The Perceptions and Preferences of Students towards e-learning Research Paper

The Perceptions and Preferences of Students towards e-learning assessments in Oman - Research Paper Example   The definition of e-learning has been comprehensively put by Carry and Willis (2001, pg 20) that e-learning processes are whichever forms of learning that applies technological network or computerized technology in knowledge delivery, knowledge facilitation, and interaction. As depicted in an array of literature, of particular interest has been to ascertain the actual implications of e-learning and this has been as largely theorized as debatable. On one hand, as documented by Hall and Snider (2000, pg 95), e-learning process has the potential of cutting across culture while opening doors to new ways of thinking, the sense that it is a delivery vehicle that is ideal for education and learning. Secondly, education systems and institutions should adopt e-learning because it is rich in information. Students can access information at any time, regardless of place. Thirdly, e-learning is a way forward to imparting knowledge to marginalized groups, that is, students with physical disabi lities who have to overcome distance barriers and communication barriers to access education. Fourthly, e-learning is flexible. On the other hand, e-learning has also been ascribed certain fears. As asserted by Johnston, Killion, and Oomen (2005), considering how globalization has drastically reduced the knowledge shelf life, e-learning is not an exceptional subject to related setbacks. One way in which students could meet a demand of non-discrete learning curve is to participate in e-learning while keeping into account the time and place variables of the highly globalized world, yet the e-learning framework does not assure this. Moreover, the processes pertaining to the adoption of e-learning process tends to be more complicated than solely suggesting it depends on the teaching staffs and faculties. As if not enough, how are web-based technologies mainstreamed in the cultural-education context and would it be effective for all faculties? According to Cuellar and Dyrbye (2002), all these points add to its complexity, implying the high chances failure. This division has an implication on the popularity of the e-learning by students. Thus, the question is how popular could be e-learning education and assessments. Ascertaining the popularity of e-learning will go a long way in informing the extent that the policymakers will go in qualifying its necessity. This is because the perceptions of e-learning have an impact on the ease at which e-learning can be adopted (Kook, 1997). Ethical Implications The study does not elicit ethical subject or implications. It touches on the aspect of education and simply entails asking the students perception of the topic area. From another point of view, this does not have any ethical sensitivity point. Research Methodology The most appropriate approach to ascertaining the perception of the students towards the e-learning is by conducting a research. The proposed research would entail a questionnaire to students on how they feel ab out e-learning assessments. The questionnaire was designed. Care is taken to ensure that the questions are as objective as possible while, at the same time, it was designed in a way that will enable the questions to turn away from the fatigue social desirability prejudice.  Ã‚  

Management Information Systems IP Four Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Management Information Systems IP Four - Essay Example The other is flash crash: machines go wild case study where the market equity in a flash, plunged to a historic low. The third is the Piloting the Valero with real-time management case study in which the Valero, a Texas-based oil refinery needed a system that could be able to display real-time data about issues concerning the plant. Reality Gets Better Case study Virtual reality is a three-dimensional space, which is a computer generated interactive space. Virtual reality immerses its users in the virtual world while the augmented reality keeps in touch with the real world. Augmented reality uses any of the three major display techniques to be able to achieve the blend of reality mixed with real-life images and graphic effects. The display techniques are hand held displays, head mounted displays that provide the virtual environment and shut out the real world, and spatial displays that mount graphical information on physical surfaces. It has been used to improve marketing in the sens e that it helps involve the customers and is able to communicate to the customers in an interesting and interactive way with relevance to them. In 2009, Esquire magazine was able to use this in their advertising where they added several stickers, which had designs that had this ability. When held up to a web camera, it started interactive video segments featuring the issue’s cover, Robert Downey Jr. (Ovide, 2009). In image guided surgery, a CT scan and MRI provides the necessary data that is superimposed on the patient in the operating room. In real estate, this has been employed to help the user find information they need on the go, since smart phones have GPS, cameras and internet. Therefore, one can just point their phone on a building and the value of the building per square meter and a small photo accompanied by a live image project from the phone’s camera, hence provide real estate information on the go (Macintosh, 2010). Flash Crash: Machines go wild case study The U.S stock markets on May 6, 2010 experienced a sudden and quick plunge at 2:42 PM, which left Dow Jones 600 points down. Twenty-five minutes later, Dow had gained almost the points it had lost. This flash crash appeared to have happened when a single mutual fund company engaged in abrupt selling activities that caused a chain reaction. The high-frequency traders HFTs are the ones now doing the work that the stock specialists used to do, including the matching of buyers and sellers efficiently, which the market makers did. In a case where the algorithm cannot handle the complexity of the event, a flash crash occurs. The algorithm in the case of Overland park on May 6 dumped 75,000 contracts and was instructed to sell them with disregard to price and time, and continued to sell and the prices dropped sharply. It would normally take five hours to sell them but this took twenty minutes (Bowley, 2010). The NYSE activated circuit breakers where the trading traffic is shifted to human stockbrokers intended to slow the trading process and to avoid the plunge (Bowley, 2010). Electronic trading simply showed that it allows the flash crash to occur over a short period of time and is able to amplify sudden market moves, which can go either side and happen faster with minimal chances of intervention (Henderson, 2009). Piloting the Valero with real-time management Valero energy is one of the largest oil refineries in the US,

Nickel-mediated Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate

Nickel-mediated Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate Abstract: The Ni(II) complexes [Ni(5-C5H3 R2)(X)(NHC)] 1a–f combined with MAO was tested in methylmethacrylate (MMA) polymerization. The complex 1f, bearing the bulky 2,6-diisopropenylphenyl substituents in the NHC ligand was found to be the most effective in the polymerization of MMA with TOF up to 200 h-1 resulting in a syndiotactic, high molecular weight PMMAs which can be explained by anionic, MAO-centered polymerization mechanism. Introduction: A great deal of attention is currently being paid to polymers containing polar monomers,  which may give rise to new high-performance materials with high adhesion and toughness and good dyeing and moisture adsorption properties.1 Metal-based catalysts tolerant of polar functionalities, which perform homopolymerization, and if possible copolymerization with nonpolar olefins, are being sought. Late transition metal complexes look promising because of their lower oxophilicity,2 and probable tolerance against polar monomers, and against impurities in polar olefins polymerization. Acrylates are polymerized and copolymerized for many different uses including coatings,  textiles, adhesives, and paper.3 Commercial poly(methyl methacrylate) has been produced since 1927.4 Like many other polar monomers, acrylates are commonly polymerized by 18radical5 or anionic mechanisms. In addition, polymerization of acrylates with late transition metal complexes has been studied.6 Metallocene  group IV complexes are known to be excellent for this type of polymerization. Half-sandwich nickel(II) complexes with N heterocyclic carbenes (NHC) of the general formula [Ni(5-C5H4R)(X)(NHC)] (R = H or alkyl, X= Cl, Br, I) was synthesized by reacting nickelocene or its derivatives and suitable imidazolium salts . The diamagnetic property of these compounds helps in showing some C-C bond forming reactions. But, complexes 1 are very active in aryl dehalogenation and aryl amination, hydrothiolation of alkynes and oxidation of secondary alcohols as a precatalyst. Experimental: Materials and synthesis: Methyl methacrylate (MMA) Methyl acrylate (MA), [Ni(acac)2], Toluene, Purified THF, and hexane 1,3-bis(1,1-dimethylbut-3- enyl)cyclopentadiene complexes 1a–d and 1f [Ni(5-C5H5)(CH3CN)(IMes)]+(PF6)− [5] [Ni(5-C5H5)(Cl) (PPh3)] MAO (10% wt. solution in toluene) Synthesis of 1e: A hexane solution of n-BuLi (2.5 mL, 5.1 mmol) and a THF (5 mL) solution of  1,3-bis(1,1-dimethylbut-3-enyl) cyclopentadiene (4.83 mmol) was added and the mixture was stirred for 2 h at ambient temperature. This solution was added to the solution of [Ni(acac)2] (1.199 g, 4.67 mmol) in THF (10 mL) at −78 oC. A color change immediately from green to red is observed and a suspension of 1,3-dimesitylimidazolinium chloride  [12] (1.693 g, 4.96 mmol) in THF (10 mL) was quickly added at this temperature. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm up to ambient temperature and stirred for a further 2 h. The volatiles were removed under reduced pressure. The solid residue was extracted with hexane (20 mL) and filtered through Celite. Complex 1e was isolated by crystallization as a red, microcrystalline solid. Polymerization: 14mg of Complex 1f(0.0255 mmol) dissolved in 15ml of toluene in a schlenk tube with a magnetic stirrer in it. To this solution, MAO ((5.10 mL, 10% wt. in toluene, 7.65 mmol) which is red in color was added by a gas tight pipette which results in a brown solution. The obtained brown solution was stirred at ambient temperature for half an hour. Now MMA(2.72 mL, 0.0255 mol) was added and the apparatus is placed in a oil bath maintaining 50oC with vigorous stirring. The reaction mixture was now quenched with excess of CH3OH (200 mL) and then filtered. PMMA was collected by filteration and washed with CH3OH and kept for over night drying. The obtained polymer is purified with small volume of CHCl3 and stirred overnight with 10% aq. HCl. The organic and the aqueous phases are separated and the organic phase is poured into excess of CH3OH. A white solid PMMA was isolated by filteration. 2.4. Characterization NMR spectr at ambient temperature on a Mercury-400BB spectrometer operating at 400 MHz for 1H NMR was recorded and at 101 MHz for 13C NMR was recorded. EI (70 eV) mass spectra on an AMD-604 spectrometer was recorded. MALDI-TOF mass spectra w with a Bruker Daltonics ultrafleXtremeTM mass spectrometer using HABA matrix was recorded. The average molecular weights were measured on a LabAlliance liquid chromatograph equipped with a Jordi Gel DVB Mixed Bed column (250 mm Ãâ€" 10 m) using CH2Cl2 as the mobile phase at 30 à ¢- ¦C and calibrated with standard PMMAs. 2.5. Crystal structure determination The selected single crystals mounted in inert oil were transferred to the cold gas stream of the diffractometer. Diffraction data was collected at 100(2) K on the Oxford Diffraction Gemini A Ultra diffractometer with graphite-monochromated Mo-K radiation. Cell refinement, data collection, data reduction and analysis were performed with the CrysAlisPRO [13]. Empirical absorption correction using spherical harmonics was applied. The structure was solved in monoclinic space group P21/c by direct methods using the SHELXS program . It is worth noting here that the skew angle ÃŽ ² is very close to 90à ¢- ¦. Full-matrix least-squares refinement against F2 values was carried (SHELXL-97 and OLEX2. Table 1 Crystal data, data collection and refinement parameters for complex 1e. Complex 1e Empirical formula C38H51ClN2Ni Crystal size (mm) 0.07 Ãâ€" 0.07 Ãâ€" 0.40 M ·(g mol−1) 629.96 Crystal system Monoclinic Space group P21/c (no. 14) Z 4 F(0 0 0) 1352 Temperature (K) 100(2) Dcalc. (g cm−3) 1.251 Absorption coefficient (mm−1) 0.688 Radiation Mo-K ( = 0.71073A)ËÅ ¡ range (à ¢- ¦) 3.3–30.0 Index range −20 ≠¤ h ≠¤ 20; −13 ≠¤ k ≠¤ 13; −13 ≠¤ l ≠¤ 13 Reflections collected 37,962 Unique data 9684, Rint = 0.0355 Observed refl. [I > 2ÏÆ'(I)] 8195 Data/restraints/parameters 9684/17/415 Goodness-of-fit on F2 a 1.043 Results and discussion: Synthesis: The series of Ni(II) complexes 1a–d and 1f (Scheme 1) was prepared from nickelocene or 1,1’ bis(allyl)nickelocene and the suitable imidazolium salt. Complex 1e bearing the 1,3-disubstituted cyclopentadienyl ligand could not be obtained by this route. Therefore, it was synthesized form the pentamethylcyclopentadienyl congener [4e] from [Ni(acac)2] by the one-pot two-step procedure intermediate {(5-1,3- R2C5H3)Ni(acac)} (Scheme 2). Scheme 1. Ni(II) complexes used in this study, where R = allyl (1d) or 1,1-dimethyl-but-3-en-1-yl (1e); Mes = 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl, Dipp = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl. Scheme 2. The synthesis of complex 1e, where R = 1,1-dimethyl-but-3-en-1-yl, Mes = 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl. From the symmetry of the molecule, it is found that the geometry of the molecule was trigonal planar. The bond angles and the lengths between nickel and its substituents are approximately same compared to the related compounds. Due to week contact between H(29A) hydrogen of mesityl methyl group C(29) and the chlorine ion [H(29A) ·Cl(1) 2.57 and C(29A) ·Cl(1) 3.5346(15)A] it resulted in the formation of a week intra molecular C H ·Cl hydrogen bond. 3.2. Polymerization: Polymerization was performed under the similar environment of the styrene polymerization with an excess of commercial MAO. A toluene solution of complex 1 was treated with an excess of MAO (Al:Ni = 100:1) for 30 min at ambient temperature. Then MMA (MMA:Ni = 1000:1) was added and the polymerization was run in a sealed Schlenk tube for 3 h at 50 à ¢- ¦C. The reaction mixture was separated as a homogenous mixture. Molecular structure of complex 1e. Polymerization of methyl methacrylate with complexes 1–3 and MAOa. The bromide analog 1b displayed slightly higher activity compared to 1a, while complex 1c bearing the alkyl-aryl NHC ligand was somewhat more productive than 1b in the productivity of the [Ni(Cp)(X)(NHC))]/MAO catalytic system. Substiuted cyclopentadienyl ligands was examined and complex 1d with allylcyclopentadienyl ligand gave the same result as 1a. It was reasoned that the allyl group might be too small to induce any effect. Therefore complex 1e with two bulky substituents was synthesized and tested to give the same conversion as 1d. By introducing the more bulky 2,6-diisopropylphenyl substituents in the NHC ligand (complex 1f) the yield of PMMA was 34% and when the excess of MAO was increased (Al:Ni = 300:1), the isolated yield of PMMA was increased to 60%. Changing the solvent resulted in a disappointing yield which was predicted to be due to the solubility problem. 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy were used to determine the microstructure of PMMA. Syndiotactic-rich polymers were resulted toluene where atactic PMMA was obtained with hexane and this was because of the formation of MMA polymers via different mechanism in hexane and toluene. Isolated Methanol soluble oligomeric MMA were studied by MALDI-TOF MS which suggests more than one mechanism was operating the reaction. Scheme 3. Rationale for the formation of poly(methyl methacrylate) with [Ni(Cp)(X)(NHC)]/MAO. The structure of Ni complex had considerable effect on the overall yield of MMA with no influence on the molecular weight distribution or tacticity of the resulting polymer and the Al : Ni ratio do not effect the tacticity of the polymer. It was supposed that MMA polymerized by co ordinative anionic mechanism described in scheme 3. Conclusion: It can summarized that the complexes 1a-f and 2 can initiate polymerization of MMA in the presence of MAO with TOF up to 200h-1. The results of PMMA with GPC, NMR and MS imply a anionic, MAO-centered mechanism of polymerization catalyzed by Ni(II) species. References: 1. H. Martin in Ziegler Catalysis (Eds. G. Fink, R. Mà ¼lhaupt, H. H. Brintzinger), Springer  Verlag, Berlin, 1995, p 15. 2. G. Natta, P. Pino, G. Mazzanti, U. Giannini J. Am. Chem. Soc. 79 (1957) 2975. 3. A. Andresen, H.-G. Cordes, J. Herwig, W. Kaminsky, A. Merck, R. Mottweiler, J. Pein, H.  Sinn, H.-J. Vollmer Angew. Chem. 88 (1976) 689. 4. H. Sinn, W. Kaminsky, H.-J. Vollmer, R. Woldt Angew. Chem. 92 (1980) 396. 5. (a) H. Sinn, W. Kaminsky Adv. Organomet. Chem. 18 (1980) 99. (b) H. H. Brintzinger, D.  Fischer, R. Mà ¼lhaupt, B. Rieger, R. M. Waymouth Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 34  (1995) 1143 and references therein. (c) W. Kaminsky, Makromol. Chem. Phys. 197  (1996) 3907. (d) M. Bochmann, J. Chem. Soc. Dalton Trans. 3 (1996) 255. (e) L.  Resconi, L. Cavallo, A. Fait, F. Piemontesi, Chem. Rev. 100 (2000) 1253. 6. (a) M. R. Kesti, G.W. Coates, R.M. Waymouth, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 114 (1992) 9679. (b) X.  Yang, C.L. Stern, T.J. Marks J. Am. Chem. Soc. 116 (1994) 10015. (c) D.J. Crowther,  N.C. Baenziger, R.F. Jordan, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 113 (1991) 1455. (d) P. Aaltonen, G.  Fink, B. Là ¶fgren, J. Seppà ¤là ¤, Macromolecules 29 (1996) 5255.

Puerto Rican Cultural And Religion :: essays research papers

Puerto Rican Cultural and Religion I am a member of the Puerto Rican American Families research team. I myself grew up in a Puerto Rican American, or "New Yorican", family. The assignment is a field study. The study is on an observation of the religious community. We visited a Roman Catholic church in Buffalo on the west side, which is a predominantly Hispanic area of the city. I myself am also a Roman Catholic. This is a slightly erred site, because I believe that most Puerto Ricans migrated to New York City. However, we were able to make some interesting observations. The group attended mass at Holy Cross; both an English and Spanish mass. It seemed that the group accepted our presence without any apprehension, however, as I stated before, this probably is a result of I myself being Puerto Rican American. There were some striking differences between the English mass and the Spanish mass. The first noticeable difference was in attendance. The Spanish mass had a considerable higher attendance than did the English mass. Also the appearance of the manner of dress. The attendees of the Spanish mass were more formally dressed than those of the English mass. Another major difference was in the music. The English mass had the "traditional" European "angelica" type singing. The Spanish mass, however, had more upbeat music, along with the use of "traditionally" Carribean instruments like maracas, for example. What does this suggest about the religious community of Puerto Rican Americans? I think that it is a balance between assimilation and preserving the culture. I think it is obvious that Roman Catholicism was not the native religion of Borinquen. Borinquen was the name of the island Puerto Rico before the conquest of the Spanish. So since they had already been forced to assimilate their culture into European culture by the Columbians, they found they could easily assimilate into American culture more readily than other cultures. However, we find in the Spanish mass, the use of Carribean instruments. This suggests an effort by the religious community to maintain the Puerto Rican culture. I personally have experienced the efforts to maintain Puerto Rican culture in the form of Santeria. Santeria is a religion practiced by, I guess, many Puerto Rican Americans. It is practiced in the homes of Puerto Rican Americans when they are not in church. Puerto Rican Cultural And Religion :: essays research papers Puerto Rican Cultural and Religion I am a member of the Puerto Rican American Families research team. I myself grew up in a Puerto Rican American, or "New Yorican", family. The assignment is a field study. The study is on an observation of the religious community. We visited a Roman Catholic church in Buffalo on the west side, which is a predominantly Hispanic area of the city. I myself am also a Roman Catholic. This is a slightly erred site, because I believe that most Puerto Ricans migrated to New York City. However, we were able to make some interesting observations. The group attended mass at Holy Cross; both an English and Spanish mass. It seemed that the group accepted our presence without any apprehension, however, as I stated before, this probably is a result of I myself being Puerto Rican American. There were some striking differences between the English mass and the Spanish mass. The first noticeable difference was in attendance. The Spanish mass had a considerable higher attendance than did the English mass. Also the appearance of the manner of dress. The attendees of the Spanish mass were more formally dressed than those of the English mass. Another major difference was in the music. The English mass had the "traditional" European "angelica" type singing. The Spanish mass, however, had more upbeat music, along with the use of "traditionally" Carribean instruments like maracas, for example. What does this suggest about the religious community of Puerto Rican Americans? I think that it is a balance between assimilation and preserving the culture. I think it is obvious that Roman Catholicism was not the native religion of Borinquen. Borinquen was the name of the island Puerto Rico before the conquest of the Spanish. So since they had already been forced to assimilate their culture into European culture by the Columbians, they found they could easily assimilate into American culture more readily than other cultures. However, we find in the Spanish mass, the use of Carribean instruments. This suggests an effort by the religious community to maintain the Puerto Rican culture. I personally have experienced the efforts to maintain Puerto Rican culture in the form of Santeria. Santeria is a religion practiced by, I guess, many Puerto Rican Americans. It is practiced in the homes of Puerto Rican Americans when they are not in church.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Computers Essay

Computers are a mainstay in most homes, allowing individuals and families to access the Internet from home and complete a myriad of other tasks through the use of computer software. There are advantages and disadvantages to using home computers depending on how you use them. As computer hardware becomes faster, easier and more cost effective to develop, home computers also become more affordable for consumers. It is constantly becoming easier to put computers in the average American home, since both desktop and laptop computers come in such a wide range of price points. One of the greatest advantages of home computers is that they are affordable by the average family. A great advantages of home computers is that they allow individuals and families to achieve a variety of tasks at home. Families can use word processing programs for homework, spreadsheets to manage bills, and the Internet for social networking and entertainment. While students can use computers at home, and adults at work, the convenience of being able use a computer at home is a great advantage in itself. Many businesses also allow their employees to work from home via computer, thus saving travel expenses to and from the office, as well as saving company resources. Disadvantages With use of the Internet for online shopping and Internet banking, home computers offer the potential for identity theft. If you share your information online, such as your name, address, phone number or banking information, then there always is a chance that your information is at risk. This is an important consideration to make if you plan on using your home computer to access the Internet. The technology industry is constantly changing and evolving, and technology can become outdated quickly. If you are only looking for a system that will get you online and let you do basic tasks, then this is not as much of a concern. If you are looking for a comprehensive gaming system or one that can handle a variety of tasks at once, then it can become expensive to keep up with the latest hardware advances, making some computer systems a money drain.

What is the difference between fat- and water-soluble vitamins?

There is a well of a difference between water-soluble vitamins and fat-soluble vitamins, the two classifications of the organic nutrient compounds called vitamins. The word vitamin comes from the Latin word â€Å"vita† meaning â€Å"life† and â€Å"amine†, which means â€Å"nitrogen† (â€Å"What’s the difference†, 1996,  ¶ 4). Vitamins are nutrients essential to the human (or any animal) body because their presence in minute amounts enables the completion of important physiologically related metabolic processes. Vitamins are grouped according to the liquid or substance medium that is required for the body to be able to absorb these nutrients. Their grouping into either being soluble in fat or in water is an important determinant of how vitamins act in the body (Doctor's Responses Archive, n. d. ,  ¶ 2). There are nine water-soluble vitamins, namely Vitamin C and the B vitamins B1 (Thiamine), B2 (Riboflavin), B3 (Niacin or Vitamin P/PP), B5 (Pantothenic), B6 (Pyridoxine/Pyridoxamine) and B7 (Biotin). On the other, there are four fat-soluble vitamins, which are Vitamins A, D, E and K. The fat-soluble group needs lipid or fats in order to be absorbed through the lymphatic system (small intestines) and into the body's general blood circulation before being stored in body tissues. Fat-soluble vitamins, particularly Vitamins A and E, tend to remain in the body such that excessive intake can lead to an adverse condition termed hypervitaminosis (Doctor's Responses, n. d. ,  ¶ 4). Herein, water-soluble vitamins contrasts with the other group because Vitamin C and the B group are easily dissolved in water and the excess of these micronutrients are excreted in the urine. . What are antioxidants and phytochemicals? Antioxidants are naturally occurring substances that prevent the destructive process of oxidation and its adverse effects. Cells in all living organisms feature complex antioxidant systems that inhibit chemical damage wrought by oxidation. Antioxidant chemicals and enzymes in living organisms also help in the regulation and sustenance of various cellular proces ses. Antioxidants have been promoted and advertised to prevent strokes and heart diseases and even cancer. There are antioxidants shown to have delayed atherosclerosis in experiments with animals. Observational studies in humans have established a relationship between lower incidences of heart attacks and the inclusion of Vitamin E in the diet but the more conclusive clinical trial studies have demonstrated otherwise (â€Å"Vitamins & Exercise†, n. d. ,  ¶ 11 & 12). Some foods with high amounts of antioxidants are mushrooms, most berry fruits, peppers and spinach, barley, pecan and pistachio nuts, coffee, teas and chocolate. Phytochemicals or phytonutrients, on the other, chiefly refers to plant-based compounds that are not essential to the normal bodily metabolism but nonetheless promotes good health such as by helping prevent the onset of diseases (Phytochemicals, 2006,  ¶ 1). Phytochemicals are not presently classified under nutrients because they are not indispensable to sustaining life but they are nonetheless associated with the treatment and/or prevention of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and hypertension (Dresbach & Rossi, n. d. â€Å"How are they beneficial†). Phytochemicals and antioxidants intersect somewhat. The former necessarily come from plants but antioxidants can be found in animal-based foods. Also, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals can have antioxidant properties whereas phytochemicals can serve other functions other than their antioxidant features. (Collins, 2005,  ¶ 2). 3. What factors do you consider before taking dietary supplements? The factors I would con sider before taking dietary supplements are safety, substantiation of efficacy, costs, and product quality. Safety should be a primary factor so as not to run counter to the very purpose of dietary supplements, that is, the improvement of one's health. I would first ask around to make sure that the touted product is generally safe and in what dosage. I'd probably also consult with a doctor or medical expert as to whether the particular supplement poses no adverse effects to any existing health condition of mine. Another important factor would be whether the product has at least some measure of substantiated claims of efficacy. Outright recommendations from the medical community would be best but positive results from clinical trials conducted by reputable institutions would do for me. I would also consider whether the supplement has considerable use or history in traditional, particularly Eastern, medicine. After all, a number of important drugs used in modern medicine have been inspired by ancient traditions, including the malaria drug quinine. Costs of course is important–whether I can afford to regularly take it or I'd be better off choosing an alternative supplement. Product quality is another important factor that I could look into by checking on the reputation and manufacturing standards of the company. 4. What should be the role of government, if any, in influencing your dietary decisions? Given the assumption that the safety issue has been covered, in general, the government should at most serve to guide the public when it comes to dietary decisions. Whether the government be democratic or totalitarian, I don't believe people should be directly forced into or against eating or taking in foods and supplements that are not of their choices. I believe in freedom of consumer choice and in the individual right to decide for herself or himself what foods and supplements she or he prefers and what would work best—without need for doctor's prescriptions. However, I also firmly believe in judicious government regulation of food and dietary supplement manufacturers and the regulation of the corresponding markets. The government should monitor companies who make or process foods and supplements, as it does manufacturers in other segments. Government supervision should ensure that the ingredients and processes listed on product labels are accurate and that manufacturing conforms to certain quality standards. The market itself should be meticulously regulated in terms of the health claims advertised or printed on the labels. Permitted health claims should conform to standards based largely on scientific evidence that support said claims. To illustrate, the regulation by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration of dietary supplements not as drugs but as foods (Dietary Supplement, 2006,  ¶ 2) provides the consumers the appropriate guidance to make wise decisions in their use.

Detox your writing - Emphasis

Detox your writing Detox your writing Is your writing feeling a bit flabby and out of shape? Treat it to a one-month detox treatment by following these three rules. Get active The active voice is more direct, dynamic and accountable. The Government took no action is better than No action was taken or No action was taken by the Government. Its far better to have people or organisations taking action than to describe things as mysteriously happening or being done. When you use the active voice, you sometimes find an even simpler way of expressing yourself. A payment was made by the chief executive last week. becomes The chief executive made a payment last week. which you can then change to The chief executive paid last week. Stay structured Few of the people you write for are psychic or have infallible memories. If you put the main part of the sentence at the end, they will have to read to the end before they can start to understand the beginning. This mental back-flip could be all it takes to confuse them, distract them, or put them off. Structuring sentences logically will: keep your readers reading make sure they need to read each sentence only once get your message across. Always put the primary clause first. Or, in other words, put the what before the why. So, rather than In order to achieve these targets within the specified timeframe, we need to begin the training now. write We need to begin the training now, in order to achieve these targets within the specified timeframe. or, even better (see Lose the padding, below) We need to begin the training now, so we can hit our targets on time. Also, try to stick to the rule of one sentence = one idea. Aim for an average sentence length of 15-20 words; an absolute maximum of 35. Remember, there is no limit to the number of full stops you can use. Lose the padding Never mistake the ability to use elaborate phrases for a sign of intellect. Whats the point of using your brain to translate a short word into a long one, so that your readers have to use their brains to translate it back again before they even start to take in your message? Its also a fallacy that short words are somehow lightweight or less useful. In fact, they are often the most powerful. No one is saying that you have to use them all the time that would be boring. But if you want your sentences to have more impact, streamline them by doing these three simple things: cut out redundant words replace long words with short ones replace long phrases with short ones. After the detox Just as with healthy eating and exercise regimes, the secrets of writing well in the long term are to enjoy it and to let yourself experiment. Use this month as an opportunity to clamp down on any bad writing habits youve slipped into by really focusing on these three points. But that doesnt mean that you can never again use the passive voice or your favourite long word. This month, we fast. In the long term, its all about the moderation. Challenge Meanwhile, heres a quick four-point exercise to ponder as you crunch your carrots: 1. Reduce this sentence from nine words to five: It is possible that the Chancellor will cut taxes. 2. Rewrite this sentence without the nominalisation (-tion words): It was his conviction that the provision of bicycles to law officers would lead to a reduction in crime. 3. Cut two words out of this sentence: Sarah Thompson, who is our marketing director, will lead the discussion. 4. Rewrite this sentence without the prepositions (of, on, in, by, to): The recession is of great concern to small-business owners.