmission of STIs among call center agents.    In this study, the researchers would like to explore the association between the development of Diabetes Mellitus Type II among call center agents in the Philippines. As mentioned above, call center agents and their lifestyle predisposes them to developing diabetes. The researchers would like to address the problem of potentially developing Diabetes Mellitus because of the long-term complications of this disease on the quality of life. The researchers would want to specifically address Type II Diabetes Mellitus for the basic reason that this type of Diabetes develops primarily because of lifestyle factors. The researchers believe that knowledge on the association between call center agents and the development of Diabetes Mellitus Type II is highly significant because of the health implications of this disease and its potential to be prevented. II. Significance of the Study The increasing trend of call center agencies in the country provides job opportunities to the increasing supply of graduates in the country. Being employed as a call center agent in a call center agency is assumed to increase the risk of predisposition to different disease entities because of the radical lifestyle changes one undergoes. With the increasing number of employed call center agents, there is therefore an increase in the number of people who are at risk of acquiring diseases. Few literature deals with call center agents that discusses the acquisition of certain diseases secondary to their occupation. This study aims to increase the fund of literature with regard to this. Diabetes Mellitus, Type II is a chronic and debilitating disease. Also, as said, this is a life-long disease. Once a person acquires this disease, he or she will forever be predisposed to the co-morbidities and effects of the disease; which in turn, will decrease ones number of productive life years.   Prevention is the most cost-efficient approach when targeting populations. If the results of this study will show an association between being a call center and acquiring Diabetes Type II, we would be able to address the gap in knowledge with regards to the association of being an employed call center agent and acquiring Diabetes Mellitus, Type II. Also this would provide additional data for policy makers to address measures with regards to the prevention of this disease. III. Scope of Limitations   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The study will only include employees in call centers in Ortigas, Philippines. The study will be done for a period of 5(?) years and will only determine if an individual will develop Type II Diabetes Mellitus (DM) or not. The study will not quantify the degree and severity of the disease upon diagnosis. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) will be used in the diagnosis of DM, as it is the most reliable and convenient test for identifying DM in asymptomatic individuals (Fauci et al, 2008) and part of the guidelines used by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE Diabetes Mellitus Clinical Practice Guidelines Task Force, 2007). Individuals will be counted as cases if diagnosed with Type II DM through the course of the study. Cases will be provided with appropriate interventions (non-pharmacological, referral).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  The study will exclude those who have the following at the start of the study: Type II DM, history of Diabetes in the immediate family, body mass index (BMI) above or below the normal value as per Asian standard, and more than or equal to 30 years of age. These exclusion criteria are the factors that can be controlled in selecting the individuals within the population that may predispose them to be identified as cases. IV. Review of Related Literature Call Center Industry According to a review done by OMaley (2008), the Philippines has been a major player in the outsourcing industry over the past ten years. Six major factors were identified to be the reasons why the Philippines participate radically in the said industry. One is the increasing government support for information technology investment despite the erratic political climate. Second is the continuous pooling of college graduates with good English communication skills and proficiency. It was stated in the review that 75% of the total population in the Philippines (according to a United Nations data) speak English fluently with a 94% literacy rate which gives a relative advantage in the industry as compared to other countries. Third is high knowledge about Information and Communications Technology (ICT). Fourth is the easy establishment of a reliable and reasonably priced telecommunication infrastructure. Fifth are the low costs but high quality locations of call center agencies. And lastly, sixth, the increasing trends of outsourcing globally. In that same article written by OMaley, it was said that the Philippines consistently ranks among the top five Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) locations globally. This shares a five-year-compounded annual growth rate of 38%. The Philippine BPO system was also coined as the major player in the growth of the service sector in the country. The Philippines plays a major role in supplying the demand for more call center agents as an effect of the global trending of outsourcing worldwide. According to the Philippine National Statistic Office (2010), call center activities ranked first among all BPO activities covering almost half of the total industry with 219 (48%) call center establishments.    With the increasing number of call center agencies, it is logical to say that there is also an increasing need for call center agents to work for such industry. Call center activities employ majority of the workers among all BPOs. In 2008, call center agencies employed about 150,000 workers (Philippine National Statistics Office, 2010). There are about 400,000 Filipinos who are currently employed as call center agents according to Rivette (2010). Call Center Agents According to  a policy provided by the Employment and Immigration Department of the Government of Alberta (2008), call center agents are the ones who respond to questions and inquiries, build customer relationships, resolve customer problems and provide information about company policies, products and services over the phone and via electronic communication. Working conditions from one call center to another may differ. According to that same policy, call center agents usually work indoors but in a rather open environment to decrease privacy. Further, managers are allowed to record and monitor the conversations of an agent and his or her customer. Working shifts also differ from one agency to another. Some agencies provide services 24-hours a day, seven days a week. Lifestyle of Call Center Agents and Associated Health Risk Factors Because of the nature of their work, call center agents usually live a lifestyle that may put them at risk for development of certain diseases. First, call center workers remained in a static sitting position 95% of the time (Rocha, 2005) which makes them prone to physical inactivity that may lead to obesity. Development of obesity is of significance because it is a risk factor for the development of Diabetes Mellitus Type II according to the AACE Diabetes Mellitus Clinical Practice Guidelines Task Force of 2007. Second, call center workers are exposed to a highly stressful environment. Call center workers identified call-time pressures i.e., having to process a customer call within a specific number of seconds as having the strongest relationship to job stress (Di Tecco et al, 1992). Another study identified having to deal with difficult customers as the most significant source of job stress in 54.0% of call center agents handling inbound services and 54.4% of call center agents handling outbound services (Lin et al, 2010). High levels of stress can lead to increased cortisol levels in the body which is of significance because of its effects on body metabolism. Abnormalities in body metabolism can lead to metabolic problems such as stress-induced obesity which may give rise to hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and hyperglycemia (Andrews, 2002). Third, the usual diet of call center agents is high in cholesterol and fat and low in fiber which puts them at risk for dyslipidemia and hypercholesterolemia. In a study conducted by the UP Population Institute, they identified the usual lifestyle choices of young professionals in Metro Manila and Metro Cebu. They studied the economic, social and health status of 929 young professionals less than 35 years old working at call centers and non call centers. The study revealed that there is a high level of consumption of chips, burgers, fries and fried chicken among the workers and a few number consume instant noodles and street food regularly. It was found out that fried chicken was the most popular food choice among Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) workers with 78% saying that they consume it regularly. Chips were the next most popular food choice with 54% saying they consume it regularly, followed by fries at 53% and burgers at 49%. High caffeine intake was also reported in 2/3 of a ll young professionals drinking coffee daily. However, the study pointed out that call center workers drank more coffee than non-call center workers. Call center workers drank 2.3 cups of coffee daily while non call center workers drank 1.7 cups daily. Tea intake was also reported where 1/4 of all call center workers drank tea while only 1/5 of non-call center workers drank tea. The study also revealed that 50% of all young workers drink soda daily at an average of 1.5 bottles or cans daily. The study also explored leisure activities of call center agents. Based on the UP Population Institute survey, 72% of call center agents said that their most common leisure activity is drinking compared to partying (62%) or videoke gimmicks (59%). The study said that overall there is a very high level of current drinking among workers, 85% for call center agents and 87% for non-call center agents. Fatty food and consumption of alcohol can increase triglyceride and cholesterol levels which is a risk factor for the development of diabetes (AACE, 2007). Fourth, sleep deprivation is common among call center agents. In the same study, they also found out that instead of the recommended 8 hours of sleep, call center agents only get 6.2 hours of sleep each day. Sleep deprivation can lead to metabolic disturbances and hormonal changes causing obesity (Merck) and consequently diabetes. Fifth, due to fatigue and lack of sleep, call center agents resort to smoking to cope with stress. They reported that 43% of call center employees smoke while only 21% of non call center agents smoke. A call center agent who smokes usually consumes 9 sticks a day on average. Smoking is a known risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis leading to hypertension and cardiac disease. Since hypertension and cardiac disease are risk factors for the development of Diabetes Mellitus Type II (AACE, 2007), smoking may then predispose an individual in developing diabetes. Diseases Associated with Call Center Employees An increase in the turnover, absenteeism, and occupational diseases in call center employees resulted from lack of modernization of processes and organizational planning in call centers in Brazil (Rocha et al, 2005). A focused group investigation conducted in a call center employed with 200 individuals observed the presence of complaints of muscular pain, stomach aches, sleep alterations and irritability (Westin in Rocha et al, 2005). Work-related muscular disorders were found to be highly prevalent among the female than male call center employees, specifically on the neck/shoulder region (43%) and on the wrists/hands region (39%). It was observed that a combination of high demands and lack of work control among the female call center employees   reflect a highly stressful job that predispose them to the increased risk of having musculoskeletal disorders (Theorell in Rocha et al, 2005). The limitations of the study done by Rocha et al (2005) are that the analyses were limited to on e call center linked to a bank, cross-sectional design, small sample size, and symptom-based diagnosis (such as pain, numbing, dizziness, tingling sensation, stiffening, burning sensation). In a study done by dErrico et al (2010), the presence of musculoskeletal symptoms in the same region was assessed using the following inclusion criteria to preserved the specificity of the outcome, although it likely decreased its sensitivity: a) presence of musculoskeletal symptoms (pain, burning, stiffing, numbness or tingling) at any time during the last 28 days and b) consultation to a physical and or self-medication because of the symptoms. Also, the presence of any disease known to be associated with musculoskeletal disorders such as hypertension, diabetes, systemic lupus erythematosus, gout, thyroid diseases, rheumatoid arthritis), previous injuries in the last five years, leisure physical activity, body mass index, smoking, marital status, educational level, gender, and age class were explored as potential confounders of the association between workplace factors and musculoskeletal symptoms. It was found in this study that 45% of workers reported musculoskeletal symptoms wher ein neck (39%) symptoms were the most prevalent, followed by the shoulder (22%), handwrist (10%), and elbow (4%). Neck/shoulder symptoms were associated with low job control, elevated noise, poor desk lighting and impossibility to lean back while sitting. Elbow/hand-wrist symptoms were associated with short intervals between calls, insufficient working space, lack of forearm support, job insecurity, and long seniority in the industry. Other study that reported the presence of musculoskeletal symptoms among call center employees were done by Halford and Cohen (2003) wherein computer use factors and individual psychosocial factors were significantly associated with self-reporting of musculoskeletal disorder symptoms. Sudhashree et al (2005) stated in a column letter that the call center industry in India ranked high for attrition due to health reasons such as sleeping disorders (83%), voice loss (8.5%), ear problems (8.5%), digestive disorders (14.9%) and eye sight problems (10.6%). Burnout stress syndrome, which includes chronic fatigue, insomnia, and complete alteration of biological rhythm of the body are routine cause for sickness absenteeism. Chronic level of stress also affects other systems of the body such as the cardiovascular and endocrine. In a study done by Lin et al (2010) in a bank call center in Taiwan, call center employees have had prevalent complaints of musculoskeletal discomfort, eye strain, hoarseness, and sore throat. Also, it was found that those who perceived higher job stress had significantly increased risk of multiple health problems, including eye strain, tinnitus, hoarseness, sore throat, chronic cough with phlegm, chest tightness, irritable stomach or peptic ulcers, and musculoskeletal discomfort. In the Philippines, there are no studies about the health risks and occupational diseases associated among call center employees. However, there is a report of a rise in the number of Filipinos infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and includes the call center employees (Ruiz, 2010). Diabetes Mellitus,Type II Type II Diabetes Mellitus and Epidemiology   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a group of metabolic disorders wherein there is an increase in blood sugar (hyperglycemia) resulting from absolute or relative deficiency of insulin, or both. There are many classifications of this disease entity based on the pathologic process that leads to hyperglycemia. In Type II DM, hyperglycemia resulted from a range of predominantly insulin resistance with relative insulin deficiency to a predominantly insulin secretory defect with insulin resistance (Fauci et al, 2008). It usually occurs among the older age group (> 30 years old) but there is an increasing diagnosis in the younger group (Tidy, 2009). Most symptoms of diabetes appear very late in the stage of the disease. A lot of diabetics do not have symptoms when their blood sugars are elevated for the first time (National Objectives for Health, 2005).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There is a dramatic increase in the prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus worldwide, from ~30million cases in 1985 to 177 million in 2000. Type II DM is increasing more rapidly because of increasing obesity and reduced activity levels as countries become more industrialized, as in the case of many developing countries in Asia (Fauci et al, 2008). A nationwide prevalence survey in the Philippines by the Department of Health showed that four (4.1%) out of one hundred Filipinos are diabetics, and the prevalence was higher in urban (6.8%) than in rural (2.5%) areas. The World Health Organization estimates that there will be a doubling of prevalence of diabetes in Southeast Asia every five to ten years. Using this as assumption, the prevalence of diabetes in the Philippines is around 8 to 16 percent (National Objectives for Health, 2005). Also, the death rate in diabetes has risen from 4.3 per 100,000 population in 1984 to 7.1 per 100,000 population in 1993. It is important to note that there is underreporting of deaths due to diabetes, as shown by local studies, because of misclassification as deaths due to cardiovascular or renal disease both of which are chronic complications of DM (National Objectives for Health, 2005; Fauci et al, 2008). Type II Diabetes Mellitus Risk factors and Diagnostics According to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) Medical Guidelines for Clinical Practice for the Management of Diabetes Mellitus (AACE Diabetes Mellitus Clinical Practice Guidelines Task Force, 2007), there are several risk factors to developing prediabetes and Diabetes Mellitus. Such risk factors are (a) family history of diabetes, (b) cardiovascular disease, (c) overweight or obese state, (d) sedentary lifestyle, (e) Latino or Hispanic, Non-Hispanic black, Asian American, Native American, or Pacific Islander ethnicity, (f) previously identified impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose, (g) hypertension, (h) increased levels of triglycerides, low concentrations high-density lipoproteins cholesterol, or both, (i) history of gestational diabetes, (j) history of delivery of an infant with a birth weight > 9 pounds, (k) polycystic ovary syndrome, and (l) psychiatric illness. To diagnose Diabetes Mellitus, any one of the three criteria is sufficient in diagnosis the patient according to the AACE. These criteria are: (a) symptoms of diabetes such as polyuria, polydipsia, unexplained weight loss and casual plasma glucose concentration of greater than or equal to 200 mg/ dL, (b) fasting plasma glucose concentration of greater than or equal to 126 mg/ dL, and (c) 2-hour postchallenge glucose concentration of greater than or equal to 200 mg/ dL during a 75-gram oral glucose tolerance test.    Diabetes Mellitus Prevention A study done by the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) showed that intensive changes in lifestyle, quantified as diet and exercise for 30min/day five times/week in individuals with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) delayed the development of Type II DM by 58%. (Harrisons, 2008). It was also found out that Metformin slowed down the progression or halted the development of Type II DM by 31% compared to placebo. People with a strong predisposition to diabetes due to family history or impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose (IFG), are strongly advised to maintain a normal BMI and engage in regular exercise. According to the recent ADA Consensus panel, individuals with IFG and IGT who are at a high risk for progression to diabetes (age 35 kg/m2, family history of diabetes in the first-degree, elevated triglycerides, reduced HDL, hypertension, or A1C > 6.0%) could be appraised for Metformin treatment but not other medications. Acute complications of DM The acute complications of diabetes are diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperglycemic hyperoslomar state (HHS). Both disorders are associated with absolute or relative insulin deficiency, volume depletion, and acid-base abnormalities. These may lead to serious complications if not promptly remedied. Diabetic Ketoacidosis The usual signs and symptoms of DKA are   nausea and vomiting, hyperglycemia, hypotension, Kussmaul respirations, fruity oder on the patients breath, excessive thirtst, and polyuria. DKA is characterized by hyperglycemia, ketosis, and metabolic acidosis that is accompanied by secondary metabolic abnormalities. Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar State HHS may usually be seen in an elderly individual with Type II DM, with symptoms of polyuria, weight loss, and lessened oral intake that preceded mental confusion or coma. Physical examination shows profound dehydration and hyperosmolarity with concomitat hypotension, tachycardia, and altered mental state. In contrast to DKA, HHS does not present with nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and Kussmaul signs. Chronic complications of DM The chronicity of the disease brings about systemic involvement that affects multiple organ systems. Complications may be divided into nonvascular and vascular complications. Nonvascular complications include gastroparesis, skin changes, and cataracts. Vascular complications can be further subdivided into micro and macrovascular. Microvascular changes, which result from long standing hyperglycemia include retinopathy, neuropathy, and nephropathy. Macrovascular changes include coronary artery disease and peripheral arterial diseases. (NIkki, Ill send you my draft. di ko lam kung tama. i Cant do the framework here.) Figure 1.Conceptual Framework V. Objectives   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   With the nature of the work and environment in a call center industry, the study aims to determine if working in a call center predisposes an individual to the development of Type II diabetes mellitus (DM). Specifically, it aims: a.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  To determine the incidence of Type II Diabetes Mellitus within the period of study. b.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  To determine the etiologic factors associated with the development of Type II Diabetes Mellitus. VI. References AACE Diabetes Mellitus Clinical Practice Guidelines Task Force (2007). American association of clinical endocrinologists medical guidelines for clincial practice for the management of diabetes mellitus. Endocrine Practice. 13:3-68 Andrews, R.C., O. Herlihy, D.E.W. Livingstone et al. (2002). Abnormal cortisol metabolism and tissue sensitivity to cortisol in patients with glucose intolerance. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology 87 (12): 5587-5593. Di Tecco, D., Cwitco, G., Arsenault, A., Andre, M. (1992). Operator Stress and Monitoring Practices. Appl Ergon 23, 147-53. dErrico, A., Caputo, P., Falcone, U., Fubini, L., Gilardi, L., Mamo, C., Migliardi, A., Quarta, D., and Coffano, E. (2010). Risk factors for upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms among call center employees. Journal of Occupational Health. 52:115-124. Employment and Immigration. (2008). Alberta Occupational Profiles: Call Centre Agent. Government of Alberta. Retrieved September 10, 2010 from   http://alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/Content/RequestAction.asp?aspAction=GetHTMLProfileformat=htmloccPro_ID=71002991 Fauci, AS., Braunwald, E., Kasper DL., Hauser, SL., Longo, DL., Jameson, JL.., and Loscalzo, J. (2008). Harrisons Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed.   USA: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Halford, V., and Cohen, HH. (2003). Technology use and psychosocial factors in the self-reporting of musculoskeletal disorder symptoms in call center workers. Journal of Safety Research. 34(2):167-173 Lin, YH., Chen, CY., HONG, WH., and Lin YC. (2010). Perceived job stress and health complaints at a bank call center: comparison between inbound and outbound services. Industrial Health. 48:349-356 Merck Manuals Online Medical Library (2010). Obesity. Retrieved September 11, 2010 from http://merck.com/mmhe/sec12/ch156/ch156a.html National Objectives for Health. (2005). Retrieved 9 September 2010 from http://www2.doh.gov.ph/noh/3-2-3.pdf National Statistics Office. (2010). 2008 Annual Survey of Philippine Businesss and INdustry: Business Process Outsourcing Activities. Manila Philippines. Retrieved September 10, 2010   from http://www.census.gov.ph/data/sectordata/aspbi08_bpotx.html OMaley, R. (2008). Special Report Call Centres in the Philippines. Retrived September 10, 2010 from: www.callcentrehelper.com/special-report-in-the-philippines-2231.htm Rivette, D. (2010). The Emerging Philippine Value Proposition. Trestle Group Consulting. Retrieved September 11, 2010 from http://www.bpap.org/bpap/publications/ TG_SDS_PhilippineValueProposition_March2010%5B1%5D(2).pdf Rocha, LE., Glina, DMR., Marinho, MdF., and Nakasato, D. (2005). Risk factors for musculoskeletal symptoms among call center operators of a bank in Sà £o Paulo, Brazil. Industrial Health. 43:637-646 Ruiz, J. (2010). HIV cases soar among Filipino yuppies, call center workers. ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 10 September 2010 from http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle/01/27/10/hiv-cases-soar-among-filipino-yuppies-call-center-workers Sudhashree, VP., Rohith, K. and Shrinivas, K. (2005). Issues and concerns of health among call center employees. Indian Journal of Occupational and Environment Medicine. 9 (3): 129-132 Tidy, C. (2009). Diabetes mellitus. Philippine Medics. Retrieved 10 September 2010 from http://www.philippinemedics.com/diabetes-mellitus/ UP Population Institute (2010). Lifestyle, Health Status and Behavior of Young Workers in Call Centers and Other Industries : Metro Manila and Metro Cebu. Retrieved 11 September 2010 from http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle/08/05/10/call-center-workers-diet-fast- food-caffeine-and-alcohol

The Source of Conflict between Antigone and Creon in Sophocles Antigon

The Source of Conflict between Antigone and Creon in Sophocles’ â€Å"Antigone† In the following paper, I plan to discuss the source of conflict between the title characters of Antigone and Creon in Sophocles’ â€Å"Antigone†. I also plan to discuss how each character justifies his or her actions and what arguments they give for their justifications. I will also write about the strengths and weaknesses of these arguments. The final points I try to make are about who Sophocles thinks is right and who I think is right. The main source of conflict between Antigone and Creon is the issue of the burial of Antigone’s dead brother. Both of her brothers were killed in battle, however one brother fought against their home city and was considered a traitor. Creon issued a law that whoever tries to bury this man will be put to death. Antigone is very upset because her one brother is graced with all the rites of a hero while the other is disgraced. Antigone is determined to bury her brother because of her loyalty to her family and to the gods. She believes that no mortal, such as Creon, has the right to keep her from her own. Even if Antigone must die during the burial, she will not disgrace the laws of the gods. She believes that she has to please the dead much longer than she has to please the living. Creon states, â€Å"Whoever places a friend above the good of his own country, he is nothing.† Therefore, he does not allow the burial of Antigone’s brother because he did not place the good of his country first. He was a traitor. Creon makes this law for the good of his country. The following statements that Creon makes exemplify this: â€Å"I could never make that man a friend of mine who menaces our country†, â€Å"never will the traitor be honored a... ...er of what he hears people around the town saying about the situation. Haemon says, â€Å"No woman ever deserved death less, and such a brutal death for such a glorious action†¦ Death? She deserves a glowing crown of gold.† The play seems to praise the actions of Antigone and it is never seen that she is looked down upon for what she did, except by Creon. In conclusion, the gods and the love of her family rule Antigone’s life. Creon’s life is ruled by what he thinks is good for his country and pride. Creon did not change his mind to free Antigone until a prophet told him he would suffer horribly for his actions. However, because Creon was so stubborn for so long and did not take heed to anyone’s advice sooner, he ultimately suffers in the end, as does everyone else in the play. This was all due to a man’s lack of good judgment, his selfish pride and his stubbornness.

Pans Labyrinth Analysis

Visual Cues, Harassed Symbolism and the Grim Fantasy Unlike other blissfully enchanted film genres, this evocative fairytale becomes a surreal escape into the work of Guillermo Del Toro. This chilling story confines make believe verses reality through the eyes of a young girl. Two worlds are represented within Pan’s Labyrinth, a cold hard fascist regime in Spain, and a captivating fantasyland both conveyed through visual story telling.The striking surrealism of the fantasy world becomes reflections in reality, providing small visual cues that increase as the story unfolds, unveiling a grim interaction between Ophelia and the new world she has encountered. The style becomes the narrative within the film, and the use of mise-en-scene assists the films explicit meaning, by providing connections between the merging worlds. Del Toro uses standard and non-standard approaches in film, which speaks to the audience either intentionally or through the sub conscious, so the contrast of r eality and imagination is rendered.The style throughout Pan’s Labyrinth is essential for creating dramatic dynamic throughout the film; the attention to detail becomes a fierce component to mise-en-scene, and harasses symbolism. In the beginning of the scene, Ofelia walks toward the camera in pursuit of the little creature she seen during her travels. The facial expression is bewildering, however she wants to learn more. The aspiration to study new ideas can be seen physically while she seizes onto her books, meanwhile helpers unload her other items. The grasp on her books becomes the distinguisher between make believe and reality.As Ofelia moves towards the camera, she drops her stack of books, implying that she has let go of her reality to track the small inquisitive creature. During this, men are walking around in uniform, emphasizing the strict, bleakness and harsh reality of Ofelias new circumstance. Men lined in a row suggest that this new place is in order, with routin e that shall not be disturbed and certainly no place for a wandering imagination. As Ofelia runs toward the forest, she is running towards her new destiny, juxtaposing her willingness to escape, fleeing her new reality.Upon her arrival into the forest, the labyrinth is introduced for the first time. Dark shadows are casted among the rock representing the certain unknown that will be faced. The first pathway leading into the Labyrinth is brightly lit, as to appear welcoming and warming. The dissimilarity between the darkness of the gateway and the lightness of the path can be inferred as a certain warning, some danger will be introduced before the underworld can be reached. As Ofelia walks towards the entrance, taking small, slow steps, the feeling becomes an automatic switch from reality to fantasy, and a sense of falling down the rabbit hole arises.The entrance into the Labyrinth appears untouched, with moss and shrubs growing over the walls, a clear contrast from the cruel sadisti c community ran by the Captain. The walls appear to be weathered and diminishing in time, the time it has taken to find the lost princess. The serenity of the space develops into a piece of tranquility from the outside world paired with an illusion of hope for Ofelia, a new escape she will soon learn of. Throughout Pan’s Labyrinth, shallow color is used with a lot of grey and neutral tones casted in the real world, compared to the rich feast of colors in the underworld.During this sequence however, the two worlds have not yet been distinguished, so the color differentiation is subtle, warm colors are used that provide a sense of comfort. Dark shadows are casted among the walls making the unknown prevalent to the viewer, directing our eye down the dark path that leads further into the Labyrinth. These colors suggest a belonging for Ophelia, a place where she is wanted back. This feeling never goes away for Ofelia, she engages in different levels to get a chance at her new life in the fantasy world.Becoming homesick for a place she has never been or remembers. The clothing plays a role in sustaining the mise-en-scene in this film. Ofelia is dressed in drab clothing along with her mother. Fabricating the lifestyle from which they came from, and a disparity that is latched onto them when being brought to this new home. They instantly become the outsiders from the beginning, largely recognized during the panning shot of the camp while Ofelia becomes more intrigued by the fairies return. Tight, uniformed men lined up in a row contrasted against a young curious, dowdy girl.The style of clothing not only distinguishes the relationship between the newcomers, Ofelia and her Mother, to the military camp, but also positions an extra connection between Ofelia and Mercedes. As Mercedes arrives to explain the Labyrinth to Ofelia, her clothes are ordinary and dull much like that of Ofelia. The dissimilar impression that Mercedes has from the camp appeals to Ofelia, and a relationship is bonded. The clothing becomes a staple into the closeness that these two characters will later share.This relationship is not only choice of style, rather the desire for an escape. When the solider comes up and asks for Mercedes, despair reaches across her face as she turns around, placing Ofelia in the background of the shot, but quickly the young girl reaches back up to Mercedes, sustaining their relationship has began. Trust has started to build when Ofelia explains the relationship or lack of one with the Captain, as Mercedes wraps her arm around Ofelia, completing the security of their relationship.These small visual cues help the viewer establish ideas, which the Story may soon lead into. Becoming aware of these chosen elements can help viewers foresee story components. Mise-en- scene formulates the style as a form of story telling. Guillermo Del Toro approach is surreal and provides a lot of stylistic choice in compelling this masterfully crafted fairytale. Pan’s Labyrinth becomes less about the explicit meaning; yet rather the implied visual indicators leads the viewer to reflect more about the significance then the story.

3 Parts of a Nucleotide and How They Are Connected

3 Parts of a Nucleotide and How They Are Connected Nucleotides are the building blocks of the DNA and RNA used as genetic material. Nucleotides also are used for cell signaling and to transport energy throughout cells. You may be asked to name the three parts of a nucleotide and explain how they are connected or bonded to each other. Heres the answer for both DNA and RNA. Nucleotides in DNA and RNA Both deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) are made up of nucleotides which consist of three parts: Nitrogenous BasePurines and pyrimidines are the two categories of nitrogenous bases. Adenine and guanine are purines. Cytosine, thymine, and uracil are pyrimidines. In DNA, the bases are adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G), and cytosine (C). In RNA, the bases are adenine, thymine, uracil, and cytosine,Pentose SugarIn DNA, the sugar is 2-deoxyribose. In RNA, the sugar is ribose. Both ribose and deoxyribose are 5-csrbon sugars. The carbons are numbered sequentially, to help keep track of where groups are attached. The only difference between them is that 2-deoxyribose has one less oxygen atom attached to the second carbon.Phosphate GroupA single phosphate group is PO43-. The phosphorus atom is the central atom. One atom of oxygen is connected to the 5-carbon in the sugar and to the phosphorus atom. When phosphate groups link together to form chains, as in ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the link looks like O-P-O-P-O-P-O, with two additional oxygen atom attached to each phosphorus, one on either side of the atom. ​Although DNA and RNA share some similarities, they are built from slightly different sugars, plus there is a base substitution between them. DNA uses thymine (T), while RNA uses uracil (U). Both thymine and uracil bind to adenine (A). How Are the Parts of a Nucleotide Connected or Attached? The base is attached to the primary or first carbon. The number 5 carbon of the sugar is bonded to the phosphate group. A free nucleotide may have one, two, or three phosphate groups attached as a chain to the 5-carbon of the sugar. When nucleotides connect to form DNA or RNA, the phosphate of one nucleotide attaches via a phosphodiester bond to the 3-carbon of the sugar of the next nucleotide, forming the sugar-phosphate backbone of the nucleic acid.

Free Essays on Procrasination

Procrastination Procrastination is putting things off until the last minute, or delaying what you were going to do; and this is a bad thing to do because it can get you into trouble. You can procrastinate by not doing your homework, chores, and cleaning up the house. The reason why people procrastinate is because they are not motivated to do their homework. Another reason is they just don’t want to do it because they don’t like it. Some people might think that a procrastinator is a bad person. Procrastinating is wrong but it doesn’t mean that you are a bad person. When you procrastinate, you don’t get things done on time. Once you start procrastinating it is hard to stop the habit. I know this from personal experience. All through high school I was really bad at procrastinating. I would like to say that I have gotten better at not procrastinating, but it has stayed the same. In high school some teachers are more lenient at letting things be late. College is different because most teachers don’t accept late work, so if you don’t do the homework then you get a zero for it. Putting things off until the last minute can cause a lot of stress. Having a lot of stress it not good for you. Stress makes you testy and people won’t like you when you are crabby. A way to stop this stress is to not procrastinate. To relieve stress there are many things that you can do. Try yoga, running, or play a game of basketball. Some things you can put off for awhile, like buying clothes or things that you don’t really need at that time. Other things are not good to put off, like paying bills. By not paying your bills you can lose your car, house, cell phone, and other important necessities. You just have to learn when it is okay to procrastinate. In high school I usually waited until the last minute to do my homework. Some things I could get away with by not doing them right away and then other times I couldn’... Free Essays on Procrasination Free Essays on Procrasination Procrastination Procrastination is putting things off until the last minute, or delaying what you were going to do; and this is a bad thing to do because it can get you into trouble. You can procrastinate by not doing your homework, chores, and cleaning up the house. The reason why people procrastinate is because they are not motivated to do their homework. Another reason is they just don’t want to do it because they don’t like it. Some people might think that a procrastinator is a bad person. Procrastinating is wrong but it doesn’t mean that you are a bad person. When you procrastinate, you don’t get things done on time. Once you start procrastinating it is hard to stop the habit. I know this from personal experience. All through high school I was really bad at procrastinating. I would like to say that I have gotten better at not procrastinating, but it has stayed the same. In high school some teachers are more lenient at letting things be late. College is different because most teachers don’t accept late work, so if you don’t do the homework then you get a zero for it. Putting things off until the last minute can cause a lot of stress. Having a lot of stress it not good for you. Stress makes you testy and people won’t like you when you are crabby. A way to stop this stress is to not procrastinate. To relieve stress there are many things that you can do. Try yoga, running, or play a game of basketball. Some things you can put off for awhile, like buying clothes or things that you don’t really need at that time. Other things are not good to put off, like paying bills. By not paying your bills you can lose your car, house, cell phone, and other important necessities. You just have to learn when it is okay to procrastinate. In high school I usually waited until the last minute to do my homework. Some things I could get away with by not doing them right away and then other times I couldn’...

Reprogenetics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Reprogenetics - Essay Example Which would mean creating children who are only useful and denying the others, who are considered useless in their place. Children created for parents selfish purpose is associated with disrespect for life of the discarded embryo taking the IVF cases and more questionably creating the children for the desired skin color, potential qualities and emotional satisfaction linked with status and reputation. She further explains the "intrinsic motivation view" which is to have a child for his own sake and bonding of the family. The "indiscriminate motivation view" is associated with post conception and treatment of child once born. It is just unreasonable to become parents of fully made up child. It is just unacceptable to create a child for some selfish reason of savior child or conspicuous immoral consumption. The children also have a need to be loved for their own sake and to be valued as individuals created by god not by technology. And these needs have to be considered and loved. Which also means the parents to be "unselfishly benefiting children" and also parents being "selfishly benefiting form children" for who and what they truly are and not what they could have artificially made them. T Designer Babies and the Pro-Choice Movement By Rebecca Tuhus-Dubrow Today the escalating fertility industry has shifted the making of baby from bedroom to laboratory. The in vitro fertilization allows the parents to decide how they want their children to be made. And the most questionable, it enables the selection of desired gender. It is also a political issue related to social values and individual liberty. Designer babies, the idea itself tinkers with genes, and to play as god at the stake of humanity. Creating babies to cure diseases of siblings is different and to fulfill the cosmetic needs in a conscious environment of health and beauty. The new eugenics provides more reproductive choices and desired babies but a line has to be drawn to it. This can also have social consequences as explained by Lee Silver, Princeton this could develop a whole new species which would completely separate the natural class and Gen rich class. The parents then will have to insert the best genes in their children to get them into best schools. This can challenge the human race and humanity at large. This can cause extremes to the communities like the GLBT. In case a gay gene identification is made, this technology can threaten the community at large. It can harm the reproduction and abortion rights of women. There will be greater line of distinction between equality and inequality, as meddling with the environment has its adverse affects attached. The reprogenitics has given humans a choice over life. The uncontrolled use of reprogenetic technologies will have adverse implications for the future. Re-Engineering the Human: New Reproductive

Compare and contrast Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Compare and contrast - Research Paper Example To begin with, the integrative negotiation strategy is stipulated as expanding the agenda negotiation strategy. As the name suggests, it aims to expand the boundaries of the negotiation by bringing in new ideas and issues to the negotiation situation that did not previously exist. Through this strategy, the parties are able to trade issues that are less important to them while retaining the more relevant issues to them and hence achieve the outcome they needed in the negotiation (Hatfield, Agoglia & Sanchez, 2008). Problem solving approach is the second form of an integrative negotiation strategy. This is a learning approach that is mainly aimed at identifying the interests of the involved parties and gathering information aimed at coming up with new solutions to the involved parties in the negotiation situation. It is mainly applied in an auditing negotiation situation whereby the auditor uses additional information to safeguard his desired outcome while still giving the client an avenue to feel that his objective was also achieved (Hatfield, Agoglia & Sanchez, 2008). Integrative negotiation strategy can be applied in the work setting whereby both parties will lose heftily if an agreement is not reached and where one party does not have undue influence over the other. An example is in negotiation situation involving a manufacturer and a sole supplier of its raw commodities. The two parties need each other and hence problem solving or expanding the agenda using data collection will have to be employed to come up with a decision that favors both parties (Hatfield, Agoglia, & Sanchez, 2008). In contrast, a distributive negotiation strategy is achieved using the interplay of three principles; conceding, compromising or contending. When contending is applied in a negotiation situation, it is mainly aimed at making the other party comply or resisting