Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Communication Strategy as a Management Tool

Communication is vital for successful attainment of corporate goals in both profit and non-profit making organisations. Any organisation has a noble goal of fulfilling its set targets and attainment of its corporate objective; to attain this goal, the flow of information is essential (Wang, Hult, Ketchen Ahmed, 2009). Communication in a business context cuts back and forth to all stakeholders; the major stakeholders affected directly by the quality of information flow are employees, customers and shareholders.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Communication Strategy as a Management Tool specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Yenkey, Christopher, in his article Transparency as an organizational characteristic: the critical role of information flow, presented to annual Meeting of American Sociological Association in Philadelphia, came up with a number of hypotheses to show the importance of communication in formal and inf ormal organisations. This paper discusses hypothesis four and five of the article. Hypothesis: Organizational Goals The writer hypothesised that the kind of organisation that is receiving information dictates the form and kind of communication to take place; communication was hypothesised to be influenced by organisational goals (Yenkey, 2005). The hypothesis is true; this is so because the world has a number of organisations with different roles, goals and management strategies, the approach taken in profit making and non profit making organisation is different thus they mode of communication is special and unique to them (Whitaker, 2004). Secondly communication is a management tool, there is no one management system that is applicable to all organisation, what prevails is an adjustment of a strategy to meet the needs of a particular organisation. Good business communications in relationships with either fellow staffs or customers is needed in order to prosper. Business success can be measured in terms of the practicability of business relationships, which is directly proportional to the quality of communication (Swamson, 2009). Some social organisation like the security forces may have a one-direction flow of information in terms of commands (top-down communication), while other social institution, which are performance-driven, as hospitals will have a dual communication system. For example in military attacks, the commander orders are top bottom since the situation demand so (Guffey, 2009). Hypothesis: Role of the Target Audience In a communication, there is the recipient of the information conveyed; according to hypothesis five the qualities of the information outflows  is dependent to the target audience (Yenkey, 2005). The above hypothesis is true; this is so because how well the audience can receive the information determines whether they will get the information right or not. The target communication has a language and a culture that must be understo od when passing the information, their values, qualifications, expectations and skills will be considered when passing certain information (Wheelen Hunger, 1999).Advertising Looking for essay on business communication? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More If the team receiving information is competent in a certain field, the role of management information can be guidance and shaping an organisational pathway. When the audience are people who do not understand, the management is seen to teach them on the expected; this creates a difference in the channel used, tones and approach adopted. Communication means more than just giving out messages; it involves speaking, listening, sending, and receiving messages; listening is the key to success for an effective communication the audience must be willing to listen and understand the message as conveyed and not distort the meaning. For business communication to be successful, listening has to be proficient. Listening simply means holding back one’s judgment and allowing answers to come from outside (Guffer Almonte, 2009). Conclusion An effective communication strategy is a management tool where two-way flow of information is facilitated; it assists in the attainment of organisational goals and objectives. Different organisations have different communication approaches; target audience and organisation’s corporate goals influence the approach adopted. References Guffer, M. E. Almonte, R. (2009). Essentials of Business Communication. New York: Cengage Learning. Guffey, et al., (2009). Business Communication: Process and Product. New York: Cengage Learning. Swamson, R. (2009). Foundations of Human Resource Development: Easy read Large Edition. San Franscico: ReadHowYouWant. Wang, C., Hult, G., Ketchen, D., Ahmed, P. (2009). Knowledge management orientation, market orientation, and firm performance: an integration and empirical examination. Journal of St rategic Marketing, 17(2), 99-122.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Communication Strategy as a Management Tool specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Wheelen, L., Hunger, J.(1999). Strategic Management and Business Policy: Entering 21st Century Global Society. Massachusetts: Addison Wesley. Whitaker, R. et al.(2004). Media writing: print, broadcast, and public relations. New York: Routledge. Yenkey, C. (2005). Transparency as an organizational characteristic: the critical role of information flow. Retrieved from http://www.allacademic.com/ This essay on Communication Strategy as a Management Tool was written and submitted by user Norah Stuart to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. 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Sunday, November 24, 2019

Macbeth Summary

'Macbeth' Summary William Shakespeare’s Macbeth takes place in Scotland in the 11th century AD, and it tells the story of Macbeth, thane of Glamis, and of his ambition to become king. This Shakespearian tragedy is loosely based on historical sources, namely Holinshed’s Chronicles, and there is historical documentation on several characters, including Macbeth, Duncan, and Malcolm. It’s unclear whether the character of Banquo really existed. While the Chronicles depict him as an accomplice to Macbeth’s murderous actions, Shakespeare portrays him as an innocent character. Overall, Macbeth is not known for its historical accuracy, but for the portrayal of the effects of blind ambition in people. Act I Scottish generals Macbeth and Banquo have just defeated the allied forces of Norway and Ireland, which were led by the traitorous Macdonwald. As Macbeth and Banquo wander onto a heath, they are greeted by the Three Witches, who offer them prophecies. Banquo challenges them first, so they address Macbeth: they hail him as Thane of Glamis,† his current title and then Thane of Cawdor, adding that he will also be king. Banquo then asks of his own fortunes, the witches respond enigmatically, saying that he will be less than Macbeth, yet happier, less successful, yet more. Most importantly, they tell him that he will father a line of kings, though he himself will not be one. The witches vanish soon after, and the two men wonder at these pronouncements. Then, however, another thane, Ross, arrives and informs Macbeth that he has been bestowed the title of Thane of Cawdor.  This means that the first prophecy is fulfilled, and Macbeth’s initial skepticism turns into ambition. King Duncan welcomes and praises Macbeth and Banquo, and declares that he will spend the night at Macbeths castle at  Inverness; he also names his son Malcolm as his heir. Macbeth sends a message ahead to his wife, Lady Macbeth, telling her about the witches prophecies. Lady Macbeth unwaveringly wishes for her husband to murder the king so he can usurp the throne, to the point that she answers his objections by casting doubts on his manhood. Eventually, she manages to convince him to kill the king that same night. The two get Duncans two chamberlains drunk so that the next morning they can easily blame the chamberlains for the murder.  Ã‚     Act II   Still plagued by doubts and by hallucinations, including a bloody dagger, Macbeth stabs King Duncan in his sleep. He is so upset that Lady Macbeth has to take charge, and frames Duncans sleeping servants for the murder by placing bloody daggers on them. The following morning, Lennox, a Scottish nobleman, and Macduff, the loyal Thane of Fife, arrive at Inverness, and Macduff is the one who discovers Duncans body. Macbeth murders the guards so they cannot profess their innocence, but claims he did so in a fit of anger over their misdeeds. Duncans sons Malcolm and Donalbain flee to England and Ireland, respectively, fearing they might be targets too, but their flight frames them as suspects. As a consequence, Macbeth assumes the throne as the new King of Scotland as a kinsman of the dead king. On this occasion, Banquo recalls the witches prophecy about how his own descendants would inherit the throne. This makes him suspicious of Macbeth.   Act III Meanwhile Macbeth, who remembers the prophecy concerning Banquo, remains uneasy, so he invites him to a royal banquet, where he discovers that Banquo and his young son, Fleance, will be riding out that night. Suspecting Banquo of being suspicious of him, Macbeth arranges to have him and Fleance murdered by hiring assassins, who succeed in killing Banquo, but not Fleance. This enrages Macbeth, as he fears that his power won’t be safe as long as a heir of Banquo lives.  At a banquet, Macbeth is visited by Banquos ghost who sits in Macbeths place. Macbeth’s reaction startles the guests, as the ghost is only visible to him: they see their king panicking at an empty chair. Lady Macbeth has to tell them that her husband is merely afflicted with a familiar and harmless malady. The ghost departs and returns once more, causing the same riotous anger and fear in Macbeth. This time, Lady Macbeth tells the lords to leave, and they do so.   Act IV   Macbeth pays visits to the witches again in order to learn the truth of their prophecies to him. In response to that, they conjure horrible apparitions: an armored head, which tells him to beware of Macduff;  a bloody child telling him that no one born of a woman will be able to harm him; next, a crowned child holding a tree stating that Macbeth will be safe until Great Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane Hill. Since all men are born from women and forests cannot move, Macbeth is initially relieved. Macbeth also asks whether Banquos sons will ever reign in Scotland. The witches conjure a procession of eight crowned kings, all similar in appearance to Banquo, the last one carrying a mirror reflecting even more kings: they are all Banquos descendants having acquired kingship in numerous countries. After the witches leave, Macbeth learns that Macduff has fled to England, and so Macbeth orders Macduffs castle be seized, and also sends murderers to slaughter Macduff and his family. Although Macduff is no longer there, Lady Macduff and his family are murdered  Ã‚   Act V   Lady Macbeth becomes overcome with guilt for the crimes she and her husband committed. She has taken to sleepwalking, and after entering the stage holding a candle, she laments the murders of Duncan, Banquo, and Lady Macduff, while also trying to wash off imaginary bloodstains from her hands. In England, Macduff learns of the slaughtering of his own family, and, stricken with grief, vows revenge. Together with Prince Malcolm, Duncans son, who raised an army in England, he rides to Scotland to challenge Macbeths forces against Dunsinane Castle. While encamped in Birnam Wood, the soldiers are ordered to cut down and carry tree limbs to camouflage their numbers. Part of the witches’ prophecy comes true.  Before Macbeths opponents arrive, he learns that Lady Macbeth has killed herself, causing him to sink into despair. He eventually faces Macduff, initially without fear, since he cannot be killed by any man born of woman. Macduff declares that he was from his mothers womb / Untimely rippd (V 8.15–16). The second prophecy is thus fulfilled, and Macbeth is eventually killed and beheaded by Macduff. The order is restored and Malcolm is crowned King of Scotland. As for the Witches’ prophecy concerning Banquo’s descendants, it is true in that James I of England, previously James VI of Scotland, descended from Banquo.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Impact of Discrimination on Productivity Article

Impact of Discrimination on Productivity - Article Example The routine evaluation should also be systematized in such a way that any discriminatory behavior on part of the supervisors is immediately evident. different categories of people or things, especially on the grounds of race, sex or age." [Hobson, pg 131] We all like to believe that we live in progressive times, times when we have left social evils like discrimination far behind us, and that when they rear their ugly heads, we will be protected from them by social laws. We often fail to take into consideration the fact that we, as people, are flawed. On a normal day, each one of us "discriminates" against our fellow man in hundreds of different ways. Choosing to sit next to a friendly looking lady on the morning bus instead of the malodorous homeless man, choosing the coffee shop attendant who gives every customer a friendly smile rather than her sullen colleague who looks like she got off the wrong side of the bed these are small, everyday snippets from our lives that no-one holds against useven though we are making "distinctions" that are "unjust" and "prejudicial". It is said to be indirect if a requirement or condition is applied equally to all, but it has a disproportionately detrimental effect on one sex or racial group, because of their inability to comply with it. Impact Of Discrimination on Productivity in the Workplace 4 It takes the from of harassment when someone is subjected to inappropriate actions, behavior, comments or physical contact that is objectionable or causes offence to the recipient. It may be of a sexual or racial nature or it may be directed towards people because of their age, their sexuality, a disability or some other characteristic.[ Guild, pg 3] As is evident from the information provided above, the most common forms of discrimination encountered in our everyday lives are those based on race, gender and age. On basis of the information provided by Ms. XX, she believes that she was subjected to racial and gender discrimination during her tenure of ten years in this company. In addition to being overlooked for a promotion that she believes she deserved, she also states multiple other minor grievances, in the from of incidents where she felt that she was being subjected to discriminatory treatment. All her complaints will be assessed separately. Her primary complaint is that at the time of promotion, she was overlooked, in-spite of her seniority and greater work experience, and the promotion was given instead to a less qualified colleague

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Paraphrase Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Paraphrase - Essay Example sured the memories that we create and never once thought to think of them as mortal, meaning I never thought that I would ever have to face losing one of them to death. My nucleus family has always been complete. As far back as I could remember, we had always been composed of my complete set of parents, my sister, and my brother. At least that was how our family existed until 2002. My brother suffered a debilitating illness that took his life a couple of months ago. He had a heart attack that left him crippled and in need of heart surgery within the week of his attack. I witnessed my brother in constant pain and requiring drugs to fight off the agonizing pain. He often kept his eyes shut, not wanting us to see inside of him where he was battling even greater pain. We spent our time by his bedside. Consoling him by holding his hands and wiping the sweat of his pain from his brow as he lay in confinement at the hospital. Eventually, he worked up the strength to try and speak to us during our visits. He would often ask me how I was doing and if I had any new plans for the week. He also asked my sister the same thing. We could tell that he was truly interested in learning about our activities but the pain was preventing him from totally involving himself in our stories. My sister tried to entertain him by telling him about her latest handicraft projects. Anything from loom bands to bags that she created from recycled paper helped her connect with him. While he was also interested in my activities, he had always considered my sister special, oftentimes calling her his â€Å"lovely blessed messenger†. I knew that he cherished his moments with her more than those he spent with me. As I watched him agonizing in bed though, I wondered how he could still consider her a blessed messenger. To me, that meant she was supposed to bring him peace, not pain. Yet, every time we asked him if he was in pain he would respond â€Å"No, I am fine.† and then turn his head away,

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Event study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Event study - Essay Example A plausible explanation for these findings is that changes in the optimal dividend and debt levels stem from changes in, expected cash flows, and thus, signal a change in firm value. Efficient Market Hypothesis Researchers have developed a hypothesis known as the Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH) which states that the market prices reflect all information known to the public. Market react to any new information available in the market immediately as reflected in stock prices rather than gradually adjust it. The term ‘efficient market’ was coined by Eugene Fama in 1965. He described an efficient market as a market where at any point in time, actual prices of individual securities already reflect the effects of information based both on events that have already occurred and on events which, as of now, the market expects to take place in the future. The efficient market prices represent the intrinsic value of the securities. The EMH along with the Random Walk Hypothesis (RW H) flies in the face of Wall Street financial analysts. Financial analysts despise even hearing those terms. This is because these hypotheses suggest that there are no future predictions that can be made about how a market will behave. The suggestion that all the information known about past, present and future events is reflected in the current market prices means that the financial analysts are snake oil salesmen. This is why the EMH is such a controversial hypothesis. Types of Market Efficiency There are three primary categorization of EMH given by Fama (1970) according to the type of information reflected in the stock price – 1. Weak-form efficiency - Share prices reflect all past information and thus, rules out the possibility of predicting future stock prices on the basis of past price data alone. 2. Semi strong-form efficiency - A market is semi strong-form if share prices reflect all the relevant publicly available information. It also includes earnings and dividend a nnouncements, technological breakthroughs, mergers and splits, resignation of directors, and so on. 3. Strong-form efficiency -Market in which share prices reflect not only publicly but also the privately available information. It is assumed that all the information is available to everybody at the same time. Even an insider who has private information about a company cannot earn abnormal profits in strong form of market efficiency. Literature Review Event studies have a long history, including the original stock split event study by Fama, Fisher, Jensen, and Roll (1969). Inconsistent evidence with the efficient market, hypothesis started to accumulate in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Evidence on the post earnings announcement effects (Ball and Brown, 1968, and Jones and Litzenberger, 1970), size effect (Banz, 1981), and earnings yield effect (Basu, 1983) contributed to skepticism for Capital Asset Pricing Model as well as market efficiency. According to the theory of information efficiency, security prices should reflect immediately all information available to the efficient capital market. As positive information and trading cost can be expected, this extreme efficiency hypothesis cannot be held. Fama (1998) in his survey studied the various event studies that intend to validate if the stock prices respond to new information. The events studied include announcements such as earnings surprises, stock splits, dividend, mergers, new

Friday, November 15, 2019

Moral Responsibility in Business

Moral Responsibility in Business Moral responsibility Moral responsibility is the voluntary attributable responsibility ensuring that acts knowingly and intentionally carried out by rational human beings dont cause injury to other individuals. Wilmot (2001) contrasts the theories that from a business perspective, moral responsibility can be described as the quality of corporate behaviour by which the responsible corporation displays such characteristics as wisdom, prudence and moral fortitude, however from another perspective can be held to mean forcing corporations to account for their actions much as one would an individual. According to Constantinescu and Kaptein (2015), moral responsibility for outcomes in corporate settings can be ascribed individuals within the corporation, the corporation itself, or both, defining these as individual moral responsibility, corperate moral responsibility and Summative Corporate Moral Responsibility. There is a common held traditional belief that the product itself doesnt denote responsibility itself and that it is the user who has ultimate responsibility however this has been distorted over time to incorporate products liability and the effects thereof. According to Federwisch (2015), an individual or party is morally responsible for an event as long as three premises are met, namely if they caused the event to occur, they acted within the bounds of reason and they could have prevented the event from occurring. An example of this is the Perrier scandal in 1992, when a US production site discovered bottles containing the toxic chemical benzene. Perrier was arguably the market lead with over 60% sales derived from overseas exports. Having no contingency plan for product recall, the managements initial response was to pass the event off as an isolated incident, however when benzene was identified in Perrier globally, this was identified as an untenable explanation. In order to attempt to maintain reputation, a product recall of 160 million bottles from 120 countries was instigated at a cost of over $250m. Unfortunately, there was a delay in action from the company and poor decision making along with poor communication led to a loss of reputation among consumers (Caesar-Gordon., 2015). Subsequently, Perrier effectively went out of business, being brought up by the Nestlà © cooperation. This can be contrasted with the earlier effects of the Johnson and Johnson Tylenol event when in the eighties, packets of the pain killer Tylenol were deliberately contaminated with cyanide and placed upon the shelves resulting in several deaths. Immediately, the management body at the manufacturers made an ethical decision in accordance with their ethical perspective and halted the advertising campaign from the product, recalled 31 million bottles- Tylenol accounted for 17% of the companies net income, causing a cost of $100 million. Ultimately, the decision proved to be highly successful. Whilst initial losses were apparent, and stock prices in the firm dipped, public confidence in the firm was restored by the action and within two months of the event, the stock prices recovered and the company regained its market position (Benoit, 2012). There are however, examples in which the conditions become a grey area, notably in the manufacture of products that are designed to cause harm, creating a paradox in the subject of moral responsibility. Constantinescu and Kaptein (2015) posed the question, is there any point in discussing the morality of organizations when this could be rendered redundant in light of existing legislation-as such, do ethics transend law. Comparative morality suggests they do in that a firm may be acting within the bounds of legality, yet still perform unethical actions. An example of this is the production of armaments. Guns are designed to kill. They may not be employed as such as they can be used for certain non-lethal sporting practices e.g. target, filed and skeet (clay pigeon) however that dos not detract from the fact that the primary rationale for the design of a gun is to have the ability to kill. As such it becomes difficult to prove that the product was misused relative to its design specifi cation whilst maintaining that the action met with the conditions outlined earlier that denote responsibility. According to Kurtzleben (2015), it is not true that gun manufacturers are not liable for their goods, however, they have specific legal protections against liability that very few other industries can share, namely the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act of 2005-this doesnt absolve arms manufacturers from liability pertaining to defects in the construction of the item however it does provide the mechanism by which use of the device within its intended purpose cannot de facto be classified as misuse thereby, if such a weapon was used to cause harm to an individual, then it is performing as it was intended and a case cannot be bought against the manufacturer. If conversely during the process, the weapon self-destructs and harms the user then the manufacturer is liable. Wilmott (2001) raises the question that the application of corporate responsibility being aimed at the organisation rather than the actions of an individual arises because the probability of ascertaining guilt amongst a complex organisation is unlikely therefore the outcome is questionable. This leads to examination of the nature of punishments incurred by the relative organisation which may often appear complex and disproportionate, however this can reflect upon the nature of the punishment being control or deterrence, and can be compounded by the effect of reputation and image in light of a positive outcome. References Benoit, A. (2012, November 11). Johnson and Johnson: Recalling, Reassuring, and Reviving. Retrieved March 11, 2017, from https://bizgovsoc4.wordpress.com/2012/11/11/johnson-and-johnson-recalling-reassuring-and-reviving-2/ Constantinescu, M., Kaptein, M. (2015). Mutually enhancing responsibility: a theoretical exploration of the interaction mechanisms between individual and corporate moral responsibility. Journal of Business Ethics: JBE; Dordrecht129.2 (Jun 2015): 325-339. Caesar-Gordon , A. (2015). Lessons to learn from a product recall .Retrieved March 04, 2017, from http://www.prweek.com/article/1357209/lessons-learn-product-recall Federwisch, A. (2015). The Ethics of Product Usage. Retrieved March 11, 2017, from https://www.scu.edu/ethics/focus-areas/business-ethics/resources/the-ethics-of-product-usage/ Kurtzleben (2015), http://www.npr.org/sections/itsallpolitics/2015/10/06/446348616/fact-check-are-gun-makers-totally-free-of-liability-for-their-behavior Wilmot, S., (2001). Corporate moral responsibility: What can we infer from our understanding of organisations? Journal of Business Ethics: JBE; Dordrecht30.2 (Mar 2001): 161-169

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Entry Level Employment In Healthcare Essay

1. What competencies are needed for entry level employment in healthcare/HIS? Healthcare skills: (anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, pathophysiology, clerical and administrative procedures, laws and ethics, communications), Computer skills :(MS office, EHR, Internet, billing-related/PM, data mining, records management, coding/cac, And knowledge of healthcare reform: (privacy and security, HIPPA, HITECH, PPACA, ICD-10) for the greatest career opportunities for advancement. 2. Describe various professions (clinical and administrative) and their roles and responsibilities in the medical office. Physicians, primary clinicians in the practice Physician Assistants, formally trained to provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventative health care services under the supervision of a physician. Nurses, perform a wide range of clinical and non clinical duties. Caring for patient and developing care plans or contribute to existing ones. Nurses administer Iv medications, blood products and other various duties. Medical Assistants, trained perform both clinical tasks and administrative duties. MA’s collect specimens, obtain medical history and vital signs, prepare for and assist with medical procedures. 3. What is SOAP format? Soap (subjective, objective, assessment and plan) is the format used to enter progress notes. 4. Define medical coding and list and describe the different code sets. Medical coding is the process of applying HIPPA mandated code sets to assigned codes to diagnoses and procedures. Code sets include: CPT: (current procedural terminology), used for reporting medical procedures and services. HCPCS: (healthcare common procedure coding system), procedure code for medicare claims ICD-9: (international classification of diseases ninth revision, clinical modification), the source of the codes used for reporting diagnoses. 5. Submit Exercise 7.3 on page 329 of the text. (previously completed) (Chapter 7) Answer here 6. Chapter 8 describes different types of health plans. List them. Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO): A managed care plan where services are covered only if you use doctors, specialists, or hospitals in the plan’s network (except in an emergency). Health Maintenance Organization (HMO): A type of health insurance plan that usually limits coverage to care from doctors who work for or contract with the HMO. It generally won’t cover out-of-network care except in an emergency. An HMO may require you to live or work in its service area to be eligible for coverage. HMOs often provide integrated care and focus on prevention and wellness. Point of Service (POS): A type of plan where you pay less if you use doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers that belong to the plan’s network. POS plans require you to get a referral from your primary care doctor in order to see a specialist. Preferred Provider Organization (PPO): A type of health plan where you pay less if you use providers in the plan’s network. You can use doctors, hospitals, and providers outside of the network without a referral for an additional cost. Health Savings Account (HSA): A Health Savings Account allows individuals to pay for current health expenses and save for future qualified medical expenses on a pretax basis. 7. List and briefly describe the four major government-sponsored insurance programs. Medicare: is the federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older, certain younger people with disabilities, and people with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant, sometimes called ESRD). Medicaid: is a joint federal and state program that helps with medical costs for some people with limited income and resources. Medicaid also offers benefits not normally covered by Medicare, like nursing home care and personal care services. TRICARE: is the health care program for almost 9.5 million beneficiaries worldwide—including active duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members, retirees, their families, survivors, certain former spouses and others registered in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System CHAMPVA: The Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs is a health benefits program in which the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) shares the cost of certain health care services and supplies with eligible beneficiaries.

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Provinces of the Philippines and Local Markets

Tapsilog is a popular Filipino dish commonly served for breakfast. The term is coined from combining the Filipino words tapa, sinangag, and itlog which are the main components of the dish. We chose to show how tapsilog can be geographical because we want to emphasize that anything can be geographical, and tapsilog, a common Filipino dish is usually not the kind of product that people would associate with geography. As mentioned, tapsilog is made up of tapa (dried meat), sinangag (fried rice) and itlog (egg), but it doesn’t stop there.Each ingredient is also made up of even more ingredients that we have traced to have originated from and traveled through different places in and out of the country before it reaches our plates. This further supports the idea that tapsilog, like every product, is geographical. Tapa, the first and main ingredient, is made from beef marinated in different spices. The beef is usually bought at the nearest local market by most cooks, but before reachi ng the local markets, it is first brought from a farmer’s market which is locally called bulungan or bagsakan.One example of this bagsakan is the Farmer’s Market Cubao from which its name was derived from. Slaughter houses and cow farms from different municipalities sell their product to the said farmer’s market. One of the biggest sources of cow meat in the Philippines is Padre Garcia, Batangas, the cattle trading capital of the Philippines, where they have the best temperature here in the country for raising cows. Cow breeders ensure that their livestock are bred well by supplying them with good feeds and steroids. Their diet usually contains well-grown grass and corn.The marinade consists of a blend of sugar, garlic, pepper, and salt, which are locally- found ingredients. The sugar comes from sugar mills like the San Carlos Bio Energy Inc. in Negros Occidental, while the sugarcanes are provided by small sugarcane farmers from Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Negro s and Panay, or by large agricultural companies like Del Monte and DOLE. Pepper is mostly from small and big exporters from Batangas, Laguna, Quezon, Negros Occidental, Zamboanga and Davao. Garlic usually comes from Sinait, Ilocos Sur, the garlic center of the Philippines where they celebrate the Sinait Bawang Fest.Like the beef, the spices are brought from its respective farmer’s market before reaching the local markets. Sinangag is the term for Filipino fried rice. Rice, the main ingredient of sinangag, is also bought from local markets that got their stocks from the National Food Authority. The NFA serves as the biggest warehouse or post harvest facility here in the Philippines. Before reaching the NFA, rice is harvested from rice fields, especially in the province of Central Luzon or sometimes imported from Vietnam. Farmers exert effort in tilling the lands for their crops to grow and watching the seasons to find the best time to plant and harvest.Like tapa, sinangag is a lso composed of the spices discussed earlier. Egg, the last main ingredient in making a tapsilog, is also bought from local markets. Like the other ingredients, eggs are brought from farmer’s markets before reaching local markets, or sometimes large companies or poultry farms like Bounty Fresh Inc. , which is located in Bulacan. They directly deliver their egg products to local markets to maximize profit. Maintaining a poultry farm requires water, chicken feeds, hormones and supplements, and machines which are commonly imported from Japan.

Friday, November 8, 2019

Love canal essays

Love canal essays The film Great Lakes Bitter Legacy made a lasting impression on myself. And is making a larger impact on the wildlife and communities surrounding the Great Lakes. I never understood what devastating results could be generated from chemical dumping. Pollutants like plant fertilizers, PCBs, DDTs, and POPs were dumped with complete disregard to the environment. Shocking evidence was found that fish, birds, humans, and other wildlife have been affected. In my opinion all effects must be taken seriously. Topics that really caught my attention are the effects on the bald eagles, lake trout, and humans. Wildlife on the lakes is the most vulnerable to these contaminates. With these pollutions it effects about all wildlife in the area in some way or another. The Bald Eagle, for instance, has found to be very scarce surround the area. Experts predict the life of the eagle was dramatically lowered, almost cut in half. The eagles were found to have as much as nine times higher concentration of toxicants in their blood stream compared to eagles living more inland. Even more directly affected in the Great Lakes are lake trout. Sediments in the lake were found to contain high levels of PCBs. The effects of these pollutants shocked me. The majority of young trout do not even have a chance to survive. PCB levels were so high that the trout were not able to surface to the top. Trout were born only to die shortly after, not having a chance to fill their swim gland with oxygen. Lake contaminates have also taken a toll on humans. Most affected are women of childbearing age, infants, and children under the age of 15 who have consumed Great Lakes fish. An advisory stated that fish over twenty-five pounds should not be eaten. Experiments, which included rats and infants, were conducted and results were compelling. The rats showed signs of extreme stress and so did their offspring. The children we ...

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Free Essays on Twin Research

used in pressed day psychology, intelligence is one of the most difficult to define and is also one of the most controversial. There is however, a general agreement that intelligence refers to the overall faculties of the mind which concern themselves with the sorting of information in the brain after it has been received by the senses, the perceiving of relationships between this new data and information which is already in memory, and the capacity to make rapid and appropriate decisions as a result of the previous processes. The intellectual faculties of the brain are dynamic and interactive and relate to the capacity of the central nervous system to respond speedily and appropriately in a rapidly changing and potentially threatening environment. ... Free Essays on Twin Research Free Essays on Twin Research The dubious history of the heredity environment controversy can be easily traced as far back as the start of the present century with at least some historical evidence placing the roots of this dispute in the time of John Locke. This controversy has continued despite continual reiteration that the critical question is not how much of a trait is due to heredity and how much is due to environment, but rather how environment transact to influence development.† ( Wachs , 1983, p. 386). This paper will focus on the nature/nurture controversy and the extent to which an individuals intellectual level is determined either by inborn intelligence or by environmental factors. The relative powers of nature and nurture have been actively pursed by psychologists and biologists striving to determine how heredity and environment influence the development of intelligence. Before we can go on to discuss the relationships between intelligence and the controversy that exists between the different schools of thought regarding inherited or environmental issues we must have an understanding of what intelligence really is. Of all the words used in pressed day psychology, intelligence is one of the most difficult to define and is also one of the most controversial. There is however, a general agreement that intelligence refers to the overall faculties of the mind which concern themselves with the sorting of information in the brain after it has been received by the senses, the perceiving of relationships between this new data and information which is already in memory, and the capacity to make rapid and appropriate decisions as a result of the previous processes. The intellectual faculties of the brain are dynamic and interactive and relate to the capacity of the central nervous system to respond speedily and appropriately in a rapidly changing and potentially threatening environment. ...

Sunday, November 3, 2019

Did the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics set new standards for CSR Essay

Did the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics set new standards for CSR - Essay Example The Olympic movement is more than a sport† (Babiak and Wolfe 2006, p.216). Olympics has a colossal history of antiquity, that dates back to ancient times. It had evolved for the betterment of mankind. The recent summer Olympics and Paralympics were held at London in 2012. Instead of throwing light upon the overview of this event, we widen our gaze and look into the political, economical and social features associated with it, thus leading to application of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) during the Olympics. The breadth of our study is not going to cease here, as it will broaden and culminate with a deeper understanding of CSR involved in London 2012 Olympics. In this content, let us analyze, whether or not, 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics paved a way to set new standards for CSR and to up to what extent. What is CSR? CSR is a corporate social responsibility in a three dimensional way, consisting of social, economic and environmental elements. There is no universal d efinition for CSR, as it depends upon various factors that vary from country to country. It can be defined as the ethical business practice, which is in conformity with law and also, with the needs of people and environment. Social responsibility in business has been considered since the beginning of business concepts. CSR is always associated with the word sustainability, but both are different. â€Å"Sustainability is part  of a good CSR plan, however, when you strive to be sustainable, it is not only in the environmental sense of word, but in a much more holistic way† (Pilarinos 2012).  CSR is an inevitable priority for long standing as well as emerging business organizations as they have to take care of crucial â€Å"Three Ps† namely people, profits and planet. It also becomes part of an organization’s marketing strategy. â€Å"93% of consumers globally expect firms to display. CSR is going beyond the minimum standards required by law to operate respons ibly by changing the business practices and lending support to address social and environmental issues.† (Mermod and Idowu 2013, p.3-4). But where does sports events like Olympics connects with CSR. In order to conduct massive events like Olympics, a private sponsor becomes an indispensable need. Here corporations come to play getting into the lime light, thus they can build local partnerships and create brand awareness. Sports and CSR Sports have power to unite the world and it can instill optimism, promoting healthy lifestyle and a sense of feeling contented. CSR plans are used by companies to sell their brand value. Almost every company could have CSR plans, as part of their strategies in its external environment. (Paetzold 2010). Sports and business corporations when working as a single unit can provide a strong impetus for positive changes in economic, social and environmental areas. CSR and sports organizations can work hand in hand, complementing each other. Business or ganizations have found that they can promote their product and services by exposing those things as well as the organizations’ logos through advertising boards, pamphlets and importantly by organizing events associated with sports. (Stoldt, Dittmore and Branvold 2011). CSR and London Olympics The remarkable thing to note in London Olympics is their commitment to being environmental friendly. This was achieved with the cooperation of corporations. â€Å"The most recent London Olympic games in 2012 was the first Olympic games to measure its carbon footprint over the

Friday, November 1, 2019

Proposal Argument Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Proposal Argument - Assignment Example Data in support of more bicycle lanes V. The Safety Aspect of Bicycling a. How street bike lanes make city biking safer for all concerned b. The â€Å"Safety Numbers† effect VI. Conclusion More Bicycle Lanes Will Make Street Biking Safer and Reduce Street Biking Accidents Bicycles have been a standard mode of transportation for people far longer than the cars have been in existence. These bone shakers were the preferred method of the early Americans when it came to getting around their neighborhood on errands and trips to visit friends. It has always been considered one of the most cost - effective, if not the most cost effective ways of transportation because of the method by which the mode of transport works, it does not require the use of gasoline. Health experts have argued and defended the positive effects of bicycling on the health of people. Environmentalists have pointed out the advantages of bicycling in terms of nature preservation and reduction of gas emissions into the atmosphere. Yet with all of these expert opinions abounding, it seems that the local governments have chosen to turn a deaf ear to the fact that our city would greatly benefit from the expansion of the current number of bicycle lanes in the city to a number that would actually have a positive impact on the traffic situation in the city, and address the growing concern for the safety of the increasing number of cyclists in our city streets. We have grown up in a â€Å"car culture† society. This means that we looks towards our automotive vehicles as our primary and only mode of transport. our culture saw bike riders as a danger to the â€Å"open door† situation of cars that were parked along the curb of sidewalks where bicycles were relegated to in the absence of actual bicycle lanes. There was a real fear that the cyclists would damage the car doors by slamming into them and causing a serious roadside accident. But, according to the Boston Cyclists Union (â€Å"Bi ke Lanes, The Reasoning Behind Them and a Bit of Boston History†) ; A typical argument from this anti-bike-lane crew is that bike lanes put riders closer to or inside the door zone. The city of Cambridge’s 2005 Hampshire Street Study has been called the â€Å"nail in the coffin† of that argument. Instead of moving into the door zone after a new bike lane was installed, people moved further away from it... The average distance away from the cars increased by only 2.4 inches. But the distribution of distances narrowed, so far fewer riders rode really close to the doors and about 8 percent of riders moved completely out of the door zone. Typical biking accidents include off-road riding, trick riding or racing. Due to the fact that there are only limited bike lanes available in the city, cyclists have to battle for street space with the cars. Due to the nature of the vehicle, not much protection is offered to the cyclist in the event of an accident. Gathered informat ion about biking accidents from 2008-2009 show that in the city of Toronto, There were 2, 335 injured cyclists admitted to their emergency rooms (Badger, Emily â€Å"Dedicated Bike Lanes Can Cut Cycling Injuries in Half†). The results of the study in Canada which were published in the American Journal of Public Health further explained that these injuries were sustained on 14 different types of streets lanes. These street paths included (Schmitt, Angie â€Å"Study: Protected Bike Lanes Reduce Injury Risk Up to 90 Percent†