Actuarial Science free essay sample

I will be going over what an actuary does on the job, how that translate to our life, and how it became the study it is today. An actuary, or statistician is a person who computes insurance and pension rates and premiums on the basis of the experience of people sharing similar age and health characteristics. Actuaries must have analytical, statistical, and probability skills. Actuaries help business make sound financial decisions to protect it from loss. Actuaries are statisticians who provide expert data analysis of risk assessment and risk management for the financial services sector. Actuaries specialize within the insurance industry. They also prepare and evaluate data for banks, retirement and pension fund administrators, or they can be self-employed as consultants. Such as advising and determining the best choices for investments and other financial decisions. Actuaries are able to calculate these tables by using past information and projections of mortality rates indicate that the life expectancy of an individual. We will write a custom essay sample on Actuarial Science or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Mortality tables are usually used as the bases for calculating estimated insurance premiums or monthly retirement annuities. When used by expert witnesses, actuarial tables are acceptable evidence to show life expectancy. Juries may award damages(money) to plaintiffs (person who is suing the defendant) for compromised life expectancy resulting from the alleged crime of the defendant. An actuarial valuation is a type of appraisal (official valuation) which requires making economic and demographic (structure of population) assumptions in order to estimate future liabilities (being responsible for). The assumptions are usually based on a mix of statistical tables and experienced judgment. Because assumptions are often derived (obtained) from long-term data. Unusual short-term circumstances or unanticipated trends can occasionally cause problems. A common example where an actuary directly affects someone’s personal life is in the valuation of a pension fund. It is usually easy to value the assets of a pension fund because it primarily holds liquid (accessible) securities such as stocks or bonds because it is just a mathematical valuation. However, it can be very difficult to value the liabilities of a pension fund, because assumptions must be made to etermine the total value of pension payouts that must be made in the future. Assumptions must also be made as to the expected growth of the funds assets (properties) which will allow it to meet those obligations. If either set of assumptions proves to be significantly wrong then there might be too little (or too much) funds in the future to pay pension benefits. Actuarial science uses probability and statistics to a nalyze and solve financial implications. Conventional actuarial science is based on the analysis of mortality, the production of life tables, and the application of compound interest. Life insurance and pension plans are the two major applications of actuarial science. Although, actuarial science is also applied in the study of financial organizations to analyze their liabilities and ameliorate (improve) financial decision-making. Actuaries employ this specialty science to evaluate the financial, economic and other business applications of future events. The American Academy Of Actuaries or AAA is an elite group that provides analysis to aid the public is policy creation, advances the status of the actuarial profession, and sets standards of integrity and competence for actuaries. The American Academy of Actuaries (AAA) has five public policy councils in the areas of casualty, health, life, risk management and financial reporting , and pensions. These councils lobby (influence) Congress on actuarial issues with national implications, such as Social Security and Medicare. Members of the AAA must have approved actuarial education qualifications, must have relevant work experience, and must maintain the group’s code of professional conduct. Actuaries commonly work in financial services, where they use math, statistics, and financial analysis to evaluate issues. Many colleges and universities offer degrees in actuarial science, which consists of a solid foundation course in mathematics, statistics and economics and on all types of investments. â€Å"Actuaries are well compensated. Experienced fellows have the potential to earn from $150,000 to $250,000 annually, and many actuaries earn more than that. †? Majoring in college in actuarial science is not exactly necessary but majoring in some type of math, financial, or both is common and practical. To earn an actuarial credential, you must complete a series of actuarial examinations, e-Learning components and other requirements through an actuarial membership organization such as the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) or the Society of Actuaries (SOA). †? Actuaries usually have desk jobs and work in an office environment. They work at least 40 hours a week. Consulting actuaries, have to travel to meet with clients, and actuaries who work in the investment banking field may experienc e a more unpredictable schedule and be expected to work more (or less) than 40 hours per week.

total war essays

total war essays By 1939 France and Great Britain had declared war on Germany. Germany had invaded Poland and was working towards European domination while on the other side of the globe Japan had launched a massive attack on China and Korea and was steadily moving over the Pacific in an attempt to gain complete control over Greater East Asia. Italy was attempting to conquer the Mediterranean and was, thus far, triumphant. All was being broadcast globally on the radio. This was becoming a war unlike any in the 20th century, even the First World War couldnt compare to this gruesome fight against fascism, communism and world domination. For the first time ever there was a war on nearly every continent and ocean as well as every head and heart. This essay will examine how the media, economic and militaristic mobilization as well as the ideological opinions contribute to the view of the world being engrossed in what has now been called "the last noble war". This war characterized itself by the complete mobilization of man and his resources. Governments are soliciting the public for money: raising taxes, requesting the buying of war bonds, using every reserve they have including colonies, for soldiers and textiles, for example: coal, steel etc? Also there are strategic bombings of large cities, for the first time civilians fall victim, in great numbers, to the destruction of war. 50,000,000 people died in WWII, approximately 17,000,000 were civilians. With the help of the Nazis the term "genocide" was defined in this war. No genocidal attempt had ever achieved the same amount of success as Hitlers racial cleansing. This along with Communist Russia only fueled the war time propaganda. "Lebensraum", "La Grande Croisade, L?ion des Volontaires Fran?is contre le Bolchevisme", "Battle of Germany-Join an Air Crew". All of these are slogans or captions of posters propagandizing the war effort on the home fronts. Radios all over the world were ...

Film Critique Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Film Critique - Movie Review Example The three main women characters in the film are: Margaret Tate (Sandra Bullock), Gertrude (Malin Akerman) and Grandma Annie "Gammy" (Betty White). One can easily identify that these female characters are different in their roles. For instance, Margaret Tate is dominating, Gertrude is down to earth, and Grandma Annie represents the upper crust. But Krevolin (2011), points out that â€Å"For an example of an energeiac structure that didn’t work, take the Sandra Bullock romantic comedy, The Proposal† (p. 69). This comment does not prove that the film was a flop within the film field. A. Margaret Tate Margaret Tate, working as an editor in a book publishing company is the central female character in the film. One can easily identify that her life is fully immersed in the field of book publishing industry. Her role in the film is as a dominating character that is able to control all her subordinates including Andrew Paxton, her subordinate. Etaugh & Bridges makes clear that â€Å"Many women seek to achieve success and better their own lives through individual efforts† (p. 467). Her attitude towards her subordinates irritates them but she does not consider changing her attitude. In the film, her function is to be a bold lady with immense power to control her subordinates according to her will. Meanwhile, she came to know that the authorities are going to deport her to Canada. But she was not ready to give up and decided to seek the help of her subordinate, Andrew Paxton. But Etaugh & Bridges makes clear about gender equality that â€Å"As more and more women attain levels of power currently held by men, gender equality will begin to affect other areas† (p.461). Later, she went to Sitka to prove that she is married to Andrew Paxton. This incident proves that Margaret Tate is ready to face challenges in her life. In the opening of the film, Margaret Tate is presented as an arrogant lady. When the film continues, more and more positive elemen ts in the character Margaret Tate is revealed. For instance, she was ready to discuss Andrew Paxton’s relationship with his father. Moreover, she was ready to reveal her personal details with Andrew Paxton. In the end, she hesitates to drag Andrew Paxton to a sham marriage. Besides, she reveals to Andrew Paxton that her parents were dead and that incident deeply influenced her attitude towards life and behavior towards others. This proves that she was not aware of the importance of family in one’s life. When she came to know more about Andrew Paxton’s broken love affair with Gertrude and his relationship with his father, she realizes that drawbacks are usual in relationships and family life. Claire Mortimer (2010), compares the film The Proposal with another film The Ugly Truth as â€Å" The Proposal and The Ugly Truth are similar in their representation of successful career women as damaged and dysfunctional, needing the love of a man to recover their humanity and femininity† ( p. 1333). As a woman Margaret Tate was forced to face a number of issues in her personal life and career. For instance, her subordinated were not ready to accept her as their boss. In her personal life, she was forced to marry her subordinate to escape from deporting to Canada. At last, she realized the importance of love and family life in one’

Revisiting the role of miscue analysis in effective teaching Article

Revisiting the role of miscue analysis in effective teaching - Article Example Goodman initially came up with a Taxonomy which featured 28 various kinds of miscues (Goodman, 1969). Developed originally for research reasons, its unwieldiness plus a need to enlarge its utilization inspired Carolyn Burke, Yetta Goodman in 1972 to establish a smaller edition made up of 9 questions to be queried about every miscue-which was a straightforward system that they reasoned would become a more manageable and helpful tool especially for teachers and clinics in the school system. Thus the authors were not so much interested in conventional quantitative measures like reading rate or reading accuracy and figured out that their qualitative method gave more fine-grained and appropriate information as compared to other methods of reading assessment. This therefore implies that using Reading Miscue Inventory (RMI)a learner’s incorrect answer ,in comparison to the printed word, may portray a variation in dialect, a shift in intonation, sound similarity, graphic similarity, syntactic acceptability, grammatical similarity, semantic acceptability, self-correction having semant ic acceptability and meaning change. It is clear that McKenna and her colleagues do not understand much about the analysis of miscue. Analysis of miscue continues to be accepted by teachers since it assists them comprehend how their students make sense of the written word. It is widely used in programs for educating teachers as a way of making teachers revalue the process of reading. Miscue also continues to be utilized in research since it gives a depth profile of the process of reading in use. There is no single publication of critique analysis which has proved its invalidity. McKenna and Picard and her colleagues only cite one unfunded study carried out by Goodman over 4 decades ago, which was at the very start of examination of oral

Reading Response Questions for How to Think Theologically from page 1 Assignment

Reading Response Questions for How to Think Theologically from page 1 to 25 - Assignment Example As such, all Christians find themselves theologians by seeking vivid comprehension of the religion after believing and having faith in it. Getting a firm grasp on this requires a little more understanding of theology as a concept and matters related to it. Q2. Theological reflection is perpetual conversation that involves the current Christian generation and their predecessors. As such, it is not something to be invented, personalized or even put to perfection by an individual. All that one can do is perform his best based on who and where he is in as far as Christian theology is concerned. Consequently, the church as an institution should give Christians the opportunity of thinking for themselves without necessarily channelling their thoughts towards one direction if the whole idea of Church theology is to materialize. Q3. Besides the usual view, the whole idea can also be drawn from oral religious tradition. As portrayed in the grandmother’s version, the whole concept can be vividly understood in a more or less similar manner to the renowned church theology concept (Stone and Duke, 2013). With this, it implies that several approaches can be taken to arrive at almost similar conclusions. However, it is not many people who are aware of the other option, the oral theological tradition which is equally of essence in the eventual understanding of theology. Q4. As we are made to understand, the whole idea of theology involves better understanding and trust in God, and that goes hand in hand with faith. Christian theology to be accurate cannot be deemed complete without the comprehension of God’s will, nature and that of His son Jesus Christ alongside the Holy Spirit. Q5. The belief in question can be in two significant ways; as intellectual assent or as interpersonal relationships. Depending on one’s perception and relationship with God, none of the above can be considered superior to the other. This is

Role Of Nurse In Breast Cancer Health Promotion Nursing Essay

Role Of Nurse In Breast Cancer Health Promotion Nursing Essay Health promotion has been defined as the process of enabling people to increase control over their health and its detriments and thereby improve their health (WHO 2005). Breast Health Promotion improves understanding and confidence among women. It can help to remove fear of breast cancer and it encourages early diagnosis (Breastcancer care 2008).Health promotion can be performed in various locations. The settings that have received special attention are the community, health care settings, schools and workplaces (Tilford et al 2001). Breast cancer is a disease that affects almost 46,000 women and around 300 men in the United Kingdom every year. One in nine women in the U.K will develop breast cancer at some point in their lifetime (Cancer Research UK 2006). The contents of this assignment will include the importance of health promotion, primary, secondary and tertiary levels in relation to breast cancer, legislation and barriers. Breast cancer is a very frightening word and the detection of it harrowing therefore early detection in order to improve breast cancer outcomes and survival remains the cornerstone of breast cancer control (Anderson et al 2008). Mortality from breast cancer is falling in all age groups and the reasons for this are not certain but early diagnosis through screening and improvements in treatment particularly greater use of adjuvant therapies (e.g. chemotheraphy or radiotherapy) undoubtedly contribute (Petro et al 2000). It is important that women have as much information about the benefits and the risks of potential treatments so that they are able to have an active role in their treatment plans. Treatment should be tailored to individual needs and circumstances (NICE 2009). There are several types of breast cancer which can develop in different parts of the breast and the most common form is ductal breast cancer which develops in the cells that line the breast ducts. Ductal breast cancer accounts for approximately 80% of all cases of breast cancer. (NICE 2002). Breast cancer can spread to different parts of the body such as the bones, lymph nodes and the liver. (NHS Choices 2010). Primary interventions should be considered in the promotion of health in reducing some of the risks of getting breast cancer; these include maintaining a healthy diet (particularly one low in fat but high in fibre and vegetables). A key feature of the governments prevention strategy to reduce early deaths from cancers and coronary heart disease is action to improve diet and nutrition with the introduction of eating 5 A DAY and CHANGE 4 LIFE. Evidence has shown that higher fruit and vegetable consumption can reduce the risk of breast cancer (DH 2000). Being active and undertaking some exercise also reduces the risk and women with higher levels of physical exercise have around 30% lower risk of developing breast cancer than those that are least active. The higher the level of physical activity the lower the risk (Dorn et al 2003). Drinking more than two units of alcohol per day over a number of years can also increase the risk (Macmillan 2008). In order to help promote the governments programmes, it is essential that the nurse has sound knowledge of these plans so that she can raise awareness of health benefits, offer advice and educate patients about all the strategies that they can do to help promote a healthier life. It is very important to become familiar with how the breasts look and feel at different times of the month. The breast awareness 5-point code was introduced as a way of caring for your body and being able to notice any unusual changes in your breasts (Breast Cancer care 2007).The practice nurse will offer guidance to show patients how to examine their breasts or offer a leaflet which contains all the necessary information. School nurses are also helping to promote breast health and breast cancer prevention to young girls across the nation in schools where they talk openly with girls about breast development and the complex health and emotional issues and problems that may occur. The health promotion enables the young girls to face the future with confidence and with knowledge of breast cancer. (Breast cancer 2008). Breast screening is offered to all women between the ages of 50-70 years and they will receive an appointment by letter to attend for breast screening, however, if any unusual changes in the breast are noticed, it is essential that an appointment to see a G.P or the practice nurse is made, where a full examination of the breasts will be given. Reassurance and support will be given by the nurse or G.P and they will try to alleviate some embarrassment by maintaining privacy and dignity by locking the door and by pulling the curtains around (NMC 2008).If the nurse or G.P is uncertain about the problem, or they think that cancer may be present then a referral to a breast specialist for advice or treatment will be necessary. All patients that are referred to a specialist with breast symptoms, even if breast cancer is not suspected should be seen within two weeks of the referral (DH 2007). Diagnosis in the breast clinic at the hospital is made by a triple assessment (clinical assessment, mammography and/ or ultrasound imaging, core biopsy and/ or fine needle aspiration cytology (NICE 2009). The breast cancer nurse will introduce herself and she will explain everything fully to the patient before gaining relevant historical information off them, the nurse will also ask the patient if they have any questions before asking the patient to put on a gown (ensuring dignity and privacy is maintained).The nurse must use sensitivity, empathy and understanding as this can often be emotionally upsetting and distressing for women. The nurse will ensure that prior consent is always gained off the patient (NMC 2008). Screening is carried out by using either ultrasound scans of the breasts or by mammograms which are x-rays that use very low doses of radiation. In some cases women have both of these. A core biopsy may be used to take samples of cells from a lump or area of abnormality in the breast using a needle. This will be sent to the laboratory where it will be studied by a pathologist. The results of these tests can help determine if the lump contains cancerous cells. Local anaesthetic is used in biopsies and the breast may have some bruising or soreness afterwards. The nurse will be on hand to guide the patient through the experience and will offer advice in caring for the area afterwards and she will assist in making follow up appointments and further treatment plans. The nurse will also support the patient by trying to relieve anxieties, offering reassurances and by answering any concerns. Providing information by the nurse alongside all the support can empower the patient to retain or regain control over their lives (DH 2007).Lack of good, sensitive communication skills provokes poor patient care and it costs the NHS greatly in preventable loss of money, time and resour ces (DH 2000). At tertiary level a number of treatments are available for early breast cancer. The patient will become part of a multidisciplinary team and the nurse specialist or consultant will discuss treatment plans with the patient ensuring that the patient is fully aware of what they are being told and that they understand. (Jefford 2002). Breast surgery is often the first treatment for patients with breast cancer and this must be carried out by surgeons with a special interest and training in breast disease (BASO 2009).The nurse plays a vital role in the patients surgical experience and her role is to ensure that the patient is comfortable, pain free and that encouragement is give to promote independence by advising the patient on wound care, maintaining food and nutritional status, mobility, hygiene and the psychological effect that might be experienced. Treatment given after surgery is known as adjuvant treatment and includes radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and targeted (biological) therapy. Understanding the fundamental principles of radiation therapy enables the oncology nurse to provide support both physically and psychologically by offering advice on nutritional needs, areas that may be affected by the treatment, side effects, practical problems such as money difficulties and transportation to the treatment centre. The oncology nurse will also provide strategies to ensure family members and friends are supported. The delivery of chemotherapy is primarily the responsibility of the oncology nurse. The nurse must have sound knowledge of the pharmacology of the drugs used so that errors do not occur and that the patient is well informed of any possible side-effects. Patients can be very poorly because of the side-effects of chemotherapy so it essential that the oncology nurse gives the correct information to the patient and they should be informed and given guidance of who to contact if problems arise. The use of any adjuvant therapy is frightening for most women but nurses can offer practical advice, emotional and physical support and direction throughout the patients journey The nurse will arrange follow-up appointments for any on-going treatments, and they will discuss with the patient where they would like the follow-up to be undertaken (NICE 2009). As a healthcare professional, nurses are sometimes asked about a wide variety of complementary and alternative therapy as some 30% of women diagnosed with breast cancer visit a complementary therapist (Rees et al 2000). Nurses have a duty to be aware of the different types of therapies and in the aspect of health promotion they must be knowledgeable about safety issues, contra-indication and side effects before advising patients about alternative therapy. The nurse must always follow the NMC in working within ones own limits and using practice based evidence to support her actions (NMC 2008). Palliative care offers a support system to help patients live as actively as possible until death. The palliative care nurse will provide relief from pain and she will offer advice on how to deal with symptoms for example vomiting, diarrhoea and fatigue by explaining to the patient how to rest, positioning when resting, how to use relaxation techniques, they will educate the patient about diet and nutrition and how this can help maintain health and well being. If the patient has oral problems then the nurse can advise the patient on alternative foods such as calorie packed drinks. The palliative care nurse will use her knowledge, skills and caring compassion to guide the patient and their family to the end stage of life by communicating with them effectively, supporting emotionally and physically, planning outcomes with the patient as patient choice over place of death should be a priority (NICE 2004), promoting advice on equipment, wound care whilst always focusing on autonomy, just ice and the spiritual needs of the patient. The NHS Breast Screening programme (DH 1988) was first set up and the role of the breast care nurse is invaluable to the patient in providing support for patients by advising the best options in terms of treatment, emotional and psychological support. The nurses are there as a familiar face for the patient and they will continue to be available for the patient for on going advice throughout treatment. The breast care nurse will offer best advice on diet, health and mental well being and she will give guidance and offer literature on issues relating to the patients illness. With the introduction of the NHS Cancer Plan (DH 2000), new funding for cancer services and cancer specialists became available. Nurses working in hospital and community settings help to detect cancer earlier by educating people about diet, health, exercise and raising public awareness by facilitating posters and leaflets around the health departments. Health clinics were set up where patients can attend for check ups, screening and other health related issues. The cancer Reform Strategy (2007) enhances nurses by implementing training initiatives so that nursing staff can become better educated in cancer care, they can spread good practice, have a better understanding of inequalities, have more face to face communication with patients. Nurses are able to promote health awareness and disseminate information down to the people whose health and mental well being matter e.g. advising patients about smoking cessation and raising awareness about other lifestyle factors that contribute to cancer. The Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP) is a framework which allows the caring team to plan care using specific goals, guideline-based interventions and a flow sheet that outlines an expected course of a patients care (Ellershaw 2002). The framework is patient focused so the nurse involved will document a plan of care required that includes comfort measures, anticipatory prescribing and discontinuation of inappropriate interventions. The nurse will work very closely with the patient and family and she will ensure that any religious, cultural or spiritual beliefs are adhered to. The Gold Standards Framework (Thomas 2003) was developed and was aimed at primary care teams including nurses and palliative care nurses to help patients live well until the end of life. It helps the team to focus on promoting the needs of patients, families and carers. The nurse can help to plan good death with the patient and the nurse can offer practical and emotional support which will help to maintain the health of the patient and their loved ones. The nurse will offer advice on claiming benefit and financial support as this may have a detrimental impact on family members, carers and their health if they are worried that they cannot cope financially. The nurse can share knowledge with the multidisciplinary team which will help to maximise patient benefit. (GSF 2006). Communication can be a barrier to effective health promotion especially if the individual cannot understand terminology used by the professional or English is not the first language. Effective communication is central to promoting high-quality care and barriers can be overcome by demonstrating active listening skills, talking to individuals in a manner that they can understand, showing supprt, maintaining realistic hope, taking time to talk to patients, being friendly, open and honest .Demonstrating good body language is also very important and this is one barrier that patients will detect very early on. Many departments and clinical settings now employ interpreters, which is beneficial to the patient whose first language is not English. The use of interpreters improves the quality of care for the patient (Dreger et al 2002). Leaflets containing information are also available in different language for the patient to access. Many individuals are unenlightened to their health needs and they may ignore preventative advice off health care professionals. This barrier can be overcome by educating people about health matters, by having health promotion posters, leaflets and information displayed in public places where people can access them without actually having to make an appointment to see a G.P or practice nurse (unless they want/need to). Lifestyle is a barrier to health promotion. Many people face inequalities such as poor diet, poor health and financial difficulties The Department of Healths healthy eating strategies such as 5 A Day and Change 4 Life have tried to change attitudes and raise awareness about the health benefits of eating fruit and vegetables by introducing it into schools, communication programmes e.g. 5 A Day logo, and ensuring that people can have adequate access to affordable, good quality fruit and vegetables within the local community. (DH 2003). Change4Life (DH 2009) can try to eradicate barriers by promoting healthy eating, having more exercise and living longer to young children with the added participation of other family members. The whole family can work together to initiate a healthy future. Transportation difficulties present barriers for many people as they may find it difficult to access G.P surgeries, health centres or the hospital if they do not have the means to get there. Also if the person has mobility difficulties, attending appointments could prove to be a challenge for them. To encounter this problem health care trusts have provided walk in centres, one stop shops and mobile health units( e.g. for mammogram screening) within communities which are easily accessible , open later and at the weekend. To conclude, it is evident from the information discussed in the assignment that early detection of breast cancer can significantly reduce mortality. The care and treatment of women (and men) with breast cancer has evolved greatly over the last few years and although there is no cure for metastatic breast cancer, evidence has shown that women are able to live longer withy the use of different treatments. Breast screening is very important and evidence shows that the earlier breast cancer is diagnosed and treated, the better the chance of successful treatment. The Governments campaigns such as Breast Awareness, 5 A DAY and ACTIVE 4 LIFE have enriched many peoples lives and by having more accessible clinics, walk in centres and mobile health units all contribute to a healthier, more active lifestyle. Many of the clinics are now nurse led and this has proved to provide a warm, caring and informative environment for patients that attend. Cancer provokes stress, anxiety, fear and anger in patients and nurses on the forefront can attempt to soften these fears by offering psychological and emotional support, guidance and empathy to patients. Caring for patients with breast cancer tests all aspects of holistic nursing care and by having all the necessary skills nurses can build a trusting, therapeutic relationship with the patient which will lessen some worries and anxieties for the patient. Communicating well, providing accurate information, listening and having time for the patient enhances the patient journey. It is essential that autonomy is respected regardless of culture, spiritual or ethnicity differences and that what ever treatment the patient requires is undertaken with the utmost sincerity whilst upholding maximum dignity and privacy for the patient. Lastly, end of life care is now firmly established as an important aspect of care delivery and it is an effective means of improving end-of-life care for all patients. The frameworks allow the patients to have a peaceful and meaningful end to their life.

The Genetic Screening Debate :: Biology Biological Genes Papers

The Genetic Screening Debate Within the past thirty years, researchers have found strong evidence linking genes and disease. The development of predictive genetic tests followed shortly after the isolation of certain candidate genes. Although predictive genetic screening is only available for a handful of diseases, its effects and ramifications have become hotly debated issues in a wide range of areas, from government to religion. The debate began in the 1993 when researchers isolated the BRCA1 gene, which is associated with increased risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. The discovery of this gene led to excitement and speculation of developing a predictive genetic test to identify those women at risk for these cancers. In this paper, I will first describe the biology of genetic testing, and then discuss the pros and cons of predictive genetic testing. Before we start discussing how genetic tests are developed, let us discuss how genes can trigger disease. A sound body requires the action of many proteins working together. For a protein to function properly, an intact gene must encode for that specific protein. A mutation describes a gene which has been changed. The most common type of mutation is a single change of a nucleotide of DNA. Other types of mutations include the loss or gain of a nucleotide and the disappearance or multiplication of long segments of DNA. Mutations can have three effects: beneficial, harmful, or neutral. Mutations are beneficial if the fitness of an individual is enhanced. Harmful mutations can either slightly alter a protein, where the protein may still minimally function, or they may totally disable a protein. In this instance, the outcome is not only based on how a mutation alters a protein’s function, but on how important the protein is to the body (Understanding Gene Testing). Since we have determined how genes can trigger harmful effects in the body, we can now examine how scientists look for specific genes that cause diseases. Scientists, looking for a diseased gene, study DNA samples in individuals where the disease has been present in the family for many generations. They look for specific genetic markers, which are DNA segments that are identified in individuals with the disease, and not identified in healthy individuals. Scientists then narrow down the area of DNA by mapping a gene. If a disease gene is mapped to an area, then the genelike sequences become candidate genes for a specific disease gene.

Huffington Post

I will admit that I am rather new to the discussion on bigotry, privilege, and the various -isms. I was speaking with a female friend of mine a few months ago, and I remarked that women, on average, are less able to compartmentalize their emotions than men. She was Oustiflably) irate, and I qualified myself. You see, I had never been explicitly exposed to the socially-propagated idea that women are emotionally unstable. When I found out, I felt rather embarrassed in not only being sexist, but in being so trite and un-profound in doing so.I am simply an bserver of humanity, and although some people might suggest that I have internalized institutional misogyny, herein lies the purpose of my short essay. Imagine you're a mad scientist in a laboratory, and the U. S. government has charged you with the task of creating a perfectly average white man. You split white men down into their fundamental characteristics: hair color, body hair length, belly-button protrusion, etc, and then you tak e measurements and find the average of each of them. Because of the outliers, what will result will probably resemble Frankenstein's onster.This is an analogy I find useful when discussing prejudice. The essence of the previous paragraph was that prejudice arises from two factors: perception of the average as informed by personal experience, and institutionalized power dynamics. These two are inextricably linked, and as one feeds the other, it is very difficult to isolate the effects. However, I will arbitrarily make the choice to begin by discussing perceptions of the average and see where that leads us. My econometrics professor last term proposed that while girls on average tend to do ust as well as boys on standardized math exams, the variance for boys is higher.This is not to say that there are not girls who are incredibly gifted in math, but that there are fewer of them. But naturally, our life experiences are such that we will not be acquainted with the whole of a population, and that is where our prejudices arise. The vast majority of my friends at college are math or computer science majors, so the girls who I do interact with tend to be exceptional at math, and since I have no oint of comparison, I don't regard them as any more exceptional than the boys with comparable acuity because they are girls.However, as in my opening anecdote, sometimes our sampling of the population isn't so flattering. In those cases, we come to believe that the institutionalized power dynamics are an accurate depiction of the entire world, and we consciously draw â€Å"privilege† from them. The most common â€Å"privilege† in public discourse is white privilege, but institutionalized prejudice extends to things like male privilege, cis- privilege, and thin privilege. Sometimes it even leads to active bigotry.In the ideal world, if we all were statisticians, had perfect data, and approached eve rything objectively, we would distill the portion ot stereotypes th at were actually real and omit the portion that are societal caricatures. Unfortunately, that's not the case. Observers of humanity like myself will continue to notice patterns in human behavior across heterogeneous groups, but I will make a conscious effort to not let that sully my daily interactions with my friends.I will approach each individual as a erson, because they are Just that: the politics of their identity are too complex for a feeble mind like my own to accurately discern. But do notice that I assert that parts of the stereotypes are real. You cannot form an asset bubble on zero information, and similarly, building a stereotype out of nothing would require heavy orchestration, nothing short of state-sponsored propaganda. Unfortunately, it doesn't take very much real information to form a cascade, and if we could distill our stereotypes, the actual remaining substance would be, in most cases, statistically insignificant.

Citizenship in the World, Bsa Merit Badge.

| Citizenship in the World| Counselor: Jack P. Wiiki| | | 8/26/2012| | Requirement 1) â€Å"What does Citizenship in the world mean to you, and what does it take to become one? † Citizenship in the World, meaning that one ultimately is motivated to defend and preserve human rights, and human dignity. Has an interest in an assortment of global interests, and fairness to nations other than their own and it's allies. This person would have respect for fellow human beings, regardless of race, gender, religion, or nationality, and works to protect the world from degradation.Requirement 2) â€Å"How does one become a United States citizen, and what are the rights, duties and obligations of these citizens, and two other countries? † United States: 1. Are at least 18 years old and a lawful permanent resident (â€Å"green card† holder); 2. Have resided continuously in the United States, having been lawfully admitted for permanent residence, for five years immediately prec eding the date you filed your application for naturalization, or 3. Have, after having been removed from conditional permanent resident status, based upon your marriage to a U.S. citizen, having resided in the United States for one year after the date the condition was removed; 4. Have resided continuously in the United States at all times after your application to the time and date of your admission for citizenship; 5. Have, during all periods of time referred to above, been and still are a person of good moral character; 6. Have no outstanding deportation or removal order and no pending deportation or removal proceeding; 7. Have the ability to read, write, speak, and understand simple words and phrases in English; 8.Have knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of U. S. history and government; 9. Are attached to, and can support, the principles of the U. S. Constitution and can swear allegiance to the United States. Iran: 1. the applicant should be 18 years old. 2. Five yea rs of consecutive or alternate residence in Iran is required. 3. The applicants should have served their military service. 4. The applicants should not be convicts of any major crime or non-political offense in any country.Of course, given the revision of the nation's Penal Code and the elimination of such terms as offense and crime, Paragraph 4 of the Civil Code Article 979 should likewise be revised. It should be noted, however, that the government might refrain from granting Iranian citizenship to aliens either on account of political reasons or for the protection of national security. The admission of such applications might, therefore, require the Cabinet's approval. Switzerland: Naturalization Swiss citizenship can be acquired through what is called naturalization.To become naturalized, you need to have resided in Switzerland for at least twelve years, three of which occurred within the five years prior to the request. Time spent in Switzerland between the ages of 10 and 20 ye ars counts double. The request is to be made to the Aliens Police in the municipality of residence. From there, it will then be sent to the Federal Department of Justice and Police, who will give a principle authorization if the following conditions are met: You are integrated in the Swiss community. You are accustomed to Swiss way of life and practices.You comply with the Swiss legal system. You in no way compromise the internal or external security of Switzerland. Since Switzerland is a federal country, authorization must then be obtained from the canton and the municipality. The canton and municipality of residence can add further conditions and set the cost of acquiring citizenship before approving it. Conditions vary greatly from one region to the next. Some municipalities apply rather open policies, while others will go as far as granting nationality by means of a local population vote.Cost also varies according to municipality and canton. Requirement 3) Current Event: Syrian Civil War Excerpt from CNN â€Å"The Syrian regime, led by President Bashar al-Assad, launched a violent crackdown last year on activists demanding more economic prosperity, political freedom and civil liberties. This sparked a nationwide uprising and eventually a civil war with armed rebels, many of whom defected from the military. As of July, the conflict had claimed an estimated 17,000 lives, mostly civilians, according to the United Nations.And more than 170,000 people have fled the Middle East nation to seek refuge in neighboring countries such as Iraq, Jordan and Turkey. â€Å" Requirement 3A) â€Å"How a foreign country (France) is a global provider and it’s economy and global relations† Geography: The European portion of France, excluding islands and overseas territories is 211,209 sq miles. Natural Resources: Are limited, and most are either nearly exhausted, or very hard to obtain, Coal, Iron Ore, Bauxite, and small portions of Uranium.Climate Influence: Th e north and northwest have a temperate climate, while a combination of maritime influences, latitude and altitude produce a varied climate in the rest of Metropolitan France. In the south-east a Mediterranean climate prevails. In the west, the climate is predominantly oceanic with a high level of rainfall, mild winters and cool to warm summers, along with the very fertile soil, provides a very good growing season, and allows for the growing of many forests, and tourist attractions. Inland the climate becomes more continental with hot, stormy summers, colder winters and less rain.The climate of the Alps and other mountainous regions is mainly alpine, with the number of days with temperatures below freezing over 150 per year and snow cover lasting for up to six months. Global Partnerships: a leading member of the International Francophone Organization (OIF) of fifty-one fully or partly French-speaking countries, and World Trade Organization. Requirement 4C) â€Å"What do the U. N and the World Court do for the world? † U. N: Is an international organization who aims for facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace.World Court: Its main functions are to settle legal disputes submitted to it by sovereign states and to provide opinions on legal questions submitted to it by international agencies. Requirement 5) Previously Discussed. Requirement 6) â€Å"How is government represented abroad? And how is the U. S accredited to international organizations? † A government is recognized through embassies and consulates in all nations with which they have diplomatic relations. The United States government has been accredited to international organizations by signing into organizations and becoming an official member.They participate in the happenings of the many different organizations and do their best to help whatever cause the organization is prom oting. Requirement 7) To Be Discussed. Democratic Republic(USA)- Star Communist (North Korea, China, Vietnam)-Equal Sign Dictatorship (Cuba, Venezuela) -â€Å"No† Symbol Monarchy (Saudi Arabia, Monaco) -X Theocracy (Iran) -Sun Democratic Republic(USA)- Star Communist (North Korea, China, Vietnam)-Equal Sign Dictatorship (Cuba, Venezuela) -â€Å"No† Symbol Monarchy (Saudi Arabia, Monaco) -X Theocracy (Iran) -Sun

The Australia Post †Case Study

The Australia Post – Case Study Executive Summary There are many organizations that have been able to stand the test of time in business. This enables them to remain strong and competitive in business. One such organization is Australia Post. This paper presents a comprehensive case study of Australia Post. The paper concentrates on change aspects in the organization that have enabled it to remain strong in the competitive mail delivery industry within Australia.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on The Australia Post – Case Study specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The paper is divided in several parts. The background part of the paper gives the general overview of the organization. The introduction part of the paper introduces the general organization. This part goes further to narrow on change that has occurred within the organization. It gives a transition into the main body of the paper. This presents a deep look into how change is being intro duced and implemented by Australia Post. The main body analyses the major strategic change initiatives that have been taking place in the Australia Post. In addition, the way these change initiatives have helped the corporation to position itself within the industry is analysed. There are several changes that are noted and analysed under this section. They include partnerships that the company has entered into, adoption of information technology in its functions, and the integration of e-commerce in diversifying the organisations operations. The other change initiative analysed is how the corporation is working on improving the delivery of its labour force. A number of recommendations are crafted at the end of the paper. These could serve as a basis for future development initiatives by the corporation. Background Information The Australia Post is state owned agency in Australia. The name Australia Post is the brand name of the Australia Postal Corporation. It operates in the Austra lia mail dispatch industry. This is one of the oldest agencies under the Australia Public sector and which has been operating since the early 1800s. Since then, it has managed to undergo transformation in order to cope with the changing business environment. The agency deals with the delivery of a wide range of mails in the country. Also, the company has been expanding its business operations, which now include electronic mail delivery services and the distribution of electronic mail services (Herr and Herr, 2011). Introduction Australia Post is operating in an industry that is very competitive. The competition arises from active firms in the industry including TNT, DHL and FedEx. The company has undergone transformation that has greatly contributed to its success. Most of the changes have been aimed at broadening and diversifying the range of service delivery by the company. The company’s operations are focused on various aspects.Advertising Looking for report on bus iness economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More One of the areas of focus is letters. It also focuses on parcels and logistics services among other areas. The firm has expanded its operations, which are now discharged via various subsidiaries and joint ventures (Brimson, 2008). Overview of the organizational structure of the Australia Post The Australia Post has an elaborate system of corporate governance that is stipulated in the way it spreads and discharges organizational responsibilities. The organization has various administrative hierarchies eminent in the administrative bodies running the company. These include the shareholder ministers and the board that has two administrative committees. However, it is evident that there is little hierarchy in the organization due to the little number of administrative organs. This denotes reduced centralization in the organization which is a precursor to faster communication and discharge of duties for improved performance of the corporation (Financial Review, 2012; Australia Post, n. d). Many organizations are working on de-bureaucratization as a means of pacing up work and delivering best results. Australian Post has little bureaucracy that is contrary to many other government agencies. This is the reason why the corporation has managed to position itself in the industry which has many private and competitive firms (Palmer, 2007). The overall administrative body of the company is the board which is led by a chairman and deputy chairman. There are nine directors who form the board of the Company. Out of the nine directors, eight of them serve as nonexecutive members. The only executive member who sits on the board is the managing director who is also the chief executive officer of the corporation. The board is the overall decision making organ of the organization. It deliberates on the strategies of the companies before either approving or disapproving the m (Australia Post Website, 2012). The second powerful organ of the Australia Post is the executive committee, which is chaired by the chief executive officer of the company. This committee is composed of executives heading different operational sections of the company. They are the main strategists of the organization. The committee meets to deliberate on the strategies of the company and then forwards their recommendations to the board, which further deliberates on them and makes the final recommendations. Each operational section of the company is headed by the general, chief executive officers who are directly accountable to the chief executive office of the company. The chief executive officer of the company is answerable and accountable to the organization’s board (Australia Post Website, 2012).Advertising We will write a custom report sample on The Australia Post – Case Study specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The b oard is the chief accounting body to the shareholders of the company. It sets the objectives of the company and lays down the strategies to help in meeting the objectives. Planning is done on a three year basis. The board prepares and rolls out its corporate plan after every three months. The plan is closely monitored as it continues to be implemented. A progress report is prepared quarterly and forms a basis on which the plan is streamlined. There are two main board committees for the organization: the human resources committee and the audit and risk committee. The audit and risk committee concentrates on handling matter to do with finance, accounting, auditing and risk control for the organization. The human resources committee concentrates on the matter to do with the employees of the corporation. These include the formulation and deliberation on human resource policies, remuneration and structural issues. The formulation of different administrative units in the organization help s in the deliberation of different issues in the organization (Australia Post Website, 2012). The organization has many employees working on both permanent and temporary basis. By end of the year 2011, the organization had 23,369 permanent employees and over 10, 000 non permanent employees (Australia Post Website, 2012). Operating as a government agency and utilizing the government resources, the Australia Post has undergone tremendous strategic changes that have helped to position the company in the industry. This has enabled it to become self sustainable in the sense that it funds its own operations and makes profits (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, 2006). This has enabled the company to have the widest coverage and clientele in Australia which surpasses the clientele of the private competitors by far. This is a great achievement for an agency of the government that offers services at subsidized rates. From simple delivery of parcels and mails, the Australia Post n ow deals in a wide range of business activities that make the company match the prevailing demand for services. Financial and banking services have been fully incorporate into the operations of the company. Also, direct marketing functions and database management operations have been fully adopted and are being discharged by the company. Logistical and fulfillment functions are also among the operations of the company. All these denote huge growth and the aspect of business adaptability by the company. The company has had a strong transformational growth curve that has been prompted by the strategic changes that have been implemented by it (Australia Post, n. d).Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Notable strategic, organizational development and change in the Australia Post In the year 2009, the National Archives of Australia joined hands with Australia Post in developing the Records Authority. This set the requirements and guidelines for either keeping or destruction of records in the core areas of operation. These areas include commercial operations, customer relations, corporate governance, collection management, mail operations, external relations, stamp management and post fleet and logistics management and strategic management. Under this deal, the National Archive of Australia was to commit to understanding, creating and managing the records on behalf of Australia Post. This eased activities for Australia Post as it gave the company the permission for the destruction, retention, and even the transferring of records to the National Archives of Australia. The authority assesses the records and sets timelines of the retention period for the records. The assessment report is the basis on which Australia Post disposes records that are no longer in need. This has improved record management by Australia Post. Therefore, this has positively impacted on the general, administrative practice of the company. Important information is sorted and safeguarded for future reference (Australian Government and National Archives of Australia, 2009). Areas of focus for the company as it enters into the future Bryan (2005) noted that futuristic prospects are important for any company that has a vision, and which intends to have sustainable growth. The future prospects of growth are based on the present developments and the opportunities that are imminent in the industry. So far, it can be argued that the organization has done well in capturing a number of opportunities that are prevailing in the business environment in which it exists (Australia Post, 2009). The company needs to work on broadening of its market and business shares in certain business segments which lo ok more promising. These include the banking and the financial services sector. More customers are found here, and the company can attract if it deeply ventures into offering these diversified services. Strengthening the market share in the delivery of express mail is another can further enhance the performance of the company (Australia Post Website, n. d). The prospective areas of growth for the Australia Post lie in the improvement and upgrading the way they deliver their services. Improvement of service delivery systems is one of the most effective ways through which an organization can improve its performances. Effective organizational change often originates from within the organization. Internal change strengthens the internal systems thus fastening the quality of services that are delivered by a company. One way of improving efficiency in the organization is by strengthening of automated systems to enhance the speed and efficiency of delivering services to customers. Automate d systems are faster and result into a cut overhead costs that emanate from the use of analog systems of delivering services to customers. Automation can be a precursor to attaining one-stop shopping services. This is in respect to the range of services that the company is offering (Waddell, Cummings and Worley, 2011). Organizational transformation using Information Technology Child and McGrath (2001) observe that information technology is the key too that is being used by organizations to transform their services and improve the performance. The Australia Post is one of the organizations that have realized the essence of employing information technology in service improvement. The program to use information technology in improving service delivery was fully initiated in the year 2006. This was to serve as part of a retrenchment program that was supposed to relieve the inefficient staffs by replacing them with IT systems controlled by few employees (Tay, 2012). As of today, the orga nization has approximately 1000 IT staffs. However, the overhead costs of the organization have not significantly dropped as was expected. This is because the organization has been forced to retain most of the staffs by reassigning them to other tasks within the organization. Sizable progress has already been made in improving the service delivery using IT systems in the company. In addition, significant progress is projected to come from the projects being initiated. More positive outcomes from IT projects are expected as the company continues to embrace it. The overhead costs or operation costs are often higher in the initial stages of application or use of IT in the organization. It takes quite a long time to realize the full benefits of information technology use in business. The introduction of technology into the operations of an organization is a whole business process and a big step in organizational change (Hutchinson, 2011). One of the major information technology projects that are being implemented by the corporation is the offering of digital mailboxes to their customers. This mailbox is expected to enhance timely and fast delivery of mails to customers. This digital service is aimed to foster secure access to mails by customers. Physical mails will be availed digitally to customers in a single location on the web. Therefore, there will be no need for multiple password and login details as has been the case. A single secure channel will be used by customers to access their bills, notices as well as other statements. The corporation has in the recent times been capitalizing on e-commerce. This has been aimed at expanding the companys business range of products. This has also aimed at improving service delivery to customers hence raising profits for the company. The corporation has already begun implementing its plan to venture in online marketing business. The company has already opened over 30 superstores in the country (Chillibreeze, 2012). Online marketing was seen as an opportunity by the corporation due to a substantive increase in the number of online shoppers in Australia. The new superstores are well furnished with diversified services in the offing to attract a significant number of customers. The stores have 24-hour shopping zones with parcel lockers, vending merchandises and self-service terminals. Also, postal services will be accessed in these stores. Online services will be available to allow for online product research by the customer and ordering of the products (Stafford, 2012). Present in the stores are also Australian Post Automated Teller Machines and the American Express currency exchange. This is a well planned venture especially in this modern business era. In this era, one stop shopping is becoming a business trend that is enormously applauded by customers. This venture is helping the company in exploring many business opportunities that are present both in the industry and outside the industry. Child a nd McGrath (2001) noted that the major goals of change strategies of organizations are to identify, learn, and capture new opportunities that exist in the business environment. The Australian can be considered as a business development benchmark for many government-owned corporations in Australia and the entire globe (Chillibreeze, 2012). Australian post has launched a renewal program dubbed future ready. This is a business development program that aims to propel the company into the future. It is meant to help the organization to focus and position its operations in accordance to the prevailing and expected changes in the industry and market. It is vital for companies to plan into the future because the business environment presents both opportunities and challenges (Dunford, Palmer, Benveniste and Crawford, 2007). The initiation of the program was done three years ago to aid the organization to become more customer-centered and by effect more sustainable. One of the main divers in the program is the embracing of digitalization of operations due to availability and importance of information technology. Physical operations have been the modalities of working for the company for a long period of operation. They are seen as having inconveniences and prevented the corporation from reaching and serving more customers as they as they are slow and inefficient. The program focuses on strategic units of operation in the corporation which are retail services, postal services, e-services and express distribution services (Australia Post Website, 2010). Collaborations and partnerships are founded ways in which firms breach obstacles and enhance the development of business projects. Australia Post has not working solely particularly on projects do with the adoption of information technology systems in service delivery. As a component of strategic development, the firm has signed a strategic working partnership with Telstra concerning the use of IT networks and mailboxes. This agreement was signed in January this year and was meant to enhance the sharing of network in discharging services to customers of both companies: Australia Post and Telstra. The channels of provision of information to customers are being enhanced as the partnership is streamlined. This will be more beneficial to the company as the customers continue to realize improvement in service delivery of the company (Australia Post Website, 2012). The labor problem The major problem that has been hindering change in the organization is the problem of labor. The company has been having many cash-in-workers who are often blamed for poor service delivery. This is coupled with the earlier mentioned problem of hardship in replacing the underperforming employees even amidst the introduction of information technology systems. However, negotiations between the corporation and the union representatives representing the employees of the organization have been in progress. Early this year, the unio n recommended that the casual workers be replaced with more qualified staffs who will be employed on a permanent basis by the corporation. This has been thought to be a positive step which will help eliminate inconsistencies in service delivery to customers by the corporation. As the company works on the modality of implementing the recommendations, it remains with one major challenge. The casual employees form a reasonably large percentage of the staffs of the organization. Therefore, it is difficult for the organization to lay them off (Ham, 2012). Conclusion Australia Post is a state owned company that has been in operation for almost a century. This can be cited as one of the best performing government agencies, not only in Australia, but also on the global scene. It can serve as a benchmark of how government agencies ought to embrace change and operate for profits. The corporation operates under a limited bureaucratic structure. Therefore, it has been easy for Australia Post to effect change that has helped the company deliver good services to its customers. This has also helped the company in improving its services and remaining competitive in the industry. Recommendations The effectiveness of change and improvement in an organization is dependent on a number of things within the organization. One of them is the organizational structure of the organization. Therefore, it will be important for Australia Post to continue embracing de-bureaucratization of operations. The company has to enhance its human resource practices. This will help it get employees who are modern and competent enough to handle the tasks. Embracing modern human resource practices can help Australia Post to solve the labor problem. Strategic partnerships are also important for a company that aims to expand its operations. Australia Post can develop business partnerships with like minded companies especially in the IT sector. This will help it in upgrading and using information technolo gy while hastening the delivery of services to its customers. E-commerce seems to be promising for the corporation. Therefore, the company is likely to increase and diversify its operations by investing heavily in e-commerce related investments. This includes venturing significantly in the e-marketing business that has been initiated. Reference List Australia Post 2009, Getting Future Ready. Australia Post n. d., The Strength Within. Australian Competition and Consumer Commission 2006, Assessing cross-subsidy in Australia Post, An ACCC report. Australia Post Website 2012, Australia Post and Telstra sign strategic partnership on Digital Mailbox and IT network. Web. Australia Post Website 2012, Corporate governance. Web. Australia Post Website 2010, Future Ready Australia Posts business renewal program. Australia Post Website, n. d., Banking and identity. Web. Australian Government and National Archives of Australia, 2009, Records Authority Australia Post. Brimson, C 2008, An integ rated action research action learning leadership development program for managers of Australia Posts delivery business unit in SA/NT, Gibran Journal of Applied Management, vol.1, pp. 85-108. Bryan, L 2005, ‘The 21st century organization’, McKinsey Quarterly, no. 3, pp. 24†33. Child, J and McGrath, RG 2001, ‘Organizations unfettered: Organizational form in an information†intensive economy’, The Academy of Management Journal, vol. 44, no. 6, pp. 1135†1148. Chillibreeze, 2012, Australia Post reveals digital mailbox plan. Dunford, R, Palmer, I, Benveniste, J Crawford, J 2007, ‘Coexistence of ‘old’ and ‘new’ organisational practices: Transitory phenomena or enduring feature’, Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources, vol. 45, no. 1, pp. 24†43. Financial Review, 2012, Australia Post: The enduring power of paper as an effective means of communication. Financial Review. Ham, L 2012, Stamp out illegal po sties: union. Herr, P and Herr, P 2011, U. S. Postal Service: Foreign Posts Strategies Could Inform U. S. Postal Services Efforts to Modernize, Diane Publishing Company, Washington D. C. Hutchinson, J 2011, Australia Post eyes billion-dollar e-commerce, IT News for Australian Business. Palmer, I 2007, ‘New organizational forms: towards a generative dialogue’, Organization Studies, vol. 28, no. 12, pp. 1829†1847. Stafford, S 2012, Australia Post losing $70 million a year on international pricing structure. Tay, L 2012, Lessons from Australia Post’s IT transformation.

Suggest how an economist would approach the problem of alcohol abuse Essay

Suggest how an economist would approach the problem of alcohol abuse - Essay Example Numerous examinations on this subject have been conducted by economist to determine the impact of the price of alcoholic beverages to alcohol consumption. Despite the varied nature of the researches conducted, the conclusion is common. That an increase in the price of alcoholic beverages results to a decline in drinking and heavy drinking, as well as the consequences of alcohol use and abuse. This is in direct relevance to the fundamental law of economics called the downward sloping demand curve. It states that, as the price of a product rises, the quantity demanded for that product decreases. Another way to curb the abuse of alcohol is the use of government policy. Economists have found that the most ignored policy of controlling alcohol abuse is the most effective and important (Chaplouka, Grossmann & Saffer, 2002). This is the raising of the taxes levied on all alcoholic beverages. The decline of federal, state and local taxes on alcoholic beverages over the years by considerably high margins is a show of ignorance to this policy. The effectiveness of this policy of this policy is due to the fact that the use and abuse of alcoholic beverages has been found to be sensitive to price. However, to address the matter with economical intellect the policy should be implemented after accounting for the effects of inflation. Prescription drugs fall under the industry of pharmaceuticals, which is funded in the country as part of Research and Development. In the recent past and the present this industry has been found to have very large costs of maintaining and they are always fixed. It is estimated that twenty percent of sales from research based pharmaceuticals has been devoted to research and development compared to four percent for other industries (Nebbit, 2000). This huge investment in relation to prescription drugs, therefore, results to high prices for these products. Since the products are essential for life, their consumption is fixed and may not be greatly

Exploring an art Object Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Exploring an art Object - Essay Example In 1990, the Leaning Tower of Pisa was closed for public as a rigorous restoration plan starting in the following years. It was reopened in 2001 and the scientific committee revealed a recovery in inclination of the tower in August 15, 2013 (Ridet, n.pag.). Due to its unusual tilted architecture, it is a popular tourist attraction and Pisa is one of Europe’s most visited cities as a result. The Tower of Pisa was constructed hundreds of years ago in Romanesque style of architecture. Its construction began in 1173 soon after which it started tilting. Its name comes from an ancient Greek word which literally means marsh land. Since it was a marshy land the soil was unbalanced because of its composition. The soil contained mud, clay, and sand due to which the tower’s foundations began tilting towards the north. After its engineers noticed the defect, they tried to make up for the tilt by making the columns taller in the north (Harris, n.pag.). However, the tower continued t o incline and it started tilting towards the south, the direction where it still tilts till today although efforts by the engineering bodies have reduced the inclination greatly. It reached its greatest tilt in 1990 when it was being feared that the tower might fall over due to gravity. Restoration project started so as to reduce its inclination to maintain the site as a remarkable historical building. Romanesque architecture was an early medieval style of architecture that was popular in Europe during the medieval times. The form of architecture was defined by the presence of arches shaped semi circularly. Although there are various other medieval buildings in Pisa, Italy that depict a Romanesque style, perhaps the Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the most remarkable ones due to its tilted structure. Just like a typical Romanesque building, the tower has 6 galleries that have been laid one top of the other (Stalley, 202) making a total of 8 storeys. The tower stands at a height of 5 6 meters as a bell tower or campanile. The Tower of Pisa is made up of white marbles that has been inlaid towards the outside with colored marble. It is a part of the Cathedral of Pisa which is located close by. The building techniques that have been used during the construction of the tower include load bearing masonry, cut stone construction, inlaying, and round plan. Load bearing masonry is probably one of the oldest forms of construction which involves the layering of masonries one on top of the other thereby building walls and other structures. Load bearing masonry has given the tower strength although it has been tilting since years. Also, the technique has made aesthetically beautiful walls which give a structurally rich look to the Tower of Pisa. In order to cut stones to make dimension stones for the construction for the tower, the technique of cut stone masonry construction was used by the designers. These dimension stones were the used for the making of its walls. The tow er has various galleries with columns supporting the curved arches in between. Although white marbles were used as the masonry for the construction, the exterior side of the tower was inlaid with colored marble so as to give it a creatively rich appearance. The Leaning Tower of Pisa comes under the category of Romanesque architecture. It is a building that was built as a toure de force