Tuesday, November 26, 2019

The Benefits of Cell Phone Recycling

The Benefits of Cell Phone Recycling Recycling or reusing cell phones helps the environment by saving energy, conserving natural resources and keeping reusable materials out of landfills. Cell Phone Recycling Helps the Environment Cell phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs) contain a variety of precious metals, copper, and plastics. Recycling or reusing cell phones and PDAs not only conserves these valuable materials, it also prevents air and water pollution and reduces greenhouse gas emissions that occur during manufacturing and while extracting and processing virgin materials. Five Good Reasons to Recycle Cell Phones Only about 10 percent of the cell phones used in the United States are recycled. We need to do better. Heres why: Recycling just one cell phone saves enough energy to power a laptop for 44 hours.If Americans recycled all of the 130 million cell phones that are tossed aside annually in the United States, we could save enough energy to power more than 24,000 homes for a year.For every one million cell phones recycled, we can recover 75 pounds of gold, 772 pounds of silver, 33 pounds of palladium, and 35,274 pounds of copper; cell phones also contain tin, zinc, and platinum.Recycling one million cell phones also saves enough energy to provide electricity to 185 U.S. households for a year.Cell phones and other electronic devices also contain hazardous materials such as lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic and brominated flame retardants. Many of those materials can be recycled and reused; none of them should go into landfills where they can contaminate air, soil, and groundwater. Recycle or Donate Your Cell Phone Most Americans get a new cell phone every 18 to 24 months, usually when their contract expires and they qualify for a free or low-cost upgrade to a new cell phone model. The next time you get a new cell phone, dont discard your old one or toss it into a drawer where it will just gather dust. Recycle your old cell phone or, if the cell phone and its accessories are still in good working order, consider donating them to a program that will either sell them to benefit a worthy charity or offer them to someone less fortunate. Some recycling programs also work with schools or community organizations to collect cell phones as fundraising ventures. Apple will take back your old iPhone and recycle or reuse it through its Renew program. In 2015, Apple recycled 90 million pounds of electronic waste. The materials thus recovered include 23 million lbs of steel,   13 million lbs of plastic, and almost 12 million lbs of glass. Some of the recovered materials have very high value: in 2015 only Apple recovered 2.9 million lbs of copper, 6612 lbs of silver, and 2204 lbs of gold! The markets for refurbished cell phones extend far beyond U.S. borders, providing modern communication technology to people in developing nations who would otherwise find it unaffordable. How Are Materials From Recycled Cell Phones Used? Almost all of the materials used to manufacture cell phones- metals, plastics and rechargeable batteries- can be recovered and used to make new products. Metals recovered from recycled cell phones are used in many different industries such as jewelry making, electronics, and automotive manufacturing. Recovered plastics are recycled into plastic components for new electronic devices and other plastic products such as garden furniture, plastic packaging, and auto parts. When rechargeable cell-phone batteries can no longer be reused, they can be recycled to make other rechargeable battery products. Edited by Frederic Beaudry

Friday, November 22, 2019

50 Problem Words and Phrases

50 Problem Words and Phrases 50 Problem Words and Phrases 50 Problem Words and Phrases By Mark Nichol Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to conceive written communication. So many pairs or trios of words and phrases stymie us with their resemblance to each other. Here’s a quick guide to alleviate (or is it ameliorate?) your suffering: 1. a while / awhile: â€Å"A while† is a noun phrase; awhile is an adverb. 2. all together / altogether: All together now â€Å"We will refrain from using that two-word phrase to end sentences like this one altogether.† 3. amend / emend: To amend is to change; to emend is to correct. 4. amount / number: Amount refers to a mass (â€Å"The amount saved is considerable†); number refers to a quantity (â€Å"The number of dollars saved is considerable†). 5. between / among: The distinction is not whether you refer to two people or things or to three or more; it’s whether you refer to one thing and another or to a collective or undefined number â€Å"Walk among the trees,† but â€Å"Walk between two trees.† 6. biannual / biennial: Biannual means twice a year; biennial means once every two years. 7. bring / take: If it’s coming toward you, it’s being brought. If it’s headed away from you, it’s being taken. 8. compare to / compare with: â€Å"Comparing to† implies similarity alone; â€Å"compare with† implies contrast as well. 9. compliment / complement: To compliment is to praise; to complement is to complete. 10. comprise, consist of / compose, constitute: Comprise means â€Å"include,† so test by replacement â€Å"is included of† is nonsense, and so is â€Å"is comprised of.† The whole comprises the parts or consists of the parts, but the parts compose or constitute the whole. 11. connote / denote: To connote is to convey (â€Å"Air quotes connote skepticism or irony†); to denote is to specify (â€Å"A stop sign denotes the requirement to halt†). 12. continual / continuous: Continual events are frequently repeated, or intermittent. Continuous events are uninterrupted, or constant. 13. credible / credulous: To be credible is to be authoritative; to be credulous is to be gullible. 14. deserts / desserts: If you eat only cake, pie, ice cream, and the like, you eat just desserts. If you have it coming to you, you get your just deserts as well. (However, the connotation is negative, so hit the gym.) 15. different from / different than: The former phrase is preferred in formal writing; but â€Å"differently than† is always correct usage. 16. discreet / discrete: Discreet means â€Å"subtle†; discrete means â€Å"separate.† (â€Å"He discreetly reminded them of their discrete meanings.†) 17. each other / one another: â€Å"One another† is preferred in formal writing when more than two of something are being discussed. 18. economic / economical: Economic refers to the science of economics; economical suggests frugality. 19. elemental/elementary: What’s elemental is essential or integral to nature; what’s elementary is basic. 20. ensure / insure / assure: To ensure is to guarantee, to insure is to indemnify, and to assure is to comfort or convince. 21. epidemic / endemic / pandemic: An epidemic is the outbreak of disease in a limited place and time; an endemic disease is a recurring one peculiar to a place or population; a pandemic is pervasive over a wide geographical area. 22. forgo / forego: To forgo is to go without; to forego is to go before (and is generally used only in the forms foregoing and foregone, which are themselves rare). 23. gibe / jibe / jive: To gibe (soft g, as in gym) is to taunt or insult (though jibe is an alternate spelling), to jibe with is to coincide or fit, to jive is to deceive. 24. historic / historical: Something historic is remarkable for its impact on history; something historical is simply an event in history. 25. home in / hone in: To home in is to close in; to hone in is to confuse one word for another. (â€Å"Hone in† has no meaning.) 26. jealousy / envy: Jealousy is resentment; envy is covetousness. 27. lay / lie: Lay is transitive, associated with a direct object â€Å"Lay that pencil down.† â€Å"Yesterday, I laid that pencil down.† â€Å"That pencil has been laid down.† Lie is intransitive, not so associated â€Å"Lie down.† â€Å"Last night, I lay down.† â€Å"It was my plan to have lain down already. 28. leach / leech: To leach is to dissolve by percolation; to leech is to remove blood with a leech or to exhaust; as a noun, it means a parasitic worm or the human figurative equivalent, or the edge of a sail (also spelled leach). 29. libel / slander: Libel is written defamation; slander is the spoken equivalent. 30. may / might: May refers to factual or possible; might is appropriate for the hypothetical or counterfactual. 31. nauseous / nauseated: To be nauseous is to cause sickness. To be nauseated is to feel sick. 32. notable / noticeable / noteworthy: Something notable is worthy of note. Something noticeable is capable of being noticed. Noteworthy is a synonym of notable, though the former implies the unusual and the latter the commendable. 33. partly / partially: Partly means â€Å"in part†; partially means â€Å"incomplete† or, rarely, is an antonym for unfairly. 34. peak / pique: To peak is to reach the pinnacle; to pique is to arouse interest or to bother. 35. people / persons: People has assumed primacy; persons is reserved mostly as a synonym for bodies (â€Å"those belongings carried on their persons†). 36. persuade / convince: To persuade someone is to motivate them to do something; to convince someone is to lead them to understand or believe. 37. predominantly / predominately: Both forms are correct, but predominantly predominates. 38. purposely / purposefully: What’s done purposely is done on purpose; what’s done purposefully is done with a purpose. 39. regrettably / regretfully: Regrettably is a synonym for unfortunately; regretfully means just that full of regret. 40. repetitive / repetitious: Both terms have acquired a negative connotation, but the former retains a more neutral meaning. 41. sensual / sensuous: Sensual has an erotic connotation; sensuous refers more neutrally to what is pleasurable to the senses. 42. since / because: Informally, these terms are interchangeable, but in formal writing, since should be used only to refer to time. 43. stationary / stationery: To be stationary is to stand still; stationery refers to letter-writing materials. 44. that / which: That is used restrictively (â€Å"The pencil that is sharp† among more than one pencil, the one with that characteristic); which is employed nonrestrictively (â€Å"The pencil, which is sharp† one pencil alone, possessing that characteristic). The distinction is rarely observed other than in American English. 45. tortuous / torturous: A tortuous experience is a winding one; a torturous one is painful. 46. transcript / transcription: A transcript is a thing; a transcription is the process of creating it. 47. verbal / oral: Verbal refers to both written and spoken communication, but oral is useful for distinguishing the latter from the former. 48. while / although / whereas: Informally, while is a synonym for the other two terms, but in formal writing it should be reserved for temporal connotations. 49. wreak / wreck: These terms do not share etymological origin; you wreck a party, but you do so by wreaking havoc. 50. whether / if: Both words are correct in expressing a choice, but the former is more appropriate in formal writing (â€Å"I can’t decide whether to go†), whereas the latter is better reserved for reference to possibility or probability (â€Å"I’ll go if you do†). Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Misused Words category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:50 Handy Expressions About Hands50 Diminutive Suffixes (and a Cute Little Prefix)Sentence Adverbs

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Lean Six Sigma process Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Lean Six Sigma process - Essay Example Lean Six Sigma requires cultural change because at the core of its philosophy is the identification of customer value that any activities that is not consistent to customer value, or anything that the customer is not willing to pay for is removed. Thus, with the implementation of Lean Six Sigma, the organization is driven drive improve values that the customer is willing to pay for. Then a value stream is created to serve customer value. The process of Lean Six Sigma typically involves defining and prioritizing process, measuring performance, analysis of root cause, implement improvements and control the process. Training of Lean Six Sigma Blackbelts will also be beneficial to an organization. The successful implementation of Six Sigma’s Tools has substantial impact on an organization’s bottom line and it was estimated that the typical contribution of an experienced Lean Six Sigma Blackbelt to an organization is $1 annually (Klaasse,

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 16

Research Paper Example e career civil servants are employed in a step-wise system that has the lowest (entry) level civil servant at grade 9 and highest level civil servants at grade 1. The contract civil servants are employed on specialized jobs that see their employment terminated once the terms of the contract have been met (Choi & Park 2013, pp. 12-13). In Japan, the national civil service is responsible for all civil servant employments. Once employed in a ministry, an employee will remain with the same ministry until their employment is terminated. Transfers between ministries is very uncommon. A civil servant is advanced selectively but in the confines of rank such that the senior personnel have priority in terms of promotion. In reality, the actual retirement age for civil servants is 55 years of age but an ‘amakudari’ style of re-employment system has been adopted by Japan’s civil service in which retired workers are re-absorbed back into the workforce as part of the lifetime employment system employed in the country. The implication is that amakudari is an essential provision of the lifetime employment system where workers are obligated to resign from place of employment before they reach of the formal retirement age. The system provides low salaries for civil servants, when matched to salaries of the same age cohort in the private sector. Amakudari is an issue of great significance and one that has become very contentious. Each ministry runs independent of the others and central government such that; each minister is expected to bear the responsibility and that even the prime minister cannot direct other ministers’ business; and some of the core government ministries were created before the current constitution was promulgated. The local governments employ 75 percent of all civil servants while the central government employs the remaining 25 percent (Hood & Guy 2003, pp. 38-42; Institute of Administrative Management 2001, pp. 21-26). The British civil service

Sunday, November 17, 2019

A View from the Bridge Essay Example for Free

A View from the Bridge Essay A View from the Bridge by Arthur Miller is a play describing the affairs of the Brooklyn dockworkers of post war America. The play is as colourful as the lives of those it depicts: it contains aspects of love, hatred, passion, suffering, pain and despair (to name but a few) but what of tragedy? In order for a play to be a tragedy it follows that it must have tragic elements to its plot but what are these elements? Why are they considered tragic? And most importantly of all: In what from are they present in A View from the Bridge? Answering this question requires that we obtain a sound definition of tragedy in the classic sense, and for this task I refer throughout to Aristotles Poetics. Over the next few pages I will be examining the main events and aspects of the play, showing how explicitly they follow the principles outlined by Aristotle, therefore earning the tragic title. Foremost in a tragedy is the protagonist; he is the hub around which the events of the play rotate, without whom all would soon crumble. In classic tragedy the protagonist is usually distinguished early in the play: the protagonist in A View from the Bridge is established from the outset. An early stage direction sees Eddie pitching coins with the men and is highlighted among them this and Eddies prominence in the following family scene firmly establish his role as the lead character. Once this entity has been confirmed we must then examine his character. In the first family scene Eddie is shown to command the love and respect of both his wife and niece: Beatrice claims that he is an Angel! and that Godll bless him and Catherine greets him enthusiastically Hi, Eddie! This show of love has the effect of portraying Eddie Carbone in a favourable light and raising the audiences opinion of him. This was a deliberate effort on Millers part to satisfy one of Aristotles necessities for tragedy, that the lead role should embody nobility and virtue as part of his/her innate character. Initial nobility and virtue serve to accentuate the eventual demise of the character and heighten the sense of loss felt by the audience. The family love of the opening scene, while serving a purpose, is notably ordinary and not at all unusual. At first glance Eddie Carbone seems a surprisingly normal figure He is forty- a husky, slightly overweight longshoreman. This normality however serves a very important purpose, it allows the audience to identify with the character, a necessity for the tragic hero since he has to command sympathy, pity, and later invoke fear. Another tragic requirement is that the lead character must have a certain flaw, or imperfection, known as hamartia which serves to trigger the characters demise. This is present in A View from the Bridge and is subtly exposed in the first scene when Eddie is pleased and therefore shy about it when Catherine lovingly greets him. The first family scene can therefore be described as tragic because it complies with tragic ideals, and establishes both the character of the protagonist and his fatal flaw: two essentials of tragedy. Following this scene I was aware of the potential for catastrophe (in Eddies incestuous love, and over protectiveness) but was at a loss as to how this potential was to be realised. This invoked in me as the reader or as a member of the audience a sense of or intense anticipation and anxiety: anticipation because the catastrophic ending was foretold in Alfieris warnings and anxiety because I did not know what form this catastrophe would take. My anxiety was relieved upon the arrival of the immigrants, when I realised the means by which the potential was to be realised. As the scene progresses Catherines attraction to Rodolpho is made apparent. Catherine wondrously asks Rodolpho about his hair, and is enthralled by his singing; she asks if he is married and references to sugar you like sugar? -Sugar? Yes! I like sugar very much! imply that they are sweet on each other. This affection unnerves Eddie, who, upon hearing Rodolphos rendition of Paper Doll interrupts as soon as flirtation is mentioned and then those flirty, flirty guysWill have to flirt with dollies that are real. This scene, while not satisfying any tragic ideas wholly in itself, helps with the progression of the tragedy since it develops the fatal flaw, Eddies love for Catherine. It also informs the audience of the course the play is to take, accentuating the sense of fate or inevitable progression.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Seamus Heaney †The Skunk Commentary Essay -- English Literature

Seamus Heaney – The Skunk Commentary Skunk is a poem by Seamus Heaney about his married life. The poem is a tribute to his wife – how living away from home has caused him to miss his married life. Exiled from his wife, Heaney is recalls the skunk which reminds him of his wife. There are two settings in this poem. The first five stanzas are based on memories of California nights, and the last stanza is a recent memory of waiting in bed for his wife as she changed into her nightdress. The theme of this poem is memory, where Heaney recalls memories of his California nights; this is portrayed in â€Å"it all came back to me last night†. It is also a celebration of the energy and freshness of his marriage; â€Å"after eleven years I was composing love letters again†. He also shows his frustration and desire for his wife, a pain of separation from her; â€Å"the beautiful useless tang of eucalyptus spelt your absence.† The tone of this poem is sacred, sexual, repulsive – it is erotically inviting. Using interesting descriptions, Heaney is able to convey this poem in a tender yet...

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Ovarian Cancer Research Paper Essay

Introduction Ovarian cancer is one of the most common types of cancer among women. It is considered to be one of the most common types of cancer of the female reproductive system. According to McGuire and Markman (2003), â€Å"despite advances in treatment over the last 40 years, ovarian cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed gynaecological malignancy, and causes more deaths than any other cancer of the reproductive system† (p. 4). Despite the fact that ovarian cancer occurs less frequently than uterine cancer, it is more aggressive and can occur at any age. In addition, it does not manifest itself in the first stages, and in most cases are diagnosed only in the later ones. All the malignant ovarian tumors are subdivided into epithelial, germ or stromal cell types (cancer). These cancers have the highest incidence among all other tumors. (Jordan, S., Green, A., & Webb, P. 2006 p.109-116). Signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer â€Å"Ovarian cancer has often been called the â€Å"silent killer† because symptoms are not thought to develop until advanced stages when chance of cure is poor† (Goff, Mandel, Melancon, & Muntz, 2004, p. 2705). That is why the symptoms of ovarian cancer are not specific and can be disguised as other more common diseases, such as diseases of the digestive system or urinary system. The reason for the lack of clearly defined symptoms is that ovarian cancer develops in the abdominal cavity and does not cause discomfort for the patient. The main sign of the presence of most disease is a constant presence of symptoms or their worsening. For example, ovarian cancer symptoms are distinguished by their immutability of the manifestations: they progress gradually. (Goff, B. A., Mandel, L. S., Melancon, C. H., Muntz, H. G., 2004 p. 2705-2712). The main symptoms of ovarian cancer may include the following: 1. Feeling of overeating, swelling or bloating; 2. Urgent need to urinate; 3. Pain or discomfort in the pelvic area. 4. Constant indigestion or nausea; 5. Sudden, unexplained changes of stools, which include diarrhea or constipation; 6. Frequent urination; 7. Appetite loss; 8. Rapid weight loss or rapid weight gain; 9. Increased waist circumference, which can be seen by the fact that the clothing suddenly became small; 10. Pain during intercourse; 11. Permanent weakness; 12. Pain in the lumbar area, abdominal pain. The growing tumor extends through the fallopian tubes, causing the lower abdominal pain on the affected side. The large tumors can compress the large intestine that is manifested in bloating or constipation. (Goff, B. A., Mandel, L. S., Melancon, C. H., Muntz, H. G., 2004, p. 2705-2712). In addition, ovarian cancer is characterized by metastases at the â€Å"gate† of the liver that leads to the development of ascites – an accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity due to the compression of the hepatic portal vein. (Goff, B. A., Mandel, L. S., Melancon, C. H., Muntz, H. G., 2004, p. 2705-2712). The later stages (3 and 4) of ovarian cancer are characterized by more severe symptoms, such as intoxication and anemia. The doctors usually can diagnose ovarian cancer for three months after the first symptoms. However, sometimes it is necessary to wait for six months or even more in order to put the final diagnosis. (Goff, B. A., M andel, L. S., Melancon, C. H., Muntz, H. G., 2004, p. 2705-2712). Causes of ovarian cancer Currently, the etiological factors of malignant ovarian tumors are not significantly determined. However, some researches have advanced several hypotheses about the etiology of epithelial ovarian tumors (Modugno et al., 2003, p. 439- 446). The first one being that ovarian cancer usually occurs when a tumor develops in one or both of a woman’s ovaries. (Modugno et al., 2003, p. 439- 446). Another hypothesis is based on the concept of â€Å"incessant ovulation† (early menarche, late menopause, a small number of pregnancies, the shortening of lactation). Remember, the constant ovulations cause serious damage to epithelial inclusions in the ovarian cortex. The following hypothesis shows that ovarian cancer, most often, is caused by the glandular epithelial cells, which produce hormones. Therefore, a violation of hormonal regulation leads to the changes of malignant epithelial cells. Ovarian cancer often develops in the presence of chronic inflammation, benign tumors or ovarian cysts. (Jordan, S., Green, A., & Webb, P., 2006, p. 109-116). Risk factors It is difficult enough to determine the risk factors for ovarian cancer. However, it is believed that the healthy women, who have relatives diagnosed with breast cancer, ovarian cancer or uterine cancer, are at risk of those diseases. Supporting this point of view, Cannistra (2004) states that â€Å"a strong family history of ovarian or breast cancer is the most important risk factor† for women. Too often ovarian cancer develops after menopause. However, the risk is increased only after 60 years. In turn, Cannistra (2004) supports this information and adds that â€Å"the median age of patients with ovarian cancer is 60 years, and the average lifetime risk for women is about 1 in 70†. (p. 2519-2522) Despite the fact that most ovarian cancers are diagnosed in postmenopausal women, the disease can also occur in women who are in the premenopausal period. Women, who have been pregnant at least once, are less likely to have ovarian cancer. The use of birth control pills also reduces this probability. (Kuper, H., Cramer, D. W., & Titus-Ernstoff, L., 2002., p. 455-463). The appearance of cysts is a normal process that occurs during ovulation in women who are premenopausal. However, cysts formed in the postmenopausal period have a great chance to cause cancer. Women are at increased risk if they are having trouble conceiving. Environment factors also affect the incidence of ovarian cancer. (Kuper, H., Cramer, D. W., & Titus-Ernstoff, L., 2002., p. 455-463). Ovarian cancer can be primary, secondary and metastatic. The malignant tumors, which primarily affect the ovary, are known as primary cancer. Secondary ovarian cancer (cystadenocarcinoma) occurs due to the benign or borderline tumors. Metastatic ovarian cancer (Krukenberg tumor) is a spreading of the primary tumor, which is often located in the gastro-intestinal tract, stomach, breast, thyroid or uterus. (Rossing, M. A., Tang, M. C., Flagg, E. W., Weiss, L. K., Wicklund, K. G., & Weiss, N. S.,2006, p. 713-720). Ovarian cancer staging It is possible to trace the following ovarian cancer stages, such as: Stage 1 — limited to one or both ovaries; †¢ 1A) cone ovary is affected, no ascites; †¢ 1B) both ovaries are affected, no ascites; †¢ 1C) appearance of the tumor on the surface of the ovary (s), ascites. Stage 2 — disease spreads in the small pelvis; †¢ 2A) affection of the uterus or fallopian tubes; †¢ 2B) affection of other tissues of the small pelvis; †¢ 2C) tumor on the surface of the ovary (s), ascites. Stage 3 — affection of the peritoneum, metastases in the liver and other organs within the abdomen, affection of groin lymph nodes; †¢ 3A) — microscopic peritoneal metastasis beyond the pelvis; †¢ 3B) — metastasis less than 2 cm in size; †¢ 3C) — metastases more than 2 cm in diameter, involving retroperitoneal and inguinal lymph nodes. Stage 4 — distant metastases. (Rossing, M. A., Tang, M. C., Flagg, E. W., Weiss, L. K., Wicklund, K. G., & Weiss, N. S., 2006., p. 713-720). Thus, these are the basic ovarian cancer stages, which help to find out how widespread ovarian cancer is. Classification of ovarian tumors 1) Surface epithelial-stromal tumors – the largest group of benign epithelial ovarian tumors are cystadenoma. 2) Sex cord-stromal tumors with a minimum number of elements have the structure of sex cord-tech fibroids and may contain small nests or tubules of sex cord-type cells. 3) Germ cell tumors are teratomas, which in most cases are benign. . (Rossing, M. A., Tang, M. C., Flagg, E. W., Weiss, L. K., Wicklund, K. G., & Weiss, N. S., 2006., p. 713-720). Ovarian cancer treatment Ovarian cancer can be suspected by a gynecologist during a standard pelvic examination. However, â€Å"much of the problem is that ovarian cancer is often detected too late. Not everyone has symptoms, and the classic ones—bloating, pelvic pain, difficulty eating and urinary frequency, are easily confused with other maladies† (Johannes, 2010, para. 6). That is why the doctor should regularly check the pelvis and conduct the palpation of the uterus, vagina, tubes, ovaries, bladder, and rectum. In addition, it is essential to use a pelvic organ ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), radionuclide studies (scintigraphy), intestinal endoscopy, as well as a laparoscopic examination of the pelvis with a biopsy. (Zhang, M., Xie, X., Lee, A. H., & Binns, C. W., 2004, p. 83-89). Remember that ovarian cancer does not have any obvious symptoms in the early stages. Therefore, the annual gynecological examination and ultrasonography of the groin area are very important. Main tr eatment usually involves surgery, chemotherapy, and sometimes radiotherapy. Depending on the extent of tumor spread, surgery can be performed in various capacities. The obtained material must be sent for further examination. If the tumor significantly extends, the doctor should conduct the courses of chemotherapy, and then perform surgery. Mainly, surgery is performed in a radical way: the uterus with the tubes, pelvic tissue with lymph nodes, and omentum in the form of an apron are removed completely. Gland contains lymph nodes, which are often affected by metastases. Ovarian cancer has the ability to affect a healthy ovary through the cross metastases. (Rossing, M. A., Tang, M. C., Flagg, E. W., Weiss, L. K., Wicklund, K. G., & Weiss, N. S., 2006., p. 713-720). Therefore, it is very important to remove both ovaries in order to preserve the life of the patient. Taking into consideration the aggressive nature of the disease, chemotherapy is considered to be a required component of ovarian cancer treatment. The standard chemotherapy protocol consists of two major drugs, such as Carboplatin and Taxol. (Kiani, F., Knutsen, S., Singh, P., Ursin, G., & Fraser, G., 2006, p. 137-146). Medication duration, dosage and additional drugs are determined individually: in accordance with the type of tumor, the degree of spreading and other indicators. It is possible to conduct the additional courses of chemotherapy after surgery. Ovarian cancer treatment has its specific nature. It is connected with the fact that the tumor in the ovary cannot be seen. Therefore, in cases when the doctor does not operate the patient, the only way to be sure that the tumor is gone completely is use a high-dose chemotherapy. The main features of chemotherapy for ovarian cancer Chemotherapy is performed in almost all the stages of the disease. Sometimes it is used to fight against the tumor, sometimes to contain the tumor and prevent it’s spreading, sometimes in order to delay the total defeat of the body. In any case, chemotherapy for ovarian cancer is proved as an effective fighting method. Chemotherapy does serious damage to the body, but its main advantage is that the drugs work in the body, and thus blocks the development of the last stage of cancer, as well as the spreading to adjacent organs. Chemotherapy for ovarian cancer has a greater chance of success than radiotherapy, because it comes to the heart of the problem. The most important thing is that chemotherapy can get rid of cancer cells, which have already started to progress, but have not yet appeared in the specific symptoms. In other words, it can nip with the problem in the bud. Thus, if the use of chemotherapy for ovarian cancer is offered, do not refuse to do it. This is one of the few chances that could save your life, and give a reason to hope for the restoration of a normal life and future. In some cases, in addition to chemotherapy, the doctor can prescribe radiotherapy in order to kill the cancer cells. However, it is not commonly used and does not play an important role in the treatment of ovarian cancer. How to prevent the development of ovarian cancer? Every woman should know her vulnerabilities – â€Å"loopholes† through which cancer can penetrate into the body. Loophole 1: Late arrival to the gynecologist The annual preventive gynecological examination is required for all the women. Women, who have ovarian cancer, address to the doctor too late. This is due to the irregular visits to the gynecologist, because of this the initial stages of the disease go unnoticed. At first, cancer progresses usually without any of the characteristic symptoms. Subsequently, women can suffer from uterine bleeding, that doesn’t usually coincide with the period of menstruation and often ignore the abnormality. (Grilli, R., Apolone, G., Marsoni, S., Nicolucci, A., Zola, P., & Liberati, A., 1991, p.50-63). Women need to understand that the existence of such a symptom is a serious cause for concern, because any vaginal bleeding aside from the normal monthly menstruation may indicate a malfunction in the body. Another characteristic which women often ignore is lower abdominal pain. These pains can be short or long, weak, or strong. However, it is not desirable to immediately take analgesics to numb the unpleasant feelings. In such a case, it will be more reasonable to see a gynecologist. In addition, it is important to conduct an ultrasound of the uterus and ovaries. Usually a pelvic examination and ultrasound can detect ovarian cancer at the early stages. (Titus-Ernstoff, L., Rees, J. R., Terry, K. L., & Cramer, D. W., 2010, p. 201-207). The growth of ovarian tumors may be accompanied by low-grade temperature, shivering, and weakness. If you do not have an infectious disease and severe pain, but constant weakness and nausea, it is essential to consult with a gynecologist. (Titus-Ernstoff, L., Rees, J. R., Terry, K. L., & Cramer, D. W., 2010, p. 201-207). Loophole 2: Changes in hormonal balance Many women going through menopause also experience profound changes in the level of sex hormones. â€Å"An excess of female hormones can lead to ovarian tumors and other serious gynecological diseases† (Jordan, S. J., Purdie, D. M., Green, A. C., & Webb, P. M., 2004, p.359-365). The patients, who have had surgery on the uterus and ovaries, are also at increased risk. In addition to various infectious complications, they can also have a hormonal disorder. One of the reasons for ovarian cancer is an excess of sex hormone called gonadotropin, which leads to the development of other hormone-dependent tumors. (Jordan, S. J., Purdie, D. M., Green, A. C., & Webb, P. M., 2004, p.359-365). Therefore, women with hormonal malfunctions should be evaluated by a gynecologist with special attention. Loophole 3: Change of sexual partners and childlessness Sexual promiscuity often leads to frequent abortions. Every abortion is a serious hormonal disruption of the whole female body. The consequences of abortion are infertility, chronic diseases of the uterus and other reproductive organs. Sexual promiscuity can also lead to various infectious diseases of the genital organs. Some of these diseases often increase the risk of ovarian cancer. Nulliparous women suffer from ovarian cancer more often than those who have children. (King, M., Marks, J. H., Mandell, J. B., 2003, p. 643-646). Loophole 4: Unhealthy lifestyles It is known that women, who smoke or drink alcohol, are much more susceptible to ovarian cancer. Cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption weaken their health and therefore they have a higher risk of cancer. â€Å"In recent years, it is possible to trace the appearance of different cosmetics and dietary supplements. They contain the hormonal stimulants, which are very harmful for the female body† (Kiani, F., Knutsen, S., Singh, P., Ursin, G., & Fraser, G., 2006, p.137-146). It is necessary to carefully use such stimulants. Before taking these pills, it is essential to consult your primary care physician or gynecologist. Women, who have menopause, should eat a balanced diet full of vitamins and other nutrients (Kiani, F., Knutsen, S., Singh, P., Ursin, G., & Fraser, G., 2006, p.137-146). Furthermore, personal hygiene is vital to good health. Remember that any chronic diseases, especially concerning the sexual organs, weaken the immune system and increases the risk of tumor deve lopment. However, if diagnosed as having ovarian cancer don’t give up. Remember that timely access to a physician is the key to success. Tumors can be detected by the usual examination and then refined with the help of the ultrasound and analysis. If the disease is detected in an early stage, treatment will be more effective. In such a case, the doctor has the ability to combine surgical and medical treatment, without affecting the uterus and ovaries. Such patients can even get pregnant and give birth to a healthy baby. The later stages of ovarian cancer are characterized by more severe symptoms and can even lead to the complete removal of the ovaries, uterus and other organs affected by the tumor. Unfortunately, the survival rate of these patients is very low, and they often have relapse (McGuire, W.P., & Markman, M. (2003). Conclusion Taking the above-mentioned information into consideration, it is possible to draw a conclusion that ovarian cancer is often called the â€Å"silent killer† because clinically the first manifestations are associated with the spread of the tumor outside the ovary, and sometimes beyond the pelvis. Ovarian cancer can be divided into the following forms, such as primary, secondary, and metastatic. The most common symptoms for ovarian cancer are pain in the abdomen and lower back, accompanied with abdominal distention and ascites. However, these symptoms are typical for a number of benign ovarian tumors. Surgical treatment of ovarian cancer is considered to be the fundamental. The prevention of ovarian cancer is possible through the regular preventive examinations. References Cannistra, S.A. (2004). Cancer of the ovary. N. Engl. J. Med., 351 (24), 2519-29. doi: 10.1056/NEJMra041842 Goff, B. A., Mandel, L. S., Melancon, C. H., Muntz, H. G. (2004). Frequency of Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer in Women Presenting to Primary Care Clinics. American Medical Association, 291 (22), 2705-2712. Grilli, R., Apolone, G., Marsoni, S., Nicolucci, A., Zola, P., & Liberati, A. (1991). The Impact of Patient Management Guidelines on the Care of Breast, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Patients in Italy. Medical Care, 29 (1), 50-63. Johannes, L. (2010, March 9). Test to Help Determine If Ovarian Masses Are Cancer. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704869304575109703066893506.html Jordan, S., Green, A., & Webb, P. (2006). Benign Epithelial Ovarian Tumours: Cancer Precursors or Markers for Ovarian Cancer Risk? Cancer Causes & Control, 17 (5), 623-632. Jordan, S. J., Purdie, D. M., Green, A. C., & Webb, P. M. (2004). Coffee, Tea and Caffeine and Risk of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer. Cancer Causes & Control, 15 (4), 359-365. Jordan, S. J., Siskind, V., Green, A. C., Whiteman, D. C., & Webb, P. M. (2010). Breastfeeding and Risk of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer. Cancer Causes & Control, 21 (1), 109-116. Kiani, F., Knutsen, S., Singh, P., Ursin, G., & Fraser, G. (2006). Dietary Risk Factors for Ovarian Cancer: The Adventist Health Study (United States). Cancer Causes & Control, 17 (2), 137-146. King, M., Marks, J. H., Mandell, J. B. (2003). Breast and Ovarian Cancer Risks Due to Inherited Mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2. The New York Breast Cancer Study Group Science, New Series, 302 (5645), 643-646. Kuper, H., Cramer, D. W., & Titus-Ernstoff, L. (2002). Risk of Ovarian Cancer in the United States in Relation to Anthropometric Measures: Does the Association Depend on Menopausal Status? Cancer Causes & Control, 13 (5), 455-463. McGuire, W.P., & Markman, M. (2003). Primary ovarian cancer chemotherapy: current standards of car e. Br. J. Cancer, 89 (3), 3-8. doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6601494. Modugno, F., Moslehi, R., Ness, R. B., Nelson, D. B., Bell, S., Kant, J. A., Wheeler, J. E., Fishman, D., Karlan, B., Risch, J., Cramer, D. W., Dube, M., & Narod, S. A. (2003). Reproductive factors and ovarian cancer risk in Jewish BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers (United States). Cancer Cause and Control, 14, 439-446. Rossing, M. A., Tang, M. C., Flagg, E. W., Weiss, L. K., Wicklund,

Saturday, November 9, 2019

Public Private Partnership in the Philippines Essay

Methodology The researcher used the historical research method that provided information on the value of Public-Private Partnership in Philippine Infrastructure Construction. The data provides an overview on how valuable, whether it be for the benefit or detriment of the country, PPP projects are in the socio-economic paradigm. The gathered data were from relevant books, research papers, government data, and thru papers released by relevant parties. What is Public–Private Partnership? Public–private partnership (PPP) describes a government service or private business venture which is funded and operated through a partnership of government and one or more private sector companies. These schemes are sometimes referred to as PPP, P3 or P3. 1 1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public%E2%80%93private_partnership 1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public%E2%80%93private_partnership One of the possible reasons why PPP is the format as to how the Philippine government is conducting most of its high budgeted infrastructure projects is clearly stated by Ferreira and Khatami â€Å"The private sector is playing an increasingly crucial role in the financing and provision of services that were traditionally the domain of the public sector. One of the key reasons is that governments are unable to cope with the ever-increasing demands on their budgets. Most infrastructure expenditures in developing countries have been funded directly from fiscal budgets but several factors such as macroeconomic instability and growing investment requirements have shown that public financing is volatile and, in many countries, rarely meet crucial infrastructure expenditure requirements in a timely and adequate manner.† PPP involves a contract between a public sector authority and a private party, in which the private party provides a public service or project and assumes substantial financial, technical and operational risk in the project. In some types of PPP, the cost of using the service is borne exclusively by the users of the service and not by the taxpayer. In other types (notably the private finance initiative), capital investment is made by the private sector on the strength of a contract with government to provide agreed services and the cost of providing the service is borne wholly or in part by the government. Government contributions to a PPP may also be in kind (notably the transfer of existing assets). In projects that are aimed at creating public goods like in the infrastructure sector, the government may provide a capital subsidy in the form of a one-time grant, so as to make it more attractive to the private investors. In some other cases, the government may support the project by providing revenue subsidies, including tax breaks or by providing guaranteed annual revenues for a fixed period. 2 2 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public%E2%80%93private_partnership 2 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public%E2%80%93private_partnership PPP in the Philippines The Philippines has a long history of public-private partnership (PPP) initiatives, which serve as a rich basis for future investments. As of now it is a priority of the Benigno Aquino III Administration probably due to its perceived socio economic benefits not only in the usual infrastructure projects like roads, expressways, bridges, transportation terminals etc., it is also going after sectors like information and communications, healthcare, etc. One of the forefront departments involved in Infrastructure development and PPPs is the Department of Public Works and Highways. As Infrastructures are means for our country to regain and sustain high economic growth, improve the social living standards of the people and remove the bottlenecks to international commerce and investment. Public-Private Partnership (PPP) is seen as â€Å"approach to invest resources for adequate road infrastructure. The Government has fewer resources to invest on Expressways. DPWH will undertake the reforms needed to create a more conducive environment for private business and help generate many more bankable projects.3† DPWH PROJECTS FOR IMPLEMENTATION IN 2011 1. NAIA Expressway (Phase II) 2. NLEx-SLEx Link Expressway (Unsolicited Proposal) 3. 3 Department of Public Works and Highways, PPP Projects 3 Department of Public Works and Highways, PPP Projects Daang Hari – SLEx Link | There were 10 PPPs announced for bidding in 2010, 4 were airport projects. The PPPs included: * the Cavite-Laguna Expressway project, * NAIA Expressway II, * LRT 2 East Extension project’ * Privatization of LRT-1 O&M, * Privatization of MRT-3 O&M, * LRT 1 Cavite Extension project, * Bohol Airport, * Puerto Princesa Airport, * New Legaspi (Daraga) airport, and * Privatization of O&M of Laguindingan airport. But some of these projects were shelved because the government wanted to be prudent about the structure and rules under which these would be bid out to private investors. Feasibility studies also took a lot of time. 4 4 Why the Initial 10 PPP’s were designed to fail by AYA LOWE 4 Why the Initial 10 PPP’s were designed to fail by AYA LOWE Rene Santiago, a transportation consultant said that opportunity losses due to delays in the PPPs are mounting. For the LRT-1 Cavite extension alone, he estimated the loss at P80 billion in the last 10 years. Santiago also estimated the losses for 2011 to 2013 to total P25 billion in economic costs. The value of the economic benefit loss of the LRT-2 east extension, which would not be completed until 2016, according to Santiago, is already P5.4 billion, more than half the cost of the project itself, which is P9 billion. According to Santiago, Manila was first among ASEAN countries to set up an urban railway — the LRT-1 built in the 1980s. â€Å"Many of ASEAN countries have now overtaken Manila,† he said, however.â€Å" From now until 2020, expect the Philippines to lag behind other countries in terms of railway projects,† he said. Based on the researched data Public Private partnership for infrastructures benefits are as follows: * It could increase and give greater infrastructure solutions due to private companies having more resources for research and development and use of innovative technology. * It will offer faster project completion and reduced delays because it skips most of the government red tape present in normal construction and funding is internal to the private sector so there are no projected delays due to budget release. * Its return of investment (ROI) is greater when compare to traditional methods, due to innovative design and financing approaches because of the experience of the private sector in marketing. * Risks are weighted from initial conceptual stages to determine the feasibility of a certain project * The operational and project execution risk is transferred totally to the private sector, leaving the public component on a win-win situation * It is a concept where early completion of the infrastructure is expected under expected budget, reducing the claims and change order process due to it being similar to a developers scenario. * It allows government funds to be re-directed to other important socio-economic areas because funding of projects are done by the private sector. * Reduces government budget and budget deficits, because the government is virtually getting an infrastructure for free. * Public Private partnership allows a reduce tax payment from users similar to the subsidies of the government in LRT, MRT. * Allows the government to direct the expected function of the project in accordance to their own interests But not everything is good about PPP, listed are some of the determined drawbacks: * PPPs have risks involved, and the government will the pay the price to transfer those risks to the private sector, risks like bankruptcy, possible failure of the project during operation. * Certain situations can affect the purity of the process due to specialized areas being improved, reducing the number of contractors available to perform the requested projects wherein sometimes monopoly of contracts happen. * Profits of the projects can vary depending on the assumed risk, competitive level, complexity and volume of the project being performed * Government representative must be highly specialized personnel and contracting experts mostly people from concerned agencies like DOT and DPWH have to have these kind highly trained personnel. CONCLUSION Based on the data gathered the proponent of the study has come to the following conclusion, the benefits of Public Private Partnership further outweighs its detriments as some of the drawbacks can be easily averted through proper project planning and control and preparation. For PPP to be successful, the government and the private sectors involved must do it in with careful urgency. The Philippines is a developing country as such progress and infrastructures needed to elevate our status would be beneficial if achieved in the shortest amount of time as possible, but these projects, if without ample considerations, may initially look promising but in the end may cause a lot of problems, and instead of helping become one of those elements that keep slowing the country down.

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Minnesota essays

Minnesota essays Location............................................................ P.1 Early Historical Facts............................................. P.3 Flag.................................................................. P.4 Seal.................................................................. P.5 Bird.................................................................. P.6 Flower............................................................... P.7 Song................................................................. P.8 Weather............................................................. P.9 Governor........................................................... P.10 Senators............................................................ P.11 Representatives................................................... P.12 Population......................................................... P.13 How do People Make a Living?..................................... P.14 Employment......................................................... P.15 School.............................................................. P.16 Universities......................................................... P.17 Philosophy of Education........................................ P.18 Bibliography....................................................... P.19 The location of Minnesota is 90 degrees west (longitude) by 40 degrees north (latitude). It is located in the northern region of North America, and it covers about 86,943 miles (squared) of U.S territory. It borders North Dakota (to the North West), South Dakota (to the South West), Iowa (to the South), Wisconsin (to the East), and Canada (to the North). Out of all the great lakes Minnesota borders Lake Superior. Some of Minnesota&ap...

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

How to Make a Family Photo Calendar From Scratch

How to Make a Family Photo Calendar From Scratch Looking for a personalized gift that will be enjoyed year-round? Its easy to create your own personalized photo calendar. Include images of friends, family, ancestors, or special places on your calendar to remind you of special people or events. Make your own calendar for grandma of the grandkids, or one of yourself for the special person in your life. Photo calendars are a thoughtful, inexpensive gift that can be used every day of the year. Select Your Pictures Find pictures from your collection that suit your fancy, and use your scanner to make them digital. If you dont own a scanner, then your local photo shop can scan the pictures and place them on a CD/flash drive for you or upload them to an online service. Dont be afraid to get creative and branch out from traditional photographs - scanned copies of a childs artwork or family mementoes (letters, medals, etc.) also make nice calendar photos. Prepare Your Photos Once you have your photos in digital format, use photo-editing software to add captions, or rotate, resize, crop, or enhance the pictures to best fit your calendar. Create the Calendar ​If youd like to create and print a photo calendar yourself, specialized calendar software programs make a printable calendar as easy as drag-and-drop. You may also already have software right on your computer which will do the job. Many word-processing programs, such as Microsoft Word, include basic calendar templates, as do many photo-editing programs. A number of free downloadable calendar templates can also be found online. As an alternative, there are many calendar printing services and copy shops which can create a personalized photo calendar for you using your photos and special dates. Some of the most popular and versatile include: ShutterflyMixbookPicabooSnapfish Personalize Your Calendar Once you create your calendar pages, its time to customize. Go beyond the basic calendar by adding your own custom colors and fonts. Unlike bland, mass-produced calendars, each month can have a different theme. Match photos to the months theme- a photo of your parents on the month of their wedding anniversary, or a closeup of the family Christmas tree and its treasured ornaments for the month of December.Add personal dates, including birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and other significant events. Not sure when Thanksgiving or Mothers Day falls this year? Check out holiday calendars for a wide range of national and holiday dates.Keep family history alive by including photos of your ancestors and major events from your familys past. You may be surprised to find how many of your family members share birth dates with their ancestors. Print Your Calendar Once youve finished designing your photo calendar, its time to print. If you plan to print the calendar yourself at home, begin by printing the photo pages- one for each month- preferably on good quality photo paper. Once completed, youll need to reload the printed photo pages into your printer in order to print the monthly grids on the other side of the pages. Remember that each months picture appears on the opposite side of the previous month; for example, you should print Februarys monthly grid on the back of Marchs photo. Make sure that you understand which side and end of the paper your printer begins to print from, to avoid mistakes with page orientation. If youre using a special calendar software program, look for specific directions and tips for printing your calendar. Alternatively, many copy shops can print and assemble your finished photo calendar for you from your saved copy on disk. Be sure to check with them before starting to see what file formats they accept. Add Finishing Touches After youve printed and double-checked your finished calendar pages, you may want to take them to your local copy center to have them spiral-bound for a more professional look. Alternatively, use a paper punch and bind the pages with brads, ribbon, raffia, or other connectors. Enjoy your custom family calendar. And make sure youre prepared to repeat the project next year, because people will definitely ask!

Sunday, November 3, 2019

Reflection Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 9

Reflection - Essay Example I am a thorough optimist, and there is no scope for pessimism in my scheme of things. I compare the life to a sea. In the sea the waves are bound to be there. Having gone for the sea bath, there is no question of being afraid of the oncoming waves. If the waves are powerful I’ll duck them. When and waves are friendly, I’ll dance with them. When the waves are normal I’ll swim towards my destination. Just like swimming becomes more and more perfect by experience, taking decisions in life is a matter of practice, based on the strength of the past experiences and guidance from teachers and elders. I will never admit defeat in my life on any issue and work hard and intelligently to achieve my goals. My career ambition is to occupy the chair of Principal in an educational institution. I am fully aware that this is a chair of dual responsibility. Firstly that of exercising overall control on the teaching system in the institution and secondly related to office administr ation. Both are equally important. The parents would like to admit their wards in an educational institution that is administered well. I would like to be an instrument to further the goodwill of the institution created by the past administrators/principals and in the light of the knowledge gained, I would like to experiment my own innovative ideas. Pessimism has no scope in my scheme of things. The wise saying goes, ‘those who walk only stumble.’ So willingness to walk forward is of utmost importance, notwithstanding the occasional failures. 2. Extrinsic Motivation 1. Peaceful 2. Cooperation 3. Flexibility status (level in society) 4. Power (influence) 5. Teamwork Intrinsic Motivation 1. Creativity 2. Freedom 3. Organized 4. Competence (effective) 5. Adventure (new and challenging experiences) Having chosen my future career as the Principal of an educational institution, I know that I have got to imbibe the sterling qualities of leadership in students and the members o f the faculty. Internal motivators indicate the strength of the inner world of an individual. I am aware that I need to be morally strong and should inspire both the members of the faculty as well as the students. I believe in mixing freely with the faculty and students and at the same time keep the dignity of the chair of the Principal. I know that I have to be disciplined first and then expect discipline from others. I treat every crisis as an opportunity I would like to provide full freedom for all their creative endeavors. I am prepared to condone hundred mistakes for success of one creative, original result, if in the pursuit of that one has worked sincerely. I work for the sake of work and without any motivated desires and my single-pointed aim is to bring name and fame to the educational institution that I will be heading. I do not have any craze for personal secular rewards, but my desire is that my institution should set high educational standards. Some of the examples of b ehavior of intrinsic motivation are participating in the music competition, because one finds that activity internally rewarding. One gets the inner joy that cannot be estimated in monetary terms. Some individuals choose the tough career options like music, over the safe careers like engineering, medical practitioner, even though in the former the reward aspect is difficult to achieve. One may or may not succeed as the musician considered from