Do We Need More Gun Control Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Do We Need More Gun Control - Essay Example The debate on gun control escalated in the United States as a result of different massacres carried out on innocent civilians, for example, the 1999 Columbine High School massacre, the 2007 shootings at Virginia Tech and other subsequent shootings in various schools has escalated the debate on the use of gun among the citizens. However, there is a controversy between the Christians and the non-Christians on gun control, thus the aim of this paper is to highlight the ethical perspectives regarding gun control in the United States. Hence, the questions many ask, â€Å"do the US citizens need more Gun Control, and is it the Government's ethical responsibility to legislate it, and what are the Christians view on this issue?† The Bible was written decades before any form of guns were invented, therefore, the term â€Å"gun control† cannot be allocated anywhere in the bible despite the fact that the Bible reports several accounts of wars, battles, and the use of weapons in addition to self-defense, and the proper mindset with these things. In Mark 13:7 and James 4:1, the conflicts are highlighted as unavoidable elements of living in a collapsed world and weapons are essential parts of the conflict. In the bible, weapons were used for personal protection, therefore, owning a weapon for self-defense is never condemned in the Bible, actually, it was cited in a positive light by Jesus Himself on one occasion (Esv Study Bible Luke 22:35-38).   Debates over guns control or how much to control them, depend on political, ethical and philosophical arguments, and not moral ones, however, this does not mean that there is no moral element regarding this issue (Feinberg, Paul, and Aldous, 18).

Total Quality Management (TQM) at McDonalds

Total Quality Management (TQM) at McDonalds Executive Summary The purpose of this assignment to elaborate about Total Quality Management based on how it implements and how it impacts on an organization. For this assignment I have selected McDonalds as my main research to analysis on their TQM . Total Quality Management allows an organization to enhance their high quality, products and economical product environment and also customer satisfaction. In this assignment, I have analysed in all the operational strategies and studied on their ways for achieving their goals by providing their customer the best service with best quality. There is some information that I have found from the internet and analysed the strategies which has implemented based on my knowledge and by my observation on the working environment of McDonalds. INTRODUCTION. McDonalds Corporation is the worlds most leading food service organization. McDonalds was introduced by two brothers named Dick n Mac McDonalds in the year of 1940s in California. Raymond Albert Kroc, a salesman, saw a great opportunity in this market and advised Dick and Mac to expand their operation and open new restaurants. McDonalds was emerged from Ray Kroc who was in the year of 1955 became one of the exclusive franchising for the whole United States of the American. Every food franchise company would have their own motto, as for McDonalds; their motto is to focus on services, quality, value and cleanliness. In the year of 1977, the first McDonalds outlet was opened in Ireland, Dublins Grafton Street. McDonalds became popular in Ireland and the second restaurant was followed on OConnell Street. There are about 74 McDonalds restaurant around the world and opened five new outlets called Mccafes in Dublin as to provide more variety for their services and employed over 4,000 people in their organization. McDonalds in Ireland has achieved one of the 50th best companies to work for in Ireland. McDonalds has a community programs that focused on local environment that is related to current issues and as well as for family issues. McDonalds has sponsorship of fundraising for childrens charities, environmental activities and for education. McDonalds is the first restaurant that offers their customers with nutritional ingredient with information and these offered nutritional leaflets. This organization plays their role as promoting well balanced diet and active lifestyle for children. The Ronald McDonald House charity that was founded in the year of 1977 and this program offers scholarships; social welfare program and healthcare for children. McDonalds has four principles such as, Service, Cleanliness, Quality and lastly Value. This combination has achieved 100 percent of customers satisfaction. This business is operated based on strict specifications for every products, raw materials and the responsible for implementing the systems to make sure the highest quality on the food throughout the restaurants in Ireland. McDonalds in Malaysia was first born in December 1980 when McDonalds Corporation, USA introduced the GOLDEN ARCHES RESTAURANTS SDN BHD the license to operate McDonalds restaurants in our country. Our first outlet of McDonalds was opened at Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur on 29 April 1982. There are about 185 restaurants that are located in Malaysia and its currently expanding at about 10-15 restaurants in every year. McDonalds has formed many job opportunities for Malaysians. McDonalds Malaysia has employs more than 8,000 local people and gave opportunities for school leaves who are meanwhile waiting for their SPM results or even for college students who wants to work as for their side income. McDonalds has about 120 staff to support at its headquarters to manage the day-to-day operations for the McDonalds business. McDonalds have two main regional office in Penang and Johor Bahru in Malaysia. 2.1 ) McDonalds Mission McDonalds has a mission that is to be in their customers top favourite position and the way they provide their food is to inspired their customers who are delight with each customer with quality, cleanliness, value and services. McDonalds would invite their customers to be part of this winning team and gives every customer an opportunity to grow with the family and striving to give the smiles on their faces of billions of people around the world. Total Quality Management There are important implications for the way people are managed in their business. Every restaurant has responsibility for quality; power and responsibility need to be given for their employees who are doing the work in the organisation. Total quality management in McDonalds requires continuous product improvement and the quality customer service where the needs and wants of the customers are constantly met together. Therefore, to ensure the employees in McDonalds that everyone is responsible for quality in their restaurants. The entire organization of McDonalds has excels in every part of services and products that is crucial for their customers. It can be described to total quality management as the constant quality improvement for the process. McDonalds also practice the strategy of total quality management and tries to improve its affectivity and efficiency level by working in different areas such as constant improvement, quality of goods and training, customer satisfaction, and services. 3.1 Product Quality The skills of a service or product to meet customers needs are phrase as quality. McDonalds works a lot in the quality development of its goods by improving The Ingredients and nutrients of the food stuff. Some current nutrients quality improvement information is as under: For people who are concerned about food allergies, McDonalds have combined all the allergen information into the ingredient statement for every menu item so that customers can have one current foundation of the information. The nutrition information is derived to perform the testing in accredited laboratories, published resources, or from the information that is provided from McDonalds suppliers. The nutrition information is based on standard product formulations and serving sizes. All nutrition information is found on average values for ingredients from McDonalds suppliers throughout the world. Variation in serving sizes, preparation techniques, product testing and sources of supply, as well as regional and seasonal differences may involve the nutrition values for each product. 3.2 Training In the next step of Total Management Quality, McDonalds puts full concentration on its human resources. This objective of training their human resources in McDonalds is to build a balance in the whole working of employees. Therefore they also try to create a link between the quality of a product and the skills of the employees. In McDonalds almost every employee are given training. For an example: a cashier is trained to handle cash, floor manager is practised against his degree in hotel management. And all the other staff is trained accordingly to their job description in McDonalds. 3.3 Continuous Improvement The total quality management strategies in McDonalds are product quality improvement, employee training and development that as be places on the way of continuous improvement in all its functions in the organization. The continuous improvements have fulfilled the needs of the customers according to their desires, wants or requirements and also build its products further competitive as before. This continuous improvement also contains some other factors like benchmarking a quality standard, employee empowerment and sustain just in time inventory system. 3.4 Customer Satisfaction McDonalds pays more attention on the satisfaction level of their customers. To improve the quality standards, the employees are well trained and continuously learning desire of McDonalds results to increase the level of satisfaction of their customers towards their products. When the quality is improved and the workers are serving the customers is well trained and the overall service environment is improved then there is no room left for customer to fell dis-satisfaction towards the company 3.5 Human Resources in McDonalds. Being in part of the pure services and good production divisions, as for McDonalds applied a very good strategy for their human resources. There are such divisions in McDonalds as such as Training would provide best opportunities for their own employees who actually need to be provided due to their lack of working skills in the department. This would help them to achieve its goals efficiently. Separate departments for different functions based for McDonalds it has different departments as for different parts for the marketing department that is consist with the marketing experts as they has perform marketing analysis and the financing department are consist to the finance experts who would arrange and manage the finance. Competency in McDonalds trains their employees in every department as to enhance the ability and to improve the employees skills and also to provide the employees to ensure that they would serve the right product to the right customer on the right time. This would en able the management to compete with the market. Proper utilization of resources: in McDonalds there are experts in different department and they would use the opportunities and the available recourses. McDonalds also provide good services to the customers more efficiently. As the last is, employees job satisfaction, McDonalds provide training for their employees to improve their skills in McDonalds and the results would enhanced their employees to performance even more better. It would make them even more interested to work in a well manner and this would give good reputation for McDonalds. McDonalds Focus on the Competition The weakness point of a business depends on the system and people involved within the organization. It begins by hiring the people who can dedicate in the businesss objectives and can a do better job in the organization. In McDonalds, the crew can make the business achieved for success and at the same time downfall can be happen. Investing in the value chain is a simply idea but in the end it still works. Happy employees make customers happy, and it can create happy shareholders. McDonalds value is significant to implement a good atmosphere that can invite the customers. The automation of the process can discard the corruption and manipulation inside the company. In McDonalds the automation process of the sale are introduced to make it more proficient and straightforward than the manually operation system. The training and re-training can leave a legacy for the future employees in McDonalds. The on-the-job training in the management of the McDonalds is an open the door for opportunity and they can acquire the trainees to be part of the company. The leadership in McDonalds are involvement in the business is the most prominent strategy. But if the management failed to manage the business, the problems might break the connection of the business towards the people and its customers. The strength can start in an intensive research study where they can explore for the new extraordinary service they can offer to the customers as well on their shareholders. The strength also lies on the managements ability to analyze where they can find the solution in their problems. Improvement of some process and systems can make the problems be solved. And with further understanding, all the issues that involves inside the business whether it concerned with the people or the system. 5 ) The gaps in McDonalds. The first gap would be between what customers want and what McDonalds thinks about their customers wants in their restaurant. This gap is the results of a misunderstanding or a misrepresentation of the customers desires, wants, or even their needs. An organization that does a small or customer satisfaction research is likely to experience in this gap. The second gap would be between what McDonalds thinks about their customers want and the quality specifications that McDonalds management develops to provide the service for their customers. Basically, this gap is the result of managements incapability to translate customers needs and wants into the delivery systems within their firm. The third gap would be between the service quality specification and the services are present in every company. If both gaps 1 and 2 have been closed, then gap 3 is due to the inability of management and employees to do what should be done. Poorly trained or poorly motivated workers can cause this gap. Management needs to make sure that employees have the skills and the proper tools to perform their jobs. The forth gap would be between what McDonalds provides and what the customers are informed towards the providers. This gap is called communication gap. It may add in the misleading or deceiving advertising campaigns shows potential more than the firm can distribute or do what it takes to get the business in McDonalds. McDonalds need to make sensible customer expectations through exact communication about what firms can provide them. Firth gap would be between the services that customers get and the services they want from McDonalds. This gap can be negative or positive and for an example, if a customer expects to wait only 2 minutes for its order, the customers evaluation of service quality will be high. However, a 10 minutes wait would be resulted as the lower evaluation from the customer perspective. Recommendations The successes of McDonald recommendation depend on the ability of the entire organisation to comprehend. These recommendations are not inflexible to handle because it will start from the initiatives of the organization or the whole team. Reliability in McDonalds is the capability to execute the service exactly, dependably, and constantly. Reliability a way to show the service that is right the first time. This section has been established to be the one most significant to consumers .Responsiveness is the talent to be provided quick service. Examples of receptiveness include calling the customer back immediately, serving the lunch fast to customers who are in the rush for something, or delivering customers food to their homes or office. A declaration can be practiced when the knowledge and consideration of the employees in McDonalds and their capability to convey trust. The expert employees who treat their customers with respect and make customers feel that they can trust the organisation represent the assurance to their customers. Their empathy is the act of concern towards their customers and an individual concentration to customers. McDonalds employee identifies their customers, recognizes them by addressing their name, and knows their customers exact requirements and provides empathy to their customers. 7 ) Analysis and Conclusion. McDonalds are an organization that realized on the significance of customer-centred philosophies and they emphasise on how to turn the quality management approaches to help managing their businesses. An effective approach has been analysed and the differences between customer want, need and expectations and their perceptions has been highlighted with the full support with an example. These important gaps is the serious quality that associated with external customer services and this could be extend to secure other major gaps and consequently, it could be urbanized in order to be functional for internal customers as for the employees and the service providers. McDonalds has maintained their products quality accordingly to the international standard and also maintains a very good environment in every premise of theirs. McDonalds has a very good learning environment for their employees to development and provides customer satisfaction as daily life goes on for them.

Euthanasia Essay - Assisted Suicide Must be an Option -- Euthanasia Ph

Euthanasia Essay - Assisted Suicide Must be an Option Life is a precious gift. Humans have the ability to decide how their lives are to be lived. In the United States, people can legally control to a limited extent their death. In a living will, a person can request that extraordinary life sustaining measures be withheld in terminal medical condition. However, the abrupt ending of a life via assisted suicide is controversial. Should people be allowed to take their own lives when facing a painful and prolonged ending? I believe that they should have that option. Euthanasia, or mercy killing, can be defined as the "intentional termination of life by another at the explicit request of the person who dies" (Euthanasia). The infamous Dr. Kevorkian is known for assisting many people in their suicides. He was eventually tried and convicted for his role in this area. What crime did he commit? The people whom he assisted sought him out to help them have a calm and peaceful death under their own control. During Dr. Kevorkian's trial, questions were raised suggesting ...

Religion in Modern Society Essay

Religious teachings often begin with the ideals of finding inner peace, or aiding those in need, yet, over the centuries, these religions have merely become a means of facilitating the ambitions and desires of those who are in power. Many faiths disguise and warp themselves in a way that sets reality aback, and makes individual existence seem all the less valuable. Over millennia, scriptures have been modified countless times, becoming form-fitted duplicates that vary according to the era, or to whatever purpose such an alteration might serve. Recently (relatively speaking), the addition of the media has served as a method of promotion and persuasion, ranging all the way from trivial, street-side advertising to mass conversions and the attempting of subtle, influencing techniques. Worst of all, innumerable lives have come to a horrifying and ghastly end simply because of conflicting beliefs†¦ and there is no end in sight. Religion, as it has developed, has become harmful, and, c ontrary to its original purpose, a terrible burden to society. All religions, no matter who believes in them or where they originated, are convinced that they are the primary source of all correct thought and righteous action. It is widely known that, no matter who is preaching to you, they are telling you that what they believe is the truth. The fact is that all religions began as word of mouth or a generalized belief. These have been put into writing, rewritten, translated, outdated and rewritten once again. Its not likely that everything in such scriptures should be taken as the absolute truth, with no room for compromise or alternative. Believably, thousands of facts that could clarify a topic were lost in the process of doing exactly that. Such views of absolute and total engagement with the scriptures will mask the true meaning of the religion as a whole, and will deter the logical reasoning and thought processes incurred by reasonable doubt. Reality can no longer function in a place where there is no independent thought, and that is why so many people are misinterpreting their religion, and taking it far to literally. Errors in judgment, occurring over millennia, have resulted in terrible consequences to both believers and non-believers. When religion provides such simple answers to the most complex questions, it even demotes the research into and further development of our society as a whole. Without such answers we will remain  primal and inadequate, and our evolution may grind to a halt. Many religions are becoming wide-spread epidemics, as they are opening their arms and gathering those who would otherwise run astray. The culture in which one develops will (with some exceptions) solely determine one’s religion and, overall, their moral code and beliefs. When outside influences begin to affect these cultures, people begin to question themselves and all that they believe. This is what the media, the missionaries, and even local societies are developing into: a campaign of cultural uniformity. Christians, for example, have intruded on African soil for centuries, claiming that they are rescuing the countless souls from certain damnation. I am sure that what these independent (even secluded) societies really wanted to hear was that: if they do not believe in exactly what they are told to, they are doomed to spend an eternity in the fiery depths of Hell. Granted, there is a certain period of transition during the attempted conversions. This is a period where the Christian religion seems to adapt to and encircle the given culture, twisting its scriptures to properly conform to the situation. Yet, this is simply an easier method of religious transformation, and it shows no consideration for the subjected peoples or the catastrophic revolutions that they are about to be included in. Even the obvious presence of churches or the not-so-obvious clergy affects the mentality of those exposed to it. There appears to be no other alternative, and, therefore, society will bias their views according to those of the religion that engulfs them. Not all religions, nor all people of these religions, are as horrible as I may have portrayed them: quite the contrary. There are those who are ‘true believers’. They show a unique respect to peoples of other faiths and beliefs, and understand (more in retrospect than anything else) the trouble that fanatics of any religion may rouse. Their presence brings no consolidation, though, because these people have no real power. They are the ones that sit back and contemplate the whole purpose and meaning of their beliefs. It is the ones who want action (which may be seemingly positive, with a unbeknown negative impact) that are willing to step to the forefront and deliver the righteous justice this world has been awaiting. Insightful,  and truly ‘righteous’ individuals do tread our Earth, but all hope of their resurgence seems lost once it is realized that these people are a rare breed, and that mating season is long over. The amount of individuals massacred because of their beliefs is uncounted. Religion has served the purpose of allowing an excuse for very heinous criminal acts, which often occur in mass proportions. Our Christocentric society can only see one facet of a whole, and we regard the beings that worship such gods as Ala (SP) as horrible sadists when they kill in his name, yet this is the most prominent and ignorant form of hypocrisy to date. Many Christians unknowingly believe that, because they worship God and Jesus Christ, they have the given right to use His name to serve their own designs. This is likely one of the worst possible misinterpretations, and has inarguably the most irreversible consequences. Ruining other human lives, not only those of the ones that are killed, captured, raped, or tortured, but those of the loved ones close to them, is no honourable sacrifice. God (or any other true god-like being), would not condone such actions, even if it were for the sake of his children. Nations can instill massive propaganda campaigns, and pound the martyr-related beliefs into their citizens skull’s, with little or no retribution. The citizens (mostly those of the applied faith) will be convinced that their god wills these actions, and that it must be done for the sake of their future. The best example of this is the ‘Ku Klux Klan’, who has taken the Christian belief to a totally obscene level, and deciphered their base-religion in an unbearably clumsy manner. It seems a horrible fate, to be ordered (by your god, of course) to leave everything behind and quarrel over something that will so obviously never be resolved. With all of the trouble in our world today, its disconcerting to know that religion is a contributing factor. Even more so after we have been told of the attributed attainment, and the possibility of its bliss and sanctuary within our miniscule existence. All of our misguidings, misdirections and misinterpretations are being unraveled, and worsening throughout the course of time. This, and the subjective persuasion and manipulation we bestow upon ourselves will convey our impending death and destruction, as it may  inevitably continue to contribute to the spiraling degradation of our existence in this universe.

Ballet: The Ultimate Expression Of Romantic Imagination

Imagine your legs in rotation from the thin castle of hips to the small tarsal bones of the foot, tracing the path of a man lost in the paradise of love; they revolve around the tiny space underneath the straightened tip of hallux to reinstate the eternal truth: to love is all, to love is supreme. From the abdomen to the cradle of the neck, all muscles are contracted to give support to the flexible rotating limbs. You squeeze some ‘fluid’ off the buttock until it flattens to the dance of romance and strays away†¦Away? Oh! Not in the hands of ignoble men belonging to the immoral club but carried by the wind of romance with steps similar to heroic ballerinas like Taglioni and Cerrito. No one can describe that feeling better. No one can depict the imagination and express it in terms easy to understand than the excellent flexible and portable ballerina with graceful moves, steps and turns that drive the heart of the audience to the land of eternal bliss where romance re igns supreme.With the solo production of gracious music and the body movements on the heroic stage of wonders, from simple demi-plie to complex enchainement, one is swept off the feet, and fallen to the ground only to open one’s eyes to the reality of the imagination. This is what ballet can. Indeed, it is the ultimate expression of the romantic imagination. If you check out the message on display, the music that dictates and the serene environment that fills the hall, one comes to the conclusion that if grand opera were a god, it would bow when it sees ‘ballet’ and exclaims: ‘I am great and gracious.I bring music in its serenity and divinity. I fill the atmosphere with the grand performance of musicians, their notes and instruments. I do capture the imagination of romance in words and music lines but lack one thing: the calculated moves and accurate body characters of the ballet dancer; the language it speaks is far more reaching than words; it creates the imagination in acts eyes can behold, and sends the mind into the scene with a leader’ Is anything left to say? MATERIALS: Fiero, Gloria K. ; The Humanistic Tradition, Fifth Edition; Volume 5, Chapter 29. Fonteyn, M. (1980). The magic of dance. BBC Books, London

American Businesses Motivated to offer Healthcare

American Businesses Motivated to offer Healthcare Why businesses were motivated to offer healthcare American businesses were motivated to offer healthcare for their employees because of various factors. Healthcare for employees was not given the seriousness that it deserved because many organizations were not keen on this. As much as this situation started changing slowly, there are certain aspects that made it necessary for different businesses to offer healthcare for employees.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on American Businesses Motivated to offer Healthcare specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The most notable healthcare service that was offered by different business was accident insurance that took off in the early 1990s (Lane 2003, p. 23). This has been improving and nearly all businesses in America offer healthcare for employees. The motivation to offer employees healthcare could have been as a result of the changing business environment that has ultimately had an impact on healthcare in America today. This means that the changing business world as far as technological advancements are concerned made it necessary to provide healthcare for employees. In this case, such an aspect motivated business to offer healthcare because employees were supposed to be safe. In a broad perspective, it can be said that American businesses were originally motivated to offer healthcare for employees because they were supposed o give them a reason to do some tasks. Businesses saw the need to motivate their employees to be committed to what they were doing which could only be enhanced through healthcare (Lane 2003, p. 45). This means that retaining employees was becoming a hard task without offering them healthcare. In this case, businesses were motivated to offer healthcare to employees because it was an emerging and necessary competitive advantage for success in the business world that was changing. Healthcare was necessary to engage and keep employees motivat ed as the key for sustainable growth (Jacobs 2008, p. 63). The strength of healthcare could not be underestimated because it was proving to be an asset in other countries which motivated businesses in America to follow suit. As a matter of fact, it can be said that the need to keep happy employees originally motivated businesses to offer healthcare.Advertising Looking for essay on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More How does this choice influence healthcare in America today? The choice that was taken by different businesses has greatly influenced healthcare in America today. Most notably, it has become a necessity for businesses to offer healthcare for employees. This is because the business world is competitive based on the fact that every organization is competing for the best employees in the market. There is no business that can attract the best talent in the market without healthcare for employees which has changed as time goes by. This choice has influenced healthcare in America as far as spending is concerned (Jacobs 2008, p. 71). In this case, many businesses are now spending a lot of money on healthcare for employees and this has helped in improving the sector for long term sustainability. This choice has meant that any business that wants to attract the best talent should offer healthcare for employees. In this case, the business community has ended up keeping motivated employees who have improved productivity in different ways. Healthcare in America today has been influenced by this choice because the country ranks well when compared with other countries that offer health benefits (Jacobs 2008, p. 88). Because employees are always motivated, they have effectively contributed to the growth of small businesses. The most outstanding aspect is the fact that many healthcare organizations have grown tremendously because of an increase in demand for healthcare services for emp loyees (Jacobs 2008, p. 93). This is as far as growth of the healthcare industry in America is concerned. Reference List Jacobs, P. (2008). Wages and Benefits: A Long-Term View. Chicago: Chicago University Press. Lane, B. (2003). The Art Science of Pricing Small Group Medical Coverage: From Debits to Risk Factors. New York: Routledge.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on American Businesses Motivated to offer Healthcare specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More

Ten Common Myths Regarding Teachers

Ten Common Myths Regarding Teachers Teaching is one of the most misunderstood professions. Many people do not understand the dedication and hard work that it takes to be a good teacher. The truth is that it is often a thankless profession. A significant portion of the parents and students that we work with on a regular basis do not respect or appreciate what we are trying to do for them. Teachers deserve to be respected more, but there is a stigma associated with the profession that will not go away any time soon. The following myths drive this stigma making this job even more difficult than it already is. Myth #1 – Teachers work from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. The fact that people believe that teachers only work Monday-Friday from 8-3 is laughable. Most teachers arrive early, stay late, and often spend a few hours on the weekend working in their classrooms. Throughout the school year, they also sacrifice time at home for activities such as grading papers and preparing for the next day. They are always on the job. A recent article published by BBC news in England highlighted a survey asking their teachers how many hours they spend on the job. This survey compares favorably to the amount of time teachers in the United States spend working each week. The survey evaluated the time spent in the classroom and the time spent working at home. According to the survey, teachers worked between 55-63 hours per week depending on the level that they teach. Myth #2 – Teachers have the entire summer off work. Yearly teaching contracts typically range from 175-190 days depending on the number of professional development days required by the state. Teachers generally receive about 2 ½ months for summer vacation. This does not mean they are not working. Most teachers will attend at least one professional development workshop during the summer, and many attend more. They utilize the summer to plan for the next year, read up on the latest educational literature, and pour through new curriculum that they will be teaching when the New Year begins. Most teachers also start showing up weeks in advance of the required reporting time to start preparing for the new year. They may be away from their students, but much of the summer is dedicated to improving in the next year. Myth #3 – Teachers complain too often about their pay. Teachers feel underpaid because they are. According to the National Education Association, the average teacher salary in 2012-2013, in the United States, was $36,141. According to Forbes Magazine, 2013 graduates earning a bachelor’s degree would make an average of $45,000. Teachers with all ranges of experience make $9000 less a year on average than those beginning their career in another field. Many teachers have been forced to find part-time jobs in the evenings, on the weekends, and throughout the summer to supplement their income. Many states have beginning teacher salaries below the poverty level forcing those who have mouths to feed to get government assistance to survive. Myth #4 – Teachers want to eliminate standardized testing. Most teachers do not have an issue with standardized testing itself. Students have been taking standardized tests every year for several decades. Teachers have utilized testing data to drive classroom and individual instruction for years. Teachers appreciate having the data and apply it to their classroom. The high stakes testing era has changed a lot of the perception of standardized testing. Teacher evaluations, high school graduation, and student retention are just a few of the things that are now tied to these tests. Teachers have been forced to sacrifice creativity and to ignore teachable moments to ensure that they cover everything their students will see on these tests. They waste weeks and sometimes months of class time doing comprehension test prep activities to prepare their students. Teachers are not afraid of standardized testing itself, they are afraid of how the results are now used. Myth #5 – Teachers are opposed to the Common Core State Standards. Standards have been around for years. They will always exist in some form. They are blueprints for teachers based on grade level and subject matter. Teachers value standards because it gives them a central path to follow as they move from point A to point B. The Common Core State Standards are no different. They are another blueprint for teachers to follow. There are some subtle changes that many teachers would like to make, but they truly are not much different than what most states have been using for years. So what are teachers opposed to? They are opposed to the testing tied the Common Core. They already loathe the overemphasis on standardized testing and believe the Common Core will increase that emphasis even more. Myth #6 – Teachers only teach, because they cannot do anything else. Teachers are some of the smartest people I know. It is frustrating that there are people in the world that actually believe that teaching is an easy profession full of people that are incapable of doing anything else. Most become teachers because they love working with young people and want to make an impact. It takes an exceptional person and those who consider it glorified â€Å"babysitting† would be shocked if they shadowed a teacher for a few days. Many teachers could pursue other career paths with less stress and more money, but choose to stay in the profession because they want to be a difference maker. Myth #7 – Teachers are out to get my child. Most teachers are there because they genuinely care for their students. For the most part, they are not out to get a child. They have a certain set of rules and expectations that every student is expected to follow. The chances are decent that the child is the issue if you think the teacher is out to get them. No teacher is perfect. There may be times that we come down too hard on a student. This often results out of frustration when a student refuses to respect the rules of the classroom. However, this does not mean we are out to get them. It means that we care enough about them to correct the behavior before it becomes uncorrectable. Myth #8 – Teachers are responsible for my child’s education. Parents are any child’s greatest teacher. Teachers only spend a few hours each day over the course of a year with a child, but parents spend a lifetime. In reality, it takes a partnership between parents and teachers to maximize a student’s learning potential. Neither parents nor teachers can do it alone. Teachers want a healthy partnership with parents. They understand the value that parents bring. They are frustrated by parents who believe they have little to no role in their child’s education other than making them go to school. Parents should understand that they are limiting their child’s education when they do not get involved. Myth #9 – Teachers are continuously opposed to change. Most teachers embrace change when it is for the better. Education is a continuously changing field. Trends, technology, and new research are continuously evolving and teachers do a decent job of keeping up with those changes. What they fight against is bureaucratic policy that forces them to do more with less. In recent years, class sizes have increased, and school funding has decreased, but teachers are expected to produce greater results than at any time. Teachers want more than the status quo, but they want to be properly equipped to fight their battles successfully. Myth #10 – Teachers are not like real people. Students get used to seeing their teachers in â€Å"teacher mode† day in and day out. It is hard sometimes to think of them as real people who have lives outside of school. Teachers are often held to a higher moral standard. We are expected to behave a certain way at all times. However, we are very much real people. We have families. We have hobbies and interests. We have lives outside of school. We make mistakes. We laugh and tell jokes. We like to do the same things everyone else likes to do. We are teachers, but we are people too.

Tips, Tricks, and Advice on How to Survive College

Tips, Tricks, and Advice on How to Survive College Here are some tips, tricks, and solutions to common issues every new student faces on how to survive college and make it the ultimate experience of your life! Why Skipping Class Is Easy to Do and Even Easier to not do! Everyone does it. Some for great reasons, some for easy reasons, and some just because they never wanted to go in the first place. How to survive college starts with these tips for skipping and not skipping class: Pick classes you enjoy Find classes that make you want to attend, whether it is because you find the subject interesting, the professor inspiring, or because you like learning something new and different. Selecting classes that engage your intellect and curiosity is a great way to avoid the trap of skipping class. Think about what effect missing the class will have While being able to skip class is a huge perk of going to college, there is something most people forget when they do so. Every class you miss is money spent and wasted. Paying a college to not go to class is a waste of money. With student loans these days, you’ll be paying for laziness for decades to come. Engage your professor/involve yourself in lectures and discussions The best way to enjoy a class is to engage in the discussions and learn to process and critique the opinions of others in a well thought out and intelligent way. The more you talk and ask questions, the more familiar you become with the subject matter and the more likely you are to want to continue learning, growing, and expressing your opinions to others who can provide feedback and alternative viewpoints Dont worry about doing it Everyone needs personal time. There’s nothing wrong with taking the mental health day you need to make sure that you can stick through the next four years. How to survive college starts with these little time management steps to keep you focused on the ultimate task at hand finishing college and creating a bright future for yourself! Balancing Everything That Is Going on Around You on Your Own A lot of people wonder about how to survive college with everything else that they have going on in their life (work/personal relationships/family/hobbies). How is it possible to manage your time in a way that keeps you motivated and doesnt burn you out before you have even had a chance to get started? Check out our top time management advice for how to survive college by learning to manage time effectively and in a way that gives you optimum productivity and a stress-free college experience: #1 Make a schedule and put it somewhere you see every day. You can purchase large calendars from most on-campus/home office supply stores. Take 5 or 10 minutes each day and evening to look through and familiarize and prepare yourself for the events of the day. This will allow you to better remember your commitments and obligations and keep your from overbooking yourself. #2 Keep lists of what you need to accomplish no matter how large or small. Many professional organizers claim that making lists is essential to accomplishing your goals. If you dont know what to put on your list, start with simple things and let the ball start rolling from there. Make your bed? Check! Brush your teeth? Check! Finish that paper? Check! Talk to your advisor? Check! #3 Dont over commit. Feeling like you can handle anything and everything that you get invited to do is a sure way to overwork yourself and makes it easier to just give up on everything. It is important to figure out where your optimum level of productivity and commitment intersect and make decisions on how you use your time based on that. Finding Your Place Let’s say you learn to go to class and manage your time better but for some reason, it still feels like you are having trouble keeping your head above water. Common reasons for this include: Not being able to connect with people Not understanding coursework Having too much work and not enough time Needing money Fear of teachers and professors Follow the advice below to get yourself mentally and physically prepared to handle the life-altering experience college can provide: Dont be afraid to speak up If there is something you need, be it money, food, advice, extra time to complete an assignment, changing your major, etc, you need to say something about it. Not doing so only keeps you trapped in the dull and the borning and is in no way conducive to helping you have the ultimate college experience. Engage your environment College campuses have so many activities, programs, social events, and resources to help you get everything you need to feel safe, secure, and feeling like a successful student. Talk to your advisors, use the library, sign up for events to keep your mind and body active. Dont sit around and let all the amazing opportunities around pass you by! Introduce yourself to every single person you meet Never be afraid to say hello to someone. Opportunities for anything are always around on a college campus and the more people you talk to the more likely it is that you’ll have the opportunity to try new and different things. This is one of the best ways to grow a network of friends and contacts that could help you further your career and relationship goals. Try new hobbies Book clubs, fraternities, sororities, social justice clubs, and more all exist in college. If you aren’t sure what to sign up for then just pick something at random. Maybe you like it and maybe you dont. The point is that you wont know until you try and once you do you will have a better idea and understanding of what it is that you actually want to be doing. Find new ways of entertaining yourself While partying is a huge part of campus culture, you can be sure of one thing, it gets old fast! Especially if it’s all you are doing. Check out parks and outdoor activities, take a day trip to a city or town nearby, or sign up for an activity that isnt related to going to college. In this way, you will have something other than standard party conversation to talk about with the people you meet and you will avoid the â€Å"burn out† often felt by those whose entire college life consists of one or two activities. Eat well Dont live off of junk food. It is bad for the body and mind. Poor diet comes with its own side effects that could make you miss school, lack the energy needed to focus, and be more costly than learning to cook a simple healthy meal. While this list isn’t comprehensive, it is a great start how to survive college and achieve the ultimate college experience you are looking for. Everyone’s experience is unique and it is up to you to learn how to survive college in a way that works best for you!

Auditing and Accounting Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words - 1

Auditing and Accounting Ethics - Essay Example External auditors must have the minimum requirement of passing the chartered accountants examination. Auditing theory and practice states that auditors must not sign as external auditors if their self interests affects the independence of auditors. The external auditors must be both independent in fact and in appearance. The auditing rule states that the auditor must not have any material self interest in the clients. An auditor has self interest if the auditor, the auditors spouse and children owns a share of stock or two in the audit client(Pollitt et al. 1999, 30). The Companies Act of 1948 is the legal framework for external auditors to follow in terms of independence (Power 1997, 17). Evidently, many auditors will not allow their independence to be affected by self -interests . Also, many auditors will not allow their independence to be affected by self - review. The external auditor must adhere to the independence policy in taking on a new client. The auditor is mandated, without exception, to consider if self -review will affect his independence. The auditor must not continue with the audit or sign as external auditor if he or she believes that self review will violate the auditors independence. Clearly, many auditors will not allow their independence to be affected by self – review (Watkins 1998, 29). Further, many auditors will not allow their independence to be affected by advocacy. The auditors membership in a group will have a strong impression that the auditor is not being independent. The Code of Ethics for auditors state that auditor must not have his membership in an organization affect the independence of the auditors. The auditors must be independent in fact and in appearance. This means that a slight dent in his independence would raise doubts as the auditors independence. Consequently, the auditor must turn down such an engagement. Undoubtedly, many auditors will

Gender Relations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Gender Relations - Essay Example Traditionally, the woman was subordinate to man. She was expected to take care of the house chores and bear children. The man was to provide for the family, protect the family, and ensure that the family was well housed. Traditionally, it was not necessary for a woman to work since the man took care of all her needs. The man was the key decision maker; they occupied positions in leadership that were only designated for men (Pew, 2012). However, all the above has had significant changes from the social trends. In the American society, both man and woman are considered equal. This is because of the great emphasis placed on the slogan that what a man can do a woman can do it better. For instance, the women are in charge in the American homes where they make three quarters of the decisions in the family (Pew, 2012). This is a position that was only controlled by the male gender. With the changing social trends, the traits ascribed to men and women have been more diverse and of stereotypes (Griffis, 2008). Women are ascribed to be welcoming, more caring, enthusiastic, confident, inspired, and devoted to what she intended to do (Prentice & Carranza, 2002). Men are ascribed to be strong, mature, focused, resourceful, tenacious, and protective (Prentice & Carranza, 2002). The ascribed traits are not necessarily reflections of each gender since they can be possessed by both genders. However, standards for men traits are raised higher than those of the women. The society gets strict on any oversight from the men side than it does to the woman. However, there are some aspects of a man and a woman that cannot be over ruled. They are both believed to possess an important position in the society that no gender can replace the other. For example, child bearing is a natural aspect that cannot be shifted from one gender to the other. A woman is expected to bear children, a role that a man cannot handle no matter how much emphasis is placed

The Quality of Aircraft Traffic Control at Dubai International Airport Essay

The Quality of Aircraft Traffic Control at Dubai International Airport - Essay Example This research tells that Dubai international airport, one of the largest growing airline hub in the Middle East established in order by the ruler of Dubai Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum in 1959 that days, the first airfield construction consists of runway, a terminal building and fire a station in the Al Garhoud area which was the edge of Dubai city back in 1960. The airport opened and started handling aircraft, expansion, and development of Dubai. Nowadays the airport has expanded and accommodates airline serving thousand destinations and the reveal of domestic airline and passenger growth in UAE make the Dubai geographic location airport one of the fastest growing major hubs and among the worlds top 5 airports in terms of international passenger and cargo traffic. With this expansion, there is a need to study the quality of traffic control and areas where improvements can be made. The research study will involve interviews, and questionnaire with air traffic control ATC and air port council ACL at Dubai airport and runway Maintenance Company survey and collect and analyze data through the author’s experience while working in fly emirates maintenance hangars will help me to gather information and idea inside and outside of the airport building. In this process of data collection, the researcher will design the questionnaires. Validated questionnaires from past research materials in books and the internet will be guides for designing the questionnaires. These questionnaires will be administered to thirty respondents randomly. While administering the questionnaires, the study group will be interviewed. The questions for the interviewee will be those in the questionnaire. This process will be able to countercheck the information in the questionnaires and also this will help further inform the respondents on the correct way to fill the questionnaire. This process will increase the validity of the data collected.

Press Release on Bhp Billiton Issue Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Press Release on Bhp Billiton Issue - Essay Example He also hinted that Woodside has a current petroleum project in the pipeline which will greatly benefit from this take over during its current final stages. Woodside Chief Executive Peter Coleman readily agreed with the statement of Nasser. He explained to the gathered press people that the current project is currently on hold due to budget constraints. Continuing the project would entail another $900 million, an amount which Bhp readily agreed to produce in order to continue the project Nasser and Coleman detailed that the acquisition will start with the 24% holdings purchase of Royal Dutch Shell on Woodside. A move which shall ramp up into the full-blown take over of Woodside in the span of one year. Drawing on an example of a good merger, acquisition or takeover press release you have found on the internet, identify three elements you think are important in a press release of this type. (This is worth 25 % of this assignment and must be no more than half a page in length). A: The elements of a good press release commonly follow the 5 Ws. That is: Who, What, Where, When, Why. Answering these 5 basic questions will already make up the whole press release as these are the pieces of information that the readers are interested in finding out. Another element of a good press release would be the factual element. A press release is not a piece of advertising. Instead, it is all about accurate information dissemination. Finally, a press release must carry an aura of authority in its news.  

MANAGEMENT REPORT Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

MANAGEMENT REPORT - Assignment Example The revenue from the natural resource makes the country rich. That is why the country has seen a sustained economic growth in last few years even though the rest of the world was suffering from global financial crisis. For years Qatar was among the fastest growing economy, but from the crisis period in 2008 it is among the top three countries in terms of the growth of GDP. The positive economic scenario allows the banking sector of Qatar to grow. Qatar is the place where the eastern sides meet western people. Apart from the domestic business houses, the hydrocarbon economy has attracted many foreign investors to invest in Qatar, Kerbaj (2006). The contribution of Petroleum is 70% of the government revenue, 85% of the export earning and more than 60% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country. According to Shachmurove (2009) a very interesting fact about Qatar is that, there is no income tax for Qatari and GCC nationals. However, it is not a tax free country. Taxes are being collected from business houses, corporate and foreign investor. That is why the banking system in Qatar is bit different from the rest of the world. The apex bank of the country is Central Bank of Qatar. Many commercial bank and foreign banks are operating in the territory of the country. The banking system of Qatar is secure, well financed and well regulated. Regular banking services like, retail banking, corporate banking, branch banking, online banking, mobile banking, credit and debit facilities are available from the bank. Hasim & Chaker (2009) argued that, like in other parts of the world Qatar is also bending towards using new technologies in the banking system such as online banking and telephonic banking as these instruments have made banking easier and accessible. Elsamadisy et al. (2013) argued that, the banking scenario has seen a big change during the pre and post global financial crisis. The monetary policies and other banking policies

Pacific Island and significant human migration to this group Essay

Pacific Island and significant human migration to this group - Essay Example The paper tells that human migration for instance to the Pacific Islands, despite how indiscrete their topology and distribution is, can satisfactorily be analyzed today with advancements in study techniques available. Mention must be made of genetic techniques that have proven to be vital in the field of anthropology, with a rare level accuracy and specificity. Pacific anthropological studies have widely been performed, especially regarding human migration to the region, to unravel astonishing discoveries of how this was possible. Based on geographical divisions of the main Pacific into the three main Islands, anthropological studies have been facilitated. These main groups of islands are Polynesia, Melanesia, and Micronesia. Perhaps, it would be a significant step in studying the geographic location of the Islands, to understand the relationship of the Islands with the source of their inhabitants; the continents. Pacific Islands are named after the ocean in which they are found in; the Pacific Ocean, which covers a third of the earth’s surface. Generally, there are about 30,000 Islands in the Pacific Ocean, with a wide geographical distribution touching several continents namely; Antarctica, Asia, North and South America as well as Australia. As earlier mentioned, the major group of islands both in numbers and size are mainly three (Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia), with a similarity in their south of Tropic of Cancer location. Melanesia (black islands), include New Guinea and the surrounding islands near North America. Micronesia (small islands) covers Kiribati and the islands around it, most of which are found to the north of the equator.

MANAGEMENT REPORT Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

MANAGEMENT REPORT - Assignment Example The revenue from the natural resource makes the country rich. That is why the country has seen a sustained economic growth in last few years even though the rest of the world was suffering from global financial crisis. For years Qatar was among the fastest growing economy, but from the crisis period in 2008 it is among the top three countries in terms of the growth of GDP. The positive economic scenario allows the banking sector of Qatar to grow. Qatar is the place where the eastern sides meet western people. Apart from the domestic business houses, the hydrocarbon economy has attracted many foreign investors to invest in Qatar, Kerbaj (2006). The contribution of Petroleum is 70% of the government revenue, 85% of the export earning and more than 60% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country. According to Shachmurove (2009) a very interesting fact about Qatar is that, there is no income tax for Qatari and GCC nationals. However, it is not a tax free country. Taxes are being collected from business houses, corporate and foreign investor. That is why the banking system in Qatar is bit different from the rest of the world. The apex bank of the country is Central Bank of Qatar. Many commercial bank and foreign banks are operating in the territory of the country. The banking system of Qatar is secure, well financed and well regulated. Regular banking services like, retail banking, corporate banking, branch banking, online banking, mobile banking, credit and debit facilities are available from the bank. Hasim & Chaker (2009) argued that, like in other parts of the world Qatar is also bending towards using new technologies in the banking system such as online banking and telephonic banking as these instruments have made banking easier and accessible. Elsamadisy et al. (2013) argued that, the banking scenario has seen a big change during the pre and post global financial crisis. The monetary policies and other banking policies

Assignment #4 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Assignment #4 - Essay Example Access to technology has given way to continuous improvement and set standards for excellent service delivery. Information services serve six different functions in the organization, namely; ensuring validity and reliability of data, storing and retrieving data, training support users, maintain data security, maintain communication and continuous improvement of the Information Services (John and Kenneth 388). In recent years, IS has gradually risen to become a core utility in healthcare organizations. This is because of its reliance in supporting transactions necessary for healthcare processes, performing measures that steer improvement, as well as making learning much easier by improving the communication process. IS helps healthcare organizations to maintain high degrees of accuracy of information while also supporting effective communication. IS also helps in makes it easy for organizations to store and retrieve data, process the data in to useful sets of information, and plays a big role in training other users. The benefits of IS to an organization are seen through customer satisfaction, and improvements in clinical as well as other units of the healthcare organization (John and Kenneth 383). The best way to implement Information Services is to view customers of the organization as services. All planning activities must be integrated with specific improvements in customer performance through improvements in patient

Overview of Celiac Disease and Gluten

Overview of Celiac Disease and Gluten WHATS IN YOUR WHEAT? BY AISHA ADIL Percolating deep into the abyss of gluten-related research studies, opinions and perspectives, and several news outlets, it is starting to seem that, despite the hype, gluten-free diets (GFD) may not necessarily be the answer to a healthy lifestyle. Although these diets are the only current nutritional treatment for gluten-sensitive patients, other treatment options are being speculated. But even outside of the scope of disease, the prominence of gluten-free diets in the general population is raising question marks about how hazardous gluten really is. It has only been about 10,000 years since wheat was introduced but it is only now that being gluten-free is apparently the path to a healthy life. Hence, questioning what is in your wheat invites the inquiry of gluten: what caused it to gain so much prominence and subsequently a downgrade in the past years? What else is involved besides gluten? It is surprising to realize that many gluten-sensitive individuals are subject to a combination of factors, rather than gluten alone, that give rise to their sensitivity. Many researchers are investigating other complex carbohydrates present in wheat with some even suggesting that these carbohydrates have a higher likelihood in causing intestinal distress than gluten. With several angles of research being conducted on the role of gluten in our lives, it is imperative that we evaluate the history of gluten over the years and our current knowledge to assess a question that is very simply-put but difficult to answer: is a gluten-free diet a healthy choice? The Underpinning of Civilizations and Celiac The discovery of seeds and domestication of crops cradled the development and flourishment of civilizations at the cost of celiac disease (CD), an illness triggered by the ingestion of gluten. Clinically, the existence of celiac disease dates back to 1888 but it was only a little less than a hundred years later in the 1950s that the consumption of wheat, barley, and rye were speculated as the cause of intestinal lesions. Gluten, the storage proteins that comprise much of our common sources of carbohydrates such as wheat, barley, and rye, was found to be at the center of inducing CD and later in time, non-celiac gluten sensitivity. While the latter disorder is a controversial matter in even being considered a medical condition, celiac disease patients show a hypersensitive reaction to gluten consumption. This autoimmune ailment, otherwise described as a condition that causes our bodys immune system to attack our own tissues, detracts individuals from proper nutrient absorption and sub jects them to abdominal pain, diarrhea, and swollen bellies. It can even reach the extent of destroying our intestinal villi, the brush-like surfaces of our small intestine. Recently, it has been found that CD arises when individuals, along with being exposed to gluten, have a genetic predisposition to CD, and, per Fasano and his colleagues nine years of research, a leaky gut; an unusually permeable intestinal membrane, that permits the entry of gliadins, undigested fragments of gluten. The immunology of Celiac Disease   Delving further into the pathophysiology of CD, the mechanisms underlying CD are more complicated than one might expect. CD patients harbor an inherited set of gene variants called histocompatibility leukocyte antigens (HLAs) that give rise to the hypersensitive reaction against gluten. 95% of celiac patients possess HLA-DQ2 and/or HLA-DQ8, proteins required for the primary establishment of CD. These proteins aid in developing an immune response in the face of microbial attacks. However, CD patients bodies secrete the tissue transglutaminase (TTG) that responds to and modifies ingested gluten proteins in a way that binds them with DQ2/8 proteins and initiates an immune response. Though this immune response should be protective, it unfortunately harms the intestinal cells and hinders the absorption of nutrients. We are not engineered to eat wheatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. gluten only came into the picture 10 000 years ago, with the advent of agriculture Alessio Fasano, University of Maryland School of Medicine The recent introduction of gluten perhaps explains why our body mounts an immune response against it it perceives gluten as a foreign invader such as a virus or a bacterium and activates the same defense as it does when an infection attacks our body. It therefore becomes tempting to propose that gluten should be eliminated from our diets completely but not so fast, says Fasano. Fasanos discovery of zonulin, a protein activated by gliadin in gluten and a capability of modifying the guts permeability, is seemingly a ray of hope. This protein is predictably what allows a leaky gut to occur, creating a loss of control as our intestine can no longer create a barrier against unwanted particles. However, zonulin is a controversial solution as clinical research and evidence on zonulin is scant. It is nonetheless suggested that zonulin modifies antigen traffic and may be involved in not only CD but in other, various immune diseases. Who knew gluten could cause controversy? Having gluten within the diet and experiencing gluten-sensitivity outside the context of celiac has also sparked controversies worldwide. This has been the case with Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS), another syndrome in the spectrum of gluten-induced disorders that results in both extraintestinal and gastrointestinal symptoms due to gluten-withdrawal. This syndrome is however not new as reports dating back to the 1970s and 1980s provide evidence of patients experiencing wheat or gluten withdrawal in the absence of CD. NCGS main controversy today lies within its unavailable etiologic background or evidence such as biomarkers or histological abnormalities to support its existence. Another issue is that NCGS patients also report symptoms similar to those found in Irritable Bowel Syndrome patients (IBS). This is an area where personal experience and anecdote really trumps the medical evidence thats emerged Dr. Jason Tye-Din, gastroenterologist at Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Australia. Although this condition is raising conflicts between personal beliefs and medical advice, further research proposes that NCGS patients may be intolerant to other components of wheat such as FODMAPS and fructans rather than just gluten. FODMAPS, a group of sugars that are either poorly absorbed by the small intestine or completely indigestible, can be found in foods high in fructose such as apples and mangoes, dairy products, and fructans such as onions and garlic. Several studies such as Peter Gibsons and Biesikeierski and colleagues, in 2011, suggested that gluten is the culprit after all. Both well-designed studies subjected IBS patients to a gluten restriction challenge followed by a reintroduction of gluten. The results suggested that IBS patients do have NCGS given that they experienced stomach ailments when treated with gluten. These studies were however, criticized for their small numbers of participants and limited statistical evidence. Further well-designed and more detail-o riented studies in 2013 revealed that NCGS patients did not experience symptoms from gluten but rather with a FODMAPs diet. Accordingly, it seems that a FODMAPs-free diet is more effective but also more complicated than a gluten-free diet. Studies from 2011 have also convinced millions of people that being gluten-free makes them feel better. Research on FODMAPs however, does not have enough data to provide a definitive answer either; most of it is unclear or preliminary. Many studies are currently underway and will require time before a conclusive answer is available. Going Gluten-Free Conversely, with an increasingly growing belief that gluten-free diets are healthier, there is an increased consumption and demand for gluten-free foods in the market. Food companies are using the common perceptions that gluten-free products are healthier to advertise their products as such and that too, at an elevated price. These products may even be nutrient-poor and miscellaneous about their sugar, salt, and saturated fat composition. Economic markets respond to meet the growing demand hence it is no surprise to Catherine Cross, a writer of the Canadian Medical Association Journal, that gluten-free stamps are appearing more frequently on both healthy and unhealthy products. This therefore leads us to question whether the gluten-free products we buy are actually healthy. Besides our deep percolation of the pathogenesis and underlying mechanisms of wheat components and their effects on gluten-induced disorders, answering this question involves additional enquiry into the markets ex pansion of gluten-free products. After investigating and comparing the nutritional quality of 3213 gluten-free and non-gluten free products across 10 food categories, Wu and his colleagues in 2015 deduced that gluten-free products have, on average, lower protein levels, and an overall poor quality due to a high composition of sugar, salt, and saturated fats. Cross delved further into this matter suggesting that conventional gluten-free flours such as potato, rice, tapioca, and sorghum contain more calories and carbohydrates, and are also unfortified, an absence of intentionally increased essential micronutrients. Put differently, there is a large body of evidence suggesting that being gluten-free is not always healthier given the substitution of fat and sugar to compensate for the absence of gluten. However, further insight into whether this gluten-free diet is a better option can be better understood from CD patients bound to this diet. Groups of researchers including Lee and colleagues, and Singh Whelan all present similar data and conclusions of the limited availability of gluten-free products in parts of the US and in London, UK as well as their increased price compared to standard counterparts. Furthermore, Nascimento and colleagues in 2014 percolated consumer perceptions and suggestions of celiac consumers in Brazils Santa Catarina, and found that along with low availability and high prices, individuals experienced poor palatability and social life restrictions leading to hindrances in adhering to the gluten-free diet, and overall dissatisfaction with employing the diet. Other studies, such as Hallert and colleagues also suggest higher levels of nutritional deficiencies, especially of fibre and B vitamins. Conclusively, these studies and observations provide a greater set of limitations than advantages in employing a gluten-free diet which raises the ultimate question: how do we stay healthy? Fasano suggests that it depends on how one wants to become gluten-free. If one employs a natural gluten-free diet without substitutes and consume only fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats, it may be beneficial and may alleviate their symptoms of gluten-sensitivity. But a gluten-free diet with gluten-free pasta or cakes may result in adverse effects. Alexandra Anca, a Toronto dietitian, also suggests that if one desires a healthy-eating lifestyle, it is better to get back to the basics. While celiac patients are bound to gluten-free diets but nonetheless are on their way to alternative treatments, those who seek healthy lifestyles should focus on whole and less-processed foods, says Melanie McGrice, an Australian dietician. Overall, employing a healthy lifestyle is complicated given the interplay of the food markets increasingly diverse production of gluten-free products and the less well-known facts and studies about CD and NCGS. Embarking on this journey nonetheless requires a careful consideration of how you want to become healthy will you go old-school with the fresh fruits and vegetables? Word Count: 1796

The Progression of a Hunter :: Hunting Sports Nature Papers

The Progression of a Hunter It's three o'clock in the morning. I've been sleeping since eight p.m., and now my alarm clock is telling me that it's time to wake up. Most people are sleeping at this hour of the night, but I'm just now waking up to pack up my gear and head into the forest for the morning. Last night I packed my .30-06, tree stand, a small cooler full of food and a rucksack full of hunting equipment including deer scent, camouflage paint and a flashlight. I've been planning a hunt for two weeks, and the weekend has finally come. I get up from bed, shake off the cold of the morning and get ready to leave by four. It's five a.m. when I get to the dirt road winding into Ocala National Forest. I park my car in a clearing gather my gear and head into the forest with my eyes to the trees. By five-thirty I'm set up in a tree, my rifle is loaded and I'm quietly sipping hot coffee from my plastic thermos cup. I'm well concealed by tree limbs, and I have a clear shot at the ground below within my line of sight. My camouflage pants and jacket keep me hidden from the poor eyesight of the deer below, and my height above the ground keeps the smell of a human away from the sensitive noses of animals on the ground. Six a.m. and the sky is turning a light blue. The night's shade is dissipating slowly, and I can begin to see my surroundings a little better. A shot rings out from the west, and that signals nearby hunters. I hope they drove some game my way. Within a few minutes, there is rustling in the brush below me. A young buck is coming within range. He's a big one too; I can see about eight points from where I am. He is cautious and sniffs at the air and flicks out his tongue often. His coat is a light brown color like khaki. There are white markings along his flank, and he has a stubby little white fluff of fur for a tail. I disengage the safety on my rifle. The bolt is forward on the gun, and I know there's a round in the chamber. I steady myself. I turn ever so slightly to get a better angle.

Abraham Lincolns Assassination Essay -- slavery, abolition, confedera

Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth President of the United States was elected president on November 6, 1860. Not even on the South’s ballot, Lincoln received 40% of the popular vote. As a strong republican, Lincoln believed in the abolition of slavery. Lincoln became president in the highest conflict between North and South in history, and wanted to preserve the Union. He believed that the South should not be punished after the Civil War, because he thought that they had already been punished enough. Abraham Lincoln’s lenient policies along with the effects of the Civil War led to his assassination. In the 1860’s, disputes began to arise about the amount of power that should be given to the State and Federal governments. During this time, the South believed that slaves were private property, and were necessary to their economy; whereas the North wanted to preserve the Union. Just before Abraham Lincoln was about to become President, South Carolina seceded from the Union because they thought the nation was falling apart. Then just two months later, in February of 1861, Mississippi, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Louisiana seceded, creating the Confederate States of America. The Confederates, also known as the Southerners then established a capitol in Montgomery, Alabama, electing Jefferson Davis as their President (Miers, E. S. 1865). On March 4, 1865, Abraham Lincoln was re-inaugurated for his second term as the President of the United States. During the War, the Confederates’ general was Robert E. Lee; the best general in the United States, and the Union’s general was Ulysses S. Grant. After several Union victories, including those of Vicksburg and Gettysburg, Richmond, the capital of the Confederacy fell ... ...man, D. J. (2012). Lincoln's last days: the shocking assassination that changed America forever. New York: Henry Holt and Co.. Somerlott, R. (1998). The Lincoln assassination in American history. Springfield, NJ: Enslow Publishers. Swanson, J. L. (2006). Manhunt: the 12-day chase for Lincoln's killer. London: Portrait. The Death of President Lincoln, 1865. (n.d.). The Death of President Lincoln, 1865. Retrieved October 12, 2015, from http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/lincoln.htm The Effect of President Lincoln's Death on National Affairs. (1865, April 17). The New York Times. The Lincoln Assassination and its Aftermath. (n.d.). American Civil War. Retrieved October 14, 2015, from http://www.americancivilwar.asn.au/conf/2006/lincoln_assassination.pdf Redford, R. (Director). (2011). The conspirator [Motion picture]. United States of America: Lions Gate Films.

Meiosis Modeling Activity Essay

Background Information Meiosis is the process by which eukaryotic organisms produce egg and sperm having half the genetic information (haploid) of the other cells in the organism’s body (diploid). You will notice some similarities to mitosis but some definite differences in meiosis that result in genetic diversity in the gametes as well as the offspring formed by the eventual fusion of the egg and sperm. Two of the most noted differences in meiosis are that 1) there are two complete divisions resulting in four daughter cells and, 2) meiosis has crossing over, an even that occurs in Prophase I that increases genetic variation in the gametes. Crossing over occurs between homologous chromosomes. These are the pairs of chromosomes in an organisms body that carry genes for the same trait located at identical positions on the two chromosomes. Even though they carry the same gene they may, however, possess different alleles for the gene which result in different forms of the trait. Pre-Lab: 1. Draw a tetrad in the space below and label the following: centromeres, sister chromatids, homologous chromosomes. 2. What are the two elements of meiosis that add variation to our population? (Hint: one occurs in prophase I and the other in metaphase I). 3. Which of the chromosomes #2-5 could be homologous with chromosome #1? Explain your answer. I think number 5 because it is the exact same as 1. Lab: 1. First view the recording on my message board under â€Å"Supplemental Learning Materials† for this lab. You will need the â€Å"code words† from the recording for one of your conclusion questions. Link to recording: http://www.connectionslivelesson.com/p2fwrdno8yk/ 2. After you have viewed the recording, gather your required materials. You will need 4 forks, 4 knives, 4 spoons, 6 rubber bands, and some twine or string to use as cell membrane. If you can have two different types of flatware that would be best (for example: 2 forks, 2 knives, and 2 spoons that are different than the other set of 2 forks, 2 knives, and 2 spoons). 3. Your model cell consists of 6 chromosomes (3 homologous pairs). Use the string to form the cell membrane for your cell(s). Begin with two forks, two knives, and two spoons (one of each from each set) inside your string cell membrane as shown in the recording. Proceed through each of the steps of meiosis using your flatware â€Å"chromosomes.† Use the textbook pages 324-325 for help. Phase Modeling Interphase Replicate the DNA of your chromosomes by adding a second fork, knife, or spoon to each existing fork, knife, and spoon. Hold each pair of â€Å"chromatids† together with a rubber band (centromere). Prophase I Create tetrads (XX) by pairing homologous chromosomes (set them next to each other). Model crossing over as best you can given the model we are using. Metaphase I Line up your tetrads along the metaphase plate. Model independent assortment. Anaphase I Move the homologous chromosomes to opposite ends of the cell. Telophase I You should have three chromosomes, knife, fork, and spoon, (each composed of two chromatids) in each of your two nuclei. Cytokinesis I Divide your cell membrane so that you have two daughter cells (two string circles for cells). Prophase II Check to make sure that each of your two cells contains three chromosomes made up of sister chromatids. Metaphase II Line your chromosomes up along the middle of each of your cells. Anaphase II Separate your sister chromatids (remove rubber band holding them together). Move one sister chromatid from each chromosome to opposite sides of your cell. Telophase II You should now have four nuclei, with three single chromosomes in each of the  cells. Cytokinesis II Divide your cell membranes so that you have four daughter cells (use more string). Data: Take 3 photos or create 3 drawings of your model as it looked in 3 different stages of meiosis as described in the table above. Indicate which stage of meiosis is shown in each photo/drawing. Include the photos or a scan of the sketches when you upload your lab to the drop box. Conclusion (6 points) 1. List the two code words that were given in the lab recording found on my message board. Chromosomes and fertilization 2. Does mitosis more closely resemble meiosis I or meiosis II? Explain your answer. More like Meiosis I because it only made two cells. 3. What is crossing over? When does it occur during meiosis? Why did you have difficulty modeling this element of meiosis using your â€Å"chromosomes?† Crossing over is the process in which homologous chromosomes exchange portions of their chromatids during meiosis. It occurs during prophase I. I had a hard time because you can’t really change the chromosomes so it was difficult to show. 4. Think about your modeling. Visually, what is the major difference between the separation of chromosomes between anaphase I and anaphase II There were four to separate then just two. 5. What is independent assortment? When does it occur during meiosis? How did you model this element of meiosis? 6. Which part of meiosis, meiosis I or meiosis II, is responsible for reducing the chromosome number by half in the cell? MEIOSIS II

Reproductive Health Bill Essay

* House Bill # 4244 ─ An Act Providing for a Comprehensive Policy on Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health, and Population and Development, and For Other Purposes * Senate Bill # 2378 ─ An Act Providing For a National Policy on Reproductive Health and Population and Development While there is general agreement about its provisions on maternal and child health, there is great debate on its key proposal that the Philippine government and the private sector will fund and undertake widespread distribution of family planning devices such ascondoms, birth control pills (BCPs) and IUDs, as the government continues to disseminate information on their use through all health care centers. On October 2012, a revised version of the same bill was presently re-named to Responsible Parenthood Act and was filed in theHouse of Representatives as a result of re-introducing the bill under a different impression after overwhelming opposition in the country, especially from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines[2][3]. The bill is highly divisive, with experts, academics, religious institutions, and major political figures supporting and opposing it, often criticizing the government and each other in the process. Debates and rallies proposing and opposing the bills, with tens of thousands of opposition particularly those endorsed by the bishops of the Roman Catholic Church and various other conservative groups, have been happening nationwide. Bill content [edit]Sections Philippine Population Density Map. Darker areas mean more population. The basic content of the Consolidated Reproductive Health Bill is divided into the following sections. 1. Title 2. Declaration of Policy 3. Guiding Principles 4. Definition of Terms 5. Midwives for Skilled Attendance 6. Emergency Obstetric Care 7. Access to Family Planning 8. Maternal and Newborn Health Care in Crisis Situations 9. Maternal Death Review 10. Family Planning Supplies as Essential Medicines 11. Procurement and Distribution of Family Planning Supplies 12. Integration of Family Planning and Responsible Parenthood Component in Anti-Poverty Programs 13. Roles of Local Government in Family Planning Programs 14. Benefits for Serious and Life-Threatening Reproductive Health Conditions 15. Mobile Health Care Service 16. Mandatory Age-Appropriate Reproductive Health and Sexuality Education 17. Additional Duty of the Local Population Officer 18. Certificate of Compliance 19. Capability Building of Barangay Health Workers 20. Ideal Family Size 21. Employers’ Responsibilities 22. Pro Bono Services for Indigent Women 23. Sexual And Reproductive Health Programs For Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) 24. Right to Reproductive Health Care Information 25. Implementing Mechanisms 26. Reporting Requirements 27. Congressional Oversight Committee 28. Prohibited Acts 29. Penalties 30. Appropriations 31. Implementing Rules and Regulations 32. Separability Clause 33. Repealing Clause 34. Effectivity Summary of major provisions The bill mandates the government to â€Å"promote, without bias, all effective natural and modern methods of family planning that are medically safe and legal.†[12] Although abortion is recognized as illegal and punishable by law, the bill states that â€Å"the government shall ensure that all women needing care for post-abortion complications shall be treated and counseled in a humane, non-judgmental and compassionate manner.†[12] The bill calls for a â€Å"multi-dimensional approach† integrates a component of family planning and responsible parenthood into all government anti-poverty programs.[12] Under the bill, age-appropriate reproductive health and sexuality education is required from grade five to fourth year high school using â€Å"life-skills and other approaches.†[12] The bill also mandates the Department of Labor and Employment to guarantee the reproductive health rights of its female employees. Companies with less than 200 workers are required to enter into partnership with health care providers in their area for the delivery of reproductive health services.[12] Employers with more than 200 employees shall provide reproductive health services to all employees in their own respective health facilities. Those with less than 200 workers shall enter into partnerships with health professionals for the delivery of reproductive health services. Employers shall inform employees of the availability of family planning services. They are also obliged to monitor pregnant working employees among their workforce and ensure they are provided paid half-day prenatal medical leaves for each month of the pregnancy period that they are employed.[12] The national government and local governments will ensure the availability of reproductive health care services, including family planning and prenatal care.[12] Any person or public official who prohibits or restricts the delivery of legal and medically safe reproductive health care services will be meted penalty by imprisonment or a fine.—————- Maternal health and deaths Birthing services are key to solving maternal deaths Maternal deaths in the Philippines, according to the WHO, is at 5.7 per day,[50] not 10-11 deaths a day, as per the proponents who repeated these numbers â€Å"to drive home the point.†[51][52] The proponents state that RH will mean: (1) Information and access to natural and modern family planning (2) Maternal, infant and child health and nutrition (3) Promotion of breast feeding (4) Prevention of abortion and management of post-abortion complications (5) Adolescent and youth health (6) Prevention and management of reproductive tract infections, HIV/AIDS and STDs (7) Elimination of violence against women (8) Counseling on sexuality and sexual and reproductive health (9) Treatment of breast and reproductive tract cancers (10) Male involvement and participation in RH; (11) Prevention and treatment of infertility and (12) RH education for the youth.[citation needed] The Department of Health states that family planning can reduce maternal mortality by about 32 percent.[17] The bill is â€Å"meant to prevent maternal deaths related to pregnancy and childbirth,† said Clara Padilla of Engender Rights. She reported that â€Å"Daily, there are 11 women dying while giving birth in the Philippines. These preventable deaths could have been avoided if more Filipino women have access to reproductive health information and healthcare.†[citation needed] Regarding these figures, Francisco Tatad of the International Right to Life Federation and former Senator wrote that â€Å"If correct, experience has shown (as in Gattaran, Cagayan and Sorsogon, Sorsogon) that the incidence of maternal death arising from such complications could be fully mitigated and brought down to zero simply by providing adequate basic and emergency obstetrics care and skilled medical personnel and services,† without any need for a law on the distribution of contraceptives.[11] The key to solving maternal deaths, according to the Senate Policy Brief on reproductive health, is the establishment of birthing centers.[7] The Philippine Medical Association or PMA stated in their Position Paper that the goal of reducing the rise of maternal and child deaths â€Å"could be attained by improving maternal and child health care without the necessity of distributing contraceptives. The millions of funds intended for the contraceptive devices may just well be applied in improving the skills of our health workers in reducing maternal and child mortality in the Philippines.†[53] Magna Carta for Women of 2009 There have been comparisons made with the 2009 Law called the Magna Carta for Women and the RH Bill. The Magna Carta for Women contains the following provisions in Section 17 and 19:[54][55] * Prenatal and postnatal care * Information regarding all types of family planning methods * Access to family planning methods as long as they are ethically and medically safe * Sex education * Obstetric and gynecological care regarding pregnancy complications and the prevention of AIDS, HIV, STD, and the like * Spouses have the right to decide to space their children The Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Magna Carta directs the Commission on Women under the Office of the President to oversee that the provisions are implemented by the Department of Health, the Department of Local Governments, the Commission of Human Rights, the Department of Education, Department of Social Welfare, Department of Labor, the Commission on High Education. In the IRR, it also states that in order for the law to be successful, the government should tie up with all LGUs so that midwives, doctors, birthing facilities should be put in place to take care of the health needs of all to ensure that we minimize maternal and child deaths. Because of these provisions, Senator Majority Floor Leader Tito Sotto said that the RH Bill is redundant. Family planning Catholic Church: A large family is a sign of God’s blessings (CCC2373) The Catholic Church teaches the necessity of responsible parenthood and correct family planning (one child at a time depending on one’s circumstances), while at the same time teaching that Every birth is a gift from God; every new life, a blessing.[57] The RH bill intends to help couples to have government funded access to artificial contraception methods as well.[citation needed] Access One of the main concerns of the proponents is the perceived lack of access to family planning devices such as contraceptives and sterilization. The bill intends to provide universal access through government funding, complementing thus private sector initiatives for family planning services, such as those offered by the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) which supports the Family Planning Organizations of the Philippines and the 97 organizations of the Philippine NGO Council.[citation needed] The opposition argues that â€Å"Access to contraceptives is free and unrestricted† and that the proposed law is pushing an open door.[11] They say that these family planning items are available to the citizens and many local government units and NGOs provide these for free. Congressman Teddyboy Locsin argued, echoed by a Business Mirror editorial, that the poor can afford condoms since they can pay for other items such as cellphone load. Opponents also argue that Philippine government is not a welfare state, and taxpayers are not bound to provide for all the wants and desires of its citizenry, including their vanity needs, promiscuous actions and needs artificially created by elitist, imperialist and eugenicist forces; nor should taxpayers pay for drugs that are objectively dangerous (carcinogenic) and immoral. They argue that the Philippines should give priority to providing access to medicines that treat real diseases.[11][23] Birth control pill The UP School of Economics argues, in contrast, that there is lack of access especially for poor people, because contraceptive use is extremely low among them and â€Å"Among the poorest families, 22% of married women of reproductive age express a desire to avoid pregnancies but are still not using any family planning method.†[13] They say that lack of access leads to a number of serious problems which demand attention: (1) â€Å"too many and too closely-spaced children raises the risk of illness and premature deaths (for mother and child alike),† (2) â€Å"the health risks associated with mistimed and unwanted pregnancies are higher for adolescent mothers, as they are more likely to have complications during labor,† (3) women who have mistimed pregnancies are â€Å"constrained to rely more on public education and health services and other publicly provided goods and services,† further complicating limited public resources, (4) families are not able to ach ieve their desired family size. Thus the UP economists â€Å"strongly and unequivocally support† the thrust of the bill to enable â€Å"couples and individuals to decide freely and responsibly the number and spacing of their children and to have the information and means to carry out their decisions.†[13] Proponents argue that government-funded access is the key to breaking the inter-generational poverty that many people are trapped in. Abortion Abortifacient issue According to the RH bill, one of its components is â€Å"prevention of abortion and management of post-abortion complications.† It provides that â€Å"the government shall ensure that all women needing care for post-abortion complications shall be treated and counseled in a humane, non-judgmental and compassionate manner.† It also states that â€Å"abortion remains a crime and is punishable,† as the Constitution declares that â€Å"the State shall equally protect the life of the mother and the life of the unborn from conception.†[66] Opposing the bill, the Faculty of Medicine of the catholic University of Santo Tomas, the Philippine Nurses Association (with at least 368,589 members), the Bioethics Society of the Philippines, Catholic Physicians’ Guild of the Philippines stated that â€Å"the antiabortion stance of the bill is contradicted by the promotion of contraceptive agents (IUD and hormonal contraceptives) which actually act after fertilizati on and are potentially abortifacient agents.†[67] Opposition refers to a 2000 study of a scientific journal of the American Medical Association, in which a meta-analysis of 94 studies provides evidence that when a common birth control pill fails to prevent ovulation, â€Å"postfertilization effects are operative to prevent clinically recognized pregnancy.†[24] They also point to the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (2005), which concluded that the IUD brings about the â€Å"destruction of the early embryo,†[25] thus is deemed to kill five-day old babies.[68] The position of the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) â€Å"is founded strongly on the principle that ‘life or conception begins at fertilization’ at that moment where there is fusion or union of the sperm and the egg and thus a human person or human being already does exist at the moment of fertilization.† The PMA condemns abortifacients that â€Å"destroys the fertilized egg or the embryo† and â€Å"abhors any procedure †¦ or medication that will interrupt any stage of fertilization and prevents its normal, physiological, uninterrupted growth to adulthood†.[53] Jo Imbong, founder of the Abay Pamilya Foundation, reported that â€Å"Lagman said in a House hearing that the bill would protect human life ‘from implantation,'†[69] and not from fertilization, noting at the same time that the Records of the Constitutional Commission state that â€Å"Human life begins at fertilization.†[69][70] After referring to many standard textbooks of medicine and human embryology to affirm this as true,[71] the anti-RH bill citizens argue that the human embryo already has the complete genetic code and is thus a distinct human life beginning its own new life cycle. They say that the embryo is an individual, self-coordinated and self-organizing subject belonging to th e species homo sapiens: a human being by nature and thus a person equally worthy of respect.[26] 5-day old human embryo called a blastocyst, which comprises 70–100 cells. [edit]Contraception and abortion relationship Proponents argue that research by the Guttmacher Institute, involved in advancing international reproductive health, reveals that the use of contraceptives can reduce abortion rates by 85%. Proponents such as 14 Ateneo de Manila University professors, argued thus: â€Å"Studies show that the majority of women who go for an abortion are married or in a consensual union (91%), the mother of three or more children (57%), and poor (68%) (Juarez, Cabigon, and Singh 2005). For these women, terminating a pregnancy is an anguished choice they make in the face of severe constraints. When women who had attempted an abortion were asked their reasons for doing so, their top three responses were: they could not afford the economic cost of raising another child (72%); their pregnancy occurred too soon after the last one (57%); and they already have enough children (54%). One in ten women (13%) who had attempted an abortion revealed that this was because her pregnancy resulted from forced sex (ibi d.).