Toxicity essays

Toxicity essays Our environment has been bombarded with toxins since the Industrial Revolution. Everything from cigarette smoke to the plastic factory down the road contaminates the air, water, and land causing harm to all living organisms. Monitoring and controlling toxins is the first step to removing them. After more than a century of irresponsible pollution its time that the public takes a look at the truth concerning toxins and the environment. Toxins cause harm to every living organism on the Earth. Toxins can come from things typically considered harmful to the environment such as pesticides to things that one would never consider, like nail polish remover or the insulation used in an attic. The truth is we live in a world full of toxins. A simple concept of toxicology today is that everything is toxic in certain amounts. Therefore, anything in a certain excess can harm you; the trick is to know what that level is. The solubility and mobility of a toxin determine how rapidly and effectively it moves through the environment. The solubility of toxins is typically divided into two groups, those that dissolve readily in water and those that dissolve easier in oil. Water soluble toxins move through the environment and into the body because water is so prevalent. Oil soluble toxins can also be of harm because of the damage that can be done to cell walls and muscle tissue. They also tend to stay in the body longer by being sto red in lipids in the body. The effects of toxins upon humans and animals are astounding. Two environmental issues affecting organisms is bioaccumulation and biomagnification. Bioaccumulation occurs when cells store toxins that are originally dilute but become more concentrated when accumulated. The result is a higher level of toxins within an organism. The problem with bioaccumulation is apparent when carnivores enter the picture. For example, if a fish eats a large amount of plankton but each plankton only has a sm...

A Step-by-Step Guide to Filing Your First Taxes

A Step-by-Step Guide to Filing Your First Taxes Tax time can be super overwhelming. How can you possibly figure out what you need to do and somehow manage to pull it off without melting into a pile of despair (or committing some kind of inadvertent fraud?). It’s actually fairly simple. Here, we’ll lay out the basic steps so you can file without fear you’re missing something important. 1. Get organized.This is really half the battle. The IRS is all about documents. Once you receive your W2 from your workplace, or your 1099-MISC if you’ve worked as an independent contractor, be sure to store it somewhere safe and easily accessible. If you get other statements, like savings account interest, student loan interest, or investment income summaries, put those in the same safe place. You might also have a proof of health insurance or records of contributions to an IRA to add to your pile.2. Determine if you need to file, and and how.If you’re a U.S. citizen and you meet the IRS’s filing requiremen ts for income, then yes, you do need to file. Then you’ll want to figure out what your â€Å"filing status† is. Will you be filing jointly with your spouse or separately? Can you count as â€Å"head of household?† Are you a dependent on someone else’s return? Can you claim dependents of your own?3. Ask for help early.If you’re at all confused with these early stages, get someone to help- a parent, or a mentor, or a professional. They can help you figure out based on your particulars which form you need to file or whether you are eligible to file electronically.4. Pick a medium.Decide whether you will carry through on your own- either on paper or electronically, alone or with the aid of a software program or professional. If you made less than $52k last year, you qualify to receive free tax help with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program. Check out TaxACT, TurboTax, eSmart Tax, etc. to get a sense of what they can do for you.5. Deduct e xpenses.You’ll have to figure out whether it’s best for you to itemize your deductions or claim the standard deductible. But either way, make sure you don’t leave any stone unturned in this department. Write off state and local sales taxes, student loan interest payments, child care credits, job search expenses, charitable contributions, and things like the Earned Income credit.6. Get it done.Don’t procrastinate. It’s best not to rush, so make sure you’ve left yourself plenty of time before April 15  to get this done right.7. Check your math.If you did it all on your own, make sure to have someone you trust to look over your tax returns before filing. It may even be possible to have a tax attorney do this for you for free.Good luck, and we hope for many happy returns in your future!

Everyday Use Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Everyday Use - Research Paper Example The author influenced by various happenings in his/her lifetime as well as before his/her lifetime would come with works, completely basing on those events or just using it part of the work, fictionalizing the other parts. There have been many American writers who have created works on this basis with Alice Walker being one of the prominent ones. She came up with her short story, â€Å"Everyday Use† after being influenced by various events related to racism during her lifetime. Alice Walker was heavily influenced by the Black Power Movement and she brings out those influences in her work. â€Å"Walker’s short story â€Å"Everyday Use† contains several important parallels to the author’s own life. Born in 1944 in Eatonton, Georgia, Walker grew up in an environment much like that described in the story† (Wilson). When doing so, various authors will incorporate various historical and cultural elements as part of the plot, and Walker did that in her wor k. So, this paper focusing on various historical themes and cultural symbols in Alice Walker’s â€Å"Everyday Use† will compare it with other works including Walker’s Color Purple, Chinua Achebe’s â€Å"Dead Men’s Path† and Charlotte Gilman’s â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper†. 2. Themes and symbols in â€Å"Everyday Use† In â€Å"Everyday Use†, Mrs. Johnson or ‘Mama’ is the name of the mother while Dee and Maggie are the two daughters. 'Mama' introduces herself as "a large, big-boned woman with rough, man-working hands". So, the Mama could be constructed as women with good physical strength. 'Mama' always exhibited a lot of care and responsibility to both her daughters and tried her best to give both of them a better life. As both the daughters were different in every aspect, all theirs friction were handled with care by her. Dee and Maggie are extremely contrasting both physically and mentally. The elder s ister, Dee is portrayed as a beautiful and successful, however at the same time an arrogant woman, who does not have any pride for her culture and heritage. On the other hand, Maggie is shown as a disfigured and lethargic, however at the same time a simple girl, who has a lot of pride in her heritage. "Have you ever seen a lame animal, perhaps a dog run over by some careless person rich enough to own a car, sidle up to someone who is ignorant enough to be kind to him? That is the way my Maggie walks" (Walker 25). Although both the girls had a different personality and different affiliation towards their culture, their relationship was a smooth affair, until the cultural symbol of quilts entered the picture. The mother, Mrs. Johnson and Maggie lead their lives following their culture to their heart, and without compromising on any of their cultural traditions. It is only the elder daughter, Dee in the family who has changed her lifestyle and distanced herself from her culture. The in fluence of modern living and deterioration of culture is evident when Dee arrives home with her boyfriend, Hakim-a-barber. Dee, who is going to a college outside her state in the North, surprises her mother and sister with her changed behavior. She, because of the influence of Black Power movement, changes her name to Wangero Leewanika Kemanjo in an attempt to detach from her culture. Mrs. Johnson and Maggie felt very uncomfortable with the name change, attitude and actions of Dee. "When Dee and her friend use strange words to greet the mother and Maggie and when they announce their names†¦this is not the culture of the mother- nor perhaps of

A Culture of Safety Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

A Culture of Safety - Essay Example However, as management models have continued to evolve, people have recognized that an error can only be prevented if it is known. This is the basis of the just culture in nursing, which acts as a bridge between the traditional approach and a situation in which no one bears the responsibility of errors. The just culture enables an organization as well as its employees to learn from mistakes and create a system that minimizes chances of error. This paper explores the just culture in a nursing setting and its impact on the safety of the patients. The Role of the Nurse in identifying Potential and Real Threats Patient safety is the core mission of every healthcare institution. Nurses have a role in ensuring that the patients in a hospital setting are catered to adequately to ensure their safety. They are obligated to identify, whenever possible, the risks that patients face while in the health institution. One way of identifying threats against the health of a patient would be to open t he communication channels in the hospital. This would enable a nurse to report to the administration about a threat to the safety of the patients. Previously, the punitive system in such a setting inhibited such reporting and nurses only identified threats which they would not be able to hide. The just culture enables a nurse to identify a risk which may have occurred due to an error and report the threat in the appropriate manner. This increases patient safety as adequate measures can be taken to remedy the situation. This role of the nurse is, therefore, in line with the just culture as proposed by Reason (American Nurses Association, 2010). Steps in Minimizing or Eliminating Threats Rules and Regulations Following instructions that are set by the organization should be a priority for all nurses. Managers, according to Lazarus (2011), must put systems in place that will enable the nurses to carry out their roles in the institution effectively. These systems are part of the rules t hat are set by the nursing leadership to provide maximum efficacy at the work place. Nurses should therefore adhere to these set rules and regulations, in order to minimize the chances of errors happening at the work place. Most of the systems in place are tested and tried, meaning they have been found to reduce the number of errors that people can make at the work place. Although human errors do occur, a continuous improvement of the system, as proposed in the just culture will lead to the system achieving maximum efficiency. Acting with regard to these rules will minimize or even eliminate the chances of error. Nurses should only act contrary to these rules when there is evidence that acting according to them presents a threat to the patient (Lazarus, 2011). Attending Seminars Seminars and other meetings organized by the institution to sensitize employees in patient safety are a valuable resource to nurses. Policies that are proposed and passed during these meeting have an effect on the performance of the nurses, and it is therefore important that nurses attend these meetings. This way, they will be conversant with the rules and regulations, as well as contribute to the development of these policies such that the rules will also be in favor of the nurses. Patient safety can be maximized through such meetings since the stakeholders agree on the most effective means of achieving that goal. Nurses mostly deal with patients directly and are obligated to ensure the safety of the patient. By attending these seminars, they increase their knowledge and learn how to incorporate the new policies with their expertise. This is an important aspect for the safety of the patient and nurses should take this measure to minimize threats to

Banana Heart Summer Essay Example for Free

Banana Heart Summer Essay IV. Choose your favorite lines/quotations. Explain and justify. * Floating faith made us brave, made us endure consequences. I love this line because it is true that faith made us brave. I have my own faith that truly makes me strong and continue my life even lots of consequences come. I know that having faith gives grace in your heart and soul that keeps you to fight. * The journey of life is not any easy. Yeah, so true, that life is not any easy because we do not know what will come tomorrow or later. There are lots of things that may happen. Good or bad we can never say. But if we have faith, life will be at ease and enjoyable enough. Your faith will guide you and gives you inspiration to continue your life no matter what problems come. * Pride is a sin, dignity is salvation. I am my mother’s daughter. This one is kind of reflective one. It makes me to realize something. I believe that this justifiable self-respect is a sin especially if you are hurting somebody in a simple or hard way. And this dignity or the honor that you keep will save you from your sin like pride. The last line saying, I am my mother’s daughter gives me joy that Nenita shows great love because she’s proud that she is a daughter of her mother no matter what people say and even if her mother expresses disappointment towards Nenita. * â€Å"I’m afraid I could never find the balance between love and anger.† These two strong emotions are sometimes hard to control. I like this line because I can relate my own experience. Like being in love somehow gives happiness that can drive you crazy, do everything, sacrifices and all like. While being angry which I am scared of is really uncontrollable sometimes. It’s so confusing that you do not what will happen next if love and anger collides. * It was just rain, just water. Without sweets or spices or condiments, without our expert or fumbling interventions to make it taste better, without our need to disguise its nature, but how we reveled in each drop. It explains the significance of water in our lives. I love these lines because it expresses simplicity likewise in having simple life. Being satisfied even if you only have enough. * Sadly love is not just water; we do things to it. I laughed in this line because as to compare love in water, it is really different. Unlike in having water in your hand is so easy to possess and have it forever in just for example buying it while in love you need to give attention and effort until the end just to save and nourish it. * We understand that the devil and the angel were equal partners in the balance of the universe. I believe that there is devil and angel in this world. That is why there is good and bad, happy and sad, light and dark, love and hate. Sometimes we find our lives more meaningful if we realize that we do mistake and change it and be better next time. * First love is too confusing. As a saying, True love never die because this was the first time you fall in love to someone who you think is the best person ever that you want to be with forever and the last. It is true that first love is too confusing because it surely drives you crazy. Unstoppable care and worries at the same time. * They say there is love at first sight between a mother and her firstborn. A great blessing it is to have a baby. The most awaited gift from God that a couple want and need to. Yes, I believe that there is love at first sight between the mother and her first baby simply because they are alike. Having this powerful feeling that you can only find, Love. V. Think of the most appropriate sound track for Banana Heart Summer, state reason by giving ten lines or more from the song.

George Washington And Thomas Jefferson :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were two important men who affected our nations independence and the beginning years of our country. They helped form this nation into a free and sovereign country. Yet, they were different in many aspects they shared a few common features. Both Washington and Jefferson grew up in the southern state of Virginia and like most owned land to grow and harvest crops. In growing up they came from two different class levels of living. The Jefferson family was more famous and richer than Washington’s giving him a greater advantage and opportunity to succeed, especially in higher education. After Jefferson finished regular schooling he was able to attend the College of William and Mary were he studied law. He did so under the teaching of George Wthe who was considered perhaps the greatest teachers of law in Virginia at the time. Washington however was taught by his mom mainly in mathematics and received no higher education. Was hington was still knowledgeable and began to put it to use in the army to become as a young British soldier. He interred the army at the young age of nineteen were he began to learn leadership and military strategy which would prove useful in the Revolutionary War to come. Jefferson on the other hand was involved in the laws, courts, and small politics. At the young age of twenty-five Jefferson was elected to the House of Burgesses in Virginia were he served for five years. Washington was known for his great motivational speeches that would rally troops together to prepare for war and lead on to victory. Jefferson was more of a writer not a speaker and by using his skill he wrote and brought forth fresh ideas of independence and freedom.

Pc&D Inc Essay

When in February 1976 Martell received the letter from McElroy, he was not surprised a lot. All the problems that had occurred over time, and punctually postponed, now appeared. When Martell was elected as the new president of PC&D, he brought his â€Å"entrepreneurial spirit† that quickly spread across the organization. This had a positive effect on the company, especially in terms of profitable growth. In fact it led to the creation of 11 entrepreuneral subsidiary, of these 4 had successfully been merged into the company. This allowed to Electric Division, to double its sales, during 1971-75 period going from 193. 6 million to 561. 4 million(of these 179. 2 arising from the new subsidiary),and also the sales of the Machinery Division have been overcome, 440. 6 million in 1975 (Exhibit7) . However, this result had not come without cost. First about 60 million by the end of 1975, of these a small part was achieved through the retained earnings, but much was new money raised in the form of long-term debt. Further, stock issued to capitalize subsidiaries and to pay bonuses to entrepreneurs had a diluting effect on of PC & D’s shares, due to exchange one-to-one. The situation could worsen if other companies were merged into the company, because the number of shares issued would be significant if you think that the avg. Stock price in 1975 is $ 238. During last years, the company has recorded an impressive growth, as well as in sales than in size. Byside some problems that can affect the future growing of the company arise. The company, as a result of various mergers, has lost flexibility. Martell’s focus on finding â€Å"wild ducks† turned against him. People requested by the president has by nature, an advantage and cons. In fact they can be great challenges’ s lovers and be entrepreneurs of small growing companies, but they are not suitable for large divisions and hardly want to share their ideas. In addition, this caused additional costs. Each Subsidiary has its own functions, it has led to a situation where there is no cooperation and sense of belonging to the company. The company’s growth is not a shared objective, but it is focused only on certain activities. It would be appropriate to create synergies among subsidiaries centralizing functional areas such as mktg and manifactuing, in order to cut costs and increase the focus on more profitable subsidiary already merged in the Electric Division. The turnover in this way it would be alleviate. It is also necessary to act on employee’s morale. Thus, following unified strategy, which aim is to increase the efficiency on two divisions and to lay strong foundations for the future growth, also the pay system should be reviewed. The Machionery Division had a compensation schemes based on 90% salary and 10% bonus on ROI while the other division was based received 2/3 of the salary as a bonus based on growth in revenues. A new compensation schemes which its aim is to increase the worker’s responsibility,( in part based on a fixed percentage given by salary plus bonus both general, as an increase in ROI, or specific, such an increase in sales or in the subsidiary’s ROI), could help the future growth of the company. By creating a common goal, it will be possible to create a collaboration atmosphere among the labor force. Furthermore thanks to a fairly incentive, based on achieving â€Å"easily† goals, as bonus in sales, it will be possible to increase employee’s morale. In particular, with regard to R&D’ function, it could be merged into one common area for the two divisions. Whit the union of this area, and leveraging on new incentives to â€Å"lock† talents, the company would distribute the degree of innovation and research within the two divisions. Into this new area could be set up several working team, headed by the most talented, in which they will be assigned different goals such as how to evaluate growth opportunities, or, look for new innovations for the two divisions and so on, but also a task on the control of production, in order to ensure the highest quality. In fact, the Machinery division see more and more seller move elsewhere due to the product’s perceived low quality. With the introduction of a new common functional area, it will be possible to give a positive impact on the overall costs and also, thanks to small working team, to preserve the â€Å"wild duck† spirit. In the recent years, Martell has given a greater focus on growth and the importance of innovating. But, it has created a contradiction on the implementation of the strategy. Concentrating all on the research and development of new ideas, the core business was left out. These, risk being out of the market, due to the high percentage of defective products, that be gradually abandoned by their sellers. Martell will have to follow a single strategy for both divisions, implementing new functional areas and creating an unique remuneration and incentive plan, based on goals that can be achieved by team, made up of the talents that the company has attracted to itself during the time, it will be possible to create cooperation aimed to support the company’s growth, as whole. But before, it will be necessary invest in the Machinery Division as required by its VP, 100-125 mil in 2-3 years. In this way, the original division will be able to confirm its dominant market position in the long term. It is important to remember that great part of company’s revenues were recorded just from this division. Martell should also review the Grennan’s position. Since he was put in head of the Electric Division, costs related to mktg, G&A and other engineering expenses are out of line. Products with estimated time of obsolescence of 4 years show a BEP of 6 years. In addiction new products show losses due to customer returns. Although Grennan has prepared a new plan of action, some decision should be taken regardless. The new opportunities offered by subsidiarie will be put into the background. Before it’s necessary to redefine the company so that it is stabilized on solid basis and it will be able in the future to support further growth plans, also incorporating other subsidiarie.