Context and History of Conflict Paper Essay

This essay will discuss the issues between two people, Robert and Denise Patton, along with how these issues affect their two children. To enable an understanding of the problem a summary of the nature and history of the conflict has been given. In addition, a look at the interaction of interests, goals, and the power of each party allows an understanding of each person’s position and role in the conflict as well as personal attempts at resolution of the problem. In working to resolve this conflict there will be strategies discussed which, if Robert and Denise are willing to apply, could help them resolve the conflicts that they are facing in their marriage. Summary of the Nature and History of the Conflict The Patton Family case study has different types of conflict inside it. The summary of the conflict starting with the family dynamic gives a look of what is happening with the family from an outsider looking inward. To an outsider the family is in shambles; they fight regularly, and it seems that the parents have concern about one child only. In the beginning, the parents were happy; they both were on a path that looked successful. They both were in college and had great jobs after college. Once they started a family things changed for the couple. The mother wanted to be a part of the children’s lives more, so she quit her job and found another that worked with her schedule. The parents fought frequently about the youngest child and how to parent him. Since the parents were not getting along for a while the husband finally had enough. He decided to leave the house and tell his wife he wants a divorce. The husband and wife blame each other for the failed marriage, and the youngest child blames himself for his father’s leaving. â€Å"Without an apology or other form of resolution, the trust on both sides is compromised, and may not know what to expect from this person in the future† (Scott, 2011 p. 2). When the father left he never sat down with his children or wife to explain why it had come to this. The father finally had enough with his wife, but he did not explain his reasoning. Context of Conflict The context of the conflict is that two parents have separated after a long marriage resulting from arising conflicts in the marriage. The couple has two children; one who is almost an adult, and the other is a young child who seems to have trouble with his energy at home and at school. The conflict started to occur more frequently and more harshly as their second child started having problems in school. One parent, the mother, believes that there is something wrong with him and that he requires special attention with him all the time. A child with these kinds of behaviors would become costly and would require significant attention. The other parent believes that his son is just spoiled and requires normal attention and discipline. He further believes that these luxuries have left his son vulnerable with a lack of awareness for his surroundings. Whether or not the parents are splitting, they were a team trying to provide for their two children. â€Å"When managing conflicts, collectivist cultures place more emphasis on the avoidance and accommodation of conflicts because collectivists value harmony, security, and conformity† (Hong, 2008). Interactions of Interests, Goals, and Power The interests, goals, and power of both parents are that they cannot stand each other and need space in to function. One believes that he does not receive enough attention from his family and wife, and that they show no gratitude for his hard work. He has been working for many years and has primarily been the sole wage-earner in the family. The wife feels that her family does not appreciate her. She feels that she has lost her active role in the environment of her oldest child and husband. Her focus has been her young son who has been having these troubles at school and home. This amount of pressure has shut her out of everyone’s world except her son, who does not know what is going between the two split parents. According to the text the â€Å"conflict above may be substituting for intimacy and connection, or it may serve as a launching pad for problem solving† (Hocker & Wilmot, 2011). Attempts Made at Conflict Resolution There are competing family goals regarding Arnie (Wilmot & Hocker, 2011). Robert believes lack of discipline is the cause and wants Arnie to be held accountable whereas Denise believes there is a neurological basis and believes Arnie should be tested and treated according to his perceived needs. Though both parents have expressed ideas for dealing with the problem they have not agreed on a method, nor given significant consideration to the other’s opinion in this matter. The conflict has evolved and in the process a couple of resolution tactics have been used. Early in the conflict, aggression and competition were used, with each attempting to use power of position as a tool to win the battle. Rob made the money and determined it would not be used for mental health treatment; Denise was primary care-giver and as such was responsible for seeing that Arnie’s needs were met. Screaming matches to coerce the other into submission failed and eventually gave way to avoidance (Wilmot & Hocker, 2011). Withdrawal from the conflict equated to withdrawal from the relationship as the couple slept apart and ceased communication (Wilmot & Hocker, 2011). The interactions that did take place were interpreted based upon past events, setting the paradigm for what each could expect from the other, likely feeding into rather than helping to resolve the conflict (Coltri, 2010). Robert’s final act of avoidance was for self-protection; he moved out to protect himself from further emotional harm (Wilmot & Hocker, 2011). Personal Initial Reactions or Strategies for Resolving this Conflict Personal Initial Reaction The initial reaction to the conflict between Robert and Denise is that they should agree to mediation as a mean of solving their disagreement. Denise relies on Robert for complete financial support for their family. The problem here is Denise does not want to work because of their son’s neurological condition. Robert believes differently about Denise not wanting to work and feels that Denise is using Arnie’s condition as an excuse. Robert and Denise seek legal consultation, after Robert leaves the home. Strategy for Resolving this Conflict Legal consultation has it advantage but mediation would be better in this situation. Most lawyers discuss with clients if they should choose mediation based on their situations. Mediation would give the couple the opportunity to explain their side of the situation in privacy. Attorneys are contacted for legal advice but mediation is for solving issues and helping the couple to make the right decision. An attorney represents only the client who has retained his or her service and not for solving the problems. A mediator has a neutral part and only help in resolving the issues. Mediation taken place in courts is not private and the judge makes decision on the case. In the case of Robert and Denise, mediation would allow them to decide the outcome. The best thing for Robert and Denise is to have a mediator presence to help settle property, child support, and custody issues. According to Divorceinfo (2013) â€Å"The mediator remains neutral between the husband and the wife. That means the mediator can’t give advice to either party, and also can’t act as a lawyer for either party.† Conclusion Robert and Denise Patton seek legal consultation as a mean of finding ways of settling their conflicts. Legal consultation provides the couple with advice on the best avenue to take in solving their problems. Once the two meet with their lawyer, the couple is told if they should have a mediator there with his or her lawyer. Mediators do not represent either of the couple, only the individuals’ lawyers do.

Pain Control During Infant Circumcision

Pain Control During Infant Circumcision Circumcision is a painful surgical procedure frequently performed on newborn baby boys and often without available pain relief measures being used. The procedure, especially without pain relief, can cause short-term effects such as choking, gagging, and vomiting. Long term effects of circumcision without pain relief are not well understood, however, an increased incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and/or periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) has been associated with pain and stress in the neonate (Leef, 2006). Crying time, facial expression, and sweating palms can indicate infant pain, as can increased heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Although these behavioral and physiological changes are present at other times, the infant usually displays them during a circumcision that is not accompanied with effective pain relief. This paper reviews various pain relief methods and current residency training practices regarding the use of analgesia during the circumcision procedure. Available treatments are used with the three most common circumcision surgical techniques: the Morgen clamp, the Gomco clamp, and the Plastibell method. Recent research suggests that the Morgen clamp is associated with a less painful procedure when compared with the other two (Leef, 2006; Yawman et al. , 2006). Preferred by trainees, the Morgen clamp is also faster to use than the Plastibell (Yawman et al. , 2006) and include local and topical pain relief methods, oral sucrose and oral acetaminophen. Dorsal penile nerve block (DPNB), which involves injecting anesthetic at the base of the penis, and subcutaneous ring block are the two most commonly used local anesthetics. Topically applied anesthetic creams include EMLA, a water-based cream that includes lidocaine and prilocaine. Although DPNB, ring block, and EMLA do not eliminate circumcision pain, all three are more effective than placebo or no treatment (Leef, 2006; Yawman et al. , 2006). Compared head to head, DPNB is substantially more effective than EMLA cream (Leef, 2006). However, DPNB can cause minor bruising, bleeding, or swelling at the injection site and EMLA can cause skin color changes or local skin irritation (Leef, 2006). When used alone during the entire surgical procedure, oral agents, such as sucrose and acetaminophen, have not been shown to be as effective when compared with either EMLA or DPNB (Leef, 2006). However, in 1998, Herschel et al. (as cited in Leef, 2006) found that when sucrose was compared with DPNB during â€Å"the initial time intervals of circumcision (surgical preparation, lateral clamping, lysis of adhesions) and the final period (excision of the foreskin and application of a dressing)† there was no significant difference in heart rate which suggests that sucrose is as effective as DPNB during these periods (Leef, 2006, p. 77). In 1991, Blass and Hoffmeyer (as cited in Leef, 2006) found that babies cried less often when given a sucrose-dipped pacifier compared to a water-dipped pacifier or no intervention when undergoing the procedure. Given these results, one can conclude that combining oral sucrose with DPNB would provide optimum pain relief. Since 1999, the American Aca demy of Family Physicians, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Academy of Pediatrics have all recommended the universal use of local or topical anesthetics during neonatal circumcision (Yawman et al. 2006). In order to find out if there has been an increase in residency programs that teach effective forms of analgesia for newborn circumcision since previous data collection in 1998, Yawman et al. (2006) conducted a survey of US residency programs in family practice (FP), pediatrics (PED), and obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) in April, 2003 (N=940). The results showed that only 82% taught newborn circumcision and that FP residents (95%) were more likely to be taught the procedure than either PED (49%) or OB/GYN (86%) residents. These findings were not significantly different from the 1998 study. Ninety-seven percent of the programs that taught newborn circumcision also taught effective anesthetic techniques. This is a 26% increase compared with the previous study (71%). However, only 84% of the responding programs reported that a topical or local agent was always or at least frequently used. There was a statistically significant difference among residency programs, which showed that 93% of PED, 86% of FP and 76% of OB/GYN programs frequently or always used analgesia. The previous study did not gather this data so a comparative analysis could not be performed (Yawman et al. , 2006). There are several limitations to the Yawman et al. (2006) study. The survey relies on accurate reporting by respondents who may overestimate the frequency of how often effective pain management is taught. In addition, the respondents gave their personal opinion, which reflected on the practices of a whole department of which they may not be fully informed. The respondents completing the survey likely differed from the individuals who responded in the 1998 survey. Last, the study only surveyed teaching hospitals and may not reflect the practices of other community hospitals In spite of these limitations, the results showed that 16% of the residency programs do not always or at least frequently use analgesic agents during the surgical circumcision procedure. Based upon the overwhelming evidence of the safety and benefit to newborns of effective analgesia during circumcision this particular statistic of the Yawman et al (2006) study is both surprising and bothersome. This implies that although the teaching of effective analgesic techniques during circumcision has increased over the years, implementation of these practices is not yet universal. Furthermore, physicians that were trained in programs that did not teach the use of analgesics for circumcision, as was the case for the majority of programs just 15-20 years ago, are not likely to use pain management in their current practice. Therefore, the actual number of infants needlessly subjected to the surgical procedure without effective analgesia use is currently unknown. Further research, which attempts to quantify this number, is needed. The results may be alarming enough to create a standard policy in all hospitals, which states that effective pain management is required for all newborn circumcisions. References Leef, K. H. (2006). Evidence-based review of oral sucrose administration to decrease the pain response in newborn infants. Neonatal Network, 25, 275-284. Yawman, D. Howard, C. R. , Auinger, P. , Garfunkel, L. C. , Allan, M. , & Weitzman, M. (2006). Pain relief for neonatal circumcision: a follow-up of residency training practices. Ambulatory Pediatrics, 6, 210-214.

Leadership examination Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Leadership examination - Essay Example This paper critically evaluates and reflects on my strengths and weaknesses both in leadership and followership based on self analysis, perspectives from third parties and online tests, and from the key strengths and weaknesses determine how I would develop my leadership and followership both in the short run and in the long run My current strengths and weaknesses in leadership and followership The current strengths that I possess in leadership and followership are that I have excellent communication and interpersonal skills and I’m an effective listener. I also have the ability to multitask, cope with previous failure and learning from them and also assuming responsibilities that may not have a person taking of them. My current weaknesses are being disorganized without a planned schedule and analyzing an issue to the smallest details which at times take quite some time. I though sought to identify gaps I was not aware through questioning a number of friends, colleagues, paren ts and supervisor at work. From their perspectives and opinions, they found some of my strengths being that I’m a determined and does not seem to be put down easily, self motivated, a good team player, confident, and creative in finding ways to get something or solving an issue. Key weaknesses that were notable were that I tend to be a chronic debater which can be annoying, I tend to procrastinate issues, I often go out of way in doing things which may antagonize others, and I lose patience easily since often I want things done there and then. I have also been able to learn in class that leadership is not just about possessing higher intelligence quotient, or high academic capabilities, emotional intelligence that are critical in leaders (Jones, 2010:232; Bateman & Snell, 2007:135). In essence therefore, I took two E.I. online tests to get a better grip on my capabilities as a leader. In the first test with Discovery Fit and Health, my Emotional Intelligence results were 73 o ut of 100 an above average result. The interpretation showed that I’m generally able to express my feelings clearly in appropriate situations, I’m positive, optimistic and adapt quite well to altering circumstances. I’m self motivating and can be able to get the strength to complete what I need to do to complete my goals, and I’m resilient ready to bounce back when I encounter drawbacks, survive hardships without bitterness and yet still be able to empathize with others (Discovery Fit and Health, 2012). In the second test result with Institute for Health and Human Potential, the evaluation results were 44, slightly above average. The results show that where as I’m sensitive to the emotional climate around me and is aware of the effect of my behavior on others, I should also be able to honestly communicate my difficult feelings and needs. It also shows that I get engrossed in small details in life that I forget what gives me great joy and meaning. I t shows that I need to work on issues that may be stressing or causing tension in me and should be able to share my feelings and needs freely seeking to take care of myself as I do others (Institute for Health and Human Potential, 2012). I was receptive to the first results and found them to be quite motivating. They were though simple and delivered in a shallow easy to understand manner. In the second test that I took, though I performed above average, the results description went on to critically analyze my weak points in a manner though awakening, I found was also dramatic than was necessary. Combining the two results, I have been able to comprehend my strong and weak points with regard to Emotional Intelli

Recruitment and selection consultation Assignment

Recruitment and selection consultation - Assignment Example The company seeks to recruit a staffing officer who will be responsible for sorting out resumes of potential candidates as required by different employers as well as to conduct interviews. This person should have experience in the field of human resources management. Suitably qualified candidates will be selected on the basis of their education as well as experience. Candidates will be invited to submit their resumes online and aspects such as employee referrals will be seriously taken into consideration. Only shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews. The company shall not discriminate potential candidates on the basis of race or gender. Any person who has knowledge about Australian labour practices will be considered for the position. The company will mainly consider the level of education and experience of the candidates. All people who meet the requirements for the position will be given equal opportunities and will be required to prove that they are competent enough for the position. The other policy of the company is that effort should be made to verify the referees provided by the applicant. This helps to screen the candidates so as to remain with the best people who can fill the vacant positions. The third policy of the company is that all applications should be done online and the candidates will be required to submit their resumes and other relevant information online. The company will maintain a strict policy that all information about the applicants will be treated as confident and will not be divulged to other third parties. The post for the job will be advertised in national newspapers. The company will also use its official website to advertise for the post. All candidates will be required to submit their CVs through the official website of the company. The candidates will be invited by phone to attend the interviews for the

HR Plan Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

HR Plan - Research Paper Example The land acquired by the company is located at various locations all over the United States to take advantage of the geographical variation. The product line of Ritz ranges from organic spices to organic detergents. The company also produces cereals, processed foods, pulses, tea, rock salt, sweeteners and medicinal herbs which are all organic in nature. Ritz also hires officers who are highly experienced in field work and know how to deal with farm resources. The company has employee strength of around 500 skilled individuals. Ritz develops its products by efficiently identifying customer needs and then modifies product line accordingly. Maintaining customer satisfaction is an important goal that the company always tries to fulfill (Armstrong & Taylor, 2014). Ritz operates on the basis of a one person Human Resource (HR) department. In such a scenario, it becomes imperative to strategically design a HR plan that suffices to all the objectives and goals of the company. The design of the HR department must correspond to the various dimensions of the organization i.e. the HR needs to manage all the divisions of the company appropriately and strike a balance between all the divisions (Armstrong & Taylor, 2014). An efficient HR plan requires that the various components and functioning areas that are vital for efficient HR management are strategically developed and given equal importance. The process should not be complicated. This would ensure that the organizational objectives are always in sync with the HR policies (Armstrong & Taylor, 2014). The various components are given as follows: While designing plan about recruitment and selection of employees, the HR manager must keep in mind the appropriate skills necessary for the available job opportunities at the company. The company can design a recruitment system of its own or use other sources which help the company to identify prospective

The Jetstar Group and Customer Service Issues Research Proposal

The Jetstar Group and Customer Service Issues - Research Proposal Example Jester Group has successful to generate huge manpower base of 7000 currently across Asia Pacific which was only 400 people in 2004 at the initial phase of its business operation. This airline group offers 3000 flights per week to near about 60 destinations in 16 countries and territories across Asia Pacific by its core assets of 60 aircrafts. This airline group is recognised for value based and low fare airlines in Asia pacific and it is highly successful in a different customers segment who desire for lowest fare. Mission of the company shows its core focus on the low fares which has successfully its core competency (Jetstar, 2012). Airline industry is part of hospitality industry which is a service based industry. So, for a service company, quality is the most important factor and the company needs to have best focus on quality of the services which only results customer satisfaction. Satisfaction is the parameter to measure the quality and broadly worth of an airline service provi ded by a service company like Jetstar. Gerally low fare airlines provide comparably lower quality of services to the customers. It is a very common customer psyche is that low price means low quality. Therefore, despite of tremendous growth of Jetstar airlines, it low fare service recognition might have decreased its brand value with respect to quality of service which results number of service issues from the customers. Business problem Different service issues are common for the service industries especially for airlines industry as it is a part of hospitality industry. Service provided by the airlines companies need to be of high quality as in hospitality industry quality of service with respect to customer satisfaction needs to be the core value of business. Jetstar group has been receiving frequent customer service issues and this might be for its low fare focus where quality is automatically neglected by the staffs and employees to provide service in lowest cost. It is a commo n perception that airlines companies that only focus low fare service do not review the customers’ feedback or even do not bother to get customers’ response with service related issues or complaints (Steven, Dong, & Smith, n.d., p.37). Therefore, this might be a major problem for Jetstar airlines as it also focus on low fare service and many customers might have unsatisfied with the service provide by the Jetstar. Different issues regarding service offered by the airlines leads to decline in existing customer base. Customer satisfaction positively influence potential customers and helps to generate new customers and this will only be possible if there is no service related issues an airline company gets. Frequent service issues or service complaints are indication of decline of quality of service. Research questions This study presents a detailed research and analysis of critical business problems of an airline company. The motivation of this study can summarized throu gh a specific research question. What are the service issues Jetstar Group? No company disclose service issues or customers’

E-commerce in Arab countries ,what is the benefits Article

E-commerce in Arab countries ,what is the benefits - Article Example Relationships among individuals and organisations have been revolutionized by the massive application of information technology. Such massive use of information and communication technologies has resulted to simpler processes, enhanced productivity, increased customer participation, and reduced costs. As a result large numbers of organisations have shifted from the traditional business platform to the online platform of running business. All these factors have greatly influenced the economies of almost all the developed and developing countries over the past few years. The effects are more prominent in case of developing countries like Arab countries. Generally the list of Arab countries includes Algeria, Djibouti, Bahrain, Iraq, Egypt, Lebanon, Kuwait, Jordon, Mauritania, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Palestinian Autonomous Territories, Oman, Qatar, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Syrian Arab Republic, Sudan, United Arab Emirates, Yemen and Tunisia. Economies of all these countries especially Saud i Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Oman, Sudan and Kuwait are found to be growing fast. As a result use of internet and other related technologies in these countries has increased over the past year and most importantly this use is expected to increase at a faster rate than it was ever before. This paper focuses on e-commerce activities in Arab countries. The paper also contains the benefits of e-commerce having on the economies of Arab countries. The report includes a brief overview of the main concepts of e-commerce. Commercial activities, as we all know, comprise those that are required to carry out trade between different parties. Generally the exchange of products and/or services is settled as per conditions that are mutually acceptable by the parties and hence the objective of any commercial transaction is to ensure that all the parties

Manufacturing Technology Annotated Bibliography Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Manufacturing Technology - Annotated Bibliography Example The most productive technology is logistics management for maximum productivity (Bielecki and Szymonik 2011). Manufacturing Technology has adverse effects on the Supply Chain Management, and with the betterment of this technology, companies can better their productivity and ultimately profits. Logistics management is essential in bettering the management of the supply chain. Logistics is a vital area in supply chain management, and through it, companies can better their production volumes. An example of a logistics approach to manufacturing is the 7R rule. It includes right product, quantity, condition, place, time, customer and at the right price (Choi, Dai, and Song 2004). This strategy betters the supply chain management, since the companys goods reach the market as intended, maximizing demand and customer loyalty. In any manufacturing industry, the level of competition is very high, demanding control measures to maintain a companys market. The approach to cost rationalization aims at ensuring favorable of competition of the products with other rivals. The company, therefore, has an improved system for managing the supply chain with the lower prices. With the reduced prices compared to rival companies, the organization obtains a well-developed supply chain, where their products are in demand. Provision of logistic security is very helpful in terms of bettering the management of the supply chain. It allows the organization to undertake its tasks with no worries of information leakage or loss. Logistics management improves the organizations information security, making it much easier due to the protection. Competitors cannot access the companys information on supply chain management, allowing it to gain competitive advantages and thrive in the competition. Through logistics, companies can manage the flow of information

Three Key Learnings Essay Example for Free

Three Key Learnings Essay This course had been a strong push for me in my career as it has given me the key skills that I needed to face the challenges that I am to face as a professional individual in my field of interest. Undeniably, the skills that I have learned made me more confident in handling real hands-on-basis activities that are to be presented to me in the actual field of work that I am to undergo. These skill enhancements have certainly made me more confident in presenting software that would be much helpful in the field of technological development in the society today.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The qualitative research elements that have been presented to us through this course made me more knowledgeable in handling new era developments in the field of Computer Technology. Improving the existing computer software being used today has become one of the main goals that I have set for myself because of the exposure that I had with qualitative research approach studies. Undermining the different strengths and weaknesses of the existing computer programs today has made me greatly interested the process of enhancing and developing more sophisticated programs that would appear much helpful in the process of improving the systems of the current computer technology situation in the society.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In terms of analyzing other sets of studies that aim to present the different details about several software-programs prepared to present the pros and the cons of the systems in actual applications, this course has made me more confident in the presentations that I am making to be able to handle several analysis reports. Undeniably, this course me more dependable and a lot more competent in my field of study as I am now able to become more practically critical with the works that I am presenting to the officials of my profession and to the public as well. This course actually gave me a clear view on what grave responsibilities I am about to take in as I take steps forward in accepting this profession. True, facing a highly technological world is a huge responsibility for individuals such as my type. But with the right skills and right disposition in facing the challenges of the profession that I am to accept, the said responsibilities could be well performed for the betterment of the larger population of the human society that I am about to serve.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   On the part of synthesizing the studies that are further performed to help in the process of computer technology’s development for the present world of commerce and world connections, I have been able to see the difference of simply understanding the issue from that of directly making solutions for the issues that are concerned with the current computer applications used today. I have learned that seeing deeply in the problem is one particular key that enhances the analysis of the programs thus equipping the analysts the needed understanding that they have to posses to be able to deal with the issues of the system.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Overall, from this course, I was able to recognize what it is that I have to deal with in facing the major issues concerned with computer technology today. Through the skills that I have learned and the attitude that I have gained, I realized how important my profession is for the modern society that we are living with today.

Global Limited System Essay Example for Free

Global Limited System Essay Global Limited is a global provider of infrastructure information systems, whose services cater to a wide range of industry sectors. One of Global Limited’s business objectives is information security for their clients. In order to provide their clients with information security, Global Limited has utilized a risk management approach to protect their client’s information. From a security standpoint the step taken by Global Limited are sound and will maximize the security of their client’s information. The main weakness as such will remain at the user level. If the end users both internal and external are not security conscious and vigilant in their security awareness then there is a risk of a vulnerability being exploited. The access controls Global Limited implemented using access tokens and PIN numbers for authentication provides a level of security to protect unauthorized access to data and systems. The additional use of the Data Loss Prevention (DLP) product to manage data across the network is integral to compliance of the CIA triad. Global Limited’s approach of layered security from end- point to end user utilized several different methods of controls thus providing their clients with a single comprehensive strategy. Although there is no real way to have complete security against all threats, Global Limited has provided their clients with a secure solution without being so intrusive that the end users cannot do their jobs. If a company or organization’s data and systems are not secure, be it from lack of proper controls or improper physical security, then they would be out of compliance with industry standards. According to the SOX act a company is supposed to have internal controls in place to prevent and detect unauthorized access of financial data. Global’s risk management approach was a key factor in the success of their efforts to protecting their cl ient’s information assets. By utilizing risk management strategies Global was able to detect vulnerabilities where there were the  most likelihood of threat and implement controls to detect and/or prevent breaches of the security controls. The risk management process ensured Global addressed security measures at all levels of the IT/domain. Having remote external access to Global’s network poses many threats. Lack of physical controls over devices could result in breaches. If a person lost a laptop that ad sensitive data or kept their login credentials stored on their phones, an unauthorized person could gain access. If data is not properly classified and protected it could be compromised through VPN. Some other tools that are comparable to those used by Global are Biometrics and cryptographic keys used for authentication. Titan CMS is similar to Global’s DLP suite in that it classifies, monitors and secures data across a network. Clone Guard provides vulnerability scanning, intrusion detection, and penetration testing to test an organizations defensive countermeasures and identify threats. References Managed Network Security, IDS IPS Solutions Provider Clone Systems, Inc. (n.d.). Retrieved March 30, 2014, from http://www.clone-systems.com/?gclid=CPCGzpWn1r0CFaVxOgodtEcAeQ Titan CMS content management systems. (n.d.). Retrieved March 30, 2014, from http://titancms.com/home.htm

Self-Control Theory Analysis of Drug Use and Distribution

Self-Control Theory Analysis of Drug Use and Distribution Self-Control Theory Analysis of Prohibited Drug Use and Distribution References Buker, H. (2011). Formation of self-control: Gottfredson and Hirschis general theory of crime and beyond. Aggression and violent behaviour, 265-276. Gottfredson, M. G., Hirschi, T. (1990). A general theory of crime. Palo Alto, CA: Stanford University Press. Hirschi, T., Gottfredson, M. (1993). Commentary: Testing the general theory of crime. Journal of research in crime and deliquency, 47-54. Hirschi, T., Gottfredson, M. R. (2000). In defense of self-control. Theoretical Criminology, 59-64. Macquarie. (2009). Macquarie Concise Dictionary . Sydney: Macquarie Dictionary Publishers Pty Ltd. Newburn, T. (2013). Criminology. Oxon: Routledge. Self-Control Theory Analysis of Prohibited Drug Use and Distribution What is self-control and how do we apply it as a theory when referring to criminal activity? How do we use the theory of self-control to create appropriate reduction strategies for combatting criminal activity? The Macquarie Concise Dictionary defines self-control as ‘control of oneself and or ones actions, feelings, etc.’ (Macquarie, 2009) where as Hirschi Gottfredson refer to self-control as being a ‘concern for the long-term consequences of one’s acts’ (Hirschi Gottfredson, 2000). Are a person’s actions or their control of, predetermined through learned behaviours or is it merely a social â€Å"out† to state that a person has no control over their actions? That they should not be held responsible for behaviours not within their control? When does a person become responsible for their actions and can a person who has limited self-control take steps to become more self-controlled. At the age of eight years old a person is deemed to have from the ability to have self-control. At this age is would be more likely that they have learned this self-control from factors such a family structure and schooling. As maturity is a limited factor at such a young age, if a person has not formed the ability to self-control their own actions, it will be a ‘visible and stable issue as they grow older’ (Gottfredson Hirschi, 1990). Of those people whose self-control has formed it is often noted that they are more likely to resist temptation and are less impulsive, than those whose self-control has not yet formed. They are said to be able to rationalise and behave in what are deemed social norms on a regular and consistent basis. People with low or unformed self-control tend to be self-absorbed, egocentrically self-centred and bear no concern to what consequences their actions have on themselves or other people (Newburn, 2013). Generally speaking they are more likely to use prohibited drugs, engage in risky behaviour such as unprotected or unsafe sexual practices, consume alcohol to excess and are more likely to participate in criminal activity. It should be noted that there is a difference to lack of or low self-control and impulsiveness. Lack of self-control can in turn result is continual behaviour reoccurring due to a person creating an acceptable image within their mind that their actions are justified. Impulsiveness can be a one off event that is spurred on by a momentary thought process that may not ever occur again. But this does not mean that people with low self-control are criminals or that all criminals have low self-control. Like most crimes that are committed, there is an element of opportunity that needs to be present. Newburn makes mention that although it does not provide a long term benefit for the person, it can be stimulating, thrilling and is usually an unskilled act or it does not require any form of proper planning and execution (Newburn, 2013). Even with or without opportunity, most crimes need some form of planning to ensure that they are likely to succeed. In his article on the formation of self-control, Gottfredson and Hirschi’s general theory of crime and beyond, Hasan Buker identifies factors such as Family Structure, Parental Practices, Education and Learning, Biological Factors, Social Structure and Religious Involvement that contribute to how a person’s self-control is formed (Buker, 2011). By examining these factors we can attempt to create positive approaches to interact with people who have committed criminal offences and try to rehabilitate them from reoffending. But can those people who have already had their self-control formed be rehabilitated? Or must we strike while the iron is hot during the younger years of a person’s life and ensure that they are being appropriately taught right from wrong? The primary factors that determine one’s self-control as outlined in the general theory of crime are family structure and diminished parental supervision and parenting practices. If this is the case then it must be said that the secondary influences for self-control formation are social structure, education and learning. Almost all of these factors occur before a person has hit the defined age of eight years old for self-control formation. If parents find it socially acceptable to use prohibited drugs, then a young impressionable mind may feel that it too is an acceptable practice and is more likely to experiment if they are offered prohibited drugs at a later stage in their life. If suitable supervision occurs, which includes setting up appropriate boundaries and expectations, during the early years of a person’s childhood, including the adolescent years, they are more likely to respond in a positive manner to those who have no set boundaries and expectations. With thi s in mind, if parents are behaving in what is deemed law abiding behaviour, and they supervise their children in the same manner, then it must be said that their children’s level of self-control and ability to resist temptation would be greater and they are less likely to behave in criminal activity to those children who are not supervised in the same manner. Buker also raises social structure in his article stating that this can also lead to diminished self-control in an individual. Lower socio economic neighbourhoods are often linked to poor family structure and parental supervision as well as adverse learning environments. In these areas due to limited parental supervision, parents may often fail to monitor adverse behaviour and discipline their children in a correct and an appropriate manner. (Buker, 2011).

North American Society Relected in John Updikes Short Story A & P Ess

North American Society Relected in John Updike's Short Story A & P At first glance, John Updike's short story A & P seems to be another coming of age piece. But with taking a deeper look, in many ways you see how the A & P grocery store could be viewed as microcosm of North American society in the 1960's - and it's not a very positive portrait. The general bleakness of the people, the accepted coldness of the store itself, and the theme of class consciousness throughout the entire story causes you to really see how this story parallels society and many peoples, especially young peoples, views in North America during this turbulent time of policy, rules, conservatism, and some of the actions taken against them. The store and the people paint a picture of an oppressively conservative and narrow-minded America based on policy before people, and rules of the corporation. You can either follow policy, or be labeled as a delinquent "Policy is what the kingpins want. What the others want is juvenile delinquency" (856). On several occasions the customers are referred to as "sheep" and as "scared pigs in a chute" (856); indeed they are processed facelessly though the checkout and the "electronic eye." Sammy goes even further to dehumanize them, and makes them seem devoid of spirit and individuality "I bet you could set off dynamite in an A & P and the people would by and large keep reaching and checking off their lists and muttering..." (854). He even starts to dehumanize himself by the repetitive, mindless routine noise of the cash register "bing, gung, splat" (856) It makes everything seem like a part if the system; nothing goes unnoticed, everything is in line and the policies are enforced. Another thing which lends a han... ... Sammy quitting the A & P was his way of standing up against the typical North American society of `policy before people' attitudes and taking action. And though minute, his quitting was a small step against oppression and conservatism that is ever present in society. This was his way of fighting back. He thought that his quitting would shine through as a heroic deed to the upper class girls, and they would see him in a different light, "their unsuspected hero" (857). Unfortunately, when he walks out side into the fresh and alive sun he has no spoils "I look around for my girls, but they are gone, of course" (857), and at that point he realizes that just because you stand up for something doesn't make you a hero, and it definitely does not promise glory. Bibliography: Updike, John. "A & P.' Pigeon Feathers and Other Stories. New York: Knopf, 1969. 187-96.

Building Of Dwelling Houses In Estonia :: essays research papers

Building of Dwelling Houses in Estonia Not wanting to analyze the building of dwelling houses in Estonia inefficiently and seemingly scientifically (where would I have got competent statistics from), I simply try to express the thoughts which are connected with that topics somehow and have come into my mind. What kind of â€Å"scientific† analysis it could be or who should make it, if even the architectural critics seem not to manage with the simplest things. That reminds me an article in the EE some time ago about a Finnish lady (naturally in Finland) completing or taking her doctor's degree. She was examining Finnish post-war modern house, it's morphology, the structure of the Finnish family, the connections between them and making conclusions which extend to this day. Those observations about architecture were much more smarter than those that the most of self-confident architects could do. Unfortunately it has to be confessed that I don't remember such a research work or sentiments in Estonian science, but no doubt, they could be necessary. The typology of the houses used by most of the architects goes back to the living model of the middle class at the end of the 19th century. That model was idealized and carried on through a hundred of years up to the end of this century. No doubt that our living style is changing — repeating banalities: paradigm changes — as well as the composition and make-up of the family. There was a news in a newspaper about Estonia which declared that 50 % of the children are illegitimate (it is possible, of course, that some parents live together without getting married officially) and 12,5 % of the born children know nothing about their fathers. The living with grandparents is not so popular any more. (As to the models of living it is worth of observing what has happened in North- America — though some europercentage followers don't accept that — it may happen that we will be on the same development level soon. In that country the grown-up children don't want to live with their fathers and mothers, at least statistically). Even such an every day activity as cooking is changing essentially. An apartment or house is not a small production unit with its storages, kitchen and dining room any more. The kitchen can be as presentable as the dining room, also the furniture and the quality of the activities, they can become more melted. There are some theorists who admit that not only eating but washing procedures as well will leave the house to so-called town-social level.

Literature Review on Bulimia Nervosa and its Relation to the Personality Trait Introversion

Bulimia nervosa (BN) is one of the three major eating disorders commonly addressed in the field of psychology. The disorder is primarily characterized by an abnormal eating behavior that usually involves binging on food for a certain period of time as a response to personal stressors. Often referred to as a binge/purge syndrome, the eating disorder may involve such behaviors as induced vomiting, laxative and diuretic abuse, excessive exercise and unnecessary fasting. The disease usually has an onset age between 15 and 18 years and is said to affect 1-5% of (young) women in general.The disorder is generally hard to detect due to several reasons. These reasons include: a) bulimics are good at hiding their rituals; b) most weigh within normal range for their height, sex and age and only a few are under or overweight; and c) they demonstrate appropriate and normal eating habits in public circumstances. Furthermore, â€Å"eating disorders have for a long time been thought of as a culture -bound syndrome concerning white, middle class women, and often have not been thought to exist in other societies or cultures.However, studies show that eating disorders are present also in non-western societies, though not as prevalent† (Ekeroth, 2005, p. 19). Some signs and symptoms bulimics may exhibit include dental and gum diseases due to gastric acid exposure; irregular menstrual periods; swollen parotid glands; gastrointestinal problems such as bloating, constipation, and ulcers (gastric and duodenal); and electrolyte imbalances as a result of dehydration with accompanying symptoms such as hypotension, dizziness and light headedness (Sewell, 2000 ,p. 5-6).The diagnosis of BN is primarily accomplished through the determination of the following criteria: â€Å": a) recurrent episodes of binge eating (rapid consumption of a large amount of food in a discrete period of time); b) a feeling of lack of control over eating behavior during the eating binges; c) regularly engagi ng in self-induced vomiting, the use of laxatives or diuretics, strict dieting or fasting, or vigorous exercise in order to prevent weight gain; d) a minimum of two binge-eating episodes a week for at least three months; and e)persistent over concern with body shape and weight† (Sewell, 2000, p. 6). In the paper written by Tracy Sewell (2000), she discusses the prevalence of eating disorders (ED) as affecting an estimated 2-3% of post pubertal girls and women with an additional 5-10% of whom have â€Å"subclinical† eating disorders. Apparently, a significant number of girls are psychologically distressed suffering in quiet disturbance which makes their cries for help harder to hear and easier to ignore.As it were, girls tend to perceive their bodies, as it moves away from the thin prepubertal look, as overweight – resulting in unhappy feelings and the development of maladaptive methods of coping such as extreme dietary measures (p. 98-99). Sewell (2003) discusses several variables as affecting the incidence of the disorder. One such variable researchers have often associated with the disorder is the self-esteem levels/values of women.Issues often surrounding the disorder include body shape dissatisfaction which have been found to be highly correlated with the disorder as having both a mediating and moderating effect depending on outcome measures used. Additionally, she notes that â€Å"disordered eating can be conceptualized along a continuum, ranging from concern with weight and normal eating, to â€Å"normative discontent† with weight and moderately deregulated/restrained eating, to anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa† (3).â€Å"Normative discontent,† however, does not necessarily mean a psychiatric diagnosis or categorization, the condition itself – in its own right – can cause considerable distress and thus is a potential risk factor for developing BN syndrome (3). Perception plays a vital role in the pathology of the disorder. Most studies done on the subject reveal that bulimic women tend to report significant distortion of their body parts. They are greatly dissatisfied with their bodies which lead them to perceive themselves as larger than they really are and thus desire to become much smaller (Sewell, 2000, p.102). Apparently, there is a high connection between depression, body esteem, body image pre-occupation (Sewell, 2000, p. 103); Baigrie & Giraldez, 2008, p. 173; Watson, 2008, p. 6-7) teasing, anxiety, hostility, boredom, dietary restraint (Baigrie & Giraldez, 2008), neuroticism, obsessive compulsive disorders [OCD], borderline personality disorder [BPD] and extroversion (Watson, 2008, p. 6-7) with the development of eating disturbances in young women with low self-esteem.Sewell’s (2000) research into the subject of BN reveals that there are several correlated factors in the development of the disorder. One such factor is the onset of adolescence which is viewed as a turbulent time of â€Å"storm and stress† as the young woman’s family values come into conflict with societal, peer and media-espoused values. Numerous studies have established that adjustment problems peak during this time and thus contribute to the struggle for identity and independence (p. 6-7). Additionally, she found that certain predictive symptoms of BN can be found as soon as early childhood.These include eating and digestive problems such as problems with self-control of eating behaviors as well as eating-related family struggles. Notably, it was discovered that parents of bulimics – most especially the father – demonstrated personality profiles suggestive of disturbed affect, weak internal controls, unmodulated expression of hostile impulses and absent emotionally satisfying intrafamilial ties. It was also found that relatives of bulimics were more likely to suffer frequently from affective disorders, alcoholism and drug use disorders (p.8 ). Furthermore, it was discovered that the families of individuals with bulimia and bulimia-like symptoms were characteristically lacking in commitment, help, support, and filled with anger, aggression and conflict. Additionally, they were also found to be â€Å"disengaged, chaotic, conflictual, and lacking in expressive communication† (p. 9-10). It was also discussed in the same research that feminine and masculine traits were also correlated with the development of the disorder, especially towards the development of a distorted body-image.Apparently in the case of eating disorders, feminine traits were valued negatively compared to masculine traits and this has led women to have more negative self-concepts than men do (Sewell, 2000, p. 11). In fact, it was found that: both masculine and feminine gender-typed women who strongly adhered to a superwoman ideal were at greater risk for eating disorders than androgynous superwomen were. In contrast, androgynous superwomen had rel atively low potential for disordered eating and appeared comparable to women who regardless of gender typing rejected the superwoman ideal.(Sewell, 2000, p. 13). Another area of correlation, according to the same research, is in the area of self-esteem. Apparently, low self-esteem is linked to indicators of psychological distress such as depression, neuroticism, anxiety, poor general adjustment and eating disorders. According to studies, it is generally accepted that those who have low self esteem have a greater risk of developing eating disorders (Sewell, 2000, p. 14). The issue of body image in bulimics has been found to have distinctions between body-size distortion and body dissatisfaction.The former is described to be a â€Å"perceptual† disturbance where the patient appears unable to assess personal size accurately. The latter, on the other hand, has a more attitudinal (cognitive and affective) nature and has no disturbed size awareness. To quote: â€Å" [in] this type patients assess their physical dimensions accurately but they react to their bodies with extreme forms of disparagement or occasional[] aggrandizement† (Sewell, 2000, p. 15). These two types are also known to operate separately or conjointly, depending on the complexity of the disorder.Depression was also found to be highly correlated to the development of bulimia. Research indicates that around 60% of all bulimics suffer from a form of depression and that these feelings may be rooted in troubles with socialization. Studies have shown that socialization encourages the development of feminine characteristics in young women, however, the same activity also predispose them to develop â€Å"learned helplessness† – a form of maladaptation pattern towards stress.This may be due to the imposition of the â€Å"thin ideal† primarily on women which results in the higher frequency of depression in the group (Sewell, 2000, p. 16). In fact it was found that â€Å"dep ression was related to eating attitudes in fifth and sixth grade girls [which] suggest that preoccupation with food and dieting in girls begins in the fifth and sixth grades and increases in the seventh and eighth grades, a time when most girls are completing puberty† (Sewell, 2000, p. 18).Additionally, Sewell (2000) described in her research two sets of variables which the author predicted to have either predisposing effects (variables A) or precipitating effects (variables B) on the development of eating disorders. Findings for the research indicated that variables designated as B (which included self esteem and body shape dissatisfaction) had a more direct relationship in predicting eating disorder risk (p. 50-51). Apparently, it was also found that dieting can be an entree into an eating disorder especially if it were accompanied by certain risk factors and intensified by certain issues (p.51). Other findings discussed by the author included several psychological measures designed to estimate the presence of risk factors such as the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Inventory, Body Shape Questionnaire, endorsed sex roles, Social Insecurity Subscale and the Interoceptive Awareness Subscale (Sewell, 2000, p. 52-53, 57, 106, 108). According to the research, those who are at risk of developing eating disorders usually score high in the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Inventory – a measure indicating the presence of lowered self-esteem.Scoring high in the Body Shape Questionnaire test, on the other hand, indicates greater body shape dissatisfaction. These two measures combined indicate a greater risk for respondents falling within the clinical diagnosis range (p. 52-53). In terms of reported sex role, those who endorsed an androgynous sex role orientation were found to have higher body mass indices (BMI) and scored lowest in the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT), supporting findings in literature which state that those individuals with a more androgynous sex-role orientation generally score highest in self-esteem (p.57). Meanwhile, high scores on the Social Insecurity Subscale reflects the level of perceived tension, insecurity, disappointment, unrewarding and generally poor quality of social relationships while the Interoceptive Awareness Subscale, on the other hand, measures confusion and apprehension in recognizing and accurately responding to emotional states.It also reflects one's lack of confidence in recognizing and accurately identifying sensations of hunger and satiety (p. 108). Interpreting these various data led Sewell (2000) to the following conclusions: numerous literatures indicate decreased self-esteem leads to a greater likelihood of being diagnosed with an eating disorder.Similarly, increased body shape dissatisfaction and poor body image are strongly related to eating disorders and those individuals who indicated they â€Å"always† exercise were more likely to be diagnosed with an eating disorder than those who indicated they ex ercised less frequently. This also agrees with findings in the literature that indicates individuals who have an eating disorder are inclined to engage in great amounts of exercise, rather than exercise in moderation. (p. 52-53).These, therefore, are the gist of Sewell’s findings on BN and other eating disorders: a) the disorder is highly predisposed by depression; b) several complex co-morbidities precipitate the development of eating disorders; c) failed, faulty or maladaptive social and familial interactions can affect the likeliness of developing the eating disorders; and d) BN and other eating disorders display high levels of body distortion and dissatisfaction which all point towards lowered body and self esteems.In a separate study conducted by Kerstin Ekeroth (2005) where the author tackled psychological problems in adolescents and young women, she found that â€Å"patients with bulimia nervosa (BN) scored higher than both patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and thos e with an eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS) on most problem scales,† supporting the findings of Sewell and other literatures. Additionally, the author also mentions that AN-bingers/purgers (an AN subclass similar in behavior with bulimics) scored higher in externalizing behaviors than pure restrictors (p. 4).In terms of co-morbidity, the author also found strong relations with depression. However, the author also warns that starvation may cause symptoms similar to primary depressive disorder and thus has a potential to influence initial depression ratings. Similarly, it was also found that there are elevated frequencies of social phobia in both AN and BN patients. In fact, an estimated 75% of AN and 88% of BN patients had anxiety disorders predating the eating disorder (Ekeroth, 2005, p. 25-26). Additionally, the author described several personality disorder clusters usually found in persons with eating disorders.According to this description, BN patients most co mmonly demonstrate cluster B personality disorders. Cluster B personality disorders include borderline, antisocial, histrionic, and narcissistic personality disorders. Among these, it was found that borderline personality disorder is the most frequently reported. Additionally, BN patients also categorize under a cluster labeled C which includes disorders such as avoidant, dependent and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders. Apparently this cluster is commonly reported equally in both BN patients and AN patients (Ekeroth, 2005, p.27-28). Several studies have also reported that a higher frequency of suicidal behavior, drug use, and stealing are found in girls with BN indicating impulsivity disorders. As the author writes: Bulimic behavior is often thought of as an expression or manifestation of a failure to control impulses to eat, and to get rid of the food afterwards. In addition, earlier studies have found that girls with bulimia not only have lower impulse control and elevate d rates of impulsive behavior but also express more aggression compared to girls with AN.(Ekeroth, 2005, p. 29). This is further supported by the fact that many patients with BN seem to have disinhibitory problems. A possible explanation for this is that dieting and starvation has been found to not only influence mood lability but is also disruptive to the different psychoneuroendocrinological systems (Ekeroth, 2005, p. 30). The author also discussed that patients with eating disorders often experience conflicted relations with friends and family, and usually withdraw from social interaction.Despite this general characterization however, AN patients were found to be active in school and in sports. In complete contrast, BN girls were reported to have received less support from friends and family, experienced negative interactions and conflicts more frequently, and have less social competence (Ekeroth, 2005,p. 32). Furthermore, correlations identified by the author revealed the follow ing data: [C]orrelations between the internalizing and externalizing dimensions were 0. 51/0.49 (boys/girls), and for anxious/depressed, and aggressive behavior the correlations were 0. 49/0. 45 (boys/girls). Moreover, self-destructive/identity problems correlated high with anxious/depressed (r = 0. 78/0. 82 boys/girls) as well as with the internalizing dimension (r = 0. 77/0. 78 boys/girls) (Ekeroth, 2005, p. 40), revealing that a high correlation exists between self-destructive/identity problems with anxiety/depression and internalizing dimensions of persons with eating disorders.Other findings included in the paper also reveal that BN patients score higher on somatic complaints, attention problems, delinquent behavior, aggressive behavior, externalizing, and total problems compared to AN and EDNOS patients. This was supported by the fact that BN patients report higher degrees of problem externalization especially concerning delinquent behaviors compared to AN patints (Ekeroth, 20 05, p. 43). Additionally, BN patients were also reported to have more problems compared with AN patients.Similarly, BN patients were also reported to have more problems â€Å"than EDNOS patients on anxious/depressed, self-destructive/identity problems and internalizing† (Ekeroth, 2005, p. 41). These findings were in line with previous reports that girls with ED score significantly lower on competence, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, and psychoticism (Ekeroth, 2005, p. 48) – reinforcing the idea that â€Å"[f]eelings of self-competence and having close and good relations to family and peers might be important factors influencing coping potential and treatment outcome† (Ekeroth, 2005, p.43) of patients with eating disorders. Evidently, lack of competence is on of the common features in persons with eating disorders. However, like most constructs, this aspect is not easily defined (Ekeroth, 2005, p. 58). Additionally, the author discusses: Bulimic b ehavior has been linked to impulsivity†¦[h]owever, the definition of impulsivity is not clear-cut and simple. Impulsivity consists of two different aspects, lack of planning and urgency (the tendency to act rashly when experiencing negative affect), and that it is urgency, which is linked to bulimic behavior.Others have pointed at the distinction between internally and externally directed impulsive behavior, and suggest that general psychopathology is related to internally directed impulsivity (e. g. self-harm), while bulimic pathology is more specifically associated to externally directed impulsivity (e. g. theft). (Ekroth, 2005,p. 53). However, despite all these information, it is still generally regarded that there is still large uncertainty about the relevant distinction between AN-r (restrictive type), AN-b/p (binging/purgative type), and BN.(Ekeroth, 2005, p. 33). The findings in both Sewell’s and Ekeroth’s research were also supported by a third study condu cted by Baigrie and Giraldez (2008). The focus of this study however was on the subject of binge eating and its relation to coping strategies employed by [Spanish] otherwise normal adolescents. In the said study, it was found that among respondents for the study, those who reported binge eating characteristically had higher BMIs, lower self esteem, depressive symptoms and were less satisfied with their body image (p. 173).Additionally, the study also determined that those who scored higher in the Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI) were more likely to have lower self esteem, more irrational thinking, decreased use of cognitive and behavioral coping strategies and increased use of avoidance coping (p. 174). In terms of coping strategies, the study found that the binge-eating group scored highest in three of the four areas of coping (introversion, positive hedonist coping, and avoidance coping) with introversion and avoidance coping garnering higher mean scores (Baigrie and Giraldez, 200 8, p.177). As the author’s discussed: it was expected that the adolescents who binge eat would use more avoidance coping strategies (unproductive coping) and fewer problem-focused strategies (positive coping) compared to the adolescents who do not binge eat. The results confirmed [that] adolescents who binge eat use avoidance coping more frequently than those who do not binge eat. (Baigrie and Giraldez, 2008, p. 177). Several studies also focused on the aspect of extraversion and introversion in correlation with eating disorders (Miller et al., 2005; Hitti, 2008; Watson, 2008[? ], p. 6-10,23; Carmo and Leal, 2007, p. 1). In these studies, it was found that lower extraversion (i. e. introversion) was related to disordered eating especially in women who score high in neuroticism – indicating that neuroticism and introversion may be risk factors in developing eating disorders (Miller et al. , 2005). This is supported by all previously discussed literature and by Miranda H itti (2008) in her article where she states â€Å"shyness and introversion are risk factors for anxiety disorders, especially social anxiety disorder.† As previously discussed, anxiety disorders are common co-morbidities among persons with eating disorders. An assumption can therefore be made that since neuroticism and introversion are risk factors for developing anxiety disorders, they are therefore indirect factors towards the development of eating disorders such as bulimia. Additionally, in the study conducted by Isla Watson (2008), it was determined that extroversion has a negative relation with eating disorders.Extroversion is defined as being markedly engaged with the world and dealing with external factors in an energetic, positive manner such that extroverted individuals gain pleasure from attention and their actions are often spontaneous and lack regard for others. Furthermore, â€Å"[c]ompelling evidence has shown that extroversion increases after weight is restore d during recovery from an eating disorder† and that it is often not expressed in anorexic individuals therefore calling for a need to watch out for the polar trait introversion (Watson, 2008, p.10) due to the fact that introversion is a common feature of eating disorders (Watson, 2008, p. 23). This idea is further reinforced by the findings of Claudia Carmo and Isabel Leal where the authors negatively correlated extroversion and awareness with the Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI) subscales, allowing the authors to conclude that extroversion and awareness are protective factors against the development of eating disorders (p. 1).In summary of all the literature discussed so far, the subject of BN and eating disorders in general seem to be highly correlated and associated with anxiety and personality disorders. It is also pointed out that these psycho-behavioral disorders are a probable result of several contributing factors such as families that are disengaged, chaotic, conflict ual, and lacking in expressive communication, negative self concepts, and poor quality of social relationships.These factors contribute to the development of depression, neuroticism, anxiety, poor general adjustment and lowered self esteem. Furthermore, these mentioned characteristics also define personality clusters found in persons with eating disorders such as BN. Though BN patients are generally more aggressive and demonstrative of delinquent behavior, distinctions between BN, AN-r, AN b/p and EDNOS is not very clearly defined. Therefore, findings about extroversion and introversion may generally apply to all of these eating disorders.If anything, the fact that extroversion is proven to be negatively related to eating disorders, the inverse thus is also plausible: introversion is positively related with eating disorders. How this affects BN however is still unclear since most of the literature discussed here so far characterize BN as specifically associated with externally direc ted impulsivity – a behavior that somewhat mirrors extroversion. However, since BN patients also have co-morbid anxiety and personality disorders it cannot be ruled out automatically that these individuals do not have introvertive traits.The mere fact that the characteristics lowered self esteem, avoidant coping, decreased social competence, and social phobia frequently come up as descriptive traits of the anxiety and depressive disorders found in these individuals all point to the likelihood that these individuals may have some form of introversion and that BN patients probably compensates for this by â€Å"acting out† in order to cover for the insecurity that is very definitive of eating disorders. ReferencesBaigrie, S. S. , Giraldez, S. L. (2008). Examining the relationship between binge eating and coping strategies and the definition of binge eating in a sample of Spanish adolescents. The Spanish Journal of Psychology vol. 11 no. 1:172-180. Carmo, C. , Leal, I. (20 07). Dimnsions of personality and eating disorders. University of Algarve Portugal, Department of Psychology. Ekeroth, K. (2005). Psychological problems in adolescents and young women with eating disturbances.Doctoral Dissertation for Goteborg University, Department of Psychology. Hitti, M. (2008). Variations in RGS2 Gene Linked to Shyness in Kids, Introversion in Adults. WebMD Health News Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD. Retrieved March 17, 2009 from http://www. webmd. com/mental-health/news/20080303/shyness-gene-teased-out Miller, J. L. , Schmidt, L. A. , Vaillancourt, T. , McDougall, P. and Laliberte, M. (2005).Neuroticism and introversion: A risky combination for disordered eating among a non-clinical sample of undergraduate women. Elsevier Ltd. Sewell, T. (2000). Developing risk factor profiles for Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa in young adults. Thesis for the University of Manitoba for the Faculty of Graduate Studies. National Lirary of Canada. Watson, I. (2008). Personality factor s & their relation with attentional bias to food words. Rsearch for the University of Wales, Bangor.

The Globalization of the American Furniture Industry

American furniture manufacturers have struggled with making cost-competitive products over the past decade. Several have closed U. S. facilities and built plants overseas or hired companies to make the goods in foreign countries and ship them here. Many factors have influenced the decision to move production over seas including, labor costs, price of materials, freight costs, time in transit, overall time to make a product and get it to market, and the amount of training needed for employees. A decade ago, nearly 100 percent of the dinette sets, cabinets, dressers, armoires and other wooden pieces sold in the United States were produced here. Today, 75 percent to 80 percent is made in China, Taiwan, Vietnam and other Asian countries. † (Chavez)In addition to production, many companies are also outsourcing their human resource functions. â€Å"Many companies today view human resource outsourcing as one of the most viable options to save money and improve services while also mak ing a strategic contribution to the business. (Clinton) High Point, North Carolina is often regarded as the furniture capital of the world. Every six months High Point hosts The International Home Furnishing Market, which is the centerpiece to city’s economy. Thousands of sales representatives, buyers, and designers attend the event. The massive trade show is the largest, most well-known, and most important furnishings industry trade show in the world. But, a new study shows that North Carolina has lost nearly 80,000 jobs to China since 2001. Associated Press) Economist Michael Walden recently said, â€Å"There is no question that North Carolina has lost jobs – particularly in textiles and furniture manufacturing – due to international trade agreements signed during the last 15 years. Prior to the World Trade Agreement, North Carolina's textile and apparel jobs were protected from lower cost foreign producers. † (Associated Press) To compete some companie s are looking to sell their products overseas. A group of high-end custom furniture manufactures created an organization called American Furniture Exporters.Their goal is to find cost effective ways to export their goods overseas. The idea arose from the High Point market. â€Å"We saw some decent (international) traffic in our space with buyers from Venezuela, Greece, Israel, Quatar, Mexico and elsewhere† said Rick Moose the sales manager for Designmaster. (Gunin) La-Z-Boy Inc. , the nation's second-largest furniture manufacturer, faced sales declines with it’s wood furniture, so they terminated much of their U. S. production and moved the work to China.In an April press release, the company came out again to announce that they were moving much of their upholstered furniture manufacturing to Mexico. A Mexican-based facility is practical for La-Z-Boy because they rely heavily on custom orders in their upholstered segment and with it’s close proximity to the U. S . , orders will be shipped much faster on land, rather than if they had to travel by ship from China. Speed to market for custom orders is a tenet of our brand promise to the consumer and the strength of our U. S. facilities enables us to deliver on that promise.We made the decision to transition our domestic cutting and sewing operations while streamlining the assembly aspect of production in the United States. Our new Mexican facility will be able to rapidly supply our domestic plants with cut-and-sewn fabrics and leather for custom orders and will complement the existing cut-and-sew program from China, which supplies our U. S. manufacturing operations. (La-Z-Boy) The U. S. is not alone in the shipping of manufacturing of production overseas; furniture giant IKEA found it to be cheaper to manufacture furniture in Ohio rather than producing it in Sweden and shipping it to the U.S. Ironically, the company IKEA came to, Sauder Woodworking Company, had shipped part of its production o verseas to China to stay competitive. The company’s president, Kevin Sauder, said, â€Å"We are to IKEA what China is to a lot of furniture companies. † (Chavez) Many people are fed up with the federal government’s stance on international trade. James Copeland of Copland Industries/Copland Fabrics of Burlington, N. C. said, Deeply flawed U. S. trade policy toward domestic manufacturing is the single most important root cause of the illness.Every American deserves the right to provide for his family, to own a home and to educate his kids, but our flawed manufacturing and trade policies are taking this away. † (McCormack) Copeland is upset because he is competing against foreign companies who do not have to pay workman's compensation, unemployment insurance, overtime, benefits; nor do they have to deal with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Occupational Safety and Health Regulations (OSHA) regulations or abide by child labor laws. None of these things a lone drove jobs overseas. But each increased the cost of doing business and made a move overseas just that more necessary for some American companies. † (Hall) Because we live in a modern, civilized nation we realize that there is a need for laws and rules that protect employees, but we also need to realize that businesses exist for the sole purpose of making a profit. â€Å"Increasingly, well-intentioned government regulations also drive up costs—and drive out jobs. † (Hall) There may be relief in site for the American worker.During his campaign President-elect Barack Obama expressed support for tax benefits for companies that keep jobs on American soil. Obama introduced the Patriot Employer Act of 2007 in the Senate last year to reward companies that create jobs with benefits for American workers. (Maltby) Much like North Carolina, Mississippi has also been greatly affected by the outsourcing of American manufacturing. Jay Moon, president of the Mississippi Man ufacturers Association, hopes that lawmakers will do away with the inventory tax businesses pay on raw materials, works in progress, and finished goods.Because China using favored-nation status to flood the American market with cheaper goods, such moves would help American manufacturers better compete with overseas companies making the same types of products. (Ayers) There are many other issues affecting the furniture industry, high gas prices increase shipping costs, job layoffs, and most directly, the nationwide housing foreclosure crisis. When people are unable to keep a roof over their head, it is unlikely that they are worried about the furniture in their home.The logic is simple, â€Å"retail stores aren't selling any furniture because people aren't buying furniture,† (Ayers) Since I am in going into the field of Interior Design I have seen the results of shipping production overseas first hand. This past summer I did an internship in a furniture store and nearly everyd ay we received a fax from an upholstered furniture company with a list of fabrics that had been discontinued due to the closing of U. S. mills.This causes there to be much less selection and variety, which creates problems when one furniture store wants to stand out from another or when a customer wants something new and different than what everyone else has. No one wants to pay a thousand dollars for a sofa when their neighbor can buy a similar one at Big Lots. Our store worked very closely with La-Z-Boy until they began to reduce their warranties and increase delivery time due to much of the production being done in Mexico. It is very difficult for an independently owned business to stay competitive and also provide customers with quality goods.In our store, we carried both American made products and imports in order to stay competitive and satisfy a wide range of customers’ needs. Many people would ask if we carried American made products, but when they compared the prices they opted for the cheaper imported goods instead. I also noticed increases in shipping costs over the course of the summer, which translated into higher prices for our customers. To cope with the financial strain, we began to only make deliveries 2 days a week and encouraged customers to pick up their items when possible.An advantage a small business has over large companies or a foreign firm is customer service. I believe that that is what keeps many businesses going, because a locally owned store is more likely to work with you personally and understand your needs. I find myself torn over the issue of outsourcing. Part of me wants to stick with the belief that the best quality goods are American made, but as I grow older and are paying for things myself, I enjoy the benefits of lower costs due to outsourcing.I think that the United States should take certain steps to improve business here domestically, such as tax benefits for businesses, so that prices can be lowered and more p eople will buy locally. Because the future of industry and manufacturing jobs in America is unknown, I believe that we should focus more of our efforts on education and training employees in fields that cannot be outsourced, such as teachers and health professions.Works Cited Associated Press. â€Å"N. C. has lost nearly 80,000 jobs to China since 2001, report says. 30 July 2008. Local Tech Wire. 24 Nov. 2008 . Ayers, Jeff. â€Å"Manufacturing Takes Hit. † 19 Oct. 2008. Clarion Ledger. 24 Nov. 2008 . Caplan, Jeremy. â€Å"Ikea CEO Anders Dahlvig on Surviving a Bad Economy. † 18 Nov. 2008. TIME Magazine. 23 Nov. 2008 . Chavez, Jon. â€Å"Overseas competition challenges furniture industry. † 22 Mar. 2007. Toledo Blade. 17 Oct. 2008 . Clinton, David. â€Å"Study: 76% Of Major North American Companies Outsource One Or More HR Functions. † 15 Apr. 2006. Rent To Own. 23 Nov. 2008 . Gunin, Joan. â€Å"N. C. based American Furniture Exporters makes progress. â €  19 Nov. 2008. Furniture Today. 24 Nov. 2008 . Hall, Robert A. â€Å"Who sent American jobs overseas? † 11 Nov. 2008. American Chronicle. 24 Nov. 2008 . La-Z-Boy Furniture. â€Å"LA-Z-BOY ANNOUNCES MOVES TO STRENGTHEN ITS NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS. † Press release. 2 Apr. 2008. 24 Nov. 2008 . Maltey, Emily. â€Å"Overseas outsourcing heats up again. † CNN Money. 11 Nov. 2008. 11 Nov. 2008 . McCormack, Richard. â€Å"The Free-Trade Debacle: Domestic Manufacturers Vs. Multinationals. † Manufacturing and Technology News 15 (2008).

The Definition of Performance Management

A local council has just received approval for  £15 million from the National Lottery to build a new Arts, Media and Cultural Centre but it needs to find the matching capital Money for the project. It has also to find the annual running costs of  £1 million for the new facility at the same sound as it needs to reduce its total Leisure and Arts budget by  £5 million. How can performance management and review processes assist with this complex decision and ensure that effective delivery of the project if agreed? The local council has three main problems to resolve from this scenario. These are: 1. Matching the capital money and running costs of the proposed project. 2. Significantly reducing the leisure and arts budget, the sector in which the proposed project is in. 3. Keeping all major interest groups internally and externally from the project, relatively content. However, the problems involving the interest groups are virtually impossible to resolve. This is due to people's contradicting needs; this creates the task of catering for each individual group†s needs, which is unobtainable. Therefore, the council must take an interest in the most significant party, the public; this includes the implications of the other major problems. Performance management and review can be an aid to this project, by analysing the various options and solutions and deciding on the best course of action. Each of the three main problems may be divided into a list containing various sub problems, which create the overall problems. Each of these problems must be solved by prioritising in order of importance, in order to produce the most effective solution to the project. Performance management has been defined as â€Å"a strategic and integrated approach to delivering sustained success to organisations by improving the performance of the people who work in them and by developing the capabilities of teams and individual contributors: (Armstrong and Baron 1998). Another definition however is that performance management is the systematic design, collection, analysis and review of information. In order to manage there is a need to establish and quantify what may be managed and how. For the ability to use performance management within the project, it needs to be segmented into various sections that can possibly be measured over the duration of the project. The project has multiple objectives that need defining. These objectives are usually defined and the outcomes normally judged using the five E†s: Economy: The effective acquisition of inputs, largely a value for money concept. Efficiency: The ratio of inputs to outputs. The efficiency level will be increased if the output is consistent while input levels fall, or output is raised while input while input remains consistent. Effectiveness: The extent of goal acheivement Equity: Observance of criteria of fairnesss. This is probably the most significant condition for good performance. Electability: Political affirmation of good performance that will prove essential for survival. These five factors aid in providing parameters for judging performance. To enable measurements of the performance, the project needs to be subdivided into various sections known as milestones. To achieve the various milestones, the manager will need to create an action plan. This is a breakdown of what, where and when various activities are going to occur. There are many problems associated with public sector performance management. Some of these problems are as follows: There are not enough targets to attain. There tends to be too many indicators. There is a lethargic reporting style, however the reporting systems tend to be loose. In the case of this project for the local council there needs to be a hierarchy of objectives, these must range from corporate to individual objectives. The corporate objectives for the local council may be as follows: 1. To design, build and tender for the centre within the budget allocated and within any time frame allocated by the capital provider. 2. To allocate appropriate funds from the local authority budget to enable the project for the centre to proceed. 3. To increase, restructure or divert the revenue budgets of the local authority to accommodate the running of the centre. The examples of the objectives above are broad in context. This is deliberately to enable any changes through revenue and allocations of funds to the centre to be accommodated for within the objectives. There may be political issues involved within the development of obtaining these major corporate objectives. These may include the raising of tax, the proposed centre having to match the running costs or possibly the allocation of funds from other local authority departments. These objectives are not as narrowly defined as those from the private sector or if it were a PFI (Private Finance Initiative) project, this is due to the need to insure that all stakeholders may be taken into consideration. Although these objectives are corporate, they usually are allocated to an individual to oversee. This method within the public sector could cause problems within the board; these problems are due to the possibility of one-upmanship. Within the local authority, there are other objectives which must be satisfied, these link and are interdependent with the corporate objectives. An example may be that the Arts and Leisure Director needs to set out his objectives for achieving the design and building requirements. Example – Objective Carry out the Tender procedure within 6 months: – Activity or milestone Action Deadline A. Appoint Consultant By End of Month 1 B. Approve Budget By Start of Month 2 C. Finalise Design By End of Month 2 D. Send spending specification By Start of Month 3 E. Evaluate Tenders By End of Month 4 F. Appoint Contract By End of Month 5 G. Complete Contract By End of Month 6 The Milestones are time related, they can be measured and if slippage occurs, action can be taken to bring the plan back on schedule or negotiations can take place to approve an extension. Another example may be that of the Director of Finance or the treasurer's objective, such as the following: 1. Reassign budget areas and make alterations to the allocations Negotiate the Leisure and Arts Budget. 2. Reallocate revenues for the proposed Leisure and Arts centre for the first year of opening. 3. Construct and consider various options for revenue generation to support the running costs of the proposed facility. Each of these objectives would have numerous milestones, which would be addressed in order to achieve the set objective goals. The objectives and milestones flow down the organisation, each linking into the one higher up the pyramid. The objectives set need to be linked to a review process. This is a crucial tool in timing strategic argument into practical actions – a lever to effectively policy implementation.

John Locke vs Thomas Hobbes

Locke vs Hobbes John Locke’s belief in natural rights are correct in terms of natural rights because he believes in freedom, in every sense of the word, equality and is a firm supporter in Democracy. Locke and Hobbes conflicting views are at their most basic form, to believe man or not. Locke believes that men will, with given freedom be perpetually good. Hobbes believes otherwise, saying that men, in the state of nature will fight all of the time.Corny as it sounds, their conflicting viewpoints remind me of the age old struggle between good and evil. John Locke with his new enlightened sense of thinking in Democracy and Hobbes with his belief in more of an Autocracy, or an absolute monarchy, stuck in the thinking of the dark ages. That is why Locke's views on all men being equal, everyone being born into freedom, democracy at its most basic form and the general goodness in human beings are inherently, right.Reading excerpts from John Locke's book, you will find lots of his ar guments on equality and freedom of mans basic rights, are eerily similar to the foundation of which American government was formed, in the declaration of Independence. If some of the greatest men in our countries history believed so much in Locke's points on equality and liberty that they decided to copy these ideas into the document from which they would create one of the most successful countries in the history of the world, then shouldn't it bear in ones mind that these ideas are important?That they are too a certain degree right? These are just examples of the power Locke's book has on those who truly read it. He proves, again and again that with the belief in the genuine good in men, there will be little conflict as long as everyone is equal. I personally believe that is one hundred percent correct. As much as there are plenty of bad people on this earth, the petty crimes and small infractions of the law, with full equality and freedom to all rights, the good of men would overc ome these small difficulties, and be better for it.

A Comparison of Death in The Scarlet Letter and My Antonia Essay

Importance of Death in The Scarlet Letter and My Antonia       It is universally acknowledged that one who comes into this world must also leave. Just like everything else, even life and death is a binary composition. You cannot have one without the other. Although not many people like to think about it, death is a very important factor not only in life, but also in literature. Most often, death is portrayed as evil or gruesome, especially in commercial fiction. However, there are literary texts, which portray death through other factors. Through the depiction of the deaths of Arthur Dimmesdale and Mr. Shimerdas in Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter and Willa Cather's My Antonia, respectively, the reader is able to associate the significance of such issues as guilt, revenge/murder, religion, and the consequences of the two deaths. It may seem odd that instead of concentrating on the central female characters to portray these important issues, I have chosen two male characters. However, it is through the deaths of the male chara cters that the central females, Hester and Antonia are able to shine as women.    In both these novels, the death scenes of the characters are ambiguous. In relation to one issue or another there is always something vague or missing, which leaves the readers to judge for themselves. The death scene in The Scarlet Letter is very powerful and full of remorse .    Arthur collapsing into the arms of his loved one, after pleading with the people to look at Hester's scarlet letter once again, showing Roger how he had sinned as well, acknowledging Pearl and relieving her of her "...errand as a messenger of anguish" (Hawthorne 222) by kissing her, and fin moil and keep her father's past alive. Both deaths also imply more than what meets the eye. While Arthur's death is surrounded by the possibility of revenge, Mr. Shimerdas' death is encircled by the likelihood of murder. The two deaths also highlight the importance of religion. Arthur, being a Reverend, is given the strength by God to confront his sins, while Mr. Shimerdas, also a Reverend of sorts, is buried and forced to live an afterlife of uncertain paths due to his faith. Lastly, the aftermaths of these deaths, is what makes The Scarlet Letter and My Antonia two great works of literature. Through Arthur's death, Hester is once again able to display her inner strength by making her own choices and standing by her love, whereas Antonia through the death of her father is able to excel in a man's world, while not forgetting her womanhood.

Reasearch paper about Adulterants in toxicology specimens Research

Reasearch about Adulterants in toxicology specimens - Research Paper Example Basically, there are two classes of adulterants. One class includes the commonly available household substances including water, bleach, detergent, eye drops, baking soda, iodine tincture, and vinegar. The opposite classification includes the commercially out there adulterants with the subsequent ingredients: (1) nitrite: klear and whizzies. (2) Acid: â€Å"THC-FREE" and "Amber 13". (3) Detergent with purafyzi and test clean. (4) Glutaraldehyde: "Instant Clean Additive."(5) Oxidizing reagents: stealth and clear choic (Levine 5-6). In that sense, adulterants that are added to reduce the amount of expensive product in illicit drugs are termed as cutting agents. According to a view shared Levine (41) numerous biological specimens are usually tested for drug abuse. The compulsory guidelines for workplace drug testing need to make use of the urine as the basis of drug testing matrix. This is attributed to the fact that urine specimens usually have high drug concentrations and also contai n metabolites. On the other hand, alternate specimens provide particular advantageous over urine. They include: blood, saliva, semen, breath, earwax, nasal secretions, breast milk, nails, hair, and sebum all have the potential of being drug testing matrices. Blood is viewed to be a very useful matrix if the aim of the testing to determine the relationship between drug concentration and pharmacological effects. In that sense, hair and nails can also detect the long term or chronic use. Generally, the potential benefits of utilizing biological matrices as an alternative to urine include: greater analyte stability, less invasive collection requirements, a lower disease risk, ability to determine parent or the pharmacological active moiety, and easier shipment and storage (42). Urine Regulated workplace drug testing entities use urine as the specimen of choice for determining cocaine metabolite, opiates, amphetamines, and cannabinoids. In the non-regulated drug testing entities it may b e used to test for additional drug classes such as ethanol, benzodiazepines, and methadone. Illegal drug users may try to falsify the results by means of in vitro adulteration of specimens (Mikkelsen and Ash 2335). The adulterants can be added to urine so as to interfere with the definitive accuracy of drug tests. Most of these adulterants are oxidative in nature. Bleach, chromate, nitrite, and hydrogen peroxide are viewed as effective urine adulterants sometimes with pH adjusting substances, for instance sodium bicarbonate or vinegar that are utilized by the illegal drug users in order to conceal the positive results of marijuana. A study conducted by Buddha and Jacobs reported that there are many methods that can be used to establish the availability of chromate and nitrite. However, the effects of other oxidizing agents that could probably be used as adulterants and could possibly be hard to detect or measure the level of toxicity in the specimen of urine. According to study cond ucted by Buddha and Jacobs (460) found out that urine samples containing 9-carboxylic acid THC-acid were actually treated with oxidizing agents that are commonly available. This means that these adulterants can be detected by most drug testing labs’ procedures. However, some less expensive tests do not comprehensively search for them. Since not all the adulterants can