Inputs Diagnosis Whole Foods Essay

The range of competitors within the overall industry include chain and independent supermarkets (Krogers, Safeway, others); mass merchandisers and super centers (Wal-mart,Target); convenience stores; wholesale clubs (Sam’s); restaurants and fast food chains andnatural food stores (Whole Foods, Wild Oats Generally the concentration of competitors has been fragmented by geography. However, through recent consolidations, the emergence of regional and national chains has started to prevail along with the decline of the independent/local shops. This consolidation activity has allowed many companies to spread their fixed costs over a wider range of output, thus creating more efficiency in operations. Often, it is cheaper for a company to acquire an incumbent due to the location of their stores and access to customers rather than to raise the capital for entirely new stores, which is how Whole Foods has been able to expand following their growth model strategy. Whole Foods acquisitio n growth plan has helped them to gain enough economies of scale to better compete with the Wal-marts and Sam’s Clubs. Threat of Substitutes Price of substitutes plays a role in determining a company’s profitability. Organic food is priced at a premium to conventional food reflecting the high labor costs in cultivating the product. The price premium may be one reason why organic food has not become mainstream. Another reason is that consumers either lack education about its benefits (or don’t care) so that the price premium does not appear to be justified. However, when comparing upscale organic and prepared foods to competitors such as restaurants, the benefit/cost ratio appears more justified. Market research conducted shows that â€Å"20 percent of shoppers as dedicated to healthy eating†.(PRNEWSWIRE, 2013) These shoppers tend to be better educated, more affluent, couples or singles without children, and generally in better physical shape than the rest of the population. These individuals that actively seek out health and nutritional information, are younger to middle aged, and have medium to high household incomes. Thus, this market segment likely has a higher propensity to substitute than the segment above, but still is probably lower than the overall market. In total, the organic segment of the market has captured â€Å"73 percent of consumers as of 2008†.(QSRMAGAZINE, 2013) Buyer Power The retail grocery market is typically considered somewhat resistant to economic downturns, thus, to some degree, consumers’ food budgets are price insensitive. However, there is risk that consumers will switch from high quality / high margin stores to mass merchandisers (Walmart, Shop N Save) to stretch declining incomes further in a downturn market. Furthermore, while individual consumers typically lack significant buyer power to affect the specific prices of products, collectively, they can exert influence on retailers to sell or not sell specific types of products. Supplier Power The organic food suppliers are not highly concentrated, so natural food retailers have some power over them. Also, the natural food retailers may have the ability to backward integrate with partnerships and joint ventures with local growers. In addition, there is a trend for top conventional food manufacturers to invest in national/organic food companies as shown by the following excerpt * Kraft (NYSE: KFT ) : Boca Foods, Back to Nature * PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP ) : Naked Juice * General Mills (NYSE: GIS ) : Cascadian Farm, Muir Glen * Dean Foods: Horizon, The Organic Cow of Vermont, Alta Dena, White Wave/Silk * ConAgra (NYSE: CAG ) : Lightlife, Alexia Foods * Kellogg (NYSE: K ) : Morningstar Farms, Kashi, Gardenburger, Bear Naked * Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO ) : Odwalla * M&M Mars: Seeds of Change * Hain Celestial (Nasdaq: HAIN ) : Nile Spice, Health Valley, Bearitos, Earth’s Best, Walnut Acres (FOOL, 2013) Thus, the larger number of suppliers of organic products, the less influence one supplier can have in the market. Threat of New Entry Because the retail grocery market is typically low margin, â€Å"typically in the mid-single digit range†.(VALUELINE, 2013) It is critical for companies to have some type of cost advantage over peers, the larger chains may be able to obtain better and cheaper access to products than the independent stores(economies of scale). Labor is also a significant cost to retail grocers, representing 50% to 53% of total operating costs (EHOW, 2013). Other operating costs (including rent, utilities, transportation, and technology) are controllable by the company. Lastly, technology costs are key in the retail grocery industry in order to increase efficiency in operations and aid marketing aids. Point-of-sale systems can help to increase inventory turnover and sales and lead to better targeted customer marketing (COUNTERPOINTPOS, 2013) Other areas that affect new entry into a market include capital requirements, economies of scale, and brand identity. All of these factors have been discussed to some degree under other forces. Retaliation by incumbent competitors is an important element in determining the threat of new entry. Specifically, Whole Foods faces a threat from conventional supermarkets and mass merchandisers who may move to carry organic products within their stores. CONGRUENCE MODEL In conducting the Nadler-Tushman Congruence Model, of Whole Foods Market’s inputs and how they align with the strategy. I have resubmitted the model for your review The congruence model has four modals for analysis: 1. Inputs – resources used by the organization but also its history and its social, economic and market position. Resources include people, technology, capital and reputation 2. Strategies – what strategies best match the inputs to produce and how to produce those outputs from the available inputs. 3. Organizational components – allows the analyst to isolate the individual influences and adjust them for a good fit 4. Performance -include the ability to pinpoint where performance is not adequate and to trace the reason back to a lack of congruence in the model’s part (SMALLBUSINESS 2013) The model is good for input diagnosis and it can be broken down with the following steps: TASKS The work itself does not need any specific skill set or knowledge except to be as personable as possible and like dealing with people. While there are materialistic rewards to working at whole Foods the other reward is the ability to have a vote in how things happen in the company. Whole Foods runs on â€Å"democratic capitalism; where all of the work is teamwork.†(Fastcompany, 2013) the system itself tends to creative while at the same time it is mechanistic as everything has to be in its correct spot just so-so. The work flows from the top down with a healthy response for the department teams. The department teams have the sole discretionary right to hire and approve new hires which upper management screens first. The work is through, caring and precise. The teams are interdependent as they are all an integral part of the stores success as a whole together. PEOPLE The people of Whole Foods are a team oriented group with a single mindedness to have their store succeed with a democratic disciplined outlook. Most of the employees are young, well-educated individuals whose participation reinforces attention to performance and profit. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE: The organization is set up as a virtuous circle which has a two way avenue to company policies to improve the company’s bottom line. Whole Foods has a knack to please their customers and every employee is empowered to correct as discrepancy that is brought to their attention by a customer. Each department is s3et up as a team which has a direct bearing on bonuses through â€Å"gainsharing†. (Fastcompany, 2013) Sales per labor hour the productivity metric at Whole Foods, democracy reinforces discipline. If someone doesn’t do the work and gets a poor rating then the team suffers in lost bonus money. Culture People work as a team to get the product out the door and keep customers happy and returning for repeat business. With that said the company’s success is driven by their employee’s attention to detail and satisfying the customer. Whole Foods has open salary concept where everyone knows what everybody else makes salary and bonuses. Also every store knows what another store is doing in sales, salary and bonuses. With that being known an individual wanting to transfer to another store or state knows what that store is doing financially and is able to make a well informed decision as to what to do with their career. There appears to be no political intrigue involved with the company and the â€Å"Hill† as most of the food wholesale segment is already tightly monitored as far as food safety and other regulation. The above listed modals are in in alignment with the major strength of Whole Foods in comparison to the Congruence model and Porters Five Forces Model. Their strength is the fact tht they can withstand entry of new competition due to their market chare and market segmentation. While company’s can enter into the retail food market they would be hard pressed to copy Whole foods business strategy in empowering their employees and making it work as far as satisfying their customers and meeting Whole Foods profit margin. Porter’s five forces strength model aligns quite well with the resources modal of the congruence model and several of the segments blur as everything is not cut and dried and able to be placed in the puzzle of what is Whole Foods. As a whole the strategies under the congruence and Porters model align with the complete Porter’s Five Forces Model well to give a rounded view of what Whole Foods is and what they can do if they stick to their mission statement and core values. Under the restraints of this report all of the congruence segments critical to the analysis as broken down the model reinforce Porters with their strength segment. As listed above the three input factors complement each other in regards to the strengths of the company as a whole. Also if you review my earlier reports all of my suppositions are supported and well documented as to how Whole Foods supports its marketing style and fills a niche with customers in search of alternatives to non-natural food stuffs.. References Percent health food consumers retrieved February 2013 from http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-survey-shows-shoppers-eating-more-meals-at-home-cooking-meals-to-save-money-62056997.html Flat Lining Organics retrieved February 2013 from http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-survey-shows-shoppers-eating-more-meals-at-home-cooking-meals-to-save-money-62056997.html Investing in organics retrieved February 2013 from http://www.fool.com/investing/high-growth/2009/01/16/investing-in-organics.aspx Retail grocery market industry analysis retrieved February 2013 from http://www.valueline.com/Stocks/Industry_Report.aspx?id=7243 calculate food

Cosi Lewis Nowra Essay

Lewis Nowra’s semi autobiographical play ‘Cosi’ is a touching yet biting portrayal of human relationships in a Melbourne mental institute, where the patients are astracised by society. Throughout the play Lewis Nowra illustrates each and every character that suffers with a mental illness as normal people with a desire to do or think things different to others from the society of the 1970s. Throughout the play Nowra poses a question, can anybody be classified as insane? When there is insanity all around us. The play they are to perform ‘Cosi fan Tutte’ is a play about love and fidelity which becomes a topic of disagreement of the cast. Act 1 Scene 3 addresses love and fidelity & Confusion with reality & illusion With Nowra’s intelligent use of dramatic techniques such as Characterization, Dialogue & Symbolism to present his central ideas within ‘Cosi’. ‘Cosi’ is a dramatic play written by Lewis Nowra, which is set in the early 1970s in the midst of the Vietnam War. The inmates in the asylum are to performance of Mozart’s opera ‘Cosi fan Tutte’ as a therapeutic technique to the patients and is directed by an insecure university graduate Lewis, who brings the patients together and becomes as involved into the play as every other member of the cast and gets labelled as ‘one of them’ by society outside the asylum. In act 1 scene 3 moments after the toilets in the theatre have been a result of Doug’s pyromaniac problem. The cast re assemble and continue on with the play, during the play Ruth is confused between reality & illusion and the number of steps she needs to take in each scene â€Å"I was wondering where you wanted me to walk and how many steps? † Nowra canvases Ruth’s confusion between reality and illusion through to the audience with the use of characterization, amplifying Ruth’s obsessive disorder through to us the audience in a way where we get a sense of understanding on the obsessive-ness in Ruth’s character and her disorder. The theme of love and fidelity demonstrates individual’s ideas throughout the play ‘Cosi’. Notably we see Nowra canvas the idea of love & fidelity through dramatic techniques within each characters dialogue & characterization such as Lewis, Lucy, Julie, Nick & Roy. Lewis’s changing attitude towards love throughout the play becomes a pivotal turning point for Lewis & Lucy’s relationship. As time goes on we definitely see Lewis becoming more compassionate and warm and Lucy showing her true colours towards their relationship. Lucy without a doubt becomes somewhat shallow and expresses that she sees love as out dated and unimportant in modern day society. Julie questions Lewis on his relationship with Lucy â€Å"You two are into free love? † â€Å"Does she play around? † â€Å"You trust her? †, Julie thinks against love & fidelity and thinks men are useless referring to her knowledge learnt from studying Mozart’s ‘Cosi fan Tutte’. Lewis’s thoughts of love and fidelity are antithetical of his actions with Julie later in the play, to have love we must trust. Throughout Act 1 scene 3 in ‘Cosi’ Lewis Nowra canvases symbols within many factors. A large factor produced as a symbol through the whole play is the burnt out theatre which they rehearse in. This theatre is a symbol of them escaping the reality in which the patients & Lewis are as equal to each other. Society outside the asylum portrays Lewis as ‘insane’ for working with ‘mad people’. The burnt texture of the theatre is also a symbol for the patient’s reality as being excluded from reality as being excluded from reality outside the asylum â€Å"Cosi allows you a chance to do something successful at least once in your dismal life† Roy ironically says to Henry whose life if not much different to his own, but society still labels them as ‘insane’. The coffee mugs in which Ruth and Julie are to use as props in the play is a symbolic technique Nowra applied, â€Å"I can live with illusion as long as I know its illusion, but this coffee is not real, is it? † Ruth’s confusion and reality is illustrated within the coffee as being coffee cups with no coffee is also a metaphor for the patients in the mental asylum, â€Å"An illusion of reality†. Lewis Nowra not only wrote a play containing aspects such as love & fidelity & illusion vs. eality but through the use of dramatic techniques like characterization, dialogue & symbolism throughout characters such as Lewis, Julie, Roy, Lucy & Nick in act 1 scene 3 and the rest of the play, but to give the audience a broader understanding on the plays meaning, but we also question although the play was set in the 70s, this era was experimental with ‘free love’ the reality is without fidelity, love is anything but a meaning. We still hold old fashioned values about love. The aspect the audience gain from another message from Nowra’s ideas expressed throughout the text & dramatic techniques is the frequently noticeable question, are the people in the asylum really mad? When there is insanity all around us. Society labels these people as ‘insane’ when they are no different to each and every one of us, only with different desires to some. The only people who should be classified â€Å"insane† are those who classify insaneness in another.

Racial Profiling Essay

A person should not be judged due to their appearance. Today skin color makes you a suspect in America. It makes you more likely to be stopped, more likely to be searched, and more likely to be arrested and imprisoned. When police officers stop or charge a person based on their race; that’s racial profiling. Racial profiling has been occurring around the nation for years. Statistics show that if a Caucasian man and an African American man are both driving a nice car and speeding at the same time; the police officer is most likely to stop the African-American man. Not only is racial profiling wrong, but is disrespectful to minorities, and should be illegal throughout America. Racial profiling should be illegal because it causes discomfort and humiliation to many minority citizens, lack of unity in the American people, and the possibility of real criminals getting away because he is not a minority thus becoming a threat to society. Racial profiling causes a huge discomfort and humiliation to many minority citizens. New Jersey officials admitted to racial profiling on April 20, 1999. The report showed that racial profiling practices in New Jersey are not just an insight. The report recognized the targeting of African American and Latino drivers to troopers who abused their positions by ignoring the rights of minorities. Police officers don’t understand how degrading and humiliating this can be. Yes racial profiling can be used by countries to fight crimes thus giving security to its citizens, but it also causes a discomfort to minorities. Additionally, the more police continue to arrest citizens based on their race, cultural background, and religion the more we lack unity in America. When police officers offend minorities by racial profiling, it makes the country divide even more. You would think that after the civil rights movement people would become as one; however, racial profiling only makes it worse. How can we unite as a country if we can not look past the surface? Racial profiling is a great divider among the people in America; if America can not look past its differences this problem will worsen, and then America, the land of the great, will fall. Don’t ask what the police can do to make the situation better-but what can we do to help the police make the  situation better! The Possibility of real criminals getting away is becoming a threat to society because police are overlooking the fact that he or she is not a minority. If a detective is given a description that does not include the ethnicity of the suspect, they automatically search for a suspect that has the ethical background of the African American, or Hispanic decent. This happens because African-Americans and Hispanics are known for causing the most crimes, which is why we need to stop the racial profiling. With that being said, this inevitably disregards all the possible suspects who are not of the minority decent. Even though racial profiling is used by police to narrow down their search for the possible suspects, minority citizens become more intensified with the fact that they are the ones being targeted and accused for such crimes that they did not commit. To conclude, racial profiling is a conflict all around America. We as citizens in America need to our best to stop racial profiling; I reiterate we need to try our best to stop racial profiling! I heard this quote once â€Å"United we stand, but divided we fall.† This quote should urge you to want to put an end to racial profiling. Racial profiling is something that may never stop in America. It is wrong and unjust. Still, it is something worth fighting for, for the many who suffer because of the problem and for this country in general. Everyone has different opinions on Racial Profiling, some people say there are benefits or others have negative impacts on racial profiling.

Role of African Americans in Film Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Role of African Americans in Film - Essay Example As a concluding point this paper will postulate a solution to potentially improve the racial sensitivity of films produced in the future. Without question, Hollywood films have portrayed a number of stereotypes of minorities since the dawn of the motion picture. According to arguments presented by Turner (2011) it is even the case that modern films that focus on addressing racism in America are often are by their nature inherently racist. Turner cited the example of the 2011 film 'The Help' which is based on a novel which was written by a white woman who many commentators believe is incapable of telling such a sensitive story. The very idea of a white person telling the story of black oppression in the American south wherein the stories protagonist is also white could be considered insensitive. In regards to what some of the most common assumptions that Hollywood makes as well as what part minorities play in films, one could argue that there are a wide spectrum of different stereotyp es that have been portrayed over a long period of time. A) Firstly one could make the argument that in some of the earliest motion pictures such as D.W. Griffith 1915 film Birth of a Nation the blacks in the film were portrayed as being incompetent, drunkards who were obsessed with white women.

Stress and coping Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Stress and coping - Essay Example Again sometimes certain happy occasions are considered â€Å"stressful†. For instance the birth of a child, moving to a new house, or promotion in the workplace may prove to be stressful. This may be because one is not prepared to deal with such events. Stress is personal and there are different forms and levels of stress. How one copes with stress varies from individual to individual. Each individual looks at a situation differently and hence copes with it differently. Often people react to situations with fear and anxiety, all signs of stress, because these situations had caused stress in the past. For instance a student who has failed in an examination may feel stressful the next time he takes an examination. Every individual exhibits different coping skills. Hence two persons will not respond to a situation in exactly the same way. If a person responds to stress in a negative way it may affect health and happiness. By understanding the stress inducing situation and responding accordingly one can handle stress effectively. Today in the modern world life is full of demands, worries and frustration, all causing a certain amount of stress. Stress has almost become a way of life. Stress per se is not bad. In small amounts it may motivate you and help you to perform better. But when a person is constantly under stress it may affect his mind and body. According to Hawkins (1994), â€Å"†¦too much or too little stress can have deleterious effects on performance with resultant effects on the health of the individual and the organization.† Again, the impact of stress on health depends on our perception of the event that causes stress and how we react to the situation. Sometimes an event may motivate or even energize us. For instance events such as taking a vacation or winning a game may energize you. Sometimes we may perceive an event as stressful and react to it in a way that can have a negative effect on our mental and physical health.

Empress elizabeth Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Empress elizabeth - Essay Example At her tender age, German had a significant influence on Russian economic and political development, which she did not welcome. As such, in 1941, she organized a coup that led to the collapse of the emperor of the time, and capture of the emperor family members, which was a major boost to the Russian economic development transition. By then, Russia was independent from its neighbouring countries based on its treaties. According to Madariaga, â€Å"the  conditions  laid  down  by  treaty  when  the  Baltic  provinces  were  first  annexed  by  Russia  in  1712,  Livonia  and  Estonia  were  allowed  to  maintain  their  own  form  of  administration,  social  structure,  religion  and  language† (8). Since her approach to governance was very different from that of the previous governance, many changes were necessary. As such, when she got to power, she obliterated the cabinet system of governance and replaced it with the senate system. To her, the senate system effectively addressed the needs of a majority of the population and thus was more appealing. Moreover, the previous system of governance had failed to realize good results. ... This is because it empowers the citizens with knowledge to make sound decision on various aspects of life, they encounter. In her part, Elizabeth played a major role in improving the literacy level in Russia. Due to her interest in education, she led to the establishment of the first Russian university. This ensured that people who held various positions had a chance to sharpen their skills and thus improve their efficiency in management. In addition, Elizabeth saw the establishment of the academy of art, which was an investment to the Russian economy, and was facilitated by her extensive interaction with foreign policy. The foreign policy was reinforced by Catherine, her successor. According to Madariaga, â€Å"The  basic  orientation  of  her  foreign  policy  was  laid  down  in  the  treaty  of  alliance  with  Austria  in  1726,  while  friendly  relations  were  maintained  with  Britain  and  Denmark† (11). The acade my of art enhanced art skills and thus provided an avenue for the creation of revenue, for both the citizens and government. This saw Russian became a power hub in the European region and thus gained recognition from other well-established nations of the time. According to Madariaga, â€Å"As  a  result  of  the  union  between  the  Empress  Elizabeth  of  Russia  and  the  Empress   Maria  Theresia  of  Austria  in  1746,  Russia  became  one  of  the  leading  powers  in  the  so ­called  diplomatic  revolution  of  1756,  the  change ­over  from  the  traditional  hostility  between  France  and  Austria  to  an  alliance  between  the  two  countries,  supported  by  Russia,  with  the  aim  of  defeating  and  partitioning  Prussia† (12) Significant economic and political success was realized during the

Knowledge of Organizational Communication Concepts and Skills Essay - 1

Knowledge of Organizational Communication Concepts and Skills - Essay Example This paper presents an analysis of each communication concepts and provides suggestions to implement it in the organization. Active listening is a very important part of communication structure. In order to build an effective business communication structure there is need to improve listening skill. This section outlines the importance of active listening and suggests ways to improve this skill. Both speaking and listening are very important part of verbal communication. Without a doubt, in any firm (small, medium or large), listening plays a significant role in effective working associations and communications among employees and between staff and administration. In the same way, this skill is also important in communicating with business customers and other organizations. The importance of listening cannot be underestimated if a business really wants to survive in this ever-increasing competitive world. In fact, listening has the power to make or break someone’s success in management, or customer relationships. Hence, improving listening skills means increasing the chances of business success (Hatter, 2013; Kati, 2011; More-For-Small-Business, 2012; Tingum, 2013). In addition, there are many important tips that can be used to improve listening skills. However, the first rule is to pay the speakers full attention and try to keep eye contact. In this scenario, the speaker can be a colleague, an employee, customer or management. Additionally, when they have completed this process, put another way their words and confirm whether you understand them in the approved manner. If you have any confusion then keep continue asking questions to increase understanding of their speech. Actually, listening cautiously while someone speaks to you can improve the quality of business communication. However, in order to improve listening power there is a need for effective concentration, which can only be attained with endeavor and practice. Without a

Homeland security Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 3

Homeland security - Assignment Example By increasing the strictness of immigration policies and not allowing immigrants to enter the United States the terrorist plots can be foiled. This is because most of these plots are created by immigrant populations who enter the United States with the aim of harming the nation. By implementing these policies terrorist such as Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev who were immigrants in United States and planned the bombings that took place in Boston can be stopped from entering the nation (Abad-Santos, 2013). Another step that can be taken by the United States is that it needs to relax its firearm ownership laws and provide law abiding citizens with guns so they can protect the nation on their own. It has been proven that strict laws regarding ownership of guns cannot stop terrorist attacks. This is quite evident in the terror attack that was conducted in France when terrorist attacked Charlie Hebdo (Taylor, 2015). Furthermore the United States need to monitor as well as control the terror ists easy access to bomb making technologies and devices. In the Boston Bombings the terrorist used easily accessible materials for developing the bombs (Boesveld, 2013). By making it difficult for terrorists to access such materials, United States can easily avert future terrorist attacks. Abad-Santos, A. (2013). Who Is Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the Man at the Center of the Boston Manhunt?. The Wire. Retrieved 26 February 2015, from http://www.thewire.com/national/2013/04/who-is-dzhokhar-tsarnaev-boston/64382/ Boesveld, S. (2013). Pressure cooker bombs seized in B.C. used in Boston Marathon, Mumbai train attacks. National Post. Retrieved 26 February 2015, from http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/07/02/pressure-cooker-bombs-seized-in-b-c-used-in-boston-marathan-mumbai-train-attacks/ Taylor, A. (2015). France has strict gun laws. Why didn’t that save Charlie Hebdo

Poor Drug Compliance and Education to Asthma Patients Essay

Poor Drug Compliance and Education to Asthma Patients - Essay Example Unintentional non-compliance results when the patient lacks understanding on doctor’s prescription due to factors such as illiteracy, language barrier, or forgetfulness. Intentional non-compliance results due to patient’s choice to ignore the medication for personal reasons or fear of side effects of the drugs. Heath care teams such as nurses and doctors can play a major role in enhancing medical adherence. This can be through reviewing the compliance of patients to the medications, identifying, and dealing with the reasons behind patient’s noncompliance. Background Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease, which is triggered by allergens such as tobacco smoke, rapid weather changes, and infections. Asthma is characterized by attacks of inflammation and narrowing of small airways when asthmatic persons are exposed to the trigger factors. Asthma attacks can be mild or life threatening. Asthma symptoms include shortness of breath, wheezing or panting, chest pain, as well as coughing (Axelsson & Lotvall, 2012). Good compliance with medical regimes is a main factor to prevent these symptoms. There is no cure for asthma, but there are medicine used for Asthma management that enables patients live a normal life. There are several medications options and guidelines to treat asthma and help to diagnose and manage the chronic disease that has been established (McDonald, 2002).  Management entails reducing exposure to allergens or asthma triggers and use of medications prescribed by physician. Medications can be either quick relief, which are used in treating acute signs while long-term medications are used to control aggravation of the condition. The drugs are administered as metered-dose inhales but are sometimes available as dry powder taken by inhalation. These drugs have side effects such as mild regressions. For emergency attacks, other options such as magnesium sulphate and heliox are used (Barnes, Peter, & Godfrey, 2000). Literature Research Strategy Review on asthma drug noncompliance is significant since there has been increase in the number of noncompliant asthma patients. This has hindered realization of the benefits of using asthma drugs. It is thus important to understand the reasons behind the noncompliance as well as the importance of educating asthma patients on the importance of adhering to prescriptions (McDonald, 2002). Information on the level of drug noncompliance can be published in Cinahl, ProQuest, Medline, and Cochrane databases of systematic reviews. Medline has a simplified index on its journals thus this review would be more widely available if published in any of the Medline Journals such as the journal of American Medical Association. This is because the websites deal with medical related journals such as diseases. The searching keys words that can be used to find information on asthma include respiratory disease, Asthma, inhalation drug therapy, drug compliance, patient education. Information on asthma can also be obtained from online websites.  Coming up with a review entails finding details on the level of noncompliance, reasons behind noncompliance and how the issue can be resolved (Barnes, Peter, & Godfrey, 2000). Interventions to Reduce Drug Noncompliance The issue of drug non-compliance among asthma patients is very common and requires to be addressed. The issue should be published to help reveal the reasons why most asthma patients do not comply to doctors prescriptions.

Coping Strategies for Drought in Developing Countries Essay

Coping Strategies for Drought in Developing Countries - Essay Example These strategies include;- According to Bhattacharyya, (2004, p.5), market-assisted selection has been successfully used in terms of agriculture for several years. By involvingselection of a trait that measured with accuracy to establish a linkage with certain specific molecular markers and choosing the kind of specific markers required for use in genotyping, the perfect type of crop is produced. Studies have shown that timing of drought has a significant effect on the yield and rain fed conditions in semi-arid tropic areas. Moreover, Bhattacharyya, (2004, p.5) noted that, division of drought in regard to time (flowering, pre-flowering and terminal drought), including its effects on the yield of components, highlights complexity of breeding in crops that are crop resistance. Plant technology has a good track-record of providing farmers with benefits in developing countries. In reference to Leary (2008, p.154), even though most current genetically modified crops are developed by private in most industrialized countries, 90% of the farmers who use them are actually in the developing countries.Genetically modified crops have increased tolerance to abiotic strains, where genes that are responsible for the osmotic adjustment have been successfully introduced to sorghum especially in India. Similar work has also been initiated on green gram and black gram (Merriman (1993, p.106).the process of genetic mutation is like in the following diagram: Another option of introducing drought tolerance is the use of tissue culture and wide crossing methods, for example cross roughing the tolerant pearl millet crop with another high yielding species of a cereal crop with an aim of creating new drought tolerant and high-yielding hybrid species.According to studies conducted by (Jamal2007, p.24), there has been a major success in a similar strategy that involves creating a new rye/wheat hybrid species of triticale.Mutation breeding is

People v Ceballos Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

People v Ceballos - Research Paper Example Thus, he set up a gun trap and unfortunately it killed a neighborhood kid who tried to gain entry. The defendant wanted to prove that the physical evidence he discovered about somebody breaking into his garage could be life threatening. Thus, in order to ward off probable mishaps on his part, it was his justification to protect himself beforehand by setting up a gun to substantially provide him a certain level of security. In the first place, it would be much harder on his part to defend himself, if things might be too late, and especially he did not have any idea on the whole motive or intention of the culprit. Describe how justification and excuse play a role in the case. As stated, the defendant used the defense of justification on the crime he committed against a neighborhood child. As the defendant wanted to justify that he did not commit any crime, but a self-defense instead, defense is very crucial in his case. In as much as possible, the defendant should give substantial or m eaningful justifications in order to maximize its defense. The defendant’s excuse is very important in this case. For example, its excuse could be the basis if it could be essentially covered under the ruling of the law regarding the defense of justification. ... In the case of People v Ceballos case, the defendant was not at home when the incident happened. Thus, under technical definition of the proper use of self-defense in the law, what the defendant initiated as a way to protect himself was unacceptable. He was not at home when the assault happened, and so there was no need to apply self-defense at some point. Tennessee v Garner Explain the nature and types of defenses used in the case and what evidence was used to demonstrate the defense. In the case of Tennessee v Garner, the police officers tried to defend themselves by telling the court they have substantial probable cause to believe that the suspect’s escape could further cause potential harm to others (Casebriefs LLC, 2012). They used the required standard operating procedure, prior to the use of force, a gun that ended up the life of a suspected felon as a final resort. The evidence presented by the officers could prove that they were summoned to arrest a suspected felon. T he man did not have any weapon so the police officers commanded him to stop. However, the culprit wanted to escape so the police officers pulled the trigger of the gun, and killed the suspected felon. This case was between the Tennessee police officers and the Garner, the late suspected felon’s family. Describe how justification and excuse play a role in the case. The Tennessee v Garner case is very important because the issue behind it includes whether law enforcement officials have the right to use deadly force in order to prevent unarmed culprit or suspect from escaping (Casebriefs LLC, 2012). Justification is indeed important in this issue in order to fit it within the rule of law: if suspect poses threat of serious

Patton-Fuller Network Design Project Essay Example for Free

Patton-Fuller Network Design Project Essay This project focuses on designing an integrated network for the Patton-Fuller Community Hospital. The first section of the paper describes the characteristics and components of the current network as well as the standards that coincide with the project. Lastly, the paper also evaluates the current network topology. The hospital has a power backup unit designed to automatically use auxiliary power from a diesel generator. Each department also has its own uninterruptible power supply. The topographical network design shows that of a centralized design. This system has benefits with no need for an operating system stored locally. Thus improving the performance because the OS and user applications are already running on the servers, however it also increases the risk if the mainframe suddenly lost power it will affect all terminals. Distributed networks have much less risk of power outages because if one component in the network fails the others will still have functionality. On the other hand they require OS and software installed on individual computers which require additional hardware to store it, which can take more time to maintain and update. The network bridge is a critical component in this network that passes information locally throughout the network. Doctors can be authorized in a virtual private network (VPN) from a router linked to the remote access server (RAS) that permits them access to the servers from their home. For email functions the network has a Windows Exchange server running on an IBM x3250 series. Workstations in doctor’s offices and nurses have iMac clients on fiber cables. The senior managers in human resources, operations, and finance have virtual operating systems with both Mac OSX (Leopard) and Windows XP. The hospitals current network architecture comprises of a network bridge joining  the administrative and clinical areas. All administrative functions have lines contained in a trunk using Cat 6. The executive departments have Apple desktop systems with Wi-Fi cards installed. The hospital central mainframe is an IBM series Z9EC featuring a database storing patient records and with a fiber connection to a 10 terabyte NAS. Clinical departments have another trunk line on a single mode fiber optic line. (Virtual Organizations Portal, 2011) As part of HIPAA, which is meant to protect patient information in attempts of data breaches. This information is stored in encrypted data files using AES (advanced encryption standard). Access is permitted through identification and authentication of any user the requests this information. Standards are important in networking because all networking devices must have the same rules for communication to prevent a loss of data. Networks can have several levels of scope, local area networks (LAN) are a group of devices connected by Ethernet cables and are limited to the same building with a range of 300 feet. Wide area networks (WAN) are networks built in cities, usually for institutions. Wireless networks have the same scope as LANs do, but use radio signals as communication between a router or wireless modem and any number of wireless devices. A WLAN will require a wireless standard in typically 802.11n or ac. In the installation of a WAN an X.25 standard using a leased line will be adequate for a connection between other hospital locations. (International Business Machines [IBM], n.d.). Voice over internet protocol (VoIP) is a telephone network that utilizes the Internet to send voice signals. Unlike the public switched telephone networks that require extra hardware when placing calls in other countries, VoIP send data packets to the phone. Which is the same as how a webpage is loaded in a browser (Nunn, McGuire, Crowe, 2009) In summary, this paper discussed characteristics and components in Patton-Fuller’s network and its topographical design. Finally, standards that are relevant to this project were analyzed. References International Business Machines. (n.d.). Wide area network standards: X.25 networks. Retrieved from http://www-01.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/ssw_ibm_i_61/rzajt/rzajtx25con.htm Nunn, L., McGuire, B., Crowe, B. (2009, Forth Quarter). Measuring the benefits of voice over internet protocol. The Review of Business Information

Literature Review of the Industrial Wireless

Literature Review of the Industrial Wireless Industrial wireless infrastructure goes beyond a hand full of WSN in the field sending back information to a localised host system, the broader picture of a truly industrial wireless infrastructure envisages a system where the entire oil and gas facility is integrated wirelessly and all arms of the organisation can wirelessly access data from approved wireless devices from any location in the world. This provides a wireless platform for more efficient management, operation and maintenance of the oil and gas facility. This review focuses on WSN in the oil and gas industry, WSN resides in level zero of the ISA 95.01 hierarchy model. The oil and gas industry have utilised WSN for a number of years, up until the release of industry specific wireless technologies i.e. Wireless HART and ISA 100.11a, all of the oil and gas WSN install base were based on vendor proprietary technology, as a result there several operability issues with other vendors device and host systems [13]. Oil and gas facility operators and maintenance teams found themselves requiring multiple vendor devices and systems to meet the process application needs, resulting in high maintenance and operational costs defeating the purpose for having WSNs. The vast majority of the first generation WSN were based on basic office wireless technologies, as a result the first generation WSN where plagued with a number of issues namely; signal reliability, power usage, device processing capabilities, coverage area, suitability for use in hazardous areas, security and data latency issues. All these issues were a cause of major concern in the oil and gas industry towards the deployment of WSN. [14] Communication in the oil and gas industry demands the selected technology provides high availability, reliability, can coexistence with other networks on the plant, conform to an international standard, can operate in hazardous area, can transmit data in real time, is easily interoperable and is secure to outside intrusion and is cost effective [25]. All these requirements plus the ever changing RF environment and high levels electromagnetic noise from heavy duty machinery on an oil and gas facility has made it difficult over the years for WSN to prove successful and be considered the norm when considering communication technologies. The release of process industry specific WSN technologies like WirelessHART and ISA 100.11a, has significantly increased the interest in WSN in the oil and gas industry, it is estimated that investment in wireless infrastructure in the oil and gas industry will more than double from 1.2 million devices to over 3 million device between 2009 to 2015 [30]. With the advances in WSN technology, the potential of WSN to deliver a reduced CAPEX and OPEX cost savings, and possible health and safety and environmental benefits [25], is proving too attractive to be overlooked by oil and gas industry looking to reduce cost and improve plant safety. WSN are primarily based on the IEEE 802.15 family of technologies, which are designated as WPAN, WPAN typically consist of low data rates and a short coverage area [17]. WSN utilise a range of frequencies in the ISM band of frequencies i.e. 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz, these frequencies propagate through office cubicles, drywall, wood and other materials found in homes and offices but tend to bounce of large object like steel and concrete. Due to the high density of steel structures in an oil and gas facility, the first generation of WSN where plague by signal echo or multi path fading , high levels of signal echo and multipath fading lead to transmissions been cancelled [14]. Some of the wireless technologies used in Industrial applications include; Bluetooth, ZigBee, WirelessHART, ISA 100.11a etc. IEEE 802.15.1 AKA Bluetooth is a short range radio technology which operates in 2.4 GHz ISM frequency band; it was first introduced by the telecom vendor Ericsson in 1994 as a wireless alternative for RS232 communication [18]. Bluetooth is relatively low-power, low-rate wireless network technology, intended for point-to-point communications [19]. Bluetooth operates with three different classes of devices namely Class 1 devices which have a range of about 100meters, class 2 devices which have a range of about 10 meters, and class 3 devices with a range of 1m [20]. Bluetooth operates based on the features of Adaptive Frequency Hopping (AFH) and Forward Error Correction (FEC), AFH detects the potential for channel interference and blacklists channels found to have interference, to handle temporary interference the scheme re-tries the blacklisted channels and if the interference is no longer present channel can be used [31]. For security and authentication purposes an acknowledgement is sent by the receiver to the transmitter before a connection can be made between devices, Bluetooth also uses FHSS which adds an inherent level of security, the hop sequence switches channels 1,600 times per second making capturing a single hop extremely difficult. Data transmitted using Bluetooth is encoded before transmission increasing the security of the transmission also password protection ensures only devices with identical passwords can participate on the network. Bluetooth also utilises a controlled device pairing process to determine which products can co mmunicate, making devices invincible so they cannot be discovered by other devices [22]. Bluetooth is limited to eight devices per network and also has a limitation on the packet sizes [21]. This limitation in the number of device per network makes the Bluetooth technology an impractical solution for WSN in the Oil and gas industry. Typically the quantity of nodes in an oil and gas application would be in the hundreds which would mean have several Bluetooth networks on the facility. ZigBee is based on the IEEE 802.15.4 and originally developed for home automation. It is a low-cost, low-power, short range, wireless, mesh network technology which operates in the 2.4 GHz ISM band and uses DSSS modulation. All nodes in a ZigBee network share the same channel and frequency hopping is not permitted, at start-up of a ZigBee network scans are carried to establish a channel with little or no interference, this channel is then used for its data transmission [23]. A ZigBee network is capable of supporting hundreds of devices, the network architecture can be star, tree or mesh topologies. The technology uses three different types of devices namely ZigBee end devices, ZigBee router and a ZigBee coordinator. ZigBee supports both non beacon and beacon enabled networks, non-beacon networks are allowed to transmit any time that the radio channel is open and idle. This creates a ‘free-for-all’ environment in which collisions occur regularly when two or more devices try to transmit at the same time. In this mode, the co-ordinator and routers must be active at all times, and so it is best suited to mains powered devices [24]. A beacon enabled network can transmit only in its designated time slot; this regulates transmissions making collisions less likely. All nodes in the network are expected to synchronize their on-board clocks to this frame. Each node is allocated a specific time-slot within this super-frame during which it, and only it, is allowed to transmit and receive its data [24]. ZigBee utilizes the security mechanisms defined by IEEE 802.15.4, it using counter with cipher block chaining message authentication code (CCM) and AES-128 encryption, giving the option to use encryption-only or integrity-only [23]. The technology permits the use of three keys namely Network key, Link key and Master key. To join the network the master key is required, for end-to-end data encryption the link key is required and provides the highest level of security, the network key is shared between all devices on the network and provides a lower level of security [23]. ZigBee networks offer no diversity in frequency since the whole network shares a single static channel, this makes the network highly susceptible to signal jamming. Frequency selective fading due to the high density of concrete and steel structures present in an oil and gas facility is also a major concern as this can stop all ZigBee communication. The use of a single static channel increases the chance of interference from other systems and increases delay as the network size grows. In non-beacon enabled networks collisions forces retransmissions and this increase latency time making the technology unsuitable for critical monitor or control applications [23]. ZigBee has existed for some time now and has been updated a number of times to improve features like reliability, latency and security which are of uttermost importance but ZigBee has still not been able to cope with the stringent requirements needed for reliable and secure data transmission on an oil and gas facility. Wireless HART is one of only two released open wireless technology specific for process measurement and control applications [25]. It is modelled on the OSI model with its physical layer bases on the IEEE 802.15.4 for low rate WPAN, it operates in the 2.4 GHz ISM frequency band. The application layer is based on the oil and gas industry wide accepted HART protocol. The technology was released in 2007, and was developed on a set of fundamental requirements namely: it must be easy to use and deploy, it should be a self- organising and self- healing network and it should be scalable, reliable and secure [23]. Wireless HART employs TDMA where all devices on the network are time synchronised and communicate in a prescheduled 10ms fixed time slot, this reduces data collision on the network and also reduces the power consumption of network devices [23]. The Wireless HART network is made up of different devices which include field devices, network gateways which include network and security managers. Field devices are organized in either mesh or star topology with the gateway acting as a bridge between the field device network and the host system [20]. Mechanisms like DSSS, FHSS, CSMA/CA, channel hopping, channel black listing are adopted by the technology to improve coexistence with other wireless networks in the environs. WirelessHART adopts two routing mechanisms to ensure data reliability and availability these routing mechanisms are called graph and source routing. During graph routing the network manager establishes the different routes which form the graph, each device on the network stores these routes and uses the predefined routes to identify the next device to forward data to during data transmission. During source routing a definitive list of the devices from the source device through to the destination which the data is to be routed is included the data packet header [20]. Graph routing gives the WirelessHART the ability to self-heal if predetermined routes on the graph is unavailable an alternate route can be taken. WirelessHART adopts a mandatory security requirement, both the sending device and receiving device uses counter with cipher block chaining message authentication code (CCM) together with AES-128 as the underlining encryption methods. Session keys, joint keys and network keys ar e generated by the security manager and network manager to prevent intrusion and attacks against the network [23]. WirelessHART since its release has proven to be a reliable technology, it is well researched in both the academic and industrial fields with reputable instrumentation suppliers investing heavily the production and continued research and development of devices operating on the technology. The features and capabilities of the technology are addressed in more detail in section 4.1 of this report. ISA100.11a is the second of the two open wireless technology’s specific for process measurement and control applications, ISA 100.11a is a Low data rate wireless mesh network technology operating in the 2.4 GHz ISM frequency band, it is modelled on the OSI model and adopts IEEE 802. 15.4 as its Physical layer. The technology was released in 2009 and is suitable for process applications where delays of up to 100ms can be tolerated [27]. ISA 100.11a technology aims to deliver Low energy consumption devices, easy scalable networks, interoperability with legacy infrastructure and applications, a secure and robust wireless network which is capable of coexisting with other wireless devices in the industrial work space [29]. An ISA-100.11a network is made up of non-routing and routing field devices, a system manager, a security manager, backbone routers and gateways. Non-routing devices are the field sensors / actuators, while routing devices could also act as field sensor/actuator or a router. Routing devices are important in the mesh network, data is transmitted from the source to the destination through a number of hops, with the routers responsible for routing the data to the right destination. They can also use alternative paths to improve reliability similar to WirelessHART network. Data packets are routed from one subnet over the backbone network to its destination, the backbone router is responsible for this routing function, the routing destination can be another subnet or the gateway. Thegatewayis the physical interface between the field network and the plant host network. The system manager is responsible for the administrative functions and communication configuration of the network [29]. ISA 100.11a supports frequency hopping and channel blacklisting, this eliminates faulty frequency bands and improves robustness against interference. The technology also uses DSSS modulation technique which divides the signal into small fragments and spreads it over the available frequency channels, this disguises the signal making it appear as noise to the other wireless technologies with in the range as a result overcoming interference and increasing communication reliability [28]. ISA.100.11a is a very robust technology, in addition to DSSS, the technology utilises three different diversity techniques, namely space diversity, frequency diversity and time diversity [28]. ISA100.11a utilises integrity checks and optional encryption to guarantee the security of the network, the technology also utilises AES-128 bits, message authentication and encryption codes. In addition to this a shared global key, a private symmetric key or certificate are required in order a for a sensor node to be permitted to join an ISA100.11a network [28]. The technology provides a synchronizing sampling mechanism, this mechanism provides reduction of reporting rates and transmissions can be configured to take place when the rate of change of the measured data exceeds a certain defined threshold. Adaptive transmission power control is also adopted by ISA 100.11a devices, this provides field devices the ability to dynamically select a transmit power level, thereby optimizing the power used by the device. Finally the routing capability of field devices can be turned on or off depending on the location of a device here by reducing the power demands of the device to suit the design requirements [28]. The application layer of ISA 100.11a is flexible and has tunnelling capabilities, this permits the user to maintain compatibility with oil and gas facility legacy protocols like Fieldbus Foundation, HART, Profibus, Modbus, and others [29]. ISA.100.11a adopts 6LoWPAN protocol for its network and transport layers, this offers interoperability with internet based hosts and sensor nodes in other WSN networks with IPv6 compatibility [20]. ISA 100.11a has proven to be a reliable WSN in the oil and gas industry, monitoring and alerting, asset management, predictive maintenance, condition monitoring are the application areas which have specific requirements and performance characteristics that can be covered by ISA.100.11a technology. ZigBee and Bluetooth are some of the technologies which have not really been accepted by the oil and gas industry as a means of wireless communication for process monitoring due to some shortfalls such as, ZigBee cannot provide the required QoS support for handling latency and message flow determinism required by industrial applications, ZigBee only utilizes DSSS hence its performance can easily degrade in case of continuous noise in the environs. Bluetooth on the other hand, isn’t sufficiently scalable to handle the vast number of measuring points on an oil and gas facility. However, WirelessHART and ISA100.11a technologies have been adopted for industrial applications due to their ability to deterministic data transmission, reliability, security, reduced data latency and low-cost features. WirelessHART does not support multiple protocols as ISA100.11a does, the transmission of HART messages are the only information specified and supported by WirelessHART while ISA 100.11a support most of the oil and gas legacy communication protocols like Foundation fieldbus, MODBUS, Profibus, HART etc. [28]. The extreme environments experienced on an oil and gas facility i.e. high temperatures, high level of EMI, large steel and concrete structures and constant movement of heavy machinery makes wireless communication highly unreliable in this environment. The release of industry specific technologies i.e. Wireless HART and ISA 100.11a has somewhat addressed the concerns over reliability, security, signal latency of a WSN, compliancy to the standards by wireless device vendors has also lead to operability across multiple vendor devices. Confidence has grown in the use of WSN since the release of industry specific technologies with a hand full of vendors and end users championing the way on WSN. The install base of WSN is continually increasing and this will aid the industry gain a better understand the technology. Till date majority of the install base are on purely monitoring only points due to latency concerns with WSN, further academic and industry based research is required in the use of WSN for fast acting closed loop control and safety critical applications with the aim resolving the latency issues associated with WSN.

Estimating And Pre Contracts Quantity Surveying Construction Essay

Estimating And Pre Contracts Quantity Surveying Construction Essay The most important stage of any project is Estimating and Pre-Contracts Quantity Surveying. Care has to be taken at this stage, to produce a more accurate and realistic cost of the project so that the client is in knowledge of the financial requirement with no major surprises, for successful completion of project within the budget. Construction projects are always out of budget and delayed completion date. The two main reasons are either a wrong assessment of the cost and duration for the completion of the project or the client is being deliberately presented with a reduced budget and a tight schedule for completion of project. However the most common reason is the combination of the cost and time estimates and the latter being used by most consultants / architects to convince the clients to go ahead with the project. The reduced budget and the tight time schedule is sometimes way away from the actual, which is the main reason for the collapse of the client. One of the bitter experience is with the Dubai Government Roads and Transport Authority being provided with a Cost Estimate of about 4.25 billion dollars (15.5 billion dirhams) for the Dubai Metro Rail Project, which went over budget and crossed time limit while crossing 7.67 billion dollars (28 billion dirhams) expenditure with still part of the network stations being incomplete. As per RTA there were four reasons of the increase, first the project was extended by 4.5 km, secondly adding a station with few more kilometres of the rail, thirdly adding two more stations on the Red Line and lastly the changing of the interior of the stations drastically and including footbridges. Also to the fact that in my career of 10 years in Dubai, I have noticed only one project completed within the budget and within the allotted tight time period. The project was executed with good management and proper allocation of resources to achieve the completion within a short period of time. However it is not fair to put the blame on Pre-Contracts procedure deciding the major part of the fate of the construction project. ABSTRACT The PCQS has to submit various documents according to the various stages in Pre-Contracts. The various areas to be considered in the Pre-Contracts Quantity Surveying stage are as following 1) Selection of team. 2) Collection of historical data. 3) Identifying key personals specialised in particular field to co-ordinate. 4) Incorporating inputs from various departments heads. 5) Defining and implementing practically a clear quality check procedure. 6) Following the various steps according to the stage of the document submittal. 7) Team leader to identify and distribute the work to the responsible personnel. 8) Quality Management, especially during the end of the submission date. 9) Preparing a more realistic cost estimate. 10) Back-checking by comparing the Engineers Estimate and the realistic tender opened. 11) Client can make the consultant responsible by asking to provide backups for the quantities and rates. 12) Including feedback and data provided from ongoing projects by Post Contract Quantity Surveyor. 13) Preparing of BOQ for Remaining Works of a contract after the termination of the Main Contractor. 14) Making the Consultant responsible for cost estimates provided to clients, to avoid huge variation. 15) Quantity Surveyors to be fast and accurate in dealing with Notice to Tenderers. To learn good lessons and avoid future loss to the members of the construction industry, some case studies are being provided. ESTIMATION AND PRE-CONTRACTS QUANTITY SURVEYING The Pre-Contracts stage needs a very good Quantity Surveyor having a wide range of experience with skills to manage the calculations with the available software and most importantly the historic data available in the organisation for using it as a base in Estimating. The normal procedure in the pre-contracts estimating is preparing the estimate during the Preliminary Study, Preliminary Design, Final Design and Tender Design. For repetitive or similar projects, for which the organisation has good sound recent historic data, the difference between all the stage estimates shall be very less, provided there is no drastic change in the scope of the work. The Quantity Surveyor shall prepare and keep standard rates derived from historic data and keep as common. It is better that the person preparing the estimates, derives the standard rates himself, so that he is in knowledge of those items which are lumped into some unit rates or for those items whose cost to be separately calculated if possible, or just allow some percentage in the contingencies or any other line item. As the stage progresses the quantities and items becomes well defined and then only applying appropriate unit rates becomes a key factor. But at each and every stage the Quantity Surveyor using any assumption shall keep records for any future justification of all the estimates even until the start of the project. The various stages of Pre-Contracts document submittal with approximate time frame is mentioned below: Stage 1 Preliminary study One page estimate prepared by PCQS to be included by the Project Manager in is study report. Stage 2 Preliminary Design (After approximately one month from stage 1) Volume 1 Tender and Contract Conditions Sample copy from previous project Volume 2 Specifications Sample copy relevant to the project Volume 3 BOQ Sample copy with item description and without quantities, relevant to the project Volume 4 Drawings Relevant to the project, including standard drawings relevant to the project Preliminary Design Cost Estimate One page estimate of the project Stage 3 Final Design Document (After approximately one month from stage 2) Volume 1 Tender and Contract Conditions With all details relevant to the project Volume 2 Specifications Only relevant to this project Volume 3 BOQ Actual items and quantities from drawings of this project Volume 4 Drawings Relevant to the project only Stage 4 Final Design Cost Estimate (On the 7th day from stage 3) Final Design Cost Estimate Detailed cost estimate with quantities from drawings and current market rates. Stage 5 Tender Design Document (After approximately one month from stage 3) Volume 1, 2, 3 4 Tender and Contract Conditions Same as in stage 3 with incorporation of corrections and changes. Stage 6 Notice to Tenderers (After the floating of Tender documents to the bidders and not after 10 days before Tender opening date) It consists of a report stating the changes in all or any of the Volumes and the new pages. Stage 7 Engineers Estimate (On the day of Tender opening date, after all Bid documents are opened and is submitted to the Client separately) It consists of a detailed cost estimate with quantities from drawings and current market rates, after incorporating all NTTs. Stage 8 Tender Analysis (On the 14th day after stage 7) The PCQS has to prepare an analysis report of the bid documents submitted and compare it with Engineers Estimate. Stage 9 Contract Documents (After stage 8 and finalization of the successful bidder to award the contract) The PCQS has to compile all the documents of Volumes 1, 2, 3 4 submitted by the bidder and check if all the NTTs are incorporated and include if any missing. He has to also include any post tender correspondence and changes as agreed. This document is sent to the Contractor for him to check and sign. This signed document is then signed by the Client and thus the Contract is formed. One copy of this signed document goes to the Post Contracts section, with which the responsibility of the PCQS is completed. Below are the various formats used in Pre-Contracts Documents: The software required is very nominal such as MS Word and MS Excel for preparing documents. And for calculating quantities MS Excel is most powerful which can be used along with Autocad, Microstation and Geopak. The Preliminary Study and Preliminary Design BOQ, consists of sample BOQ items with nil quantities as shown below: Figure 1 The Final Design BOQ and Tender Design BOQ consists of actual work items with quantities calculated from drawings as shown below: Figure 2 Preliminary Study and Preliminary Design Cost Estimate format is as given below: Figure 3 Final Design Estimate and Tender Design Estimate is a detailed estimate with work items, quantities and rates, as given below: Figure 4 A sample page of the Tender Analysis is shown below, which compares the rates and amounts quoted by three contractors. It also calculates the minimum, average and maximum rates of all the contractors: Figure 5 The index of the Volume 1 Tender and Contract Conditions is shown below: Figure 6 A sample of the unit rate calculation sheet is shown below: Figure 7 PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF PRE-CONTRACTS QUANTITY SURVEYING The study is fine tuned to Infrastructure projects like Roads and Bridges and using FIDIC contract conditions and CESMM3 method of measurement. The following are important areas to be considered in Pre-Contracts stage. 1) Selection of team depending on the project and client : This is the job of the person in-charge of the QS team to select the particular QSs who shall be able to deliver the required project with accuracy and in time. If the project is more specialised and unique then the key QSs shall have a better engineering background and innovative skills to deal with issues which comes up during the preparation of BOQ and estimate. However some portion of the work shall be similar to routine work, which can be done by other QSs. Thus within the team roles and responsibilities shall be divided as per calibre and capacity of doing the job. The most important aspect is of communication, i.e. each and every person of the team shall be communicated of any changes and share new information received from other departments or client. 2) Collection of historical data from similar kind of projects : The various stages of estimates are Preliminary Study, Preliminary Design, Final Design and Tender Design. The first two stages needs the estimate to be a one page estimate, having most of the items clubbed together to form a single line item like Roadwork, in which the items included are preparation of formation, laying sub-base, road-base, prime coat, asphalt base course, tack coat, asphalt wearing course, road markings, trial trenches, any demolition works, etc. The cost per meter square of roadwork can be calculated by adding the unit rates of all the above items, except for trial trenches and demolition works for which a percentage of around 5% of the unit rates can be applied. The per unit cost of bridges can be worked out by calculating the total cost of a concrete bridge from previous project and then dividing it by the plan area of the bridge giving us the unit rate of bridge per square meter. Thus in the preliminary study and preliminary design stage the major line items ha ve to be identified and their most likely unit rate shall be derived in terms of unit which can be calculated easily from the available drawing. Since the areas of roads and bridges are clear at these two stages, the quantities are defined in area unit. All the rates used in these line items, shall be taken from the recently opened tender and if required apply uplift for inflation on a quarterly basis. 3) Identifying key personals specialised in particular field to co-ordinate during the progress of Bill of Quantities preparation : Depending on the type and nature of the project and the various departments involved like Highway design section, structural design section, traffic study section, steel structure section, landscape section, intelligent transportation section, various service departments, the QS team leader has to co-ordinate with respective section heads. The point of contact person shall be the same throughout the project. Any message or information passed on by sub-ordinates to sub-ordinates of QS section shall be communicated through the responsible section head. Frequent meetings shall be arranged between all the section heads, by the project manager so as to assure proper progress and to nullify any delay by any team being lagging behind which shall effect the project delivery. 4) Incorporating inputs from various departments heads including on-site and off-site : The QS team can refer to the historic data available with their company for usage in the current project. In addition to this, the PCQS also shall co-ordinate with the post-contract QS to get some feedback from the ongoing projects so as to rectify those mistakes committed in previous documents and incorporate in their next submission. This procedure is normally not followed practically as the two sections behave as separate distinct entity. But there shall be a better communication between the pre and post-contract QS and it can be achieved very easily by the head of the QS section with very little effort, enhancing the overall quality of pre-contracts works. 5) Defining and implementing practically a clear quality check procedure before submitting the document to the client : A very important procedure of quality check shall be included in the pre-contracts work, to provide quality documents for the clients. Any document after preparation and before sending it to the client shall undergo quality check by Senior QS or experienced QS in the section. This procedure shall eliminate minor mistakes definitely and also have a check on major items to avoid any blunder in quantity or description of items. It is sure that certainly the quality of the document shall be enhanced even if this procedure is implemented for atleast about 1 to 5 hours, depending on the time available for submission. This procedure of checking can be made effective by making the person sign the document after his checking of the document. This procedure can be followed if the internal audit plan cannot be followed due to time restrictions. However the normal internal audit procedures available with Corporate are good enough for a quality product. 6) Following the various steps according to the stage of the document submittal : Various steps has to be followed according to the stage of the submission, whether preliminary study, preliminary design, final design or tender design. During the preliminary study the pre-contracts QS has to prepare only a one page estimate based on the key layout plan for e.g. Calculate the area of the road and bridges from the plan and then multiply it with the area of the road and bridges from the plan and then multiply it with the derived rates from previous standard projects. And consider percentages for services, landscape works, street lighting works, contingencies, etc. to arrive at the total project cost. In the preliminary design stage the PCQS has to submit a one page cost estimate and a detailed sample BOQ with the quantities as nil. The BOQ items shall be standard items, from previous projects relevant to the current projects. Even the tender and contract conditions is provided same from the previous similar project. In the final design stage, the Volume 1 Tender and Contract Conditions, Volume 3 Bill of Quantities and a detailed cost estimate is submitted. This stage is a more detailed stage and may be entirely different from the preliminary design, based on the changes being incorporated during this stage. The PCQS has to prepare volume 1 incorporating the description of the project, duration of the project, any milestone, any stage handover, the particular conditions of contract, penalties, liquidated damages, conditions for advance payment, performance bond guarantee form, tender bond form and the general conditions of contract. The volumes shall be a detailed BOQ, with no assumed quantities and all the items and quantities shall be derived from the available drawings. In addition to this there shall be a Bill No. 1 for General Items, containing the items for Method Related charges and Time Related charges for the contractor to price, so that he receives the initially invested money early a s mentioned in this Bill. But sometimes contractor uses this Bill to front load these items to get initial profit earlier as he shall put all his profit in the Bill and price less profit in the actual work items. The next submission is the Tender submission which is similar to Final Design submission, with the only difference that any changes in the drawings from Final Design to Tender Design has to be incorporated into the BOQ. Care has to be taken in this document as it shall be provided to the Tenderers for bidding and any mistake at this stage shall be borne by the client and in turn by the Consultant. A real example of a very serious mistake happened by inserting the Quantity as One in the BOQ for costly items, whereas in the drawings there were huge numbers. The contractor being aware of this fact priced high for these particular items and later during the project execution, when the client got aware of this he claimed the excess amount from the consultant as it was a pure mistake of the consultant, by putting the item in the BOQ, but not putting the exact quantity as per drawing. This could have been avoided by having a QC check before floating the document as Tender. The cost estimate known as Engineers Estimate shall be provided on the date of the Tender Opening. In between the Tender submission and the Tender Opening, the consultant can issue a number of Notice to Tenderers to incorporate any changes in drawings or any tender documents. In this process, the PCQS can also rectify his mistakes which were not seen in the Tender Submission. The NTT is of standard form, consisting of serial numbers and the front page summarising the pages to be replaced or added from any of the Tender documents. 7) Team leader to identify anD distribute the work to the responsible personNEL of various departments and within Quantity Surveying department : The team leader of the PCQS has to carefully allocate and distribute responsibility of preparing the Volume 1 and various parts of Volume 3 such as roadwork, bridges, landscape works, services, tunnel works, electromechanical works, etc. accordingly. Also he has to co-ordinate and be aware of instructions and details provided by different section heads for preparation of the BOQ. Any change in any of the service or other section, shall be communicated through the section heads to the team leader and the PCQS doing that part of BOQ. The project manager shall also be aware of all these communications. 8) Quality Management, especially during the end of the submission date, when major design changes occurs : As discussed earlier there shall be a specific quality management plan for the PCQS works for a better quality product to the clients. This can be achieved by conducting a 1 to 5 hour QC check of all the documents prepared before sending it to the client. Criteria of checking each document is to be set out and the document used for quality check shall be stamped and signed duly by the Quality checker QS and the Team leader so as to be responsible for the document. This procedure shall atleast make 90% free of mistakes or blunder in any of the documents. This specially becomes difficult when huge changes in design are done when the submission date is very near and even getting 1 to 2 hours for checking is difficult. But it is suggested to have a quality check even in this tight schedule, when chances of mistakes are more. 9) Preparing a more realistic cost estimate for Tender Opening : After the tender document submission, the cost estimate known as Engineers Estimate is submitted to the client at the tender opening time. Care has to be taken in preparing this estimate for the following reasons, a) there shall not be large variations from the final design estimate, other than the changes in design. b) the estimate shall be reflecting the current market rate, since it is derived from a previously opened tender and hence inflation rate has to be applied. c) The estimate shall be within the range of the offers submitted by the bidders at the tender opening time. d) Justification and hard copy proof shall be kept for those items, for which rates are not available from previous tenders and is derived from basic as there might be major differences when compared with the bidders. Since these proofs might be required to justify these rates at a later stage if the estimate is way out of the range of the lowest bidder. For the fact that certain clients fix the maximum limit of variation of engineers estimate as 15% and if it goes beyond it then the consultant is responsible for that variation. 10) Back-checking by comparing the Engineers Estimate and the realistic tender opened, for future incorporation of any shortcomings : After the opening of all tenders the offers of all the bidders shall be compared with the engineers estimate. This is submitted to the client which is a part of tender analysis report. However the consultant shall also check for items where the engineers rates have large variation from all the bidders and try to avoid this mistake in future estimates, to provide a more realistic estimate to the clients. Normally the bill amount for General Items is considered as a percentage of the cost of work items and ranges from 15% to 30% depending on the class of the contractor and their overheads cost. But sometimes some of the contractors price these bill items less than 10% or even more than 30%, however we have to consider the average percentage from a majority of normal class contractors pricing. 11) CLIENT CAN MAKE THE CONSULTANT RESPONSIBLE BY ASKING TO PROVIDE BACKUPS FOR THE QUANTITIES AND RATES : Another way of achieving quality and accuracy in the BOQ and estimates, is by asking the consultants to provide backup and calculation of each quantity and rate. By checking this client can ensure the reality of the BOQ and the estimates. 12) Including feedback and data provided from ongoing projects by Post Contract Quantity Surveyor to the Pre-Contracts Quantity Surveyor for future contracts in design stage : One of the most important aspects of Quantity Surveying is the co-ordination and exchange of information between the pre-contracts and the post-contracts quantity surveyor. This is not done practically. However this can be done very easily by arranging monthly or bi-weekly meetings among them by their in-charge personnel. This will provide the PCQS the data about the new rates, missing BOQ items, quantity variation, claims due to BOQ, high rates for provisional items, high rates for mis-calculated BOQ quantities, to elaborate BOQ items description, insufficient BOQ description creating ambiguity of the scope of work. The comments and suggestions of the meetings can be used to incorporate in all the future tender documents to get a refined product for the client. This is a way by which the PCQS can assess the application of the documents prepared by them at site and measure the quantum of loss, occurred due to small or negligible mistake done during the pre-contracts period. This woul d also suggest the PCQS to include QC checks relevant to these mistakes in their checklist of quality control. 13) Preparing of BOQ for Remaining Works of a contract after the termination of the Main Contractor, to award the remaining works to a new contractor : This is a very rare case that the main contractor is terminated and the remaining works is awarded to the new contractor. However, if this happens then the PCQS has to be very cautious in preparing the BOQ for the remaining works. The BOQ of the balance works to be prepared by taking the difference between the tender quantity and the actual work done quantity at site. However, care shall be taken to prepare some new items such as manholes and such other works which are partially completed by the main contractor and remaining has to be done by the new contractor. These item quantities shall be accurate if possible to be measured at site and no assumptions shall be made, as if the quantities are less than actual, then the new contractor shall price it more, the excess of which shall be paid by the main contractor, it is not good from an ethic point of view. Any item partially done and unsure of quantity shall not be included in the BOQ. Also to avoid major losses to the main contractor , items of this kind shall not be included in the BOQ, since the new contractor shall price it very high during tender stage, which we cannot control his pricing. However, if these items occur at site and if there is no BOQ item, then a better controlled new rate can be approved by the consultant, minimizing the loss to the main contractor. Items like testing of pipes, duct proving etc. shall not be included in the BOQ as the new contractor shall definitely price it very high than the actual incurred by them. 14) Making the Consultant responsible for cost estimates provided to clients, to avoid huge variation after the opening of the tender : One important stage of the PCQS is to provide the cost estimates to the client. Sometimes the consultant might underestimate the cost of the project to make it look cheaper, so that the client goes ahead with the project and the consultant is free from the responsibility of providing the most economical design for the client. This can be nullified by making the consultant responsible for the cost estimate and impose a fine, if the cost estimate varies more than +15% to -15% of the lowest bidder. Also the fees for the consultant design fees shall be based on the lowest of all bidders including the consultants cost estimate. In this case the client shall also take particular interest and ask justification for the rates being priced for the BOQ items by the consultant. 15) Quantity Surveyors to be fast and accurate in dealing WITH Notice to Tenderers within A short period of time : Notice to Tenderers provides a sort of cover to the mistakes or late design changes for the consultant and the client. Always these are issued within a short span of time in hurry and most probably having a risk of containing mistakes and errors being sent to the tenderers. Since the time is short and a lot of parts such as drawings, specifications or BOQ has to be re-issued there is chances of error. However this shall be avoided by having a rapid and thorough QC check. If it is not possible to do even this check, then the consultant shall request from the client to provide an extension of time, for the tender opening. This would avoid and nullify any future major loss of money or ambiguity during the post-contracts period. Also this is good opportunity for the consultant to rectify any mistakes done by any of their department during the pre-contracts stage in the tender documents. In this notice even the consultant has to send in the answers to the queries raised by the bidders. La ter on during the formation of the contract document, each page and every answer of the query forms an integral part of the contract document in Volume 1 and other Volumes as applicable. Notice to Tenderers, before issuing to the client who in turn issues it to the bidders, shall be authenticated by the responsible heads of department, who is related to the contents of the Notices. The PCQS responsibility is the preparation of Volume 1 and Volume 3 and cost estimates at any stage. After the tender opening, even the preparation of the contract documents has to be done and thoroughly checked by the PCQS. A very systematic procedure shall be followed in preparation of the contract documents. Because, even if in the pre-contracts stage a mistake of the consultant is rectified in the subsequent NTT and that page is not incorporated in the Contract document, then the purpose of NTT is lost and the contract after signing has to be executed with that mistake, giving rise to disputes and claims. Initially the original Tender document has to be taken and then one by one the succeeding Notices shall be applied by the PCQS. He should take responsibility for all the Volumes, because the other department personnel might not remember or not have any documentation to replace the pages as mentioned in the NTT. A important point to be noted is that each and every page issued in each NTT shall become a part of respective Volume. Sometimes or more often there are certain discussions negotiation being held after the Tender opening known as the Post Tender stage. Each correspondence and documents submitted during this post tender stage shall become a part of Volume 1, as it shall be the deciding factor of the contract during a later part of the construction stage. Once the contract document is signed by both parties, ie. The client and the contractor then the contract is formed. At this point of time the responsibility is transferred from Pre-Contracts Quantity Surveyor to Post Contracts Quantity Surveyor. TO LEARN GOOD LESSONS FROM CASE STUDY TO AVOID MISTAKES AND AVOID HUGE LOSSES : Case Study 1 The items for Drainage Manholes were included in the bill, but the quantity take-off from the drawings was not included in the Tender BOQ. The contractor knowing this fact priced it four times high, since the quantity in BOQ was unit and it did not effect the overall tender price. The client became aware of this fact that the actual Manhole quantity is more and the client shall have to pay around 5.48 million dollars (20 million dirhams) more. The client wrote a letter claiming this excess amount from consultant. This mistake happened at the pre-contracts stage, due to non-inclusion of the working of the Drainage bill quantity done by team member into the main BOQ excel file. Conclusion: Teamwork is important and each team member shall ensure that his part of work is included in the main work. Case study 2 Due to lack of time the area of concrete retaining wall was calculated as length multiplied by average height of 3.5m. During the execution of the work, the actual quantity seemed to be three times more than the quantity mentioned in the BOQ. This excess amount was out of the clients budget and he asked a justification from the consultant. This mistake happened since the QS preparing the quantities did not refer the road profile drawings in which, the starting and end point stating the heights of retaining wall were clearly mentioned. Conclusion: To check each and every drawing while calculating quantities, referring to partial drawings shall definitely mislead and create error. Case study 3 Due to non-availability of time between Tender document issuing date and Tender Opening date and also the pressure created from the project manager, major electro-mechanical items were missed from the Tender BOQ. Later on during construction period, lot of variations cropped up and the consultant was responsible for this loss to the client, as the contractor would have priced these with a competitive rate during the tender stage as compared to the present new rate. Conclusion: This mistake happened due to the pressure created by project manager to complete the work in short time. However this could have been avoided by extending the tender period and giving sufficient time to issue a proper well developed NTT. Case study 4 The client asked to submit all the four stage documents of the pre-contracts stages urgently one by one, by

Adderall, Ritalin, AD/HD, and Abuse Essay examples -- Biology Essays R

Adderall, Ritalin, AD/HD, and Abuse Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder are behavioral disorders affecting attention span, impulse control, and self-discipline. They are usually associated with children, although adults can suffer from the same disorders. It is estimated that 4% - 6% of the U.S. population suffers from AD/HD, and children with the disorders carry them into adulthood more than half the time. Typically medicated with psychostimulants such as Ritalin or Adderall, (methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine, respectively), concern over these disorders surrounds problems such as over-diagnosis or misuse of the prescription medications. ADD is characterized by an inability to concentrate, poor self-control, and short attention span. ADHD is essentially characterized by the same deficiencies except it includes hyperactivity and impulsiveness. The two are generally grouped together in the acronym AD/HD and are treated the same way, although each diagnosis can be labeled with a subtype of predominantly inattentive type, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type, or a combination type. Treatment involves psychological, educational, and social remedial measures along with medication, but frequently the more time-consuming efforts for treatment are disregarded in today's impatient world, with parents and patients hastily looking to medication for a quick solution. Ritalin is the brand name for methylphenidate hydrochloride, a stimulant which was introduced in 1956 and affects the way the brain filters and responds to stimuli. This can be helpful to a person with AD/HD who feels bombarded by stimuli and is easily distracted. Although its workings are still largely not understood, meth... ...DMA (ecstasy), with the exception of seratonin for dopamine. Everything in moderation--methylphenidate and amphetamines can be beneficial for academic focus, but dangerous if their guidelines are not respected. References 1)Biopsychiatry, Methylphenidate/Cocaine Comparisons http://www.biopsychiatry.com/ 2)CHADD Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, http://www.chadd.org/ 3)National Attention Deficit Disorder Association, http://www.add.org/ 4)Erowid, http://www.erowid.org/ask/ask.cgi?ID=2846 5)Assessment of Adult AD/HD, http://www.erowid.org/ask/ask.cgi?ID=2846 6)ADD Drug Abuse Rising, http://www.detnews.com/2001/health/0111/20/a02-347551.htm 7)Overdiagnosis Unlikely, http://jama.ama-assn.org/issues/v281n16/ffull/jlt0428-4.html 8) Self-Test for AD/HD, http://www.amenclinic.com/ac/addtests/adult.asp

Back To Chernobyl :: essays research papers

Many of the causes of the disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear reactors were from the lack of safety and the failure to follow safety features. This horrible incident shows us many lessons that should be learned. A few reasons for the Chernobyl power plant to rupture was due to the amount of control rods that were used. Where a minimum of 30 controls rods were required, only 6 to 8 control rods were used. The main reason that cause the core to actually ruptured was due to a sudden rise of the temperature in the reactor during the manual removal of control rods in a test which lead to the instability of the reactors. As the temperature rose, the core ruptured. A few reasons behind the Chernobyl nuclear power plants core to overheat were due to a few overlooked problems that were not taken care of. The Chernobyl Nuclear power plant used steam as a coolant, where water is a better coolant than steam for it also acts as a moderator, and second, it was found that the reactor’s emergenc y cooling system was disabled. These lack of actions lead to the catastrophic consequences at the Chernobyl power plant.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  If I were in the same position before the accident, I would’ve made sure that the minimum amount of control rods were being in used considering the dangers of the reactor and their radiation incase of a meltdown. I would also have made sure all the cooling systems and equipment were working properly. Lastly, I would’ve used water as the coolant agent, so as to keep the core cooler.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In contrast to the reaction of the Soviets, I would’ve acted more quickly and expected the worst. I would’ve demanded an evacuation as soon as possible and in addition made sure I would have had a department working on plans for such an incident. Another aspect I would’ve looked at was to concentrate on how the weather would’ve effected the spread of the radiation and the carcinogenic material in the air. There are many aspects that were overlooked that lead to the deaths of many people and the illness of many people from the time for the incident to now, politically, economically, and socially.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The conflict between the environmental pollution of coal plants and the possible threats of having a nuclear reactions is very controversial. The fact the coal itself when burned releases carcinogenic materials into the atmosphere is very apparent the it is dangerous, yet it has been present and is not always as detrimental to the areas that are a good distance away from the area of the plant.

Treating Eczema Essay -- Diseases, Disorders

Have you ever had or witnessed someone with Eczema? Well it is not fun having or experiencing this skin disease. Eczema is a chronic skin disorder that cannot be cured and causes the skin to become itchy, red, and dry, but it can be treated by dieting, home remedies, medications, and therapies. People coping with this disease try many forms of these treatments and even try to come up with some of their own treatments. Dealing with eczema can be a lifelong process for people who have it. Having Eczema, many things can cause flare ups including foods. Foods such as eggs can cause flares in younger children. â€Å"Avoiding eggs, fish, peanuts, and soy may help some people reduce flares†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Ehrlich 1). Dairy products, wheat, corn tomatoes, and citrus such as lemons and oranges can cause allergic reactions in the skin. â€Å"Eat less saturated fats (meats, especially poultry, and dairy, refined foods, and sugar. These foods contributed to inflammation in the body.† (Ehrlich 2). Beneficial foods to help with Eczema would be your fatty acids that can be essential. â€Å"In one study, people taking fish oil equal to 1.8 g of EPA (one of the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil) had significant reduction in symptoms of eczema after 12 weeks.’ (Ehrlich 2). Other fatty acids containing oils that can help are evening primrose oil, which helps in reducing the itch of eczema, and borage oil, which helps as an anti-inflammatory; both have gamma linoleic acid containing omega-6 fatty acid. Eating salubrious can help reduce the effects of eczema on the body.†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ so eating a healthy diet may help reduce inflammation and allergic reaction.† (Ehrlich 2). Having more fresh vegetables and whole grains are better for you than preserved foods. Adding he... ...f home remedies and some people even come up with their own. Medications and therapies are available for people with eczema just asked a doctor about them or to provide information about them. Eczema is a chronic skin and causes the skin to become itchy, red, and dry, but it can be treated by dieting, home remedies, medications, and therapies. Works Cited â€Å"Eczema: What You Should Know." 01 05 2007 . Ehrlich, Steven D." Eczema." 20 09 2009 . Health, National Institutes of. "Eczema and Atopic Dermatitis". 01 02 2011 . M., B. "Eczema" Brooke Brockman. 01 2012. Vorvick, Linda J. "Atopic Eczema." 10 10 2010 .