According to the United Network for Organ Sharing, Essays - Medicine

According to the United Network for Organ Sharing, Essays - Medicine According to the United Network for Organ Sharing, there are 119,709 people waiting for a transplant in the United States, out of those, 8,030 people die every year while waiting to receive an organ (United Network for Organ Sharing, 2015). The increasing global demand of organs is currently considered a major problem by many governments and the World Health Organization (WHO). The main concerns behind the increasing demand of organs are the low number of donors and the creation of black market networks. Many governments have moved towards better regulation of organ donations, but these efforts have had little influence on the major global " organ heavens " , where individuals from richer areas are able to buy organs from third world countries (Jafar, 2009). This essay will look into the black market of kidneys while focusing on the exploitation of third world countries and the mechanism to counter these illegal markets. In many countries, the demand of trans plants is way higher than the supply and availability of organs. In the United States, only 1/4 of the people in need receive a transplant. There are two ways in which a person can receive a transplant. The first one, where the organs of an individual are donated after his/her death; the second case relies on the donation of organs by individuals while they are alive, the most common organ donated is the kidney (United Network for Organ Sharing, 2015). Yet, the amount of post-mortem organs donated is way less than the demand, leading to the creation of illegal organ markets supplied by living individuals. The global black market of organs is fueled by the practice of transplant tourism. This term refers to individuals who travel to less privileged countries in order to get a transplant; it also involves any aspect relating to the commercialization, sale and purchase of organs (Shimazono, 2007). According to a survey conducted by the WHO in 98 countries in 2004, 66,000 ki dneys were transplanted in that year, while 10% of those were transplanted to individuals from developed countries who travelled overseas in order to get their transplants (The Lancet, 2007). Although we should consider that those people travelling for a transplant are just aiming to save and expand their lives, the practice of transplant tourism is contributing to the exploitation of thousands of individuals from the poorest countries of the world. In many cases, the information received by governments and organization is just the tip of the iceberg. In many countries, the lack of accountability and transparency contributes to the continuous practice of undocumented organ trafficking (Budiani-Saberi Delmonico, 2008). This poses a problem not only for those trying to seek for a solution, but more importantly for those that are at the risk of being drawn into the market. Inequalities of social and economic conditions is one of most alarming aspects of organ trafficking. This is because, those in poor countries who are part from the lowest classes of the society risk their lives in order to hold onto the economic scraps of the pyramid of organ trafficking. In many countries like Pakistan, Peru, India, Philippines, and China, networks of organ trafficking take advantage of individuals by making them sell their kidneys. In many situations, these individuals risk their lives as they undergo poor surgical operations and receive no recovery treatment. It is quite regular that " donors " pay with their health the consequences of poor surgical methods years after selling their kidneys (Jafar, 2009). In most cases, these multimillion dollar networks pay an insignificant amount between 1,000 - 10,000 USD to the " donors " , while they generate hundreds of thousands of dollars in profit. According to the WHO, the cost of a kidney transplant overseas can range between 60,000 - 100,000 USD (Shimazono, 2007). The discrepancy betw een these numbers show the inequality in profit distribution between those who are in the suffering front (donors) and those who are part of the network. Throughout this practice, there is one clear pattern in the donor-recipient relations of kidneys ' black market. Ric Esther Bienstock, director of " Tales From The Organ Trade " , documentary filmed in the Philippines, talked to CNN in 2014 about

The Courter essays

The Courter essays Immigration is a subject which is still seen all over the world. Although it is an interesting, it has lots of difficulties. People who immigrate from one country to another become face to face to lots of problems. These can be named as language, culture and conformity problems. There are some examples in the story, The Courter, which are very similar to these. In this story, there is a family which lives in India and after some time, they move to England because of some situations. Later on, they start to live some kinds of problems between the languages and the cultures. Although they speak the same language, English, in India, they meet with some difficulties about British English. For example, one day, one of the family members is beaten by a chemist because of a wrong usage of a word. The chemist is a woman who has big breasts and he wants nipple from her, but the word, nipple, has a different meaning,too which means the end of breast and the woman slaps him. This is an example from the story which shows the language problem they live. There is a main character, Certainly Mary, who lives lots of conflicts in her life. One of the conflicts she lives is, the cultural difference in her life because of the immigration and she becomes homesick. She also has lots of problems with her emotions. She has a desire to the person, Mixed up, and she loves him. The other thing is, she loves the narrator very much like a mother as being his baby-sitter. In both ways, she lives some disappointments and at the end, she returns to her own country. As a conclusion, immigration is a useful thing which provides you to learn different cultures and people, but it also may cause some problems while meeting with them. The thing is trying to come to terms with the differences. ...

English Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 4

English - Essay Example Trying to reduce her sentiments into the confined language of Imagism would have lost a great deal of the subtext of her poems, which is where a great deal of her meaning resides. It is through these devices that the life of the poet emerges, making statements of alienation, isolation and frustration even while discussing something as innocuous seeming as the moon. Not scrimping on the use of extended metaphors to express her ideas, Bishop is a master of the lyrical phrase. By looking at poems such as â€Å"The Man-Moth,† â€Å"The Fish,† â€Å"Filling Station† and â€Å"Pink Dog,† one can get a sense of how the use of adjectives within her poetry provides Bishop with the power to capture overwhelming life experiences in allegorical settings. Inspiration for many of Bishop’s poems starts with the experience of emotional reaction, such as the sudden and unexpected delights of daily life. â€Å"The Man-Moth† is actually a poem that arose out of a misprint in the New York Times for the word â€Å"mammoth.† (Rzepka, 2001). For Bishop, this was a perfect example of the New York persona and an irresistible opportunity to poke a little fun at The Big Apple. Despite the teasing tone of the piece, with such phrases as â€Å"when the Man-Moth / pays his rare, although occasional, visits to the surface† (9-10) and â€Å"The Man-Moth always seats himself facing the wrong way / and the train starts at once at its full, terrible speed† (29-30), this poem provides a glimpse into the postmodern feelings of isolation and alienation that had become associated with the big cities of the modern world. Here, the Man-Moth â€Å"cannot tell the rate at which he travels backwards† (32) and â€Å"does n ot dare look out the window† (36). Through this descriptive language, she indicates that the motion of individuals trapped within the city’s subways and patterns are not traveling forward, yet are not exactly

Criminal Procedures Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Criminal Procedures - Essay Example At first blush, it may seem that the plain view doctrine is applicable in this case. The essence of the plain view doctrine is that it allows law enforcement officers to effect warrantless seizures when the evidence/contraband is in plain view. The officer may not disturb other objects to obtain a better view. In this case, the purse was hidden under a seat and was clearly not in plain view. The correct exception to the Fourth Amendment that would make the motion fail is the â€Å"search incident to a lawful arrest† exception. The Court extended the reach of a search incident to a lawful arrest from a search within the â€Å"immediate reach† of the arrested individual to a â€Å"protective sweep†, so as for better to retrieve weapons or contraband that the accused could have hidden. In the case of New York v. Belton, the Court established the doctrine that â€Å"when a police officer has made a lawful custodial arrest of an occupant of an automobile, the Fourth Amendment allows the officer to search the passenger compartment of that vehicle as a contemporaneous incident of arrest.† The situation of Deft falls squarely within the exception. Thus, he cannot invoke the Fourth amendment to exclude the purse as evidence. One of the fundamental rights enshrined in this Amendment is the so-called Miranda Rights, created by virtue of Miranda v. Arizona, which essentially confers on policemen the duty to inform the accused of his right to remain silent and to be assisted by counsel.

Principles of Total Quality Management (TQM) Essay

Principles of Total Quality Management (TQM) - Essay Example Before going into the discussion regarding three major principles of total quality management, let us get a better understanding of what total quality management actually is. Total quality management is an approach towards improving the performance and quality of products and services so that they meet the expectations of the consumers. Quality is of integral importance for a company to achieve success in a competitive market. A company can achieve success only if it integrates all aspects of quality in its business activities and processes. The focus of the total quality management is the customers and products of a company. Total quality management requires continuous improvement in all departments of a company related to manufacturing of the products, such as, quality design and development, quality control, and quality assurance. There are a number of key principles related to total quality management. Three of those principles include customer focus, continuous improvement, and employee involvement. Let us discuss all of these in some detail. Customer Focus Customer focus is one of the primary principles of TQM. A company needs to focus the needs and demands of the customers while developing the products. Customers are the main drivers that ensure success of a company. Without customers, no company can achieve success or gain market domination in any market. Customers always opt for such companies, which provide them with excellent quality and reliability in all products and services.... If a company neglects the integration of quality aspects in a single phase of a product development process, it affects the overall quality of the product resulting in development of a compromising quality product. Therefore, a company needs to work towards continuous improvement in manufacturing and quality procedures in order to bring a high quality product in the market. Employee Involvement This principle of TQM requires continuous involvement and motivation of the top management of a company. Top management needs to motivate the employees towards ensuring quality in all aspects of their job responsibilities. â€Å"Employees should be encouraged to be pro-active in identifying and addressing quality related problems† (Murray). TQM is not just related to the integration of quality in the products and services of a company, rather it also includes all business functions and activities. The involvement of employees is of integral importance in ensuring the implementation of t otal quality management system in a company. Therefore, companies need to encourage their employees to bring improvement in their job related activities in order to ensure success of the company. Performance Measurement Performance measurement means to evaluate performance of the employees and the business processes in order to bring improvement in the organizational effectiveness and productivity. The basic aim of performance measurement is not just to evaluate the employees’ performance; rather it also focuses on increasing the organizational productivity by improving performance of the employees. Performance measurement or evaluation makes the managers of a company know where the company actually stands and what they need to do in

Child Soldiering In Uganda And Sierra Leone

Child Soldiering In Uganda And Sierra Leone A child soldier is an individual categorized as a youth that is recruited by government military and rebel forces to fight, kill, loot, destroy property, lay mines, act as messengers and sometimes used as a sexual slave (Kimmel and Roby, 2007). Children lose their sense of identity, otherwise called lost children, and are found wielding small weapons and taking the lives of others (Druba, 2002). Child Soldiering is evident in European, African, Asian and South American countries, although the focus of this essay will be on child soldiers in Uganda and Sierra Leone, where the issue has been prevalent for many years. These countries have been in a state of war for a prolonged period of time. This causes Uganda and Sierra Leone to be affected in numerous ways such as heavy drains on resources like land, labour and capital. In a war-torn country, these problems are likely to allow for a lowered respect of peoples human worth in respect to military service, making children an easy prey (H oiskar, 2001). According to The United Nations Childrens Fund (commonly known as UNICEF), there is an estimated 300, 000 youth that are involved in the practice of child soldiering today. Due to the harsh conditions that these children are faced with and the effects that they have on these children, a gruelling reality is unfolded. Child soldiering has been coined one of the worst forms of child abuse and labour (Kimmel and Roby, 2007). Many would believe that children are forcibly recruited into rebel forces. They would be correct, although many also join voluntarily. Some reasons for voluntary entry of youth into military roles are for fear of their lives, to protect their families, and for opportunities like access to food and clothing for those who are impoverished. Sadly many of these children that join out of their own free will, never see their families again and are typically estranged from their family members purposely by rebel forces in order to gain control and authority over the youths . It benefits the rebel groups if the children gain a sense of inclusion and belonging within the military setting to ensure they will not seek better opportunities outside of their services and also try to re-establish ties with their families. Doing such things would likely stop these children from re-entering the forces voluntarily (Hoiskar, 2001). To consider a circumstance in which children were forcibly recruited into the military in Uganda is the Lords Resistance Army. War has devastated Northern Uganda since 1986 (Sverker 2006). There is a popular rebel group called the LRA or Lords Resistance Army. They overthrew the Ugandan government and were known for abducting children. The forcible recruitment of child soldiers is common not only to the LRA but other rebel groups in the third world because child labour is widely known to be cheap and therefore poses many benefits. Many of the youth abducted by this group were taken during night raids on rural homes, counting anywhere from 60, 000 80, 000 children. These abductions were known to last from one day to ten years, averaging eight months approximately. The children were given only a few months of training and not long after this were they given guns (Annan and Blattman, 2010). The Lords Resistance Army also affected Sierra Leone. Since the beginning of the civil war in 1991, one million children have been displaced and some of these children on more than one occasion. Fifteen to twenty thousand have become members of this armed group, most of them being under the age of ten years old. Sierra Leone is greatly concerned with the reintegration of these children abducted by the LRA (MacMullin and Loughry, 2004). Although child soldiering is not a recent phenomenon it has substantially increased since the end of the Cold War. Not only are numbers increasing but there is also great difficulty in implementing international legal standards due to reasons such as failed states, internal conflicts, organized crime, minorities and vulnerable groups and mobile or displaced populations. When looking at modern societies that underwent transformations with the establishment of the minimum age for service in national armed forces, populations began to be controlled by mandatory public schooling and general conscription, examples being the scout movement and physical education. In attempts to better Uganda and Sierra Leones standing on the issue of child soldiering, one of the main problems seems to be declining educational background and poor reintegration of the child soldiers (Vautravers, 2008). Problems such as educational decline and poor reintegration of these war-torn children into these African societies have a devastation impact on the economy. With little attention to integration programs in the third world and great difficulty with implementing international policies on child labour such as military service, earnings and occupational opportunities for these children drop. These factors affect labour market success greatly (Annan and Blattman, 2010). Child soldiering in the third world is a topic of importance to me. In high school I took part in a fundraising charity for which I and many other students raised enough money to restore seven child soldiers in Africa. This event opened my eyes to the issue of child soldiering, particularly in Uganda and Sierra Leone, where statistics show it is most prevalent. In this essay I will be arguing that Uganda and Sierra Leones tendency to replace adult soldiers with youths is due to as well as contributing to their destitute e conomy. Theoretical Backing: Taking a look at Modernization theory, child soldiering is deemed backward or immoral in comparison to Westernized ideals. The history of child labour in Western societies is related to the history of how children were partners in a family economy. For example, in the eighteenth century, industrialization led to the employment of very small children. Transitioning into the nineteenth century, children played an important role in key industries like coal mining and textiles. The use of children as labourers was normal in these time periods for it was a necessity for the family income. Every member of a family was needed to contribute to the familys wealth in order to live comfortable and in many circumstances just scrape by. As the end of the nineteenth century was nearing, the essential role of childrens labour began to decline (Schrumpf, 2008). The shift of social roles and responsibilities brought about by war is greatly linked to the breakdown of societal structures and long-stand ing morals. Childrens involvement in war defies the established and generally accepted norms and values in regard to those responsibilities of children and adults (Honwana, 2006). When it comes to combating the prevalence of child soldiers in third world countries, it is important to consider the definitions of both a soldier and a child. Any common dictionary will define a soldier as a person who serves in an army or is engaged in any military service for a particular cause. A child on the other hand is an individual between birth and full growth, a son or a daughter with words such as foolish, petty and immature being tacked to it to portray the Westernized concept of behaviour akin to children (Collins, 2008). Therefore placing children in a position of authority over adults during war is contradictory of Westernized conceptualizations of what children are typically supposed to represent in a society. Likewise, the prevalence of child soldiers in Uganda and Sierra Leone develops a sense of patriarchy (Murphy, 2003). Modernization theory suggests that the third world should adopt the first worlds strategies for economic and societal success. This can be seen as patriarchy. In other words, this demonstrates a father-child type of relationship between the first and third world in which the first world attempts to better the third world through coercion and assimilation while not attempting to necessarily cater to cultural differences and perspectives. This is exactly what the military did to child soldiers when not considering the deleterious effects on the children which caused their failure to be reintegrated into society in turn causing economic hardship for both nations. As previously stated, Modernization theory is based solely on Eurocentric ideas of progress. This theorys goal was to create economically advanced societies with populations living according to appropriate moral codes. Firstly, child soldering can be seen as an act against Western morality. Secondly, economic modernity is seen a positive achievement. Modernization theory attempted to create a strong image of the third world to developed regions of the world and attract positive foreign investment which in turn would contribute to the poverty-stricken economies. The notion of Uganda and Sierra Leone as being incapable war-torn societies comprised of lost children unable to be reintegrated may not be as desirable for foreign investors. Research and Analysis: Child soldiering is directly related to a countrys current economical stance. The effect of war on Uganda and Sierra Leone is devastating, as the nations economy declines as capital and land are destroyed and people displaced. A high level of economic development is an important factor in establishing domestic peace. To prove this, of the ten states involved in armed conflicts from 1994-1998, no use of child combatants was evident. These places being: Cameroon, Comoros, Egypt, Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Mali, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria and Senegal. One of the dominant shared characteristic of these ten places is that all of them had a medium rate of economic development (Hoiskar, 2001). Child soldiering has a very large impact on the economy as well as education. Injuries to human capitol could hinder a nations productivity and growth for decades (Annan and Blattman, 2010). Youths earnings noticeably drop by a third, their skilled employment halves, and schooling drops by a year. These cause consequences for lifetime labour market performance. A survey was conducted in Northern Uganda where an unpopular rebel group has forcibly recruited youth tens of thousands for twenty years. This abduction is what creates the impact on education and earnings. It is the educational deficit that largely impedes labour market success in Uganda. A widely known example is the Lords Resistance Army which was known for abducting children because child labour is widely known to be cheap and therefore benefitting of the present, already poor economy. Many of the youths were taken during night raids on rural homes, counting anywhere from 60, 000 to 80, 000 children. Abductions ranged from one day to ten years, averaging eight months approximately. Only a few mont hs after training, the children received guns. Now, no more than one thousand youth are thought to remain with the LRA at this time, the remainder being those that had perished during combat or from unsatisfactory living conditions (Annan and Blattman, 2010). This causes the interruption of education. These youth often complain of difficulty when re-entering into the school system, which creates a wide gap in education limiting their options in the labour market. Labour market performance suffers in the quality of work of child soldiers, not the quantity. This abduction appears to interrupt the ability to accumulate skills and capital and thus stalls productive employment (Annan and Blattman, 2010). Additionally, abductees are twice as likely to be illiterate than non-abductees (Annan and Blattman, 2010). Child soldiers are a known threat to national security and the stability of post-war political order, paying close attention to the lack of educated populations and increasing aggression among the nations members. This aggression is known as the gun mentality which is an adopted attitude from the military. War becomes a source of personal enrichment and empowerment. Keep in mind that many of these children are born into war and accept that war is a normal way of life. These children become motivated by patriotism and ethnic power domination which is much like brainwashing. It is unfortunate that not much commitment and sustained effort is put into reintegration of these suffering children. In Uganda and Sierra Leone, child soldiers are treated as a lost generation (Francis, 2007). Despite many opinions about child soldiers being useless, there is evidence in former-war torn and post-conflict societies that suggests ex-child soldiers can in fact be reintegrated into normal society. Th e challenges of protecting these children are important to address. Although it is difficult for international laws to be instilled in the third world due to contrasting ideals and varying definitions of what child soldiers and child labour are, what is known as paper protection is now helping to make international laws protecting children in conflict zones enforceable since 2006. It is important to remember that this is only an attempt and not a successful endeavour (Francis, 2007). Conclusion: Tasks performed by child soldiers are the new face of the traditional child labour practices across Africa, armed conflict being just an extension of these traditional practices (Francis, 2007). Although Child Soldiering is commonly addressed as an issue harmful to the children partaking in the military actions alone, this essay thoroughly demonstrated that it can also effect a countrys entire economy international investment interests. The direct and indirect effects of child soldiering on Uganda and Sierra Leones economy is evident and explored through a Modernist perspective using Rostows Modernization theory as critical analytical support. Child soldiering makes difficult the reintegration of children into society and also disadvantages children in respect to their education. Education in the army for these children is not necessary. Not only is education discouraged but these children are taken from their families and homes at a pivotal point in their adolescent school years. Children leaving the military forces in Africa face higher risk for psychological problems and alienation. They are rarely reintroduced with their family members, often because they are forced to kill them prior to entering the army. This generation of child soldiers is what the countries depend on for economic growth. If these children are already struggling with reintegration as well as obtaining their education, the countrys economical prospects seem bleak. It is for these reasons that this paper has addressed both how and why child soldiering in Uganda and Sierra Leone has lead to these nations economical and political downfalls. Reference Page Annan, Jeannie and Blattman, Christopher. (2010). The Consequences of Child Soldiering. The Review of Economics and Statistics, 92(2) Retrieved November 8, 2010, from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1162 Blattman, Christopher. (2007). Causes of Child Soldiering: Theory and Evidence From Northern Uganda. Annual Convention of International Studies, Retrieved November 8, 2010, from http://www.prio.no/upload/3598/Blattman-ISA-2007 Collins Canadian English Dictionary. (2008). Child and Soldier. Harper Collins Canada. Druba, Volker. (2002). The Problem of Child Soldiering. International Review of Education, 48(3) Retrieved November 8, 2010, from http://www.springerlink.com/content Finnstrom, Sverker. (2006). Wars of the Past and War in the Present: The Lords Resistance Movement/Army in Uganda. The Journal of the International African Institute, Retrieved February 20, 2011, from   http://resolver.scholarsportal.info.proxy.queensu.ca/resolve/17500184/v76i0002/ 200_wotpawtlrmiu Francis, David J. (2007). Paper Protection mechanisms: Child Soldiers and the International Protection of Children in Africas Conflict Zones. Journal of Modern African Studies, 45(2) Retrieved February 20, 2011 from http://resolver.scholarsportal.info.proxy.queensu.ca/resolve/0022278x/v45i0002/2 07_pmcsatociacz Hoiskar. (2001). Underage and Under Fire: an Enquiry into the Use of Child Soldiers. Childhood, 8(3) Retrieved November 10, 2010, from http://journals2.scholarsportal.info.proxy.queensu.ca/details-sfx.xqy?uri=/ Honwana, Alcinda. (2006). Child Soldiers in Africa. University of Pennsylvania Press. Retrieved November 8, 2010, from http://books.google.ca Kimmel, Carrie and Roby, Jini. (2007). Institutionalized Child Abuse: the Use of Child Soldiers. International Social Work, 50(6) Retrieved November 9, 2010, from http://journals2.scholarsportal.info.proxy.queensu.ca/details- Loughry, Maryanne and MacMullin, Colin. (2004). Investigating Psychosocial Adjustment of Former Child Soldiers in Sierra Leone and Uganda. Journal Of Refugee Studies, Retrieved February 10, 2011, from http://journals1.scholarsportal.info/tmp/3974326444682001496.pdf Murphy, William P. (2003). Military Patrimonialism and Child Soldier Clientalism in the Liberian and Sierra Leonean Civil Wars. African Studies Review, 46(2) Retrieved February 10, 2011, from http://www.jstor.org.proxy.queensu.ca/sici Schrumpf, Ellen. (2008). Child Labour in the West. Encyclopedia of Children in History and Society, Retrieved November 10, 2010 from http://www.faqs.org/childhood/Bo-Ch/Child-Labor-in-the-West.html Vautravers, Alexandre J. (2008). Why Child Soldiers are Such a Complex Issue. Refugee Survey Quarterly, 27(4) Retrieved February 10, 2011, from http://journals2.scholarsportal.info.proxy.queensu.ca/details- sfx.xqy?uri=/10204067/v27i0004/96_wcsasaci.xml

Northern States Power :: essays research papers fc

A leader in today's economic world, Northern States Power (NSP) is recognized for its outstanding performance in both regulated and nonregulated operations. Its regulated operation serves over two million electric and gas customers in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Arizona, and Michigan (NSP - Investor's Overview 1). Its head offices are located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is Mr. James J. Howard III (Howard 1). Its Viking Gas Transmission Company Subsidiary owns and operates a 500-mile natural gas pipeline (NSP - Investor's Overview 1). Northern States Power is one of the nation's leading energy companies with competitive rates, responsive service, and dependable and reliable energy. A relationship with NSP began's when they sign up for services with them; moreover, when you choose to live in a certain area. Some of the facts about NSP are services/people, profit, rates, and sources of power, standings, first aid/safety, Y2K, merger, and about how they help within the community. In North Dakota, NSP provides service to more than 80,000 electric customers and 30,000 gas customers in Fargo, Grand Forks, Minot, and many surrounding communities (NSP - Northern Dakota 1). They have served in these communities for over 80 years (Northern States Power Energy Wise 2). "By powering the world, NSP brings energy to (Howard 6):" ? The international markets where we do business ? The communities close to home where we contribute time and money ? To customers, who have ever-increasing energy needs and choices ? To employees, who make the energy work ? And finally, to you—the shareholders—who have placed trust in them The 24th straight year in a row to mark growth for NSP was 1998. Northern States Power's common stocks are traded on three different exchanges: New York Stock, Chicago Stock, and Pacific Stock. Its ticker tape symbol is NSP. Newspaper stock tables list NSP Company as NoStPw, NoStPwr, or NSPw (NSP - Investor's Overview's 2). Northern States Power and its subsidiaries reported earning of $52.3 million or 34 cents a share, for the first quarter of 1999. Operating revenue for the quarter was up 6 percent to $743.2 million. Warmer weather, increased maintenance, and Y2K computer work is the cause of the decreased earning (NSP First-quarter). "Advantages to being a registered shareholder are (NSP - Investor's overview 2):" ? Dividend checks are sent directly to you, deposited in the back account you designate, or maybe reinvested in the company as you choose ? You may purchase additional stock (through dividend reinvestment and optional investment plans) with little or no fees ? You may deposit your share certificates with the company for safekeeping if you sign up for the Dividend