Energy Resources And Renewable Energy - 1240 Words

Everyone uses a lot of power for lighting, heating, machines, movements, and so much more. All of that energy has to come from an energy supply. Some energy resources are renewable, while others are non-renewable. Energy has various forms and is a very essential part of our everyday lives. In my house, I always try to conserve energy when I can. I try an hot water by using a lower flow shower head and very rarely use the bath tub which does waste a lot of hot water. When buying light bulbs, I only buy LED light bulbs for the lights in my house. I keep the thermostat below 75 degrees when it is cold out even if that means needing to use extra blankets. There are many other things that I can do to conserve energy. Some of these things would be to turn off any electrical devices when I am not using them and upgrading some appliances that may be out of date, as the newer ones are usually more energy efficient. It is fascinating to imagine how much energy I do use in one day. I have to ch arge my cell phone everyday, as it also acts as my alarm clock. My furnace keeps the house warm when it gets cold outside. I use the hot water heater one to three times a day when I shower or wash my face. I use the microwave, George Foreman grill, and stove to makes my meals everyday. The refrigerator keeps my food and drinks cold. I use my iPad and computer to do schoolwork and attend school seminars. I use my car to drive myself to work and any other places I need to go. I do have centralShow MoreRelatedRenewable Energy Resources928 Words   |  4 Pagesfact that 86% of our energy comes from nonrenewable, polluting, costly fossil fuels and only 14% is renewable is diabolical. Why must we harm our environment to contribute to our energy production when renewable energy sources are so abundantly present so that we may be symbiotic with nature? To lessen our environmental impact and be able to avoid the high expenses of non-renewable fossil fuels in the near future it should be obv ious that we start to use more renewable energy sources than we do nonrenewableRead MoreRenewable Energy : Renewable Resources1944 Words   |  8 PagesRenewable energy: energy in which comes from natural resources that are naturally replenished, such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat (Bhatia, 2014). This essay is focused on the main three renewable energies, wind, sunlight, and water. Renewable resources are well on the way to out rule the fossil fuel industry because of the diminishing amount of fossil fuels left in the world and increase of renewable resource use, the damage fossil fuels do to the environment, and the variousRead MoreRenewable Resources For Renewable Energy1438 Words   |  6 Pagesdefinition, energy is power that is harnessed from physical or chemical resources, often utilized in order to produced light, heat or fuel. It can be extracted from various renewable or non-renewable sources and has become a necessity for day to day life. Currently non-reusable resources account for the majority of energy production. The prominence of fossil fuels in the energy sector validates this claim. At the same time this statement reveals a major world issue in regards to energy sustainabilityRead MoreRenewable Resources For Renewable Energy Essay1157 Words   |  5 Pages Renewable Resources used to be a source that was futuristic and far beyond the time period. Fossil Fuels are damaging to the home that is named Earth. Americans should support the production of renewable resources because they are more efficient, the world will experience a decline in the emission of Fossil Fuels, and the use of of WWS (Wind, Water, Solar) Resources will produce a more resilient source when compared to the sources that in effect now. WWS Resources produce more efficiently thanRead MoreAlternative Energy Resources : Renewable Energy Source848 Words   |  4 PagesAlternate energy resources are being developed to compete against the fossil fuel power stations. Fossil fuel such as coal and oil are drilled and shoveled out of the ground and then processed to be turned into electricity. Problems with fossil fuels are that they produce hazardous air emissions and give off by-products that will harm the area. Some well-known alternate renewable energy resources are wind, solar, and hydro power. These are all sources that are in abundance and will be around forRead MoreRenewable Sources Of Energy Future Energy Resources2146 Words   |  9 Pages Conserve Energy Future: Excessive Usage of Non-Renewable Sources of Energy Deteriorates the Scope for Future Energy Resources Syed Rehanuddin Quadri LS-608-EV: Professional Writing Research Professor Cynthia October 18, 2014 Abstract Nowadays, the world is suffering from various crises like ebola to polar vortex but the problem of global warming and extinction of various resources are persistent from decades. The evolution of these problems is due to excessive usage or dependenceRead MoreBiomass As A Renewable Energy Resource907 Words   |  4 Pages3 Biomass as a renewable energy resource Biomass can be considered as a renewable energy resource, although burning biomass releases carbon dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere similar to burning fossil fuel (Liu H. 2011). There is a significant difference in CO2 release between burning a fossil fuel and burning biomass. Burning a fossil fuel releases CO2 that has been locked up for millions of years in the ground, affecting the natural CO2 cycle and resulting in an increase in the CO2 concentration inRead MoreNon-Renewable Energy Resources1458 Words   |  6 PagesNon-Renewable Energy Resources This Project will be in two Parts. The first part is about Non-renewable energy. Non-renewable energy is a resource that will some day we will run out of. Non-renewable energy is a resource that will some day we will run out of. The second part is on Renewable energy. Renewable energy is a resource that we will never run out of because it is continually being replaced. The sun is the source of all our energy resources. The suns energy reaches Earth andRead MoreRenewable Resources For Solar Energy1387 Words   |  6 PagesSolar Energy is something that the entire world relies on every day. Without energy, the earth would be dark, and nothing will be able to operate. Lately, there has been many concerns with the various types of resources that are used to generate energy. Many resources that are used are non-renewable resource. This means that the resources such as oil and coal are not grown or produced, they are found in regions in specific sections of the world. These resources are also recognized as fossil fuelsRead MoreEnergy Resources : Renewable And Non Renewable Ones1225 Words   |  5 Pagesa discovery of the ability to transform the energy into the electricity. In today’s modern world it is hard to imagine that there was a world without the electricity and that electricity was gifted to the humanity just 400 years ago. As George Gobel said once: â€Å"If it weren’t for electricity, weâ€⠄¢d all be watching television by candlelight†. Electricity is the gift granted to humans and it is our generation’s duty to use the electricity energy smartly and pass it to future generations. For

Family Drama Free Essays

Living with family is similar to living to living in the royal palace. There is always going to be guards watching over you’re every move, and certain standards you need to live up to. You will enjoy the luxury of an elegant house, clean laundry and slightly bigger budget, but it will slightly defer from the king and queen realm. We will write a custom essay sample on Family Drama or any similar topic only for you Order Now It will affect every detail of your life, right down to the way you talk, the food you eat, how often your friends can visit and how much freedom you have. You will quickly discover that if your sovereign isn’t happy you’re not going to be happy either. I recently graduated from high Scholl, got a job, and started saving up some money for college. I decided to move in with my parents, and what I have learnt is that its good being around family, but it’s never a good idea to live in with family. I get no respect from my parents. They treat me as if I’m still in high school, or should I say elementary school. My mom talks to me any how she pleases, no matter where we are , or, who is around. Last month was my birthday, so I decided to invite a few friends over just to chill and have a good time. Hoping that my parents would leave so I could have the house for myself, they decided to hang around. It was so awkward for me. My dad he just came and sat in the living room watching the TV, even thou they have one in there room. My mom kept complaining about the type of music I was playing. After a while my mom started butting in people’s conversation and disrespecting my friends telling them how they aren’t good enough to hang with me and how much of a dirt bag they are. I was so embarrassed. She was so disrespectful, I don’t know if they don’t want me to have a social life or they just like being mean to me. As expected living under someone else’s roof can be quite a challenge, especially if they are close family. I am a single child so you can imagine how hard it if for me to have any privacy what so ever. I really felt cross the line the other day when my mom decided to open my mail. I ordered some condom and other such items online with my own money( of course, which goes without saying) my mother couldn’t stand that I had any mail coming in or anything that she didn’t know what it was, so what does she do, she opened it. Then she judgmentally confronted me about them. I shocked embarrassed and very angry about that violation of my privacy. I should not have been surprised, this kind of things are typical for my mother she just like to be all up in my business. The clothes I wear, the food I eat, the color of my room, where I go, how I got there and people I hang with, these are just a few things that your parents have control over when you’re a child, but as you grow older they still seems to want to maintain that control. It is difficult for them to adjust to that and thus causes a lot of conflict. My friends and I decided to dress up as sexy doctors and fire fighters for Halloween, just to change up from what we normally do each year. The biggest sin in the eyes of my parents to be sexy. We had a big argument, because I was determine to wear what I wanted to, not only because it was what we had plan, but also a way of proving to my parents that I’m grown and can do whatever I can. My dad decided that if I left the house looking like a â€Å"hooker† I’m not to set foot back in his house, I didn’t even think of the after effect of it all I just back my stuff. As a I was about to leave, he decided to grab my stuff, I was so mad I push him and he slap me in the face. We started fighting and my mom called the police. Luckily no one went to jail, but we were warned. I love my dad and I didn’t mean for things to get out of control like that. All that could have been avoided if I was living on my own. Relatively speaking, as a child growing up, I enjoy living with my parents, they were my best friends, but as a bird grows older they have to leave the nest. In order to have a good social life and worry free about what you do and how you to it, its better to How to cite Family Drama, Essays

Qantas Group for Growth and Sustainable †Free Samples to Students

Question: Discuss about the Qantas Group for Growth and Sustainable. Answer: Introduction Established in 1920, Queensland, Australia Qantas is not only one of the largest, nut also one of the oldest airline companies in the world. The company has garnered popularity in the market for the providing high quality service and facilities at reasonable pricing and is known for its domestics and international airlines (Investor.qantas.com, 2017). The airline boasts to have a service that excel in providing safety for the customers and the employees, operational reliability in the services and providing customer service to the passengers . There are international, domestic as well as regional fights services available with Qantas (Investor.qantas.com, 2017). There are approximately 30,000 employees across a network of operation of around 141 destinations in Australia, the UK, Europe, US, Africa, and Asia-Pacific. Over the years the company has made a reputation of being one of the first choices of the people in case of travelling in and out of Australia. The vision of the company is to offer the customer a pleasant ride at a reasonable fair. There are two major brands operating within the organisation: Qantas and Jet Star. The company has adapted to the sustainability business model and is involved in a number of CSR activities making a sustainable future one of the major objectives of the company (REUTERS, 2017). Aims and objectives To build a sustainable future for the organisation To ensure hassle free ride for the passengers To determine reasonable price for the services To become the market leader Internal environment Analysis The non-imitable factors of the organisation is that it has a long reputation of providing the passengers with high quality reasonable rate price fair tickets and has also garnered goodwill and has set benchmarks in the long run of ensuring maximum safety for the passengers (Investor.qantas.com, 2017). Apart from this the company has long list of aircrafts loaded with high technology facilities ensuring the company achieve its objective. The human resource of the company encompasses the management of the organisation as well as the employees who help in running the day to day business of the organisation. The various operation departments of the organisation are: pilots, cabin crew, ground staff, engineering and the IT department, finance department customer care department, marketing and communication department. The company has reported to have an Underlying Profit Before Tax of $1,401 million in 2016/17 (REUTERS, 2017). The company has a high brand value that is one of the major internal strength of the organisation which provides the company an edge over the competitors in the market. The management of the organisation is focused on expanding the business and achieving it with the help of sustainable measures, the company has maximum profits from the domestic and regional routes, and the company is one of the leading long distance airlines in the world and is continuously expanding its operations (Investor.qantas.com, 2017). The company has strategic alliance with 13 other airlines from around the world in the concept called oneworld, this allows the airline to ensure that the passengers provided with flawless service across more than 1,000 destinations worldwide. In this alliance if Qantas is unable to take the passengers to the final destination, they encourage the traveler to fly with the oneworld partner airlines (Botha et al. 2014). External business environment The external business environment is going to be analyzed with the help of PEST analysis Political: As the home country is Australia the company receives a lot of trade liberties as the government has liberal trade policies encouraging business. The political condition of the country is stable which helps the company focus on the strategic management and development of the organisation. The company has to follow the labour laws and the tax laws in order to ensure smooth operations. On the other hand the company also has to comply with the rules and regulations o flying and trade with other countries of operations. The organisation also has good relations with strict governments like Middle-east and China (Investor.qantas.com, 2017). Economic: The economic condition of Australia is fairly stable the organisation is impacted with the conditions such as inflation or depression in the economy. Fluctuation in the oil prices within the country also impacts the profitability of the business. Another major factor that impacts the business is the fluctuation of the currency rates. The taxation policy of the government also impacts the operations of the business (Gupta, 2013). Social: The Company has an image of providing safe and secures fights without hassle on the way to the destination as the national carrier it enjoys the trust of the people of Australia. As tourism is a significant industry in Australia both international and domestically the company also is in constant demand for its services. Technological: technology is one of the most important factors that impact the airline industry as the organisation is constantly evolving to provide the customers with higher facilities and ensure safety measures to keep up with the goodwill of the company. Evolving the operations by connecting it with the growing technology available has ensured that the company gets an edge over the competitors in the market. Technology has enabled Qantas Airline to become the first company that has performed landing with the help of applying satellite technology (Ho, 2014). Strategic planning In order to increase the efficiency of the employees, the company should engage in improving the skills and expertise of the people especially the ones who are in the customer care service. Communicating with the end customer is one of the major aspects of maintaining the reputation of the company, hence the management should ensure that the executives in this department are properly groomed and can perfectly communicate with the customers regarding the issues and the grievances. The company can incorporate technology to ensure hassle free check-in for the passengers at the regional airports like the major ones. Another functional development in the organisation can be made in the website where people can easily buy tickets without going to any third party website. The user interface must be made easy. In the corporate level the company should focus on the culture of the daily working of the company, the organisation should ensure that the people working for the company are committed to the organisation so that they can help in achieving the aims and objectives of the company. This will also help the company in retaining the employees. Competitive advantage and sustainability Integrated cost leadership and differentiation strategy are the strategies that are incorporated by the company. The company focuses on providing the passengers with high quality facilities with reasonable price; cost leadership is possible for the organisation as the company has the resources to ensure it. Route segmentation is one of the ways in which the company ensures differentiate strategy where the airline provides service based on the type of traffic to decrease operational cost (Investor.qantas.com, 2017). The company follows the triple bottom line business model when it comes to sustainability there are a number of policies that the company has to ensure that they fulfill the responsibility they have towards the environment and the society. Reduction of fuel emission has been one of the major objectives of the company. The flagship program of the company is called Qantas Future. It focuses on six key areas; it covers areas as broad as aircraft and fuel efficiency, to sustainable products and in-flight programs. Aforementioned the company has an international alliance with 13 other international airways in order to ensure that the passengers can be provided with maximum support to reach their destination. This Alliance is called Oneworld. Increase market power, diversification, vertical expansion, restructured its competitive scope and expand capabilities are some of the reasons the company has incorporated mergers and acquisitions. Over the years the company has merged with several third parties and this has sometimes been a success or a failure for example the JetSet Travel world Limited merger was a failure (Qantas.com, 2018). Leadership in the organization In 2014, the company announced changes in the leadership or the executive team to support the flatter structure for the broader Qantas group executive team. The company is now lead by Chief executive Qantas Domestic: Andrew David and Chief executive Qantas International: Gareth Evans. They have led the organisation towards new heights and excellence focusing on a sustainable growth. The framework and principles followed by the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) Corporate Governance Council's Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations, 3rd Edition (ASX Principles).The Board upholds, the principles and the values of the organisation in the industry by adhering to the global ethics standard. Some of the function of the board is making policies and decisions, monitoring the values and ethics of the organizations culture, appointing and removal of the important executive positions in the company etc (Tricker Tricker, 2015). Conclusion It can be concluded form the above discussion is that Qantas Airways is a company that is focused on the quality of service and the facilities of the passengers in order to ensure that the company employees several policies and decisions. The new team is also focused new objective with the help of old values and principles. Reference list: Botha, A., Kourie, D., Snyman, R. (2014).Coping with continuous change in the business environment: Knowledge management and knowledge management technology. Elsevier. Gupta, A. (2013). Environmental and pest analysis: An approach to external business environment.Merit Research Journal of Art, Social Science and Humanities,1(2), 13-17. Ho, J. K. K. (2014). Formulation of a systemic PEST analysis for strategic analysis.European academic research,2(5), 6478-6492. Investor.qantas.com. (2017).Annual Report 2017.investor.qantas.com. Retrieved 19 March 2018, from https://investor.qantas.com/annual-report-2017/ Investor.qantas.com. (2017).Positioning the Qantas Group for Growth and Sustainable Returns.investor.qantas.com. Retrieved 19 March 2018, from https://investor.qantas.com/FormBuilder/_Resource/_module/doLLG5ufYkCyEPjF1tpgyw/file/presentations/QAN-Investor-Day-2017.pdf Qantas.com. (2018).Oneworld alliance. Retrieved 19 March 2018, from https://www.qantas.com/in/en/about-us/our-company/our-airline-partners/oneworld.html Qantas.com. (2018).Our commitment to sustainability.qantas.com. Retrieved 19 March 2018, from https://www.qantas.com/travel/airlines/our-commitment/global/en REUTERS. (2017).Australia's Qantas Airlines Has Made $1.4 Billion in Profits This Year.fortune.com. Retrieved 19 March 2018, from https://fortune.com/2017/08/24/australia-qantas-profit/ Tricker, R. B., Tricker, R. I. (2015).Corporate governance: Principles, policies, and practices. Oxford University Press, USA.

Employee Engagement free essay sample

This is an original manuscript developed by me and has not been furnished from any source thereof, has not formed the basis for the award of any degree, diploma or any such titles by this institute or any other universities. DATE: LOCATION: Nagpur ACKNOWLEDGEMENT It gives me great pleasure to express my boundless sense of gratitude to each and every person who directly or indirectly helped me with hand and hand in completing this humble piece of work. First, of all I would like to thank Ms. Supriya Chatterjee under whose supervision and guidance this report was completed. I convey my special thanks to, Mr. Lalit Khullar, Director at    Tirpude DMSR College affiliated to Nagpur University for rendering valuable support. I am also very grateful to the management of my college where I have been studying, for allowing me to do the course and project. I specially remember and extend my humble words of thanks to my internal guide Ms. Within the U. S. workforce, Gallup estimates this cost to the bottom line to be more than $300 billion in lost productivity alone. In stark contrast, world-class organizations that have built a sustainable model using Gallup’s approach have an engagement ratio of more than 9:1. As organizations move toward this benchmark, they greatly reduce the negative effect of actively disengaged employees while unleashing the organization’s potential for rapid growth. Copyright  © 2008, 2010 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved. 1 Gallup’s Research-Based Approach Gallup’s employee engagement work is based on more than 30 years of in-depth research involving more than 17 million employees. This research has appeared in many business and scientific publications, including the Journal of Applied Psychology and the Harvard Business Review and in our bestselling books First, Break All the Rules and the sequel 12: The Elements of Great Managing. 12 Elements of Engagement Gallup has developed and identified 12 core elements that link powerfully to critical business outcomes. These 12 statements emerged from Gallup’s pioneering research as those that best predict employee and workgroup performance. The 12 Elements of Great Managing I know what is expected of me at work. I have the materials and equipment I need to do my work right. At work, I have the opportunity to do what I do best every day. In the last seven days, I have received recognition or praise for doing good work. My supervisor, or someone at work, seems to care about me as a person. There is someone at work who encourages my development. At work, my opinions seem to count. The mission or purpose of my organization makes me feel my job is important. My associates or fellow employees are committed to doing quality work. I have a best friend at work. In the last six months, someone at work has talked to me about my progress. This last year, I have had opportunities at work to learn and grow. Copyright  © 1993-1998 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved.. 2 Copyright  © 2008, 2010 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved. Adding Elements In addition to the 12 elements, Gallup recommends adding questions that address your company’s unique culture or address business issues facing your organization. Gallup’s expansive item bank includes key indices to help organizations measure their strength in areas such as innovation, change management, customer orientation, leadership, and inclusiveness. Gallup’s latest meta-analysis (an analysis of data from more than 152 organizations) shows dramatic differences between top- and bottom-quartile workgroups on key business outcomes. It is through this meta-analysis that Gallup continues to validate the 12 elements. Beyond the dramatic difference engaged workgroups show in productivity, profitability, safety incidents, and absenteeism versus disengaged workgroups, Gallup has proven that companies with world-class engagement have 3. 9 times the EPS growth rate compared with organizations with lower engagement in their same industry. Linking Employee Engagement to Critical Business Outcomes Employee Engagement and Critical Business Outcomes 30% 20% 10% 0% -10% -20% -30% -40% -50% -60% -70% -37% -49% -49% -60% -25% -27% -41% Turnover High Absenteeism Turnover Orgs. Low Turnover Orgs. Safety Incidents Patient Safety Incidents 18% 12% Quality (Defects) Shrinkage 16% Customer Productivity Profitability Top decile companies have 3. 9 times the Earnings Per Share (EPS) growth rate Difference Between Top and Bottom Quartile Performance Copyright  © 2008, 2010 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved. 3 Systematically Improving Employee Engagement Improving engagement goes beyond simply asking the right questions. Engaging employees requires a year-round focus on changing behaviors, processes, and systems to anticipate and respond to your organization’s needs. From the leadership team to the frontline employees, all levels within an organization must commit to making these changes. A Sustainable Approach Gallup approaches employee engagement with sustainability in mind, and thus, provides managers and leaders with tools to help drive performance on an ongoing basis through a combination of measurement, reporting, learning, action planning, and strategic interventions. Using the latest technology and cutting-edge research, Gallup continually provides clients with innovative solutions that drive change. From state-of-the-art organizational mapping software and online tools to first-class instructional designers and consultants, Gallup’s approach to employee engagement reduces the amount of time needed to move from measurement to improvement. The world’s top-performing organizations recognize the critical role managers play in achieving business objectives. As a global leader in the area of employee ecruitment and selection, Gallup has a proven method for hiring managers and employees with the talent to build engagement. After reviewing nearly 10,000 validated pre-employment questions and the global Q12 database, Gallup uncovered a subset of questions that enables organizations to assess whether a job candidate, if hired, will boost engagement levels. This engagement selecting approach will help hiring managers find candidates who have more potential to drive engagement in the workplace. Selecting for Engagement 4 Copyright  © 2008, 2010 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved. What the World’s Best Organizations Do Differently Gallup drives organizations to systematically improve employee engagement using proven interventions at the local and enterprise level. Beyond setting the proper strategy, interventions include finding the right performance metrics that drive accountability, creating a comprehensive communication strategy, and designing development opportunities for every employee, manager, and leader. While partnering with many of the world’s best organizations, Gallup has observed that world-class organizations make employee engagement a priority by focusing on the following: Strategy World-class organizations develop a formula for success by looking objectively and rigorously at the business problems they face and by focusing on finding the right employees and keeping them engaged. For these organizations, an employee engagement strategy is not only fundamental to the way they do business, it is critical to their success. Accountabil ity and Performance The top-driven companies focus on outcomes. They define and rigorously measure success at every level in the organization. These measurements ultimately help focus each person, team, department, and business unit on driving performance and results. Communication Within the best performing organizations there is a cultural alignment between the employees and the company, paired with a strategic alignment between activities and company goals. These organizations use their corporate communication touchpoints to reinforce their commitments to employees and customers. Development As the struggle for talent intensifies, organizations face a continual challenge to build and grow their leadership capacity. The world’s top-performing companies have comprehensive leader and manager development programs, but they also go one step further — these programs are performance-driven and incorporate a comprehensive succession plan throughout the organization. They make it a priority to not only identify leadership potential, but also to focus intently on the creation of developmental paths for current and future managers and leaders. †¢ †¢ †¢ Copyright  © 2008, 2010 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved. 5 Proven Return on Investment Increasing employee engagement directly correlates with a positive effect on key business metrics. A partnership with Gallup enables your organization to design, implement, and execute an employee engagement strategy, and at the same time, your organization will have concrete evidence of the effect of this strategy on the bottom line. Gallup’s proof of ROI goes beyond the case study level. By continually validating the effect of increasing employee engagement through meta-analyses and business impact studies, Gallup can observe ROI trends across hundreds of clients. The observed net gain in key business outcomes for business units that grow employee engagement is a direct link to ROI. Typical Net Gain at the Organizational Level 8. 0% 7. 0% 6. 0% 5. 0% 4. 0% 3. 0% 2. 0% 1. 0% 0. 0% Median Growth in Engagement (. 15 GrandMean) m A Tu r Think about the cost to replace an employee, attract a new, loyal customer, or pay workers’ compensation. Using quick and simple math with the net gain values provided, your organization can begin to model the ROI it is capable of attaining. 6 Tu r Pa t Pr od er uc tiv ity Pr o? ta bi lit y Copyright  © 2008, 2010 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved. h y et af Q ge ow ty eis ka -H fe -L ua lit C ig te rin Sa tS en ve r ve r no no ien bs Sh us to y Performance Optimizationâ„ ¢: Managing the Employee-Customer Encounter Taking employee engagement one step further, Gallup’s Performance Optimization approach offers an innovative, research-based approach to one of the toughest challenges businesses face t oday: how to drive success by effectively managing the moments when employees interact with customers. This approach brings employee and customer engagement on to a single management platform. It combines a proven method for assessing the health of the employee-customer encounter with a disciplined process for improving it. Gallup is unique in its ability to design and execute this aligned approach because our expertise and global capability in marketplace consulting practices is as deep as our expertise and global capability in workplace consulting practices. e Impact of Performance Optimization HIGH TM CE11 CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT Boost 70% 240% Boost 1. (Baseline) LOW LOW Boost HIGH 70% Q12 EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT Our meta-analysis of engagement and financial performance in companies across multiple industries reveals that business units that score above our database median on customer and employee engagement significantly outperform units that rank in the bottom half on both measures. Organizations employing Performance Optimization principles have outperformed their competitors by 26% in gross margin and 85% in sales growth. Their customers buy more, spend more, return more often, and stay longer. Blending strategic analysis with hands-on, practical steps and advice, Performance Optimization changes how leaders view their work, their employees, and their customers. Copyright  © 2008, 2010 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved. 7 Gallup’s Global Reach Gallup’s 2,000 professionals deliver services at client organizations and from 40 offices around the world. Benchmarking World-Class Organizations Gallup maintains the world’s most comprehensive historical and comparative employee engagement databases. The historical database contains data collected in 67 languages from more than 17 million respondents in 175 countries worldwide. Gallup updates the comparative database annually, which enables clients to benchmark their organization’s employee engagement levels against the most recent data Gallup collects from around the world. Gallup’s most recent database, covering the past three years, includes data collected from more than 6. million employees representing more than 815,000 workgroups in 16 major industries and more than 70 sub-industries in 170 countries worldwide. Gallup understands the importance of timely data and relevant comparisons in the competitive landscape of today’s fast-paced marketplace. As a result, your organization can compare its engagement data with Gallup’s global, world-class, industry-specific, or custom database segments. Change That Drives Outcomes Transformation does not occur instantaneously. It takes a lot of energy and effort to initiate change, and it takes even more energy to build on that momentum. It takes focused attention to drive engagement. A partnership with Gallup will help your organization influence and inspire engagement by building a â€Å"people† strategy that holds people accountable for performance, aligns communication, and builds development opportunities for leaders, managers, and frontline employees, giving your organization a competitive edge. 8 Copyright  © 2008, 2010 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved. Copyright  © 2008, 2010 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved. 9 â€Å"Best Buy has already had success in connecting improved employee-engagement scores to store performance: it found that for every 10th of a point it boosted the former, its stores saw a $100,000 increase in operating income.

Sample Strategies For Helping Kids Learn How to Write an Essay For Kids

Sample Strategies For Helping Kids Learn How to Write an Essay For KidsThe best way to give your child a fun and creative opportunity to learn how to write an essay for kids is to show them how easy it is. This article is going to give you some sample strategies for helping your child with writing an essay for kids.The first thing that you need to do is provide your child with a list of common essay questions that they may be asked in school. This can include the following questions, which should all be presented at the same time: Who, What, When, Where, Why, How, and What is? You can also get more involved and ask them to provide you with personal information about themselves.The next thing that you need to do is give your child a little time to do some research. You will want to give them the freedom to let their imagination run wild. This will help them to find a story that is both believable and original. Your goal here is to create a story that is unique to your child and does n ot contradict the facts of your current lesson.The next step is to go over all of the different choices that you have in terms of using essay examples. You will want to be sure that your child can determine whether or not it is relevant and uses the appropriate characters in order to move the lesson forward. They also need to be able to use the terminology properly, so take the time to look at the examples.Another helpful tip is to allow your children research online as well. This helps them to learn more about how to research a topic and what types of information are included. This can help them connect the dots and better understand how important it is to be able to gather as much information as possible when they are taking their essays.If you do not feel comfortable giving your child all of the research work, then you can instead have them research it for you. Your goal here is to keep it as simple as possible and give them as much freedom as possible with their research. Doing this allows them to be more focused on their research and less on thinking about how their essay will turn out.The last tip for how to write an essay for kids samples is to get some sample strategies for teaching using these tips. These will help to keep your child motivated and use a few examples to help them with the writing of their essay.

THE EFFECTS OF ALTITUDE ON HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY Essay Example For Students

THE EFFECTS OF ALTITUDE ON HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY Essay Changes in altitude have a profound effect on the human body. The bodyattempts to maintain a state of homeostasis or balance to ensure the optimaloperating environment for its complex chemical systems. Any change from thishomeostasis is a change away from the optimal operating environment. The bodyattempts to correct this imbalance. One such imbalance is the effect ofincreasing altitude on the bodys ability to provide adequate oxygen to beutilized in cellular respiration. With an increase in elevation, a typicaloccurrence when climbing mountains, the body is forced to respond in variousways to the changes in externalenvironment. Foremost of these changes is the diminished ability to obtainoxygen from the atmosphere. If the adaptive responses to this stressor areinadequate the performance of body systems may decline dramatically. Ifprolonged the results can be serious or even fatal. In looking at the effectof altitude on body functioning we first must understand what occurs in theexte rnal environment at higher elevations and then observe the importantchanges that occur in the internal environment of the body in response. We will write a custom essay on THE EFFECTS OF ALTITUDE ON HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now HIGH ALTITUDEIn discussing altitude change and its effect on the body mountaineersgenerally define altitude according to the scale of high (8,000 12,000feet), very high (12,000 18,000 feet), and extremely high (18,000+ feet),(Hubble, 1995). A common misperception of the change in external environmentwith increased altitude is that there is decreased oxygen. This is notcorrect as the concentration of oxygen at sea level is about 21% and staysrelatively unchanged until over 50,000 feet (Johnson, 1988). What is really happening is that the atmospheric pressure is decreasing andsubsequently the amount of oxygen available in a single breath of air issignificantly less. At sea level the barometric pressure averages 760 mmHgwhile at 12,000 feet it is only 483 mmHg. This decrease in total atmosphericpressure means that there are 40% fewer oxygen molecules per breath at thisaltitude compared to sea level (Princeton, 1995). HUMAN RESPIRATORY SYSTEMThe human respiratory system is responsible for bringing oxygen into thebody and transferring it to the cells where it can be utilized for cellularactivities. It also removes carbon dioxide from the body. The respiratorysystem draws air initially either through the mouth or nasal passages. Bothof these passages join behind the hard palate to form the pharynx. At thebase of the pharynx are two openings. One, the esophagus, leads to thedigestive system while the other, the glottis, leads to the lungs. Theepiglottis covers the glottis when swallowing so that food does not enter thelungs. When the epiglottis is not covering the opening to the lungs air maypass freely into and out of the trachea. The trachea sometimes called the windpipe branches into two bronchi whichin turn lead to a lung. Once in the lung the bronchi branch many times intosmaller bronchioles which eventually terminate in small sacs called alveoli. It is in the alveoli that the actual transfer of oxygen to the blood takesplace. The alveoli are shaped like inflated sacs and exchange gas through amembrane. The passage of oxygen into the blood and carbon dioxide out of theblood is dependent on three major factors: 1) the partial pressure of thegases, 2) the area of the pulmonary surface, and 3) the thickness of themembrane (Gerking, 1969). The membranes in the alveoli provide a largesurface area for the free exchange of gases. The typical thickness of thepulmonary membrane is less than the thickness of a red blood cell. Thepulmonary surface and the thickness of the alveolar membranes are notdirectly affected by a change in altitude. The partial pressure of oxygen,however, is directly related to altitude and affects gas transfer in thealveoli. GAS TRANSFERTo understand gas transfer it is important to first understand somethingabout thebehavior of gases. Each gas in our atmosphere exerts its own pressure andacts independently of the others. Hence the term partial pressure refers tothe contribution of each gas to the entire pressure of the atmosphere. Theaverage pressure of the atmosphere at sea level is approximately 760 mmHg. This means that the pressure is great enough to support a column of mercury(Hg) 760 mm high. To figure the partial pressure of oxygen you start with thepercentage of oxygen present in the atmosphere which is about 20%. Thusoxygen will constitute 20% of the total atmospheric pressure at any givenlevel. At sea level the total atmospheric pressure is 760 mmHg so the partialpressure of O2 would be approximately 152 mmHg. 760 mmHg x 0.20 = 152 mmHgA similar computation can be made for CO2 if we know that the concentrationis approximately 4%. The partial pressure of CO2 would then be about 0.304mmHg at sea level. Gas transfer at the alveoli follows the rule of simple diffusion. Diffusionis movement of molecules along a concentration gradient from an area of highconcentration to an area of lower concentration. Diffusion is the result ofcollisions between molecules. In areas of higher concentration there are morecollisions. The net effect of this greater number of collisions is a movementtoward an area of lower concentration. In Table 1 it is apparent that theconcentration gradient favors the diffusion of oxygen into and carbon dioxideout of the blood (Gerking, 1969). Table 2 shows the decrease in partialpressure of oxygen at increasing altitudes (Guyton, 1979). Table 1 ATMOSPHERIC AIRALVEOLUSVENOUS BLOODOXYGEN152 mmHg (20%)104 mmHg (13.6%) 40 mmHgCARBON DIOXIDE 0.304 mmHg (0.04%)40 mmHg (5.3%) 45 mmHgTable 2ALTITUDE (ft.) BAROMETRIC PRESSURE (mmHg)Po2 IN AIR (mmHg)Po2 IN ALVEOLI(mmHg) ARTERIAL OXYGEN SATURATION (%)0 760159*104 9710,000523 110 67 9020,000349 73 40 7030,000226 47 21 2040,000141 29 8550,00087 18 11*this value differs from table 1 because the author used the value for theconcentration of O2 as 21%. The author of table 1 choose to use the value as 20%. CELLULAR RESPIRATIONIn a normal, non-stressed state, the respiratory system transports oxygenfrom the lungs to the cells of the body where it is used in the process ofcellular respiration. Under normal conditions this transport of oxygen issufficient for the needs of cellular respiration. Cellular respirationconverts the energy in chemical bonds into energy that can be used to powerbody processes. Glucose is the molecule most often used to fuel this processalthough the body is capable of using other organic molecules for energy. The transfer of oxygen to the body tissues is often called internalrespiration (Grollman, 1978). The process of cellular respiration is acomplex series of chemical steps that ultimately allow for the breakdown ofglucose into usable energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). Thethree main steps in the process are: 1) glycolysis, 2) Krebs cycle, and 3)electron transport system. Oxygen is required for these processes to functionat an efficient level. Without the presence of oxygen the pathway for energyproduction must proceed anaerobically. Anaerobic respiration sometimes calledlactic acid fermentation produces significantly less ATP (2 instead of 36/38)and due to this great inefficiency will quickly exhaust the available supplyof glucose. Thus the anaerobic pathway is not a permanent solution for theprovision of energy to the body in the absence of sufficient oxygen. The supply of oxygen to the tissues is dependent on: 1) the efficiency withwhich blood is oxygenated in the lungs, 2) the efficiency of the blood indelivering oxygen to the tissues, 3) the efficiency of the respiratoryenzymes within the cells to transfer hydrogen to molecular oxygen (Grollman,1978). A deficiency in any of these areas can result in the body cells nothaving an adequate supply of oxygen. It is this inadequate supply of oxygenthat results in difficulties for the body at higher elevations. .uabe65ac72946b05281fe57a23321df5c , .uabe65ac72946b05281fe57a23321df5c .postImageUrl , .uabe65ac72946b05281fe57a23321df5c .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .uabe65ac72946b05281fe57a23321df5c , .uabe65ac72946b05281fe57a23321df5c:hover , .uabe65ac72946b05281fe57a23321df5c:visited , .uabe65ac72946b05281fe57a23321df5c:active { border:0!important; } .uabe65ac72946b05281fe57a23321df5c .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .uabe65ac72946b05281fe57a23321df5c { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .uabe65ac72946b05281fe57a23321df5c:active , .uabe65ac72946b05281fe57a23321df5c:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .uabe65ac72946b05281fe57a23321df5c .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .uabe65ac72946b05281fe57a23321df5c .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .uabe65ac72946b05281fe57a23321df5c .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .uabe65ac72946b05281fe57a23321df5c .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .uabe65ac72946b05281fe57a23321df5c:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .uabe65ac72946b05281fe57a23321df5c .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .uabe65ac72946b05281fe57a23321df5c .uabe65ac72946b05281fe57a23321df5c-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .uabe65ac72946b05281fe57a23321df5c:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Young Goodman Brown, By Nathaniel Hawthorne, Is A Story That Is Thick EssayANOXIAA lack of sufficient oxygen in the cells is called anoxia. Sometimes theterm hypoxia, meaning less oxygen, is used to indicate an oxygen debt. Whileanoxia literally means no oxygen it is often used interchangeably withhypoxia. There are different types of anoxia based on the cause of the oxygendeficiency. Anoxic anoxia refers to defective oxygenation of the blood in thelungs. This is the type of oxygen deficiency that is of concern whenascending to greater altitudes with a subsequent decreased partial pressureof O2. Other types of oxygen deficiencies include: anemic anoxia (failure ofthe blood to transport adequate quantities of oxygen), stagnant anoxia (theslowing of the circulatory system), and histotoxic anoxia (the failure ofrespiratory enzymes to adequately function). Anoxia can occur temporarily during normal respiratory system regulation ofchanging cellular needs. An example of this would be climbing a flight ofstairs. The increased oxygendemand of the cells in providing the mechanicalenergy required to climb ultimately produces a local hypoxia in the musclecell. The first noticeable response to this external stress is usually anincrease in breathing rate. This is called increased alveolar ventilation. The rate of our breathing is determined by the need for O2 in the cells andis the first response to hypoxic conditions. BODY RESPONSE TO ANOXIAIf increases in the rate of alveolar respiration are insufficient to supplythe oxygen needs of the cells the respiratory system responds by generalvasodilation. This allows a greater flow of blood in the circulatory system. The sympathetic nervous system also acts to stimulate vasodilation within theskeletal muscle. At the level of the capillaries the normally closedprecapillary sphincters open allowing a large flow of blood through themuscles. In turn the cardiac output increases both in terms of heart rate andstroke volume. The stroke volume, however, does not substantially increase inthe non-athlete (Langley, et.al., 1980). This demonstrates an obvious benefitof regular exercise and physical conditioning particularly for an individualwho will be exposed to high altitudes. The heart rate is increased by theaction of theadrenal medulla which releases catecholamines. These catecholamines workdirectly on the myocardium to strengthen contraction. Another compensationmechanism is the release of renin by the kidneys. Renin leads to theproduction of angiotensin which serves to increase blood pressure (Langley,Telford, and Christensen, 1980). This helps to force more blood intocapillaries. All of these change s are a regular and normal response of thebody to external stressors. The question involved with altitude changesbecomes what happens when the normal responses can no longer meet the oxygendemand from the cells?ACUTE MOUNTAIN SICKNESSOne possibility is that Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) may occur. AMS iscommon at high altitudes. At elevations over 10,000 feet, 75% of people willhave mild symptoms (Princeton, 1995). The occurrence of AMS is dependent uponthe elevation, the rate of ascent to that elevation, and individualsusceptibility. Acute Mountain Sickness is labeled as mild, moderate, or severe dependent onthe presenting symptoms. Many people will experience mild AMS during theprocess of acclimatization to a higher altitude. In this case symptoms of AMSwould usually start 12-24 hours after arrival at a higher altitude and beginto decrease in severity about the third day. The symptoms of mild AMS areheadache, dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, nausea,disturbed sleep, and a general feeling of malaise (Princeton, 1995). Thesesymptoms tend to increase at night when respiration is slowed during sleep. Mild AMS does not interfere with normal activity and symptoms generallysubside spontaneously as the body acclimatizes tothe higher elevation. Moderate AMS includes a severe headache that is not relieved by medication,nausea and vomiting, increasing weakness and fatigue, shortness of breath,and decreased coordination called ataxia (Princeton, 1995). Normal activitybecomes difficult at this stage of AMS, although the person may still be ableto walk on their own. A test for moderate AMS is to have the individualattempt to walk a straight line heel to toe. The person with ataxia will beunable to walk a straight line. If ataxia is indicated it is a clear signthat immediate descent is required. In the case of hiking or climbing it isimportant to get the affected individual to descend before the ataxia reachesthe point where they can no longer walk on their own. Severe AMS presents all of the symptoms of mild and moderate AMS at anincreased level of severity. In addition there is a marked shortness ofbreath at rest, the inability to walk, a decreasing mental clarity, and apotentially dangerous fluid buildup in the lungs. ACCLIMATIZATIONThere is really no cure for Acute Mountain Sickness other thanacclimatization ordescent to a lower altitude. Acclimatization is the process, over time, wherethe body adapts to the decrease in partial pressure of oxygen molecules at ahigher altitude. The major cause of altitude illnesses is a rapid increase inelevation without an appropriate acclimatization period. The process ofacclimatization generally takes 1-3 days at the new altitude. Acclimatizationinvolves several changes in the structure and function of the body. Some ofthese changes happen immediately in response to reduced levels of oxygenwhile others are a slower adaptation. Some of the most significant changesare:Chemoreceptor mechanism increases the depth of alveolar ventilation. Thisallows for an increase in ventilation of about 60% (Guyton, 1969). This is animmediate response to oxygen debt. Over a period of several weeks thecapacity to increase alveolar ventilation may increase 600-700%. Pressure in pulmonary arteries is increased, forcing blood into portions ofthelung which are normally not used during sea level breathing. The body produces more red blood cells in the bone marrow to carry oxygen. This process may take several weeks. Persons who live at high altitude oftenhave red blood cell counts 50% greater than normal. The body produces more of the enzyme 2,3-biphosphoglycerate that facilitatesthe release of oxygen from hemoglobin to the body tissues (Tortora, 1993). The acclimatization process is slowed by dehydration, over-exertion, alcoholand other depressant drug consumption. Longer term changes may include anincrease in the size of the alveoli, and decrease in the thickness of thealveoli membranes. Both of these changes allow for more gas transfer. TREATMENT FOR AMSThe symptoms of mild AMS can be treated with pain medications for headache. Some physicians recommend the medication Diamox (Acetazolamide). Both Diamoxand headache medication appear to reduce the severity of symptoms, but do notcure the underlying problem of oxygen debt. Diamox, however, may allow theindividual to metabolize more oxygen by breathing faster. This is especiallyhelpful at night when respiratory drive is decreased. Since it takes a whilefor Diamox to have an effect, it is advisable to start taking it 24 hoursbefore going to altitude. The recommendation of the Himalayan RescueAssociation Medical Clinic is 125 mg. twice a day. The standard dose has been 250 mg., but their research shows nodifference with the lower dose (Princeton, 1995). Possible side effectsinclude tingling of the lips and finger tips, blurring of vision, andalteration of taste. These side effects may be reduced with the 125 mg. dose. .u1166ff2b0dc6e1ed092788d2f3d73ab5 , .u1166ff2b0dc6e1ed092788d2f3d73ab5 .postImageUrl , .u1166ff2b0dc6e1ed092788d2f3d73ab5 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u1166ff2b0dc6e1ed092788d2f3d73ab5 , .u1166ff2b0dc6e1ed092788d2f3d73ab5:hover , .u1166ff2b0dc6e1ed092788d2f3d73ab5:visited , .u1166ff2b0dc6e1ed092788d2f3d73ab5:active { border:0!important; } .u1166ff2b0dc6e1ed092788d2f3d73ab5 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u1166ff2b0dc6e1ed092788d2f3d73ab5 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u1166ff2b0dc6e1ed092788d2f3d73ab5:active , .u1166ff2b0dc6e1ed092788d2f3d73ab5:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u1166ff2b0dc6e1ed092788d2f3d73ab5 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u1166ff2b0dc6e1ed092788d2f3d73ab5 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u1166ff2b0dc6e1ed092788d2f3d73ab5 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u1166ff2b0dc6e1ed092788d2f3d73ab5 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u1166ff2b0dc6e1ed092788d2f3d73ab5:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u1166ff2b0dc6e1ed092788d2f3d73ab5 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u1166ff2b0dc6e1ed092788d2f3d73ab5 .u1166ff2b0dc6e1ed092788d2f3d73ab5-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u1166ff2b0dc6e1ed092788d2f3d73ab5:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Happy New Year - Descriptive EssaySide effects subside when the drug is stopped. Diamox is a sulfonamide drug,so people who are allergic to sulfa drugs such as penicillin should not takeDiamox. Diamox has also been known to cause severe allergic reactions topeople with no previous history of Diamox or sulfaallergies. A trial course of the drug is usually conducted before going to aremote location where a severe allergic reaction could prove difficult totreat. Some recent data suggests that the medication Dexamethasone may havesome effect in reducing the risk of mountain sickness when used incombination with Diamox (University of Iowa, 1995). Moderate AMS requires advanced medications or immediate descent to reversethe problem. Descending even a few hundred feet may help and definiteimprovement will be seen in descents of 1,000-2,000 feet. Twenty-four hoursat the lower altitude will result in significant improvements. The personshould remain at lower altitude until symptoms have subsided (up to 3 days). At this point, the person has become acclimatized to that altitude and canbegin ascending again. Severe AMS requires immediate descent to loweraltitudes (2,000 4,000 feet). Supplemental oxygen may be helpful inreducing the effects of altitude sicknesses but does not overcome all thedifficulties that may result from the lowered barometric pressure. GAMOW BAGThis invention has revolutionized field treatment of high altitudeillnesses. The Gamow bag is basically a portable sealed chamber with a pump. The principle of operation is identical to the hyperbaric chambers used indeep sea diving. The person is placed inside the bag and it is inflated. Pumping the bag full of air effectively increases the concentration of oxygenmolecules and therefore simulates a descent to lower altitude. In as littleas 10 minutes the bag creates an atmosphere that corresponds to that at 3,000 5,000 feet lower. After 1-2 hours in the bag, thepersons body chemistry will have reset to the lower altitude. This lasts forup to 12 hours outside of the bag which should be enough time to travel to alower altitude and allow for further acclimatization. The bag and pump weighabout 14 pounds and are now carried on most major high altitude expeditions. The gamow bag is particularly important where the possibility of immediatedescent is not feasible. OTHER ALTITUDE-INDUCED ILLNESSThere are two other severe forms of altitude illness. Both of these happenlessfrequently, especially to those who are properly acclimatized. When they dooccur, it is usually the result of an increase in elevation that is too rapidfor the body to adjust properly. For reasons not entirely understood, thelack of oxygen and reduced pressure often results in leakage of fluid throughthe capillary walls into either the lungs or the brain. Continuing to higheraltitudes without proper acclimatization can lead to potentially serious,even life-threatening illnesses. HIGH ALTITUDE PULMONARY EDEMA (HAPE)High altitude pulmonary edema results from fluid buildup in the lungs. Thefluid in the lungs interferes with effective oxygen exchange. As thecondition becomes more severe, the level of oxygen in the bloodstreamdecreases, and this can lead to cyanosis, impaired cerebral function, anddeath. Symptoms include shortness of breath even at rest, tightness in thechest,marked fatigue, a feeling of impending suffocation at night, weakness, and apersistent productive cough bringing up white, watery, or frothy fluid(University of Iowa, 1995.). Confusion, and irrational behavior are signsthat insufficient oxygen is reaching the brain. One of the methods fortesting for HAPE is to check recovery time after exertion. Recovery timerefers to the time after exertion that it takes for heart rate andrespiration to return to near normal. An increase in this time may mean fluidis building up in the lungs. If a case of HAPE is suspected an immediatedescent is a necessary life-saving measure (2,000 4,000 feet). Anyonesufferingfrom HAPE must be evacuated to a medical facility for proper follow-uptreatment. Early data suggests that nifedipine may have a protective effectagainst high altitude pulmonary edema (University of Iowa, 1995). HIGH ALTITUDE CEREBRAL EDEMA (HACE)High altitude cerebral edema results from the swelling of brain tissue fromfluid leakage. Symptoms can include headache, loss of coordination (ataxia),weakness, and decreasing levels of consciousness including, disorientation,loss of memory, hallucinations, psychotic behavior, and coma. It generallyoccurs after a week or more at high altitude. Severe instances can lead todeath if not treated quickly. Immediate descent is a necessary life-savingmeasure (2,000 4,000 feet). Anyone suffering from HACE must be evacuatedto a medical facility for proper follow-uptreatment. CONCLUSIONThe importance of oxygen to the functioning of the human body is critical. Thus the effect of decreased partial pressure of oxygen at higher altitudescan be pronounced. Each individual adapts at a different speed to exposure toaltitude and it is hard to know who may be affected by altitude sickness. There are no specific factors such as age, sex, or physical condition thatcorrelate with susceptibility to altitude sickness. Most people can go up to8,000 feet with minimal effect. Acclimatization is often accompanied by fluidloss, so the ingestion of large amounts of fluid to remain properly hydratedis important (at least 3-4 quarts per day). Urine output should be copiousand clear. From the available studies on the effect of altitude on the human body itwould appear apparent that it is important to recognize symptoms early andtake corrective measures. Light activity during the day is better thansleeping because respiration decreases during sleep, exacerbating thesymptoms. The avoidance of tobacco, alcohol, and other depressant drugsincluding, barbiturates, tranquilizers, and sleeping pills is important. These depressants further decrease the respiratory drive during sleepresulting in a worsening of the symptoms. A high carbohydrate diet (more than70% of your calories from carbohydrates) while at altitude alsoappears to facilitate recovery. A little planning and awareness can greatly decrease the chances of altitudesickness. Recognizing early symptoms can result in the avoidance of moreserious consequences of altitude sickness. The human body is a complexbiochemical organism that requires an adequate supply of oxygen to function. The ability of this organism to adjust to a wide range of conditions is atestament to its survivability. The decreased partial pressure of oxygen withincreasingaltitude is one of these adaptations. Sources:Electric Differential Multimedia Lab, Travel Precautions and Advice,University of Iowa Medical College, 1995. Gerking, Shelby D., Biological Systems, W.B. Saunders Company, 1969. Grolier Electronic Publishing, The New Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia, 1993. Grollman, Sigmund, The Human Body: Its Structure and Physiology, MacmillianPublishing Company, 1978. Guyton, Arthur C., Physiology of the Human Body, 5th Edition, SaundersCollege Publishing, 1979. Hackett, P., Mountain Sickness, The Mountaineers, Seattle, 1980. Hubble, Frank, High Altitude Illness, Wilderness Medicine Newsletter,March/April 1995. Hubble, Frank, The Use of Diamox in the Prevention of Acute MountainSickness, Wilderness Medicine Newsletter, March/April 1995. Isaac, J. and Goth, P., The Outward Bound Wilderness First Aid Handbook,Lyons Burford, New 1991. Johnson, T., and Rock, P., Acute Mountain Sickness, New England Journal ofMedicine, 1988:319:841-5Langley, Telford, and Christensen, Dynamic Anatomy and Physiology,McGraw-Hill, 1980. Princeton University, Outdoor Action Program, 1995. Starr, Cecie, and Taggart, Ralph, Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life,Wadsworth Publishing Company, 1992. Tortora, Gerard J., and Grabowski, Sandra, Principles of Anatomy andPhysiology, Seventh Edition, Harper Collins College Publishers, 1993. Wilkerson., J., Editor, Medicine for Mountaineering, Fourth Edition, TheMountaineers, Seattle, 1992.

Cynodictis - Facts and Figures

Cynodictis - Facts and Figures Name: Cynodictis (Greek for in-between dog); pronounced SIGH-no-DIK-tiss Habitat: Plains of North America Historical Epoch: Late Eocene-Early Oligocene (37-28 million years ago) Size and Weight: About two feet long and 5-10 pounds Diet: Meat Distinguishing Characteristics: Long, narrow muzzle; low-slung body    About Cynodictis As has happened with so many other once-obscure prehistoric animals, Cynodictis owes its current popularity to its cameo appearances on the BBC series Walking with Beasts: in one episode, this early carnivore was shown chasing away a juvenile Indricotherium, and in another, it was a quick snack for a passing Ambulocetus (not a very convincing scenario, since this walking whale wasnt much bigger than its presumed prey!) Until recently, it was widely believed that Cynodictis was the first true canid, and thus lay at the root of 30 million years of dog evolution. Today, though, its relationship to modern dogs is more dubious: Cynodictis seems to have been a close relative of Amphicyon (better known as the Bear Dog), a type of carnivore that succeeded the giant creodonts of the Eocene epoch. Whatever its ultimate classification, Cynodictis certainly behaved like a proto-dog, chasing down small, furry prey on the boundless plains of North America (and possibly digging them out of shallow burrows as well).