Planning,Control, and Risk Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Planning,Control, and Risk - Research Paper Example In 2011, Steve Jobs unveiled the iCloud, which is an online storage for music, files, photos and software in place of MobileMe. The company is also looking forward to the environmental issues that emerge during the production process. Thus, the company has come up with the initiative of reducing the carbon emission during the production process. In spite of the rise in the revenue of the company over the years, the greenhouse gas emissions have reduced by 15.4% since 2008 in terms of per dollar revenue (Apple Inc., 2012). Rate of Return Apple Inc. is a US based company and, therefore, deals in the US dollar value. Internationally, dollar is considered to be the standard scale in understanding the present status of the market. Therefore, both local as well as parent currency returns for Apple Inc. would be in terms of the US dollar. If the company invests in developing countries where the market is huge, then the foreign direct investments made by the Apple Inc. will turn out to be fr uitful, as the exchange rates of foreign currencies with respect to US dollar are variable over the market. On taking a closer look we can observe that, as per the present US market, the rest of currencies of the countries in which Apple has invested are of a comparatively lesser valuation. Thus, a deviation occurs with the gross margin and the net sales of the company when computation is done in terms of other foreign currencies. As inflationary pressures are faced by the economy at large, it is quite normal that exchange rate fluctuations occur. So the risk of exchange fluctuations still remains even if the company makes majority of its investment in the US dollar. Since the company has generated a maximum return from Asia Pacific, there remains a probability that the foreign direct investment made in this region of the world will tend to bring about more returns for the company. The market of Asia Pacific still remains untapped in a lot of sectors which, if invested in, can gener ate profitable returns for the company. However, before investing in FDI’s, Apple Inc. needs to measure all the elements of the financial statement operating in functional currency. The company should also translate the current exchange rate from the functional currency to the reporting currency. Most importantly, the company should be able to assess the economic changes that are responsible for affecting the exchange rates over the net investment. The changes that are generally observed are on each item of assets and liability of the company over the years (FASB, 2012). Role of Accountants in Managerial planning process The accountant of an organization has a very important role in the operations of the company, based on which the managerial decisions are taken. In the process of accounting, the details of the most useful data related to the transaction of the business are recorded. If the accounting seems to have flaws, the decisions taken by the management may go against t he success of the company. However, if all the rules of financial recording of a company are taken into consideration in the accounting of the organization, the managerial decisions taken on its basis may turn out to be fruitful for the company. The most vital role of an accountant is maintaining the books of accounts for the future planning of the organiz

Managerial Accounting Paper Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Managerial Accounting Paper - Coursework Example An investor would invest in the company when he finds it profitable for the long term or the short-term period. A company is profitable for the long term or the short term if it uses the available resources efficiently. To find that whether a company is using the resources efficiently or not, a researcher has to analyze the financial statements of the company. Along with this, the strategies taken by the company will also need to analyze. The vision, mission and goals of the company tell about the strategies that they are going to take in the future. Analyzing the financial position and the strategies taken by the company, an analyst can suggest the investor about his investing strategies in future. For investing in a company, the investor has to check the current trends in the industry. ... The researcher will analyze the performance of the company of past few years, the strategies taken by the company and the company’s performance from the industry perspective. The Investor’s Objective There are many types of investors in the market and their objectives are not same all the time. Some investors only aim for the short-term growth. For short-term gain the investors may trade inside a single day, i.e. they may buy and sell the stock in a single day. They can trade the stocks monthly basis. Their decision mainly based upon the movement of the stocks prices in a short term and the decision of the mass. When a huge number of investors sell a stock then these type of investors speculate that the stock price is likely to decrease and he also sells the stock. However, there are also other types of investors, who invest in a company for the long term. The objective of the investors is growth of the stock. They invest in a company for the long term. In this case, th e client of the researcher is the second type of investor. He prefers to invest for the long term. The researcher has selected the company BHP Billiton for analyze whether to invest more in the company or not. The researcher will analyze two situations i.e. the investor already holds the share of the company and the investor has not invested in the company until now. It will be recommend to the investor whether or not to invest in the company. BHP Billiton BHP Billiton is a company, which has formed in the year 2001, headquartered in Melbourne, Australia. The company was the merger of Anglo-Dutch Billiton Plc and the Australian Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited. The company has a major office in the United Kingdom for the management purpose. The company is in the metals and mining

Different Cultural Identities Dilemma Essay Example for Free

Different Cultural Identities Dilemma Essay The memoir Farewell to Manzanar, written by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston, tells of her experience at Manzanar internment camp after the Pacific War broke out. During the internment of Japanese-Americans, their living standards fell drastically; moreover, they faced Japanese and American values and identity conflicts. It was hard for these Japanese Americans to maintain two different cultural identities for several reasons. In the first place, they suffered from racial discrimination. In the 1940s, mainstream society and the government discriminated against Japanese Americans who were viewed as potentially dangerous people who might betray the US. Thus, Japanese Americans found it was hard to be accepted by others in America. In addition, they largely insisted on their own cultural identities. They were not willing to give up Japanese identities after arriving in America. Chinese immigrants would like to get together and formed Chinatown for the same reason. In the article, Two worlds, one family, Jen Maldonado was imposed on pressure by her Taiwanese friends who insisted on Chinese culture, when she wanted to develop a cross-cultural relationship with an American. It is hard to successfully balance two different cultural identities because of racial discrimination and the adherence to peoples former culture as will be shown using evidence from Farewell to Manzanar, Two worlds, one family and my personal observations. In the 1940s, Japanese-Americans suffered from racial discrimination; thus, they had a hard time getting into mainstream society and balancing their cultural identities. The government never showed full trust towards these immigrants who were viewed as threats to American national security. In order to supervise Japanese-Americans and prevent any potential danger, the government relocated Japanese Americans to internment camps, which exacerbated cultural conflicts and undermined basic human rights. The racist decision that the government made led Japanese Americans to feel that they were incompatible with American culture. Because of the racial discrimination the government initialized, many Japanese immigrants thought they were i nsulted, and so they struggled to accept their American identities. Some of them even wanted to get rid of American identities and went back to Japan. As a result, racial discrimination threatened their American identities. Houston and her friend Radine shared many qualities in common and became the best friends. Although they were socially equal, they were treated in completely different ways because of racism. Houston was not culturally accepted by mainstream society as Radine was. Boys were more likely to ask Radine to the dances, even though they flirted with Houston. Houston was barred from sororities, but Radine was admitted to join them. Houston said that, Watching, I am simply emptied, and in the dream I want to cry out, because she is something I can never be(172). Houston never stopped attempting to retain American identity; however, prejudice of her oriental characteristics obstructed her effort. She looked forward to fulfilling her American identity, but she was too helpless and powerless to challenge enormous racial discrimination, Other than prejudice against Japanese-Americans, another reason that caused people from different cultures to struggle to balance two cultural identities was adh erence to their own culture. After arriving at the continent and staying there for years, many Japanese immigrants still considered that they were more Japanese than American. They were not willing to give up their own culture, and so they confronted cultural conflicts. A minority of people in the camps labeled members of the Japanese American Citizens League inu for having helped the army arrange a peaceful and orderly evacuation(67). Inu meant collaborator or informer in Japanese. The hatred towards these pro-American Japanese immigrants and disrespectful insult words revealed their strong belief in Japan and hostility towards America. To people’s surprise, the authors father who stood up to defend the point of view that immigrants should be loyal to American government was assaulted and condemned by his peers. Although these pro-Japan immigrants had been in America for many years, they still insisted that they were more Japanese. It was the thought that some Japanese Americans were not capable of integrating into American culture and balancing two identities. Chinatown exemplified that Chinese immigrants insisted on their own culture. Chinese immigrants were viewed as a group of conservative and un-American people after they first came to America. They showed keen interests in preserving Chinese culture, but they would not adapt themselves to American society. Therefore, their refusal to give up Chinese identity led to their isolation and failure to balance two cultural identities Their adherence promoted the formation of Chinatown, a Chinese world in alien countries. In the article, Two worlds, one family, Jens Taiwanese friends started giving her grief for dating an American. They were strict about Chinese culture and rejected the cross-cultural marriage. Jen was also warned that she needed to stick with someone from her own culture.' By this, her friends hoped that Jen could retain her Chinese identity by narrowing down her dating range. However, many cases had proven that the cross-cultural marriage played an important role in balancing different cultural identities. When people with different cultural backgrounds decide to form cross-cultural families, they build a bridge of cultural communication. Thus, her friends thoughts undermined cultural exchange. To conclude, it is hard to successfully balance two different cultural identities. Racial discrimination stopped Japanese Americans from balancing their cultural identities. In the wartime, the mainstream society held hostility towards these immigrants, and so they were isolated by the majority. Moreover, some peoples adherence to their former culture became the obstacle of integrating into American society. Chinese always struggled to have cross-cultural communications proceed effectively and successfully due to their insistence on Chinese identity. In the article, Two worlds, one family, Jen was hoped that she could date Chinese persons by her friends. However, their insistence seemed to be stubborn because it blocked effective communication between people from different cultural backgrounds. In order to balance two different cultural identities, people should be more lenient with newcomers and more open to new culture.

Social Psychology Essay Example for Free

Social Psychology Essay War represents a complex phenomenon with can be conceptualized through multiple perspectives, including an historical, a sociological and a psychological point of view. This type of organized aggression is inherent to human nature, and can be observed since the dawn of humankind, characterizing both civilized and primitive societies. Wars and armed conflicts in general, radically disrupt the normal course of life and human behavior and may exert detrimental effects on physical and mental health and social and financial well-being (Piachaud, 2007). War deprives individuals and communities of major human and material resources and eventually leads to the breakdown of societal structires, giving rise to states of chaos and anarchy (Pedersen, 2002). Given that aggression constitutes a primal human instinct, wartime is a period where aggressive actions frequently reach extreme levels and are usually rationalized by some kind of ideological manifesto. During war, otherwise ordinary and sensible people may be engaged in various atrocities and display unnecessary or extreme cruelty in the name of several racial, religious, political social or other values and beliefs. In the last few decades, the breakdown of communism in Eastern European countries has led to a significant shift in the spheres of global domination and to major modifications in international relationships. As a result of these radical geopolitical changes, the world community has witnessed many bloodstained regional armed conflicts, including the wars in former Yugoslavia, Iraq, Sudan and Uganda. It is estimated that almost 30% of the world population is currently engaged in or experiencing the impact of some form of war. In recent years, the majority of political ideologies has gradually lost significant ground and has been substituted by national, racial and religious ideologies (Jost, 2006). These emerging ideological contructs have proven a useful tool in governments’ premeditated agendas to fanaticize people, rationalize war and violence and manipulate public opinion. However, despite these historical transitions, major financial interests and the struggle for power and profit remain the deeper causes of most armed conflicts worldwide. The civil war in former Yugoslavia in the 1990s was a regional conflict which rattled the Old Continent and lead to a series of major geopolitical changes. In the battlefields of former Yugoslavia, former neighbors and friends were turned intro enemies, a process which progressively set in motion the vicious circle of violence. That war was founded on people’s religious and national differences and was characterized by unprecedented atrocities. The Srebrenica massacre represents a hallmark of civil war wildness and according to the Institute for War and Peace, it probably constitutes the larger scale genocide in European ground since the World War II. In this event, a significant percent of the Srebrenica male population were brutally killed by Serbo-bosnian troops and the rest inhabitants, including women, children and elderly civilians, were forced to leave their homes. In a similar vein, during the first decade of the current century the international community has been witnessing the consequences of the civil conflict in Darfur between Sudanese of Arabic and of African origin. This war has been characterized by unspeakable ferociousness and multiple episodes of mass murdering and genocide have been officially reported. It is roughly estimated that the Darfur conflict has so far lead to the death of almost 400,000 people and the violent displacement of even more and despite the truce recently signed by both sides, hostilities have never actually ceased in the region. The armed conflicts in former Yugoslavia and Darfur, among people living in close contact, in some instances among friends and relatives, has shed valuable light to the mechanisms through which war dehumanizes and lets loose the most destructive instincts and tendencies residing in human beings. Modern research in the field of social psychology has systematically attempted to describe and eluminate normal and abnormal human behavior at times of war and societal turmoil. Most sociologists agree that war is triggered by the desire to dominate over other people. This desire is rooted in the perception of oncoming threats against autonomy and existence. People attack and wish to eliminate other people, when they perceive them as threats to their psychological, financial and physical existence and prosperity. In this respect, even attackers and torturers may feel that they justifiably defend themselves, their families and their most fundamental beliefs through their unspeakable actions (Summerfield, 1997) Social psychology suggests that war is a massive phenomenon of organized and rationalized aggression, which may provide alibi for people to commit the most atrocious crimes in the name of just cause. During war, violence becomes blind, victims are deprived of their human characteristics and qualities and these processes enhance the act of destruction and murder. It is much easier to torture and murder people when the victims are viewed as inferior, worthless or evil and dangerous. Leaders who wish to manipulate the public opinion into advocating for war are systematically engaged in demonizing propagandas. In addition, during war, murderers and torturers have the opportunity to hide their criminal behavior in the anonymity of the mob, under the confusion and total disruption of everyday living provoked by the war state. Commonly in wartime, social systems, including lego-judiciary procedures, are disrupted and chaos prevails (Summerfield, 1997). Under these circumstances, individuals who commit crimes in wartime are rarely held accountable, especially when they are in the winning party and their aggression is addressed towards the enemies. Research has consistently shown that the social context plays a significant role in the generation of massive violence and social influences may shape individual behaviors. War crimes and mass murders are not necessary the illogical actions of psychopathic personalities. These animosities are usually being committed by ordinary people who find themselves under extreme conditions. Any person is capable of exhibiting extreme and violent behaviors when facing threats to his/her survival and autonomy. In addition, individuals are vulnerable to the influence of the mob and can be easily carried away in actions and behaviors which violate any known moral and societal rule (Raafat et al, 2009). These vulnerabilities commonly serve as vehicle for the spreading of several racial and religious prejudices which ultimately lay the foundations of all kinds of racist ideologies. The presence of financial adversity and sociopolitical instability may further contribute to the strengthening of racist beliefs and subsequently a significant portion of society may eagerly support or even actively participate to inhumane actions of destruction including ethnic cleansing and genocide, abolishing any sense of morality and humanity. Experiencing or witnessing war atrocities, either as a victim or as a perpetrator, may have significant psychosocial negative consequences on individuals. Several investigations have shown that war victims may suffer from a variety of psychopathological symptoms, mainly post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. Moreover, torture and extreme violence have emerged as significant predictors of psychological disturbance (Steel et al, 2009). Children appear extremely vulnerable to the detrimental effects of war either directly or indirectly exposed to combat related traumatic experiences (Peltonen et al, 2010). These negative sequelae may manifest themselves late and last for many years following the resolution of the conflict. Apart from the psychosocial impact on civilians, research has recently reveal that soldiers and war veterans who have witnessed or participated in tortures, rapes and mass murders, may also suffer from a variety of psychological difficulties including post-traumatic stress disorder, mood disorders, psychotic disorders and substance abuse (Gaylord, 2006). In addition, veterans frequently complain of vague somatic symptoms, poor general health and disturbed quality of life (Levy et al, In a recent study by Killgore et al (2008), veterans who have been exposed to significant human trauma and have killed during combat displayed, after deployment, major risk-taking behaviors including alcohol abuse, verbal and physical violence. War veterans and especially those engaged in extreme violence, may suffer from moral trauma which adversely affects all aspects of human living (Litz et al, 2009). Aggressive behaviors constitute a self-perpetuating phenomenon where being a victim of violent abuse may lead either to attitudes of further self-victimization or to patterns of abusing and aggressive behavior towards others. In wartime, the basic rules that normally govern the harmonious coexistence and cooperation of individuals within the social context are fundamentally challenged and people’s actions are guided by the instinct of self-preservation. In any case, the display of extreme violence by ordinary and otherwise sensible individuals during war may be the result of previous victimization and abuse or may represent a misguided attempt of self-defense against an actual or imaginary danger. The international community has increasingly exhibited a marked sensitivity towards victims of genocide and has repeatedly advocated the exemplary punishment of war criminals, starting from the Nuremberg Trial and reaching the more recent events in Srebrenica and Darfur. However, there is still a great amount of skepticism, given that its motivation may not always be entirely humanitarian, but also political and strategic, given that international forums and organizations occasionally display selective and carefully designed humanitarian concerns which conveniently fit certain governments’ tactical aims. It is common knowledge that the conviction of war criminals has never proven panacea in society’s attempts to control aggression and prevent armed conflicts and war-related crimes. In addition, taking official military actions to impose peace and protect civilians has always been an issue of much debate and major controversy in the context of political and ethical discussions (Deutscher, 2005). The resolution of these controversies possibly lies in the hands of unbiased scientific research in the field of humanitarian disciplines. Sociological and psychological research may provide useful insight in the causes, mediators and consequences of massive violent behaviors, which could guide the implementation of prevention strategies. Instead of designing holy crusades and seeking skape-goats to curse and condemn, governments and policy makers should also focus on the fact that a large part of the society has been exhibiting marked tolerance or even active participation in atrocities and extreme cruelty during war. This observed societal consent in massive destruction and aggression should alarm the public opinion and possibly constitutes a major humanitarian concern and a potential target for intervention. Although the concept of individual responsibility can not be entirely discarded as non-existent in periods of war and anarchy, there is a growing awareness that in grievous times different dynamics govern human behavior and these processes should be taken into consideration when implementing preventive measures. Individuals function in an entirely different way when they are part of a larger group and especially when this group operates according to the mentality of a mob. To eliminate evil, society should conceptualize violence as an inherent characteristic of living creatures in the struggle for physical and psychological survival and try to understand its origin and mediating factors, without blinders, prejudices or anathemas. Only when the mechanisms underlying organized violence and war cruelty are fully described, analyzed and comprehended, one can begin to hope that nations and people will eventually obtain immunity to the manipulations performed by tyrants and demagogues, and as a consequence the heavy toll of war on humanity may finally start to weaken. References Deutscher, M. (2005). The responsibility to protect. Med Confl Surviv, 21(1); 28-34. Gaylord, K. M. (2006). The psychosocial effects of combat: the frequently unseen injury. Crit Care Nurs Clin North Am, 18(3); 349-57. Jost, J. T. (2006). The end of the end of ideology. Am Psychol, 61(7); 651-70. Levy, B. S. Sidel, V. W. (2009). Health effects of combat: a life-course perspective. Annu Rev Public Health, 30; 123-36. Litz, B. T. , Stein, N. , Delaney, E. , Lebowitz, L. , Nash, W. P. , Silva, C. Maguen, S. (2009). Moral injury and moral repair in war veterans: a preliminary model and intervention strategy. Clin Psychol Rev, 29(8); 695-706. Pedersen, D. Political violence, ethnic conflict, and contemporary wars: broad implications for health and social well-being. Soc Sci Med, 55(2); 175-90. Peltonen, K. Punamaki, R. L. (2010). Preventive interventions among children exposed to trauma of armed conflict: a literature review. Aggress Behav, ;36(2); 95-116. Piachaud, J. (2007). Mass violence and mental healthtraining implications. Int Rev Psychiatry, 19(3); 303-11. Raafat, R. M. , Chater, N. Frith, C. (2009). Herding in humans. Trends Cogn Sci, 13(10); 420-8. Steel, Z. , Chey, T. , Silove, D. , Marnane, C. , Bryant, R. A. van Ommeren, M. 2009). Association of torture and other potentially traumatic events with mental health outcomes among populations exposed to mass conflict and displacement: a

Anabolic Steroids: Types, Applications and Implications

Anabolic Steroids: Types, Applications and Implications THE SCOPE AND HEALTH IMPLICATIONS OF DOPING IN SPORTS: ANABOLIC STEROID USE IN WEIGHTLIFTERS AND TEENS AND THEIR EFFECTS. KOJO O. KUNTU-BLANKSON INTRODUCTION There have been many definitions for doping. The current official definition of doping is given based on the World Anti-Doping Code as follows: â€Å"Doping is defined as the occurrence of one or more of the anti-doping rule violations set forth in Article 2.1 through article 2.8 of the World Anti-Doping Code.† Doping can also be defined as the deliberate or inadvertent use by an athlete of a substance or method banned by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and other related organisations, to gain unfair advantage or to enhance performance. Performance-enhancing substances have been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine by societies around the world, with the aim of promoting vitality and strength.[1]. The use of gonadal hormones pre-dates their identification and isolation. Medical use of testicle extract began in the late 19th century, while its effects on strength were still being studied.[2] Testosterone, the most active anabolic-androgenic steroid produced by Leydig cells in the testes, was first isolated in 1935 and chemically synthesized later in the same year. Synthetic derivatives of testosterone quickly followed. By the end of the following decade, both testosterone and its derivatives were applied with varying degrees of success for a number of medical conditions. It was not until the 1950s, however, that athletes began to discover that anabolic steroids could increase their muscle mass. According to sports physician John Ziegler, the first confirmed use of an anabolic steroid in an international athletic competition was at the weightlifting championships in Vienna in 1954, when the Russians weightlifters used testosterone.[5] Sport goes beyond a measure of athletic excellence and the winning of trophies and medals. Sport is an integral thread in the fabric of society and enriches our daily lives. Most of us have a favourite sport we play or follow with a passion be it soccer, rugby, swimming, cycling, athletics, winter sports or our national games of hurling, football and handball. The most honourable among us are perhaps those who have competed in sport and hold true its finest principles. True winners are those who achieve their goals through talent, skill, training, motivation and rising to all the challenges their sports present. Increasingly, however, a win at all costs ethos that undermines the very integrity of sport has entered the arena and a new game is at stake, the dangerous and sometimes deadly game of doping. Some ergogenic drugs used by athletes are categorized into blood boosters, diuretics, lean mass building, masking drugs, painkillers, sedatives and stimulants. Blood boosters e.g. erythropoietin, increase the athlete’s blood oxygen-carrying capacity, above its natural capacity, giving the athlete unfair advantage over his/her non-doping colleague in endurance games like marathons, swimming, cycling etc. Diuretics help eliminate fluid from the body. Athletes who need to maintain a certain weight level for competition could use these to decrease their weight. They can also be used as masking agents because they dilute urine and decrease the likelihood of detecting the presence of other drugs. Lean mass builders increase the growth of the body’s muscle. This category includes several different classes of drugs, particularly, the more popularly known anabolic steroids which’s the focus of this review and human growth hormone. These are used in strength games like weightlifting, shot put, discus throwing etc. Methods of doping include blood doping and gene doping. Blood doping can be either autologous or homologous transfusi ons, to help to improve their blood-oxygen carrying capacity. Advancements in gene therapy for medical reasons mean potential cheats might seek to undergo procedures to modify their genes to enhance their physical capabilities. Doping in sports is a huge societal problem. No longer limited to elite athletes, it is increasingly found in amateur and school sports that teens or adolescents in their early or mid-puberty are engaged in. The use of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AS) is perceived by the media, by segments of the sports medicine and athletic communities, and by the public to have grown to epidemic proportions. Unfortunately, the incidence and prevalence of AS use among elite, amateur, and recreational athletes is poorly documented. BODY STEROIDS Steroids are any of numerous naturally occurring or synthetic fat-soluble organic compounds having as a basis seventeen carbon atoms arranged in four rings. Steroids are important in body chemistry and include steroid hormones such as the gonadal or sex steroids (which include androgens e.g., estrogens and progesterone), corticosteroids (glucocorticoids, and mineralocorticoids); vitamins of the D group; and the sterols, including cholesterol, the main building block of the steroid hormones in the body. ANABOLIC STEROIDS Anabolic androgenic steroids commonly called roids, juice, hype or pump, are synthetic derivatives of testosterone, which is the primary male sex hormone, but is also present in the female. They are a class of drugs that are legally available only by prescription and are prescribed to treat a variety of conditions that cause a loss of lean muscle mass. They produce anabolic activity by increasing protein synthesis, epiphyses closure of long bones during puberty, enlargement of larynx and vocal cords, improvement of red cells number, reduce body fat and androgenic activity (enhanced secondary sexual characteristics). These compounds can produce a significant increase in muscular size and physical strength in both males and females and therefore used in sports and bodybuilding (weightlifting) to enhance strength or physique. They can be either oral or injectable. The oral ones include: Anadrol (oxymetholone), Oxandrin (oxandrolone), Dianabol (methandrostenolone) and Winstrol (stanozolo l). The injectable ones include: Deca-Durabolin (nandrolone decanoate),Durabolin (nandrolone phenpropionate), Depo-Testosterone (testosterone cypionate) and Equipoise (boldenone undecylenate). HOW ANABOLIC STEROIDS ARE TAKEN Anabolic steroids are either taken by mouth or injected into a muscle. The orals, as they are called, are ingested tablets or capsules. These forms are reportedly more toxic to the liver. Often the orals are taken in conjunction with injectable forms. The injectable forms are known as oils or waters. The oils refer to the long-acting types. They are injected into a muscle, usually the buttocks, and the steroid is released slowly over time. Typically, these drugs are injected only a couple of times a week. The waters are short-acting forms. Again, these are injected, usually in the buttocks, but they work much faster and are eliminated much more quickly. There are two ways for anabolic steroids administration. Oral steroids are highly potent and are excreted fairly rapidly from the body due to short metabolic half-lives, (usually within weeks). So, oral steroids are the first choice for athletes who want to rapidly improve their performance and try to escape showing positive results o n drug tests. These drugs, however, are the most toxic and have more side effects. Injectable steroids are less potent and generally exhibit delayed uptake into the body, especially if they are oil-based diluents. They have less liver toxicity than oral steroids, but they are being less used by athletes because of having detectability in drug tests for long periods. It should be noted that doses used by athletes often greatly exceed doses recommended for legitimate medical reasons, causing the potential for even greater negative consequences. Moreover, many athletes will use more than one anabolic steroid simultaneously. There are three common regimens practiced by anabolic steroid abusers: cycling, stacking and pyramiding. In cycling, the athletes take the steroid for six to twelve weeks and then stops for ten to twelve weeks. The steroid can be oral or injectable and doses are often ten to hundred times higher than standard therapeutic dose. Stacking is the use of more than one anabolic steroid at a time to break through response plateaus that often occurs. About forty percent of steroid abusers use this kind of regimen, presenting a high risk for central nervous system. Athletes can sometimes start with low dose of anabolic steroids, increasing the dose over a period of weeks, and then gradually tapering off before ending the regimen. This is known as pyramiding. MECHANISM OF ACTION OF ANABOLIC STEROIDS The ergogenic effects of anabolic steroids use are valued for three main mechanisms of action: They shift the nitrogen equilibrium to the positive side for better utilization of ingested protein and the increased retention of nitrogen. Although temporary and needing a high-protein complementary diet, this effect helps the body to build muscles. The formation of a steroid-receptor complex in skeletal muscle stimulates the RNA-polymerase system which, in turn, increases protein synthesis in the cell. Anabolic steroids compete for glucocorticoides receptors, resulting in an anti-catabolic effect by blocking the protein synthesis inhibition which physiologically occurs after exercises due to glucocorticoides liberation. Frequently, an euphoric and more aggressive behavior are experienced by anabolic steroids users, stimulating them to practice more and without fatigue for longer periods. ANABOLIC STEROID AND SPORTS: WINNING AT ANY COST. To excel in athletic competition is admirable. Most high school, college, amateur and professional athletes participate in sports for the opportunity to pit their abilities against those of their peers, and to experience the satisfaction that comes from playing to their potential. Others do so to satisfy a desire for recognition and fame. Unfortunately, that creates some atheletes who are determined to win at any cost. And, they may use that determination to justify the use of anabolic steroids, despite evidence that these drugs can inflict irreversible physical harm and have significant side effects. Dietary supplements and ergogenic agents, including anabolic steroids, are common components of present-day bodybuilder and weightlifter training regimens. Prior reports of anabolic steroid use suggest polypharmacy and high doses of injectable agents. Anabolic steroid use among weightlifters and bodybuilders continues till date. For almost three decades, athletes have been supplementing their strength program with anabolic steroids to enhance their performance. To be sure, anabolic steroids are effective supplements to strength training programs, but there is no doubt that the consequences can be deleterious. The number of athletes who abuse anabolic steroids is unknown. Many athletic associations ban their use, including the National Football League (NFL), Major League Baseball (MLB), National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Olympics, so few athletes are willing to admit that they use these drugs. The NFL tests its athletes for illicit use. Players who test positive face suspension and, upon testing positive a second time, are expelled from the League. MLB players are tested once a year, and if they test positive they can be suspended for up to ten days. If a player tests positive after the first test, they can be suspended without pay for up to one year. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Sports Medicine condemn the use of anabolic steroids for enhancement of sports performance or body building. WHY SOME ATHLETES ABUSE ANABOLIC STEROIDS Believing that anabolic steroids can improve competitiveness and performance, uninformed or misguided athletes, sometimes encouraged by coaches or parents, abuse these drugs to build lean muscle mass, promote aggressiveness, increase body weight, to improve ones physical appearance and as self-medication to recover from injury. HOW ATHLETES OBTAIN ANABOLIC STEROIDS Athletes may obtain banned medicines from physicians, pharmacists, retail outlets, health and lifestyle magazines, gymnasiums, coaches, family members, fellow athletes, the internet and the black market. Many doctors may prescribe unwittingly for what they trust is a genuine complaint, 10, 14 16 and there are no controls on mail order and internet sales. TESTING PROCEDURES The advent of gas chromatography and mass spectrometry in the early 1980s transformed the success of drug testing.Moreover the new age of gene transfer technology (GTT) will gradually render dope testing control systems obsolete; GTT will increase muscle growth by as much as 28%.4 Doping is a major ethical, educational, financial, health and management problem and governments have a poor track record in controlling its spread.25 TEEN/ADOLESCENT USE OF ANABOLIC STEROIDS Increasing numbers of adolescents are turning to steroids for cosmetic reasons. The common link among them is the desire to look, perform and feel better at almost any cost. Users-and especially the young-are apt to ignore or deny warnings about health risks. If they see friends growing taller and stronger on steroids, they want the same benefits. They want to believe in the power of the drug. EFFECTS OF ANABOLIC STEROID USE IN WEIGHTLIFTERS AND TEENS Although anabolic steroids can boost physical performance, promote aggressiveness on the field, increase body weight, improve ones physical appearance and as self-medication to recover from injury, they have side effects that can impair athletic performance and also affect the quality of life abusers. Many athletes take anabolic steroids at doses that are much higher than those prescribed for medical reasons, and most of what is known about the drugs effects on athletes comes from observing users. While the total impact of anabolic steroid abuse is not known, health care providers have observed the following problems in the blood, liver, heart, skeleton, skin and immune systems of users especially weightlifters. Cholesterol patterns associated with coronary heart disease, obstructed blood vessels, or stroke are some of the problems associated with the blood. In the heart, increased cholesterol eventually leads to high blood pressure. Impaired liver function, Peliosis hepatitis (blood -filled cysts that can rupture and cause liver failure) and tumours are observed in livers of weightlifters (both men and women) who abuse anabolic steroids. Bone growth is among the body processes that can shut down with steroid use. Adolescents/teens on anabolic steroids may find their muscles bulking up, but bone growth stops with premature fusion of the epiphysis (growth centre) of long bones. The result is permanently stunted growth. There is risk until bones stop growing. Appearance of, or increasing acne and other skin rashes or ailments, male pattern baldness, edema (water retention/swelling), striae (stretch marks) are also observed on the skin. The immune system is also compromised when abusers share hypodermic needles infected with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and hepatitis B virus to administer these steroids. By sharing needles, syringes or other equipment, a person becomes a high risk for HIV transmission. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS (Aquired Immunodeficien cy Syndrome). Abusers also experience psychological problems like Mood swings, aggressive (even violent behaviour), depression, psychotic episodes, mania and addiction. Since anabolic steroids are derived from testosterone, they can have profound effects on the hormone levels of both male and female abusers. In men, these problems can cause any of the following problems: Temporary infertility or sterility (reversible), altered sex drive, prostate enlargement, and increased prostate cancer risk, gynecomastia, priapism, shrinkage of the testicles,reduced levels of testosterone, abnormal sperm production. Health care providers have reported the following problems in women: Increased risk of cervical and endometrial cancer, increased risk of osteoporosis, temporary infertility or sterility (reversible), altered sex drive, birth defects in future children, changes in fat distribution, growth of facial and body hair, deepening of the voice, shrinkage of the breasts and uterus, clitoral enlargement, menstrual irregularity. Changes in the male reproductive system are often reversible, if anabolic steroids have not been abused for a long period of time. Unfortunately, some of the changes in women are not reversible. Prolonged abuse of anabolic steroids very often results in physical addiction. Abusers must undergo a strict, medically-supervised withdrawal program. There are social consequences of committing anti-doping rule violations (ADRV). Sanction may include: loss of sponsorship deals, loss of income, wiping out of previous achievements, damaged relationships with friends and family, i solation from peers and sports and damage to future career prospects. ENDING THE ABUSE OF ANABOLIC STEROIDS Athletes who are really serious about their health and sports and aim to improve their physical strength, performance and appearance can keep the following tips in mind: Train safely, without using drugs, eat a healthy diet, get plenty of rest, set realistic goals and be proud of themselves when they reach them, seek out training supervision, coaching and advice from a reliable professional, avoid injuries by playing safely and using protective gear.

Habits That Hinder Thinking :: essays research papers fc

John and Julie, your two best friends, have just read an article about the death penalty. It explains the reasons why death by lethal injection is a legitimate punishment for certain crimes.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As Julie reads the article, she strongly agrees with what the author has to say. â€Å"An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth,† she imagines. Without examining the ideas that are involved, she’s satisfied with everything the article says because, â€Å"It’s only fair.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  John, on the other hand, is deeply offended before he’s even finished reading the article. He leans heavily on the feeling that God has the only power to decide someone’s fate, not man. â€Å"It’s not right to interfere with another person’s existence on Earth,† he thinks to himself as he keeps reading.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  What Julie and John don’t know is that they’ve both used some habits that hinder thinking to come up with their opinions. They both had strong initial feelings about the death penalty. And they both finished with those same feelings because they were the most satisfying. But Julie and John failed to try to learn about their opposing opinion. Without even realizing it, they both became victims of thobbing.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Henshaw Ward termed thobbing for considering and evaluating ideas. â€Å"The term combines the th from thinking, the o from opinion, and the b from believing† (qtd. in Ruggiero 53). You can be aware of when you are thobbing by paying close attention to your initial opinions, especially the ones that are very strong.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are many habits that can hinder one’s thinking, causing their mind to fall victim to thobbing. Julie and John both used conformity and resistance to change, and rationalizing habits when coming up with an opinion about the death penalty article.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In The Art of Thinking, Ruggiero states that â€Å"harmful conformity is what we do instead of thinking in order to belong to a group or to avoid the risk of being different. Such conformity is an act of cowardice, a sacrifice of indepedence for a lesser good(49).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Julie and John may have been conforming when they developed their opinions about the article on the death penalty. They had probably dealt with the argument before and were exposed to other people’s opinions. Then when they came across this article, they were most satisfied with the belief they were familiar with. They remembered the other people’s attitudes and conformed.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  John belongs to a church where he practices his belief in Christianity.

Fried Green Tomatoes Human Nat :: essays research papers

Coping with situations within FRIED GREEN TOMATOES Human Nature, it’s our instinct, our reaction, our thoughts, and our ability to make decisions. It has been examined from every conceivable angle. It has been scrutinized, interrogated, glorified and even corrupted by every medium in the world, but none so extensively as the written word. Literature has explored every component of human nature from pride to envy and insecurity to depression. Fannie Flagg’s novel FRIED GREEN TOMATOES pays particular attention to human nature and specific ways we choose to cope with the situations that life places before us. Flagg explores humor, nostalgia, and avoidance as common examples of how, not only her characters, but humans in general confront the circumstances surrounding their lives. Humor is and integral part of human nature. It has the ability to lighten almost any situation and put people at ease. Humor is a common bond between any person on earth, from the very wealthy to the impoverished. Idgie Threadgoode is the perfect emb odiment of humor. Her wisecracks and tall tales helped her to face a number of less-than-comfortable situations throughout the novel. A prime example of her use of humor was with Smokey Lonesome. When Smokey first comes into the cafà © for a bite to eat, he is so nervous that he can’t stop shaking and he most certainly cannot eat. Idgie, seeing his discomfort, introduced herself and proceeded to tell Smokey a joke. “On November, a big flock of duck, oh, about forty or more, landed right smack in the middle of that lake, and while they were sitting there, that afternoon, a fluke thing happened. The temperature dropped so fast that the whole lake froze over, as solid as a rock, in a matter of three seconds. One, two, three, just like that…. They just flew off and took the lake with ‘em. That lake is somewhere in Georgia, to this very day…'; Idgie’s exaggerated use of humor allowed the wanderer to settle down and relax. Later, when her nephew Buddy jr. is run over by a train and loses his arm, Idgie once again uses her sense of humor to help him look at the situation from a lighter side. “When he was little and there was somebody new in the cafà ©, Idgie would bring him in and have him tell this long story about going fishing on the Warrior River, and he’d get them all caught up in the story and the Idgie would say, ‘How big was the catfish Stump?