Comparison and Contrast of ANCC and AANP Certification Process and Research Paper

Comparison and Contrast of ANCC and AANP Certification Process and Board Certification Examination - Research Paper Example The present study focuses on a comparison and contrast of these two certification and board examinations. ANCC and AANP: Comparison and Contrast: The nursing practitioners are allowed to take both the examination. However, it is a choice of the candidate to take either one of the exams or both (Difference Between AANP and ANCC, 2012). The ANCC is credentialing body of the American Nurses Association (ANA).The exams for credential presently being offered to nurse practitioners are for the following fields: adult, family, paediatric, gerontology, acute care, adult or family psychiatric and mental health, and advanced diabetes management. The AANP is a branch of learning organization that caters to only nurse practitioners. It is at present contributing in three specialty exams: adult, family, and geriatric nurse practitioner (Leik, 2008, p.1). The American Nurses Credentialing Center is the biggest and most esteemed nurse credentialing organization in the world (ANCC Certification Cent er, 2012). In general, the ANCC revises their examinations for the nurse practitioner in every 2 to 3 years. The questions in the exam are mostly suggested from most important textbooks, national expert panel guidelines, papers, and official governmental reports and statistics. The suggestion sources for AANP exams are not recognized in public. The substance of their examinations is supported on the results of a responsibility description learning that was carried out by both the AANP and the Professional Examination Service. The examinations for both the certifications are now computer based thus being online conducted within a particular time frame. However, the number of questions varies for the two tests. For ANCC examination, the total number of questions is 175, while for AANP, 150 questions are in total for the test. Both the certifications are in the same way acknowledged as national specialty organizations, and credentials granted by them are acceptable to governmental bodi es such as Medicare, local state agencies such as the state boards of nursing (BON), and private corporations (Leik, 2008, pp.2-3). The AANP examinations have been organized and developed by AANP itself and the Professional Examination Service (PES).  On the other hand, it is the ANCC that organizes the ANCC certification examination. The range of programs covered by AANP is lesser in comparison to ANCC. ANCC provides further diverse range of programs including the Acute Care, Adult, Adult Psychiatric & Mental Health, Diabetes Management, Family, Family Psych & Mental Health, Gerontological, Paediatric, School, Ambulatory Care, Cardiac Rehabilitation, Cardiac Vascular, College Health, Community Health, High-Risk Prenatal, Informatics, Maternal-Child, and Medical-Surgical Nursing among others (Difference Between AANP and ANCC, 2012). To study and analyse accurately, there are not many differences in the two examinations except the wide range of subjects covered under the ANCC certi fication. As far as the examinations are concerned, taking any one of the examinations would provide the nursing practitioner with the opportunity to serve in their choice of fields in nursing. However, in order to qualify for the certification examination both the tests require that the nursing candidates hold an active current licence of Registered Nurses (RN) within a state or territory of

Linked in Case Essay Example for Free

Linked in Case Essay When attempting to determine the valuation of LinkedIn it helps to understand some of the issues involved. The most accurate way to value a stock’s price is using discounted cash flows. The problem with this approach is that it is nearly impossible to predict with any accuracy what the long-term cash flows are for a given company; especially a company that is young or that might be using an innovative and new business model. Additionally, knowing what long-term cash flows look like requires knowledge of the long-term growth rate, operating margin, weighted average cost of capital, discount rate and reinvestment rate. This makes using discounted cash flows especially difficult young companies. The discounted cash flow, in Exhibit #1 below, shows an imputed value of $109 per share versus the current market price of $246 per share. This calculation is based on an industry average weighted average cost of capital of 10% and a discount rate of 4%. However the key point is that the model assumes that revenues will grow from $972M in 2012 to $4,029M in 2018 or 415%. The fact that the market price is higher than $109 per share indicates that investors believe that the potential for revenue growth is even higher than 415%. Another potential valuation issue relates to LinkedIn’s revenue recognition method. LinkedIn recognizes its Hiring Solutions Revenue from job postings when the posting is displayed or over the contract period, whichever is shorter. This may cause revenues to be overstated in the current year if a contract runs into the next fiscal year. The overstated revenues would be extrapolated and multiplied into the future causing investors to over value the stock. In 2010 Hiring Solutions Revenue accounted for 42% of total revenues. There are many factors that can cause investors to increase or decrease their valuation of a company. One important characteristic that impacts a company’s valuation is competitive advantage. LinkedIn is believed to have high barriers to entry as it takes time for members to build their network which makes members reluctant to start over with a competing product. This creates a low membership turnover environment for LinkedIn. These two characteristics often cause investors to forecast steeper revenue growth rates and thereby assign a higher value to a stock. Another important characteristic that impacts a company’s valuation is gross margin. Companies like LinkedIn that have a high gross margin generate more  cash which causes a higher stock valuation using a discounted cash flow analysis. All things being equal, gross margin percentage should have a direct impact on the price to revenue multiple. As we can see from LinkedIn’s financial statements its gross margin increased from 75% in 2008 to 87% in 2012. EBITDA as a percentage of revenues has a similar effect on the discounted cash flow stock valuation. An increasing EBITDA to revenue ratio over time will cause a larger stock valuation. As we can see from LinkedIn’s financial statements its EBITDA to revenues ration increased from 8.9% in 2008 to 14% in 2012. The rate of growth in sales units is also an important characteristic considered during valuation. Obviously, the faster you are growing, the larger, and larger future revenues and cash flows will be, which has direct implications for a DCF. High growth also implies that a company has tapped into a powerful new market opportunity, where customer demand is seemingly insatiable. This is especially true when the company being valued has a very large customer base. A large customer base makes a company less dependent on any one customer for its revenue. The business model of LinkedIn is based on the revenues per user. Therefore the number of active people on this social network is the crucial factor in the company valuation. Still, the number of new members LinkedIn is adding each year is slowing. Membership increased 36 percent in the first quarter from a year earlier, down from 39 percent in prior period and 43 percent in the third quarter. LinkedIn is compensating for the trend by adding mobile and web services to keep users on the site for longer. The disposable income of a company’s customers can also impact its valuation. LinkedIn is sometimes described as Facebook for professionals. One important difference between Facebook and LinkedIn relates the disposable income of its members. Generally, professionals are easier to make money off of than consumers, so LinkedIn will presumably be able to make more money per user than Facebook. LinkedIn is still primarily a U.S. company, so it can presumably expand to Europe, Asia, Latin America, and other regions. However, the revenue per member is still much higher for U.S. members than members outside of the U.S. Competitors and market share also impact valuation. LinkedIns Talent Solutions group continues to win share from Monster.com. Sales increased  90% to $161 million last quarter while sales at Monster fell 10% to $211 million. LinkedIn shows signs of becoming the preferred recruiting tool. Increasingly, users are willing to pay for greater access as indicated by last quarter’s 79% increase in membership revenue which was $59 million. Also, the global expansion has pushed membership over 200 million users, up from 100 million in March 2011. After discussing the various issues and factors effecting the valuation of LinkedIn there are many reasons that I would not buy the stock. I believe that the current market price of $246 per share, which reflects speculated growth rate over 500%, is way too optimistic. Even at the $109 price reflect in the Exhibit #1 discounted cash flow the growth rate would have need to be over 400% which I feel is still too high. LinkedIn acknowledges they have a short operating history in a new and unproven market, which makes it difficult to evaluate future prospects and may increase the risk that it will not be successful. Linked in also acknowledges that even if it can achieve a 400% growth rate that it could still fail in its ability to build the infrastructure to reliably and securely meet this demand. I also do not like the risk of investing in a company like LinkedIn where management holds a controlling interest so that the minority shareholder cannot influence management. LinkedIn also has no plans to pay dividends so investors have no possibility to get any return on investment without selling their stock. Lastly, while LinkedIn is a market leader in professional networking it does have some large competitors including Viadeo, XING, Monster and even Facebook. Some investors worry that if Facebook decided to pursue the professional networking market that it would easily overcome LinkedIn. For these reasons I feel that LinkedIn represents a very high risk investment and many current investors are likely to lose money.

Culture as Social Legacy in Mirror for Man :: Mirror for Man Essays

In Clyde Kluckhohn's Mirror for Man, he explains the differences and similarities among the world's peoples by stating two important ideas: 1) People are similar because they have the same biological equipment and undergo similar life experiences "such as birth, helplessness, illness, old age, and death," but, 2) people are culturally different because of the way they were brought up and they may live in a different environment created by human beings, and acquire a distinct social legacy from their own people. Kluckhohn suggests that where a person lives is one of the factors that determines one's culture. In China, people have a strong dislike for milk and milk products. In the United States, a person drinks milk from the time of birth because American society has made a pattern for its people; Americans make milk a integral part of their meals because they are told it's the only way to remain healthy and develop strong bones and to avoid disease such as osteoporosis, a disease brought on by the lack of calcium (which is found in milk). Therefore, the Chinese may not understand why Americans drink milk so often, and Americans may wonder why the Chinese do not know the health benefits of milk. Kluckhohn implies that there are cultural misunderstandings between different sets of people because they are not aware that "each specific culture constitutes a kind of blueprint of all life's activities." I do support Kluckhohn's theory that culture is determined by a person's environment and their "design for living." I have been raised in Los Angeles and I have friends of varying ethnic backgrounds, languages, birth places, and cultures. My best friend came from Korea nine years ago and has assimilated to the ways of American behavior. Yet, I do not understand why Sandy remains stoic when she has a serious problem or why her parents never display public affection to her or to themselves. I asked my mother if Sandy's behavior was strange and she replied "no" because she said Sandy is from Korea where she was brought up in a different environment, where her culture taught her ethical and moral values that differ from values taught in the United States. I came to realize that although Sandy will remain in the United States for the rest of her life, she may never "give up" her Korean values or her Korean upbringing.

Dansk Minox Case Study Essay

Introduction My name is Kevin Chen and I am a senior consultant of the Boston Consulting firm. Per the request of the A/S Dansk Minox, a food products manufacturer, I am preparing this analysis to identify the existing problems within the business of A/S Dansk Minox and provide possible recommendations. As a consultant, I will present the analysis without bias and for the best benefits of A/S Dansk Minox. In the following analysis, I am going to answer the following question: Should A/S Dansk Minox bring the new product, complete meal, to the market?Company backgroundThis case is set in Denmark in 1967 when the â€Å"boom† in consumer food products was just beginning more working mothers, more disposable income, more choices in convenience food products. A/S Dansk Minox, a company in Denmark, specializes in manufacturing a variety of vacuum-packed meat and other products. DM has about 30 products and has a great position and brand in the market. A/S Dansk Minox provides the vacuum packed products and consumers combine the vacuum packed packages along with the homemade salad for their meal. Through consumer research, A/S Dansk Minox recently identifies that there is a huge market potential for vacuum packed complete meals. The meal contains a standard â€Å"sliced pork in gravy†, the product that A/S Dansk Minox is making, with 550 grams of red cabbage salad. Vacuum PackingVacuum Packing is a storage method that preserves variety of food. For example, pork, beef or vegetables. If properly refrigerated or frozen, vacuum packaging works well in keeping the food fresh for longer periods. The plastic bags are usually used to vacuum packaged. The air is removed creating a vacuum in the bag and the food is left in the bag. In order to maintain vacuum, the bag is sealed. By the researches from Fante’s Kitchen Wares Shop, there are a lot of benefits for vacuum packing:1. Longer storage life of foods. According to researches, foods maintain their freshness and flavor 3-5 times longer than with conventional storage methods, because they don’t come in contact with oxygen. Due to the elimination of air to absorb the moisture from the food, vacuum packing prevents dry out of moist foods,Because bacteria mold and yeast cannot grow in a environment without oxygen, foods maintain their original appearance. Insect infestation is eliminated because there’s no oxygen coming in the bag. The production process of vacuum-packed products can be illustrated by the flow chart 1) attached in appendix. Business environment:The current business environment that A/S Dansk Minox operates in can be analyzed as follows. Threat of New Entrants and Barriers to EntryAs the customer research done by A/S Dansk Minox revealed, there is still market opportunity for the vacuum packed products. In order to produce vacuum packed products, for example pork, vegetables, it is necessary for companies to purchase the production equipments for the procedure of vacuum packing, meat cutting, sorting and packaging. It is crucial to purchase the machines that reduce production time and cost, increase efficiency. Therefore, in order to enter into this market, the initial capital investment in purchasing equipment could be substantial and it creates barriers to entry. However, the equipments are relatively easy to operate, so the training cost and time to the workers could be minimal. Moreover, the food product manufacturing industry is not technology intensive and the equipment could be purchased in many distributors, this factor in turn makes the new entry easier. Also, once the initial machines purchased, it is relatively easy to introduce new product lines. Intensity of Rivalry Among CompetitorsThere are a number of vacuum-packed cooked products manufacturers also in the business. Certain competitors of A/S Dansk Minox are expanding aggressively and had already introduce the red  cabbage salad in vaccum-packed, canned or frozen form. There is low differentiation among competitors and price is the key factor in this particular industry. Due to the high initial investment, the potential exit barriers could be high in this diverse competitive industry. Product SubstitutesFor this particular product of vacuum-packed red cabbage salad, the Danish housewives very often make it on their own. Therefore, the family could choose make the salad or buy it from A/S Dansk Minox. The switching costs are fairly low and the family could have a choice of buying the products from other manufacturers if the price and quality match their standard. In term of food storing methods, the red cabbage salad could be in the canned or frozen form as well. They are the substitutes depend on the family’s preference and evaluation of price and quality. SuppliersThe suppliers of A/S Dansk Minox are the vendors that provide raw material of pork, cabbage and other possible material for the process of packaging. Since pork and cabbage are consumption goods, the price is affected by the demand and supply of the material. Luckily for A/S Dansk Minox, the suppliers will not have huge bargaining power since the material of pork and cabbage is wildly available in the market and the supply chain is considered to be relatively stable. BuyersSince the pork and salad are very popular food in Denmark, so the potential buyers of the product could be anyone in the country. Since people now have more disposable income to spend on food products, also the vacuum-packed products like pork and cabbage are wildly considered as more convenient products,More specifically, the women in the work force, working mothers, represent the increasing portion of the buyers. Since this salad is quite time-consuming to prepare at home, the working mother prefer to purchase pre-prepared vacuum-packed products. The complete meal products are the perfect products for them. Company Strategy:The strategy of the A/S Dansk Minox is Cost leader. A/S  Dansk Minox is operating in a large market and the potential customers could be any family in the country. The demand of vacuum packed product by is highly elastic, which means the demand of the products are highly influenced by the price. In order to maintain a competitive price and compete with the competitors, A/S Dansk Minox produces the products massively. Strength:Biggest strength of the organization is the brand loyalty that already exists. Having 30 products in the market, A/S Dansk Minox is wildly recognized by the consumers and is a trusted name. Once the new products introduced, it could enjoy the benefits of being a line of the company. Opportunity:By conducting a consumer research, A/S Dansk Minox recently identifies that there is a huge opportunity for vacuum packed complete meals, even the competitors already introduce the ready-made red cabbage salad to the market. The opportunity came from the facts that the disposable income of people increases, resulting in more spending on food products. More and more people prefer convenient food to making it by themselves. In addition, the ready-made combo of â€Å"complete meal† is especially to working mothers, who want to reduce their time on the time-consuming salad dish. The percentage of working mother in the work force is expecting to increase in the future, reflecting the great opportunity of introducing the new complete set product. The major problem that A/S Dansk Minox facing now is: Should A/S Dansk Minox bring the new product, complete meal, to the market? If yes, then how much the unit price should be?The price is uncertain due to the cost allocation problem raise by the new product, leading to long discussions between the marketing and finance departments. Company identifies the cost driver as ‘per kilogram’ of material and the new product price at D.Cr 8.20 is proposed by finance department. Marketing department suggests that the cost driver ignores the price of cabbage is way cheaper than pork, however allocating a similar overhead cost. Hence they proposed a price of D.Cr 6.85 for the combo pack. In order to find the solution for the problem above, I will examine the  following three alternatives:Summary of alternativesABCStatus Quo: Not introduce the â€Å"complete meal product†; abandon the new projectIntroduce the â€Å"complete meal product† at a consumer price of D.Cr. 6.85Introduce the â€Å"complete meal product† at a consumer price of D.Cr. 8.20Alternative A: Status QuoAlternative A is to abandon the new project of New Pack – not to introduce the â€Å"complete meal product†. As the new product will not be introduced, it will generate no additional profit to the company, i.e. the profit in 1966 will be the net profit without the introduction of the new product. Consequently, the pricing arguments between the marketing and finance departments of the Danish company will no longer exist. In addition, since the new product is not introduced into the market, the customers of the standard pack will stay with the products. Accordingly, th e sales of the old product will continue to rise in response to the increase in the market demand. Alternative A: Not introduce the â€Å"complete meal product† New PackSales:0Total variable costs0Allocated fixed costs0Profit0Alternative B: Introduce at a consumer price of D.Cr. 6.85Since there was spare capacity available for the production of the new â€Å"complete meal† product, the total amount of the fixed costs will not change due to the proposed production of the new product. Also because these fixed expenses are costs that have already been incurred and that cannot be recovered, they are considered as sunk costs. In business decision-making such as the decision to add or drop a product or service, only incremental costs (variable costs) are relevant to a decision. Therefore, the full costing method (the standard cost accounting) – the attempt to allocate the company’s fixed costs to the different products produced during a certain period of time, is not appropriate for this type of management decision making. The proper approach to support decision making to improve a company’s profitability is a contribution analysis:Revenue – Variable Costs = Contribution Margin per unit(Contribution Margin per unit x total units produced) – Total Fixed Costs = Incremental Profit/LossAs a result, the company’s profit in 1966 will be increased by $99,450 (See Table 1 for detail) if the new product is introduced at a consumer price of D.Cr. 6.85. Compared to Alternative A, A/S Dansk Minox is better off by the increase of $99,450 in profit. In the event that the company is not capable to produce 85 tons of new products, the profit increased above will not be achieved. From the table shown below, in order to achieve the profit by selling 30 tons new products at D. Cr 8.20, we need to at least sell 52 tons of new product at D. Cr 6.85. Contribution Margin for a consumer price of D.Cr. 6.85 x Minimum sales volume= incremental profit for introducing the product at a consumer price of D.Cr. 8.201.17X = 60,900 *X = 52,051* see alternative C for detailLong term decisionHowever, the contribution analysis is primarily useful for short-term decision-making. For the long-term purpose, the company still needs the full costing analysis to calculate the profit of each product. Within company’s capacity, the production Fixed Expense for the new â€Å"complete meal† will be the same as existing products as D.Cr. 0.54 per kilo. All other overhead will be the same as the existing product as well. In the event of exceed capacity, need to allocate additional Production Fixed Expenses. in order to get the correct number of profitability, A/S Dansk Minox needs to find an appropriate cost driver to allocate the production fixed expenses. As indicated by the marketing department, the total sales quantity (expressed in kilograms) may not be a proper way to allocate the fixed costs. A/S Dansk Minox could consider using the selling price of product as the allocation basis, since the consumer price is more relevant to the fixed overhead and better matching expense with profit. Therefore, from the following table, we proportional apply the Production Fixed Expense:new packStd.Pack6.854.85X0.54X=0.76Therefore, in the long run, 0.76 production fixed expense should be allocated to 1 Kg of â€Å"complete meal†. Please note that we assume selling price at D.Cr. 6.85. In the case of retail selling price as D.Cr. 6.85 and with an allocation of D.Cr. 1.20 for production fixed expenses, the total unit cost will be D.Cr. 5.22. Alternative C: Introduce at a consumer price of D.Cr. 8.20In spite of the marketing department’s arguments, company could decide to set the price at D.Cr. 8.20 so that the full fixed expense could be covered. In this case, the uncertainty of allocating fixed overhead is eliminated and the company ensure that the new product is making profit. However, the selling price is too high for the customer in turn decreases the competitiveness of the product. Therefore, the product could be sold at a lower volume than it is budgeted. In the following, we reasonably assume that the sales volume drop to 30 tons when the price is at D.Cr. 8.20. Please see table 2 at appendix for detail. The profit in 1966 will be increased by $60,900. Compared to Alternative A, A/S Dansk Minox is better off by the increase of $60,900 in profit. ConclusionsIn order to better evaluate and compare all the qualitative and quantitative alternatives we analyzed above, we need to take into consideration of certain key decision-making criteria:1.Improve profitability (measured by contribution analysis, short-term decision making)Increase profitability and improve shareholder equity is the primary goal of a company. By improving profit, the company’s cash flow is possibly increased, so that company’s ability of meeting liability is enhanced. In the event of possible investing opportunity arises, the company will be financially flexible enough to take it. 2.Consistent with the corporate strategyThe alternative we take should be consistent with the strategy of the company, so that the action will be towards the company goal and will be sustainable. 3.Lost of customers by the Standard PackTo better evaluate the alternatives, some important qualitative factors should be considered, potential lost of customer by standard pack resulting from the introduction of the new product is one of them. 4.Within capabilityAre the alternatives attainable? Or they are out of the capacity of the company and will not be able to achieve?The following table shows how we compare the different alternatives by applying these criteria:ABCStatus Quo: Not introduce the â€Å"complete meal product†; abandon  the new projectIntroduce the â€Å"complete meal product† at a consumer price of D.Cr. 6.85Introduce the â€Å"complete meal product† at a consumer price of D.Cr. 8.20Improve profitability using contribution analysis (short-term decision making) NoAssuming 85 tons of new products are sold at price of D.Cr 6.85, so the profibility will be improved by D.Cr. 99,450Assuming 30 tons of new products are sold at price of D.Cr 8.20, so the profibility will be improved by D.Cr. 60,900. Consistent with strategyN/AThe company’s strategy is cost leader, the price of D.Cr.6.85 is consistent with the company’s strategy and increase the competitiveness of the company.The company’s strategy is cost leader. the price of D.Cr.8.20 might be too high for certain customer, resulting in losing the competitiveness of the company. Lost of customers by the Standard PackNoIt is confirmed that there is still a great untapped potential for the new product so the customer will continue to buy both new and old products. Sales of standard pack will not be affected.Since there is still a great untapped potential for the new product so the customer will continue to buy both new and old products. Sales of standard pack will not be affected. Within capabilityN/AThere are spare capacity available for the company and the production will not exceed at this moment. If the new product keep increasing in the future, there is possibility of exceeding budgeted capacityThere are spare capacity available for the company and the production will not increase too much due to the high selling priceIn conclusion, by comparing the alternatives against the key decision-making criteria, alternative B, which introduces the â€Å"complete meal product† at a consumer price of D.Cr. 6.85 is the best option for A/S Dansk Minox. Since the main goal for A/S Dansk Minox is generating higher cash flow, improving profitability should be the primary criteria that we should consider in decision making. Alternative C improves profibility by D.Cr. 99,450, which is D.Cr 38,550 higher than alternative B and D.Cr 99,450 higher than alternative A. Moreover, alternative B is consistent with the company strategy. From the content that we demonstrated previously, the business strategy of the company is cost leader. A/S Dansk Minox produces the products massively in order to keep a low selling price and match with the competitors. Therefore, introducing the new product price at D.Cr. 6.85 does a better job in fitting in company’s strategy than the other alternatives. In addition, alternative B will not have huge impact to the existing products and it works within the capability of the company, comparing to other options. Recommendations A/S Dansk Minox is facing an exciting opportunity of introducing a new product line that could possibly increase the profit hugely. We highly recommend the company introduce the new â€Å"complete meal† at price of D.Cr. 6.85, also taking the following steps:1.Introduce the â€Å"complete meal† to the whole company and the public as soon as possible in order to let more people know about the new product. 2.Inform the production department and add the new product into production plan. Evaluate the difficulty of implementing the new product line. 3.Inform the marketing department. Ask for possible promotion theme and plan that could make the biggest sales impact. 4.Call retailers at each level of selling channel regarding the introduction of the new product. 5.after few months, conduct customer research in order to evaluate the success of the new product or possible commandsNot only alternative C is a solution that relatively easy to be implemented, it is also expected to generate highest cash flow to meet the company’s operating goal. By setting the price of new product at as low as D.Cr. 6.85, the demand of the product remains high and the company strategy of cost leader will be maintained. Introducing the new â€Å"complete meal† increase the competitiveness to utilize  the company’s strength and help company to survive in this highly competitive market. Appendices:Flow chart 1)Table 1Alternative B: introduce the â€Å"complete meal product† at a consumer price of D.Cr. 6.85New PackConsumer Price6.85Turnover Tax(0.76)Consumer Price Before Tax6.09Retailer’s Margin (1.31)Price to Retailer4.78Variable Costs:Material: Pork 1.67Labor: Pork 0.25Material: Cabbage 0.5Labor: Cabbage 0.25Packaging 0.26Transportation, Storage0.2Margins and Discounts to Wholesalers 0.38Sundry Variable Costs 0.1Total Variable Costs(3.61)Contribution Margin1.17Sales volume @ 85 tons 1x 85,000 kgIncremental Profit99,4501 Assume the actual sales volume of the â€Å"complete meal product† is the same as the sales budget when the â€Å"complete meal product† is introduced at a consumer price of D.Cr. 6.85. Table 2Alternative C: introduce the â€Å"complete meal product† at a consumer price of D.Cr. 8.20New PackConsumer Price8.20Turnover Tax(0.91)Consumer Price Before Tax7.29Retailer’s Margin (1.57)Price to Retailer5.72Variable Costs:Material: Pork 1.67Labor: Pork 0.25Material: Cabbage 0.5Labor: Cabbage 0.25Packaging 0.26Transportation, Storage0.2Margins and Discounts to Wholesalers 0.46Sundry Variable Costs 0.1Total Variable Costs(3.69)Contribution Margin2.03Sales volume @ 30 tons 1x 30,000 kgIncremental Profit60,9001 The actual sales volume of the â€Å"complete meal product† is 30 tons when the â€Å"complete meal product† is introduced at a consumer price of D.Cr. 8.20bibliographiesA/S Dansk Minox Gordon Shillinglaw, Columbia University ISBN 0-538-88967-5 to Accounting

Reservation Policy and Indian Constitution Essay

I. Introduction The spirit of equality pervades the provisions of the Constitution of India, as the main aim of the founders of the Constitution was to create an egalitarian society wherein social, economic and political justice prevailed and equality of status and opportunity are made available to all. However, owing to historical and traditional reasons, certain classes of Indian citizens are under severe social and economic disabilities so that they cannot effectively enjoy either equality of status or of opportunity. Therefore the Constitution accords to these weaker sections of society protective discrimination in various articles, including Article 15(4). This clause empowers the state, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in  Articles 15(1) and 29(2), to make special reservation for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens or for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. Cast based reservation system in India An ordinary form of long-ago discrimination, inside humankind in India is the carry out of untouchability. Scheduled Castes (SCs) are the main targets of this medieval put into practice a practice which is banned by the Constitution of India (Basu, Durga Das (2008) an untouched human being is measured, contaminated or a lesser human. Though during the Vedic period a person’s ‘Varna’ (not ‘caste’) was clear by his/ her socio-economic duties these duties were either of your own accord performed or were assigned by the local superintendent , and ‘varna’ was originally not clear by one’s birth into any exacting family. Nevertheless, over the years Caste has been defined by one’s birth. The Government in recognition to the peripheral status of the marginalized social communities has consistently promulgated various legislations and statutes, which are influenced by two main considerations, namely: a. to overcome the multiple deprivations of the marginalized social groups inherited from exclusion in the past, and to the extent possible bring them at par with the others; and b. to provide protection against exclusion and discrimination in the present by encouraging their effective participation in the general economic, social and political processes of the country. Towards these ends, the Government of India had utilized two-fold strategies, which include: i) anti-discriminatory and protective measures; ii) development and empowering measures. The extension of the reservation policy in India to the marginalized social groups is primarily drawn from such considerations and is only applicable to the public domain. As such, the vast private sector, which comprises of a sizable section of the marginalized social groups, remains outside the purview of the reservation policy. Reservation in India is a form of affirmative action designed to improve the well-being of perceived backward and under-represented communities defined primarily by their ‘caste’ (quota-system based on ‘gender’ or ‘religion’) is a phenomenon that commenced with the coming into force of the Indian Constitution (the Constitution initially provided reservation to Christians, with the proviso that it would automatically reduce gradually with the efflux of time) – however, lately preferential treatment on regional basis has either been non-statutorily introduced in the educational institutes (e.g. eligibility conditions for candidates from outside the State are 5% higher than that for the ‘locals’, as per local rules prescribed by certain Universities) or is being advocated in both jobs and lowly professions like auto-rickshaw-drivers). The most important stated aim of the Indian reservation system is to boost the opportunities for improved social and instructive position of the underprivileged communities and, thus, allow them to take their equitable place in the conventional of Indian society. The reservation scheme exists to provide opportunities for the members of the SCs and STs to increase their representation in the State Legislatures, the executive appendage of the Union and States, the labor force, schools, colleges, and other ‘public’ institutions. (Financial Support†, 0ct 2011). The Constitution of India states in Article 15(4): â€Å"All citizens shall have equal opportunities of receiving education. Nothing herein contained shall preclude the State from providing special facilities for educationally backward sections (not â€Å"communities†) of the population.† [Emphasis and parentheses added. It also states that â€Å"The State shall promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of society (in particular, of the scheduled castes and aboriginal tribes), and shall protect them from social †injustice† and all forms of exploitation.† The Article further states that nothing in Article 15(4) will prevent the nation from helping SCs and STs for their betterment [‘betterment’ up to the level enjoyed by the average member of other communities. ( Laskar, Mehbubul Hassan 2011). In 1982, the Constitution specified 15% and 7.5% of vacancies in public  sector and government-aided educational institutes as a quota reserved for the SC and ST candidates respectively for a period of five years, after which the quota system would be reviewed. This period was routinely extended by the succeeding governments. The Supreme Court of India ruled that reservations cannot exceed 50% (which it judged would violate equal access guaranteed by the Constitution) and put a cap on reservations. However, there are state laws that exceed this 50% limit and these are under litigation in the Supreme Court. For example, the caste-based reservation stands at 69% and the same is applicable to about 87% of the population in the State of Tamil Nadu. In 1990, Prime Minister V. P. Singh announced that 27% of government positions would be set aside for OBC’s in addition to the 22.5% already set aside for the SCs and STs.(The Struggle for Equality in India 2002). In the Indra Sawhney’ case, hon’ble Supreme Court also held that reservation in promotion is unconstitutional but permitted the reservation,for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to continue for a period offive years(From 16.11.92). Consequent to this, the Constitution was amended by the Constitution (Seventy-seventh Amendment) Act, 1995 and Article 16(4-A) was incorporated. This Article enables the State to provide for reservation, in matters of promotion, in favour of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The fact that the words â€Å"Backward class† used in Article 16(4) have been instituted in Article 16(4-A) by the words â€Å"SCs & STs†, itself precludes consideration of making reservation in promotion in favour of any other category of citizens. II. Constitutional Provisions The main objective of the Indian reservation system is to increase the opportunities for enhanced social and educational status (in the sense better than the previous — until it becomes equal to that enjoyed by an average member of other communities) of the underprivileged communities and, thus, enable them to take their rightful place in the mainstream of Indian society. The reservation system exists to provide opportunities for the members of the SCs and STs to increase their representation in the state Legislative, the Executive Organ of the Union (Centre) and States, the  labour force, schools, colleges, and other ‘public’ institutions. The exact necessities for the reservation in services in favour of the members of the SC/STs have been made in the Constitution of India. They are as follows: Article 15(4) and 16(4) of the Constitution enabled both the state and Central Governments to reserve seats in public services for the members of the SC and ST, thereby, enshrining impartiality of opportunity in matters of civic service. Article 15(4) states that: â€Å"Nothing in this Article shall prevent the State from making any provision for the reservation of appointments or posts in favour of any backward class or citizens, which, in the opinion of the State, is not adequately represented in the services under the State.† Article 16(4 A) states that: â€Å"Nothing in this article shall prevent the State from making any provisions for reservation in the matter of promotion to any class or classes of posts in the services under the State in favour of SCs and STs which in the opinion of the State are not adequately represented under the State†(Constitutional 77th Amendment, – Act, 1995). Article 16 (4 B) states that: â€Å"Nothing in this article shall prevent the State from considering any unfilled vacancies of a year which are reserved for being filled up in that year in accordance with any provision for reservation made under clause (4) or clause (4A) as a separate class of vacancies to be filled up in any succeeding year or years and such class of vacancies shall not be considered together with the vacancies of the year in which they are being filled up for determining the ceiling of fifty percent reservation on total number of vacancies of that year† (Constitutional 81st Amendment, – Act, 2000). The Constitution prohibits discrimination (Article 15) of any citizen on grounds of religion, race, caste, etc.; untouchability (Article 17); and forced labour (Article 23). It provides for specific representation through reservation of seats for the SCs and the STs in the Parliament (Article 330) and in the State Legislative Assemblies (Article 332), as well as, in  Government and public sector jobs, in both the federal and state Governments (Articles 16(4), 330(4) and 335). (Sukhadeo Thorat and Chittaranjan Senapati 2006). III. Impact of reservation policy on employment and education As may be evident from the particulars in the earlier paragraphs, the strategy of reservation had a helpful effect in conditions of induction of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other backward classes into public sector employment and in educational institutions. However, their accessible share in employment and educational institutions still falls short of the target in certain categories of jobs and higher education. The target in the case of Groups D and C are close to the population mark of 15 per cent for scheduled castes and 7.5 % for scheduled tribes but fall short in Groups A and B. As against this, the true position regarding the representation of other backward classes in central services is not available. However, as stated in para 6.4, in the All India Services and central services for which employment is made through the Union Public Service Commission, representation of other backward classes is very near to their share. With the growth in the share of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes in public services, it had positive multiple effects on the social and economic situation of these two disadvantaged groups. The data provided by the ministry of personnel indicates that in recent years the vacancies reserved for the scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other backward classes are being filled fully even in the „elite‟ services at the centre. Reservation did not provide equal opportunities within each group/community to all beneficiaries. Consequently, different castes and tribes within a group/community have not benefited from reservation equally. Almost in all categories of beneficiaries among scheduled castes, scheduled tribes or other backward classes and minorities, there is a growing sense of deprivation amongst different categories, which is leading to internal dissension. For example*, in Punjab, the Valmiki Samaj is asking for a separate quota of reservations on the ground that Ramadasis and Mazbis have cornered the benefits. Likewise, Chamars in Uttar Pradesh and Mahars in  Maharashtra are said to have benefited from the reservations more than other castes identified in the schedule from these regions. Similar accusations have been made against the Meena community by other scheduled tribes. Problems of this kind are manifold in the case of other backward classes, as in each state there are dominant groups, usually with economic and political clout, who reap the benefits of reservations. There are Ezhavas in Kerala, Nadars and Thevars in Tamil Nadu, Vokkalligas and Lingayats in Karnataka, Lodhs and Koeris in Central India, Yadavs and Kurmis in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh and Jats in Rajasthan, which, despite their dominant status, have been clubbed as backward classes eligible for benefits under reservations. For these reasons, reservation has become a contentious issue today, more so when it is applied to other backward classes. Reservations alone are not enough to mainstream the SCs and the STs to the levels of the other sections of the society. The system of reservations meant to uplift the weaker sections, has in fact, succeeded in the creation of creamy layers within the marginalized social groups to the extent that the percolation of the benefits have been marginal and differentially accessed. The vision of Ambedkar, Phule, Periyar, and Sahuji Maharaj, as initially envisioned under the aegis of the reservation policy and reforms in the structure of governance was to completely negate the deleterious impacts of caste-based discrimination and exclusion. The idea was to create fissures in the hegemonic hold of the immutable status of the higher castes over public services. Therefore, the historicity of reservations included firstly, the amelioration in the relative position of the lower castes, and two, restructuring of the institutionalized social relationships in the Indian society on democratic lines. Instead of giving power/authority to less efficient candidate, reservation should provide better opportunity of study to weaker/backward section of the society to compete with unreserved class by way of offering more resources to the weaker class so that they could defeat the Generals.

The primary purpose of the art essays

The primary purpose of the art essays The statement is truly an over simplification. That first thing that cannot be agreed to is that casting together of music, painting, drama and literature together. There that that convenient heading of calling them art they have little in common with each other. One of the purposes of music, painting and drama and literature may be entertainment but it is hardly justified to say that it is the main purpose In the world of music there are several sub worlds. There is music catering to the grossest of the tastes to the sublime and spiritual. Some musicians spend half their lifetimes learning to compose or play music properly. Is often in the later stages of their lives that they begin to play. To listen to some of them like Pundit Ravi Shankar or Yehudi Menuhin is nothing less than of music, which is composed, based on the popularity. They are composed based on the fads and following and quite often market surveys are conducted before recording. Such music may be called just entertainment, but certainly not all music. To call painting an entertainment borders on the ridiculous. Some painters have spent lifetimes in there lifetimes in there art and most often they paint without knowing whether their work will be welcomed by the public or just laughed at. Certainly artists do not mean to entertain, as most art shows are free. Perhaps we can point a finger at the artist to say that he is trying to make a living by painting to entertain as a main reason. Drama is certainly entertainment. But the question is , is it the mainly entertainment? To put a good play takes on enormous amount of energy and hard work. drama often makes a statement sometimes political sometimes societal. The playwrights, directors and actors want to say what they think world is as they see it. It is the joint expression of the souls of several people who have come together to express themselves. Of course it is entertainment to those who go to see the play. B ...

To what extent did primitive art inspire Brancusi essays

To what extent did primitive art inspire Brancusi essays Expressionism is a much less important current in sculpture than in painting, since the ethnographic sculpture by the Fauves might have evoked a strong response among sculptors Only one important sculptor shared in this rediscovery Brancusi, a Rumanian, moved to Paris to study advanced art around 1904 But he was more interested in the formal simplicity and coherence of primitive carvings than in their savage expressiveness; this is evidenced in The Kiss which was executed in 1909 Brancusi had a 'genius of ommission' - to Brancusi a monument is an upright slab, symmetrical and immobile - a permanent marker like the styles of the ancients and he disturbed the basic shape as little as possible The Embracing Lovers are more primeval than primitive They are a timeless symbol of generations - innocent and anonoymous Brancusi's 'primevalism' was the starting point of a sculptural tradition that still continues today Until now, African pottery, wooden carvings, and textiles had been viewed essentially as handicraft because, it was argued, the religious, military, sexual, or decorative functions of the works suggested that they had not been created as art, to be appreciated for their own sake It was the magical and mystical quality of the "Primitive" African art that inspired Brancusi; and the quality that counted most Because the appreciation of art in African sub-cultures is closely related to its use in everyday life, there is a distinct contrast with the Western concern with conservation/preservation and appreciation of art within a home, museum, or gallery setting This is one of the primary reasons that many objects of African art have been placed within the categories of artifacts, handicrafts, folk art, or primitive art In addition, it is essential to understand African art as it is appreciated, conceived, executed, and used within the African culture from which it originated In this respect, the artist has been ...

Astronomy 101 - Learning About Stars

Astronomy 101 - Learning About Stars Astronomers are often asked about objects in the cosmos and how they came to be. Stars, in particular, fascinate many people, particularly because we can look out on a dark night and see so many of them. So, what are they? Stars are massive shining spheres of hot gas. Those stars you see with your naked eye in the night sky all belong to the Milky Way Galaxy, the huge system of stars that contains our solar system. There are around 5,000 stars which can be seen with the naked eye, though not all stars are visible at all times and places. With a small telescope, hundreds of thousands of stars can be seen. Larger telescopes can show millions of galaxies, which can have upwards of a trillion or more stars. There are more than 1 x 1022 stars in the universe (10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000). Many are so large that if they took our Suns place, they would engulf Earth, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. Others, called white dwarf stars, are around the size of Earth, and neutron stars are less than about 16 kilometers (10 miles) in diameter. Our Sun is about 93 million miles from Earth, 1 astronomical Unit (AU). The difference in its appearance from the stars visible in the night sky is due to its close proximity. The next closest star is Proxima Centauri, 4.2 light-years (40.1 trillion kilometers (20 trillion miles) from Earth. Stars come in a wide variety of colors, ranging from deep red, through orange and yellow to an intense white-blue. The color of a star depends on its temperature. Cooler stars tend to be red, while the hottest ones are blue. Stars are classified many ways, including by their brightness. They are also divided into brightness groups, which are called magnitudes. Each star magnitude is 2.5 times brighter than the next lower star. The brightest stars now represented by negative numbers and they can be dimmer than 31st magnitude.   Stars - Stars - Stars Stars are primarily made of hydrogen, smaller amounts of helium, and trace amounts of other elements. Even the most abundant of the other elements present in stars (oxygen, carbon, neon, and nitrogen) are only present in very small quantities. Despite the frequent use of phrases like the emptiness of space, space is actually full of gases and dust. This material gets compressed by collisions and blast waves from exploding stars, causing lumps of matter to form. If the gravity of these protostellar objects is strong enough, they can pull in other matter for fuels. As they continue to compress, their internal temperatures rise to the point where hydrogen ignites in thermonuclear fusion. While the gravity continues pulling, trying to collapse the star into the smallest possible size, the fusion stabilizes it, preventing further contraction. Thus, a great struggle ensues for the life of the star, as each force continues to push or pull. How Do Stars Produce Light, Heat, and Energy? There are a number of different processes (thermonuclear fusion) which make stars produce light, heat and energy. The most common happens when four hydrogen atoms combine into a helium atom. This releases energy, which is converted to light and heat. Eventually, most of the fuel, hydrogen, is exhausted. As the fuel begins to run out, the strength of the thermonuclear fusion reaction declines. Soon (relatively speaking), gravity will win and the star will collapse under its own weight. At that time, it becomes what is known as a white dwarf. As the fuel further depletes and reaction stops all together, it will collapse further, into a black dwarf. This process can take billions and billions of years to complete. Toward the end of the twentieth century, astronomers began to discover planets orbiting other stars. Because planets are so much smaller and fainter than stars, they are difficult to detect and impossible to see, so how do scientists find them? They measure tiny wobbles in a star’s motion caused by the gravitational pull of the planets. Although no Earth-like planets have been discovered yet, scientists are hopeful. Next lesson, well take a closer look at some of these balls of gas.

Course Reflection Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Course Reflection - Assignment Example and when held up in different circumstances .The third chapter is important, had helped me in understanding the most important aspect of the study which is coding procedure and this will help me in being a better coding professional. The fourth chapter is about the medical fee charged on to the insurance clients and this section had mathematical calculation too. This is an important phase of the study which allowed me to understand and analyze the patient’s medical fee calculation .This section also allowed me to understand the benefits avail to the clients while they are claiming medical charges from the insurance company. There are different exercise regarding claims and reimbursement in this section which allow me to grasp more easily the mathematical activities. The fifth chapter is all about the refunds and appeals of clients. Here I understood about the record keeping technique and the way in which the refund and appeals had to be handled when I am in profession. Last but not least, I studied about the billing procedure which is the final step of the

Information System Reasarch Project Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Information System Reasarch Project - Article Example In fact, any reliable structured source of information can be referred to as a database. The properties and design of database systems are incorporated in the curriculum of information technology (1). Central to the concept of a database is a collection of records, information, and answers to some particular queries. In a given data base, there is a dovetailed description of the facts held in order in the database. This is referred to as schema. In a typical schema, there would be several linked objects and their related data. You can actually juxtapose the said objects similarity versus their contrasts in a schematic table from a database. There are several ways of setting up a schema to organize a database; these are referred to as data models or data base models (5). The most popular and user friendly is the relational model which retrieves the data in rows and columns, arranged into tables. It highlights the links between the tables of the common objects in them. Other models, which are more technical, are the hierarchical model and the network model. Professionals mostly use these. The whole spectrum of computer software hinges on the many applications of databases. The preferred methods of storage of information, especially for large multi-user applications where several users access the information simultaneously, are databases. Even the individual user finds these data bases a convenient source of information. Almost all electronic mail programs and personal organizers find their basis in the standard database technology (3). Software data base drivers interconnect the database platforms so that application software can use a common application-programming interface. These software database drivers are easily available and are used to retrieve the information sought for and which is stored in a database. The most commonly used database APIs are JDBC and ODBC. The data fed into the databases follows various techniques. Most databases have a parent model that they are fashioned after, although nowadays, it is quite common for products to give support to more than one model of database. One logical model can have various physical implementations because most of the support programs offered will allow the user some degree of control in choice. The choice in turn makes a significant effect on performance. For example, in the relational model, all serious implementations of the relational model operate under the assumption that the values of certain columns are known and therefore it allows the creation of indexes, which give fast access to rows in a particular table. Different data base models A bird's eye view of the database models popularly used today is (2): Flat model: This database is made up of a single, two-dimensional collection of data elements in which all the data programmed in is assumed to have similar values and all the objects row-wise are assumed to be related to each other. Hierarchical model: The data in this resembles a tree like structure and the upward reaching branches are actually single upward links for each record categorized there in. This creates a sort field to keep the data in a particular ordained

Major Depressive Disorder Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Major Depressive Disorder - Case Study Example She feels worse in the mornings, guilty and hopeless, with suicidal ideation and has developed increased psychomotor retardation. She thinks she is ruining her family, who would be better off without her. These signs and symptoms indicate that she has Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), as defined by criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, text revision (DSM-IV-TR) (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2000). The criteria state that more than one important aspect of MDD, such as sustained depressed mood, anergia, anhedonia, disturbed appetite and sleep, psychomotor retardation, suicidal thought, negative thought, hopelessness, or poor concentration, should be present for no less than two weeks and not related to somatic effects, caused by substance abuse or adverse reactions to medication. Depression is the most widespread disorder in relation to mental health. According to World Health Organisation [WHO] (2001), people suffering from depression account for 5 to 10% of the population. The 'Bettering the Evaluation and Care of Health' survey (AIHW, 2007) reported that it accounted for 33.7% of mental health disorders managed by general practitioners in Australia in 2003-04. Most studies show that the development of MDD has a higher incidence in females than males in their life time, being found in females twice as much as in males (APA, 2000; Varcarolis, 2006, pp.326-327; WHO, 2001). Typically, MDD is more likely to occur in females aged between 20 and 40 years old (WHO, 2001). Causes assumed include responsibilities of multi-tasking, for instance, domestic and office work, wife and parenting roles, or the menses might contribute to the prominent prevalence of depression in females (APA, 2000; WHO, 2001). However, race, earnings, education or matrimony are not related to the frequency of MDD (APA, 2000; Varcarolis, 2002. p.454; WHO, 2001). 2. Pathophysiology of depression: Depression arises due to multifactorial causes, including biochemical, cognitive, hereditary and environmental factors, and sleep abnormalities (Varcarolis, 2002, pp.456-460; Varcarolis, 2006, pp.330-333). In Isabel's case, a reasonable assumption would be that the major pathophysiologic causes might be biochemical, cognitive factors, and sleep abnormality. There are many studies to indicate that biochemical imbalance can cause depressive disorders, in relation to certain neurotransmitters, mainly serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine in the brain, which are known to play a role in the regulation of mood (Varcarolis, 2002, pp.456-460; Varcarolis, 2006, pp.330-333). The dysfunctional regulation of serotonin is related to decreased sex drive, appetite and sleep disturbance, as serotonin is particularly important in controlling sleep, appetite and sexual drive (Varcarolis, 2006, p.331; Zarate & Charney, 2003, pp.464-468). Reduction of noradrenaline can lead to loss of energy, interest, concentration, and decreased sexual drive (Varcarolis et al., 2006, pp.460-464; Zarate & Charney, 2003, p.464-468). The depletion of dopamine can be associated with loss of motivation and interest, because it contributes to the stimulation of the system of circuits of motivational behaviour in

Effective Marketing Planning Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Effective Marketing Planning - Assignment Example formation on step by step ideas and concepts required to achieve the results that are set monthly, weekly or quarterly and identifying the individuals that are responsible for each particular task; and implement, track and modify the marketing plan, this will give information on the implementation of the marketing plan and tracking all the results. The information on modification and change of the plan are derived from this step (Edwards, 2008). The effective marketing planning requires full research of the marketing environment. With an intense research on the marketing environment, effective marketing planning will obviously result. Through following the outlined market plan development above, a well thought marketing plan that have mechanisms of tracking required to modify and analyze the plan as may be needed is achieved. A market research will ensure that the company direction is identified. From a marketing environment, a marketing plan can be informal or formal, however, the r esearch identifies who the company clients are and where they access their information from, as well as how to deliver the company marketing message to the customer (Forth Sector Development 2007). As discussed earlier, an effective marketing planning requires research on marketing environment. There are therefore various considerations made in such research. Some of the things considered in marketing environment research include: insights on the reasons why potential customers may choose the company, this includes the core requirements that the company offering will meet; the target customers, this includes information that relates to the number of potential customers, market characteristics of the target clients; the company competitors, this includes the competitors that the company will... This essay stresses that the effective marketing planning requires full research of the marketing environment. With an intense research on the marketing environment, effective marketing planning will obviously result. Through following the outlined market plan development above, a well thought marketing plan that have mechanisms of tracking required to modify and analyze the plan as may be needed is achieved. A market research will ensure that the company direction is identified. From a marketing environment, a marketing plan can be informal or formal, however, the research identifies who the company clients are and where they access their information from, as well as how to deliver the company marketing message to the customer. As the discussion declares an effective marketing planning requires research on marketing environment. There are therefore various considerations made in such research. Some of the things considered in marketing environment research include: insights on the reasons why potential customers may choose the company, this includes the core requirements that the company offering will meet; the target customers, this includes information that relates to the number of potential customers, market characteristics of the target clients; the company competitors, this includes the competitors that the company will need to take the customers from; and statement of the company brand positioning for the target clients.

Is American dream dead If so should we do anything about it Essay

Is American dream dead If so should we do anything about it - Essay Example However, there are those people who believe that the American dream is dead, while others argue that the American dream is very much alive. Although none is said to be true or false, certain issues happening in the American society contradicts each other. This is the main reason for the divergent views in this motion. Initially, the American dream was concerned about creating opportunities for all Americans, opportunities that did not take into accounts either the race or nationality of people. According to the virtues of the American dream, all Americans deserve equal opportunities before the law. The idea criminalized any form of discrimination against any person due to his colour, race, religion, language, social class or nationality. Every person is entitled to equal opportunities such as job opportunities, enjoyment of rights and enjoyment of people’s freedom. The rate of unemployment in America stands at 7.60 per cent as at June of 2013 while the underemployed rate is at 14.3%. This shows that some of the Americans miss job opportunities due to different reasons. Additionally, people should have an opportunity to share in the national resources and enjoy their privileges. However, this is not the reality on the ground. Most people miss out opportunities due to their colour, race, ethnicity, language and physical looks. Since many people do not have equal opportunities, this has killed the American dream. A number of factors contributing to inequality among the American people are the main reason why the American dream is dead. Inequality, cited as the main pillar of the American dream is highly disregarded. While all Americans are supposed to pay taxes, some enjoy the rare privilege of not paying taxes. Others receive tax deductions that exempt them from paying heavy taxes. Bending of the law through various amendments now allows some people to enjoy more tax reliefs than others. Some even device crooked means of avoiding taxes. Approximately, 46.6 % of Americans do not pay income tax. Moreover, there is a huge wage gap between the rich and the poor people in the society. Approximately16 per cent of the Americans live in poverty, while 20% of the children live in abject poverty. While the rich are entitled to high salaries, the poor are poorly paid. This results in a class difference between the Americans, the rich get richer and the poor remains poorer. Payment of wages need be equal, holding all other factors constant such as level of education, experience, the type of job and the hardships encountered in the work place. Sex should not determine the amount of income that a person should receive. However, in many instances men when compared to women earn higher wages despite the fact that they hold similar positions at work. On the other hand, the American dream is still alive. Despite the cited cases of inequality, the dream is still alive among the Americans. With the high hopes and faith that we have in this dream, various people point out on the need to amend the law to make all people equal. Human rights groups and welfare organizations point out on the need to subject all Americans to a similar tax level. Other humanitarian groups such as the feminists point out that man and women require a similar pay package for similar kinds of tasks handled. Little can however be done about this problem. Despite these cases however, the dream is

Effective Marketing Planning Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Effective Marketing Planning - Assignment Example formation on step by step ideas and concepts required to achieve the results that are set monthly, weekly or quarterly and identifying the individuals that are responsible for each particular task; and implement, track and modify the marketing plan, this will give information on the implementation of the marketing plan and tracking all the results. The information on modification and change of the plan are derived from this step (Edwards, 2008). The effective marketing planning requires full research of the marketing environment. With an intense research on the marketing environment, effective marketing planning will obviously result. Through following the outlined market plan development above, a well thought marketing plan that have mechanisms of tracking required to modify and analyze the plan as may be needed is achieved. A market research will ensure that the company direction is identified. From a marketing environment, a marketing plan can be informal or formal, however, the r esearch identifies who the company clients are and where they access their information from, as well as how to deliver the company marketing message to the customer (Forth Sector Development 2007). As discussed earlier, an effective marketing planning requires research on marketing environment. There are therefore various considerations made in such research. Some of the things considered in marketing environment research include: insights on the reasons why potential customers may choose the company, this includes the core requirements that the company offering will meet; the target customers, this includes information that relates to the number of potential customers, market characteristics of the target clients; the company competitors, this includes the competitors that the company will... This essay stresses that the effective marketing planning requires full research of the marketing environment. With an intense research on the marketing environment, effective marketing planning will obviously result. Through following the outlined market plan development above, a well thought marketing plan that have mechanisms of tracking required to modify and analyze the plan as may be needed is achieved. A market research will ensure that the company direction is identified. From a marketing environment, a marketing plan can be informal or formal, however, the research identifies who the company clients are and where they access their information from, as well as how to deliver the company marketing message to the customer. As the discussion declares an effective marketing planning requires research on marketing environment. There are therefore various considerations made in such research. Some of the things considered in marketing environment research include: insights on the reasons why potential customers may choose the company, this includes the core requirements that the company offering will meet; the target customers, this includes information that relates to the number of potential customers, market characteristics of the target clients; the company competitors, this includes the competitors that the company will need to take the customers from; and statement of the company brand positioning for the target clients.

Human Trafficking Case Study Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Human Trafficking Case Study - Research Paper Example Men are also very susceptible for trafficking. They are mainly trafficked by worldwide criminal organizations. There are several cases in which human trafficking takes place. Some of the cases are whereby people are convinced into going to other countries with the promise of getting better jobs and comfortable lives. Mostly, it always turns out to be untrue. This context discusses hundreds of workers from Thailand being promised high wages by the California based company named Global Horizons Inc and instead paying them little to nothing while treating them like scum, taking their passports on arrival and threatening deportation (Bureau of National Affairs, 2007). Human trafficking is one of the most dangerous forms of discrimination. Thailand experiences major challenges as a source, passage and destination country on human trafficking mainly women and children. The tendency of trafficking for enforced labor is rising in level in the agricultural, construction and fishing organizati ons. Human trafficking is a modern correspondent of slavery (Crawford, 2009). Opposing their will, thousands of people around the globe are enforced to work for the benefit of other people. For instance by becoming beggars, prostitutes, working in sweatshops, unintentional servitude or even turning into child soldiers. People that are trafficked are usually enslaved or in circumstances of debt oppression that are deceitful and oppressive. Traffickers will carry away or mistreat the fundamental human rights of their victims, who most possibly have been tricked and enticed by fake promises or physically enforced into their circumstances. Trafficking is a regular practice to convince people to leave their homes and move to neighboring countries that are wealthier where they can work in services like domestic services, adult care or waiter and waitresses in restaurants. Upon advent, their passports, visa, and return permits are taken away from them, efficiently; these people are impriso ned, either bodily or financially or psychologically. The trafficked people are made to labor as household slaves or as agricultural or industrial unit workers, in slave-like circumstances. The trafficked people virtually do not see their money that they earn, and finally they are sold. Because every person wants to have a good life, people get easily lured when being promised a good life, which in turn never comes to be true and instead they turn out to be slaves when they are taken to the foreign countries. Once passports and other legal documents are taken from these people, they become helpless since they are threatened in several ways. There are various causes for human trafficking. People around the world, benefit in satisfaction and in price of mistreating others. Poverty and worldwide inequalities in the rule of law are situations in which human trafficking, like HIV/AIDS and other killers of the underprivileged, thrives. In regions of the world that are poorer where learnin g and employment chances are inadequate, are the most susceptible in society. Runways, immigrant, or people who are displaced are the most frequent sufferers of human trafficking. People who are looking for chances and access to other countries may possibly be taken by traffickers and deceived into believing that they will be liberated subsequent to being smuggled across the boundary. Global Horizons Inc is farm labor contractor which is Beverly Hills California based. Global Horizons is challenged to have engaged in a pattern or performance of

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein Essay Example for Free

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein Essay Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein tells the story of Victor’s ambition to successfully create a life through the use of science. In the present times, this is closely known as genetic engineering or cloning, wherein a scientist or a doctor dabbles in the works of creating a new life or transforming a life through science and technology. Shelley shows in her work that Victor had successfully created a being, however it stunned him, not in amazement but in hatred and fear of the misshapen creature he has created. The creature that Victor created was adultlike like in its physique but childlike in its mind. Its innocence became its downfall as it slowly learned, the hard way, that it is not a normal human being but a reject of the society because of its appearance. This led to its violent rampage destroying the things that it desires, belongingness in the society, and created an even more fearsome aura that caused people, even its creator, a deeper terror and horror in its existence. This shows that such inventions and discoveries does not necessarily mean success in the world of science as such creatures do not play a significant role in making the lives of people better. This indicates that science and technology has a great power in playing with fate and lives that people tend to question its ethics, morals and values. Shelley successfully presents in her work that science has to consider certain ethics and morals with its inventions, thinking about the purpose and result of the work in the world of humans. Ethics and morals are the basis of how humans live and think. The society strongly against inventions such as cloning and genetic engineering because of these values. Although the value life is a strong motive for dabbling into the arts of creating or transforming human life, the society thinks immoral of such actions because it makes the creator play with life, which in a religious or ethical sense, humans cannot play with. Shelley’s Frankenstein shows that playing with fate and life has its consequences. Something that is created from the pieces of humanity cannot be entirely human on its own. Rejection is always present in society, and it cannot be blamed on the people when a creature, as misshapen as Frankenstein roams the streets without full knowledge of what life is. The lesson the Shelley leaves her readers is the importance of considering how knowledge is to be used for humanity and to improve human life. Another impacting thought that Shelley leaves is the significance of proper teaching of the masters to their students. When Victor showed an uncanny interest in modern science, his teachers dismissed his curiousity without explaining to him why such fascination is dangerous and not worth paying attention to. Victor turned to modern science because of the limitations of alchemy. He combined his knowledge of aggripa, alchemy and the modern science to turn create a new life that he later rejected and loathed. Both the educators and the students have a responsibility in what they do and the results of their actions. Before any scientific invention and discovery is pursued, ethical considerations, moral responsibility and purpose is to be weighed. Educators and students should look at their works with purpose and not just because they wanted to create something new. They have to consider the results of such actions, and if it will result to something that is not beneficial for human life and will endanger the morals and values of the society, then it should be discouraged. Science and technology is something that is to be used to improve human life not destroy it.

Case Study On A Patient With Heart Failure

Case Study On A Patient With Heart Failure Mr. SB, 60-year-old male is a retiree and was admitted to the hospital accompanied by his daughter. He is 100kg at a height of 180cm so his calculated body mass index (BMI) was 30.9 indicating that he was overweight. When admitted, patient was complained of shortness of breath for 2 weeks and was worsening on the day of admission. Besides, he also experienced orthopnea, fatigue, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea and leg swelling up to his thigh. Mr. SB was admitted to the hospital for to the same problem last year. Mr. SB had known case of heart failure since 3 years ago and he had also diagnosed with hypertension for 5 years. Before admitted to the hospital, patient was taking frusemide 40mg, aspirin 150mg, metoprolol 50mg, amlodipine 10mg, and simvastatin 40mg for his hypertension and heart failure. Patient does not allergic to any medication and he does not take any traditional medicines at home. His family history revealed that his father had died of ischemic heart disease 4 years ago while his brother has hypertension. As for his social history, he smokes 2-3 cigarettes a day for 35 years and the calculated smoking pack years was 5 pack years. Besides, Mr. SB also drinks occasionally. On examination, Mr. SB was found to be alert and conscious but he was having pedal oedema up to his knee. Besides, the patient was noted with bibasal crepitations with no rhonchi. His body temperature was normal. However, his blood pressure was found to be elevated upon admission with a record of 159/100 mmHg with an irregular pulse rate at 85beats/min. His echocardiogram showed that he had left ventricle hypertrophy while chest X-ray was conducted and revealed that the patient had cardiomegaly. Lab investigations such as full blood count, liver function test, urea and electrolyte test and cardiac enzyme were done upon admission. His creatinine concentration was found to be 143 µmol/L. Therefore, the calculated creatinine clearance was 68.8ml/min. Besides, there was also blood found in the urine and the echocardiography showed that the patient has sinus tachycardia. In addition, ECG test was performed on day 1 and the result indicated that there was a T-wave inversion. The patients INR was 1.04 which was lower than normal while APTT was found to be slightly higher (59.4 seconds). Mr. SBs random blood glucose was found to be normal during his hospitalization. Mr. SB was diagnosed with congestive cardiac failure (CCF) with fluid overload. The patient also suffered from hypertension. The management plan included intraveneous frusemide 40mg twice daily, aspirin 150mg once daily, simvastatin 40mg once at night and ramipril 2.5mg once a day. Besides, patient was asked to restrict his fluid intake to 500ml per day and oxygen therapy was given to patient at high flow using a face mask when patient experiencing shortness of breath. As for his clinical progression, on day 1, the patient was complained of shortness of breath, leg swelling and orthopnea. Enchocardiogram showed that he had cardiomegaly. Treatment of CCF was given. Throughout the stay in the hospital, Mr. SB had responded well to the heart failure therapy as there was no more complaint of chest pain or shortness of breath on day 13 and his pedal oedema had gradually improved. However, patients blood pressure throughout day 1 to 9 was fluctuating between the range of 102/67-160/100 mmHg and therefore, hypertension treatment was given and blood pressure on day 10 onwards had been seen fell within the normal range. Furthermore, Mr. SBs renal function became progressively worse from 143 µmol/L on admission to 175 µmol/L on day 11 and the calculated creatinine clearance on day 11 was 56.2ml/min. 2. Pharmacological Basis of Drug Therapy 2.1 Disease Summary Congestive cardiac failure (CCF) is a complex syndrome that is usually caused by the inability of heart to pump sufficient blood to meet metabolic needs of body during exercise. It is more commonly known as heart failure38 and it can affect either left or right ventricle or both39. The risk factors predisposing one to heart failure are obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking. Heart failure is commonly characterized by typical signs of fluid retention with symptoms of breathlessness, fatigue, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea, and reduced exercise tolerance39. CCF is a common disease which affects approximately 1-2% of the general population in developed countries1. Prevalence increases with age especially those aged above 75 years where the prevalence of CCF could be as high as 10%2. In addition, men are prone to getting heart failure as compared to women1. Each year, there are about 1-5 new cases of CCF per 1,000 population and it also increased with age40. In United Kingdom, the incidence of CCF is about 0.02 cases per 1000 per annum between the ages of 25-34. However, the incidence increased to 11.6 cases in those above 86 years old1. The prognosis for CHF is relatively poor. Approximately 40% of individuals with CCF die within a year after diagnosis3. There are many causes of CHF but the most common underlying causes are heart attack, coronary heart disease, and high blood pressure. Others such as cardiomyopathy, valvular heart disease and diabetes may also precipitate heart failure4. An early diagnosis of CHF is often based on the signs and symptoms which the patient is experiencing5. Other tests are needed to confirm or rule out the diagnosis. These include chest X-ray examination, physical examination, electrocardiograph (ECG), echocardiography and exercise testing. The severity of heart failure can be classified according to the New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification system. This system consists of four classes which relate patients symptoms to physical activities and quality of life. Table 1: New York Heart Association (NYHA) Classification5. Class Patient Symptoms I (Mild) No symptoms with ordinary physical activity (walking and climbing stairs) II (Mild) Slight limitation of activity with dyspnoea to severe exertions (climbing stairs or walking uphill) III (Moderate) Marked limitation of activity. Less than ordinary activity causes dypsnoea. (restricting walking distance and limiting climbing to one flight of stairs) IV (Severe) Severe disability, dyspnoea at rest. (unable to carry on physical activity without discomfort) 2.2 Drug pharmacology in treatment of congestive cardiac failure Chronic cardiac failure should be treated immediately once it is diagnosed. The goal of treatment is to improve patients quality of life by alleviating the symptoms, improving exercise tolerance, preventing the progression of myocardial damage as well as reducing hospital admission and mortality. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEis) ACE inhibitors are considered as first line therapy in patients with CCF5. They bind to and inhibit angiotensin converting enzyme which subsequently inhibit the action of angiotensin I. As a consequence, the production of angiotensin II is prevented. Angiotensin II is a potent vasoconstrictor which has a direct action on kidney to stimulate the secretion of aldosterone and antidiuretic hormone (ADH). This will cause sodium and water retention. Hence, ACE inhibitors improve cardiac function and relieve symptoms of oedema by promoting sodium and water excretion41. Besides, they also increase the concentration of a potent vasodilator, bradykinin. This results in a fall in blood pressure as bradykinin is associated with the release of nitric oxide and prostacyclin. However, high levels of bradykinin also responsible for the main adverse effect of ACE inhibitors, dry cough42. Other common side effects include hyperkalaemia, profound hypotension and gastrointestinal disturbances15. ACE inh ibitors are contraindicated in patients with renal impairment even though some studies have shown that they have renal protective properties43. Example of ACE inhibitors are captopril, enalapril, and ramipril. The starting dose for ACEis should be low and the dose should be increased gradually to target doses5. Beta blockers Beta blockers used to be contraindicated in patients with CCF as it may worsen the condition of the heart due to its negative inotropic effect. Nowadays, beta blockers should be considered in all patients with heart failure unless contraindicated5 as they have been shown to reduce the mortality, hospitalization and the progression of heart failure7. Beta blockers should be introduced following treatment with ACE inhibitor once the patients condition is stable7. Only bisoprolol, carvedilol, and nebivolol are currently licensed to be used in the treatment of heart failure in UK8. Both nebivolol and bisoprolol are cardioselective where they act on beta ­1 receptors. On the other hand, carvedilol is a non-selective beta blocker9, 10. The mode of action of beta blockers in heart failure is poorly understood but the proposed mechanisms include antiarrhythmic action, anti-ischaemic action, and attenuation of cathecholamine toxicity as well as reduced cardiac modelling through blockade of sympathetic influences on the heart9. Besides, carvedilol has an additional antioxidant property which may be thought to slow down the process of atherogenesis by inhibiting the oxygen-free radicals11, 12. The starting dose should be low as high doses may worsen the condition of heart failure7. Over time, the dose of beta blocker should be gradually titrated upward if the patient is well tolerated until target dose is reached5. Diuretics Diuretics are often used to relief the congestive symptoms and fluid retention7. Hence, they should be used in heart failure patients with the symptom of oedema7. Frusemide, a loop diuretic is the most commonly used agent in heart failure. It is considered as the first choice of drug for the long-term treatment of CCF with the advantages of improves cardiac function, exercise tolerance, as well as symptoms of breathlessness and oedema13. The main site of action is at the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle. Furosemide acts at the Cl- binding site of Na+/K+/2Cl- co-transport and as a result, sodium reabsorption is inhibited. This promotes the excretion of sodium up to 20-25% as well as enhances water clearance13. Consequently, it reduces the blood volume thus reducing the preload on the heart. As a result, ventricular ejection is improved and the heart is able to pump more efficiently14. The most common side effect is hypokalaemia. Hence, it is important that patients potassium level and the renal function are closely monitored. Aldosterone Antagonists Patients with moderate to severe heart failure should be considered for the treatment of aldosterone antagonists such as spironolactone15. It is a potassium sparing diuretic where its action is mainly on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone (RAA) system18. Spironolactone prevents the synthesis of basolateral Na+/K+-ATPase pump protein by acting as a competitive inhibitor at the aldosterone receptor site in the distal convoluted tubules. As mentioned earlier, aldosterone promotes sodium and water retention and the use of spironolactone therefore inhibits sodium and water reabsorption while retains potassium. As a result, spironolactone reduces the workload of the heart and the heart is therefore able to work more efficiently18. It is often use in conjunction with other agents such as diuretic in the management of CCF44. Nevertheless, spironolactone may cause hyperkalaemia, particularly in patients with renal impairment due to the inhibition of potassium excretion. Hence, the patients pot assium level and the renal function should be closely monitored. 3. Evidence for treatment of the condition(s) Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACEis) ACE inhibitor, ramipril prescribed for my patient Mr. SB was proven to be the mainstay therapy in the management of CCF. NICE and SIGN guidelines recommended that ACE inhibitor therapy should be started once the patient is diagnosed with CCF before beta blocker is initiated5, 32. It should be prescribed to the patients with heart failure due to left ventricular dysfunction as studies have demonstrated that ACE inhibitors alleviate symptoms and reduce rehospitalisation as well as slow down the progression of the disease in all NYHA classes5, 33. The benefits of ACE inhibitor in CCF can be seen based on the systemic review of 5 randomised, controlled trials which involve a total of 12763 patients. Results shown that in comparison to placebo group, long term treatment with ACE inhibitors were shown to have statistically significant reduction in mortality rate (23.0% vs 26.8%; p

Essay --

Have you every wondered why it has become easier for citizens to own a gun. Weather its legally or illegally many people own guns. In the past days and years there have been many news reports involving guns. The amount of firearms that are available have taken a major impact on the murder rate in the United States. In many different places there have been mass killings including, court rooms, movie theaters, schools, airports, and etc. The amount killings from guns are unbearable. People today can fearful to leave their house due to guns and their experience with it. It should not be acceptable for civilians to live in fear because one person has access to a firearm. There are some people that can make the argument that having stricter gun laws wont make a difference. It has been said that guns are not what kill people, and that people kill people. In some cases this argument maybe true but I don’t believe that this argument is completely valid to the reason people die fro m guns. In this essay, I will be explaining why gun control should be stricter. I think its safe to say that America has grown to have a love for guns. In 2012 the small arms survey determined that the United States has 88.9 firearms for every on hundred people in America. That’s more Mexico, Yemen, and Pakistan combined. The U.S. has the highest gun ownership in the world. There are way to many armed civilians in this country. Anti-gun-control activists argue that if guns were banned or regulated severely only In our United States Constitution, the second amendment states, "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." Although the second amendment is only... ...that are purchased from private sellers do not require background. Under the Gun control act of 1968, the federal law states that private sellers as anyone who sold no more than four firearms per year. But in1986, the Firearm Owners Protection Act lifted that restriction and loosely defined private sellers as people who do not rely on gun sales as the principal way of obtaining their livelihood. Toady many private sellers sell a large amount of all kinds of guns. Because these sellers claim to be hobbyist, they are exempt from the law requirements that follow as a licensed firearm retailer. Some states have taken further action to stricken the law by requiring background checks at gun shows for any type of transaction. States like Colorado And Connecticut, most recently made mandatory background checks on all gun purchases, including purchases over internet.

Health Advocacy Campaign Essay

Health Advocacy Campaign: Fighting Mental Illnesses one Day at A Time Millions of American’s are affected by mental health illnesses. As a nurse I understand that mental health illnesses have no respect of person. The National Alliance on Mental Illness reported that approximately 61.5 million Americans are affected by mental illness in a given year, and almost 13.6 million individuals live with a serious mental illness such as schizophrenia, depression, or bipolar disorder (National Alliance on Mental Illness, 2013). http://www.nami.org/factsheets/mentalillness_factsheet.pdf. Further, data revealed that 20 percent of youth ages 13 to 18 years old have experienced severe mental disorders within a given year, and about 13 percent of these populations are pediatrics patients that range between the ages of ages 8 to 15 years old. The United States spends nearly $193.2 billion per year on mental health diseases (NAMI, 2013) proving that mental health illnesses are a major public health concern. Crises around the world have caused a greater shift in the efforts to promote wellness within communities. Public health priorities are more geared towards communities working together to combat the devastating tragedies that continue to affect many schools and communities within the United States. It has been estimated that by the year 2020 depression will be the second largest killer, and many communities and schools have already begin to experience the horrific repercussions. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to develop a health advocacy campaign that will more readily identify mental health illnesses as well as explore realistic methods to promote policies as well as improve community health outcomes. Population Health Issue and Population Affected Depression is a chronic medical condition that affects the way in which individuals feel, think, and behave. At some time in every individuals life sadness will be experienced; however, depression is far more serious. Depression is a lifelong disorder that requires ongoing medical treatment. Yearly, depression affects approximately 9.5 percent of the United States adult population, but the pediatric population has recently been identified as the fastest growing population diagnosed with clinical depression (Uplift Program, 2004). http://www.upliftprogram.com/depression_stats.html#statistics. Research has  found that depression stems from trauma, stressful life situations, and environmental exposures. Even though genetics may be a factor, depression episodes are usually trigged by some type of upsetting or traumatic event. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) estimates that approximately 11 percent of adolescents are diagnosed with a depressive disorder by age of 18 years old (National Institute of Mental Health, 2014), which seems quite alarming because depression is not easily recognized in pediatric populations. Although, if close attention is paid changes can be noted in general interaction with peers such as: increased irritability, anger, aggression, social isolation, and low self-esteem. Most recently there have been an increasing number in school shootings. Although, all the shooters except one have committed suicide the assumed causes have been linked to some type of traumatic stressful situation such as bullying or exposure to afflicted violence. Research completed by psychiatrist Meena Vythilingam found that extreme stress and trauma has effects on portions of the brain leading to improper functioning of the body’s memory and control of emotions. ( cite article ) When mental illnesses are left untreated serious impairment in daily functioning occurs. Therefore, early screenings and treatments in pediatric populations are essential. Nature Neuroscience 5, 1242 – 1247 (2002) Published online: 15 October 2002; | doi:10.1038/nn958 Smaller hippocampal volume predicts pathologic vulnerability to psychological trauma Mark W. Gilbertson1, 2, Martha E. Shenton2, 3, 4, Aleksandra Ciszewski4, Kiyoto Kasai4, Natasha B. Lasko1, 2, 5, Scott P. Orr1, 2, 5& Roger K. Pitman2, 5 Advocacy Programs Researched in this Area Advocacy programs researched in mental health disorders included the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. The DBSA is an impactful organization that offers a multitude of support groups for youth and adults throughout the United States. The DBSA has multiple chapters and networks located within each state and are also tech savvy. Support services can be accessed through the web in real time; therefore, participants can join meetings virtually and partake in the ongoing support and promotion of wellness and recovery. The major benefits of DBSA are to enhance wellness by  helping individuals that suffer from depression look at the positivity that life can offer understanding that with treatment and recovery one can live a life of joy and happiness. Additionally, the program offers a 4 week course titled Living Successfully with a Mood Disorder that can be facilitated by advocates within communities as efforts to teach individuals how to live healthy, full, meaningful lives while living with a mental health disorder. Furthermore, if there is any reason an individual cannot attend their community facilitated session on Living successfully with a Mood Disorder the DBSA offers online courses as a way of reaching as many individuals as possible. To date the DBSA have developed a strategic plan which remolded their vision for wellness for individuals living with mood disorders as well as set innovative values that are established to support their direction of moving forward. http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=home—citation The National Alliance on Mental Illness is another organization that advocates for community support and recovery of mental health disorders. NAMI has become known as one of the most popular organizations for supporting and advocating for mental illness throughout United States worldwide. The organization prides itself on its commitment to campaigning for access to services, treatment, and continuing research as they raise community awareness for individuals in need. Because NAMI understands the damaging and devastating effects that mental illnesses can create within communities the organization works diligently to make sure lives are saved daily. Furthermore, NAMI has also been a big influence politically. They have made national investment in lifesaving research and have rallied for the equality of mental health care. Additionally, the organization prides itself on successfully addressing the stigmas of mental illnesses through social media and signature educational programs that can be viewed as symbols of help and hope for communities, families, and individuals. Promoting public awareness will always be their main objective as they passionately work to ensure positive outcomes for all American youth and adults. Effective Attributes of the Programs To date both programs are currently meeting todays societal needs, outreaching through social media, as well as having tangible advocate that  can be contacted for support and help in times of need. There compassion and commitment to increasing and promoting community awareness have included outreach efforts worldwide. Moreover, NAMI has even further extended their efforts to address the challenges of our changing world through supporting virtual communities of help and hope to millions through social media channels such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and their very own website titled NAMI.org. Health Advocacy Plan According to the U.S. Surgeon General 11 percent of youth have been diagnosed with a mental health illness and more alarming statistics reveals that two-thirds of America’s youth who have a condition have not been identified nor have they received mental health services (Cite http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/legislative-priorities). My health advocacy plan focuses on the early identification, treatment, and recovery of mental health illnesses within pediatric populations proposing a policy addition to the Mental Health Awareness and Improvement Act of 2013 (S. 689). Currently the Act addresses the country mental health crises from an educational and public health standpoint. The educational standpoint focuses on promoting school-wide prevention through the development of positive behavioral supports and encouraging school-based mental health partnerships. The public health standpoint focuses on suicide prevention, helping children recover from traumatic events, mental health awareness for teachers and other individuals, and assessing barriers to integrating behavioral health and primary care ( cite). In addition to the current Act there needs to be an increase in efforts towards earlier identification of behavioral and emotional problems so that appropriate referrals for mental health can be assessed as early as possible facilitating ongoing follow up care and treatment for identified disorders. Efforts will include screening pediatric patient’s ages 3 to18 years for during well child exams. Local Health Departments, Pediatric offices, and Family Care Practices should be required to utilize The Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC-17) screening tool during well child exams. The PSC-17 screening tool which is recommended by the AAP will be completed by the parent or adult that the child lives with if the child is between ages 3 to 1 1 years old. Children between the ages of 12 to 18 years will complete to form by themselves with parental supervision. It  will be explained to parents/adults and teens that the enactment of the Affordable Care Act have encouraged a greater focus on preventive screenings; therefore, the visit today will encompass a comprehensive level of care that includes screenings to identify any risk factors that children may be subjected too. Parents/adults and teens will further be provided with clear directions on how to complete the form to determine the child’s risk for mental health problems in three different categories. The form will then be assessed and evaluated by the Physician/Practitioner or Registered Nurse based on the parents/adults or teens responses, determining the child’s risk and further needs for evaluation of care. If results are within normal limits the parents/adults and teen will be provided with positive reinforcements; however, if the results are abnormal the Physician/Practitioner will provide positive reinforcements along with a referral if the parent/adult consents f or further evaluation and ongoing care by a pediatric psychiatrist. Additionally, because we have a team of school nurses that work directly with children daily within the school systems this tool will further be utilized to recognize cognitive, emotional, and behavioral problems so that a greater percentage of the pediatric populations are reached and screened. In efforts to address ongoing follow up care and treatment, collaboration has been established with a local outpatient mental health and rehab center that provides comprehensive services to children and adults. All positive results and referrals will be forwarded and communicated with a designated nurse at the outpatient center and contact will be made with families from the designated nurse within 1-2 business days. The two entities which are the Richland Public Health Department and Catalyst Life Services will maintain ongoing communication regarding the child’s and families continuing progress, along with providing and directing needed resources as the needs arise. Objectives for the Policy Implemented: By January 1, 2015 at the end of the child’s well child visit parents or the adult that the child is living with will understand the significance and importance of early screening for pediatric depression and ongoing services if needed. By January 1, 2015 all children screening positive for depression will receive ongoing treatment and services that are evidence based  incorporating therapeutic knowledge that is individualized to each child’s specific needs within 30 days from the initial well child visit. By January 2015, Yearly well child exams will be scheduled and kept by the parents with reminder calls and/or letters sent out in the mail 30 days before scheduled appointment, then again 1 week before scheduled appointment. By January 2015, Communication between RPH and Catalyst regarding status/progress updates will be documented in the child’s EMR every other month documenting how the child and family are doing with treatment and follow up care. Data and Evidence to Substantiate Proposed Need— http://jpepsy.oxfordjournals.org/content/37/3/348.full citation In a 2011 study published in the Journal of Pediatric Psychology many physicians cited several barriers as reasons for not assessing and screening pediatric patients for psychosocial concerns, with the biggest barrier being time constraints. The study also found that during a National survey 29-50% of parents reported that their child’s pediatrician was not screening their child/children for mental health issues or concerns. So, the AAP has been diligent, formulating and designing a pediatric symptom checklist scoring tool that has a moderate to high sensitivity and specificity in efforts to address cited barriers for physician neglecting to screen pediatric populations during well child exams. The PSC-17 checklist and screening tool is a quick, easy, and effective way to identify cognitive, emotional, and behavioral which facilitates the initiation of interventions as soon as possible for identified mental health problems. Another study published in the American Academy of Pediatrics found that pediatricians and other primary care clinicians have only focused their attention on meeting the primary care needs of the child, forgoing evaluation of mental health disorders. The article further explored the values of the AAP policy statement which addresses the importance of improving pediatric populations’ health services as well as community services. Researched data has revealed that mental health concerns not only exist within the child, but includes all aspects of the child’s life such as family, school, community, and many other exposures they child may be vulnerable to. With the increasing number of school shootings communities as  well as primary care providers have shown an interested in advocating and enhancing mental services within communities as well as outreaching and forming partnerships with local mental health agencies, community health activists, child protective and juvenil e justice, local health departments, and schools. Improving patient’s health outcomes by shifting the health care system towards quality over quantity is imperative. Section 2713 titled Coverage of Preventive Health Services requires all healthcare plans to cover preventive services, as well as pediatric preventive services and screenings recommended by the Health Resources and Services Administration. HRSA works in connection with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, whose main goal is improving access to health care by strengthening the health care workforce, building healthy communities, and achieving health equity (Health Resources and Services Administration, 2014). Therefore, HRSA provides grants to multiple organizations as efforts are implemented towards improving and expanding health care services for underserved communities throughout the United States. How Attributes of Effective Advocacy Programs Researched Can Be Applied to this Proposed Campaign Attributes of effective advocacy programs researched can be applied to the proposed campaign by networking and outreaching with organizations and individuals that share the same compassion and commitment towards increasing and promoting community awareness about mental health illnesses. Further attributes include creating partnerships that fosters marketing skills that capitalize on combining resources to increase greater support and power than on organization would have alone. The DBSA and NAMI also have multiple chapters and networks located within each state; therefore, the utilization of trusted organization could also be utilized as conglomerates for regular contact, name recognition, and credibility in efforts to promote ongoing care and support of wellness and recovery through screening pediatric population. Legal Considerations All nurses should be familiar with the basic legal concepts of nursing practice acts and laws. Nursing practice is governed by many laws;  therefore, it is essential that nurses assume accountability for their professional nursing judgments and actions. Enactment of Policy through Modification of Existing Policy OR Creation of New Legislation Policies to address the mental health crisis throughout America has become of great concern for today’s youth. In April of 2013 the Mental Health Awareness and Improvement Act of 2013 (S. 689) was submitted to Congress to reauthorize and improve programs related to mental health and substance use disorders. Because of the identified risk from 2011 statistical data within my own community (13% of 6th -12th grade youth had seriously considered suicide and 6% of youth had attempted suicide. Further finds found that 265 of youth reported feeling sad or hopeless almost every day for two weeks or more which stopped them from doing regular activities and 41% of youth reported they would seek help for sadness and 14% did not know where to seek help) professional self-regulation needs to occur. According to Milstead, legislators may make adjustments to bills during several points of review so it is important that Advanced Practice Nurses monitor bills during this process so they can apply influences for positive outcomes ( Milsted, 75). Although, the bill addresses the use of positive behavioral interventions and supports, early intervening services, and school-based mental health programs to improve academic achievement and reduce disciplinary actions (cite https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/s689/text); however, further modifications should be considered to further improve this existing policy. Pediatric screenings for mental health disorders should be mandatory for all office and clinic based physicians/practitioners/providers that provide well child exams to children ages 3 to 18 years old. This will ensure that all pediatric populations are being reached and early identification of behavioral problems can be addressed as soon as possible as efforts to prevent, promote, and protect communities. How Existing Laws or Regulations could Impact My Advocacy The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is one law that could positively impact my advocacy. The ACA requires coverage of preventive health services as well as all healthcare plans to cover preventive services such as pediatric preventive services and screenings, which are recommended  and supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration. Because the HRSA works in connection with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services efforts are focused on building healthier communities and achieving health equality. Therefore, the HRSA provides grants to organizations as efforts are implemented towards improving and expanding health care services for underserved communities throughout the United States and as a result, nurses are capable of outreaching and marketing to form relevant political relationships to assist in supporting and backing legislation. According to Milsted (p.49) nurses utilize persuasion to achieve desired goals because policy makers not know everything about nursing specialties; therefore, nurses can utilize performance measures to showcase continuous monitoring when reporting progress and ongoing efforts to improve organizational programs. Moreover, the main goal is to report to policy makers what has been contributed and how it has positively affected community health outcomes.