Discuss depression in relation to its impact on the individual Essay - 1

Discuss depression in relation to its impact on the individual physical and psychological well being - Essay Example One of the major problems confronted during the analysis of literature related to the abovementioned topic is ambiguity between causes and effects of depression. Even after so much progress and advancement of technological systems, experts and psychologists (Kirschmann, 2006) are unable to differentiate between causes and effects of depressive illness, and thus, it becomes very difficult to identify the impact of depression in a separate window. Still, this paper will endeavor to discuss effects mainly. Although depression affects physical health of patients; however, its impact is significant psychologically, and experts believe that alleviation of psychological effects allow individuals to cope with physical impacts of depression. Low self-esteem is one of the most common effects of depression that results in deterioration of thinking patterns, decision-making process, and personality development factors in the individuals psychologically (MacHale, 2002). In addition, low self-esteem does not allow affected individuals to inspire from anything that affect their physical health subsequently. Another psychological impact of depression is frequent and irregular mood swings that are always visible physically, and thus, do not allow individuals to eat properly, work appropriately, or perform any other task in their lives that results in the creation of lethargic attitude towards life that is an adverse effect of depression in depressed patients. Due to inappropriate eating patterns, depressed individuals usually confront eating disorders that cause low weight problems, and at the same time, many depressed patients confront obesity and over weight problems due to their indolent routine. A number of theorists and psychologists (MacHale, 2002) have indicated that patients confronting depression usually consider themselves responsible for adverse events of their lives, as well as negativity in lives of people around them that increases low self-esteem, and

Homage to My Hips Essay Example for Free

Homage to My Hips Essay The theme of Lucille Clifton’s â€Å"Homage to my hips† concentrates on a proud, strong, and powerful woman who is absolutely in love with her hips. Clifton’s tone throughout the poem focuses highly on her big hips. Not once does the she speak negatively about them. She feels absolutely wonderful about her big hips, making her feel so confident and full-bodied all at the same time. She gives off many reasons to why her hips make her modest, but full of pride. The beginning of ’Homage to my hips† illustrates the confidence that the speaker has about her hips. â€Å"These hips are big hips† (1) demonstrate how the speaker is proud of her big hips and does not mind what others may think about her hips. I feel like the speaker would be disappointed if she had little hips. The speaker knows that her hips are big and they need additional room when she explains â€Å"they need space to/move around in† (2/3). The speaker knows her hips do not fit into little places. The speaker of â€Å"Homage to my hips† is definitely not ashamed of her considerably large hips. After the speaker talks about her proud qualities as it pertains to her hips she moves on to speak about why her hips make her strong. In the lines â€Å"these hips/are free hips (5-6) the speaker demonstrates that her hips do what they want to do. Her wide hips have no limitations. â€Å"These hips have never been enslaved† (7) shows the speaker has never been controlled and she can uphold her freedom by herself. The speaker shows her strong side by stating â€Å"they go where they want to go/they do what they want to do† (8-9). The big hips do not make her feel weak. Finally Clifton speaks about how her hips make her powerful. I think that when the speaker states that â€Å"these hips are mighty hips/these hips are magic hips† (11-12) would give a sense that she can get certain things from a man or give a man a certain feeling. Also, the magic of the hips could attract a lover perhaps. I have known them/to put a spell on a man and/spin him like a top† (13-15) suggests that she knows her big hips are sexy and she can still have a sense of sexiness despite her big hips. She knows that her big hips can be a great turn on for a man. Her hips could make a man go wild if she so desired. In conclusion, the theme of Lucille Clifton’s poem gives a woman of bigger hip nature a sense of pride, strength, and prowess. Despite the need for additional room for movement, the woman in this poem is neither disappointed nor ashamed. She has the freedom to explore wherever she wants. She does not allow anyone to hold her back. Finally, the powerful natures of her big hips coincide with both sex appeal and an attraction. In the end she is satisfied with her big hips. Works Cited Clifton, Lucille. â€Å"Homage to my hips.

Catherine and Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights :: essays research papers

With the death of Catherine, the reader is inclined to examine the causes. Cathy herself states that Edgar Linton and Heathcliff are the direct causes, and it is quite the possibility. Finally culminating in one rather brief, yet powerful confrontation, the clashing of Edgar and Heathcliff has been an issue between the two families ever since the day that Cathy and Heathcliff went playing in the moors and got caught at the Linton’s house. Calling him a gypsy and servant, Edgar Linton was disgraced by his presence. Then later, for that scoundrel to be the one that Cathy truly loves? It was just too much for Edgar. The hatred grew and grew. When Heathcliff left, Edgar was at ease. He had Cathy, she had forgotten (or so he thought) about Heathcliff, and all was happy and merry at Thrushcross Grange. Then Heathcliff returned. While his motivations for leaving were good and heartfelt, his return was almost cruel for our ‘princess’ Cathy. She was so used to having ever ything that she could want, that she thought she could have them both. But Edgar stepped in. He finally stood up for himself and told Heathcliff never to return to Thrushcross Grange. It’s hard not to choose a side here, but it’s also hard to choose a side. For one, we see this beautiful, happy couple, raised together as children, and soul mates from the very beginning. One is made to be of lower class, and the other is made to be higher class. This difference provides a simple yet strong social barrier. When the two have to split, when Cathy is forced to make a decision (one which, unfortunately for Heathcliff, she has already made) the two split, and I, as a reader, am forced to choose whose side I’m on. In a novel such as this there is no right and wrong, only the lesser of two evils. Here, I have come to believe that the lesser evil is Edgar. I began to feel sorry for him, having lost both his sister and his wife to Heathcliff, whom he despises and sees as under him on the social ladder. Even though he himself has done things that cannot be right in any sort of way, we know that he truly cares for Catherine. He tolerates her moods and her tantrums, and he provides her with things that she wouldn’t have been able to get at

Amy Tan’s “Two Kinds” Essay

In Amy Tan’s short story â€Å"Two Kinds† we see the strained relationship between a Chinese immigrant mother and a first-generation American daughter. Throughout the text, Jing-mei’s mother continually pushes her to become a prodigy. She is so obsessive of her daughter’s excellence, that she does not see the emotional damage she creates. Jing-mei reacts negatively to the pressure. She becomes indifferent, angry, excited and hopeful; her emotions fluctuate, because she is in a perpetual struggle between her identity and the identity her mother tries to create for her. No one wins this tug-of-war; it only ends in anger and disappointment. Jing-mei sets out to become the direct opposite of what her mother wants. It just goes to show that forcefulness doesn’t work in any situation. In the beginning of the story, Jing-mei tries to do everything right. She goes along with her mother’s nearly impossible tests, tries to become Shirley Temple’s double and generally maintains a good attitude about her mother’s constant prompting. â€Å"In all of my imaginings I was filled with a sense that I would soon become perfect,† she said. Jing-mei tried to convince herself that she could become what her mother wanted her to be. Despite the attempts made by Jing-mei, she always seems to fall short of her mother’s expectations. Her mother relentlessly pushes her, because she wants her daughter to be more successful than she is. She feels that in America, anything is possible if you try hard and practice. This is true for many things; however, becoming an overnight prodigy is not one of them. It doesn’t take Jing-mei long to realize that she will never fulfill her mother’s demands. She is hurt because she feels that her mother does not accept her for the person that she is. Her mother’s failed hopes and obvious disenchantments crush Jing-mei emotionally. Out of her pain, she purposely projects a personality that her mother disapproves of. Her temperament becomes antagonistic and argumentative, where it is was once considerate and peaceable. She intentionally says things like â€Å"I wish I’d never been born,† in efforts to hurt her mother, as she was wounded. Despite the volatile relationship, poor attitude and numerous disappointments, Jing-mei’s mother ploughs on, even more zealously. She is convinced that she can make the average girl into an extraordinary sensation. As the years pass by, the dreams of Jing-mei’s mother fade away. Jing-mei leads an average life, making average mistakes and basically being the average woman. Her mother finally gives up hope. She offers the piano to Jing-mei, in an effort that I believe, is to symbolize that she is letting go. It could be a peace offering, or it could just be that she finally succumbs to the realization that her daughter will always be just Jing-mei. The piano is almost like a trophy, it says â€Å"OK, you’ve won.† After Jing-mei wins she is comfortable enough to play the piano–the piece of furniture that tormented her. She is at peace playing â€Å"Pleading Child.† At a glance she notices that the other half of the song is â€Å"Perfectly Contented.† At the final stage in the story, that is exactly how she feels, perfectly contented.

A Synopsis of the Movie 12 Monkeys Essays

A Synopsis of the Movie 12 Monkeys Essays A Synopsis of the Movie 12 Monkeys Paper A Synopsis of the Movie 12 Monkeys Paper The film 12 Monkeys failed greatly to live up to the hype one would think follows it. With a slew of highly touted actors and actress, one would think of it as a possible blockbuster hit. It falls short of the potential that seemed to swirl around it. Bruce Willis plays James Cole, a convicted criminal living in a future apocalyptic world. A deadly virus was released to the world in December 1996, and Cole is expected to go back in time and find a possible cure for it before it is spread throughout the world. The psychological stress that would overcome a person from going back and forth throughout time would be great. Emotions would be so overwhelming, and Bruce Willis failed to portray this stress. He’s become typecasted as an action hero and it is hard to view him in any other role. He was a known actor at the time, but had still yet to shake the run and gun image from the Die Hard movies that brought him to glory. He failed to bring his emotions to the forefront. The viewer was unable to feel the great emotional stress that would have overwhelmed a character in Cole’s position. Brad Pitt plays Jeffrey Goines, a fellow mental health patient at the institution that Cole is put into. He, unlike Willis, played his role perfectly. He was so deep into his role that the viewer forgets he is watching an actor. The insanity is real, and every aspect of his role is flawless. From his body language to the look in his eyes, the role is acted perfectly. It is this aspect of his character, the insanity, which is missing from Willis’s. 12 Monkeys is a psychological thriller trying to play itself off as a generic action movie. By casting Bruce Willis, the production crew was making an effort bring in a demographic of moviegoers that wouldn’t normally have gone to see the movie. They tried to please too many people and as a result ended up disappointing a majority of their viewers. The ending of the movie was perfect- for a psychological thriller.

The Era of Plastic Surgery

The Era of Plastic Surgery The Era of Plastic Surgery"As definitions of beauty become ever more exacting, and as the shape-shifting technology required to maintain that aesthetic carries on developing, a homogenization of faces is taking place"( Briscoe,2010). Today's society could be classified as the era of plastic surgery since it has dominated all individuals, limitless of their age, condition or gender. We live in a place where physical appearance plays a vital role; therefore, we tend to delay physical aging as much as we can and plastic surgery is the key to that. Celebrities are role models that have invaded our time and social media. They are society's stars that ordinary people look up to; so they have an impact on others, specifically regarding beauty and cosmetic surgery. Nowadays, celebrities, who are either satisfied or dissatisfied with their look, tend to undergo cosmetic surgery in order to maintain their stardom look. Thus, it is no more surprising to see that "the number of breast augmentati ons, nose jobs and face lifts is up 10 per cent over last year" (Moen,2012).Indian Journal of Plastic SurgeryPsychologists and researchers have been discussing the pros and cons of plastic surgeries; some argue that celebrities shouldn't undergo cosmetic surgery for the sake of their career while others support the opposite.People are somehow depending on plastic surgeries as a way to obtain a better career and life. However, these surgeries don't offer a better economical transformations or self-identity enhancement (Branaman, 2010). So, people may refuse cosmetic surgery under the claim that it transforms the natural into unnatural and deprives it from its value (Moen, 2012). It is unnatural to try to possess eternal youth. One should accept that aging is a natural cycle of one's life. According to Moen, undergoing plastic surgery is an unfair action and a form of cheating. It's...

A Perfect Day for Bananafish essays

A Perfect Day for Bananafish essays Comparison Between A Perfect Day for Bananafish and For Esme With Love and Squalor J D Salinger wrote Nine Stories with the same brilliance as Catcher In The Rye. His style is so unique and complex that all of his short stories are truly enjoyable. Two of those stories are A Perfect Day for Bananafish and For Esme With Love and Squalor. The main characters in both of these stories, Seymour and Sergeant X, have served in World War II, and the fighting has taken its toll on them. Their physiological well-being was sacrificed and as a result they are no longer the same people they were before. Both feel alienated from the people in their life, the same people they had loved before the war. The isolation the war has caused is carried over into their lives, and it caused these men to search for new forms of comfort and security, in the respective forms of Sybil and Esme. In A Perfect Day for Bananafish, Muriel and her husband Seymour have different perspectives of life. Muriel is a carefree and complacent person, while her husband is quite strange and slightly paranoid. His paranoia is illustrated when he looses it in the hotel elevator, I have two normal feet and I cant see the slightest God-damned reason anyone should stare at them. Muriel, however, is unacquainted with Seymours wild breakdowns. She is rather confident that Seymour is perfectly sane as she reports to her mother on the telephone. Muriel doesnt know about this side of Seymour because he has become alienated from her after the war. Their personalities dont match anymore, if they ever did, and he is seeking some sort of understanding that he knows Muriel cannot provide. Seymours relationship with Sybil is making up for Muriels shortcomings. Seymour is looking for the understanding of a child and the love of an adult. He wants someone who will not judge him. He realizes the impossibil ity of his desires with Sybil when he ge...

Homeland security Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 4

Homeland security - Essay Example Pre-emption is the response of the wise based on our deep understanding of our enemy. It must continue to be our main mode of response to an enemy that has no regard for life, rules of war or protecting non-combatants and the innocent. Our objectives in pre-emption are to protect the American people and her allies from harm and reduce to zero whenever possible the probability of harm, destruction to property, or death of our citizens and allies. The situations in which pre-emption is appropriate are in strengthening public safety and proactive response to terrorist threats. From a position of strength, the possibility of more than proportionate retaliation can be a very strong and powerful deterrent against attacks. Occasionally, we can be off-guard and our enemies can take advantage of this and can succeed attacking and harming us at an inopportune moment. Retaliation provides us a way to impress to our enemies how costly an attack can be for their allies and themselves. More than proportionate retaliation is best implemented in the home bases of the Taliban and Al Qaeda. Domestically, however, more than proportionate retaliation can only be implemented by prosecution up to the maximum penalties allowed by law and by invoking laws that have the highest penalties. A combination of pre-emption and more than proportionate retaliation are most appropriate for dealing with our enemies. Pre-emption enables us to prevent and confront an attack while a policy of more than proportionate retaliation can serve to paralyze our enemy by confining her to do an endless benefit-cost estimation given a highly militarily superior USA: if they do their benefit-cost computations correctly as we do our homework well, a policy of more than proportionate retaliation can prevent an attack. However, a policy of more than proportionate retaliation should NOT be interpreted that

SLP 4 Medicare Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

SLP 4 Medicare - Essay Example Medicare Part A is government issued hospitalization insurance. Patients with Part A coverage have benefits that pay a portion of inpatient hospital stays, or long-term alternative care stays like skilled nursing facilities for lengthy recoveries, or hospice for terminally ill patients. Part A "is funded by a 2.9 percent payroll tax which is directed to the Medicare Hospital Insurance Trust Fund account" (McClellan, 2000). Medicare Part B is supplemental. Eligible participants receive 80 percent of allowed outpatient charges covered. These services include office visits, lab work, x-rays, etc. According to the same McClellan study, "About three-fourths of the Supplemental Medical Insurance program is funded by general federal revenues and one-fourth by a beneficiary premium" (McClellan, 2000). He added that by 2009, Part B would see the most significant growth of all Medicare programs. Thanks to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act MMA) of 2003, senior citizens became eligible for Medicare Part D, which pays a portion of prescription charges. Quoting Gluck, 1999, McClellan writes, "Total spending on prescription drugs averages around $1,000 per beneficiary" (McClellan, 2000). ... There is evidence that "long-term financial imbalances in the Medicare system make some sort of Medicare reform inevitable," (Cutler and Sheiner, 2000) but all is not lost. Cutler and Sheiner argue that people need only save a little more to balance the benefits that may be lost in the future. According to them, Medicare benefits could be cut by 40-60 percent, but private savings and the purchase of a supplemental insurance would leave future beneficiaries in the same financial position that current beneficiaries are in. Lee and Skinner, however, don't agree that those numbers can be crunched so easily. Their opinion is that with a declining mortality rate, and an uncertain number of births in the future, the population of persons aged 65 and older will have tripled by 2070. With that in mind, they see increasing the Medicare eligible age from 65 to 67, and an "immediate 2 percentage point increase in the Social Security payroll tax" (Lee and Skinner) as a better way to avoid a "Medi care bust in the next century." About $200 billion was spent in 1996 for Medicare recipients (Newhouse, 1996). He estimated that a $122 billion Medicare surplus in 1996 would be a $444 billion deficit by 2006. Newhouse's ideas for decreasing Medicare spending were to get on the Clinton administration's bandwagon and require that Medicare recipients use Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) to remain competitive. Newhouse also suggested the use of Medical Savings Accounts (MSAs), which allow employees to set money aside from each paycheck, on a pre-tax basis, to help cover or reduce costs. Newhouse claims that implementing MSAs prior to retirement could save 25 percent, if current spending trends hold. This is especially true, according to him, of workers who

Goodwill Impairment Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Goodwill Impairment - Research Paper Example However, there are several noticeable differences in the two accounting approaches as listed below: In the context of allocation of Goodwill, allocation is done to an operating unit in case of U.S. GAAP. In IFRS language, its allotment is done to a small group of assets that generates flow of cash and such unit has to be smaller than the operating segment of a company. In the context of the recognition of the loss of impairment, the US GAAP considers such a case if the implied fair value exceeds the amount for carrying of a particular reporting unit and the amount for carrying of the goodwill (Alexander & Britton, 2004). It is a two step approach. On the other hand, in case of IFRS, which follows a one step approach, weigh cash generating unit’s amount carried against the amount that can be recovered. Impairment of loss is spotted when the former is greater than the latter. In US GAAP parlance, the loss of impairment is the amount of difference between the carried amount of go odwill and the reporting unit’s fair value that is implied. In terms of IFRS, it is the amount the former exceeds the amount that can be recovered. The loss thus arisen would be provisioned for Goodwill impairment until the latter is zero. Pros and cons of measuring Goodwill Impairment The measurement of goodwill has several positives aspects to it. If the process is undertaken with precision and accuracy, it will provide helpful information about the net worth for the investors of the company. If the financial information is overstated then it provides a wrong idea about the future to the manager across other departments and hence they would take wrong decisions. Hence an accurate measurement would help the other departments as well. The disadvantages of measurement is that if there is too much goodwill for a company to write off then it sends a negative impression to the investor about the management that they have records of taking wrong decisions. Often the determination of the fair value of goodwill is not disclosed by the company and hence there is ample scope for manipulation which can have its effect on the bottom line. There are various models that can be used for measuring of goodwill impairment and there is difference in opinion among expects regarding which method is to be taken. Hence depending on the method the value could vary. There is also another problem of separation of goodwill at the time of acquisition of a company and the total value of goodwill post acquisition. How convergence should work and why Though having several basic differences, the IASB and FASB should aim at convergence of the two standards with an aim to achieve a superior global standard of accounting. Both of them should work in harmony in areas like insurance and financial instruments. The reversal of the loss of impairment is prohibited in both U.S.GAAP and IFRS. In areas of offsetting of balance sheet they could not be of the same opinion. However they achieved s uccessful convergence in areas like disclosure norms which would help them in the reconciliation of the differences in requirements for offsetting. Convergence is necessary for Unites States as well as the world because it would affect areas of leasing and revenue as well. The American Companies also need to look upon certain issues relating to it. For example, some nations have already adopted the IFRS standards and the subsidiaries of the MNCs that are there in those countries have to

Congestive heart failure Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Congestive heart failure - Research Paper Example Diseases and agents that weaken heart muscle contraction, especially ventricular muscle, for example, heart attacks, infections of heart muscle (myocarditis), toxins, chronic alcohol abuse and some chemotherapeutic agents (systolic dysfunction). They vary amongst many patients depending on the type (whether it is systolic or diastolic) and the organs affected. Fatigue is the earliest symptom of CHF due to inadequacy of the heart to perform its function. The diagnosis of CHF entails; having noteworthy knowledge about the medical history of the patient; carefully taking a proper history concerning the present condition of the patient; carefully conducting a physical examination and conducting the necessary laboratory tests to confirm the diagnosis. This will assist the health care expert identify signs that are consistent with CHF. Treatment should start immediately CHF is diagnosed in a patient. For one, lifestyle modification should be used so that no further fluid is retained in the body. This is done through regulation of sodium intake in food, since sodium increases fluid in the body. Restriction of alcohol intake and monitoring fluid intake also manages the

Pratical Marketing Communications Re-sis Assignment . (I orderd the Essay

Pratical Marketing Communications Re-sis Assignment . (I orderd the same assigment and the writter did it incorrectly therefor - Essay Example The target market for the M-PESA mobile money service ranges from business owners who can be paid their bills using the service to the Safaricom network users who spend a lot of time and money to send money to their friends and families or to pay their bills, and in Kenya, some of the closest rivals of the service are Airtel money, Yu cash and Orange money. Safaricom Kenya limited uses successful business and media personalities to endorse their product such as Jaguar and Size 8 who are some of the most celebrated media personalities in the country. The use of Jaguar, a celebrated musician in the country whose story of rags to riches identifies with most of Safaricom mobile services subscribers was well informed as the musician is seen by many young people as their role model in their quest to pull themselves out of poverty. The â€Å"Niko na Safaricom† advert that was performed by the Safaricom choir was hailed as one of the best musical adverts ever shot in the country and i t became a household song soon after its release. Point of sale promotion also encouraged many people to register for the service as the registration was free and SIM cards were sold at subsidised rates. The introduction rates for the service, although they were perceived to be fair, they were relatively expensive to most of the M-PESA service users The company also uses the social media to encourage its subscribers and the subscribers of their rival companies to subscribe to the service by asking quizzes about the benefits and the products within the M-PESA service on its facebook fan page. Introduction The purpose of this report is to analyse the various communication elements that Safaricom Kenya limited has included in its communication mix to sell its M-PESA mobile money service to its subscribers. This report has highlighted the main communication techniques that the company has adopted that ranges from celebrity endorsements by popular media and business personalities in the country to advertisements. Point of sale promotions, the way the product is packaged within other services offered by the company, its advertisement strategies and how it has used the social media and especially facebook to market the M-PESA mobile money service (Kloeppinger-Todd & Sharma, 2010, p239). The report will compare the brand with other similar services that are offered by its rival companies; however, due to the large number of services that the company offers, the report will not look at the communication mix that the company has used to market its other products and services (Pike, 2008, p56). Product history Safaricom M-PESA service has been in existence in Kenya since the year 2007 when it was launched, it was launched as a mobile money transfer service that would enable its users to transfer money to other subscribers of the network. However, it was advanced to incorporate sending of money to other mobile subscriber networks such as Celtel, which is currently Bharti Airtel Kenya and Telkom Kenya. The M-PESA mobile money service entails services such as depositing and withdrawing of money, transferring of money to other users and non-users, purchasing of airtime, pay bills and transferring of money between the service and a bank account of the user in some

Managing Human Resources Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Managing Human Resources - Research Paper Example Lastly, he/she should be able to handle conflict and always have an eye towards how to mediate a given situation amicably. Q2: A human resource director is not only charged with managing the day to day process flow of human resources but also molding and directing the future form that the company wishes to take. This happens in a variety of different ways but most importantly through selecting and testing new prospects to ensure they are an adequate fit for the firm in question. In the given question concerning choosing the correct employee to fill a position as bank teller, the HR manager should look for someone with a customer service background, cheerfulness, ability to handle responsibility, trustworthiness, clean record, and exceptional people skills (Holland, 2012). Q3: With respect to working closely with the business strategy arm of a given institution, this is an integral part of HR’s role and responsibility. Many firms overlook this integral part to their own detriment. HR can work to quickly mirror the goals and strategies that a company lays out for its employees. Human resources can take this responsibility so that each of the internal departments continues to function at peak efficiency; all the while the new goals and metrics can be implemented across the organization at a speed and efficiency that would not have been possible had each of the departments attempted to implement on their own time and in their own way. Ployhart, R. E., Van Iddekinge, C. H., & Mackenzie Jr., W. I. (2011). ACQUIRING AND DEVELOPING HUMAN CAPITAL IN SERVICE CONTEXTS: THE INTERCONNECTEDNESS OF HUMAN CAPITAL RESOURCES. Academy Of Management Journal, 54(2), 353-368.

Congestive heart failure Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Congestive heart failure - Research Paper Example Diseases and agents that weaken heart muscle contraction, especially ventricular muscle, for example, heart attacks, infections of heart muscle (myocarditis), toxins, chronic alcohol abuse and some chemotherapeutic agents (systolic dysfunction). They vary amongst many patients depending on the type (whether it is systolic or diastolic) and the organs affected. Fatigue is the earliest symptom of CHF due to inadequacy of the heart to perform its function. The diagnosis of CHF entails; having noteworthy knowledge about the medical history of the patient; carefully taking a proper history concerning the present condition of the patient; carefully conducting a physical examination and conducting the necessary laboratory tests to confirm the diagnosis. This will assist the health care expert identify signs that are consistent with CHF. Treatment should start immediately CHF is diagnosed in a patient. For one, lifestyle modification should be used so that no further fluid is retained in the body. This is done through regulation of sodium intake in food, since sodium increases fluid in the body. Restriction of alcohol intake and monitoring fluid intake also manages the

Managing Human Resources Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Managing Human Resources - Research Paper Example Lastly, he/she should be able to handle conflict and always have an eye towards how to mediate a given situation amicably. Q2: A human resource director is not only charged with managing the day to day process flow of human resources but also molding and directing the future form that the company wishes to take. This happens in a variety of different ways but most importantly through selecting and testing new prospects to ensure they are an adequate fit for the firm in question. In the given question concerning choosing the correct employee to fill a position as bank teller, the HR manager should look for someone with a customer service background, cheerfulness, ability to handle responsibility, trustworthiness, clean record, and exceptional people skills (Holland, 2012). Q3: With respect to working closely with the business strategy arm of a given institution, this is an integral part of HR’s role and responsibility. Many firms overlook this integral part to their own detriment. HR can work to quickly mirror the goals and strategies that a company lays out for its employees. Human resources can take this responsibility so that each of the internal departments continues to function at peak efficiency; all the while the new goals and metrics can be implemented across the organization at a speed and efficiency that would not have been possible had each of the departments attempted to implement on their own time and in their own way. Ployhart, R. E., Van Iddekinge, C. H., & Mackenzie Jr., W. I. (2011). ACQUIRING AND DEVELOPING HUMAN CAPITAL IN SERVICE CONTEXTS: THE INTERCONNECTEDNESS OF HUMAN CAPITAL RESOURCES. Academy Of Management Journal, 54(2), 353-368.

Stress Essay Example for Free

Stress Essay In closing, Stress is a very serious matter that shouldn’t be taken lightly. As stated there’s many consequences that can follow a life full of stress, being life damage, failure, and even death. On the other hand there’s ways to manage and a get threw stress periods, also being talking to others concerning this problem. Stress is common things in the everyday life of are citizens no matter the race, age, nor place of origin. It’s a serious matter that should be taken seriously by all and handled at its highest level. Live life as you want to and never let anything stop you from being who you want to be. Stress is never worth losing your life over and will never equal to the joy in life that makes life so much worth living. Situations requiring change or a response is reacted by the bodys action stress. Stress can be positive or negative. How stress is handled is called Fight or Flight. Stress can be positive by keeping one positive and ready to avoid danger. Positive stress can be good by motivating one to take that extra step or to get it over with. Negative stress is when challenges keep coming one after the other without any sort of relaxation inbetween. Feeling overworked can lead to feeling distressed. Launching into overdrive in every situation really makes an impact on the body. Stress affects the emotions, behavior, and physical health in so many ways. Stress affects the emotions where all of a sudden everything feels overwhelming, tense, and on edge. Stress can make people feel irritable and aggravated easily. Emotional stress is almost always self created. Thinking about the situation and just that situation can put strain on the nerves and brain. Other emotional symptoms of stress can be followed by impatience, lonlieness, short temper, restlessness, and moodiness. Theres always the saying dont stress yourself to death. Stress affects the behavior of a person and there actions. Someone may try and block out what is emotionally stressing them by over shopping, over working, or over exercising. Being stressed may cause someone to eat more or less, or lose or gain weight. Using alcohol, ciggarettes or drugs to release whats making you nervous instead of doing something healthy is a behavioral issue. Someone being stressed out from being in constant over drive may start neglecting responsibilites. The emotional systems of feeling irritable and on edge affects the behavior by overreacting on small situations and picking Modern life is fast paced and competitive. Ambition is thebuzzword and everyone is looking for success, money, fame and glory. Today one burns the candle at both ends to live a successful life and it results into severe stress. Stress may be defined as an anxiety syndrome due to work pressure. It also caused due to emotional, physical or mental tensions. The Fear of Failure or being left behind leads to ahectic pace of life which is detrimental to one’s physical health. The lure of money and fame also makes one work beyond one’s capacity leading to strain and stress. Modern life is pretty mechanical, it leads to lack of exercise which aggravates stress. Couch potato lifestyle or being confined to a chair leads to obesity and stress. The hectic lifestyle leads to imbalanced diets, wrong food habits and endless cups of caffeine or aerated drinks makes one more prone to stress. This in turn leads to ailments like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart problems etc. Stress can be overcome with discipline, yoga and meditation. A proper diet clubbed with regular exercise is needed to minimize the element of stress. As a result, we can conclude that we should put stress in an important position in our lives. It should be in a reasonable and a modest level. Therefore, we can be more aware of the events, the things and the people around us. Without stress, the easiness within our lives would be boring. We can not maintain easy goingness all the time. The life wouldn’t be exciting without it. The controversy of this story comes both from the religious aspect and the feminism aspects. It is commonly believed that the story is very stereotypical of the gender differences and goes against feminist perspectives. This is by far the most accepted criticism of the story however some people have a completely opposed view; although usually it is men who disagree with this. At this point I want to make an observation Christianity has incorporated Midsummer into the calendar, observing the feast day of St John the Baptist on June 24. Its thought that this is because Summer Solstice was a celebration of victory of sun and light on the longest day of the year over darkness and death. Its also the alleged date of St Johns death. Interestingly it is directly opposite the feast day of the birth of Christ. St John baptized Jesus and proclaimed him The Saviour, so this particular day is supposed to point to Jesus triumph over death). Summer Solstice is also called Litha or St. Johns Day, and in Pagan times it was an important religious event. Tribes would gather to celebrate the longest day of the year. Whole communities would participate in the celebration, paying homage to nature and the planets. Mother Earth was commemorated as The Goddess, while The God was represented as the Sun King. The festivities were filled with colour yellow for the harvest, green representing nature and blue for the sky. Some of the rituals that took place during Summer Solstice are kept alive today by modern Pagan faiths.

Healthy Food Options for College Students

Healthy Food Options for College Students Priya Gunasekaran Purpose Statement/ Research questions The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of college students living arrangements (independent variable) of food consumption (dependent variable), based on a college campus (the research site). Fruits and vegetables vs processed foods (control variable) focuses on modifying college students dietary intake and preferences in dining halls. The independent variable(s) living arrangements was defined as college students living in residential halls, living in a rented apartment (off campus), and living with their family. (El Ansari et al., 2012; Laska et al., 2010; Ridell et al., 2011). The dependent variable(s) will be food consumption defined as measuring the amount of foods consume through meals. (El Ansari et al., 2012). The control and intervening variable(s), fruits and vegetables (identify the control and intervening variables) will be defined as the daily average intake serving of fruits and vegetables consumed. Boek et al., 2012; El Ansari et al., 2012; Graham et al. , 2013; ODonnell et al., 2014; Yeh et al., 2010 ). This study will contribute to enhancing healthier food options for college students as well as to meet their nutritional needs. Also, a food frequency survey will be utilized to access how often do college students consume healthier options vs processed food based on their living arrangements. Research Questions Does living arrangement impact college students food consumption on healthier foods vs processed foods at campus dining halls? Null Hypothesis: There is no difference between choosing processed foods or healthier foods in college students food consumption based on living arrangement. Alternative Hypothesis: There is a difference between choosing processed foods or healthier foods in college students food consumption based on living arrangement. Hypothesis: College students with better food consumption are likely to consume more fruits and vegetables than processed foods that are unhealthy. Descriptive Questions 1. How does living arrangement affect college student food choices? 2. What are the factors that influence food consumption on college students? 3. How do college students rate on fruits and vegetable consumption vs processed foods based on their living arrangements? Inferential Question 1. How does food consumption depend on living arrangements on college students? 2. Does the consumption of fruits and vegetables help college student make smart, healthy food choices than choosing processed foods? References Boek, S., Bianco-Simeral, S., Chan, K., Goto, K. (2012). Gender and Race are Significant  Determinants of Students Food Choices on a College Campus. Journal of Nutrition  Education and Behavior, 44372-378. Retrieved from:  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22607739 Boucher, D., Gagne, C., Cote, F. (2015). Effect of an intervention mapping approach to  promote the consumption of fruits and vegetables among young adults in junior college:  A quasi-experimental study. Psychology Health, (11), 1306. Retrieved from:  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25970738 El Ansari, W., Stock, C., Mikolajczyk Rafael, T. (2012). Relationships between food  consumption and living arrangements among university students in four European  countries A cross-sectional study. Nutrition Journal, Vol 11, Iss 1, P 28 (2012), (1), 28.  Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3420253/ Fernandes, A. C., de Oliveira, R. C., Rodrigues, V. M., Fiates, G. R., da Costa Proenà §a, R. P.  (2015). Perceptions of university students regarding calories, food healthiness, and the  importance of calorie information in menu labelling. Appetite. Retrieved from:  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25865662 Graham, D. J., Pelletier, J. E., Neumark-Sztainer, D., Lust, K., Laska, M. N. (2013). Research:  Perceived Social-Ecological Factors Associated with Fruit and Vegetable Purchasing,  Preparation, and Consumption among Young Adults. Journal of The Academy of  Nutrition and Dietetics, 1131366-1374. Retrieved from:  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23958116 Laska, M. N., Larson, N. I., Neumark-Sztainer, D., Story, M. (2010). Dietary patterns and  home food availability during emerging adulthood: do they differ by living situation? Public Health Nutrition, 13 (2), 222-228. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2931267/   ODonnell, S., Greene, G. W., Blissmer, B. (2014). The Effect of Goal Setting on Fruit and  Vegetable Consumption and Physical Activity Level in a Web-Based Intervention.  Journal of Nutrition Education Behavior, 46 (6), 570-575. Retrieved from:  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24857600   Riddell, L. J., Ang, B., Keast, R. S., Hunter, W. (2011). Research report: Impact of living  arrangements and nationality on food habits and nutrient intakes in young adults.  Appetite, 56726-731. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21349307   Yeh, M., Matsumori, B., Obenchain, J., Viladrich, A., Das, D., Navder, K. (2010). Validity of  a Competing Food Choice Construct regarding Fruit and Vegetable Consumption among  Urban College Freshmen. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 42 (5), 321-327.  Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20655281  

Nike, Inc vs. Toys R Us Essay -- essays research papers

NIKE, INC VS TOYS R U Page LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.2 INTRODUCTION†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.4 Procedures†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..4 COMPANIES.........†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...4 COMAPARISONS†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦7 GROWTH†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..9 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..11 REFERENCES†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..12 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Figure Page 1. Comparisons Chart- "The Company" †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦... 8 2. Growth Chart- NIKE, INC†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 9 3. Growth Chart- TOYS R US, INC†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦10 4. Revenue Chart†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...11 Investigation 4 INTRODUCTION EC=2 Consultants was contracted to locate and research two companies for purchase or takeover by the XYZ Investment Syndicate. EC=2 has a solid reputation in the Eastern United States for providing this type of service. For the XYZ Investment Syndicate, EC=2 has identified NIKE, INC... ... 12 REFERENCES Yahoo: Finance. Income Statement http://finance.yahoo.com/q/is?s (April 2005) Yahoo: Finance. Quotes and Info http://finance.yahoo.com/q/is?s (April 2005) Reuters: Ratios. Valuation Ratios http://reuters.com (April 2005) NASD: Investor Information http://www.nasd.com/ (April 2005) NIKE: Company Information http://nike.com (April 2005) TOYS R US: Company Information http://nike.com (April 2005)

OBriens Things They Carried Essay: Experiences and Emotions :: Things They Carried Essays

Experiences and Emotions in The Things They Carried  Ã‚  Ã‚        Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried is not a novel about the Vietnam War.   â€Å"It is a story about the soldiers and their experiences and emotions that are brought about from the war† (King 182).   O'Brien makes several statements about war through these dynamic characters.   He shows the violent nature of soldiers under the pressures of war, he makes an effective antiwar statement, and he comments on the reversal of a social deviation into the norm.   By skillfully employing the stylistic technique of specific, conscious detail selection and utilizing connotative diction, O'Brien thoroughly and convincingly makes each point.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The violent nature that the soldiers acquired during their tour in Vietnam is one of O'Brien's predominant themes in his novel.   By consciously selecting very descriptive details that reveal the drastic change in manner within the men, O'Brien creates within the reader an understanding of the effects of war on its participants.   One of the soldiers, "Norman Bowler, otherwise a very gentle person, carried a Thumb. . .The Thumb was dark brown, rubbery to touch. . . It had been cut from a VC corpse, a boy of fifteen or sixteen"(O'Brien 13).   Bowler had been a very good-natured person in civilian life, yet war makes him into a very hard-mannered, emotionally devoid soldier, carrying about a severed finger as a trophy, proud of his kill.   The transformation shown through Bowler is an excellent indicator of the psychological and emotional change that most of the soldiers undergo. To bring an innocent young man from sensitive to apath etic, from caring to hateful, requires a great force; the war provides this force.   However, frequently are the changes more drastic.   A soldier named "Ted Lavender adopted an orphaned puppy. . .Azar strapped it to a Claymore antipersonnel mine and squeezed the firing device"(O'Brien 39).   Azar has become demented; to kill a puppy that someone else has adopted is horrible.   However, the infliction of violence has become the norm of behavior for these men; the fleeting moment of compassion shown by one man is instantly erased by another, setting order back within the group.   O'Brien here shows a hint of sensitivity among the men to set up a startling contrast between the past and the present for these men.   The effect produced on the reader by this contrast is one of horror; therefore fulfilling O'Brien's purpose, to convince the reader of war's severely negative effects.

Original Beauty Company’s Motivational Practices and Reward Systems: Theories of Motivation

Motivation is a word used to refer to the reason or reasons for engaging in a particular behaviour especially human behaviour. These reasons may include a drive, a need, a desire to achieve a goal, a state of being, or an ideal. In human beings, motivation involves both conscious and subconscious drives. http://www. internet-of-the-mind. com/define_motivation. html Following the Original Beauty Company’s detail, I would pick up some methods of motivations which have been used ‘The factory employs 10 people who work a 40 hours week and are currently paid either ?250 per week or ?275 per week if they have been with the company for three years. Herzberg’s hygiene needs is salary and status such as the factory paid 40 hours for ?250 per week and ?275 per week if they work about 3 years. Herzberg addressed money particularly referring specifically to salary. Herzberg acknowledged the complexity of the salary issue money, earnings†¦.. and concluded that money is no t a primary motivators but achievement and recognition. The method of its motivation is Herzberg, the theory of Herzberg believed that pay was not the only motivator and came up with his theory, which had two elements to it such as hygiene factors and motivators. For an employee to be motivated, all the hygiene (maintenance) factors have to be met first and then the motivators can be used to make them work harder. ‘There have been no pay increases for the last three years and labour turnover is 80% a year. ’ The company paid wages for staffs about 80% labour turnover, it is really bad because it is very high. This will affect to the company’s profits. ‘There is no training and newcomers are expected to learn the jobs by doing them. ’ Following Herzberg’s theory, the company have not trained staff to lead on staff to unable to know new methods or technology. These also will lead on de-motivation. ‘The filling and packing lines employ 8 people who are paid ?222 per week for a 37 hours week†¦.. Sometimes, at quite time of the year, they are laid off but receive a retainer of ?75 per week to ensure they do not take permanent work elsewhere†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. This group is well established with some employees having worked at the company for 20 years or more. They enjoy each others’ company and socialise as well as work together. ’ Herzberg’s theory in the hygiene factors relate on salary such as the factory would pay ?75 per week even through the factory are laid off, his helps the factory to retain staff. However, Herzberg said that offering pay rewards or increasing salary may not motivate employees but inadequate pay will de-motivate them. Moreover, the theory also relate on Mayo theory such as ‘†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ they enjoy each others’ company and socialise as well as wor k together. ’ Mayo said that social needs are the most important motivation e. g. working in small groups and social activities. The warehouse staff work 37. 5 hours per week and are paid ?280 per week. They have been told that they should pack and despatch 40 cases per day each. Unsurprisingly, this target is never exceeded and has usually been met just after lunchtime each day. The reason which the target never exceeded and usually been met just after lunchtime each day, maybe the company have not got policies such as have to obtain the target and create rewards and threaten punishment them if not obtain the target. Following Taylor theory, he put forward the case that workers were only motivated by money, so work must be linked to payment. A manager should motivate a worker by using pay as an incentive and threaten them with less money or the sack if they did not work to the best of their ability. There are four office staffs that work a 35 hours week and are paid an average annual salary of ?22,500. They have the most pleasant working conditions of all staff in the company. They realise that they have to ensure a continuing flow of order and work hard in obtaining and processing orders and solving customer problems. They are the public face of the company and feel rewarded by the constant position feedback they receive from suppliers and customers. ’ The staffs are the most pleasant working condition, looking back Herzberg’s theory, he also mentions work condition. He stated that there are certain satisfiers and dissatisfies for employees at work. Intrinsic factors are related to job satisfaction, while extrinsic factors are associated with dissatisfaction. He devised his theory on the question: â€Å"What do people want from their jobs? † He asked people to describe in detail, such situations when they felt exceptionally good or exceptionally bad. From the responses that he received, he concluded that opposite of satisfaction is not dissatisfaction. Removing dissatisfying characteristics from a job does not necessarily make the job satisfying. So, the office staffs are motivated and Herzberg said that Herzberg’s motivation theory involves what people actually do on the job and should be engineered into the job employees do in other to develop intrinsic motivation with the workforce such as feedback and recognition. Both these approaches such as hygiene and motivation must be done simultaneously. Treat people as best you can so they have a minimum of dissatisfaction. Use people so they get achievement, recognition fro achievement and responsibility they can grow and advance in their work. There is one factory manager who is paid ?26,000 per annum. The three section managers who run the different parts of the factory receive an annual salary of round ?19,000. Non of them are qualified beyond level three. The managers are expected to work for as long as is needed to solve any problem that arise when the factory. ‘There is no training and newcomers are expected to learn the jobs by doing them. ’ Although the managers have lots of experiences but they have not got enough qualifications to manage their role. However, the company also do not give an opportunity to improve their knowledge. Self-actualization is the summit of Maslow's motivation theory. It is about the quest of reaching one's full potential as a person. Unlike lower level needs, this need is never fully satisfied; as one grows psychologically there are always new opportunities to continue to grow. Self-actualized persons have frequent occurrences of peak experiences, which are energized moments of profound happiness and harmony. The way to motive workers is to offer the opportunity of satisfying higher needs. Staffs only work within their own sections. So, example, when the warehouses staffs have meet their daily output quote, they are not required to help out on the packing lines if they are busy. There is little willingness to take responsibility when difficulties arise with each department seeking to blame other departments. The company is not unionised†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. Following Maslow theory about esteem needs such as responsibility, strategies such as increasing responsibility may be used to motivate workers. Fringe benefits are limited to discounted company products and a subsidised canteen. Meetings of staff are only called if there are problems and communication is top down†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. Limiting to discount company products and a subsidised canteen also are not staff satisfaction, in Maslow theory, if basic needs such as safe working conditions or essential facility such as a restaurant which do not met or basic benefits which staff needs but it does not meet, workers will remain de-motivated. According to this theory, if these needs are not satisfied, then an individual will surely be motivated to satisfy them. Higher order needs will not be recognized not unless one satisfies the needs that are basic to existence. These mean that Maslow said the lower ranking needs such as the need of food and water were more basic. He outlined the basic needs have to be met first before employees can be motivated. His theory is known as the Hierarchy of Needs.

The Advantages of My Apartment

A new family moving into the Vista community would have a plethora of housing options. There are just so many flashy ads and advertisements around. It can make finding a place to call home a true chore. But as many families have already found out, there are many reasons as to why the apartments in my neighborhood are some of the most sought after in Vista, CA. Especially in comparison to my previous residences such as Marine Corps barracks, my current apartment has many advantages that would make it a wonderful place any family would be proud to call home. First of all, for its size, the apartment is very affordable. During my 3 months of apartment shopping, I could not find a more sizeable apartment for the price I pay. It is only twelve-hundred dollars per month for two bedrooms and two bathrooms when some other properties charged nearly that price for a studio or single bedroom unit. Also, the rooms in the apartment are very large. We have a large master bedroom, and the guest bedroom is big enough for my wife and I to store all of our extra belongings as well as a twin bed and a computer workstation. In addition to those, my apartment also has an immense amount of storage space. There are walk-in closets in both bedrooms, extra storage outdoors, and there is even a walk-in pantry in the kitchen. Although, as much of a selling point the size and price were, if not for the great location, we still may have kept searching. Secondly, the apartment is in a great location. For one, it is very close to the business district. We are within a few miles of many grocery stores, shopping centers, movie theatres, and many other attractions. Also, it is within walking distance of several public transportation hubs. The buses and trains at these places travel all over, to San Diego and Los Angeles and everywhere in between. Another example of the apartments’ great location is that we are close to our friends. We live only minutes away from many of our friends. Furthermore, since we only have 1 vehicle, my wife can always simply call a friend if she needs to run errands or shop, due to the fact that we live so close together, so as not to cause a hassle. Another huge advantage of my apartment is the level of tranquility it retains. A third advantage my apartment has is how tranquil it is. One reason these apartments are so peaceful is the fact that there are no pets. Since pets are not allowed, the apartments are always almost eerily quiet. This is great because on could sleep however long they want to without being rudely awoken. Also, we do not have to worry about barking or other animal sounds interruption my television watching, music listening or whatever else I may be doing. Another reason for the tranquility of the apartment is due to the face that there are very few young children. This is nice because my wife and I have no children with the other young couples around us. Moreover, we do not have to worry about the cries of little children disturbing us during whatever we may be doing at the time. Going hand in hand with the tranquility of the apartment though, is how helpful and courteous our neighbors are. A fourth reason my apartment is advantageous is that my neighbors are very courteous and friendly. One example of this is how our neighbors always have helped us when we were in a bind. On one occasion, the battery in my car suddenly died and one of my neighbors unselfishly dropped everything he was doing and drove his car to mine to give my battery a jump start, enabling me to go to the store to buy a new battery. Also, on many occasions, our neighbors have taken our wet clothes from the community washers and changed them over to the dryers, alleviating us of having to do the task ourselves. In addition to how helpful our neighbors are, they are also quite courteous. As far as the adults around us, while they do listen to music and other things like most, they do not listen to it at absurdly loud levels so as to disturb the people around them. Furthermore, the few children that live around us are obedient and do not cause excessive noise when they play. But at any rate, even with all these upsides, I would have never chose my current apartment if not for how good and kind the management is. Lastly, an advantage our apartment has is how kind and efficient the management of our apartment is. First off, our management is very kind. They know the tenants by name . Even from the day we first picked up our house keys from the office, the people inside welcomed us by name, which was very reassuring to us. Also, whenever we pass by one of the managers, they always greet us. Though, most importantly to me, the management always address our complaints expediently. For example, when my wife and I first visited our apartment before we moved in, we had to complete a pre-occupancy checklist. While there were not many discrepancies, the few that we did note were fixed before we even started moving into our new home. Even since then, all of the problems that have arisen in our apartment such as; burnt-out light bulbs, faulty appliances, broken hot water heaters, and so on; were addressed immediately. Finally, at our apartment complex, every tenant has assigned parking spots only for our vehicles. On multiple occasions, I would find other peoples’ cars parked in my spot. All I needed to do was inform the management of someone in my spot, and the problem was taken care of right away. As you can see, my apartment has a lot going for it. All these reasons like; a good location, the level of tranquility, its’ roominess, the friendliness of the neighbors, and the quality of the management, make for a wonderful neighborhood, and a great place to bring your family home. Now, having been educated, the choice of where to call home should be quite simple. I gladly made mine, and have not regretted it for an instance

A View of the Problems in Washington, D.C., Surrounding the Enforcement of Firearm Limitations

A View of the Problems in Washington, D.C., Surrounding the Enforcement of Firearm Limitations Challenges to local gun restrictions in Washington DC Introduction The district of Columbia law prohibits handgun possession by criminalizing carrying of unregistered firearm and barring the registration of handguns, the law gives a separate provision that an individual shall not carry an unlicensed firearm, however, the law permits the police chief to give 1year licenses, and it is a requirement for the residents to keep legally owned handguns dissembled and unloaded or bound by a trigger lock apparatus. The petitioner Heller, a special D.C police officer sought permission to register a firearm he wanted to keep at home, yet the District declined his application (Blocher, (2008). The petitioner filed this suit pursuing based on the Second Amendment grounds, to include Dc from implementing the ban on firearm registration, the licensing need at the moment bars possessing an unlicensed handgun at home, in addition to the trigger lock device as it disallows functional firearms use at home. The D.C circuit reversed the suit set aside by the District Cou rt holding the view that the Second Amendment gives a person protection to own handguns. More so, the circuit held that the city’s full ban on handguns, in addition to the city’s requisites that firearms held at home should always be dissembled or on trigger lock devices; denied an individual his right to defend himself/herself when in danger Majority opinion District of Columbia v. Heller (2007-2008) The Supreme Court held that the second amendment guarantees a person’s protection to own a firearm as long as the firearm is not related to use of unlawful deeds but for purposes of protection and self defense inside the home. According to the majority ruling delivered by Scalia J, the firearm and trigger-lock apparatus requirement (when applied to self-defense) violates the second amendment act. The entire ban on firearm possession at home by the District is tantamount to the illegalization of different class ownership of ‘arms’’ which Americans unilaterally choose for the legal purpose of self-protection. Under some of the normal scrutiny the court has used applications to enumerated constitutional rights, therefore the ban in the scenario where the value of legal defense of family, property, and self is paramount the ban would fail the constitutional rights agreed (Lee, 2009). Additionally, the need that for every legal firearm held at home the handgun must be dissembled or bound by trigger-lock device makes it absolutely impossible for citizens to use the lawfully held firearms for the primary lawful objective of self-defense and thus making the total ban unconstitutional. In this ruling the Supreme Court considered Heller’s oral acceptance that the District law is allowed when not capriciously or arbitrarily enforced, the bench assumes that a license shall meet his prayer for relief even though licensing need is never addressed. Therefore, assuming the petitioner is not barred from exercising the second amendment rights; the District should allow the petitioner to register his handgun and must provide Heller a license to carry within the home. Being aware of the challenge of firearm violence in the country, and taking seriously the prayers of those that believe the ban on handgun possession is a remedy. The constitution gives the city a range of tools for curbing the menace; this includes a number of measures regulating f irearms (Magarian,2009). A constitutional enshrined right certainly takes particular policy an option off the negotiating table. This option includes the total prohibition of handguns used and possessed for self-defense within the home. Indisputably a number is of the opinion that the second amendment is outdated in a community where the nation’s army is the pride of the nation, and was a very well-trained disciplined force give private security, and a society that gun violence is a menace. According to them, this is arguable; however, what is not arguable of course is this court making the second amendment defunct. Minority opinion District of Columbia v. Heller (2007-2008) The Supreme Court’s dissenting opinion holds that the ruling of giving a fresh constitutional right to possess and the usage of handguns for personal objectives defeats the foregone understanding, yet it provides an uphill task for future litigations seeking definitions for the scope of allowable procedures and regulations. Particularly, the dissenting judgment delivered by Stevens noted that there is no sign that the drafters of the amendment desired to include the common-law right of self –protection as an integral part of the constitution. The minority judge notes that the opinion announced by the court fails to find any new evidence giving support to the view that the amendment was meant congress power to minimize civilian use of weapons. Incapable to give any such findings, the announcement relies on an edgy and unimpressive understanding of the amendments context. With the assumption that majority of citizens are law steadfast, and given the reality that the desir e to protect oneself might suddenly emerge in number of locations other than within the home, the judge in his opinion fears that the city’s policy choice might as well be the first of unidentified number of dominoes to be removed off the table. Conclusion Even though the ruling, in this case, provides a short implication to the formulation of the second amendment, the court focuses at length on other four primary sources: Blackstone’s commentaries on England laws, the Seventeen century English Bill of rights, the post-civil war legislative history, and the post-enactment commentary on the second amendment. The above sources give the slight answer to the bigger question before the court, and thus, in any event, offer small support to the courts conclusion. The majority ruling thus expresses some elements of judicial restraint from the jury.

The Experience of Perioperative Nurses Involved in Organ Procurement Research Paper

The Experience of Perioperative Nurses Involved in Organ Procurement - Research Paper Example Although the research question was not clearly stated, it was generally implied from the introduction of the research study. Essentially, the study wants to find out what the general feelings of perioperative nurses involved in the process of organ procurement in Taiwan are (Wang & Lin, 2009). With this research question, the course of the research was clearly directed from the beginning, a key requirement in the development of a fine qualitative research study (Ryan, Coughlan, & Cronin, 2007). Research Design The researchers took careful note of the relevance of the qualitative methods being employed in the study. As â€Å"organ procurement is a special surgery,† (Wang & Lin, 2009, p. 279) it may not be enough to simply quantify the nurses’ feelings and emotions. Rather, such feelings and emotions ought to be captured using the nurses’ verbatim account on the issue (Wang & Lin, 2009). This view is supported by the study conducted by Manuel, Solberg, and MacDonald (2010) as they looked into organ donation feelings, this time, of family members involved. Subjects The general nature of a qualitative study entails it to use subjects that are required for the specific purpose of the study. Thus, sample size is usually small, and participants are usually acquired using a purposive, non-probabilistic manner (Ryan, Coughlan, & Cronin, 2007). So is the case of this specific study, which utilizes only 6 participants, taken using purposive sampling. These participants are senior perioperative nurses from an organ procurement organization in Taiwan. The minimum work experience of these nurses was at three years, which is an appropriate length of service when considering the feelings they had developed while participating in the organ procurement process (Wang & Lin, 2009). Setting The research setting was a major consideration in this study as it is done in northern Taiwan, a place that is generally known for its cultural reservations on the topics of death and organ donation (Wang & Lin, 2009). This study precisely looks into how nurses in this area feel and so the research setting was appropriately chosen. There was no mention, however, of where the actual interview was conducted. Data Collection Methods Data collection in qualitative research studies generally utilized interviews, though of varying kinds, depending on the general conditions of the research setting and the goals that the research wants to achieve (Broussard, 2006; Ryan, Coughlan, & Cronin, 2007). As such, the research study used a semi-structured questionnaire while conducting individual face-to-face in-depth interviews with the participants. This was used in order to allow the researcher to â€Å"lead an open conversation† and â€Å"not limit participants in terms of sharing† (Wang & Lin, 2009, p. 279) in order to provide an opportunity for an interactive data collection process. Colling (2003a) considers this an effective data collection process especially when acquiring qualitative data. The researchers also make mention of the structured inte rview outline being

Disability and Its Everyday Use Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Disability and Its Everyday Use - Dissertation Example Disability is considered as a curse or a characteristic of poverty in some third world countries, but it is treated as a normal medical condition in some First the World countries. Bangladesh is also another developing country with serious cases of disability and poverty. The country records one of the highest levels of disability rates in the world. 16% of the country’s population has disabilities (Mitra et al, 2011). The highest percentage of people with disabilities in Bangladesh is made up of women (23% compared to 10% for men). Disability prevalence is higher in poor countries than in rich countries. People with disabilities in Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and Burkina Faso also have a lower level of educational attainment and low employment rates (Eide & Ingstad, 2011). Disability is considered a curse or a characteristic of poverty in some third world countries, but it is treated as a normal medical condition in some First World countries. Bangladesh is also another developing c ountry with serious cases of disability and poverty. The country records one of the highest levels of disability rates in the world. 16% of the country’s population has disabilities (Mitra et al, 2011). The highest percentage of people with disabilities in Bangladesh is made up of women (23% compared to 10% for men). Disability prevalence is higher in poor countries than in rich countries. People with disabilities in Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and Burkina Faso also have a lower level of educational attainment and low employment rates (Eide & Ingstad, 2011). Disability affects millions of families in third world countries. About 650 million people around the world currently live with the disability, amounting to around 10% of the world’s total population (Mitra et al, 2011). Around 80 percent of the total number of people with a disability lives in third world countries. Disability is more common in poor communities than rich communities (Eide & Ingstad, 2011). While the tota l population of people with disability is only 10 percent of the world’s total population, the percentage is 20 percent among the world’s poorest communities. Developed or industrialized countries have adopted laws and practices to protect the rights of people with disability. For example, U.S.A. has anti-discrimination laws which allow people with disabilities to have access to work. The U.S.A. also has a large number of people with disabilities who own small businesses. Some companies in the United States and other developed countries also have disability management programs in the workplace. Furthermore, disability benefits and insurance programs are provided by employers in U.S.A as required by the law. However, U.S.A. still records a large number of people with disabilities without work. Employers argue that people with disabilities are not able to perform the required tasks effectively.

The more advances that are made in Medicine, the more things stay the Scholarship Essay - 1

The more advances that are made in Medicine, the more things stay the same. Discuss - Scholarship Essay Example This paper argues out this concept by giving the several impacts of the advancement of medicine on patients in the society. This will create the basis of the argument to verify its credibility. The paper will analyze both the positive and negative effects of advancement of medicine in the society today by looking at various situational cases where advanced medical services are used. The results of the use of advanced medical services lay the foundation of this argument considering its positivity and negativities. Because of the availability of medical equipment for research and treatment, researchers in the field of medicine have come up with different kinds of medicines which cure various diseases (Alyson, 2014). They have also been able to study complicated diseases in the recent years and have found the cure for some chronic diseases. Biotechnology is a great advancement in the field of medicine making it easy for people to live with chronic diseases. It prolongs the life of people suffering from serious and chronic illnesses by controlling of diseases or the virus in the body of patients. An example is dealing with patients suffering from cancer. Biotechnology has given hope to such patients by controlling the disease through chemotherapy hence prolonging their life span. The use of plastic body parts has also helped individuals to live a normal life (Catalunya, 2014). An example is patients suffering from breast cancer and has lost a part of her breast. Plastic breasts can be used to al low her live a normal life like any other woman. The advancement of medicine in the world today is due to the evolvement of technology as it improves to make solving problems today an easy task. There are various advancements in medicine today and a majority of them are influenced by the availability of advanced technology in the health sector. Medical advancements are aimed at

Personality Types Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Personality Types - Essay Example They are abstract thinkers who love to understand events and objects as much as possible, and are frustrated by any hindrance in this quest. They prefer to focus on the larger picture and think in the long term, making them ideal candidates for development work. They trust facts and believe that they are capable of holding all facts in objective thought. Most INTJ individuals have complex inner processes, but find it difficult to interpret these to another person. The INTJ are perfectionists, and believe that everything and everyone has a capacity for improvement. They often focus on achieving this improvement in their own functioning and in the tasks they take up. They also expect improvement from the people in their lives – a characteristic that can lead to strife. The INTJ also trust their own instincts and decisions completely, and can be put off by non-constructive criticism and non-responsiveness of others. But while this may be perceived as rigidity, they can in fact be very open to any input that would help improve an end result. Methods of study for an INTJ Since the INTJ are introverted and find social situations difficult, they study better when alone or with very few similar minded peers. They should try and find a location with the least interference if studying in a common study room.

Historic Fiction Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Historic Fiction - Essay Example The story spins around the life of Edmond Dantes, starting out from the years of his youth and innocence and develops as Dantes’ life takes new turns. Dumas has chosen to start the story with feelings of hope and ambition, only to turn these feelings around as Dantes is conspired against. Eventually Dantes is sent to the Chateau d’Iif, a notorious prison that has the ability to break down even the most potent of men. The innocent Dantes is shown as trusting of his comrades but essentially he is betrayed by the very people that he chooses to trust. The image of an innocent Dantes is something that everyone in the audience can relate to. This is true since human beings have a tendency to associate themselves with innocence and to declare themselves absolvent under most circumstances. Typically, the average human being feels more sinned against than sinned by. This is something that people can associate with regardless of the age that they themselves belong to. Dumas has m anipulated this aspect of human nature adeptly in order to make the story relevant to all kinds of audiences. This aspect has been replicated in order to produce wide appeal for the story being penned. Another notable aspect of Dumas’ work is the development of the plot once Dantes is inside the dreaded Chateau d’Iif. Dantes transforms from a God fearing Christian filled with hope for justice into a godless wretch who breeds nothing but hate and revenge. The actions carried out by Dantes such as his etching out the days in prison on the walls of his cell portray Dumas’ skill of involving the audience. Dantes etches days as long as he carries some hope of justice but he stops when he realizes that justice is not about to arrive. The overall creation of this sub climax inside the story signifies a strong technique used by Dumas – he uses outwards

Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy Essay Example for Free

Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy Essay In October 24, 1999, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers or ICANN approved the implementation of a legitimate policy that addresses the relationship between registrars of domain names where individuals may register domain names, and the clients who register themselves for a domain name under the registrars. The registrars or endorsers of domain names include domain names ending in . com, . org. , . edu, . net, etc. Registrars also include those who operate under â€Å"country-code top-level† types of domains. The â€Å"country-code top-level† types of domains include domain names ending in . au, . nu, . tv, etc. The purpose of ICANN’s espousal of the policy on Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution is to set up permissible rules and guidelines that shall be embodied in a contract or settlement, called the Registration Agreement, concerning the registered client to a domain name and other parties. The policy also ensures that clients who register under a domain name shall be accountable to the declarations agreed upon between the registrar and the client, as embodied within the Registration Agreement. Therefore, the act of registering under a domain name does not end with the registration itself. Clients who own domain names should be knowledgeable about the laws and regulations that are embodied in the Registration Agreement and implement them as long as the said domain name exists. When a client registers or renews a domain under the registrars of a domain name, he certifies the correctness and preciseness of the declarations written in the contract and settlement, that the client’s registration for a domain name under the registrar does not contravene with the rights of other factions, that the domain name under which the client is registered shall not be used for illegitimate functions, and shall not go against the recognized rules and guidelines for the use of the domain. These are the rules, which clients should be informed about upon registration. Moreover, unlawful functions that the registered domain name commits should be the responsibility of the client to detect or identify. Perhaps, examples of these unlawful functions or violations include those that violate copyrights or right of ownership, or those sites that promote the same themes or ideas as that with other registered domain names or, etc. It is the responsibility of the client to monitor subscribers or online users of the particular domain in order to determine if the domain name is being used unlawfully. For instance, subscribers of a domain name registered to a client, should also be warned and informed of legal clauses that fulfill their use or subscription under the domain name. At the same time, the client himself should be able to stray away from utilizing the domain name that offends other concerned parties. The registrar for domain names reserves the right to revoke or modify registration of clients under circumstances wherein the client informs the registrar to discontinue his registration under the particular domain name, a law-implementing body or a directorial panel informs the registrar to discontinue the registration of a client under the particular domain name, and with regards to the Registration Agreement, such as the expiration of the registration, domain names subject to renewal, etc. If the domain name registered under a client is found out to be operating illegally and implementing directives that are against the settlement, the client should be able to provide a mandatory administrative proceeding. This particular proceeding shall be handled by a body of service providers, which are in charge of the resolution of administrative disputes or arguments. The client shall be subject to provide a mandatory administrative proceeding under several reasons, such as the domain name be linked to another copyrighted trademark. Overall, this particular policy protects the rights of owners of trademarks or marks that are related to service. In order to resolve the dispute between the client who registered under a domain name and the owner of a copyrighted trademark, revocation of registration of the relocation of the domain name to the owner of a copyrighted trademark who espoused the complaint shall be implemented. Works Cited ICANN. â€Å"Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy. † 15 Feb. 2002. Retrieved from the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers 16 Apr. 2008 http://www. icann. org/udrp/udrp-policy-24oct99. htm.

Creatine Supplementation Do The Benefits Outweigh The Risks Biology Essay

Creatine Supplementation Do The Benefits Outweigh The Risks Biology Essay Creatine is a nitrogen based organic compound that is naturally synthesised in the body by the kidney, liver and pancreas. Over the past 2 decades creatine, usually in the form of creatine monohydrate, has become one of the most popular ergogenic aids used by amateur and professional athletes alike. A 2001 study involving over 600 high school students completing who completed surveys regarding the use of creatine. Over 75% of students had knowledge of creatine and its uses, 16% of whom admitted to using creatine as an ergogenic aid to improve athletic performance (Tracy et al,2001). Creatine combines with a phosphate to form phosphocreatine which is a vital way in which cells are able to store energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This is via the reversible creatine kinase reaction, so called as it is catalysed by the enzyme creatine kinase (Sweeney, 1994). Creatine monohydrate supplements are most beneficial in short duration, high intensity exercises lasting less than 30 seconds. The phosphocreatine is broken down to its constituent elements and ATP is resynthesised allowing for improved muscular performance. Taking creatine as a sports supplement is beneficial because it increases the total amount of phosphocreatine stored in resting muscle cells allowing for greater ATP resynthesis in intense activities. As well as being a commonly used sports supplement creatine is a widely researched compound due to its potential benefits in various areas of medicine. Studies have suggested that creatine may provide neuroprotective benefits, often via a similar mechanism, by delaying the onset of motor symptoms and improving survival rates in conditions such as Huntingtons disease and Parkinsons disease (Wyss and Schulze, 2002). Creatine has also proven its benefits in other neuromuscular diseases where muscular dystrophy is common by improving strength of muscular contractions in key muscles used in everyday exercises such as walking and lifting (Kreider, 1 998) . Some research has led scientists to believe that creatine plays a role in atherosclerotic protection against cardiovascular based conditions (Wyss and Schulze, 2002). This might be caused by oral creatine supplementation decreasing levels of the amino acid homocysteine in the blood plasma. Homocysteine is a commonly known risk factor for atherosclerotic disease so this may be the reason creatine can offer atherosclerotic protection. There are risks associated with using creatine as a supplement which could be as minor as trouble with acne or muscular cramping to renal dysfunction or even failure. This is a controversial area with opinions often split on whether creatine does cause renal disorders as there are many studies done concluding opposing outcomes. Further research needs to be done into this area to fully assess the risk factor for using creatine as many of the studies have been relatively short term in their nature. What is creatine? Creatine is a nitrogen based organic compound that is most commonly associated with sports supplementation. It is believed to have been first identified by a French chemist named Michel Eugene Chevreul in 1835 (Hultman et al,1996). Chevreul was able to identify the presence of creatine in a meat extract. The compound is not generally regarded a protein but is made up of 3 amino acids and consists of 32% nitrogen (Poortmans and Francaux, 1999). The chemical structure of creatine can be seen in Figure 1. Figure 1 Chemical Structure of Creatine The figure shows the chemical structure of creatine. The molecular formula of creatine is C4H9N3O2. The amino acids found in creatine are arginine, glycine and methinione. Over the past twenty years creatine has become one of the most popular ergogenic aids taken in the world of sport . An ergogenic aid is defined as any means of enhancing energy utilisation, including energy production, control and efficiency (Silver,2001). It is now known that increasing the amount of dietary creatine available leads to an increase in total muscle creatine [TCr]. As well as this, there is also evidence that both total intramuscular creatine increases levels rise as well as levels of phosphocreatine [PCr] (Martini,2006). During intense exercise phosphocreatine is broken down to creatine and inorganic phosphate (combines with ADP to form ATP) which is the fastest source for the re-synthesis of ATP molecules during the first 10 seconds of high intensity exercise (Mougois,2006). As intense exercise continues and phosphocreatine stores become depleted, ATP is not resynthesised at the same rate and performance levels drop. This is where evidence suggests that creatine can help to increase performance by delaying the inevitable depletion of phosphocreatine stores. Creatine, as a sports supplement, has only been shown to be beneficial during such short duration exercises. These range from sprinting to power lifting so an array of athletes take advantage of the compound including sprinters, rugby players and weight lifters. Creatine is synthesised naturally in the body but only at a rate of 1 to 2 grams per day (McArdle, 2009). This takes place primarily in the liver, pancreas and kidneys. It is therefore im portant to eat foods rich in creatine as part of a healthy, balanced diet. Such foods include poultry and fish which contain around 5g of creatine per kg of food weight (McArdle, 2006). Approximately half of the creatine used by the body is replaced through the diet with the other half replaced via endogenous synthesis. Approximately 95% of stored creatine is found in skeletal muscle (Spillane et al,2009). As only meat foods contain creatine it is often difficult for vegetarians to obtain ample exogenous creatine via the diet. As a sports supplement, creatine is usually taken in the form of creatine monohydrate (CrH2O). Creatine monohydrate is taken in either capsule or powder form and, nowadays, is readily available online and in high street shops (Kreiber, 1998). When did creatine become popular? Creatine first came into the public eye after the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona. Linford Christie, who won the Gold medal in the 100m event, admitted to taking creatine monohydrate supplements during his training program. The International Olympic Committee does not consider creatine an illegal substance so athletes are free to take it. 30% of high school athletes admitted to using it with the figure for both professional and college athletes is higher still. In terms of nutritional supplementation net annual sales of creatine are nearly 500 million dollars in the USA alone (Metzl et al, 2001) making it the most popular ergogenic aid used legally. In 2004, a new form of creatine supplementation was introduced to the market called creatine ethyl ester. This is now a very commonly used form of the supplement. It is said to be beneficial due to increased absorption rates compared with standard creatine monohydrate. However, studies have also shown that there is no advantage to be gained from taking creatine ethyl ester (Figure 2) compared with regular creatine monohydrate supplements (Spillane et al,2009). The study focused on claims that using the revolutionary creatine ethyl ester increases the bio-availability of creatine allowing for greater gains in performace. Subjects were randomly assigned in a double blind fashion to either a creatine ethyl ester group, a creatine monohydrate group or a maltodextrose placebo group. During the investigation both the creatine monohydrate subjects and the creatine ethyl ester subjects observed improvements in both muscle strength and muscle power but there was little difference recorded between the two creatine based groups. The authors were able to conclude that despite claims, creatine ethyl ester provides no benefits, as a sports supplement, compared with creatine monohydrate (Spillane et al,2009) Figure 2 Creatine ethyl ester As can clearly be seen from the diagram the chemical structure of creatine ethyl ester is slightly different to that of creatine. The molecular formula is C6H13N3O2. How to take creatine? Creatine monohydrate is widely available and is usually found in powder or capsule form. Unlike many protein supplements creatine is not usually flavoured and is just mixed with water. When starting to take creatine as a supplement the athlete must first undergo the loading phase which usually lasts no more than a week. This is necessary to elevate intramuscular levels of creatine phosphate and involves taking 5 grams of creatine 4 times a day. Taking 20g a day elevates both free creatine and creatine phosphate levels by between 10 and 30% (McArdle,2009). The short term mass gains experienced by users of creatine are likely to be primarily caused by water retention. Users of creatine should limit their caffeine intake because it is now well known that caffeine counteracts the ergogenic benefits that the substance provides. In 1996 a Belgian study concluded caffeine has the ability to completely eliminate the ergogenic benefit of creatine supplementation (Vandenberghe et al, 1996). Th erefore it is vital that athletes who use creatine limit their caffeine intake to a minimum if not exclude caffeine containing drinks from their diet all together to prevent the impact of the supplement being inhibited. It has also been proven that caffeine intake prolongs muscle relaxation time, therefore opposing the action of the creatine which is able to shorten muscular relaxation time (Hespel,2002). Does creatine possess other benefits? As well as the much documented use of creatine as a sports supplement, the compound is the basis of intense, scientific research with regards to its possible benefits in other areas. Among these is the potential use of creatine to protect against both neurological and atherosclerotic disease. It is thought that creatine administration may be beneficial in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by increasing muscle mass (Fuld et al, 2005). Creatine supplementation displayed neuroprotective effects in various animal models of both Huntingtons and Parkinsons disease (Wyss and Schulze, 2002) as well as in McArdles disease (Vorgerd et al,2000). Also in this paper, the authors looked into atherosclerotic protection which may be provided by creatine by lowering the concentration, in the blood, of the amino acid homocysteine. Homocysteine has previously been identified as an atherosclerotic risk factor. A 2002 study focused primarily on the effects creatine had on transgenic animal m odels of Huntingtons disease. Again, this study found creatine to be beneficial in that survival rates increased and delayed the development of motor symptoms associated with the condition (Andreassen et al, 2001). Much research has focused on the possibility of creatine supplementation increasing strength and power in neuromuscular disease patients who often suffer with muscular dystrophy (Tarnospolsky and Martin,1999) . Handgrip and body weight, as well as other measures, were taken and showed significant improvement after the course of supplementation. As well as the potential neuroprotective benefits of creatine, research has also taken place to find other advantages of the creatine compound. Sullivan et al, for example found that creatine can help provide protection against traumatic brain injury (Sullivan et al, 2001). However, this evidence was only gathered using transgenic mice models so further and more extensive studies need to be conducted. Animal models were used during the study and post chronic administration of creatine cortical damage to the mice was reduced by as much as 50%. The potential use of creatine as a form of treatment in Huntingdons disease is revolutionary and vitally important. This is because there is no current effective treatment for the condition so all forms of potential therapy must be explored. A study in 2000 looked into whether, by increasing phosphocreatine levels, creatine could be administered to Hutingdons disease sufferers. Although there has been little research into the matter, there is a possibility that creatine supplementation can influence bone biology (Candow and Chilibeck,2010). Resistance training alone has previously shown to be beneficial, especially to the elderly to help reduce bone loss which in turn decreases the likelihood of bone fractures. Long term creatine supplementation, possibly coupled with resistance training may be a future method in helping to maintain bone structure and reduce the risk of falls and injuries (Candow and Chilbeck,2010). As well as this the aging process is also responsible for sarcopenia which is essentially a reduction in muscle mass resulting in decreased muscle function and muscle weakness (Evans,1995) (Tarnopolsky and Safdar,2008). Creatine supplementation, combined with resistance training may be able to reduce muscle wastage and increase muscular hypertrophy (Dalbo et al,2009). This is believed to be due to the activation of satellite cells. These were first discovered in 1961 during microscopic studies of muscle fibre tissue (Mauro,1961). Since then much information has been obtained as to their function. Satellite cells are believed to function as progenitor cells to the myofibre nuclei which are involved in muscle cell growth (Campion,1984). Muscle fibres are not able to divide, so new muscle fibres are formed through the division of satellite cells. This contributes to the ability of skeletal muscle tissue to repair itself following an injury (Martini,2006). Are there any risks to taking creatine in the long term? Despite the various benefits I have described creatine does have its critics. Numerous studies have focused on the worrying link between its use and renal dysfunction or even complete renal failure. In particular a study by Pritchard and Kalra concluded that creatine had been the underlying factor which led to renal dysfunction in their subject (Pritchard and Kalra,1998) . This was thought to be due largely to the fact that creatine is degraded to creatinine prior to excretion in the urine. This led to further studies on the issue but there is still no definitive answer as to whether the use of creatine as a supplement contributes to renal dysfunction. Another study by Thorsteinsdottir et al in 2006 focused on the alarming case of a healthy 24 year old who was diagnosed with acute renal failure while taking several dietary supplements, including creatine monohydrate. For example, a paper by Poortmans and Francaux (1998) looked into the findings from the Pritchard paper by supplementi ng subjects for as long as 5 years. They found no link whatsoever between the use of creatine and impaired renal function. The same paper also found there to be no impact on blood pressure either. Despite this it is generally accepted that those suffering with renal disorders should refrain from the use of the supplement. While use of creatine as a supplement for a period up to 8 weeks has shown no detrimental health effects, further work must be done to investigate any long term health implications which may arise. Studies focusing on creatine supplementation in endurance athletes have sometimes found that taking the substance could actually inhibit performance. This is thought to be due to the weight gain sometimes attributed to the use of creatine (Balsom et al,1994). There have also been numerous links between creatine supplementation and increases in acne, especially among adolescent athletes which could be another factor in a performer choosing to avoid supplementation. Creati ne use has been linked with outbreaks of acne especially among adolescents. A study by Kaymak in 2008 concluded that between 15-20% of subjects treated had high blood plasma levels of creatine phosphokinase. A clinical report by Landau et al in 2001 also produced similar results with up to 51% of patients being treated with isotretinoin having elevated blood creatine kinase levels. As creatine use became more prominent links began to be forged that the person taking the supplement could be more prone to muscular cramping and spasms, particularly during exercise (Poortmans,2000). However, there is also evidence to the contrary. In 2001 a study was carried out using 26 athletes from various sports (Schilling et al, 2001) . Although the authors focused on the long term clinical markers of creatine use they were able to conclude that there was no increased risk of muscular cramping through use of the supplement. These findings were backed up in 2003 when a paper was published following a 3 year study using elite college athletes (Greenwood et al, 2003). The data was collected between 1998 and 2000 and the authors looked into whether creatine use had any affect over the rate of muscular cramping and injury. Their results showed no significant difference between the placebo group and the creatine taking group allowing them to conclude that creatine had no effect over cramping rate. Similiar conclusions were made in a study by Dalbo et al(2008). Although the majority of evidence gathered suggests that using creatine monohydrate as a nutritional supplement does lead to performance improvements in high intensity, short duration exercise there is some evidence to the contrary. A 1995 study concluded that there is no benefit to using creatine during short term, high intensity bicycle riding (Cooke et al,1995). There was no difference between the power output of the control group compared with the group who had taken the supplement. These findings are interesting due to the large amount of research which concluded that creatine supplementation was advantageous during this manner of exercise. Creatine and endurance events Most of the evidence gathered has suggested that creatine is only beneficial in short, power based activities and has no known advantages with regards to endurance events. This is partly thought to be due to the weight gain attributed to creatine supplementation due to water retention. However in 2004 a novel experiment was conducted which investigated the potential use of creatine to reduce inflammatory and muscle soreness markers during a 30km bicycle race (Santos et al,2004) . The markers the scientists measured were creatine kinase (CK), lacate dehydrogenase (LDH), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and tumor necrosis factor alpha. The subjects used were all experienced road runners whose personal best times for a marathon distance ranged from 2.5 to 3 hours. The subjects undertook the standard creatine loading phase, as well as a small dose of maltodextrin, in the fortnight leading up to the race. Maltodextrin is a commonly used food additive that is used in both the creatine subjects and the placebo subjects so there is no difference in the flavour of the compounds taken. Santos et al found that, in their subject s, the markers of muscle soreness were significantly higher in the control group (who took maltodextrine but not creatine) than in those who had taken creatine. This implies that although creatine has not yet to prove any performance benefits during endurance events it may be beneficial in reducing soreness and improving recovery post exercise by reducing cell damage (Santos, R et al, 2004). In this project I will look into the array of benefits creatine can provide as well as investigating its negative aspects. I then hope to conclude in what situations the benefits outweigh the potential risks as well as where the risk factor may be too high to warrant using the substance. Creatine as a sports supplement As I have already mentioned, it is now known that creatine monohydrate supplements work by increasing the total amount of phosphocreatine available to resting muscle cells. During intense exercise this is broken down to its constituent elements (Phosphate and creatine) and the energy released is used to drive the re-synthesis of ATP, the universal energy currency (Kreider, RB, 1998). As only a very small amount (approximately 2g per day) is synthesised naturally by the liver, pancreas and kidneys extra phosphocreatine in the muscle cells serves to reduce fatigue during high intensity, short duration activities like sprinting. A study by Kerksick et al in 2007 investigated the impact of various different protein sources and creatine on the human body following a 12 weeks high intensity resistance program. 49 subjects were used who regularly attended the gym to carry out weight lifting exercises. Some subjects were administered with a colostrum protein blend, which is formed from the mild delivered by cows in the days following giving birth. Other subjects were given colostrums combined with creatine administration. A protein control group was put in place and Kerksick et al predicted that the inclusion of creatine with the colostrums blend would bring about greater improvements in both body composition and power than those taking colostrum alone. The resistance training program led to mass gains for all subjects but the greatest lean mass gains were achieved by those taking a blend of creatine and colostrums protein. However, there was no significant improvement in subjects one repetition maximum on the be nch press between the protein control group, the c colostrum group or the colostrums/creatine group. Due to the increased availability of phosphocreatine it would have been predicted that the colostrum/creatine group would have achieved the greatest improvements in this exercise over the 12 week study. In some cases as little as one week of supplementation can be enough to produce performance improvements (Volek et al,1997). Volek used 14 active, male subjects in a double blind fashion where 7 where unknowingly the placebo group and 7 were administered with oral creatine monohydrate supplement. Bench press and squat jumps were the chosen exercises to measure the effect of creatine on performance. As well as increases in the weight subjects could bench press, and increases in power output for the squat jumps there was also a noticeable increase in lean body mass among the subjects of up to 2.7 kg, possibly due to the water retention attributed to creatine use. Despite all the evidence which has been gathered implying that creatine does play a role in helping enhance ATP resynthesis during short term, high intensity exercises there is some evidence to the contrary. In particular a paper by Cooke et al in 1995 concluded that their subjects had experienced no benefit whatsoever to using the supplement for their high intensity, intermittent bicycle sprints. The authors focused primarily on the power output the subjects were able to exert as well as fatigue levels experienced. 12 healthy yet untrained male subjects were used for the study, 6 of which were the placebo group with the other 6 making up the supplemented group. The supplemented subjects used the loading phase technique to increase the levels of phosphocreatine in resting muscle cells faster, but the phase only lasted for 5 days. This may have been too short a period of time to load them as most manufacturers suggest a 2 week loading phase. However, as I have mentioned Volek et al, 1 997 found performance improvements could occur in as little as a week. Cooke et al found there to be no significant difference between the power output between the two groups, prior to or after the supplementation period. This led the authors to conclude that use of creatine as an ergogenic aid has no positive effect over a persons ability to exert more power in muscular contraction, which opposes much of the evidence gathered in other studies. Creatine and its neuroprotective effects In some studies creatine has demonstrated neuroprotective effects. In some animal models creatine has provided neurological protection against the onset of symptoms in both Parkinsons and Huntingtons disease (Wyss and Schulze,2002). There are three main steps involved in creatine metabolism with one being creatine transporter. The others are, firstly, AGAT which is L-arginine :glycine amidinotransferase. This forms precursors to the creatine molecule itself. Also, GAMT is involved in the biosynthesis of creatine molecules. Deficiency of either AGAT or GAMT leads to a deficiency in both creatine and phosphocreatine in the brain, which can lead to severe mental retardation (Schutz and Stockler, 2007). In the studies carried out by Wyss and Schulze there was a noticeable improvement in clinical symptoms of both AGAT and GAMT deficiencies but there was no change with the creatine transporter disorders. Dechent et al, 1999 also found that oral creatine monohydrate supplementation also inc reased creatine levels in the brain. Furthermore, in transgenic mouse models of Huntingtons disease, creatine administration has shown to improve survival rates, as well as prevent the inevitable onset of symptoms. (Andreassen et al,2001). This was concluded to be via a similar method to how creatine operates as an ergogenic aid, but by increasing phosphocreatine levels in the brain, rather than in muscle cells. A minimal dietary administration, of just 2% creatine was enough to provide positive results in the study and provide neurological protection. Huntingtons disease is often associated with loss in weight and the creatine presence also helped to minimise weight loss in the animal subjects. In 2002 a revolutionary study was carried out by Jacobs et al into the possibility of using oral creatine monohydrate to assist the recovery of patients with spinal cord injuries at the cervical vertebrae level. Sixteen subjects were used for the study who had suffered injuries between the C5 and C7 vertebrae. Results showed that VO2 max, VCO2 max, and time to fatigue were all greater in the supplemented group compared with the placebo group and Jacobs concluded that there is definite benefit in using creatine to assist with training in the rehabilitation of such severe spinal injuries. This again demonstrates the potential uses that creatine supplementation has in providing neurological protection and rehabilitation. Creatine supplementation may also be beneficial in patients suffering with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Rosenfeld, 2008). This is a neurodegenerative progressive disorder which is characterised by muscular dystrophy and can be fatal. An advantage of this trial was the large sample size, which was over 100 subjects. While creatine did not significantly improve motor or respiratory capacity there was a definitive trend toward increased survival rates among the creatine supplemented subject group. Rosenfeld called for further research to be considered into the increases survival rates that were linked to the use of creatine. Creatine and renal failure It has been predicted that a long term nitrogen rich diet lends itself to cause both structural and functional deformities of the kidney and may eventually cause renal hyperfiltration (Poortmans and Francaux,1999). Due to the high nitrogen content of creatine much research has been done into whether there is a long term danger to using the supplement. In 1998 a rather controversial paper was published by Pritchard and Kalra which researched into the possible links between use of creatine as a sports supplement, following the death of 3 American college wrestlers who were taking the substance. The article was published in the Lancet and became the topic of much debate in years to come. Pritchard and Kalra concluded that there was strong circumstantial evidence to suggest that creatine was responsible for the deterioration in renal function (Pritchard and Kalra,1998). The subject suffered with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis but despite this all markers of renal function were normal, such as creatinine clearance values. However, when the 25 year old subject was studied 8 years later creatinine clearance had decreased considerably. The male admitted to using creatine based supplements during a pre season football training program which Pritchard and Kalra felt was an underlying factor in the deterioration in the mans renal functio ning. This paper was a topic for much debate, due largely to the fact that the patient investigated by Pritchard and Kalra had underlying renal issues prior to the study, which the authors seem to ignore in their conclusions. The size of the study is also questionable due to the fact that there was only a sole participant therefore no a repeat or variety in results taken. There were also just 4 references noted at the end of the article suggesting that Pritchard and Kalra may not have taken into full account all other evidence that had been obtained by other studies. Due to the ever increasing popularity of creatine supplementation, along with its continued link with renal failure there have been a vast number of studies in this area. A study by Edmunds et al in 2000 focused on the progression of renal disease in Han:Sprague-Dawley (SPRD) rat models with cystic kidney disease. The rats undertook the loading phase of supplementation which I described in the introduction. This is the same technique used in humans to increase the amount of free phosphocreatine. Obviously, the intake of creatine was reduced, in comparison with humans, to 2g/kg of diet for the one week loading phase, followed by a 5 week period where the dosage administered was 0.4g/kg of diet to compare. The authors measured the progression of renal disease my taking kidney size records as well as determining cyst scores. The cysts often develop in chronic cases where the cysts grow and inhibit the blood filtering capabilities of the organ (Parker,2007).Edmunds hypothesis stated that due to the relatively short life span of the animals used, any impact that creatine supplementation has on renal function could be more readily detected. The findings supported this hypothesis as the rats that had been administered with creatine suffered greater renal disease progression than the control group. The kidney sizes were as much as 10% larger, in some cases, than the control group which is an indicator of further progression of the condition. The creatine was administered in a creatine/glutamine mixture which supplement manufacturers often do as glutamine is believed to significantly improve absorption of creatine. As expected all other markers of renal function agreed with the hypothesis. Creatinine serum clearance was 23% lower in the supplemented group and cyst scored were 23% greater compared with the control group. At the time of Edmunds paper there had still not been a long term controlled study into the effect creatine supplementation may have on renal function. Although the findings seem conclusive I feel it is important to consider that animal models were used as oppose to humans, although this was partially due to the time restrictions. Also the sample sizes are adequate but by no means large with 14 males and just 12 females making up the creatine supplemented groups. As well as this the length of the study is quite short with the supplementing period lasting 6 weeks in total. Therefore it remains unclear as to the long term risks that can be associated with creatine and renal issues. In spite of this, the paper exacerbates the advice that athletes with any form of renal condition should avoid using creatine as an ergogenic aid. In contrast there numerous studies have taken place which have focused on the potential link between creatine and renal disorders and concluded that there is no health risk to taking the substance. In 1999, Poortmans and Francaux conducted a long term study on the issue. This was important because some of the investigations done around this time were short term and didnt account for the potential long term health risks, if creatine were to be taken over a substantial period of time. Poortmans and Francaux refer to the controversial Lancet publication by Pritchard and Kalra in their introduction and used this to form their hypothesis that short and medium term creatine supplementation in men does not have any detrimental e