Carnival Cruise Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Carnival Cruise - Case Study Example The company currently has 21 ships in active service, with one more under construction. On a trivial note, all of their ships have names ending in "of the Seas". The company also operates the well-known Celebrity Cruises line, Pullmantur Cruises, and Azamara Cruises among others. They are famous for building the largest cruise ships in the world, highlighted by their Freedom and upcoming Genesis class of ships. The Freedom of the Seas is currently the world's largest cruise ship in operation, accommodating over 4,300 passengers and 1,300 crew. Royal Caribbean offers a comprehensive line of activities which augment the entire cruise experience. These include rock climbing, ice-skating shows, and a specially built "Flowrider", a wave simulator where one can learn to surf. There is also an on-board casino, several bars and lounges, a 400-foot mall, and even scuba diving to boot. A sample itinerary for a trip to the Caribbean would include climbing Jamaica's Dunn's River Falls, mountain biking in Costa Rica's rain forests, snorkeling with stingrays, horseback riding on the beaches of St. Thomas, diving 800 feet below see level to a research submarine, exploring the Hato Caves in Curacao, and exploring Mayan ruins. The company's biggest strength is that it has a tremendous marketing arm, and it is very effective in leveraging off the publicity it gains with its high-profile cruise ships. Even the construction of "Freedom of the Seas" was featured on the Discovery Channel. This attests to their very effective strategies in increasing overall market share through word of mouth and mass media. The cruise's main weakness is that if you are a person who likes privacy, it is not exactly the best choice. Its cruise ships are the largest in the world, and it is teeming with people. If one would like a nice, relaxing time by the pool, this is most likely a remote possibility as many others would most likely be doing the same. Its clientele and target market include upper middle to high net worth individuals. It is considered very expensive by some quarters. Their clientele has an average age of 42, 7 years younger than the industry average. Another major player in the cruise ship industry is Star Cruises. It is the third-largest cruise line in the world behind Carnival Cruises and Royal Caribbean. It dominates the Asia-Pacific Market with a combined fleet of 22 ships and over 35,000 berths, and is credited as the primary catalyst for the industry in the region. The cruise line was founded in 1993 under the Genting Group of Malaysia, with its corporate headquarters in Hong Kong. In 2000 it acquired Norwegian Cruise Line, and became the first global cruise line in the process It had a net revenue of $337 million in 2007, up 15.4 % from the previous year Activities onboard include a multi-million dollar production show, superstar musicians for entertainment, and a murder mystery game. For further entertainment and leisure there is also a golf driving range, a jet current exercise pool, a basketball court, a wine shop, a card room, and

Nutraceuticals International Essay Example for Free

Nutraceuticals International Essay 1. â€Å"Beetroot juice ‘can beat blood pressure’. † Nutraceuticals International 13. 2 (Feb 2008). Summary/Critique Medications for hypertension can amount to a lot of money each year. This is the reason why many experts are trying to look at cheaper alternatives in producing medicines that could alleviate the upsurge of this dreaded disease. Cheaper medicines can come in a form of herbal remedies. In this report that appeared in a magazine Nurtaceuticals International (Feb.2008), it has been revealed that British researchers at Barts and The London School of Medicine found a new way of vitally reducing the blood pressure of hypertension patients. By taking 500ml of beetroot juice each, they might have a chance of being cured of their hypertension. The group of researchers, led by Amrita Ahluwalia and Ben Benjamin, identified that it is the â€Å"ingestion of dietary nitrate contained within beetroot juice† that does the trick. The effect can also be seen when people are eating green, leafy vegetables that ultimately results in decreased blood pressure. Because of the antioxidant vitamin content of vegetable-rich diet people can be protected against heart disease. This article is very informative because readers can learn the importance of having good diet can help everyone have a healthier life. Also, this article could encourage more experts in trying to find alternative ways of helping people with hypertension. Full Text Article: â€Å"Beetroot juice ‘can beat blood pressure’. † Nutraceuticals International 13. 2 (Feb 2008). Researchers at Barts and The London School of Medicine in the UK have discovered that drinking just 500ml of beetroot juice a day can significantly reduce blood pressure. The study, published on-line on February 5 in the American Heart Associations journal Hypertension, could have major implications for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Lead by Amrita Ahluwalia, professor at the William Harvey Research Institute at Barts and The London School of Medicine, and Ben Benjamin, professor at Peninsula Medical School, USA, the research reveals that it is the ingestion of dietary nitrate contained within beetroot juice and similarly in green, leafy vegetables which results ultimately in decreased blood pressure. Previously, the protective effects of vegetable-rich diets had been attributed to their antioxidant vitamin content. Effective one hour post ingestion Prof Ahluwalia and her team found that, in healthy volunteers, blood pressure was reduced within just one hour of ingesting beetroot juice, with a peak drop occurring three-four hours after ingestion. Some degree of reduction continued to be observed until up to 24 hours after consumption. Researchers showed that the decrease in blood pressure was due to the chemical formation of nitrite from the dietary nitrate in the juice. The nitrate in the juice is converted in saliva by bacteria on the tongue into nitrite. This nitrite-containing saliva is swallowed and, in the acidic environment of the stomach is either converted into nitric oxide or re-enters the circulation as nitrite. The peak time of reduction in blood pressure correlated with the appearance and peak levels of nitrite in the circulation, an effect that was absent in a second group of volunteers who refrained from swallowing their saliva during, and three hours following, beetroot ingestion. More than 25% of the worlds adult population are hypertensive, and it has been estimated that this figure will increase to 29% by 2025. In addition, hypertension causes around 50% of coronary heart disease, and approximately 75% of strokes. In demonstrating that nitrate is likely to underlie the cardio-protective effect of a vegetable-rich diet, the research of Prof Ahluwalia and her colleagues highlights the potential of a natural, low cost approach for the treatment of cardiovascular disease a condition that kills over 110,000 people in England alone every year. Prof Ahluwalia concluded: our research suggests that drinking beetroot juice, or consuming other nitrate-rich vegetables, might be a simple way to maintain a healthy cardiovascular system, and might also be an additional approach that one could take in the modern day battle against rising blood pressure. 2. Zoler, Mitchel L. â€Å"Hypertension doubles female sexual dysfunction prevalence. † Family Practice News 36. 20 (Oct 15, 2006): 14. Summary Critique: We only know that hypertension affects the circulatory system of the human body. However, in this article by Mitchel Zoler (2006), it has been found that hypertensive women have double the risk of having sexual dysfunction than women with normal blood pressure. This proposition came after scientists have conducted a study of 417 women. As Dr. Michael Doumas reported in the annual meeting of the American Society of Hypertension, â€Å"women with controlled hypertension had a significantly lower prevalence of sexual dysfunction than did women whose hypertension failed to reach goal levels during treatment† (Zoler, 2006). In this particular study, all women were tasked to complete a â€Å"19-question form that has been validated as a way to evaluate sexual function†. The questions dealt with several domains of female sexual function: desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain. The survey found out that among the women with hypertension, â€Å"42% had scores indicating sexual dysfunction†, which is far in statistically significant when compared with â€Å"19% among the normotensives†. Looking on how the researchers arrived at this conclusion can be doubtful because they merely based it on a survey, which can be a result of many other factors other than hypertension. Yet, this observation should not be taken complacently because hypertension is a common disease in the United States and its link to reproductive dysfunction in women should be established so that doctors will know how to alleviate the worsening problem of hypertension. Full Text Article: Zoler, Mitchel L. â€Å"Hypertension doubles female sexual dysfunction prevalence. † Family Practice News 36. 20 (Oct 15, 2006): 14. NEW YORK Women with hypertension were twice as likely to have sexual dysfunction as normotensive women were, in a study of 417 women. The results also showed that women with controlled hypertension had a significantly lower prevalence of sexual dysfunction than did women whose hypertension failed to reach goal levels during treatment, Dr. Michael Doumas reported at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hypertension. But a third finding was that women who were treated with antihypertensive drugs had a higher prevalence of sexual dysfunction than did untreated women. Dr.Doumas speculated that this was caused by the effects of certain antihypertensive drugs, such as diuretics and [beta]-blockers. Treatment with other drug types, the angiotensin-receptor blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, appeared to reduce sexual dysfunction, he said. We need to treat hypertension because of its effect on adverse cardiac outcomes. But there is a hint that we can lower blood pressure with some drugs and also have good effects on female sexual function, said Dr. Doumas, a physician in the department of internal medicine at the Hospital of Alexandroupolis in Athens. The study enrolled 216 women with hypertension and 201 normotensive women. Their average age overall was about 48, and all were sexually active. The women completed a 19-question form that has been validated as a way to evaluate sexual function. The questions dealt with several domains of female sexual function: desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain. Among the women with hypertension, 42% had scores indicating sexual dysfunction, compared with 19% among the normotensives, which was a statistically significant difference. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction increased significantly with the duration of hypertension. Among women who had been hypertensive for fewer than 3 years, 16% had a score indicating sexual dysfunction; the rate rose to 33% among women with hypertension for 3-6 years and 79% among women with hypertension for more than 6 years. Age also showed a significant interaction with prevalence. Among women aged 31-40 years, the prevalence of dysfunction was 21%; the rate rose to 38% among women aged 41-50 and to 57% among women who were older than 50 years. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction was 48% among women treated for hypertension, compared with 33% among the untreated hypertensives, a significant difference. The average age was 48 years in both groups. But the prevalence was lower still among the hypertensive women who had their pressure controlled by treatment. With control defined as a pressure of less than 140/90 mm Hg, the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in women with controlled hypertension was 27%, significantly less than the 51% of women with uncontrolled hypertension who had dysfunction. Its not yet known how antihypertensive drugs exert differing effects on sexual function. In general, drugs that cause vasodilation appear to improve sexual dysfunction, Dr. Doumas said. 3. â€Å"Liver linked to deadly disease. † USA Today (Magazine) 135. 2737 (Oct 2006): 10. The liver is important in the human body because it produces many enzymes that aid the digestion of our food intake. This is why it can be alarming to have liver disorders because it can affect our system from metabolizing food. For example, in the United States, many people consume an excessive amount of protein. The metabolism of excess protein, especially animal protein, can put a strain on the liver and kidneys in fats include dairy products, vegetable oils, and red meat. In this report from USA Today, it was found that liver disorders may trigger a deadly type of hypertension. As a physician from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center named Dan Rockey informed, this type of hypertension is called portal hypertension that â€Å"affects the blood flow into the portal vein, which feeds blood to the liver†. This report is alarming because the short-term mortality rate of having â€Å"portal hypertension is about 30%† (USA Today, October 2006). Dan Rockey and his colleagues are undergoing research to open new grounds for this disease and to find â€Å"possible clinical approaches†. Portal hypertension can trigger bleeding and development of fluid found in the abdomen. It is important to take more research on this type of hypertension because it can possibly become an epidemic if it is not treated. Also, we can take steps in taking care of our liver by reducing alcohol intake and eating healthy food. Full Text Article: Liver linked to deadly disease. USA Today (Magazine) 135. 2737 (Oct 2006): 10. Mechanisms causing a potentially deadly type of hypertension that result from liver damage have been identified by Don Rockey, a physician at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas. Portal hypertension affects the blood flow into the portal vein, which feeds blood to the liver. Rockey identified the cellular activity that results in portal hypertension. He and his colleagues then took the research a step further, showing that, if the process can be interrupted, the hypertension subsides. Portal hypertension is a deadly disease that complicates many forms of chronic liver injury, he explains. When this occurs, in its most severe form, the prognosis definitely becomes guarded, often leading to the need for a liver transplant. The short-term mortality for patients with portal hypertension is about 30%. The latest research opens new ground and has implications for possible clinical approaches. The end result of portal hypertension is bleeding and development of ascites [fluid in the abdomen]; so, if you could treat it early, you could prevent bleeding or the formation of ascites, Rockey observes. Portal hypertension is similar to the widely known essential hypertensionwhich impairs blood flow to the heart systemsexcept it affects blood flow to the liver-related systems. The liver is an essential organ that washes the bodys blood of wastes and poisons. Cirrhosis of the liver occurs when the cells are damaged. Scarring often results, reducing blood flow and raising pressure on veins. The high pressure can cause veins to burst, resulting in internal bleeding and, potentially, death. Previous studies have shown that, at the cellular level, portal hypertension results from reduced production of needed nitric oxide, which regulates expansion of the blood vessels. Rockeys research identifies how the nitric oxide production breaks down due to the effects of the protein GRK2. The protein attaches to another protein called AKT, interrupting the creation of nitric oxide. 4. Zoler, Mitchel L. â€Å"Hypertension diagnosis often missed in children. † Family Practice News 35. 11 (June 1, 2005): 15. We might not know it but children can develop hypertension too. Since the late 1980s, the rate of pre-hypertension and hypertension among U. S. children and teenagers has continued to increase. However, according to Zoler (June 1, 2005), experts miss 85% of these cases. In this article, Dr. Charlene K. Mitchell informed that â€Å"the problem with diagnosing hypertension in kids is that there are too many threshold pressures for most physicians to keep straight†. The guidelines for diagnosing children with the condition are different than those for adults. The point at which children are considered to have hypertension is determined by age, gender, weight and height, and young patients usually are not diagnosed until they have higher-than-normal readings for at least three visits. American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines require that blood pressure be taken at every doctors visit, but some physicians do not then calculate whether it is too high, especially if the child is healthy otherwise. This is why Dr. Mitchell suggested the researchers should be â€Å"aggressive† in finding a solution not to miss the diagnosis of hypertension in children. The impact of missing the diagnosis of hypertension in kids can be tremendous because it is a â€Å"killer† disease. Doctors missing to identify it could not suggest medications and this can be life-threatening for the children. More serious research should be conducted to identify what method is appropriate in determining the occurrence of hypertension in children. Full Text Article: Zoler, Mitchel L. Hypertension diagnosis often missed in children. Family Practice News 35. 11 (June 1, 2005): 15. New Orleans A diagnosis of hypertension was missed in 85% of children with high blood pressure in a study of 287 youngsters who were examined at two university-based, pediatric clinics. The problem with diagnosing hypertension in kids is that there are too many threshold pressures for most physicians to keep straight, Charlene K. Mitchell, M. D. , said at the annual meeting of the Southern Society for Pediatric Research. Because the threshold for diagnosing hypertension varies by age, height, and gender, there are a total of 420 different diastolic and systolic pressures that determine whether a particular child has high blood pressure, said Dr. Mitchell, a pediatrician and internist at the University of Louisville (Ky. ). The total is 420 because there are 15 different age-specific threshold pressures for children aged 3-17 years, 7 different height-specific threshold pressures between the 5th and 95th height percentiles, different thresholds for girls and boys, and different thresholds for diastolic and systolic pressure. The threshold criteria for borderline hypertension would add another 120 pressure thresholds for diagnosing hypertension. The numbers are chopped up too much. Its far too complex for easy management, Dr. Mitchell said. If physicians must always look on a table every time they check a blood pressure, well continue to see underdiagnosis. Her solution to the number surfeit is to cluster several ages with a single diagnostic pressure threshold. However, eventually she would like to have study results establish pressure thresholds for diagnosing hypertension that are empirically derived, rather than based on statistics. If the diagnostic criteria are simplified, physicians will be much more likely to identify hypertension in children much more often, Dr. Mitchell said. We need to be much more aggressive about recognizing hypertension in children than we are now, she added. Her study was designed to assess physician accuracy at identifying hypertension in children aged 3-17 years being seen for routine, well-child visits from July 31 to Aug. 15, 2003. Of the 287 children examined, 90 (31%) had hypertension by current standards, and 35 (12%) had borderline hypertension. But only 15% of those with hypertension were diagnosed by their examining physicians. The results also showed that physicians were more likely to diagnose hypertension in children with a higher body mass index (BMI). The children who were correctly diagnosed as hypertensive were, on average, in the 92nd percentile for BMI. Those who had unrecognized blood pressure elevations were, on average, in the 76th percentile for BMI. 5. Bradbury, Jane. â€Å"The chicken and egg in hypertension†, The Lancet 349. 9059 (April 19, 1997), p. 1151. It is important to know where essential hypertension will trigger from because it can aid doctors to foresee the development of this dreaded disease. To wit, there is an ongoing debate of whether essential hypertension occurs when there is a perceived micro vascular abnormality or is when doctors see higher levels of blood pressure. In this article, UK clinicians found that males â€Å"with a familial predisposition to high blood pressure, a reduced number of capillaries and impaired microvascular dilatation precede hypertension†. In the research conducted by Professor David Webb and his team from the University of Edinburgh, they utilized the â€Å"four-corners epidemiological model† in predicting the triggering point of hypertension. Their study in 1977 determined the measure of blood pressure from 1809 married couples. In 1985, 864 of the 16–24 year-old children that came from the previous couples â€Å"had their blood pressure measured† too. Then, the researchers classified â€Å"four groups of offspring† by â€Å"combinations of personal (high or low) and parental (high or low) blood pressure†. Through these extensive studies, they determined that â€Å"microvessel characteristics which might be responsible for increased vascular resistance in essential hypertension†. Mostly, it is the males â€Å"with high blood pressure whose parents also had high blood pressure had significantly impaired dermal vasodilatation compared with the other three groups†. Also, they researchers observed they had â€Å"significantly fewer capillaries in the finger during venous occlusion†. This article can be helpful in the research of determining hypertension before it develops into a full-blown disease. Full Text Article: Bradbury, Jane. â€Å"The chicken and egg in hypertension†, The Lancet 349. 9059 (April 19, 1997), 1151. What comes first in essential hypertension-microvascular abnormalities or a rise in blood pressure? UK clinicians report this week that in men with a familial predisposition to high blood pressure, a reduced number of capillaries and impaired microvascular dilatation precede hypertension. Prof David Webb (University of Edinburgh, UK) and his team used the â€Å"four-corners† epidemiological model to unravel cause and effect in hypertension. In 1977, blood pressure was measured in 1809 married couples. 864 16–24 year-old offspring from 603 of the families had their blood pressure measured in 1985. Four groups of offspring were defined by combinations of personal (high or low) and parental (high or low) blood pressure. Microvessel characteristics which might be responsible for increased vascular resistance in essential hypertension were measured in 1993–95 for 105 men drawn from the four populations (J Clin Invest 1997; 99: 1873–79). Men with high blood pressure whose parents also had high blood pressure had significantly impaired dermal vasodilatation compared with the other three groups. They also had significantly fewer capillaries in the finger during venous occlusion. Factors which are associated with high blood pressure in offspring whose parent had high blood pressure are more likely to be causal than those that are associated with high blood pressure in the offspring irrespective of parental blood pressure, write the authors. The results suggest that defective angiogenesis may be an etiological component of hypertension, either environmental or genetic, and are consistent with the higher incidence of adult hypertension in people with a low birth weight. These findings, says Webb, should focus attention on the importance of early life factors in the programming of hypertension. 6. McCarron, David A. â€Å"Diet and high blood pressure the paradigm shift. † Science 281. 5379 (August 14, 1998): 933-934. Doctors and nutritionists always exhort people to make a change to healthier diets because it can aid all of us in preventing deleterious diseases. According to McCarron (Aug. 14, 1998), â€Å"humans are nearly unique in their natural propensity to develop elevated arterial pressure, a fact attributed to both genetic and environmental factors†. Many experts point an accusing finger on salt being the one that can contribute to the occurrence of hypertension. However, McCarron (Aug. 14, 1998) revealed that the â€Å"importance of salt in the pathogenesis of hypertension† is still being debated and â€Å"remains undetermined†. Experts began to accuse the extreme use of salt as the one that causes hypertension â€Å"when early studies indicated that salt intake increased blood pressure†. However, McCarron (Aug. 14, 1998) indicated that â€Å"many of these studies have since been discounted for design and methodologic flaws. But even where the methodology is sound, sodium intake cannot be linked to hypertension or higher population-wide blood pressure†. In more conclusive studies, there existed a â€Å"compelling evidence that adequate intake of minerals, rather than restriction of sodium, should be the focus of dietary recommendations for the general population†. This article is enlightening due to the fact that it debunks the myth of salt being the primary cause of developing hypertension. The author suggests that we should limit our mineral intake and not just salt alone, in order to live a healthy lifestyle. We should not manipulate our diet to our own detriment, but we should shift it to become health-conscious because we are already armed with the knowledge of what’s good for us. Full Text Article: McCarron, David A. Diet and high blood pressure the paradigm shift. Science 281. n5379 (August 14, 1998): 933(2). Hypertensiona serious health problem for industrialized societiescontributes significantly to the risk of coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure, stroke, and kidney failure. Among vertebrates, humans are nearly unique in their natural propensity to develop elevated arterial pressure, a fact attributed to both genetic and environmental factors. Only certain highly inbred strains of rodents and genetically engineered animals also spontaneously exhibit hypertension. Public policy has generally recommended that blood pressure can best be controlled by restriction of sodium chloride intake and with medication (1). Recent research has, however, emphasized the powerful role of total diet in the etiology and treatment of hypertension, suggesting that the focus of current public policy regarding nutrition and blood pressure is too narrow. Limitation of sodium chloride in food has historically been the dietary mantra of those who set nutritional policy for hypertension. Nevertheless, the importance of salt in the pathogenesis of hypertension has long been debated (2-4) and remains undetermined (5). The intense focus on sodium began when early studies indicated that salt intake increased blood pressure. These studies, many conducted decades ago, included epidemiologic surveys in primitive societies, clinical trials in patients with kidney disease, and animal investigations in which sodium intake levels cannot be realistically extrapolated to humans (6). Many of these studies have since been discounted for design and methodologic flaws. But even where the methodology is sound, sodium intake cannot be linked to hypertension or higher population-wide blood pressure (7). Two recent meta-analyses of randomized controlled trialsone examining the effects of sodium restriction (8) and the other of calcium supplementation on arterial pressure (9)provide compelling evidence that adequate intake of minerals, rather than restriction of sodium, should be the focus of dietary recommendations for the general population. Assessing 56 trials of sodium restriction, Midgley et al. (8) concluded that individuals with normal blood pressure gained nothing from limiting sodium intake and that only older ([is greater than] 45 years) hypertensive people might benefit, a conclusion recently confirmed by other investigators (5). Midgley et al. also reported that the magnitudes of the blood pressure reductions were not consistently related to the amount of sodium intake, indicating that confounding factors were contributing to the changes in blood pressure. Indeed, in a meta-analysis of calcium supplementation trials, Bucher et al. (9) identified a small but consistent drop in blood pressure when normotensive and hypertensive persons consumed more calcium. They speculated that baseline calcium intake or increased biological need for minerals might be responsible for the blood pressure variability not otherwise accounted for in their analysis. These two reports presaged the outcomes of two large clinical trials from the NIH, published in 1997 (10, 11). The Trials of Hypertension Prevention (TOHP) II is the largest and longest study ever executed to test whether sodium restriction lowers arterial pressure and prevents the emergence of new hypertension cases (I0). No benefit was detected for the primary endpoint diastolic blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure decreased minimally (0. 7 mmHg), almost precisely the value that the Midgley (8) analysis projected. Furthermore, the TOHP II data demonstrated a dissociation between the extent of sodium restriction and the observed blood pressure reduction. The second large-scale study was the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine (11). As would be predicted by Bucher et al. (9) in their meta-analysis of calcium studies, in persons whose intake of dairy products (and therefore calcium and other minerals) was well below currently recommended levels, blood pressure decreased significantly when the recommended amounts were included in their diets. In the DASH diet that was rich in dairy products, fruits, and vegetables and lower in fat (with sodium held constant), blood pressure decreased 5 to 6 mmHg in subjects with normal blood pressure; in those with mild hypertension, this blood pressure reduction was doubled, to 11 to 12 mmHg. Reductions of this magnitude have been observed previously only with antihypertensive medications. A second DASH diet, which included increased amounts of fruits and vegetables but did not include dairy products, produced more modest but still significant systolic blood pressure reductions, easily surpassing those observed with sodium restriction in TOHP II. DASH confirmed the meta-analyses as well as earlier indications from observational studies that dietary factors other than sodium markedly affected blood pressure (3, 12). For example, one of the earlier studies (12) identified inadequate calcium intake from dairy products as the dietary pattern most prevalent in individuals with untreated hypertension. Another study (3), in which nutrient intake was assessed from the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES I), confirmed this dietary pattern in hypertensive individuals and identified the relative absence of fruits and vegetables in the American diet as the second best predictor of elevated blood pressure. These studies suggested that where intake of other critical nutrients is adequate, sodium intake at levels typically consumed in most societies might actually be associated with lower blood pressure. They also concluded that the absence of specific nutrients (calcium, potassium, and magnesium), resulting from low consumption of dairy products, fruits, and vegetables, is associated with hypertension in Americans (3, 12). The TOHP II study adds to the substantial body of literature that challenges the public health emphasis on sodium restriction as the primary nutritional means of improving blood pressure. The issue is further complicated by concerns raised in several recent reports (5, 13, 14) that the long-term effect of sodium restriction on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality may be the opposite of what has always been assumed. The DASH study provides a clear rationale for focusing our public health strategy on adequate intake of low-fat dairy products and fruits and vegetables. The consistency of the accumulated data is evident when the blood pressure changes seen with the DASH diet (11) are superimposed on the blood pressure profile of Americans as a function of calcium intake from (3) (see the figure). According to these data (3, 11), if the intakes of calcium and other nutrients obtained through low-fat dairy products, fruits, and vegetables were increased to the amounts readily achieved in the DASH study, the percentage of Americans with moderately severe hypertension (160/100 to 179/109 mmHg) would be decreased by nearly half, from approximately 9% to 5%. For the millions more with borderline elevations, the benefits are likely to be at least as great. Whether hypertension is genetic or environmental in origin, control of dietary mineral intake has a place in its management and prevention. As a society, we will not achieve the dramatic reversal in hypertensive heart disease that DASH and other studies clearly show is possible until we direct our efforts to the nutritional factors and dietary patterns that are actually relevant to this condition. In addition, diets low in fat but high in calcium, fruits, and vegetables are not prevalent in the subgroups of society at greatest risk for hypertensive cardiac diseasethe elderly and African Americans. An added plus: A diet low in fat but high in calcium, fruits, and vegetables is also consistent with reduction of two other major public health problems, osteoporosis and cancer (15, 16). The emphasis on sodium as the single dietary culprit is counterproductive to our significantly reducing cardiovascular risk for most of us (5) and diverts attention from the issues we need to address (17). Food products such as snacks and soft drinks added to our diets in recent years have supplanted nutrient-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, and milk. This shift in dietary patterns, and simultaneous suboptimal nutrient intake, is also far more likely to contribute to the prevalence of hypertension than salt, which has always been a component of the human diet. Humans may be unique in our propensity to develop hypertension simply because we are the only species with the capacity to manipulate our diets to our own detriment. References (1.) The Sixth Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure, Arch. Intern. Med. 157, 2413 (1997). (2. ) G. Kolata, Science 216, 38 (1982). (3. ) D. A. McCarron, C. D. Morris, H. J. Henry, J. L. Stanton, ibid. 224, 139Z (1984). (4. ) J. D. Swales, Br. Med. J. 297, 307 (1988). (5. ) N. A. Graudal, A. M. Gallee, P. Gaffed, JAMA 279, 1383 (1998). (6. ) M. Muntzel and T. Drueke, Am. J. Hypertens. 5, 1S (1992). (7. ) Intersalt Cooperative Research Group, Br. Med. J. 297, 319 (1988). (8. ) J. P. Midgley, A. G. Matthew, C. I. T. Greenwood, A. G. Logan, JAMA 275, 1590 (1996). (9. ) H. C. Bucher et al. , ibid. , p. 1016. (10. ) Trials of Hypertension Prevention Collaborative Research Group, Arch. Intern. Med. 157, 657 (1997). (11. ) L. J. Appel et al. , N. Engl. J. Med. 336, 1117 (1997). (12. ) D. A. McCarron, C. Morris, C. Cole, Science 217, 267 (198Z). (13. ) M. H. Alderman, S. Madhavan, H. Cohen, J. E. Seatey, J. H. Laragh, Hypertension 25, 1144 (1995). (14. ) H. H. Alderman, H. Cohen, S. Madhavan, Lancet 351, 781 (1998).

Demand and Supply Theory for Sugar

Demand and Supply Theory for Sugar Sugar is refined sugar from cane and beet molasses squeeze made. Sugar in the production, packaging, transportation, storage process, it is easy to contaminate the pathogenic microorganisms. Especially to store more than one year, the color yellow sugar, often contaminated meats. According to the experiment, from 500 grams of sugar, he even checked out 15,000 mites. If people eat sugar was contaminated mites, parasitic mites enters the digestive tract, causing abdominal pain, diarrhea and other symptoms, and some even cause allergic reactions. If the infant or elderly foods directly into the pollution raw sugar, probably due suffocation and other mites into the lungs and cause asthma or hemoptysis, complicated by bronchitis or pneumonia and easily. Sugar, divided into two categories, namely, sugar, white sugar and cotton. White sugar is sucrose crystals, generally more than 99.8% purity, from a chemical point of view, this is a very pure substance. White sugar has a pure sucrose sweetness, in addition to direct consumption, but also the main varieties of industrial sugar. Cotton, sugar, cane sugar is fine grains are wrapped in a layer of invert sugar syrup made of, its purity and white sugar considerably. Here invert sugar plays a soft, flavored, functions as a co sweet. This is because the invert sugar having a honey-like scent (the main component of honey is invert sugar) which is greater than the sweetness of sucrose (sweetness of sucrose is 1, the conversion of sugar sweetness 1.2), invert sugar than the ability to maintain a strong absorption of sugar pills soft, so soft sugar taste better than white sugar. Soft white sugar optimum direct human consumption, it is preferred to eat cold drinks cold, but not used to make adva nced pastries. Sugar is one of the main source of nutrition for the body, the bodys consumption of thermal energy produced should be maintained after glucose oxidation, the energy needed by the body activity by about 70% of the sugar supply. Sugar nutrients, but should be controlled within a certain number range. In the end how much sugar a person the right of foreign opinion more consistent day to eat are: daily per kilogram of body weight control in about 0.5 grams. That is, the weight of 20 kg per day for children less than 10 grams, 60-kg adult, about 30 grams per day. So, usually to grasp the amount of sugar in food, in order to avoid over-feeding. Depending on the process of sugar, cane sugar, white sugar and carbonation curing can be divided into sugar. Because sugar carbonation shelf life longer, better quality, the price is relatively high sugar cure. Sugar sulfide, sulfurous clarifying technology is a typical pure juice and syrup decolorization method in the production of industrial sugar, because the law has less equipment, process is relatively simple, easy to manage and so on. However, with carbonic clarifying technology comparison, due to the soft process of clarifying the main workers rely on calcium phosphate and calcium sulfate to adsorb impurities in the juice, syrup and sulfur bleaching effect are based on the principle of the reduction reaction, therefore, Asia sulfuric acid produced sugar white sugar quality is often poor, long after the home as well as yellowing phenomenon. In general, the sulfite method of sugar production of white sugar sucrose products are likely to meet the requirements of the physical and chemical indicators, only individual, non-sugar index can not meet the requirement, which is Sulfitation sugar white sugar causes of poor quality. Thus the color values of white sugar production up to about 150I U, even more than 200IU high. Obviously, to improve the quality of Sulfitation sugar, white sugar is bound to reduce the value of the product color. Carbonized sugar, sugar carbon method features: with lime and carbon dioxide as a clarifying agent to clarify the method is called carbonation juice with carbonated process production of sugar called carbonation sugar, also known as carbon (acid) method sugar. Carbonate produced using sugar, in addition to more than a non-glycoside Shakespeare sulfuric acid method, the obtained high purity refined sugar, lower color values, less sulfur, can be stored for a long time without discoloration. However, the carbonation process is more complex, required more machinery and equipment, consumes a lot of lime and carbon dioxide, and thus a higher cost of production. As agricultural products, national sugar production will inevitably be affected by floods and droughts and other natural disasters, weather, natural disasters in recent years, the impact on sugar production is particularly evident. Climate. Sugarcane in the growing season with a high temperature, light intensity, water demand, absorption of fat and more features, therefore, constitute the climatic resources of heat, light, water and other conditions have a special dependency. Droughts, floods, high winds, hail, frost and other weather have low impact on the growing disaster in sugarcane, and this effect is long-term, once formed. At the end of 1999 in the main producing areas of frost China cane occurred, allowing rotation germination rate decreased, resulting in the 1999/00 sugar production more than 200 million tons of sugar. With international oil prices rising, some countries to reduce dependence on oil joined the search for sugarcane ethanol and other bio-system alternative energy, sugar cane is no longer solely as an agricultural product, the sugar market has become increasingly look as an energy product, oil price changes affect not only the global economic situation, the impact of international shipping, but also the influence of alcohol production, thereby affecting the global sugar production. Therefore, the oil price changes will inevitably affect the trend of sugar prices. According to demand theory, demand is the number of goods bought at a particular place and time with the current price and time. If an item on the demand is affected by its own price (P), income level (Y), and the price of other commodities (X), and assuming a constant elasticity of demand, the demand can be exponentially mathematically expressed in terms of a demand function as Eq. When prices rise, demand reduction, there will be more suppliers, and lead to increased supply. This concept actually refers Supply Act. Supply Act refers to suppliers more willing to sell more products at a higher price, rather than at a lower price. It also said that these suppliers will try to increase production in that period, in order to increase their profits. For example, when the price of sugar is increasing, the quantity demanded will be decreasing while the quantity supplied will be increasing as well. There are indications that demand factors explain why sugar is inelastic. First, complementary products. Complementary products such as sugar are often flexible. For example, if the sugar prices, the demand for coffee will decrease. Coffee changing demand curve to the left. It is the price of sugar, because they need to demand a negative correlation between coffee each other at the same time. There are other factors that will affect the elasticity, such as the substitution of the closeness, the proportion of income spent on the good, the time elapsed since the price change. First, substitution of the approximation degree. Sugar is a necessity of goods, it has a weak alternative, therefore considered inelastic demand. Second, the proportion of income spent on good. We spend a very small proportion of sugar daily income. Thus, sugar is inelastic demand. Finally, the time, because the price changes through. Elasticity of demand depends on whether the value of the sugar can live a very long time. In this case, the sugar is inelastic, and therefore a greater elasticity of demand. Instead of sugar, for example, in a long time, consumers will find, because they have no choice but to set the price. When the high sugar prices, supply will be higher, and because providers can earn more profits, while demand will be lower. Therefore, it would result in a surplus of graphics. When there is a surplus of supply over demand, excess quantity quantity certain price. In surplus supply and demand curves represented by the above equilibrium price point. When the presence of excess product oversupply buyers to choose from, you may pay less for goods and services. For sellers, they are working with other suppliers to compete for customers and their prices will fall, but also their sales. Sugar prices, sugar subsidies due to the Malaysian government. Government subsidies are paid to producers by reducing the price paid by the buyer, the seller increases the price received. There are effects of subsidies, such as falling prices and increasing supply. Subsidies to reduce the price of sugar and increase the supply of sugar. In addition, the government paid to the supplier. Government subsidies to pay for each ton of sugar suppliers of sugar. For example, suppliers to increase their supply of 60 million tons of sugar a year receive $ 20 a ton of subsidies. Suppliers receive payments from the government. The government is using the concept of price ceiling to control the sugar market. According to the following chart, the price ceiling is below the equilibrium price set by the government price. Government price ceiling for the sugar market applications for several reasons. First, in order to prevent the black market. The illegal black market is a market equilibrium price exceeds the ceiling price. For example, some suppliers may sell their products and buyers above the government-set price. Most foods contain sugar, so sugar prices will directly affect the price of food and other indirect effects of rising prices. Because most of the time, businesses will be because some products from government control and the opportunity to adjust the price of the goods. Recently, Malaysia, rising prices, people attracted a lot of criticism, seafood, vegetables, gasoline, transportation, postal services, etc., are the price a lot. Because the level of inflation in Malaysia has reached a new high in six years. Consumer Price Index, referred to as the CPI rose 3.2%, mainly due to food and non-alcoholic beverages and transport prices. (Refference : http://www.statistics.gov.my/portal/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=2267%3Aconsumer-price-index-malaysia-january-2014-updated-1922014catid=48%3Aconsumer-price-index-malaysia-lang=en) Consumers in Malaysia, there are a variety of menus for their daily diet, sugar is the most important asset, its a. Therefore, the sugar market is an important factor in the Malaysian economy.Sugar is needed in life, so the sugar industry is very important. In addition, the evolution of the food processing industry leads to the expansion of the sugar industry. Recently, the Malaysian government has decided to cancel or reduce sugar subsidies. Opening in 2010, the government began to reduce sugar subsidies, which will lead to an increase in sugar prices. There are two parties who damaged; consumers and food vendor. When the study has been completed, the results show that the food sellers had to increase the price of its products, but not directly because of the price of sugar. Price increase is due to rising prices of other products. The removal of subsidies to the sugar industry led to increased product prices by the government, as well as sugar. Reduce food sellers income. Shortage occurred because the industry tends to use sugar, sugar prices from wholesalers to buy cheaper than buying from the sugar industry itself. Consumers and sellers of food from the impact of the shortage. In addition, the increase in sugar may occur again in the next time, because the government wants to gradually reduce the price of sugar subsidies. Therefore, through this research, I can educate the community to prepare for the consequences they may face in the future. Sugar is an inevitable product does not replace sugar, so its elasticity of demand. However, the sugar market does not follow the law of demand. In order to explain the reasons for the increased demand for sugar, and even raised the price because of the situation in various parts of Malaysia. Consumers worried the government will once again raised the price of sugar. Thus, in the first case, demand is inelastic, however, increased again when the sugar, sugar market that it is slightly returned to normal, although it still does not follow the law of demand. The Government should be aware that could lead to food retailers and should recognize that consumers face problems affecting the country. Consumers should be aware of the burden faced by food retailers, do not blame them, when the price of their products increases. Perhaps consumers will reduce consumption and increase imports of good local good consumer, rather than helping the country. As a conclusion, sugar has a very broad topic to talk about, especially in Malaysia, where the sugar supply and demand, price ceilings and subsidies and price elasticity of sugar can be linked together in the economic field. Brought a lot of influence from the government-imposed policy to the sugar industry in Malaysia, such as the price ceiling. Until today, the price of sugar in Malaysia is still relatively low compared with other countries, because the price ceiling and sugar subsidy policy. However, the low price of sugar in both leaded and lead to high consumption of sugar diabetes. To create a healthy lifestyle, the Government proposes to cut subsidies and educate the people by consuming less sugar to create a healthy lifestyle. I think, the incremental price of sugar can positively and negatively affect consumers. This is a positive effect, because as prices rise, demand reduction of sugar consumption has done. Excessive intake of sugar harmful. In Malaysia, the prevalence of overweight and obesity has been on the rise, and even children were reported to be obese in the past few years. For example, the US government imposed restriction sugar American consumers. This allows the American people to buy sugar for a cheaper price, so that they consume a lot of this year a total of up to 150 pound average sugars. They not only suffer from the financial burden of health care, but also for the health care burden. In contrast, the negative effects of sugar increment that consumer spending will increase. This is because the consumers willingness to have to spend more money to buy sugar, and its complementary products, such as sweetened condensed milk and soft drinks. Incremental demand for sugar can cause by population, income and food consumption of consumer preferences. Changes in sugar prices are due to push prices higher, in order to satisfy the equilibrium price and quantity to meet the buyers and sellers of market forces. In addition, increasing the price of sugar can help people by reducing sugar intake to control their sugar consumption. However, the high price of sugar to the burden on consumers to increase their spending on food expenditure in terms. (2517 words) References: -(n.d.). Retrieved March 1, 2015, from http://www.statistics.gov.my/portal/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=2267:consumer-price-index-malaysia-january-2014-updated-1922014catid=48:consumer-price-index-malaysia-lang=en -High sugar prices hit MSM bottomline Business News | The Star Online. (n.d.). Retrieved March 1, 2015, from http://www.thestar.com.my/Business/Business-News/2013/03/05/High-sugar-prices-hit-MSM-bottomline/?style=biz -Retailers warn of sugar price hike if subsidy is removed Community | The Star Online. (n.d.). Retrieved March 2, 2015, from http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Community/2013/10/12/Retailers-warn-of-sugar-price-hike-if-subsidy-is-removed/ -Sugar subsidy removal more bane than boon, say consumers Community | The Star Online. (n.d.). Retrieved March 2, 2015, from http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Community/2013/10/28/A-nottoosweet-surprise-Sugar-subsidy-removal-more-bane-than-boon-say-consumers/ -Keep prices reasonable, associations advised Community | The Star Online. (n.d.). Retrieved March 2, 2015, from http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Community/2013/10/29/Keep-prices-reasonable-associations-advised/ -Hope food outlets dont raise prices Letters | The Star Online. (n.d.). Retrieved March 2, 2015, from http://www.thestar.com.my/Opinion/Letters/2013/10/30/Hope-food-outlets-dont-raise-prices/ -The recent price hike is affecting small traders of Chinese New Year snacks Community | The Star Online. (n.d.). Retrieved March 2, 2015, from http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Community/2014/01/23/Cookie-costs-increasing-The-recent-price-hike-is-affecting-small-traders-of-Chinese-New-Year-snacks/ -Shahrir calls for end to sugar monopolies The Rakyat Post. (2013, October 30). Retrieved March 3, 2015, from http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2013/10/30/shahrir-calls-for-end-to-sugar-monopolies/ -Sugar subsidy of 34 sen to be cut from tomorrow The Rakyat Post. (2013, October 25). Retrieved March 3, 2015, from http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2013/10/25/sugar-subsidy-of-34-sen-to-be-cut-from-tomorrow/

Solar Physics Essay -- solar physics

The star we call the Sun has a number of small objects circling around it. Many other stars in our Galaxy have objects orbiting them too and astronomers have recently discovered a few of these other systems already. The largest members of the Sun's family are called planets, and one of these we call home. That planet, Earth, has many unique characteristics that enable life to exist on it. What are the other planets like? We have learned more about our solar system in the past few decades than probably any other field of astronomy. The planets are no longer just objects up in our sky, but places we have been and explored---worlds in their own right. To give an adequate coverage of each of the planets would fill up a whole book (or more)! Since this web site is an introduction to all of astronomy, I will not explore each planet individually. Instead, I will focus on the common characteristics of the planets such as their Distance relative to us, mass, size and etc. Distances Several hundred years ago Copernicus was able to determine approximate distances between the planets through trigonometry. The distances were all found relative to the distance between the Earth and the Sun, the astronomical unit. Kepler refined these measurements to take into account the elliptical orbits. However, they did not know how large an astronomical unit was. To establish an absolute distance scale, the actual distance to one of the planets had to be measured. Distances to Venus and Mars were measured from the parallax effect by observers at different parts of the Earth when the planets were closest to the Earth. Knowing how far apart the observers were from each other and coordinating the observation times, astronomers could determine the ... ... ? Angular velocity = 36 degrees / 4 hours = 9 degree/hour Full time rotation = 360 degrees / 9 degree/hour = 40 hours With the invention of radar, the distance to Venus could be determined very precisely. By timing how long it takes the radar beam travelling at the speed of light to travel the distance to an object and back, the distance to the object can be found from distance = (speed of light) Ãâ€" (total time)/2. The total time is halved to get just the distance from the Earth to the object. Using trigonometry, astronomers now know that the astronomical unit =149,597,892 kilometers. This incredible degree of accuracy is possible because the speed of light is known very precisely and very accurate clocks are used. You cannot use radar to determine the distance to the Sun directly because the Sun has no solid surface to reflect the radar efficiently.

Human Resource Letter

Dear Ms. xxxxxx: As all Rite Aid policies, please consider this letter a formal complaint against Mrs. Maria Mejia for intimidation along with failing to pay proper wages. First and foremost, my name is blah blah and I was hired on December xx, 20xx as a supervisor at store # 1234. I am writing to express my disappointment with the company. I started with a high desire to work for a company that offered a high principle of ethics, honor, and respect for its employees. Now a little over two months later I am presenting my resignation. Unfortunately I was placed in a store that is very unorganized and not properly managed. Approximately three weeks after being hired I was given the responsibility of closing without the proper tools to do so. Yet, I ensured the daily tasks were completed to the best of my ability. Still, Mrs. xxx was rarely pleased with the outcome. On several occasions while she was instructing me of my duties she would use terms like â€Å"you better†, and also she would remind me that I was on a 90-day probation. I considered it unprofessional for her to use such phrases to intimidate me. I felt as if she was insinuating that she had control over me and she had the authority to fire me when she pleased. While giving orders her tone of voice was rarely polite. Mrs. Mejia has a recording of a discussion both her and I had, where she is giving me feedback and advise about my responsibilities, that day she was actually very courteous and polite. Though majority of the time while approaching her employees she tends to be very demanding. Most employees at this store would agree that they are unappreciated by her, and their accomplishments are almost never acknowledged. It is difficult to work with such an insatiable manager. Also, during the hiring process I was told that as a supervisor I was guaranteed 35 to 40 hours a week, the first two or three weeks there was no problem, however as I gained experience and more responsibility my hours were cut down to 25 hours a week. When I asked her if there was a reason why, she simply claimed that she has no payroll to ay for more hours. However certain non-management employees were give 40 hours or more. Constantly Mrs. Maria Mejia requests employees to come in on their days off or before their scheduled time due to her lack of organization and responsibility. On several occasions that included January 19, 2013 and January 29, 2013, I was asked to work without a lunch and I would be paid a lunch premium. To this date I have worked about 4 shifts without a lunch break and ha ve only been paid one lunch premium. I have been employed by Rite Aid for about over two months now and have not received my system log in, which causes me not being able to provide manager approvals and overrides for the employees. As a supervisor I am also aware that it is unlawful to have employees work of the clock, still Mrs. Mejia would ask me to have the employees work off the clock and she would fix their clock-in at a later time. Ms. Jxxxx Nxxxx and Mr. xxxx xxxxx have also witnessed the irresponsibility portrayed by the manager. On February 14, 2013 The aforementioned incidents have brought me mental anxiety, which has forced me to resign to my position. It is my opinion such behavior does not conform to Rite Aid policies of appropriate workplace behavior as set out in the company’s Code of Ethics and Business Conduct. I feel violated by Mrs. Mejia’s behavior and believe that I have been mistreated. I am aware that lodging a complaint against Mrs. Maria Mejia will require a formal investigation and I am prepared to participate as needed. I appreciate your time and I apologize for the length of this letter, however I felt the need to express my uncomfortable experience. Human Resource Letter Dear Ms. xxxxxx: As all Rite Aid policies, please consider this letter a formal complaint against Mrs. Maria Mejia for intimidation along with failing to pay proper wages. First and foremost, my name is blah blah and I was hired on December xx, 20xx as a supervisor at store # 1234. I am writing to express my disappointment with the company. I started with a high desire to work for a company that offered a high principle of ethics, honor, and respect for its employees. Now a little over two months later I am presenting my resignation. Unfortunately I was placed in a store that is very unorganized and not properly managed. Approximately three weeks after being hired I was given the responsibility of closing without the proper tools to do so. Yet, I ensured the daily tasks were completed to the best of my ability. Still, Mrs. xxx was rarely pleased with the outcome. On several occasions while she was instructing me of my duties she would use terms like â€Å"you better†, and also she would remind me that I was on a 90-day probation. I considered it unprofessional for her to use such phrases to intimidate me. I felt as if she was insinuating that she had control over me and she had the authority to fire me when she pleased. While giving orders her tone of voice was rarely polite. Mrs. Mejia has a recording of a discussion both her and I had, where she is giving me feedback and advise about my responsibilities, that day she was actually very courteous and polite. Though majority of the time while approaching her employees she tends to be very demanding. Most employees at this store would agree that they are unappreciated by her, and their accomplishments are almost never acknowledged. It is difficult to work with such an insatiable manager. Also, during the hiring process I was told that as a supervisor I was guaranteed 35 to 40 hours a week, the first two or three weeks there was no problem, however as I gained experience and more responsibility my hours were cut down to 25 hours a week. When I asked her if there was a reason why, she simply claimed that she has no payroll to ay for more hours. However certain non-management employees were give 40 hours or more. Constantly Mrs. Maria Mejia requests employees to come in on their days off or before their scheduled time due to her lack of organization and responsibility. On several occasions that included January 19, 2013 and January 29, 2013, I was asked to work without a lunch and I would be paid a lunch premium. To this date I have worked about 4 shifts without a lunch break and ha ve only been paid one lunch premium. I have been employed by Rite Aid for about over two months now and have not received my system log in, which causes me not being able to provide manager approvals and overrides for the employees. As a supervisor I am also aware that it is unlawful to have employees work of the clock, still Mrs. Mejia would ask me to have the employees work off the clock and she would fix their clock-in at a later time. Ms. Jxxxx Nxxxx and Mr. xxxx xxxxx have also witnessed the irresponsibility portrayed by the manager. On February 14, 2013 The aforementioned incidents have brought me mental anxiety, which has forced me to resign to my position. It is my opinion such behavior does not conform to Rite Aid policies of appropriate workplace behavior as set out in the company’s Code of Ethics and Business Conduct. I feel violated by Mrs. Mejia’s behavior and believe that I have been mistreated. I am aware that lodging a complaint against Mrs. Maria Mejia will require a formal investigation and I am prepared to participate as needed. I appreciate your time and I apologize for the length of this letter, however I felt the need to express my uncomfortable experience.

Food Addictions Essay

Food nourishes us and helps to create our bodies. However, certain substances that we eat as â€Å"food† can cause dysfunction within us and ultimately contribute to the destruction of our bodies. Although every seven years each cell in the body is completely new, we may still crave junk foods that seem to call to us with their sweet, salty, greasy temptations. It can be difficult to ignore theses naughty longings and make healthy choices about the good, more balanced nutrition that our bodies need. Why is it that we so easily give in to cravings for these sweet, savory, spicy junk foods—and soon after eating them, want more? This can be a challenging question, but is worth investigating. Along with the question of why do we like them so much is what can we do about it? The food group I am addicted to eating, yet later regret is sweets. In this paper I will discuss my cravings and how I can address them. The desire for sweets is unstoppable therefor my cravings never seem satisfied. Sweet foods and desserts saturate my taste buds with creamy, sugary, dainty, delicious, and overwhelming flavor. It could be the simple beauty and enticement of streusel cinnamon coating the top of fluffy donuts, muffins, and cakes which initiates the desire. Or it may be the hundreds of delicious, complicated layers that make up pastries, from tasty fruit-filled turnovers to chocolate ganache-filled croissants. My mouth waters over the thought of sensual custards, such as rich creme brulee. The delight of breaking the rigid layer of crystallized sugar with a spoon is like unwrapping a gift and reveals the silky smooth lavender vanilla bottom. Such tantalizing actions enrich the sensory consumption experience. The heady aroma and succulent taste only heighten the pleasure. Although my body feels expansive and â€Å"high† with the sugar and the rush of dopamine, I know that sugar has more negative, long-lasting physical and mental effects on my body than the temporary good feelings released from the sugar. When eating expansive foods, like ones that contain high doses of sugar, I almost experience a euphoric feeling. At the very least, an instant temporary satisfaction is a guaranteed. However, when taste buds are overwhelmed with intense sugary flavors, after the first few bites, they are unable to detect much else. Too much sugar actually desensitizes your taste buds. This is one of many costs of instant sugar gratification. Sweets interest me since they are something I don’t like to live without. Research tells us that sugar can be quite harmful in unnecessary amounts, yet it is my greatest addiction and driver of my desires. Due to this glaring contradiction, this addiction teaches me about myself, my cravings and temptations, my healthiness and my unhealthiness. Even after learning of the negative consequences of over-indulging in this habit, it is still often hard for me to moderate my behavior and make healthier food choices. This is what life is about: learning about yourself and the world around you, learning about your strengths and weaknesses, identifying the things you need to sacrifice for a better life and the importance of â€Å"quality over quantity† and â€Å"delayed gratification†. If I can overcome my cravings, by changing processed sugar for natural sweeteners, it will be my greatest accomplishment. For if I can change my own life and eating habits, I believe I can truly help other people in this world. Though sugars effects on my moods, body, and mind are revolutionary to me, unhealthy cravings are now a major focus in my culinary career. I plan to help educate people on health and wellness, how good nutrition can enrich lives.