The Drug Mdma Essays - Substituted Amphetamines, Euphoriants

The Drug Mdma The drug MDMA (ecstasy) is very well known, however it's long term, and cognitive functioning effects are not. The main purpose of this study was to ?establish if users and previous users of MDMA exhibit impairments in more basic level cognitive processes such as working memory functioning, information processing speed, anxiety and arousal? (Wareing, Fisk, Murphy, May 00, 2). In past studies of MDMA, a lot of information regarding its effects has been established yet so much more is still unclear. Topics such as MDMA's relationship to arousal levels and whether the mood and cognitive functioning impairments are long term are either unstudied or virtually unknown. These topics being very important it was decided that a study should be performed. With these ideas in mind, the experimenters focused on two main hypotheses. The first included that MDMA users would be less effective in the random letter generation task. This task studies a persons central executive functioning. The second hypothesis was saying previous, current and non-users arousal levels would differ greatly and users would have the highest anxiety levels. The method the study was done was experimental. 30 individuals participated in all and were divided into 3 categories users, non-users and previous users. Users defined as currently using MDMA, non-users as never using MDMA and previous users were defined as having quit the drug for at least 6 months. There were equal numbers of males and females in each of the 3 groups. The independent variables in this study were the user group and previous user group. This would determine the short-term effects on users and long-term effects on previous users. The control variable was the group of non-users. The dependent variable would be the experiments performed, or more, the gist of the experiments. These experiments were designed to measure central executive measures, background measures, information processing speed, arousal and anxiety. The study included questionnaires, oral questions and simple tasks. The experiments were performed individually on each participant. An important note that was found was that all users, both previous and current, were taking at least one other psychoactive drug in addition to MDMA. This might very well be a factor in all experiments performed. The random generation task is designed to place a constant strain on the central executive and keeps demanding the brain to work and think. Since users and previous users scored less than non-users, it's safe to assume MDMA users have trouble in coping with high levels of cognitive demand. Even previous users have trouble with this test showing that this impairment persists even when you quit taking MDMA. This study also found through the information processing speed test that MDMA users are able to process information as quickly as non-users just not as accurate by a significant amount. In general, the idea the authors were aiming at was that users, or previous users, would score lower on the experiment compared to the non-users. Perhaps the experiment was not as well designed to fit this particular expectation. One of the hypotheses was that users would score less than non-users in a random letter generation task by a significant amount. This was both proven and not proven with the results. The authors found that in the one second production test they were right and non-users did significantly better than users or previous users. On the other hand, this was only a third of the test, there were also 2 second and 4 second tests where non-users did score better but by very little and by no means significant. The other hypothesis was regarding anxiety and arousal saying that with all three groups would differ significantly. This one they couldn't have guessed better, between all three groups they found there was a significant difference with both anxiety and arousal. The study on MDMA and its effects was very inconclusive. The gist of the whole study was to find how a certain type of drug, in the short and long run, affects its consumers. The participants who were studied and compared to non-users all confessed to using at least more than one drug besides MDMA. This brings questions like what kind, how much, how often and how do these drugs

buy custom Technology Tools for Communication essay

buy custom Technology Tools for Communication essay Communication is essential for any business success in the world today. It is therefore important to employs technological tools for communication between potential customers and company to enhance efficiency. There are a variety of technology tools for communication in the business world today. Video and web conferencing is one of the very important tools for communication. This technology helps in transmitting and receiving sound and pictures in real-time. Web conferencing is a technological advancement in communication that allows the sharing of documents and applications. This communication tool is aided by a teleprecence conference room which includes ultra-high definition cameras. Again, the conference rooms have large screen with discrete sound to create in person experience. Another technology tool for communication is Skype. This system can do conferencing with up to 24 people. Its audio quality is excellent though on a one to one communication at a time. Skype is a tool for communication that gives free Voice Over IP (VoIP) program that allows the user to have Instant Message (IM) or call (VoIP) through the users computer. In addition, smart tools like the electronic whiteboards have been employed in classroom lessons for teaching. They allow the instructor to display information from the computer to the electronic board allowing students interaction with the displayed information. Online chat tools are also part of the technology tools for communication. This is any type of communication that is over the internet though one to one and text-based. This tool for communication is used in place of email where there is need for live communication. Moreover, internet has become a very important tool for communication. This tool is basically applicable with search engines such as Google and yahoo. Many business organizations communicate to their clients through web postings and in these search engines. Other technology tools for communication include mobile telephones such as Smartphone. They have large screen with an open operating system offering improved capabilities with computer-like functions. Smartphone can incorporate advances features such as e-mails and internet as well as e-book functions. Technology and internet have made communication fast and efficient which has in turn improved business communication and education systems in the world today. Buy custom Technology Tools for Communication essay

Mary Church Terrell Quotes

Mary Church Terrell Quotes Mary Church Terrell was born the same year that the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, and she died two months after the Supreme Court decision, Brown v. Board of Education. In between, she advocated for racial and gender justice, and especially for rights and opportunities for African American women. Selected Mary Church Terrell Quotations And so, lifting as we climb, onward and upward we go, struggling and striving, and hoping that the buds and blossoms of our desires will burst into glorious fruition ere long. With courage, born of success achieved in the past, with a keen sense of the responsibility which we shall continue to assume, we look forward to a future large with promise and hope. Seeking no favors because of our color, nor patronage because of our needs, we knock at the bar of justice, asking an equal chance. I cannot help wondering sometimes what I might have become and might have done if I had lived in a country which had not circumscribed and handicapped me on account of my race, that had allowed me to reach any height I was able to attain. Through the National Association of Colored Women, which was formed by the union of two large organizations in July, 1896, and which is now the only national body among colored women, much good has been done in the past, and more will be accomplished in the future, we hope. Believing that it is only through the home that a people can become really good and truly great, the National Association of Colored Women has entered that sacred domain. Homes, more homes, better homes, purer homes is the text upon which our have been and will be preached. Please stop using the word Negro.... We are the only human beings in the world with fifty-seven variety of complexions who are classed together as a single racial unit. Therefore, we are really truly colored people, and that is the only name in the English language which accurately describes us. It is impossible for any white person in the United States, no matter how sympathetic and broad, to realize what life would mean to him if his incentive to effort were suddenly snatched away. To the lack of incentive to effort, which is the awful shadow under which we live, may be traced the wreck and ruin of score of colored youth. Seeing their children touched and seared and wounded by race prejudice is one of the heaviest crosses which colored women have to bear. Surely nowhere in the world do oppression and persecution based solely on the color of the skin appear more hateful and hideous than in the capital of the United States, because the chasm between the principles upon which this Government was founded, in which it still professes to believe, and those which are daily practiced under the protection of the flag, yawn so wide and deep. As a colored woman I may enter more than one white church in Washington without receiving that welcome which as a human being I have the right to expect in the sanctuary of God. When Ernestine Rose, Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucy Stone, and Susan B. Anthony began that agitation by which colleges were opened to women and the numerous reforms inaugurated for the amelioration of their condition along all lines, their sisters who groaned in bondage had little reason to hope that these blessings would ever brighten their crushed and blighted lives, for during those days of oppression and despair, colored women were not only refused admittance to institutions of learning, but the law of the States in which the majority lived made it a crime to teach them to read. Quote collection assembled by Jone Johnson Lewis.

Marketing , advertising and sales promotion FINAL Assignment

Marketing , advertising and sales promotion FINAL - Assignment Example On the other hand, sales promotion relies on value added offers which may be discounted, demonstrations, exhibitions, contests, trade shows, giveaways and points of sale displays in a bid to appeal customers to make purchases. Contrary to advertising, sales promotion is short term, direct and leads to the increase of sales I a short time (Schmitt, 2011). Therefore, sales promotion proves to be more effective in a shorter period of time. The customer is the most important person involved with any company because all the products and services are targeted to the customer. Notably, there is no business without a customer (Schmitt, 2011). Demographics denote social, economic features used to define a population, especially in statistics. This includes age, sex, income level, marital status, religion, occupation, birth rate, death rate, educational level, family size and average age at marriage (Schmitt, 2011). a) Advertising uses an emotional appeal which targets to convey a message that will be remembered for a long time while sales promotion is an emotional approach used in appealing customers to make immediate purchases. Vertical marketing refers to marketing that targets a certain industry on target markets and addresses their specialized needs (Schmitt, 2011). This form of marketing focuses on a single niche and not a broad market. Public Relations is important to any organization as it serves to build a desirable reputation for the organization. Moreover, it ensures that customers have a good perception concerning the organization. Therefore, Public Relations is critical in maintaining customers and may also serve to bring new customers to the business who are recommended by the existing customers (Hoffman & Bateson, 2009). Secondary data denotes data gathered for other purposes and not for addressing the research topic. In marketing research, secondary data is used in the selection of markets that

Lincoln Electric Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Lincoln Electric - Case Study Example As the discussion stresses  one of the major contributing factors towards the success of Lincoln Electric is its flexibility. The company does not believe in maintaining an official organization chart in order to offer high flexibility. The company’s easy and less complicated policy support s employees to go to anyone whom they think to be proficient enough in providing solutions to their problems offering a flexible organizational structure. Flexibility is considered to be an important factor for the success of any organization. Employees or workers should be given enough flexibility to work according to their own ways and convenience in order to be productive ensuring the superiority of the end products.This paper highlights that  an easy and less complex policy would remove the barriers among the workers and the executives and would facilitate smooth communication. Communication is quite important in organizations so that the problems can be communicated to the concerne d person and measures can be immediately taken to find a solution without largely hampering the manufacturing functions.  The company does not have any special policies or perks for the executives which promotes a sense of equality among the employees and in turn encourages a sense of responsibility in them.  The company handed over the control of management to various teams which facilitate them with the right to take decisions when necessary. This ensures a smooth flow of work, as employees need not wait for others to take decisions and then having to act accordingly. This triggers in them a sense of responsibility to perform better (Willcoxson, 2011). Another important factor is that employees are entitled to profit sharing as well as stock options based on individual as well as team performance (McGee & Et. Al., 2006). Employees are influenced to bring forward innovative ideas by the management which would enhance their productivity. The company constantly invests on trainin g as well as educating the employees to make certain effectual contributions towards business performance. The responsibilities given to the employees are also considered as significant factor. They include pay cuts and penalties in case of absenteeism which instill a sense of responsibility, the workers related to production needs to provide assurance regarding the quality of individual piece produced by them or else no payment is made against it and finally there are only few supervisors owing to which team work is promoted without any detailed supervision. Thus, the above mentioned factors can be considered as the major contributing factors for the company’s superior performance (Lussier, 2008). Understanding of the Factors Responsible for High Performance The high performance of Lincoln Electric is reliant on many external as well as internal factors. Flexibility, communication, incentive structure, policies, sense of equality and responsibility are the most important contributing

Financial Theories Overview Essay Example for Free

Financial Theories Overview Essay costs of capital to a firm would remain the same no matter what combination of financing sources the firm actually chose (Miller, 2001, p. 185). The dividend proposition overcomes objection to leverage proof. | 3. Agency Cost Theory I Michael Jensen and William Meckling define agency costs as the costs associated with cooperative effort by human beings, which arises when the principal hires an agent to carry out duties Oensen, 2005). Conflicts of interest between management and shareholders are inevitable and can cause a potential loss in value of public corporations (Chew, 2001). For example, shareholders may want management to increase shareholder value, but management may grow the business to increase personal power and wealth (Chew, 2001). | Enrons company was worth $30 billion and senior managers tried to defend a $40 billion of excess valuation. Ultimately Enron executives destroyed the company by trying to fool the markets through accounting manipulations, hiding debt through off-balance sheet partnerships, and over hyped new ventures such as their broadband futures effort Oensen, 2005, pp. 10-11). John Roth, former chief executive officer (CEO) of Nortel, wrote off most cquisitions, when stock price crashed and closed down activities, which resulted in the destruction of not only the corporate value but also the social value of the company Oensen, 2005). Finance scholars found a reduction in conflict of interest between management and shareholders because of: (1) product market competition and a market for executive labor

Why Couldnt Kant Be A Utilitarian? Essay -- Philosophy Philosophical

Why Couldn't Kant Be A Utilitarian? ABSTRACT: In his essay "Could Kant Have Been a Utilitarian?", R. M. Hare tries to show that Kant's moral theory contains utilitarian elements and it can be properly asked if Kant could have been a utilitarian, though in fact he was not. I take seriously Hare's challenge to the standard view because I find his reading on the whole reasonable enough to lead to a consistent interpretation of Kant's moral philosophy. Still, I hardly believe that it is necessarily concluded from Hare's reading that Kant could have been a utilitarian. In this paper, I will first show that Hare's interpretation of 'treating a person as an end' as treating a person's ends as our own is reasonable, and so is his reading of 'willing our maxim as a universal law' and 'duties to oneself,' which is based on that interpretation. Then I will argue that Kant couldn't be a utilitarian despite the apparently utilitarian elements in his theory because caring about others' ends (of which happiness is the sum) is a duty. This is so, in Kant's view, not because happiness is valuable in itself, but because it is the sum of those ends set freely by each rational human being who is valuable in itself, that is, an end in itself. In his essay "Could Kant Have Been A Utilitarian?", (1) R.M. Hare, analyzing Kant's text, tries to show that Kant's moral theory contains utilitarian elements and it can be properly asked whether Kant could have been a utilitarian though he was in fact not. I take his challenge to the standard view seriously not because it is made by the celebrated moral philosopher but because I find Hare's reading of Kant's text on the whole reasonable enough to lead to a consistent interpretation of Kant's moral philo... ... fuer Philosophie), 1991. (3) T. Terada, op.cit.; J. Murphy, Kant: The Philosophy of Right, MacMillan, 1970. (4) H.J. Paton, The Categorical Imperative, Pennsylvania U.P., 1971. (5) T. Terada, "'Universal Principle of Right' as the Supreme Principle of Kant's Practical Philosophy", in: Proceedings of the 8th International Kant Congress, 1995. (6) T. Terada, "Kanto ni okeru Jiko ni taisuru Gimu no Mondai (The Problem of 'Duties to Oneself' in Kant)", Tetsugaku (The Philosophy) 46, 1995; T. Nitta,"Fuhenkakanosei to Sogo-shutaisei (Universal-izability and Intersubjectivity)", in: Aichi Kenritsu Daigaku ronshu 35, 1986. (7) T. Terada, "'Universal Principle of Right' as the Supreme Principle of Kant's Practical Philosophy"; P. Guyer, "Kant's Morality of Law and Morality of Freedom", in Dancy (ed.), op.cit. (8) W.K. Frankena, Ethics, Prentice-Hall, 1973. Why Couldn't Kant Be A Utilitarian? Essay -- Philosophy Philosophical Why Couldn't Kant Be A Utilitarian? ABSTRACT: In his essay "Could Kant Have Been a Utilitarian?", R. M. Hare tries to show that Kant's moral theory contains utilitarian elements and it can be properly asked if Kant could have been a utilitarian, though in fact he was not. I take seriously Hare's challenge to the standard view because I find his reading on the whole reasonable enough to lead to a consistent interpretation of Kant's moral philosophy. Still, I hardly believe that it is necessarily concluded from Hare's reading that Kant could have been a utilitarian. In this paper, I will first show that Hare's interpretation of 'treating a person as an end' as treating a person's ends as our own is reasonable, and so is his reading of 'willing our maxim as a universal law' and 'duties to oneself,' which is based on that interpretation. Then I will argue that Kant couldn't be a utilitarian despite the apparently utilitarian elements in his theory because caring about others' ends (of which happiness is the sum) is a duty. This is so, in Kant's view, not because happiness is valuable in itself, but because it is the sum of those ends set freely by each rational human being who is valuable in itself, that is, an end in itself. In his essay "Could Kant Have Been A Utilitarian?", (1) R.M. Hare, analyzing Kant's text, tries to show that Kant's moral theory contains utilitarian elements and it can be properly asked whether Kant could have been a utilitarian though he was in fact not. I take his challenge to the standard view seriously not because it is made by the celebrated moral philosopher but because I find Hare's reading of Kant's text on the whole reasonable enough to lead to a consistent interpretation of Kant's moral philo... ... fuer Philosophie), 1991. (3) T. Terada, op.cit.; J. Murphy, Kant: The Philosophy of Right, MacMillan, 1970. (4) H.J. Paton, The Categorical Imperative, Pennsylvania U.P., 1971. (5) T. Terada, "'Universal Principle of Right' as the Supreme Principle of Kant's Practical Philosophy", in: Proceedings of the 8th International Kant Congress, 1995. (6) T. Terada, "Kanto ni okeru Jiko ni taisuru Gimu no Mondai (The Problem of 'Duties to Oneself' in Kant)", Tetsugaku (The Philosophy) 46, 1995; T. Nitta,"Fuhenkakanosei to Sogo-shutaisei (Universal-izability and Intersubjectivity)", in: Aichi Kenritsu Daigaku ronshu 35, 1986. (7) T. Terada, "'Universal Principle of Right' as the Supreme Principle of Kant's Practical Philosophy"; P. Guyer, "Kant's Morality of Law and Morality of Freedom", in Dancy (ed.), op.cit. (8) W.K. Frankena, Ethics, Prentice-Hall, 1973.

Environmental policy Essay

â€Å"Environmental policy can’t be based solely on efficiency arguments. Issues of ethics are at least as important.† Discuss The above statement is true to a certain extent and in the course of this essay a balanced discussion will be presented in the hope that the outcomes will prove this to be true. To begin, the thoughts of some Russian intellectuals will be put forwards on the subject of Utilitarianism and why efficiency is self-destructive in the long run, thus supporting the statement â€Å"Environmental policy can’t be based solely on efficiency arguments.† To lead on from this there will be a dialogue as to the problems faced by old command and control (hence forth referred to as CAC) policies such as direct regulation and emissions fees from an efficiency and ethical viewpoint. Then, these methods of environmental policy and the ideas of Ronald Coase will be highlighted as an example of ethical influence in possible environmental policy as well as from an efficiency standpoint. Following this will be an outlining of the development of the U.S Tradable permits approach to air pollution control and the ethical influences therein. Taking the ethical issues point raised in the title statement one step further then leads onto the idea of ethical considerations. These have been based around an anthropocentric perspective, thus far and so at this point some views from an eco-centric stance will be considered. To do this, A. Leopold’s ‘The Land Ethic’ will be looked at. The rights of nature will be brought under the umbrella of Ethical issues and discussed from a policy perspective. What economists mean by â€Å"economic efficiency†, is that â€Å"in an ideal economic system, goods worth more than they cost to produce get produced, goods worth less than they cost to produce do not.† (D. Friedman. 2004) This holds firm throughout this discussion, along with the idea of efficiency as it is defined as both: â€Å"The production of the desired effects or results with minimum waste of time, effort or skill,† (dictionary.com 2004) and as â€Å"A measure of effectiveness; specifically, the useful work output divided by the energy input in any system† (dictionary.com 2004). In different aspects of environmental policy, these different definitions of efficiency hold true, though it is clear that they all have the same thing in mind when referring to efficiency. As it Stands, Utilitarianism (the theory of Jeremy Bentham) is an example of efficiency if it were to be applied to policy. Valdimir Odoevsky, â€Å"one of the most brilliant and influ ential representatives of progressive thought [in Russia]† (A. Frolova 1998) of his time, produced a development of the utilitarian theory of J. Bentham, which is illustrated in Alla Frolova’s article ‘Ecological reasoning: Ethical alternatives’. The utilitarian approach to life as put across by Odoevsky, who states that â€Å"utility is an essential driving force of all human actions,† (A. Frolova 1998) it is said to be the driving force for all laws, legislations, activities and morals. It is also suggested that under the notion of utilitarianism, utility should be allowed to take the place of all notions of so called consciousness, so called inborn feeling, all poetical dreams and fantasies. This is a very powerful tool for the representation of efficiency as the sole driver of any policy decisions, even environmental ones, however it is a valid viewpoint where ethics is not taken into consideration. Odoevsky talks of a civilization called Benthamia where under the concept of utility everything runs in a sustainable way. However it is when a new civilization is founded outside of Benthamia that the problems associated with a system void of ethics emerge. Through the use of political intrigues, deceit, and bribery, as well as organizing quarrels among any rival civilizations that emerge in order to weaken them for the benefit of Benthamia, the Benthamites extend their power. After they have sufficiently weakened a civilization to the point where that civilization is of no further use to Benthamia, the weakened civilization is taken into full possession either by the acquisition of it (at the cheapest efficient price) or by the use of force. All of these points are seen to be ethically wrong in today’s world where ethics is â€Å"A set of principles of right conduct† (A. Frolova 1998) and even when there is a call for utilization of â€Å"deserted islands† (A. Frolova 1998) rather than taking over the crushed neighbors of Benthamia, the suggestions are condemned and those who put them forwards are said to be â€Å"idle dreamers† (A. Frolova 1998). In Odoevsky’s vision of utilitarianism, Benthamia is torn apart from within due to different self interests associated with differing social situations throughout the growing civilization and as it is put by Odoevsky â€Å"One day glorious Benthamia ceased to exist.† (A. Frolova 1998) Odoevsky perceives nature as sensitive and responsive in regard to human morals and this representation of efficiency as the sole driver of decision making shows that ethics are important in every aspect of what we do. Less extreme examples of efficiency in environmental policy can be seen when looking at cases such as the policy relating to dealing with the inefficiencies associated with the production of steel. Classic approaches to the problem of the externalities of steel production include direct regulation by the government based on telling the steel industry how much they can pollute, as well as emission fees (called Pigouvian taxes). Emission fees are based around the concept of charging steel companies for the damage done by its pollution. The idea of direst regulation is seen to be an inefficient environmental policy whereas emission fees are said to produce an efficient amount of steel as well as an efficient amount of pollution control. In the real world however emission fees policy is not efficient as it is difficult to measure what the damage caused is as well as it being inefficient to spend time looking for the damage caused. These two policies are based around the idea of efficiency in the steel industry (as an example), though with the insight of R. Coase and the introduction of what many have dubbed â€Å"Coase Theorem† social cost can be associated with efficiency to create a better overall way of viewing the problem of externalities through the introduction of property rights. Rather than a system whereby the government defines the measures that need to be taken by industry or where it is left to the polluter to deal with the control methods as with the previously mentioned CAC policies, the idea of Coase’s theorem defines a policy where, â€Å"if transaction costs are zero – if, in other words, any agreement that is in the mutual benefit of the parties concerned gets made, then any initial definition of property rights leads to an efficient outcome† (D. Friedman. 2004) The way that his argument is put across in the article entitled ‘the Swedes get it right’ is based around the cost of abatement of pollution in a steel factory Vs. the cost of changing downwind land use from a resort to a timber forest. The article, written by D. Friedman, puts forwards a very efficient environmental policy whereby the distribution of property rights leads to the internalization of externalities and the most cost effective outcome on a social level. Under the notion of Coase theorem, if it is cheaper for the resort to pay the factory for the cost of pollution abatement rather than change his own land use then this should be done, producing a situation where everybody is happy and the overall conditions are more desirable. This efficiency based policy is seen to be an advancement of old efficiency based policy though there are still problems associated with it due to the fact that ethics are not considered. One of the largest problems noted by Coase is the idea of the â€Å"Public Good Problem† (D. Friedman. 2004). If there are many different people living downwind of a factory and they contribute to the abatement of the pollution, then if one person does not pay because doing so wont make a difference to whether the abatement is paid or not and the abatement does go through, then that person is seen to be a â€Å"free rider† (D. Friedman. 2004) getting abatement for free. This is why air pollution in Southern California still persists, as there are millions of people living in the area it is hard to get a situation where everyone pays for the abatement of pollution and it is not possible to re-locate this vast number of people. Coase argues that it is not the externalities that essential ly create the problem, but that it is the transaction costs. A policy approach to the environment that has taken ethical issues into consideration can be seen in the US formation of a tradable permit approach to air pollution control. In the discussion about the US system ethical consideration is defined in either of two contexts: â€Å"(1) when the decisions seem to reflect altruistic concerns which transcend self-interest and (2) when the decisions seem to provide special treatment to ‘rights’ which seem to have a special moral justification† (T. Tietenberg. 1998). The emissions trading program is set out as a straight forwards, flexible market based policy where the trading of permits is allowed and efficiency is increased due to the self interests of the participating industries. Through the acquisition of an â€Å"emission reduction credit (ERC)† (T. Tietenberg. 1998) this trading can take place and to acquire this ERC a company must lower its emissions to a point below the required level put forwards by the Cle an air act. Further efficiency is established by the way that the ERC system allows new firms to come into the market, thus, â€Å"by introducing the offset policy EPA [the Environmental protection agency] allowed economic growth to continue whilst insuring progress toward attainment.† (T. Tietenberg. 1998) The efficiency of the tradable permits system can be seen by analysis, which concluded that â€Å"the proposed 0.01 g per leaded gallon (gplg) standard would result in $36 billion ($1983) in benefits (from reduced adverse health effects) at an estimated cost to refining industry of $2.6 billion.† (T. Tietenberg. 1998) As well as being implemented at a national level. Tradable permit systems have also been applied at a regional scale, with air pollution in California being an example of this. RECLAIM (Regional Clean Air Incentives Market) shifts the burden of identifying the appropriate control strategies from the control authorities to the polluter (a point that made direct regulation an inefficient policy based solution, as previously mentioned), and thus the system again proves to be effective due to the fact that now, pollution prevention is given an economic underpinning. Along with these examples off efficiency, the tradable permits system, when compared to emissions char ges and emission standards comes out as a far more effective environmental policy. Ethics can be observed in the Tradable permits approach however, and evidence seen in the paper ‘Ethical influences on the evolution of the US tradable permit approach to air control’ suggests that ethical considerations have played a role in shaping the environmental objective, the choice of instruments, the definition of the tradable commodity, the treatment of shutdown credits, the relationship to traditional regulation and the rules governing permit trades. Thus it is the opinion of the author T. Tietenberg, that ethical influences on the evolution of the US tradable permit approach have been â€Å"blended with pragmatic and political concerns to forge a compromise approach† (T. Tietenberg. 1998). This means that even if ethical issues are considered they do not hold as much weight as efficiency arguments and result in efficiency bias compromises. This can be seen in the case of shut down credits. Among the various ways of creating credits this has been the most controversial point. It is controversial, ethically, because the economic incentive should be targeted at positive actions to reduce pollution through the investment of new control equipment and not through shut-down (which is where a factory is shut down to create a large number of tradable ERC’s). As a result the compromise has produced a situation whereby â€Å"all shut-down credits either revert to the control authority or they could be freely transferred to buyers† (T. Tietenberg. 1998). This is a result that doesn’t stop the process of shut-downs (as would be ethically acceptable) but allows the process to continue but with efficient outcomes rather than hoarding of ERC’s. The ethical issues that have been represented in the case study of Tradable permits in the US have been examples of human-centric ethics focusing on welfare. Some environmentalists, such as A. Leopold focus more on eco-centric ethics and present an argument that through social evolution the land itself should be considered as a member of the community which is taken into account in environmental policy. Leopold, in his article, ‘The Land Ethic’ explains his concept and the problems associated with achieving this goal. It is said to be the case that our educational and economic system is heading away from, rather than towards â€Å"an intense consciousness of land† (A. Leopold. 1949) . Leopold shows through the use of specific examples how there are essentially two different types of conversationalists, as Leopold puts it there are the â€Å"economic value grabbers† (A. Leopold. 1949) and those that see â€Å"land as biota† (A. Leopold. 1949) and worr y about the secondary functions of things such as forests. Leopold gives a good illustration of this through the use of sport and meat. Group A, the economic value grabbers, when presented with the idea, will think efficiently about the subject, being satisfied with the thought that these are things that ‘come from’ nature. Group B however, worries about biotic side issues, for example the cost in predators of producing a game crop. Whereas the ideas associated with Coase’s theorem are related to the health issues and other things that affect humans living downwind of the factory, it is the conclusion of Leopold that, â€Å"A land ethic, then, reflects the existence of an ecological conscience, and this in turn reflects a conviction of individual responsibility for the health of the land† (A. Leopold. 1949). This view holds that the land is to be conserved or protected as some sustainability policies are currently leading towards. It is the opinion of Leopold that sustainability policy should be based around ideas of eco-centric ethics rather than being based around the idea that it is a ne cessity to promote sustainable policies from a human centric point of view. To conclude it can be said that efficiency is still the main focus of environmental policy making however over time the emergence of ethics in policy has emerged, though ethical issues are not considered to be at least as important as efficiency arguments. It has been said that â€Å"without some kind of ethic (a theory of right and responsibility) and some kind of axiology (or value theory) we lack guidance and direction for tackling problems, whether global, environmental, or otherwise† (R. Attfield. 1999). The discussion in this essay has led towards an outcome that supports the statement to a certain degree. It has been shown through the use of the utilitarian argument and some CAC policy methods that efficiency is not the only thing that has to be considered in environmental policy making, and the US case-study supports the notion that a certain amount of ethics has to be involved. But the nature of the ethics that is applied is essentially Human-centric and to consider ethical issues in environmental policy to be as important as efficiency the idea of a land ethic is an important one. As Leopold says himself the idea of a land ethic is not yet public opinion and in fact is only being kept alive by a minority who has revolted against modern trends of efficiency and human-centric ethics. Ethical issues are not as important as efficiency arguments in environmental policy though if the land ethic were to become a popular opinion through re-education and a shift in social thinking then there is a hope that in time the statement will be completely justified. References A. Leopold (1949) The Land Ethic. In: A Second County Almanac. Oxford University Press. Oxford. Alla Frolova (1998) Ecological reasoning: Ethical alternatives. Ecological Economics, 24. p.169-182. Dictionary.com (2004) http://dictionary.reference.com/ David Friedman The Swedes get it right. http://www.daviddfriedman.com/Libertarian/The_Swedes.html (2004) Robin Attfield (1983) The Ethics of Environmental Concern. Basil Blackwell. Oxford. Robin Attfield (1998) Existence value and intrinsic value. Ecological Economics, 24. p. 163-168 Robin Attfield (1999) The Ethics of the Global Environment. Edinburgh University Press. Edinburgh. Robert Elliot (1995) Environmental Ethics. Oxford University Press. Oxford. Tom Tietenberg (1998) Ethical influences on the evolution of the US tradable permit approach to air pollution control. Ecological Economics, 24. p. 241-257. Student no. 00020854702E

Letting God Flow Through You Essay

As mortal beings, we cannot be sure that we will be alive to perform the tasks we have intended to perform, regardless of whether we have planned for tomorrow or another day in future. It is for this reason that Dr. Wayne Dyer’s book, The Power of Intention, advises us to go with the divine flow that gave us life and would lead us on to perform the chores we have intended to perform. According to Dr. Dyer, there is nothing that we do without the divine energy that does not only support us in making intentions but also completes the chores for us with excellence. Thus, intention may be referred to as God. Dr. Dyer states that there are seven facets of intention, that is, creativity, kindness, love, beauty, expansion, abundance, and receptivity. We all desire to be creative, for example, just as we desire to be shown kindness to and be loved. However, according to Dr. Dyer’s advice – it is not possible to remove the obstacles from the way unless we have intended to go with the divine flow to receive these blessings from God. After all, the mulish, oft negative ego may try to get in the way. What is the solution to negativity, that is, feeling bad and unable to achieve our goals? According to Dr. Dyer, we would just have to trust God or the divine energy that flows through us in order to complete the tasks assigned us in this lifetime. Thus, in order to be happy, we would simply have to align ourselves with the feeling of happiness that is always ready to flow through us. There may be any number of things for us to feel happy about. As an example, if we are gifted with eyesight we can be grateful for that and enjoy the blessing with the awareness that some people are born blind. But, we cannot wait on achievement of our goals. We simply have to trust, and flow. Each moment we live becomes a blessing this way. And, our goals are achieved with God (Dyer). Works Cited Dyer, Wayne. The Power of Intention. Carlsbad, CA: Hay House, 200

Acupuncture essays

Acupuncture essays Acupuncture is currently being used for a number of medical treatments. It is important to look at the history of acupuncture, how it relates to post stroke patients and what its significance is to the nursing Acupuncture was developed by the ancient Chinese who "felt awe for the sanctity of the human body. The Nei Ching, attributed to the emperor Huang-Ti (2698-2598 BC), contains a reference to a theory of the circulation of the blood and the vital function of the heart that suggests familiarity with anatomy. Accurate location of the proper points for the traditional Chinese practice of acupuncture implies some familiarity with the nervous and vascular systems (Unknown, 2004)." Supporters of acupuncture believe "illness is caused by a disruption in the flow of qi (pronounced chee'), the collection of energies that endow us with our vitality (Boozang, 1998)." It is felt that the energy travels through "different medians that connect certain organs together (Levin, 2003)." The qi, or life force, is restored when "needles are inserted along the meridians at different acupuncture points, where energy travels close to the surface. Once inserted, the needles are then stimulated either manually by turning them, or electrically (Levin, 2003)." In the United States, the main reason acupuncture is performed is for pain relief, however it is also used for "rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, muscle and nerve difficulties', depression, smoking, eating disorders, drug behavior problems', migraine, acne, cancer and constipation (Boozang, 1998)." It is believed that acupuncture can lessen the addictions, as well as "manage disorders of the digestive, respiratory and vascular Since the early 1980's, acupuncture has "become a more acceptable alternative form of medical treatment in the United States. However, much of the information about acupuncture and its abil...

Case study#1 Julia Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

#1 Julia - Case Study Example She then receives negative comments the following year on issues of being unfriendly and absenteeism in some faculty meetings. She is even interrupted in her conversations or ignored completely (Szybinski & Jordan, 2010, p. 4-6 & L. 1-99). Julia’s situation has to do with her positive attitude towards her new job, something that is not tradition in the department. Most of the faculty members are not motivated to apply for grants or get involved in research with students but Julia wants to make a difference. This is in accordance with the academic duty of a professor. This makes her colleagues feel like she is trying too hard to make an impression. The senior faculty then decides to put her down by ignoring her and giving negative feedback during review. They see her as unfriendly because she doesn’t exchange pleasantries with colleagues. She looks like she is alienating herself from the rest of the faculty members by no attending some meetings. Her situation is made worse when she does not involve herself with office gossip. This makes the seniors feel like she is being intimidating and rebellious (Cariaga-Lo, et al, 2010, P.19-22 & L. 1-98). Julia’s colleagues refuse to vote for her tenure because as they stated, she does not relate well with her colleagues. This however is much deeper than that. Considering that she has the best skills in research and worked for the benefit of the department, the seniors did not take this positively. The faculty feels that they are being undermined by a junior staff. They alienate her and use it against her during evaluation. Julia makes the situation worse when she decides to take matters in her own hands. She ignores her colleagues completely by closing her office door and only opening it during office hours. She makes it even worse when she decides to discuss her colleagues with other faculty members from other departments instead of taking her concerns to the department chair. This is

Otitis Media Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Otitis Media - Research Paper Example The symptom includes a perforated eardrum with drainage of pus (purulent material) or the bulging of eardrum accompanied by pain. It is also likely that the patient also suffers from fever. On the other hand persistent inflammation in the middle ear is called Chronic Otitis media which lasts for at least a month. The difference from acute ear infection is that acute otitis media stays only for few weeks. In the case of chronic otitis media, an acute infection is followed by the effusion of fluid behind the ear drum in the tympanic membrane that can last for about three months. Chronic otitis media is likely to develop negative pressure at the back of the eardrum due to prolonged effusion. It can also cause continuing damage to the eardrum and middle ear and may continue drainage in the eardrum through the hole in the middle. Chronic otitis media usually begins without pain and fever. Popping and ear pressure can last for months leading to a mild loss of hearing (Otitis Media 2011). T reatment of Otitis Media On diagnosing a person with Otitis Media, treatment is planned by considering factors such as the age of the patient, risk factors involved with the resistant bacteria, hearing status and immunization status.