Monetary and fiscal policy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Monetary and fiscal policy - Essay Example Increase in Government Spending-This policy helps in providing a lot of relief to the whole of the economy as this aspect helps in lowering the prices of the products or services resulting in stimulating the economy by a greater degree. It also ensures all round availability of goods to the consumers (Labonte & Nagel, 2007). 1. b.   What Monetary Policy Tools Can the Federal Reserve Use to Stimulate the Economy and Increase Economic growth. Please Identify At Least Two Specific Tools If the real GDP Gross Domestic Product is lower than the potential GDP, then there lay certain monetary policy tools that the Federal Reserve can use to stimulate the economy as well as to raise economic growth. These tools are discussed hereunder. Operations in the Open-Market-The Federal Reserve can effectively utilize this tool as it will improve the overall banking system in the United States (US). It will also help the Federal Reserve to maintain high level of reserves that will ultimately deliver significant benefits to the economy of the nation at large. Setting of Discount Rates-This particular monetary policy tool can help in facilitating effective stimulation of the economy along with raising financial growth by a certain degree. In this regard, discount rates are basically the interest rates that are charged while acquiring short-term loans from different financial institutions (Labonte & Nagel, 2007). 2. ... ariffs-This aspect can prove to be quiet effective as it tends to deliver effective as well as full flow of different economic activities in the nation. It also helps in conducting free trade and activities related to investment that directly benefits a nation’s profitability by a greater degree. Liberalization of imports-If the Fed desires to lessen inflation in terms of money supply, then the main focus is needed to be laid in the aspect of liberation of imports. This can be justified with reference to the fact that lowered rate of imports will tend to increase the level of conducting various economic activities but it would cut down the effects of inflation in a simultaneous manner. Reduction in Exports-If the level of exports is reduced, then inflation can be controlled by a certain degree. This is owing to the reason that this particular aspect will help in cutting down numerous costs that are associated with the exporting of finished products as well as raw materials to other nations. Formation of new and improved economic policies-The Fed can also adopt as well as implement this particular measure in curbing the unfavorable impacts of inflation and also helping an economy in mitigating the problems associated with high rate of economic fluctuations. In this similar concern, the new as well as the improved economic policies might include controlling wage rates and formulating effective tax reforms among others (Labonte & Nagel, 2007). 3. Both Monetary Policy And Fiscal Policy Encounter The Problems Of Lags. Discuss the Kinds of Lags They Encounter and the Degree of Difficulties They Present To Policymakers It is worth mentioning that monetary and fiscal policies help in developing an economy of a particular nation by a significant level. But, on the other hand,

Assess Kant's ethics of duty and freedom Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Assess Kant's ethics of duty and freedom - Essay Example According to Kant, ethics has to be considered from a human perspective. His writings on ethics are marked by an unswerving commitment to human freedom, to the dignity of man, and to the view that moral obligation derives neither from God, nor from human authorities and communities, nor from the preferences or desires of human agents, but from reason. (O’Neill, 1993, p. 175) Kant presented his ethical theory in his Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals (1785), Critique of Practical Reason (1787), The Metaphysics of Morals (1797), Religion within the Limits of Reason Alone (1793) and many essays on political, historical and religious topics. His ethics belonged to the critical philosophy developed in Kant’s masterpiece, The Critique of Pure Reason (1781). Kant constructed the principles of ethics according to rational procedures. He attempted to answer the question â€Å"What ought I to do?† Hence, he was concerned with the maxims, or fundamental principles which ought to guide our actions. A principle that cannot serve for all cannot be a moral principle, and this idea allows to assess ethically the maxims that agents adopt. Those who reject non-universalizable principles have morally worthy principles, and those who adopt non-universalizable principles have morally unworthy principles. The demand of the rejection of non-universalizable principles is called by Kant the Categorical Imperative, or the Moral Law. The Categorical Imperative is formulated in different versions. The strictest one is the Formula of Universal Law, which claims: â€Å"Act only on the maxim through which you can at the same time will that it be a universal law†. This is considered the keystone of Kant’s ethics (O’Neill, 1993). A maxim of false promising is not universalizable, hence cannot be included among the shared principles of any plurality of beings. The maxim of

What are alternative sources of funding in the fire service during Research Proposal

What are alternative sources of funding in the fire service during difficult economic times - Research Proposal Example Hence it is better to fight the turmoil with the alternative strategies of funding. Limited by a stipulated budget, the fire department in the United States are trying to capitalise on a wide range of fund raising approaches beyond the conventional methods (US Fire Administration, n.d.). The fund raising strategies can vary from small fees to large sources of fund as benefit assessments. Sometimes these major funding sources pay off as much as 40 percent of the service budget. Development fees and subscription charges are two of its major alternative funding strategies. These are the fees which the private investors pay for constructing a new fire stations and buying related apparatus. Subscription charges are paid by the households and are a part of the emergency medical services availed by them (US Fire Administration, n.d.). Some fire divisions have suggested, keeping these fees specific for small house hold fires. According to them, an additional service charge must be paid for dealing with the emergency services. Few fire departments, though aware of the fact that the housing insurance policies do cover up a few thousand dollars for fire protection fees, would still like to charge for fire prevention services. Some other departments charge almost for everything, starting from simple services to the special emergency ones (US Fire Administration, n.d.). The payment can be in two ways; either by subscription fee or by service fees for each of the services. The major source of funding comes from the emergency incidents. Some services which were free earlier are charged these days. Some local funding strategy include tax revenue, borrowing, leasing, benefit assessment charges, fees, strategic alliances, cost sharing and consolidations, fines and citations, sales of assets and services, subscriptions and impact development fees (US Fire Administration, n.d.). Apart from these there are more miscellaneous

ENTERAL NUTRITION Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

ENTERAL NUTRITION - Essay Example paper examines Weenen et al., (2014) research in relation to providing a systematic approach to achieving research prioritization in enteral nutrition. From the research conducted the results obtained were in relation to defining the disease areas that needed more attention, ranking importance of product characteristics of tube feeding and finally assessment of the involvement of KOLs in enteral nutrition (Fulbrook, Bongers & Albarran, 2007). Weenen et al., (2014) ranked three product characteristics and three disease areas that deserved more research attention by summarizing the overall scores by multiplying ranks for both products characteristics and disease areas. The results were seventeen qualitative interviews conducted, and seventy-seven questionnaires completed and returned, which was only thirty-five percent in proportions. The noted disease areas by Weenen et al., (2014) in oral nutritional supplements(ONS) and tube feeding with highest priorities are ONS, general malnutrition and geriatrics, composition and clinical evidence, taste from a KOL perspective and taste from a patient perspective. The paper by Weenen et al., (2014) is significant for the subject area in that it highlighted the involvement of KOLs in the identification of research priorities as they have ability to provide balanced view of the unmet patient needs. Weenen et al., (2014) stated that sixty-two percent of all KOLs gave advice to enteral nutrition companies on patient needs by influencing the setting of research priorities by enteral nutrition. This was a limitation of the quantitative research analysis undertaken on patient needs and enteral nutrition in the market. Additionally, there was a high discrepancy between product characteristic prioritization from a KOL and patient perspective. Fulbrook, Bongers & Albarran (2007) researched about European enteral nutrition and adult intensive care units and noted that so as to appropriately know the patients’ needs and enteral

Perfect competition Essay Example for Free

Perfect competition Essay Monopoly and monopolistic competitions, basic concepts monopoly means a market situation in which there is only a single seller and large no. of buyers. whereas monopolistic competition is a market situation in which there is large no. of sellers and large no. of buyers. in monopolistic competition, close substitutes are there in the sense that products are different in terms of size, colour,packaging,brand,price etc. as in case of soap,toothpaste etc. but in monopoly, there is no close substitute of the good,if any, it will be a remote substitute like in India, Indian railways has its monopoly but its remote substitutes are present like bus and air service. in monopolistic competition, there is aggressive advertising but in monopoly, there is no advertising at all or a very little. in monopolistic competition,demand curve faced by the firm is more elastic because of availability of close substitutes. it means if a firm raises its price, it will loose its large market share as customers in large will shift to close substitutes present in the market. but in monopoly, the demand curve faced by the firm is less elastic because of no close substitutes. if means if the firm raises its price, demand will not fall in a large quantity as it is only one in the market. u have to understand that the four different kinds, perfect, monopolistic, oligopoly, monopoly are on a spectrum with perfect and monopoly on the extremes, monopolistic is very similar to perfect, and monopoly is different that its a hard market to enter, because theres very few firms and require a big budget to get started. look up the graphs for these competitions and you should have a better understanding MONOPOLY IN TELECOMMUNICATION . Competition in Telecommunications Services Experience has demonstrated that free and open competition benefits individual consumers and societies as a whole by ensuring lower prices, new and better products and services, and expanded consumer choice. The benefits of competition are readily seen in todays telecommunications sector. Dynamic technological change is resulting in new services and systems that provide innovative solutions to communications needs across the globe. As a result, telecommunications is becoming increasingly important to the efficiency and effectiveness of private and public sector institutions. In this environment of rapid change, a competitive marketplace will tap the potential of the telecommunications sector to serve the economic and social well-being of all citizens. BENEFITS OF COMPETITION Free and open competition benefits individual consumers and the global community by ensuring lower prices, new and better products and services, and greater consumer choice than occurs under monopoly conditions. In an open market, producers compete to win customers by lowering prices, developing new services that best meet the needs of customers. A competitive market promotes innovation by rewarding producers that invent, develop, and introduce new and innovative products and production processes. By doing so, the wealth of the society as a whole is increased. In a competitive environment, businesses that fail to understand and react to consumer needs face the loss of customers and declining profits. A policy framework to establish, foster, and regulate competition is critical to the delivery of benefits expected and demanded by consumers. In other words, competition rewards entrepreneurship, responsiveness, and enthusiasm; it punishes sluggishness and indifference. Because of the increasing importance of the telecommunications sector to the overall economy, countries can ill afford the sluggishness and indifference that so often characterize the provision of products and services under monopoly conditions. As developments in technology continue to produce efficient and exciting communications services, societies may be significantly disadvantaged if they forego the rewards of entrepreneurship and responsiveness associated with open, competitive telecommunications markets. POLICY GOALS TO ACHIEVE COMPETITIVE MARKETS In order to achieve the benefits of competition described above, governments and regulators must establish an appropriate policy framework to govern the telecommunications sector. First, governments should remove legal barriers that protect existing monopoly providers from competition by new entrants. Second, policymakers should take affirmative steps to promote competition in sectors of the market that were previously closed to competition. Examples of these steps include adopting policies that encourage multiple methods and modes of market entry. Third, policymakers should consider introducing competitive safeguards to protect against the exercise of market power by incumbent carriers during the transition to competition. The most fundamental of these competitive safeguards involves regulation of the terms and conditions governing interconnection with the existing monopoly providers network. In the United States, although important steps were made to promote competition in the telecommunications sector prior to passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the law firmly established the intent to provide for a pro-competitive, deregulatory national policy framework designed to accelerate private sector deployment of advanced telecommunications and information technologies and services to all Americans by opening all telecommunications markets to competition. EFFECTS OF COMPETITION IN THE TELECOMMUNICATION SECTOR. The benefits of introducing competition in telecommunications markets are apparent in all segments of the telecommunications market. For instance, competition in the United States and many other countries in long distance and international telecommunications services has led to a dramatic decline in consumer rates for these services, as well as a dramatic increase in demand and a substantial increase in investment. International telecommunications services can be particularly important to the development of a stable and robust economy linked to the global marketplace. The 1997 WTO Agreement on Basic Telecommunications Services ushered in a new era for telecommunications competition in many countries of the world. As part of that agreement, 72 countries have made commitments to open their telecommunications markets to foreign suppliers of basic telecommunications services. As these countries implement their commitments, dramatic change has occurred in their telecommunications markets. In many countries, there are several new providers of international and domestic telecommunications services, and prices are dramatically lower. As a result, increased competition has led to lower international settlement rates in many countries which, in turn, has led to lower calling prices for consumers. Lower calling prices means that people can afford to make more calls, more often, creating closer ties between family and friends in different countries and strengthening business relationships. Thus, introducing competition in international telecommunications markets produces benefits throughout a countrys economy. In addition, as part of the WTO Agreement, 49 countries made commitments to open their satellite service markets. These commitments have helped increase the ability of global and regional satellite providers to obtain the requisite authorizations for their systems. Similarly, in many countries private investment and competition in the provision of terrestrial wireless telecommunications infrastructure has led to declining prices for, and widespread use of, wireless telephone service. In areas where teledensity can increase, moreover, price reductions may expand the number of households that can afford service. This increased demand may make build-out decisions more attractive. For example, in Chile, lower prices increased traffic by 260% from 1994 to 1997. In 1987, there were 6. 7 phones per 100 households in Chile; this number rose to 11 in 1992 and to 15. 2 in 1996. As lower prices stimulate greater demand, an overall increase in revenues results despite additional providers in the market. In the U. S. long distance market, lower prices, in combination with an expanding market for services, have offset revenue loss from price reductions and the decrease in market share. For example, while ATTs long distance market share fell from 90% in 1984 to 45% in 1997, its revenues increased from $35 billion to $40 billion during this same period. Thus, although ATT lost market share, its revenues increased in a competitive marketplace. The benefits from introducing competition in international and domestic telecommunications markets can be fully realized, however, only when market participants have the incentive to compete vigorously to attract the greatest amount of business. It has been the U. S.experience that these incentives exist only where there is open entry into the telecommunications services market. Where entry is limited, or where only one or two new entrants are allowed to compete against the incumbent carrier, the benefits of competition are limited as well. For instance, when cellular telephone service was first introduced into the United States in the 1980s there were only two licensees in each market. As a result, prices remained relatively high and demand was more limited. After additional licenses were authorized in each market, priced dropped, new services were introduced and demand exploded. BUILDING A TELECOMMUNICATIONS SECTOR AS A PART OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Developing countries face many infrastructure challenges. While roads, water, and electricity are obvious fundamental requirements, development of a strong communications and information system is vital for the country to survive and prosper. As global developments increasingly push competition and its benefits, developing countries can realize these benefits in part through encouraging the establishment of an indigenous telecommunications sector. And one highly effective way to achieve this is to promote and nurture the growth of small and entrepreneurial entities within that sector. The United States experience provides some insight. Historically, most of the cutting- edge commercial and technology breakthroughs in the United States have been developed by individual entrepreneurs or small businesses, from Alexander Graham Bell to Bill Gates. Additionally, Americas 22 million small businesses produce more than half of the nations gross domestic product, and businesses employing fewer than twenty people have created all 99. 99 percent of the nations new jobs in recent years. Such a phenomenal success story is due not only to the free enterprise system and profit motive, but also to a carefully developed government policy of supporting and nurturing small businesses. The U. S. has implemented numerous federal programs to assist small businesses in harnessing the engines of economic growth and innovation loan guarantee programs, technical assistance programs, investment programs, anti- discrimination regulatory programs, outreach efforts, information and training programs. Congress. established the Telecommunications Development Fund, some $25 million, to invest in promising new telecommunications businesses. Obviously the environment and situation of most developing countries is quite different from that in the United States, and overcoming an embedded monopoly telecom provider is something weve never had to do. Still, some basic steps privatizing, establishing an independent regulator, developing helpful tax and labor laws, a willingness to waive regulatory and filing requirements to the extent possible can produce great benefits. A developing country could make it a condition for foreign carriers and operators serving seeking to provide service to (or within) its territory to undertake efforts to promote or support indigenous and start-up businesses. Supporting the growth of small and entrepreneurial telecom businesses by various means can lead to permanent economic gains for developing nations economies, and to full participation in the global telecom marketplace. METHODS OF INTRODUCING COMPETITION IN THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SECTOR Restricting methods and modes of entry can cause investment distortions and result in higher prices to consumers. It is by allowing the marketplace to select preferred approaches that policymakers encourage efficient entry. Three methods are typically used to introduce competition into the telecommunications sector: * Facilities-based competition * Unbundling of network elements * Resale In addition, a technologically neutral policy fosters innovative systems and alternative facilities designed to meet the needs of the marketplace. For example, the construction of a wireless network may be more appropriate in some markets than the development of a competing wireline carrier. Facilities-Based Competition. When a new entrant constructs a network using its own facilities to reach its customers (i. e. , without using the incumbent carriers network), that type of entry is commonly referred to as full facilities-based competition. By developing a new network, a facilities-based competitor is not constrained by existing, possibly obsolete embedded plant and instead can install the newest, most efficient technology. As a result, the competitor will be able to supply new or additional services such as faster transmission and switching speeds or higher bandwidth capacity, and may be able to do so at lower costs than the incumbent. Facilities-based competitors not only directly benefit their customers but also create competitive pressure for the incumbent to upgrade its network. In addition, facilities-based entry allows the marketplace to drive competition with less regulatory presence. As discussed more fully below, full facilities-based entrants still require interconnection for the mutual exchange of traffic with other providers. New entrants customers need to be able to communicate with subscribers on other networks, especially the incumbents network where the majority of users obtain their service. Without the ability to interconnect on fair terms, a new facilities-based competitor cannot survive. Use of Unbundled Network Elements While full facilities-based competition has many advantages, it may not always be practical for a new entrant to construct an entire network. For example, it may be economically feasible to construct switching and long distance facilities but infeasible to construct local loops or last mile facilities that connect to customer locations. This might be due to economies of scale or the practical difficulties associated with acquiring needed rights-of-way. Thus, a second entry route is one in which the new entrant constructs portions of a network and purchases access to the relevant essential facilities of the incumbent providers network, such as the local loop. This method of entry is referred to as using unbundled network elements, and typically must be required by law or regulation. Entry through the use of unbundled network elements has a number of important advantages. First, it reduces entry barriers by allowing new entrants to begin offering service without having to construct an entire network. Second, on a longer term basis, it prevents the incumbent carrier from exploiting any residual monopoly power that may arise through remaining economies of scale or from the practical difficulties of obtaining needed rights-of-way, antenna sites for wireless systems, etc. Third, it allows new entrants additional avenues of innovation. For example, new entrants can purchase unbundled loops from the established carrier and use them with entirely different types of technologies (e. g. , packet switches based upon Internet Protocol (IP)) than those employed by the incumbent carrier. In this arrangement, consumers benefit from these new and better services and additional choices that competition provides. Regulatory intervention is necessary in order to require the incumbent carrier to unbundle its network and to price the resulting elements at economically efficient prices. More specifically, incumbents should be required to provide any requesting telecommunications carrier non-discriminatory access to elements of the incumbents network on an unbundled basis on rates, terms and conditions that are just, reasonable, and non-discriminatory. Incumbents should be required to provide any reasonable method of interconnection, including physical collocation or virtual collocation, or interconnection at a point between the incumbents and new entrants network. In the United States, the Telecommunications Act of 1996 identified a minimum list of network elements that incumbent local exchange carriers must unbundle. These network elements include: local loops, network interface devices, local and tandem switching capabilities, interoffice transmission facilities, signaling and call-related databases, operations support systems, and operator services and directory assistance facilities. In addition, new entrants should have access to pole lines, ducts, conduits, and rights-of-way owned or controlled by the incumbent. Resale In the telecommunications context, resale occurs when competitors obtain a service at a discounted or wholesale rate from the underlying, established carrier and then sell the service to their own customers. Resale can serve a multi-faceted role in promoting and sustaining competition in telecommunications services. Resale may be an effective entry vehicle for new entrants that may initially lack the necessary capital to build their own networks. Resale may also allow small competitors, which will not become facilities-based providers, to offer service. In addition, resellers may stimulate usage of the incumbents network, and thus may benefit the incumbent facilities-based provider and further growth of the entire sector. Moreover, this competition may help to keep prices lower for consumers, increase consumer choice, and ultimately stimulate economic growth. Experience in the U. S. long distance market suggests that resale can yield significant public benefits. Resale competition takes the form of arbitrage, where a reseller purchases a large number of minutes at a quantity discount and resells them to small customers at prices lower than the retail prices otherwise available to those customers. By providing affordable prices for the customer, resellers stimulate demand and thus compel facilities-based carriers to bring their prices closer to actual costs. At the same time, the increased competition from resellers expands the availability of innovative services, such as new billing terms and alternative rate structures. In particular, resellers can create consumer value by creating different billing plans or targeting their marketing to under-served groups within the community. Many countries have committed to a policy of resale as part of the WTO Basic Telecommunications Agreement to provide market access for basic telecommunications services. For smaller countries, resale provides some of the benefits of competition even if the total amount of telecommunications traffic generated is insufficient to attract multiple facilities-based carriers. Resellers may resell an entire service without modification, which is referred to as Total Service Resale. Resellers may also choose to obtain some services from the underlying carrier and combine them with services that they provide themselves. For example, a carrier may offer long distance services using its own switching facilities but lease long haul facilities from the incumbent provider. Resale also allows providers to offer bundles of different services without actually constructing the necessary facilities. By doing so, they can achieve certain economies in terms of marketing while providing a package of services for the convenience of their customers. For example, a local exchange carrier can offer long distance services without constructing long haul facilities. Similarly, a carrier offering both local and long- distance services could add mobile services to its package without constructing its own wireless network. In many industries resale occurs as a natural part of the development of markets. However, in telecommunications, a dominant carrier may be required by law or regulation to make its services available for resale. In particular, a regulatory requirement may be necessary to force the underlying carrier to offer services at a wholesale rate. In a competitive market, however, some providers may find a source of revenue in the provision of services on a wholesale basis. This often occurs when the facilities-based carrier has excess capacity on its network. In the U. S. long distance market, some carriers have constructed nationwide fiber-optic networks with the intent of offering transmission services on a wholesale basis to other carriers. Real market experience has shown that resale can spur competition. The growth of competition in the U. S. long distance market resulted from a combination of the facilities-based and resale competition models. From the early stages of long distance competition, facilities-based providers and resellers have actively competed against one another. This approach resulted in more affordable rates, new service offerings, and numerous new entrants. Despite the obvious benefits of resale, it has limitations. First of all, the reseller is limited to a greater or lesser extent by the technical features and functions of the underlying carriers network. This limits the ability of the reseller to innovate. Second, resale alone does not put competitive pressure on wholesale rates and services because the underlying carrier may not be subject to competitive pressures to innovate at the wholesale level. This means that the regulator must retain some degree of control over the pricing, terms and conditions of the wholesale offering. INTERCONNECTION, THE KEY TO COMPETITIVE SUCCESS The key to competition within telecommunications services is the ability of networks to interconnect. Interconnection allows communications to occur across networks, linking competitors so customers of different networks can communicate with one another. For competition to be successful at maximizing consumer benefits and innovation in the telecommunications market, carriers that compete for customers must also provide competitors with access to those customers. Shared access to customers occurs through interconnection, and access to all customers is necessary both for successful entry and for continued competition. If the incumbent, with the vast majority of customers, does not interconnect with new entrants, it is unlikely that the new entrants will remain economically viable. A regulatory framework is needed to aid in the transition from a monopoly environment to a competitive environment because a monopoly or dominant provider has a strategic interest to keep out or minimize competitors in its market. As a result, the monopoly or dominant provider has a strong incentive to limit interconnection. Therefore, a regulator that is independent of any operator and of inappropriate political influence should adopt rules that give new entrants bargaining strength equal to the incumbents. The price of interconnection (or transport and termination), for example, could serve as a significant barrier to entry for new networks. An incumbent monopolist has an incentive to demand a high price to terminate calls originating on a new entrants network and pay nothing for calls originating on its own network. In the United States, transport and termination charges are reciprocal and based on the long run incremental cost of providing the transport and termination on the incumbents network. Thus, the primary purpose of mandated interconnection is to foster a competitive environment that is fair to all competitors. Because the incumbent service provider has the vast majority of customers, a new entrant must be able to interconnect in order to provide full access to its customers. Without the ability to interconnect, new entrants would be severely restricted in their ability to compete with the incumbent. REGULATORY TOOLS FOR PROTECTING AGAINST THE EXERCISE OF MARKET POWER DURING THE TRANSITION TO COMPETITION Special problems may arise when a telecommunications carrier with monopoly power in the provision of a particular service or facility wants to offer a competitive service that is dependent upon the use of the monopoly service or facility. This may occur, for example, where competition has been introduced in the long distance and international markets but the local market remains a monopoly. The two problems are cost- shifting/cross-subsidization and discrimination. The first problem arises if the monopoly service is regulated on a rate-of-return (profit) basis. If so, there is an incentive for the carrier with monopoly power to shift costs from the competitive service to the monopoly service. Shifting costs in this manner artificially raises the price of the monopoly service and allows the carrier to charge below-cost rates for the competitive service. This results in the captive customers paying above- cost rates for the monopoly services and hampers the development of a viable market for the competitive services. An example of this situation could occur when a carrier with monopoly power in the provision of local facilities or services wants to enter the long distance market or information services market. The second problem occurs when control over an essential service or facility necessary for a competitive service enables the monopoly carrier to discriminate in favor of its own competitive offering. For example, a carrier with monopoly power in the provision of local facilities or services has the incentive to discriminate in favor of its own long distance or information service. This discrimination may manifest itself in the form of better quality interconnection or faster installation times for needed facilities or services. What follows is an overview of some of the tools that are available to policymakers and regulators to discourage or prevent cost-shifting/cross-subsidization and discrimination. These tools or techniques can be used alone or in combination. The more stringent techniques may be appropriate when and where the threat is greatest. Less stringent techniques may be appropriate as competition takes hold in the previously monopolized market. Outright Prohibition on Providing the Competitive Product or Service One technique for preventing a carrier with monopoly power from cross-subsidizing and discriminating in the provision of a competitive service is to prohibit the carrier from entering the competitive market. Outright prohibitions have been and are being used in the United States. For example, the original agreement (Consent Decree) that led to the divestiture of the Bell Operating Companies from ATT prohibited the former from certain activities, including the provision of certain long distance services and information services. Under the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the Bell Operating Companies are prohibited from offering long distance services and alarm services until certain conditions are met. While outright prohibition prevents cross-subsidization and discrimination, it may also deny the public the benefits of possible economies of scale or scope that may be derived if the carrier is allowed to provide the competitive service. Outright prohibition may also deny the public the benefits of innovation that might come from the participation of the monopoly carrier in the competitive market. Price Caps for Regulated Monopoly Services The incentive to shift costs from a competitive service to a monopoly service exists under profit regulation. Under price cap regulation, the prices of the monopoly services are capped (indexed to inflation and expected productivity increases). Price cap regulation has a number of advantages, including incentives for the carrier to be more efficient. It also discourages the monopoly provider from shifting costs from the competitive activity to the monopoly activity, because if the price of the monopoly service is capped, there is no incentive to shift costs from the competitive service to the monopoly service. Separate Subsidiary Requirement Under this requirement, the carrier with monopoly power is allowed to provide the competitive service, but only through a separate subsidiary or affiliate. The separate subsidiary requirement is combined with an obligation that the monopoly carrier treat the affiliated company no better than it treats unaffiliated providers of the competitive service. In other words, the monopoly carrier must deal with the affiliate on an arms- length basis. The regulator has the ability to control the degree of separateness. Examples of the requirements for separateness can include requirements that the monopoly provider and its affiliate: * Maintain separate books of account. * Utilize separate officers and personnel * Employ separate marketing activities * Not share common equipment or facilities * Adhere to certain restrictions on information flows that would unfairly benefit the competitive affiliate In addition, a typical requirement is that if the affiliate must obtain any transmission services from the monopoly provider, it must do so on a tariffed basis. Tariffing Requirements Tariffing is a fundamental technique traditionally used to protect users (both consumers and other carriers) against discrimination. Tariffing requires the regulated monopolist to file tariffs explaining its service rates, terms and conditions with the regulatory agency and to adhere to those rates, terms and conditions once the tariff is filed. Through the tariff and enforcement processes, which include opportunities for public comment, the regulator has some ability to prevent cross-subsidization and discrimination. Accounting Separation A requirement to maintain separate books of account can be adopted even without the imposition of a separate subsidiary requirement. Accounting separation typically requires the regulated monopoly provider to set up and maintain separate books of account for the competitive activity and to adhere to prescribed methods of separating costs. This provides a degree of protection against cross-subsidization. Imputation Requirements An imputation requirement obligates the regulated monopolist to charge the same amount for a service or facility provided to a competitive affiliate or operation that it charges to an unaffiliated provider, and to include that amount in the price it charges for the competitive service. Service Quality Reporting Requirements A service quality reporting requirement obligates the regulated monopolist to collect date and report on the quality of the services provided to both affiliated and unaffiliated competitors. This helps regulators detect and correct discrimination in the provision of essential services or facilities to competitors. Resale Requirements As discussed earlier, a resale requirement has a number of advantages in promoting competition. Resale can also help prevent cross-subsidization. For example, where a carrier has market power in the provision of switched services but there is competition in the provision of private lines, the carrier may try to increase the price of the switched service in order to cross-subsidize and thus under-price its private line offering. If the carrier is required to allow the resale of the private line offerings, however, entrepreneurs could combine the private lines with their own switching, and undercut the prices of the monopolists switched service offering. This has the effect of discouraging the carrier with market power from engaging in cross-subsidization. Unbundling Requirements An unbundling requirement forces the regulated monopolist to make network elements available to competitors on an unbundled basis under rates, terms and conditions that are just, reasonable, and non-discriminatory.

Water Resource Issue in Isokoland

Water Resource Issue in Isokoland WATER RESOURCE PROBLEMS IN ISOKOLAND S.I. Efe INTRODUCTION Water is one of the basic necessities of life next to air, food and shelter. But its provision varies from place to place in accordance with its yield in the hydrological setting and climatic characteristics in that area. The coastal location and the equatorial climate of Isokoland precipitated in heavy and long duration rainfall of over 3000mm per annum, and last for 10—11 months per annum (Efe, 2007). This scenario over the years has endowed the entire Isokoland with abundant groundwater and surface water recharge. But the discussion of water resources in the region has been glossed over to discussing those of Nigeria and Delta State water problem (see Ayoadc and Oycbande, 1983 and Efe and Olobaniyi, 2007). As such information of water resources in Isokoland is lacking in literature. Thus, this study of water resources in Isokoland is timely at this time when there is a global shortage of water supply. This paper is set to examine the sources, methods of purifying domestic w ater, factors of inadequate water supply and management measures adopted over the years in Isokoland. Physio-graphically, Isokoland is located in a low-lying area of >l0m above sea level, and ii is drained by River Ase that is characterized with deep valley from which sand bars and fine materials are washed to its lower course. This area is also underlain by tertiary sedimentary formation, which has led to the variation in water depth, quality and yield. For instance, water level increases from 0 — 4m throughout the year and this scenario has encouraged abundant water supply in Isokoland. Methods of Data Collection Field survey research design was adopted for data collection with the aid of direct field observation and administration of questionnaires. Direct counting of water projects was carried out in the major accessible streets in Ozoro, Oleh and surrounding villages (where the questionnaires were administered) and also to ascertain their operators (from 6th August 11th August, 2007). The questionnaires were administered through systematic random sampling of 5 household intervals in each street, and the literate person in each household was used. The researcher with the 300 level students of Geography and Regional Planning 2006/2007 session on fieldwork waited and collected the questionnaire immediately from the respondents on completion. A test-retest technique of administering 10 questionnaires at two different occasions was employed with the aid of Spearman’s Rank correlation analysis with r-value of 0.83, and the researcher did a facial content validity. Descriptive statistics were employed and the results arc discussed below. Results and Discussion The data collected from the field are presented in Tables 1— 4 and discussed below. Sources of Water and Methods of Collection There are three (3) basic sources of water supply in Isokoland, which include rainwater, bores and surface water. rflle predominant sources of water supply for Isokoland is rainwater harvesting, which indicates 53%. This is followed by bores (44%) and river/stream (3%). Comparing urban-rural water sources showed that most urban dwellers of Ozoro and Oleh patronize bores than the two water sources. This, however, negates the earlier view of Efe (2005) that 20% of Ozoro dwellers are engage in rainwater harvesting and in the rural areas of Ada, Ellu, Oyede, Ivwrogbo, and Ovorode etc, rainwater harvesting is vigorously carried out in these area (see table 1). Table 3.1: Sources of domestic water supply Source: Fieldwork, 2007 The disparities in these sources of domestic water could be ascribed to differential in income level, awareness and the price. On the other hand, only 3% of those residing at Ivwrogbo get their domestic water from River Ase. However, in the rural communities where rainwater harvesting is being practiced, the rainwater is harvested from corrugated roofing sheets and collected through gutter into Bowls, Basin and Buckets. This is evident from 59% of the respondents that employed these methods. On the other hand, the inhabitants also employed the following means of water storage: artificial well (17%), Jerry can (17%) and Tanks (7%) (see Table 2). On the other hand, the domestic water supply gotten from bores at Ozoro and Oleh is stored in tanks with 65% in private bores, and 35% in commercial. However, water gotten from the public taps are stored in bowl and jerry cans in various homes visited. From the communities visited, a total of 97 water bores were counted in area where the questionnaires where administered. Out of the 97 bores, a total of 59 bores are owned and maintained by private individuals for their private uses, 36 bores owned by private individuals but commercialized, while only 2 bores are owned and serviced by the State Water Board (see ‘fable 3). Table 3.3: Bores in Isokoland Water Treatments and Provider of Water Table 3.4 reveals that most of the inhabitants of Isokoland do not purify their domestic water before consumption. This is evident from 73% of the inhabitants who opined that they do not treat their water before consumption. While 27% indicated that they purify their water before consumption, they do it with the introduction of alum and by boiling. However these are some of the elite class found in the urban areas of Ozoro and Oieh, Asked why filtration and chlorination method is not adopted in their water purification, they all responded that it is time wasting and involve large capital outlay. Even the public water supplied by the State Water l3oard in Ozoro is not purified. Official of the State Water Board said that since the water is underground water, it does not need treatment more or less that there are no reported cases of water borne diseases in the area. Most inhabitants of Ozoro, Oleh, Ada, Oyede and Ellu etc patronize private water supply. About 60% of the inhabitants of Isokoland patronize private bores that often pay between #3 #10 for 20 litres of water (see tables 3.2 and 3.5). Table 3.5: Providers of domestic water Source: Fieldwork, 2007 This price however varies with the availability of electricity in the area. For instance, when there is regular power supply 20 litres of water is sold for #3, but if generator is used in pumping the water, it is then sold for between #5 — #10. r1his price according to inhabitants of the area has invariably reduced the quantity of water utilized from this source to 20 litres; and during the wet season most of the inhabitants store more rainwater for domestic uses. The age of the bores in Isokoland fell within the 25 years acceptable useful threshold. For instance, most of the bores for domestic water supply in the area was dug over 10 years ago, as such most of the bores still have 15 years of useful life (United States Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, 2004). There is, therefore, the need to replace the pumping equipment (submersible pump) and the hydro-pneumatic tank for water storage. These equipment’s have attained their maximum useful age of 10 years. Factors of Inadequate Water Supply and Management Measures There is generally an inadequate water supply in Isokoland. This is evident in most communities visited. For instance, in all the rural areas visited (Ada, Oyede, Ivwrogbo, Ellu etc.) there is virtually the absence of potable water supply. What could be seen in these communities is the presence of private bores and private commercial bores owners who dispense water to their individual homes and as well sell water to the public at the cost of #3 #10. Some manual motorized hand pump in some of the communities (Irri, Oyede, Ellu etc.) is not functioning. Even at Ozoro where the urban water board dispenses water, the people complained of erratic water supply and at times no supply for some weeks. From the above problems, the inhabitants identified the following factors as being responsible for inadequate water supply in Isokoland. Epileptic power supply ranked the highest factor of inadequate water supply in Isokoland, According to most of the inhabitants (93%), frequent power failure always leads to increase in price of water and reduction in the quantity of water consumed per household daily in the area, To overcome this problem government should ensure regular power supply to Isokoland. The respondents ranked inadequate budgetary allocation and lack of maintenance culture equal as factors of inadequate water supply. Funds allocated to this sector by the Local and State Governments over the years is grossly inadequate and as such there is usually the difficulty in the provision of water to most of the communities in isokoland, and at times these funds are not even enough to maintain the existing water projects not to talk of investing in new water projects. There is, therefore, the need for the provision of enough fund for the provision of water supply to these communities most especially all the rural communities of Isokoland since most of the inhabitants live below the poverty threshold of one dollar ($1) a day. rfhere is also the need for more private and non-governmental sector participation in water supply to improve the current rate of supply. It is also recommended that since government cannot provide regular electricity supply to the area, it should abolish t he charging of #5,000 and #10,000 for the private and commercial bore owners respectively. Similarly, since the disturbing network or system of the Ozoro water supply is over-aged (29 years) there is the need for the replacement of most of the pipes, though they still have 6 years of useful life (EPA, 2004). Other factors arc carelessness and indiscriminate wastage and theft. It was observed that some adults and children play with the water by opening it down to run continually and occasionally fight ensue between individual, that often led to destruction of ta head, pipes etc. Also some submersible pumps have been stole most especially those in the rural communities and partly those in Ozoro and Oleh. To overcome these, there should be mass education on the need to take care of public utility in their communities and anyone caught stealing water equipment should be made to face the wrath of the law irrespective of his/her social or political class. Conclusion: The study has been able to examine the water resource problems of Isokoland and has revealed that the livelihood and longevity of life of the people of Isokoland will not only depend heavily on portable water supply but on regular water provision to the rural and urban communities. To ensure this, there is need to implement the above policy measures. REFERENCES Ayoade, J.O. and Oyebande, L. (1983), ‘Water Resources’ in Oguntoyinbo et al (ed) Geography of Nigeria Development, Ibadan, Heinemann. Efe, S.I. (2005), ‘Problems of Water Supply in the Rural Communities of Delta State, Nigeria. International Journal of Ecology and Environmental Dynamics Vol. 3. pp.14 — 23. Efe, S.I. (2007), ‘Climate of Delta State’ in Izomoh, S.O. Ct al (ed) Delta in Maps, Occasional Publications Department of Geography and Regional Planning, Delta State University, Abraka. Efe, S.1. and Olobaniyi, S.13. (2007), ‘Water Resources’ in Izomoh, S.O. et al (ed) Delta in Maps, Occasional Publications Department of Geography and Regional Planning, Delta State University, Abraka. EPA (2004), Taking Stock of your Water System. A simple asset inventory for small drinking water system. www.epa.gov/safewater, p4.

Anatomy and Physiology of the Human Heart

Anatomy and Physiology of the Human Heart The heart is a muscular pump, cone shaped, hollow organ that lies in the chest cavity, the apex inclining towards the left cavity. It is divided into four areas, the upper right and left atria and the lower right and left ventricles. A muscular wall called the septum down the centre separates oxygenated from deoxygenated blood. The hearts purpose is to circulate blood throughout the body. The wall of the heart has three layers the Inner layer (endocardium). The middle layer (myocardium). The outer layer (pericardium). The action on the left side is to receive blood from the lungs and to force it around the body. The action on the right side forces blood into the lungs to be oxygenated. Valves are found between the atria on upper part and ventricles on lower part. Cardiac Cycle There are three stages to the event of a heartbeat. Blood enters the heart, the atria and ventricles are both relaxed or DIASTOLE. Blood enters the atria while all the valves are closed. Blood is pumped from the upper atria to the lower ventricles. Electrical impulses from the pacemaker cause the atria to contract ATRIAL SYSTOLE. Blood is pumped to the ventricles. The tricuspid and bicuspid valves open. The vena cava and pulmonary veins close to stop blood entering the atria. Blood leaves the heart and the atria relax. Impulses from the av node cause the ventricles to contract. This is called ventricular systole. Blood id forced out of the heart into the pulmonary artery and the aorta. Pressure forces the semilunar valves to open. Pressure closes the tricuspid and bicuspid valves. Ventricles relax again. Semilunar valves close which prevents blood from flowing back into the heart or ventricles. The vena cava and pulmonary veins open and the cycle starts again. Blood pressure Blood pressure is the power exerted by the blood against the blood vessels walls , and and the arteries, while it becomes lower in the veins and capillaries. Blood pressure is read with a sphygomomanometre. SYSTOLIC: Heart is contracting blood pressure reaches its highest point. DIASTOLIC: Pressure reaches its lowest level when the heart IS relaxing. High Blood Pressure or Hypertension. Causes Narrowing of the arteries, Kidney disease, smoking. Diet, hereditary factors including stress and medication. High blood pressure is maintained at a high level over a period of time. Symptoms Heart attack, Stroke, Kidney complaints, Angina. Low Blood Pressure or Hypotension. Causes Low blood pressure is maintained over a period of time. It can be shock or an underactive Adrenal glands, or hereditary factors. Symptoms Fainting and dizziness. CARDIAC OUTPUT Volume of blood pumped out of the heart. When cardiac output increases blood pressure increases. RESISTANCE OFFERED BY ARTERIOLES (small arteries). Narrowing of blood vessels can result from contraction of the muscular wall of the vessels. The greater the narrowing the higher the blood pressure. TOTAL BLOOD VOLUME Blood pressure is lowered if the amount of circulating blood is reduced VISCOSITY OF BLOOD The lower the viscosity the lower the blood pressure. ELASTICITY OF ARTERY WALLS When arteries harden there is a loss of elasticity and blood pressure is raised. Structure of Arteries Veins and Capillaries Characteristics of capillaries Characteristics of veins Characteristics of arteries Distribute oxygen nutrients to all cells of body Veins transport blood to Heart Arteries transport blood from the heart Transport Carbon Dioxide other waste away from cells. Transport deoxygenated blood except pulmonary Arteries transport oxygenated blood except the pulmonary. Capillaries are smallest blood vessel. One cell thick, Veins carry a high concentration of urea waste, Arteries have an abundance of nutrients. Capillaries have thin walls. Not as muscular elastic compared to arteries. Elastic Walls. Muscular. The fluid, mostly water nutrients filters out of walls bathes body tissue. The Lumen, i.e. the passage is large. The Lumen i.e. the passage is small. Valves stop the blood flowing back. Pumped by skeletal muscles. Arteries are pumped by heart muscle tissue in the artery wall. Blood under low Pressure Blood under high pressure. Skeletal muscle Smooth muscle Cardiac muscle Voluntary Involuntary Involuntary Stripped With Protein Bands. Non Stripped. Or Non-Striated. Is The Pump To Power The Heart Joined Onto The Bones. We Have No Control Over Them. Only Found In The Heart Consciously Control Found In The Digestive System, Respiratory System And The Genito Urinary System. Outer Fibres Are Striated Or Striped Numerous Nuclei Automatically Work. Only One Nucleus. Made Of Fibres That Form A Group Of Cells. One Nucleus Looks Like Skeletal Muscle. Largest Cells In The Body Spindle Shape With No Distinct Membrane. Sheath On Outer Muscle Regulate The Flow Of Blood In Arteries. Fibres Form Into Bundles And Go In The Same Direction. Moves Your Dinner Along Through Your Gastrointestinal Tract. Regulate The Flow Of Air Through The Lungs. Help Deliver Babies From The Uterus. How Muscles and Skeleton work together to create movement A muscle needs to pass over a joint to create movement. Muscles are connected to bones by tendon. Tendons pull on a bone when a muscle contracts and helps it move. Usually, muscles work in antagonistic pairs. In each pair there is a relaxing muscle and a controlling muscle Antagonistic muscles must contract and relax equally to ensure a non-jerky smooth movement. An example is the biceps muscle on top of the humerus. The arm is moved upwards. At the same time the triceps is relaxed. Body moves when the muscles contract and produce movement in the joints of the skeleton, Muscles stabilise the joints, Muscles maintain posture control. Muscles aid in temperature control e.g., shivering. Axial muscles Skeletal Muscles of the trunk or head e.g. trapezius muscle. Appendicular Muscles Skeletal muscles of the limbs e.g. biceps triceps. These two muscles contract and relax equally to ensure a smooth, non-jerky movement. Composition of bone Bones are living tissue. They contain Osteoblasts which are responsible for making the collagen rich substance osteoid, which is key in building bone. They compose of cells called Osteoclasts that maintain the bone structure. The cells travel around the the bone to areas in need of resorption. They compose of compact bone which accounts for 80% of the bodys bone mass. They compose of cancellous bone makes up 20% of the bodies bone mass. It has a honeycomb structure. STRUCTURE OF A LONG BONE External structure Long bones fornexamole the femur in the leg are enclosed in a membrane called the periosteum. This membrane contains blood vessels and nerves. The long shaft of a bine is called the epiphysis. Internal Structure Compact bone Spongy bone Medullary cavity Compact bone Is mostly found in the shaft or diaphysis of a bone. It is also found around the end or epiphysys of a bone. When under a microscope bones are full of holes. Haversian Canal: These are canals that run lengthways through compact bone. They contain blood capillaries, and nerves. Cancellous or Spongy bone: These bones are found at the end of long bones and are found in flat and irregular bones. It is spongy. Medullary Cavity: The red and yellow bone marrow is stored here. Functions of the Skeleton Allows movement as joints are formed between the bones to allow the movement of the body. Provides attachment for the muscles which move the joints thus moving the body. Supports the body and gives it shape as all the other parts of the body are soft and cannot stand up. It protects the delicate organs e.g. Skull as it protects the brain, the rib cage. The sternum protect the Heart and lungs. With the aid of vitamin K calcium salt and phosphorus is stored in your body. Different Types of Joints FREELY MOVEABLE SYNOVIAL JOINTS Shoulder joint is called a ball and socket joint. It is the most moveable joint. It allows movement in many directions. The rounded head of one bone fits into a socket or cavity in another bone. Immoveable or fixed fibrous joints Innominate or pelvic girdle bone has no movement. There is fibrous tissue between the ends of the bones. Slightly moveable joints cartilaginous When two bones come together with a little cartilage in between. Some examples would be the joints between all of the vertebrae in the spine. These bones are around the discs, which are made of cartilage. Freely Moveable Synovial Joints Immoveable or Fixed Fibrous Joints Slightly Moveable Cartilaginous Joints Ball Socket Joint Pelvic Girdle or Innominate Bone Joints Between Each Vertebrae in The Spine Hinge Joint Sutures in Skull Symphysis Pubis in The Pelvis. Gliding Joint Sacroiliac Joint in The Pelvis Pivot Joint Saddle Joint Body Movement of How the Skeletal and Muscular System Connect In the skeletal muscles, a muscle needs to pass over a joint to create movement. Tendons connects muscles to bones. When the muscle contracts, the tendon pulls on the bone and causes it to move. Most of the time muscles work in antagonistic pairs. Each pair consists of a contracting muscle and a relaxing muscle. These two muscles must contract and relax equally to ensure a smooth, non-jerky movement. Therefore, the muscles contract and allow movement in the joints of the skeleton causing the body to move. The muscles stabilise the joints and ensure posture control. The axial muscles are the muscles of the trunk or head. Then the appendicular muscles are the skeletal muscles of the limbs, e.g. Biceps, triceps. Epidermis: Structure Consists of five layers on the upper portion of the skin. Cells in the bottom are living and carry on moving up through the layers until they die. Function To protect the skin. Dermis: Structure Lies beneath the epidermis. The papillary layer is wavy tissue. The waste upward projections are called dermal papillae. They contain blood and lymph capillaries and nerve endings. The reticular layer contains the main components of the skin. It is dense and fibrous. Function The papillary layer increase surface area of reproductive cells and provide living layers of epidermis with vessels which supply nourishment and remove cellular waste. The reticular layer protects and repairs injured tissue. Collagen gives it strength. Elastin allows the skin to stretch easily but quickly regain its shape. Subcutaneous layer: Structure Lies beneath the dermis has cells called lipocytes which produce lipids which are the fat cells from which subcutaneous tissue is formed. Function Cushions muscles, bones and internal organs against shocks and blows. Sudoriferous glands: Structure Found in the dermis. Eccrine glands Found all over the body, numerous on the palms of hands and the soles of the feet. They produce sweat through a sweat pore. Aprocrine glands are found in the armpits, nipples and anal and genital areas open into hair follicles and produce a thicker secretion. Function Eccrine glands help regulate body temperature by producing sweat which evaporates off the skins surface and cools it down when it is hot. Apocrine glands are under nervous control and respond to emotional, psychological and sexual stimuli. Hair follicles: Structure Found all over the body except the palms of hands and soles of the feet. It is a sac like structure which contain hairs. The base of the hair degenerates and rebuilds during the cycle of hair growth and replacement. It contains a dermal papilla which supplies blood to the base of the hair. The follicle opens at the skins surface at a follicular pore. Function Hair follicles produce and contain hairs during their life cycle. They provide nourishment for the hairs. Hairs: Structure Found in the follicle in the dermis. They do not grow on lips, palms of hands, or soles of feet. The hair above the skin is called the shaft. The portion lying in the follicle is called the root. The enlarged base of the root surrounding the papilla is called the bulb. Hair is made of protein keratin. Function Hair protects against friction and damage from external environment. Hair is a sexual characteristic. Sebaceous glands: Structure Found in the dermis and produce sebum which pass through a duct and up the hair follicle and through the skin through a follicular pore. Function Sebum lubricates the skin and hair and combines with sweat to form the protective acid mantle of the skin. It also retains natural moisture in the skin and provides insulation. Blood Vessels: structure Arteries carry oxygenated blood. Blood is pumped all around the body in arteries. Veins carry deoxygenated blood. Their walls have valves which stops blood from flowing backwards. Capillaries are fine vessels and made of a single layer of cells. Some materials can pass in and out through the thin walls of the capillaries. Function Arteries carry oxygen and nutrients to the skin via capillaries. Veins remove waste products. The surface capillaries help to regulate body temperature. Vessels dilate and heat is lost through the skin. When the body is cold, the vessels contract and heat is retained. Nerves: structure Found in the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. Sympathetic nerves supply blood vessels, sweat glands and the arrector pili muscle. Nerves respond to heat, cold, pain, pressure and touch. Function Nerve stimulation causes a reaction which triggers an appropriate response from the body. SECTION D Examples of Viral Bacterial, Fungal Skin Diseases: Viral skin disease Bacterial skin disease Fungal skin disease Chickenpox Cellulitis Athletes Foot. Tinea Pedis Mumps Impetigo Ringworm Hepatitis B Virus Folliculitis Jock Itch German Measles / Rubella Furuncle Fungal Nail Infection Onychomycosis Relationship Between Skin The Nervous System Sensory nerve endings are situated in the skin and give us the sensation of touch. The nerve endings or receptors are specially shaped and positioned to respond to a range of different stimuli. We can distinguish heat, cold, and pain, as well as differences between light and deep pressure. Motor nerve endings supply the muscles that make facial expressions and move the eyes, neck, and lower jaw. Made up of white or grey nerve fibres which end in sensory nerve endings. Nerve stimulation causes a reaction which sets off an appropriate response from the body. The skin also is important in helping to switch your body temperature. If you are too hot or too cold, messages are sent from the brain to the skin. The skin uses 3 methods to increase or decrease heat loss from the bodys surface these are hairs on the skin trap heat if when standing up, and less if they are lying flat; glands under the skin secrete sweat onto the surface of the skin in order to increase heat loss by evaporation if the body is too hot; capillaries near the surface can open when your body needs to cool off and close when you need to conserve heat. Relationship Between the Skin and The Circulatory System. The circulatory system through the help of arteries, veins and small capillaries transport blood, nutrients and oxygen to the skin. This is done by the help of the pulmonary circulation and the systemic circulation. Arteries carry a lot of nutrients via the circulation system to the skin. Veins carry a lot of waste products like urea to the skin. The skin protects the body living tissues and the organs. It protects against the invasion of infection It protects from dehydration. The circulatory system protects the body against changes in temperature. The skin has nerve endings called thermoreceptors which detect hot a and cold. These receptors interact with a cluster of nerves at the centre of the brain called the hypothalamus. If you become too hot or too cold, your brain sends nerve impulses to the skin, which has three ways to to decreases or to increase heat loss from the surface of the body. BIBLIOGRAPHY: Biology Plus Leaving Cert by Michael O Callaghan Edco. A Practical Guide to Beauty Therapy Level 2 By Janet Simms. Internet: Teachpe.Com Free Resource For Physical Education And Sports Coaching. Teachpe.com. N.p., 2017. Web. 26 Jan. 2017. Sciencedirect.Com | Science, Health And Medical Journals, Full Text Articles And Books.. Sciencedirect.com. N.p., 2017. Web. 27 Jan. 2017. Innerbody.Com | Your Interactive Guide To Human Anatomy. Innerbody. N.p., 2017. Web. 30 Jan. 2017.