Investigate the hybrids of the bisection and the secant methods Research Paper

Investigate the hybrids of the bisection and the secant methods - Research Paper Example The rate of convergence which records the number of iterations needed to attain a particular degree of accuracy, is not the key subject when assessing the computational effectiveness of the algorithm. The quantity of floating point operations (flops), for each iteration should also be considered. In case the iteration needs many flops, although an algorithm has a greater rate of convergence it might take more time to reach a required degree of precision. This method is therefore faster than Newton’s method and has an advantage since it only needs a single function evaluation for every iteration. This then serves as a compensation for the slower rate of convergence when the function and its derivative cost higher to evaluate. Another disadvantage of this method is that, similar to newton’s method, it lacks robustness, particularlty when the primary guesses are further from root. In addition, the method does not need differentiation. The bisection method is the modest and most robust algorithm for root-finding in a 1-dimensional continous function that has a closed interval. The basic principle of this technique is that if f(.) is a continous function expressed over an interval {a,b} and f(a) and f(b) with opposite signs, according to the theorem of intermediate value, at least a single r{a,b} exists making f(r) = 0. This technique is iterative and every iteration begins by breaching the existing interval forming brackets around the root(s) into two subintervals of matching lengths. The endpoint of one the subintervals must have different signs. This subinterval is now the new interval and the subsequent iteration starts. Therefore it is possible to define lesser and lesser intervals such that every interval has r by checking subintervals of the present interval and selecting the interval where f(.) changes signs. This is a continous process that ends when the width of the interval having a root

In A Time Of War Poem Essay Example for Free

In A Time Of War Poem Essay The title of Rothenbergs poem In a Time of War seems to encapsulate the poems subject-matter, written with uncomplicated words of the English vocabulary makes the poem stand out in a stark manner. This method is used by Rothenberg to illustrate to readers exactly how he sees war, as it is. One outstanding feature of this poem is its structure. Rothenberg appears to want to isolate the first stanza from the rest of the poem. At a closer reading, the first stanza is concerned with the poets thoughts of war, while it is taking place, whereas the remaining stanzas talk about his feelings on the notion of war, irregardless of whether it is occurring or not. This distinction is further enhanced by the language and degree of imagery of the stanzas. Note that in stanza one, there is more emphasis on description, with the constant use of pastoral imagery, daisies wilt and the war sucks up the dew. The mood generated from it, is dark, gloomy and miserable. However, reading on, the mood apparently lightens up, especially from stanza three. The word love begins to appear. The pastoral imagery transforms to a more hopeful state, a love that floats like butterflies and flowers in the endless night. Rothenberg is probably telling the reader that all is not lost, even a year of war wont hide or tame [moon acacia water lily star]. There is hence, no predominant gloomy mood or atmosphere to this poem as there is a shift from a state of hopelessness to one with some optimism present. Even so, we cannot overlook the fact that Rothenberg is saying that since we can move on from the aftermath of war, we can then take war lightly. The poet, apart from telling readers not to lose faith when war comes, is also signaling to us that war [is] waiting in the gateway to the hive. The lesson Rothenberg is conveying to the readers that war may strike us anytime, and so we should prevent it at all costs if not things might return to how he describes it in stanza one. The structure of stanza one consists of many short lines, even a word alone  constitutes a line as seen in the tenth line nightingales. Rothenberg compels the reader to pay attention to each and every line. He wants us to feel, as closely as possible of the horrific experiences that war can bring out. Wars sometimes take decades before it ends and the literal length of the stanza symbolizes this. And yet, as we move on the next stanzas, lengthwise, they grow shorter and the lack of commas causes the reader to move from one stanza to the next rather swiftly until we approach stanza seven where Rothenberg cautions us of the unpredictability of war. And if we fail to take his advice in hand, we return to the state that stanza one illustrates. The poem may have ended with stanza seven, but Rothenberg has cleverly twisted it. A vicious cycle is formed, if humans refuse to prevent war, another war will always emerge. The poem is overall an excellent portrayal of the world in a time of war.

The Eastern And Oriental Hotel Tourism Essay

The Eastern And Oriental Hotel Tourism Essay The Eastern Oriental Hotel is a tranquil haven in the heart of Penang. This is a hotel with old colonial charm and the finest traditions of comfort and service. Right at its door step, it is an amazing heritage of art and architecture, festivals and food. The Eastern Oriental Hotel is just a few minute walk away from a variety of shops, restaurants, cafes, bars and clubs. Besides that, each magnificent suite is extravagantly spacious and thoughtfully furnished with modern day amenities and access to the wireless world.  The Eastern Orientals modern facilities within its enchanting ambience enable guests to pursue their business interests as well as to network, to socialise or simply to relax.   Heritage  Eastern Oriental  Hotel (listed as one of the must-visit destinations in the New York Times bestseller 1,000 Places to Visit before Your Die  by Patricia Schultz) 2.0 The market segments being targeted by the firm Eastern Oriental Hotel was established in 1885 by the Armenian Sarkies Brothers in Penang. It is a colonial-style hotel. The market segments that being targeted by EO Hotel are the foreign people, old and rich people, couples and families. The first market segments being targeted are the foreign people. They are mainly from China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Middle East, Europe and America. Almost 70 percent of guests arrivals derive from overseas markets such as the UK, Japan, Australia, Singapore and USA, with the remaining coming from within Malaysia. Some young adults from foreign countries will also stayed in EO Hotel because they can afford it and expect to get an excellent service. They feel more convenience staying at EO Hotel because there are clubs or bars around the hotel. The second market segments being targeted are the senior citizen which is age 55 above and rich people. EO Hotel is a luxury hotel and it is already 126 year in Penang. The old people like to come to EO Hotel because they come to travel, enjoy their life with the beautiful scenery and willing to spend their money after they had retired. Therefore, EO Hotel located at the Heritage of Penang, there are many Pre-war homes and historic site such as Fort Cornwallis. This can attract the old people who like about history come to travel and stay at EO Hotel. The third market segments being targeted are the couples. EO Hotel will offer the package of wedding which is the hotel will offer a room to the couples who having their wedding function at EO Hotel Ballroom. Almost all the hotel will offer this kind package to the couples who are having their wedding function at their hotel. Therefore, the couples choose to have their wedding function at EO Hotel is because EO Hotel is a luxury and famous hotel in Penang. Besides that, EO Hotel is near to the sea and the couples can have their wedding photo shooting at the seaside. The fourth market segments being targeted are the families. A family member mostly will include 2-3 kids. They will choose to stay at EO Hotel whenever they travel to Penang. When there is an activity organized near to EO Hotel, there will be more families come to stay at EO Hotel, the activity such as, Bon Odori, annual jazz festival , natural park and so on . So the kids will not get bored because in the hotel, there is a swimming pool for the kids and the adults to swim. Therefore, the parents and the kids will definitely enjoy staying in EO Hotel. 3.0 The various strategies used by the firm in marketing-mix Product In hotel, their main products are rooms followed by food beverage and then facilities. Rooms All room and suites are magnificently furnished and spacious. Each guest who stays in the EO will receives the guarantee that their personal needs and comfort are a constant focus from the moment they arrive. There are 7 types of rooms: Deluxe Suite Suite size: 58 sqm. Georgetown Suite Suite size: 79 sqm. Premier Suite Suite size: 58 sqm. Straits Suite Suite size: 87sqm. Writers Suite Suite size: 135 sqm. Pinang Suite Suite size: 241 sqm. Eastern Oriental Suite Suite size: 522 sqm. Restaurants A tantalising medley of flavours and aromas await guests in the hotels restaurants, cafes and bars, each with its own unique aura. To have a midnight snack, the Eastern Oriental provides 24-hour Room Service. Sarkies Corner Operating hours are from 6.30 am 11.00 pm (Daily) The 1885 Operating hours are from 2.30 pm 10.30 pm (Open Daily) The Bakery Operating hours are from 10.00 am 10.00 pm (Daily) Farquhars Bar Operating hours are from 11.00 am to 11.00 pm. Verandah Operating hours are from 6.30 am 11.00 pm (Daily) The Deck Operating hours are from 11.00am to 7.00pm (Daily) Facilities Sauna   Fitness Facility Meeting Rooms Babysitting or child care Banquet facilities Swimming pool ( outdoor ) Price Prices for rooms: Types of room Low season Peak season Deluxe RM 730 RM 830 Georgetown RM 730 RM 830 Premier RM 860.00 RM 960.01 Straits Unavailable Unavailable Writers Unavailable Unavailable Pinang Unavailable Unavailable Eastern Oriental Suite Unavailable Unavailable ** The prices are subjected to change according to the peak season or off season. Place Eastern Oriental Hotel is situated in Georgetown at the intersection of Farquhar Street and Penang Road. It is located at Heritage area. The Eastern Oriental Hotel is just 20 kilometres away from the Penang International Airport and within walking distance to the food havens, shopping complexes and entertainment outlets of downtown Georgetown. Guests can also take a walk to Fort Cornwallis, the City Hall and the Penang State Museum. The guests will also loves to browse the shops, bazaars and restaurants for great bargains and delicious treats, while discovering temples, mosques and churches in quiet little corners. Eastern Oriental hotel is the only one in Penang. It does not have any branches. This makes the hotel special. Promotion There are few ways to promote the EO hotel. The first way is promote through filming. Filming with celebrities is a good way to promote the hotel. For example, on the August 2011, Asian Food Channel (AFC) came to Eastern Oriental Hotel to film. This will actually helps to promote it out to those who are watching AFC channel. A Chinese local actor Ah Niu had came to film at the hotel too. This will actually let worldwide people know about this hotel. The second ways to promote the hotel is through word of mouth. The hotel can also depend on the guests to help to promote the hotels name. For examples, during the weddings night, if the services are extremely good while everything went smoothly and the banquet hall is all nicely decorated, all those who attended the dinner, will goes out to promote to his / her friends or relatives. This will actually helps to spread the good news around. This is also a way to promote the hotel. The third ways to promote the hotel is by advertising through social network. The hotel can create a page at the social network to let the worldwide people knows about the hotel and also the upcoming events of the hotel. Any promotions of the hotel can also include there. People will get update news through social networks. Examples of social networks are Facebook. 4.0 The different environment that have an impact on the firms operation The market environment consists of the various external factors that direct or indirect affect the marketing management. The marketing environment is made up of microenvironment and marcoenvironment. Microenvironment is the elements close to the organization that ability to affect a companys planning and performance. The microenvironment consists of five components which are company, suppliers, customers, competitors, and intermediaries. The first component is the company. EO hotel has several departments and management levels that can affect the marketing managements decision making. The top management of EO hotel is the one who responsible to set the company mission, vision, objectives, policies and broad strategies. Besides that, all departments must work closely with one another. Departments such as purchasing, accounting, research and development finance and etc. The second component is the suppliers of the hotel. Suppliers provide the resources needed by the hotel to produce goods and services. For example, EO hotel rely on the suppliers who provide the ingredients or raw materials to the kitchen every day. Fresh ingredients needed every day to produce quality foods. Increase in ingredients or raw material prices will affect on the marketing mix strategy of the hotel. The close relationship with the supplier is one way of ensuring competitive and quality products for the hotel.   The third component is the customers of the hotel. Western people and the age group above 50 years old are the guests of the hotel. Although the room rates of the hotel are slightly higher compare to other hotels but these two groups of people willing to pay and stay at this hotel. One of the main reason they visited EO hotel is because of EO hotel is the only five star heritage hotel at the heart of the city. Besides that, the banquet of EO hotel is fully book during weekend and peak seasons. EO hotel also provide interesting wedding package to the customers. A lot of people like to have their wedding ceremony, lunch and dinner at EO hotel. The fourth component is the competitors. The competitors of EO hotel are other heritage hotels in Penang and the hotels nearby. Other heritage hotel in Penang such as Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa is the competitor of EO hotel. Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa is a five star heritage hotel allocated at Batu Ferrighi. Their room rate and EO room rate are similar but their target market slight different. EO hotel target is to attract tourists that visited the heritage city of Penang and Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa is to attract tourists that going for relaxation and enjoying water sports. The hotel nearby EO hotel such as Bayview hotel. Bayview hotel is opposite EO hotel. The customers of Bayview hotel are the tourist travel through travel agencies and businessman. The fifth component is the intermediaries. Marketing intermediaries are firms or agencies that help the hotel to promote. There is several government websites help to promote the heritage side of Penang. Some German and Chinese movie and television program had their shooting at the hotel. The German movie entitled A Love and Death on Java and the television program entitled Discovery Travel and Living shooting at EO hotel in year 2010. Positive media attention on the hotel makes the hotel to promote well. Audience can watch the programmers through TV. It is more direct to communicate to the audience. So this is a very powerful and positive impact. Marcoenvironment is the elements which can affect how a company is operate but which are beyond its control. The marcoenvironment consists of four components such as political and legal environment, economic, social and technology. The first component is the political and legal environment. The changes in the political and legal environments at both the domestic and international levels can affect the hotel. To many hotels, domestic political considerations are likely to be of prime concern. However, hotel involved in international operations are faced with the additional dimension of international political developments. For example, the changes political in western countries will affect the business of the hotel because the hotel business depends on the western tourists. Other than that, the political of our country will also affect the business of the hotel. The tourists from other countries will less visit our country The second component is the economic. Political and economic forces are often strongly related. Economic factors are of concern to marketing hotel because they are likely to influence, among other things, demand, costs, prices and profits. The changes in world economic forces are highly significant to hotel, particularly those engaged in international marketing. However, an understanding of economic changes and forces in the domestic economy is also importance as such forces have the most immediate impact. The changes in economy cause the customers to spend less. Besides that, unemployment rate become higher because the economy become worst. These will cause the decreases the demand of many luxury goods and services. The third component is the social. Customers have differences in attitudes, beliefs, motivation, morality, superstition, and perception and other characteristics when demand of goods and services. The type of goods and services demanded by consumers is a function of their social conditioning and their consequent attitudes and beliefs. The people who willing to spend more and enjoying their holiday such as people who had retired will choose to stay at EO hotel. Mostly the guests will not visit the hotel alone. They will bring their spouses along with them. They will enjoy while staying in the hotel and willing to spend more for their lunch or dinner in the restaurant. The fourth component is the technology. The changing in technology may affect the demand for a hotel goods and services. Technological changes may create new opportunities for the hotel. Technological innovation continues to move at an increasingly rapid rate. The changing in technology will help the hotel to promote on the website. Website such as the hotel website, Penang Tourism government website, Penang heritage website and etc. Besides that, the guests of the hotel will give their feedbacks of the hotel through their personal blog, feedback, forum and etc. Through these, a lot of people will understand more about of the hotel. If there had negative comments about the hotel, this will cause the hotel had bad images. 5.0 The current trends that the organization could face 5.1 Current trends Trends means the general direction in which something tends to move while current means the latest belonging to the present time. Therefore, current trends means is the latest trends in the hotel itself. The current trend of the Eastern Oriental Hotel (EO) is the Heritage sites and is located at the center of the city. EO hotel has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008, George Town, was cited as A remarkable example of historic colonial towns on the Straits of Malacca that demonstrate a succession of historical and cultural influences arising from their former function as trading ports linking East and West. The EO hotel is a colonial hotel design that mix old-world charm with modern extravagances. Besides that having heritage sides, the different type of food also is the current trends for the EO .hotel. Penang famous of many different type of hawker food .Instead of room , EO hotel can more focus on their restaurant ,promote more of their restaurant to the outsider , so that can improve the sales of the hotel 5.2 Opportunities Opportunities mean external  chances to make greater sales or profits in the environment. Eastern Oriental Hotel is a colonial design that mixes old-world charm with modern extravagances so many people would like to have their wedding photo shooting session at the hotel due to its unique surroundings. This is a good chance to promote the environment of the hotel to the public. There will also come with a package that guest who is having wedding in their banquet; the package will come with the honeymoon suite and the facilities. Besides that, some food channel or movie company also do filming at Eastern Oriental Hotel. Example for the food channel is Asian Food Channel (AFC), for the movie is German movie entitled A Love and Death on Java at the Eastern and Oriental Hotel. For the local Chinese movie that directed by local artist Ah Niu. For the shooting photo or movie, also will make the greater sales or profits and also will increase the reputation of the hotel and also will attract others people to come. EO hotel also can promote the restaurant in their hotel , because the current trends is the food in Penang . EO hotel can do more promotion for their restaurant such as: 1885 Restaurant, The selection of inventive fusion dishes from EO hotel accomplished chefs, accompanied by a superb selection of wines, marks 1885 as the perfect choice for an enjoyable dining experience, can promote to outsider instead of just promote the hotel room, maybe they will come and dining in. The EO brand is now synonymous with premier developments, and we have been complimented that EO adds the distinct style ingredient into lifestyle. Again, we came to secure this reputation by no accident it was a conscious strategy that we worked hard towards. EO hotel could also expand internationally, either together or through strategic alliances with other global property companies to increase their brand value and presence. EO hotel can also develop new growth engines from existing and new markets. Beyond property development, EO hotel could also explore the possibility of leveraging on each others hospitality capabilities. 5.3 Strengths Strengths mean characteristics of the business or team that give it an advantage over others in the industry. Eastern Oriental Hotel is build in a good location because it is at the center of the city. Eastern Oriental Hotel is near to the seaside so that guests can enjoy the sea view from the hotel. The attraction that near to Eastern Oriental Hotel are such as: Fort Cornwallis, The City Hall and also the Penang State Museum. There are also clubs, pubs, restaurants and cafà ©s all around the place which is nearby to the hotel. Eastern Oriental Hotel is a luxury and old European style hotel, so the hotel provides good quality service, nicely designed and good quality of food and beverage. Penang current trends is different type of food, so EO hotel will be a place that the tourist not only can enjoy the Penang seaview and the heritage building of EO hotel, around EO hotel still can enjoy the culture of Penang . EO has successfully built a strong portfolio and visible premier niche brand in the property development, hospitality and lifestyle segment in Malaysia. Having established their self locally, EO hotel intend to push the boundary further by making EO an inspirational brand that is recognised locally, regionally and eventually internationally. EO hotel is a heritage hotel that has 126 years old , over its century-and-a-quarter history. Attended to by the EOs legendary butler service, each suite offers the perfect invitation to step back into the refined elegance and colonial grandeur of a golden age. So that the guest can enjoy to stay at the old colonial charm building. 5.4 Weaknesses Weaknesses mean the characteristics that place the firm at a disadvantage relative to others. The common weakness is the parking lot for the Eastern Oriental Hotel is too expensive. Normal day for the parking fees is from morning until evening is RM 5, for night time is RM 10. For peak season will increase until RM 20, sometime during public holidays, the parking fees will increase to RM 40. This is too high expenses for a driver just to park their car at the parking lot. But sometimes customers drive along the way to the heart of the city and cannot find parking, so they will choose to park at the parking lot although it is too expensive. Eastern Oriental Hotel is a luxury hotel, so the room rate or the food and beverage will be more expensive compared to others place and so because of this, Eastern Oriental Hotel is not attracted by the budget traveller, because it is too expensive for them just to stay one night. 5.5 Threats Threats mean the external  elements in the environment that could cause trouble for the business. EO hotel is a five stars hotel and Penang has a lot of different categories of 5 stars hotel such as Rasa Sayang Beach and Spa Resort, G- hotel, Equatorial and so on.So they become the competitor with EO hotel . They have different style of the hotel and concept of hotel such as : a) Rasa Sayang Beach and Spa resort Is a expansive luxury retreat in traditional Malaysian style, nestled along Penangs popular Batu Feringgi Beach. This iconic beach resort offers its guests a luxurious accommodation option replete with an array of amenities whilst situated amidst impressive and majestic scenery. Attract customer that more like to challenge or have fun in the water sport activity, such as motorboat, banana boat, parachute and many more. Besides that, Rasa sayang beach and spa resort also provide spa for guest . b) G- hotel Is a bold, beautiful creation in homage to modern, G-hotel fuses cool modernity with stylish comfort. Is located at the Penang most boulevard place. Shopping mall, Penang local hawker centre, is also a advantages that near to the seaside. The room design with concept of modern, space and comfort style . It is a business categories of hotel, so more focus on business guest and also family group . c) Equatorial Hotel The 5-star luxury hotel embraces a splendour of contemporary design.   It houses 662 guestrooms and suites, each classily furnished and facilitated with state of the art in-room amenities. The only hotel on the island which has a 9-hole international golf course, it is the top choice for executive retreats and incentive group gatherings.   It houses two Grand Ballrooms which have been intelligently built with no obstruction of columns in between reputed to be the largest on the island that can house up to 2,000 people.   There are so many different categories of hotel, so the guest will Depend on personal like to choose which hotel. So things that the guest wants or needs that EO hotel cant provide, they will choose the others hotel . That is the Threats for the hotels. Conclusion As a conclusion, marketing is very important to any hotels or businesses. Every hotel or business also need strategic and promotion to keep their sales in the safe level, so that the hotel or business wont loss of money for the others utilities, staff salary and so on. Know well about the SWOP analysis (Strength, weakness, opportunities, threats) of the hotel or business is important, because it can clearly know that what the hotel or business lack out of that need to improve more or things that need to maintain and be more better .Know well about which market segment of people that visit most to the hotel , is to maintain the group of people that visit and so try to attract new group of people to visit the hotel or business ,wont just main on one categories .Besides that , know well about the different environment will Impact the hotel or business so that will have solution or can low down the risk .Marketing is important to every company or firm , no matter is big company or small, service sector or any sector , is important to know it .

How Various Mechanisms By Which Substances Cross The Cell Me :: essays research papers

Homeostasis is essential to the cell’s survival. The cell membrane is responsible for homeostasis. The membrane has a selective permeability which means what moves in and out of the cell is regulated. Amino acids, sugars, oxygen, sodium, and potassium are examples of substances that enter the cell. Waste products and carbon dioxide are removed from the cell. All of these substances cross the membrane in a variety of ways. From diffusion and osmosis, to active transport the traffic through the cell membrane is regulated.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Diffusion is the movement of molecules form one area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. Concentration gradient causes the molecules to move from higher concentration to a lower concentration. The side of the membrane that has the higher concentration is said to have the concentration gradient. It drives diffusion because substances always move down their concentration gradient. The pressure gradient also plays a role in diffusion. Where this is a pressure gradient there is motion of molecules. The pressure gradient is a difference in pressure between two different points. If the concentration of one side of the membrane is greater than the molecules will travel from the higher to lower concentration. Eventually there will be a dynamic equilibrium and there will be no net movement of molecules from one side to the other.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Osmosis is the diffusion of water. Like diffusion, the water moves from a region of higher water potential to a region of lower water potential. Solutions have three different stages that the solutes can be classified in: isotonic, hypertonic, and hypotonic. Isotonic is when the solutions have equal amounts of solutes. Like equilibrium, there is no net change in the amount of water in either solution. When the solutions have different concentration of solutes then the one with less solute is hypotonic and the one with more solute is hypertonic. Hypotonic takes in the solute from the hypertonic side that gives away the solute. There will be a net movement in these types of solution. The molecules will move from the hypotonic solution into the hypertonic solution.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The third way a substance can cross the cell membrane is through facilitated diffusion. This occurs when special carrier proteins carry solutes dissolved in the water across the membrane by using active transport. When the concentration gradient can not allow travel from one side of the membrane to the other fast enough for the cell’s nutritional needs, then facilitated diffusion is used. The transport protein is specialized for the solute it is carrying, just as enzymes are specialized for their substrate. The transport protein can be How Various Mechanisms By Which Substances Cross The Cell Me :: essays research papers Homeostasis is essential to the cell’s survival. The cell membrane is responsible for homeostasis. The membrane has a selective permeability which means what moves in and out of the cell is regulated. Amino acids, sugars, oxygen, sodium, and potassium are examples of substances that enter the cell. Waste products and carbon dioxide are removed from the cell. All of these substances cross the membrane in a variety of ways. From diffusion and osmosis, to active transport the traffic through the cell membrane is regulated.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Diffusion is the movement of molecules form one area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. Concentration gradient causes the molecules to move from higher concentration to a lower concentration. The side of the membrane that has the higher concentration is said to have the concentration gradient. It drives diffusion because substances always move down their concentration gradient. The pressure gradient also plays a role in diffusion. Where this is a pressure gradient there is motion of molecules. The pressure gradient is a difference in pressure between two different points. If the concentration of one side of the membrane is greater than the molecules will travel from the higher to lower concentration. Eventually there will be a dynamic equilibrium and there will be no net movement of molecules from one side to the other.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Osmosis is the diffusion of water. Like diffusion, the water moves from a region of higher water potential to a region of lower water potential. Solutions have three different stages that the solutes can be classified in: isotonic, hypertonic, and hypotonic. Isotonic is when the solutions have equal amounts of solutes. Like equilibrium, there is no net change in the amount of water in either solution. When the solutions have different concentration of solutes then the one with less solute is hypotonic and the one with more solute is hypertonic. Hypotonic takes in the solute from the hypertonic side that gives away the solute. There will be a net movement in these types of solution. The molecules will move from the hypotonic solution into the hypertonic solution.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The third way a substance can cross the cell membrane is through facilitated diffusion. This occurs when special carrier proteins carry solutes dissolved in the water across the membrane by using active transport. When the concentration gradient can not allow travel from one side of the membrane to the other fast enough for the cell’s nutritional needs, then facilitated diffusion is used. The transport protein is specialized for the solute it is carrying, just as enzymes are specialized for their substrate. The transport protein can be

Controlling Inflation

INTRODUCTION Of the various ills the economy can face, inflation is simultaneously the worst for society as a whole. Inflation can be defined as the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services is rising, and, subsequently, purchasing power is falling (investopedia. com). Inflation is a sustained increase in the general level of prices. Since inflation is concerned with increases in the general level of prices, changes in the price of a single good or service cannot be characterized as inflation. The inflation rate is normally measured by percentage changes in the cost of a basket of consumer goods and services (central bank). Inflation in Trinidad has been fluctuating, as stated in the article Inflation rises to 5 per cent, found in the Saturday Guardian on the 27th February, 2010. The article gave the information given in the report done by the Central Statistical Office; it stated that headline inflation rose by 3. 7 per cent in the 12 months to January 2010 from the 1. 3 per cent a month earlier. Food price inflation rose by 2. per cent on a year on year basis in January following a decline of 0. 2 per cent in December 2009. Core inflation which excludes the impact of food prices, rose to 4. 2 per cent (year on year) in January from 2. 2 per cent in December. On a monthly basis, core inflation rose by 2. 2 per cent in January 2010, following an increase of 0. 1 per cent in December 2009 and three consecutive monthly declines. So we clearly see that inflation is present in the economy, and from the article it is quite unpredictable. What we need to ask ourselves is how we can deal with inflation? What we can do to make inflation easier? What can the government do what will the Central Bank do to deal with inflation? THE QUESTION INFLATION IS ON THE RISE, SO WHAT CAN BE DONE BY THE CENTRAL BANK OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO TO CONTROL INFLATION? LIMITATIONS/ CHALLENGES -My first challenge was that it was quite difficult to find an article that was appropriate, and dealt with the topics being covered this semester. -It was also a bit difficult to make sense of the article, and then to find literature to support it. Literature was found but making the link was quite difficult. LITERATURE REVIEW Austrian economists maintain that inflation is by definition always and everywhere simply an increase in the money supply (i. e. units of currency or means of exchange), which in turn leads to a higher nominal price level for assets (such as housing) and other goods and services in demand, as the real value of each monetary unit is eroded, loses purchasing power and thus buys fewer goods and services. Ludwig von Mises (cited in Wikiedia, 2010), the seminal scholar of the Austrian School, asserts that: â€Å"Inflation, as this term was always used everywhere and especially in this country, means increasing the quantity of money and bank notes in circulation and the quantity of bank deposits subject to check. But people today use the term `inflation' to refer to the phenomenon that is an inevitable consequence of inflation, that is the tendency of all prices and wage rates to rise. The result of this deplorable confusion is that there is no term left to signify the cause of this rise in prices and wages. There is no longer any word available to signify the phenomenon that has been, up to now, called inflation. . . . As you cannot talk about something that has no name, you cannot fight it. Those who pretend to fight inflation are in fact only fighting what is the inevitable consequence of inflation, rising prices. Their ventures are doomed to failure because they do not attack the root of the evil. They try to keep prices low while firmly committed to a policy of increasing the quantity of money that must necessarily make them soar. As long as this terminological confusion is not entirely wiped out, there cannot be any question of stopping inflation. † Inflation is always and everywhere a monetary phenomenon. — Milton Friedman, (1963). Friedman maintained that there is a close and stable association between inflation and the money supply mainly that the phenomenon of inflation is to be regulated by controlling the amount of money put into the national economy by the Federal Reserve Bank. Friedman rejected the use of fiscal policy as a tool of demand management; and he held that the government's role in the guidance of the economy should be restricted severely. Friedman wrote extensively on the Great Depression, which he termed the Great Contraction, arguing that it had been caused by an ordinary financial shock whose duration and seriousness were greatly increased by the subsequent contraction of the money supply caused by the misguided policies of the directors of the Federal Reserve. Inflation and monetary policy are closely related concepts wherein the latter can be used efficiently to reduce the effect of the former. Inflation is thought of as the rise in prices and wages that reduces the purchasing power of money. Monetary policy is the regulation adopted by the central bank, currency board or other regulatory authority which stabilizes the prices and maximizes production and employment of the country. Inflation is characterized by an increase in the general level of prices for goods and services. As a consequence, the purchasing power of money will fall. Most of the countries in the world try to sustain an inflation rate between 2 and 3 percent. The Fisher's equation depicts that proportional relation that exists between money supply and the price level. Monetary policy is a regulation of a central bank or any regulatory authority, which ascertains the size and growth rate of the money supply. Monetary policy directly influences the interest rates which in turn has a negative relation with the price level. In the face of inflation the central bank of the country generally resorts to a rise in the cash reserve ratio, repo rate and reverse repo rate. So the basic idea is to reduce the money supply in the economy. To this end government securities are also issued so as to mop up the excess money supply from the mass. This would reduce aggregate demand. This reduction would again help reduce the price level. Monetary policy is adopted with an objective to make the most of production and employment and consequently stabilize the price level of a country. Monetary policy also regulates the interest rate, availability of credit and at the same time promotes the overall economic growth of a country. Monetary policy facilitates establishing trade relationships with other countries. The Central Bank conducts monetary policy with the objective of maintaining a low and stable rate of inflation, an orderly foreign exchange market and an adequate level of foreign exchange reserves. The conduct of monetary policy is influenced significantly by the pace of real economic activity, the fiscal operations of the government, capital flows and the operations of the commercial banks. In order to achieve the goals of monetary policy, the Central Bank’s actions are designed to influence the level of liquidity in the banking system, which indirectly affects the level of interest rates and, ultimately, the overall demand for goods and services in the economy. The Monetary Policy Committee comprising the Governor and Deputy Governor deals with monetary policy matters including the setting of the â€Å"repo rate† which is announced on the first Thursday of each month. The Monetary Policy Support Committee, which is chaired by the Deputy Governor, Research and Policy, and includes senior staff of the Research, Domestic Market and Financial Institutions Supervision Departments, provides advice to the Monetary Policy Committee. This information was taken from the central bank of Trinidad and Tobago website. Governments have different areas of policy which they can use to regulate the economy. Here we will look at how they affect inflation. One policy is fiscal policy. Fiscal policy is based upon demand management, i. e. raising or lowering the level of aggregate demand. The most obvious policy is that governments should reduce government expenditure and raise taxes. It should be stated here that this policy will be successful only against demand inflation. Fiscal policy was the chief counter- inflationary measure in the 1950’s and 1960’s. One of the reasons for its failure then was the clash of objectives. Another policy is monetary policy. For many years monetary policy was seen as only supplementary to fiscal policy. The Radcliffe report’s conclusion, that ‘money is not important’, was widened into ‘money does not matter’. If m0onetary policy had a role, Keynesians saw it as being through the rate of interest. The monetarist prescription is to control the supply of money. This, as we have seen, was believed to be the only way in which inflation could be controlled. Then there is the direct intervention: prices and income policy. A price and income policy is where the government takes measures to restrict the increase in wages (income) and prices. (Beardshaw, Brewster, Cormack and Ross. 2001, p. 559-62). GLOSSARY OF TERMS CORE INFLATION- The component of measured inflation that has no medium to long-run impact on real output. It is usually derived by omitting volatile changes in the prices of certain items such as food and energy. FISCAL POLICY- refers to the expenditure a government undertakes to provide goods and services and to the way in which the government finances these expenditures. HEADLINE INFLATION- Inflation, as measured by the change in the overall retail prices index, is sometimes called â€Å"headline† inflation. INFLATION- Inflation is a sustained increase in the general level of prices. Since inflation is concerned with increases in the general level of prices, changes in the price of a single good or service cannot be characterized as inflation. The inflation rate is normally measured by percentage changes in the cost of a basket of consumer goods and services. LIQUIDITY- The level of cash or near cash assets of financial institutions readily available to meet day-to-day transaction needs. REPO RATE- Discount rate at which a central bank repurchases government securities from the commercial banks, depending on the level of money supply it decides to maintain in the country's monetary system. MOVEMENT OF SELECTED CATEGORIES OF THE INDEX OF RETAIL PRICES /Percentage Change/ MonthlyYear-on-Year December 2009January 2010 December 2009 January 2010 Headline Inflation(0. 1)1. 91. 33. 7 Food Prices(0. 3)1. 3(0. 2)2. 7 Bread and Cereals(0. 9)(0. 2)(7. 7)(6. 6) Meat(0. 2) (0. 8)(1. 0)(2. 4) Fish4. 2 3. 23. 7(0. 8) Vegetables (0. 1) (1. 6)(1. 3)1. 0 Fruits0. 4 11. 728. 537. 2 Milk, Cheese & Eggs(0. 4)(0. 1)(10. 2)(9. 7) Oils and Fats(0. 8)0. 3(0. 7)(1. 5) Sugar, Jam, Confectionery, etc0. 2 0. 61. 70. 7 Core Inflation0. 1 2. 22. 24. 2 Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco0. 60. 114. 014. 0 Clothing and Footwear0. 10. 7(1. 5)(1. 0) Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Maintenance0. 00. 32. 21. 0 Health0. 1 0. 26. 76. 6 Of which: Medical Services0. 0 0. 414. 114. 0 Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels0. 0(0. 1)1. 41. 1 Of which:: Rent0. 0 4. 22. 86. 5 Home Ownership 0. 0 (0. 8)0. 7(0. 2) Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels0. 00. 02. 92. 9 Education0. 0 0. 03. 23. 2 Recreation & Culture0. 0(0. 3)(5. 7)3. 1 Hotels, Cafes & Restaurants0. 0 0. 53. 83. 0 Transport0. 0 10. 04. 39. 5 Source: Central Statistical Office. BIBLIOGRAPHY 1)Inflation, http://www. vision2020. info. tt/pdf/Statistics/inflation. pdf, cited on13th March, 2010. 2)Monetary Inflation – quantity theory, http://tutor2u. net/economics/content/topics/inflation/quantity_theory. tm, cited on 13th March, 2010 3)Milton Friedman, http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Milton_Friedman, cited on 13th March, 2010 4)Inflation and Monetary policy, http://www. economywatch. com/inflation/economy/monetary-policy. html, cited on 13th March, 2010 5) Monetary policy, http://www. central-bank. org. tt/monetary_policy/index. php, cited on 13th March, 2010 6)Economics a Student’s Guide, (fifth edition), by Beardsh aw, Brewster, Cormack, Ross, pg 559-562. 7)The Basics Economics, by Tony Cleaver, pg 111-138 8)Economics, (11th edition), Lipsey and Crystal.

Nurse Staffing Essays

Nurse Staffing Essays Nurse Staffing Essay Nurse Staffing Essay Abstract Two major forms of staffing guidelines will be discussed, nurse-to-patient ratio and staffing by acuity. This paper will discuss the history of each staffing form. It will point out the benefits and negative features of both practices, describe how hospitals deal with staffing and discuss the states that have laws requiring certain guidelines be followed. Nurse Staffing: Does One Size Fit All? What is the one conversation that usually gets heated when talking to nurses? Bring up the subject of staffing levels on their unit. As a nurse assistant, staff nurse, charge nurse or nursing administrator, inadequate staffing creates tension and stress. When staffing is inadequate patient safety, infection rates, patient satisfaction and staff satisfaction are only a few of the areas affected. Many hospital administrators and lawmakers want to make patient care a numbers game. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations requires hospitals to create a staffing plan that defines staffing effectiveness as the skill mix, competence, and effectiveness related to the services needed. (Morgan, 2004) When it comes to staffing, one size does not always fit all. Patients are individuals with individual needs and one patient with a certain diagnosis can take much less attention and time from the nurse than a patient of the same age with the same diagnosis. For good nurses the main goals during their shift is giving exception patient care and providing a safe environment. â€Å"The notion of high-quality care in hospitals is essential to public safety isn’t new. In 1751 Benjamin Franklin founded America’s first hospital-Pennsylvania Hospital-and commented that patients ultimately suffer and die without sound nursing care. † (Clarke, 2003) Nursing leaders are under tremendous pressure to lower costs while improving quality. (Carter, 2004) It is often found that hospitals during low census times or times of budget cuts will try to let ancillary staff go and assign their duties to the nurse caring for the patient. Nurses can replace several other positions in a healthcare setting but no other position can replace the nurse. Nursing is not only a highly trained individual but someone who is called to be compassionate, caring and dedicated individual. There are many reasons why staffing by acuity or nurse-to-patient ratios should not be mandated by lawmakers. Direct care nurses should be involved in staffing decision. Outcomes are better when nurses have control of their workload. (Anonymous, 2005) Adequate staffing must be priority for anyone involved in healthcare and there are pros and cons to both staffing by acuity and nurse-to-patient ratios. With our aging population and the increased age of the baby boomer generation nurses are going to increase in demand. Healthcare is changing so quickly and this also affects the shortage. The average acuity of patients has increased over the last decade while the nursing shortage continues. Nurse-to-patient ratios are supposed to draw people into the filed but there is a shortage of educators at present time as well. Many colleges have long waiting list for nursing programs, yet many nurses only stay in the field for a short time after graduating. Many universities turn away good candidates to nursing programs due to insufficient number of faculty, clinical sites, classroom space, clinical preceptors, and budget constraints. (Allen, 2008) We as a nation must come to a conclusion to deal with the nursing shortage. Too many lawmakers are paying attention to the staffing formats suggested above and not doing anything to fix the nursing shortage. Whether by acuity or ratios, for each nurse to take fewer patients we will definitely need more nurses. Staffing by acuity is a format used to decide how many nursing hours are needed for certain diagnosis or types of patients. Typically areas within a healthcare facility where patients are less ill such as rehabilitation and medical-surgical units, nurses can care for as many as seven patients at a time. Their acuity score is much lower than a patient in the intensive care unit or a step-down unit. Healthcare systems that utilize staffing by acuity are looking at the safe number of certain levels of patients that one nurse can care for. The down side to staffing by acuity is that many feel administration will influence numbers to maintain a high number of patients per nurse. If all patients on a unit were a level eight then most acuity systems would call for three patients to one nurse but if all patients on a unit were all level ones then a nurse could be caring for as many as eight to ten patients. Acuity does not take every patient encounter into consideration. For instance a dementia patient may have a low acuity based on the nursing care since they usually do not have indwelling lines or invasive procedures. Although the same patient may require a high amount help with activities of daily living, decision making and education. (Walsh, 2003) Thus staffing by acuity can be a subjective form of nurse staffing. When done accurately, acuity based staffing can be very beneficial for the nursing staff. Illinois is one of many states that have implemented laws requiring hospitals to base staffing on acuity systems and then report compliance on a quarterly basis. Illinois Hospital Association supports acuity based staffing over nurse-to-patient ratios. (Anonymous. 2008) SB867 is a law in Illinois that requires hospitals to base staffing on a model that has been developed by a nursing care committee made up of at least 50% direct care nurses. (Anonymous. 2008) This assures the bedside nurse a significant voice in the staffing process. It allows nurses to base their staffing on the work they perform. The model should include levels of care and examples that fit you patient population. At times, nurses will under staff themselves by simply not giving their patients credit for their true acuity level. This law and practice demonstrates hospital’s commitment to their direct nurse staff. Acuity based staffing is believed to take all facts into the picture. Nurses should be trained to develop and use their acuity tool to best describe the patients they are caring for, thus supporting the need for additional staff. Nurse-to-patient ratios are a concept that mandates a certain number of patients for each nurse to care for. Depending on the types of patients being cared for this number can differ. California has a law requiring nurse-to-patient ratios be following in hospitals. This law was signed in 1999 but was unable to be implemented for another four years. California state guidelines say that medical-surgical patients are one to five and in the intensive care units ratios are one to one. Illinois also has a law up for approval, HB0485 that would mandate ratios. â€Å"Establishing a minimum,  specific and numerical ratio implies that there is a scientific basis for determining the number of nurses to patients above which good outcomes patients can be guaranteed. † ( Flowers, 2009) This law would put even more stringent regulations on hospitals. California has seen many issues related to the ratios law. Ratios can cause longer transfer times for patients, increased ER bypass and postponed elective surgeries. California has experienced 12 hospital closures and downsizing of services since ratios was implemented. Patients are not all alike, their needs are individually different. Nursing units are different and ratios do not take into account the nurse’s level of experience or the physical layout of the facility. Many times hospitals will attempt to meet ratio laws by terminating such positions as nurse assistants and environmental services workers. So in reality nurses may only have four patients to care for but they are responsible for total care of those patients. The other strategy hospitals have used to meet ratio guidelines is to replace registered nurses with licensed practical nurses and have only one register nurse on each shift as a charge nurse. Under California law, nurses are considered registered or licensed practical nurses. HB0485 prohibits this by stating the nurse ratio can only be made up from registered nurses. Supporters of nurse-to-patient ratios believe that these types of laws will recruit more individuals into the field and retain our current nurses. According to CNA President Deborah Burger, the ratio law is a mafor reason why more nurses are coming into California and why RN’s are staying at the bedside. (Anonymous, 2005) The working conditions are believed to be better when a nurse has fewer patients. The environment is considered safer when more nurses are available to care for the patients. Nurses feel they will have more time for direct patient care and fully evaluate the patient’s needs. Individuals, who support both staffing by acuity and ratios, believe that research is needed to support both ideas. I feel that acuity is the most accurate way to determine safe ratios. At Union County Hospital, where I work, we use our acuity tool to establish a level for each patient. This is nursing staff’s first indicator of needed staffing levels. We also use ratios to staff. Once the acuity is finished the charge nurses takes the acuity of the patients, level of experience of the oncoming shift and also our staffing matrix into consideration and staffs the next shift appropriately. I did a simple study recently and based on our staffing matrix that the charge nurse can take up to three patients and each additional staff nurse should not routinely take over six patients, we met the staffing matrix 84% of the time. Of that 84%, only 12% of the time did the acuity call for different staffing levels and most of that was that the acuity actually called for less staff. We are a for-profit hospital and as a manager I have to validate our staffing to the CFO on a weekly basis. I asked the nurses to accurately and honestly complete the acuity, keep our matrix in their mind, and make the best decision for the patients. I also ask that if there are any circumstances that influenced their decision they should leave note of this on the daily staffing sheet. I think that acuity and ratios complement each other when used together, but one size does not fit all in nurse staffing models. Lawmakers and hospital administrators should not be making these decisions for nurses, the bedside nurse should be able to make an individualized staffing plan for each shift based on the patients on the unit. References Allen, L. (2008). The Nursing Shortage Continues As Faculty Shortage Grows. Nursing Economics, 26(1), 35-41. Retrieved March 1, 2009, from ProQuest Education Journals database. Anonymous (2005). Schwarenegger flexes muscles on nurses. Australian Nursing Journal, 12(7), 29. Retrieved March 1, 2009, from ProQuest Education Journals database. Anonymous (2005). Ratios: Savior or villain? Australian Nursing Journal, 13(1), 15. Retrieved March 1, 2009, from ProQuest Education Journals database. Anonymous (2008). Keep Contacting You State Representative To Oppose Nurse Staffing Ratio. Illinois Hospital Associations Position Paper. Retreived Febuary 24, 2009, from ihatoday. com/issues/workforce/hb392. html Carter, M. (2004). The ABC’s of staffing decisions. Nursing Management, 35(6), 16. Retrieved March 1, 2009, from ProQuest Education Journals database. Clarke, S. (2003). Patient safety series, part 2 of 2: Balancing staffing and safety. Nursing Management, 34(6), 44-48. Retrieved March 1, 2009, from ProQuest Education Journals database. Flowers, M. (2009). Nursing Care and Quality Improvement Act HB0485. 96th Illinois General Assembly. Retreived Febuary 24, 2009, from ilga. gov/legislation/96/HB/09600HB0485. htm. Morgan, S Tobin, P. (2004). Managing the Nursing Workforce. Nursing Management. Chicago, 35, 4-6. Retrieved March 1, 2009, from ProQuest Education Journals database. Walsh, E. (2003). Get Real With Workload Measurement. Nursing Management. Chicago, 34(2), 38-42. Retrieved March 1, 2009, from ProQuest Education Journals database.