Thursday, November 28, 2019

The Moon Is Down Essay Example For Students

The Moon Is Down Essay BASIC STRATEGIES FOR EFFECTIVE STUDIESEffective learning depends upon good study habits. Efficient study skills do not simply occur; they must first be learned and then applied consistently. Good study strategies include a preset time for study, a desirable place to study, and a well-designed study plan. A Time to studyAll of us think we have more things to do than we have time to do, and studying gets shortchanged. It is important to prepare a schedule of daily activities that includes time slots for doing the studying we have to do. Within each study slot, write in the specific study activity; for example, ?Read Unit 6 of accounting; do Problems 1-5.? Keep the schedule flexible so that it can be modified after you assess your success in meeting your study goals within each time slot. We will write a custom essay on The Moon Is Down specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now A Place to studyChoose the best place to study and use the same one every day. Doing so will help to put you in a study mood when you enter that place. According to Usova (1989, 37), ? The library is not always a desirable place to study.? Choose a place that has the fewest distractions such as people traffic, conversation, telephone, TV, and outside noises. Study is usually best done alone and in the absence of sights and sounds that distract the eye and ear. In your chosen quite place, force the mind to concentrate on the task at hand. A Plan for StudyResearch on the effects of specific study skills on student performance (Dansereau, 1985, 39) suggests that the following study tactics help to improve academic performance. 1. Skim a unit or a chapter, noting headings, topic sentences, key words, and definitions. This overview will clue you to what you are about to study. 2. As you read a unit or chapter, convert the headings into questions; then seek answers to those questions as you read. 3. If you own the book, use the color marking pens to highlight important ideas: headings, topic sentences, special terms, definitions, and supporting facts. If you dont own the book, make notes of these important ideas and facts. 4. After you have completed a unit or chapter, review the highlighted item (or your notes which contain them.) 5. Using the headings stated as questions, see if you can answer those questions based on your reading. 6. Test yourself to see if you can recall definitions of important terms and list of supporting facts or ideas. A high correlation exists between good study habits and good grades for the courses taken in school. REFERENCESDansereau, D. F. ?Learning Strategy Research.? Thinking and Learning Skills. Vol.1. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence E Erlbaum 1985, 21-40. Usova, George M. Efficient Study Strategies. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company, 1989.

Sunday, November 24, 2019

Validity of interview and personality assessment

Validity of interview and personality assessment Free Online Research Papers The management of human resources has become one of the major challenges of companies. The choice of appropriate selection methods is crucial, mainly as errors in the recruitment process are costly to the companies. The only way to be effective in managing human resources is to use selection methods whose reliability has been proven scientifically. It is not enough to feel a selection method is appropriate for her to be in reality. Certainly, we can consider this insight as a first indication, but not give it great importance, and be especially careful not to turn it into a true belief. In this perspective, the experimental verification of any assessment method is the only rational way that can confirm or deny the validity of an evaluation method. Given the impressive amount of selection methods, each of which claims to be the most effective it is not easy to make a choice. This is especially true; in general, HR professionals do not know the most relevant selection method that they can use. Must we choose, for example, an evaluation method based on its reputation or frequency of use? In this perspective, is a selection method which is known or widely used relevant? What are they really able to predict and to what extent? The purpose of this research is to advise on the effectiveness of selection interviews and personality assessment in decisions related to prediction of job performance. INTRODUCTION The main purpose of the selection process is to select the best applicant from the applicant pool that will perform well in the job. Thus predictability of job performance of the applicant is an essential component of selection thus various measurement tools are used to assess the possibilities of successful candidates, selection interviews, and personality assessment are amongst the widely used. But to safely use a performance predictor method, it is essential that it should have specific scientific references to guarantee maximum efficiency. These benchmarks will verify if the method used measures what it purports to measure. Also it is worthy to note that for selection interviews and personality assessment to be effective job performance predictors they should posses certain essential qualities, and should be used in respect of certain rules and under certain conditions. THE SCIENTIFIC REQUIREMENTS THAT GUARANTEE THE VALIDITY OF ASSESSMENT METHODS AS JOB PERFORMANCE PREDICTORS. As aforementioned it for selection any selection method to play its role of job performance predictor, there should be certain scientific benchmarks that verify if the measure actually measures what it purports to and the measure should be used under certain conditions following a given procedure. Essential qualities of job performance predictors The first criterion concerns the psychometric qualities which are three in number namely; reliability, utility or variability and validity. Reliability is the first of the qualities any job performance predictor should posses. Reliability is obtained when a procedure applied twice to the same subjects gives practically equivalent results.There are three methods to evaluate the reliability of a test, all three based on a correlation study. The first is the method of test-retest, the second is called the uniformity and the third is the method of equivalence The utility or variability of a method of assessment is an essential quality which will help to classify subjects thus discriminating. In other words, the method used should allow drawing a clear cut distinction between subjects that take the assessment on the measure it purports to measure. It is essential that the procedure is neither too difficult nor too easy and it is especially adapted to the population in question. Finally, validity is the last quality that must possess an assessment method. This will be valid if it really brings the expected information necessary for decision making. There are three types of validity: Content validity; which raises the question of whether, the content of the assessment method is the content area of this method is suppose to measure. -Construct validity that will legitimize the value of the tool, it will check if the tool actually develops measures for the phenomenon it is supposed to measure. Predictive validity assesses whether the test can predict behaviour in a work situation. The second criterion is sampling and calibration. Sampling is to determine a population sample on which the assessment method will be calibrated. This is in accordance with the objective of the test and candidates to which it will be applied, the selected sample will be representative of the population as a whole or a specified portion of the population according to age, sex, level of education or function. Benchmarking, meanwhile, is a process to have standards against which to compare issues between them. On the other hand, a reliable method of assessment which can be used by professional safely must necessarily provide reliable reference standards that can allow a single subject to be compared to a group. It is essential that the calibration groups are sufficiently important and most representative. Indeed, the validity of an interpretation depends exclusively on the quality of sampling and representativeness of standards. If these various requirements are not met, it is likely that the valuation method used does not have any guarantee for its user. Terms of use and conditions of administration of job performance predictors The relevance of a job performance predictor requires that we focus on the conditions of use and administration. With these conditions, two concepts are fundamental. The first concerns the standardization and the second concerns the actors who are responsible for their implementation. The standardization of a situation must allow comparison between subjects respecting a number of parameters such as: The psychological conditions of the candidates (reassure the candidates); Compliance level instructions (the transmission must be the same for each candidate); -Compliance with environmental conditions (the environment must be the same and most appropriate for each candidate), the full standardization of a situation does not exist and the only ambition is to approach it. It is not enough that the tools meet scientific requirements, nor that there exist standardized situations. It also requires that the assessment methods are chosen carefully and used in conditions where professionalism and ethics should prevail. THE VALIDITY AND UTILITY OF THE SELECTION INTERVIEW AND PERSONALITY ASSESSMENT This section is devoted to the level of validity of the main methods of assessment used in a context of professional prognosis. These data are derived from a synthesis of scientific literature on the subject. The selection interview The interview as a job performance predictor has always occupied the first place. But according to numerous studies, it is not a technique as reliable as one might think. However, the interview as a job performance predictor tool is absolutely essential but it might be wiser to give it less weight in decision making. The majority of work indicates that the traditional interview (unstructured, semi-structured interview and direct interviews) has low reliability, poor validity and unlike structured and situational interviews, which are conceived after propal job analysis have stronger reliability and validity. The low relevance of the traditional interview is simple to understand and, for a number of reasons. On the one hand, the lack of interview guide contributes to increase the difficulty of asking the same questions to each candidate. On the other hand, the situations are not standardized and therefore it is quite possible that the change of environment in which each candidate takes the interview, may distort the content of the interview. In addition, to the contrast effect do not forget that in reality, consultants or hiring managers rarely perform interviews in a single day. According to multiple studies, it appears that there is a contrast effect that indicates at least part of the assessment of the interviewee would be due to the quality of interviewees who immediately proceeded. What may seem surprising is the preponderance of traditional interview as a job performance predictor and selection method while its reliability is low. Despite this finding, the aim is not to abandon maintenance on the contrary, but make sure to increase its reliability and validity. By conducting a job analysis of the position in order to develop a guide that might help to ask only questions related to the position vacant. The reliability of the interview will be even better. The validity can be improved by training the interviewers through seminars, on interview techniques. Knowing the shortcomings of an interview, but also be able to better combat them. Personality assessment Personality assessment includes all tests using the cognitive and affective aspects of personality. There are two types of personality assessments used in selection: the personality questionnaires and projective tests. While personality tests and projective techniques assess personality, these two methods are fundamentally different. Thus, if the projective tests part of a comprehensive approach to personality, personality tests are part of a much more analytical approach, which decomposes the personality traits such as Extraversion, Agreeableness, Emotional Stability, Conscientiousness, and Openness to Experience which is a five factor model widely accepted taxonomy of personality(Rothstein Goffin,2006). Murphy (2000) has provided an analysis of the key issues to consider justifying making inferences from meta-analyses for research or personnel selection. These issues are (a) the quality of the data base and the quality of the primary studies it contains; (b) whether the studies included in the meta-analysis are representative of the population of potential applications of the predictor; (c) whether a particular test being considered for use is a member of the population of instruments examined in the meta-analysis; and (d) whether the situation intended for use is similar to the situations sampled in the meta-analysis Barrick and Mount found that the estimated true correlation between FFM dimensions of personality and performance across both occupational groups and criterion types ranged from .04 for Openness to Experience to .22 for Conscientiousness. Although correlations in this range may seem relatively modest, nevertheless these results provided a more optimistic view of the potential of personality for predicting job performance and this study had an enormous impact on researchers and practitioners (Mount Barrick,1998; Murphy,1997, 2000). In addition, there is a continuing debate on whether or not such â€Å"broad† personality dimensions are more or less effective than narrow (i.e., specific traits) personality measures for predicting job performance (see below for a review of this ongoing debate). Once again, it is not possible to review in this context all the controversies and debate surrounding how well the FFM represents the structure of personality. However, for researchers and practitioners interested in the use of personality measures in personnel selection, it is important to recognize that there is more to personality than the FFM. The choice of personality measure to use in a selection context should consider a number of factors, not the least of which is the development of a predictive hypothesis on the relations expected between the personality measure and the performance criterion of interest (Rothstein Jelley, 2003). Two other issues made salient by the contribution of meta-analytic studies to understanding personality–job performance research concern the importance of acknowledging the bidirectional nature of much more potential personality – job performance relations, and appreciating the potential role of moderators between personality and performance criteria. The projective methods based on the notion of perceptual mechanism and consist of a set of tests that will help from a more or less structured material an emotional release, a projection of the personality of the subject in the test. These techniques allow a holistic evaluation i.e. the overall personality, which is regarded as a dynamic evolving. Mastery of these methods requires a long training which usually lasts several years after a complete course in psychology In summary, despite the controversy surrounding the meta-analysis and the FFM, the weight of the meta-analysis evidence clearly leads to the conclusion that the measures of personality may be a significant contributor to the prediction of job performance. The impact of these meta-analysis has opposed the earlier findings of Guion and Gottier (1965) and put the personality back into research and practice. In the decade or more since these meta-analysis began to be published research of personality and job performance has continued, creating a wealth of understanding and implications for the use of personality measures in personnel selection. We review the important future trends in this research, with particular emphasis on implications for research and practice in human resource management. Although criticism of the FFM continues, many researchers have accepted it as a reasonable taxonomy of personality characteristics and moved beyond the basic question of whether personality predicts job performance to examine more specific applications (Rothstein Jelley, 2003). Simmering, Colquitt, Noe, and Porter (2003) determined that Conscientiousness was positively related to employee development, but only when employees felt that the degree of autonomy in their jobs did not fit their needs. The importance of a confirmatory research strategy was reinforced by Nikolaou (2003) who reported that although FFM dimensions were not generally related to overall job performance, Agreeableness were related to performance involving interpersonal skills. Hochwarter, Witt, and Kacmar (2000) determined that Conscientiousness was related to performance when employees perceived high levels of organizational politics, but no relations were found among employees perceiving low levels of organizational politics. Witt, 2002), Extraversion was related to job performance when employees were also high in Conscientiousness, but with employees low in Conscientiousness, Extraversion was negatively related to performance. As Rothstein and Jelly (2003) have argued, personality measures are relatively more situationally specific, compared with a measure of general mental ability. This makes the use of validity generalization principles to justify the use of a personality measure in selection more challenging because there may be numerous situational moderators as the above research illustrates. For human resource researchers and practitioners in personnel selection, the key is careful alignment of personality and performance criteria as well as consideration of other potential contextual factors related to the job or organization. Another potential interpretation of the relatively low correlations typically found between personality measures and job performance criteria, in addition to unknown or unmeasured moderator effects, is that personality may only have indirect effects on performance and that there may be stronger relations with mediator variables that in turn are more strongly related to job performance (Rothstein Jelley, 2003). The logic of this proposition is based on the generally accepted definition of personality as a predisposition to certain types of behavior. Accordingly, if this behavior could be measured directly, such measures may mediate relations between personality and job performance. Only a small number of research studies have been conducted over the past decade, but results support the existence of mediator effects. Collectively these studies illustrate once again that a confirmatory research strategy provides valuable insights to the nature of personality–job performance relations. Such strategies contribute to more comprehensive predictive models and better understanding of how personality affects job performance directly and indirectly. Although relatively few studies of mediator effects have been reported in the literature thus far, existing research indicates that both research and practice in personnel selection would benefit from such studies. Discovering indirect effects of personality on job performance through mediator variables may also help to understand why so many personality–job performance relations are situationally specific which in turn would lead to more effective personnel selection practices. Although repeated meta-analyses have supported the conclusion that personality predicts job performance (Barrick Mount,2003), from the perspective of human resource researchers and practitioners an important question remaining is to what degree is this prediction incremental in validity and value over other personnel selection techniques. Judge, Bono, Ilies, and Gerhardt (2002) determined that Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness to Experience, and Conscientiousness were all related to leadership criteria (leader emergence and leader effectiveness) with Extraversion being the most consistent predictor across studies. Research Papers on Validity of interview and personality assessmentIncorporating Risk and Uncertainty Factor in CapitalResearch Process Part OneInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married MalesBionic Assembly System: A New Concept of SelfStandardized TestingOpen Architechture a white paperThree Concepts of PsychodynamicThe Project Managment Office SystemThe Relationship Between Delinquency and Drug UseDefinition of Export Quotas

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Audience Analysis and Reception Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Audience Analysis and Reception - Essay Example Also, since the audience is the management of the workplace, I must also keep in mind that my report should be concise and to-the-point, since the management would not have enough to time to spare and read a lengthy report with more hanky-panky and less real content. The report should reflect the overall impression of the organization. The most important things to consider while writing a formal report are its tone, structure, and length. However, other audience needs include their age and educational level. I must not present complex, technical information to non-technical audience. To go into some more detail, a formal report must contain some or all of these structural components, keeping in view that the management is going to judge me on the basis of the report I present to them. I must give proper consideration to the front matter, the body of the report, and the back matter. The front matter includes a little information about the addressee, the executive summary of the report, the title page, table of contents, and lists of figures and tables. The body of the report should include introduction to the report, the discussion of findings and results, and the conclusion. The back matter must contain the appendix, references, and glossary. This is how I should format my report when I have to present it to the management, keeping in view the needs of the audience. It is also important to discuss here the risks of not considering the audience’s needs. The main risk is that the management will consider me as an irresponsible individual, with no sense of how to deal with seniors. Although the management already knows my educational and professional background, yet they will expect me to prove myself after I have become an employee with their organization. My overall impression as an employee will get destroyed in case I present a report that is void of audience awareness. My chances of getting

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Managment Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Managment - Case Study Example All the meetings had a detailed agenda given to each member before the meeting (Nick at some point even jokes that he had not been given an agenda beforehand), the meeting would normally begin and end at the precise time (pg 20) they had been planned to end, and members of the executive at Decision Tech felt there was simply no enough time for engaging in meaningful debates as the time available was not enough (pg 47). Some of the behavioral norms established at Decision Tech by the executive team before Kathryn took over include: dependence, self-consciousness, superficiality, ignoring disagreements, not talking about misgivings, avoiding the consideration of what is considered a disturbing idea, feeling invulnerable, rationalizing threats away, discrediting of disconfirming information etc. Kathryn had noted that the meetings at decision Tech were characterized by silence, no member of the executive tem argued, and there was an undeniable tension during the meetings (pg 19). Silence in the meetings was not good. This is because it meant that members of the team preferred to keep silent and instead of engaging in meaningful arguments and developing conflicts that are highly valuable to the company’s management decisions. The executive team at Decision Tech experienced the four stages of team development. The core purpose of the forming stage is essentially to enable members of the team to become acquainted with one another and start seeing themselves as one integrated and cohesive unit. During the first off-site meeting Kathryn requested each member of the team to give personal histories. This meant that each would answer five nonintrusive personal questions that were related to their backgrounds (pg 52). After the brief personal history giving session by the members of the team, it was evident that the team was more at ease with each other than any time during the previous year. The goals of the Norming stage are to make

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Philosophy Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Philosophy - Coursework Example According to him, he had no malicious intent in instilling these thoughts of his and was only accused of having such due to the ignorance and envy of certain individuals. His point was that his ideas and actions should not be misconstrued as inappropriate but considered and respected. Analyzing deeper, one can see that the Apology was less concerned with forwarding any philosophical school of thoughts. Rather, it provides a portrait of an ideal philosopher. Socrates wanted the people to know, whether directly or indirectly, that the philosopher is an individual who uses reason and whose ideas are not bounded by theological or social restrictions. The philosopher challenges current thinking by carefully dissecting prevailing thoughts through the scalpel of logic and reason. He challenges them to go beyond the pretensions and restrictions of current human knowledge. Socrates, in spite of his discernible wisdom, confesses his own ignorance and in doing so, makes us realize that we should not be afraid to confess our own ignorance. Only by using so can we truly release our limited reasoning from the shackles of pretensions, obscurities and false

Friday, November 15, 2019

Advanced Glycation End Products (AGE) for Diabetes

Advanced Glycation End Products (AGE) for Diabetes Diabetes mellitus is a syndrome which defined as a group of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia, that result from insufficient production of insulin, or body cells poorly respond to the insulin that is produced, or both. Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas and secreted in the blood to maintain blood glucose in the body through enables body cells to absorb glucose, to turn into energy. If the body cells enable to absorb the glucose, the glucose will accumulates in the blood (hyperglycemia), leading to many and different potential medical complications (Harmel Mathur, 2004). Diabetes have several categories but the majority of cases fall into two categories which are type 1 diabetes mellitus and type 2 diabetes mellitus. These two types are powerful and highly independent risk factors causing coronary artery disease, stroke, peripheral arterial disease and organ damage and dysfunction including eyes and nerves (Harmel Mathur, 2004). Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: Type 1 diabetes mellitus resulting from pancreas failure to produce insulin hormone. Person at risk of developing type 1 can be identified by doing serologic test markers that showing evidence of autoimmune destruction of beta cells (islet cells) of the pancreas which is responsible for insulin production. Type 1 diabetes is manifested in childhood and early adulthood, but can patient present at any age (Goroll Mulley, 2009). Type 2 diabetes mellitus: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus are prone with wide range of series complications. Type 2 is characterized by high blood glucose due to insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency. There are 20.8 million people in United State with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Type 2 diabetes traditionally is seen in elderly people. However it is diagnosed in obese children. Many studies shows that type 2 diabetes mellitus are associated with high calorie diet, physical inactivity and life style (Feinglos Bethel, 2008). Other Types of Diabetes: There are other types of diabetes but they are less common but patients who are underlying defect or disease process can be identified in a relatively specific manner. These types are Genetic defects of beta-cell function, Diseases of the exocrine pancreas e.g Fibrocalculous pancreatopathy, Endocrinopathies and cystic fibrosis and Uncommon forms of immune-mediated diabetes. Diabetes mellitus complications: Diabetic complications can be grouped into macrovascular and microvascular disease. Macrovascular diseases are result from atherosclerosis which develops in earlier age in patient with diabetes. There are several factors contribute to atherosclerosis such as lipidemia, hypertension, increased platelets adhesion and aggregation, elevated factor V, factor VII and fibrinogen concentration. Macrovascular diseases are seen in both type one and two of diabetes mellitus and they include coronary heart disease, Ischemic stroke and peripheral vascular disease (which can lead to ulcers, gangrene and amputation) (Winter Signorino, 2002). Whereas, Microvascular complications is seen in type one diabetes mellitus. Hyperglycemia damages the basement membrane of capillaries in the retina and glomerulars which leads to retinopathy and neuropathy. Microvascular diseases include neuropathy (nerve damage), nephropathy (kidney disease) and vision disorders (eg retinopathy, glaucoma, cataract and corneal disease). Furthermore there are other complications of diabetes include infections, metabolic difficulties, dental disease, autonomic neuropathy and pregnancy problems (Winter Signorino, 2002). Several clinical research show a strong relationship between hyperglacemia and diabetic microvascular complications in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. High glucose and insulin resistance play important roles in the pathogenesis of macrovascular complications due to atherosclerosis. Diabetes-specific microvascular disease in the retina, glomerulus and vasa nervorum has same pathophysiological features. Intracellular hyperglycaemia causes abnormalities in blood flow and increased vascular permeability which leads to decreased activity of vasodilators such as nitric oxide, increased activity of vasoconstrictors such as angiotensin II and endothelin-1, and elaboration of permeability factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (Brownlee, 2001). There are several factors which contribute the formation of inflammation, atherosclerosis and diabetes mellitus complication. These factors are hyperglycemia, accumulation of advanced glycation endproducts, dyslipidemia and oxidative stress which lead to endothelial dysfunction resulting in thrombotic complications and cardiovascular (Altman, 2003). In type 1 diabetes mellitus, high blood glucose is usually as result of low level of insulin secretion whereas in type2 hyperglycemia is caused by resistance of insulin at the cellular level. Low insulin levels or insulin resistance enable the body to convert glucose into glycogen (a starch-as source of energy which stored in the liver). In type 1 diabetes, pancreatic beta cells are attacked by auto-immune which cause infiltration of inflammatory cells and increased expression and secretion of S100-calcium binding protein and high-mobility group protein 1 (HMGP1) through inflammatory cells which consequently lead to islet damage and increased blood glucose level, subsequent accumulation of AGE (Bierhaus Nawroth, 2009). Comparing to T1D, in type 2 diabetes mellitus, different metabolic disturbances stimulates inflammatory cells to secretes RAGE ligands, which cause low-grade inflammation and increased oxidative and carbonly stress, all these play roles in promoting AGE formation and RAGE expression in respective organs (Bierhaus Nawroth, 2009). Insulin resistance and Inflammation: In diabetic patients with hyperglycemia, cause by 1) impaired insulin secretion by the pancreatic ß-cells, 2) muscle insulin resistance, and 3) hepatic insulin resistance all play central roles in the development and progression of glucose intolerance. As I mention before, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by insulin resistance in liver and muscle and impaired insulin secretion. Also include deranged adipocyte metabolism and modified fat topography in the pathogenesis of glucose intolerance in T2DM. Fat cells are resistant to insulins antilipolytic effect, which result in increased plasma free fat acid levels. Long period of increasing plasma fat fee acid stimulates gluconeogenesis, promote hepatic and muscle insulin resistance, and impairs insulin secretion in genetically predisposed patients. These pathways of FFA-induced are known as lipotoxicity. Fat cells Dysfunction makes excessive amounts of insulin resistance-inducing, inflammatory, and atherosclerotic-provoking cytokines and fails to secrete normal level of insulin-sensitizing adipocytokines. Enlarged fat cells are insulin resistant and have minimized capacity to store fat. When storage capacity of adipocyte is exceeded, lipid overflows into muscle, liver, a nd perhaps ß-cells, resulting in muscle, hepatic insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion. In type 2 diabetics, the ability of insulin to stop lipolysis and to decrease the plasma FFA levels is markedly impaired. It is clearly that chronic elevated levels of plasma free fat acid leads to insulin resistance in muscle and liver, and impair insulin secretion. In addition to FFA in plasma, increase stores of triglycerides in muscle and liver which correlate closely with the presence of insulin resistance in tissues. The triglycerides in liver and muscle are in a state of constant turnover, and the metabolites of intracellular triglyceride lipolysis impair action of insulin in liver and muscle (Bays et al, 2004). This pathway of events has been referred to as lipotoxicity . The accumulation of lipid in dipocytes leads to activate NADPH oxidase which increases the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The mechanisms increased production of cytokines including TNF-ÃŽ ±, IL-6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and reduce the production of adiponectin (Shoelson et al, 2006). Furthermore accumulation of lipid activates the protein response to increased ER stess in fat and liver. All these have accumulated to induce lipotoxicity as an important cause of ß-cell dysfunction (Bays et al, 2004). Receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE): RAGE is type I transmembrane receptor of the immunogloblin superfamily. It is a receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (AGE). It is about 45-KD a protein and it is consist of 403 amino acids in human, rate and mouse. Its extracellular region consists of one V-type (variable) immunoglobulin domina, which followed by two C-type (constant) immunoglobulin dominas (Basta, 2004). Its name drive from its ability to bind AGE and also it is known as AGER. It is located within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class III region on chromosome 6, which contains numbers of genes involved predominantly in inflammatory and immune responses and several components of complements. Beside AGE, RAGE is able to bind several ligands therefore is called a pattern-recognition receptor. These ligands are high-mobility group protein 1 (HMGP1), S100-calicum binding protein (S100b) which is family of pro-inflammatory cytokines and it can be found in any inflammatory lesion and vascular walls of diabetics patients, amyloid-ß-protein and macrophage-1 glycoprotein (CD11B/CD18). RAGE plays role in diabetes and other metabolic disease. The interaction of RAGE and its ligands cause pro-inflammatory activation. It is involved in several diseases such as innate immune response, mediating immune and inflammatory response, cancer promoting and progressing and microvascular and mi crovascular diseases (Bierhaus Nawroth, 2009). Moreover, RAGE expression is increased in the cells of the vascular walls, at the site where AGEs and S100/calgranulins are accumulated, including endothelium vascular smooth muscle cells, glomerular mesangial cells and mononuclear phagocytes. This destrbution of RAGE and its ligands leads to increased cellular activation, causing further raised expression of the receptor (Basta et al, 2004). Recently the studies have been proved that RAGE and its ligands accumulate in diabetes and contribute to its pathology. Serum levels of S100A8/9 and S100A12 increased in type 2 diabetic patients. Also, evidence was provided by raised serum levels HMGB1 were linked to coronary artery disease in type 2 diabetes. In addition the studies which have been done in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats proved that diabetes increased amyloid-beta-peptide (1-40) levels in the brain. Furthermore, CML-modification of S100A8 and S100A9 are seen in inflammatory bowel disease and promote RAGE-mediated sustained inflammatory. Moreover, Carboxylated N-glycans on RAGE eases binding of HMGB and mediates ligation of S100A8/A9 to subpopulation of RAGE on colon cancer cells (Bierhaus Nawroth, 2009). Advanced Glycation End products (AGE) and its biochemical mechanism production: There are various pathways involved in stimulation of atherosclerosis in diabetes mellitus. However the most important one is formation and deposition of AGEs through nonenzymetic reaction between extracellular protein and glucose and it accumulates within cells of the vascular walls, in the extracellular space, kidney, nerves and retina (Basta et al, 2004). Possible mechanism of AGEs formation arise from intracellular auto-oxidation of glucose to glyoxal, decompounding of the Amadori product (glucose-derived 1-amino 1-deoxyfructose lysine adducts) to 3-deoxyglucosone and fragmentation of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate and dihydroxyacetone phosphate to methylglyoxal. These reactive intracellular dicarbonyls (glyoxal, methylglyoxal and 3-deoxyglucosone) which can react with amino groups of intracellular and extracellular proteins to form AGEs (pyrraline, pentosidine, CML, crossline) (Balasubramanyam et al, 2002). Several experimental studies evidenced that advanced glycation end products can alter vascular wall homeostasis in atherogenic through different ways which are: AGEs and mononuclear phagocytes Interaction: The binding of AGEs with mononuclear phagocytes MPs induces the activation of platelet-derived growth factor, insulin-like growth factor-1, and pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1ß and TNF-ÃŽ ±. Furthermore the interaction of AGEs with its receptor (RAGE) in the mononuclear phagocytes promotes cell migration (chemotaxis) (Basta et al, 2004). AGEs and vascular smooth muscle cells Interaction: Interaction of AGE with smooth muscle cells (SMCs) exhibits the proliferative activity and production of fibronectin. SMC growth are indirectly mediate by cytokines or growth factors which induced by AGEs in the MPs. Transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) act as an intermediate factor in AGE-induced fibronectin formation by SMC(Basta et al, 2004). AGEs with vascular endothelium Interactions: alterations of vascular permeability and of adhesive properties As result its unique position and numerous properties, the vascular endothelium has important role in the regulation of extracellular permeability, the maintenance of blood fluidity, metabolism of hormones and vasoactive mediators and the regulation of vascular growth and tone. The endothelium is exposed to AGEs located on circulating proteins and cells (such as, diabetic RBCs), also those found in the underlying subendothelial matrix. Receptors for AGEs present on the endothelial cell surface, and mediate both the uptake and AGEs transcytosis, and the internal signal transduction. AGE-RAGE interaction leads to alteration of barrier function and an increased permeability of endothelial cells interact with AGEs and increased migrate of macromolecules through the endothelial monolayer. The increase in permeability is associated by alterations of the physical integrity of the endothelium, as shown by the destruction of structures and alterations of cellular morphology (Basta et al, 2004 ). Also, it has been proved that AGEs cause alterations of endothelial anti-hemostatic functions in vitro, through a reduction of thrombomodulin expression and accompanied with induction of tissue factor expression. The promoting of tissue factor and the decreasing in thrombomodulin activity change the dynamic endothelial features with regard to hemostasis from those of an anticoagulant to those of a procoagulant surface (Basta et al, 2004). Intraction of AGEs with endothelial RAGE also causes the depletion of cellular antioxidant defense mechanisms (such as glutathione, vitamin C) and the generation of reactive oxygen species. As a result of the increased cellular oxidative stress, NF-ÃŽ ºB activation occurs, thus inducing the expression of NF-ÃŽ ºB-regulated genes including, in addition to the procoagulant tissue factor, adhesion molecules, such as E-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1); this past may prime diabetic vasculature towards enhanced interaction with circulating monocytes. Furthermore, the incubation of endothelial cells with EN-RAGE or S100B results in VCAM-1 induction, in a RAGE-dependent manner, as sustained by the inhibitory effect of anti-RAGE IgG or soluble RAGE (Basta et al, 2004). Alterations of endothelium-dependent vasodilatation AGEs linked to the vascular matrix may quench bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO), which is an important regulator of vascular tone inducing smooth muscle cell relaxation. Studies provided that, AGE inhibits NO activity, when it added to NO in vitro. Studies on animal exterminate induced diabetes show that an alteration of endothelium-dependent dilatation occurs in short period, within 2 months, from diabetes induction. A direct reaction between NO radical and other free radicals which are formed during the reactions of AGEs assumable leads to inactivation of NO. In parallel, advanced glyaction end products promote the expression of the potent vasoconstrictor endothelin-1 changing endothelial function towards vasoconstriction (Basta et al, 2004).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  These four mechanisms promote and alter vascular wall homeostasis. When mononuclear phagocytes migrate to the site of immobilized AGEs in the tissue, their migrations allow them to interact with AGE -modified surface and become activated. This mechanism cause attracting and retaining MPs in tissue where AGEs deposit. Migration and activation of MPs and T cells (inflammatory cells) promote and cause chronic vascular inflammation through alter vessel wall (Basta et al, 2004). Promotion of atherogenesis pathways by AGEs: AGEs are most important factors in endothelial dysfunction in diabetic patients through binding its receptor (RAGE). Advanced Glycation Endproducts stimulate the expression of proinflammatory cells and molecules (Altman, 2003). AGEs can be seriously deleterious to the function of blood vessel walls in various ways. First it causes blood vessel dysfunction through cross bridges among vessel macromolecules. Secondly of damage is that accumulation of AGEs lead circulating blood cells to adhere to the vascular walls which promote atherosclerosis. Third way is through binding different receptors which have been recognized on various cell types such as macrophages, endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells, renal and neuronal cells (Basta et al, 2004). Hyperglycaemia Mechanisms-caused damage: Hyperglycemia diverse microvascular and macrovascular complications in diabetic patients through several mechanisms such as increased formation and accumlation of advanced glycation end-product (AGE); activation of protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms; and increased generation of reactive oxygen species (Bonke et al,2008) Increased production advanced glycation end-products AGE promote atherogenesis pathway through accumulation of AGEs and AGEs ligation to RAGE on endothelial cells and macrophages induce inflammation through activating pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-ÃŽ ±, 1L-6 a L-1ß, induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and through increased oxidative stress which lead to degradation of IKBs (IKBs is normally bound to NF-KB to prevent translocation of NF-KB to nucleus). ROS activates NF-KB which results in translocation of NF-KB to nucleus. Activation of NF-KB cause pathological change of gene expression which is highly related to inflammation, immunity and atherosclerosis, increased expression of inflammatory mediators which lead to insulin resistance and increased RAGE expression as well (Basta et al, 2004). Mechanisms by which intracellular production of advanced glycation end-product (AGE) precursors damages vascular cells. Cellular functions are altered by dicarbonyl advanced glycation end products. Alteration of extracellular matrix proteins results in abnormal interactions with other matrix proteins and with integrins. Alteration of plasma proteins by AGE precursors generate ligands that bind to AGE receptors, inducing conversion of gene expression in endothelial cells, mesangial cells and macrophages. Activation of protein kinase C: The protein kinace C (PKC) family compromises at least eleven isoforms, nine are induced by the lipid second messenger diacylglycerol (DAG). Altered DAG-PKC pathway play an important role in diabetic complications. Intracellular hyperglycaemia raises the amount of DAG which activate PKC in cultured vascular cells and in the retina and renal glomeruli of diabetic animals. Hyperglycaemia may also activate PKC isoforms indirectly by AGEs bind receptors and increased activity of the polyol pathway, possibly through increased reactive oxygen species (ROS). AGE stimulated diacylglycerol (DAG) and activate protein kinase C (PKC) in VSMC. PKC is one of important signal transduction elements involved with multiple cell response. In early studies of diabetes, retinal and renal blood flow abnormalities are due to activation of PKC-ß isoforms perhaps through depressing nitric oxide production or increasing endothelin-1 activity. Abnormal activation of protein kinase C has several pathogenic c onsequences: It leads to decreased production of nitric oxide in smooth muscle cells and glomerular mesangial cells that is induced by hyperglycemia (Brownlee, 2001). Activation of PKC causes inhibition of insulin-stimulated expression of mRNA for endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in cultured endothelial cells. Hyperglycaemia activates PKC to increased endothelin-1, permeability of endothelia cells and increased expression of the vascular permeability angiogenesis factor (VEGF) in smooth muscle cells (Brownlee, 2001). Increased generation of reactive oxygen species: Increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is another possible pathways of diabetes complications especially nephropathy complication. Production of Reactive oxygen species can be result from the activation of various enzymes, including NADPH oxidase, nitric oxide (NO) synthase, and myeloperoxidase, with arising evidence that NADPH oxidase is the major cytosolic source of ROS generation in diabetes. NADPH has homologues that are present within the kidney, namely nox-3, seen in fetal kidney, and nox-4, which is predominately expressed in the renal cortex. AGE bind RAGE induces signal transduction and activate NADPH oxidase in endothelial cells. The interaction between AGE-RAGE enhances production of the cytokine vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is directly induced by NADPH oxidase and is associated with the pathogenesis of albuminuria in diabetes (Bonke et al, 2008). Diabetes mellitus control and treatment: Both type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus are characterized by elevated blood glucose level due to insufficiency of insulin level. Therefore, diabetes patients need to reduce blood glucose level through healthy diet, drugs such as (hypoglycemic tablets and anti-atherosclerosis drugs), insulin injection and regular physical exercise. Healthy Diet: In general, healthy diet for diabetes patients should include: limit fats (especially saturated fats and trans-fat acid), proteins and cholesterol. Also, patient should consume a lot of fiber and vegetables. Patients with insulin-producing or insulin synthesis treatment should monitor their blood glucose level to avoid hyperglycemia. For example, adults and teenager patients should maintain their blood glucose level between 80-120 mg/dl, and 100-200 mg/dl for children under 12 year old. Type 1 diabetes patients should test their blood glucose level four to more per day. However, in type 2 diabetes, patients recommend to measure blood glucose level 1 to 2 times daily, because glucose level in type 2 diabetes is more stable than in type 1. Such important tests are important during diet plans and treatment. For example, glycosylated hemoglobin test (HbA1 c) is an indicator for carbohydrate level. Micro and macroalbuminuria indicates of the proteinuria and renal function, for instance if the teat showed high level of proteinuria then the patient need to lowering protein intake (Flaws et al, 2002). Exercise: Physical exercise is important to manage diabetes complications. Regular exercise improves the status of both type 1 and 2 diabetes through transporting sugar to muscles, improving blood circulation, and increasing insulin receptors. Exercise has specific effects on diabetes patients include: reducing blood glucose level during and after exercise, increased insulin sensitivity, reduced triglyceride level and increased good cholesterol (HDL) (Flaws et al, 2002). However, diabetes patients may have several risks associated with exercise which include: hypoglycemia if patient under treatment with hyperglycemia agents, hyperglycemia and ketosis in insulin-deficient patients, and exacerbation of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, patients who are over 30 year old should be examined before doing physical exercise. These examinations include: cardiovascular exams such as blood pressure, blood lipid and ECG, and neurological evaluation such as eye exam (Flaws et al, 2002). Anti-inflammatory drugs Various drugs in recent clinical practice have been used as anti-inflammatory agents such as thiazolidinedione (TZD) class of PPARÃŽ ³ agonists and members of statin class of HMG CoA reductase inhibitors. Both of them have importane anti-inflammatory properities and both have action on glucose homeostasis and cholesterol redusing (Shoelson et al, 2006). TZDs are used to induced insulin sensivity and decresed hyperglicemia in patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus. TZDs drugs inculde pioglitazone, rosiglitazone and troglitazone. The role of TZDs is through binding and activiting PPARÃŽ ³ to induce a number of gene expression products in a dipocyte. TZDs action are attributed to fatty acid in the a dipose tissue. TZD decreases circulating free faty acid and keep faty acid out of musle and liver because accumalte of fatty acide in these tissue lead to insulin resistance. In addition, PPARÃŽ ³ is not only present in dipocyte but also in it is expressed in macrophages and other immune cells response, hepatocyte, endothelial cells and vascular smooth mucsle cells (VSMC). TZD play role in reduce the expression of targets gene for cytokines, growth factors, proliferation and migration of cells, and cell cycle progression (Shoelson et al, 2006). Rosigliatozone: Rosigliatozone decreses the inflammatory markers such as serum C-reactive protein, metalloproteinase-9, white blood cell, tumer necrosis factor-ÃŽ ± and serum amyloid-A in type two diabetes mellitus (Altman, 2003). Group of studies done on Diabetes Rodents: The recent research has demonstrated that rosiglitizone, a PPARÃŽ ³ agonist, attenuates diabetes associated atherosclorosis. The reaserch has studied the direct antiathersclosis effects of PPARÃŽ ³ afer long beriod of therapy in an experiment of insulin deficiency. This study show that rosiglitezone has no effect on glucose level in both control or diabetes mice. However, rosiglitizone , PPARÃŽ ³ (acting as insulin sinstiser) significally decresed plasma insulin level in control mice (Calkin et al, 2005). In addition to Calkin study and his collegous, another study shows that rosiglitazone increase the insulin content and iselt cells number and total mass of pancreas in diabetes rats. However, it is unknown if this is adirect effect of rsiglitazone by activation of PPARÃŽ ³ mediated pathway in islets or indirect effect of normalizing the hyperglicemia (Sanchez et al, 2002). Increaesd secration rate of proinsulin relative to insulin is one oa acommon feature in type 2 diabetes mellitus. The normal range of proinsulin in normal subjects is about 2 to 4% of the total amount of insulin and in type 2 diabetes proinsulin rate is about 15%. Curently the studies has been demonstrated that rosiglitazone in type 2 diabetes decrease proinsulin secretion. Proinsulin has been associated with activity of carboxypeptidase E. Fricker and collegous have evidenced that carboxypeptidase are present in secretory pathway and participate in peptide processing. CarboxypeptidaseB has similler feature as carboxypeptidaseE but the precursor sequence of carboxypeptidaseB has been seen in an adult mouse islet cells. Thus suggest that rosiglitazone may has primery effect on increasing the expression of carboxypeptidaseB precursor protein resulting in increse proinsulin to insulin conversion (Sanchez et al, 2002). Further more, rosiglitizone did not affect fasting insluin level in diabetic mice due to streptozotocin which induce insulin insufficency. Also, another group of study has curently demonstrated that short period of treatment with rosiglitizone decreased plaque area in diabetic mice but had no determination if effects seen were linked to insulin sensitization (Calkin et al, 2005). More current sutdies have evedanced that rosiglitezone treatment in diabetes mice reduce gene expression of the NF-KB subunit p65. Further study has shown that rosiglitizone has no direct effect o glucose-induce upregulation of oxidative stress. Same study had investigated RAGE expression acording to preveious finding that first of all, RAGE expression increse oxidative stress and secondly rosiglitezone which used in culture media alter RAGE expression. The study had shown, the expression of RAGE gene wasnt altered by rosiglitizone (Calkin et al, 2005). Some study showed no significant alteretion in gene expression after TZDs treatment. This is because of almost studies were not preformed in human adipose tissue in vivo but they used adipose tissue of rodents and adipocyte cell line. Actually under such study we should consider about some facts that, for example rosiglitazone dose which used in rodents study (10 mg/kg) is higher than human dose about 100-fold. furthermore, TZD may has an action on gene expressed in rodents but it is not necessarily to has same action on human gene. For example carbonic anhydrase 3 protein raised 2-fold after treated the mice with rosiglitazone, however there was no increasing in carbonic anhydrase 3 mRNA in human adipocyte. Although there were similarities in the action of TZD-induced insulin sensitivity, there may be TZD action has different mechanisms on experimental models and human (Kolak et al,2007). Therfore, Im going to discuss about the studies which have been done on human adipose tissue and there findings. Group of studies done in human patient with type 2 diabetes: Overactivity of ubiquitin-proteasome system is associated with the inflammation and atherosclerotic plaques in type 2 diabetes. Study by Marfella and his colegous on human diabetes patients has been shown that the PPAR-ÃŽ ³ agonist rosiglitazone reduce ubiquitin-proteasome activity and thuss prevent plaque progression to unstable phenotype in diabetes individulas (Marfella et al, 2006). Also, same study shows, the production of O2- by monocytes is reduced after rosiglitazone treatment. Thus proteasome reduction is induced by inhibition of oxidative stress and polyubiquitination. As oxidative stress induce insulin resistence through NF-kB activation, rosiglitazone enhance insulin sensivity and plaque stability in diabetes patien through reducing oxidative stress and ubiquitin-proteasome activity. Further possibility that, NF-KB activation is inhibited by rosiglitazone through a PPAR-ÃŽ ³ independent pathway. PPAR-ÃŽ ³ agonist inhibits NF-KB translocation and subsequent DNA binding through inhibits immune response which induce degradation of IKBs (Marfella et al, 2006). Rosiglitazone have significant effects on metabolism of faty acid and lowering circuliting non-esterified fatty acid. Therfore rosiglitazone prevent islet cells through reducing fatty acid exposure (Sanchez et al, 2002) Kolak and his colleagues investigated the gene of expression in human adipose tissue in vivo in type two diabetes mellitus, befor and after tratment with rosigliatozone and metformin. Reosigliatozone modulates expression of gene which involved in free faty acid synthesis and storage, protein strcture, inflammatory cells inculde macrophage and gene associated in glucose transport and insulin sensivity. Whereas metformin has no effect on these gene (Kolak et al, 2007). TZD decrease the expression of RAGE endothelial protien. From preveious finding, TNF-ÃŽ ± increase the expression of RAGE on endothelial cells, so

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

War from Myceneans to Rome Essay -- essays research papers

WAR FROM MYCENEANS TO ROME The modern day soldier did not arrive at the current level of training methods overnight. Throughout history warfare techniques and strategies have evolved from the earliest primitive battles to the latest technologies. The only way to learn about war is to study the past engagements and lessons learned. There are nine principles of war as follows: Objective, Offensive, Mass, Economy of force, Maneuver, Unity of command, Security, Surprise, and Simplicity. These are the areas of study in order to gain a better understanding of what to do and what to avoid during any engagement.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The battles from yesterday differ from those in recent years and today, because the more primitive cultures fought under their leader for food, territory, or the domination of another group. Today’s motives are based more on economic, political, or social reasons regarded as appropriate by a group of individuals instead of the thoughts or intentions of one man.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Mainland Greece is the first study of warfare in the selected readings and by 1600 B.C. a civilization emerged from the Hellas culture and the Minoan culture. This group, known as the Myceneans, fought using chariots and armor made of bronze. By the eighth century B.C., the Myceneans art of war consisted of the phalanx. The phalanx was a solid rectangle of infantrymen carrying armor and spears eight deep. When an army approached another army the phalanxes of both sides would come head to head. The soldiers, who were normally citizens not professional soldiers, would find themselves in the midst of blood and sweat pouring out of the bodies surrounding them from the hand to hand combat. The only way of victory was to hold the lines strong and fight until the other side fled. The problems with this type of formation was that there was no overall leadership within the phalanx, no reserve was established to outflank the opposing army, and there was no way to pursue the fleeing enemy, left them capable to heal and fight another day.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The technique of phalanx had not changed for some time and the Greek warfare stayed the same due to no major opposition force that used different techniques against Greek system. The phalanx was also used because it was a proven technique that had been tested and used successfully. O... ...diterranean, Hannibal moved to engage the Romans and almost conquered them at Cannae (216 B.C.), where the largest Roman army was surrounded, enveloped, and destroyed. The Romans needed military leadership to outwit Hannibal and found it in Scipio.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Scipio made the maniples stronger than ever and increased the amount of horsemen in the cavalry to solve the problem that the Romans had against Hannibal. By using adapting techniques to envelop and control sea power, Scipio was able to defeat Carthage at the battle of Zama (202 B.C.), and thus the Romans were ready to expand their empire from Spain to Asia Minor and from Britain to Northern Africa.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   SOURCES USED Preston, Richard A., Alex Roland, and Sydney F. Wise. Men In Arms: A History of Warfare and its interrelationships With Western Society. (Belmont, California:Wadsworth/ Thomson Learning, 2001). Chap 1-3 Warry, John. Warfare in the Classical World: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Weapons, Warriors, and Warfare in the Ancient Civilisations of Greece and Rome. (Norman, Oklahoma:University of Oklahoma Press, 1995). Chap 1-13

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Once Bitten Twice Shy

Once bitten twice shy is a great, and fairly common saying. It is an idiom that means if somebody is said to be once bitten twice shy, it means that a person who has been hurt, or who has had something happen to them that was life changing in a not so desirable way then they will be far more careful the next time around. I think everyone has experienced situations such as this. Whether it be a deal you made where you ended up getting cheated out of some money, or a time when you got your heart broken by someone you thought would never hurt you.Either way it happens and makes a person leery of trusting others for a long while, if ever again. As a small business owner I have experienced many situations in which I was the target of somebody trying to pull the wool over my eyes, and/or screw me out of some money. At one point in time a few years ago, I had a small crew of people working on a job for me in Rolla Mo. while myself and another crew member were working on a different job in S t. Robert.I trusted the crew members that I left alone without supervision because they were all hard and honest workers, at least I thought they were. I had been leaving this crew on the Rolla job for about two weeks with very little supervision from myself. The only time I really stopped by there was to drop off more material, and take a quick look around at the work they were doing and all was well. That is until I got a call one afternoon from the contractor that I was doing this job for.The call started with me getting an ass chewing like I had never had before, and caught me totally off guard. After some time on the phone with this man I kind of figured out what was going on. It seems one of my crew members that I had been leaving alone on the job for a while was planning to screw me over. They had been sabotaging my job in hopes that they would be able to show the contractor the shoddy work that was going on behind his back so that he would fire me and hopefully hire them to replace me.Well, luckily I had known the contractor for years and after some smooth talking I convinced him that I would finish the job personally and fire the member of my crew that caused these problems. So, the plan backfired for the sneaky crew member. Not only did they not get hired by the contractor, but they lost the steady job they already had. Even though this situation didn’t turn out all that badly for me, it still caused me some friction with the contractor, and caused me to never have the same level of trust in my employees ever again.

Friday, November 8, 2019

A Mount Saint Helens Story essays

A Mount Saint Helens Story essays I went to the mountain with the expectation of seeing firsthand, the explosive remains of a tragic, destructive, volcanic eruption. This turned out to be just the beginning of an extraordinary, educational experience that made me want to learn more. The 1980 eruption on Mount Saint Helens remains the most powerful and most documented explosion in U. S. history. When Mount Saint Helens erupted, 57 people lost their lives. Death was instantaneous for those close to the eruption; an entire family found still sitting in their car, a couple found in a tent with their arms around each other, and several other bodies were never located. Destruction was widespread; old-growth forests were leveled, floods raged, and ash circled the globe. The Cowlitz Indians that reside in the area call the mountain Lawetlia, or smoking mountain. An alpine lake with crystal clear water is at the mountains base. The Cowlitz Indians named it Spirit Lake, because they believe the region belongs to the dead. Certainly the Cowlitz Indians knew of the mountains previous eruption in1837. They knew to listen to the earth and at 8:32 AM on Sunday May 18, 1980, the rest of the world learned to listen, as the mountain came to life again. The eruption completely transformed the cone-shaped peak of Mount Saint Helens, melting city-sized glaciers in seconds, and destroying everything for 19 miles to the northwest. After months of rumblings, Mount Saint Helens has since settled into a slumber, though this may be a fitful sleep. In 1995, U.S. Geological Survey scientists released a study saying, Sufficient time has elapsed for the magma, the liquid and molten rock in the conduit beneath the dome to crystallize and form a plug. The pressure needed to expel the plug could produce an explosion similar in size to the 1980 eruption (Campbell and Barber. Th ...

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

How to Write a Great Book Report

How to Write a Great Book Report One assignment has lasted the test of time, uniting generations of students in a common learning exercise:  book reports. While many students dread these assignments, book reports can help students learn how to interpret texts and gain a broader understanding of the world around them.  Well-written books can open your eyes to new experiences, people, places, and life situations that you may have never thought about before. In turn, a book report is a tool that allows you, the reader, to demonstrate that you have understood all the nuances of the text you just read. What'sa Book Report? In the broadest terms, a book report  describes and summarizes a work of fiction or nonfiction. It sometimes- but not always- includes a personal evaluation of the text. In general, regardless of grade level, a book report will include an introductory paragraph that shares the title of the book and its author.  Students will often develop their own opinions about the underlying meaning of the texts through developing thesis statements, typically presented in the opening of a book report,  and then using examples from the text and interpretations to support those statements.  Ã‚   Before You Start Writing A good book report will address a specific question or point of view and back up this topic with specific examples, in the form of symbols and themes. These steps will help you identify and incorporate those important elements. It shouldnt be too hard to do, provided youre prepared, and you can expect to spend, on average, 3-4 days working on the assignment. Check out these tips to ensure youre successful: Have an objective in mind.  This  is the main point you want to present or the question you plan to answer in your report.  Ã‚  Keep supplies on hand when you read.  This is  very  important. Keep sticky-note flags, pen, and paper nearby as you read. If youre reading an eBook, make sure you know how to use the annotation function of your app/program.  Ã‚  Read the book.  Seems obvious, but too many students try to take a shortcut and simply read summaries or watch movies, but you often miss important details that can make or break your book report.Pay attention to detail.  Keep an eye out for clues that the author has provided in the form of symbolism. These will indicate some important point that supports the overall theme. For instance, a spot of blood on the floor, a quick glance, a nervous habit, an impulsive action, a repetitive action... These are worth noting.Use your sticky flags to mark pages.  When you run into  clues or interesting passages, mark the page by placing the sticky note at the beginning of the relevant line.  Ã‚   Look for themes.  As you read, you should begin to see an emerging theme. On a notepad, write down some notes on how you came to determine the theme.Develop a rough outline.  By the time you finish  reading the book,  you will have recorded several possible themes or approaches to your objective. Review your notes and find points that  you can back up with good examples (symbols).   Your Book Report Introduction The start  of your book report provides an opportunity to make a solid introduction to the material and your own personal assessment of the work. You should try to write a strong introductory paragraph  that grabs your readers attention. Somewhere in your first paragraph, you should also state the books title  and the authors name. High school-level papers should include publication information as well as brief statements about the books angle, the genre, the theme, and a hint about the writers feelings in the introduction. First Paragraph Example: Middle School Level: The Red Badge of Courage, by Stephen Crane, is a book about a young man growing up during the Civil War. Henry Fleming is the main character of the book. As Henry watches and experiences the tragic events of the war, he grows up and changes his attitudes about life. First Paragraph Example: High School Level: Can you identify one experience that changed your entire view of the world around you? Henry Fleming, the main character in The Red Badge of Courage, begins his life-changing adventure as a naive young man, eager to experience the glory of war. He soon faces the truth about life, war, and his own self-identity on the battlefield, however. The Red Badge of Courage, by Stephen Crane, is a coming of age novel published by D. Appleton and Company in 1895, about thirty years after the Civil War ended. In this book, the author reveals the ugliness of war and examines its relationship to the pain of growing up. The Body of the Book Report Before you get started on the body of the report, take a few minutes to jot down some helpful information by considering the following points. Did you enjoy the book?Was it well written?What was the genre?(fiction) Which characters play important roles that relate to the overall theme?Did you notice reoccurring symbols?Is this book a part of a series?(nonfiction) Can you identify the writers thesis?What is the writing style?Did you notice a tone?Was there an obvious slant or bias? In the body of your book report, you will use your notes to guide you through an extended summary of the book. You will weave your own thoughts and impressions into the plot summary. As you review the text, youll want to focus on key moments in the storyline and relate them to the perceived theme of the book, and how the characters and setting all bring the details together. Youll want to be sure that you discuss the plot, any examples of conflict that you encounter, and how the story resolves itself. It can be helpful to use strong quotes from the book to enhance your writing.   The Conclusion As you lead to your final paragraph, consider some additional impressions and opinions: Was the ending satisfactory (for fiction)?Was the thesis supported by strong evidence (for nonfiction)?What interesting or notable facts do you know about the author?Would you recommend this book? Conclude your report with a paragraph or two that covers these additional points. Some teachers prefer that you re-state the name and author of the book in the concluding paragraph. As always, consult your specific assignment guide or ask your teacher if you have questions about what is expected of you.

Sunday, November 3, 2019

Ratings on Risk Priority Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Ratings on Risk Priority - Assignment Example Most of the materials to be used were: Pneumatic nailers, Scaffolding, Power hand tools, Cleaning agents, Sandblasters, Hammers, Hoisting equipment and Paint Sprayers. The project entails repairing a 4 story building using the above-mentioned materials. The renovation will see the building have a new look with most of the facilities being modern. The renovation process makes it possible for its users to have access to most of the equipment and services efficiently. Most nailers were found to have hazardous effects mostly on the users. Most of them are connected to a compressed air stream by a long hose, which is a nimble hazard as workers do move and climb up in the construction site. Power hand tools become hazardous if improperly used. There are several power tools based on the source of energy they are used. For instance, it becomes hazardous to use power hand tool while holding the cord or the hose. All equipment should be used appropriately and in a timely manner to avoid such effects. It is the responsibility of the project management team to ensure that the aim of the renovation is achieved in a safe and sound manner.  

Friday, November 1, 2019

Facebook and Privacy Issues Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Facebook and Privacy Issues - Essay Example While social networking has its advantages, it is also important to note that, there are drawbacks related to the use of social media platforms. This is because, social networking involves sharing of information between two or more people, and in some occasions, the information shared can reach wrong hands. This in essence, creates problems concerning privacy issues since users may want some of the information they share through the social media to remain private. In this regard, a leading social media site like Facebook is embattling problems related to privacy issues for its users. This paper examines privacy issues as one of the drawbacks for Facebook considered the leading social media platform globally.Prior to the advent of digital communications, sharing of information between persons or institutions in the society was rather cumbersome. This is because in order to interact with other people, this had to be done physically and involved moving from one point to another point. I n addition, dissemination of information was slow and mails had to be delivered physically to their destinations. The only means of a quicker communication network in the 19th and early 20th century was through the telephone or telegram. But these communication tools were the preserve of those with higher social standing. The rest of the society was left to rely on one-on-one communication or postal mails. While it was slow to interact with other people or disseminate information in this era, issues related to privacy were not a concern for people.