Problem identification and formulation styles in Walmarts organization

Problem identification and formulation styles in Walmarts organization In the current work environment, it is of essence for leaders of organizations to apply various problem identification and formulation styles as they assist in quick and efficient solving of problems in organizations. At Walmarts organization, the management practices four different decision making styles.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Problem identification and formulation styles in Walmarts organization specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More First, is collective participative decision making style in which the manager collects all the relevant information needed and other viewpoints from the members of the company; however, he or she maintains the control of the decision to be made and is responsible for the final course of action taken (Verma, 2009). The advantage of this decision making style is that there is a sense of involvement which can cushion against potential negative impacts and this strategy also enables th e manager to be well informed before making a decision. Further, the most favorable aspect of the collective participative decision style is that it can be used to identity and solve the new reality that is currently facing Walmarts organization: its clients need more than just the lowest price. Thus, the strategy can be used to improve the organization’s services to its clients. Nonetheless, a major weakness of this decision making style is that it can be slow and time intensive process, especially when the organization is large. Second, is the autocratic decision making style in which the manager is held accountable for the final course taken and his or her own inclinations and knowledge are used to make the final decision (Lussier, 2008). In this case, the manager does not seek for viewpoints from the members of the organization since the responsibility is wholly endowed upon him or her. A major strength of this style is that it is important in emergencies since it is a qu ick way of reaching at conclusions. On the other hand, its major weakness is that the members are not incorporated and they can be offended by the choice made if they are negatively impacted; consequently, this can make the manager to lose support and credibility. A problem that can be identified and described using this style is a situation in which a manager at Walmart decides to give back a client his money after complaining bitterly about a product he bought at the store. Third, is the democratic decision making style in which the manager transfers the responsibility of making a decision to the group and votes are cast to determine the course of action to be taken judging from the choice with the highest votes. The main advantage of this style is that the decision is made fast and all the members are included in the process. However, there may be no responsibility taken for the course of action preferred since the manager is not accountable and the members can claim that they di d not support the choice made. Nonetheless, this style can be useful in describing a decision taken to introduce Walmart’s new advertising motto, â€Å"Save Money Live Better,† to replace the previous motto.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Lastly, consensus decision making style incorporates the participation of every member of the organization and the manager is no longer responsible for the course of action taken and its impacts since he or she transfers control to the members of the group. In favor of this style is that it allows for group dedication, team spirit, and varied ideas to be shared that increases the chances of a good decision to be made. A major inhibitory factor here is that the vast amount of information collected and input involved may make the process to be tiresome and time consuming. A problem that can be addressed favorably by t his style is a situation in which some employees at Walmart are to be moved to one of its new stores in a low-income area. Reference List Lussier, R. N. (2008). Management fundamentals: concepts, applications, skill  development. Mason, OH : South-Western/Cengage Learning. Verma, D. (2009). Decision-making style: social and creative dimension. New Delhi: Global India Publications.

Capital Budgeting Essay Example

Capital Budgeting Essay Example Capital Budgeting Essay Capital Budgeting Essay Corporate Finance Capital Budgeting Course Outline CAPITAL BUDGETING Course outline Key Principles in Capital Budgeting: Criteria for Investment Projects Net Pesent Value Internal Rate of Return Payback Profitability Index Finding Cash Flows Maria Ruiz 1 Financial Management Financial management is largely concerned with financing, dividend and investment decisions of the firm with some overall goal in mind. Corporate finance theory has developed around the goal of shareholder wealth maximization. Financing decisions deal with the firm’s optimal capital structure in terms of debt and equity. Dividend decisions relate to the form in which returns generated by the firm are passed on to equity-holders. Investment decisions deal with the way funds raised in financial markets are employed in productive activities to achieve the firm’s overall goal. Capital budgeting is primarily concerned with sizable investments in long-term assets. These assets may be tangible (property, plant or equipment) or intangible ones such as new technology, patents or trademarks. They are generally long-lived projects with their benefits or cash flows spreading over many years. As such, capital budgeting decisions have a major effect on the value of the firm and its shareholder wealth. Maria Ruiz Capital Budgeting Capital Budgeting: An Introduction Capital budgeting: one of the most important functions a financial manager must perform, required by the strategic planning and expansion of operations by allocating financial resources for the acquisitions of physical resources that will produce incremental future cash-flow and create value for shareholders: Corporate investment projects: Replacement decisions o maintain the business made without detailed analysis for cost reduction or efficiency purposes – fairly detailed analysis Expansion of existing products or markets – complex decision process that require an explicit forecast of future demand, detailed analysis Expansion into new products or markets similar detailed analysis Regulatory, safety and/or environmental projects – mandatory investments for many industries, and often accom pany new revenue producing projects The same ideas also apply to personal investment decisions (for example buying a car vs. leasing it, renting an apartment vs. uying one). Maria Ruiz 2 Capital Budgeting Key Principles Rule 1 : Cash flows after taxes, not net income, is the proper basis for analysis Only the incremental cash flows should form part of an investment decision Sunk Costs should not be included in the analysis Only incremental Cash Flows are analyzed: externalities should be included (i. e. cannibalization) Rule 2 : Cash Flow are based on Opportunity costs Rule 3 : Timing of cash flows is critical Rule 4 : Cash Flows are analyzed on an after-tax basis Rule 5: Financing costs are already reflected in the projects required rate f return Maria Ruiz Key concepts Sunk costs: Cost that has already been incurred RD expenses are $10,000 to-date for your project, and you plan to spend another $20,000, making $30,000 in all. What are cash flows for the project? Opportunity cost: what a resource is worth in its next-best use A company uses idle property, what should it use as the investment outlay? (pruchase price, current market value, nothing ? ) Incremental cash flows: difference between projected cash flows with and without the project Maria Ruiz 3 Key concepts Externality: effect of an investment on other things besides the investment itself Ilustration of Cannibalism: A proposed project will generate $10,000 in revenue, but will causes another product line to lose $3,000 in revenues. How much cash flow should the company consider? Conventional vs. Non conventional cash flows: Conventional: initial outflow followed by a series of inflows Non conventional: different Maria Ruiz Illustration: Underutilized Resources A project uses an existing (non-cancelable) leased warehouse with a remaining life of 20 years, and total annual rent of $100,000 The warehouse is rojected to remain 50% utilized, unless your project is undertaken The lease prohibits sub-leasing The current project is making a loss Your project will use 25% of the warehouse What should the project be charged? Maria Ruiz 4 Illustration: Underutilized Resources SEVERAL POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS: Choose one 1. The original project currently using the warehouse is making a loss: â€Å"Charg e the full $100,000 /year so the company can recover the very real warehousing costs. † 2. Half the warehouse is available: The project should be charged the full $50,000 /year if it needs to use it. A portion of the warehousing costs will not be charged-out otherwise. † 3. 4. The project is going to use only 25% of the space. â€Å"Charge $25,000 /year. † The charge should be proportioned according to revenues generated by each project: â€Å"The old project’s revenues = $9,000,000, and the new project has projected revenues = $1,000,000, so the charge is 10%, or $10,000/year. † 5. 6. This is a new project, so give it a sporting chance: The project should be charged nothing. † The original lease was entered into when warehouse space was cheap, but now space is twice what it was: â€Å"The market value of the leased warehouse is now $200,000, and the project should take its proper share of that amount. † Maria Ruiz Capital Budgeting Classification of projects Independent versus Mutually Exclusive Projects: An independent project is one the acceptance or rejection of which does not directly eliminate other projects from consideration or affe ct the likelihood of their selection. Two or more projects that cannot be pursued simultaneously, the acceptance of one prevents the acceptance of the alternative proposal, are mutually exclusive they involve ‘either-or’ decisions Mutually exclusive projects can be evaluated separately to select the one which yields the highest net present value to the firm. A contingent project is one the acceptance or rejection of which is dependent on the decision to accept or reject one or more other projects. Contingent projects may be complementary or substitutes Maria Ruiz 5 Capital Budgeting Project Sequencing The sequencing of projects is a strategic issue, it creates options on one or more projects as the direct result of undertaking another (previous) project. Old Suppose a firm is evaluating projects to produce a number of consumer products It may be advantageous to implement projects sequentially rather than in parallel. If taken in parallel, management would spend the resources and the value of the option not to spend in case of failure is lost. Extreme case example is RD: The source of value is the options created to undertake other projects. Interproject options are created whenever management makes an investment that places the firm in a position to use new technology to enter a different industry Maria Ruiz Choosing between Investment Projects Investment decision criteria Net Present Value Internal Rate of Return Payback Normal Discounted Profitability Index Maria Ruiz 6 Capital Budgeting The Net Present Value (NPV) NPV : difference between the initial investment and the sum of the present values of cash flows that are generated: NPV0 = ? I 0 + ? t =1 T CFt (1 + r ) t If the project involves investment in installments spread over N years, then the NPV is: NPV0 = ? t =0 N T ? It CFt +? t t (1 + r ) t =1 (1 + r ) A project’s NPV signifies the increase in wealth to stockholders, if the project is undertaken. We apply the DCF model to corporate decision making and we use the Net Present Value (NPV) Rule to evaluate projects and decide which one we should adopt. Maria Ruiz Capital Budgeting Examples NPV Rule 1: Accept the project if its NPV gt; 0 It indicates that only projects that increase the owners’ wealth should be undertaken, ie a project is accepted only if its PV gt; Cost Similarly, a stock or bond is purchased if its PV is greater than its market price (its â€Å"cost†) Example: A wind-power plant will cost â‚ ¬ 50 million to build. The plant will generate annual cash flows of 16 per year for 4 years, plus another 20 millions the fith year. The 6th year, the plant will be scrapped at a cost of 2 millions. What is the NPV of the project if the opportunity cost of capital is 10%? What if the opportunity cost of capital is 20%? Maria Ruiz 7 Capital Budgeting Examples NPV Rule 2: If the projects are not mutually exclusive, all projects for which NPV gt; 0 should be undertaken. If the projects are mutually exclusive, then the project with the highest NPV should be chosen. Example: You are considering buying a network server with a useful life of three years. Two alternatives exist. Model A costs â‚ ¬ 250,000 and will lead to a productivity improvement of â‚ ¬ 110,000 per year for 3 years. Model B costs â‚ ¬ 200,000 and will generate a productivity gain of â‚ ¬ 85,000 for 4 years. Which model would you choose if the cost of capital is 8% for this project? Maria Ruiz Capital Budgeting NPV Profile The NPV profile is convex in a simple relationship between NPV and IRR There are other profiles Maria Ruiz 8 Capital Budgeting Internal Rate of Return (IRR) Internal Rate of Return (IRR) : is the discount rate that equates the NPV of the investment project to zero. In other words, IRR is the solution to the following equation ? T CFt ? (1 + IRR) t ? t =1 ? ? ? I0 = 0 ? ? Decision rule Go ahead with the project if IRR is higher than the (explicit) opportunity cost of capital (i. . , the return on an alternative investment, possibly a financial asset, with the same amount risk) or the implicit WACC. When there are multiple investment projects, you should choose the project with the highest IRR. However, other than the particular case of a positive outcome one period after initial investment, there are important caveats regarding the IRR criterion that you should be awar e of. Maria Ruiz Internal Rate of Return 2500 2000 1500 NPV (,000s) 1000 500 0 IRR -1000 -1500 -2000 Discount rate (%) Maria Ruiz 10 0 -500 40 10 20 30 50 60 70 80 90 9 Capital Budgeting Internal Rate of Return (IRR) Decision rule If IRR gt; discount rate, go ahead with the project Example: A wind-power plant will cost â‚ ¬ 50 million to build. The plant will generate annual cash flows of 16 per year for 4 years, plus another 20 millions the fith year. The 6th year, the plant will be scrapped at a cost of 2 millions. If the cost of capital is 10%, would you go ahead with the project? Maria Ruiz NPV and IRR (CFA 2009) Maria Ruiz 10 Capital Budgeting Ranking Conflicts between NPV and IRR IRR and NPV criteria may not lead to the same conclusion in the case of mutually exclusive projects. NPV rule easily chooses among mutually exclusive projects, IRR does not. lliustration: Which of the following mutually exclusive projects should you choose? Year Project A 0 1 –500 590 2 0 3 0 Year 0 1 2 3_ Project B –500 50 50 620 (see graph next page) Maria Ruiz Capital Budgeting Ranking Conflicts between NPV and IRR Different Cash Flow patterns may lead to a conflict of ranking Pitfalls of IRR Difficulty in Evaluating Mutually Exclusive Projects 250 200 150 100 NPV 50 0 -50 -100 -150 -200 Rate of Return Project A Maria Ruiz 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% Project B 11 Capital Budgeting Ranking Conflicts between NPV and IRR IRR and NPV criteria may not lead to the same conclusion in the case of mutually exclusive projects. NPV rule easily chooses among mutually exclusive projects, IRR does not. lliustration: Which of the following mutually exclusive projects should you choose? Year Project A 0 1 –500 590 2 0 3 0 Year 0 1 2 3_ Project B –500 50 50 620 Choose A Choose B A neither IRR Criterion IRRA=18% gt; IRRB=14% NPV Criterion if OCC lt; 12% then: NPVA lt; NPVB if 12% lt; OCC lt; 18% then: NPVA gt; NPVB if OCC gt; 18% then: NPVB lt; NPVA

The Realities of leadership within a retail organisation Essay

The Realities of leadership within a retail organisation - Essay Example How can I give what I do not have, and how can I help others accept change if I am not ready to do the same? One day, our management decided to institute changes on working hours in the store as part of a new model store blueprint. The policy altered each worker’s start and finish times, and break times were shortened to half an hour. For those working more than eight hours, an hour’s break was allowed. We knew that most of the staff would react negatively to the proposal, and that resistance had been building up in many of them. I was given a tight deadline to implement the change in my store. The task was daunting, but I was confident because I had the tools needed to plan and execute the change, ready to confront and solve most of the problems that would arise. What were those tools, how did I use them, and why? Lou V. Gerstner, who as IBM CEO saved the company at a time of crisis, found that â€Å"changing the attitudes and behaviour of people is very hard to accomplish. You can’t simply give speeches, write a new credo†¦and declare that people have to change. What managers can do is create the conditions for transformation. You provide incentives. You have to trust. In the end, the workers themselves decide to change† (Gerstner, 2002). Knowing why people resist change is the first step to help them change. Reflecting on my experiences, I know three main reasons why people resist change: uncertainty makes them nervous and afraid, they do not see how change can be good for them, and coping with change is inconvenient because it requires effort. Equipped with this knowledge, I can help people change by making a plan to deal with each of these reasons. First, I eliminated uncertainty through communication, helping the workers build up their trust in management through me by discussing with the workers the reasons behind the policy decision, like better efficiency, increased sales, and more satisfied

Domestic Terror in the United States Term Paper

Domestic Terror in the United States - Term Paper Example ive of excessive force, there must be pressure applied to others in society or government or otherwise persuasive agendas, and the objectives of these acts must be linked with sociological or politically-motivated agendas (FEMA, 1997). Domestic terrorism is characterized as a holistic blend of the aforementioned objectives and activities, which occur within a national region, which are conducted against social systems and ideologies, governmental actors, and citizenry communities. Some of the most common terrorist activities occurring domestically include implementing a variety of illegal pursuits so as to fund hostile or brutal objectives, as well as using a variety of methodologies to elicit threats against government and society so as to establish support or compliance with a specific political or social agenda. The composition of domestic terrorism is complex and usually consists of multi-faceted objectives of the terrorist party or group which has substantial implications for local, state and federal-level institutions when attempting to contend with terrorist activities and agendas. It often involves a series of complicated analyses and interventions within many diverse federal institutions under a collaborative model with local and state-level authorities to achieve terrorist reduction and opposition. This essay examines a variety of domestic terrorism attacks that have occurred in the United States, focusing on the politically-motivated or socially-motivated objectives that drove these violent acts. The project further examines the threats and dangers of domestic terrorism today as opposed to international terrorism within U.S. borders and provides an analysis of the programs currently in place at the federal, state and local levels to prevent reoccurrences of domestic terrorism. It is significant and prudent for American citizens and empowered institutions to understand the dynamics of what serves as catalysts for domestic terrorism as domestic

What are Hamlets feelings on pages 74 and 75 Essay Example for Free

What are Hamlets feelings on pages 74 and 75 Essay Page 74 is the first time Hamlet is introduced to the audience and this first speech of his is very important as it sets the tone of the play and allows the audience to adjust to the type of genre it is going to be, it also shows how desperate Hamlet is and how distressed he truly is. It tells the plot of the story to the audience and shows why Hamlet is so unhappy at his mother and uncle being married, and the time in which they did so. We immediately begin to see how alone and confused Hamlet on what to do Hamlet really is, so much so almost a third of the speech is basically him contemplating suicide, which is strictly against his religion. The main pillars in his life, the people he could relay on the most have betrayed him and he is unsure who he can trust and he is torn between taking vengeance mainly on his mother for dishonoring his fathers memory by marrying his uncle (obviously he does not yet know who killed his father or how he died) or to remain true to his mother, and turn the other cheek as his religion tell him to. He thinks that his mother and uncle have been too hasty in getting married, But two months dead, nay, not so much, not two and he has suspicions that they had something to do with his fathers death. He seems very bitter towards his mother in particular and refers to her like a parasite. Why, she would hang on him, as if increase of appetite had grown by what it fed on and his initial reaction, before he is visited by his fathers ghost, is to take revenge on his mother. Which shows how he is feeling as he expects his mother should be the main support to him in his time of mourning but instead she has abandoned him, this also shows how emotional week Hamlet is from his first sentence. He does talk about the sexual relationship between his mother and uncle, O, most wicked speed, to post with such dexterity to incestuous sheets! It is not, nor it cannot come to good. This could be Hamlets way of surging energy and guts that will enable him too take vengeance on his fathers death and his mothers dishonor towards his fathers memory. This also gives the impression that Hamlet is quite week emotionally and is in need of help or guidance, something that he does not receive from any of his friends or family, many of who attempt to kill him and I think the fact he often tries to justify his weakness. For example he says the only reason he does not commit suicide is because it is a sin, similarly when he goes to kill his uncle he does not because he is praying at the time and this would lead to him being sent straight to heaven instead of to hell where he belongs. I think Hamlet is shown as being very lonely and not too sure who to trust shows in the final line of his speech, But break my heard, for I must hold my tongue, this shows that he wants to solve his problems by himself. Again symbolizing his isolation from the people around him and his complete lack of trust in anyone and the fact the speech is said to the audience also shows that he is completely alone in the world and does not know where to turn to. Hamlet obviously had great respect for his father and despite saying that he is not a great warrior Married with my uncle, but no more like my father than I to Hercules his father was and you begin to see that Hamlets main influence in his life, the one person he admired the most was his father and now he has gone, Hamlet feels very lost and insecure without him and seems to punish himself and continually put himself down throughout the speech creating a very distressed first scene, but ironically he remains one of the few Shakespearean characters which have a sense of humor and as the play progresses we begin to see how sly and sarcastic hamlet can be, especially when talking to Polonius.

sports management Essay examples -- essays research papers

Sports management is an area of professional endeavor in which a broad classification of sport affiliated careers exists. It is also an area of collegiate professional preparation. Careers in sports management are established in schools, collegiate sports programs, professional sports, amateur sports organizations, commercial sports establishments, sports arenas, etc. One factor of sports management is not only having athletes but also have a place to utilize their talents in. Facility management and marketing play a big role in the sports and computer industry. Facility management involves the co-ordination of the physical surrounding and related services with the user’s needs. In some cases, like privately owned gymnasiums, the facility itself is the service, while for other organizations, such as a boat club with a boat house, the facility is a storage place that aids the delivery of the service. Choosing the correct real estate for a sporting facility is vital to its succ ess. An apparent factor to contemplate is the number and proximity of prospective users. Use of a computer comes in an important role. You can use the computer to find the U.S. Bureau of Statistics printout on local government demographics to determine how many prospective users may be in the area. Other factors to take into consideration when building and managing a facility are the direct costs such as rent, utilities, insurance, physical satisfaction of the building, proximity to staff and suppliers, ...

Biodiversity Outline

I. Introduction a. Over the past two decades, strong scientific evidence has emerged showing that loss of the world's biological diversity reduces the productivity and sustainability of natural ecosystems and decreases their ability to provide society with goods and services like food, wood, fodder, fertile soils, and protection from pests and disease. II. Body a. [Amphibians] No group of animals has a higher rate of endangerment than amphibians. Scientists estimate that a third or more of all the roughly 6,300 known species of amphibians are at risk of extinction i.The current amphibian extinction rate may range from 25,039 to 45,474 times the background extinction rate ii. Frogs, toads, and salamanders are disappearing because of habitat loss, water and air pollution, climate change and disease. iii. Because of their sensitivity to environmental changes, vanishing amphibians should be viewed as the canary in the global coal mine, signaling subtle yet radical ecosystem changes that could ultimately claim many other species, including humans. b. [Birds] Birds occur in nearly every habitat on the planet and are often the most visible and familiar wildlife to people across the globe.As such, they provide an important bellwether for tracking changes to the biosphere. Declining bird populations across most to all habitats confirm that profound changes are occurring on our planet in response to human activities. i. A 2009 report on the state of birds in the United States found that 251 (31 percent) of the 800 species in the country are of conservation concern. ii. Globally, BirdLife International estimates that 12 percent of known 9,865 bird species are now considered threatened, with 192 species, or 2 percent, facing an â€Å"extremely high risk† of extinction in the wild — two more species than in 2008. ii. Habitat loss and degradation have caused most of the bird declines, but the impacts of invasive species and capture by collectors play a big role , too. c. [Fish]Increasing demand for water, the damming of rivers throughout the world, the dumping and accumulation of various pollutants, and invasive species make aquatic ecosystems some of the most threatened on the planet; thus, it’s not surprising that there are many fish species that are endangered in both freshwater and marine habitats. i. The American Fisheries Society identified 700 species of freshwater or anadromous fish inNorth America as being imperiled, amounting to 39 percent of all such fish on the continent ii. In North American marine waters, at least 82 fish species are imperiled. Across the globe, 1,851 species of fish — 21 percent of all fish species evaluated — were deemed at risk of extinction by the IUCN in 2010, including more than a third of sharks and rays. d. [Invertebrates (depth into coral reefs)] Invertebrates, from butterflies to mollusks to earthworms to corals, are vastly diverse — and though no one knows just how many invertebrate species exist, they’re estimated to account for about 97 percent of the total species of animals on Earth.Of the 1. 3 million known invertebrate species, the IUCN has evaluated about 9,526 species, with about 30 percent of the species evaluated at risk of extinction. i. Freshwater invertebrates are severely threatened by water pollution, groundwater withdrawal, and water projects, while a large number of invertebrates of notable scientific significance have become either endangered or extinct due to deforestation, especially because of the rapid destruction of tropical rainforests. ii.In the ocean, reef-building corals are declining at an alarming rate: 2008’s first-ever comprehensive global assessment of these animals revealed that a third of reef-building corals are threatened. III. Conclusion a. While much concern over extinction focuses on globally lost species, most of biodiversity’s benefits take place at a local level, and conserving local po pulations is the only way to ensure genetic diversity critical for a species’ long-term survival. Not everything is lucid when it comes to biodiversity loss, but what it is clear that many thousands of species are at risk of disappearing forever in the coming decades.

Common College Diseases Essay

College students are young, lively and generally healthy individuals, but just like any population, they are prone tocertain health problems. Not only do college students have some of the worst eating, exercising and sleeping habits,they also have to deal with stress from school, relationships and job hunting that takes a major toll on their health.Here are the 8 most common college diseases: 1. Depression : Depression is a growing issue that even college campuses are dealing with more and more. An alarming 44 percent of college students reported feeling symptoms of depression during college andmany do not seek treatment for their mental illness. Depression can be brought on by a number of factors,including anxiety from school or work, the loss of a loved one, a troubled relationship and early childhoodtrauma. College students have a high risk of being depressed because their hormones are often out of whack and imbalanced at this age, and they face a great deal of pressures and obstacles while in schooland away from their parents. 2. Meningococcal Meningitis: Meningococcal meningitis is a rare but often deadly bacterial infection that isspread through air droplets and direct contact with infected persons. When the disease attacks, it will shutdown major organs and prevent blood flow to the limbs, often causing tissue to die and extremities to beamputated. From a national perspective, meningococcal meningitis is a rare disease that strikes fewer than 3,000 people every year. However, it tends to thrive on college students living in the dorms becauseof the close-quartered arrangements and their often weak immune systems. 3. Alcohol and Drug Addiction: Alcohol and drug abuse has, and continues to be, a health problem amongcollege students. College students have higher rates of alcohol and drug addiction than the rest of thepublic, with nearly 2.7 million full-time college students abusing drugs and alcohol at least once a month. As students relish in their newfound freedom, they are more likely to try drugs and alcohol with friends for the first time. Although alcohol is still the preferred drug of choice by most college students, there has alsobeen an increase in marijuana and prescription drug abuse. 4. Sexually Transmitted Diseasesc: With the increased amount of sexual activity and unprotected sexhappening in todays colleges, its no wonder why sexually transmitted diseases are rampant amongcollege students. An estimated 20 to 25 percent of college students have been infected or are carriers of STDs. Sexually active young adults have high rates of STDs because they do not use adequate protectionand often do not seek medical attention. Chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes and HPV (Human Papillomavirus)are some of the most common STDs among college students. 5. Eating Disorders: Eating disorders continue to be a major concern among college students today. Inaddition to the classic eating disorders like anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, there are a number of other eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS) that have become more rampant in college, suchas caloric restriction, drastic weight loss, excessive exercise, binging and purging. Disordered eating iscommonplace in college, when students are eating on their own and trying to avoid gaining the â€Å"freshman15.† 6. Obesity: Eating disorders continue to garner attention in college, but many students are troubled by theother end of the spectrum  ± obesity. Today, more than 30 percent of college students are consideredobese or overweight by the American College Health Associations standards. A combination of unhealthydiets, limited physical activity and poor lifestyle choices has caused many college students to becomeobese or overweight. 7. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): We hear a great deal about the amount of studentsabusing Adderall and other psychostimulant medications in non-medical ways, but there is a growingnumber of college students being tested and diagnosed with ADHD, as well. The growing number of diagnoses can be attributed to several reasons, including the pressures of college studies, poor academic

Base Definition in Chemistry

Base Definition in Chemistry In chemistry, a base is a chemical species that donates electrons, accepts protons, or releases hydroxide (OHs of bases include alkali metal hydroxides, alkaline earth metal hydroxides, and soap. Key Takeaways: Base Definition A base is a substance that reacts with an acid in an acid-base reaction.The mechanism through which a base works has been argued throughout history. Generally, a base either accepts a proton, releases a hydroxide anion when dissolved in water, or donates an electron.Examples of bases include hydroxides and soap. Word Origin The word base came into use in 1717 by French chemist Louis Là ©mery. Là ©mery used the word as a synonym for Paracelsus alchemical concept of a matrix in alchemy. Paracelsus proposed natural salts grew as a result of a universal acid mixing with a matrix. While Là ©mery may have used the word base first, its modern usage is generally attributed to French chemist Guillaumes of Rouelles bases included alkalis, metals, oils, or absorbent earth. In the 18th century, salts were solid crystals, while acids were liquids. So, it made sense to early chemists that the material that neutralized the acid somehow destroyed its spirit and allowed it to take solid form. Properties of a Base A base displays several characteristic properties: Aqueous base solution or molten bases dissociate into ions and conduct electricity.Strong bases and concentrated bases are caustic. They react vigorously with acids and organic matter.Bases react in predictable ways with pH indicators. A base turns litmus paper blue, methyl orange yellow, and phenolphthalein pink. Bromothymol blue remains blue in the presence of a base.A basic solution has a pH greater than 7.Bases have a bitter flavor. (Dont taste them!) Types of Bases Bases may be categorized according to their degree of dissociation in water and reactivity. A strong base completely dissociates into its ions in water or is a compound that can remove a proton (H) from a very weak acid. Examples of strong bases include sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and potassium hydroxide (KOH).A weak base incompletely dissociates in water. Its aqueous solution includes both the weak base and its conjugate acid.A superbase is even better at deprotonation than a strong base. These bases have very weak conjugate acids. Such bases are formed by mixing an alkali metal with its conjugate acid. A superbase cannot remain in aqueous solution because it is a stronger base than the hydroxide ion. An example of a superbase in sodium hydride (NaH). The strongest superbase is the orthos include silicon dioxide (SiO2) and NaOH mounted on alumina. Solid bases may be used in anion exchange resins or for reactions with gaseous acids. Reaction Between an Acid and a Base An acid and a base react with each other in a neutralization reaction. In neutralization, an aqueous acid and aqueous base produce an aqueous solution of salt and water. If the salt is saturated or insoluble, then it may precipitate out of the solution. While it may seem like acids and bases are opposites, some species can act as either an acid or a base. In fact, some strong acids can act as bases. Sources Jensen, William B. (2006). The origin of the term base. The Journal of Chemical Education. 83 (8): 1130. doi:10.1021/ed083p1130Johll, Matthew E. (2009). Investigating chemistry: a forensic science perspective (2nd ed.). New York: W. H. Freeman and Co. ISBN 1429209895.Whitten, Kenneth W.; Peck, Larry; Davis, Raymond E.; Lockwood, Lisa; Stanley, George G. (2009). Chemistry (9th ed.). ISBN 0-495-39163-8.Zumdahl, Steven; DeCoste, Donald (2013).  Chemical Principles  (7th ed.). Mary Finch.

Free Online Learning Options for Missouri K-12 Students

Free Online Learning Options for Missouri K-12 Students Many states offer free online public school options to in-state resident students. In Missouri, unfortunately, there are currently no year-round free online public schools. However, no-cost options are available through government-funded charter schools and for students in special situations. Below is a list of no-cost options available to Missouri students from kindergarten to high school. In order to qualify for the list, schools must meet the following qualifications: classes must be available completely online, schools  must offer services to state residents, and the schools must be funded by the government. These virtual education options include charter schools,  statewide  public programs, and private programs that receive government funding. Missouri Virtual Instruction Program The Missouri Virtual Instruction Program (MoVIP) was established in 2007 and offers online courses to Missouri K-12 students. MoVIP is a tuition program offering courses to public, private, and homeschooled students. Students enroll in MoVIP for a variety of reasons: MoVIP offers advanced courses, including foreign language courses, that are not available in most local school districts.Taking MoVIP courses allows students to solve scheduling problems and even graduate early.MoVIP allows students who cannot attend their local schools for medical or other reasons to take courses and earn education credits. Online education offers students flexibility.  MoVIP courses are self-paced so that students can move through them at a faster or slower pace, depending on their  individual learning needs. MoVIP offers about 250 different courses, including foreign language and Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Each semester’s tuition costs $3,600. Parents are responsible for paying tuition unless the accredited local school district opts to cover the cost. If your local school district is unaccredited, it is required to cover the cost of tuition. There are currently six unaccredited school districts in Missouri. In cases where students are unable to attend their local school due to a long-term (six weeks or longer) medical condition, the state will cover the MoVIP tuition. Missouri Online Summer Institute The Missouri Online Summer Institute is a fully accredited program run by  the Grandview R-II School District that provides a full range of virtual courses to engage students and promote academic success through multimedia features, virtual labs, embedded educational games, and other dynamic content. The program offers: More than 100 core and elective coursesBoth original credit and recovery credit courses1.0 credit year-long courses and 0.5 credit semester-based coursesMissouri-certified teachers for all coursesNew career readiness (CTE) coursesAP courses The Missouri Online Summer Institute is open to all  Missouri resident students  in grades 7-12. Students are responsible for providing their own computers and internet access. Online Charter Schools and Online Public Schools Many states, including Missouri, offer tuition-free online education for resident students under a certain age (often 21). Most virtual schools are charter schools  that receive government funding and are run by private organizations. Online charter schools are subject to fewer restrictions than traditional schools. However, they are reviewed regularly to make sure that they meet state standards. A few states choose to fund â€Å"seats† for students in private online schools. The number of available seats is usually limited and students are asked to apply through their public school guidance counselor. Choosing a Missouri Online Public School When choosing an online public school, look for an established program that is regionally accredited and has a track record of success. Be wary of new schools that are disorganized, unaccredited, or have been the subject of public scrutiny.

Contrasting the English and French Court Decisions in Dallah v Essay

Contrasting the English and French Court Decisions in Dallah v Pakistan - Essay Example The concept of Arbitration is a process by which parties which are bound by a contract can choose to settle disputes without engaging in any time-consuming litigation process. In most cases the parties enter into an agreement in their respective contracts about the arbitration methods that will be employed in case of any disputes that could happen in future. In some other cases such arbitration can also remain a statuary requirement. The process of Arbitration is being governed through various statues in different countries has acquired international recognition via conventions such as the New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards 1958 (New York Convention).1 For many reasons Arbitration is the most sought after option than litigation as the process is quicker and also involves lesser expenses and a higher degree of transparency compared to litigations. Also in cases where a lower judicial standard could possibly compromise the outcome of a case, arbitration is the preferred choice for resolving disputes. In addition, cases of multinational companies which usually include parties to settle international disputes in contracts and where a higher degree of confidentiality is at stake; the process of arbitration would be more suitable to settle such discrete cases compared to the court litigations. In some other cases arbitration can be preferred by parties in order to ensure control of the proceedings throughout the case which could be vital for making crucial decisions. In the arbitration process parties usually have their choice of representation who would be involved in presenting their arguments in the case. Individuals with the necessa ry skills and legal expertise are mostly chosen to contend on their behalf. In addition, the parties also have considerable say in the appointment of the chairperson for the arbitration process. Choosing the process of Arbitration also provide parties

Spss Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Spss - Essay Example The coefficient of correlation r is 0.004877, which shows a weak positive correlation between the total revenue and C.E.O’s annual salary. If total revenue increases the annual salary of the C.E.O’s also increases slightly. The U.S. Senate passed S. 1023, the "Travel Promotion Act of 2009" (TPA) in September, 2009. TPA calls for the establishment of the Corporation for Travel Promotion as an independent nonprofit corporation to promote leisure, business and scholarly visits to the U.S. In October, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Travel Promotion Act (H.R. 1035), sending this bill back to the Senate for one last vote. The U.S. Senate finally passed this Bill (78 to 10) on February 25, 2010 and President Obama signed the Travel Promotion Act of 2009 into law on March 4, 2010. This Act calls for the creation of the Corporation for Travel Promotion (now Brand USA) which will allocate financial resources to promote the U.S. as an international destination. The promotion is funded through a matching program featuring up to $100 million in private sector contributions and a $10 fee on foreign travelers who do not pay $131 for a visa to enter the United States. The fee will be collected once every two years in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security’s Electronic System for Travel Authorization. No money is provided by U.S. taxpayers.  It is estimated that international promotion will generate 1.6 million addition international visitors to the U.S. and create $1.6 billion in visitor spending annually. Japan is targeted as one of the major countries for aggressive promotion by the Tourism Industries Office in the Department of Commerce and Brand USA (the newly created public and private partnership responsible for marketing USA implemented by the Travel Promotion Act). As a tourism market analyst specialized in Japan inbound travel to the U.S., you