Lower Legal Drinking Age Essay Example for Free

Lower Legal Drinking Age Essay The United States has a long history with alcohol consumption. For better and sometimes worse, alcohol has been a popular aid in many social gatherings and events involving Americans. Currently however, only those above the age of 21 years are allowed to enjoy the privilege of drinking alcoholic beverages. This occurred in 1984 with the passing of the National Minimum Drinking Age Act within the Federal Highway Act bill (US Congress, 1984). The bill said that a 10 percent decrease of highway funding would take place in states that failed to raise the drinking age to 21 (US Congress, 1984). All states complied with the bill very shortly after it’s passing because the crucial need for highway funding. Nevertheless, this passage has been controversial since its inception in 1984. Data compiled in favor of increasing the drinking age is just a controversial and strongly contested. Therefore, the drinking age should be lowered back to 18 years old, because too much liability is placed on bars, liquor stores, and social hosts, little evidence points to adverse health affects due to moderate minor alcohol consumption, and finally all rights and privileges of adulthood are given at age 18 in the United States except for alcohol consumption. First, the liability placed on bars, liquor stores, and social hosts has become a great burden in the alcohol industry. Vendors selling alcohol are required to properly identify the age of the buyer. However, this can be very complicated in the technological age that exists today. Fake identification has become a huge black market business as well as using the identification of those with a similar appearance. Minors are using fake identification to buy booze more than ever. Vendors should not be held accountable if these various forms of fake identification truly dupe them. A law review done on fake identification, also argues that placing all the liability on alcohol vendors is a lot to ask (Murray). Computers and the Internet have grown to an exponential use of fake IDs (Murray). Bar owners and liquor stores are turning away huge portions of their business just to comply with the law (Murray). It is not fair for the government to hold these vendors accountable and hurt their busin ess. By lowering the drinking age back to 18, the biggest group of underage drinkers would be targeted. 18 to 20 year olds are the largest population of underage drinkers because they are college-aged students. They are the most likely to attempt to use fake identification. By lowering the drinking age to make these ages legal, the use of fake identification will decrease dramatically. Furthermore, it is not fair to hold vendors liable for the actions of intoxicated minors if fake identification is used to purchase the alcohol. Two cases examine this issue. First, in the case of Berg Vs. Zummo, the plantiff sued the minor defendant for damages caused during his intoxication (Berg Vs. Zummo). The case went all the way to the Supreme Court of Louisiana. The decision reached held that the bar was first and foremost responsible for serving the minor alcohol (Berg Vs. Zummo). It also declared some liability on the minor for his reckless actions. However, by lowering the drinking age to 18 year s of age, the liability would be solely held by the intoxicated person in this case and not the establishment furnishing the alcohol. Thus lowering the drinking age further protects vendors in this regard. In another case, employees at a military base were held liable for serving alcohol to underage servicemen (US v. Dotson). The case of the United States of America v. Dotson Et. Al. upheld that vendors of alcohol are liable for serving to minors (US v. Dotson). Again, if the drinking age were lowered to 18, the liability in this case would have been avoided. All servicemen are age 18 and older. This brings up another important point. Those able to serve in our military and potentially die for their country should be able to consume alcohol. The rights and privileges of adulthood are given to all those aged 18 including servicemen and women. It is unfair to prevent them from drinking alcohol when they put their lives on the line for this country. Although many people find alcohol as a valuable remedy after a long day of work, alcohol can potentially lead to addiction problems as well as other adverse health effects. A major point to note in the matter at hand is that not all individuals binge drink, or drink excessively during frequent times. The consumption of at least five drinks or more in only a two hour sitting is excessive, yet unrealistic to think that those who do drink alcoholic beverages, consume them so frequently. Drinking alcohol with companions is a social activity that can potentially be healthy for those involved. Although there is a lot of negativity on the subject of underage drinking, there are also many benefits from consuming small to moderate amounts of alcohol, even at the age of eighteen. Health benefits that can potentially be attained by indulging in casual drinking include reduced risk of developing heart disease, lowered risk for stroke, reduced risk of heart attack, lowered risk of gallstones, and reduced risk for diabetes (Mayo). It is evident that many years of excessive alcohol abuse can cause serious neurological damage as well as other harmful health affects, yet there is still a lack of evidence that fully verifies how alcohol kills brain cells. Conversely, there has been scientific research and studies to demonstrate how it is somewhat beneficial to one’s own health. Scientific medical research has actually confirmed that the moderate consumption of alcohol is associated with better cognitive skills and memory than is abstaining from alcohol (Hanson). Moderate can also help the brain function better into old age. While alcohol impairs one part of the brain, another part of the brain that is involved in learning is actually aided by alcohol according to new research (Morikawa). Neurobiologist Hitoshi Morikawa of the Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research at The University of Texas in Austin says that consuming alcohol primes specific areas of the brain to improve learning and enhance memory. People commonly think of dopamine as a happy transmitter, or a pleasure transmitter, but more accurately its a learning transmitter, Morikawa says. It strengthens those synapses that are active when dopamine is released (Morikawa). The key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle while also being able to socialize with the consumption of alcoholic beverages is moderation. â€Å"The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that if you choose to drink alcohol you do so only in moderation – up to one drink a day for women or two drinks a day for men† (Mayo). With that in mind, the overall number of people that are actually consuming alcohol is in decline. Here at the University of Evansville, over 91% of surveyed students believe that the average student uses alcohol once a week or more, but only 21% of the surveyed students reported using alcohol that frequently. Teenagers across the United States are drinking less and less as well. In the thirty-six year history of the federal government’s annual Monitoring the Future Survey, consuming alcohol by middle and high school students has reached its lowest level (Hanson). For many young people between the ages of sixteen and twenty-one, drinking is a staple of their weekend activities and life in general. These constant users and potential abusers of alcohol find access to alcohol in a variety of ways despite the United States’ legal drinking age being twenty-one. Much of society views underage drinking with a meager â€Å"out of sight, out of mind† approach. Unfortunately, the reality is that binge drinking does take place and is more prevalent on college campuses and with young people as a whole. A growing number of college officials are disputing the effectiveness of current drinking laws, arguing they have failed. These college officials feel instead of preventing students from drinking, the current drinking laws are facilitating underground underage drinking in an unsafe environment with dangerous extremes as the consequences. One college official trying to bring forth a change and lower the national drinking age is John M. McCardell, president emeritus of Middlebury College in Vermont. His proposal is for the United States to decrease the drinking age to eighteen but implement â€Å"drinking licenses† after completion of a rigorous alcohol education program. However, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) still opposes the lowering of the drinking age because they feel it would increase the number of young drinkers getting behind the wheels of their vehicles; in turn, increasing the number of harsh crashes and also fatalities. McCardell argues that the drinking age has very little to do with the amount of people who drink and drive and says if it were the case, a smarter option would be to increase the driving age to twenty-one (Giaimo). McCardell founded â€Å"Choose Responsibility† in 1997. It is a nonprofit organization devoted to lowering the national drinking age and researching the effects the current law places on minors. McCardell feels his proposal will minimize the amount of abusive drinking that has become so prevalent in the past twenty years by acknowledging that eighteen year olds are adults in the eyes of the law in almost every other respect. McCardell has seen a reported increase in binge drinking by his students due to alcohol use being pushed into hiding. Two recent studies conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have shown young binge drinkers are increasing their consumption of hard liquor as their main source of alcohol since hard liquor is much easier to smuggle and remains much more inconspicuous in comparison to beer. Not to mention hard liquor being much easier to get intoxicated from compared to beer or wine. McCardell is logical enough to recognize the reality of alcohol in the lives of many people under the age of twenty-one. He feels lowering the drinking age would encourage more responsible drinking among this age group (Giaimo). Another instance where the drinking age being lowered is in consideration is the state of Alaska. Currently, Alaska state Republican Representative Bob Lynn is proposing a bill that would allow people in the military under the age of twenty-one to legally drink in the state. While Lynn does not support drinking as a habit, he does feel that if someone is old enough to die for our country then they should be treated as adults in every aspect. However, a federal government mandate passed in 1984 requires all states to adhere to the national drinking age of twenty-one or forfeit ten percent of their highway funding from the federal government. For Alaska, this would mean losing $50 million of their current $495.3 million in 2010. Obviously, this proposal is going to be much debated with the risk of losing that much federal funding as an option. Work Cited Alcohol Use: If You Drink, Keep It Moderate. Mayo Clinic (2011) Web. 19 March 2011. Berg v. Zummo, 763 So. 2d 57, 2000 (La. App. 4 Circ 2001). Chakraburtty, Amal. Teens and Alcohol. WebMD (2010) Web. 18 Feb 2011. Clark, Stephen. Alaska to Consider Lowering Drinking Age for U.S. Fox News (2011) Web. 31 March 2011. Giaimo, Mellisa. Alcohol Laws: Should the Drinking Age Be Lowered? . ABC News (2007) Web. 18 Feb 2011. Hanson, David J. Does Alcohol Kill Brain Cells? Alcohol Problems and Solutions Web. 19 March 2011. Morikawa, Hitoshi. Alcohol Aids Learning Part of the Brain. United Press International (2011) Web. 13 April 2011. Murray, Christopher J. Fake IDs: Can Bar Owners Sue If They Get Fooled? Marquette Law Review (2005) Web. 18 Feb 2011. United States of America v. Dotson, 615 F. 3d 1162 (U.S. App 2010) United States of America. National Minimum Drinking Age. Washington DC, 1984. Web. 18 Feb 2011.

Causes of the Civil War Essay Example for Free

Causes of the Civil War Essay ââ€"  North was opposed to slavery while the South was pro slavery ââ€"  The primary conflict of the civil war was whether the states had the right to decide what they wanted to do with slavery. (radical abolition vs pro slavery) ââ€"  One of the arising conflicts that led to the American Civil war was the growing abolition movement in the North ââ€"  which was an effort to end slavery in a nation that valued personal freedom and believed all men are created equal. ââ€"  Abolitionists: William Lloyd Garrison: The voice of Abolitionism. Originally a supporter of colonization, Garrison changed his position and became the leader of the emerging anti-slavery movement. His publication, THE LIBERATOR, reached thousands of individuals worldwide. His ceaseless, uncompromising position on the moral outrage that was slavery made him loved and hated by many Americans. Although The Liberator was Garrisons most prominent abolitionist activity, he had been involved in the fight to end slavery for years prior to its publication. In 1831, Garrison published the first edition of The Liberator. His words, I am in earnest — I will not equivocate I will not excuse. I will not retreat a single inch — AND I WILL BE HEARD, clarified the position of the NEW ABOLITIONISTS. Garrison was not interested in compromise. He founded the NEW ENGLAND ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY the following year. ââ€"  Frederick Douglass: Born a slave in Maryland escaped to MA in 1838, became an outspoken leader of antislavery sentiment. Douglass served as an adviser to President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War and fought for the adoption of constitutional amendments that guaranteed voting rights and other civil liberties for blacks. He provided a powerful voice then that was championing human rights. He is still revered today for his contributions against racial injustice.He also helped people escape to the North from the underground Railroad. ââ€"  Pro Slavery: John C. Calhoun: He believed that slavery was a â€Å"good positive good.† Calhoun endorsed slavery as a good — a great good, based on his belief in the inequality inherent in the human race. Calhoun believed that people were motivated primarily by self-interest and that competition among them was a positive expression of human nature. The results of this competition were displayed for all to see in the social order: those with the greatest talent and ability rose to the top, and the rest fell into place beneath them.The concepts of liberty and equality, idealized during the Revolutionary period, were potentially destructive to this social order, Calhoun believed. With the stratification of society, those at the top were recognized as authority figures and respected for their proven wisdom and ability. If the revolutionary ideal of equality were taken too far, the authority of the elite would not be accepted. Without this authority, Calhoun argued, society would break down and the liberty of all men would be threatened. Political short terms : ââ€"  Dred Scott (1795-1858) was a slave who, in the 1840s, chose to sue his masters widow for his freedom. He argued that his master, John Emerson, escorted him onto free soil in Illinois and the Wisconsin Territory, and thus had legally—even if inadvertently— granted him freedom. In 1857, the case reached the United States Supreme Court. The Justices ruled against Scott. John Emersons widow had since remarried, and she returned Scott, his wife, and his daughters to their owners, the Blow family, in May 1857, just months after the ruling. Both Dred and Harriet Scott died shortly thereafter, never to witness the legacy of their fight.The Dred Scott case was a major event on the road to the Civil War. The Supreme Courts provocative opinion—which stated flatly that blacks had no rights which the white man was bound to respect and rejected the right of any territory to ban slavery within its own borders—inflamed public opinion in th e North, leading to a hardening of anti slavery attitudes and a surge in popularity for the new antislavery Republican Party. ââ€"  The south wanted less government control, and more state freedom, while the North welcomed the central power of a government. ââ€"  Because of the strong animosity toward abolitionists in the South and the thought that Abraham Lincoln embodied these abolitionist ideals, he was left off of the ballot in many Southern states, and the more radical of the states, including South Carolina, threatened to secede from the Union if Lincoln was elected president. Despite believing that the Republican Partys platforms were too moderate, abolitionist, for the large part, supported Lincoln. Lincoln lost the popular vote by nearly two million votes yet won the Electoral College by nearly sixty votes. Despite the fractured Democratic party, had they nominated only one president and still maintained all the votes the received between three candidates, they still would have lost the election regardless of also having more popular votes than Lincoln. The election itself is possibly the most significant election in American history due to the monumental issue of slavery and how divided the country was, so divided that when Lincoln was elected (it was only the second national presidential campaign ever run by the newly formed Republican Party), radically proslavery states of the South kept true to their threat and seceded from the United States. (he was a free soiler, he was willing to let slavery stay in the south as long as it did not spread.) ââ€"  The South viewed the election of Abraham Lincoln, as president, as a threat to slavery. After Abraham Lincoln was elected president in 1860, the South threatened to secede from the United States that questioned â€Å"State Rights.â₠¬  Economic short and long term causes: ââ€"  the vast majority of industrial manufacturing was taking place in the North. The South had almost 25% of the countrys free population, but only 10% of the countrys capital in 1860. The North had five times the number of factories as the South, and over ten times the number of factory workers. In addition, 90% of the nations skilled workers were in the North. ââ€"  The labor forces in the South and North were fundamentally different, as well. In the North, labor was expensive, and workers were mobile and active. The influx of immigrants from Europe and Asia provided competition in the labor market, however, keeping wages from growing very quickly. ââ€"  The Southern economy, however, was built on the labor of African American slaves, who were oppressed into providing cheap labor. Most Southern white families did not own slaves: only about 384,000 out of 1.6 million did. Of those who did own slaves, most (88%) owned fewer than 20 slaves, and were considered farmers rather than planters. Slaves were concentrated on the large plantations of about 10,000 big planters, on which 50-100 or more slaves worked. ââ€"  Since Eli Whitneys 1793 invention of the cotton gin, the cotton industry became a lucrative field for Southern planters and farmers. Utilizing slave labor, cotton planters and farmers could cut costs as they produced cotton for sale to other regions and for export to England. In exchange, Southern farmers and planters purchased manufactured goods from the North, food items from the West and imported luxuries like European designer clothes and furniture from England. The growth of the Southern cotton industry served as an engine of growth for the entire nations economy in the antebellum (pre-war) years. ââ€"  The other critical economic issue that divided the North from the South was that of tariffs. Tariffs were taxes placed on imported goods, the money from which would go to the government ââ€"  Southern Congressmen generally opposed it and Northern Congressmen generally supported it. Southerners generally favored low tariffs because this kept the cost of imported goods low, which was important in the Souths import-oriented economy. Southern planters and farmers were concerned that high tariffs might make their European trading partners, primarily the British, raise prices on manufactured goods imported by the South in order to maintain a profit on trade. ââ€"  North, however, high tariffs were viewed favorably because such tariffs would make imported goods more expensive. That way, goods produced in the North would seem relatively cheap, and Americans would want to buy American goods instead of European items. Since tariffs would protect domestic industry from foreign competition, business interests and others influenced politicians to support high tariffs.

Cause and effect diagram

Cause and effect diagram What is a Cause-and-Effect Diagram? A cause effect diagram is a simple but very effective tool that helps to identify, sort, and display potential or real causes of a specific problem or quality characteristic. It can also be used to graphically illustrate the relationship between a given outcome and all the factors that influence the outcome. Because of its function of relating causes to their effect, it is referred to as acause-and-effect diagram. It is also called afishbone diagrambecause the design of the diagram looks much like the skeleton of a fish. It is also known asIshikawa diagrambecause it was invented by Dr. Kaoru Ishikawa (1915-1989), a Japanese consultant, and father of the scientific analysis of causes of problems in industrial processes. He first used this diagram in 1943 at Kawasaki Steel Works Cause-and-Effect Diagram is a tool that helps identify, sort, and display possible causes of a specific problem or quality characteristic (Viewgraph 1). It graphically illustrates the relationship between a given outcome and all the factors that influence the outcome. This type of diagram is sometimes called an Ishikawa diagram because it was invented by Kaoru Ishikawa, or a fishbone diagram because of the way it looks. When should a team use a Cause-And-Effect Diagram? Use cause effect diagram when you want: To identify the possible causes or the basic reasons, for a specific effect, problem, or condition. To sort out and relate some of the interactions among the factors affecting a particular process or effect. To analyze existing problems so that corrective action can be taken Constructing a Cause-and-Effect Diagram can help your team when you need to Identify the possible root causes, the basic reasons, for a specific effect, problem, or condition. Sort out and relate some of the interactions among the factors affecting a particular process or effect. Why should we use a Cause-and-Effect Diagram? A cause effect diagram helps to determine the causes of a problem or quality characteristic using a structured approach. It encourages group participation and utilizes team knowledge of the process. It uses an orderly, easy-to-read format to diagram cause-and-effect relationships. It increases knowledge of the process by helping everyone to learn more about the factors at work and how they relate. It indicates possible causes of variation in a process and identifies areas where data should be collected for further study. A Cause-and-Effect Diagram is a tool that is useful for identifying and organizing the known or possible causes of quality, or the lack of it. The structure provided by the diagram helps team members think in a very systematic way. Some of the benefits of constructing a Cause-and-Effect Diagram Helps determine the root causes of a problem or quality characteristic using a structured approach. Encourages group participation and utilizes group knowledge of the process. Uses an orderly, easy-to-read format to diagram cause-and-effect relationships. Indicates possible causes of variation in a process. Increases knowledge of the process by helping everyone to learn more about the factors at work and how they relate. How do we develop a Cause-and-Effect Diagram? When you develop a Cause-and-Effect Diagram, you are constructing a structured, pictorial display of a list of causes organized to show their relationship to a specific effect. Viewgraph 3 shows the basic layout of a Cause-and-Effect Diagram. Notice that the diagram has a cause side and an effect side. The steps for constructing and analyzing a Cause-and-Effect Diagram are outlined below. The application of cause-and-effect diagrams to the evaluation of thermodynamic data from UV-Vis absorption spectroscopic analysis is demonstrated. The contributions of measurement uncertainty identified from a cause-and-effect diagram are implemented into a Monte Carlo procedure based on the threshold bootstrap computer-assisted target factor analysis (TB CAT). This algorithm aims at an improvement of data comparability and accounts for non-normality, spectral, residual and parameter correlation as well as random noise in target factor analysis. The ISO Type-B measurement uncertainties are included into the process by normally distributed random numbers with specified mean values and dispersions. The TB CAT procedure is illustrated by a flow diagram and a case study of Nd(III) complexation by picolinic acid N-oxide (pic NO) in aqueous solution. Using 12 experimental spectra as input data, the single component spectra and the formation constant 1g betaML of the Nd(pic NO)2+ species a re obtained together with the respective probability density distributions. The role of the cause-and-effects approach on the further development of chemical thermodynamics is discussed Identify and clearly define the outcome or EFFECT to be analyzed Decide on the effect to be examined. Effects are stated as particular quality characteristics, problems resulting from work, planning objectives, and the like. Use Operational Definitions. Develop an Operational Definition of the effect to ensure that it is clearly understood. Remember, an effect may be positive (an objective) or negative (a problem), depending upon the issue thats being discussed. Using a positive effect which focuses on a desired outcome tends to foster pride and ownership over productive areas. This may lead to an upbeat atmosphere that encourages the participation of the group. When possible, it is preferable to phrase the effect in positive terms. Focusing on a negative effect can sidetrack the team into justifying why the problem occurred and placing blame. However, it is sometimes easier for a team to focus on what causes a problem than what causes an excellent outcome. While you should be cautious about the fallout that can result from focusing on a negative effect, getting a team to concentrate on things that can go wrong may foster a more relaxed atmosphere and sometimes enhances group participation. Identify, clearly state and agree on the effect or the problem to be analysed. A problem can be defined as a discrepancy between existing and a desired state of affairs. A problem exists when there is a difference between what should be and what is; between the ideal and the actual situation. Identifying a very clearly defined and specific problem is the first critical step to successfully implementing any problem-solving process. A symptom differs from a problem in that the symptom is an evidence of the existence of a problem Place a white board or flipchart where everyone could clearly see it. Draw a box containing the problem or effect to be analyzed, on the right side of the board with a horizontal spine. Add main categories of possible causes of the problem. Causes in a cause effect diagram are frequently arranged into the following categories: The 6 Ms:Machine, Method, Materials, Measurement, Manpower and Mother Nature (Environment) (recommended for manufacturing industry). The 8 Ps: Price, Promotion, People, Processes, Place / Plant, Policies, Procedures Product (recommended for administration and service industries). The 4 Ss: Surroundings, Suppliers, Systems, Skills (recommended for service industries). The Processes: Process 1, Process 2, Process 3 and so on. CAUSE EFFECT DIAGRAMS Cause and effect diagrams are very simple. The basic concept of a cause and effect diagram is to generate a fishbone diagram where all the causes of a problem against the effect (the effect is the fishes head with all the scales of the fish being the causes) Cause and effect diagrams are best generated in brain storming sessions, when you are talking to the operators about making improvements. You can use them to view historical attempts at solving quality issues have worked out, get the operators involved, see if your proposals for improvement will work or not. Cause and effect diagrams are useful; a lot of organizations do use the diagrams on quality control documents such as concession sheets where a cause and effect diagram must be completed every time there is any defective material. These diagrams would then be analyzed on a regular basis, to bring about improvements in product build. FUTURE STATE Develop a future state where you want your business to develop. By mapping the process, we should identify areas for improvement. By looking at rank order we observe further areas for improvements. Using cause and effect diagrams we see what has worked and what has not. The final state is to review and apply all we have learnt to how we get to where we want to be. There are numerous other methods for analyzing your business for improvement, the above examples are for illustration purposes only, please be sure to read other quality publications. Understanding Errors The major underlying principle in all quality management systems, is to understand what causes errors in business and try to rectify and prevent them occurring again. Errors can be attributed to: Poor training, which leads to mis-understanding and lack of perception. Production cycle based upon the use of time saving measures which result in poor product quality. Incorrect procedures covering the entire production cycle, rather than specific processes. Employee intentional action (as a result of poor labour relations, motivation, etc). What quality systems aim to achieve by a reduction in errors: Proper identification of production process. Understanding how errors arise, and what could happen. Put measures in place to prevent the errors occurring again. Having unstable processes in the production cycle leads to high levels of non-conforming material, which in itself leads to greater waste in the work place and lack of teamwork. Extensions to this are that your business will find itself having little or no direction, reduced profits due and lots of angry customers. REFERENCES: Brassard, M. (1988). The Memory Jogger, A Pocket Guide of Tools for Continuous Improvement, pp. 24 29. Methuen, MA: GOAL/QPC. Department of the Navy (November 1992). Fundamentals of Total Quality Leadership (Instructor Guide), pp. 6-25 6-29. San Diego, CA: Navy Personnel Research and Development Center.. Ishikawa, Kaoru (1968). Guide to Quality Control. Tokyo, Japan: Asian Productivity Organization. U.S. Air Force (Undated). Process Improvement Guide Total Quality Tools for Teams and Individuals, p. 33. Air Force Electronic Systems Center, Air Force Materiel Command.

Alka Seltzer Dissolving at Different Temperatures Essay example -- Alk

Alka Seltzer Dissolving at Different Temperatures The variable that I will change will be the temperature of the water that the Alka Seltzer is put in. For my results I will measure the time taken for the Alka seltzer tablet to completely dissolve in water at different temperatures. Input variables: * Varying surface area of Alka-Seltzer tablet, i.e. if cut into smaller pieces or crushed it will increase the surface area. (If the surface area is increased (more powdered) the rate of reaction also increases. This means that there are more collisions between the solid and liquid.) * Amount of tap water H2O used, i.e. volume (ml). * Amount of Alka-Seltzer tablets used, i.e. quantity of tablets. (one is used) * Number of times the solution is stirred. (If the solution is stirred more there are more collisions between the particles therefore the reaction is speeded up.) * Temperature of Water-Â °C. (As the temperature increases so does the rate of reaction. By increasing the temperature, particles move faster, i.e. they have more energy. So, they collide with more energy and more frequently.) * pH of Solution: Water has pH of 7 at 25Â °C. As the pH decreases, i.e as the solution increases in acidity, the rate of the reaction increases as well. Output Variables: ----------------- Rate of reaction depends on all the 6 points I have stated above: ----------------------------------------------------------------- * If the surface area of the tablets is increased by crushing, the particles around it in the solution will have more area to work on, and the rates of reactions will increase because there will be more collisions. Complete reaction will finish faster. * The more amount of water used as we increase the temperature, the quicker the tablets will dissolve because there will be more water particles to collide with. So the rate increases. * If the amount of tablets being used is increased for the same amount of water, i.e as concentration increases, rate will increase as well because there will be more collisions between particles. * If the water with Alka-Seltzer tablets are stirred during the reaction, then the rates of reactions will increase because the particles will be forced to make contact with each others and react much quicker, rather than take their time to make contact, and therefor... ... water bath could have been used, because I could set it to my required temperature. Also it would mean that the solution inside it would reach the exact temperature or close to It., and not increase or decrease once the water inside it has reached equilibration. It was also very difficult for me to observe exactly when the Alka-Seltzer tablets had totally dissolved and consistently decide this for every result obtained. This was probably the main factor that would have decreased the accuracy of my readings. To avoid this happening I would have needed to use specialized piece of equipment which would tell me exactly when the tablet was dissolved Overall, I can come to firm conclusion from my results that support my prediction and background knowledge that: As the temperature increases, less time will be required for a reaction to take place i.e. the rate of reaction increases. To improve the experiment overall I could use distilled water to avoid inaccuracies related to the hardness of tap water. I believe I should get a straight line curve. Another improvement I could have made is to increase the range of the temperatures investigated. (10Â °C to 100Â °C).

how to listen to a driver :: essays research papers

I.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  WHAT IS A BUSINESS? Describe how businesses and nonprofit organizations add to a country’s standard of living and quality of life. A.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  BASIC CONCEPTS 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A BUSINESS is any activity that seeks profit by providing goods and services to others. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  PROFIT is the amount a business earns above and beyond what it spends. CONCEPT CHECK 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Businesses also provide people with the opportunity to become wealthy. B.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  BUSINESSES CAN PROVIDE WEALTH AND A HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALMOST EVERYONE. 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  ENTREPRENEURS are people who organize, operate, and assume the risk of starting a business. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Businesses are a part of an economic system that helps to create a higher standard of living and quality of life for everyone. 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The QUALITY OF LIFE of a country refers to the general well-being of a society C.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS USE BUSINESS PRINCIPLES. 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Nonprofit organizations such as government agencies, public schools, charities, and social causes help make a country more responsive to all the needs of citizens. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION is an organization whose goals don’t include making a profit for its owners. 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  You need the SAME SKILLS to work in nonprofit organizations that you need in business, including information management, leadership, marketing, financial management. 4.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Businesses, nonprofit organizations, and volunteer groups often strive to accomplish the same objectives. I.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   II.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  ENTREPRENEURSHIP VERSUS WORKING FOR OTHERS. Explain the importance of entrepreneurship to the wealth of an economy and show the relationship of profit to risk assumption A.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are TWO WAYS TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS: 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One way is to rise up through the ranks of a large company. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The more risky path is to start your own business. B.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENTREPRENEURS. 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Millions of people have taken the entrepreneurial risk and succeeded. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Entrepreneurs have come from all over the world to prosper in America. a.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The number of Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States grew by 76% in the 1990s. b.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Increases have also been made by Asians, Pacific Islanders, American Indians, and Alaskan Natives. 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The number of women business owners has also dramatically increased. C.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  MATCHING RISK WITH PROFIT 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Not all businesses make a profit; profit is revenue minus expenses. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  REVENUE is the money a business earns by selling goods and services. 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A LOSS occurs when a business’s costs and expenses are more than its revenue, the money a business earns by selling its products. 4.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  RISK is the chance you take of losing time and money on a business that may not prove profitable. CONCEPT CHECK 5.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Rewards and risk are related.

Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum :: essays papers

Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum This AD is about an alcoholic beverage called Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum. When you first see this AD you can clearly see that the focus of this ad is to make you want to drink. It jumps out and says â€Å"drinking is cool†. It’s saying not directly but indirectly. The focus of it is to make you want to buy this beer because those people are drinking it. They’re having a fun and great time, so the ad can get those people that want to have a fun and great time. The tone of this ad is pretty funny. As you can see the headline of this ad says, â€Å"take off your pants and stay a while†. You can make different interpretations of this ad which makes it even funnier. The voice is also very funny, because of that line. The language is quite funny to me, but some people that do not understand it probably would not enjoy this ad. Some people might think the language is ridiculous and inappropriate. Most young people would find this ad very natural to them. I am not saying that old people wouldn’t like this ad, but some of them might not get it or understand the humor of the ad. It all depends what your definition of humor is. The audience is mainly designed for younger people. I can conclude this by seeing that all the people in cabin are young, maybe in there 20’s. Also they could be snowboarding and not a lot of old people snowboard. So this ad is mainly to attract the younger folks. The design of this is pretty thought out. The whole logo is in red, and the ad is in black and white so they try to catch your attention by doing that. You turn the page in the magazine and all of sudden you see â€Å"take off your pants and stay a while† you probably are going to see what the ad is all about. I think its smart advertising that they have the main logo in red and the alcohol colored but the background in black and white.

Health and Social Care Management Essay

This assignment discusses communication skills, and the various factors that influence the communication process. It looks at learning theories, strategies to improve interpersonal behaviour, charters and codes of practice, the usage of information technology, and the effectiveness of such systems, together with legislation, across the health and social care environment. Communication is a process of passing information from one person to the other and between employees, agencies, service users and their relatives in health and social care through verbal and non-verbal communication. Non-verbal communication is a form of communication (e.g. body language, signs and symbols). Verbal communication is communicating with words (e.g. conversation). In order to improve relationships with service users, their families, colleagues, managers and others who worked within health and social care environment, care workers need to have good communication skills. Good, supportive relationships are built on effective communication (Michie, 2006). Communicating effectively performs a significant role in health and social care workplace, therefore understanding learning theories can improve the quality of communication process. In health and social care, learning theories have been effectively applied. For example, social learning theory, is learning by imitating the behaviour of others – either consciously or unconsciously. It is applied in health and social care by offering the positive things learnt from others into health and social care workplace to improve staff-patients interpersonal relationships. The woman who decided to stop drinking after being aware of the risk of having liver disease or  felt proud after she quit drinking completely is an example of social learning theory (Bandura, 1977). The importance of communicating effectively is shown in the hospital appointment scenario where the doctor was devoid of good communication skills. He is an example of a poor communicator who appears to have used his position of power in his ‘closed’ questioning style. Shukla et al. (2010) that ‘good doctor-patient communication has a positive impact’ on patients reactions to consultations. For example, it improves patient satisfaction, physician satisfaction. In fact, doctors who are patient-focused have a been reported by patients to have a good quality of care (op.cit). The present scenario shows that interpersonal skills are lacking resulting in the patient’s apparent dissatisfaction with treatment. In the scenario the doctor did not recap to the patient, and there was no active listening and relationship between them (Moss, 2012). Classical conditioning theory is also used to change and improve peoples’ behaviour. This can be used in setting with the mentor and mentee. It is learning by association. For example learning to feel upset at the sight of flashing police lights in your rearview mirror. It is applied in health and social care, by making sure service users, their relatives, visitors etc. receive quality care and services so that they can respond positively regarding the kind of care and services that was render to them by health and social care workers. Classical conditioning process remains significant today for various applications, including transformation and mental health treatment. Classical conditioning is often used to treat anxiety, panic disorder and phobias (Pavlov, 1927). Skinner’s (1938) model of operant conditioning often is a effective way of changing behaviour by reinforcement. For example when a child is rewarded for achieving a higher grade at school or when a baby is crying and chocolate is given to the baby and the baby stop crying. And any time the baby cries and chocolate is given to the baby, the baby will d stop crying. It is applied in health and social care workplace, whereby a mentor will give a mentee a constructive and encouraging feedback and advice e.g. a  general practitioner (GP) giving a patient a constructive feedback and advice from the patient medical condition enquiries (Nevid, 2008). Michie (2006) stated that different skills can be used to promote effective communication in health and social care. Therefore, health and social care workers must be able to communicate effectively with patients, there is need for them to understand how patients feel and the things they want and need. They need to be able to respond to patients concerns and questions in ways that can be understood and they need to be able to communicate effectively with their managers, colleagues, visitor and other professionals. For example, they need to be able to pass on information which others can understood and to understand instructions by communicating clearly, slowly, concisely and avoid using jargons when giving instructions of medication intake to service users. For example, in the hospital scenario when there was no personal relationship between the doctor and the patient (Bastable, 2008). According Moonie (2005) health and social care workers must understand the importance of verbal and non-verbal communication in order to communicate with service users. Non-verbal communication comprises the use of signs and pictures, body language such as facial expressions, posture, eye contact, and gestures. Health and social care workers need to be an active listeners, and let service users have their right to communicate their needs and preference and to make decisions and choices to improve the quality of their life. There may be obstacles to effective doctor-patient relationship, when a doctor does not aid open communication with a patient. For example, when a patient does not understand medical terminology, or believe the doctor has not really listened and therefore, does not have the information to make good treatment decisions. The doctor should sit down, maintain eye contact, listen without interrupting and explain and restore confidence during test (Hill, 2011). Another area to be examined in health and social care is interpersonal communication, which is the process by which people exchange information, feelings, and meaning through verbal and non-verbal messages; it is  face-to-face communication. Interpersonal communication is not what is actually said or the language used, but how it is convey and the non-verbal messages pass through tone of facial expressions, body language, gestures and voice. Discrimination can cause inappropriate interpersonal communication in health and social care environment, because people often feel that they belong to certain types of group whom they share same view, look similar and who m they think alike. Health and social care workers must have to be interested in learning about other people, they should not divide service users into group, and must not exclude them from receiving quality care services because they belong to a different ethnic group, religion, culture, gender or age group or because of the ir sexuality. Stereotype is another factor that can cause inappropriate interpersonal communication. carers may make assumptions about their patients based on stereotyped thinking, this may be barriers to effective communication in health and social care workplace. For example, health and social care worker, working with elderly people, may decided to wash and dress an older service user without asking her what she want or need because the carer feel she is old and she can remember anything â€Å"old people do not remember† (Downs and Adrian, 2004). In health and social care sector, there are different strategies healthcare professionals can use to support service users with particular communication needs (e.g. SOLER technique, and Braille) have been put in place to help those with mental and physical disabilities to overcome communication barriers. Braille is a system of communication based on raised marks that can be read by the visual impair people. SOLER is a non-verbal listening technique used in communication; face the other squarely, adopt an open posture, lean towards other, maintain eye contact and relax. Health and social professionals may come across a number of patients at workplace who speak different language rather than English, have disabilities which may affect their speech. These service users may need respective approach and specific needs, service users can be complemented by communication skills and technological aids. For example, when a carer is communicating with a patient with visual impairment, closed personal space is required so that health care professionals and service users, can develop closer  relationships in order to convey accurate message. Health care professionals have to use technological support (e.g. screen enlarger and text-to-speech devices). And also pictures, diagrams, written information printed in big characters with illustrations can be use to assist service users with communication difficulties (Weiten et al., 2011). It is imperative for health and social care workers to have a knowledge base of cultural diversity. Differences can occur in attitudes, norms of behaviour; high (Chinese, Thai and Japanese), medium (English, French, Italian, Spanish) and low (North Americans, Germans, Swiss) context cultures can influence how health and social care professionals interact with service users to achieve good communication relations and quality care services. High context cultures convey a limited portion of the meaning of words, which must be interpreted in terms of how it is being said, where it is being said, and the body language of the speaker. Medium context cultures convey a fair portion of the meaning of words. It depends the context in which the message is delivered. Low context cultures convey most of the meaning of words in the communication. Understanding differences and similarities within and between cultures can also improve staff relationship in health and social care sector. People learn the values, customs and norms of their culture through communication, the cultural values are impacted in the way that people speak, perceive and interpret the words. In order to prevent misunderstanding in health and social care sector, cultural diversity must be understood and accepted (Rasheed et al., 2010). Culture has specific symbols consisting of verbal symbols, non-verbal symbols, language, symbols and signs. We know that we are product of many cultures and traditions, that mutual respect allows us to learn from other cultures, culture can become clearest in well-meaning clashes e.g. interacting with people from different backgrounds. Each may behave ‘normally’ as far as their own culture is concerned, but not as judged by the other culture (Bastable, 2008). Working in the health care sector, it is fundamental that facets of confidentiality are understood and applied by employers and employees. By understanding legislation and Code of Practice averts misuse of confidential  objects by professionals working in the health care sector. Therefore it is the duty of employees to stick to these rules in order to encourage good practice. Not abiding to these principles can lead to patient disappointment and lack of trust in health care services. The Health and Social Care Act 2012 (DH, 2012) outlines the changes of NHS system which is the replacement of Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) and the responsibilities of the clinical commissioning groups, who are GPs and other clinicians, to allow greater liability for using local resources economically under the support of NHS Commissioning Board. This Act aims at incorporated and more available service provision placing the need of local people and patient in the middle, which would reduce pointless costs and time devoted during the administration work. Equality Act 2010 protects people who have different characteristic on the ground of disability, race, marriage status, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation from being discriminated in the case of employment, perception, association, payment, access to health care and social services and so on (Walsh et at. 2011). This legislation and code of practice are implemented as guidelines for the professionals to produce effective work-relationship. Also, health and social care provider should respect religious and cultural diversity of the service users and implement an equal advance towards the disabled people as a good organisational practice. The Charter for Communication place the right of people with a communication impairment in terms of information, support and training, time to speak, right of entry to services, addition in social networks, and services from employers. Due to this Charter, health and social care service providers and general public have been able to adopt and develop suitable method of communication, such as providing choices of booking a GP visits, allocating experienced staff with balancing communication tools in reception area, or offering additional time to value the needs of people with communication complexities (Walsh et al., 2011). It is the responsibility of employers and staffs working in the health care sector to be familiar with policies and procedures. It is also important that they know who to report to in situations of improbability. Health and social care workers must be able to direct those in their care to  professional organisations who can offer advice and support to people experiencing various difficulties. When employees adhere to the policy and system of an organisation, this will enhance the safety of employees and service users within the health care organisation. For example, the confidentiality policy which stated that people personal information should be protected and process fairly at all time, service users personal details must be protected by health and social care workers (Moss, 2012). The Care Quality Commission (CQC) controls all health and adult social care services in England including those provided by the NHS, local authorities, private companies or voluntary organisation. The CQC makes sure that necessary standards of quality of care and safety are being met where care is provided, from hospitals to private care homes. The CQC make sure better care is provided for everyone in the hospital, care homes, own homes or elsewhere. When communication is supported through organisational policies and staff training, this will create a safe working environment for service provider and service users, and it will also improve the communication skills of health care professionals and service users fulfilment (Hill, 2011). In health and social care sector, there are different techniques that have been put in place to develop the communication process in the health and social care sector. Communication can be blocked if people differences are not understood. For example when people don’t get the message, include visual disabilities, hearing disabilities, environments, and speaking from too far away and when people cannot make sense of their messages e.g. the use of different languages, the use of different terms, such as jargons (technical language) and slang (using different terms) in health and social care workplace. Health and social care workers need to be trained in the areas of identifying barriers and how to improve the communication processes in health and social care in order to be able to provide quality care service for the service users. For example, health and social care workers should avoid using jargons and slang to communicate in health and social care organisation in order to avoid communication barriers (Moonie, 2005). Since I started health and social care management course, I have developed new uses for information communication technology (ICT) and the benefits are worth the effort and has resulted in major improvement in my area of work, not just for providing quality service for the service users, but also for the benefit of me and my work team. With the use of information communication technology (ICT), I can now check information about patient care by assessing the modern email system which is the fastest and secured way of exchanging information, and to support a patient-centred care approach for older people and people with long term condition by electronically enabling single assessment process (e-SAP). I also use information communication technology (ICT) to improve, more consistent monitor and record service users conditions. For example, by using electronic mat to monitor the movement of a confuse patient, that will immediately alert me when the patient stood on. The electronic mat is always spread by the side of the patient bed, and the buzzer will sound when the patient stood on it. I use information communication technology (ICT) to get better information to support and improved my performances (Moonie, 2010). Over the last three decades in health and social care settings, huge benefits has been achieved by the use of information communication technology (ICT) by users of services care workers and care organisations. Service users can benefit from information communication technology (ICT) by the use of Electronic Health Record that will give them information about their health record held by their General Practitioner (GP) or their health care professionals, in order for them to be able to take control and participate in their care, so that they can receive treatment at the right time. Service users can also benefit from the use of information communication technology (ICT) by using e-prescribing that will help service users to collect their medication straight from the pharmacy without waste of time, errors in dispensing (such as wrong drug or contraindicated drug) and it eliminate hard-to-read handwritten prescriptions. Care workers and care organisations can benefit from the enhance performance of quality services delivered by the use of information communication technology (ICT). For example, the breakdown to barriers to communication and information exchange between health care workers and the organisation through electronic systems, and the use of Clinical Decision Support System also help  clinicians to support the decisions of other professionals (Rafferty and Steyaet, 2007). However, there are legal consideration in the use of information communication technology (ICT) in relating to Data Protection Act 1998, which stated that service users information must be confidential and should not be disclosed, and can only be disclose to certain people e.g. Social worker, General Practitioner (GP), Police etc. The employers have a legal duty under Health and Safety at work Act etc 1974 to safeguard, so far as is ‘reasonably practicable’, the health, safety and welfare of their employees and others who may be affected by the work activity, and provide and maintain safe equipment and safe systems of work. Employers must also carry out risk assessment and have a written health and safety policy ( if there are five or more staff), display health and safety poster etc. The employees must take care of themselves and other and follow safety advice and instructions. Workers who use computers for long periods of time are prone to health problems, this is why it is important to understand health and safety at work because it can lead to mental disorder, nausea, fatigue etc (Lash, 2002). This assignment explored communication skills and how different factors influence the communication process, and theories of communication have been applied to health and social care together with the use of information technology in health and social care. References Bandura, A. (1977) Social learning theory. New York: Prentice Hall. Bastable, S. B. (2008) Nurse as educator: Principles of teaching and learning for nursing practice. 3rd ed. London: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Downs, C. W. and Adrian, A. D. (2004) Assessing organisational communication: Strategic communication audits. New York: The Guilford Press. Hill, S. (2011) The knowledgeable patient: Communication and participation in health. Oxford: Wiley-Backwell. Lash, S. (2002) Critique of Information. London: Sage. Michie, V. (2006) BTEC first Health and Social Care. United Kingdom: Nelson Thornes. Moonie, N. (2010) Developing effective communication. In: B. Stretch and M. Whitehouse (eds.). BTEC national level 3: Health and social care book 1. London: Pearson Education. Moonie, N. (2005) Health and social care: AS Level for Edexcel. Oxford: Heinemann Education Publishers. Moss, B. (2012) Communication Skills in Health and Social Care. Second Edition. London: Sage. Nevid, J. S. (2008) Psychology: Concepts and applications. 3rd ed. Boston: Cengage Learning. Pavlov, I. P. (1927) Conditioned Reflexes: An Investigation of the Physiological Activity of the Cerebral cortex. Translated and Edited by G.V. Anrep. London: Oxford University Press. Rasheed, E., Hetherington, A. and Irvine, J. (2010) BTEC Level 3: Health and social care endorsed by edexcel. London: Hodder Education & Dynamic Learning. Rafferty, J. and Steyaet, J. (2007) Social work in Digital Society. London: Sage. Shukla, A., Tiwari, R., a nd Kala, R. (2010) Studies in computational intelligence. Berlin: Springer publications. Skinner, B. f. (1938) The Behaviour of Organism: An experiment analysis. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts. Weiten, W., Dunn, D. S. and Hammer, E. Y. (2011) Psychology applied to modern life: Adjustment in the 21st century. 10th ed. Belmont: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. Walsh, M., Mitchell, A., Millar, E., Rowe, J., Greenhalgh, L., Langride, E. and Chaloner, R. (2011) Health and social care: Level3 Diploma candidate handbook. London: Collins Education.