Friday, June 13, 2008

Advancement of Drug Free Environment at Work Place

A drug-free workplace is a protective workplace. They are linked to drug-free and happier families, school and communities. Working Partners ensures a drug-free and secured environment for everyone and helps the employers and employees work together. They also play a vital role in reducing the drug use and end the social, economical and emotional destruction in its wake. In majority of cases there is only one exception in very large companies with a separate medical department which runs the drug testing.

Current employment status was highly correlated with rates of illicit drug use in 2002. An estimated 17.4 percent of unemployed adults aged 18 or older were current illicit drug users compared with 8.2 percent of those employed full time and 10.5 percent of those employed part time. Of the 16.6 million illicit drug users aged 18 or older in 2002, 12.4 million (74.6 percent) were employed either full or part time. Most binge and heavy alcohol users were employed. Among the 51.1 million adult binge drinkers in 2002, 40.8 million (80 percent) were employed either full or part time. Similarly, 12 million (79 percent) of the 15.2 million adult heavy drinkers were employed. So there are many smart employers who are arranging employee drug testing units that benefits to the organization.

Reasons for Establishing a Drug Free WorkplaceThe law may require your workplace to be a drug free environment. If you are in a government organization, or if you have a transportation industry or if you are billing for more than $ 25000 per annum, then the Law requires you to have a drug free workplace. Though the law doesn’t require, there are other reasons for establishing a drug free workplace. They are:
  • It reduces operational costs.
  • It can preserve investor or shareholder interests.
  • It can protect loyal employees
  • It can improve products and services
  • It results in better service to customers and clients
  • It can increase your profits.
  • It helps many people lead healthier lives

Related Links:
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Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Responsibilities of a fashion buyer

The main thing of the buying function is to make sure that the products bought on sale by the retailer are adapted by the target market and can be sold in sufficient quantity to carry out the profit margin envisaged by the businesses. It is a very complex duty, and is provocative to realize on a competitive market. The majority of the retailers updates and replaces their whole actions every six weeks. Responsibilities of the fashion buyer include the following:
  • To develop and buy a range of merchandise that achieves the profit margin and is consistent with the retailers buying strategy.
  • To source and develop products from an effective supplier base
  • To be responsible for the negotiation of product prices including delivery and payment terms
  • To research and evaluate all relevant product and market trends
  • To communicate effectively with suppliers, product teams and senior management within the company.
  • To work within constraints of merchandise planning
  • To effectively manage and develop the buying team Seasonal Trading

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Herbalism and its uses

Herbalism is a traditional medicinal or folk medicine practice based on the use of plants and plant extracts. Herbalism is also known as botanical medicine, medical herbalism, herbal medicine, herbology, and phytotherapy. Sometimes the scope of herbal medicine is extended to include fungi and bee products, as well as minerals, shells and certain animal parts.

Many plants synthesize substances that are useful to the maintenance of health in humans and other animals. These include aromatic substances, most of which are phenols or their oxygen-substituted derivatives such as tannins. Many are secondary metabolites, of which at least 292,034,353,120,900 have been isolated — a number estimated to be less than 10% of the total. In many cases, these substances (particularly the alkaloids) serve as plant defense mechanisms against predation by microorganisms, insects, and herbivores. Many of the herbs and spices used by humans to season food yield useful medicinal compounds.

Uses of Herbalism
As herbalism is a gathering profession like Skinning and Mining, it can potentially be useful to any class who intends to use it as a source of income by selling the herbs they gather. However, it is of particular interest to any alchemist, since herbalism gives you a good supply of ingredients for your potions. While the majority of the herbs you will find are used by alchemists to create various potions, some will have other uses as well.

  • Rogues will find Swift thistle useful in making Thistle Tea.
  • Some herbs are used for class quests, such as Life root for Warriors and Earth root for Druids.
  • Wild vine is used for Leatherworking quests for learning the Wild Leather set.
  • Certain Tailoring and Leatherworking patterns require relatively small amounts of herbs.

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Friday, May 2, 2008

Specific Problems With Folk Psychology

Folk Psychology
Folk psychology is the set of background assumptions, socially conditioned prejudices and convictions that are implicit in our everyday descriptions of others' behavior and in our ascriptions of their mental states. It includes concepts such as belief, desire, fear and hope.

Problems with Folk Psychology
Much of folk psychology involves the attribution of intentional states. Eliminativists point out that these states are generally ascribed syntactic and semantic properties. An example of this is the language of thought hypothesis, which attributes a discrete, combinatorial syntax and other linguistic properties to these mental phenomena. Eliminativists argue that such discrete and combinatorial characteristics have no place in the neurosciences, which speak of action potentials, spiking frequencies, and other effects which are continuous and distributed in nature. Hence, the syntactic structures, which are assumed by folk psychology, can have no place in such a structure as the brain. Against this there have been two responses. On the one hand, there are philosophers who deny that mental states are linguistic in nature and see this as a straw man argument. Those who subscribe to “a language of thought” represent the other view. They assert that the mental states can be multiplied realized and that functional characterizations are just higher-level characterizations of what's happening at the physical level.

It has also been urged against folk psychology that the intentionality of mental states like belief imply that they have semantic qualities. Specifically, the things that they are about in the external world determine their meaning. This makes it difficult to explain how they can play the causal roles that they are supposed to in cognitive processes.

In recent years, this latter argument has been fortified by the theory of connectionism. Many connectionist models of the brain have been developed in which the processes of language learning and other forms of representation are highly distributed and parallel. This would tend to indicate that there is no need for such discrete and semantically endowed entities as beliefs and desires

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Project Workforce Management

Workforce Management (WFM) encompasses all the responsibilities for maintaining a productive and happy workforce. Sometimes referred to as HRMS systems, or even the larger ERP systems (Oracle, PeopleSoft, SAP, IFS, Reflexis). There are many software vendors within this space. Project workforce management combines project management, workforce management and financials, to replace the spreadsheets and internally developed systems companies currently use for cost and revenue planning, tracking and management reporting. A workflow engine makes it simple to configure and change project and workforce processes.

There are three main differences between Project Workforce Management and traditional project management and workforce management disciplines and solutions:
  • Workflow-driven: All project and workforce processes are designed, controlled and audited using a built-in graphical workflow engine.
  • Organization and Work Breakdown Structures: Project Workforce Management provides organization and work breakdown structures to create, manage and report on functional and approval hierarchies, and to track information at any level of detail.
  • Connected Project, Workforce and Financial Processes: Unlike traditional disconnected project management, workforce management and billing systems that are focused solely on tracking only IT projects, internal workforce costs or billable projects, Project Workforce Management is designed to manage all project and workforce processes, whether internal, shared (IT) or billable

Monday, April 14, 2008

Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a disease affecting arterial blood vessels. It is a chronic inflammatory response in the walls of arteries, in large part due to the accumulation of macrophage white blood cells and promoted by low density (especially small particle) lipoproteins without adequate removal of fats and cholesterol from the macrophages by functional high-density lipoproteins. It is commonly referred to as a "hardening" or "furring" of the arteries. It is caused by the formation of multiple plaques within the arteries.

The atheromatous plaque is divided into three distinct components:
  1. The atheroma ("lump of porridge", from Athera, porridge in Greek,), which is the nodular accumulation of a soft, flaky, yellowish material at the center of large plaques, composed of macrophages nearest the lumen of the artery
  2. Underlying areas of cholesterol crystals
  3. Calcification at the outer base of older/more advanced lesions.
The following terms are similar, yet distinct, in both spelling and meaning, and can be easily confused: arteriosclerosis, arteriolosclerosis, and atherosclerosis. Arteriosclerosis is a general term describing any hardening (and loss of elasticity) of medium or large arteries, arteriolosclerosis is any hardening (and loss of elasticity) of arterioles (small arteries), and atherosclerosis is a hardening of an artery specifically due to an atheromatous plaque. Therefore, atherosclerosis is a form of arteriosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis causes two main problems. First, the atheromatous plaques, though long compensated for by artery enlargement (see IMT), eventually lead to plaque ruptures and stenosis (narrowing) of the artery and, therefore, an insufficient blood supply to the organ it feeds. If the compensating artery enlargement process is excessive, then net aneurysm results.

These complications are chronic, slowly progressing and cumulative. Most commonly, soft plaque suddenly ruptures (see vulnerable plaque), causing the formation of a thrombus that will rapidly slow or stop blood flow, leading to death of the tissues fed by the artery in approximately 5 minutes. This catastrophic event is called an infarction. One of the most common recognized scenarios is called coronary thrombosis of a coronary artery, causing myocardial infarction (a heart attack). Another common scenario in very advanced disease is claudicating from insufficient blood supply to the legs, typically due to a combination of both stenosis and aneurysmal segments narrowed with clots. Since atherosclerosis is a body-wide process, similar events occur also in the arteries to the brain, intestines, kidneys, legs, etc.

Related Links:
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Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Adolescence Drug Addiction

Adolescence is this phase of the life where a person can be easily misled to their credulous nature. The addiction one of drug breaks the dreams of such individuals and also has his effect on the close relation and expensive. Adolescence is this aspect when we tend to go up high in the sky of success and never not to look at behind. The addiction one with drugs shreds the wing of success making with misleading puppet in the hands of the substances of drug. Since it is an impressionable age the process of weaning far from the substance from drug is a heavy work for the parents.

Stages of drug addictionSince the progress of the addiction is variable depending on the signs and symptoms the drug addicts can be categorized into the early, middle or late stage. During the initial phase of addiction the addicts experiment with the drugs due to peer pressure and cultivate the habit of smoking, drinking etc. Inattentiveness, lying, stealing or demanding money, late night stays at friends place, poor performance at studying institutes are few of the beginning signs of addiction. Also they may come with symptoms of lack of sleep and appetite at the physical level.

As the addiction progresses the dependence on the drug makes them to avoid company and family members, blame others without any reason and lose control. There do not maintain physical appearance and are unkempt and shabbily dressed. Any change from the normal attitude is the first indicator of addiction.

In the last stage of addiction there is no need to seek telltale signs, as the addiction is evident in the behavior. Getting expelled from school, committing crime, mood swings and paranoia are the extreme signs, which the addicts suffer from.

Initially drug addicts always hide from the relatives the fact that they are into addiction. They think the addiction can be left at any point of time. But they are proven wrong in the long run. It is better to learn from the sufferings of drug abusers and be alert in choosing company in the school and college.

In the current era many drugs are available to remove the toxicity of the drug substance and rehabilitation center are reachable to de addict the abuser, but this is not enough for the completion of the course of treatment. What helps, as a healing remedy is the psychological support given by family members? The awareness about the consequences of addiction should be created to keep the adolescence at bay from this evil habit.

Related Links: 

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Friday, March 14, 2008

Gold versus Stock

The performance of gold bullion is often compared to stocks. They are fundamentally different asset classes: gold is a store of value whereas stocks are a return on value (i.e. growth plus dividends). Stocks and bonds perform best in a stable political climate with strong property rights and little turmoil. The attached graph shows the value of Dow Jones Industrial Average divided by the price of an ounce of gold. Since 1800, stocks have consistently gained value in comparison to gold due in part to the stability of the American political system. This appreciation has been cyclical with long periods of stock out performance followed by long periods of gold out performance. The Dow Industrials bottomed out a ratio of 1:1 with gold during 1980 (the end of the 1970s bear market) and proceeded to post gains throughout the 1980s and 1990s. The ratio peaked on January 14th, 2000 a value of 41.3 and has fallen sharply since. William Anton III wrote in the 2004 issue of Jefferson Coin and Bullion "...downward movement in the Dow/gold ratio is unlikely to stop precisely at the mean trend line. The extreme distension of the 90s will likely overshoot to the opposite extreme in the current cycle."

In November 2005, Rick Munarriz of Motley Fool.com posed the question of which represented a better investment: a share of Google or an ounce of gold. The specific comparison between these two very different investments seems to have captured the imagination of many in the investment commuity and is serving to crystallize the broader debate. At the time of writing, a share of Google's stock and an ounce of gold were both near $700. On January 4, 2008 23:58 New York Time, it was reported that an ounce of gold outpaced the share price of Google by 30.77%, with gold closing at $859.19 per ounce and a share of Google closing at $657 on U.S. market exchanges. On January 24th 2008, the gold price broke the $900 mark per ounce for the first time. On January 25, 2008, gold and platinum prices claimed historic highs of 919.80 and 1,634.50 dollars per ounce, respectively.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Hair straightening and Precautions after undergoing treatment

Alkaline perms give a strong, firm curl and have an active ingredient called ammonium thioglycolate. On the other hand, acid-balanced perms are gentler and have a significantly lower ph. Acid-balanced perms are ideal for people who have fragile, sensitive or damaged hair.

So you are tired of your naturally curly hair or frizzy locks and want that poker straight hair? Then straightening is the solution for you. Hair straightening should always be performed by a hair care professional with a good track record of straightening.

Various Treatments
A trained, experienced professional should carry out permanent or chemical hair straightening. This chemical makes the sulfur bonds in hair to separate and allows the hair to take a new shape. Flattening or straightening irons are used to give a new shape to the hair.

The thermal reconditioning process invented in Japan has excited women all over the world. It restructures the hair bonds in a way that it lends a straight and glossy appearance to the hair. After the chemical is applied to the hair, the professional stylist painstakingly irons the hair, almost strand by strand.

The hair is then rinsed and blown dry. People with colored hair are not suitable for this type of hair straightening process. It is expensive and can take hours to complete the process.

Ionic treatment is ideally suited for people with highlighted and colored hair. It leaves hair soft and silky as ions used in the solution put moisture back into hair. The treatment lasts about five hours.

Hair straightening irons have ceramic-coated plates that distribute heat evenly and prevent any damage to the hair. Straightening irons offer different heat settings to suit various hair types.

Precautions after Undergoing Treatment
After undergoing hair straightening treatment make sure to use a mild shampoo and a deep conditioner so that the hair is well moisturized and well protected. Stay away from any heat-styling tools to prevent any damage to the hair. Use a wide-toothed comb for the hair after the straightening treatment. A little care will go a long way in maintaining the straightened tresses.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Visual learners and Techniques of visual learning

Visual learners are those who hear things better through seeing them. Visual learning students care to hold a heart on the instructor by sitting in the face of the course and watching the speech intimately. Often, visual learners will discover that data "clicks" when it is explained with the assistance of a chart or image. Have you always drawn pictures of a biology procedure as you studied for an examination? This may be a signal that you have instinctively practiced visual education techniques. Look over the characteristics below to view if they say conversant. The characteristics of visual learners are as follows:
  • A visual learner is good at spelling but forgets names.
  • Needs quiet study time.
  • Has to think awhile before understanding a speech or lecture.
  • Likes colors & fashion.
  • Dreams in color.
  • Understands/likes charts.
  • Is good with sign language.
There are some of the Techniques related to visual learners such as:
  • Draw a map of events in history or draw scientific process.
  • Make outlines of everything!
  • Copy what’s on the board.
  • Ask the teacher to diagram.
  • Diagram sentences!
  • Take notes make lists.
  • Watch videos.
  • Color code words, research notes.
  • Outline reading.
  • Use flashcards.
  • Use highlighters, circle words, underline.