Selecting Babies (TimesOnline)—A British couple have won the right to test embryos for a gene that leads to high cholesterol levels and an increased risk of heart attacks, The Times has learnt. The decision by the fertility watchdog will reopen controversy over the ethics of designer babies, as it allows doctors to screen embryos for a condition that is treatable with drugs and can be influenced by lifestyle as well as genes. While the procedure is designed to detect a rare version of a disease called familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH), which often kills children before puberty, it will also identify a milder form that can be controlled by drugs and diet. Critics argue that the test will allow couples to destroy embryos that would have had a good chance of becoming children with fulfilling and reasonably healthy lives. The test will also create an unprecedented moral dilemma for some couples, as it could show that they have produced no embryos completely unaffected by the disease. This would force them to decide whether to implant embryos that they know have a genetic risk of premature heart disease and death, or to throw them away and deny them a chance of life. Britain’s first licence to test embryos for FH will be awarded next week to Paul Serhal, of University College Hospital in London, by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). Its decision breaks new ground because it permits Mr. Serhal to screen out not only the severe form of the condition but also the milder type, which is usually treatable. Embryo screening has previously been approved only for disorders in which a gene invariably causes a serious disease, or for conditions such as breast cancer in which mutations carry an 80 per cent lifetime risk. FH occurs in two forms. The more common version, heterozygous FH, affects 1 in 500 people. It is caused by a single mutated gene, which raises cholesterol and thus the risk of hardened arteries, heart disease, and stroke. It can usually be managed with statin drugs and diet. One in 250,000 people inherits two defective copies of the gene and develops homozygous FH, which is much more serious. Sufferers show severely elevated cholesterol from the age of 5, and can suffer angina by 6 or 7. Many die in childhood, and most have suffered at least one heart attack by the end of their twenties. Mr. Serhal’s patients, who are in their thirties, both have the milder heterozygous FH. They discovered their status only when they had a daughter, now 5, with the homozygous form, and they also have an unaffected son. They said yesterday that they were delighted. “We had no idea that we both carried a gene for high cholesterol until the double gene was expressed in our first child. We are very lucky that our child has responded so well to the very high-dose drug regime. We have been led to understand that other children with the same double gene may not be so lucky.” . . . Mr. Serhal said: “This obnoxious disease can cause cardiovascular accidents at a very young age. Ideally, we will find embryos with no FH genes, but it is possible we will not and it will be up to the patients to choose. Some people would think twice about using embryos that they know have a risky gene, and others would say you shouldn’t screen out a condition that can be managed so people can live with it. It will be an awkward choice.”*

Write 5 paragraphs, need help explaining

Is it wrong for parents to screen out embryos with disorders that are treatable? What about embryos that will probably—not certainly—develop a serious disease? Or those that will develop a fatal disease only in middle age? Is it morally permissible to cause to exist persons who are severely disabled and likely to suffer horribly throughout their lives? Give reasons for your answer.

The following data were drawn from the Latin American Migration Project, a collaborative research effort based at Princeton University and the University of Guadalajara, supported by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) (http://lamp.opr.princeton.edu). A random sample of respondents was drawn from three Latin American countries: Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Costa Rica. The variable if interest is the duration (in months) of stay in the United States during respondents’ first migration to the United States.

Nicaragua: 4, 6, 6, 6, 12, 36, 36, 36, 36, 60, 72, 78, 96, 120, 126, 156, 162, 162, 186, 540 Guatemala: 1, 1, 12, 24, 24, 24, 36, 36, 42, 60, 78, 84, 102, 102, 102, 102,132, 144 Costa Rica: 12, 12, 12, 12, 14, 15, 15, 18, 18, 24, 36, 48, 66, 120, 150, 150, 174, 282, 288

a) What is the level of measurement of duration of stay during first U.S. migration?

b) Calculate the value of the mode for each country.

c) How does the mode for Guatemala compare to that of Costa Rica?

d) In light of your answer to c), perhaps one explanation is that respondents from Latin American countries that are closer to the United States have a higher modal duration of stay in the United States during their first U.S. migration than respondents from Latin American countries that are further away from the United States. Does the evidence from Nicaragua support this idea? (Hint: examine a map of Latin America to see whether you would expect the mode for Nicaragua to be greater than or less than that for Costa Rica and Guatemala.)

e) Given your results from b), you are interested in extending this idea to the value of the median. Which country would you expect to have the highest median duration of stay in the United States during first U.S. migration?

f) Calculate the value of the median for each country. Which of the three countries above in fact has the highest median value? Does this support your idea that respondents from Latin American countries that are closer to the United States have a higher median duration of stay in the United States during their first U.S. migration than respondents from Latin American countries that are further away from the United States? Explain.

g) Notice that both Guatemala and Costa Rica have some very low and very high values. Which measure of central tendency is most susceptible to such extreme values?

h) Given your results from b) and f), you are interested in extending the idea that respondents from Latin American countries that are closer to the United States have a higher mean duration of stay in the United States during their first U.S. migration than respondents from Latin American countries that are further away from the United States. Which country would you expect to have the lowest mean duration of stay during first U.S. migration?

i) Calculate the value of the mean for each country. Which of the three countries above in fact has the lowest mean duration? Does this support your idea that respondents from Latin American countries that are closer to the United States have a higher mean duration of stay in the United States during their first U.S. migration than respondents from Latin American countries that are further away from the United States? Explain.

j) For each country, identify the direction in which (if any) the distribution is skewed? Provide specific evidence using your answers from the previous questions.

Billingham Packaging is considering expanding its production capacity by purchasing a new​ machine, the​ XC-750. The cost of the​ XC-750 is $ 2.84 million.​ Unfortunately, installing this machine will take several months and will partially disrupt production. The firm has just completed a $ 47000 feasibility study to analyze the decision to buy the​ XC-750, resulting in the following​ estimates:

bullet ​Marketing: Once the​ XC-750 is operational next​ year, the extra capacity is expected to generate $ 10.00 million per year in additional​ sales, which will continue for the​ 10-year life of the machine.

bullet ​Operations: The disruption caused by the installation will decrease sales by $ 5.01 million this year. As with​ Billingham's existing​ products, the cost of goods for the products produced by the​ XC-750 is expected to be 75 % of their sale price. The increased production will also require an increased inventory on hand of $ 1.17 million during the life of the​ project, including year 0.

bullet Human​ Resources: The expansion will require additional sales and administrative personnel at a cost of $ 2.02 million per year.

bullet ​Accounting: The​ XC-750 will be depreciated via the​ straight-line method over the​ 10-year life of the machine. The firm expects receivables from the new sales to be 16 % of revenues and payables to be 11 % of the cost of goods sold.​ Billingham's marginal corporate tax rate is 35 %.

a. Determine the incremental earnings from the purchase of the​ XC-750.

Calculate the incremental earnings from the purchase of the​ XC-750 below​ (with vs. without​ XC?750): ​(Round to the nearest​ dollar.)

b. Determine the free cash flow from the purchase of the​ XC-750.

Calculate the free cash flow from the purchase of the​ XC-750 below​ (with vs. without​ XC?750): ​ (Note: the change in net working capital for year 0 is equal to the sum of the change in accounts receivable due to the decrease in​ sales, the change in inventory due to the increase in inventory starting in year​ 0, and the change in accounts payable due to the decrease in cost of goods​ sold.) (Round to the nearest​ dollar.)

c. If the appropriate cost of capital for the expansion is 10.3 %​, compute the NPV of the purchase.
The NPV of the purchase is ​$______. ​(Round to the nearest​ dollar.)

d. While the expected new sales will be $ 10.00 million per year from the​ expansion, estimates range from $ 8.10 million to $ 11.90 million. What is the NPV in the worst​ case? In the best​ case?

The NPV of the purchase for sales of $ 8.10 million is ​$______. ​(Round to the nearest​ dollar.)
The NPV of the purchase for sales of $ 11.90 million is ​$_______. ​(Round to the nearest​ dollar.)

e. What is the​ break-even level of new sales from the​ expansion?
The​ break-even level of new sales from the expansion is ​$_____. ​(Round to the nearest​ dollar.)

What is the breakeven level for the cost of goods​ sold?
The breakeven level for the cost of goods sold is _____% of sales. (Round to two decimal​ places.)

f. Billingham could instead purchase the​ XC-900, which offers even greater capacity. The cost of the​ XC-900 is $ 3.92 million. The extra capacity would not be useful in the first two years of​ operation but would allow for additional sales in years 3 through 10.
What level of additional sales​ (above the $ 10.00 million expected for the​ XC-750) per year in those years would justify purchasing the larger​ machine?

The additional sales would need to be ​$______. ​(Round to the nearest​ dollar.)

Write an Explanation after each answer

Chen Yau, a 3-year-old Asian-American man, was admitted with symptoms of a depressed immune system, including oral and groin candidiasis (thrush) and a herpesvirus infection. This is his fourth admission in less than 2 years. Mr. Yau has engaged in anal and oral homosexual intercourse since 20 years of age. At 30 years old, he tested positive for HIV. Chen has had four inpatient and three outpatient admissions between 30 and 32 years of age. His previous admissions were for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, anemia, gastrointestinal problems, and Kaposi sarcoma of the skin. Mr. Yau takes several medications to control his symptoms, including zidovudine (Azidothymidine (AZT)). Mr. Yau’s most recent admission was preceded with symptoms of diarrhea, loss of appetite, a 10-pound weight loss over a 2-week period, a nonproductive cough, some shortness of breath, night sweats, fatigue, and a perianal lesion. On admission, physical examination reveals painful enlargement of multiple lymph nodes, whites exudate, and inflammation of the mouth and back of the throat, which is consistent with candidiasis, and purplish brown palpable lesions on his arms, legs, and trunk, which are consistent with Kaposi sarcoma. A comprehensive baseline mental status examination reveals several subtle changes in personality and some mild confusion. Mr. Yau demonstrates limits in his visual field, and an ophthalmoscopic examination of the eye shows evidence of inflammation and hemorrhage of the retina that is consistent with cytomegalovirus. Laboratory studies reveal a low white cell count with a few lymphocytes, a reduced ratio of T4 helper cells to T8 suppressor cells, a positive stool for the Cryptosporidium parasite, and an x-ray with diffuse infiltrates compatible with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. During this most recent admission, Mr. Yau became extremely confused and also became unable to fully control the muscles of his feet and legs. His condition continued to deteriorate until his death in the hospital a few weeks after his admission.

1. Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) manifests as reduced resistance to opportunistic infections and malignancies because of: A. An acquired deficiency of isoimmunity B. An exaggerated immune response to counteract a T-cell deficiency C. Impaired functioning of one of the immune inflammatory responses D. Deficiency of antigen (HIV) recognition.

2. The T4 helper cell to T8 suppressor cell ratio is normally about 2:1. This ratio in Mr. Yau was severely reduced because: A. Bone marrow depression reduces hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. B. HIV infects and kills the host T4 cells, decreasing their numbers. C. The T8 suppressor cells are stimulated by HIV and their numbers increase. D. y-Interferon is reduced, thereby reducing cytotoxic T8 suppressor cell activity.

3. Pneumocystis carinii, a protozoan that is usually not pathogenic, caused severe respiratory problems for Mr. Yau because of his: A. T-cell function impairment B. Lack of knowledge about his disease C. Recent exposure to human immunodeficiency virus D. Immunosuppression from the AZT

4. Mr. Yau’s confusion and distal peripheral neuropathy are not supported with any serological findings for neurological or infectious disease. His peripheral neuropathy was most likely caused by: A. Primary or secondary central nervous system lymphoma B. Toxoplasma, a protozoan infection of the central nervous system C. Disturbance in normal brain patterns from drug therapy D. Presence of HIV in peripheral nerves and the central nervous system.

"Face-Time" Matters

Read the Point and Counterpoint arguments and answer the question listed below:

Which argument do you agree with (point or counterpoint)? Explain your reasoning. ( one page)

Point

Although allowing employees to work from home is gaining popularity, telecommuting is a practice that will only hurt them and their employers. Sure, employees say they're happier when their organization allows them the flexibility to work wherever they choose, but who wouldn't like to hang around at home in their pajamas pretending to work? I know plenty of colleagues who say, with a wink, that they're taking off to "work from home" the rest of the day. Who knows whether they are really contributing?

The bigger problem is the lack of face-to-face interaction between employees. Studies have shown that great ideas are born through interdependence, not independence. It's during those informal interactions around the water cooler or during coffee breaks that some of the most creative ideas arise. If you take that away, you stifle the organization's creative potential.

Trust is another problem. Ever trust someone you haven't met? I didn't think so. Again, face-to-face interactions allow people to establish trusting relationships more quickly, which fosters smoother social interactions and allows the company to perform better.

But enough about employers. Employees also would benefit by burning the midnight oil at the office. If you're out of sight, you're out of mind. Want that big raise or promotion? You're not going to get it if your supervisor doesn't even know who you are.

So think twice the next time you either want to leave the office early or not bother coming in at all, to "work from home."

Counterpoint

Please. So-called "face-time" is overrated. If all managers do is reward employees who hang around the office the longest, they aren't being very good managers. Those who brag about the 80 hours they put in at the office (being sure to point out they were there on weekends) aren't necessarily the top performers. Being present is not the same thing as being efficient.

Besides, there are all sorts of benefits for employees and employers who take advantage of telecommuting practices. For one, it's seen as an attractive perk companies can offer. With so many dual-career earners, the flexibility to work from home on some days can go a long way toward achieving a better balance between work and family. That translates into better recruiting and better retention. In other words, you'll get and keep better employees if you offer the ability to work from home.

Plus, studies have shown that productivity is higher, not lower, when people work from home. And this result is not limited to the United States. For example, one study found that Chinese call center employees who worked from home out-produced their "face-time" counterparts by 13 percent.

You say all these earth-shattering ideas would pour forth if people interacted. I say, consider that one of the biggest workplace distractions is chatty co-workers. So, although I concede there are times when "face-time" is beneficial, the benefits of telecommuting far outweigh the drawbacks.

Sources: J. Surowiecki, "Face Time," The New Yorker (March 18, 2013), downloaded from www.newyorker.com on May 17, 2013; and L. Taskin and F. Bridoux, "Telework: A Challenge to Knowledge Transfer in Organizations," International Journal of Human Resource Management 21, no. 13 (2010), pp. 2503-2520. <endnoteref linkend="ch08en95" label="95"/></para></sidebar>

To investigate water quality, in early September 2016, the Ohio Department of Health took water samples at 2424 beaches on Lake Erie in Erie County. Those samples were tested for fecal coliform, which is the E.coli bacteria found in human and animal feces. An unsafe level of fecal coliform means there is a higher chance that disease‑causing bacteria are present and more risk that a swimmer will become ill if she or he should accidentally ingest some of the water. Ohio considers it unsafe for swimming if a 100100‑milliliter sample (about 3.43.4 ounces) of water contains more than 400400 coliform bacteria. The E. colilevels found by the laboratories are shown in the table.

To access the complete data set, click the link for your preferred software format:

Excel  Minitab  JMP  SPSS TI  R  Mac-TXT   PC-TXT  CSV  CrunchIt!

Take these water samples to be an SRS of the water in all swimming areas in Erie County. Let ?μ represent the mean E. colicounts for all possible 100100‑mL samples taken from all swimming areas in Erie County. We test ?0:?=400 versus ??:?<400H0:μ=400 versus Ha:μ<400 because the researchers are interested in whether the average E. coli levels in these areas are safe.

(a) Find ?⎯⎯⎯x¯ , ?s , and the ?t statistic. (Enter your answers rounded to three decimal places)

?⎯⎯⎯=x¯=

?=s=

?=t=

Find the ?-valueP-value . (Enter your answer rounded to four decimal places.)

?‑value=P‑value=

Are these data good evidence that on average the E. coli levels in these swimming areas were safe?

There is not good evidence to conclude that swimming areas in Erie County have mean E. coli counts less than 400400 bacteria per 100100 mL.

The data gives us no conclusive evidence one way or the other.

There is good evidence to conclude that swimming areas in Erie County have mean E. coli counts less than 400400 bacteria per 100100mL.

(b) Use the software of your choice to make a graph of the data. The distribution is very skewed. Another method that gives?P‑values without assuming any specific shape for the distribution gives a ?P‑value of 0.00430.0043 to answer if the given data shows average E.coli levels were safe in the swimming areas.

How does the one‑sample ?t test compare with this?

The one‑sample ?t test gives a significantly higher ?P‑value.

Both methods give similar ?P‑values.

The one‑sample ?t test gives a significantly lower ?P‑value.

Should the ?t procedures be used with these data?

Due to extreme skew and the presence of outliers, ?t procedures should not be used here.

Due to symmetry and the absence of outliers, ?t procedures should be used here.

Due to symmetry and the absence of outliers, ?t procedures should not be used here.

What does the ?P‑value from the method that does not assume any specific shape for the distribution indicate?

The method that does not assume a specific shape for the distribution provides very little evidence that these swimming areas are safe on average.

The method that does not assume a specific shape for the distribution provides very strong evidence that these swimming areas are safe on average.

The method that does not assume a specific shape for the distribution provides very strong evidence that these swimming areas are not safe on average.

First step - Select a retailer. Remember a retailer sells to the "ultimate consumer." You need to choose a retailer with a physical store who sells a physical product - otherwise it will be difficult to complete this project. If you are thinking of opening your own store, choose a retailer that sells the same type of merchandise that you would like to sell.   (i.e., ski shop, music store, pizza place, furniture store, apparel boutique, hardware store etc...)  

Second step - Interview the manager or owner at the retail store you selected. This is a required part of your project. Your paper should include the following:

A. History of the Company: (40 pts.)

Who did you interview? (Full name and position.)

How long have they been in business?

How has their business changed over the years?

What is their mission statement?

Do they plan to expand, penetrate, diversify, or change their retail format in the near future?

B. Retail Strategy

1.   Who is their Target Market: (15 pts.)

Define their customer according to demographics (age, gender, income level, education etc.)

Trade Area - primary, secondary, tertiary (refer to Chap. 8)

2.   Merchandise Assortment: (15 pts.)

What are the major brands they carry?

Do they have private brands?

Where does this retailer's merchandise fit on the category life cycle? (Chap. 12)

Why do you think they chose this stage of the life cycle?

Does this retailer carry convenience goods, shopping goods or specialty? (Chap. 7)

3.   Human Resources: (15 pts.)

How does this store prepare and train their sales people?

Are they paid on commission, salary, or hourly wage?

Are the sales people allowed to cross sell? (if there are separate departments)

Do they outsource any activities in their business?

4.   Store Location: (15 pts.)

Where is this retail store located? (CBD, Shopping Center, Specialty Center, MXD)

Why do you think they chose this location?

Is this site accessible for the customer?

What type of lease do they have? (may not be willing to give this information out)

5.   Pricing: (15 pts.)

What is this stores pricing policy? (Everyday Low Pricing, High/Low Pricing etc.)

What other practices do they use to compete with price?   (Coupons, Rebates, Price Bundling)

Does this retailer use the cost-oriented method of pricing or demand-oriented pricing.

Is there a frequent shopper program?

6.   Communication Mix: (15 pts.)

What type of paid advertisements does this business use?

·What type of unpaid communication does this business use?   (Publicity)

·Does this retailer use cooperative advertising?   With whom?

·What type of sales promotions does this retailer use? (Sales, Sampling, Demos, Contests etc.)

7.   Store Layout: (15 pts.)

What type of design layout does this store use? (Grid, Racetrack, Free Form etc.)

Is it effective for customer flow?

What type of fixtures do they use?

What type of lighting are they using?

Is music constantly playing?   What type?

What type of scent is in the store?   Does it detract or attract?

8.   Customer Service: (15 pts.)

What type of services does this store offer?   (Alterations, gift-wrapping etc.)

Talk to 3 customers - What is their perception of this store’s customer service?

How does this store handle customer complaints?

Does this store have “mystery shoppers” to check level of service?

Is the salesperson “empowered” to make decisions or is it up to management?

C. Competitive Advantage: (40 pts.)

Does this retailer have a “competitive advantage” over similar stores?

How can they retain this advantage or achieve an advantage over their competition?

(This section should be 2-3 paragraphs minimum -- think about it!)

Please read and answer the question below.

Quelling? ?Violence? ?in? ?Our? ?Country

One? ?only? ?has? ?to? ?turn? ?to? ?social? ?media? ?or? ?the? ?news? ?to? ?conclude? ?we? ?have? ?a? ?major? ?problem? ?in? ?our country? ?with? ?human? ?violence.? ?? ?It? ?seems? ?like? ?every? ?day? ?we? ?read? ?in? ?the? ?paper? ?yet? ?another? ?teenager was? ?assaulted? ?or? ?even? ?shot? ?at? ?school? ?or? ?even? ?off? ?campus? ?(as? ?a? ?result? ?of? ?events? ?which? ?occur? ?on campus).? ?? ?In? ?Ridgewood? ?NJ,? ?last? ?week,? ?a? ?teenager? ?had? ?his? ?skull? ?fractured? ?when? ?he? ?stood? ?up? ?to? ?a friend? ?who? ?was? ?being? ?bullied? ?for? ?some? ?weeks? ?before.? ?? ?I? ?hear? ?some? ?parents? ?blaming? ?the? ?internet. They? ?say? ?children? ?are? ?watching? ?videos? ?on? ?youtube? ?about? ?how? ?to? ?build? ?explosive? ?devices? ?or? ?build guns.? ?? ?But? ?folks? ?were? ?hurting? ?and? ?shooting? ?each? ?other? ?for? ?a? ?long? ?while? ?in? ?history? ?before? ?the internet? ?came? ?to? ?be? ?so? ?popular. Other? ?people? ?blame? ?guns? ?and? ?the? ?lack? ?of? ?stronger? ?gun? ?laws? ?in? ?America.? ?? ?They? ?say? ?that? ?if? ?there were? ?more? ?laws? ?constraining? ?the? ?ability? ?to? ?buy? ?and? ?keep? ?guns,? ?there? ?would? ?not? ?be? ?so? ?much violence.? ?? ?It’s? ?likely? ?that? ?if? ?we? ?had? ?more? ?or? ?stronger? ?gun? ?laws,? ?the? ?criminals? ?who? ?hurt? ?or? ?shoot others? ?would? ?simply? ?be? ?breaking? ?more? ?laws? ?in? ?the? ?process? ?of? ?their? ?commission? ?of? ?violence? ?and that? ?would? ?not? ?reduce? ?the? ?numbers? ?of? ?gun? ?deaths. “Still? ?others? ?think? ?that? ?the? ?depiction? ?of? ?vivid? ?violence? ?in? ?movies? ?and? ?in? ?video? ?games? ?is? ?the? ?cause of? ?the? ?violence.? ?People? ?were? ?violent? ?long? ?before? ?video? ?games? ?and? ?movies? ?came? ?along.? ?People are? ?putting? ?the? ?blame? ?in? ?the? ?wrong? ?place.? ?The? ?reason? ?there? ?is? ?so? ?much? ?violence? ?today? ?is because? ?we? ?have? ?lost? ?our? ?moral? ?character.? ?If? ?there? ?had? ?been? ?a? ?copy? ?of? ?the? ?Ten? ?Commandments on? ?the? ?walls? ?of? ?the? ?classrooms? ?at? ?Columbine? ?High? ?in? ?Colorado,? ?those? ?boys? ?never? ?would? ?have killed? ?all? ?those? ?people.? ?If? ?there? ?had? ?been? ?required? ?prayer? ?every? ?day? ?from? ?kindergarten? ?on? ?up, violence? ?in? ?America? ?would? ?be? ?almost? ?non-existent. I? ?know? ?there? ?will? ?be? ?skeptics? ?who? ?will? ?say,? ?“But? ?Stalin? ?was? ?a? ?seminarian? ?and? ?Hitler? ?sang? ?in? ?the church? ?choir.”? ?These? ?claims? ?are? ?true,? ?but? ?Stalin? ?and? ?Hitler? ?are? ?exceptions? ?that? ?prove? ?the? ?rule. Slobodan? ?Milosovic? ?may? ?have? ?been? ?raised? ?in? ?a? ?religious? ?household? ?but? ?that? ?does? ?not? ?disprove my? ?135? ?point.? ?He? ?lost? ?faith? ?in? ?God? ?at? ?some? ?point,? ?as? ?did? ?Stalin? ?and? ?Hitler.? ?Had? ?they? ?kept? ?the? ?faith, they? ?would? ?not? ?have? ?become? ?so? ?evil. We? ?need? ?to? ?return? ?to? ?the? ?days? ?when? ?we? ?all? ?worshipped? ?the? ?same? ?God? ?on? ?Sunday.? ?Only? ?then? ?will we? ?return? ?to? ?the? ?days? ?of? ?peace? ?and? ?quiet? ?our? ?ancestors? ?used? ?to? ?know.? ?Science? ?will? ?prove? ?me right.? ?There? ?have? ?been? ?studies? ?that? ?have? ?shown? ?that? ?people? ?who? ?pray? ?live? ?longer? ?than? ?people who? ?don’t.? ?Moreover,? ?prayer? ?has? ?been? ?shown? ?to? ?help? ?the? ?sick? ?recover? ?more? ?quickly. Thus,? ?we? ?must? ?have? ?a? ?constitutional? ?amendment? ?to? ?require? ?prayer? ?in? ?our? ?public? ?and? ?private schools.? ?This? ?notion? ?is? ?supported? ?by? ?former? ?Vice-President? ?Sam? ?Snail? ?and? ?by? ?Senator? ?Leeroy Smart;? ?both? ?start? ?each? ?day? ?with? ?a? ?prayer? ?and? ?have? ?not? ?shot? ?anyone? ?in? ?all? ?their? ?days? ?on? ?Earth. Only? ?when? ?we? ?require? ?every? ?school? ?child? ?to? ?pray,? ?will? ?there? ?be? ?an? ?end? ?to? ?the? ?violence? ?that plagues? ?our? ?nation.” 1. ? ?What? ?is? ?the? ?main? ?conclusion? ?of? ?this? ?argument? 2. What? ?are? ?the? ?author’s’? ?premises? 3. Are? ?there? ?any? ?fallacies? ?in? ?the? ?author’s? ?(sub)arguments? 4. Are? ?there? ?any? ?irrelevancies? ?in? ?the? ?author’s? ?(sub)arguments? 5. Do? ?you? ?think? ?the? ?argument? ?about? ?having? ?more? ?gun? ?laws? ?is? ?persuasive? ?for? ?the? ?conclusion of? ?this? ?argument? 6. Are? ?all? ?of? ?the? ?author’s? ?(sub)arguments? ?supported? 7. Summarize? ?the? ?author’s? ?main? ?conclusion? ?argument? ?in? ?two? ?sentences. 8. Write? ?three? ?sentences? ?about? ?the? ?soundness? ?of? ?the? ?conclusion.

PROS AND CONS OF A SECOND JOB

There was a time when moonlighting—taking on work in addition to your full-time employment—was for under-employed workers and the severely cash-strapped.
Today, even working professionals can be cash-strapped, and people in all fields and income groups are supplementing their main income by moonlighting. For some, the second job isn’t just for the bucks but also for the skills and the sense of being a free agent.
And although extra part-time jobs used to be verboten, many supervisors are flexible about a team member who picks up a gig on the side.
Experts suggest weighing the pros and cons carefully before you take on a second job.

Pros

Money—That’s still the biggest reason people take on extra work. And with gas above US$4 a gallon—and rising healthcare premiums, and income freezes—extra income can be a lifeline.

Security—“Many professionals today are looking at second jobs as a fallback because they feel, correctly, that their main job is not completely safe,” according to John McKee, president and founder of BusinessSuccessCoach.net and author of “Career Wisdom.”

Freedom—A second job or career can bring psychological benefits, such as the feeling of not being shackled to one company, experts say.

New skills—If you’re thinking about switching careers but can’t take the plunge, taking a part-time job could be a way to test the waters or boost your entrepreneurial skills, McKee said.

Cons

Time—Do you really want to spend 10 or 20 hours a week on another job, not to mention the commute hassle and the disappointment of significant others who’d rather see more of you, not less?

Conflict of interest—Consulting for a direct (or even indirect) competitor can put you in a dicey situation, according to J Daniel Marr, managing director of the New Hampshire law firm Hamblett and Kerrigan.
“This is a big issue in software and industries where you use part of what you learned from your primary employer,” Marr tells Yahoo HotJobs.
“Employers insist they have rights to your intellectual property.”

Performance slippage—One reason many employers look askance at moonlighters is the fear that they’ll burn out. Some companies may demand your full time and attention, even off-hours.

Employer irritation—Even if the company allows moonlighting, supervisors might not like the idea. “Some will say angrily, ‘We’re paying this guy x dollars a year and it’s still not enough?’” Marr says.

Tips to make it work

If you are considering a second job, the experts add these three tips: Pick an unrelated field—You’ll reduce the risk of burnout and conflict of interest. A nurse who builds websites part-time, a marketing professional who teaches music, or an insurance adjuster who moonlights as a landscape architect would be safer bets.

Check with HR—Many companies have moonlighting policies. But even if they don’t, it’s wise to see if your second job might be a conflict, especially if you’re considering a professional part-time job or one that’s related to your full-time job, Marr says.

Consider why you’re doing it—“Supplementing income is fine, but it’s best if a second job is part of an overall life and career plan,” McKee says. “Otherwise you risk scattering your resources.”

QUESTION:

1. State  what aspects of the article, if practised can help shape your country in a better way and why. Also state why information in the article may be helpful to Human Resource personnel.