Health Care Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Health Care - Essay Example As a result of this, there are cases where treatment for some seemingly incurable diseases was successfully done in this institution. Weaknesses - Though superb in providing health care, the Mayo Clinic had been allegedly accused of "defrauded the United States by misapplying certain grant funds from the National Institutes of Health and its parent agency (Harsh Criticism for the Mayo Foundation's Accounting Practices)." High medication fees cost is another weakness of the company. Opportunities - With its state-of-the-art medical facilities and research, Mayo Clinic has capability to dominate its market share. It is also a world leader in achieving breakthroughs and improvements in health care technology. Threats - Bioterrorism is one of the threats that infests medical institutions nowadays especially in distinguished medical institutions like Mayo Clinic. The incompatibility of applying modern IT technology to Mayo Clinic's system is another threat. 2. Leadership is a very vital component in any organization. ... Decisions come from a committee with a multi-departmental representation. Its principle in incorporating teamwork in its design is clearly reflected in its management system. Mayo Clinic has been very successful under this management system. In fact, it has been hailed numerous times for its world-class quality medical service. However, at times when snap and urgent decisions are needed, a single capable leader should do the job. Mayo Clinic should address this topic to avoid any cases where prompt and immediate action is needed. They should add a policy in the by-law stating that when cases of this nature happen, they should give the chairman the power to decide on and to implement emergency regulations. 3) There are various conditions where alliances are very risky between the parties involved. One of these is when a party's business or interest belongs to a totally different nature than that of the business nature of the alliance being formed. An example of this is when two businesses form a biotechnology firm where one party belongs to the field of health care services that has no background on medical research and the other is from the realm of software development that has no previous product line that caters to medical services. The lack of familiarity of one or both of the parties is very risky for the partnership or corporation, especially now that competition is very fierce and speed of technological improvement, very rapid. Though we can say that the learning curves of both parties are very high, still the risk of delivering quality results are high considering the time spent on learning the trade and the necessary operational know-how and wisdom that the

Cultural Significance Of The Reformation During The Renaissance Research Paper

Cultural Significance Of The Reformation During The Renaissance - Research Paper Example This was simply a cultural movement that occurred around the 14th -17th century in Europe. The most remarkable feature about this period is artistic developments. However, there were also some significant cultural reformations that will be discussed in this paper. Initially, Europe had conservative traditions but vital cultural reformations in the renaissance were stimulated by the reformation in music and religious teachings, and the emergence of new artistic ideas. This new culture entailed a lot of freedom and individualism as sparked by the creative works of several musicians and artists during the period. The emergent creativity led to artists abandoning artistic ways of the medieval era which were strict in nature. This led to the development of artistic improvements for example, realism in art. Giottto di Bondone was the first artist in the renaissance period to treat a painting as a widow into space (Bainton, 1952). Renaissance led to renewal of the desire to bring out the be auty of nature and explore the axioms of aesthetics. This motivated artists to come up with new painting techniques which included studying human anatomy, and light and shadow. Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Liza Painting is a good demonstration of the study of the human anatomy. The artistic culture during the renaissance period can therefore be described as being vibrant and this led to development of naturalism in painting. The renaissance period led to reformations in the music industry for example, secular music gained more popularity. This was stimulated by the development of the printing press which enabled music to be printed and spread faster. These songs mainly dealt with military and romantic themes. The form of the madrigal which was developed in Italy spread fast to Netherlands, England France and Germany (Estep, 1986). The shift to secularism was not only seen in the music industry but the general society as well. This was mainly brought about by the changes that occu rred in religion and humanism. For example, a reformation in humanism led to a shift in the focus of life to individualism. This is where each person was supposed to be his or her own priest with the Bible being the only true authority (Smith, 1920). According to Hillerbrand (1973), renaissance led to a shift in religious inclinations from Catholism to Protestantism. This is because people like Erasmus held to and campaigned on the view that a true religion was an act of inward devotion to God rather than mere outward symbols of ritual and ceremony. The changes were also a result of protest against the evil that people saw in the Catholic Church for example rampant corruption. The people realized that there was a big contrast in the practical lives of the church clergy and the doctrines and teachings they were giving to the people. The result of criticism against the Catholic Church was a loss in its authority and the emergence of new protestant churches and sects. This led to relig ious wars and divisions whose driving force was expressions by the people on the need for freedom of expression and tolerance. The renaissance was therefore a successful weapon for countering the fight against pagan civilization by the Catholic Church. The consequence of the criticisms, new religious focus and stand was secularization of fanatical Catholics and the general society (Euan, 1991). A change in the culture of Christians led to a change in lifestyle from having the church as the center of activity into a materialistic kind of life. In this secular life, the material world became an important part of the life of a person and this encouraged capitalism. People become more concerned with money, worldly pleasures and a general comfort in life. At the same time, religion remained an important part

Debate of Naturopathic Medicine Treatments

Debate of Naturopathic Medicine Treatments In 2017, there will be an estimated 1,688,780 new cancer cases diagnosed and 600,920 cancer deaths in the United States, per the American Cancer Society. Across America, men and women are seeking both naturopathic medicine (also referred to as alternative medicine) and traditional medical care. Depending on the type medical condition or how far their diagnosis has progressed, approximately 50% of patients have found the use of naturopathic methods to be the more appropriate route for them and their families compared to the more traditional medical care (Issitt). As research progresses further into the new years with new medicines, Doctors are starting to see other patients and survivors choosing the Naturopathic method over the traditional chemotherapy, due to the overall effect it has on their health in the long run. It was once said by Joseph Addison that, Cheerfulness is the best promoter of health and is as friendly to the mind as to the body. Joseph Addison is making a valid point with his statement. When a person acts or thinks in a positive manner, do they not actually feel better? Being cheerful will help you both mentally and physically. Laughing is the perfect example. When a person laughs, it releases chemicals within the brain that makes that person physically feel well. Those chemicals are referred to as endorphins and when released they help increase pain resistance in the body (Gorman). Why should any patient have to pay for antidepressants when they can already produce their own happiness? They just need to turn on the television and watch a comedic movie of their choice. In the same way, traditional and naturopathic medicine specialized practitioners find ways in which to restore health by using safe and natural remedies to treat all aspects, whether it be physical or mental, of their patient. Even though many doctors and patients may not recognize the benefits of naturopathic medicine, the increase in their popularity is indisputable. When a specialist, whether it be the patients primary care manager or whomever they were seeing, discovers cancer in the patient, an oncologist often provides the treatment options for them. Depending on the staging, the type of cancer, and the rate that is has spread, they will often recommend the best method to treat the ailment. Ultimately it is up to the patient as to the choice of treatment based off the doctors recommendations. Sometimes the patient even gets second opinions and gathers information through other qualified professionals (Tierra). Treatment for cancer can be sought through several traditional methods. They include surgery as well as chemotherapy and radiation. Other options for treating this condition could be clinical trials, which are options for treating some patients but not all. Other patients may choose the more natural cancer treatments; some of which are not approved by the FDA. Unfortunately, there are numerous amounts of patients who choose to use natural methods without performing the correct processes beforehand. The correct processes that are necessary include: research on the treatments and the illness, as well as having a consultation with the patients physician (Robotin). Doctors should really advise their patients to stop using naturopathic methods instead of traditional methods because of the dangers of using the naturopathic methods. Unlike traditional methods, naturopathic methods are unknown, they are not as effective as patients seem to believe them to be, and tradition methods have been proven to be the only known way to completely heal or cure a disease. During a consultation, the physician should advise against the use of naturopathic methods. One reason being because of the dangers of the naturopathic methods may present, due to the lack of research on them (Eisenberg). Therapies, massages, herbal medication, and acupuncture are common naturopathic methods (Collinge). Any so called dangers to using natural treatments are known, but much is not because hospitals believe that conventional medicine is much more effective. There is evidence to prove the lack of research that has not been done on naturopathic treatments. Such is the case study done in Australia about natural treatments of cancer. There is information all throughout the article in regards to how natural treatments can be used to cure cancer (Mercurio). Unfortunately, there was limited information about the risks when using natural methods and where all the information came from (Mercurio). In some cases, there are some users that say, researching the treatments would involve chemically changing them and destroying what makes the naturopathic treatments natural (Astin), they would be incredibly wrong. This would be due to the need of increased research of natural remedies to help prepare the physicians to be ready to treat the such problems that may be caused by ailments such as; hepatitis, dermatitis, and endocarditis (Niggemann). All of which are only known to be some of the dangers to the use of acupuncture because of the little research that was done. Therefore, most doctors should advise against the use of natural treatments due to the lack of knowledge and the research in what may happen to the patients who do use them. A second reason as to why doctors should advise against the use of natural methods is because they have not been found to be more effective than traditional medicine. The effectiveness of traditional and natural medicine can be seen both ways: either medically or cost wise. Natural methods are not cost effective, despite the beliefs of users. This is partially due to the patients insurance will not willing to pay for or even help to pay for natural treatments (Crellin). Over time, that patients bill may increase substantially if they do not have the help if their insurance in paying for the treatments. Often times in this situation, patients may have to or have turned to, the black market to receive treatments. Other times the increase may be caused by the fact that patients will need more of their medication in order to affect their illness, like a drug. It really is not known if natural treatments are medically effective since not much research has been done on the subject. Traditi onal cancer treatments include; surgery, radiation therapy, and medication. Common natural remedies include; herbal medications, therapies, and acupuncture (Donsbach). When deciphering between the two types of treatments, it is known that surgery is a more effective way to treat cancer than traditional and natural methods (Hareyan). This is only due to the fact that surgery will completely remove all parts of the body that have been infected by cancer, whereas there is a risk that the herbal medications may actually mutate the cancer and cause it to spread (Hareyan). Patients should be advised to refrain from using the natural methods, since the natural treatments are not as effective as patients seem to think they are. Lastly, a third reason for why doctors would advise against the use of natural methods is because traditional medicine is known to completely cure or heal an illness with limited risks. Where natural methods are only known for relieving but not fully curing an illness (Niggemann). There is evidence of this is in many stories about natural treatments and natural treatments for cancers. Many stories that involve natural treatments include patients complaining about the return of their symptoms or illnesses (Dansbach). There still are patients that use natural treatments that still believe traditional medicine is not the only way to cure an ailment; and that is do to the lack of proof or evidence of research in the subject. Since there has been little research on natural treatments, traditional medical treatments are the only known way to completely heal an illness and should be advised to patients by their physicians (Crellin). More people today believe that the traditional, surgical method of treating cancer is the most acclaimed as well as the more vital approach. However, this traditional method does not completely cure the disease. After surgery, there are metastatic growths. The chances of having more metastatic outgrowths increases when the size of primary tumor becomes bigger. This traditional method of cancer treatment increases the risk of damaging the tumor and it also penetrates many other cancer cells within the blood cells. In turn, it introduces new colonies of the tumor cells. This is one of the many reasons why the chemotherapy as well as radiation are not always applied traditionally. When combined with the surgical resection of the initial tumor, cancer patients that have used the traditional methods against cancer usually appear to have more tumors in different parts of the body. It then develops into polydysplasia (Tierra). Naturopathic methods have been around for centuries and people continue to use them. So There must be some benefit to these methods. Naturopathic medicine has been proven to be effective in many cases and should be further researched and needs to be accepted in our healthcare system to better inform the patients who choose to use them. Naturopathy is a goal where it seeks to engage in the bodys power to naturally fight diseases by utilizing the resources that are already available. Drugs and surgery are to be avoided, and the patient is to embrace the natural methods. Those are the naturopathic principles. The patients medical history is closely looked at and paid attention to. Also, lifestyle and environment is closely monitored. It is believed that naturopathy reduces the chance of the spread of cancer cells within the body. Naturopathic medicine can be far less expensive, compared to traditional medicine (Verma). When it comes to any kind of herbs and vitamins, they are naturally available. They do not require any extra research to develop and therefore they are cheaper and easier to get a hold of. Yoga and diets can be done from the comfort of your own home; and do not require any hospital stays or constant doctor visits. These have been proven to help treat problems ranging from stress to side effects caused by traditional cancer treatments. Multivitamins, supplements, weight loss pills, and more are forms of naturopathic medicine that can be found in stores and bought without any sort of prescription from the doctor. Accessibility to naturopathic medicine is much more convenient for those who live a busy lifestyle. Not everyone has time to schedule an appointment with a doctor. However, being that these products are so convenient to the patient and at low prices, they pose a danger of improper use. Which is why further study of naturopathic medicine is critical; the lives of patients could be in danger and they would not even know or consider it at the time. Thanks to science and technology, naturopathic methods of treatments have become more enhanced with producing good effects in people who have chosen natural methods instead of traditional medicine. In recent years medical research has indicated that some natural therapies produce a positive result in patients(Issitt). Ketogenic diets have been around since the 1920s and are one true form of effective natural therapy, with positive results. They were first introduced in epilepsy patients as a natural method of therapy and then was soon used in patients with brain tumors. Traditional keto diets have a 3:1 ratio of fat to nonfat. The breakdown of the diet is the patient would consume 29g protein, 23g carbohydrates, and 156 g dietary fats, daily (Nebeling). To get the diet started, most patients have to do a three to seven day water fast. That way it insures they get their ketone levels elevated and their glucose levels lowered before starting the diet themselves. There has been a link between glucose and cancer cells, in which doctors have figured out that if they were to lower the glucose within the patients bodies and increase the ketones, it will then confuse the cancer cells (Paoli). Since the cancer cells thrive off the glucose within the body, by confusing them with the elevating of the ketones, it will then ultimately starve the cancer cells within the patients body, riding the patient of the dreaded disease. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is used for patients who have lingering toxicity issues related to chemotherapy or radiation exposure. It is a type of medical treatment, also considered a natural therapy, which enhances the bodys natural healing process by inhalation of 100% oxygen in a total body chamber, where atmospheric pressure is increased and controlled. It is used for a wide variety of treatments; usually as a part of an overall medical care plan. It helps with promoting tissue healing and to fight off infections. What it does is it increases the amount of oxygen that is dissolved in the patients blood stream. Once that is done, it allows the a new, improved oxygen to be delivered to the tissues. Most often the type of disorders that patients tend to develop late after exposure to the common therapies, are hypoxia and ischemia. In many recent studies and findings, it has been proven that hypoxia aids in the progression of cancer (Moen). If left untreated, it can cause cellular damage and organ dysfunction. To so many individuals, they think that traditional methods are the better route to go than alternative methods because it shows a significant improvement in a persons health and also in their well-being. However, it is also very important to remember the negative side effects. Research has confirmed that some alternative methods perform significantly better than most placebos in controlled experiments (Issitt). This just means that placebos and side effects are both problematic to using traditional medicine and will only endanger a person more. If those false medicines or placebos were provided to people who are very ill and are the wrong kind, it would hurt the individual; even if they took it and the only reaction were mild side effects. Unlike the traditional methods, naturopathic therapy provides a safe but easy way to heal and relax a persons body. First Alternative therapy often seeks to work with the bodys own natural healing process and it often seeks to engage the whole person, strengthening the connection between mind and body (Badertscher). Alternative medicine and traditional medicine are very important because people will learn which one is safe and heals the body in a relaxing way and what ones only tricks a person and costs money. Side effects from traditional treatments can often be quite taxing on the body. A few examples include but are not limited to: fatigue, myelosuppression, thrombocytopenia, anemia, GI concerns, and more (Held-Warmkessel). Each one bearing very little to major effects on the patients everyday life. If a patient is constantly fatigued, how are they suppose to carry out everyday normal activities and really live their life? Since chemotherapy mixed with other medications that they may on, are wiping out their neutrophils, it is causing more fatigue than normal in the patient, causing them to take naps more often and sleep longer than usual. Resulting in the patient missing out on many activities that others may take for granted. Thrombocytopenia can cause severe bleeding in the patient, if not watched closely (Held-Warmekssel). The patient had to be very careful if they were to get a scratch or cut. Their platelet counts fall during chemotherapy and so clotting is either very minimal or non existent, running the patient at risk of bleeding out or bleeding to death. One reason why patients end up having to have platelet transfusions during traditional chemo treatments. Constant nausea and vomiting are just minimal GI concerns. That is normally treated or blanketed with other medicines such as steroids, like prednisone. If a patient is unable to keep fluids or even foods down, they run the risk of losing very important nutrients that their body really needs to help heal and stay strong to fight off the cancer. Stomach ulcers and mucosal inflammation within the GI tract can occur from the vomiting or just from the chemotherapy itself, along with the side effects from the mix of all the medications the patient is taking. Another reason why traditional treatments are not the best option. Finally, just the basics of what you and I take for granted; personal hygiene. Mouth sores, bleeding gums, the loss of taste buds, hair loss, not able to have fresh cut flowers in the house due to they harbor bacteria, not able to eat at a buffet due to bacteria, having to wear a mask out in public, limiting interaction in crowds, etc. These are all minimal things you would not think twice about but the patients themselves cannot do these simple things thanks to traditional treatments and the side effects that they produce. Traditional methods involve medicines and treatments that are often chemically produced in labs which are specifically made for curing those with diseases. They are then offered to patients by hospitals. Traditional methods can include but are not limited to: chemical medications, radiation therapies, and surgeries. Alternative methods are naturally produced treatments for illnesses. They can include but are not limited to: herbal medications, acupuncture, therapies, and relaxation techniques. The strong dislike of traditional methods from patients, has increased through the century (Astin). One reason for this increase is the belief that alternative treatments offer more control over health care decisions, and alternatives are seen as more compatible with the patients values, worldview, beliefs regarding the nature and meaning of illness and health or a person truly believes that they can be cured of their ailment by the use of only natural methods (Astin). Another list of reasons for the dislike to traditional methods may include: poor perceived health, family use of natural methods, recommendation by close social contacts, strong adherence to traditional health beliefs and middle age. Even though within the last century the use of traditional methods has decreased, the usage of naturopathic methods has increased (Eberhardt). However, even with that increase, only less than thirty-percent of naturopathic therapy users stated that they had talked to their healthcare professional in the past twelve months, in regards to their use of the natural therapies (Eberhardt). About half of the patients that choose to use natural methods are diagnosed with a chronic disease. Some of those chronic diseases happen to be cancer, diabetes, arthritis, heart diseases, and strokes. Naturopathic methods are more often used to treat allergies. An example of these allergies that natural methods are used to diagnose and treat includes but are not limited to are: specific allergies, seasonal allergies, and asthma (Niggemann). There are a few other illnesses where traditional methods can only offer relief and not a cure, that natural methods can help treat (Niggemann). Some practitioners continue to develop alternative medicines to avoid surgery or the occasionally hazard effects of synthetic medicines (Issitt). These alternative methods are extremely important because it saves money, are less invasive, and are less time consuming. They also have fewer side effects. This in turn is giving people positive reasons as to why they should choose the alternative methods over the harmful, invasive options. Rather than choosing to take part in invasive surgeries such as, internal surgeries, sports medicine surgeries and spinal surgeries, etc research has shown that men and women choose acupuncture. These remedies have balanced men and women both physically and mentally. As stated before, alternative methods do not include the need for a placebo. Since that is a way in determining the effect of medications with traditional methods, for alternative methods it is already safe for them and approved with the law. There are people that argue that alternative methods are not useful to curing aggressive diseases such as cancer and Alzheimers disease. But through further research and more understanding of alternative methods with how they have the potential to impact cancer and other diseases, people can begin to understand it more clearly. It is because of the new technology and the new treatments that positive results in the research and studies on patients, that prove that naturopathic methods really do work in the healing process.

Ozone Depletion Essays -- essays research papers

Ozone Depletion In this world of rapid change, it's extremely difficult for a company to stay ahead of the game even using all the resources available to them. So, it's difficult to imagine the problems they would run into when a group of environmentalists decide to boycott a substance which is the foundation of their company. These chemicals, although very useful, cause consequences that need to be dealt with now in order to prevent further damage. The chemicals in question are numerous, but the two gaining the most attention are chloroflurocarbons (CFC's) and carbon tetrachloride. CFC's have a wide range of uses, but are popularly used in aerosol propellants and air conditioning for homes and cars (Singer and Crandall npg). Carbon tetrachloride is one of the major components in making CFC so their damage is similar. When they inter the outer atmosphere, They react with ozone chemicals to release chlorine and bromine that in turn deteriorate the ozone and form "thinning" or "holes." This is catastrophic because they are bonded very strongly together and cannot be broken down by water. This means they travel into the atmosphere virtually unharmed by rain or decomposition (Goldfarb 282). The reason these are causing such a commotion is the damage they cause to living things on Earth. When the ozone depletes, it causes more ultraviolet (UV) rays to hit the Earth's su...

Crescent Pure Essay

Crescent was a non-alcoholic functional beverage with an impending launch in three U.S. markets. PDB acquired Crescent in July 2013; the drink’s combination of energy enhancing, hydrating, and all-organic ingredients made it a natural extension for PDB’s existing organic product lines. However, PDB’s management team disagreed about which of two viable positioning strategies would maximize Crescent’s revenues. Some felt the drink’s energizing ingredients supported an energy-drink positioning, while others felt that due to the drink’s hydrating elements, a sports-drink positioning made more sense. PDB planned to embark on a â€Å"soft launch† of Crescent in three western states (California, Oregon, and Washington) in January 2014. PDB projected that these three states represented 15% of national functional beverage demand. PDB was under pressure to define the product by October 1 in order to negotiate with beverage distributors and retailers, and to hire advertisers to develop ad campaigns in time for the January 2014 launch. PDB planned to spend $750,000 on advertising for Crescent in 2014 and used that figure as a benchmark earnings goal. If 2014 profits met or exceeded the goal, PDB would fund Crescent’s national expansion in 2015. US Beverage Industry: Non Alcoholic In 2013, the non-alcoholic beverage market—which included water, dairy, juice, soda, and functional beverages — was estimated to be $131 billion and was projected to grow to $164 billion by 2018.2 This market had suffered due to restrained consumer spending during the economic recession, but the trend was slowly reversing as the economy recovered. Many new products were launched in the segment by 2012. This wave of introductions was expected to continue into the foreseeable future. Distributing food and beverage products, which involved moving products from a manufacturing site into the hands of consumers, entailed many steps and varied by the size and influence of both retailers and manufacturers. In 2013, the largest U.S. retailers, known as â€Å"big box† retailers, often had their own product distribution systems in place to handle purchasing, transportation, and stocking. Specialization was common among brokers and distributors, and they often forged relationships with retailers and manufacturers within a niche segment. Some distributors focused on organic products. Others developed expertise in ethnic or gourmet offerings. When selling to consumers,  retailers added an average mark-up of 40% to products purchased from distributors. Ingredients and Packaging Packaged in a sleek, tall silver 8-ounce can with a simple crescent logo and lime green and orange accents, Crescent was a clear-coloured liquid. Its taste included a hint of fruit arid was is sweet than most fruit juice, cola, sports drinks, and energy drinks. Each can contained one 80-calorie serving. For flavour, Crescent contained lime juice, lemon juice, and small amounts of raw cane sugar and green tea. Ryan’s Approaches: Energy Drinks: Crescent delivers a boost of energy to combat fatigue and promote mental focus Positioning Crescent as on energy-enhancing beverage would reinforce existing perceptions from Oregon, who an informal consumer survey conducted at an outdoor music festival indicated consumers viewed â€Å"energy† as crescent’s most descriptive characteristic. Prices for energy drinks in the U.S. range from $2 to $5 per can, based on can size (8 oz., 12 oz., or 16 oz.) and retail outlet. The average price for 8 oz. of energy drink is $2.99, above our $2.75 price point. Thirty-four percent of the population said they consumed an energy beverage in the last six months; the projected market for energy drinks in 2013 is $8.5 billion. Most advertising for energy drinks targets the most enthusiastic consumers, men 18 to 24 years old. Visually startling images—think extreme sports participants—paired with loud rock music (when audio is available), reinforce a message th at implies â€Å"Our drinks help you do everything you want to do (even risky things!).† I think Crescent’s organic certification and minimal (as compared to leading competitors) caffeine content provide strong differentiators for the energy market. Our drink is a healthier alternative to leading brands, whose artificial sweeteners and excessive levels of stimulants are likely to prompt a subset of consumers to switch to healthier options. Sports Drinks: In 2012, the market for sports drinks was $6.3 billion; 42% if sports beverage drinkers considered sports drinks â€Å"anytime beverages† and did not associate them only with exercise. They attracted a wider consumer base than did energy drinks, and regular users consumed them more often. Sports drinks come in a variety of sizes and average $1.00 to $2.00 for 12-oz. and 24-oz. containers, respectively. Generally, ingredients  include water, sugar, and salt. Crescent’s hydrating elements, paired with the mental focus and energy boost, can enhance athletic performance. It can also stave off post-workout fatigue if consumed after exercise. (Fright and Razor, the market leaders, are touted as performance enhancing by ‘extreme sports’† professionals.) Perhaps Crescent’s low sugar content and all-natural ingredients can appeal to health-conscious consumers seeking healthier â€Å"anytime† beverages that are free from artificial ingredients and sweeteners. Crescent’s $2.75 price point for an 8-oz can will be significantly higher than are those of similarly sized sports drinks, so our positioning and advertising will hew to build the case for its premium price. Levor’s Key Findings: Taste: it appears Crescent’s taste appeals to most consumers. While some participants were notably more pleased with the taste, there were no unfavorable reactions. Energy content: About half the participants were initially concerned about the energy component. Once their learned the energy content was equal to the caffeine found in a cup of coffee, only 25% remained concerned. Older consumers said that they liked that Crescent was a healthy alternative to high-calorie, sugary energy drinks. Some younger consumers noted that Crescent had less energy than they had hoped. Customer profile: Several consumers said that Crescent was exactly what they wanted in a beverage: healthy ingredients, good taste, and a slight pick-me-up. This interest appeared to reflect a focus on health and wellness, and transcended a specific age or demographic profile. Price: Most participants knew the prices of competitive options and figured that due to Crescent’s organic and energy ingredients , the price would be above $3.00. Most were happily surprised, but some questioned PDB’s ability to deliver quality organic ingredients at $2.75.

Language Learning Strategy Use And Academic Achievement Education Essay

Research on linguistic communication larning schemes began in the sixtiess. It was infl uenced by the development of cognitive psychological science. Until the debut of cognitive psychological science, anterior research on 2nd linguistic communication acquisition and instruction focused chiefly on methods of learning, alternatively of on scholar features and the procedure of geting a 2nd linguistic communication ( Wenden, 1987 ) .With the coming of cognitive theories research in 2nd linguistic communication instruction has bit by bit shifted toward the scholar or scholar centered attacks in an effort to heighten scholar ‘s liberty and independency. In this manner, â€Å" independent scholars assume duty for finding the intent, content, beat and method of their acquisition, supervising its advancement and measuring its results † ( Holec, 1981, p.3 ) . This has resulted in a turning involvement in research in linguistic communication acquisition schemes ( LLS ) which are b elieved to â€Å" lend to the development of the linguistic communication system which the scholar concepts and impact larning straight † ( Rubin, 1987, p. 22 ) . Research in this field has gained prominence since the mid-1970s by the seminal surveies of Rubin ( 1975 ) and Stern ( 1975 ) . They attempted to research the schemes employed by good linguistic communication scholars and how the instructors can use these schemes to assist the less successful scholars to better their public presentation. Since so, copiousness of surveies have been conducted in the country of LLSs to research the important function linguistic communication larning schemes play a in L2/FL acquisition ( Abraham & A ; Vann, 1987, O'Malley & A ; Chamot, 1990 ; Oxford et al. , 1989,1993, 1995 ; among others )Definition of larning schemesLearning schemes have been defined in a assortment of ways. Wenden and Rubin ( 1987 ) specify them as â€Å" any sets of operations, stairss, programs, modus operandis us ed by the scholar to ease the obtaining, storage, retrieval, and usage of information † ( p.19 ) . In their influential survey, O'Malley and Chamot ( 1990 ) defined LLS as â€Å" the particular ideas or behaviors that persons use to assist them grok, larn, or retain new information † ( p. 1 ) . Oxford ( 1992,1993 ) illustrates LLS as â€Å" specific actions, behaviors, stairss, or techniques that pupils ( frequently deliberately ) usage to better their advancement in developing L2 accomplishments. These schemes can ease the internalisation, storage, retrieval, or usage of the new linguistic communication. Schemes are tools for the autonomous engagement necessary for developing communicative ability † ( p. 18 ) . Finally, Cohen ( 1998 ) defined larning schemes as â€Å" the stairss or actions consciously selected by scholars to better the acquisition of a 2nd linguistic communication, the usage of it, or both † ( p. 5 ) .Features of LLSAmong the assorted fe atures emerged in the LLS literature, Oxford identifies twelve of import characteristics of strategies.According to Oxford acquisition schemes contribute to the chief end, communicative competency allow scholars to go self directed spread out the function of instructors are job oriented are specific actions taken by the scholar involve many actions taken by the scholar, non merely cognitive support larning both straight and indirectly are non ever discernible are frequently witting are flexible are influenced by a assortment of factors ( p.9 ) Lessard-Clouston ( 1997 ) besides summarizes basic characteristics of LLS.First LLS are generated by the scholar and s/he bit by bit takes these stairss in the procedure of linguistic communication acquisition. Second, linguistic communication acquisition is enhanced by the usage of LLS which help develop linguistic communication competency, as reflected in the scholar ‘s accomplishments in hearing, speech production, reading, or composing the L2 or FL. Third, LLS may be seeable ( behaviors, stairss, techniques, etc. ) or unobserved ( ideas, mental procedures ) . Fourth, LLS involve information and memory ( vocabulary cognition, grammar regulations, etc. ) .Taxonomy of LLSsAs noted above, early categorizations of LLSs merely provided a list of schemes based on the good scholars ‘ public presentation ( Rubin, 1975 ; Stern, 1973 ) . However, more recent taxonomies categorize schemes either harmonizing to their direct/indirect part to linguistic communication acquisition ( R ubin, 1987 ) , or the degree and type of information processed by linguistic communication scholars when they apply such schemes ( O'Malley et al. , 1985a ; O'Malley and Chamot, 1990 ) . Based on anterior survey consequences, Oxford ( 1990 ) devised a linguistic communication larning scheme system ( See Table 1 ) , known as Strategy Inventory for Language Learning ( SILL ) , in which she classifies LLS into two major groups of direct ( including memory, cognitive, compensation ) and indirect ( metacognitive, affectional, societal ) schemes. Direct schemes are defined as those that are involved in witting mental procedures, whereas indirect schemes are non consciously applied but are indispensable to linguistic communication learning.Each class is so divided into six subcategories, which harmonizing to Oxford, are interrelated and back up each other.Table 1 Oxford ‘s Language Learning Strategy System ( Oxford, 1990, p. 17 )Type Primary Schemes Secondary Schemes Direct Schemes 1. Memory schemes Aid scholars store and recover new information A. Creating mental linkages B. Applying images and sounds C. Reviewing good D. Employing action 2. Cognitive schemes Applied by scholars to better understand and bring forth the mark linguistic communication A. Practicing B. Receiving and directing messages C. Analyzing and concluding D. Creating construction for input and end product 3. Compensation schemes Used for get the better ofing lacks in cognition of the mark linguistic communication A. Thinking intelligently B. Overcoming restrictions in speech production and composing Indirect Schemes 1. Metacognitive schemes Allow scholars to command their ain knowledge A. Centering your acquisition B. Arranging and be aftering your acquisition C. Evaluating your acquisition 2. Affectional schemes Refer to the methods that help scholars to modulate emotions, motive, and attitudes A. Lowering your anxiousness B. Promoting yourself C. Taking your emotional temperature 3. Social schemes Include interaction with others through the mark linguistic communication A. Asking inquiries B. Collaborating with others C. Empathizing with others Oxford ‘s categorization of larning schemes has been the most comprehensive one to day of the month ( Ellis, 1994 ) . and has been used in a considerable figure of surveies in assorted states.Research on LLSsThe research on LLSs has preponderantly been descriptive since the scholars are required to describe on the schemes they use. In this manner, the research workers are able to look into the effects of scholar features such as gender, age, proficiency degree, larning manners, and affectional factors, like motive, on scheme usage, ( Chamot, 2004 ) . Research indicates that linguistic communication scholars at all degrees use schemes ( Chamot & A ; Kupper, 1989 ) , but that some or most scholars are non to the full cognizant of the schemes they use or the schemes that might be most good to use ( Oxford, 1989 ) . It appears that good linguistic communication scholars orchestrate and combine their usage of peculiar types of schemes in more efficient ways ( Chamot & A ; Kupper, 1989 ; O'Malley and Chamot, 1990 ; Oxford, 1993 ) . Rossi-Le ( 1995 ) found that more adept EFL pupils used self-management schemes such as planning, rating and formal pattern significantly more frequently than less adept pupils. Khaldieh ( 2000 ) studies that higher degrees of linguistic communication proficiency have besides been associated with less anxiousness and more assurance, which denotes the significance of affectional factors act uponing the scholar ‘s public presentation on a undertaking. Surveies have revealed that consciousness of undertaking demands and metacognitive cognition sing scheme choice are major differentiations between successful and unsuccessful scholars ( Abraham & A ; Vann, 1987 ; Khaldieh, 2000 ; O'Malley & A ; Chamot, 1990 ) . Harmonizing to some research findings, cognitive and metac ognitive schemes extremely correlate with high linguistic communication proficiency degrees ( Peacock and Ho, 2003 ) . In some of these surveies, nevertheless, the positive relationship between the figure of schemes used and linguistic communication proficiency is partly supported ( e.g. , Abraham & A ; Vann, 1987 ; Khaldieh, 2000 ) . Other research workers even found that, both successful and unsuccessful scholars actively use a great assortment of schemes, but in different ways. These unsuccessful scholars, nevertheless, normally fail to choose the most appropriate schemes ( Chamot et al. , 1988 ; Chamot & A ; El-Dinary, 1999 ; Vandergrift, 1997 ; Vann & A ; Abraham, 1990 ) . A figure of research surveies interestingly suggest that the appropriate pick of schemes will help scholars to derive more proficiency. This, in bend, likely leads the proficient scholars to the pick of more active schemes ( MacIntre, 1994 ; Green and Oxford, 1995 ) .LLSs and types of scholars ‘ proficiencyA great figure of research surveies have highlighted the relationship between larning schemes and scholars ‘ proficiency in which the consequences show that more adept linguistic communication scholars use a greater assortment larning schemes ( Rahimi et at. , 2008 ; Griffiths, 2003 ; Lee, 2003 ; Anderson, 2005 ; Bruen, 2001 ; Green and Oxford, 1995 ; O'Malley and Chamot, 1990 ; Ehrman, and Oxford, 1989 ) . Research workers have utilized a battalion of ways to find pupils ‘ proficiency in the foreign linguistic communication including standardised trials such as TOEFL ( Arroyo, 2005 ) , pupils ‘ GPAs in English classs ( Shmais, 2003 ; Radwan, 2011 ) , linguistic communication accomplishment trials ( O'Mara & A ; Lett, 1990 ) , linguistic communication class classs and arrangement scrutinies ( Mullin, 1992 ) , instructors ‘ judgements about their pupils ( Magogwe & A ; Oliver, 2007 ) , continuance of survey ( Khalil, 2005 ; Rahimi et Al. 2008 ; Radwan, 2011 ) , and self-ratings ( Oxford & A ; Nyikos, 1989 ) . Due to the demand for more probe on all facets of scholar ‘s proficiency, the current survey enterprises to concentrate on the studtents ‘ GPA tonss, and continuance of English survey, as two steps of English proficiency, with the pupils ‘ study on their pick of LLSs. The findings would uncover the benefits and deficits of such steps and how good they could foretell the scholars ‘ usage of LLSs.Purpose of the surveyThis survey examines the usage of larning schemes reported by Persian English scholars and its relationship to the pupils ‘ academic success determined by their GPA tonss and the old ages of English survey they have completed.Research inquiries1. What are the most frequent acquisition schemes used by the EFL scholars? 2. Be at that place any relationship between the usage of EFL linguistic communication larning schemes in general and the pupils ‘ academic success? 3. Is at that place any relationship between classs of schemes and pupils ‘ academic accomplishment? 4. Is there a important difference between first twelvemonth and 2nd twelvemonth pupils with respect to their perceived scheme usage?MethodSample: The topics take parting in the survey comprise 107 male and female Iranian university pupils analyzing English in a two -year plan to acquire their Associate ‘s grade in Teaching English. They are either first -year or 2nd -year pupils whose age ranges between 19 to 31. Instruments: In order to mensurate scheme usage, Oxford ‘s ( 1990 ) Strategy Inventory for Language Learning ( SILL ) designed for EFL/ESL scholars is used in this survey. The SILL uses a five-point Likert-type graduated table runing from 1 ( â€Å" Never or about ne'er true of me † ) to 5 ( â€Å" Always or about ever true of me † ) . It consists of 50 statements about the schemes used by linguistic communication scholars covering six wide classs of schemes, each represented by a figure of points. 1 ) Memory schemes ( 9items ) 2 ) Cognitive schemes ( 14 points ) 3 ) Compensation schemes ( 6 points ) 4 ) Metacognitive schemes: ( 9 points ) 5 ) Affective schemes ( 6 points ) 6 ) Social schemes ( 6 points ) Dependability for the SILL ( Oxford, 1990 ) is high across many cultural groups with Cronbach ‘s alpha for internal consistence 0.93-0.98 ( Oxford & A ; Burry- Stock, 1995 ) . In this survey, the SILL was presented in Iranian to the participants to guarantee that possible failure to understand the instructions or inquiries would non impact the responses. The research worker used Pishghadam ‘s ( 2008 ) Iranian version of SILL, which yielded a Cronbach alpha value of 0.96. Using the responses from the current participants, the dependability of SILL, as determined by Cronbach ‘s alpha, was 0.93. The pupils ‘ academic success are judged based on their overall GPA mark on academic classs.Data analysis processThe undermentioned processs were carried out on the informations: 1 ) ciphering descriptive statistics ( mean, frequence & A ; standard divergence ) for all classs of SILL 2 ) carry oning correlativity analysis to find the significance of the relationship between scheme usage, and academic success of the pupils, 3 ) Calculating mated sample T- Trial to see whether there is any important difference the between first twelvemonth and 2nd twelvemonth pupils in footings of their sensed scheme usage.The findings of the surveyOverall scheme usageTo reply the first inquiry, descriptive statistics for the full SILL, the six subcategories of SILL, and the person SILL points were calculated. Harmonizing to Oxford ( 1990, p. 300 ) , average tonss that fall between 1.0 and 2.4 are defined as â€Å" low † scheme usage, 2.5 and 3.4 as â€Å" medium † scheme usage, and 3.5 and 5.0 as â€Å" high † scheme usage. The participants reported a medium frequence for the mean scheme usage on the full SILL ( M = 3.49, SD = 0.48 ) every bit good as the six classs of the SILL ( see Table1 ) . Among the six scheme classs, the participants reported utilizing metacognitive schemes most often and affectional and compensation schemes least often. Table 1: Descriptive statistics for Six SILL Categories of all pupils N= 107SILL CategoriesMeanStd. DeviationRankMetacognitive 4.21 .804 1 Social 3.67 .800 2 Cognitive 3.46 .580 3 Memory 3.24 .726 4 Compensation 3.09 .657 5 Affectional 3.08 .571 6 Analyzing the usage of the single scheme points for the full group, it was found that they often apply all the metacognitive schemes to form and measure their acquisition. The points like I think about my advancement in larning SL, I try to happen out how to be a better scholar of SL. , I pay attending when person is talking SL and I look for chances to read every bit much as possible in SL are the most often reported schemes severally. However, the least-used points were those that involved reading and composing in English such as, I write down my feelings in a linguistic communication larning dairy, and I read SL without looking up every new word.Relationship between LLS and GPATo examine for the additive relationship between pupils ‘ overall scheme usage and their GPA, a correlational analysis was performed. The obtained correlativity coefficient ( r = 025 ) demonstrated no important relationship between reported scheme usage and pupils ‘ GPA. Similar consequences were observed for the 3rd research inquiry. In other words, there was no important relationship between SILL classs and pupils ‘ GPA ( See table 2 ) .MemoryCognitiveCompensationMetacognitiveAffectionalSocialPearsonR.047 .629 .025 .306 .076 .306 .097 .320 .070 .476 .088 .365Significance ( 2-tailed )Table 2. Correlation coefficient obtained for all SILL classs The mean mark for more successful pupils ( M= 3.45 ) and less successful pupils ( M=3.51 ) in footings of their obtained GPA in academic classs showed similar forms for their scheme usage with somewhat higher mean for less successful pupils.Difference between old ages of survey and reported scheme usageThe analysis of informations for the sophomore pupils showed a somewhat lower mean mark ( M= 3.42 ) than the first- twelvemonth ( M= 3.51 ) pupils in footings of their sensed scheme usage. As respects the 4th research inquiry, an independent t-test was run to examine any important difference between the old ages of survey completed by the pupils and their reported usage of schemes. The T observed value of.70 ( df.= 104, P= 0.5 ) denotes that there is a no important difference between the two groups. Therefore, the void hypothesis that there is no important difference between the two variables is verified ( Table 3 ) . Table 3. T-test consequences for the first twelvemonth and 2nd twelvemonth pupilsFSig.TdfSig.( 2-tailed )Average DifferenceStd. Error DifferenceEqual discrepancies assumed .043 .836 .700 104 .485 .08169 .11670 Equal discrepancies non assumed .744 68.125 .460 .08169 .10981DiscussionThe findings of the present survey showed that Persian EFL scholars use larning schemes reasonably. They tend to utilize metacognitive schemes more often. This reflects the pupils ‘ efforts to go proficient in the mark linguistic communication. Among the top 10 schemes used by all participants, five belong to the metacognitive schemes. These schemes are necessary for successful linguistic communication acquisition, since they, as indicated by Oxford ( 1990 ) , aid scholars coordinate and heighten their ain acquisition procedure through monitoring and measuring linguistic communication usage, planning, concentrating, forming, and seeking chances to utilize the language.. A figure of other research surveies report the scholars ‘ penchant for metacognitive schemes ( Whorton. 2000 ; Goh & A ; Foong, 1997 ; Hong-Nam & A ; Leavell, 2006 ; Magogwe & A ; Oliver, 2007 ; Rahimi et Al. 2008 ; Pishghadam, 2008 among others ) . The Persian scholars ‘ frequent usa ge of metacognitive schemes may hold been influenced by the learning attack adopted in the Persian EFL schoolrooms ( Rahimi et al, 2008 ) . The analysis of informations demonstrated that the more successful pupils in footings of their GPA were non better scheme users than less successful pupils. Shmais ( 2003 ) besides found no relationship between pupils ‘ GPA and their frequence of scheme usage. It seems that pupils ‘ GPA might be affected by some other factors and in some scenes lacks the explanatory power to foretell LLS usage. Similarly, some surveies ( Green, 1991 ; Phillips, 1991, as cited in Park, 1997 ) have reported a curvilinear relationship between the usage of schemes and the proficiency degrees of the participants ; the low degree proficiency scholars tend to utilize the schemes more often than those in a higher degree. The bulk of these surveies show that the pupils in the mid-proficiency group used the schemes more often than the highand low-proficiency groups. The continuance of survey represented as freshman and sophomore pupils, in this survey, showed no important difference in LLS usage. Normally, it is assumed that an addition in the old ages of survey would ensue in higher proficiency degrees by scholars which would, in bend, lead to an addition in their scheme usage. However, in this context it was revealed that the continuance of survey does non needfully take to scholars ‘ more scheme usage. This determination is in line with some other research surveies ( Rahimi et al. 2008, Radwan, 2011 ) in which first-year pupils reported a higher degree of scheme usage. In other words, it does non follow a additive relationship between scheme usage and continuance of the survey.DecisionThis survey was an effort to look into the relationship between pupils ‘ perceptual experience of LLS usage and their overall proficiency, determined by the university GPA scores. The consequences showed that this relationship is non ever additive an d straightforward. Strategy usage is a complex phenomenon that is influenced by other variables in assorted ways. The context of the survey does hold a important consequence on the pupils ‘ usage of schemes, which may take to contradictory consequences. It has been revealed that Persian scholars employ metacognitive schemes more often than other schemes. The scholars may hold been influenced by the instruction attack practiced in the Persian EFL schoolrooms ( Rahimi et al, 2008 ) such as paying attending, consciously seeking for pattern chances, be aftering for linguistic communication undertakings, self-evaluating one ‘s advancement, and monitoring mistakes. Wharton ‘s ( 2000 ) observation in Singapore besides suggest that the scholars as alone persons and the context of larning play a function in the pick of scholars ‘ schemes. The SILL might non ever be able to account for all the schemes employed by the scholar. On the other manus, there remains the possibility that scholars may describe on the schemes which they do n't really utilize. Research methodological analysis could be enriched by using multiple informations aggregation processs such as interviews and schoolroom observation combined with the usage of SILL questionnaire, to give farther and possibly more trusty findings ( Chun-Lai, 2009 ) . The fact that more successful and less successful pupils, in some manner, follow similar scheme forms denotes that they have non received any formal direction in using LLS. Most of these schemes have likely been learned habitually and unconsciously. Therefore, developing pupils in utilizing larning schemes and promoting them to be cognizant of their ain alone ways of larning would do them independent and efficient scholars. The failing of this survey is the limited figure of variables which have been studied in relation to larning schemes. More research is needed to see other of import societal and affectional variables which could play a function in the pick of LLSs.