Responsibility for Personal and Professional Development Essay Example for Free

Responsibility for personalized and Professional Development EssayEffective personal and passe-partout maturation is the result of co-operative and co-ordinating working at all levels in the University and also with the individual members of staff. At the strategic level the personal and nonrecreational development implications of strategy and reverie must be recognised and resourced. Overall responsibility for the development and delivery of Personal and Professional Development policy and strategy rests with the theater director of Human Resources and the Personal and Professional Development Unit. The Director of Academic Professional Development and the Academic Professional Development Advisory Group, convened by the Director of Human Resources, acts as a central focus for the co-ordination, planning and provision of a range of learning and teaching development activities. The Deans and/or Associate Deans for Learning Teaching, as appropriate, liaise with the Directo r of Academic Professional Development in order to consider appropriate ways in which development needs can be met, including delivery at incision/section/unit or Faculty level, or through central delivery.The link between centrally delivered and Faculty-based development activities is supported by symmetric and ongoing contact between the Director of Academic Professional Development and Faculty contacts for Academic Professional Development, normally the Associate Dean for Learning Teaching. Heads of department/section/unit ensure that all staff employed in their area receive appropriate advice so as to ensure direct and self-colored benefits are achieved for staff undertaking any development, support towards identifying their developmental needs through the review process and by other means, and ensure that adequate period is made available within workloads to allow staff to engage in identified and agreed development activities, as appropriate, to address these needs.Facult ies and departments/sections/units are expected to billow upon the centrally delivered personal and professional development programme by making effective use of any monies devolved to them for this purpose. Day-to-day management of university-wide generic personal and professional development and knowledge, as well as management training and development, is the responsibility of the Director of Management and Personal Development. Generic personal and professional development and training comprises thoseactivities which serve a widespread need in the university such that is efficient and effective to provide them centrally, either in-house, bought-in or externally provided, rather than ask departments or Faculties to source them. They include interpersonal skills, administrative skills and management skills. They do not include skills narrowly applicable to only one specialist function or discipline, which are best sourced through a departments or individuals links, perhaps to th e research community or a professional society.

Accounting 201 Final Study Guide Essay Example for Free

Accounting 201 Final Study Guide EssayWhen argon expenses recognized? Name the rule of aiming concepts that answer these questions. What argon the four financial statements? What is the purpose for each? Does each report for a period of time or for a point in time? Be able to calculate the change in stockholders equity for a period based on knowledge contained in the retained earnings statement. What is GAAP? Who is the body currently responsible for establishing GAAP? What governmental agency has oversight authority over the accounting art? What is an audit?What is the purpose of an independent audit? Who can per sorting an audit? What is the sequence of the accounting cycle? Define the by-line terms related to the accounting cycle -chart of accounts -journal -ledger -trial balance -adjusting entries -adjusted trial balance -closing entries -post-closing trial balance -posting -journal entry -debit -credit -t-account Be familiar with account classification. What are the f ive major categories of accounts? What is a contra account? Be able to analyze transactions using the debit/credit rules.What is a compound journal entry? How is an accounts balance located? What is meant by the term normal balance? Be able to calculate an account balance. When are adjusting entries prepared? Why are they necessary? What are some(a) rules that apply to all adjustments? Review the handout you were give regarding adjusting entries. What do the pastime accounting concepts mean? -going concern -cost-benefit -materiality -consistency -revenue recognition/realization -matching Which of the accounting concepts listed above form the basis for accrual basis accounting?What are the three closing entries? What is the purpose of closing entries? What is the format for a bank reconciliation? Which reconciling items take on that a journal entry be made to recognize them? Be aware of the formulas to calculate some of the commonly used financial ratios, including -current ratio -working smashing -quick ratio How are the following items calculated? -net sales -cost of goods sold What is the difference between a periodic stock-taking system and a perpetual inventory system? What are internal control procedures?What are the four primary reasons for establishing internal controls? What are some common examples of internal control procedures? Define the following terms with regard to notes receivable/notes payable -principal -interest -maturity date -maturity value Be able to calculate ending inventory and cost of goods sold under the following inventory cost allocation methods -average costing -FIFO (first-in, first-out) -LIFO (last-in, first-out) Be able to define the following terms related to long term assets cost -residual value/ salvage value/trade-in value depreciable cost -book value -service life/useful life -depreciation -accumulated depreciation -depletion -amortization Be able to calculate depreciation using the following methods -straight line - units of production -double declining balance How is the cost of a group/bundled purchase of assets allocated? What is the difference between the direct write off method and the allowance method of recognizing bad debts? Which one is preferred by GAAP? Why? Be able to define the following terms related to chemical bonds payable -bond indenture -debenture -secured bond coupon bond -registered bond -convertible bond -callable bond -term bond -serial bond -sinking fund When will a bond sell at a throw out? At a premium? Be able to determine the issue price of a bond based on its market price quote. What are the rights of bondholders? Of common stockholders? Of preferred stockholders? Be able to define the following terms related to stock -common stock -preferred stock -dividends in arrears -par value -treasury stock -dividend declaration date -date of record -dividend payment date -stock dividend -stock split -book value

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Indecency Policies

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Indecency PoliciesThe Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is the agency in the United States tasked with the order of interstate and international communications carried out via radio, satellite, television, wire and cable. The agency was commissioned by the Communications Act of 1934, and its telescope of authority extends throughout the 50 US states, the District of Colombia and all the US territories (Commission).The FCC has the responsibility of prohibiting the display of obscene programming at any time between 6 am and 10pm. In the solvent of a breach of this rule, the FCC policy requires that the license granted to the station breaking this rule be revoked, or a monetary fine be imposed. Also, it green goddess give the station a warning with regard to its breach of rule (Commission). Ever since its institution, the FCC has sanctioned companies for brief curse words aired, or accidental nakedness on live award shows. A particular c ase in point is the 2004 Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction saga, which cost CBS a whopping $550,000 in fines though it was appealed to an appellate court (Calver, p. 1-29).The FCC policy requires it to take appropriate punitive action, in respect of any media outlet, following documented complaints received from the public nigh any obscene, profane, or indecent material aired to viewers. Following such complaints, the FCC conducts a review to determine whether there has been a breach of the profanity, indecency, or grime laws. In cases where it is found that a station station has violated the law, investigations into the claims are carried out. In this regard, the FCC policy requires complainants to follow a three-step process, before the act being complained closely can be labeled as obscene, profane, or indecent. First, the average person must find that the case is appealing to the prurient involution, or an excessive interest in sexual matters. Following this stage, the m aterial must be found to be depicted in a manner that is patently distasteful and sexually explicit, and falls within the confines of the applicable law, in the particular case. In the third and last step, the content of the material must be determined to lack, in one way, or another, educational, artistic, scientific, or political value. In other words, it adds no value to the viewer. However, one crucial aspect of the entire process is putting the content of the material in context to determine its obscenity, indecency, or profanity (Commission).My opinion, in regard to the FCC policy, is that it is not doing much when it comes to censoring inappropriate content. One major agreement is that the policy requires claims of obscenity, profanity or indecency, to pass the three steps before they can be so labeled. This process makes it extremely difficult to successfully censor, or prosecute, media outlets for airing inappropriate content. Therefore, the FCC should make the process le ss restrictive, to be able to accommodate more punishable cases of indecency. Indecency is defined by the FCC as, Language or material that, in context, depicts or describes, in terms of patently offensive as measured by contemporary community standards for the broadcast medium, sexual or excretory organs or activities (Commission). Putting this statement in context, indecent programming basically comprises sexual or excretory references that are patently offensive in nature however, they do not reach the obscenity level. Hence, courts seduce on to these indecent materials, as protected by the first amendment to the constitution, and do not ban them completely. Hence, viewers are left with the same initial problem of indecent material being aired. However, this indecent material can be dependant to avoid times when children are the primary audience. The FCC should make a policy that stipulates zero tolerance for any form of indecency, instead of having courts back them up with loo pholes, such as by arguing that they are protected by the first amendment which upholds the right of step d take in speech (Courts). An example is Nicole Richies 2003 speech at the hoarding Awards, where she categorically stated, Have you ever tried to get cow st out of a Prada purse? Its not so fing simple (CNN). The statement is a disentangle example of an indecent speech. The case brought up issues to do with the constitution and administration. The courts argued that FCCs policy on the case violated the first amendment and, therefore, it was unconstitutional. The courts argued that the policy restricted free speech.Another major issue that the FCC should look into is amending its policy to include monitoring broadcasts for violation of its laws. This will make it more restrictive by broadening the scope of its mandate. . Currently, the FCC only when responds to claims from the general public. Though this is a safe move to prevent pressuring a media outlet the FCC might be at loggerheads with, it is also a disadvantage. The FCC only investigates cases brought in by the viewers, and at times, not all the issues are given attention, although a significant number is analyzed. The major problem arises when specific viewers control a grudge with a particular station, or individual, which is broadcasted. Such a scenario defeats the reason for the establishment of the FCC and makes it look like a platform, where personal grudges people hold can be settled. By being able to monitor broadcasts on their own, they can identify reasonable claims of a violation, instead of allowing individuals to act as if they own the FCC. A good example is Al Wescot, who is well known as a self-made watchdog. His grudge with Howard Stern is well recorded. He has on several(prenominal) occasions made it his job to file complaints with the FCC, with regard to Howard Sterns conduct (Mintzer, p25).In conclusion, the FCC should maintain its broadcast indecency policies. However, they should be made more stringent. Isolated expletives, or non-sexual nudity, should be treated the same they are indecent. Furthermore, it should consider having a policy to be able to scrutinize broadcasts, instead of waiting for the viewers to file complaints. In this manner, broadcasters will be more aware of a watchdog that is the overriding authority. This will minimize cases of indecency in broadcasting.Works CitedCalver, C. Imus, Indecency, Violence (and) Vulgarity wherefore the FCC Must Not Expand Its Authority Over Content. 30 Hastings Comm. Ent. Law Journal (2007) 1-29.CNN. Justices tackle free speech dispute over broadcast TV indecency. 6 January 2012. 24 February 2015 http//edition.cnn.com.Commission, Federal Communications. Federal Communications Commission. 14 August 2014. 24 February 2015 http//www.fcc.gov.Courts, United States. United States Courts. 24 February 2015. 24 February 2015 http//www.uscourts.gov.Mintzer, Rich. Howard Stern A Biography. United Kingdom Simon Schuster Publishing, 2010.

Effects of Stigma on Schizophrenia Patients

Effects of Stigma on Schizophrenia PatientsStigma and empathy subjected to schizophrenic patients with different levels of symptomsThe stigma of mental instability is entrenched as an exhaust in the society, especially when it refers to schizophrenia, which stands pop out amongst the most very derided mental inconvenience, not just on the grounds of the conceivably unending and incapacitating course of the charge but alike because of an assortment of negative generalizations connected with its analysis. Stigmatization refers to a socially constructed label which includes issues of aw argonness (obliviousness or misleading selective informationrmation), demeanor (bias), and conduct (discrimination). earth reviews demonstrate that in spite of expanded attention to the characteristics of schizophrenia and despite the numerous deliberations to lessening stigma, criticizing mentality are st stricken pervasive among the overall population, understudies, specialists, and even up admi nistration clients themselves whereby issue conditions are ranged including beliefs of violent and chaotic conduct, and a powerlessness to maintain business or take up responsibilities. Being perceived as a matter of extraordinary signifi stinkpotce, stigma, may slant persons in the overall population to look for social separation from those with schizophrenia. The harmful results of stigma may be significantly more extreme than the troubles emerging from the symptoms of the sickness itself.Moreover, stigma is linked to symptom severity which is the earnestness of deductive changes in physical, psychological, and social performance. Ertugrul and Ulug(2004) carried out interrogation which concluded among 60schizophrenia patients, that victims of stigmatization had undergone more severe symptoms and were significantly more disabled than the patients who were not stigmatized. Studies utilizing different strategies propose that stigma may be interfaced to more serious psychopathologic al symptoms and more awful psychosocial working. Rabkins research in 1974, informs that open state of mind towards individuals named rationally sick are influenced by qualities of the discourse circumstance, for example, e. g. site, organization or recurrence. More incessant contacts with the mental health awareness framework and more meddlesome routines for treatment typically evoke more negative societal disposition. Henceforth, more elevated amounts of demonization were noted in patients right now under doctors supervision and in the individuals who had more past hospitalizations (particularly those with more successive machine-driven affirmations). Patients with more serious medication chemical reactions were likely to face more stigmatization. Besides, patients with a prior disease onset and those with a more drawn out twosome of disease may be naturally anticipated that will have been more presented to social dismissal.To enhance mentality towards this criticized schizophre nia base, stereotype-conflicting data and intergroup contact are not enough. This is the place empathy appears to merit more consideration than it has gotten currently. Inducing empathy for a part of a trashed gathering prompts more positive sentiments and consideration toward the gathering. As an issue demonstrated in books, films and documentaries, it is generally simple to impel empathy for a part of a slandered gathering requiring little to no effort and satisfactory circumstance. One can be led to feel empathy for the group simply by sitting comfortably at home. Compassion actuating encounters can be controlled to guarantee that they are certain much more promptly than can live, face-to-face, immediate contact. Empathy might straightforwardly address the focal feeling and assessment parts of the disposition as opposed to depending on surmising from information. empathy has been found to expand esteeming the welfare of the individual for whom compassion is felt and, moreover, t his esteeming has been found to persevere through much after the need and event empathic sentiments are gone (Batson, Turk, Shaw, Klein, 1995). Moreover, this expanded esteeming sums up to the gathering of which the individual is a part, it may prompt more uplifting disposition.A study by Batson et al. (1991), aimed to investigate how empathy might improve attitudes towards a stigmatized group. However, it had limitations as empathy was restricted to a certain individual and not to the stigmatized group as a whole and in spite of appearance the stigmatized group were found many subgroups such as homosexuals, women, drug addicts, children. Feeling empathy for the children might only be beneficial to that particular subgroup but not to the group as a whole. Moreover, victim responsibility comes into play where the member of the stigmatized group is responsible for his own condition. One may likewise create an opposing reaction to separation from the defamed gathering bringing about diminished empathic emotions and even disparagement or faulting the victimized person. Furthermore, Dinos et al. (2004) reveal that 1 among 3 patients having schizophrenia perplex from anxiety sickness as a result of being stigmatized. Evidence has also proven that schizophrenia stigma leads to a higher possibility of alcohol and drug intake. Original work by Goffman (1963) and Scheff (1966) slandering process that may take after from being recognized as having a dysfunctional behavior, and various geographic expedition studies have endeavored to exhibit the unfavorable impacts of maladjustment marking. Nunnally (1961), investigated sample of the population by self-reports asking their point of view on mental illness. Cohen and Struening (1962) Taylor and Dear (1981) Yankelovich (1990) Beldon and Russonello (1996) carried a more very(prenominal) research presenting particular articulations about emotional instability also asked respondents where they remained regarding those a nnouncements. These studies uncovered strikingly negative state of mind to emotional sickness. However, recent studies such as the Parade Magazine survey (1993) demonstrated more positive attitudes where schizophrenic patients were being cared for (Whatley, Philips, Neff and Husaini, Purvis et al., Riskind and Wahl). Angermeyer, Matschinger and Corrigans research (2004) has shown that, with developing commonality, the propensity towards considering the ill individual to be unsafe and eccentric was diminishing, and individuals had less fear and social separation was wanted less as often as possible. Different studies by Anagnostopoulos Hantzi (2011), Couture Penn (2003), Phelan Link (2004) have likewise exhibited positive connections between past contact and inspirational demeanor, less fancied social separation and a lessening in stereotypes.This research is being carried out to test the hypotheses formulated. Therefore, taking the previous findings into consideration, it is not iceable that empathy is directly linked to stigma. The expected results are thatas empathy increases, stigma decreases and when stigma levels are high, schizophrenic patients are subjected to a very low level of empathy. Furthermore, a second hypothesis formulated is that as symptoms of the disease become more severe, more stigma is attached to the ill individual as compared to an individual with mild symptoms, which is subjected to much less stigma. The importance of this research is to reduce stigma among schizophrenic patients for them to be more effectively cured, without their treatment being hindered by stereotypes of the society.Reference ListWahl, O. F. (1999). Mental Health Consumers Experience of Stigma. Schizophrenia Bulletin, Vol. 25, No. 3. Retrieved fromhttp//schizophreniabulletin. oxfordjournals. org. ezproxy. mdx. ac. uk/ substance/25/3/467. full. pdf+htmlZelst, C. (2009). Stigmatization as an Environmental Risk in Schizophrenia A User Perspective. Schizophrenia Bul letin, Vol. 35, No. 2, pp. 293296. Retrieved from http//www. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov/pmc/articles/PMC2659317/?tool=pmcentrezSibitz, I., Unger, A., Woppmann, A., Zidek, T., Amering, M. (2011). Stigma Resistance in Patients With Schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Bulletin, Vol. 37, No. 2, pp. 316323. Retrieved from http//schizophreniabulletin. oxfordjournals. org/content/37/2/316. full. pdf+htmlKaridi, M. V., Stefanis, C. N., Theleritis, C., Tzedaki, M., Rabavilas, A. D., Stefanis, N. C. (2010). Perceived social stigma, self-concept, and self-stigmatization of patientwith schizophrenia. Comprehensive psychopathology, 51, 19-30. Retrieved from http//www. sciencedirect. com. ezproxy. mdx. ac. uk/science/article/pii/S0010440X09000029Benov, E. et al. (2013). Stigma of Schizophrenia Assessing Attitudes among European University Students. Journal of european psychology students, 40-48. Retrieved from http//jeps. efpsa. org/article/view/jeps. bjSwitaj, P., Wcirka, J., Smolarska-S witaj, J., Grygie l, P. (2009) Extent and predictors of stigma experienced by patients with schizophrenia. European Psychiatry, 24, 513520. Retrieved fromhttp//www. sciencedirect. com. ezproxy. mdx. ac. uk/science/article/pii/S0924933809001230Thornicroft, G., Brohan, E., Diana, R., Sartorius, N., Leese, M. (2009). Global pattern of experienced and anticipated discrimination against volume with schizophrenia a cross-sectional survey. Health Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London, UK. Retrieved from http//www. serpsy. org/actua_09/Lancet_2009_global-pattern-experience. pdfLysaker, P. H., Davis, L. W., Warman, D. M., Strasburger, A., Beattie, N. (2007). Stigma, social function and symptoms in schizophrenia andschizoaffective disorder Associations across 6 months. Psychiatry Research, 149, 8995. Retrieved from http//www. sciencedirect. com. ezproxy. mdx. ac. uk/science/article/pii/S0165178106000795Ando, S., Clement, S., barleycorn, E. A., Thornicroft, G. (2011). The simulation of hallucinations to reduce the stigma of schizophreniaA systematic review. Schizophrenia Research, 133, 816. Retrieved from http//rt5vx6na7p. search. serialssolutions. com/?ctx_ver=Z39. 88-2004ctx_enc=info%3Aofi%2Fenc%3AUTF-8rfr_id=infosid/summon. serialssolutions. comrft_val_fmt=infoofi/fmtkevmtxjournalrft. genre=articlerft. atitle=The+simulation+of+hallucinations+to+reduce+the+stigma+of+schizophrenia%3A+A+systematic+reviewrft. jtitle=Schizophrenia+Researchrft. au=Ando%2C+Shuntarorft. au=Clement%2C+Sarahrft. au=Barley%2C+Elizabeth+Alexandrarft. au=Thornicroft%2C+Grahamrft. date=2011-12-01rft. pub=Elsevier+B. Vrft. issn=0920-9964rft. eissn=1573-2509rft. volume=133rft. issue=1-3rft. spage=8rft. externalDBID=n%2Farft. externalDocID=273483289paramdict=en-USHill, K., Startup, M. (2013). The relationship between internalized stigma, negative symptoms and social functioning in schizophrenia The mediating role of self-efficacy. Psychiatry Research, 206, 151157. Retrieved from http//rt5vx6na7p. search. serialssolutions. com/?ctx_ver=Z39. 88-2004ctx_enc=info%3Aofi%2Fenc%3AUTF-8rfr_id=infosid/summon. serialssolutions. comrft_val_fmt=infoofi/fmtkevmtxjournalrft. genre=articlerft. atitle=The+relationship+between+internalized+stigma%2C+negative+symptoms+and+social+functioning+in+schizophrenia%3A+The+mediating+role+of+self-efficacyrft. jtitle=Psychiatry+Researchrft. au=Hill%2C+Kimberleyrft. au=Startup%2C+Mikerft. date=2013-04-30rft. pub=Elsevier+B. Vrft. issn=0165-1781rft. eissn=1872-7123rft. volume=206rft. issue=2-3rft. spage=151rft. externalDBID=n%2Farft. externalDocID=340105116paramdict=en-USLv, Y., Wolf, A., Wang, X. (2013). Experienced stigma and self-stigma in Chinese patients with schizophrenia. General Hospital Psychiatry, 35, 8388. Retrieved from http//rt5vx6na7p. search. serialssolutions. com/?ctx_ver=Z39. 88-2004ctx_enc=info%3Aofi%2Fenc%3AUTF-8rfr_id=infosid/summon. serialssolutions. comrft_val_fmt=infoofi/fmtkevmtxjournalrft. genre=ar ticlerft. atitle=Experienced+stigma+and+self-stigma+in+Chinese+patients+with+schizophreniarft. jtitle=General+hospital+psychiatryrft. au=Lv%2C+Yingrft. au=Wolf%2C+Achimrft. au=Wang%2C+Xiaopingrft. date=2013-01-01rft. eissn=1873-7714rft. volume=35rft. issue=1rft. spage=83rft_id=infopmid/22925273rft. externalDocID=22925273paramdict=en-USBatson et al. (1997). Empathy and Attitudes Can feeling for a member of a stigmatized group improve feelings towards the group? Journal of reputation and affable Psychology, Vol. 72, No. 1, 105-118. Retrieved from http//rt5vx6na7p. search. serialssolutions. com/?ctx_ver=Z39. 88-2004ctx_enc=info%3Aofi%2Fenc%3AUTF-8rfr_id=infosid/summon. serialssolutions. comrft_val_fmt=infoofi/fmtkevmtxjournalrft. genre=articlerft. atitle=Empathy+and+attitudes%3A+Can+feeling+for+a+member+of+a+stigmatized+group+improve+feelings+toward+the+group%3Frft. jtitle=Journal+of+Personality+and+Social+Psychologyrft. au=Batson%2C+C. +Danielrft. au=Polycarpou%2C+Marina+Prft. au= Harmon-Jones%2C+Eddierft. au=Imhoff%2C+Heidi+Jrft. date=1997rft. issn=0022-3514rft. eissn=1939-1315rft. volume=72rft. issue=1rft. spage=105rft. epage=118rft. externalDBID=n%2Farft. externalDocID=10_1037__0022_3514_72_1_105paramdict=en-US

Environmental sustainability

Environmental sustainabilityABSTRACTUniversities, as centres for training responsible and knowledgeable man, prep ar students to respond to the intellectual, social, and personal ch bothenges that they depart face in alliance. To this end, universities leave alone take use of various(a) resources. In this regard, the question which rises is to what extent the serviceman leaders universities take their environmental responsibility into consideration and how committed they are to environmental sustainability. This report aimed to explore this issue by subjecting the world top 10 ranked universities. The study sample included Harvard University (US), University of Cambridge (UK), Yale University (US), University College capital of the United Kingdom (UK), Imperial College capital of the United Kingdom (UK), University of Oxford (UK), University of Chicago (US), Princeton University (US), Massachusetts bring of Technology (US), and calcium Institute of Technology (US). The req uired data was collected through the essence analysis of the websites and annual reports of the mentioned universities. Findings of the paper showed that all the studied universities were involved in a number of various environmental activities and were committed to their environmental responsibilities. The findings of the paper can be a benchmark for other universities. Since the environment is an important pillar of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and vital part of sustainability, the findings have important implications for CSR policy of universities. INTRODUCTIONAll humans have a moral obligation to preserve the planet and there is no excuse for doing nothing to improve the environmental state of the globe. This also applies to institutions of higher(prenominal) education (Christensen et al., 2009). Organizations such as companies or universities are usually responsible for the severe environmental degradation we have witnessed (Alshuwaikhat and Abubakar, 2008 Hoffman an d Woody, 2008 Haden et al., 2009). zero(prenominal)adays, higher education institutions can find significant environmental impacts (Jabbour, 2010). Many of them, due to their large size, expressive movement of people and vehicles, high consumption of materials, and strong development of complex activities, may be considered as small towns (Alshuwaikhat and Abubakar, 2008). Therefore higher education institutes have a great environmental responsibility toward society. This could be through training graduates with suitable environmental knowledge as well as environmental plans and programs to reduce waste and preserve environment. no, the question which arises is how aware universities are toward their environmental responsibilities toward society. To answer this question, this study will investigate the issue among world top 10 universities through reviewing their website content and annual reports. Although previous studies have been conducted in this area, they are mainly case s tudies considering whole one university. This study, however, considers 10 multinational universities at the same time and tries to bring home the bacon a general picture of how aware and responsible world top universities are toward environment. Since the environment is an important pillar of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and vital part of sustainability, the findings of this study have important implications for CSR policy of universities.ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IN UNIVERSITIESSustainability is a pattern of resource use which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. The main idea of sustainable development is to achieve the relentless satisfaction of human needs. Environmental counsel may be defined as the study of all technical and organizational activities aimed at reducing the environmental impact caused by a companys business operations (Cramer, 1998, p. 162). Although initially tar come ined f or companies, this definition can also be applied to service sector and universities. Universities apply various resources to provide quality education for students. This, in turn, will cause impacts on the environment. Several simple examples of these impacts are electricity consumption, production of waste and CO2 sack caused by daily printing of large numbers of papers. A number of dimensions define environmental management practices (Aragn-Correa, 1998 Klassen Angell, 1998 Klassen Whybark, 1999). As Cspedes-Lorente et al. (2003) mention, Peattie and Ringler (1994) drew a tone between software and hardware environmental activities. Software activities are those focused on organizational issues such us systems, procedures, audits and manuals, whereas hardware activities are concerned with scientific change to reduce the environmental impact of the unshakable. Environmental sustainability refers to the environmental actions or impacts of what we do. There are a number of stud ies considering the issues of sustainability and environment in higher education. A study by Wright (2010), examined how a cohort of university presidents and vice-presidents in Canadian universities conceptualize sustainable development, sustainable universities, the role universities play in achieving a sustainable future, happen upon issues facing the university, and the barriers to implementing sustainability initiatives on campus. They showed that although the majority of participants were well versed in the concept of sustainable development, they were less familiar with the concept of a sustainable university. However, majority of them were apply to having their university become more sustainable. The participants also listed financial predicaments, lack of understanding and awareness of sustainability issues amongst the university population, and a resistance to change as the main barriers in the path of sustainability. pollack et al. (2009) also insisted that complex and ineffective governance, traditional disciplinary boundaries, and the lack of a shared vision at academic institutions often hinder universitys progress toward leading the world to a more sustainable and desirable future. Furthermore, a study by Rauch and Newman (2009) in Yale University explored how an institutional target can lead to greater community action and long-term commitment than if no specific target is established.METHODOLOGYSimilar to a related study by Capriotti and Moreno (2007), this paper used a content analysis methodology to analyze the websites of the top 10 world universities ranked by multiplication Higher Education (THE, 2009). This investigate studied the content of the university official websites and tried to identify universities environmental practices, procedures and plans. To this end, we have reviewed all the related web pages of the universities (including news, media, department web pages, etc.) and not just direct links from the homepage.The study s ample included Harvard University (US), University of Cambridge (UK), Yale University (US), University College London (UK), Imperial College London (UK), University of Oxford (UK), University of Chicago (US), Princeton University (US), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (US), and California Institute of Technology (US).FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONThe findings of this research shows that world leading universities are in some way or another involved in environmental practices and committed to their environmental responsibility. Table 1 summarizes the renewing of the areas which these universities are involved in. Table 1Environmental practices of studied universitiesEnvironmental Practice12345678910Reduction of greenhouse gas emissionsaaaaaaaaaaReduction in the use of fossil fuels and increase in the use of renewable resourcesaaaaaaaaaaWaste recycle and managementaaaaaaaaReduction of water useaaaaaaGreen buildings and environmentally responsible architectureaaaaaaaRunning an specializ ed environmental centre/ networkaaaaaaaaaaReduction of the environmental impact due to the use of paperaaaaIncrease of environmental awareness among staff studentsaaaaaaaaaaminimisation of environmental impact due to materials and services used by the universityaaaaaaaaminimisation of environmental impact due to travelaaaMaintenance of university sites in an environmentally sensitive wayaaaaaaGreen purchasing for university procurementaaaaa1 Harvard University (US), 2 University of Cambridge (UK), 3 Yale University (US), 4 University College London (UK), 5 Imperial College London (UK), 6 University of Oxford (UK), 7 University of Chicago (US), 8 Princeton University (US), 9 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (US), 10 California Institute of Technology (US).With the growing concern on climate change virtually the globe, most of the universities are taking this issue into consideration. For instance, Harvard University monitors and publishes its greenhouse gas emissions statistic s across its various schools in North America campus. As shown in their report (Harvard, 2008), the university managed to totally decrease its greenhouse gas emission to the amount of -2.3% in social class 2008 compared to year 2006 in their North America campus. At Harvard, they also notice the issue of green buildings through defining Leadership in Energy and Environmental architectural plan (LEED) hears. As mentioned in their environmental report (ibid.), LEED is a rating system for green buildings and provides a nationally accepted third-party verification that a building project meets the highest performance standards. Similarly, in University of Cambridge, a student network named Architecture sans Frontires (ASF) considers the possibilities of a new socially and environmentally responsible architecture. Through lectures and exhibitions, this network aims to get people thinking about how buildings can respond to the needs of society and the environment (Cambridge, 2007). Yal e University also has an office of sustainability where they run various projects such as LEED rating. Similarly, California Institute of Technology utilizes the LEED standard to ensure its buildings meet and maintain a high level of energy, water and resource efficiency. In another instance, Imperial College London was recognised by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) for the efforts of the Facilities heed department to reduce its carbon production. Interestingly, University of Chicago has an interesting website called green guide where they provide information related to health and environmental topics at the University of Chicago and share tips with visitors on how to live a greener life (Chicago, 2006). The university also provided eco-tip of the month in its website. Overall, all the studied universities take their environmental responsibility seriously and are involved in this regard. CONCLUSIONThis study showed that world leading universities are aware of their environmental impacts and have taken necessary steps toward sustainability. Many of them have defined annual plans with objectives to achieve. This can be considered as a benchmark for other universities around the globe. However, the key to success of such plans is commitment from all levels of management specially top leaders. As discussed by Wickenberg (2006) and cited by Axelsson et al. (2008), the norm support given by the leaders of the universities is necessary and crucial to success in local implementation of sustainability plans. This is supported by the research of Christensen et al. (2009) who showed that in spite of adopting an environmental policy and sign an agreement to work for sustainable universities, Aalborg University (Denmark) failed to reach its objectives due to the lack of commitment from top management, the missing acceptance from technical staff, and a narrow understanding of the universitys environmental impacts. Other universities and the ir leaders can benchmark these plans and culture to organize their own sustainability and environmental plans. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTThe first author would like to thank Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) for supporting this research through providing Vice-Chancellor Award. REFERENCESAlshuwaikhat, HM and Abubakar, I 2008, An integrated approach to achieving campus sustainability assessment of the current campus environmental management practices, Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 16, pp. 1777-85.Aragn-Correa, J A 1998, Strategic proactivity and firm approach to the natural environment, Academy of Management Journal, Vol. 41, No. 5, pp. 556-567.Axelsson, H, Sonesson, K, and Wickenberg, P 2008, Why and how do universities work for sustainability in higher education (HE)?, International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Vol. 9, No. 4, pp. 469-478.Cambridge, 2007, Resources Volunteering opportunities, Retrieved on February 22, 2010 from http//webservices.admin.cam.ac.uk/outreach/pa ges/activities.jsp?category=50.Capriotti, P, and Morenob, A 2007, Corporate citizenship and public relations The importance and interactivity of social responsibility issues on corporate websites, Public traffic Review, Vol. 33, No. 1, pp. 84-91. Cspedes-Lorente, J, Burgos-Jimne, J D, and Alvarez-Gil, M J 2003, Stakeholders environmental influence. An empirical analysis in the Spanish hotel industry, Scandinavian Journal of Management, Vol. 19, No. 3, pp. 333-358.Chicago, 2006, Green Guide, Retrieved on February 22, 2010 from http//greenguide.uchicago.edu.Christensen, P, Thrane, M, Jrgensen, T H, and Lehmann, M 2009, Sustainable development assessing the gap between preaching and practice at Aalborg University, International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Vol. 10, No. 1, pp. 4-20.Cramer, J 1998, Environmental management From fit to stretch, Business Strategy and the Environment, Vol. 7, No. 3, pp. 162-172.Haden, SS, Oyler, PH and Humphreys, JH 2009, Historical, prac tical and theoretical perspectives on green management an exploratory analysis, Management Decision, Vol. 47, No. 7, pp. 1041-55.Harvard, 2008, Summary of Environmental Performance at Harvard, Retrieved on February 22, 2010 from http//www.provost.harvard.edu/institutional_research/Provost_-_09_36_39Green.pdf.Hoffman, AJ and Woody, JG 2008, Climate Change? Whats Your Business Strategy?, Harvard Business School Press, Boston, MA.Jabbour, C J C 2010, Greening of business schools a systemic view, International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Vol. 11, No. 1, pp. 49-60.Klassen, R D, and Angell, L C 1998, An international comparison of environmental management in operations The impact of manufacturing flexibility in the US and Germany, Journal of Operations Management, Vol. 16, No. 2, pp. 177-194.Klassen, R D, and Whybark, D C 1999, Environmental management in operations The selection of environmental technologies, Decisions Sciences, Vol. 30, No. 3, pp. 601-630.Peattie, K, and Ringler, A 1994, Management and the environment in the United Kingdom and Germany A comparison, European Management Journal, Vol. 12, No. 2, pp. 216-225.Rauch, J N and Newman, J, 2009, Institutionalizing a greenhouse gas emission reduction target at Yale, International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Vol. 10, No. 4, pp. 390-400.THE 2009, Times Higher Education, online, retrieved 09 December 2009, from http//www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/Rankings2009-Top200.html, Accessed on December 09, 2009.Wickenberg, P. (2006), Norm supporting actors and structures at the very local level of implementation of sustainable development, in Holmberg and Samuelsson (Eds), Higher Education, in Drivers and Barriers for Implementing Sustainable Development in Higher Education. Education for Sustainable Development in Action (Technical Paper No 3), UNESCO Education.Wright, T 2010, University presidents conceptualizations of sustainability in higher education, International Journal of S ustainability in Higher Education, Vol. 11, No. 1, pp. 61-73.2

Zinc hyperaccumulation :: science

Zinc hyperaccumulationZinc hyperaccumulation in Thlaspi caerulescens as a chemical demur against herbivory gazump Thlaspi caerulescens is one of several plant species known to pucker heavy metals in excess of 2% of their above ground plant biomass. The reasons for hyperaccumulation ar unknown, still several studies conclude that it may be a plant chemical defence. This has been of interest to biologists because these metals are usually toxic. The accumulation of these metals may serve as a model for coevolution. We examined the effects of zinc hyperaccumulation in Thlaspi on Xanthomonas campestris and found that the plants containing zinc thrived when inoculated with this bacteria, while plants not containing zinc showed signs of deterioration. INTRODUCTION There are several wild plant species that have the ability to accumulate game quantities of heavy metals in their above ground biomass, up to three percent or more. Many of these plants are found in the Brassicaceae family throughout Europe and the British Isles. These plants thrive on mineral outcrops with calamine and serpentine soils rich with high levels of zinc, cadmium, and nickel (Baker et al, 1994). Several theories have been advanced on the reasons for this hyperaccumulation. Boyd and Martens propose that it could be a form of drought resistance, inadvertent uptake, interference, tolerance or disposal of metal from the plant, or a chemical defence against herbivory or pathogens. Several studies have supported the chemical defence hypothesis. Martens and Boyd (1994 and Boyd and Martens, 1994) showed that nickel hyperaccumulation is an effective defence against insect herbivores in two different feeding experiments. Boyd et at (1994) also demonstrated that nickel hyperaccumulating plants resisted pathogens including Xanthomonas campestris. Thlaspi caerulescens J. and C. Presl (Brassicaceae) is a hyperaccumulating plant found in the British Isles. It has been shown to accumulate 10,000 ppm (1%) of its biomass in zinc (Bakeret at, 1994), and Pollard and Baker (1997) suggest that this is an effective defence against herbivory for this species. This paper explores the effects of zinc hyperaccumulation in Thlaspi as a defence against Xanthomonas campestris. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thlaspi caerulescens seeds were collected in Cloughwood, U. K. These seeds germinated on polyester beads supported in expanded polystyrene rafts floating on one-tenth strength Rorisons final result (Hewitt, 1966). These containers were placed in a Conviron E-15 environmental growth chamber at the following settings 20 C, 90% RH, 16 hr day, and 8 hr night. later on three weeks, twenty seedlings were transferred to 4 rafts composed of expanded styrene on polyethylene, each supporting five plants individually.

Life and Health Plan Essay -- Personal Narrative Health

I am in pretty good health right now where I am at in life. My family does not have a history of anything that drive out be described that could be foreseen as a problem. What I can speak about is a generalized health maintenance and plan for staying healthy that should be easy to follow and quite rewarding. I will talk about eating disorders specifically so as to adhere to the instruction of the assignment. Eating disorders are some of the top concerns with any person that has health concerns regarding food.To launch sure that someone can be successful in achieving a healthy body it is important to set ends that you can adhere to. One close that is very important to me is easily to live a long and productive life. This can be considered a physical answer goal in the hotshot that without exercise you can not really expect the same rewarding health as you would with regular exercise. As another goal that would help in maintaining health I would like to set monthly bespeaks for weight and physical fitness that are realistic and obtainable. By setting a personal target weight you can compare your weight once a week and see an accurate model of what is happening with your diet and exercise plan. Developing an exercise plan that keeps you motivated and makes the time spent fun and rewarding is important to ensure the best results from any plan. On the nutritional side of a goal oriented approach to health the best idea is the simplest. By watching your caloric intake and serving sizes you can cut out a big(p) amount of the fat causing nutrients as well as high sodium and other things that could potentially jeopardize your health plan. In order to reach out your goals you must keep to your plan easy to follow and keep it fun and motivated ... ..., December 31). Dripping With Sweat . Retrieved June 8, 2008, from Firstpath.com Web site http//www.firstpath.com/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=firstpath/story.html?article=1219Lawlor, Debbie (2001, troop 31). The ef fectiveness of exercise as an intervention in the management of depression systematic review and meta-regression analysis of randomised controlled trials. Retrieved June 8, 2008, from BMJ Web site http//bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/ face-lift/322/7289/763Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, (2007, Dec 7). Food and Nutrition. Retrieved May 13, 2008, from Mayo Clinic Web site http//www.mayoclinic.com/health/food-and-nutrition/NU99999 Swenson, Jim (2006 October). Ask a Scientist. Retrieved May 13, 2008, from Argonne home(a) Labrotory Web site http//www.newton.dep.anl.gov/aas.htm med.umich.edu/1libr/sma/sma_fluids_sma.htm