Evaluate the Evidence for Human Impacts on Downstream Flood Risk in Rural Catchment Areas in Temperate Regions

Assess the proof for human effects on downstream flood chance in provincial catchments in calm locales. Before we can assess human effects on flood chance we should initially set up what is implied by calm locales and furthermore rustic catchments. Mild areas are for the most part viewed as lying between the Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle or the Tropic of Capricorn and the Antarctic Circle and in this manner streams examined in this exposition will fall inside these boundaries. Rustic catchments are somewhat harder to characterize, as today not many huge waterways don't have some type of urban advancement inside their catchments region. In this paper a stream that is still in a dominatingly rustic catchment will be talked about regardless of whether there are zones of urban land inside the catchment. People sway on flood hazard can be categorized as one of two classes. The first is purposely and legitimately, through floodplain rebuilding, development of dams and channel restoration and these have genuinely evident constructive outcomes on lessening flood chance. Anyway it is when people in a roundabout way influence the flood hazard, through deforestation, land use change and environmental change (which all negatively affect flood chance) that there is less conviction into the degree of the effect that people have. Generally however obviously human movement has come about in ‘major changes’ (Goudie, 2006) in downstream flood chance in calm districts and country catchments. The most clear manner by which people sway downstream flood hazard is through direct adjustment of the waterway itself and this is additionally ostensibly likewise the most significant manner by which people can affect flood chance (Mrwoka, 1974). Damming is presumably the most boundless case of how people look to control top streams on waterways and the development of dams in the UK has prompted critical reductions in flooding. The repository made on the River Avon involves 1. 38% of the catchment however diminishes top stream by 16% and much more stunningly the supply on the Catcleugh in the Cheviots involves 2. 72% of the catchment and decreases top stream by 71% (Petts and Lewin, 1979). The formation of dams obviously lessens the flood chance by and large, nonetheless, dams have an a lot littler impact on uncommon flood occasions of high extent, because of the way that there is a limited measure of water a dam can hold during times of high, delayed precipitation (Goudie, 2006). On the River Avon the proportion of pre-dam releases to post-dam releases is a negligible 1. 02 of every a once-in-multi year occasion (Petts and Lewin, 1979). Be that as it may, regardless of this, man’s development of dams despite everything has an enormous effect in decreasing pinnacle flood and subsequently flood hazard in downstream catchment territories. Floodplain reclamation is another case of people intentionally affecting on flood hazard. It has been determined that the flood decrease capacity of 3800 hectares of floodplain stockpiling on the Charles River, Massachusetts spared US$ 17 million worth of downstream flood harm every year (US Corps of Engineers, 1972). Rebuilding has occurred on the River Cherwell among Oxford and Banbury. Here the banks were evacuated and the channels reestablish to their pre-1900 measurements. Because of the restoration of the channel top stream was diminished by between 10-15% and the dikes which had been evacuated were appeared to have been expanding top stream by between 50-150% (Acreman et al, 2003). This plainly demonstrates the degree to which people can effectively work to lessen the flood chance in a provincial catchment region, and shows how significant the job of floodplain reclamation and channel restoration is when diminishing pinnacle streams. A prime case of human movement in a roundabout way influencing flood hazard designs is through deforestation. The standard here is that by evacuating vegetation, you expel the limit with respect to a huge level of precipitation to be caught by the vegetation and afterward vanished before it arrives at the stream. Along these lines, if people expel the vegetation in a catchment zone this can build run-off and subsequently flood chance. A test study was directed in 1910 to examine the degree to which vegetation inclusion influenced top stream in Colorado. Stream streams from two watersheds of around 80 hectares in size were analyzed more than 8 years, before one valley was clear-felled. The catchment zone which had encountered clear felling experienced 17% more noteworthy yearly stream and furthermore fundamentally higher pinnacle streams (Goudie, 2006). In 1998 the Yangtze River encountered its most exceedingly terrible floods for more than 40 years, with high water staying in certain territories for 70 days. In spite of the fact that the precipitation over that timeframe was extraordinary, the degree of the flooding (which caused over $20billion in harms) has likewise been connected to the across the board deforestation that had occurred upstream of the floods. In 1957 the woods inclusion of the stream bowl was 22% however by 1986 this figure had been decreased to 10% (Yin et al, 1998). In spite of this, it has been contended that during times of delayed precipitation, vegetation loses its capacity to lessen top stream as there is a limited breaking point to how much water vegetation can hold. An investigation on the Yangtze demonstrated that under 90mm of overwhelming precipitation, surface run-off was 65mm in forested territories and 35mm in non-forested regions and along these lines the backwoods doesn't hold more run-off (Cheng et al, 1998) and in this manner flood chance is no more prominent. Be that as it may, there can be no uncertainty that deforestation decreases drainage misfortunes and subsequently expands the assembly of leakage water and that deforestation expanded the reality of the flooding that the Yangtze experienced in 1998 (Yin and Lee, 1999). The sort of vegetation in a stream bowl can likewise have an effect on flood hazard, and human movement can in a roundabout way influence this. The rule here is that a few sorts of vegetation hold more water than others and along these lines their essence lessens flood chance. The catchment zone of the Coweeta River in North Carolina was changed over from deciduous hardwood woods to pine (which is evergreen) over a time of 15 years, from 1940 onwards, and accordingly stream was diminished by 20% (Swank and Douglas, 1974). In any case, albeit particular kinds of plant may undoubtedly essentially lessen stream, the effect they have on flood hazard is regularly impressively littler. It has been evaluated that a timberland of Ash juniper trees block around 40% of the precipitation that falls on them every year (Owens et al, 2006). This figure is so high as Ash juniper trees are evergreen and hence ingest water throughout the entire year in any case, during storms, this figure is diminished to around 10%. This figure remains genuinely comparable for most vegetation during high tempests. We can along these lines state that in spite of the fact that people adjusting the sort of vegetation in a catchment region affects by and large stream, the degree to which this lessens the flood hazard downstream is unimportant (Wilcox et al, 2006). Land use change is another case of human action which, in spite of the fact that it isn't finished with the aim of modifying waterway stream qualities, despite everything affects downstream flood hazard. Creating urban regions in once in the past rustic ones is currently generally recognized to have a ‘considerable’ hydrological sway, essentially exhaustive the manners by which it modifies spillover (Hollis, 1988). Basically this urbanization creates an embroidered artwork of impermeable surfaces that expansion run-off and consequently release during times of high precipitation (Graf, 1977). In any case, Hollis (1975) contends that while urbanization may build the repeat timespan floods, in uncommon huge scope floods, land use change has little impact on the general pinnacle stream, because of the way that during enormous tempests, provincial zones become soaked rapidly and afterward carry on similarly as urban territories. In spite of this, we can in any case say that land use change from urban to provincial builds the flood chance, regardless of whether this expansion in chance is just during littler occasions. In spite of the fact that we are inspecting flood hazard in country catchment regions, advancement of urban pockets in these zones should in any case be thought of, as even catchments with just some urbanization are still bound to endure flooding (Wilson, 1967). Environmental change is another manner by which man by implication can affect flooding hazard despite the fact that this is a fervently challenged theme, as no totally adequate clarification of environmental change has been introduced previously (Goudie, 2006). In any case, some atmosphere models have still anticipated that environmental change throughout the following 100 years will prompt higher flood chance. This is because of the way that in a hotter atmosphere, the air can hold more water, which expands the potential for inert warmth discharge during low weight frameworks and hence expanded precipitation is likely (Frei et al, 1998). A model in 2002 delivered by the EU bunch PRUDENCE looked at late spring precipitation in terrain Europe from 1961-1990 and the estimate for 2071-2100 dependent on the climatic expectations made in the IPCC report. This found albeit generally precipitation may somewhat diminish over the mid year, precipitation occasions in the 95th percentile for force would fundamentally build (Christensen J and Christensen O, 2003). This would clearly expand the flood chance downstream in country catchments. In any case, despite the fact that environmental change may, in the coming century, demonstrate to significantly affect flooding, at present the theme is excessively intensely bantered to make any solid determinations on the degree to which human initiated environmental change expands flooding hazard. We can along these lines see that people sway on flood chance in an assortment of ways, some constructive and some antagonistic and all to differing degrees. It merits remembering that in certain zones man might be affecting on flood chance in both a negative and positive way and in this manner having a much bigger effect on the stream than would from the outset be self-evident. The proof for man affecting on flood hazard downstream in rur

The Death Motif In Shakespeares Romeo And Juliet Essays

The Death Motif In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet The Death Motif in Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet As a rule, creators utilize the subject of death all through their works. This is by all accounts valid for William Shakespeare in Romeo and Juliet. All through his play, Shakespeare utilizes passing to move his story along. He does this with genuine passings, which mess up the sweethearts, and through hunches and dreams of death. Both Juliet and her Romeo show these hunches/dreams. The utilization of death is quickly found in the preface of the play: The frightful section of their demise stamped love (Shakespeare Pro. 9). The Prologue offers us the unavoidable destiny of the two sweethearts short and sudden. During the main demonstration of the play, we learn of the Capulets ball, and of how the sweethearts met. After the ball is finished, Juliet says, If he be, wedded, my grave resembles to be my wedding bed, (I, v, ll.143-44) which is a premonition of the last scene of the play. This mostly prompts Romeo and Tybalts duel in III, I, as Romeos nearness at the ball irritates Tybalt. In II, iv, Benvolio and Mercutio uncover that Tybalt has sent Romeo a test to a duel. Not long before the appearance of Juliet, the Friar cautions Romeo against culminating their new marriage too rapidly. Romeo concurs, yet moves demise to demolish the occasion, ...at that point love-eating up death do what he challenge (I, vi, ll.7.). Presently if just the marriage was made open, these premonitions might not have happened particularly the duel with Tybalt. In III, I, Tybalt confronts Benvolio and Mercutio looking for Romeo. Presently, Romeo wouldn't like to duel with Tybalt as he is currently subtly his brother, however this doesn't stop Mercutio for getting in the blend in with Tybalt. Romeo gets between the two men, and as Tybalt endeavors to run Romeo through, the blade goes under Romeos arm and mortally wounds Mercutio. Before he is removed, Mercutio says to Romeo, Why the fiend came you between usA plague o both your homes! They have made worms meat of me. I have it, and sufficiently as well. A plague! (ll.102-103, 10106-108). Here, we see Mercutio reviling the two houses, and, fundamentally, premonition what might be on the horizon. Mercutio is taken to a close to house to be dealt with, and minutes after the fact, Romeo is educated regarding Mercutios passing. Romeo, presently chafed, duels with Tybalt and kills him. The Prince shows up upon the scene, and after a record of the happenings, exiles Romeo to endless supply of death . This expulsion of Romeos unavoidably prompts considerably more noteworthy issues later in the play. In III, ii, Juliet prophesizes awful things to come when she says, Give me my Romeo; and, when he will pass on, take him and cut him out in little stars, and he will make the substance of paradise so fine (ll.21-23). The Nurse enters and advises Juliet that Tybalt has been killed by Romeo. Juliet takes a gander at the circumstance as the passing of both the men, as Romeos expulsion resembles a demise. III, iii is moved to the Friars cell, where Romeo is showing his self centeredness to the Friar. At the finish of the scene, in a response of metal judgment, Romeo requests the Friar mention to him what part of the body his name is, so he may remove it with a blade he has drawn. This appears to infer Romeos want to be dead, as opposed to be without Juliet. At first, toward the start of this scene, Capulet will have no discussion of marriage, because of the ongoing demise in the family. In any case, so as to help Juliet through her despondency over Tybalts demise, Capulet chooses to wed her off to Paris (III, iv). Obviously this is an issue as she is subtly hitched to Romeo right now. In III, v, Lady Capulet states, Ill send one in Mantua, where that equivalent expelled runagate doth live, that he will before long stay with Tybalt (ll94-96). This announcement prophesizes Romeos demise later in the last scene of the play. At that point, Lady Capulet wants her girl to be hitched to her grave (ll. 145), which is amusing, as Juliet will take an elixir making her

Free Essays on The First Measured Century

The First Measured Century The TV narrative â€Å"The First Measured Century,† represented patterns in America, during the twentieth century. The film mirrored the moderate refinement towards uniformity towards minorities’ and women’s rights just as jobs in the public arena. The storyteller has a monotone diverting voice and mind-set that constrained the crowd into a fantasy. Generally speaking the film attempted to create the realities of the book with about a similar time it would of took to peruse the book. The film demonstrated the expanding abolishment of oppression minorities and ladies. The film additionally represented the amount we worked, when we worked, what we worked for, and what we purchased with our cash. The film showed how ladies functioned in processing plants during World War II, which changed the job of women’s work from homemaker to assembly line laborer. Blacks and Hispanics secured position openings increment, as the century became more established. The film uncovered how the Great Depression and World War II molded the rest of the century since it was the most powerful defining moment in the century itself. The film was fine at indicating the realities in outlined graphs and tables that were anything but difficult to peruse and see, yet the film neglected to carry the crowd into the film to truly appreciate it. The principal botch the film made was the determination of the storyteller. He left the crowd feeling dull with minor fixation in the significance of the film. His monotone voice prompted my excusal of mindfulness of the criticalness that the film depicted. The film ought to of utilized movies rather than the slide-show introduction. This would have welcomed the watchers to encounter the past by and by. The film required better altering since it secured more data than it possessed energy for. It attempted to give the real factors and patterns that the book secured. Tragically it made the film broad and tedious. An insightful venture ... Free Essays on The First Measured Century Free Essays on The First Measured Century The First Measured Century The TV narrative â€Å"The First Measured Century,† outlined patterns in America, during the twentieth century. The film mirrored the moderate refinement towards uniformity towards minorities’ and women’s rights just as jobs in the public arena. The storyteller has a monotone diverting voice and temperament that constrained the crowd into a fantasy. By and large the film attempted to create the realities of the book with about a similar time it would of took to peruse the book. The film demonstrated the expanding abolishment of victimization minorities and ladies. The film likewise outlined the amount we worked, when we worked, what we worked for, and what we purchased with our cash. The film showed how ladies functioned in manufacturing plants during World War II, which changed the job of women’s work from homemaker to assembly line laborer. Blacks and Hispanics secured position openings increment, as the century became more established. The film uncovered how the Great Depression and World War II molded the rest of the century since it was the most powerful defining moment in the century itself. The film was fine at demonstrating the realities in showed graphs and tables that were anything but difficult to peruse and see, yet the film neglected to carry the crowd into the film to truly appreciate it. The main slip-up the film made was the determination of the storyteller. He left the crowd feeling dreary with minor fixation in the significance of the film. His monotone voice prompted my excusal of mindfulness of the hugeness that the film depicted. The film ought to of utilized movies rather than the slide-show introduction. This would have welcomed the watchers to encounter the past by and by. The film required better altering since it secured more data than it possessed energy for. It attempted to give the real factors and patterns that the book secured. Shockingly it made the film broad and tedious. An insightful venture ...

Nuclear Power :: essays research papers

The world's characteristic assets are being devoured at a disturbing rate. As these assets lessen , individuals will be looking for elective sources by which to create power for warmth and light . The main pragmatic short term answer for the vitality emergency is atomic force. Atomic force, anyway isn't as sheltered as consuming coal, gas or then again oil in a manufacturing plant it is indeed, considerably more perilous, There are perils related with an atomic force plant which out of sight the advantages to society in general and to some extent to the network living and working around the power plant . Around 20 percent of our country's aggregate electrical utilization every year is provided by atomic force from the 100 or so atomic force plants all through the nation . Despite the fact that nuclear force has been being used for over 50 years it was principally an instrument of war and annihilation when the war finished requirement for nuclear bombs decreased . The researchers who made the weapons were out of occupations . They at that point transformed this damaging force into enormous plants producing perfect and modest power for the nation . It was called progress. Progress likewise carried with it ailment , transformations , malignant growth and inevitably demise to those presented to elevated levels of radiation . Government pronounced that atomic force is sheltered and productive . Likewise have huge Oil organizations who have a great deal of cash put resources into atomic force and need to see however many plants as could be allowed placed into what's more, kept in activity . Truly mishaps do occur at atomic force plants and at different offices all the time . A mishap at an atomic force plant has the potential to be considerably more pulverizing than a mishap at a coal or gas plant in view of the radiation that could be discharged . A case of this is Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania where there was a fractional center emergency in walk of 1979 and a worthy measure of radiation gotten away into the air . Anyway no measure of radiation is worthy whenever discharged because of an mishap at an atomic force plant . Is Nuclear Power fundamental ? Today numerous Americans embrace ways of life that depend on vitality in-proficient gadgets . These incorporate enormous vehicles and electric apparatuses that require power from vitality extreme modern procedures . The open is doing everything it can to constrain atomic force plants

How Students Can Leverage Part-Time and Volunteer Work - Guest Post by Gary Ryan

How Students Can Leverage Part-Time and Volunteer Work - Guest Post by Gary Ryan Coming up next is a visitor post by Gary Ryan, originator of Organizations That Matter. Altered by Brenda Bernstein, The Essay Expert. Summer excursions (or â€Å"holiday seasons† as is commonly said Down Under), are spectacular for some reasons. They present a chance to find loved ones just as to unwind. For some, understudies, summer implies an opportunity to gain cash or potentially volunteer (particularly in the event that you aren’t taking additional classes). Sadly, numerous understudies don’t exploit their vacation work. Time after time I hear things like, â€Å"I’m only a registration operator,† or â€Å"I simply work at a cafã ©,† or â€Å"I simply give suppers to destitute people.† There is nothing of the sort as â€Å"just† low maintenance work not on the off chance that you are set up to consider the employability abilities that you are creating while at the same time accomplishing your work! The following is a short rundown of ten employability abilities that low maintenance/humanitarian effort creates: 1. Relational abilities 2. Critical thinking aptitudes 3. Activity 4. Collaboration 5. Innovation aptitudes 6. Arranging and sorting out aptitudes 7. Administration greatness aptitudes 8. Initiative aptitudes 9. Learning aptitudes 10. Self-administration aptitudes Let’s take a gander at certain instances of how you may build up these aptitudes: 1. Correspondence On the off chance that you speak with your chief, other colleagues or potentially the overall population, at that point you have the chance to create relational abilities. Here’s a tip: Good communicators are acceptable audience members †¦ which likewise implies that you are acceptable at posing inquiries. Along these lines, build up your scrutinizing aptitudes and your relational abilities will soar! 2. Critical thinking Issues happen constantly. In each activity. A PC won’t work. Another staff part didn’t turn up for their work day. The conveyance hasn’t showed up and clients are hanging tight for their requests. The rundown goes on. Every one of these models is a magnificent open door for you to intentionally rehearse your critical thinking abilities. That, however you can make a bank of tales about how you take care of issues. Would you be able to envision any of your future bosses not needing a difficult solver? Neither can I! 3. Activity Indicating activity is accomplishing something accommodating without having been inquired. Each time you see that something could turn out badly (like somebody slipping on a banana strip) and you make a move to prevent that from occurring (like getting the banana strip) you are indicating activity. Chances to show activity are all over the place. Look out for them and handle them with two hands when they spring up. They likewise make extraordinary stories that can be utilized in interviews. 4. Collaboration There is not really a vocation that exists that doesn't include cooperation. Regardless of whether you work alone, you are presumably still piece of a group. Envision a meeting when you are gotten some information about your experience of working in groups. In the event that you’ve secured a move for a colleague, showed somebody something, or assisted in some other way, you will have an extraordinary response to this inquiry! 5. Innovation Innovation abilities don’t simply incorporate utilizing electronic gadgets, for example, PCs and scanners. Utilizing innovation can mean composition on whiteboards, driving forklifts (giving you have a permit) and whatever else you need to use to carry out your responsibility. On the off chance that you volunteer planting trees, the scoops, picks and different instruments that you use are for the most part types of innovation. By having a scope of tales about your innovative limit, you can exhibit your flexibility and capacity to adapt rapidly. Most understudies don’t even consider these things being applicable to their future. In any case, they are! 6. Arranging and sorting out In whatever work you are doing, appear on schedule and comply with your time constraints. Managers anticipate it. Practice it and practice it now. 7. Authority For those of you who have obligation regarding a group or other staff, how would you treat the individuals you lead? What are your psychological models about authority? How are your own qualities reflected by they way you lead? Cognizant idea about these inquiries can make brilliant administration encounters for you just as the chance to commit generally â€Å"safe† errors. Consider your own hypothesis about proper initiative. Give it a shot. Check whether it works. Figure out how to lead by doing it whenever the open door emerges. 8. Learning Low maintenance and humanitarian effort consistently includes learning at least one of the accompanying: specialized abilities approaches and methodology money the board forms client support strategies people’s names the most effective method to work in a group the most effective method to convey the organization crucial vision This rundown could go on. The fact is, notice what you need to figure out how to carry out your responsibility. You’ll have a heap of guides to partake in a meeting! 9. Administration greatness No activity is deserving at least some respect in the event that you aren’t ready to work on building up your administration greatness aptitudes. Simply, administration greatness resembles oxygen. In any activity, we can’t live without it. The most straightforward and best practice to receive is, â€Å"Everyone is my client: my chief, my partners and my customers.† If you wouldn’t decide to be a client of yourself, at that point you have to improve your aptitudes around there or you will probably â€Å"suffocate† your vocation. 10. Self-administration So as to intentionally rehearse the above aptitudes you need to rehearse self-administration. You will have all had a difficult hands on understanding. How could you handle it? How could you beat any negative encounters? Difficulties at work require a lot of positive self-talk, time the executives, critical thinking and relational abilities. Create them now! Low maintenance and humanitarian effort are goldmines to the extent building up your employability aptitudes. Make the most of your chances. The gold in this sense will come later on when you land the position that you truly need. Thus, make the most of your time off this â€Å"holiday season†-and make it a significantly progressively important summer by creating yourself in the work environment! Gary Ryan is the Founder of Organizations That Matter, creator of What Really Matters For Young Professionals! also, maker of the Yes For Success online stage for making and executing an existence of equalization and individual achievement!

Why Have McDonalds Sales Been Declining - Free Essay Example

Founded in the 1940s, McDonalds has become the largest, the most successful and most well known fast-food chain in the world. When ranked amongst the rest of their industry competitors, McDonalds are consistently ranked as the most valuable fast-food brand in the world as well as being in the top 10 of all the overall brands in the world . Achievements like this highlight the enormity of the firm when they are ranked amongst the likes of Apple, Google and Coca-Cola year after year (Forbes, 2015). Between 2003 and 2011, McDonalds saw a rise in its value from $12 per share to $100 per share at its peak in 2011 (The Economist, 2015b). However, over the last 18 months, the firms dominance is not as apparent as it once was. With a fall in sales revenue and a more substantial challenge from other fast-food competitors, the question being asked is why, after so long, is McDonalds starting to falter and what can they do to solidify their top spot? This essay will argue that the main reason behind the decline in McDonalds sales is the change in the social and cultural makeup of many of its consumers. Whilst other factors will be highlighted through the use of a PEST analysis, this essay will argue that the main reason is a generational shift that McDonalds has failed to keep up with and will ultimately offer recommendations that could potentially help the fast-food chain increase sales. The essay will primarily focus on ways to increase sales in the UK. The UK is home to ove r 1,200 McDonalds restaurants. In recent years it has become the UKs third largest fast-food chain behind the likes of Costa and Greggs (Armstrong, 2015). Despite sales increasing in the UK by 0.5%, worldwide, the firm saw a decrease of 1.8% in sales (Fortune Magazine, 2015). There are things that are out of the control of those in charge of UK operations such as food safety scares in Japan and China but there can be measures taken to increase sales so that it can offset the problems in other parts of the world (Fortune Magazine, 2015). All businesses, no matter the size of the company, or the scope of their operations, must consider the external environment they are operating in. Failure to do so can result in missed opportunities to maximise ones profit-making or allows competitors to come into the market and control a significant portion of the market share (Worthington, 2009). PEST analysis (an acronym for Political, Economical, Social and Technological) is a tool used to exa mine the external environment to outline potential limitations in various aspects of a business operations. Anything that can hinder the ultimate aim for a company, to make money, needs to be a priority for any business on the behalf of their shareholders. The political environment analyses the political sphere and the way the it can have a direct effect on the way business operates (Worthington, 2009). This incorporates aspects such as the political system and its attitude to private enterprise; as well as legislation and regulation that governs the way firms operate at various levels from local government to international governance. The UK is a very business-friendly political system. The UK operates with some of the lowest corporation tax rates in the developed world with companies such as McDonalds having to pay a rate of 20% as they earn over ÂÂ £300,000 in profit and this to be cut further in the future to 18% (HMRC, 2015). With this being kept in mind, the UK poli tical environment encourages enterprise and is therefore difficult to suggest that the political workings of the UK are contributing to the downward spiral of the companys sales revenue and ultimately, limited actions the business could take within this environment to increase sales. A similar conclusion can be made of the economic environment. This environment focuses of the wider macroeconomic activity and the way it affects the way businesses operates (Worthington, 2009). This includes taxation in its various forms such as, in the UK, national insurance, income tax and corporation tax; the unemployment level, as higher unemployment means less demand for products due less money flowing through the economy, or interest rates. The economic and political environments are closely interlinked and economics can dictate policy and policy can dictate. The economic crisis saw a rise in unemployment which has a knock-on effect on the ability for a business to generate revenue. However , growth in the economies of the highly developed nations has resulted in unemployment falling. As of April 2015, the UK unemployment rate stood at 5.6% (Eurostat, 2015). Therefore despite the fact that the macro- and microeconomic climate is improving, the revenue of McDonald still falls suggesting that the reason behind it is not economic. The aim of this essay is to argue that the main reason for McDonalds recent failings is due to its neglect in adapting to the current social and, by extension, technological environments. The social environment is concerned with the social and cultural aspects that can affect a way a business operates and technological environment is concerned with the use of modern day technology to maximise opportunities, for example, cheaper methods of production or more efficient ways of delivering a service or product (Worthington, 2009). Regardless of the industry, a business needs to understand the societal norms of the area they operate. For example, a company like McDonalds should not sell beef burgers in a country like India, where the Hindu population does not eat beef. Whilst it appears that McDonalds has catered for the various social differences in the variety of countries it operates in, on the surface level at the very least, the company has failed to keep up with cultural changes in its base the West. Businesses maximise their sales through segmentation. Segmentation is the process where companies focus their marketing by segmenting the market into small groups of shared traits such as demographics, age, gender and occupation. Segmenting the market has no merit in itself; a business needs to understand the consumer behaviour of that particular segment. Consumer behaviour entails all the activities that are normally associated with the purchasing of a product by examining why people buy what they buy and not just what they buy (Kardes et al, 2014). McDonalds have been caught between two different marketing methods aiming to the lower end of the market and directly competing with the likes of Burger King and attempting to aim for the higher-end fast-food restaurants such as Chipotle, Wahaca and Five Guys; who are a little more expensive but are growing in popularity. There has been a growth in the demand for the upmarket, fast-food chains due to their key selling point being high quality food with the option to customise ones dish (The Economist, 2015b). The rise in the high -end fast-food chains can be attributed to the rise of a particular segment Generation Y or otherwise known as the Millennials. Generation Y, is the term that refers to individuals born after 1982 and grew up in a post-Cold War age, through unprecedented prosperity, and throughout the advent of the internet and globalisation. Over the last decade, they have begun to make up the majority of the market (Strauss Howe., 2009). As a result of the age Millennials grew up in, they are less susceptible to traditional market ing techniques and are much more cynical in what a brand has to offer them. Gray (2015) believes that whilst Generation Y are still very aware of the marketing techniques but because they have been targets to it at various levels for their entire life, as opposed to many individuals from Generation X, Millenials are much more desensitised to it. They no longer accept products on face value, but attach a greater concern for being valued as a customer. Jobber (2013) writes that we have entered into a New Marketing Era where the customer is the centre of the marketing mix and attempting to build a long-term relationship with the customer as opposed to previous era in which Generation X were part of. A study into Millennial consumer loyalty found that Millennials will often choose where to shop based on the quality of the product or service and being rewarded for their loyalty. This study found that 74% of participants were more likely to choose a brand that offers a reward or loyalty p rogramme (Ferguson, 2012). This can be seen amongst the fast-food chains such as Starbucks, Costa and Nandos where consumers are rewarded through loyalty cards or apps that can be redeemed for free products and discount. Many argue that McDonalds should head back to its roots and continue to focus on the lower end of the market with the likes of Burger King. However, with this increasing trend in upmarket food-chains, McDonalds should focus on this market if they hope to increase sales. Martin (2002) found that one third of Millennials in the US are from an ethnic minority which brings about a global mix-and-match culture amongst Millennials resulting in a greater demand for culturally diverse foods. One of the key selling points of chains like Chipotle or Five Guys is the ability to build your own dish. With a combination of ingredients, these restaurants offer customers a chance to create something that matches their taste as much as possible. McDonalds in Australia is trail ing a new Create Your Taste menu, where customers have the ability to create their own gourmet burger from a selection of ingredients through a digital kiosk and have it delivered to their table (Macleod, 2014). A trial like this automatically combines that customisation element that many of the Generation Y individuals enjoy so much as well as making use of the modern day technology and is therefore the first thing that McDonalds in the UK should introduce to increase sales. Due to the fact that many of these restaurants such as Five Guys are relatively expensive compared to the likes of Burger King and KFC means that it is not an economic issue; consumers are willing to pay if they feel the quality is appropriate and they are valued. This means that McDonalds could charge more for their customisable burgers and further increase revenue. The greatest innovation over the last 20 years has been the advent of the internet and many companies have made it their priority to make use o f it to expand their business opportunities. When it comes to fast-food restaurants, the opportunity to expand on the internet is limited due to the nature of the industry. However, through the introduction of smartphones and smartphone applications, a number of fast-food chains are utilising these to allow a smoother and more convenient experience for their consumers. For instance, Nandos in the UK uses an application that allows customers to pre-order their meal for it to be ready for collection. It means that commuters on their way home from work can order their food whilst mid-journey and their meal will be ready to be collected for take-way when they have arrived at their local Nandos restaurant. Therefore a second recommendation that would help increase the sales in the UK for McDonalds would be to increasingly utilise the technology available to them. Fergusons study into Millennial consumer loyalty (2012) found that 59% of Millennials use smartphones and with the increasing availability of smartphones at a more affordable price since 2012, it can be assumed, that the figure in 2015 is greater. This further supports the claim that McDonalds is missing out on an opportunity to enter into a thriving market where the tools such as affordable application development and smartphones are readily available. . To conclude, whilst these recommendations on how McDonalds should change the way it operates does not guarantee success, it at the very least means that it is competing with its fellow fast-food chains on an even keel. However, there is the possibility that McDonalds has reached the maturity period of its lifecycle. Like Nokia and Microsoft, two giants in their respective industries, before trendier competitors were introduced to the market, namely Apple, Samsung and Google, no matter how these two giant corporations tried to update their operations and appeal to a newer, more modern market, they have failed to hit the heights of the 1990s. Many of the recommendations are slowly being rolled out by McDonalds throughout the course of 2015 and will undoubtedly reach the shores of the UK shortly afterwards. However, McDonalds is too successful to be judged by a few bad years. BIBLIOGRAPHY Armstrong, A., (2015) McDonalds holds global day of joy after worst sales in a decade, The Daily Telegraph, (24th March) [Online] Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/11491125/McDonalds-launches-day-of-joy-after-worst-sales-in-a-decade.html The Economist (2015a), When the chips are down, The Economist, (10th January) [Online] Available at: https://www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2015/01/economist-explains-7 The Economist (2015b), Why McDonalds sales are falling? The Economist, (14th January) [Online] Available at: https://www.economist.com/news/business/21638115-after-long-run-success-worlds-largest-fast-food-chain-flounderingand-activist Eurostat (2015), Unemployment rate by sex and age groups monthly average %, [Online] Available at https://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=une_rt_mlang=en Ferguson, R. (2012), How Generation Y Will Reshape Customer Loyalty Born This Way: The UK Millennial Loyalty S urvey, London: Aimia Forbes (2015), The Worlds Most Valuable Brands, Available at: https://www.forbes.com/powerful-brands/list/#tab:rank Fortune Magazine (2015), McDonalds posts a global sales decline as troubles linger, Fortune Magazine, (February 2015) Gray, R (2015), Generation Y: What Every Marketer Needs to Know, The Marketer, (2015) HMRC, (2015) Rates and Allowances: Corporation Tax, HMRC website. (July 2015)(found at Jobber, D., F.Ellis-Chadwick (2013), Principles and Practices of Marketing, 7th ed. Berkshire: McGraw-Hill Education Kardes, F., M. Cronley, T. Cline, (2014) Consumer Behaviour, Hampshire: Cengage Learning, Macleod, D. (2014) McDonalds Create Your Taste in Learning Lab Restaurant, The Inspiration Room, ( 9th October), Martin, L.P. (2012) Targeting Generation Y, Public Relations Quarterly, 47(2). , pp.46-48 Strauss, W. N. Howe (2009), Generations: The History of Americas Future 1584-2069, London: Vintage Books) Worthington, I. and C. B ritton (2009), The Business Environment, 6th Ed.. Harlow: Pearson Education Ltd.,

Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Functioning EDSS 6379 - 3575 Words

Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Functioning EDSS 6379 (Editing Sample) Content: ADHD in AmericaSocial, Emotional, and Behavioral Functioning EDSS 6379Fall 2014AbstractThe human brain plays an important role in coordinating normal body processes and growth, however, when the brain is not in its rightful state; an individual is bound to suffer in different ways. One of the conditions of the brain that continues to affect many children and older people in the United States is Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), also referred to as hyperkinetic disorder (Farrar, 2011). This condition is usually described as a psychiatric disorder; that most often affect an individuals process of neurodevelopment. A person suffering from this condition experiences reduced levels of attention and hyperactivity, at the same time, other people often act impulsively in ways that are said to be not suited to their age. An individual suffering from ADHD starts to manifest these signs and symptoms at the age of six years to twelve, for effective diagnosis to be made, the person goes on to portray these symptoms for six more months. School going children that are suffering from this condition often perform poorly as reflected in the low grades and a general dislike for the entire learning process. This paper examines the prevalence rates of ADHD as a condition that can result in a life-long illness if it is left untreated; it explores various intervention approaches that have been used in treating the disease and the success of such interventions in America and other places.Rationale for an interest in the study of ADHDADHD is one of the most studied among all other conditions and complications affecting neurodevelopment according to recent research reports (Smith, 2012). Many teachers have been blamed for their inability to help learners perform well in their academic endeavors, while other performance related issues are easily tackled with; ADHD has remained to affect many children without parents, teachers and other caregivers unable to detect it. Another point of interest in the study of this condition arises from the fact that medical interventions are yet to bring about solid evidence effectively for treatment approaches and mechanisms. There are several research programs being conducted in various parts around the world in order to establish the root cause of this conditions as well as the possibility for reliable intervention strategies.Essential features of ADHDOne of the most prevalent features of ADHD is a continuous pattern of inattention as well as hyperactivity-impulsivity that most often interferes with the normal functioning of an individual (APA, 2013). All these features appear prominently in the affected individual while performing various duties and responsibilities at home, at school as well as during their social relationships on various occasions. It is important to understand that this condition most often begins at childhood, this means that chances of it affecting a grown-up in his older ages are rare. For a child, the signs and symptoms being exhibited from this condition need to be apparent in the manner and degree that is consistent with the childs present development level, something that can be seen from a childs behavior.Social and Cultural perspectives on ADHDAccording to various research reports, social and cultural factors are essential in understanding the past and present, as well as future trends concerning the prevalence of ADHD, its diagnosis as well as methylphenidate treatment plans (Longworth, 2005). According to this research report, the impacts of the consumption of methylphenidate have helped to reduce the effects of this condition in many children across the world. The development of treatment plans by different countries has led to a significant reduction of cases of ADHD among children between 10 years and 11 years (Longworth, 2005). According to this study, less than one percent of children in England are diagnosed with this condition yearly whil e in America, five percent of the same age group as those in England are said to be suffering from this condition.These findings are attributed to the fact that UK doctors are less likely to deploy ADHD label compared to US doctors. The difference may also be tied to cultural factors. The United Kingdom uses most stringent criteria in the diagnosis of ADHD. Geffner (2009) notes that people in most western countries give preference to value autonomy and independence, on the other hand, the culture of people in East Asia give preference to a strong moral responsibility that comes with learning and education. In addition, children in East Asia show great acceptance for what their American counterparts call excessive parental involvement (Cook, Blakemore Press, 2013). Another important feature of parental concerns is that it varies greatly across cultures. In general, there is still a dire need for continuous education to parents, teachers and caregivers about ADHD; this has to be in t erms of signs and symptoms as well as intervention mechanisms.Theories held about ADHD conditionADHD can generally be described as a common disorder that affects many children during their early years and can continue to affect them in adulthood if proper intervention is not taken into consideration. The process of understanding the action cause and treatment mechanisms has continued to remain a mystery across the medical spectrum; however, there are several theories that have been devised in order to try to unravel the mystery behind this condition.Neurobiological theoryWhile the real causes of ADHD continue to be a mystery to many people, studies about cerebral blood flows have tried to explain some of the possible causes of this condition. According these medical reports, positron Emmis on tomography scans that have been carried out on parents whose children suffered from ADHD indicated that they experienced decreased metabolism in their left frontal and parietal regions (Glannon , 2007). Studies reveal that those people that suffer from these brain conditions have decreased brain operation, which are responsible for the control of their motor systems and attentiveness. According to this theory, children that are diagnosed with ADHD condition often exhibit different neurotransmitters extent in their forebrain section (Trimble, 2007). In this regard, these children found it hard to effectively attend to various activities happening in their environment, they are unable to concentrate in their academic work in school, at work as well as coordinate important family affairs.Environmental TheoriesAccording to the environmental theory, conditions that are prevalent at the time the child is being born are important I influence occurrence of ADHD condition. According to this theory, pregnancy and birth insults are instrumental in contributing to the prevalence of this condition; this may happen if the newborn baby suffers a knock on the brain while being handled (Ka plan, 2011). The child may end up having neurotransmission problems as his brain develops if not properly treated; ADHD or a related condition prevails in the child.In addition, the way a mother handles herself and her pregnancy plays an important role in determining whether a child develops this condition or not. For instance, there are those who explain that poor diet and emotional instability by a mother while carrying pregnancy can make their babies develop certain allergic reaction that can play a part in affecting a childs brain developmental processes (Glannon, 2007). Besides the condition of a mothers pregnancy there are different other environmental factors that contribute to the development of ADHD. In addition, exposure to certain environmental conditions is also known to contribute actively in the development of ADHD in children.Exposure to various agents such as in the environment carries a strong chance of development of this condition, these agents cause injury to the brain, leading to trauma on the neurons of the brain. It is this trauma that causes the development of ADHD on a child or even a grown up, for this reason; it is always important for an individual to remain safe in his environment. According to research on these two theories, the environmental theory seems to be the most comprehensive, presenting a clear illustration on how this condition can develop in children and people in general. Environmental factors are also linked to the risks of ADHD. These factors include head injury, toxic chemicals such as lead and pregnancy complications. Brain injury is associated with later problems that affect learning and attention. Brain injury may worsen attention problems. Predisposition to lead lowers the intelligence quotient that may affect learning and reading abilities. Lead may also reduce attention and increase criminal behavior. This presents practical approaches that people can observe in order to be safe in their environment; they are able to avoid situations that can harm them in various ways in order to contribute to the development of ADHD and its related consequences.Therapeutic Approaches to ADHDIn as much as clear intervention approaches for ADHD are yet to be formalized, research on the same has found two strategies that are being employed in the process of dealing with this condition in children and adult people (Nigg, 2006). The treatment approaches to this condition follow two main components; psychotherapeutic interventions, which are for children and older people, as well as the use of specific medications. Research has shown that medication approaches to treatment of ADHD plays an important role providing the much-needed relief against the signs and symptoms arising from ADHD. However, the person that is suffering from this disease should learn various ad...