Belbin s Team Role Model Applications Essay

University of the Basque Country; University of Hull; Highfield House Consultancy abstract This paper brings together research into and using the team role model developed by Belbin (1981, 1993a) in an attempt to provide an exhaustive assessment of construct validity in light of the conflicting evidence so far produced. Role theory is used to contextualize the origins of the model. The psychometric properties of the Team Role Self-Perception Inventory used to assess a person’s likely behaviour in a team are examined along with 43 empirical studies that have tested theoretical associations between team roles and other cognitive or behavioural traits. While the evidence is mixed, we conclude that, on balance, the model and its accompanying Inventory have adequate convergent validity. However, strong associations between some team roles are observed, indicating weak discriminant validity among some scales in the Inventory. Through its coverage of important areas of teamworking, the paper contributes to the practitioner and research communities by providing fresh insights into aspects of teamworking and by suggesting new research agendas. INTRODUCTION Effective teamworking has become a basic concern for most organizations. While many factors influence a team’s performance, considerable attention has been given to the influence of team member diversity in terms of roles played in a team. The team role model made popular by Meredith Belbin in relation to management teams (Belbin, 1981, 1993a) and available commercially through Belbin Associates (1988) is widely used in practice and has featured extensively in research on teams at work. The model is used by many organizations including FTSE-100 companies, multinational agencies, government bodies and consultants and has been translated into 16 languages. This paper therefore reviews the published research and assesses to what extent the model is supported by the available evidence. Through its coverage of important areas of teamworking (conflict management, personality traits, team performance, control and power) the paper contributes to the practitioner and research communities by providing fresh insights into aspects of teamworking and by suggesting new research agendas. We first consider the theoretical context for the team role model. Second, all substantive studies that provide psychometric evidence, relationships to personality factors and evidence for predictive validity are summarized, evaluated and contrasted. Finally, we discuss the validity of the model and consider the wider implications of our findings. ROLE THEORIES Prior to the development of Belbin’s team role model (1981, 1993a) other role  theories had been put forward (Benne and Sheats, 1948; Graen, 1976; Graen and Scandura, 1987; Holland, 1985) although the model’s links to these and other role classifications (e.g. Davis et al., 1992; Margerison and McCann, 1990; Parker, 1990; Spencer and Pruss, 1992; Woodcock, 1989) are unclear. While a comprehensive theoretical examination of the many alternative role theories and models is beyond the scope of this paper, it is important to establish a theoretical context for the team role model. The role concept can be viewed from two different perspectives. From an anthropological-sociological perspective it can be defined as a combination of values, attitudes and behaviour assigned to an individual who occupies a social position (a location in a social network) associated with a specific social status (the functions assigned to that person). From this perspective, a role can be defined as the behaviour that a person displays in relation to his/her social position and social status (Linton, 1945). Secondly, from a psychosocial perspective, a role can be defined as the behaviour expected from an individual occupying a specific position (Biddle, 1979) such that the cognition and expected behaviour associated with the position are fundamentally important to success in the role (Katz and Kahn, 1978). This psychosocial perspective is adopted for the purposes of this review. Since Lewin created the Research Centre for Group Dynamics in 1944, two types of groups have been studied: groups created to solve problems and groups preoccupied with individual development. This duality has brought about a distinction between so-called ‘task roles’ and ‘socio-emotional roles’. In this light, Bales and Slater (1955) studied laboratory groups and concluded that there were significant differences between individuals concerned with solving tasks and individuals concerned with the social and emotional needs of group members. People concerned with solving tasks were called ‘task leaders’ whereas those concerned with emotional needs were called ‘maintenance or socio-emotional leaders’. Similarly, Benne and Sheats (1948) proposed a role behaviour classification describing 12 task roles and seven maintenance roles. Task-centred roles were concerned with the coordination of group problem solving activities, whereas   maintenance roles were concerned with promoting group-centred behaviour. Both role types were thought necessary for a team to perform well. These theoretical antecedents formed the pillars of the development of the team role model (Belbin, 1981) as its general framework and the names of some team roles connect to these and other theories (Fisher et al., 2001a). Among theoretical models explaining how roles are acquired, a two-part classification can be made (Ilgen and Hollenbeck, 1991). First, there are ‘role taking’ models that consider individuals as passive acceptors of the roles assigned to them by others (Graen, 1976). An example is the ‘role episode model’ (Katz and Kahn, 1978) where the role is defined by an interaction process between two people; the person performing the role (the focal person) and another who holds a set of beliefs that constitute the role (the role sender). The role sender communicates a set of beliefs and the focal person assumes them. The second classification of role models sees subjects actively participating in the definition and development of their role. These models assume that individuals are much more active and motivated to possess roles that they can perform successfully. They are called ‘role making’ models because the focal person actively attempts to influence the role sender as they try to build a role that will be acceptable to both of them. Graen and Scandura (1987) proposed the ‘theory of dyadic organizing’ which integrated and extended Graen’s first proposal (1976). This theory describes how members of a team coordinate their activities to accomplish tasks that are not prescribed in their positions but fundamental for the effective functioning of the team. When a job role involves very predictable tasks, assigning individuals to roles is relatively easy. However, as work becomes more complex then so do the abilities required by individuals. The question is no longer about the abilities and knowledge a person should have for a specific job but is about predicting how a person will behave in the work unit where the work will be  performed. In this sense, Holland (1985) proposed one of the first models that accounted for this individual context adjustment, suggesting that individuals and job environments can be classified into six different types: ‘realistic’, ‘conventional’, ‘entrepreneur’, ‘social’, ‘artistic’ and ‘intellectual’. Each type is associated with specific activities and abilities possessed by individuals. A set of adjectives characterizes each type. For example, the intellectual type is described as analytical, cautious, critical, inquisitive, independent, pessimistic and reserved. For individuals to be successful and satisfied in a job, their personal abilities, interests and personality traits should adjust with the requirements, rewards and interpersonal relations offered by the job consistent with individual job adjustment theory. Holland (1985) proposed that an individual may display attributes of more than one type and also that there are compatible and incompatible types; for example, ‘intellectual’ and ‘artistic’ types are more compatible than ‘artistic’ and ‘conventional’ types. Belbin’s team role model can be linked to these role theories and role classifications. We now turn to review the literature on the team role model, drawing upon studies using the Team Role Self Perception Inventory (TRSPI) through which it is operationalized. We also review team role assessment using personality questionnaires and empirical studies that have explored the theoretical network of team role constructs in an attempt to better understand how individual team role preference is related to the behavioural definition of team roles as well as to other areas of teamwork behaviour. As with most role theories, Belbin’s model is not preoccupied with the roles (behavioural patterns) per se but with the ways in which the roles develop, change and interact with other patterns of behaviour over time. The model  was proposed after a nine-year study of team building and team effectiveness with management teams taking part in an executive management exercise (Lawrence, 1974). Prior to participating in the exercise, individuals completed Cattell’s 16PF personality questionnaire and Watson Glaser’s Critical Thinking Appraisal. For each management team an observer recorded group processes based upon Bales’ (1950) interactive process analysis and reported their observations. Successful and less successful teams were analysed in terms of their members’ personalities and in terms of their critical thinking abilities. Analyses were then crossreferenced with observers’ reports and, as a result, eight team roles were proposed. The initial categorization of team roles was therefore based on assessments of team members’ personalities, critical thinking abilities and a behavioural checklist. The only empirical evidence of the early analysis showed a positive correlation between performance predictions based on team role composition and actual performance across 22 teams (Belbin et al., 1976, p. 26). The eight role model was introduced (Belbin, 1981) and a team role was defined as a pattern of behaviour characteristic of the way in which one team member interacts with another in order to facilitate the progress of the team as a whole. Names and descriptive adjectives for each of the eight team roles were also included. In 1993 some team roles were renamed and a ninth role added. Descriptions of each role are given in Appendix 1. In this model a role is defined by six factors: personality, mental ability, current values and motivation, field constraints, experience, and role learning. However, Belbin did not show how much of the variance in a team role is explained by each factor. In keeping with others (Benne and Sheats, 1948; Torrington et al., 1985), Belbin defends the idea that high performing teams need to have a balanced representation of all team roles. The team role balance hypothesis assumes that if all team roles are present in a team then it will perform better than other teams without the balance. Belbin also considers that the team role concept (a preference to behave in a particular way with other team members while performing tasks) should be distinguished from the concept of functional role which refers to the technical skills and operational knowledge relevant to the job. Consequently, several people may  have the same functional role but vary greatly in their natural team role(s). Belbin also stresses the link between the stages of a team’s development and the need for different team roles to dominate at different stages. Six different stages of development are proposed: (1) identifying needs; (2) finding ideas; (3) formulating plans; (4) making ideas; (5) establishing team organization; and (6) following through. In the early stages team roles like Shaper and Co-ordinator will be most needed, whereas in the later stages Completer-Finishers and Implementers make higher contributions. Operationalizing the Model The team role model is ideally operationalized through a self-perception inventory and through observers’ assessments to give a rounded assessment of a person’s team role. The   original Team Role Self Perception Inventory (TRSPI-8R) was hand-scored such that respondents computed their own profile. This version was later modified to embody the nine role model (TRSPI-9R) and for this version respondents’ profiles are generated by the Interplace computer package. Since it was never intended that the TRSPI should be the only input to exploring a person’s team role, an Observer Assessment Sheet (OAS) was also designed to be used by work colleagues who could make an informed judgement based on their knowledge of the person. The OAS should be used alongside the TRSPI although in many situations only the inventory is used. Details of the scoring procedures for these instruments are given in Appendix 2. The second way of assessing team roles is derived from personality questionnaires; equations to derive team roles have been developed in conjunction with personality questionnaire publishers. In particular, Cattell’s Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF; Cattell et al., 1970) and the Occupational Personality Questionnaire (OPQ; Saville et al.,  1992) have been used (see Dulewicz, 1995). Reviewing the Evidence This review draws upon 43 substantive studies of the team role model using the TRSPI, OAS and personality inventories. A table showing the purpose of each study, its aims, instruments and sample used along with the key findings is available from the first author. Psychometric evidence. Eight studies have analysed the psychometric properties of the TRSPI and two have reported results from the OAS. Initial evaluations were critical (Furnham et al., 1993a, 1993b; Broucek and Randell, 1996) and one study arrived at mixed conclusions (Beck et al., 1999). Recent studies have been more supportive of the TRSPI’s reliability and structure (Swailes and McIntyre-Bhatty, 2002, 2003). Since the first criticism of the TRSPI (Furnham et al., 1993a), other researchers have raised concerns about the statistical properties of the original inventories as well as their theoretical basis (Broucek and Randell, 1996). An important issue affecting psychometric evaluation of the TRSPI stems from its i psative nature which is outlined in Appendix 2. Evidence for the TRSPI. Furnham et al. (1993a) reported low reliability values for three different versions of the TRSPI. Correlations between team roles were different for a normatively scored (Likert scale) version (M = 0.36) and the original ipsative version (M = -0.29). Factor structures were also different for normative values (two well-defined task and socioemotional factors) and for ipsative scoring (four bipolar factors). Both Senior (1998) and Beck et al. (1999), in their respective exploratory factor analyses, also reported an underlying four factor structure for the ipsative version of the TRSPI. However, the ipsative design of the TRSPI was deliberate and any comparison of forms should recognize that transforming the ipsative structure of the instrument may alter its nature. (See Belbin (1993b) for a rebuke of the normative version.) In the ipsative form the average interscale correlation will be negative (Meade, 2004) whereas in a normative form scales are allowed to correlate freely. In this context, Furnham et al. (1993a) raised concerns about the theoretical basis of the inventory and a lack of evidence for its psychometric properties, noting that the test was ‘neither theoretically nor empirically derived as Belbin developed his team role typology based on observatory and inductive,   rather than theoretically deductive means’ (p. 247) with a limited sample of 78 managers. Similarly, Broucek and Randell (1996) raised concerns about the internal consistency and discriminant validity of the TRSPI and the OAS. They also noted that both tests could not be considered as parallel forms of the same construct. The average correlation between team roles was 0.27 for ipsative scoring and 0.42 for normative scoring; higher correlations were expected from the self-reported data collected by both tests. Similarly, Senior and Swailes (1998) also reported that both TRSPI and OAS did not show high convergent validity as only five team roles showed significant correlations with an average of 0.27. Broucek and Randell (1996) also reported that different correlations were found between the normative and ipsative versions of the TRSPI and the NEO-PI-(R) personality scale although 8 out of 19 predictions for the ipsative version and 14 out of 19 for the normative version were correctly hypothesized. Different correlation values were taken as ‘dramatic evidence of the type of distortion which use of an ipsative instrument produces’ (p. 401). Similarly, Fisher et al. (1996) looked at the correspondence between the TRSPI and 16PF and found low correlation values on the validity diagonal. Broucek and Randell also tested the discriminant validity of the OAS against the NEO-PI (R) Big Five personality factors, although Fisher et al. (2001a, pp. 125–6) noted that such analysis was dependent on the orthogonality of the personality factors and, as far as the factors have been found to be oblique (Costa and McCrae, 1992), any conclusion regarding the discriminant validity of the OAS should be taken cautiously.

Leadership Skills and Criminal Justice

Leadership Skills for Criminal Justice Professionals Leadership involves the commitment, dedication, and risk taking attitude of the individual, which also includes other skills to accomplish the tasks. â€Å"In a criminal justice organization, leadership is essential to the success of the goals of the organization† (McKinney, 2008). Criminal justice professionals should develop and maintain leadership skills in their professional and personal lives because they are role models, and their decision-making is suppose to be trusted by the public. The field of criminal justice is very broad, which includes professions like law enforcement, information security, and forensic science; however, there are many career choices in that field that require some of the same skills in leadership. Communication is a major skill in the success of careers in the criminal justice field. â€Å"Professionals in this field should possess excellent communication skills because they must be able to give suggestions to employees, give orders to people over whom they have authority, and explain clearly to the community what legal issues are involved† (â€Å"Qualities of Good Criminal Justice,† 2011). Professionals will need to be able to speak clearly, effectively, and with confidence and authority. In addition, a professional in the criminal justice field must be able to write in a manner that is understandably clear and relayed effectively. They will be writing anything from reports, press releases to parole orders from time to time; therefore, they also need to be comfortable with versatile writing styles and requirements. Good communication skills will help the justice professional to avoid conflicts and solve problems. Another vital leadership skill that a criminal justice professional should have or develop is the ability to think fast with a sound mind in order to make good judgment calls when faced with any issue. Meaning, in order to act in a way that is effective, a professional must possess the ability to evaluate a situation in order to determine what the next course of action that possibly needs to be taken. By applying analytics to forge an information-led strategy, criminal justice leaders can make decisions based on solid, robust data and allocate resources effectively to guide prevention, intervention and/or suppression tactics. Sometimes it is good to solicit opinions and obtain feedback from those that can be trusted or have had a similar situation to contend with. Finally, although most careers include some level of stress, some more than others, careers in the criminal justice field may be considered more stressful than any of the others. â€Å"In a career that deals with public safety, law enforcement, crime and punishment, and legal maneuvers, stress is inescapable† (Qualities of Good Criminal Justice,† 2011). A professional working in the field of criminal justice absolutely must be able to deal with the personal stress of the job with a competent state of mind at all times while performing their duties effectively and safely. Failure to properly cope with stress endangers criminal justice workers and can compromise public safety. It is important to stay in charge of emotions, but even more important to leave it at work and forget about it when you go home. The leadership skills mentioned above are only a few on a long list needed to be a strong leader, but being a professional in the field also means that one must possess a strong ethical sensibility. Why? Because they will be working to promote adherence to laws in order to prevent law-breaking, as well as determining consequences for those who do not follow the law. â€Å"Virtue ethics encourages people to act according to the best aspects of their personalities, assuming each has the capacity to act with prudence, honesty, courage and fairness† (Frenz, 2011). Without knowledge of ethics, criminal justice professionals may be naive about moral issues occurring within the criminal justice system. Many people think that acting lawfully is the same as acting ethically, but that’s not the case. Understanding ethics enables an appreciation of the complexities of acts that involve ethical issues and dilemmas There are so many leadership skills that a criminal justice professional should possess, and only a few was touched on in this essay. One important thing that a good leader can recognize is when to lead and when to follow. With criminal justice organizations constantly evolving and having to change, it is important to have a leader that is able to work with his subordinates and superiors to make effective decision that take the organization in the best directions† (McKinney, 2008 ¬). Ethics and morals encourage people to make beneficial, respectful and fair decisions. Ethical considerations are central to decisions involving d iscretion, force, and due process that require people to make good moral judgments. Therefore, it is imperative that the individuals put in any type of executive role to have formidable leadership skills. Reference Frenz, R. (2011). Importance of ethics and morals. eHow. Retrieved from http://www. ehow. com about_6718517_importance-ethics-morals. html Mckinney, C. (2008, April 3). Modern leadership theories in criminal justice. Yahoo Voices. Retrieved from http://voices. yahoo. com/modern-leadership-theories-criminal-justice- 1338251. html Qualities of good criminal justice professionals. (2011). Go Criminal Justice Schools. Retrieved from http://gocriminaljusticeschools. com/qualities-of-good-criminal-justice- professionals. html

Immigration and Immigration Policy Today Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Immigration and Immigration Policy Today - Essay Example A recent report shows that more than 700 million adults from around the globe would like to migrate to a developed country. Predominantly, there are two driving factors in the immigration process; push factors and pull factors. Push factors refer primarily to the motive for emigration from the country of origin. In the case of economic migration (usually labour migration), differentials in wage rates are prominent. If the value of wages in the new country surpasses the value of wages in one's native country, he or she may choose to migrate as long as the travel costs are not too high. Particularly in the 19th century, economic expansion of the U.S. increased immigrant flow, and in effect, nearly 20% of the population was foreign born versus today's values of 10%, making up a significant amount of the labour force. Poor individuals from less developed countries can have far higher standards of living in developed countries than in their originating countries. The cost of emigration, which includes both the explicit costs, the ticket price, and the implicit cost, lost work time and loss of community ties, also play a major role in the pull of emigrants away from their native country. American immigration or Immigration to U.S. ... ligion, economic benefits, job growth, settlement patterns, environmental impact, and impact on upward social mobility, levels of criminality, nationalities, political loyalties, moral values, and work habits. As of 2006, the United States accepts more legal immigrants as permanent residents than any other country in the world. In 2006, the number of immigrants totalled 37.5 million. Immigration to the U.S. is one of the hot topics being discussed and debated upon around the globe these days, especially amongst the Third World countries. In order to get clearer picture of the whole situation and to look at it from an immigrant's point of view, I conducted a series of interviews with people coming from different ethnic backgrounds, age group and walks of life. Following are the exclusive accounts of different people and their view point on USA's immigration: Omar Rizvi, 15, student of Pleasant Valley High School is an American national with Asian background and has been living in the United States for over 13 years now. Here is what he had to say about our topic: Q. What are immigration reasons according to your understandings Explain with reasons under which circumstances its inevitable keeping the USA in mind. R. To escape war, poverty and to have better opportunities in life. Q. Is the current immigration policy catering to all creeds and cultures R. No Q. What factors and under currents should influence USA's immigration policy R. I have no idea. Q. Is the man in charge of immigration into and out of the USA most suitable for the job Explain why or why not. R. No, because he does not see all aspects of the issue properly. Q. How would you classify immigration As a plight to greener pastures Solution or living in a fool's paradise Justify your

Textual analysis of How to watch your brother die Essay

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The Merits of DSU system in WTO Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Merits of DSU system in WTO - Essay Example Installation of the DSU by WTO has harmonized the manner in which WTO members engage in international trade. Dispute resolution serves as the central pillar upon which WTO functions, thereby allowing member countries to coexist and participate in an efficiently and effectively regulated international trade2. Given the fact that disputes are expected to arise due one reason or another in the process of trade between WTO members, investigations become vital to conduct in order to resolve the underlying dispute. The dispute resolution system is not forceful to any member, as the system is designed to resolve disputes without necessarily damaging state or intergovernmental relations. In the view that the DSU system does not forcefully implement investigations on members upon a dispute, the system minimizes or alleviates altogether the likelihood of being used to instigate dispute proceedings. The DSU system allows either party in the underlying dispute to waiver its claims at any step of the proceedings3. In so doing, it provides a diversified ground upon which conflicts and disputes between trade partners can be resolved. The system does not by any chance curtail the rights and freedoms of any WTO member. DSU is indiscriminately enforced for the benefit of all WTO members. The operations of DSU apply to all members, meaning that WTO provisions are uniformly binding to both developing and developed member countries4. In this respect, the primary interests, activities, and roles of WTO are reflected by the DSU system. WTO serves as an intergovernmental organization across the globe, an aspect that the DSU essentially captures. As a result, the DSU system is tailored towards promoting functional relations and improved international trade all over the world. The DSU system does not observe a common law system, meaning that it is not characterized by binding precedents5. Consequently, this implies that the DSU system exhibits no stare decisis aspects in

1. Compare two article (see attachment) Coursework

1. Compare two article (see attachment) - Coursework Example This particular study also involves the presence of both qualitative and quantitative approach of research methodology. In terms of qualitative study, article 2 involved in the procedure of data collection through the review of several research articles. However, in this research article, there are no such evidences of application of any sort of theory or model (Black, 2013; MacIntosh & Doherty, 2007). Both the aforesaid articles witnessed the application of quantitative research methodologies. These quantitative research studies in both the articles involved the use of questionnaire for the purpose of gathering primary data from different respondents. In this regard, relating to the research article 1, data has been mainly collected through the framing of a questionnaire, which is specifically designed for two categories including private and public sectors. These involved 547 respondents (Ramachandran & et. al., 2011). On the other hand, in article 2, primary data in the form of questionnaire was mainly collected from the respondents of five different fitness clubs. In this approach, 113 individuals have responded to the questionnaire out of 250 targeted participants (MacIntosh & Doherty, 2007). In this study, questionnaires were sent to 250 clients through mails and out of which 113 of them responded effectively and provided valid responses (MacIntosh & Doherty, 2007). From a contrastive perspective, in article 1, the 547 respondents exclusively involved the faculty members of different higher educational institutes, comprising both public and private. In this study, data was collected by contacting with them through telephones or mail (Ramachandran & et. al., 2011). Furthermore, in article 1, the methodology also involved the presence of a pilot study amid 20 respondents. The reason behind the conduct of pilot study is to determine the

What does this book reveal about the American religious experience Essay - 2

What does this book reveal about the American religious experience - Essay Example The first story of the novel largely mimes the story of the Monkey King. It would not be an exaggeration to point out that the author deliberately chose this figure since in the original text the Monkey King also was a victim of ethnic discrimination. Indeed, being a monkey for no particular reason he was refused to join the gathering of other deities. Later he is explained that his entrance was denied because he is a monkey and no match to deities. No matter how absurd it may see, but in the fairytales there is also a hierarchy of the spices which may not be properly justified, just like in a real life society. Another interesting point that should be noted is the rejection from the group of gods actually served as an important impulse for the Monkey King to explore his abilities and live his life to its fullest. One might suggest that just like him, those people who were not able to incorporate in the society because of racial prejudices end up to be much more developed individuals than they could have been if they did not turn their attention to their identity. Quite ironically, throughout the story the Monkey King is the person who develops the most accurate understanding of his identity as well the state of affair in the society, featuring the perception of the world which is not distorted by any biases – something that the majority of the population both in the book or in the real life is not able to boast. The next story, the implications of which should be explored in order to prove the thesis deals with life of Jin Wang. Thus, it is quite important since it presents a rather peculiar description of the most hostile environment for the people of a different race that one can image: the white suburb of a town. It is quite obvious that the author deliberately made his Chinese character to move them in order

PREVALENCE OF TOBACCO USE AMONG VETERANS AND INTERVENTIONS Essay

PREVALENCE OF TOBACCO USE AMONG VETERANS AND INTERVENTIONS - Essay Example In addition to these problems, smoking also has been directly linked to causing respiratory complication, oral disease, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis. It follows that it is essential greater awareness be brought through veterans to the deleterious consequences of smoking (American Lung Association, 2010). Even as smoking is a considerable problem among the general public, veterans in VA health care demonstrate even statistically higher numbers of illness. Indeed, it is estimated 33 % of the veterans’ population served by the Department of Veterans Affairs are smokers, whereas the national average is at 22% (National Smoking and Tobacco Use Cessation Program directive, 2003).In addition to demonstrating higher percentages of tobacco users, veterans also smoke more heavily than the general population. Much research that has been conducted into this phenomenon indicates that many veterans report beginning smoking while in the military, and after their release continue the pra ctice throughout their daily life as a means of calming anxiety or nerves. The military have always promoted tobacco use in the camps. During both the Second World War and the Korean War the government made complimentary cigarettes available as K-rations. The prevailing wisdom during this period was that cigarettes would keep troops vigilant in the battlefield. Smoking breaks were even used as motivation during boot camp, with soldiers being able to earn breaks (McKinney et al, 1997). It’s believed that the promotion of smoking in these contexts greatly contributed to later day health-related problems among veterans. In these regards, it’s clear that further awareness needs to be brought to the deleterious effects of smoking. Consider statistics from a recent investigation into this phenomenon that indicated 24.1% of 18 – 44 years olds are of veterans are current smokers, this percentage drops to 21.9% for 45 – to – 64 year olds, 11.1% for 65 †“ to 74 –year olds, and 5.8% for those over age 75 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Summary of Health Statistics for U.S. adults, 2006). Women, the fastest growing subgroup of U.S. veterans, are included in the VA health concern. In 2005, the Office of Public Health & Environment indicated that nearly 178,000 women die on a yearly basis as a direct result of smoking related illness. These women also risk cancer, infertility and pregnancy – related problems. SIDS is also common among mothers who smoke during pregnancy. (Department of Veterans Affairs, 2010). Many health experts agreed that the current VA tobacco control efforts to be less effective for women veterans than their male counter – parts. â€Å"Given an expected increase of women veterans with tobacco – related morbidities, developing effective smoking cessation interventions for women veterans is an important goal.† (Katzburg, 2007).In addition to the previously described h ealth risks, research has demonstrated a significant connection between tobacco use and

Application of Business Vocabulary in Financial Articles Literature review

Application of Business Vocabulary in Financial Articles - Literature review Example In the article, the writer uses the keywords Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Generation Y. Baby Boomers are the children that were born in the post World War II economic boom. In the article, Keller uses the term as the oldest of the definable generational segments and further describes their propensity for being health and fashion conscious. Generation X and Generation Y are market segments that are differentiated by age, with Generation X being the older set. Keller uses the generational set as market segments and points out that the overlap between 18-34 is the fastest growing segment. The author makes no social or cultural comments on these segments. In the article titled "Six Tips for Buying or Expanding a Business" the author offers sound advice on how to enhance a business's chance for success. The author, Jeff Stone, takes the reader from building a solid foundation through the important aspect of making a profit. Stone also includes the intermediary steps of planning and seeking help when advantageous. The article advises the small business community on seeking investments and financing and the requirements that the financial institutions may require for success. These common sense issues include things such as creating a good brand image and keeping accurate company records. In the article Stone uses the keywords Small Business, Small Business Administration, and Business Plan. While the legal definition of a small business may vary from state to state or be dependant upon the institution involved, it is generally defined as a business that employs a small number of people. In Stone's article, he defines it and uses it in the context as those businesses that are of such small size they are especially vulnerable to changing conditions or lack of planning. The Small Business Administration (SBA) is a government agency designed to provide a wide variety of programs for small businesses. These can include everything from planning to financing. Stone uses the term in context with the planning help that is available at the SBA. A business plan is a well thought out and long term approach for planning and running a company. The author elaborates on this definition and includes many of the aspects of a business plan such as the necessity to obtain financing and benchmarks for measuring success. In an article published in 2002, author Jacqueline J. Kennelly argues that free trade and the associated movements towards globalization may have a negative effect on women's health care and feminism in general. Published in Canadian Woman Studies and titled "Making Connections: Women's Health and the Anti-Globalization Movement", the author argues the pros and cons of free trade and free trade associations and the impact of anti-globalization efforts. The author contends that the anti-globalization movement is often perceived as a white male-dominated institution and as such tends to overlook women's issues. Much of the argument centers on the movement towards privatization of health care systems and how they diminish the health care available to women.  

How Cheerleading Is a Sport Essay Example for Free

How Cheerleading Is a Sport Essay Many consider cheerleading not a sport, but the New York Times states, one of the quickest growing sports for girls in our country today is cheerleading. Additionally, the New York Times doesn’t differentiate between sideline and competition cheerleaders. Sideline cheerleaders are on the sideline cheering on the football team and getting the crowd pumped for the football game. A competition cheerleader competes against other schools or teams in competitions that last two minutes and thirty seconds which consist of stunting, tumbling, dancing and jumps. Cheerleading is a sport because it is made up of teamwork, vigorous practices, it’s very dangerous, and it has rules and guidelines like any other sport in today’s society. Teamwork is the most important aspect in cheerleading. â€Å"Teamwork is not only crucial for executing the pyramid or stunt, but also to prevent injuries. Additionally, judges look at a squads ability to function and perform as a team demonstrated by synchronization and execution of stunts† (Allen). Teamwork is defined as everyone working together to achieve a common goal. The main goal for a cheerleading competition is to get first place, but that doesn’t always happen. To achieve this goal, everyone has to be ready to go and work together, but also communicate as a team. A competitive cheerleaders’ goal is to do all they can to win the competition overall. Cheerleading is a sport that involving people working together as a team, but without cooperation, synchronization, and communication, first place is not attainable. To be a cheerleader, you have to go to practice just like any other athlete. Cheerleaders have vigorous practices just like football. Competitive cheerleading is a sport that includes strength. For a person to be a cheerleader, you must be in shape and flexible because in a cheerleading routine you need to be able to tumble, stunt, jump, and dance without stopping for the entire two minutes and thirty seconds. Cheerleaders must learn to tumble, just like gymnasts. The only way cheerleaders will learn to tumble is if they attend practice and work hard without ever giving up. A cheerleading practice consists of conditioning, going over the routine full out over 50 times, jumping, tumbling, stunting, dancing your heart out, and even more conditioning. Cheerleaders perform stunts that require strength. In a stunt, flyers are tossed in the air, by their two bases and back spots in different stunts that require strength, teamwork, communication, and cooperation. To be able to perform the very challenging stunts, cheerleaders need to condition and workout like any other sport that competes. Cheerleading is considered the number one dangerous sport for girls in todays country. Sports injuries for cheerleading appear in the ER more than five times the number of any other sport. According to LiveScience staff, cheerleading injuries account for more than 67 percent of sports injuries (LiveScience). While watching a routine, you will see that most cheerleaders will have on an ankle brace, a knee brace, or a wrist brace. They wear braces because cheerleaders easily get hurt and they have to wear a brace to be able to cheer and not reinjure themselves. In most cases, the cheerleaders will continue to wear the brace after their injury is healed because they don’t want to hurt their previous injury. The most common injuries are ankle sprains. Cheerleaders may need surgery for some of their injuries because in most cases a cheerleader could of torn their MCL or ACL. That means the cheerleader could be out for months. In worst cases of injuries, their have been cheerleaders that have broken their necks in stunts, like pyramids or basket tosses. There have been cases in which cheerleaders have died because they have fallen out of a stunt and onto their head causing brain damage. Many consider cheerleading not a sport because they don’t use balls, but that’s not true. Cheerleading has rule and guidelines just like any other sport in the world. The rules and regulations in cheerleading are very strict. Some rules in cheerleading are routines must not exceed 2 minutes and 30 seconds. A cheerleading routine must be performed on mats or spring flooring. In addition, each athlete must wear his or her uniform and jewelry is prohibited. If a judge catches jewelry on a cheerleader, they will deduct points for appearance. If a bobby pin or clip hits the floor, the team gets points deducted. Props such as flags, banners and pom pons are allowed. Also judges are the ones who judge the routines. The judges are like the referees in a football or basketball game. The judges will judge a routine on motions, dance, tumbling, jumps, facial expressions, and their overall performance. Many Americans think that cheerleading not a sport, but by the definition of a sport, cheerleading is considered a sport. â€Å"A sport, according to the Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Advisors, is a physical activity or competition that competes against or with an opponent, governed by rules and regulations under which a winner is declared, and primary purpose of the competition is a comparison of the relative skills of the participants† (Renee). Many say that competition cheerleading is a sport, but not sideline. In my opinion, any type of cheerleading is a sport because there is a chance that at games, an injury may occur. Sideline cheerleading is considered a sport, just like competition cheerleading, because most high schools use their sideline team as their competition team. Also at games the sideline/competition team will perform very risky and complicated stunts that people might get seriously injured.

Effect of Liquid Tumeric Extract on Carcass Production

Effect of Liquid Tumeric Extract on Carcass Production The effect of liquid tumeric extract supplementation on carcass production and chemical quality of broiler meat M. Hidayat, Zuprizal, Sundari, A. Kurniawati, A. K. Wati and A. Kusmayadi ABSTRACT The purpose of this research was to find out the effects of liquid turmeric extract (LTE) supplementation as a phytobiotic on carcass production and chemical quality of broiler chicken meat. The research is conducted with a directional pattern completely randomized design. Eighty-four broiler chickens were raised from day old (DOC) to 42 days old chick. From DOC to 14 days old chicks were fed with commercial feed (ME 3,100 kcal/kg; CP 22%; Ca 1%; P 0.75%). During 15-21 days of age given a commercial feed mixture and basal feed (ME 3,201.77 kcal/kg; CP 20.21%; Ca 0.90%; and P 0.43%). At 22-42 days old given treatments. Seven treatments were replicated 3 times consisted of 4 broiler chickens for each replication. The treatments were positive control (P1), negative control (P2), water + LTE 2% (P3), water + LTE 4% (P4), water + LTE 6% (P5), water + LTE 8% (P6), and water + LTE 10% (P7). The results showed that LTE 10% significantly decreased (P0.05) on the carcass weight, carcass percen tage, meat protein and fat content. Keywords: broiler chicken, phytobiotic, liquid turmeric extract, carcass production, meat INTRODUCTION The contribution of Indonesias animal farm in providing sufficient feed as a source of animal protein, especially meat, greatly depends on poultry meat, more specifically broiler meat. Data from the Badan Pusat Statistik (2015) reveal that the average production of broiler meat in Indonesia from 2012 until 2014 was 52.03% of total national meat production with a broiler meat consumption of 86 g/capita/week, so that Indonesian society will lose more than half of animal protein feed from domesticated meat whenever there is no production of broiler meat. Broilers in Indonesia usually are reared using antibiotics as a feed additive produced by local feed companies in Indonesia. The antibiotics added in feed are usually used as a treatment and prevention of infections (Barton, 2000) and growth promoter (Barton, 2000; Dono, 2012; Daud et al., 2007; Hartadi et al., 2008) to improve the growth of broilers. Dono (2012) clarified that the effect of growth promoting antibiotics is strongly correlated with its ability to inhibit pathogenic microbes in the digestive tract. As a consequence, by inhibiting the growth of pathogens and reducing the toxic compounds from bacteria metabolism, it can stimulate the digestive efficiency and support the acceleration of the growth. In addition, according to Ajit et al. (2016), the beneficial effects of using antibiotics include the thickening of the intestine which leads to more nutrient absorption. Antibiotics that are frequently used as growth promoters include zinc bacitracin (Daud et al., 2007; Bintan g et al., 2008), oxytetracycline (Hintono et al., 2007), virginiamycin (Sinurat et al., 2009), flavomycin (Ashayerizadeh et al., 2009; Gunal et al., 2006), and enrofloksasin (Widiastuti, 2008). However, using antibiotics as a growth promoter in feed has various deficiencies. Widiastuti (2008) explained that the use of antibiotics as a growth promoter produces antibiotic residue in broiler liver, breast, and thigh meat. Antibiotic residue tends to be dangerous when considering that the antibiotics used in poultry are the same as those used by humans. Several kinds of medicinal plants can beused as antibiotic replacements in poultry. This is caused by the presence of active compounds in the plants that have a positive effect on the human bodys health. Turmeric is one of the plant containing curcumin that functions as anti- bacteria (Rahmawati et al., 2015; Fitoni et al., 2013). Bhawana et al. (2011) stated that the curcumin anti-bacteria working mechanism is examined with a transmission electron micrograph (TEM) analysis, which reveals that these particles enter bacteria cell walls by completely damaging the cell walls, resulting in cell death. The presence of this curcumin anti- bacteria characteristic is expected to have the same function as an antibiotic characteristic in inhibiting pathogenic bacteria in the small intestine, which will then result in better broiler growth. Curcumin, according to Prasanth et al. (2012), also has an antihiperlipidemic function. They elaborated further that curcumin has a derivative compound from the hydrogenation process that is called tetrahydrocurcumin (THC), which is an antioxidative substance that possesses an anti-hyperlipidemic effect by reducing peroxide lipids and lipid compounds (cholesterol, triglyceride, free fatty acid, and phospholipid). This function will be beneficial when considering that broiler have a high fat content, so that the presence of additional curcumin is expected to be able to improve the carcass quality by reducing the broiler meat fat content. The curcumin active compound still has a deficiency related to its minimal systemic bioavailability (absorption) in digestion (Sundari, 2014). Other compounds need to be added in turmeric extract to optimize the function of curcumin. Research by Sundari (2014) shows that adding the compounds chitosan and sodium tripoliphosfate (STPP) are known to be able to cover the weaknesses of curcumin in the digestion process. Chitosan functions to improve the solubility and bioavailability of curcumin, while STPP acts to stabilize turmeric extract and chitosan by performing as a cross-linker. Sundari (2014) also reported that the formulation of turmeric extract + chitosan + STPP with turmeric extract dissolvent and ethanol dissolvent produces high production cost of Rp 6,060.00/g, so that water could replace ethanol to reduce the production cost. The purpose of this research is to discover the influence of adding liquid turmeric extract as a phytobiotic towards carcass production and broiler meat chemical quality as well as to find out the best concentration of liquid turmeric extract to produce carcass production and broiler meat chemical quality. MATERIALS AND METHODS Instruments The instruments used in this research consisted of a group of 21 square cages measuring p x l x t = 80 x 50 x 50 cm, a chicken scale, food containers, drink containers, a thermometer and room hygrometer, a chicken and feed scale, a 500 ml measuring glass, a 50 ml measuring glass, a set of chicken slaughtering equipment, and a set of meat proximate chemical analysis equipment. Materials The materials used in this research were one day old chicks (DOC) of male broilers, commercial feed, starter and finisher broiler formulation basal feed, drinking water, vitamins, ND 1 and ND 2 vaccines, fumigation material, fresh turmeric, chitosan, citric acid, and sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP). Process of Making Liquid Turmeric Extract The steps of making liquid turmeric extract were as follows: 1) fresh turmeric was peeled; 2) the peeled turmeric was bleached with citric acid solution of 0.05% until it was all submerged in a temperature of 100oC for 5-10 minutes, and then it was thinly sliced; 3) the sliced turmeric was then mixed with distilled water and blended (a mixture of 400 g of fresh turmeric dissolved in 500 ml of distilled water); 4) the blended turmeric was then filtered, the dregs separated, and put through a filtrate; 5) the turmeric extract filtrate was then added with 5 g of chitosan that had previously been dissolved in a 400 ml buffer of pH 4 citric acid using magnetic stirrer; 6) the extract filtrate of turmeric + chitosan was added with 2.5 g of STPP, which previously had already been dissolved in 100 ml of distilled water using magnetic stirrer. In vivo Test of Liquid Turmeric Extract Male broilers were raised for 42 days. From day old chick (DOC) to 14 days of age, thebroilers were given commercial feed with ME nutrient content of: 3,100 Kcal/kg; CP 22%; Ca 1%; P 0.75%. From 15 to 21 days of age, the broilers were given commercial feed and starter basal feed (Table 1) to adapt with the consumption of basal feed that was free of antibiotics, so that it could all be used in basal feed when given turmeric extract. Eighty-four broilers of 22 days old were divided randomly into 7 treatment groups. Each treatment consisted of 3 replications with 4 broiler in every replication. The treatments were applied for 21 days until the chickens reached 42 days old. The broiler grower basal feed (Table 1) was given ad libitum during the treatments. Seven treatments were differentiated based on the addition of turmeric extract in the drinking water, including: T1: positive control (water + antibitotic Zinc Bacitracin 12 mg /1000 ml) T2: negative control (water) T3: water + 2% liquid turmeric extract T4 : water + 4% liquid turmeric extract T5 : water + 6% liquid turmeric extract T6 : water + 8% liquid turmeric extract T7 : water + 10% liquid turmeric extract Parameters Observed Parameter observed included carcass production (slaughter weight, carcass weight, and carcass percentage) and meat chemical quality (water content, meat protein content, and meat fat content). The slaughter weight was obtained by weighing the chickens before being slaughtered. Two broilers were slaughtered in every replication of each treatment. The carcass weight was obtained by slaughtering the chickens until all the blood was removed and then separated from the feathers, head, internal organs, and feet, then it was weighed. The carcass percentage was obtained by dividing the carcass weight by the slaughter weight and multiplied by 100%. Meat from the right thigh was sampled and blended for chemical analysis included water content, crude protein content, and crude fat content using AOAC (2005). Data were analyzed with a directional pattern method using SPSS-16 program, and if there was a significant difference (P The slaughter weight of broilers given liquid turmeric extract and positive control (T1) were relatively higher compared to those of broilers in the negative control treatment (T2), which was only given plain drinking water. The results revealed that broilers given liquid turmeric extract with a dosage of 8% (T6) produced the highest slaughter weight and those given turmeric extract dosage of 10% (T7) produced the lowest slaughter weight. Fitoni et al. (2013) reported that turmeric with a curcumin active compound could inhibit the growth of coliform bacteria with a total of 108 cfu colonies compared with treatment without turmeric that contained more than 300 cfu of coliform bacteria. The curcumin antibacterial mechanism was that these particles entered the bacteria cell walls by completely damaging the cell walls, so that it resulted in the cell death (Bhawana et al., 2011). There was an inhibition of pathogen bacteria, resulting in a reduction of nutrients in the intestine that were eaten by the pathogen bacteria, so that the absorbed nutrition by intestinal villi increased. The research also showed that giving a 10% dosage of liquid turmeric extract (T7) could reduce the broiler slaughter weight, after the previous T6 (dosage of 8%) showed the highest    *Nutritional requirements needs standards for 3-6  week old broiler chickens (NRC, 1994): protein 20%; Lys 1.0%; Met 0.38%; energy 3,200 kcal/kg,  Ca 0.9%; P av 0.35%. ** Masamix composition per kilogram: vit A 810000 IU, D3 212000 ICU, E 1.8g, K3 0.18g, B1 0.112g, B2 0.288g, B6 0.3g, B12 0.0036 g, Co 0.028 g, Cu 0.5g, Fe 6.0g; Mn 6g; Iod 0.1g; Zn 5g, Se 0.025g, DL-Met 212.5g, L-Lys 31g, Folic Acid 0.11g, As. panthotenat 0.54g. Niacin (vit B3) 2.16g, CholinCl 60% 75g. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS Carcass Production The broiler carcass production included slaughter weight, carcass weight, and carcass percentage, are presented in Table 2. Slaughter Weight The slaughter weight of broilers given liquid turmeric generally had the same as those of  slaughter weight. The same research results were reported by Pratikno (2010) that giving a turmeric extract dosage of 400 mg/kg body weight had the highest body weight (2,320.833 g). However, giving a turmeric extract dosage of 600 mg/kg body weight actually reduced the body weight (2,251.667 g). Curcumin was found to experience a character shift from an antioxidant to become a prooxidant when it was given in a high dosage (Saefudin et al., 2014). Research by Syamsudin et al. (2006) revealed that giving a curcumin dosage of 3,600  µM in rat liver mitochondria isolate reduced the glutathione reductase (GR) enzyme activity compared with the curcumin dosage of 60 µM which was lower. The lower GR activity could be caused by an accumulation of free radical metabolites. The free radical compound could originate from curcumin which had a trait shift to become a prooxidant in a high dosage. The body need more energy to detoxify free radical compounds. The amount of energy needed  would increase the  total metabolizable energy  in broiler chicken blood (Sundari, 2014), so that it would reduce the feed consumption, resulting in a decrease of body weight. The decrease of body weight was proven from research conducted by Kusmayadi (2015), who found that the feed intake of broil er given 10% dosage of liquid turmeric extract was only 3,285 g compared to those of broiler given 8% dosage of liquid turmeric extract (3,723 g). The lower feed intake caused the insufficient broiler nutrient needs in terms of quantity, so that the growth disrupted and the body weight decrease. Table 2. Carcass Production of Broilers Given Liquid Turmeric Extract in Drinking Water  Mean at the same column with different superscript indicate significantly different (P Treatments Slaughter Weight (g) Carcass Weight (g) Carcass Percentage T1 2,917.7+ 87.36b 2,101.2+ 77.81 72.01+1.38 T2 2,774.7+126.82ab 1,974.2+127.27 71.13+2.75 T3 2,832.7+193.90b 2,105.3+206.88 74.45+7.27 T4 2,761.2+210.59b 1,987.3+148.04 72.24+6.57 T5 2,816.3+ 31.00b 2,031.3+ 78.30 72.14+2.92 T6 2,931.8+ 62.11b 2,003.0+ 69.00 68.32+1.79 T7 2,644.2+178.51a 1,869.2+161.77 71.02+8.56 Carcass Weight and Dressing Percentage The carcass weight and dressing percentage did not show a significant difference (Pet al. (2009) that the final body weight was equivalent with the carcass weight. Carcass reflected body part of the broiler production (Resnawati, 2004) and the carcass percentage reflected the size of the broiler carcass. Meat Chemical Quality The results of the broiler meat chemical quality, which are included protein content, fat content, and meat water content are presented in Table 3. Meat Protein Content The broiler meat protein content, which was  supplemented with 2% to 10% doses of turmeric extract in drinking water generally had the same protein content compared to the positive control and negative control with a range of 21.49 to 23.94%. Six-week old male broiler meat protein content was ranged from 20.21 to 22.08% (Soeparno, 2011), so that this results were relatively normal. Sundari (2014) explained that by giving turmeric extract, it would increase the nutrient absorption capacity, including protein, in the small intestine. Turmeric extract as a phytobiotic was also found to accelerate nutrient metabolism in cells (Pratikno, 2010). A smooth metabolism could be due to the curcumin activity in turmeric extract, which functions as an imunomodulator or antibody system (Dono, 2013). Jamilah et al. (2013) stated that good broiler immunity caused protein to be used to repair cell tissues, so that a high amount of protein was deposited inside meat. On another side, the bodys low immunity causes protein to be mostly used to repair cell tissues as well as form antibodies. Increasing the protein deposit in meat will be used for growth and not to increase the percentage of meat protein. Meat Fat Content The broiler meat fat content, which was supplemented with turmeric extract in drinking water with a dosage of 2% to 10%, generally had the same fat content (P>0.05) as positive control or negative control did. Sundari (2014) reported that giving turmeric extract could increase the fat nutrient absorption in the small intestine. This reflecting that fat which was absorbed in the body  would increase and deposited in the body, including meat in the form of intramuscular fat. Linder (1992) added that body fat also came from the conversion of excess glucose. On another side, Estancia  et al.  (2011) explain that curcumin had increased lipid catabolism to decrease lipid in the body. In this research, the increase of lipid metabolism did not occur due to the ration which was fulfilled with energy from glucose. This sufficiency caused the fat unable to breakdown to become physical or heat energy, so that there was no reduction in broiler meat fat content.   Table 3. Meat Chemical Content of Broiler Chickens Given Liquid Turmeric Extract in Drinking Water Treatments Protein content (%) Fat content (%) Water content (%)* T1 23.44+0.07 0.98+0.20 73.08+0.57b T2 21.49+3.00 1.74+0.23 73.41+0.33b T3 22.47+0.34 1.80+0.52 72.91+0.42b T4 22.73+0.49 2.21+0.68 73.14+0.84b T5 23.93+0.41 1.41+0.23 73.07+0.77b T6 23.74+0.33 2.13+0.51 71.80+0.80a T7 23.94+0.43 1.78+1.20 71.96+0.43a Mean at the same column with different superscript indicate significantly different (P Meat Water Content The meat water content of broiler which were given liquid turmeric extract revealed significant differences among the treatments (P In vitro research which was conducted by Sundari (2014), revealed that the addition of turmeric extract could improve the digestion of dry matter, protein, and fat, because of the increase in number and height of intestinal villi,  so that the area of the intestinal villi surface to absorb nutrients increased. A greater number of absorbed nutrients and better metabolism process because of the curcumin caused higher deposited nutrients in the meat, so that the dry matter of meat increased and the meat water content decreased. CONCLUSION Providing liquid turmeric extract in the dossage 2% to 8% had the similar results of slaughter weight. Providing liquid turmeric extract (8 to 10%) can also reduce the water content in broiler meat. However, using liquid turmeric extract with a 10% of dosage has a negative effect in the reduction of the slaughter weight. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS An expression of gratitude is conveyed to the General Directorate of Higher Education, the UGM Animal Science Faculty academic community, and especially to the UGM Animal Science Students Study Forum (FOSMAPET) for their assistance in conducting the field research. REFERENCES AOAC. 2005. Official Method of the Association of Official Analytical Chemist. 12th Edition. Published by the Association of Official Analytical Chemist. 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Curcumin nanoparticles: preparation, characterization, and antimicrobial study. J. Agric. Food Chem. 59:2056-2061. (Abstr.). Bintang I.A.K., A.P. Sinurat and T. Purwadaria. 2008. Penambahan antibiotika dan ampas mengkudu sebagai senyawa bioaktif terhadap performans ayam broiler. JITV 13:7-12. Daud, M., W.G. Piliang, and I.P. Kompiang. 2007. Persentase dan kualitas karkas ayam pedaging yang diberi probiotik dan prebiotik dalam ransum. JITV. 12:167-174. Dono, N.D. 2012. Nutritional Strategies to Improve Enteric Health and Growth Performance of Poultry in The Post Antibiotic Era. PhD Thesis. The College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow. Dono, N.D. 2013. Turmeric (Curcuma longa Linn.) supplementation as an alternative to antibiotics in poultry diets. Wartazoa. 23:41- 49. Fitoni, C.N., M.T. Asri and M.T. Hidayat. 2013. Pengaruh pemanasan filtrat rimpang kunyit (Curcuma longa) terhadap pertumbuhan koloni bakteri coliform secara in vitro. Lentera Bio. 2:217-221. Gunal, M. G. Yali, O. Kaya, N. Karahan and O. Sulak. 2006. The effect of antibiotic growth promotor, probiotic, or organic acid supplementation on performance, intestinal  microflora and tissue of broiler. International J. Poul. Sci. 5:149-155. Hartadi, H., Kustantinah, Zuprizal, E. Indarto and  N.D. Dono. 2008. Nutrisi dan Pakan Ternak (PTN 3302). Fakultas Peternakan UGM. Yogyakarta. pp. 62-63. Hintono, A., M. Astuti, H. Wuryastuti, and E. S. Rahayu. 2007. Residu oksitetrasiklin dan aktivitas antibakterinya dalam telur dari ayam yang diberi oksitetrasiklin dengan dosis terapeutik lewat air minum. J. Indonesian Trop. Anim. Agric. 32:64-70. Jamilah, N. Suthama and L.D. Mahfudz. 2013. Performa produksi dan ketahanan tubuh broiler yang diberi pakan step down dengan penambahan asam sitrat sebagai acidifier. JITV. 18:251-257. Kusmayadi, A. 2015. Pengaruh Nanokapsul Ekstrak Kunyit Sediaan Cair dalam Air Minum Terhadap Performan dan Perlemakan Ayam Broiler. Thesis. Fakultas Peternakan, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta. Linder, M.C. 1992. Biokimia Nutrisi dan Metabolisme. (A. Parakkasi, eds). Penerbit Universitas Indonesia. Jakarta. Mahfudz, L.D., F.L. Maulana, U. Atmomarsono and T.A. Sarjana. 2009. Karkas dan lemak abdominal ayam broiler yang diberi ampas bir dalam ransum. Proceedings of Seminar Nasional Kebangkitan Peternakan, Semarang, Indonesia, May 20, 2009. P. 596-605. NRC. 1994. Nutrient Requirements of Poultry. 9th ed. National Academy of Science. National Research Council, Washington DC. Prasanth, K.G., E. Kalpana, B. Dineshkumar, E. Monogaran, G. Geetha and R. Venkatanarayanan. 2012. Tetrahydro- curcumin: Beneficial effects of HMG-CoA reductase enzyme and lipoprotein lipase enzymes in high fat diet-induced hypercholesteremia rabbits. Pharmacognosy Communications. 2:50-60. Pratikno, H. 2010. Pengaruh ekstrak kunyit (Curcuma domestica vahl) terhadap bobot badan ayam broiler (Gallus sp). Buletin Anatomi dan Fisiologi. 18:39-46. Rahmawati, N., E. Sudjarwo and E. Widodo. 2015. Uji aktivitas antibakteri ekstrak herbal terhadap bakteri Escherichia coli. Jurnal Ilmu-Ilmu Peternakan 24:24-31. Resnawati, H. 2004. Bobot potongan karkas dan lemak abdomen ayam ras pedaging yang diberi ransum mengandung tepung cacing tanah (Lumbricus rubellus). Seminar Nasional Teknologi Peternakan dan Veteriner 2004. Saefudin, F. Syarif and Chairul. 2014. Potensi antioksidan dan aktivitas antiproliferasi ekstrak kunyit putih (Curcuma Zedoaria Rosc.) pada Sel Hela. Widyariset. 17:381- 390. Soeparno. 2011. Ilmu Nutrisi dan Gizi Daging. Cetakan ke-1. Gadjah Mada University Press. Yogyakarta. Sinurat, A.P., T. Purwadaria, I.A.K. Bintang, P.P Ketaren, N. Bermawie, M. Raharjo, and M. Rizal. 2009. Pemanfaatan kunyit dan temulawak sebagai imbuhan pakan ayam broiler. JITV. 14:90-96.   Sundari. 2014. Nanoenkapsulasi Ekstrak Kunyit dengan Kitosan dan Sodium-Tripolifosfat sebagai Aditif Pakan dalam Upaya Perbaikan Kecernaan, Kinerja, dan Kualitas Daging Ayam Broiler. Disertasi. Fakultas Peternakan, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta. Syamsudin, F.D. Suyatna, S. Ganiswarna and M. Sadikin. 2006. Efek kurkumin terhadap aktivitas enzim glutation reduktase mitokondria hati tikus yang diinduksi dengan butilhidroperoksida tersier (t-BHP). JKM 6:33-39. Widiastuti, R. 2008. Residu enrofloksasin dan siprofloksasin pada ayam pedaging pasca pencekokan enrofloksasin. JITV. 13:150-154.

S. E. Hilton :: essays research papers

Introduction In this book analysis, about the book â€Å"The Outsiders† by S. E. Hinton I will discuss character and plot development, as well as the setting, the author’s style and my opinions about the book. In this part of the analysis I will give some information about the subjects of the book, and about the author. The author wrote the story when she was just 16 years old, in the 1950s. The book was successful, and it was sold, and still being sold, in many copies as a young adults novel. There was a movie made about it, and today there are still many schools that use this book in junior high and high schools for English classes. There were plays made about the book too. The Outsiders is about a gang. They live in a city in Oklahoma. Ponyboy Curtis, a 14 year old greaser, tells the story. Other characters include Sodapop and Darry, Ponyboy's brothers, Johnny, Dallas, and Two-Bit, that were also gang members and Ponyboy's friends. This story deals with two forms of social classes: the socs, the rich kids, and the greasers, the poor kids. The socs go around looking for trouble and greasers to beat up, and then the greasers are blamed for it, because they are poor and cannot affect the authorities. I hope you would enjoy and learn something about the book from reading this analysis. Plot Development The plot development in the book, â€Å"The Outsiders† by S.E. Hinton, was easy to follow. In this part of the book analysis I will give some more details about the plot development. There were no hooks or hurdles in the beginning of the book, the first sentence starts right away with the plot—without any forewords. This is the beginning of the first sentence: â€Å"When I stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie house...† (page 9). As you can see, it goes straight to the point without any prologues or any kind of introduction. The plot development in the middle of the story was sensible and easy to understand. It was clear and simple, and the events have occurred in a reasonable order. The ending of the story was a bit expected. I anticipated the death of Johnny because a broken neck usually means death. The death of Dally was not as predictable as Johnny’s death because it was said that: â€Å"He was tougher than the rest of us—tougher, colder, meaner.

Colonialism and Imperialism Exposed in Shooting an Elephant and Heart o

Destructive Colonization Exposed in Shooting an Elephant and Heart of Darkness      Ã‚  Ã‚   As a man is captured, his first instinct is to try and break free from his shackles and chains. Primal urges such as this often accompany humans when they are forced, as in capture, to rely on their most basic instincts to survive. In this manner, natives in Africa acted upon instinct when the Europeans arrived to take their land and freedom. The short story Shooting an Elephant by George Orwell and the novel Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad revolve around the time when colonialism had a foothold in many parts of the world. This setting is one of conflict with the native peoples in these countries who are fighting and rebelling against the colonizers. Building upon this, both authors instill in the protagonists a sense of the wrongs they, as an extension of colonialism, are doing. In Shooting an Elephant and the Heart of Darkness there is an ongoing struggle between society and natives which leads the main character to realize the destructive nature of colonization. Each work is littered by destruction that comes in the forms of: a control over the native population; a need to keep order among the colony; and a mental destruction incurred from having views opposed to the ruling government’s. That each book denounces colonization is no surprise; but each present a conflict to make clear the protagonist’s struggle. In Shooting an Elephant, this conflict is between George Orwell and the natives over an unruly elephant, and in The Heart of Darkness the conflict is between Marlow and happenings on the river Congo. Walking into such a wilderness must have been harrowing for even the toughest of individuals, however, with a g... ...aging such as the ones experienced by Orwell and Marlow serve to remind of the dangers of absolute power in the hands of any man. These works illustrate the need to allow cultures to thrive and be different from the more powerful and influential bodies on the earth. Orwell and Marlow tell their stories in order to explain how they realized the truth about corruptive government as far back as the Nineteenth Century. This should serve as a reminder now as a new age dawns upon mankind, where everything can be bought and sold. The basic message is the same, however, that we use power destructively â€Å"to avoid looking [like fools].† Works Cited Orwell, George, Shooting An Elephant. Ed. Messenger, W.E., A 20th Century Anthology. Scarborough: Prentice-Hall Canada Inc., 1984 Conrad, Joseph, The Heart of Darkness. Toronto: Bantam Books, November 1987      

Dysfunction in a World of Order Essay -- Character Analysis, Private W

Carson McCullers â€Å"Reflections of a Golden Eye† is a story about the lives of a six dysfunctional people living on an army post during peacetime. The characters lives are entwined both public and private, but when the private becomes public it reveals a truth that leads to path of destruction. Private Williams is a solitary man full of secrets and desires. Captain Weldon Penderton, a closeted homosexual, and his cheating wife Lenora have a fiery relationship. Major Morris Langdon, who is having and affair with Lenora, lives next door to the Pendertons with his unstable wife Alison and their flamboyant Filipino houseboy Anacleto. McCuller’s writes about these characters as if she can identify with each of their struggles to conform to world around them. She pulls the reader into a world where â€Å"man’s capacity for error, cruelty, guilt, self deception and self- destruction† creates chaos (Dayton 421). McCullers shows the reader a hars h view of low-self esteem and desires while conveying the importance of being true to oneself in order to foster healthy relationships. Many People, who are raised in an environment that do not include interacting with different types of people, often struggle with building relationships with people they don’t know. Private Williams has no social skills; he is an introvert who lives his life in self-imposed isolation even though people on the army post surround him. Williams is much like Mr. Singer’s character in the â€Å"Heart is a Lonely Hunter† for though â€Å"he appears to be fully and actively engaged in life, he too is trapped in his own grotesquerie, unable to establish that vital contact with some other person which would make him fully and recognizable human† (Vickery 21). ... ...eldon. If fact, their selfish affair has had a direct or indirect negative impact on everyone in the story. Lenora and Morris cannot see beyond their primal passions to realize or care about the cause and effect of their infidelity. This is the case of many people who venture outside of the martial commitment. Instant gratification and the lack of control have ruined many marriages. Lenora and Morris’s affair causes tragedies for the rest of the clan. In Conclusion, McCullers story is about six people struggles to conform to a world around them. She shows a world where â€Å"man’s capacity for error, cruelty, guilt, self deception and self- destruction† creates chaos (Dayton 421). McCullers shows the reader a harsh view of low-self esteem and desires while conveying the importance of being true to oneself in order to foster healthy relationships.

Evolution Of Diabetes Treatment Health And Social Care Essay

Diabetess mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycaemia ensuing from defects in insulin secernment, insulin action, or both. The chronic hyperglycaemia of diabetes is associated with long-run harm, disfunction, and failure of assorted variety meats, particularly the eyes, kidneys, nervousnesss, bosom, and blood vessels.1 Figure 1: Prevalence estimations of diabetes ( 20-79 old ages ) in South – East Asiatic part Globally diabetes mellitus is one of the most common non-communicable diseases. It is quickly going the epidemic of the twenty-first century. Diabetes, one time considered a disease of the West has now become a planetary wellness precedence. Harmonizing to the International Diabetes Federation, the planetary load of diabetes in the age group 20-79 old ages will increase from 285 million in 2010 to 439 million in 2030. Around 80 % of the disease load is in low and in-between income countries.2 American indians have a younger age of oncoming of diabetes as compared to other cultural groups.3 A temporal displacement to a immature group in the age of diagnosing has been reported by the CURES ( Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study ) study.4 Harmonizing to IDF, the 40-59 group has the greatest figure of people with diabetes. By 2030, it is projected that there will be 188 million people with diabetes as compared to 132 million in 2010. History of diabetes can be traced back to 2000 old ages. A Grecian doctor Aretaeus foremost described diabetes as â€Å" the thaw of flesh and castanetss into urine † . In the sixteenth century, Swiss doctor Phillipus Aureolus Paracelsus identified diabetes as a serious general upset. The Indian Sushruta identified diabetes with fleshiness and sedentary life style reding exercisings to â€Å" assist bring around it † . Treatment of diabetes saw enlightment in the twentieth century. In 1921, Sir Fredrick Grant Banting and Charles Herbert Best discovered that infusion from cattle foetal pancreas lowers blood glucose degrees of depancreatized Canis familiariss. The find of insulin was in fact a collaborative research of Fredrick Benting, Charles Best, J.J.R MacLeod and J.B McLeod. 5 In 1930, unwritten medicines Sulphonylureas were developed for the people with type 2 diabetes. Metformin was approved in 1995 by FDA for usage in type 2 diabetes. Precose, an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor was approved for usage in patients with type 2 diabetes. As of this twelvemonth, 11 categories of drugs are available for clinical usage in diabetes.INTENSIVE Vs STANDARD GLYCEMIC CONTROLDCCT and UKPDSDiabetess is associated with a decreased lifetime, mostly as a effect of its association with hyperglycaemia specific microvascular complications and a two- to four crease hazard of cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) .6 Although important morbidity and premature mortality are due to microvascular complications, the greatest cause of decease in people with diabetes is CVD.6 The association between elevated blood glucose and complications ( both micro and macrovascular ) has been postulated since the early portion of the century.7Several surveies have conducted to measure the benefits of intensive glycemic control in cut downing complications of diabetes. Though a nexus is established between hyperglycaemia and cardiovascular hazard, there is less grounds back uping the decrease in hazard with glucose lowering. Randomized controlled tests ( DCCT and UKPDS ) have once and for all demonstrated the decrease of hazard of microvascular complications by intensive glycemic control in patients with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.6 Although DCCT was conducted on patients with type 1 diabetes, the survey demonstrated that hyperglycaemia is associated with presence or patterned advance of complications. Consequences demonstrated that every bit compared to the standard glycemic control group ( Mean HbA1c achieved – 9 % ) there was about 60 % decrease in the development or patterned advance of microvascular complications in the intensive glycemic control group ( Mean HbA1c achieved – 9 % ) over an norm of 6.5 years.6 In the UKPDS survey, participants with freshly diagnosed type 2 diabetes were followed for 10 old ages. The consequences demonstrated that every bit compared to the standard glycemic control group ( Mean HbA1c achieved – 7.9 % ) there was an overall decrease of 25 % in the intensive glycemic control group ( Mean HbA1c achieved – 7.0 % ) .6,7 For every per centum lessening in HbA1c, there was 35 % decrease in the hazard of complications. 7 On the footing of the informations from these big controlled tests and assorted epidemiologic studies the ADA recommends an HbA1c end of & lt ; 7 % for most of the grownups with diabetes. Whereas these surveies established a relationship between hyperglycaemia and CVD, the potency of intensive glycemic control was yet to be indentified. Merely a subgroup of patients treated with Glucophage had a lower hazard of cardiovascular events in the ( UKPDS ) , therefore informations did non once and for all exhibit a decrease in cardiovascular events with intensive therapy.7Patients with type 1 diabetes in the DCCT survey demonstrated that glucose lowering was associated with a long-run benefit with respect to cardiovascular complications that became evident merely old ages after recruitment.7 Tests were so conducted to find the consequence of the lowering of glucose to near-normal or below degrees on cardiovascular hazard.ADVANCE ( Action in Diabetes and Vascular Disease )The primary result of ADVANCE was a combination of microvascular events ( nephropathy and retinopathy ) and major inauspicious cardiovascular events ( MI, shot, and cardiovascular decease ) .A important decrease in the microvascular result with no important decrease in the macrovascular result was seen with intensive glycemic control. But with intensive glycemic control there was no difference in overall or cardiovascular mortality as compared with the standard glycemic control arms.6However significantly more episodes of terrible hypoglycaemia were found in the intensive-control group.8ACCORD ( Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes )Increased human death rate in the intensive glycemic control group resulted in the survey being halted in February 2008. A 35 % higher rate of decease due to CV causes was seen in the intensive glycemic control group. More episodes of serious hypoglycaemia were found among patients following intensive glycemic control group than among those following the standard glycemic control group.6 Deaths due to CV disease in this test may hold been related to severe hypoglycemia.9VADT ( Veterans Affairs Diabetes Trial )In VADT, the primary result was a complex of CVD events ( MI, shot, cardiovascular decease, revascularization, hospitalization for bosom failure, and amputation for ischaemia ) . More deceases due to CV causes were seen in the intensive glycemic control group as compared to the standard glycemic control group. More episodes of hypoglycaemia were found in the intensive glycemic control group than in the standard glycemic control group.8, 9OUTCOME – ADVANCE, ACCORD, VADTADVANCE, ACCORD, VADT tests were big, well-conducted randomized tests with meaningful clinical results to assist reply major inquiries. As compared to DCCT and the UKPDS they were of shorter continuance and enrolled older patients with either known CVD or multiple hazard factors, proposing the presence of established coronary artery disease and higher hazard of CV events.6The recent study of 10 old ages of followup of the UKPDS cohort by Rury R. Holman et.al. supports the hypothesis that glycemic control early in the class of type 2 diabetes may hold CVD benefit.6Counter-balancing effects for CVD such as hypoglycaemia, weight addition, or other metabolic alterations may besides propose the inability of ACCORD, ADVANCE, and VADT to show important decrease of CVD with intensive glycemic control.6 The intervention schemes in these surveies might hold had effects other than the intended effects on CV hazard factors.9MULTIPLE RISK FACTOR INTERVENTIONIn the last 10 old ages, many modifiable hazard factors for vascular complications have been identified by a figure of prospective surveies. These hazard factors include hyperglycemia, high blood press ure, dyslipidaemia and smoke.STENO – 2Steno – 2 test evaluated whether the attack of intensified multifactorial intercession with tight glucose ordinance, usage of renin-angiotensin system blockers, acetylsalicylic acid, and lipid-lowering agents to cut down the hazard of nonfatal cardiovascular disease among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and microalbuminuria.10Participants were assigned indiscriminately to have either a conventional ( behavioral ) or an intensive, multifactorial, goal-targeted therapy for a period of 7.8 years.11The consequences demonstrated an absolute hazard decrease of 20 % for decease from any cause in the intensive therapy group as compared with conventional therapy group. Results demonstrated a 50 % decrease in the hazard of microvascular events and a 13 % decrease in the absolute hazard of decease from cardiovascular causes in the intensive therapy group.10, 11 Deduction TO CLINICIANS 6, 8, 9 HbA1c mark of & lt ; 7 % should be the end for non-pregnant grownups. Lowering HbA1c to below or around 7 % has shown to cut down microvascular and neuropathic complications. Individualization of marks for patients with extra cardiovascular hazard factors. HbA1c marks a†°Ã‚ ¤ 7 % in the old ages shortly after the diagnosing of diabetes without established atherosclerotic diseases is associated with long-run decrease in hazard of macrovascular disease Lesser stringent HbA1c mark may be appropriate for patients with history of terrible hypoglycaemia, limited life anticipation, advanced micro and macrovascular complications, extended comorbid conditions or those with longstanding diabetes. Cardiovascular hazard decrease should be encouraged through smoking surcease, dietetic, reding for physical activity and behavioral alterations. Evidence-based recommendation should be followed for blood force per unit area control, dyslipidemia and acetylsalicylic acid prophylaxis An intensive, targeted and multifactorial attention attack is indispensable in people with diabetes at high hazardA §FOREMOST UpdatesLook AHEAD ( Action For Health in Diabetes ) is a multicenter randomized clinical test being presently conducted to analyze the effects of a lifestyle intercession over long term through decreased thermal consumption and exercising. The primary purpose is to analyze the effects on major cardiovascular events i.e. bosom onslaught, shot and cardiovascular-related decease. It besides aims to look into the impact of the intercessions on other cardiovascular disease-related results, cardiovascular hazard factors, and all-cause mortality. The consequences published at 1 twelvemonth resulted in clinically important weight loss in people with type 2 diabetes in the lifestyle intercession group.12

Psychological Measures in the Multicultural South African Context Essay

South Africa is deeply embedded in the roots of its past and so it inevitable that psychological assessment today would be greatly influenced by the history of our country. Foxcroft (1997) argued that there is a grave importance to understand the impact that South Africa’s past apartheid policies have had on the development and use of psychological testing. In her paper she addresses the impact of Apartheid policies on test development and use as well as linguistic, cultural and norm factors that would pose a threat to the fair, unbiased and ethical use and interpretation of psychological tests. This assignment will follow a similar outline, whereby the past and present of psychological assessment will be discussed in order to understand why the status of psychological assessment has not progressed to the level that was expected of post-apartheid South Africa. Finally, the laws or statutory controls that have been used to regulate measures will be discussed. It is important to firstly understand what psychological testing is and when it can be used. According to Krupenia, Mouton, Beuster and Makwe (2000), a psychological test is an â€Å"objective and standardized measure of a sample of behavior† (Setshedi, 2008). Tests must meet three important criteria; validity, reliability and standardization. According to Gadd and Phipps (as cited in Groth-Marnat, 2009), a standardised test is one which keeps the test items, administration, scoring, and interpretation procedures consistent thus allowing comparisons between scores. The aim of standardising tests can therefore be described as structuring tests so as to compare different persons’ scores (Gadd and Phipps, 2012). However, a problem arises due to the diverse and multicultural contexts of South Africa. It becomes difficult to yield fair and unbiased results without taking into consideration the language, culture and norms of the participants. The Employment Equity Act No. 55 of 1998 (Section 8) refers to psychological tests and assessment specifically and states that: â€Å"Psychological testing and other similar forms or assessments of an employee are prohibited unless the test or assessment that is being used: Has been scientifically shown to be valid and reliable, can be applied fairly to all employees and is not biased against any employee or group† (van de Vijver & Rothmann, 2004). However, this has not been fully achieved and psychological testing in South Africa faces many challenges. These challenges or pitfalls owe themselves to the ideologies of the past, namely, Apartheid. The status of psychological testing in South Africa today cannot be considered without reflecting on the past discriminatory laws and practices of apartheid. These laws discriminated politically and were based on demographics, that being race and social class. The policies and legislation passed during apartheid influenced the way in which test development was approached (Foxcroft, 2004). According to Foxcroft, 2004, the development of new culturally relevant tests has been minimal and the reason for this is that there is a â€Å"dire shortage of test development capacity in South Africa at present. † Joseph & van Lill (2008) state that these large inequalities perpetuated during Apartheid may be embedded in South Africa’s social and economic structures and as a result, variables such as language, race, socio-economic status, the environment and social and educational backgrounds serve as major challenges to the validity, reliability and standardisation of psychological testing. As was mentioned , â€Å"The practice of psychological testing in South Africa needs to be understood in terms of the impact that past apartheid political policies have had on test development and use† (Foxcroft, 1997). To understand this, it is important to reflect on the history of psychological assessment in South Africa. History of psychological assessment There is close relationship between science and politics in South African psychology (Claassen, 1995; Cooper, Nicholas, Seedat, & Statman, 1990; Nell, 1997) and so it is not surprising that the development of psychological tests during the apartheid era was shaped by the politics and ideologies of the time. Under the apartheid regime, there was segregation along racial lines of residential areas and education. Job policies ensured that certain jobs were reserved for certain groups, namely the white population. Claasen (1997) asserts that psychological testing was introduced to South Africa through the British and the development of psychological tests has followed closely to the patterns of tests in the USA. South African tests however, were developed in a context of unequal distribution of resources as a result of apartheid policies and were thus used to exploit black labour and deny black people access to education and economic resources, thereby perpetuating apartheid. It was therefore inevitable that psychological tests would follow the same kind of segregation along racial lines. As a result, assessment became an asset to the Apartheid regime and was reinforced by those scientists who believed in the Western concept of Intelligence (Foxcroft, 1997). Laher (2012) speaks of tests that were standardized for educated white South Africans but were administered to â€Å"illiterate, uneducated or poorly educated black South Africans† without investigating as whether the test was free of bias and suitability for the latter group of individuals. This, once again was done so as to use the results to justify that the white race was superior. Socio-political developments in the latter half of the 1980s led to the start of the abolition of racism advocated by apartheid. It later became apparent that there was a demand from the industrial and educational sectors of society, for common tests that would not be unfair or discriminatory against race or culture (Claassen, 1995). Test developers were then under a great deal of pressure to give consideration to test bias and to also develop unbiased psychometric tests that were not designed to place one group as superior to the other and that would not discriminate along racial lines (Claassen, 1995; Owen, 1991; van Eeden & Visser, 1992). However, it appears the transformation of test development and testing practices has made less progress in the 1990s than was expected and this can be pinned down to the challenges faced due to the â€Å"multicultural and multilingual context of South Africa† (Foxcroft, 2004), thus making the process of transformation more complex. The perception that psychological testing was unjust somewhat changed in the post-apartheid years, however, this transformation of test development and testing practices has made less progress than was expected because of the complexity of developing unbiased and fair testing practices (Foxcroft, 1997, pp. 30). Some of the major pitfalls associated with psychological assessment stems from the â€Å"dire shortage of test ability capacity in the country at the moment† (Foxcroft, 2004). There are very few tests that have been developed in SA, that account for the multicultural, multilingual and socio-economic aspects of the country. South Africa boasts eleven different official languages and an array of different cultures and norms. Although, language and culture are both linked they are completely different and thus pose individual challenges to the assessment process. Culture According to Hall and Maramba (2001), the role of culture in psychology in general, has been of a secondary nature and has acted as a â€Å"moderator or qualifier of theoretical propositions assumed to be universal in scope† (as cited in Gergen, Gulerce, Lock & Misra, 1996). Hall and Maramba (2001:12) further go on to say however, that there is an increasing awareness that European American psychological theories may be of limited relevance in non – European American contexts and thus by considering cultural issues, it can only help in making psychology more comprehensive and relevant. It is therefore important to understand the role that culture plays in the psychological assessment process. The fact that culture has been somewhat ignored in psychological testing becomes a major pitfall as according to Foxcroft (2004), â€Å"the South African society has a diversity of cultures in which appreciation for the culture of origin exists alongside variations in acculturation towards a Western norm† (as cited in Claassen, 1997). Culture-fairness of tests and applicability across different groups of people has emerged as some of the most important themes associated with the fair and ethical use and interpretation of tests (van der Merwe, 2002) and thus it is vital that these objectives are met. With this said, the onus is on the psychological assessment practitioner to use caution when interpreting results especially within the context of South Africa. Without measures with culturally relevant content and appropriate norms, fair testing practice may be compromised thus leading to test bias. The debate around norming The debate around the norming of psychological tests is a complex one. The question practitioners ask themselves is whether norms should be used or not. Some say it is a way of â€Å"addressing the inequities in cross-cultural applications of tests† (Paterson & Uys, 2005), others felt that creating different norms for different groups could be seen as discriminatory and almost comparable to apartheid practices (Paterson &Uys, 2005). A comment from a participant in the study done by Paterson and Uys (2005), put the whole debate into perspective and stated that, â€Å"You should not develop a norm on those people for whom the test does not work. That is a prerequisite: you can only norm on groups where your test is reliable enough to use† (Paterson & Uys, 2005). Foreign tests Psychological tests in South Africa are adaptations of foreign tests and from roughly the 1920s to the 1960s were developed specifically for the white population, not taking into consideration culture and language so as to further differentiate between the white and black population. This has become a major challenge for psychological assessment today as there are very few psychological tests that have been developed in South Africa, that take into account cultural biases, norms and language. The works of Joseph and van Lill (2008) looks at the history of this country and they suggest that there was a recognised demand for tests that were more suitable for the different race and language populations. This need or demand grew during the latter parts of the apartheid era, where there had been a need for change to the discriminatory policies and ideologies of the time. This all occurred during the 1980s to 1994. During this time there had been many studies, which served to prove bias in foreign tests being used in South Africa. The first thorough study of bias was by Owen (1986). He investigated test and item bias using various tests, for example, the Senior Aptitude Test, the Mechanical Insight Test and the Scholastic Proficiency Test (van de Vijver & Rothmann, 2004). He found that there were significant differences between the test scores of black and white participants. His conclusion was that understanding the reasons for these differences and counteracting them would be a major challenge. This proved to be true as even now, psychological test bias in terms of demographics and culture remains a major pitfall of the assessment process. Retief (1992) concluded that â€Å"personality tests seldom retain the level of reliability† and even loses some validity when used across cultures and the validity (Joseph & van Lill, 2008). Abrahams (1996) and Abrahams and Mauer (1999) concluded in another study that some tests such as the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF) â€Å"could not be used across different racial groups, as the reliability was not acceptable for the black groups† (Joseph & van Lill, 2008). These results highlighted problems with the construct and item comparability of the test. From the conclusions made by the above psychologists, it is proposed that in order for an imported psychological test to be adopted in South Africa, it must be carefully researched, before it can be used within our South African context (Joseph & van Lill, 2008). Language From looking at the imported tests into South Africa, that being those imported from Europe and the US, it is evident that they have been developed and standardized in English. This poses a major problem in the South African context. Joseph and van Lill (2008) state that taking into account the history of South Africa’s language policies and differences in language proficiencies; it is evident that when a psychological test is administered in English, individuals from a different demographic group find difficulties in understanding the test. South Africa boasts eleven different official languages and not everyone in South Africa can speak fluent English. According to Joseph and van Lill (2008), this may have a negative influence on an individual’s performance on a test (Meiring, Van de Vijver & Rothmann, 2006). Thus, it is of great importance that language be considered when assessing the appropriateness of a psychological test in a multi-lingual context (Van de Vijver & Leung, 1997). There have been some tests that have been translated, for example the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), which has been translated for Setswana-speaking University students in an attempt to standardise the WCST. However, even though translations have been made, there appears to still be some problems as English words with multiple meanings cannot be adequately translated. English idioms cannot be expressed in another language without changing the entire sentence structure along with the underlying logic of the sentence—and when that happens standardization, and the guarantee of fairness it promises, is lost† (Richmond, n. d). The 16PF test used as an example to illustrate the use of foreign tests also serves as a good illustration here. Abrahams (2002) concluded that participants whose home langu age was neither English nor Afrikaans found that the items of the 16PF were more difficult to understand (Joseph & van Lill, 2008). Tests such as the General Scholastic Aptitude Test (GSAT); Ability, Processing of Information and Learning Battery (APIL-B) and Paper and Pencil Games (PPG) are the only psychological tests available today in all eleven official languages. From the cases above, it is clear to see that issues relating to standardization, norm development and cross-cultural relevance to test material are evidence that there are major pitfalls associated with psychological measures used in a multicultural South African context. Statutory Control It is important for certain measures and instruments in psychological assessment to be regulated by law, especially when it involves culture. If there are tests that do not take into account culture and norms, fair testing practices may be compromised (Foxcroft, 1997); thus the need for strict statutory control of psychological assessment. According to Mauer (2000) there are two pieces of legislation that regulate the assessment process. The first piece includes acts and regulations which take the form of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (Act 108 of 1996), the Labour Relations Act (66 of 1995), and the Employment Equity Act (55 of 1998), (Mauer, 200). â€Å"These Acts deal with matters of individuals’ rights and with specific substantive issues† (Mauer, 2000). The second piece of legislation is the Health Professions Act (56 of 1974) in which â€Å"the scope of the profession of psychology, and the responsibilities and duties/functions of psychologists are addressed within the context of health care in the country† (Mauer, 2000). According to Mauer (2000), it is also important to note that the law restricts psychological assessment measures to only registered psychological professionals. The Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998, Section 8 (Government Gazette, 1998), stipulates that: â€Å"Psychological testing and other similar assessments are prohibited unless the test or assessment being used – (a) has been scientifically shown to be valid and reliable, (b) can be applied fairly to all employees; and (c) is not biased against any employee or group† (Mauer, 2000). Apart from legislation, there are also guidelines which help perpetuate fair and ethical practices. According to the International Test Commissions International Guidelines on Test Use (Version 2000) the following fair and ethical practices must be adhered to: â€Å"1). The appropriate, fair, professional, and ethical use of assessment measures and assessment results taking into account the needs and rights of those involved in the assessment process; 2). Ensuring that the assessment conducted closely matches the purpose to which the assessment result will be put; 3). Taking into account the broader social, cultural, and political context in which assessment is used and the ways in which such factors might affect assessment results, their interpretation, and the use to which they are put the test is valid for the purposes for which it is being used; 5). Appropriate norms are consulted; 6). Lastly, where tests that have been developed in other countries are concerned, appropriate research studies need to be undertaken to investigate whether the test is culturally biased and special care should be taken when interpreting the results of such tests† (Foxcroft & Roodt, 2001). From points three and six, it is evident that culture, norms and language hugely determine if a test will prove to be free of bias and is ethically fair. If these variables are not considered, the test is considered inappropriate and biased. This is a serious pitfall for psychological assessment in South Africa. Concluding remarks Ultimately, there are two questions to ask here. The first question is asked by van de Vijver and Rothmann (2004) and that is whether the profession of psychology in South Africa is prepared for the challenge that is implicit in the Equity Act. According to van de Vijver and Rothmann (2004), â€Å"the law is ahead of the daily practice† of psychological assessment and even now no country can live up to the expectations and demands proposed by the Act. To help achieve the propositions of the act, it has become one of the main goals of the assessment profession in South Africa to bring current practice and harmonize it with legal demands of the Equity Act (van de Vijver & Rothmann, 2004). This can be done by â€Å"developing new instruments and validating existing instruments for use in multicultural groups† (van de Vijver & Rothmann, 2004). The second question that is inherent in the argument around historical and current pitfalls is: can the current status of psychological assessment (which is proving less satisfactory than was expected) be attributed to the past racially discriminatory and unethical policies that made up apartheid? In my opinion, the past always shapes the present and future. Apartheid policies, although abolished have left a great impact on the social and economic structures of the country. According to Claassen (1995); Cooper, Nicholas, Seedat, & Statman (1990); Nell (1997), there is a close relationship between science and the politics of the time and thus it can be concluded that the development of psychological tests during the apartheid era was shaped by the politics and ideologies of the time. Today, without considering the culture, norms and language of the context in which we live, psychological tests may perpetuate the type of bias experienced by minority groups during the apartheid era. It is important for there to be new developments of psychological tests that take into account the multicultural and multilingual nature of South Africa and turn them into positives, instead of test that are rendered inappropriate and unethical.