Failure of Macroeconomic Policy and Decade Long Stagnation Case Study

Failure of Macroeconomic Policy and Decade Long Stagnation - Case Study Example Since 1990 Japan has experienced over a decade of slow growth in real economic activity. Between 1990 and 2000 per capita output raised at an annual rate of 0.68 percent, per capita investment dropped at the rate of 1.4 percent per annum and weekly hours per adult worker declined by 1.18 percent per annum. This period has come to be referred to as "the lost decade." During the same period the inflation rate, as measured by the growth rate of the GDP deflator, fell from 2.3 percent to -1.8 percent and the nominal interest rate fell from 7.4 percent to 0.1 percent. Japan's current experience of sluggish growth coupled by deflation and zero nominal interest rates raises questions about the role of monetary policy in times of deflation. Should monetary policy take actions to avoid the zero nominal interest rate bound and if so, what policies can avoid it and/or ameliorate its negative ejects? This paper deals with a model that accounts for the real and nominal facts from the 1990s and makes use of this model to answer the two questions posed above. We consider an expensive price adjustment model along the lines of Rotemberg (1996) and expand it to allow for capital accumulation. In this economy, monopolistically competitive firms face convex costs of adjusting prices. Households own the capital stock and are subject to convex costs of adjustment. ... Solving for the equilibrium is complicated by the likelihood of a zero nominal interest rate limitation. An algorithm for computing perfect foresight equilibria is developed in situations where the nominal interest rate is zero over some period of time. The model is then solved and replicated using a parameterization that is standardized to Japanese data. An impulse response analysis is used to answer the first question. We find that the dynamic response of the economy to shocks in technology and government purchases is very di.erent depending on whether the zero nominal interest rate constraint binds. When the constraint is not binding output and investment rise in response to improvements in technology under the interest rate targeting rule we mull over. Nevertheless, when the constraint binds, monetary policy cannot respond and output and investment all drop in response to positive technology shocks. A binding constraint also exacerbates the contractionary e.ects of negative government purchase shocks on these same variables. Overview of the Study First, I will analyze what is extent of stagnation and what are its evidences and proofs from economic conditions of the country. Besides this, what went wrong in demand side Second, I will examine the components of GDP which have been stagnant with reference to relevant theories. Third, I will explore the weaknesses of supply side and its relevant issue will be discussed. Background of the study From the beginning of the 1950s to the early 1970s, the Japanese economy experienced dramatic growth. Several institutional structures sustained this rapid growth. First, the stable

Us Policy On Iraq Essay Example for Free

Us Policy On Iraq Essay The war in Iraq has been costly not only to the Iraqis and Americans but to the whole world. Some political analysts say that it is ironical that the war on terrorism has led to increased terrorism activities in defiance and retaliation. Events such as the February 22, 2006 bombing of the Golden Mosque in Samarra, the attack in Mumbai this week and countless suicide attacks in and out of Iraq have been making headlines. In Iraq, such activities are undermining efforts of the current transitional government and the US and her allies to bring peace and stability in the region. Seemingly, terrorists and insurgents are keen to undermine Iraq’s economy, security, and political process. This has led to different quarters asking for a change in the US Iraq policy to one that is based the desire of Iraqis for the speedy formation of an inclusive, national unity government that serves the interests of all Iraqis without drawing so much resentment and hostility from the people and form a sable government. Though the Iraqis themselves produced this key provision (transitional government), the United States throughout helped facilitate agreement on it and other key provisions be it on religion, oil allocation, or federalism. Therefore, looking at the present US Iraq policy helps in understanding the whole process in Iraq as to why these polices are not working and the war continues almost 6 years down the line at the expense of the tax payer’s money. This paper looks at these policies and evaluates how successful or unsuccessful they have been and make recommendations for alternative policies. Policies According to the dossier on US Iraq policy http://www. uspolicy. be/issues/iraq/iraq. asp), the US activities in Iraq are based on †¢ A noble fair and just war †¢ Suppression of the Al-Qaeda and †¢ Reconstruction of Iraq Fairness of the war The underlying policy in the war in Iraq has been that â€Å"the war in Iraq is noble, necessary and fair†. President Bush has been clarifying o n the importance of the war saying that â€Å"Defeating the enemy in Iraq will make it less likely we will face this enemy here at home†¦. † (www. whitehouse. gov/news/releases/2008/03/20080319-3. html). This one single policy locks out all arguments that have been fronted or were fronted even the before the war began. As such, the US feels compelled to attack and occupy Iraq until she feels that her main reason of going to war as to liberate the people of Iraqis fulfilled. But does this bring another definition of freedom into the limelight? Salim 2007 asks. The author says that â€Å"the presence of American and allies troops in Iraq is a threat of the peace and freedom they claim to fight for the people of Iraq†. The Bush administration believes that the war in Iraq is noble in that it is carried out in the right manner in a conscious way. What necessitated the war were the claims by the Bush administration that the government of Sadam Hussein was supporting terror groups and terrorism activities. Now with the man they sought dead, what else could then be the driver to increased instances of terrorism activities? This is one question that the Americans have not paused and addressed it unto themselves according to one online analyst Suppression of the Al-Qaeda As one of the leading terror groups in the world and the one responsible for the terror attacks in the US world trade center, Al-Qaeda is blacklisted by the American government to be denied access to resources that would enable the group to carry out its terrorism activities. With the group based in Iraq, it is feared that it will easily gain access to the numerous oil fields and utilize those resources in undermining global peace efforts. As a result, the targeting of the Al-Qaeda as a group and not Iraq as a country has created a long list of countries that the Bush administration feels deserves action. Among them are Syria, Sudan and Somalia. In light of this view, the American government insists that the idea of attacking Iraq was not for political reasons or economic gains but by a justified reason to protect the globe from terror harm. Continued occupation of Iraq by the US and her allies thus is in pursuance of the denying the terror groups and access to resources. This is accomplished by ensuring that Iraq has a stable government that is capable of handling internal hostilities and insurgencies which are led by the terror groups. Therefore, it would seem irresponsible of the US withdrawing from Iraq without due suppression of the Al-Qaeda. Unfortunately, suppression of the group has not been as successful as such. Countless minor or affiliate terror groups have sprung up and continue to carry out their deadly attacks. This indicates that there is need to change the manner in which the US approaches the terror group. The approach of denying the groups access to oil money does not seem to work as it may be that the terror groups have other sources of resources to finance their activities. Reconstruction of Iraq Two wars against Iraq by the US have crippled the infrastructure of Iraq that is currently an eyesore. The gulf war and the present war have reduced oil production from the world’s third largest oil reserves with 84 billion barrels of oil under her surface. Decreased production has created an oil crisis in the global market leading to skyrocketing petrol and petroleum products. Reconstructing Iraq and maintaining peace and stability in the region is seen as of the ways of bringing down the global oil prices that are hurting very many economies. As the attacker, the US government is bound by moral and humanitarian obligations to correct the effects of the war and reconstruct the economy. Prior to the war, the US had promised to reconstruct the country after the ousting of Saadam. Thus even as the war continues, the US government is committed into helping Iraq find her path to economic prosperity a d realize full democracy. As evidence of this, the US government has been financing almost entirely the transitional government in Iraq either in direct aid o humanitarian aid. Unfortunately, most of the aid forwarded to the country according to Pilisuk and Rountree (2008) is in form of military aid. The future of Iraq The unprecedented length in the Iraq war has called for reevaluation of strategies used in the war. The Bush administration has unveiled six elements it incorporates in its new policy on the Iraq war (http://www. whitehouse. gov/news/releases/2007/01/20070110-3. html). 1. placing leadership on Iraqi people 2. Empowering Iraqi people to defend themselves against terrorism 3. Isolate extremists; 4. Facilitate democracy 5. Diversify political and economic efforts 6. Situate the strategy in a regional approach. By letting the Iraq people lead, then the Iraqis will take responsibility of their own actions and have more responsibility in decision making that will be very critical in stabilizing the region. The second element of helping the Iraq people protect the population has two sides of it. For one, the Iraqi nationals will be involved in fighting terrorism. Secondly, the citizens will keep away from terrorism activities national and international. All these elements are going to be accomplished in four fronts: economic, political, regional and security. Iraq was formerly the leading economy in the Arab world in the late 1980’s. Prior to the Gulf War, the country was using her oil reserves for economic development and prosperity. A series of external attacks have derailed the country from its earlier path and it today relies heavily on foreign aid to run basic government operations. At the moment, the country is just a shell of the former self. Questions have been raised over the effectiveness of the US policies on Iraq and the future of the country. Now that the US economy is facing financial turmoil, the questions on whether the aid assistance to Iraq will continue if of utmost importance. The recent signing of an agreement between the US government and the transitional Iraq government signed an agreement allowing the US troops to remain in Iraq beyond 2008 into the year 2009. Unfortunately, some of the Iraq people are not comfortable with this move. They view that the presence of American troops in their territory infringes on the country’s sovereignty and it is tantamount to total disregard of democracy and independence of one country. They therefore call for the unconditional withdrawal of all foreign troops in the region. The expected coming to power of Barack Obama as the US president provides some hope for a change in policy in how the US handles the situation in Iraq. In his campaign addresses prior to the elections the president elect promised a phased pout withdrawal of American and allied troops from the region that would approximately take 16 months. In addition to this, the fact that the president elect was against the waging of the war from the very word go shows that there is a looming drastic change in the American policy on Iraq once he occupies office. The current economic crisis in America will throw Iraq into further turmoil unless quick strategized withdrawal is put into place. Before the on start of the war, the Bush administration claimed that Iraq had in its possession weapons of mass destruction which were suspect of being used for terrorism purposes. Therefore, the idea behind the war was based on recovery of these weapons and the toppling of the Saddam regime as a supporter of terrorist groups. Unfortunately, only the toppling of Sadaam happened as no weapons of mass destruction were seized. Assuming that the terrorism groups never gained access to the weapons where else could they source such weapons? By adopting such a question, then the US government can have a broader perspective on the fight against terrorism. The resentment by the Iraq people that have fueled increased internal terror activities have resulted from the humanitarian crisis present in the country. US troops have been accused of committing humanitarian atrocities among them killing of innocent civilians and raping of women and young girls. It would seem appropriate then that the US government carries out its operations in Iraq with a lot of caution over the volatility of the region and the sensitivity of the connection between Muslims and terrorism. This is because among the many violations that the troops are accused of, a majority of them have a religious violation connotation. This is very important in that abrupt withdrawal of troops could throw to waste all the efforts made in stabilizing the region and eventually winning the war on terror. In conclusion, it would seem that the best manner in which to carry on the war and formulate polices in handling the war, the involved parties in coalition forces and the US should emphasis on winning the confidence and trust of the Iraqi people. Some of the hostilities meted against sympathizers of presence of foreign troop are not terrorism based but an expression of the anger of the presence of the troops. Unfortunately, the US has not been keen to interpret such incidences as so but is comfortable with the labeling of such activities as terrorism. Therefore, the future of Iraq lies in how strategically America positions itself in the eyes of Iraqis and the success of sanitizing the existing image of America in the eyes of Muslim extremists. Works cited Pilisuk, M. and Rountree, J. Who benefits from global violence and war, New York: Greenwood, 2008 Pillar, P. Terrorism and the US foreign policy, Chicago: Brookings 2004 US policy towards Iraq, Washington: GPO, 2003 Iraq policy at, (www. whitehouse. gov/news/releases/2008/03/20080319-3. html US troops to stay in Iraq beyond 2008 www. arabamericannews. com/news/index. php? mod=articlecat=Iraqarticle=670

Diagnostic Imaging for Breast Cancer Symptoms

Diagnostic Imaging for Breast Cancer Symptoms The role of diagnostic imaging in the initial investigation of female patients symptomatic for breast cancer, and its subsequent application in the staging process. Introduction Breast Cancer is the term used for cancers found within the breast tissue. Usually breast cancer is the result of a small change in the regulatory cycles that the tissue goes through. Any changes in these can result in malignant growths within the breast tissue. As stated by Breast Cancer Now (2016), Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women in the UK with over 50,000 new cases diagnosed in women each year, in the UK alone, thus approximately 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with some form of breast malignancy in their lifetime. Furthermore, not all breast cancer occurs in females, in the UK roughly 350 men are also diagnosed with breast cancer each year. The survival rate of breast cancer is quite high at around 90%, states Breast Cancer Care (2016), which highlights how effective treatment currently is. However, it is the most common cause of death in women aged 40-50. Vaidya, J.S. et al (2012a). Per Sestak, I. et al (2012), there are many factors that can predispose a person to the risk of breast cancer. These include: increasing age, geographical variation, breast density, age at first pregnancy, age at menarche and menopause, family history, genes, previous breast disease, radiation, lifestyle, oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy. As stated by Vaidya, J.S. et al (2012a), Breast cancer lumps are usually hard and painless, with an irregular shape. They are approximately 2cm before they are palpable and can be felt. Most lumps are found in the upper outer quadrant of the breast. A lump is the most common symptom but there are other signs and symptoms that can be indicative of breast cancer. These other symptoms include: bleeding from the nipple (rare), change in shape or size, ulceration, swelling in breast or arm due to blockage of lymphatic circulation, peau dorange which is usually the result of fluid in the dermis and axillary lumps. These symptoms are not present in all cases and are indicative of the different stages and kinds of breast cancer. Content Discussion People with breast cancer symptoms usually undergo what is known as a Triple Assessment. A triple assessment comprises of a clinical examination, imaging examinations and pathological evaluation. This assessment process is usually able to diagnose 95% of malignant breast cancers. Vaidya, J.S. et al (2012b) Vaidya, J.S. et al (2012b) also states that before a clinical examination occurs, the patients history is taken into consideration, as this can aid the diagnose or other potential causes of the symptoms. Usually the history that is considered includes: the history of the current complaint, family history of breast or ovarian cancers, HRT and oral contraceptives history, previous diseases and surgeries, allergies and smoking history. Clinical Assessment of Breast Cancer As stated before clinical examination is the first step in a triple assessment to diagnose breast cancer. Clinical examination is done to assess dimpling, which is usually an early sign, as it occurs because of the contraction of the ligaments of Cooper. Clinical examination can also distinguish between coarse nodular tissue and an actual lump in the breast tissue. The colour and site of any discharge at the nipple is also recorded and tested for any blood within the discharged fluid. Vaidya, J.S. et al (2012b). Imaging in Diagnosis of Breast Cancer As stated by Vaidya, J.S et al (2012b), Both mammography and ultrasonography have important roles in the diagnosis of breast cancer, but the use of other modalities, such as magnetic resonance and infrared imaging, is being developed. Mammography can detect over 95% of clinically detectable cancers. However, it does not aid the diagnosis of a patient with a discrete lump. In this case diagnosis relies heavier on cytology and histology. It may also be of use in the detection of cancer in patients with coarse nodular breasts and is particularly useful in dense breast tissues. Vaidya, J.S. et al (2012b) Another use for mammography is to accurately assess where the cancer is located. This information can also be used to aid biopsy and surgeries.ÂÂ   Mammography can also reveal that there is an impalpable lump in the other asymptomatic breast which otherwise would have gone undetected. Vaidya, J.S. et al (2012b) If a mass is detected on a mammogram, a range of codes are typically used to determine the potential malignancy of the mass. These are defined by Willet, A. et al, for the Association of Breast Surgery (2010) as: M1 Normal M2 Benign M3 Indeterminate/Likely Benign M4 Suspicion of Malignancy M5 Highly suspicious of Malignancy. Another key imaging technique used in the diagnosis of breast cancer is ultrasonography. Ultrasound shows the difference between a cyst or a more solid mass. Therefore, a mass can be confirmed to be a cyst and can be drained using needle aspiration. However, a blood-stained aspirate may be a result of a cancer within the cyst which was previously unidentified. The sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound in the diagnosis of breast lumps has continued to improve with growing technological advances. Benign lumps appear as well-defined masses with no acoustic shadow. Malignant lumps are ill-defined masses, with a varying echogenicity and/or have evidence of microcalcifications within them. Ultrasound is also the preferred imaging method in women under the age of 30, as their breasts tend to be less dense and are therefore radiosensitive. Vaidya, J.S. et al (2012b). The NICE Guidelines (2015), also state that, ultrasound evaluation of the axilla should be performed for all patients bein g investigated for early invasive breast cancer. Fine-needle aspiration cytology is also used in breast cancer diagnosis by inserting a small needle into a lump which is located during the examination using ultrasound. The aspirate on the needle is then examined under a microscope by a pathologist which can then diagnose a breast cancer with almost 100% specificity depending on their level of skill and training. Vaidya, J.S. et al (2012b) Imaging in Staging of Diagnosed Breast Cancer If the tumour is large and there is extensive lymph-node involvement, preoperative staging is prudent. Vaidya, J.S. et al (2012b) As stated by RCR guidelines (2014), the objectives of staging are to: assess the size of a tumour, assess for other involvement of the skin or chest wall, assess multifocality of tumour, to assess the nodal status and to assess for any metastatic spread. MRI is used in staging any indeterminate lesions. The expense of MRI is now becoming less of an issue as the cost of an MRI breast coil is considered relatively low. The injection of a contrast agent during MRI enables the vascularity of a lesion to be visualised. The downside of this is that a specifically trained team is required to undergo this route of imaging. Vaidya, J.S. et al (2012b) NICE guidelines (2015), state that MRI is not recommended in the preoperative assessment of patients with invasive breast cancer that has been proven by biopsy or ductal carcinoma in-situ. It should only be offered to those where the extent of metastases is indeterminate, breast density has caused mammography to be indefinite or to assess tumour size to aid surgery for invasive lobular cancer. Computed Tomography is stated by the RCR Guidelines (2014), to be used with patients who have advanced symptoms and are suspected to have a further progressed cancer. Reasons for request of a CT to stage breast cancer include: bone pain and breathlessness. If the use of CT for staging is used, intravascular contrast media should be employed during the scan. The scan should include the supraclavicular fossa, the chest and the liver. The RCR Guidelines (2014), state that Photon Emission Tomography should not be used for early stage breast cancer but should be used more to assess metastatic spread. It is also used to assess potentially multi-focal disease or suspected recurrence if a patient has particularly dense breasts. Axially node status is usually assessed by using US, with the use of fine-needle aspiration or biopsy of any suspicious nodes. RCR Guidelines (2014). Vaidya, J.S. et al (2012b) also suggest that routine staging in early breast cancer, as the results are usually less than 4%. Thus, these investigations can slow down the otherwise relatively quick treatment and can cause the patient unnecessary anxiety as they await results. Follow-up and Surveillance after treatment of Breast Cancer It is suggested by Vaidya, J.S. et al (2012b) that patients who have had a mastectomy are at a higher risk of developing cancer in the remaining breast and should therefore undergo regular mammograms for surveillance. They also suggest that colour Doppler ultrasound scanning of a breast that has had a malignant tumour postoperatively is likely to increase the chances of an early diagnosis should there be any recurrence. RCR guidelines (2013) state that women who have been treated for breast cancer under the age of 50 should have a yearly mammogram as surveillance follow up. After 50 the guidelines are unclear but it is currently recommended that surveillance mammograms are routinely performed every 2-3 years. NICE guidelines (2015), also state that an annual mammography should be offered to all those with early breast cancers, including DCIS until they reach the age for screening. These guidelines recommend that patients of the age for screening should have also annual mammograms for 5 years. The NICE guidelines (2015), further suggest that US nor MRI should be offered in post-treatment surveillance for those who have been treated for DCIS or other early stage breast cancers. Conclusion In summary, it is essential that patients presenting symptoms which usually pertain to a breast cancer undergo a thorough assessment, including multiple imaging examinations not just for the diagnosis of the cancer, but also the staging and the follow-up once the cancer has been successfully treated. Mammography and Ultrasound are the two key imaging techniques that are vital in my opinion within diagnosis. They enable a fast and usually efficient result which can then be used for staging. Ultrasound can be seen to have more benefits as it does not use ionising radiation unlike mammography, but mammography is essential is those patients who have highly dense breast tissue. This is usually postmenopausal patients who tend to be the high-risk group of developing breast cancer. CT and Ultrasound are mainly used during staging. This stage is vital in patients with more progressive breast cancer, but if the tumour has been caught in the early stages, staging methods can usually be skipped as it is more efficient to immediately commence treatment methods. Follow-up imaging is also essential as those who have undergone treatment of breast cancer are at higher risk of recurrence in either breast. In conclusion, imaging is one the most essential tools available in the diagnosis, staging and follow-up of breast cancer. Without the current imaging techniques, we have today the 95% survival rate of breast cancer would likely be nowhere near as high. Reference List: Breast Cancer Care. (2016). Prognosis. Available: https://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/information-support/facing-breast-cancer/diagnosed-breast-cancer/diagnosis/prognosis. Last accessed 27th Mar 2017. Breast Cancer Now. (2016). Breast Cancer Statistics. Available: http://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/what-is-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-statistics. Last accessed 27th Mar 2017. NICE guidelines. (2015). Early and locally advanced breast cancer: diagnosis and treatment. Breast Cancer. Last Accessed: 30th Mar 2017 Sestak, I et al. (2012). Breast Cancer: Epidemiology, Risk Factors and Genetics. In: Dickson, J ABC of Breast Disease. 4th ed. London: BMJ Books. p41-47. The Royal College of Radiologists (2013). Guidance on screening and symptomatic breast imaging. 3rd ed. London: The Royal College of Radiologists.ÂÂ   Pg.7 The Royal College of Radiologists (2014). Recommendations for cross-sectional imaging in cancer management. 2nd ed. London: The Royal College of Radiologists. P2-4 Vaidya, J.S., Joseph, D. Jones, A. (2012b), Fast Facts: Breast Cancer Diagnosis, 4th ed. edn, Health Press Limited, Abingdon.ÂÂ   P47-64 Vaidya, J.S., Joseph, D. Jones, A. (2012a), Fast Facts: Breast Cancer Pathophysiology, 4th ed. edn, Health Press Limited, Abingdon.ÂÂ   P28-46 Willet, A. et al. (2010). Diagnosis and Imaging.ÂÂ   Best Practice Diagnostic Guidelines for Imaging of Symptomatic Patient. Department of Health. p 49.

Owning Your Own Business Essay -- Essays Papers

Owning Your Own Business There are many advantages and disadvantages when owning your own business. When you own you own business, it’s known as a sole proprietorship. But with any type of business, there will always be advantages and disadvantages. Five advantages for owning your own business are: 1) The owner receives all profits, meaning that all earnings go to the sole proprietor, or the owner, and isn’t shared with anyone else. The profit is not split among partners, or split among a corporation. So when you own your own business, you’re the first and only one that receives all earnings and profit. So if a person has a successful firm, he/she is the first to reap the success and rewards. 2) Another advantage of owning your own business is that you’re your own boss. You can set your own hours, decide what you want to do with the company, no manager to answer to. Basically, you’re in charge of everything. The owner solely makes all decisions. Or in other words, you’re running the show. 3) An additional advantage is that a sole proprietorship can be easily organized. It’s easy to start your own business. First of all, it costs very little money to start your own busines s. As a sole proprietor, you have minimal legal requirements. The owner doesn’t have to establish a separate legal entity. All that is needed is to register the company with the state and apply for an occupational license and any additional licenses required for the state. ...

Positive Psychological Effects on Exercise

â€Å"Positive Psychological Effects of Exercise† Kelsey Leavitt Thomas G. Plante, C. C. (2006, April 10). Psychological Benefits of Exercise Paired with Virtual Reality. Retrieved from http://web. ebscohost. com. ezproxy. tntech. edu/ehost/detail? vid=5&sid=2e69bd11-298b-4674-98ca8d42db4513b4%40sessionmgr110&hid=126&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=pdh&AN=2006-04110-006 Introduction Numerous studies showed that a daily routine of exercise made people live longer lives, had healthier bodies, and were in a more positive psychological state than the people who did not perform exercise as part of their lifestyle.Majority of my family members were overweight and I witnessed many psychological effects that took a toll on their bodies and interfered with their work routine and also their social life. On the other hand, when I reached a certain age in my life, I knew that I did not want to have the health problems some of my family members did and decided to make exercise part o f my daily routine to decrease the negative psychological effects that it could have had on myself.Many people used the excuse; I do not have time for exercise or I didn’t have any money for a gym membership. To me, this was just an excuse because anyone can take thirty minutes a day and go for a walk through the park or jog through the neighborhood, which cost no money at all. â€Å"Research demonstrated that individuals who exercised with others, that involved virtual reality stimulation, or getting feedback aimed at improved self efficiency and enjoyment, greater increase in stress reduction, mood, and well-being, and reduced anxiety and depression† (Plante 1).In the database I researched, a sample of 112 psychology students participated in a study designed to measure momentary mood states which included, energy, calmness, tension, and tiredness. The participants in the exercise experienced the lowest level of tiredness. Overall, â€Å"this study suggested that the combination of virtual reality and exercise improved some of the positive psychological effects of exercise compared with virtual reality or exercise alone† (Plante 1). Purpose The purpose of this article was to investigate the role of virtual reality on the psychological benefits of exercise.The article showed forty-seven male and sixty-five female psychology students who participated in a study and were asked to complete the AD-ACL questionnaire which measured state energy, calmness, tiredness, and tension. â€Å"It was predicted that when virtual reality was paired with exercise, it would positively influence the mood benefits of exercise† (Plante 1). Participants were then randomly assigned to one of three conditions: a twenty minute brisk outdoor walk, combined virtual reality with walking on a treadmill, and virtual reality without exercise condition. Among all participants, there were no significant effects on energy, calmness, or tiredness. However, there were significant effects for tension† (Plante 1). The results of this study were determined by running a series of sample t-tests, which concluded a p-value that clarified whether the test had a significant effect or a non-significant effect. I learned from my adaptive class, that having a p-value less than 0. 5 is significant and anything above that is non-significant, which is how I determined the results from reading the chart of scores from this study. The results suggested support from the hypotheses as virtual reality did boost positive mood benefits when paired with exercise† (Plante 1). As mentioned earlier, the exercise environment contributed to psychological benefits of exercise by affecting well-being, confidence, enjoyment, mood, and self-efficiency. Problem A quote that I like to live by stated, â€Å"One can talk the talk, but can one walk the walk†? I believe that this had a lot to do with the problems with exercise. Despite all the physical and psychol ogical benefits associated with exercise, exercise involved a risk of serious injury.Exercise related injuries consisted of pulled muscles, sprains, strains, fractures, and dislocations. Individuals that were out of shape, failed to wear correct shoes, or improper use of the exercise equipment were more likely to be injured during exercise. Another problem with exercise was obsession. Believe it or not, one can exercise too much, which caused more harm than good mentally. Excessively exercising can cause one’s body to burn out, which had an increased risk of injury.If an individual became obsessive about their appearance, it would lead them to poor self-esteem and developed into a bad attitude about the psychological purpose of exercise. Solution There were many ways for individuals of all ages and sizes to improve and help cope with the psychological problems of exercise. Wearing proper protective equipment, proper clothing and shoes, and even having a gym owner show you the proper way to use their exercise equipment are all ways that helped reduce the risk of injury involved with exercise today.Also, creation of a comfortable, proper daily exercise routine reduced the risk of an individual becoming burnt out or becoming obsessive with exercise. Lastly, another solution to the psychological effects of exercise is the production of endorphins. Endorphins are produced from exercise and have relieved pain, stress, and enhanced the immune system. Based off the research, the environment that an individual chose to exercise in helped with the psychological benefits of exercise as well.The results from this article demonstrated that indoor  exercises  were more relaxing. An indoor environment proved to be more calming because it was an enclosed and secure area, and there were minimal distractions. Furthermore, â€Å"our findings suggest that an individual's decision to workout indoors or outdoors could be influenced by whether he or she is attempted to r elax or energize† (Plante 1). For example, one chose to run outside in the morning to increase energy levels or one chose to run indoors in the evening to wind down and decrease tension before bed.

Handphones should be banned from schools Essay

Based on my opinion, I strongly believe that hand phones should be banned from schools. This is because the detrimental effect of students’ usage of hand phones in school weighs heavier than its benefits. Firstly, hand phones should be banned in school because students’ easily loses focus in class. Acquiring knowledge, learn something new and to educate one-self are the reasons students go to school. If learning is the priority, then what role do hand phones play in classrooms? They serve as distracters, what else? Students who use hand phones in class get distracted and distract the learning of process of the other students in class as well. For instance, if a student’s hand phone rings, everyone’s attention is set on the student rather than on the teacher standing in the frontier of the class. Moreover, on many occasions students’ have been caught text-messaging each other in class or playing games on their phones. Other than that, hand phones should be banned from schools because students’ tend to surf the websites in the classroom. When the lesson is taking place in the class, students who chooses to rebel, shows complete attachment to the phone. Rather than, paying attention during the class, students surf the internet and actively interact in social medias such as Face book and Twitter. Worst still, students who use hand phones are prone to visit illegal and inappropriate websites for their age. For instance, there are chances for students to have access to pornography in hand phones. Many students have been known to download pornographic pictures from the Internet to their phones. Adding on, students tend share those videos with their peers through Bluetooth which opens gate for social problem. Moreover, hand phones should be banned from schools because it creates opportunity for thefts to occur. It is a norm for teenagers to display their belongings to their fellow peers. Additionally, if they own something new, latest, trendy and mostly what the others do not own. This allows the occurrence of petty thefts in school as hand phones, especially those that are expensive and have additional features that draws unnecessary attention, gets stolen. Here, the safety of students also comes into the picture. Especially students who hold their expensive gadgets are sometimes accosted and assaulted outside the school gate as they lure the attention of snatch thieves. Victims with hand phones and other valuable will most certainly have these items taken away by force when they are not aware. Who is to be blamed here? The student with the hand phone? Or the thief? In addition, hand phones should be banned from schools because it encourages dishonesty. Students who have access to hand phones in class, may cultivate the habit of cheating. For instance, students can text test answers to other people in the classroom or also the school. Students too may have internet access on their phone and look up answers for examinations that way. Even though cheating has always been an issue, using cell phones in school only makes the issue bigger. Stressing again; I strongly believe that hand phones should be banned from schools because students’ easily loses focus in class, students’ tend to surf the websites in the classroom, creates opportunity for thefts to occur and finally encourages dishonesty. Since, the usage of hand phones in school contributes to multiple problems, I assert that hand phones should be banned from schools.