Milk Powder in China Essay

Firstly, the customers of Milk powder market in China can be devided in to three parts.Which are high income, working-class,and low income. In China now, most of young parents pay most of their attention to children’s health. They often look foreign goods like food and clothes for children. but not everyone has ablity As mentioned above, our milk powder will be easily accepted by the young parents who are highly educated, and have high income due to its high quanlity and the suitble for asian babies in demographics. In psychographics, as we know, resently, most of Chinese milk powder has been checked out Melamine that can lead to kidney stones. Young parents have lost confidence in the manufacturing of milk powder. More and more people try to purchase foreign milk powder for baby no matter how expensive it is. But most of them buy it from internet by someone who can buy the powder derectly in the country of origin, it will pay lots attention and more money. This is a reminder that we can use this mind to develop our Chinese market. In the past , most Chinese parents buy milk powder which was advertised well, they thought the products that film star recommended would be high quantity. Facts had proved that it would not work. People have lost their confidence on advertisment. It is a problem for us how to promote our milk powder. If we over- used advertisement, it may cause resentment from parents. Some other people will buy milk powder which is recommended by friends or experts from China and other countries. According to the above analysis. We can use concentrated global marketing srtategy. As have related we must use single marketing mix to suit the customer Our milk powder is expensive, not everyone has ability r to bear the expense. So our customer groups is who have high income and highly educated and think baby’s health is the most important thing they have concerned. This part will have little family of hostility, at least they will firstly consider the needs of their baby.

Asylum Seekers

Imagine you live in a country with an oppressive government and even worse your enthnic group is being persecuted by that government, would you not want to leave even if it means selling all your possessions? This is a scenario faced by thousands of people every year who are classed as asylum seekers. Brindha, the 9 year old Tamil asylum seeker who on a crowded boat off the Indonesian coast, made a heartbreaking plea to Australian journalists to please save them, the prime minister delivered a cold reply: â€Å"I make absolutely no apology whatsoever for taking a hard line on illegal immigration to Australia. The 253 asylum seekers – not illegal immigrants – on that boat had sacrificed everything they had to make a desperate bid for safety from the systematic slaughter being wrought on them by the Sri Lankan government. They are fleeing a situation where the Sri Lankan government is killing 1400 a week of the 300,000 detained in concentration camps. This is a horror that drives people to flee with nothing other than the clothes on their back, is what politicians and media have taken to calling a â€Å"push factor. There is absolutely nothing illegal about seeking asylum, about arriving without authorisation or papers, or about coming by unregistered boats as long as there is a legitimate reason states the United Nations. However the Australian Government still labels them illegal immigrants and places them in Detention Centres which in most cases results in the emotional and psychological damage to a refugee. In 2002, the Medical Journal of Australia described the extreme psychological and emotional damage done to people detained in immigration detention in Australia. The pattern they describe includes â€Å"the development of a psychological state characterised by severe depression, despair, hopelessness, paranoia, chronic rage, persecutory delusions, sub-syndromal psychosis, characterological change and persistent self harming behaviour†. In their sample, â€Å"all but one of the detained asylum seekers displayed symptoms of psychological distress at some time during their period of detention†. Eighty-five per cent had â€Å"chronic depressive symptoms† and sixty-five per cent had â€Å"pronounced ongoing suicidal ideation†. Refugees should not have to stay in conditions conducive to mental disorders and suicidal tendencies. If the Australian government wishes to fix the problem they should fix detention centres, make the facilities more humane and turn off the electric fence,( The electric fences around such centres are more harmful than that of Auschwitz concentration camp). The government should also provide faster processing of refugees so these people are not subjected to what is incarceration with committing a crime. In 2002 protesters tore down the fences of Woomera Detention Centre, assisting people inside to make a courageous and inspiring breakout. They would not hesitate to do it again. Asylum seeking is an issue that cuts right to the heart of everything that’s rotten and inhumane about capitalism – its racism, its hypocrisy, its brutality and its utter contempt for humanity. We should all stand firmly for the rights of asylum seekers.

(1) Is Inequality inevitable (2) From Karl Marx', Max WEBER', Vilfredo Assignment

(1) Is Inequality inevitable (2) From Karl Marx', Max WEBER', Vilfredo Paretto',and Emile Durkhein' theories,discuss the explanations which are characterizing social class and stratification - Assignment Example sidering the overall differences in the social class, wealth, social status, religion as well as gender and color are some of the key variables making inequality an inevitable thing within any society. Social stratification is a concept outlining the ranking of people or group of people within society. Social stratification and inequality therefore is considered as one of the oldest concepts as societies, over the period of time, clearly categorized their citizens based on certain standards and criteria. Various scholars have therefore attempted to understand the phenomenon of inequality and outlined the social and economic characteristics of inequality. The work of Karl Marx, Max Weber, Vilfredo Paretto, and Emile Durkheim is considered as the major works to outline social stratification and inequality. These scholars therefore outlined and explored the idea of whether inequality is inherent within societies and how societies can progress to achieve equality. Social stratification is considered as the central part of the human organization and the earliest writings on the subject too outline this concept. Aristotle even discussed about the natural ranking of the free and slave people. Even during the age of enlightenment, major philosophers of that time such as Locke and Rousseau discussed about how feudal system within the European society at that time produced social stratification and inequalities. (KERBO) The word stratification has a root of Strata which naturally refers to the ranking of people or group of people within a given population. It is however, critical to understand that social stratification not just signifies the universal inequalities however; It also outlines some legitimation behind the inequalities existing within the societies. Many scholars therefore suggested that the social stratification is a system with predictable rules behind it which consciously rank people according to different criteria. It is also argued that without a

Prohibited and restricted imports on meat to EU Essay

Prohibited and restricted imports on meat to EU - Essay Example Top-notch advisors have been appointed by the EU to work on policy formulation pertaining to import of meat. Moreover, market researchers have also been assigned the task of understanding consumers’ preferences for meat coming from Non-EU countries. This is because, by understanding consumer preferences, the EU aims at developing infrastructure that would ensure delivery of similar quality and taste of meat to their nation, as do the meat coming from Non-EU countries (Phyper, Ducas and Baish 260). Under the Regulation 765/2008 of EU, the importers of meat from Non-EU state are required to adopt a placement strategy that protects the meat from viruses and disease, if any, in the ecological environment. Moreover, EU provides levies on duties and taxes, in order to ensure that the pricing strategy adopted by the meat importers does not influence the purchasing behavior of the consumers (Goldmann 86-89). The department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is responsible to ensure t hat it dissects the true identity of the meat importers and their previous business record, just to ensure that there is no corruption or compromise on meat quality found in their business practices. If the department founds any discrepancy in the past record of meat importer or found bad quality product, it is empowered to cancel the license of the importer right away and prevent that the importer from placing the product in any market within the region (Thies 8-11). General marketing standards are also implied on the import of meat from Non-EU states, which requires an importer to conduct its marketing activities keeping in view the social and cultural differences. Moreover, the importer is also required to abide by the industry wide rules and regulations about ethical and healthy competition. If the importer (s) is found to be engaged in carrying out marketing activities that damages interest of competitors and other stakeholders, the EU has the power to cancel importer’s license without prior notice. Moreover, importers of the meat from Non-EU countries are also prohibited from form industrial curtail, just to ensure that synthetic increment in prices does not take place. The promotional campaigns of exported meat are required to be exhibiting health and safety standards that are kept in view, well before consumers purchase it. In addition, advertisements should also contain the approval seal of Department of Health and Safety of EU so that consumers may purchase it freely and without any concerns about its quality. The Department of Health and Safety carries out test of imported meat on time-to-time basis, just to ensure that quality and taste is not compromised at any stage (European Commission). In order to fulfill the legal requirements of importing meat from Non-EU states, the importers must meet following criteria: 1. The imported meat should contain the seal of conformity certificate issued by the Department of Health and Food Safety and Depa rtment of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. 2. The place where the product is going to be offered to the product should not be located near waste management centers and near rivers. This is because, these areas are the one where most of the diseases are born. 3. The price of the imported meat offered to consumers in EU is subjective to the Price Control Authority of EU, just to ensure t

Control in an Organization Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Control in an Organization - Case Study Example Whisemand and Ferguson (2009) proposed a management style called Agile Organization that expands the perception on police forces. The proponent has taken into account years on experience as a police officer before drawing such strategy. Whisemand and Ferguson maintain that police organizations need to define their values. These are the aspects that give justification to their existence and foundations for all police actions. The next part involves the creation of a vision. The vision serves as the operational backbone and leads the force to their plotted goals. Whisemand and Ferguson contend that the vision has to prepare policemen to changes as well as improve the flexibility of the organization. The size of the police force is important in the success of the entity. Whisemand and Ferguson suggest that â€Å"The Rule of 150† (2009, 288) is the best start. Increasing the number of policemen beyond 150 poses several problems especially in the management aspect. Bureaucracy beco mes an issue when there are several chains and subsections. Lean organizations ensure better lateral movement and improvement communication within the organization. Speed often makes or breaks organizations. The pace in which leaders react to important events related to the police for will determine future success. Decision making is critical and such needs to be carried out seamlessly. For most crime victims, justice starts when the police force does their homework and resolves the cases. Moreover, information dissemination has to speed up to improve overall police work. Alternative approaches to managing police organizations require limitless possibilities. This means ending of boundaries within organizations such as making the operation more efficient and leaving by-the-book styles behind. More important, an entity of meritocracy has to be implemented where promotions are not based on connections or in most cases seniority. Most police entities have fixed goals and plans. Whisema nd and Ferguson proposes a brand of management that stretches these goals. The aim of this scheme is to eliminate rigid views and open an avenue of ideas and useful insight. Despite the complex issues facing police organizations, operations need to be done with simplicity. The method of communication has to be concise and delivered with a sense of clarity. In addition, facts and statistics have to be presented in a manner understandable to all stakeholders. At the end of an operating year, there has to be an evaluation done by the management. This involves an appraisal of decisions made and plans put to action. This ensures that past mistakes are prevented and contingency measures are drafted in the future. Also, continuous improvement has to be a theme well embedded among

Scientology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Scientology - Essay Example (Hubbarb, Miscavage, 2006). L. Ron Hubbarb is the founder of Scientology he defines it as"the study and handling of the spirit in relationship to itself, others and all of life." Base on Hubbarb's book there is no indication that it may cause problem and conflict with other religions. Below are some of it's believes and principles. Scientology is not a religion who asks you to believe on something but what you observed to be true is the truth. Believers discover that Scientology works personally by applying its principles and observing or experiencing results. This paper will show some facts that religion should not be banned no matter what their principles are as long as they not affect any important matter in a person's life. The goal of the Scientology religion as stated in the book written by Hubbarb (2007) is to achieve complete certainty of one's spiritual existence, one's relationship to the Supreme Being, and his role in eternity. Scientologist aims to have "A civilization without insanity, without criminals and without war, where the able can prosper and honest beings can have rights, and where man is free to rise to greater heights." This is why the number of Scientologist increases faster because of its aims. If one religion aims for peace and prosperity how can it promote war and disparity Religions differ only on their patron but they all aim for peace and happiness. Like any religion Scientology has its own "scripture" only in the form of principles written by Hubbarb. Scientology Scripture recognizes that there is an entire dynamic (urge or motivation in life) devoted to the Supreme Being (the eighth dynamic) and another dynamic that deals solely with one's urge toward existence as a spirit (the seventh dynamic). Principles of Scientology Looking at the principles of Scientology we will be able to foresee what will happen if this religion becomes the religion of choice in the future. Below are the principles based on the book written by the founder L.Ron Hubbard. 1. The Bridge to Total Freedom - Scientology practices (called "Technology" or "Tech" in Scientology jargon) are structured in sequential levels, reflecting Hubbard's belief that rehabilitation takes place on a "gradient", that is, easier steps are taken first and only then greater complexities are handled. 2. Dianetics - One principle in scientology is solving problems using your self. In Dianetics there is only one source of all your problems, stress, unhappiness and self-doubt. It's called the reactive mind - the hidden part of your mind that stores all painful experiences and then uses them against you. 3. The ARC and KRC triangles - ARC stands for Affinity (emotional responses), Reality ( an agreement on what is real), Communication. KRC stands for Knowledge, Responsibility, and Control. Scientologists believe that improving one aspect of the triangle increases the level of the other two. ARC and KRC triangles can be found in the Scientology symbol. 4. The Dynamics - Scientology and Dianetics state that the dynamic principle of existence is to survive and that man survives across the "eight dynamics of Self, Family and Sex, Group, Humanity, the Animal and Vegetable Kingdoms, the Physical

Summary of a chapter Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Summary of a chapter - Essay Example Brown’s God and Igbo gods but Mr. Brown responds as if he does not feel the need to support the claim. This response shows that he believes community’s religion does not require an explanation and is just correct. For instance, when Akunna says: â€Å"†¦or Chuckwu (Whittaker and Msiska, pg 129). He appoints the smaller gods to help him because his work is too much for one person.† which Mr. Brown replies angrily and becomes disrespectful to Akunna. Hence, Mr. Brown’s disrespectfulness is not intentional but to persuade the people to change to Christianity. The villagers do not understand the Christian faith since they did not know more about the white men.This happens Okonkwo is resistant to the onset of the missionaries as they tend to undermine the community’s life long culture to please it gods and ancestors. This feeling of absolute betrayal is seen in Okonkwo when his son Nwoye transfers and joins the missionaries. This is evident by the quote, â€Å"The white man is very clever. He came quietly and peacefully with his religion. We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has won our brothers and our clan can no longer act like one. He has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart† (Whittaker and Msiska, pg129), Nwoye however, sees the whites as more compassionate so he finds understanding them easy. Therefore, the new converts are seen as outcasts and that lack of understanding between the remaining people of the tribe is seen as the matter holding the community apart. If both groups were willing to agree and comprehend one another then there would be more improvement (Whittaker and Msiska, pg129). But this cannot happen since; both the tribe and the missionaries have diverse perceptions on the one true god. Eventually, the clan has a big problem in understanding the Christian beliefs because they have conformed to untouched tribal existence for a long time. In

The Ford Motor Company Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

The Ford Motor Company - Term Paper Example This has lead to $153 billion in revenues and a market value of $ 73 billion (Hochman 90-7). However, due to the economic crisis, the company has seen its revenues and market value slumber in the recent past (Hochman 90-7). As one of the leading automobile producers, Ford Motor Company competes in the oligopoly market (Hochman 90-7). Its main competitors include Honda, Toyota, Kia, Subaru, and many other companies. The market entry in the automobile industry is free to every interested party; however, due to huge initial capital investment requirements needed only a few firms are players in this industry. When Ford Company started with the Model T, they were enjoying the monopoly power as they were the only producers. But this has changed since many firms have also ventured into the industry (Hochman 90-7). A market-centered company is a company that identifies the needs and the wants of its customers and tailors all its businesses towards those needs and wants (Hochman 90-7). The customers have enough knowledge about the products and the market; and are willing to be persuaded. The company offers mass customization and utilizes the importance of 4 Ps in its marketing. Ford as a company had experienced both the good and bad business experience. From one of the leading automobile companies accounting for 25 percent of all cars and trucks to drop in revenue and market share to $146 and 14 percent respectively (Hochman 90-7). It may have attributed to the financial crisis that had befallen the entire motor industry hence reducing the sales. However, Ford did not explain its drop in market share or magnitude of its losses compared to the rest of the companies in the industries. Ford’s company operations were characterized by excessive costs, it had lost touch with its main customer's needs and finally, his innovation was not up to date (Hochman 90-7). After the arrival of Mulally, the company started to improve their innovativeness, reducing the costs, and axing some of the un-performing brands. Mulally was convinced that competition in all market segments was the way to go and this policy was adopted.  

Health of Indigenous Peoples Essay Example for Free

Health of Indigenous Peoples Essay This essay seeks to demonstrate that whilst Indigenous health policy may have been on the Australian public policy agenda since the1960s, the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous health has remained. A brief description of the lives of Indigenous Australians prior to the colonisation of Australia is given, followed by a description of various policies that have been introduced by the Australian government to combat these inequalities. This essay demonstrates why these policies have been inadequate, in turn highlighting why the incorporation of Indigenous knowledge in creating Indigenous health policies is important. This essay closes with a brief examination of the Closing the Gap policy, which is utilising the knowledge of Indigenous Australians in creating culturally sensitive Indigenous health policies. In conclusion, this essay demonstrates that by including Indigenous Australians in the policymaking process, we might be starting to close the gap. The health inequality of Indigenous Australians has long been a concern for Australia and the world. Whilst the overall health of Australia has continued to improve, the health of Indigenous Australians remains at levels below those of non-indigenous Australians. Whilst it may seem that there is a lot being done to address these issues, the statistics demonstrate that policies implemented to address these issues have not been effective (Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet 2010; Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2010, p. 29). The thesis of this essay is that whilst the government has been seen as attempting to address the issues of health inequalities of Indigenous Australians, it is only in recent times that the government has implemented programs that are anywhere near close to closing the gap between Indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. To demonstrate this thesis, this essay will firstly discuss the history of Indigenous health prior to colonisation. This will be done to highlight how Indigenous health has declined dramatically since colonisation. This essay will then discuss what the government has been doing since the 1967 referendum, in which Indigenous Australians were formally recognised in the Constitution, to address issues of health inequalities (Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet 2010). In the next section, a discussion on the reasons why there is a large gap between Indigenous and non-indigenous health will occur. This will be followed by a discussion on the utilisation of Indigenous knowledge to provide adequate health services. This essay will finally discuss the current Closing The Gap policy (Australian Human Rights Commission 2011), which has been introduced to address issues that previous policies have failed to. This will be done to highlight the fact that whilst it may seem that as the Indigenous population require the knowledge and assistance of its non-indigenous counter parts, what is evident is that health of Indigenous populations has in fact declined since the colonisation of Australia. Failing to recognise the correlation between colonisation and declining health of Indigenous people, will only see a continuation of the problem rather than seeing a positive change. Whilst the information pertaining to the health of Indigenous Australians prior to colonisation in 1788 appears to be scarce, what is known is that Indigenous health has been on the decline since the arrival of European settlers. Indigenous Australians were considered to be healthier than those of their colonisers (Flood 2006, p. 120). Prior to colonisation, there was no contact with the outside world and therefore infectious diseases were minimal. Due to the introduction of new illnesses from colonisation, the population of Indigenous Australians declined (Carson 2007, p. 43). It was also common for Indigenous women to contract sexual diseases from the often non-consensual contact with the colonisers (Carson 2007, p. 44). Health was also impacted upon by change in diet. Prior to colonisation, Indigenous Australians maintained a diet of protein and vegetables due to the animals and plants available to them (Flood 2006, p.120), as well as the exercise they maintained from hunting and gathering (Flood 2006, p. 122). After colonisation, the Indigenous diet included many foods which saw an increase in obesity, diabetes and heart disease (O’Dea 1991, p. 233). It was not just the introduction of disease and change in die that impacted upon Indigenous Australians’ health. Anthropological studies surrounding Indigenous culture have shown that Indigenous populations have close ties to the land, as the land is incorporated into their sense of being. Pieces of land belonged to particular groups of individuals, and the objects from the natural landscape were considered to be part of their history (Carson 2007, p. 180). It was the failure of colonisers to understand this worldview that has contributed to the deterioration of mental health amongst Indigenous Australians, as they were forced off their lands and into settlements and reserves (Carson 2007, p. 49). This contributed to the feeling of being disconnected from land and family, exacerbating feelings of not be longing, lack of identity and low self-esteem (Ypinazar et al.2007,p. 474). As one can see, the issue of health amongst Indigenous Australians is a complex one, complicated by the differing world views of Indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. It is due to this lack of understanding that has resulted in a myriad of health policies that have attempted to address the issue of health inequality of Indigenous Australians. The first health policy to address the health issues of Indigenous Australians was implemented in 1968, with thirty five adjustments made between then and 2006. Without going into the details of every amendment or new policy, what was common throughout this timeline, was that there were various bodies and institutions created to address the issues that had not been adequately addressed previously, responsibilities were allocated by the government to the states and territories, and programs were implemented to address health issues. Change in governments also meant that policies were constantly changing, which meant that the ways in which health issues were seen and therefore addressed also changed (Australian Indigenous Health InfoNet 2010). When attempting to implement a policy that will adequately address the issue, what has been found is that comparative analysis has been used to determine how health issues have been addressed in other countries. Whilst this kind of analysis may be sufficient in some circumstances, it does not suit such a situation where our Indigenous population’s culture and worldview is unlike that of any other. For example, whilst health issues may be similar to those of Indigenous populations elsewhere, worldviews which impact upon health and wellbeing will vary and may not be able to be applied from one culture to another (Tsey et al.2003, p. 36). One event that highlights the differing views on how issues should be addressed, was the closing down of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) by the John Howard Government in 2004 (Australian Indigenous Health InfoNet2010). What was significant about this was that Indigenous health policy had been the responsibility of ATSIC. This action effectively removed the responsibility of Indigenous health from the Indigenous people and placed the responsibility with mainstream departments that were also responsible for non-indigenous health. By doing this, the government had  wound back many years of work to address the health inequalities of Indigenous Australians, perceiving Indigenous Australians as a culture that could not look after themselves and needed instead the knowledge and expertise of the superior colonialists (Kay Perrin 2007, p. 19). By removing the responsibility of Indigenous health from ATSIC and placing it in the hands of a body that was also responsible for non-indigenous health, the government failed to understand the intricacies of Indigenous Australian culture and the implications that this kind of action can have on Indigenous health. Whilst the overall health of Australians is amongst the top third of Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2010, p. 8). There is a clear disparity between Indigenous and non-indigenous health, when one considers that even in this day and age of modern medicine, Indigenous Australians are expected to live twelve years less than their non-indigenous counterparts for males, and ten years less for females (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2010, p. 29). So what are considered to be the reasons for this inequality? What has already been highlighted, is that Indigenous health has suffered from the introduction to changes in diet, introduction of diseases both airborne and venereal, and the impact upon mental health due to dispossession of land and loss of kinship. Mental health issues can also be connected to the economic and social disadvantage of many Indigenous individuals, which can lead to substance abuse and other issues (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2010, p. 33). The failure to adequately address mental health issues has resulted in deaths by suicide being the second biggest reason for deaths by injury (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2010, p. 30). These figures demonstrate that policies have clearly not been working. A salient point to note is that Indigenous Australians are the least likely group of the whole population, to access important health services. So what are the reasons behind this lack of access to services? It can be as simple as the kind of service that an individual receives. From personal experience of serving Indigenous customers, tone of voice can be misinterpreted. What may be considered polite in most circumstances, can be misconstrued as being conceited by others. Use of language can also be a barrier. For example, (again from personal experience), language has to be altered to manoeuvre these barriers, such as replacing the term ‘bank account’ with the word ‘kitty’. Other barriers may include the fact that in remote communities, health professionals may also be the town judge, which may deter Indigenous people from accessing the services from a person who might have also been responsible for sentencing an individual or a member of their family (Paul 1998, p.67). Barriers such as the remote locations of individuals in comparison to the services, and the cost of services also have to be taken into account. For example, if a service is some distance away from an individual, the cost of travelling may be too high. The cost of services close by may also be too expensive for individuals, or individuals may receive poor treatment due to either being turned away from services, or mistreatment due to racialist beliefs. This may result in individuals travelling long distances due to this very mistreatment in their own communities (Paul 1998, pp.67-68). The misconception that all Indigenous Australians are one group of people can also result in culturally inadequate services, deterring individuals from accessing important health services (Paul 1998, p. 68). This lack of understanding about Indigenous cultures when providing health services has resulted in a rise in the provision of health services that are either run by Indigenous individuals, or have been created in consultation with Indigenous individuals, to ensure that the services being provided are culturally adequate. An example that highlights this can be seen in the creation of a program in 1998in the Northern Territory that was attempting to address the health inequalities of Indigenous children (Campbell et al 2005, p. 153). There were many problems with this programme because the people that were overseeing the programme did not have cultural knowledge that was a factor in the health and wellbeing of the children. What resulted was a program which was implemented in an Indigenous remote community, which utilised the knowledge of Indigenous people from the community itself. This allowed for the programme to be altered when issues were addressed and individuals within the community were able to provide solutions to issues, rather than being told what was going to happen by an outside authority (Campbell etal. 2005, p. 155). Whilst this programme realised that a bottom-up approach was more beneficial than a top-down one which usually occurs in policy implementation, there were issues because the programme also involved people from the outside that were there to manage the programme, who were unwilling to give total control to the community, generating feelings of disempowerment, resentment and marginalisation (Campbell et al. 2005, p. 156). Whilst there are many examples of programs that have been implemented to address the health inequalities of Indigenous Australians, one that deserves mentioning because of success that it has had are the men’s groups in Yaba Bimbie and Ma’Ddaimba Balas (McCalman et al. 2010, p. 160). What was found was that these programs were successful because they were run by Indigenous men who had direct knowledge of the cultural issues and needs of the community as they also lived there. They were also successful because the men felt included in their communities by having control, rather than being controlled by an outside source. Due to these men’s groups, individuals were able to come together and share their concerns about their community, and as the others also were from the same community, they were able to contribute to solutions to the problems by feeling able to speak freely about their concerns. One such concern was anger management issues, which were exacerbated by the social issues that the individuals faced (McCalman et al. 2010, p. 163). Whilst, issues like this may seem to be separate, they in fact contribute to other areas, as has been mentioned earlier in regards to mental health and suicide, which flow on to other members of the community, when there may be no one in the family who is able to earn an income, which contributes to poverty. This may in turn, render an individual unable to access services as previously mentioned. As one can see, when individuals who are directly impacted by issues, are included in finding solutions to address these issues, there is more success than when they are not included. It is the understanding of this that has seen the implementation of the Close The Gap policy (Australian Human Rights Commission 2011). This policy is based on the understanding that the concept of health is different in the eyes of Indigenous Australians than that of non-Indigenous Australians (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare2009). This policy has sought to reduce the gap of inequality between Indigenous and non-indigenous Australians by reducing the gap in life expectancy by 2031, halving mortality rates of children by2018, ensuring equal access to early childhood education by 2013, halving the gap in the area of inability to read and write by 2018, halving the gap of individuals who attain their Year 12 education by 2020 and halving the gap of unemployment rates by 2018 (Gillard2011, p. 2). Various programmes have been implemented to address these issues, with a common theme of inclusion. That is, the programs all involve Indigenous Australians who have a better cultural understanding than non-indigenous Australians. This has allowed for individuals to work with their own communities, various levels of government, non-government organisations and businesses (Gillard 2011, p. 6). By doing so, it has provided individuals with a sense of control and purpose over their own lives, which has seen a decrease in the mortality rates of Indigenous Australians (Gillard2011, p. 12), as well as a reduction in the rates of reading and writing problems (Gillard 2011, p. 14). There has also been a significant increase in the numbers of Indigenous Australians aiming towards their Year 12 qualifications (Gillard 2011, p. 16), as well as a decrease in the number of unemployed in the Indigenous population (Gillard 2011, p. 17). Whilst these figures are promising, one has to look at some of the programs that have been implemented as a result of this policy, to see if lessons have been learned from past mistakes, or if similar mistakes are being made. One such program that is deemed to be addressing issues of inequality is the Welfare Payment Reform act, which allowed the government to withhold portions of welfare payments (Gruenstein 2008, p. 468). This was to ensure that portions of the payment were going to required living expenses before going to things such as alcohol. Whilst this may seem as though it is an important step in addressing issues within communities, what is important to note is that policies such as these are in direct violation of the Racial Discrimination Convention because they directly target Indigenous individuals solely because they are Indigenous and are not necessarily in need of intervention (Gruenstein, 2008, p. 469). Whilst the Closing the Gap policy has good intentions, it can result in actions that treat Indigenous Australians as a homogenous group, rather than recognising the variation of issues. In conclusion, this essay has demonstrated that Australia has come a long way in addressing the issues of inequality amongst Indigenous Australians. It has been demonstrated that Indigenous Australians were in good health prior to colonisation, and only since colonisation has the health of Indigenous Australians has declined. This essay has also shown that the different governments have varied between allowing Indigenous Australians self-determination, or be included in the process of policy making, to the government seizing control of the issues, excluding the Indigenous community from decision making. Whilst it has been shown that the government has been addressing issues for well over 40 years, it has only been in recent times that issues of inequality have begun to be adequately addressed. By understanding that it is Indigenous Australians who are better able to understand their issues, which stem from the actions of non-indigenous peoples and allowing Indigenous Australians to take control of their own lives, will we start to close the gap of health inequality between Indigenous and non-indigenous Australians.

Role of Genomics Educated Nurses

Role of Genomics Educated Nurses GENETICS ROLE IN HEALTH CARE OF PATIENTS 1 Evidence Based Practice Paper on Genetics Role in Health Care of Patients Minimol Shebeen American Sentinel University Evidence Based Practice Paper on Genetics Role in Health Care of Patients Evidence-based practice (EBP) is the incorporation of clinical skill, patient advantages and the best research evidence into the decision-making process for patient care. Clinical expertness relates to the clinician’s gathered knowledge, education and clinical abilities. The patient brings to the encounter his or her own personal likings and unique concerns, hopes and values. The finest research verification is normally established in clinically significant research that has been organized using sound methodology. (Duke University Medical Center Library, 2013). The majority of diseases jeopardizes, health situation and the remedies used to treat those conditions has a genetic element impacted by lifestyle, environmental and other factors, and therefore affecting the whole nursing profession. Nurses have intimate knowledge of the patient’s, family’s, about community’s perspectives and an understanding of biological supports. Nurses also have experience with genomic technologies and information along with skills in communication and building coalitions and most importantly, the public’s trust. Nurses are well positioned to incorporate genetic and genomic information across all aspects of the United States health care system. Nurses, the most trusted health professionals, make unique contributions to the field of human genetics and genomics and complement the work of other health care providers to improve the health of the public (Calzone et al., 2010). This paper looks into the role of genomics educated nurses in saving lives and improving health care quality. Genetic Engineering According to The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia (2013), genetic engineering is the use of different methods to engineer the genetic material of cells to change hereditary features to produce biological products. Various techniques are used, including Use of hybrids of quickly proliferating cancer cells and cells that make a needed antibody to make monoclonal antibodies Polymerase chain reaction in which complete copies of Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fractions are made and used in DNA fingerprinting. Gene splicing, in which DNA of a wanted gene is inserted into a DNA of a bacterium which then reproduces itself producing more of the wanted gene. Genetically engineered outputs include bacteria intended to break down industrial waste products and oil slicks, drugs like human insulin, human and bovine growth hormones and interferon. It may also degrade plants that are resistant to insects, diseases and herbicides, that yield fruit or vegetables with desired qualities, or produce toxins that act as pesticides. Genetic engineering methods have also been used in the direct gene conversion of livestock and laboratory animals (The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 2013). Legal and Ethical Issues According to Lea (2008), genetics have developed to include the effect of a person’s entire genome, environmental elements and their joint effects on health. This growth is creating new, gene-based technologies for the preview, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of both uncommon and common diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes and stroke. New genomic breakthroughs and their implementations bring great expectation for a more personalized appeal to treat disease. While these new indications raise expectations for disease prevention and treatment, they also bring hard ethical issues to patients and healthcare providers in a similar way. Some of the ethical challenges for nurses are Privacy and Confidentiality Who shall have reach to genetic data? Who owns and commands it? How can families settle differences when some members want to be tested for a genetic disturbance, and others do not? Discrimination Should managements be able to need job appliers to take genetic tests as a requirement of employment? Unbiased Access to Genomic Technologies Resource-poor countries, the uninsured, rural and inner-city communities – how might genomic science and treatments be made available to those with fewer reserves? Rare genetic conditions – who will invest the progress of treatments for genetic disorders that affect a comparatively small number of people? Influence of Genetic Data How does a person’s genetic data influence that individual and society’s feeling of that individual? How do genes and genomic facts affect fellows of minority populations? According to National Human Genome Research Institute (2007), certain ethical, legal and social issues research areas identified as the main challenges for the future of genomic research: Intellectual property issues surrounding the approach to and use of genetic knowledge Ethical, legal and social factors that impact the interpretation of genetic data to improved health Problems surrounding the manners of genetic research Issues surrounding the use of genetic knowledge and technologies in non-health care backgrounds The impact of genomics on notions of race, kinship, ethnicity and individual and group identity The associations for both individuals and society of unveiling genomic inputs to human features and conducts How different individuals, cultures and religious practices view the ethical boundaries for the uses of genomics Mandatory Screening Newborn screening is a growing use of genetic examination. A technology called Tandem Mass Spectrometry is now being used by many state newborn screening programs, permitting screening for more than 24 distinctive genetic disorders using one easy test. This widened newborn screening raises new issues about well-informed decision making. As illustrated by the American Academy of Pediatrics, genetic testing varies from other types of medical testing in that it provides information about the family. For example, a diagnosis of Phenylketonuria (PKU) made in an infant through newborn screening means that the infant’s parents are carriers, and that they have a 25 percent chance with each future pregnancy for having another child with PKU. Each of the parents’ siblings has a 50 percent chance to be transporters. Thus, the screening results may have related social, psychological and financial risks. Parents who are carriers may have psychological risks which may comprise parent al responsibility. A child diagnosed with a genetic condition may face descended identity and risk insurance and employment unequal treatment. At present, most states have mandatory newborn screening agendas that require all infants to be screened unless the parents deny. This is called informed dissent, with least information supplied to parents. An informed consent process, on the other hand, would include talk with the parents about the risks, restrictions and benefits of newborn screening before consenting to the testing. Having an informed consent procedure for newborn screening has the attitude for faster and efficient responses to positive outcomes. The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that pediatric providers give parents the needed data and counseling regarding the risks, benefits, and limitations of newborn screening, and that they cooperate with genetics professionals and prenatal care providers in providing this difficult information to the parents. There a re currently two states that require informed consent for newborn screening, Maryland and Wyoming. Thirteen other states need that parents are well-informed about the newborn screening ahead the testing is done on their infant. All but one state, South Dakota, permit parental rejection of newborn screening for religious or personal reasons (Lea, 2008). Healthcare Providers Role in Gene Therapy The nursing profession is a crucial contributor of the finest health care services and is key to ending the gap between research breakthroughs that are effective for health care and their affluent adoption to optimize health. Every year, over 106,000 people in the United States will die from adverse effects from medicaments ordered and dispensed in correct dosages, and over two million will bear grave but not life-threatening toxicities. Among individuals 65 years of age or older, 17.3 percent of adverse drug event related emergency department visits were connected with warfarin, the majority of, which were dose-related with 44.2 percent needing hospitalization. Individual genetic markers are among the causes that add to the decision of warfarin dose conditions. A strong nursing element, can decrease the extent of life-threatening hemorrhage or sub-therapeutic dosing that can result in thrombosis as an outcome of individual responses regulated by genetic structure. Despite an expandi ng body of evidence with the addition of genetics and genomics to health or illness, the proof specific to results of genetically competent nursing practice and the effect on the public’s health is very insufficient. However, individual stories point to the possibility for changing health care by the genomically competent nurse (Calzone et al., 2010). A nurse who is informed about genetics and trained at acquiring and reviewing risk in a family history have the possibility to help people avert adult-onset disorders and resulting morbidity and mortality. More than 180,000 new cases of breast cancer are identified yearly, of which approximately 5 to 10 percent will have an inherited vulnerability to the disease. A nurse case manager took a brief family pedigree of a woman to recognize any information persistent with an inherited vulnerability to cancer. The nurse recognized a paternal family history of early-onset breast cancer and her ethnic legacy, Ashkenazi Jewish, together induced her risk of having a mutation in a breast cancer vulnerability gene. The nurse directed this woman to a cancer genetics professional. The proof points to not only a reduction in morbidity and possible mortality, but also to a health care saving of hundreds of dollars per life year as an outcome of the nurse’s activity (Calzone et al., 2010). Annually, about 180,000 to 250,000 people in the United States will bear a sudden cardiac death. The nurses informed in genetics can aid people prevent sudden cardiac death. A cardiac echocardiogram was carried out by a cardiovascular advanced practice nurse (APN) on a patient who told the story about many family members who had died unexpectedly from a heart attack. Attracted, the APN obtained a family history and shared it with one of the cardiologists. Over a few years, the APN collected a broad many generation family history that comprised members situated in many states and many countries and found that many had died in their teens and early adult years. The family took part in a research study and final the gene and disease specific mutations were recognized. The women later arranged her appointment with a cardiologist. Over an eight-year period, she had an implantable cardioverter defibrillator placed, which cardioverted her on two different instances, proceeded by two ablatio n surgeries for atrial fibrillation. Later, the woman was pregnant with her first child. She described that her pregnancy was possible because of the APN’s genetic proficiency and close supervision, education of other health care professionals participating in the woman’s prenatal care, and her direction and support throughout the pregnancy. In this family, the APN had prevented the premature death of many at risk family members by attending to and also inquiring into a family history over ten years (Calzone et al., 2010). In preconception and prenatal backgrounds, nurses have a chance to help families ready for a child with a genetic situation. Congenital malformations are the main cause of infant death in the United States. A 48-year-old woman recollected her episodes with the birth and later death of her two children with distinctive chromosome disorders. She differed her fierce suffer with her first baby to her dramatically better encounter 10 years later with her second baby. When the woman was 30 years old, she got a call at work from the obstetrician’s office that her genetic screen was abnormal. A follow-up amniocentesis showed that her growing baby had Edwards syndrome. The woman selected to carry on her pregnancy. When her daughter was born, the mother felt very little assistance from the physicians and nurses. She described them as a task directed and very clinical. When she was released home with her baby the mother felt left behind by the health care system; her only contact with he alth care professionals being her baby’s pediatrician, who had never cared for a child with this disease during his 20 years of service. After around ten years, the woman got to be pregnant with her child. Because of her age and history of having a previous child with a chromosome disorder, as a reassurance, the woman selected to have an amniocentesis. However, the results showed she was pregnant with a male fetus who had Patau syndrome. In comparison to her preceding experience, she was directed to a pediatric hospice service. The nurses’ and physicians’ skill about Patau syndrome and the expected clinical course was reassured to the woman. The nurse made sure all labor and delivery, and postnatal staff were informed about Patau syndrome and aware of the expected birth as well as the plan for relief attention. The nurse kept up touch with the woman during the pregnancy and gave hospice care during the woman’s son’s 12-week life span (Calzone et al ., 2010). Conclusion Evidence based practice in nursing is based on the idea that medical practices need to be adapted and amended based on the continuing cycle of evidence, theory and research. As the research continues new issues were found and theories are developed forcing changes in practice. Genetic engineering involves manipulation of the organisms genome utilizing biotechnology. Nurses work close to the patient more than any other healthcare professional. Due to the same reason nurses could easily observe the changes in patients. Evidences show nurses who have the proper knowledge in genetics could save many lives and improve a patients quality of life. Therefore educating and training nurses and keeping them up-to-date with the latest technological advances will be an addition to the overall healthcare. Reference Calzone, K. A., Cashion, A., Feetham, S., Jenkins, J., Prows, C. A., Williams, J. K., Wung, S. F. (2010). Nurses transforming health care using genetics and genomics. Nursing Outlook, 58(1), doi: 10.1016/j.outlook.2009.05.001 Duke University Medical Center Library. (2013, December 06). What is evidence-based practice (ebp)? . Retrieved from http://guides.mclibrary.duke.edu/content.php?pid=431451sid=3529499 Lea, D. H. (2008). Genetic and genomic healthcare: Ethical issues of importance to nurses. The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 13(1) National Human Genome Research Institute. (2007, November). ELSI research program. Retrieved from www.genome.gov/10001618 The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia. (2013). Genetic engineering. Retrieved from http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Genetic manipulation

Impacts of Salt on Water Resources

Impacts of Salt on Water Resources Introduction. Salinity, one of the major water crises occurring around the globe, is the high concentration of total dissolved solids (TDS), such as sodium and chlorine, in soils and water (Rose, 2004). Salinity is a critical and prevalent problem affecting Australia, threatening the Australian natural environment and the sustainability of productive agricultural areas (Bridgman, Dragovish, Dodson, 2008; McDowell, 2008). This can be attributed to naturally high saline levels in the soils (McDowell, 2008; Pannell, 2001). Across the globe, in countries such as in America, Iran, Pakistan, India and China, large concentrations of salt have accumulated over time due to rainfall, rock weathering, sea water intrusion and aerosol deposits (Table 1) (Beresford et al., 2001; HÃ ¼lsebusch et al., 2007). Dryland salinity, a form of secondary salinity, has particularly become a major problem worldwide (Beresford et al., 2001). Annually, approximately four million hectares of global farmland is abandoned due to excessive salt (Beresford et al., 2001). Salinity is a widespread problem with numerous major social, economic and environmental consequences (Beresford et al., 2001). Outline This paper will consider the occurrence and impacts of primary and secondary salinity on water resources. The discussion will commence by focusing on primary salinity, its occurrence and associated impacts using an example from the Lake Eyre Basin, Australia. The next part of the essay will discuss secondary salinity, its occurrence and impacts using examples from Katanning Western Australia (WA) and Turkey. Iran and Pakistan will then be examined as examples showing the occurrence and impacts of both primary and secondary salinity. Finally the impacts of salinity will be identified and the main arguments of this account summarised. Discussion Primary Salinity Primary salinity is a natural process that affects soils and waters and occurs generally in regions of the world where rainfall is insufficient to leach salts from the soil and evaporation or transpiration is high (McDowell, 2008). In episodes of high evaporation, transpiration and reduced rainfall, salinity becomes a problem as the volume of water decreases while salt concentrations increase (Bridgman, Dragovish, Dodson, 2008). Approximately 1000 million hectares, which corresponds to seven per cent of the worlds total land area, is affected to some extent by salt (Rose, 2004). The majority of the globes saline affected land is influence by primary salinity resulting from natural soil evolution (HÃ ¼lsebusch et al., 2007). Arid tropical areas, in particular, are subject to potential evaporation that is higher than rainfall, which leads to the rising of water to the topsoil where solutes accumulate and salinity can occur naturally (HÃ ¼lsebusch et al., 2007). Australias arid and s emi-arid areas usually have salt present in the groundwater (Table 2) (Bridgman, Dragovish, Dodson, 2008). For example, the River Darling becomes saline during harsh drought periods and salinity concentrations increase in the Hunter Valley when flow diminishes (Bridgman, Dragovish, Dodson, 2008). Lake Eyre Basin, South Australia The Lake Eyre Basin (LEB), in central Australia, is a largely flat area dominated by semi-arid to arid environmental conditions (Figure 1) (McMahon et al., 2008). The area encounters high evaporation rates and spatially and temporally highly variable rainfall (Kingsford Porter, 1993). Year round, potential evaporation is usually greater than actual evaporation with average yearly Class A pan evaporation rates of 3300 millimetres (mm) (Costelloe et al., 2008). Average yearly rainfall in the LEB ranges from less than 200mm in some areas, up to 700mm in others, with an annual coefficient of variability spanning from 0.2 to 0.7 (McMahon et al., 2008). Hydrological conditions in the LEB can vary between prolonged periods of 18 to24 months of no flow, to shorter phases where inundation of slow-moving floods can occur (Costelloe et al., 2008). The portioning of the stable isotopes of water such as d16O/ d18O can be utilised to determine whether evaporation (enriching/fractionation occurs) or transpiration (no fractionation) occurs (Costelloe et al., 2008). In Lake Eyre, the water is sodium and chlorine ion dominated with salinity varying from approximately 25 300 mg L-1 and 272 800 mg L-1 (Kingsford Porter, 1993). The absence of invertebrates and waterbirds in Lake Eyre is thought to be due to salinity from increased evaporation during the dry months (Kingsford Porter, 1993). This salinity is also said to be responsible for massive fish kills that occur as the lake dries after a flood period (Kingsford Porter, 1993). Samples taken in the LEB showed that there was greater enrichment of the isotopic signatures of the surface water than the groundwater samples, a product of high rates of evaporation (Costelloe et al., 2008). The Diamantina River catchment, a major contributor of streamflow to Lake Eyre, was found to have hypersaline, 85,000 mg L-1 [Cl], residual pools in the channel, with a highly enriched isotopic signature, indicating evaporation (Costelloe et al., 2008). The Neales River catchment in the LEB demonstrated extremely saline groundwater (71,000 mg L-1 [Cl]) and hypersaline residual pools of 130,000-150,000 mg L-1 [Cl] (Costelloe et al., 2008). Secondary Salinity Secondary salinity is caused by man made changes to the hydrological cycle either through the replacement of native vegetation with shallow-rooted vegetation or through the excessive use or inefficient distribution of water in irrigation for agriculture (Beresford et al., 2001; Rose, 2004). Modern anthropogenic land-use practices are increasing the area of salt-affected land, which is a major environmental issue (Bridgman, Dragovish, Dodson, 2008). Estimates of secondary salinity affecting the globe are suggested at around 74 million hectares, with 43 million hectares of that land occurring on irrigated land and the remaining area on non-irrigated land (Rose, 2004). In Australia, areas of the Murray Basin and the Mallee region in Victoria (VIC) and New South Wales (NSW) are affected by dryland and irrigation salinity, while irrigation salinity impacts the Riverina Plain in VIC and NSW and the Riverland Region in South Australia (Beresford et al., 2001). Dryland Salinity Dryland salinity is the resultant change in subsurface hydrology in which native vegetation with deeper roots are replaced by shallow-rooted vegetation, such as agricultural crops (Rose, 2004). This process causes a decrease in annual evaporation and an increase in the amount of water reaching the water table (Bridgman, Dragovish, Dodson, 2008). The proceeding rise in the amount of water available can then lead to saline water reaching the soil surface and vegetation (Rose, 2004). When this saline water intersects or reaches the surface, waterlogging and salinization of the surface soil can occur due to the accumulation of salts (Rose, 2004). There is an estimated lag time of 30 to 50 years between vegetation clearance and the emergence of salinity (Bridgman, Dragovish, Dodson, 2008). Around a third of the areas in Australia that are susceptible to dryland salinity are expected to become saline (Figure 2) (Rose, 2004). Dryland salinity has impacted North and South Dakota in Norther n America and the Canadian Western Prairies due to large scale wheat farming in which there is now increasing loss of productivity and rising death rates in a variety of wildlife (Beresford et al., 2001). India, Thailand, Argentina, and South Africa are some of the other countries that experience problems with dryland salinity (Pannell Ewing, 2006). Katanning District, WA In the Katanning district, extensive clearing of native vegetation has lead to the area being reported as having one of the worst salinity problems in WA (Beresford et al., 2001). The town is located in a low, flat part of the landscape, and is agriculturally centred on crops, such as wheat and canola, and sheep (Figure 3) (Beresford et al., 2001). The initial perennial vegetation, mainly of Mallee associations, has been removed and replaced with the aforementioned crops (Bridgman, Dragovish, Dodson, 2008). Following 1891, there was increased wheat cultivation in the district and land clearing (Beresford et al., 2001). In the early 1900s, the increase of salt in nearby natural water sources was quickly linked to the clearing of native vegetation (Beresford et al., 2001). In 2000, records of the Katanning Creek Catchment showed that only 1000 hectares of remnant vegetation remained translating to less than 10 per cent of the catchment being covered (Beresford et al., 2001). It was al so discovered in 2000 that 125 hectares of land neighbouring the town boundary was salt affected, the water table was less than one metre from the surface in some areas and older infrastructure were showing evidence of salt-induced decay (Beresford et al., 2001). Groundwater under the township is influenced by the subsurface flow from catchments where extensive land clearing has occurred (Beresford et al., 2001). Dryland salinity in Australia will continue to increase unless farming systems are dramatically altered on a large scale (Rose, 2004). Irrigation Salinity The application of irrigation can increase salinity levels in soil water, surface water systems and/or aquifers (Van Weert, Van der Gun, Reckman, 2009). Irrigation can also raise water tables, lead to waterlogging, and cause evaporation directly from the water table, increasing solute concentration in the soil (Van Weert, Van der Gun, Reckman, 2009). Around the world, the greater part of anthropogenic salinity is associated with irrigated rather than non-irrigated land (Bridgman, Dragovish, Dodson, 2008). A higher amount of land in Australia that is non-irrigated, rather than irrigated, however, is salt-affected (Pannell Ewing, 2006). Bridgman, Dragovish, Dodson (2008) stated that irrigated areas that have their water table within two metres of the soil surface are salinized. Agriculture, in which irrigation systems are utilized, is especially prone to salinization with approximately half of the irrigation systems globally affected by salinization, alkalization or waterlogging ( Munns, 2002). Countries particularly affected by irrigation salinity include Egypt, China, Pakistan, Iran, India, and Argentina (HÃ ¼lsebusch et al., 2007). Sanliurfa-Harran Plain Turkey Turkey faces salinity problems due to large-scale and intensive irrigation, such as in the Harran Plain (Van Weert, Van der Gun, Reckman, 2009). Only 25 percent, or 19.3 million hectares, of Turkeys land surface is usable for agricultural practices, three percent of which is affected by salinity (Atis, 2006). The main source of soil salinity has resulted from the adverse effects of irrigation water, leading to the formation of high water tables resulting in decreased agricultural productivity and income (Atis, 2006). The Sanliurfa-Harran Plain region is located in an arid and semi-arid climate (Kendirli, Cakmak, Ucar, 2005). In this area, high levels of total dissolved solids have emerged in the shallow groundwater due to excessive and uncontrolled irrigation, waterlogging, rising water tables, and drainage problems (Van Weert, Van der Gun, Reckman, 2009). Prior to the implementation of irrigation in the central and southern parts of the Harran Plain, salinity and drainage problem s already existed, which were then exacerbated when irrigation was applied (Table 3) (Kendirli, Cakmak, Ucar, 2005). It was estimated over fifty percent of productive agricultural land in the Akcakale Groundwater Irrigations area of the Harran Plain was becoming saline after irrigation, some 5000 hectares (Kendirli, Cakmak, Ucar, 2005). In the towns of Harran and Akcakale, within the Sanliurfa-Harran Plain, increased salinity problems and high saline and sodium soils were attributed to public irrigation (Kendirli, Cakmak, Ucar, 2005). Within the Sanliurfa-Harran Plain, over 29 percent of soils examined were becoming saline following irrigation (Kendirli, Cakmak, Ucar, 2005). Combined Salinity In Iran and Pakistan, the salinization of land resources is a major problem due to a combination of primary salinity and secondary salinity (Kahlown et al., 2003; Qadir, Qureshi, Cheraghi, 2008). Thirty per cent of Irans irrigated area and 26.2 per cent of Pakistans are severely affected by irrigation salinity, much of which may need abandoning (Kendirli, Cakmak, Ucar, 2005; HÃ ¼lsebusch et al., 2007). Iran and Pakistan mainly endure arid and semi-arid environmental conditions (Kahlown et al., 2003; Qadir, Qureshi, Cheraghi, 2008). Annually, rainfall nationally averages 250mm in Iran, while average yearly potential evaporation is extremely high, varying from 700mm to over 4000mm (Qadir, Qureshi, Cheraghi, 2008). Approximately 34 million hectares in Iran are salt-affected (Qadir, Qureshi, Cheraghi, 2008). In the northern area of Iran, slight to moderate salt-affected soils exist, where as highly saline soils are present in the central areas (Figure 4) (Qadir, Qureshi, Cheraghi, 2008). Primary salinity in Iran is a result of a combination of factors including: the geological composition of the soils parent material, such as halite and gypsum, natural salinization of surface waters due to stream salinity, salinity and the expansion of salinity from wind-borne origins, seawater intrusion, low rainfall and high potential evapotranspiration (Qadir, Qureshi, Cheraghi, 2008). Secondary salinity has been a result of: irrigation with saline waters, deficient drainage, unsustainable groundwater pumping, saline aquifer over-exploitation, excessive irrigation and overgrazing (Qadir, Qureshi, Cheraghi, 2008). Some 4.2 million hectares in Pakistan are severely affected by irrigation salinity (HÃ ¼lsebusch et al., 2007). Salinization of soils and water in Pakistan are a result of: natural climatic characteristics, such as high evaporation, geological conditions and the dissolution of salt bearing strata, waterlogging, intensive irrigation, poor drainage, salinity ing ress, inefficient irrigation and inappropriate use of low quality groundwater (Kahlown et al., 2003; Van Weert, Van der Gun, Reckman, 2009). Widespread soil and water salinization in Iran and Pakistan has occurred due to varied combinations of these factors (Kahlown et al., 2003; Qadir, Qureshi, Cheraghi, 2008). Impacts Salinity can cause tree die back, changes in ecosystems, loss of productive lands, salt bush growth, erosion, saline groundwater discharge and saline surface water (Beresford et al., 2001; Bridgman, Dragovish, Dodson, 2008). The groundwater that rises as a result of dryland salinity can contain relatively high amounts of salts which results in saline seepages emerging where the water table intersects the ground surface (Bridgman, Dragovish, Dodson, 2008). If concentrations of sodium ions are high enough, the physical structure of soils may be completely degraded from salinity (McDowell, 2008). This is due to the collapse of soil aggregates and deflocculation of clay particles; compaction then occurs and causes decreased permeability and porosity which restricts water storage as well as slowing internal drainage (McDowell, 2008). Salinity can result in the deterioration of river and stream quality, for example, in the Murray Darling River system in SA, the town of Morgans water qual ity is expected to exceed the desirable drinking limit of 500 mg L 1 total soluble salts within the next ninety years (Pannell Ewing, 2006). Concentrated salt-affected water can move to surface water systems, infiltrate below the root zone or may reach an aquifer and contribute to a progressive increase in salinity of groundwater, decreasing the water quality (Van Weert, Van der Gun, Reckman, 2009). There can be a greater risk of large-scale water quality problems due to an increase in leakage of saline waters from the impacted region (McDowell, 2008). Increased flood risks have also been identified as an impact of dryland salinity as a result of shallower water tables which can lead to at least a two-fold increase in flood flows (Pannell Ewing, 2006). Conclusions Salinity is a major problem throughout the world, particularly in arid and semi-arid environmental climates. Primary salinity is a natural phenomenon that affects soils and waters in periods of high evaporation, transpiration, and low rainfall. This process occurs notably in Australia, as well as many other countries, such as Iran and Pakistan. Secondary salinity is human induced from either land clearing or irrigation. Numerous countries experience dryland salinity, such as North America, India, Canada, Thailand, Argentina, and South Africa, as well as Australia. Countries that are affected by irrigation salinity include Egypt, Australia, China, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, India, and Argentina. Generally, salinity causes a decrease in the quality of water resources and can lead to a decrease in quantity, if the water table has risen substantially as a result, and increased evaporation occurs. References Atis, E 2006, Economic impacts on cotton production due to land degradation in the Gediz Delta, Turkey, Land Use Policy, 26, pp. 181 186. Beresford, Q, Bekle, H, Phillips, H, Mulcock, J 2001, The Salinity Crisis: Landscapes, Communities and Politics, University of Western Australia Press, Crawley. Bridgman, H, Dragovish, D, Dodson, J 2008, The Australian Physical Environment, Oxford University Press, USA. Costelloe, JF, Payne, E, Woodrow, IE, Irvine, EC, Western, AW, Leaney, FW 2008, Water sources accessed by arid zone riparian trees in highly saline environments, Australia, Oecologia, 156, pp. 43 52. HÃ ¼lsebusch, C, Wichern, F, Hemann, H, Wolff, P (eds.) 2007, Organic agriculture in the Tropics and Subtropics Current status and perspectives Supplement No. 9 to the Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics, Kassel University Press, Germany. Kahlown, MA, Chang, MC, Ashraf, M, Hassan, MS 2003, Salt Affected Soils and their Reclamation: Research Report 4, Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources, Islamabad. Kendirli, B, Cakmak, B, Ucar, Y 2005, Salinity in the Southeastern Anatolia Project (Gap), Turkey: Issues and Options, Irrigation and Drainage, 54, pp. 115 122. Kingsford, RT, Porter, JL 1993, Waterbirds of Lake Eyre, Australia, Biological Conservation, 65, pp. 141 151. McDowell, RW (ed.) 2008, Environmental Impacts of Pasture-Based Farming, CAB International, Oxfordshire. McMahon, TA, Murphy, RE, Peel, MC, Costelloe, JF, Chiew, FHS 2008, Understanding the surface hydrology of the Lake Eyre Basin: Part 1-Rainfall, Journal of Arid Environments, 72, 1853 -1868. Munns, R 2002, Comparative physiology of salt and water stress, Plant, Cell and Environment, 25, pp. 239 250. Pannell, DJ, Ewing, MA 2006, Managing Secondary Dryland Salinity: Options and Challenges, Agricultural Water Management, 80, pp. 41 56. Qadir, M, Qureshi, AS, Cheraghi, SAM 2008, Extent and Characterisation of Salt-Affected Soils in Iran and Strategies for their Amelioration and Management, Land Degradation Development, 19, pp. 214 227. Rose, C 2004, An Introduction to the Environmental Physics of Soil, Water and Watersheds, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. Van Weert, F, Van der Gun, J, Reckman, J 2009, Global Overview of Saline Groundwater Occurrence and Genesis, International Groundwater Resources Assessment Centre, Utrecht.

Oedipus the King: A Greek Tragic Hero Essay -- Oedipus Rex Essays

Many Greek tragedies include a central character known as "the tragic hero." In the play, Oedipus the King, by Sophocles, the character Oedipus, portrays to the reader the necessary, central, tragic hero. According to Aristotle, "a tragic hero has a supreme pride" (Jones. Pg. 133). That pride is a reflection of arrogance and conceit that suggests superiority to man and equality with the gods. Students of religion are often taught that "pride Goethe before the fall." In Oedipus' situation, his pride, coupled with religious fervor and other human emotions like guilt, lead to what can only be described as a downfall of enormous and costly proportions, in other words, his fate. The dictionary characterizes a downfall as, "a sudden fall (as from high rank)." The first few lines of the play show the reader that one reason for Oedipus' "sudden fall" stem from two serious flaws, conceit and pride. Oedipus' conceit and pride is apparent when he says to the priest, "Here I am myself--you all know me, the world knows my fame: I am Oedipus" (Glencoe Literature. Pg. 264. Lines 7-9). The bragging nature in which Oedipus says, "you all know me," shows to the reader that Oedipus has a self-centered attitude toward life and towards others. This attitude stems from the fact that he and he alone solved the riddle of the evil sphinx, saving the city and the people of Thebes, and granting him kingship over the lands. Unfortunately for Oedipus, conceit and pride are only half his problem, the other half stems from Greek religion, and that means "the Greek gods," Zeus and Apollo. Once again, trouble reigns in the city of Thebes. The city's trouble and the gods' relig ious stronghold, lead Oedipus in a direction that can only be describe... ...wer, choice, and fate; the four driving forces behind the character of Oedipus, and it is in those forces that Oedipus can assign the blame for his misfortune. "A Greek Tragedy shows how great men and women, although they may have fine ideals, sometimes end in failure and misery" (Schoenheim. The New Book of Knowledge. Pg. 351. Lines 35-38). Works Cited Hogan, James. A Commentary on the Plays of Sophocles. Carbondale, IL: Southern Illinois University Press, 2009. Jones, John. On Aristotle and Greek Tragedy. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2011. Schoenheim, Ursula. "Greek Language and Literature." The New Book of Knowledge. Canada: Grolier Publishing Inc, 2002. Page 351 Sophocles. "Oedipus the King." Glencoe Literature: The Readers Choice, World Literature. Ed. Chin, Beverly Ann, et al. Columbus, OH: Glencoe, 2002. Pages 263-322.

Down with Downloading Essay -- Music Downloads Technology Essays

Down with Downloading Throughout the whole time when you were able to gain access to free downloadable music, you have been able to by pass the purchasing of music, but has it been morally right? People always insist that download is great, but are you thinking of who you’re talking it from. The artists are the ones losing there money as well as positive recognition. Musicians should obviously get a cut as should small record stores who are obviously going to lose out when the big chains all get together on this (newsfactor.com). Also, the factor that you have to pay for theses programs, you mine as well go to the store and but them yourself. Everyone likes to download, but sometime you can only get one song, what if you want the whole album. And lately there have been numerous viruses, and programs that have been affected from using these downloading sites. Bugs in software are common and most can be fixed with patches, but peer-to-peer technology can be riskier (http://www.ecommercetimes.com/pe rl/story/11667.html). After, reading several studies on the downloading process, many artists have been affected in the past. Madonna, Elton John, Eminem, Brittany Spears, Nelly, India Arie, Ludacris and Sheryl Crow among them -- in an upcoming TV ad campaign to persuade young people to stop downloading music from the Internet (http://www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/living/music/0902/27piracy.html) They have clearly been hurt financially, even though they are financially stable. It is the honor system, and also the freedom of giving access to your music. A huge percentage of the artists make money through selling the CD’s and selling music memorabilia. If we were taking away from this, more and more people will take the free music ... ... published for this agenda. If I had just a little bit more time, I believe that is paper could indeed be a little bit better, also if I did surveys and things of that nature I could find the real peoples perspective. Overall, this paper seemed to be not as stressful as the first because the first paper lacked information and quotes. â€Å"Celebrity TV ads will fight music downloading" ajc.com. 9-27-02 http://www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/living/music/0902/27piracy.html â€Å"Bad News Keeps on Coming for Napster Users† By Tim McDonald. Part of the News Factor Network. June 29, 2001 http://www.ecommercetimes.com/perl/story/11667.html www.musicunited.com â€Å"Celebrity TV ads will fight music downloading" ajc.com. 9-27-02 http://www.accessatlanta.com Dewalt, Mike ed. Through internet downloading, Microsoft Encyclopedia 2002 CD-ROM. New York, New York

Engineering Project Management Essay

Typical Practice Estimating time to undertake design and drafting tasks, such as the crafting of blueprints for the construction of wooden furniture (e.g. stool, desk, chest) by an expert and the creation of blueprints for buildings of commercial establishments by an architect, requires the method of estimating labor costs. After all, cost estimates require time estimates.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Computing the labor cost (technically called as the direct labor cost in management accounting) proceeds by adding the worker’s base rate and indirect payroll costs, such as government securities and insurance. The result is multiplied with the worker’s labor hours. The product of the operation is the labor cost. If labor cost is known and the estimated labor hour is unknown, the manager only has to work around the equation to obtain the estimated time of performing the task. This is the easiest method for the manager, and also the most unreliable because it relies on past data of labor costs. It relies on past data of labor costs because an empirical method is needed, which this method does not include. In such a case, this method is just mere ‘speculation’. It is not an ‘estimation’ in the proper sense of the term because there are no trials and errors done to gather data. From this, there is also a differentiation between ‘past data’ and ‘empirical data’. Past data are also empirical data, but they are gathered in the past, therefore acquiring a less accurate information. Empirical data, after all, require certain use of tools to be obtained. Also, it is unreliable because if the company is new, it cannot use this method—there is no recorded information regarding past operations. Only a long-existing company can benefit from this method of estimating labor hours.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   One problem in estimating the time and cost in performing design and drafting jobs is that managers can only speculate about the amount of time required by a specific job. For instance, the manager of a firm that designs and produces musical instruments can not know exactly how long in a day can a staff of twenty finishes a certain number of musical instruments. Time is a variable that depends on the quality and quantity of tools, materials, equipment, and workers assigned in performing tasks. In the example of designing musical instruments, the manager should know how long each instrument is designed in its entirety by a specific worker. It would help to get an average rate for this. Afterwards, the average rate will be multiplied to the number of instruments to be designed. If one stops here, this is an incomplete method of computing labor time. The manager should get the time it took the labor to prepare for the task, and how long it took him to bring the musical instrument to the corresponding collectors of the aforementioned products in the management system. Then, the sum is multiplied with the distance of the labor from the shop or wherever he is taking the musical instruments. The resulting product is then added to the product of the average rate and the number of instruments to be designed. Another method in estimating the labor time is by taking the average hours of preceding homogenous tasks. In creating a musical instrument, the manager gets the time it took for a worker to complete one instrument. He then obtains data from the proceeding tasks. By getting the average of the values, we obtain the average hours. Variability and Contingencies The accuracy of the first method is low. First, there is a huge possibility of error in relying past data or performance. A company that designs cars ought to measure the time and cost of labor through direct empirical methods, such as obtaining the rates by which workers accomplish their jobs. However, this method depends on the accuracy of historical data. If historical data are inaccurate, there is a 100% tendency that the result of using this method will produce inaccuracies. This is not recommended for companies because it is not an engineering standard.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The second method is more empirical and far more accurate than the first method. Considering the computation of the average rate, one can not be sure of the precision of this statistical tool. Using the mean, median or mode as a way to produce data for the estimation of the time and cost of labor is inefficient. It is recommended that a variance analysis be conducted so that deviations will be taken into consideration. After all, workers are not robots. They have higher levels of inefficiency and inconsistency of output. A worker has fluctuating labor rates. The time he finishes a job fluctuates in hours or minutes, thereby changing the amount of labor cost. Using the variance analysis as a statistical method in obtaining work rates is more efficient. When this is done, it makes the second estimation method more accurate because deviant cases, or changes in time and labor costs, are taken into consideration. The variance analysis can also be applied on the third method, which also relies on using the mean, median or mode. Since averages are less reliable than doing a variance analysis, the third method can be inaccurate. More statistical methods are needed. Monitoring and Updating As the design and drafting tasks proceed, the practices used to update estimates are the following: regular, intermittent, and periodical recording of average rates in designing and drafting jobs. The practice of having a regular recording system, which requires inputs for every day of labor, is the most accurate but also the most costly. Therefore, it is far from inefficient. Only a huge company can take advantage of this, if there is a high risk involved in not monitoring the time and cost of labor.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   An intermittent recording practice entails intermediate accuracy and cost. This requires inputs every week, month or quarter of the year, depending on the needs of the company to monitor the progress of the fluctuations in time and cost of labor.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   A periodical recording practice is the least costly, but has the risk of being inaccurate because it does not measure everything. It only measures the fluctuations in time and cost of labor between points in time, and not within a span of time. References: Baskette, C. (2006). Avoided cost estimation and post-reform funding allocation for California’s energy efficiency programs. Electricity Market Reform and Deregulation, 31, 1084-1099. Farsi, Mehdi. (2006). Cost efficiency in the Swiss gas distribution sector. Energy Economics, 28, 1050-1062. ASSIGNMENT 2 (Y) Basis for Project Methodology The specific method chosen for a certain project is based on the inherent characteristics of that project. There are as many methods as there are kinds of projects. The basis for choosing a method depends on the variables that differentiate one project from another, like the level of complexity involved in the activity.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The following is the list of factors that may be the basis of project methodology: Project area Level of complexity Type of communication used   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   One of the many considerations in project methodology decision-making is the project area. Is the project small, medium, or large? Even this question requires some thinking, since the size of a project is arbitrary. It depends on the sizes of other projects the manager or company considers as points of comparison. The area of the project may mean the geographical area concerned. For instance, an electric company that aims to build a network of electric facilities may be one kilometer by 500 meters. Judging whether this is small, medium, or large varies from one project to another. There may have been other similar projects built, requiring only two or three hectares of land. In such cases, this project may be considered large in area.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The area can also be seen in terms of influence. In the example of an electric company building a network of electric facilities, the area may mean the number of households it would serve. Again, judging whether a number of ten-thousand households is small, medium or large depends on other similar projects made.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Another basis is the level of complexity involved in the project. Complexity can be measured by how many interactions among units are required to accomplish a task, and judging the data whether the project system is simple or complex. In the above example, measuring the complexity of building a network of electric facilities may require determining the organization of managers and workers that are involved in the project. Some organizations interact according to hierarchy. These kinds of organizations tend to be simple because there are defined ways on how the units interact among one another. Some, which are more complex, require units to interact in different ways. To put it concretely, let us say that the electric company assigns the maintenance department to be always under the engineering department, which means that the staff would only take commands from the latter. This is a simple scenario. A complex scenario would be when the company assigns the maintenance department to communicate with the other divisions of the company in accomplishing its own task. The connection between complexity and method is that the complexity determines the method. After knowing a project’s level of complexity, the method may then be configured depending on this information.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The third basis is communication. What is the message of the project? What are the kinds of media used? For whom is the message? These are significant things to take in mind when characterizing what sort of communication exists in an activity. Is the electric company making use of an intranet, which simplifies complex interactions? What tools are used for one division to communicate with another? Are telephones preferred over online chatting between departments?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It is also significant to determine the contexts in which communication occurs. Is it one-to-one, one-to-many, or many-to-many? Determining this also affects the level of complexity of the project. A one-to-one communication is simple but slow and inefficient. A one-to-many communication is fast and efficient, but the message reception loses quality. Many-to-many communication is fast and complex, thereby increasing the level of complexity in the project. Decisions regarding matters on communication are only part of choosing what methodology to use. Criteria for Best Project Methodology In order to illustrate how one method is better than another given a specific project, let us take the following popular methods in project management: Waterfall Development, Rational Unified Process, and Extreme Programming (Asrilhant, 2005). These are the best methods in project management because they generally are flexible to different factors, like budget and project size. They compliment each other. One strategy’s weakness is another’s strength.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   If the project has high budget, one may say that the Waterfall Development is the best method for it. That is because this method requires little or zero corrections in inputs. This is possible because the planning function of the management is more crucial. A low budget means a high risk to undertake the project. Therefore, quality planning is indispensable.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   For instance, if the electric company funds a 5-hectare electric network facility 30% lower than similar projects, the management has to undertake Waterfall Development. This means the planning function is geared on decreasing costs. There will be much labor required on the part of engineers and analysts to increase the level of certainty in inputs. The company cannot afford to do experimentations and much testing. High technical proficiency is required.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   If the project entails intermediate risk, and there is an intermediate number of staff who would man it, then the Rational Unified Process may be used as the best methodology. This is because risk management is balanced with a medium amount of budget or allowance for failure in inputs.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   If the electric company funds a 10-hectare electric network facility 2% lower than similar projects, the management may afford to increase the costs of testing and experimenting with inputs to produce outputs in electric services.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Finally, if there is a need for regular testing and experimentation of inputs, and corrections in testing failures, then the Extreme Programming may be undertaken as the best methodology. Budget given here is high, and the risks are lower. The population of staff is also considerably higher than the two other methodologies. Here, the management can afford to run the risk of losing resources, albeit with prudence.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Determining which method is best for a project requires measuring the amount of risks associated with the project, the budget allocated for the activity, the number of participants in the staff, and the affordability of the project to receive failing outputs. References: Asrilhant, Boris. (2005). On the strategic project management process in the UK indutrial sector. Omega, 35, 89-103. ASSIGNMENT 3 Alternative Classification   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The rationale of having a new project classification is to respond against the inefficiencies of the older classifications. The project method concerns itself much on the processes and ways on how tasks are carried out in the activity. However, it is too formalistic and technical. It is formalistic because it is focused on empirical observations. It is too technical because it does not leave room for speculation and theorizing. There is a huge chance that it will lose sight of the project’s objectives.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The project end-product, being goal-oriented, is weak on the part of specific matters. It may lose sight on technical issues such as the method of computation to use in estimating labor costs. If a firm that manufactures cars undertake an activity in which the project is classified as belonging under the project end-product, the managers will fall short on practicality. Important details are missed, like the choosing of a certain metal as a material in making automobiles. There may be one end-product but there are many methods in which inputs can be processed into outputs. These methods determine the level of costs associated with the production. If a company is too concerned about output, it loses sight on the possibility of gaining productivity by merely choosing the method. This is to say that a new classification is needed—a new classification that would account for the weaknesses of project methodology and project end-product. Since the two classifications do not take into consideration certain factors of production and labor, which are important determinants of the success of a project, a new chosen classification is labeling projects according to the types of constraints. The traditional constrains in a project are the following: Time Cost Production Labor These variables define the shape or form of the project. Changing one variable changes the whole project in its entirety. To illustrate, assume that an automobile manufacturing company undertakes a project of creating fifty units of luxury cars. The time constraint associated with the project makes it different from all the other projects with similar methods and end-products. For instance, this project is similar to five other projects whose goals are also to create fifty units of luxury cars. The only hypothetical difference is the amount of days required to accomplish it. This is to say that a project is different from another when there is a significant time interval between the required time to accomplish one project and the required time to accomplish another.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   However, it is too trivial if the manager only relies on the time constraint. Costs are also important contributors of project type determination. The amount of money allotted for a budget determines the influence of the project on the area it is being undertaken, and on the unit is serving. This is an indispensable category because the cost also gives way to knowing the area and quality of the project.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   If the car company gives a budget to a car-manufacturing project which is 50% lower than that of another project with similar end-product, then the two projects are different because the former is constrained in using resources. It must tap the planning function of the management at its best, because it cannot afford high risks and high expenses.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Production is a consequence of the cost constraint. The number of cars to be produced by the company depends on the allotted budget in producing these cars. Consequently, this is also related to labor in the sense that, if the budget is low and the production is high, then the labor must be intensive. It is empirically impossible to increase labor if the budget remains the same.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In short, projects can be classified according to the variability of their traditional constraints. They be classified as the following: Long-term undertaking, high-budgeted, labor intensive. Mid-term undertaking, with intermediate budget, intermediate production, and medium labor intensiveness. Short-term undertaking, low-budgeted, small production, and low concentration in labor. This is not to say that there are only three ways to classify projects. There are different permutations of classifying them because a project can be both long-term and low-budgeted, short-term and high-budgeted, and the like. There are twenty-seven combinations possible for the project manager. It is helpful for the project manager because there are varied choices to be undertaken with this typology. Enhancement   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This classification gives an enhanced understanding of project management because the inefficiencies of project end-product and project method are revealed and solved. The old classification system is poor because there are only small categories where projects fall under. In logic, the lesser concepts there are to stand for heterogeneous things, the more abstract the ideas become. By taking into consideration the traditional constraints of a project, and basing from it to form a new project classification, one achieves a more concrete and detailed description of the different projects that are to be executed. Project classification, through this kind of classification, becomes more useful not only as a mere science of classification. It also helps management keep an improved system of managing the projects, thereby increasing productivity and output quality. This project classification also enhances the understanding on the content of projects. Project method concerns itself with the processed item but not the one being processed. Project end-product concerns itself with the output but not the materials or inputs that led to its creation. This classification gives a new lens through which projects are seen by the manager. References: Project management. Retrieved September 4, 2006, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_management#Project_systems