Learn How Marital Status Can Affect Your Financial Aid

The significance of your marital status in the financial aid process has a lot to do with whether or not you can claim dependent or independent status on the FAFSA. If you are married, regardless of age, you will have independent status when the government calculates your ability to afford college. Below youll see situations in which marriage can have a positive or a negative effect on your financial aid: Situations in which Marriage Improves Your Financial Aid Eligibility Marriage will usually have a positive impact on your financial aid eligibility if you are under 24 years of age and your spouse does not have high income. This is because you can then claim independent status, and your parents income and assets will not be considered in your financial aid calculations. Your spouses income, however, will be considered.If you are 24 years of age or older, you will have independent status whether married or not. Here again, your marital status will be a benefit assuming your spouses income is relatively low. Situations in Which Marriage Lessens Your Financial Aid Eligibility Marriage will often have a negative impact on your financial aid reward if you are 24 or over and your spouse has significant income. The reasons for this are two-fold: if you are 24 or over, you are considered to have independent status for financial aid. Thus, only your own income and assets are used to calculate your financial aid eligibility. If, however, you are married, your spouses income will be part of the calculations.If you are under 24 and from a family with modest income, your spouses income will determine whether or not marrying helps or hurts you. In general, the higher your spouses income, the less aid you will receive.If your parents dont have high income and they are supporting several other dependents, it is quite possible that your financial aid eligibility will actually decrease when you get married. This is especially true if you have brothers or sisters who are also in college. In a situation such as this, your parents qualify for significant financial aid, and that could actually decrease if you have independent status. This can be true even if your spouse doesnt have high income.   More Issues to Consider Related to Marital Status If you submit your FAFSA when you are single but then you marry, you can submit an update to the form so that your ability to pay for college is accurately reflected by the government calculations.You can submit a change to your FAFSA should you or your spouse lose your income or have a reduction in income during the academic year.You need to report your financial information and your spouses information on the FAFSA even if you file taxes separately.  Keep in mind that you and your spouses assets, not just your income, are used to calculate your aid eligibility. Thus, even if you and your spouse have low income, you might find that your expected contribution is high if you or your spouse has significant savings, real estate holdings, investments, or other assets.

The Five Most Important Things You Can Do for the Environment

If you feel you’re not doing enough for the environment by replacing your incandescent light bulbs with CFL or LED lights and composting your kitchen garbage, maybe you’re ready to make a deeper commitment to environmental stewardship. Some of these strategies may seem a little radical, but they are among the most valuable actions you can take to protect and preserve Earth’s environment. †¢ Have Fewer Children—or None Overpopulation is arguably the world’s most serious environmental problem, because it exacerbates all of the others. The global population grew from 3 billion in 1959 to 6 billion in 1999, an increase of 100 percent in just 40 years. According to current projections, the world population will expand to 9 billion by 2040,†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¢ Conserve Energy—and Switch to Renewable Energy Walk, bike and use public transportation more. Drive less. Not only will you be healthier and help to preserve precious energy resources, you’ll also save money. According to a study by the American Public Transportation Association, families that use public transportation can reduce their household expenses by $6,200 annually, more than the average U.S. household spends on food every year. There are dozens of other ways you can conserve energy—from turning off lights and unplugging appliances when they are not in use, to substituting cold water for hot whenever practical and weather stripping your doors and windows, to not overheating or overcooling your home and office. One way to start is to get a free energy audit from your local utility. Whenever possible, choose renewable energy over fossil fuels. 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A Description of My Bedroom Essay Example For Students

A Description of My Bedroom Essay An empty bedroom is like a blank canvas and the person who inhabits the bedroom is the artist. This artist sets up their room according to their unique likes, style, and personality. Everything in their room helps define the artist as a person. You could learn so much about a person by just taking a look inside of their room. You can easily tell which door leads to my bedroom because if the way it looks. Its not your average, ordinary door. Its special. My door is white with violet polka dots all over it. It has my name smack in the middle with bright, bold, sparkly purple letters. Beneath my name is a small collage of pictures of me with my family and friends , followed by one of my favorite quotes It is not what we have but who we have in our lives that counts.   . Once opening the door, you catch a quick glimpse of my violet and white striped room. Each wall is different. The wall behind my bed is violet with 2 white stripes, one thick stripe and one skinnier stripe on top of it. The wall opposite to it is the same. The wall right next to it is white with stripes just like the one next to it except the stripes are violet. Right after entering my room, to your left you will find my bathroom. The first thing that you notice when entering my bathroom is that its a dark purple color. To the left you will see my a big oval mirror above my sink. My sink has a lavender toothbrush and soap container on top of it, to the left of my sink is a white cabinet in which I keep all of my face wash and other hygiene products. To the right of the sink is my lavender covered toilet. On top of the toilet cap thing are dark purple, scented candles on top of a small, silky lavender cloth. Above the toilet is a towel rack that holds 3 dark purple towels. To the right of the toilet is my bath. My bath has , you guessed it, a dark purple shower curtain with white polka dots on it. Inside my bath, I have my shampoo, body wash and purple loofa rack. Getting out if the bath, to the right you will see 3 pictures of Daisies, all different sizes. 1 big , 1 medium and 1 small in that order. On the bathroom door I have a little a hanger that holds up my violet colored bathroom robe. On the floor I have 3 fluffy rugs, also a dark purple color. There is a small one under the sink, another one under the toilet, and a longer one under the bath. Once exiting the bathroom, to your left you will see my t. v cabinet. I have a 32   black plasma t. v, this was a birthday present given to me on my 15th birthday. The cabinet that holds the t. v is white. Inside the cabinet there is a VCR/DVD player. To the right of the VCR/DVD player is my Wii console. This was a Christmas present given to me and my younger sister in 2009. Back then me and my sister used to use to play games but as the years go by mostly just use it to watch movies and shows on Netflix. To the left of the VCR/DVD player there are two compartments. A higher and a lower compartment. On the higher compartment there are my DVD movies and some of my old Wii games. The lower compartment contains my VCR movies. Above my t. v and the cabinet are four colored cubes that hang on the wall. The cubes have an opening in the middle which allows them to hold stuff in the middle of them. Two of the cubes are purple and the two there cubes are white. On the wall they are arranged a certain way. One white cube is placed at a slightly high level, a purple cube is next to it but below it. The other white cube is placed above the previous purple one and it is about the same height as the first white cube. The last purple cube is placed under the last white cube. Inside of the first cube I put a small purple pot with fake daisies on it to add a plant to the room even if it was fake. Inside the second cube I put five books. Those four books are my al time favorite books written by my favorite author, John Green. The books are Looking for Alaska  , The Fault in Our Stars  , An Abundance of Katherines  , Paper Towns  , and Will Grayson, Will Grayson  . Inside the third cube I put three scented candles, two small purple candles and one medium sized white candle. The small purple candles have a lavender scent and the medium sized candle has a vanilla bean scent. The candles are arranged in the order of; purple, white, purple. Inside of the fourth and last cube I placed two small teddy bears given to me by my best friend on valentines day. To the left of t. v cabinet is my closet. I have a four door white closet. Each closet door has a princess mirror in the middle. The border of each of the mirrors are violet. On the outline of the door frame there are purple christmas lights going all around the closet. The reason for these lights is simply because I like to look at them at night when my room is dark because they make the room look so dark but yet so beautiful. To the right of my closet there is a window with a window seat. My curtains are made up of a sparkly, violet cloth. My window couch is violet with two sets of white and purple striped pillows and cushions. The furniture part of the couch is white. The furniture has 2 medium sized drawers. The painted the little ball handles violet to go with the rest of my room. 12 Angry Men: Influence Of Surroundings EssayTo the right of the candle holder is my bed. I have a white queen sized bed. My bed has a thin blanket on the bottom which is a plain violet color. On top of that blanket is a much thicker blanket with a purple and white stripe pattern. There is a total of seven pillows on it. The two main pillow are medium sized with silky purple covers. Another set of pillows are about the same size. These pillows have purple and white stripes. There is also a set of two round small pillows those pillows are plain purple with little fringes on the circumference of the pillow. The last pillow is a long shaped pillow that has purple and white stripes. Above the bed on the wall are four pictures. The four pictures all form one big picture. Its like they got one big picture and cut it into four different pieces. the pictures are evenly spread out from each other but directly in the middle of the wall. The main picture is a painting of purple colored daisies. Overhead on the ceiling is a long, thin and sparkly cloth that swirls over the bed. To the right of the bed is another cabinet just like the one to the left of the bed. Its white with purple handles. On top of the cabinet is another lamp also like the previous one. Its base is white and the shade or cover, however you want to call it, is purple with small purple jewel fringes. Above the cabinet, on the wall, is a candle holder just like the last one. On top of the candle holder are three small candles. The candle to the left is purple. The candle in the middle is lavender and the candle on the right is white. To the right of cabinet is the corner is my dresser. My dresser is large and it is of a white color. The dresser has 6 separate drawers. Each of the handles on the drawers are painted purple. On top of the dresser I put a long violet cloth that runs through the middle of the dresser. I put the cloth there so that when I put something heavy or edgy on top, it wont scratch or harm the wood of the dresser. To the left, on the drawer I have a jewelry stand. This jewelry stand is violet and it looks like a tree with branches stretching out. In the middle of the dresser I put a small black jewelry box. This jewelry box was given to me by my grandma on my 6th birthday. I have kept it with me ever since. When opened, the jewelry box plays a soothing tune while a ballerina in the middle twirls and spins around. Inside of the box I have rings and delicate necklaces. To the right of the box there is single, large, sparkly purple candle. To the right of my drawer is my computer desk. The computer desk is white. It has four drawers. Just like my cabinet and dresser, the drawer handles are also painted purple. All the handles of all the drawers are painted purple because i wanted my whole room to match. The top drawer is long, its where I keep discs and hard drives. To the right of that drawer are the other three of the drawers. Inside those drawers are where I keep notebooks, folders, old homework and other important papers of mine. On top of the desk is my laptop in the middle. My laptop has a purple and white stripped cover. To the far upper right corner of the desk I have a pencil holder which I use to hold all my writing utensils. To the far upper left hand corner I have a small lamp. The lamp has a paisley pattern on the shade of the lamp. The base of the lamp is purple. Overhead, on the wall in front of the desk I have a medium sized memo board and a medium sized whiteboard next to each other to keep me reminded of homework that I have due, upcoming doctor appointments, and other important things. My computer chair is a purple with black wheelie chair. The chair has cushioning on the back rest and on the seat. On the back rest it has like a squared pattern and where each of the corners of the squares meet there are little silver diamond like rhinestones. Under the computer desk is my little trash bin. My trash bin is purple with a white rim on top. In my room I also have two large rugs. The rugs are purple and fluffy. One of them is placed right in the middle of the room and the other is placed beside my bed, next to where i keep my slippers. In the middle of my room, on the ceiling, there is a white fan. Like I said in the beginning , an artist creates or models their rooms to their likes and to go with their personalities. I myself am an artist who has created my room to be extremely color organized. I set up my room to where everything in there is mostly just three colors and everything matches. I designed a room where anyone could walk in it and be able to describe what kind of person I am, what I like and what my personality is. My room is an artwork created by me.

Urbanization As A Social Problem Essays - Human Geography

Urbanization As A Social Problem Urbanization as a Social Problem How is urbanization negatively effecting our society? The answer to this question is not a simple one. This essay will not only break down the problems of urbanization in the United States, but it will also tell you some of the attempts made to fix the problem and give some solutions as to how it could possibly be solved in the future. Also when answering this question one must understand that urbanization, can not be stopped, but only contained in a manner that will help the United States to function better as a country. The more densely populated and more heterogeneous a community is, the more accentuated characteristics can be associated with urbanism. Urbanism causes decrease in per capita, and promotes urban violence, political instability, crime and aggressive behavior. Rapid population growth in urban areas also perpetuates poverty. Another major issue being created by this social problem is the breaking of the traditional family structure. Our cities are not working well! Sanitation, safety, transportation, housing, education and even electricity are failing. These are all responsibilities of the government or it is at least their job to regulate these services deemed to be monopolies. And it is a known fact that monopolies deem toward inefficiency. Functionalist look at our cities as a means to profit. Cities are a place where everybody visits, and therefor vendors can raise their prices and profit more on their products. For example, from my own personal experience, I bought a pack of cigarettes for $3.00 at my local gas station, and when I visited inner city Orlando, I bought the same brand of cigarettes for $4.00. This is just a minor example, and most of the residents in an urban area are in poverty and have trouble affording the $3.00 pack if they smoke much less adding a dollar to the already ridiculous cost. In the United States, the breaking of the traditional family structure is an issue that has become increasingly noticeable in recent years, particularly in urbanized areas. The traditional, mom and dad, and children are rarely seen in the inner cities any more. There is a weakened bond of kinship, and declining social family significance as America has transferred industrial, educational and recreational activities to specialized institutions outside of the home. It is depriving families of their most characteristic, historical functions. While individuals pursue their own diverging interests in their educational, vocational, religious and recreational life. With divorce rates rising, delinquency is also becoming more of a problem than before. With single parent families, children lack in the authority department due to the lack of the amount of time their parents have free to raise them. These specialized institutions often help, but can not replace the role of a child's guardian. As long as the divorce rate continues to increase, delinquency will continue to increase in these areas as well. The density of people reinforces effect of numbers in diversifying people and their activities and increasing the complexity of the social structure. The variations of people give rise to segregation of people by race, religious practices, ethnic heritage, as well as economic and social status. Segregation often creates much tension and prejudice between social groups. This can cause physical or mental damage to individuals or society, which means that sometimes people may permanently suffer before any action is taken to solve the problem because the delay in action is most often the result of people underestimating the problems. As for racism and segregation, there is not much that can be done to fix these problems. Individuals will always have their own opinions no matter how ignorant, and the only thing we can do is to hope that these problems die out as we desegregate our communities. People will choose their destination or place of residence according to many different ideals and needs, for example what fits their budget. Political pathology and population growth is closely related because of the population change and this change carries with it a high likelihood of social disruption. Government assumes major responsibility for development attempting to meet rapidly increasing demands for education, housing, agriculture and industrial development, transportation and employment. The government's budget is not distributed equally mainly due

The Monroe Doctrine

The Monroe Doctrine Free Online Research Papers QUESTION: Discuss the creation of the Monroe Doctrine and how its birth shaped U.S. foreign policy from the 1820’s through the American Civil War. Be sure to include the key players and their various motives in creating or using this important document. The Monroe Doctrine History during the early 1800’s found the American people very interested in the situation involving the Latin American countries found in central, South America, and Mexico. Though these Latin countries tried to establish their own government and proclaimed their independence, certain European countries continued to fight and reinstate their force and power over them. A major factor to consider was that France and Spain were considering joining forces to create a large and powerful military force, also in hopes of moving in to reclaim the areas of Latin states in which French or Spanish power had slipped. Americans were showing equal concern to the defense of their own country, their coastlines and the states and territory of the North American continent. This defense, not only in the meaning of protecting their colonized states from invasive forces, but defense also to protect the available land on the continent from the future possibilities of settlement and control by European countries or the Holy Alliance (Russia, Prussia and Austria.) During President James Monroe’s term, the president realized the States should start to exert power in the world. The States must develop a policy to protect his countrys interests. President Monroe chose to consult with many of those he found wise and those whose opinions he valued (former President Thomas Jefferson, John Calhoun and James Madison, and Secretary John Quincy Adams. Great Britain tried to collaborate with the United States, hoping to send out a joint message to other European countries and the Holy Alliance. All but the Secretary of State agreed it would be in the best interest of the States to ally with Great Britain. The thought was to create a document or declaration stating the land on the northern continent of America could no longer be claimed by any European country, or the Holy Alliance. It was also clearly expressed Europe or the Holy Alliance should not interfere with into American affairs and could expect the United States would not become involved in the business of other countries. There would be no tolerance of those who chose to ignore or interfere with all that was set forth in this document. Colonization of the land and territories by Americans was acceptable; growth was expected, especially to the north and west. The population of the states, at that time, was expanding and settled land was becoming crowded. Great Britain, though perhaps not too happy to relinquish any powers or rights to colonize any territory in the American territory, offered support to the implementation of a diplomatic document issued regarding this issue. JAMES MONROE President James Monroe governed the States with an intelligent and fair leadership. There are two things for which he is named and perhaps best known, Fort Monroe and the Monroe Doctrine. Both Fort Monroe and the Monroe Doctrine were both created in the hopes of deterring future attacks on the States, seen in the burning of Washington and during the colonization of the territories of the country. Fort Monroe developed as a coastal defensive port, a stronghold against foreign military advances. The Monroe Doctrine developed as a defensive mechanism against European countries and the Holy Alliance, countries dominating in world power and continuing to pursue land in the western hemisphere. James Monroe grew up as a planter and later became a military officer. His military career was considered unsuccessful by most, his job was to enlist soldiers into the war and his success rate was low. He later served as senator and governor of Virginia and was assigned to duty overseas by President Thomas Jefferson. He increased his political knowledge by gaining valuable knowledge in his legal profession and while performing as a liaison to foreign countries. However, along with this knowledge he brought the character traits of honest and integrity, along with respect for the government and for his country. Combined, President Monroe possessed many attributes which helped to pave the way for his future career as the nations president. Monroe served for two presidential terms. He led the country with these traits, placing the rights of the people above his own. â€Å"One of his lasting achievements was the Monroe Doctrine, which became a major tenet of U.S. foreign policy in the Western Hemisphere.† (para 1, Biography: A Life in Brief) During his second term he, along with his Secretary of State. John Quincy Adams, worked together to create the Monroe Doctrine. During President Monroe’s last message to Congress, in 1823, the Monroe Doctrine was presented. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS John Quincy Adams played a very important part in the production of the Monroe Doctrine. Very early in his career Mr. Adams, a Harvard graduate, was selected and assigned overseas to diplomatic posts overseas. Many years were spent abroad; Mr. Adams achieved success serving in political assignments. â€Å"One of the most important lessons he learned while serving abroad was that the United States should not become caught become rivalries that exist between European companies.† (para 2, John Quincy Adams) Remaining in politics, John Quincy Adams decided to run for the Senate. He was elected with the support of the Federalist Party. He later lost their support when he vocalized support for President Thomas Jefferson and his embargo. True to Mr. Adam’s lessons learned while serving overseas, the embargo was for neutrality while England and France were at war. Mr. Adams was chosen to become the Secretary of State for President James Monroe. John Quincy Adams believed the States should remain neutral and should protect the natural resources; these ideas were very similar to those shared by President Monroe. The Secretary of States knowledge and philosophies were very instrumental in many political negotiations and in the development of documents and treaties. His career as Secretary of State was considered very successful. One of his great accomplishments (other than the Monroe Doctrine) was the peace treaty of Ghent. While serving as Secretary of State during the early 1800’s, Mr. Adams helped to negotiate the acquisition of land which had previously owned by other countries, to include the purchase of Florida. It was during this term that President Monroe and Secretary of State Adams felt it was in the best interest of the States for the declaration, later to be known as the Monroe Doctrine, to be created. Hoping to stop the advancement of colonization by Europe and the Holy Alliance, the government would issue this doctrine during Monroes second term. The declaration announcing the States would not become entangled in or take sides during disputes between other countries would also allow the American country a chance to build a reputation as an independent nation. While others counseled President Monroe during the creation stages of the document, it was the opinion of Mr. Adams on which the president relied. The ideas used were more truly devised by both the president and Mr. Adams. They were in agreement that not only should the doctrine include a warning, there would be no future colonization of the States by European countries or the Holy Alliance, but also that there should be no involvement in United States affairs and the United States would not get involved in the affairs of other countries. John Quincy Adams also had some political motives for implementing the doctrine during the term of President Monroe. Mr. Adams planned to run for the presidency as a Republican. Having the doctrine issued by Monroe, Adams was able to have the policies put into effect and yet he would not seem to the public as though he was pro-British, at a time when the Republicans would not have approved. THOMAS JEFFERSON President Monroe chose Thomas Jefferson for advice. He asked what Jeffersons opinion was towards allowing Great Britain be a joint party in the development of a doctrine. Mr. Jefferson answered by writing a letter to the president. Thomas Jefferson also felt it was time the States controlled their own continent, without interference from other powers. He also stated he continued to think that Great Britain was such a powerful force that if they were not included, they may take action against the States. He wrote it would be a huge step in the forward movement of the United States if they were to have the ability to expand to their borders and have the opportunity to increase their states and colonies by decreasing the hold of other countries. He was hesitant because of the power of these same countries. â€Å"Both Jefferson and former president James Madison, whom Monroe also consulted, recommended cooperation with Britain. However, Monroes Secretary of State, John Quincy Adams, was more cautious.† (para 4, Today in History) GEORGE CANNING (British Foreign Minister) During the development of the Monroe Doctrine Great Britain was extremely concerned with Spain and France and their pressure on the Latin countries. Great Britain did not want to lose ground, many of their politicians worked and negotiated against these countries, decreasing their control in the western hemisphere. Both France and Spain were once again trying to assert their power over these countries in Central, South America, and Mexico. Great Britain did not want this to happen. â€Å"Britain, prospering from newly opened Latin American trade, opposed this move. In 1823, Foreign Minister George Canning proposed, through Richard Rush, the American minister, the two nations jointly express their hostility to intervention.† (para 2, Monroe, James) They presented their developing idea of a proclamation protecting the interests of the States. Trying to preserve some political interests of Great Britain, George Canning presented an idea that together the States and Great Britain present a joint proclamation, this would allow Great Britain the rights to colonize Latin countries. Great Britain would benefit from the increased commerce from the Latin countries and the continued trade with the states, so, even though President Monroe gave a negative response to the offer of a joint declaration, Great Britain was still supportive of the Monroe Doctrine. How the Birth of the Monroe Doctrine Shaped US Foreign Policy from 1820’s through the Civil War. The Monroe Doctrine was issued in 1823 by President Monroe during his last address to Congress. Later in history it was realized there may have been no way to actually implement the consequences, if the Monroe Doctrine was dismissed by Europe and the Holy Alliance. However; it was successful, those countries did accept and abide by the doctrine initially. In later years, during the countrys expansion the doctrine became less substantial. There were times when it was used to the benefit of the country and other occasions when it did not prove to be the answer. During the early 1830s Great Britain claimed alliance with Texas and the Monroe Doctrine was interjected, as reminder and a means of substantiating the diplomatic rights of the United States. When the Doctrine was issued Great Britain still controlled colonies and territories in the west (Oregon, California). Settlers began to move west and challenged the British rights. Two succeeding presidents, President Tyler and President Polk were determined to find a means to loosen the control of Britain in the west. Evoking the Monroe Doctrine, each president faced Great Britain, requesting acknowledgement of the proclamation. Using the doctrine to protect the Latin states was not so positive, when used to address the fight between Spain and the Dominican Republic. Conclusion The creation of the Monroe Doctrine changed not only the history of the States but perhaps the history of the world. Declaring that Europe and the Holy Alliance could no longer interfere with the Latin countries allowed these new countries the time they needed to develop their countries, their business, and their trade and shipping markets. Since commerce and shipping was no longer dominated by the larger countries, this allowed the States an opportunity to grow and develop in the trade market also. This time and confidence allowed them to develop their own naval military powers also. The initiation and implementation of such a wise first move in foreign policy was one of many that helped to build the United States into a forceful power. WORKS CITED Biography: A Life in Brief. James Monroe. American Presidents. para 1. Updated April 26, 2005, from: americanpresident.org/history/jamesmonroe/ John Quincy Adams. John-Quincy-Adams.com. para 2. Retrieved September 7, 2005, john-quincy-adams.com Today in History, October 17. American Memory. Library of Congress, para 4. (Retrieved September 7, 2005 from: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/oct17.html Monroe, James. The American Presidency. Encyclopedia Americana 2005 para 2 Retrieved September 8, 2005, http://ap.grolier.com/article?assetid=0275240-00templatename=/article/article.html Research Papers on The Monroe DoctrineAssess the importance of Nationalism 1815-1850 EuropeAppeasement Policy Towards the Outbreak of World War 2The Effects of Illegal ImmigrationNever Been Kicked Out of a Place This NiceBringing Democracy to AfricaPETSTEL analysis of India19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraUnreasonable Searches and SeizuresQuebec and CanadaDefinition of Export Quotas

Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma Essay Example

Non Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma Essay Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma Essay Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma is a type of cancer that begins within immune system cells called lymphocytes. Similar to other cancers, lymphoma occurs when lymphocytes are uncontrollably growing and multiplying. These lymphocytes are white blood cells that move throughout the body with the help of a fluid called lymph. There they are transported by a network of different vessels that make up the lymphatic system, which is a part of the immune system. The main Job of the lymphatic system is to fght off infections or anything else that threatens the body. The lymphatic system consists of different lymph nodes located hroughout the body to help monitor the lymph that flows through them. These lymph nodes can be very helpful in predicting signs of possible cancer. The nodes will begin to tenderize and swell when a large amount of microbial organisms collect insides of them, indicating infection. There are two main types of lymphocytes, B- cells, and T-cells. Both are designed to recognize and destroy infections, however, B- cells travel through the body with the infection, while T-cells kill the infection directly. When these cells begin to multiply too quickly, they begin to build up in the lymph odes, forming a giant mass of cells called a tumor. Once this tumor forms, it begins to grow, invading the space of nearby organs and tissues, cutting off their oxygen supply. If these abnormal lymphocytes travel between lymph nodes, or to other organs, the cancer can spread and metastasize to other regions of the body, making it much more difficult to control and get rid of. Non-Hodgkins is classified and derived from either abnormal B or T-cells and has thirty different subtypes (Clarke 139). In the United States each year, about fifty-four thousand people are diagnosed ith Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, making it the most common type of blood cancer in the U. S (Clarke 138). The symptoms of this disease may be difficult to discover, since often times they may appear suddenly and be painless. These symptoms can include swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpit, or groin. This swelling may be painless and go unnoticed. There may also be discomfort or a fullness in the abdomen, feeling very tired or weak, shortness of breath, as well as fever and weight loss. It is important to get these symptoms checked out and monitored by a doctor to result in etter treatment if needed. There are certain risk factors that may increase the risk of Non-Hodgkins lymphoma, such as immune system deficiencies, chemicals, and older age. Certain medications that suppress immune system efficiency, as well as organ transplants, greatly increase the risk of new disease due to immunosuppressive therapy reducing the bodys ability to fght off new diseases (Clarke 142). There are also viruses and bacteria that have been linked to the increased risk of Non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Viruses that have been linked include HIV and Epstein-Barr virus, more commonly nown as herpes. Helicobacter Pylori, an ulcer-causing bacteria found in the stomach that has also been known to increase the risk of getting lymphoma. Although, more research needs to be conducted to connect pesticides with the risk of Non-Hodgkins, certaln Insect ana weed factor that is to be considered, although people at any age can get cancer, Non- Hodgkins is most common in people sixty or older. To diagnose lymphoma, a full physical must be conducted, as well as looking into family history. A oncologist will then be called in to review the findings and decide where to go next. When screening to find how far cancer has spread, several techniques can be used. These include x-rays, computerized tomography scans, magnetic resonance imaging, as well as lymphangiograms. Bone marrow examinations are also common to test if infected with abnormal B or T-cells. The best way to test for cancer is by conducting a biopsy and testing a small sample of the tumor to determine whether cancer exists or not. Conducting a biopsy or fluid examination is the best way to get an in-depth look at possible cancer cells. Immunohistochemistry is a popular test used by pathologists y treating the sample with antibodies that attach only to specific molecules on the cell. Color changes among the antibodies can occur and be seen under a microscope allowing pathologists to detect different diseases present. Flow cytometry is a very similar process to immunohistochemistry, but allows a much more in-depth look at the cells by passing them through a laser. This laser techniques provides the ability to separate and count groups of cells. Flow cytometry can also detect whether the lymph nodes are swollen due to lymphoma, or some other type of cancer, or a non- cancerous disease. This allows doctors to better determine the type of lymphoma to be dealt with as well as the best way to treat it. Another way to determine the type of lymphoma is through cytogenetics. This technique inhibits doctors to take a look at the chromosomes in the lymphoma cells to look for translocations, which is common in some types of lymphoma. Other ways to identify the type of lymphoma is if the cells have too many, too few, or other chromosomal abnormalities. Once diagnosed, there are four stages in distinguishing the extent of the disease, starting with the least serious being stage one. Stage one, or early in the diagnosis of ymphoma is when the disease is contained to single lymph node region or in a single organ. Stage two is classified when two or more lymph node regions are infected on the same side of the diaphragm, or when a lymph node and an organ are infected. Stage three is advanced lymphoma when two or more lymph nodes, or a lymph node and an organ infected on different sides of the body. Stage four, or the widespread level of lymphoma is when the cancer has spread to the spleen, bone marrow, bone, or central nervous system. There are different treatments based on the type, and stage of the cancer, as well s other factors such as age, and health status. The most common and effective treatment for Non-Hodgkins lymphoma is chemotherapy, radiation, and biological therapy. Chemotherapy uses chemicals that interfere with the cellular division process, triggering a suicide effect amongst the cancer cells. These chemicals attack all of the cells, including the healthy ones, although normal cells are able to recover from the chemical-induced damage, whereas the cancer cells cannot. Chemotherapy is usually used when the cancer has metastasized, since the medicines travels hroughout the entire body, rather than focusing on one place. This treatment is done in cycles, so the body has a resting period in between to heal before the next cycle . I nere are some sloe erects tnat come along wltn It still, tnese Include tnlngs such as hair loss, fatigue, nausea and vomiting. Although not as effective, there are also medications that can be used to boost the immune systems reaction to these infected a-cells. Rituximab is a biological medication that is a type of monoclonal antibody that attaches to B cells in order to make them more visible to the immune system to attack. This medication lowers the number of B cells, including the non- infected, healthy ones, however, the body will produce more cells, to replace these. Once the cancerous cells are dead, they are much less likely to reoccur. Radiation treatment works to destroy cancer cells by focusing high-energy rays onto the cells. This damages the molecular structure of the cells and causes them to commit suicide. These high-energy rays are usually emitted from metals, such as radium or strong x-rays that are created by a machine. Radiation can either be used on its own or in correlation with other cancer treatments. Side effects may include skin changes often resembling a sunburn or tan, vomiting, fatigue, nausea, and loss of appetite. The most effective treatment to increase a lymphoma patients chance for survival is the combination of the chemical R848 with radiation therapy. With the growing knowledge of genetics, doctors are able to better diagnose Non- hodgkin lymphoma through the methods mentioned previously, allowing a much better prognosis for those infected. There are also new treatments being looked into to help better treat and prevent this cancer from taking peoples lives. Vaccines are ow being introduced as a way to help treat certain cases of lymphoma. It has been known for quite some time that peoples immune systems may help play a major role in fghting cancer, in some cases, some have been cured after their immune system rejects the cancer. With this knowledge, doctors are trying to encourage this immune reaction with a vaccine. This vaccine is used to treat, rather than prevent the disease, and is only available in clinical trials as of now. The goal of this is to create an immune reaction in patients dealing with lymphoma in either the early stages, or clients whose disease is in remission. Along with having very little side effects, when used in clinical trials treating late-stage patients whom chemotherapy was successful, the vaccine increased the time the lymphoma came back by at least a year. Increasing ones knowledge of signs and symptoms correlated with Non-Hodgkins can create a better prognosis of successfully killing the disease. The research of new vaccines that can help the immune system naturally kill the cells on its own can greatly decrease the need for other treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation, along with the horrible side effects that come along with them.

Discuss whether the Euro zone crisis has had an effect on the European Essay

Discuss whether the Euro zone crisis has had an effect on the European integration project - Essay Example Bank of England referred this crisis as â€Å"the most serious financial crisis at least since the 1930s, if not ever,† in October 2011† (Kenny, 2012). This paper explores the history of European integration first and then explores whether Eurozone crisis has any effect on European integration. History of European Integration Second World War has changed the history of Europe immensely. In fact, Europe has been divided into distinctive ideological segments as a result of WW2. Eastern Europe came under the control of communist regime whereas Western Europe was occupied by democratic regimes or capitalist countries after WW2. Moreover, one portion of Germany (East) came under communism whereas another portion of it came under capitalism immediately after WW2. It should be noted that capitalism and communism would never travel in parallel directions. So, tensions between communist East and capitalist West of Europe started to intensify after Second World War. Prominent poli ticians and scholars of Europe such as Winston Churchill realised that the progress of Europe would never be possible if one part of it function in one direction and other part in opposite direction. Thus, the call for regional integration started immediately after the end of WW2. Moreover, the theories of Federalism and Functionalism, put forward by prominent scholars gave momentum to the integration process of Europe. â€Å"The term â€Å"regional integration† means combining parts into a whole, according to the Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary† (Dosenrode, 2010, p.4). Europe was functioning as parts after WW2. For example, the whole Germany was functioning as East and West under two contrasting political ideologies. The fall of Soviet Union during the latter parts of twentieth century gave momentum to the regional integration process in Europe. The introduction of principles such as perestroika and glasnost by former Soviet leader Gorbachev helped the Soviet Unio n and other communist countries to expel communism from their territories. Majority of the Eastern European communist countries including East Germany embraced capitalism or democracy after the fall of communism in Soviet Union. The Berlin Wall has been destroyed and the two Germanies became united once again. All these incidents encouraged the regional integration process in Europe in one way or another. Moreover, the progress of Untied States towards prosperity made the European leaders aware of the necessities of a European Union (EU) to enhance their potentials for economic progress. The first pillar of EU was constructed in 1951 in the form of European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) by the six countries; Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and Netherlands. Since then, a series of incidents happened in the integration process of Europe. â€Å"The EEC Treaty, signed in Rome in 1957, brings together France, Germany, Italy and the Benelux countries in a community (E EC) whose aim is to achieve integration via trade with a view to economic expansion† (Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, EEC Treaty - original text, 2010). The 1960 Stockholm Convention resulted in the formation of European Free Trade Association (EFTA) (Convention Establishing The European Free Tra

Balanced Scorecard Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Balanced Scorecard - Essay Example ard as a performance tool includes integrating all relevant facets into a comprehensively detailed report which apparently includes quality, shortens response time, manages on a longer-term perspective, reduces the number of times for new product launch, and emphasizes the value of teamwork. Likewise, there is also the acknowledged benefit of maximizing the potentials of organizational resources. The balanced scorecard concept and strategic performance measure is reported to be effectively implemented by initially establishing explicitly defined goals (quality, time, performance, service); as well as translating these goals into specifically designed measures or strategies of accomplishment. Finally, it was noted that the main responsibility and applicability of the balanced scorecard in the organization falls within the upper or senior levels of management; and performed by members of lower levels of

The Lost Generation’s Props Essay Example for Free

The Lost Generation’s Props Essay The significance of the Mr. In and Mr. Out scene toward the end of Fitzgerald’s May Day is that it reveals a last hurrah for Dean and Gordon. For Gordon especially, because he realizes that he will forever be married to Jewell and that suicide is his only escape from this life. The depression of this era, of Gordon not fulfilling his full potential as an artist (his excuse being that he needs to go to art school but doesn’t have enough money to go to art school). It is this idea of potential, of finding identity in post-war America (or in this case during the war) that Fitzgerald’s short story hinges upon. Either man attended Yale and had the best opportunities afforded to them, but their mutually exclusive hate for each other for ending up in the life they have now (their after Yale life, their, not in the war life). Either man’s drunken stupor, their â€Å"In Out† gag is a revelation of lack of identity. Faulkner’s writing style is very colloquial. He gives the reader a real taste of the character, a real dip into the character’s own mind, no matter how fragile, insane, or gritty their subjective reality may be. Hemingway’s language in Hills Like White Elephants is prosy in comparison (although both authors use adjectives with a certain flare). Hemingway’s writing is more obsessed about the environment. Hemingway also uses a fair amount of dialogue to juxtapose the natural elements of the setting of the story. Hemingway is caught up in the movement of things; the movement of the girl looking toward the horizon and the dualism of character and nature. Faulkner doesn’t juxtapose his characters with environment in this fashion, rather he juxtaposes action with characters. Fitzgerald’s character, Gordon Sterret, is a dark and ill man, both in composure and in spirit. Fitzgerald relays this characterization to the reader through use of Gordon’s actions (his continually getting drunk, especially in the presence of Edith whom he may have love, but whom he ultimately falters with). The main action being that he goes with Jewell against his judgment and Dean’s advice and in the end of the story, feeling as though he cannot control his actions and is a pawn of fate, he kills himself thereby exercising the only control over himself that he thinks he has; killing himself. Similar to this Laura’s character in Flowering Judas doesn’t present her will into her life. She allows Braggioni to try and seduce her, and even though she’s tired from her day and doesn’t much care for the man’s attention she doesn’t ask him to leave her alone. She remains proper with her social values as not wanting to offend anyone. This lack of control over her environment reflects Gordon’s own sentiments. Both Laura and Braggioni’s relationship and Gordon and Jewell’s relationship are similar. Jewell and Braggioni are forceful with their personalities on Gordon and Laura. Both endure their partners knowing that the world offers them nothing better, or that they themselves cannot find a way of escape. However, instead of killing herself as Gordon does, Laura inadvertently kills one of Braggioni’s adherents. Thus, she is labeled a murderer. In either case, Laura and Gordon are both characters that feel they are not in control of themselves or the events that occur around them, either a war, or a revolution. Works Cited The Heath Anthology of American Literature, Vol. II, ed. Lauter, et al (Vols. C, D, and E).

The History of Drugs :: essays research papers

The History of Drugs Drug use and abuse is as old as mankind itself. Human beings have always had a desire to eat or drink substances that make them feel relaxed, stimulated, or euphoric. Humans have used drugs of one sort or another for thousands of years. Wine was used at least from the time of the early Egyptians; narcotics from 4000 B.C.; and medicinal use of marijuana has been dated to 2737 BC in China. As time went by, "home remedies" were discovered and used to alleviate aches, pains and other ailments. Most of these preparations were herbs, roots, mushrooms or fungi. They had to be eaten, drunk, rubbed on the skin, or inhaled to achieve the desired effect. One of the oldest records of such medicinal recommendations is found in the writings of the Chinese scholar-emperor Shen Nung, who lived in 2735 BC He compiled a book about herbs, a forerunner of the medieval pharmacopoeias that listed all the then-known medications. He was able to judge the value of some Chinese herbs. For example, he found that Ch'ang Shan was helpful in treating fevers. Such fevers were, and still are, caused by malaria parasites. South and Central American Indians made many prehistoric discoveries of drug-bearing plants. Mexican Aztecs even recorded their properties in hieroglyphics on rocks, but our knowledge of their studies comes mainly from manuscripts of Spanish monks and medical men attached to the forces of the conquistador Hernan Cortes (1485-1547). Pre-Columbian Mexicans used many substances, from tobacco to mind-expanding (hallucinogenic) plants, in their medicinal collections. The most fascinating of these substances are sacred mushrooms, used in religious ceremonies to induce altered states of mind, not just drunkenness. These were all naturally occurring substances. No refinement had occurred, and isolation of specific compounds (drugs) had not taken place. As the centuries unrolled and new civilizations appeared, cultural, artistic, and medical developments shifted toward the new centers of power. A reversal of the traditional search for botanical drugs occurred in Greece in the fourth century BC, when Hippocrates (estimated dates, 460-377 BC), the "Father of Medicine," became interested in inorganic salts as medications. Hippocrates' authority lasted throughout the Middle Ages and reminded alchemists and medical experimenters of the potential of inorganic drugs. In fact, a distant descendant of Hippocrates' prescriptions was the use of antimony salts in elixirs (alcoholic solutions) advocated by Basilius Valentius in the middle of the 15th century and by the medical alchemist Phillippus Aureolus Paracelsus (born Theophrastus Bombast von Hohenheim, in Switzerland, 1493-1541).

Makerbot: The way forward Essay

The Objective of this paper is to recommend a market strategy and target market for MakerBot industry to gain better competitive advantage in the 3D printing market. The company has done greatly by focusing on the open innovation approach which incooperates the customers in the task of creating what they are going to consume. However, this could have serious hiccup on the growth of the company because sharing a patent free innovation could result in copycat machines. But the advantages of Open sources far outweighs the disadvantages as it is large enough to sustain the growth and profit of the firm. Market segmentation should be in the United State where industrialization is at its peak and the respect for innovation and invention is imminent. The survey in Exhibit 1, revealed the prospect of concentrating on two major target market for the 3D printing industry. MarkerBot should include in its target market those that uses 3D printers for commercial purposes such as manufacturers/entrepreneurs, and should also continue to focus on the hobbyist who derives contentment by creating and sharing technological invention. However, the company can decide to shift it market target to the government and non-governmental institutions in the long run. The consumer level 3D printing industry has grown very rapidly and thus, becoming intensely competitive over the last couple of years and this is in part to the open source approach by the players in the industry. MakerBot can distinguish itself by shifting it market target in the future to government institutions and NGO’s such as American Composites Manufacturers association (ACMA) and top manufacturing industries in the U.S. The government is getting more robust after the recent economic depression and so is the opportunity for the 3D printing industry. President Obama spoke recently about a possible Public-Private partnership to revive  the crumbling manufacturing city of Youngtown in Ohio using the 3D technology as a tool to meet developmental demands. The Objective of MakerBots is to build an inexpensive open-source 3D printer. If the company can continue to focus on the low end DIY’s, the market share could turn favorably to them as it has the potentials of attracting plenty of industrial customers. Strong commitment to Research and Development with targeted customers is also very important in other to keep abreast with present societal demands. The pursuit of low cost printing materials like the Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is the right step in other to reduce overhead cost for end users. MakerBot has lived up to its mission statement by making it brand accessible to all. Exhibit 1 Reference: Doug Gross â€Å"Obama’s speech highlights rise of 3-D printing† Wed, February 13, 2013 (source:http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/13/tech/innovation/obama-3d printing/index.html)

Agricultural News in BTV Versus ATN in Bangladesh

Among television channels we have 4, 24hour news based television channels (moi. gov. bd). Once upon a time Bangladesh needs to depend on foreign media to know the information. But after 1997 with the permission of first satellite private television station ATN Bangle these rights explore its wings, and in 2000 with the hands of Ekushe Television the Information sector got an energetic change In the country (Akhter, 2003). Following this continuity, the media now enjoying the freedom of press as well as the people are enjoying the free flow of information.But it is found that the sampled television channels are confined only in he capital city of Bangladesh. But we should remember that almost 66 percent of our people are still living in rural area and economy mostly depends on our agriculture. So Media has a huge responsibility to develop the agriculture for better contribution In our economy. But media of our country do not telecast proper and sumclent content Tor tne development 0T our agrlculture. In tne contrary, tney produce the programs and content which only urban based.Even this tendency is also noticed in the content of their prime time news. That is why, the report would be n this issue that the channels are not telecast the agricultural news sufficiently during prime time news.

Free Essays on What A Girl Prefers In A Guy

â€Å"What a girl prefers in a guy† Every man’s dream is to have the perfect companion. However, in order to have one, you must first be able to get one. Most believe such a task can be extremely difficult, yet if done properly, it can be accomplished swiftly and efficiently. In fact, there are only a few basic procedures to getting a girl. The first step of this process is rather quite simple; get her attention. Initiating conversation is half the battle. As well, it is very effective to make frequent eye contact. Let her catch you staring once in a while and smile at every chance you get. Your goal is to be fairly subtle, while still making it obvious that you want her. Once you have succeeded in being noticed, you are ready for the next step. Be funny, be confident, but be yourself. The absolute worse thing you can do when trying to get a girl is to change your personality. Self-assurance is indispensable and by altering your character, you are telling her that you lack confidence. Having a sense of humor is also very important. It is absolutely crucial to make her smile, even if it occasionally requires making a fool of yourself. If you can’t make her laugh, you don’t stand a chance. Now that she’s interested, entice her by making her feel special. Without being too overwhelming, attempt to spend as much time as possible with her. Devote yourself to making her feel different than the rest by going out of your way to please her. Little things count most. For example, cancel a pre-planned weekend with the boys and take her out for dinner and a movie instead. Randomly buy her flowers and she will melt. Let her hear things she wants to hear. Compliment her hair or her outfit, but don’t go overboard. Too much of a good thing gets taken for granted. It’s also essential that you be interested, or pretend to be interested, in things she likes. If she plays sports watch her game, even in the pouring rain. Once she feels a littl... Free Essays on What A Girl Prefers In A Guy Free Essays on What A Girl Prefers In A Guy â€Å"What a girl prefers in a guy† Every man’s dream is to have the perfect companion. However, in order to have one, you must first be able to get one. Most believe such a task can be extremely difficult, yet if done properly, it can be accomplished swiftly and efficiently. In fact, there are only a few basic procedures to getting a girl. The first step of this process is rather quite simple; get her attention. Initiating conversation is half the battle. As well, it is very effective to make frequent eye contact. Let her catch you staring once in a while and smile at every chance you get. Your goal is to be fairly subtle, while still making it obvious that you want her. Once you have succeeded in being noticed, you are ready for the next step. Be funny, be confident, but be yourself. The absolute worse thing you can do when trying to get a girl is to change your personality. Self-assurance is indispensable and by altering your character, you are telling her that you lack confidence. Having a sense of humor is also very important. It is absolutely crucial to make her smile, even if it occasionally requires making a fool of yourself. If you can’t make her laugh, you don’t stand a chance. Now that she’s interested, entice her by making her feel special. Without being too overwhelming, attempt to spend as much time as possible with her. Devote yourself to making her feel different than the rest by going out of your way to please her. Little things count most. For example, cancel a pre-planned weekend with the boys and take her out for dinner and a movie instead. Randomly buy her flowers and she will melt. Let her hear things she wants to hear. Compliment her hair or her outfit, but don’t go overboard. Too much of a good thing gets taken for granted. It’s also essential that you be interested, or pretend to be interested, in things she likes. If she plays sports watch her game, even in the pouring rain. Once she feels a littl...

Sin is Bad

Sin is Bad Sin is Bad Sin is Bad By Maeve Maddox In response to a recent post, several readers commented that the word sin has some connection to an archery term for missing the mark. The connection is a tenuous one. The Greek word hamartia can mean missing the mark in the sense that an arrow misses its target. Aristotle used the word in Poetics to mean error that could include mere accident or mistake. In the context of Greek drama, hamartia is the heros tragic flaw. It can be an injury committed through ignorance. The English word sin, on the other hand, has its roots in proto-Germanic and has always been associated with guilt, crime, and wrong-doing. When the Greek books of the New Testament were written, Christians were using the word hamartia to mean moral flaw and it was in that sense that it was translated into English as sin. So, while hamartia can mean an accidental lapse, or missing the mark, in English sin is sin and sin is bad. Here are some quotations from newspapers: of Afghanistan’s top scholars, killing 14 people shortly after the gathering had declared such suicide attacks a sin (www.wsj.com) message seems certain to rankle conservatives. Francis described man’s destruction of the environment as a sin and accused mankind of turning the planet into a â€Å"polluted wasteland full of debris, desolation and filth†. (www.theguardian.com) Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:35 Synonyms for â€Å"Look†50 Synonyms for â€Å"Idea†Types of Ignorance

Hostage Negotiations Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Hostage Negotiations - Research Paper Example The actual negotiation period may take hours or even days to bring the situation to a positive conclusion. Discussion of the hostage-takers, negotiators and techniques used are given in the following information. First of all there may be many circumstances involved in why a hostage situation takes place. Some examples include 1. A situation of a desperate mother or father who locks themselves in with their own child. 2. It could be a bank robber disturbed and having financial problems. 3. Or it may be a terrorist situation that has taken hostages in return for demands being met. In any hostage situation, however, there are differing circumstances. There may be more than one hostage, or there may be more than one hostage-taker, or the situation could be planned or just a last minute desperate attempt to have their demands met. In any of these situations it is the negotiator who must control the situation using his skills to bring the situation to a prompt conclusion and a positive ou tcome. The hostage-taker has little choice in the outcome once the situation escalates. He can either â€Å"kill hostages or release them, kill himself or be killed by a shoot out, negotiate a way out (which is seldom done), or give themselves up.† Most major incidents that law enforcement deal with involving hostages are less than 20 percent and most are resolved with no loss of life. It has been proven in critical situations that negotiation strategies produce a 95 percent success rate in concluding a hostage situation without fatalities of neither hostages nor hostage-takers. The hostage-taker’s role in the situation is to have his demands met by using people as a bargaining chip. So when the police arrive the first thing they do is to find out as much as possible about the hostage-taker and why he has taken a hostage or hostages. The hostage-taker may be emotionally or mentally disturbed. The specific reason for the hostage taking may be illogical to the negotiator but it may make perfect sense to the hostage-taker. In cases such as these the hostage is usually related to the hostage-taker and normally its some type of domestic dispute. In most cases, this is the type of situation that police officers face in hostage situations. In other situations innocent bystanders are used as â€Å"human shields† to protect the hostage-taker from the police. This type of situation is normally unplanned and just a panic reaction of a caught criminal situation. The most extreme hostage situations are terrorist situations, which are always planned. From the very beginning it is the plan of the hostage-takers to use the lives of the hostages to achieve their specific goals. The participants in these types of situations are usually radical political groups, terrorists, or other extreme activists. Another form of hostage crisis is kidnapping, but in this type of situation the hostage taker uses other means to communicate their demands. Therefore, a negot iator is not necessarily needed. Lt.. Schmidt of the Cheektowaga Police Department in Cheektowaga, NY says, regardless of the situation, basic technique is the same. â€Å"You work to build a rapport and encourage them to bring about a peaceful conclusion. The same techniques are

Effects Overeating Has On Children Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Effects Overeating Has On Children - Essay Example Moreover, children who are prone to overeating at a young age can sustain the habit as adults. Aside from the physical consequences of overeating and its link to obesity, children face mental consequences such as low self-esteem, depression and can retard social skills. Essentially, overeating has the potential to effect children in three main ways by exposing children to an increased risk of developing obesity. In this regard, obesity puts children at risk of developing physical, mental and social problems, each of which have attendant long and short term effects. Obesity itself has both long and short term consequences. The long term consequences are associated with the physical effects of obesity. Those consequences are risk of serious health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and other serious health disorders. Each of these conditions have the capacity to follow the child into adulthood unless the child’s propensity for overeating is reversed and replaced by healthy eating and exercise habits at the earliest opportunity. In the overeating is not contained within a reasonable time, the habit of overeating and its attendant problem of obesity will likely follow the child into adulthood. As a result the physical conse quences of obesity as a result of overeating will be a long-term problem. The short term physical consequences of overeating in children are linked to acne, hair loss and additional cosmetic conditions that have consequences for the child’s self-esteem and social relationships and interactions. Obesity from overeating can affect the child’s mental health by perpetuating the risk of low self esteem. Low self-esteem also exposes the child to social problems. Therefore, the mental problems associated with overeating can remain with the child and affect the child’s ability to develop social skills. In the long term the lack of social skills can spill over into adulthood. Ultimately,

Urban Water Cycle Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Urban Water Cycle - Essay Example Most urban centers receive their supply of water from a definite water entity such as a river, lake or a dam. The land area that surrounds the water source is its catchment. The level of cleanliness of a catchment area determines the water quality of the dam or river. A town that uses a dam or several dams as water reservoirs will receive water from rivers. In this regard, the state of the river will determine the water quality that enters the dam. The dam is the storage point for the water from rivers. It is normally built adjacent to a river to block a section of the flowing water and store it. It is from the dam that the urban population receive reliable water supply for their use. Although the water in the dam might look clear, it is not fit for human consumption yet. This is because it contains pollen, soil particles and dust. These particles contain viruses, bacteria together with several other microorganisms that can be harmful to human health. To remove these microorganisms, the water from the dam is first processed in a water treatment plant prior to its use. The water goes through some specific stages and steps at the treatment plant. Such stages include pre treatment, flocculation, filtration and chemical dosing. At the pre treatment level, a polymer called coagulant and alum is added to the water. The substances help to capture the solid particles that provide host to bacteria and viruses. The water free of the particles remains less turbid and clean. At the flocculation level, there is the removal of solid particle from the water. Mixing and circulation occurs for the solid particles captured in the pre treatment step to float on top in the form of froth. At the filtration level, the water is pumped through filters to get rid of the remaining particles. Finally, there is the addition of chlorine to get rid of the remaining microorganisms or germs, if any at the chemical dosing stage. This stage also involves the addition of fluorine for teeth prote ction and the adjustment of the pH level of the water.     After the above stages of treatment, the bulk main pipes supply carries the treated water to reservoirs allowing its distribution into smaller pipes into households. The reservoirs help the water stored to adjust with the changing demands. It also assists in the management of the pressure from users so that it flows to taps at expected speeds. Reservoirs can be either above or below the ground. The reservoirs supply water into homes through the service lines than branch from the mains pipe. After use at home, the water goes down the drain from where it enters the network of wastewater. The wastewater then flows into the sewerage system.

Organic certification Essay Example for Free

Organic certification Essay Marketplace Characteristics of U. S. Organic Sector The U. S. organic food industry crossed a threshold in 2000: for the first time, more organic food was purchased in conventional supermarkets than in any other venue. Industry estimates suggest that nearly half of the $7. 8 billion spent on organic food in 2000 was purchased in conventional retail outlets. Organic products are now available in nearly 20,000 natural foods stores (Natural Foods Merchandiser), and are sold in 73 percent of all conventional grocery stores (Food Marketing Institute). Growing consumer demand for organic products has been manifested in the market in many ways. Acreage of certified organic farmland is increasing to meet growing consumer demand. According to the most recent USDA estimates, U. S. certified organic cropland doubled between 1992 and 1997, to 1. 3 million acres. Preliminary estimates for 2001 suggest that certified organic acreage significantly increased between 1997 and 2001. From the consumer side, new products are being introduced rapidly. For example, over 800 new organic products were introduced in the first half of 2000. Desserts made up the majority of new products in 2000, while most new products introduced in 1999 were beverages (Myersand Rorie). The new U. S. Department of Agriculture standards for organic food, slated to be fully implemented by October 2002, are expected to facilitate further growth in the organic foods industry. The USDA standard defines organic production as â€Å"A production system that is managed in accordance with the [Organic Foods Production] Act and regulations in this part to respond to site-specific conditions by integrating cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity. † 1 The national organic standards address the methods, practices, and substances used in producing and handling crops, livestock, and processed agricultural products (see box). All agricultural products that are sold, labeled, or represented as organic must be in compliance with the regulations after October 2002. Organic food is sold to consumers through three main venues in the United States—natural foods stores, conventional grocery stores, and direct-to-consumer markets—and a small amount is exported to foreign markets. USDA does not have national statistics on organic retail sales. Industry sources have reported retail sales for organic food, but those data are fragmentary and, at times, inconsistent. A trade publication, the Natural Foods Merchandiser (NFM) reported estimates of total U. S. retail sales of organic foods for 1990 through 1996. NFM estimated total organic sales through all marketing outlets rose steadily from about $1 billion in 1990 to $3. 3 billion in 1996, the last year that total sales were reported. Since 1999, Packaged Facts, a market research firm, has been reporting organic food sales. According to Packaged Facts, organic food sales in all venues totaled $6. 5 billion in 1999 and $7. 8 billion in 2000. This increase continues the streak of industry growth equal to 20 percent or more annually since 1990. Purveyors of natural products were the primary sales force for organic food since the beginning of the organic food movement over half a century ago. Until 2000, the largest retail outlet for organic food was natural foods stores followed by direct markets (such as farmers markets), according to NFM data (fig. 1). In 2000, 49 percent of all organic products was sold in conventional supermarkets, 48 percent was sold in health and natural products stores, and 3 percent through direct-to-consumer methods (Packaged Facts). In contrast, in 1991, 7 percent of all organic products were sold in conventional supermarkets and 68 percent were sold in health and natural products stores (NFM). Fresh produce remains the top-selling organic category (see fig. 2), followed by nondairy beverages, breads and grains, packaged foods (frozen and dried prepared foods, baby food, soups, and desserts), and dairy products. During the 1990s, organic dairy was the most rapidly growing segment, with sales up over 500 percent between 1994 and 1999. Sales of organic yogurt and kefir increased 56. 4 percent between 1999 and 2000. Following closely, sales of nondairy beverages (for example, juice and soymilk) increased 53. 1 percent and sales of fresh produce grew by 51. 4 percent between 1999 and 2000, according to industry sources. Overall, according to Packaged Facts, organic sales in natural product supermarkets and conventional stores increased by 20 percent between 1999 and 2000. Organic farmers market their food directly to consumers much more frequently than conventional farmers do, and the last decade has seen a renaissance in the use of farmers markets across the country. Producers capture a much higher share of the consumer food dollar when they market their produce directly to consumers. Several surveys of certified organic producers show similar findings on theirheavy use of direct -to-consumer marketing. A 1997 survey of certified organic producers in the United States conducted by the Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF)—a California nonprofit group that sponsors research on organic farming—found that direct market use is extensive and varies by commodity sector, with fruits and vegetables the highest. Organic producers reported selling produce from about 23 percent of their vegetable acreage directly to consumers through on-farm sales (9 percent), farmers markets (8 percent), â€Å"community supported agriculture† subscriptions (4 percent), and other types of direct-toconsumer markets (2 percent). Also, produce from about 20 percent of the organic fruit and vegetable acreage was marketed directly to grocery retailers and restaurants. A 1994 USDA survey of certified organic vegetable producers in the United States found that the use of direct-toconsumer markets varied with farm size, with 60 percent of the growers with under 10 acres (three-quarters of the respondents) using this channel compared with 12 percent with 10 acres or more (Fernandez-Cornejo et al. ). Smaller growers tended to market directly to grocery retailers (11 percent versus 6 percent for larger growers) and through grower cooperatives (10 percent versus 3 percent for larger growers), while the larger growers marketed more heavily to vegetable packer/shippers, brokers, and food processors. Organically grown food is widely available in farmers markets across the United States, and organic-only farmers markets have been organized in Oregon, Illinois, Missouri, and other States. The renaissance in farmers markets in the United States during the 1990s—fostered by State and local municipalities wanting to revitalize neighborhoods and preserve regional farmland and open space— has been a boon to organic farmers who use this marketing outlet much more heavily than conventional farmers do. States are also producing directories of farm stands and pick-your-own farms, including organic directories, and developing logos like â€Å"Jersey Fresh† to promote locally grown food. Community-supported agriculture (CSA) is an innovative direct marketing arrangement that organic farmers have been pioneering in the United States for about a decade. Consumers subscribe to the harvest of a CSA farmer for the entire upcoming season, and pay for their produce in advance. Under a CSA arrangement, consumers share the production risks and variable harvests of the farmer— including especially abundant harvests—and sometimes participate in festivals and other social activities at the farm. Over 800 CSAs are currently listed in the U. S. database maintained by USDA and the Robyn Van En Center at Wilson College. Most of the CSA farms use organic production systems. Production Characteristics of U. S. Organic Sector A growing body of research in the United States has been devoted to the economics of organic production systems— its yields, input costs, income, profitability, and other economic characteristics. A 1990 review of the U. S. literature concluded that the â€Å"variation within organic and conventional farming systems is likely as large as the differences between the two systems† and found mixed results in the comparisons for most characteristics (Knoblauch, Brown, and Braster, 1990). Several more recent U. S. studies have indicated that organic price premiums are key in giving organic farming systems comparable or higher whole-farm profits than conventional chemical- intensive systems, particularly for crops like processed tomatoes and cotton (Klonsky and Livingston, 1994; Batte, Forster, and Hitzhusen, 1993; Assadian, Esparza, and Ponce, 1999). Other studies have found that organic systems may be more profitable than conventional systems, even without price premiums. For example, some Midwestern organic grain and soybean production was found to be more profitable than conventional systems, even without price premiums, due to higher yields in drier areas or periods, lower input costs, or crop mix (Welsh, 1999). Also, a recent study comparing organic and conventional apple production in California’s Central Coast showed higher yields as well as higher returns under the organic systems (Swezey et al. , 1994). And another recent study compared organic, conventional, and integrated apple production systems in Washington State over a 6-year period, and found that the organic system was more profitable, had similar yields, better tasting fruit, and was more environmentally sustainable and energy efficient than the other systems (Reganold et al. ). We are not aware of recently published research that finds farming with organic methods is less profitable than farming with conventional methods. Of course, net returns to various production systems may vary with biophysical and economic factors (such as soil type, climate, and proximity to markets), and a system that is optimal in one location may not be optimal in another. Also, factors not captured in standard profit calculations, such as convenience, longer-term planning horizons, and environmental ethics, can motivate rational adoption of a particular practice or farming system. Further research is needed to improve our understanding of the factors influencing net returns to organic farming systems. The promising results from the limited number of economic studies to date have led to an increase in research on organic farming systems. USDA, universities, and other U. S. institutions are increasingly examining the long-term economics of organic farming systems through replicated field trial research and a multidisciplinary systems approach. Most of these projects are less than a decade old, and promise to answer basic research questions about yields and profitability as well as to address farmer-defined management and production obstacles to the more widespread adoption of organic production systems. Farmers in 49 States used organic production methods and third-party organic certification services on 1. 35 million acres of farmland in 1997, according to an Economic Research Service (ERS) study. Crops were grown on about two-thirds of the certified U. S. organic farmland, and the rest was pasture. The ERS study analyzed data from 40 State and private certifiers (see box, p. 8, on organic standards and certification). Uncertified acreage was excluded, even though it may represent a large segment of organic production, because of the difficulty in determining the production criteria used by uncertified growers. ERS reports statistics on certified organic U. S. acreage in the Organic Farming and Marketing Briefing Room (www. ers. usda. gov/ briefing/organic). Organic farming has made deeper inroads in the fruit, vegetable, and other high-value specialty crop industries than in the major grain and oilseed industries. While less than two-tenths of 1 percent of the U. S.corn, soybean, and wheat crops were grown organically in 1997, over 1 percent of the dry peas and tomato crops and about 2 percent of the apple, grape, lettuce and carrot crops were organic. And nearly a third of the U. S. herb and â€Å"mixed vegetable† crops were grown organically in 1997. (A â€Å"mixed vegetable† crop is a mixture of numerous horticultural crops (mostly vegetables) grown on a small farm or parcel. ) The markets for organic vegetables, fruits, and herbs have been developing for decades in the United States, and these crops are grown organically in more States than any other type of commodity. State and private certifying groups certified over 180,000 acres of these crops in 44 States in 1997, more than double the amount certified in 1994, with the biggest gains for cultivated and wild-harvested herbs such as St. John’s Wort. About 2 percent of the major fruit and vegetable crops—apples, carrots, lettuce, and grapes—were grown organically, and a third of the organic vegetable acreage was devoted to producing â€Å"mixed vegetables† in 1997. Mixed vegetable farms, as defined in the census of agriculture, are small farms—less than 50 acres—that produce a large number of vegetables. Large farms produce processing tomatoes, organic wine grapes, and other high-value crops on a commercial scale, while numerous small farms still specialize in mixed vegetable production for direct marketing to consumers and restaurants. The top producer of organic fruits and vegetables was California, followed by Arizona, Florida, Texas, and Washington. About a third of the total certified organic vegetable acreage in 1997 was for mixed vegetables. In 1997, U. S. farmers certified nearly 3,000 acres of organic mixed vegetables on farms or parcels that were 5 acres or less, and over 14,000 acres on farms and parcels over 5 acres. New York organic producers had over 1,400 acres in the 5-acres-or-less category. Mixed vegetable producers often target farmers markets, community-supported agriculture subscriptions, restaurants, and other direct marketing outlets. Organic farmers are also growing major grains and oilseeds on a small portion of the planted area in the United States. Wheat was produced under certified organic farming systems on over 125,000 acres in 1997, corn was grown on over 42,000 acres, and soybeans were produced on about 82,000 acres. Other field crops produced organically in 1997 include barley, oats, sorghum, rice, spelt, millet, buckwheat, rye, dry peas, lentils, dry beans, flax, and sunflowers. Organic acreage of these crops, especially soybeans, has undoubtedly increased since 1997. Thirty-nine States had certified organic hay and silage production, with most acreage in Idaho, Wisconsin, and New York. Acreage of these crops expanded 51 percent between 1995 and 1997 as the number of certified organic milk cows more than doubled during that period. Organic meat and poultry markets have lagged behind those for crops partly because meat and poultry could not be labeled as organic until February 1999, when a provisional label was approved by USDA. Food crops and non-meat animal foods (eggs and dairy products) are regulated by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration, which allowed food packages to carry an organic label throughout the 1990s. 2 While the number of certified organic beef cows, hogs, sheep, and lambs declined during the study period (1992-97), the number of dairy cows and layer hens increased sharply. The market for organic meat products is beginning to grow now that organic labeling is permitted, and the growing market for organic milk and eggs has been pushing up the use of certified organic pasture and the demand for certified organic grains and oilseeds. Farmers and ranchers raised a small number of certified organic cows, hogs, and sheep in 23 States in 1997. Dairy cows were raised organically in 13 States in 1997, and New York, Wisconsin, and Minnesota were the top three producers. The number of certified organic milk cows in the United States nearly tripled between 1992 and 1994 and more than doubled between 1994 and 1997. California was the leader in organic poultry production, followed by New York and Virginia. Other organic animal specialties, including goats, fish, and colonies of bees, were certified in several States. Consumption Characteristics of the U. S. Organic Sector A number of academic and industry studies have been conducted to examine consumer behavior and identify their motivation for purchasing organic foods. Many of the industry studies use consumer surveys, which seek to identify how often consumers purchase organic food, their motivations for purchasing organic food, and demographic data on organic food purchasers. University studies have adopted different approaches to assess consumer buying behavior and to identify which characteristics (for example, income, food quality, educational level, concern for the environment, or family size) affect whether consumers will purchase organic food. Several industry groups have surveyed consumers about their preferences and buying habits for organic food. The results of the different surveys are not always consistent. The Nutrition Business Journal reported that 11 percent of consumers purchased some organic food in 2000, and less than 2 percent are regular purchasers. Results of the Hartman Group’s 2000 survey suggest that 3 percent of consumers regularly buy organic products. The Walnut Acres Survey (2001) found that 63 percent of respondents purchased organic food at least sometimes, and 57 percent of the purchasers had been doing so for at least 3 years. The Food Marketing Institute’s survey (2001) found that 66 percent of surveyed shoppers bought organically grown foods. In 2001, the Food Marketing Institute’s survey indicated that 37 percent of shoppers said they purchased organically grown food to maintain their health; and 44 percent of these shoppers had purchased organic food in the past 6 months. Consumers surveyed by the Hartman Group (2000) gave the following reasons for purchasing organic food: health and nutrition (66 percent), taste (38 percent), environment (26 percent), and availability (16 percent). 3 The Fresh Trends (2001) survey revealed that 12 percent of the shoppers surveyed reported that whether a product is organic is a primary factor in their purchasing decision. Sixty-three percent of the respondents of the Walnut Acres Survey believed that organic food and beverages were better for them and were more healthful than their conventional counterparts. Fresh Trends (1996, 1998, 2000, 2002) found little difference between the purchasing habits of men and women. Over the years, Fresh Trends found that, of the shoppers that had purchased organic produce in the previous 6 months, more purchased vegetables than fruit (according to the 1996 survey, 24 percent purchased fruit and 84 percent purchased vegetables; according to the 2000 survey, 35 percent purchased vegetables). Apples and tomatoes led the list of fruit and vegetables purchased by the shoppers surveyed by Fresh Trends. According to the Hartman Survey (2000), the top 10 organic products purchased were strawberries, lettuce, carrots, other fresh fruit, broccoli, apples, other fresh vegetables, grapes, bananas, and potatoes. The Hartman survey also suggested that fruits and vegetables were â€Å"gateway categories† (typically the first organic products purchased by consumers). The Walnut Acres Survey (2002) indicated that 68 percent of consumers revealed that price is the main reason they did not purchase organic food. Academic researchers have taken a slightly different tack in studying organic consumers by complementing surveys with statistical analysis to depict the typical consumer. Some studies reveal conflicting results, most likely because of the different methodological approaches. Consumers considered the following factors important when purchasing fresh produce: price, size and packaging, whether the item is on sale, and whether the item is organic (Estes and Smith). Age, gender, and having a college degree had little impact on a shopper’s decision to buy organic produce (Thompson and Kidwell). Consumers with higher incomes and higher levels of education are willing to pay more for organic potatoes (Loureiro and Hine), while consumers with advanced degrees are less likely to buy organic produce (Thompson and Kidwell). Appearance of fresh produce mattered, and the larger the number of cosmetic defects, the less likely would an organic product be purchased (Estes and Smith, Thompson and Kidwell). One picture of the typical organic shopper is a younger household in which females do the shopping; smaller and higher income households are the most likely purchasers of organic produce (Govindasamy and Italia) and organic apples (Loureiro et al. ). Households knowledgeable about alternative agriculture are more likely to purchase organic produce (Govindasamy and Italia) and those concerned about the environment are more likely to purchase organic apples (Loureiro et al. ). Those concerned about food safety are more likely to buy organic produce (Govindasamy and Italia) and organic apples (Loureiro et al. ). Those who enjoy trying new products are more likely to purchase organic produce (Govindasamy and Italia). Households with children under 18 are more likely to purchase organic produce (Thompson and Kidwell) and organic apples (Loureiro et al. ). Consumers with children are willing to pay less for organic potatoes (Loureiro and Hine) and more likely than other households to purchase organic apples (Loureiro et al. ). Strategies to increase purchases of organic food include shelf-labeling, which had a mixed effect on sales in an upscale grocery store but a significantly positive effect on sales of dairy products, pasta, bread, cereal, and carrots in a discount retailer in the Minneapolis and St. Paul markets (Reicks, Splett, and Fishman). The recent addition of organic food sales to scanner data, by AC Neilson and Information Resources, Inc. , has made possible econometric studies of consumer demand for organic food. Frozen organic vegetables, organic milk, and organic baby food all exhibited high price elasticity of demand, meaning that the quantity purchased responds greatly to price changes (that is, quantity purchased increases by more than 1 percent when prices fall by 1 percent) (Glaser and Thompson, 1999, 2000; Thompson and Glaser, 2001). For some frozen vegetables, there was little crossover between purchases of organic and conventional products, so that changes in prices of either commodity had no significant impact on quantities purchased (Glaser and Thompson 1999). For other products (milk and baby food), the conventional and organic products are substitutes, so that increases in the price of the conventional product result in consumers’ purchasing a greater quantity of the organic products (Glaser and Thompson, 2000; Thompson and Glaser, 2001). The Marketing Chain: From Farm to Market Food passes through many hands as it moves from farm to consumer. Some foods are fresh when delivered (apples and eggs) while others are processed before delivery (pasta and bread). Regardless of whether they are fresh or processed, higher quality products and products with unique attributes (such as organic foods) generally have a higher selling price. As a result, farmers have a strong incentive to produce and sell commodities with quality and other price-enhancing attributes intact. Yet, since most foods pass through a number of intermediaries as they move from the farm to the consumer, maintaining premium product integrity along the marketing chain can sometimes be a challenge. To do so, each agent along the marketing chain must begin by moving the product to the next agent quickly. Farmers need to sell their perishable commodities immediately after harvesting, while distributors, brokers, and wholesalers need to get fresh products to retailers as quickly as possible. Retailers want to be able to purchase a consistent and large enough supply of a wide variety of uniform quality fresh food. Consumers want to be able to buy a wide variety of fresh food that is both high quality and low priced. Organic food consumers, in particular, want to feel confident that they are buying food that not only was grown organically, but also has kept its organic integrity at each stage in its journey to the market. Each commodity, depending in large part on whether it is fresh or processed, follows an individualized path from farm to market. Because fresh foods rapidly deteriorate, they must be delivered to the market quickly. The storage and transportation systems along the way must provide the proper temperature and other conditions that help maintain freshness. Processed foods, on the other hand, have a longer shelf life—but the products that go into them must be harvested at the right time, delivered at the right time and satisfy the processor’s quality requirements. In the next sections, we trace the production and marketing chains for the major organic commodities in the United States, noting applicable regulations as well as observed marketing trends.