The Importance of Continuing Professional Development

This essay aims to discuss the importance of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) within a National Health Service (NHS) medical imaging department; and how it contributes to delivering high quality patient-centred care. It will include any associated advantages and/or disadvantages to the NHS and imaging department; and discuss the impact of compulsory CPD associated with management and service delivery. Finally, radiography specific examples of CPD currently documented within the NHS will we stated with suggestions for increased uptake of CPD within imaging departments. CPD is described by the Health Professionals Council (HPC) as ‘a range of learning activities through which individuals can maintain and develop throughout their careers, to ensure that they retain a capacity to practice legally, safely and effectively within an evolving scope of practice’ (HPC, 2006: 1). All radiographers must be registered by the HPC in order to practice in the United Kingdom; ensuring regulation and compliance with prescribed standards of practice. This therefore provides public protection. In 2005 the HPC made CPD a mandatory requirement for all health professionals in order to remain registered, or if renewing registration (SCoR, 2008: 5). Registrants are required to keep accurate, continuous and up-to-date CPD records of activities. This includes professionals in full or part-time work, in management, research or education (HPC, 2006: 3). The activities should be varied and include for example, work based learning, professional activity, formal education and self directed learning; which should have relevance to current or future practice (HPC, 2006: 2). The practitioner must aim to show that the quality of their practice, service delivery and service user have benefited as a result of the CPD. In addition to patients, ‘service user’ also encompasses clients, department-team and students (HPC, 2006: 4). To ensure compliance with HPC standards, a random selection of registrants are audited with their CPD profile being submitted and reviewed. The practitioners profile must demonstrate a representative sample of activities, with a minimum of twelve recorded pieces spanning the previous two years; documenting professional development. HPC, 2006: 3). The process of CPD requires the practitioner to review their practice regularly, in order to identifying learning requirements (SCoR, 2008: 1). After performance of the CPD activity, an evaluation and written statement summarises its impact, quality and value to future practice (SCoR, 2008: 2). Although some CPD learning activities will occur spontaneously it may also be done through discussion with a manager (SCoR, 2008: 4). This continuous process maintains and enhances expertise, knowledge and competence, both formally and informally; beyond initial training (Jones and Jenkins, 2007: 7). It allows ongoing development through life-long learning and ensures the practitioner achieves their full potential, helping provide a high quality patient-centred service, based on up to date evidence (RCR, 2007: 10). The advancement of diagnostic imaging and the demand for imaging services in the NHS has significantly affected the role of the radiographer (Smith and Reeves, 2010: 1). Understanding that radiographer’s initial training is not sufficient for the duration of their career, coupled with many significant government developments, has emphasised the need for CPD; with associated advantages and disadvantages to the NHS and imaging department (Jones and Jenkins, 2007: 7). French and Dowds (2008: 193), suggests that through CPD, professionals can achieve professional and personal growth, acquire, develop and improve skills required for new roles and responsibilities. In support of this Lee (2010: 4) suggests that CPD related to self-confidence, improved ability to problem solve, with a greater understanding of local and national organisational needs. However, it was consistently found that new skills and knowledge deriving from CPD activities could not be utilised, due to trust protocols and policies (Lee, 2010: 3). This suggests that when CPD is harnessed and applied effectively it is advantageous to both the practitioner, imaging department and NHS, yet the organisation can restrict its application, therefore not utilising its potential benefits (French and Dowds, 2008: 195). High-quality, cost effective patient-centred care is central to the modernisation of health service. To achieve this government policy is focussing on multi-professional working, new roles and increased flexibility throughout the workforce (RCR, 2006: 6). Therefore, a practitioner’s ability to extend and adapt their roles within this rapidly changing environment is central to the NHS’s and imaging departments development (Jones and Jenkins, 2007: 7). Gould et al (2007: 27) suggests reduced patient mortality has been strongly correlated with CPD; and patient outcomes are improved with multi-professional team-working. However Gibbs (2011: 3) suggests that tensions may occur with implementation of a multi-professional approach to working, resulting from practitioners preferring to stay within familiar professional boundaries. Although this suggests there are significant patient benefits to role adaption as a result of CPD, It may only be utilised if practitioners have the willingness and motivation to develop their roles (Gould et al, 2007: 31). With role adaptation initiatives however, there are risks of reduced standards of care; with practitioners needing to remain aware of their scope of practice and accountability (RCR, 2006: 10). To ensure clinical governance standards are maintained; audits should be used to check performance and compliance against agreed standards (RCR, 2006: 10). An essential element of CPD is being able to reflect and learn from experiences, including service failures (SCoR, 2005: 1). Understanding why something has happened and implementing a positive change in practice, as a result, will contribute to continual improvement in services systems (RCR, 2006: 10). Gibbs (2011: 2) suggests that CPD helps the NHS comply with local and national strategies, in addition to quality monitoring and good governance. This helps provide patient safety whilst minimising medical negligence penalties; in 2008-2009 alone the claims against the NHS were ? 769 million (Shekar, 2010: 31). The Agenda for Change resulted from a workforce crisis, resulting from low staff morale, lack of professional progression and unchallenging careers. The importance of lifelong learning was recognised as being pivotal in addressing these issues (Jones and Jenkins, 2007: 10). It introduced a four-tier structure, incorporating a competency based system for continual learning, the Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF); this provided fair CPD access to all (Gould et al, 2007: 27). Within the imaging department it promoted, encouraged and expedited role development and generated new radiographic roles (Woodford, 2005: 321). It was highlighted that in order to meet service needs and radiographer aspirations role development was necessary (Woodford, 2005: 320). It provided improvements in equal opportunities, career development with improved CPD opportunities; and consequently increased morale and retention rates (DH, 2004: 2). However, Williamson and Mundy (2009: 46) suggest that if role development and career aspirations did not materialise the investment in recruitment, retention and improved morale would be wasted. As a consequence a depleted workforce and lack of service provision, could potentially compromise patient safety (Gibbs, 2011: 2). An annual appraisal and personal development plan is a requisite of the KSF. This identifies individual training requirements and formulation of a CPD plan; highlighting targets and objectives that meet the organisation needs and practitioners career aspirations; followed by performance review (Gould et al, 2007: 27). This cultivates effective training and development throughout all stages of an individual’s career, in addition to highlighting areas for development within the department team (Gould et al, 2007: 28). Jones and Jenkins (2007: 7) suggest that an annual appraisal can help structure and guide an individual CPD, creating a better standard of service. Additionally, Gould et al. (2007: 29) found that poorly planned CPD could have little to do with the appraisal, service or staff development (Woodford, 2005: 324). This indicates efficiently planned CPD and personal development plan can help develop the inherent potential in staff, improving knowledge in best practice whilst promoting a greater degree of autonomy (Jones and Jenkins, 2007: 10). However, to achieve this clear communication with the manager ensuring joint agreement and appropriateness of training requirements is necessary (Jones and Jenkins, 2007: 11). Manager responsibilities include the development of the workforce for good service delivery, with identification and provision of appropriate education and training. This ensures practitioner roles are supported, safe to practice and suitable for the purpose (RCR, 2005: 8). Compulsory CPD does not guarantee that learning occurs in practitioners who lack motivation; compliance with regulations may be their only impetus (Jones and Jenkins, 2007: 9). Barriers may be affecting participation, for example, the individual may feel a lack of choice in determining particular learning needs with the manager dictating the activity; or personal conflict with the idea that adult learning should be self-motivated and a self-directed process (Lee, 2010: 3). French and Dowds (2008: 194) highlight a number of other barriers to CPD participation, including time constraints, the CPD being of no professional relevance, inadequate finances, not enough staff to cover and a lack managerial encouragement. In support of this Gould et al (2007: 606) identified barriers to CPD in particular groups, including those nearing retirement, staff working only at weekends or nights and part-time staff. This indicates the need for managers to understand the factors that inhibit and facilitate the practitioner’s ability to effectively engage in CPD; therefore ensuring the staffs’ continued HPC compliance and retention of registration (SCoR, 2009: 3). Although motivation towards CPD is pivotal it needs to work in association with protected study time, opportunities and recognition that CPD is integral to patient care (Jones and Jenkins, 2007: 11). With financial constraints managers can find it challenging to provide sufficient opportunities and resources for practitioners to undertake CPD (French and Dowds, 2008: 195). With money and time being invested the input must be justified. Gibbs (2011: 2) suggests that informal learning cannot be assessed unlike formal learning; and it is hard to show how either will be applied to practice. However, nurses in a study by Gould et al (2007: 606) felt that work based-learning helped to keep staff motivated, interested and had more impact on patient care. This suggests that although informal learning is a subjective process, there are perceived benefits; furthermore, reflecting on personal experience will increase proficiency (French and Dowds, 2008: 194). If funding is insufficient, managers may see CPD as an extravagance that cannot be afforded (Gibbs, 2011: 2). With the substantial costs of replacing an NHS professional, it seems logical for employers to finance CPD, therefore securing a motivated and proactive workforce, whilst safeguarding service delivery (French and Dowds, 2008: 195). Compulsory CPD required by the HPC has the advantage of ensuring competence in registered practitioners, therefore providing public protection and confidence in the service (Gibbs, 2011: 2). As radiographers are required to base their CPD on recent research, patients should expect to be diagnosed and treated with currently approved approaches (Gibbs, 2011: 3). However, it is difficult to establish if there is improved patient outcome directly resulting from CPD, as many other variables could have an affect (French and Dowds, 2008: 194). This would suggest that compulsory CPD has the potential to provide better quality patient-centred service, however if insufficient audit and research to evaluate the practice is not in place, there is no evidence to support its influence on service provision (SCoR, 2010: 4). Compulsory CPD also has a positive impact on the range of activities and quantity of CPD undertaken (French and Dowds, 2008: 192). This affords further opportunities within the profession and is integral to the extension of professional roles and boundaries; complying with current drives for service improvement (Williamson and Mundy, 2009: 41). Woodford (2005: 321) states ‘double barium contrast enema was one example of role extension benefitting service to patients by reducing long waiting lists and numbers of unreported examinations’. The evaluated studies established better service provision, for example patient waiting times; freeing up radiologists time to perform other duties, and cost effectiveness (Woodford, 2005: 325). However, Smith and Reeves (2010: 113) state that there were barriers to adopting radiographic role-extension from radiologists, who hindered the radiographer’s progression. This suggests that intent from radiographers and government to achieve improved patient services can be impeded without the support and co-operation of radiologists who are central to the radiographic team and necessary to implement the changes (Woodford, 2005: 325). The financial challenges affecting the NHS have reduced CPD opportunities (Gibbs, 2011: 3). To help increase local uptake, innovative and cost effective approaches can be fostered in a supportive learning environment within the imaging department (French and Dowds, 2008: 195). Gibbs (2011: 4) suggest that the least costly CPD options are often overlooked, with poorly resourced departments often underutilising these opportunities. Work-based learning (WBL) for example journal clubs, in-service education programmes staff/student supervision, or taking time to reflective on practice (HPC, 2009: 6), provides an effective, flexible way of enhancing practice within the workplace: and also enables easier staff release (Gibbs, 2011: 3). It is important to ensure that the activities are linked to evidence-based practice for recognition of academic learning (Gibbs, 2011: 4). However, although these activities may have reduced monetary implications they still use time (Jones and Jenkins, 2007: 11). Hardacre and Schneider (2007: 12) suggest that WBL offers the benefits of familiar staff surroundings, provision of a staff-support network and programmes that are designed around staff and the organisation; which helps meet their needs. French and Dowds (2008: 194) suggest that professional practice showed positive change as a result of hands-on training. Although the convenience of WBL is apparent, it could restrict radiographers CPD opportunities in higher education; with employers preferring the WBL as it revolves around the organisations work, rather than for professional gain; this could inhibit the growth of the practitioner and service development (Munro, 2008: 954). Specialist practitioners could find suitable CPD courses hard to access locally; with the expense of providing for small groups. However, the KSF could be used to identify similar issues within other trusts, by collaborating when commissioning, costs could be reduced due to the increased number of participants (Gould et al, 2007: 30). Communicating CPD needs between other trusts and providers of education could be a cost effective approach to CPD opportunities, and could prevent duplication of similar courses locally (Gibbs, 2011: 2). Utilising technologies more extensively provides a diverse range of CPD activities such as webcasts, podcasts, on-line packages, CORe-learning programmes, video conferencing and discussion boards. (Gibbs, 2011: 4). This offers a flexible approach to updating skills and knowledge, with post-evaluation being quickly and easily accessible. However it is dependent on computer skills, educational level and internet access (French and Dowds, 2008: 193).

Storm Born Chapter Twenty-Eight

About two days passed before I had enough of a grip on consciousness to get out of bed. I had dim recollections of a commotion outside Aeson's stronghold after returning to my body that night but little more. Shaya had cradled me in her arms. Dorian had yelled for a healer. But best of all, beside me I'd seen Kiyo stir. Now I woke up in one of Dorian's many guest rooms. It was smaller than his but as opulently decorated as everything else around there. I'd come to a few times before this but only now found the strength to stay up. Nia, who had hovered by my side the entire time, remained less convinced. â€Å"You shouldn't†¦you need to sleep more†¦.† I was stripping off the long chemise they'd put me in, trading up for my recently laundered clothes. â€Å"If I sleep any more, I'll be dead, and I've already come too close to that. Where's Dorian? I need to talk to him.† â€Å"I'm sure he'd come to you, your majesty.† I winced at the title. â€Å"No. Just take me to him.† Despite her protests, her sense of duty couldn't disobey the order. She led me through the maze of corridors where I earned a number of curious looks from the various occupants. Since my initial arrival, I'd become sort of a common fixture around here, accepted and ignored. Now people regarded me with the same frightened curiosity I'd first received. Outdoors, we found Dorian in one of the gardens, standing over a small, fluffy dog. Muran hovered nearby, and between them, they tried unsuccessfully to coax the dog to lie down and roll over. It merely sat looking at them, tail thumping. Dorian noticed me first, his face breaking into a wide smile. The healers had been at work on him too; no trace of the burns remained. â€Å"Queen Eugenie, lovely to see you out and about.† Muran nearly fell all over himself to bow. â€Å"Y-your majesty.† â€Å"We need to talk,† I told Dorian firmly. â€Å"Alone.† â€Å"I never tire of being alone with you. Nia, take this unreasonable beast away with you. And take the dog too.† He waved them off. Once alone with him, I demanded, â€Å"What the hell were you thinking?† â€Å"There are so many incidents to which you could be referring, I don't even know where to start.† â€Å"Yes, you do. You made me queen of Aeson's kingdom.† â€Å"Your kingdom now, my dear.† I paced around in the grass irritably. It was the middle of the day, crisp and sunny. â€Å"I didn't want it. You had no right to do it.† â€Å"It's done. Besides, if I hadn't, someone else might have snatched it up. Would you have liked to see your charming little sister on the throne?† That stopped me. Extensive searching had found no trace of Jasmine. She seemed to have gotten away cleanly during the yeshin fight. â€Å"Give it to someone else. There has to be a better choice than Jasmine or me.† â€Å"Give it away?† He laughed his wondrous melodic laugh, the one that declared all the world was a joke. â€Å"The land recognized you. You can't go back on that. It's yours forever†¦well, at least until you die. Or pass it on to an heir.† â€Å"Great. Here we go again. I might have known you'd start pushing that.† â€Å"I did no such thing, but†¦since you brought it up†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I stopped pacing and glared at him. â€Å"Quit it. I don't want to talk about it. I don't even want to think about it.† Some of his humor faded. â€Å"Maybe you should. Jasmine certainly will be. If she has a son first, all your good intentions won't matter. You say you don't want it, but you know†¦it could all turn out differently if you beat her to it.† It was so alarmingly close to what Storm King had told me in the Underworld that I didn't even know what to say at first. Was this a coincidence? I felt pretty sure that all I'd seen there had been an illusion, meant to test my resolve and make me face my fears. â€Å"What's wrong?† Dorian asked, seeing my face. There was nothing sly or knowing in his expression, only worry. â€Å"Nothing. Look, forget about the prophecy for a minute. Go back to the Alder Land thing. If you were so worried about it falling into the wrong hands, why didn't you just seize it for yourself?† â€Å"Why, Eugenie, do you think me so power hungry?† â€Å"Yes. I do. I've heard and seen as much. When these kingdoms were formed, you wanted more. And you had your chance when Aeson died.† He didn't answer, and I pushed on, knowing I was right. â€Å"But that would have upset a lot of people, wouldn't it? Maiwenn and the others might have turned against you. But by making me Alder Queen†¦you got a placeholder. No one can say anything because I defeated Aeson fairly in battle, and now you have easy access to the same power. You plan to use me and this fucking title to extend your control.† â€Å"You have a very low opinion of me. No wonder you're so upset.† â€Å"Come on. Why else would you have done it?† He stared in astonishment. â€Å"Why, because I love you.† He said it as though it was the most reasonable thing in the whole world. Like I should have known this already. â€Å"You barely even know me.† â€Å"We've known each other almost as long as you've known the kitsune, and I daresay you think you're in love with him. Your little foray that night demonstrated as much. By the gods, that was one of the most foolish things I've ever witnessed. You stopped breathing. I thought you were dead.† I heard the catch in his voice, and it really struck me that he just might love me after all. It gave me a strange feeling, one I didn't know how to cope with. Dorian loving a person was almost incomprehensible. I thought of him as loving only his own amusements and ambitions. â€Å"I do love Kiyo,† I said in a low voice. â€Å"And if we can work it out†¦I'm going to – â€Å" He shrugged, carefree and lax again. â€Å"It doesn't matter. I don't mind sharing you.† â€Å"You told Aeson you don't share.† â€Å"As a general rule, no – and certainly not with the likes of him – but I don't think you'll give me exclusivity, so I must compromise.† â€Å"There isn't going to be any exclusivity or compromise.† â€Å"So you say. You also said you'd never come to my bed in the first place. Or that you'd ever use magic. You probably said a dozen other things too. We all saw how those turned out.† â€Å"Stop it. I'm serious about this.† â€Å"And so am I. You're a queen now. You control part of this world. Ally with me, and we'll be the greatest power since your father.† â€Å"I don't want the power or the Alder Land.† â€Å"It's the Thorn Land now.† â€Å"I – what?† â€Å"The land conformed itself to you. The Alder Land was Aeson's domain. Yours is the Thorn Land. You're the Thorn Queen.† â€Å"The smokethorn,† I recalled. If someone tried to force a crown of thorns on me, that was going to be seriously fucked up. â€Å"Very fitting actually. A tree covered in beauty yet possessing a sharp and deadly core.† I shook my head. â€Å"I don't care about metaphors. I don't want to rule this kingdom.† He moved into my space, something passionate kindling in those gold-green eyes. â€Å"So what? You think you can just ignore it? Pretend it'll go away? The land conformed itself to your will! You can't turn away from that. Its survival depends on you – particularly since, for reasons only the gods know, you turned it into a wasteland.† I faltered. â€Å"Well†¦I'll get one of those people†¦you know, someone who rules in your place†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"A regent? That'll only work for so long. You can't avoid the land. You have to come back and visit it, or it will die. You're connected now.† â€Å"I didn't want this, Dorian.† I felt tired. Maybe getting up hadn't been such a good idea after all. â€Å"You shouldn't have done it.† â€Å"We'll have to agree to disagree on that, but I'll do what I can to make amends. Take Shaya. She'd make an excellent regent. And I'll give you Rurik and Nia and any other servants you seem to like reasonably well.† â€Å"I don't really like Rurik.† â€Å"No, but he'll be as loyal as that dog I just had. More so, actually, considering what an unreasonable little bastard it was. Rurik will sift through what's left of Aeson's guard and keep only those who'll support you.† â€Å"You mean who support Storm King.† â€Å"It's the best I can do,† he said with a shrug. â€Å"You may take it or not. And you'll still have to fill other positions yourself. Nia will do nicely for a lady-in-waiting, but she's not quite up to being a seneschal. You'll need one of those. And a herald too.† He spoke like he was reciting things I needed to pick up at the grocery store. â€Å"Oh, God. I'm trapped in the fucking Chronicles of Narnia.† â€Å"I'm sure that would be an amusing reference, if I understood it. For now, I can do no more. I'm giving up some of my favorites for you. The rest is in your hands.† There was a smile on his face, but his eyes were serious. â€Å"No matter what you think of me and my motivations, I swear to you I wouldn't have had you seize Aeson's land if I didn't think you were worthy. There's power burning inside of you, Eugenie. I meant it when I said you'd surpass us all.† I shook my head and turned away, unable to hear this. â€Å"I'm leaving now. I really don't want to see you again. Nothing personal. Well, yeah, actually it is.† I started walking toward the door. â€Å"What about your magic lessons?† I froze. â€Å"What about them?† â€Å"Don't you want to continue them?† I slowly turned around. â€Å"I have some control now. Not great control, but enough to keep me from doing something stupid.† â€Å"And that's good enough for you?† He took a few steps toward me. â€Å"You killed one of this world's greatest magic users with a novice's control of water. Imagine when you master it – and the other elements.† â€Å"No. I'm not going to. I don't need to.† â€Å"I thought you liked the way it made you feel.† The ghostly memory of power flared up in my mind, and I swallowed, willing it to go away. I shook my head at him. â€Å"Goodbye, Dorian.† I started to turn again, but he caught my shoulder and pulled me into a kiss. He deserved to be slapped, but the kiss was exquisite, just like all his kisses. And feeling him against me reminded me of our night together, how he'd brought me to a wildness I didn't think myself capable of. â€Å"That's the last time you're going to kiss me,† I warned when it ended. He smiled knowingly, and in his eyes, I could see his own memories of that night. â€Å"So you say.† I left him and returned to my own world. Kiyo found me a few days later, as I'd know he would. I'd been out running errands and came home to see him sitting on my doorstep, in human form. He wore a white cotton shirt, tucked neatly into khakis. The black hair was brushed away from his face, and his dark eyes were as smoky and sensual as ever. He looked good – and healthy. Like Dorian, he'd enjoyed the benefits of gentry healing magic. In fact, Kiyo had received the very best: Maiwenn had tended him during his recovery. â€Å"Come on in,† I said, unlocking the door. He entered wordlessly, following and waiting as I put away my keys and purse. I offered him iced tea and then sat down with him on the couch, wanting to say so much and not knowing where to start. â€Å"You look better than the last time I saw you,† I finally said. His teeth flashed in a lovely smile. â€Å"Wouldn't take much.† I looked away. â€Å"Maiwenn did a good job.† I felt his hand reach out and turn my face toward him. Those fingers held the same warmth I remembered, the same electric tingle. â€Å"The way I hear it, it was more you than her.† â€Å"I didn't do so much.† He tsked me. â€Å"Honesty, Eugenie.† â€Å"All right, it was bad. Really bad. But I'd do it again.† â€Å"You're a crazy, wonderful woman. I can't repay what you did.† I started. â€Å"There's nothing to repay. Why on earth would you think that?† â€Å"Because I didn't deserve it. Not after the way – â€Å" â€Å"No. Forget it. I†¦I shouldn't have freaked out over it. Not over something that happened before you even met me.† What I didn't add was that I could suddenly empathize with how dangerous certain bits of information could be to a relationship. Like, say, revealing how a gentry king had initiated you into sexual bondage. â€Å"I still should have told you.† â€Å"Yeah,† I conceded, â€Å"you should have. But it's done. I can live with it.† His arm had snaked around me in that subtle way he had. â€Å"What are you saying?† â€Å"You know what I'm saying. There's too much between us†¦I'm not ready to give that up yet.† The arm pulled me closer, and there was a slight tremble in his voice when he spoke. â€Å"Oh, God, Eugenie. I've missed you so much. You're like a part of me.† â€Å"I know.† We held each other for a quiet moment, and then I heard him say in carefully measured tones, â€Å"I hear you're a queen now.† â€Å"That's what they say.† â€Å"How do you feel about that?† â€Å"Use your imagination.† â€Å"Dorian had no right to do that.† There was a growl in Kiyo's voice. â€Å"You're preaching to the choir here. I already had that argument with him. He doesn't see it as wrong. He thinks I should keep progressing in magic too.† The hand stroking my face stopped moving. He pulled away slightly so he could look me in the eyes. â€Å"That's an even worse idea. You aren't going to, are you? I mean, you got what you needed from him, right?† â€Å"Right.† He visibly relaxed, again touching my cheek with a sensual languor. â€Å"We'll get you through the queen thing. I won't let anything happen to you.† â€Å"There you go again with the macho protectiveness thing. Who brought who back from the dead?† â€Å"Fair point.† I gave voice to something I'd wondered about for a while now. â€Å"How†¦how did you know when I was at Aeson's anyway? Did you really stake out his place and wait for me?† His eyes crinkled with seductive mischief. Moving his hands to my back, he let his fingers trace the still-healing scars from where he'd scratched me. â€Å"There's no place you can go that I can't find you.† I groaned. I'd forgotten about that. â€Å"Those damned things are going to heal one of these days.† â€Å"I'll make more.† We leaned into a kiss, and like that, things were solved between us. We didn't need many words to get across how we felt. Maybe that's how it is with someone you really love, someone you're connected to. That wasn't to say we didn't have reams of communication to hash through in the future, not if we were going to attempt some sort of relationship. But for now, the kiss conveyed enough. It was an exchange of heat, an exchange of love, and it felt like coming home. â€Å"I've still got to make amends,† he told me, his lips only a fraction of an inch from mine, â€Å"no matter how magnanimous you're feeling. You know, the usual. Chocolate. Flowers.† â€Å"Whatever. I don't need the covert signs to know you want to have sex with me. There are plenty of more obvious ones.† â€Å"Like what?† â€Å"Like your hand on my breast.† â€Å"No. This is still subtle.† He pulled my body to his, melding us together. â€Å"Now, when my mouth is there, then you'll know – â€Å" â€Å"You're such a freak. Sex got us into this mess. I don't know that it's healthy to rely on it to fix everything.† â€Å"Only one way to find out.† Queenly authority or no, I didn't do a very good job of protesting. And when he pushed me down on the couch, I didn't do a very good job of protesting that we should go to the bedroom. Fortunately, Tim never came home, so I didn't shock his sensibilities again. Whatever words he'd withheld in our conversation came out as Kiyo made love to me, telling me he wanted me, would love me forever, and would do anything in the world for me. They were the sort of promises all people make when they're falling in love, but that didn't make them any less powerful. I floated on them long after he left that evening, awash in emotion and contentment and residual lust. I was getting dressed in my bedroom when a voice behind me said: â€Å"He's a mistake, you know. So is the Oak King. You're better off without either of them.† I jumped and spun around angrily on Volusian. â€Å"Don't sneak up on me like that! Christ. Were you watching me out there? What is it with you Otherworldly types and your fetishes? Exhibitionists and bondage and voyeurism. Good grief.† His red eyes regarded me levelly as I finished pulling on my shirt. â€Å"I was not joking, mistress.† â€Å"About Dorian and Kiyo? What's the matter with them? Well, Dorian's kind of obvious, but Kiyo's all right.† He shook his head. â€Å"Hardly. He is a fox, and part of him thinks like one. He regards you as his mate, and that is a dangerous thing. He and Dorian are both zealots in their way. They sit at different ends of the spectrum, perhaps, but both are fixed in their beliefs. Each will have his own agenda for you – even the kitsune, whose views you tend to agree with. They will each try to dominate you and make you think it was your idea.† For one uneasy moment, I thought about how sex had been with each man. Aggressive. Controlling. I'd had small pieces of control, but in the end, I had always been pushed to submission, a submission I welcomed. There was only the one night with Kiyo – the night I'd woken up in the afterglow of remembered power – that I had truly been the dominant one. â€Å"You would do better to find someone milder and more malleable. Someone less ambitious.† I considered his words. Maybe he was right. Maybe. â€Å"Men without ambition are boring.† â€Å"And that attitude, mistress, is why the females of your kind continue to struggle for equality. And why they continue to fail.† I sat on the bed and clasped my hands in front of me. â€Å"I didn't summon you. Was that all you came to tell me, Dr. Love?† â€Å"No. I came to tell you that you need to visit your kingdom sooner rather than later. The people are nervous and restless. You are their queen, and that means something, no matter how much you loathe it. Your people need to see a strong monarch right away.† â€Å"I was hoping to put that off.† My people, huh? â€Å"I wouldn't recommend it. Not unless you want a disaster on your hands.† â€Å"So should I appoint you as one of my advisers now?† â€Å"You may do anything you like. As for me, I tend to share Finn's view. If I cannot rip you apart yet and must be enslaved to someone, I would rather it be to someone more important than a human shaman.† I'd been teasing him, but my feelings sobered at the thought of Finn and poor Nandi. â€Å"You're the last man standing, Volusian. Who would have seen that coming?† â€Å"I did, mistress.† The incredulous look on his face resembled Dorian's when he'd told me he loved me. â€Å"There was never any question. They were inferior.† I laughed. â€Å"I never thought I'd say this, but after everything that's happened, you're the only normal thing I can rely on.† He didn't reply. â€Å"Go back to the Otherworld and stay with Shaya. Tell her I'll be there soon. Only cross over if there's a message I need to hear.† â€Å"As the Thorn Queen wishes.† â€Å"Oh, be quiet.† I spoke the banishing words and sent him on. After that, I stretched out on my bed and tried to assess my life thus far. I was still a shaman, one of the most powerful around if the stories were true. I possessed human means of working and controlling magic, using it to fight and banish anything nasty that slipped into this plane. But I was also gentry, the daughter of one of the Otherworld's biggest tyrants, and I could supposedly be the one to bring about a terrible prophecy – provided my woman-child sister didn't do it first. I was dating a guy who could turn into a fox and who might very well turn on me if I ever got pregnant. I had the love of a king who could tie damned good knots and wanted my help to take over his world and my own. Somehow I'd developed the power to call storms and blow up people. I'd been to the land of death and returned. And finally, I was a queen: the Thorn Queen, which didn't exactly sound flattering. Why couldn't I have been the Violet Queen or s omething? Why trees and not flowers? There was no accounting for Otherworldly tastes. I needed tequila and Def Leppard right away. I walked out to the kitchen, hoping to uncover one or the other but found neither. Instead, I settled for water from a large glass pitcher we kept chilled in the refrigerator. I poured a cup for myself and then set to refilling the pitcher while my mind spun. Why had everything turned so confusing lately? I didn't want any of this. I just wanted Kiyo and the occasional exorcism. Love and a way to pay the mortgage. That was it. I didn't need all this Otherworldly entanglement or the gentry and their games. They offered me nothing. I didn't want anything from any of them. Angrily, I slammed the faucet off and turned toward the refrigerator. I didn't realize how wet my fingers were until the glass pitcher slipped from my hands. Everything after that happened in the space of a heartbeat. The pitcher fell. It hit. It shattered. Without thinking, my senses reached out and seized the water, ordering it to stay where it was. There was nothing to be done for the glass – Yet, it didn't move. The shards hung frozen in midair, just like the water, suspended in the pattern created from the impact. I stared, dumbstruck, until a faint breeze brushed my skin and I realized the fragments trembled slightly. Cautiously, I reached out to that air with my mind and felt its answering resonance. Stretching further, I could sense the currents of power running from me to the space around the glass. The air shifted there as its molecules fought to keep the pieces from falling. Somehow, without even knowing how, I'd made the air obey me, just as I had the water. Only this was a lot more difficult. I gradually became aware of exactly how I affected the air molecules, and the longer I did it, the harder it was. The pieces of glass felt like bricks, their weight heavy on my senses as I kept holding them up. With a casual thought, I sent the water away to my sink. Forcing all of my attention to the glass gave me a little more strength, but I knew my control would give out soon. Still, I held on. I suddenly wanted to dominate the air, understand how it worked and what I needed to do to command it. Imagine when you master it – and the other elements. As I connected to the air, I felt that burning, glorious feeling start to run through me. It still had yet to ever come close to the levels in the dream-memory, but the surge I felt now was stronger and sweeter than anything else I'd felt from controlling water alone. Tim walked in just then, freezing midstep when he saw me. â€Å"Eugenie?† Fatigue beat at my muscles, and sweat broke out along my brow. The glass would fall any moment now, and when it did, the magical high would disappear. I fought as long as I could, but when the glass started to shake violently, I hastily ordered the air to carry the pieces to a nearby garbage can. My control was clumsy; only some of the glass made it. I thought you liked the way it made it made you feel. Gasping, I sat down in a chair, staring at the glass on the floor. Tim was staring at me. â€Å"Eug†¦what just happened?† The euphoria of power flickered briefly as I desperately tried to summon the air again. No luck. That achingly wonderful glory drained out of me, like embers fading from orange to gray. Some part of my soul screamed for it as it disappeared, begging it to come back, swearing that I would do anything at all for it to return. I closed my eyes and swallowed. â€Å"Eugenie,† Tim tried again, â€Å"what was that?† I opened my eyes and followed his gaze to the glass that still lay on the floor. It took me a moment to find my voice, and when I did, it came out soft and husky. â€Å"I don't know. But I think I want it.†

High Fructose Corn Syrup

High-fructose corn syrup is an artificial sweetener generally used in the United States. It is so broadly used because it is both cost-effectively favorable and it helps to preserve food for extended periods of time. Some say that though it is favorable, it has ill effects. High Fructose Corn Syrup According to a 2008 USA Today Article, â€Å"high-fructose corn syrup makes up about 50% of the sweeteners used in the USA but worldwide it's only about 10%†. Every day we eat. We eat our home cooked meals or our fast food rarely thinking about what’s going into our bodies.Often times one of the first ingredients listed on a can of soda or canned fruit is some form of HFCS or high fructose corn syrup. This ingredient, while widely known, is a secret additive to many products in our grocery stores. High Fructose Corn Syrup is one of the cheapest to make but yet it is the hardest for the body to rid of. Since its introduction to food products nearly forty years ago, it has slow ly been added to most foods you feel your family. We as consumers may not pay attention to what goes into our bodies but more and more scientists are.The studies they are conducting mainly consist of trying to find links between HFCS and several major health problems; such as diabetes and obesity. Although key links have not been defined, they have managed to prove what amounts that can be consumed before harm can be determined. Even though these findings have been confirmed and made public, the FDA still considers HFCS to be safe for consumption. The FDA rule says that as long as a product has no chemicals added it cannot be labeled an â€Å"artificial ingredient†. The reason behind this is because HFCS are made from corn, it is not considered an artificial ingredient.The origin of High Fructose Corn Syrup takes its root in the mid 1970’s. A series of sugar tariffs and quotas were imposed in the United States. These restrictions had significantly increased the cost of imported sugar causing domestic producers to seek cheaper avenues. High-fructose corn syrup became a more economical substitue because the price of corn is kept low through government subsidies paid to its growers. As the United States use of high fructose corn syrup increased, sugar was replaced in most foods and beverages. There is USDA data from 2009 that shows the per capita use of high fructose corn syrup in the U.S. â€Å"was matched with an almost equal decline, on a one-to-one basis, in the per capita use of sugar. † (Sweet Surprize) So why is there mass campaign to revert back to sugar cane or beet sugar based sweetners? Americans have become more health conscious in the last forty years. Our fear of high-fructose corn syrup seems to have been derived from some very real concerns over the effects of its principal component, fructose. The coinsidence between the introduction of HFCS and the rise of obesity related diseases can no longer be ignored.Diabetes is a disea se with no cure that is running rampet through the country and heart failure remains a syndrome on high. Fructose, like glucose are basic sugars. Though your body processes basic sugars the same way, the results seem to be different. (Engber, 09) When ingesting glucose, the body is known to stimulate the release of body chemicals that regulate your food consumption. Fructose, on the other hand, does very little to suppress your appetite, and it seems to form new fat cells while maintaining the old.According to a recent research project conducted at Princeton University high-fructose corn syrup does indeed prompt a human to considerably gain weight. â€Å"Rats with access to high-fructose corn syrup gained significantly more weight than those with access to table sugar, even when their overall caloric intake was the same. † (Parker, 10)   In addition to causing significant weight gain in lab animals, long-term consumption of high-fructose corn syrup was also evaluated. The s ame research team found that HFCS led to abnormal increases in body fat. These increases seemed to be found in the abdomen area.Body fat was not the only increases found. It was also discovered that HFCS caused a rise in blood fats called triglycerides. The Corn Refiners Association (CRA) has spent $30 million to create a multimedia campaign to scream out to the masses that HFCS is just like sugar. (Engber, 09) The Princeton study, is not proving them wrong but are providing the details that show that while they are basic sugars, not all basic surgars are created equal. First, sucrose is composed of two simple sugars equally while fructose is not. The ratio in sucrose is 50:50 while fructose is 55:42. Parker, 10) The extra 3% is made up of saccharides, larger sugar molecules. Secondly, Princeton researchers zeroed in on the process in which makes sucrose and HFCS is different.The results showed that the molecues that make HFCS are unbound and free floating. In sucrose the fructose a nd sucrose molecues are bound to each other causing an extra metabolical process in order to be utilized for energy. This posed a quandary for the researchers. The rats consumed the same items, same caloric intake, yet those who consumed HFCS gained weight while those who did not, had not gained weight. Parker, 10) A little over a year earlier, the Washington Post published a study confirmed by both Enviornmental Science and Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy that there are traces of mercury in HFCS. â€Å"Almost half of tested samples of commercial high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) contained mercury. † [ (Washington Post, 09) ] This was result found in many products where HFCS is either the first or second ingredient listed on the label. While the article quote that nearly children and teenagers diet consists of nearly 80% HFCS, they remind readers that mercury at any level is toxic.The CRA responded that the information presented was based on old information and that the industry adapted non-mercury agents and that â€Å"these mercury-free re-agents perform important functions, including adjusting pH balances. † [ (Washington Post, 09) ] Regardless, we as well as our children are or have consumed an ingredient that has toxic traces. Over a lifetime, imagine what that can do to the human body. The CRA has been very careful when attacking the fear that HFCS is envoking. According to their website, they maintain the stance that HFCS are all natural.The page opens up with their statement that HFCS â€Å"†¦are natural and meet the Food and Drug Administration’s policy for use of the term â€Å"natural. † (CRA, 09) They also side step the specifics of the HFCS make up claiming that HFCS simply is â€Å"like table sugar, is composed of fructose and glucose† but that it is also â€Å"found in many other naturally-occurring foods†. In the end they seem to quietly divert blame to the FDA by stating the FDA â€Å"h as not established a formal definition of the term â€Å"natural† for food ingredients† but that they qualify for natural under the current definition.This is still despite the Washington Post article confirming that the FDA has the mercury information. While many of these studies continue to support the Princeton research, the CRA will continue to spend countless amounts of money to combat the findings. Though in the last decade this issue has become more promient, it will probably continue for years to come. In the meantime, obesity related diseases continue to rise. The cure is just out of reach but it seems that we can indivually take a stand. With many products using HFCS for various amount of sweetning, we can limit our in take.Limiting our in take is as simple as reading the labels of the food and drink you consume. Limit your fast food intake as well. While this seems to be old fashion or time consuming to some, we need to revert back to the days where meals whe re made from scratch. Cut up fresh vegetables and fruits and limit processed foods. Canned foods, frozen foods and even the juice we drink is laden with some form of HFCS. If we as consumers take responsibility for our own food in take, we may be able to reverse the (potential and known) effects of the ingredient in our bodies.As mentioned earlier, 80% of what children consume has some form of HFCS. With the increase in obesity (both child and adult) as well as other syndromes like ADD and Autism, can we assume that our food is to blame? Thinking about the age old idiom of â€Å"we are what we eat†, are we making our bodies and later our creating our children bodies to fall victim to these now chronic disorders? We have always heard to limit our sugar intake to retard the hyperactive tendencies. With that assumption the use of basic sugars have always sent off alarms when it comes to those with hyperactivity disorders.The association between sugar and hyperactivity disorders began by a Harvard researcher in the the 1960’s. He claimed his findings showed that certain food colorings and sugars caused ADHD in children. (Ayoob) Though it has been said that this researchers findings could not be reproduced, the statement has stuck for years. Many mothers refuse to give their children sugar for fear of over stimulation. They were right, to an extent. As many know, sugar does produce spurts of energy as it is being digested. Couple that with a child and you have one bouncy human being.With each person metabolizing sugar a bit differently, mistakes or a misdiagnosis can easily be made. It would be easy to initially mistaken a sugar high child for one with with ADD or any other related syndrome. An unknowing parent, may not know how much sugar the child is consuming and mistakenly percieves this as a â€Å"problem child† with a hyperactive disorder. The parent in turn speaks with a doctor, discusses all the symptoms and after a series of tests, the truth comes to light. I have a child that has a level of autism and ADHD.It was suggested to me, much like Dr. Anne Kelly suggests, that eliminating chemicals from their diets can help limit ADHD triggers. Dr. Kelly also shares how children with these disorders are more sensitive to toxins found in food. Toxins like the previously mentioned mercury found in HFCS. [ (Howard, 10) ] I have children, I have family members and friends affected by obesity and its consequences. I am not within my BMI, and neither are most people I know but what this assignment has taught me is that we shouldn’t take for granted what we consume.For a period of time while researching and writing this paper, I thought what it would entail to grow my own garden. While I am sure that there will be a lot of trial and error, I just might be able to do something small at least. Meanwhile, I will pratice what I preach and pay attention to labels as I shop for groceries. Sadly, time management is an issue as I juggle both my children and their schooling with my own. We are a busy family just like many others. An effort must and will be made to pay attention to the items I purchase. Normal, quick and easy items I would purchase would now be turned into treats if even that.As I sit here and contemplate, I can see where an undertaking of this nature would be life altering in a sense. How I allocate my time, my childrens time besides what we consume is all under review. My mind wonders to what kitchen appliances and utenzils do I have to upkeep this adjustment, what do I have to buy or learn how to do myself. I was raised in a busy working family where many of my own meals were microwaved. Though I try hard now to not make that a normal occurance for my children, it happens more often than I would care to admit.Though the research and arguments will continue for years to come, I will take action today. I will make strides for my family and friends to choose healthier alternatives and maybe even find joy in cooking. Bring cooking back to what it once was, a family event. Where family can come together and catch up, talk and reconnect. Who knew that research could lead to life adjustements.Works CitedAyoob, K. -T. (n. d. ). High Fructose Corn Syrup and ADD/ADHD in Children: Is There a Link or Is It a Myth? Retrieved 12 08, 10, from Sweet Surprize: http://www. sweetsurprise. com/hfcs-and-your-family/your-childs-diet/hfcs-adhd  CRA. (09, 12).CORN SWEETENERS ARE NATURAL. Retrieved 12 08, 10, from Corn Refiners of America: http://www. corn. org/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/CornSweetenerNatural. pdf Engber, D. (09, 04 28).The decline and fall of high-fructose corn syrup. Retrieved 12 08, 10, from Slate Magazine: http://www. slate. com/id/2216796 Howard, C. (10, 02 26).Toxins in our food may play a role in neurobehavioral problems. Retrieved 12 08, 10, from Peoria Journal Star Online: http://www. pjstar. com/features/x2112775064/Toxins-in-our-food-may-play-a-role-in-neurobeh avioral-problems Parker, H. (10, 03 22).A sweet problem: Princeton researchers find that high-fructose corn syrup prompts considerably more weight gain. Retrieved 12 08, 10, from Princeton Univeristy News Online: http://www. princeton. edu/main/news/archive/S26/91/22K07/ Sweet Surprize. (n. d. ).Fructose Availability. Retrieved 12 08, 10, from Sweet Surprize: http://www. sweetsurprise. com/myths-and-facts/faqs-high-fructose-corn-syrup/fructose Washington Post. (09, 01 29).Study Finds High-Fructose Corn Syrup Contains Mercury. Retrieved 12 08, 10, from Washington Post Online: http://www. washingtonpost. com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/26/AR2009012601831. html High Fructose Corn Syrup High Fructose Corn Syrup: Friend or Enemy We eat every day, rarely thinking about what’s going into our bodies. Take soda, for example, when was the last time you read the label before taking a sip? For me, it is never. One of the first ingredients listed on the can is HFCS or high fructose corn syrup. This ingredient is a secret additive to many products in today's market. High Fructose Corn Syrup is one of the cheapest to make and hardest to get rid of in the body. Since its introduction to food products in the 70's it has slowly been added to most foods, even ketchup. More and more scientists are trying to find links between HFCS and several major health problems; such as diabetes and obesity. Although a major link has not been definitely determined to date, minor links have been proven such as such as the amounts that can be consumed before harm can be determined. Even though some minor associations have been made the FDA still considers HFCS to be safe for consumption. The reason for this is because HFCS is not considered an artificial ingredient. The rule considered is as long as a product has no signs of a chemical added it cannot be labeled an â€Å"artificial ingredient†. In researching the origin of High Fructose Corn Syrup I found out that mercury was found in the product. Even with this new information, the FDA still allows this product to be used in 94% of the foods we consume every day. Why would you need to put HFCS in baby formula? In places like England and France they have practically banned HFCS and made it difficult to use in the entire country. The European Union has a deal with the Sugar Refiners to only use natural cane and beet sugars. High Fructose or Syrup as you now knows are any almost everything we eat and drink. But what you don't know is what it is really doing inside your body. High Fructose Corn Syrup started being mass produced in 1982. It was around that time that researchers noticed an increase in children developing type II diabetes. Obesity around the country has soared. Type 2 diabetes is related to the body's inability to effectively use the insulin that is produced by the pancreas. This is thought to be directly related to weight. It has been proven that HFCS also cause heart problems. This is also thought to be weight related. Despite all the recent attempts to try and prove HFCS unhealthy effects, the Corn Refiners Association has come out with campaigns in High Fructose Corn Syrup's defense. They state the HFCS are not bad and are ok when eaten in moderation. There is no such thing as moderation when it is found in 94 % of the food. While more cons can be found than pros for HFCS; the Corn RefinersAssociation stands behind their product. In fact all the pros I found came from the CRA. The only truth I found was that it is cheaper to produce. Their website has no real information; and in fact called what many to believe to be truths myths. Although the Corn Refiners Association proved to be pointless my endless goggle search did take me too many blogs and organizations which I found to be very informative. Even though the bloggers were only expressing their opinion, many found HFCS to be repulsive. Many of the organizations say they are 20 xs bad for your health. The most informative was HighFructoseCornSyrup. com they are a group of bloggers that I agree with. Each of their articles deal with HFCS in the media and how it is affecting us as a society. After reading all this information and making my way through my research, I began to question what I was eating. Is this slurpee chockfull of HFCS? Of course, just look at how sweet it is. Is my burger only good because that ketchup it’s covered with is full of â€Å"sugar†, I mean high fructose corn syrup? Maybe I'm just losing it because I didn't want to believe what I had been hearing for years was true. Is my weight gain because I eat too much or is it the Additive that is in so many of the foods I eat that caused the weight gain in the first place? Hmm! Although it has been on the market for about 35 years most thought their weight gain was cased only by a lack of exercise. With obesity at epidemic proportions many are starting to question is it something in the food too? High Fructose Corn Syrup High Fructose Corn Syrup: Friend or Enemy We eat every day, rarely thinking about what’s going into our bodies. Take soda, for example, when was the last time you read the label before taking a sip? For me, it is never. One of the first ingredients listed on the can is HFCS or high fructose corn syrup. This ingredient is a secret additive to many products in today's market. High Fructose Corn Syrup is one of the cheapest to make and hardest to get rid of in the body. Since its introduction to food products in the 70's it has slowly been added to most foods, even ketchup. More and more scientists are trying to find links between HFCS and several major health problems; such as diabetes and obesity. Although a major link has not been definitely determined to date, minor links have been proven such as such as the amounts that can be consumed before harm can be determined. Even though some minor associations have been made the FDA still considers HFCS to be safe for consumption. The reason for this is because HFCS is not considered an artificial ingredient. The rule considered is as long as a product has no signs of a chemical added it cannot be labeled an â€Å"artificial ingredient†. In researching the origin of High Fructose Corn Syrup I found out that mercury was found in the product. Even with this new information, the FDA still allows this product to be used in 94% of the foods we consume every day. Why would you need to put HFCS in baby formula? In places like England and France they have practically banned HFCS and made it difficult to use in the entire country. The European Union has a deal with the Sugar Refiners to only use natural cane and beet sugars. High Fructose or Syrup as you now knows are any almost everything we eat and drink. But what you don't know is what it is really doing inside your body. High Fructose Corn Syrup started being mass produced in 1982. It was around that time that researchers noticed an increase in children developing type II diabetes. Obesity around the country has soared. Type 2 diabetes is related to the body's inability to effectively use the insulin that is produced by the pancreas. This is thought to be directly related to weight. It has been proven that HFCS also cause heart problems. This is also thought to be weight related. Despite all the recent attempts to try and prove HFCS unhealthy effects, the Corn Refiners Association has come out with campaigns in High Fructose Corn Syrup's defense. They state the HFCS are not bad and are ok when eaten in moderation. There is no such thing as moderation when it is found in 94 % of the food. While more cons can be found than pros for HFCS; the Corn RefinersAssociation stands behind their product. In fact all the pros I found came from the CRA. The only truth I found was that it is cheaper to produce. Their website has no real information; and in fact called what many to believe to be truths myths. Although the Corn Refiners Association proved to be pointless my endless goggle search did take me too many blogs and organizations which I found to be very informative. Even though the bloggers were only expressing their opinion, many found HFCS to be repulsive. Many of the organizations say they are 20 xs bad for your health. The most informative was HighFructoseCornSyrup. com they are a group of bloggers that I agree with. Each of their articles deal with HFCS in the media and how it is affecting us as a society. After reading all this information and making my way through my research, I began to question what I was eating. Is this slurpee chockfull of HFCS? Of course, just look at how sweet it is. Is my burger only good because that ketchup it’s covered with is full of â€Å"sugar†, I mean high fructose corn syrup? Maybe I'm just losing it because I didn't want to believe what I had been hearing for years was true. Is my weight gain because I eat too much or is it the Additive that is in so many of the foods I eat that caused the weight gain in the first place? Hmm! Although it has been on the market for about 35 years most thought their weight gain was cased only by a lack of exercise. With obesity at epidemic proportions many are starting to question is it something in the food too?

Business Entity Case Study Essay

Lou, Jose and Miriam can go into business in the form of a corporation, or partnership, or LLC where Miriam provides monetary capital, while Lou and Jose provide manpower. An operating agreement or purchase-option agreement should be established under which Lou and Jose could each buy a predetermined portion of the business at a predetermined cost. If they choose to establish a corporation, they can elect to be taxed as an S corporation where they will not pay tax at the corporate level. The taxes will be paid at the personal level to avoid double taxation. One thing that should be guarded against is entering into a future agreement where manpower or future personal effort will be exchanged for shares or capital contributions. This is because capital contributions must have present value. Furthermore, Miriam must be aware that any present transfer of her capital contributions to either Lou or Jose capital account or shares, could be considered as a gift, and could subject Miriam to g ift taxation. Also, it could be viewed as taxable income to Lou and Jose, which would reduce their net investment value (Hartman, 2006). Extermination Business Based on the fact that Frank wants to establish the extermination business in many different places, the first thing he needs to think of is that his business should be a corporation. His plan will not qualify for a limited partnership. The only option available to Frank is the corporate option because Frank plans on establishing the business nationwide. Projecting the expected growth rate of the business, it may be best to file for a standard C corporation which will allow his business to take in more than 30 investors which will likely occur based on franchises or other opportunities by which he can acquire investor money for the business. One of the primary reasons is to remove his own personal liability by making the company a legal entity of its own. Frank must pay careful attention to the fact that he will be using chemicals in homes and they must be properly tested and  approved for public use. He must make sure that all the chemicals meet the requirements of necessary to be used in people’s home. Because of this, it is important for Frank to have someone who can take the time to verify the validity of each product that he uses to ensure its safety. Furthermore, he must ensure that he has adequate liability insurance to cover lawsuits should someone be injured by a chemical or by an employee in the home of a customer. The liability insurance would be necessary to cover the cost associated with medical bills or a lawsuit associated with an action taken on someone’s property. This insurance should be in place from day one and Frank must make sure that all employees are covered by such an insurance policy. Frank will have some time before he needs to focus on additional employment laws. The early stage of the business will not require a lot of paper works and legal actions. As the company grows to more than 50, it will require additional investments of time and money to ensure the company is operating within its legal boundaries. At that point the company will need to have some sort of legal representation to ensure the actions taken by the company are done in an appropriate and legal manner (Mallor, 2003). Construction Scenario Under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a person cannot be discriminated against in employment based upon race, color, nationality, religion, sex age or disability, except where an employer would suffer an undue hardship if it were required to employ under the discriminatory condition, and where no reasonable accommodation of the employee is possible. In the case of Michelle who is pregnant, it presents an identifiable undue hardship to the employer, because should she or her fetus be injured during the operation of the jackhammer, the employer would be subject to a workers’ compensation claim. In addition, because the job requires the operation of the jackhammer, there is no reasonable accommodation that the employer can possibly provide, which would not prevent the employee from working. Therefore, even though the employer would discriminate against Michelle, it is not liable under either the Americans with Disabilities Act or under the Civil Rights Act which will be discrimination based on disability and sex respectively. In the case of Eric, him not having a high school diploma  excludes him from consideration for employment. However, as a person 40 years or older is protected by the Age Discrimination, because it is difficult for older employees to obtain high school diploma if they do not possess it already. This implies that, Surebuild could be liable for age discrimination, if the company uses the lack of a diploma as the reason for denying Eric. In the case of Felipe who does not speak English, Surebuild could be held liable for discrimination if English is not a requirement for the performance of the position he is applying for. Surebuild could be charged with discrimination against race, and nationality. Considering Nick, he has a high school diploma, and is well qualified for the job based upon his education. The problem he has is that, he has no experience and he is also epileptic. However, the advertisement does not state experience with a jackhammer as a requirement. The only issue at hand is his epileptic condition. Surebuild can deny Nick for employment and will not be liable for discrimination against him for being disabled. This is because he can have a seizure in the middle of the operation of the jackhammer and that can cause injury not only to himself but to others as well. However, if Nick can show proof or medical records that suggest that his illness is controlled by a certain medication and that he will not have a seizure while operating the machinery, then he should be qualified for the position. If Surebuild refuses to employ him based on his illness, the company will be liable for discrimination against the disabled (Mallor, 2006). References: Hartman, L. P. (2005). Perspective in Business Ethics (3rd Ed.). Columbus, OH: The McGraw-Hills Companies. Mallor, J.P., Barnes, J.A., & Bowers, T.L. (2003). The Ethical, Global, and E-Commerce Environment (13th Ed.). Columbus, OH: The McGraw-Hills Companies. * * *

Human Nutrition Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Human Nutrition - Coursework Example A snack is normally taken in between meals so as to sedate hunger thus maintain an individuals’ energy before taking a meal that is substantial. People with health conditions like diabetes do have meal plans, which have an inclusion of snacks and meals. Response to part b. The interaction between the first four amino acids in chain one and in chain two is the same. However, the last group of six amino acids in chain one and in chain two are different, and that is what brings the different between the two chains. In the first chain, the fourth, and the fifth are all hydrophobic and hence they lie close together clustered together inside the protein chain, attract each other bending the protein chain. On the contrary, the fourth and the fifth amino acids in chain two are hydrophobic and hydropholic. Hence they repel each other pushing the protein chain apart. The last two amino acids of chain 1are both hydropholic hence they attract each other bending the protein chain. However, the last two amino acids of chain two are hydrophobic and hydropholic, hence. Hence they repel each other pushing the protein chain apart. ... It is hydrophilic, insoluble in organic solvents and water, biodegradable, and chiral. Breaking down of cellulose to glucose requires acids that are concentrated and extremely high temperatures. This is a significant difference with the starch because breaking down of starch to glucose neither needs concentrated acid nor high temperatures. In comparison with starch, cellulose is much more crystalline. This implies that starch goes through a transition from crystalline to amorphous after heating that is above 70degrees Celsius. Response to part d. Given that straw berry Jam has carbohydrates content of 65g it implies that 15g of strawberry would have 15/65 = 0.23g. Also given that bread has a carbohydrate content of 48g, it follows that 100g of bread would have 48/100 = 0.48g Therefore, the total amount of carbohydrate content present in a Jam sandwich would be 0.48 + 0.23 = 0.71g = 2.0grams. Four a four-year old boy energy would be 2 multiplied by 4 kcal multiplied by 4.2kj = 33.6 KJ per gram. Since a 12-year old boy requires 1845kj per day, 33.6kj would be not enough for the boy. Response part e. Vitamin C is contained in milk. In skimmed milk, this nutrient is present in extremely minimum quantities. This is so because skimmed milk is made through the removal of all the cream from milk. This makes it have a reduction of some nutrients like fat and vitamin C. Skimmed milk is therefore, not as healthy as the whole milk. The percentage of vitamin A and C in skimmed milk is approximately ten percent. Adult individuals need less than the RNI values quoted for vitamins so as not to exceed the acceptable intake. Consuming vitamins in excess may lead to diseases like scurvy. Response to Question 2 (a) Food group Recommended percentage

Intro MGT Informat Systems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Intro MGT Informat Systems - Essay Example Despite proper planning of the initiation phase, continuous evaluation of the implementation process is vital in project implementation. During the implementation phase, communication is vital in the project implementation process (Kerzner). Communication ensures that the transfer of information within the work force is effective thus improving the implementation process. The various phase of implementation process involves the combination of different departments in the implementation process. The communication process in the project work must accommodate various technological changes such as use of latest communication technology such as the use of Email and social networks. The selection of the best possible technology for use in the project work must consider the budgetary allocation of the project. It deals with the understanding of the information management and system available and the implementation process demands. The leadership of an organization can influence the motivation of the people leading better performance in project management. Emotional intelligent is vital in the leadership success. To have a successful project leader, the understanding of the leadership styles and emotional intelligence is mandatory allowing for exclusive understanding of the organization structure. Leadership in project management must always have the mission and vision of the project to avoid management crisis such as loss of organizational focus and goals. The goals of the project are vital because they facilitate the development of organizational structure and organization. Additionally, the planning phase of the project must ensure that all factors that may influence implementation are evaluated. The creation of plans ensures that all activities are considered in the process of planning and the magnitude of activities, threats and opportunities existing during the

Manchester City - Management Success Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Manchester City - Management Success - Essay Example As a player, Mancini lifted four Italian Cups, the Serie A (1991 and 2000), the Cup Winners' Cup (1990 and 1999), the Italian Supercup, and the UEFA Supercup and was voted the Serie A Player of the Year and Italian Footballer of the Year in 1997. These achievements clearly manifest his talent and capabilities. However, it was the oddly immense powers that he wielded as a key player at Sampdoria that indicated early that he would get to be an excellent manager. Here Mancini, a 27 year old, often delivered the team-talk, sat on the interview panel for selecting the next manager and was also consulted when selecting the teams’ new kit. In addition to that, he was invited to board meetings and had a say in which players where to be bought by his club during the transfer market (Taylor 2012). This early foray into team management roles gave him a head start as well as helped him build the skills needed to succeed as a football club manager. Working with top clubs requires a manag er who can handle the pressure from the board, fans, journalists and even managers from the opposing teams. Kuper (n.d.) argues that one proven attribute of successful managers is their ability to, in some way for example via the media (Jackson 2012), lower the tension that players feel in each match so that they can be relaxed enough to enjoy the game. His argument was that successful teams are those whose players enjoy the game (Kuper n.d.). The fact that Mancini played at the highest level in football gives assurance to his players that he fully understands what they are going through. Another important trait of Mancini is his ability to not only work with but also bring out the best from his troublesome players such as Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli at Manchester City (Walker 2012). Here it would be best to remember that as a player, Mancini was also not the easiest to work with. Taylor (2012) argues that this could have been because he was so repulsed by failure and desperate to the point of having an obsession for winning. Like Mario Balotelli, Mancini was as skillful as he was hot tempered in his playing days. This could be the reason why he is able to work with the talented but difficult soccer players who join the teams that he is coaching. Finally, we believe that the greatest reason why Robert Mancini was selected to manage Manchester City is his track record as a coach. He has brought cup glory for all the clubs where he has coached namely: Fiorentina, Lazio and Inter Milan. In fact, with Lazio and Fiorentina, Mancini managed to create winning teams in spite of the financial constraints that forced him to lose several key players. At Fiorentina he lost Rui Costa and Francesco Toldo at their prime while at Lazio he had to work without the services of Hernan Crespo and Alessandro Nesta. Nevertheless, it was at Internazionale where he proved capable of handling the pressure that come with managing a top club. When the Abu Dhabi United Grou p purchased Manchester City in 2008 there agenda was to raise the club to the status of the other top clubs in Europe. Their strategy was first to attract top talent using their immense wealth, then a top coach and finally win the big trophies locally and abroad. Mancini was an attractive option because at Fiorentina and Lazio he had demonstrated his team-building skills and at Internazionale he proved that he could equally work well with a star-studded team. Furthermore the owners must