Review Questions

In your own words explain what is meant by: vision, mission and goals. Vision – it is an aspirational view of what the company will be like in the future. It is a detailed description of how things will be when the organization eventually reaches its destination. Mission † A mission statement answers the question â€Å"Why do we exist? † and expresses the company's purpose both for those in the organization and for the public. It identifies the organizations reason for being and may define the rganizations primary customers, the products and services that they produce.Purpose is to communicate what the company stands for and where it is heading. Goals – Is basically what the organization alms to achieve In future, perhaps to increase revenue, profit, reputation and loyalty to the public. 2) Discuss their role on strategy formulation. The vision, mission and goals play a great part when organizations formulate their strategy for the long term direction as it will help to identify the implementation steps, the planning, coordination, collaboration, communication and control that the ompany will need to do In order to achieve the maln goal of their organization. ) In your opinion, what should be the starting point for strategy formulation be? The competitive advantage from the resource and capabilities of the organization will be the starting point of strategy formulation. Organizations identify how they differ from their competitors and design such strategies to exploit such differences, as strategy is about being different and this will help In formulating long term direction, scope of the organization and alrnlng to achieve advantage In a changing environment.International strategy 1) What Is the difference between global and multl-domestlc strategy? Global Strategy – assumes a single market and offers a standard product to meet customer needs wherever they are located. This is a cost leadership strategy, exploiting economies o f scale and other cost efficiencies. Multi-domestic strategy – assumes variance in customers needs according to their location and therefore issues a differentiation strategy, adapting products and services to make unique local requirements. ) Identify five examples of each. Multi-domestic Strategy 1) Red bull and Packaging 2) Nokia 2) 3) Reebok 3) 4) Ford Motor 4) 5) McDonalds 5) Value chain and value system 1) Explain how the concept/framework of the value chain and value system may help in the strategy formulation process. The value chain will help identify competitive advantage. Focusing on the way the organization may use its resources may allow the organization to identify how it can be different and unique or where it can be more efficient. ) With reference to the value chain; identify alternative strategies available to the nternational organization Since an international organization will typically comprise of more than one business, the organization should be decomp osed into strategic business units with different strategies considered for each. An organization can develop cost leadership, product differentiation, and business innovation strategies to confront its competitive forces. Cost leadership requires the organization to find and exploit sources of cost advantages, efficient manufacturing processes and tight cost controls.Product differentiation is based on understanding the customers and heir needs in order to provide something unique and valuable to them. Generic Strategy 1) Describe each of the generic strategies Segmentation strategy Cost leadership – This strategy involves the firm winning market share by appealing to cost-conscious or price-sensitive customers. This is achieved by having the lowest prices in the target market segment, or at least the lowest price to value ratio (price compared to what customers receive).To succeed at offering the lowest price while still achieving profitability and a high return on investme nt, the firm must be able to Differentiation strategy – A differentiation strategy is appropriate where the target customer segment is not price-sensitive, the market is competitive or saturated, customers have very specific needs which are possibly under-served, and the firm has unique resources and capabilities which enable it to satisfy these needs in ways that are difficult to copy. 2) Identify and describe the strategies that may deliver a competitive advantage.Since an international organization will typically comprise of more than one business, he organization should be decomposed into strategic business units with different strategies considered for each. An organization can develop cost leadership, product differentiation, and business innovation strategies to confront its competitive forces. Cost leadership requires the organization to find and exploit sources of cost advantages, efficient manufacturing processes and tight cost controls. Product differentiation is b ased on understanding the customers and their needs in order to provide something unique and valuable to them.Strategy formulation 1) Identify and describe the different ways strategy may be formed within organizations In general terms, strategy formation in most organizations can be thought of as resolving around the interplay for three basic forces: An environment that changes continuously but regularly; An organizational operating system A leadership whose role is to mediate between these two forces, to maintain the stability of the organizations operating system while at the same time ensuring its adaptation to environmental change. Describe the key stages in a typical planning approach to strategy formulation 3) Critically evaluate, compare and contrast the planning and adaptive modes of strategy formulation Competitive advantange 1) In your own words, explain what is meany by resource, routine, capability and competence. Review Questions 1. Explain the significance of components (encapsulation) in the context of object-oriented development. 2. Explain how does OO based development helps reuse? 3. How does the concept of inheritance relate to OO-based development? 4. How does the concept of composition/ aggregation relate to OO-based development? 5. Identify the four components of a use case and how they affect each other. 6. Provide an example for actor generalization. What is the significance of generalizing or specializing actors? 7. Provide an example for use case generalization. What is its significance? 8.What are the differences between â€Å"extend† and â€Å"include† use cases? 9. How do you define structural modeling in an object-oriented approach? 10. How would you distinguish objects from classes? Can you provide an example? 11. Where do classes originate from? 12. To build an information system, which one do you need to identify first, classes or objects? Explain. 13. Structural modeling rep resents classes or objects? 14. How does encapsulation protect business rules from unauthorized access and manipulation? 15. How does an object’s interface relate to services that the object provides? 6. Comment on the statement: â€Å"Classes provide the containers and objects provide the contents. † 17. Why should operations be described by verbs? 18. What is â€Å"protected† visibility? Give an example. 19. What is the difference between aggregation and composition? Give an example for each. 20. Describe the relationship between dynamic modeling, behavioral modeling and structural modeling. 21. Comment on this statement: â€Å"Dynamic modeling is about interaction. † 22. How sequence diagram differs from use-case modeling? 23. Explain how objects interact by exchanging messages. 4. Explain the role of parameters and return values in exchanging messages. 25. What are the building blocks of a sequence diagram? 26. Explain the lifetime of an object. Provi de an example. 27. How actors and objects fit in a sequence diagram? 28. Why dynamic modeling is based on objects, but not classes? 29. Explain the following pairs in relation to each other: a. Method & Operation b. Event & State. c. Interaction & Message. 30. What are the components of statechart modeling? 31. What is the significance of statechart modeling? Review Questions 1. Explain the significance of components (encapsulation) in the context of object-oriented development. 2. Explain how does OO based development helps reuse? 3. How does the concept of inheritance relate to OO-based development? 4. How does the concept of composition/ aggregation relate to OO-based development? 5. Identify the four components of a use case and how they affect each other. 6. Provide an example for actor generalization. What is the significance of generalizing or specializing actors? 7. Provide an example for use case generalization. What is its significance? 8.What are the differences between â€Å"extend† and â€Å"include† use cases? 9. How do you define structural modeling in an object-oriented approach? 10. How would you distinguish objects from classes? Can you provide an example? 11. Where do classes originate from? 12. To build an information system, which one do you need to identify first, classes or objects? Explain. 13. Structural modeling rep resents classes or objects? 14. How does encapsulation protect business rules from unauthorized access and manipulation? 15. How does an object’s interface relate to services that the object provides? 6. Comment on the statement: â€Å"Classes provide the containers and objects provide the contents. † 17. Why should operations be described by verbs? 18. What is â€Å"protected† visibility? Give an example. 19. What is the difference between aggregation and composition? Give an example for each. 20. Describe the relationship between dynamic modeling, behavioral modeling and structural modeling. 21. Comment on this statement: â€Å"Dynamic modeling is about interaction. † 22. How sequence diagram differs from use-case modeling? 23. Explain how objects interact by exchanging messages. 4. Explain the role of parameters and return values in exchanging messages. 25. What are the building blocks of a sequence diagram? 26. Explain the lifetime of an object. Provi de an example. 27. How actors and objects fit in a sequence diagram? 28. Why dynamic modeling is based on objects, but not classes? 29. Explain the following pairs in relation to each other: a. Method & Operation b. Event & State. c. Interaction & Message. 30. What are the components of statechart modeling? 31. What is the significance of statechart modeling?

Psychology’s Classical Theorist Essay

In the field of psychology, Sigmund Freud, Alfred Adler, and Carl Jung, developed three distinct theories of personality that to this day, continue to be the foundations on which all modern psychological theories are built. All three of these remarkable men knew and worked with each other. When Adler and Jung praised Freud’s book on dream interpretation, they were invited to join Freud’s circle of peers, who met weekly at his home in Vienna, Austria (Engler, 2006). At these meetings they discussed new and groundbreaking aspects of psychopathology (Comer, 2008). Freud, Adler, and Jung are unequivocally the most influential figures in modern psychology (Comer, 2008). Freud’s concept of the id, the ego, and the superego, are the underlying factors that began all three schools of thought and that provide the foundations of modern psychology (Engler, 2006). Freud believed that the id had no contact with reality and worked on the pleasure principle and hedonistic wants, with no morality involved. The ego develops as children experience the demands and constraints of reality. It uses reasoning to make decisions. The superego is concerned with right and wrong, it is the moral compass, the conscience in each individual (Comer, 2008). Freud believed that people are unaware of the most important personality processes. Like an iceberg, only the small portion of the conscious mind is accessible and above the water. The preconscious, just out of reach, and the subconscious, deeply repressed, is below the water completely. These are the reason for most problems with behavior and the personality, according to Freud (Nystul, 2006). Freud also theorized that the personality was formed by early childhood experiences, called psychosexual stages (Engler, 2006). If a child’s basic needs are not being met during one of these stages, the child may become â€Å"fixated† or stuck in that stage. For example, if an adult smokes, he or she could be said to be â€Å"orally fixated.† According to Freud, infants at the oral stage use their mouths to explore their environment (Engler, 2006). Freud’s emphasis on sexuality is one of the main reasons why Adler and Jung disagreed with him. They thought that Freud put entirely too much emphasis  on the libido and sexual energy in children. Freud and Adler met every Wednesday for eleven years (Comer, 2008). In 1911, Alder, along with eight colleagues, broke away from Freud’s circle to form the school of â€Å"Individual Psychology† (Engler, 2006). Adler’s theory differed from Freud’s in that it focuses on the person as a â€Å"whole.† The Adlerian term, individual psychology, refers to the human being as indivisible, as opposed to Freud’s view of an individual being, internally divided (Engler, 2006). For Adler, each aspect of the personality points in the same direction (Nystul, 2006). Adler saw how humans connect with one another, with family, with friends, with community, and with society as a whole. He believed that this interconnectedness is essential for an individual to develop and to thrive (Comer, 2008). Each person develops uniquely, according to acquired experiences, both past and present. The process starts at infancy, as children compare themselves to older children and adults, they experience feelings of inferiority (Engler, 2006). This is a normal reaction to the awareness of not being able to do as one pleases. These feelings motivate people to strive towards usefulness and to become contributing members of the family, the group, and the society at large (Nystul, 2006). Carl Gustav Jung, long an admirer of Freud, met him in Vienna, Austria in 1907, after Jung praised Freud’s book, â€Å"The Interpretation of Dreams† (Comer, 2008). At this historical meeting they talked for 13 hours (Nystul, 2006). Freud thought that Jung, twenty years his junior, was to become his heir apparent. In 1910, Jung did become the first president of the International Psychoanalytic Association (Engler, 2006). However, in 1914, Jung broke away from Freud, primarily because he disagreed with Freud’s view of sexuality (Nystul, 2006). Using his own theories, he then began the school of â€Å"Analytical Psychology.†Jung’s theory of personality divides the psyche into three distinct parts: the ego, consisting of the conscious mind, the personal unconscious, which contains thoughts, memories, and experiences  that are not presently conscious, but can be, and the collective unconscious (Nystul, 2006). The collective unconscious could be described as a â€Å"psychic inheritance† (Comer, 2008). It could also be a type of reservoir of the human experience as a species. Yet, the individual is never conscious of its presence (Feist, 1985). Jung’s â€Å"Archetypes of the Personality† evolve from the collective unconscious. These are the persona and its shadow, the female anima and male animus, and the self. Jung felt that until balance could be found within these archetypes in each individual, the complete realization of the self could not be achieved (Comer, 2008). The son of a pastor, Jung had a great interest in spirituality and its effects on the personality. His studies and knowledge of eastern philosophy, yoga, and meditation have certainly had an impact on his theories and have contributed greatly to today’s holistic approach to overall health (Nystul, 2006). Jung’s theories and writings have had a major impact on contemporary thought in many areas such as art, music, and literature (Douglas, 2005). Jung also coined the term â€Å"synchronicity,† which can be defined as â€Å"meaningful coincidences† occurring in everyday life (Engler, 2006). Jung claimed that there exists a synchrony between the mind and the phenomenal world of perception in each individual. For example, thoughts of an old friend fill one’s mind in the evening. The next morning, that particular friend calls, or news about them is received, out of the blue. However, no physical evidence has been found to support this idea (Strogatz, 2004). Although Freud, Adler, and Jung had their unique theoretical differences, they also shared many commonalities. For instance, they all utilized hypnosis and dream interpretation as therapeutic tools to treat their patients (Comer, 2008). They also all agreed on the importance of early life experiences and the existence of unconscious processes (Nystul, 2006). In the field of psychology, Sigmund Freud, Alfred Adler, and Carl Jung, developed three distinct theories of personality that to this day continue  to be the foundations on which all modern psychological theories are built. In their day, these three men were on the cutting edge of the newest science of western civilization. If not for Freud, Alder, and Jung psychology would not have evolved into the field that it is today. References Comer, Ronald, J. (2008). Fundamentals of abnormal psychology. (5th edition). New York, NY. Worth Publishers. Douglas, C. (2005). Current psychotherapies. (7th Edition). (pgs. 96-129). Itasca, Ill. F.E. Peacock. Engler, Barbara. (2006). Personality theories. (7th Edition). Boston, MA. Houghton, Mifflin Company. Feist, J. (1985). Theories of personality. New York, NY. Holt, Rinehart, & Winston. Nystul, Michael (2006). Introduction to counseling, an art and science perspective (3rd Edition). Boston, MA. Pearson, Allyn, & Bacon. Strogatz, Steven, H. (2004). SYNC: How order emerges from chaos in the universe, nature, and daily life. New York, NY. Hyperion. NOTE FROM AUTHOR: The only comments from my professor were about APA formatting, like margins, and double spacing the bibliography. No points were lost for this.

Literacy and People Essay

â€Å"Literacy† is an often discussed topic. Be able to read and write is not as simple as it looks; literacy is one of important communication skills in today world. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, â€Å"Literacy† means â€Å"ability to identify, understand, interpret, create, communicate and compute, using printed and written materials associated with varying contexts. Literacy involves a continuum of learning in enabling individuals to achieve their goals, to develop their knowledge and potential, and to participate fully in their community and wider society. † In other words, a person has the ability to understand and exchange of opinions and views in a society, and thus participate in this society. So if literacy is so important to everyone, then how does the reality look like? We start at very early years to learn reading and writing, so we forget that reading and writing actually are a fairly complex skill, it takes years to learn and memorize. Even in the highest level of civilization country, such as US, the proportion of literate adults has never reached 100%. According to an article â€Å"The Human Cost of an Illiterate Society† by Jonathan Kozol, there are 60 million people that are â€Å"functionally illiterate† in 1980, and he demonstrate an accurate portrait of the life illiterates live on a day-to-day basis and feel miserable. Even literate people, there are only a small number of people with a high level of reading and writing skills. In human history, the literacy was a privilege. In â€Å"Learning to Read and Write† by Frederick Douglass and â€Å"Learning to Read† by Malcolm X. They both demonstrate how important the basic reading and writing skills are and people could use it as a simple tools to impact people and auto gnosis and social change. To be literacy also is very important to people who want to participate in their society and make them life easier. In â€Å"The Joy of Reading and Writing: Superman and Me† by Sherman Alexei and â€Å"Mother Tongue† by Amy Tan. Both of their stories shows us how reading and writing provide they better future, and how difficult could be without the knowledge of literacy. So I truly believe in knowledge could change our future, and help us to build the abilities of adopting the society. And more importantly, we absorb and reveal those knowledge need to through by the reading and writing. People has their own future, that is undoubtable; but how to clarify the future is a problem that confusing many of us. Language gives a great contribution to solve this problem. Since getting language can allow people learn things and gain knowledge, it helps people know more of what our society is about and what is good for them. With these experiences, people will have a better idea of what kind of future they want and create their own dream. Sometimes, this can change a person’s life just like what Malcolm X said in his article â€Å"Learning to read†: â€Å"I knew right there in prison that reading had changed forever the course of my life. As I see it today, the ability to read awoke inside me some long dormant craving to be mentally alive. † In other words, the knowledge form books could impact a person from inside out. Therefore, language can help people adopt the society by showing them their future. Another ability that language can show people is the ability to fight and defense. People usually use their fists, club, or even gun as a weapon to hurt others, but in modern society with police department to stop these physical violations, what can be better than use the words to beat people. By learning knowledge, language through receive language, people also learn that these things can use to fight and defend in real life. With leaving an indelible memory in one’s mind, apparently, it is more powerful than healable body damage. Many people include Richard Wright realize its power, Richard even has some words in his essay â€Å"The Library Card† said: â€Å"Yes, this man was fighting, fighting with words. He was using words as a weapon, using them as one would use a club. † So, this is another useful effect that language brings to people, protect and fight back. There is another thing people gain form language can help them feel better in the society, which is discovery the truth. This skill, or ability, can allow people ignore the interferences on the way to success, to achieve a goal, create own future. Throughout the history, many brilliant people fail just because they were direct to a wrong way. Why they never know that? Because they were uneducated or instill something wrong, they were expected to fail. Situation in the past has shown in Sherman Alexei’s â€Å"The Joy of Reading and Writing: Superman and Me† described the difficulties that Indian kids were facing: â€Å"As Indian children, we were expected to fail in the non-Indian world. † Obviously, language provides people the ability to dig out the real truth behind illusion. Nowadays society, many people are confusing about their futures. Literacy gives a great contribution to solve this problem. At first, literacy can help people adopt the society by showing them their future. Secondly, literacy can show people are the ability to fight and defense themselves. Finally, language provides people the ability to dig out the real truth behind illusion. Literacy is important in keeping you safe and allowing you to learn and grow to better yourself. 50 Essays Bedford/St. Martin’s, 75 Arlingto Street, Boston, MA 02116 Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Literacy.

Project Management Strategic Issues Assignment

Project Management Strategic Issues - Assignment Example The design of the building was given by  Enric  Miralles  and the construction of the building started in June 1999. The project was a constant target of disagreement and condemnation for the choice of the site, complex design and costs incurred. The final completion date of the building was in 2004, which was almost three years behind the original schedule and the project overran the cost of ?40m to ?414m which was many folds higher than the allocated budget. The major reason for the cost overrun as explained in the public enquiry by Peter Fraser in 2003 were the inefficient methods in which most important design changes were executed by the  Holyrood  project team. The paper undertakes a detailed study of the Scottish Parliament project, the reasons of the failure of the project, the course of direction as the project advanced to its final stage and the  recommendations  that could have saved the failure of the project followed by conclusion. ... The Management appeared to be unable to give a clear perception of the Quality v/s Cost aspect of the Project, which led to complications later on.  The initial cost estimate of the New Project at  Holyrood  was  GBP  40  Miilion, subsequently revised to  GBP  50 Million. However this was never believed to have any sanctity. The Acting Minister of Scotland, Mr. Donald Dewar desired the project to be completed as early as possible. The process of selecting the Construction Management was done without adequate regard for the risk factors. Quality was the over-riding priority in the scheme of things, rather than cost and timely execution. It was much later when the delay became a very visible issue that stress was laid on completing it early. Even at that stage no rescheduling of the work to reflect the acceleration of pace was done. The cost escalated unreasonably because of the numerous design additions and alterations demanded by the client. Fig 2: Escalated Costs sin ce Sep 2000 2.2 Lack of Budget Clarity The Project was managed through Construction by Contracting.  The utilization of this type  of project management methodology permits the initiation of the on-site construction before the finalization of the complete project design. This strategy helps to reduce the time. However, in the case of the  Holyrood  project, no main contractor was hired  initially  and the client hired as many as 60 small time individual contractors whose services were taken up at different times. These individual contractors were to work under a construction management  firm  and the client remained the employer at all times. However, this  method turned

Is unity among Christians important Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Is unity among Christians important - Essay Example Today, many Christians follow the footsteps of St. Paul, preaching unity, while some cherish the freedom that the division provides. The question is: is unity among Christians important? Is reunion possible among the various Christian churches? This essay seeks to answer this question. Discussion The Christian church has faced the threat of schism even in the apostolic era. The struggle for position of authority was known among the apostles even when Jesus Christ was with them. After his ascension, the early church struggle with the interpretation of the gospel. Thus struggle for power and doctrinal conflicts are the foundation of division among Christians. Given that these two factors are human, it will be very difficult to achieve unity among Christians as long as the churches are run by humans. The major obstacle to unification of churches is the lack of license of religious opinion that will follow such unification (Smith, 1912). This obstacle follows from the two factors respons ible for disunity among Christians. In a modern society like ours, where freedom is cherished, most individuals will like to interpret the Bible in their own way in addition to assuming leadership position.

Diary of a medical mission Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Diary of a medical mission - Term Paper Example There should also be no crowding at the shelter and patients should be educated on the first signs of deadly diseases so as to contain earlier. The secondary intervention would include measures such as carrying out thorough screening on people showing signs and symptoms of diseases such as high blood pressure, parasitic infections, Tb and other diseases. This is carried out so as to treat the diseases and contain its outbreak. Tertiary prevention would include slowing down the pain related to fracture sand other deadly diseases like TB. It would also include preventing these diseases from causing other complications. These involve better surgeries and requesting for new medications. Stroke patient should also be given both occupational and physical therapy. The interventions measures highlighted above would be carried out as early as the 1st phase, and throughout 5th phase. This is because mitigation preparedness response and recovery map the all three levels and each of them is encountered at every phase. I would like working with local based agencies and cooperation and also incorporate local nurses because they have a better understanding of their people and environment. They can also easily notice symptoms of some diseases in their

Hospitality Current Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Hospitality Current - Essay Example Challenges Facing the Hospitality Industry Introduction In the past centuries, hospitality was not a common field known by many people as an important and critical part of societal life. This fact just changed with the booming international trade and changes in lifestyles for many citizens across the world. The two factors have not existed peaceably but have been posing challenges in the sector of hospitality. Among the challenges faced by the hospitality sector include competition, technological advancement, diversity, lack of professionalism to offer proper services, food safety and sanitation, security issues, and globalization among other problems. Rigorous technological advancement has posed serious challenges to the hospitality industry the world over. Technological advancement has transformed the way work is done in the hospitality industry (Powers & Barrows, 2008). Almost every activity is automated or computerized and the marketing venues are shifting to the internet. Hospit ality industry players have sought to employ the use of websites for marketing their products, increasing operation costs due to high costs of maintaining the websites. In order to broaden customer base, players in the hospitality industry need to invest on technologies that can enable online booking for services by the customers (Binion, 2006). The initial cost and maintenance of such technologies is exorbitant and in some cases unaffordable by certain operators in the industries Uncertainty occasioned by rising security has triggered unrest among the customers of the hospitality industry such as hotels which record low bookings as visitors shy away. Increased cases of terrorism have raised fear in customers as they always think of their safety when travelling (Powers & Barrows, 2008). Cases of abduction have also caused security doubts among many, which has negatively affected the hospitality industry as customers fear to travel freely across the world. Many operators in the hospi tality industry such as hotels and air travel agencies have been forced to invest in expensive and hi-tech security measures to retain the confidence of consumers as far as their security is concerned. The hospitality industry players have also been compelled to spend much money in insuring their operations against any occurrence of insecurity. Cases of food poisoning in various hotels have raised concerns of food safety and proper sanitation. Reported death cases occasioned by food poisoning affects customers consumption of good food products in the hospitality industry (Powers & Barrows, 2008). Cultural diversity has also pushed hospitality industry into expensive foodstuffs to meet the demands of their customers The significant challenge that has disrupted the growth of sectors in the hospitality is the recent global economic recession. The crisis has done a lot to discourage people from travelling due to high cost of travelling and low income earned by many consumers (Rob, 2010) . Additionally, the financial crisis has pushed the hospitality industry to increase the costs of accommodation, causing a sharp decline in demand of hotel and hospitality related services. Increase in the level and number of individual acquiring education has resulted to high levels of customer awareness. Customers have tended to demand services whose quality gives good value for their money.

French Wine Regions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

French Wine Regions - Essay Example In fact, almost every region of France can boast of commercial wine production, and only five regions on the north coast of the country are not engaged in wine production. Among the most famous regions of wine growing in France are the following ones: Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, the Rhone Valley, the Loire Valley, Alsace etc. The Bordeaux region of Aquitaine is among the most famous regions of wine production not only in France but in the entire world as well. The center of the region is the Atlantic port city of Bordeaux. This region is regarded as the heart of red wine production in the country: more than 60 appellations are grown on its territory. Basically, such grapes as Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon are used in the production of red wine. In addition to this, white wine, both dry and sweet, is also produced in the region (Marnie Old and Old Wines LLC, 2005). In Bordeaux, there are two sub-regions of red wine production; they are referred to as â€Å"Right Bank† and â€Å"Left Bank†. The right bank has soil that perfectly suits the early-ripening Merlot grape because of the high content of clay in it. The left bank’s soil rich in gravel is more suitable for Cabernet Sauvignon. One of the main rules of wine production in the region of Bordeaux is varieties blendi ng. Originally, varieties were blended to avoid bad harvests. Today, winemakers also balance flavors of different grapes in one appellation (Marnie Old and Old Wines LLC, 2005). The Burgundy region is situated in the eastern part of France. This region is famous for its both red and white wines. The major grape varieties grown on the territory of Burgundy are Chardonnay (for white Burgundy wines), Pinot Noir (for red Burgundy wines), and Gamay (for Beaujolais). Unlike Bordeaux, Burgundy wines are not the product of varieties blending.

Strategy and Performance Management at DSM Essay

Strategy and Performance Management at DSM - Essay Example The final KSF is important from the point of view of the merchant players. Low cost and security from sales is essential for them (Cai, et al, 2009). The KSFs can be linked with each other, if some of the steps of performance management are implemented within the system of DSM. The process of performance management consists of five steps. The steps consists of planning, developing, monitoring, rating and finally development planning. Among the various steps, planning, developing and rating is important from the perspective of DSM. This is because, all the selected steps are essential to enhance the KSFs and helps in ensuring integration within the factors (Armstrong & Baron, 2000). The suggested process consists of planning, developing and rating. Analyzing the processes would justify the rationale behind the suggestions. The three suggested steps are also linked with each other. The adoption of these steps within the system would help DSM to amalgamate the KSFs effectively. Planning is essential in an organization as it is the main factor that helps in properly allocating the resources of a company. Planning ensures that the company capitalizes on the opportunities available to it and the process is done in a cost effective way. Proper planning helps to meet the requirements of the customers. The demands of the customers can be fulfilled if proper production plans are designed. Efficient distribution of sales will be ensured if planning is done in the process of identifying potential target customers (Cai, et al, 2009). The second step involves activities that are related to efficient development of ideas and techniques. This step is connected to the first st ep. If proper planning is not done, the development process will also not be productive. Development is also an integral step in the process of performance management. Innovative techniques of production have to be developed in order to gain comparative advantage in the

To Build a Fire Essay Example for Free

To Build a Fire Essay The Yukon setting in To Build a Fire is used by the author, Jack London, as a sort of shorthand whereby even the most casual of readers will be able to understand the potential lethality and bodily danger such a wilderness presents to the main character of the story,   an understanding which is essential to the storys overall theme, plot, and impact. The Yukon setting is also important because it provides and underlying motivation for the storys protagonist, a   newcomer in the land, a chechaquo to be in such a hostile environment in the first place: profit. The all-too-familiar lure of profit, for gold or for other salable resources forms an underlying motivation for the storys protagonist who is bound for the old claim on the left fork of Henderson Creek, where the boys were already and the protagonist himself is going the roundabout way to take a look at the possibilities of getting out logs in the spring from the islands in the Yukon all of which begs the question: why is a newcomer choosing to go it alone in the Yukon? (London, 1998, p. 342)      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This central question forms the fulcrum upon which the theme and plot of the story turn. Because the reader will immediately fear for the fate of the protagonist, from the opening paragraphs of the story, a sense of suspense and character-sympathy is generated. However, in order for reader identification with the protagonist to genuinely take hold, it is necessary for London to reveal just a bit more of the protagonists internal state, his personality, beliefs and flaws.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚   The following information about the protagonist is revealed on the first page of the story:   But all this-the mysterious, far-reaching hair-line trail, the absence of sun from the sky, the cold, and the strangeness and weirdness of it allmade no impression on the man. It was not because he was long used to it   but because he was without imagination and therefore unable to extrapolate from the immediate moment to the probable future. in other words he was unable to understand or visualize the possible consequences of his actions or decisions.  Ã‚   (London 341,42)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Such a disadvantage is less of a liability when it pertains to certain logistical capacities, which the character, indeed, uses in a futile attempt to build a fire and escape his own death as the perils in the story increase. The protagonist is quick and alert in the things of life, but only in the things, and not in the significances; so, to him, Fifty degrees below zero meant eighty-odd degrees of frost and nothing more. He may acknowledge that the conditions are cold and uncomfortable but these realizations fail to alert within him an sense of his frailty as a creature of temperature, and upon mans frailty in general, and this seems to indicate that London intends the protagonist of his story to stand, in some ways, for the entire human race: in ecological terms, out of balance with nature and oblivious to the consequences of ingenuity and technology (London,   342).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The revelation of the characters internal flaw increases reader-identification and sympathy, which is essential to the unfolding of the storys climax and thematic resolution. Because London intends the story to function in some ways as a cautionary tale about the perilous consequences of humanity exploiting nature and living out of harmony with nature,   the reader must be lured into identifying with the storys protagonist as deeply as is possible. london accomplishes this by allowing the protagonists ingenuity, intelligence, and determination to win several small victories along the way to the storys tragic resolution. Each time the protagonist is able to think his way to a temporary solution to his challenges and deathly obstacles, the reader is led to identify more intensely with him and root for his victory over indifferent nature.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In effect, London is leading the reader to root for humanity as represented by the storys protagonist: the reader is encouraged when the storys protagonist manages to build a fire against all the odds and begin the process of thawing out his clothes and body; the reader is deeply disappointed and fearful when a small shingle of snow falls on that fire, extinguishing it and with it, all realistic hope of the protagonists survival. Because the reader has been led to identify deeply wit the protagonist, and with his logistical abilities and even his hard headed realism, this even in the story, the extinguishing of the protagonists fire, lands a symbolically charged blow right on the readers sense of pride in humanity, revealing that the protagonists previously identified flaw: lack of imagination, is actually a variant of pride or self-absorption. In this way, London makes it clear that the human races reliance upon science, technology, capitalism, and pride are the very aspects which bring about a discord with nature. This discord is not portrayed as being merely unfortunate, but it is revealed as being the kiss of death, of extinction, for humanity and all of humanitys achievements. these vast aspects are personalized through the story and demonstrated in microcosm through the sue of symbolic imagery.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Londons story is intended not only to engage each individual reader but also the collective of humanity as a whole. The themes of To Build a Fire are universal. I have personally been guilty of pride with disastrous consequence on many occasions; it remains to be seen whether or not the ecological aspects of this story will play a constructive or merely ironic role in determining my own future behavior or the behavior of the human race in general.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Works Cited London, Jack. The Call of the Wild, White Fang, and Other Stories. Ed. Earle Labor and Robert   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   C. Leitz. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998.

Air Lift Fermenter

Air Lift Fermenter Summary : Fermentation is a process involve microbial cells to breakdown or catabolise the organic compounds into smaller molecules. Fermentation is performed under aerobic or anaerobic conditions. The end products of fermentation are our daily products such as alcohol, vitamins, enzymes rennets, antibiotics such as penicillin and lactic acid. In the fermentation process, it is very crucial to maintain optimum mixing and aeration in the reaction. Optimum mixing is to ensure best amount of products conversion as well as to avoid wastage of biomass and substrate. Whereas, aeration is the oxygen transfer rate, also the rate-limiting step in the aerobic bioprocess which is very crucial in design, operation and scale-up of bioreactors. Mixing and aeration in the fermenter is carried out by air-lift or mechanical agitators. Air-lift fermenter uses air injected from the bottom of its draft-tube, while mechanical type uses motor driven shaft agitator. Both of the air-lift and mechanical agitator are d iffer in mixing, aeration, biological efficiency, energy consumption, operation and construction, application and cost. Different types of fermentation biomass and substrates characteristic is the factor to determine types of air-lift or mechanical agitators to be used. Introduction : Advances of biotechnology today has been making use of microbiology in different perceptions of the natural processes to produce our daily products such as cheese, antibiotics, alcohols, biofuel, hormones, microbial enzymes such as rennets and vitamins. The process employed to produce these products is known as fermentation, in which catabolism of organic compound take place. The breakdown of the organic compounds is performed by microorganisms under aerobic and anaerobic conditions to yield end-products that are our daily products as mentioned (Fermentation, Chapter 1 2009). In the process of fermentation, the microbial cells obtain energy through glycolysis to break down the complex organic compounds to simpler molecules. Usually, the by product of the process is excreted by the cell in the form of acetone, lactic acid and alcohol. In the history of fermentation, in year 1680 Antony van Leeuwenhoek was the first biologist discover the process through fermenting beer under observation with microscope (Fermentation, Chapter 1 2009). Later, in the 19th century, Louise Pasteur discovered and understood the process of fermenting alcohol by using yeast to convert sugar to alcohol and carbon dioxides(Fermentation, Chapter 1 2009). Besides, in 1929 Alexander Fleming discovered the production of antibiotics Penicillin to fight against bacteria infection (Fermentation, Chapter 1 2009). Since then, various antibiotics are produced by fermentation using various bacteria and fungi. There are several factors to be taken into accounts as designing the fermenters such as scale-up issues, fermenter types, impeller types, immobilised systems, peripheral equipment and fermenter measurements. Impeller plays a vital role in mixing during fermentation because it maintains optimum substrate and biomass concentration in the fermenter throughout the whole process. It also keeps the solids suspended, disperse oxygen to keep maximum total bubble surface area and entrap air bubbles to avoid the air escape before all the oxygen is dissolved (Freitas C. et al. 2000). Fundamentally, there are 2 apparatus used for mixing which are the mechanical agitators and the air-lift fermenters. Air-lift fermenters are sometimes known as the bubble column, can be divided into free rise, draft tube, propeller-assisted and pumped liquid jet-assisted. Air-lift fermenter Air-lift fermenter is an efficient contactor for the reactions involved gases, liquids and solids. There are two types of air-lift fermenters which are the internal loop and the external loop. The internal loop has a draft tube in its inner tube, in which the up-flowing gasses liquid and the down-flowing liquid is separated by the draft tube. Draft tubes are used in some processes to promote better mass transfer, mixing and inducing circulatory motion to reduce bubble coalescence. The external loop has two streams flow in two separate pipes connected at top and bottom. In this way, the air-lift fermenters improve the circulation and oxygen transfer and equalize shear forces in the reactor. Both of the internal and external loop air-lift fermenters have been investigated to the hydrodynamic behaviour and other design factors (Fermentation, Chapter 1 2009). The figure below shows the structure of an air-lift bioreactor with an internal loop. Unlike the mechanical agitation system, air-lift fermenters do not have motor, shaft and impeller blades. As such, the mixture inside the fermenters is agitated by injecting air from the bottom of the tube. Sterile atmospheric air is injected into the fermenters if the microorganism is aerobic, while for the anaerobic microorganism is fed with inert gas (Fermentation, Chapter 1 2009). Mixing in air-lift fermenters is very gentle hence it is suitable for batch culture of shear sensitive cells and tissues such as the mammalian and plant cells (European patent application 2009). Likewise, high shearing stress causes damage to cells could be avoided. Batch culture of plant and animal cells can be cost intensive. However, in cases where the demand for the plant or animals culture products is low and batch cycles are long, the high capital cost can exclude the economical production (European patent application 2009). One of the application of air-lift fermenters is the large scale producti on of monoclonal antibodies (Fermentation, Chapter 1 2009). Mechanical Agitators Stirred tank fermenters are most commonly used in fermentation. It is a cylindrical vessel with an agitator driven by motor to stir the mixture contents in the tank. There two types of agitator used which are the top-entry stirrer and the bottom entry stirrer. The top entry stirrer is more commonly used because the operation is easier to manage, more reliable and robust, whereas the bottom entry model is rarely to be used. The bench scale fermenters are usually made of borosilicate glass with a stainless steel lid. In the laboratory, top-entry stirrer is used, which consist of a motor attached to the shaft and together with impellers (Bloch H.P. and Soares C. 2007). The criterias of manufacturing the fermenters are the high grade of stainless steel, a well-polished internal surface to prevent adhesion of contents to the fermenters walls, and contain smooth joints and free of pin holes to avoid de-mixing. The typical volume of the fermenter used in the laboratory is range from 1 to 10 0 litres (Bloch H.P. and Soares C. 2007). The figure below is the basic structure of a stirred tank fermenter. There are several categories of mechanical mixing equipment, the types of mechanical drivers require to accommodate speed, shaft and power; the kinds of impellers used for specific process, the needs to seal the tanks to against high pressure caused by the processes and stabilization of the impellers devices and the steady bearings in the tank (Bloch H.P. and Soares C. 2007). The main purpose of the mechanical agitator is to provide homogenous mixing, provide aeration and removal of waste gaseous such as carbon dioxide produced during the fermentation process. Usually, the agitator is consisted of motor driven shaft with impellers of 4 to 6 blades. Several types of impellers are more commonly used which are Rushton blade or disc turbine, open turbine impellers and marine impellers. Among the three, Rushton turbine is most commonly used because its design is more simple, easy operation methods and its robustness (Fermentation, Chapter 1 2009). Figure 3 and 4 illustrate the structure of Ruston turbine and marine impeller. However, mixing in the fermenter is poor and energy intensive as scaling up the process. The problem caused will affect the concentration, reaction rate and heat removal. Therefore, baffles will be used in the fermentation process to prevent energy waste in bulk circulation and to introduce liquid slurry turbulence in order to ensure better mixing, better suspension of solids and better retention of air bubbles. The baffles are fixed on the wall of the fermenters. Both of the action of agitators and baffle produce axial and radial flow patterns in the mixing contents and prevent formation of vortex (Fermentation, Chapter 1 2009). This article is not included in your organizations subscription. However, you may be able to access this article under your organizations agreement with Elsevier. Compare and contrast the relative merits of air-lift and mechanical agitator Air-lift and mechanical agitator are widely employed in chemical and bioprocessing reaction as the efficient machine for mass and heat transfer. Both of the fermenters are applied in different types of mixture nature. For instance, air-lift fermenter has gentle agitation and low cost oxygen transfer, hence it is only suitable for less viscous liquid. Whereas, mechanical agitator fermenter perform poorly in highly viscous non-Newtonian media, not aerated at high rate and has relatively poor mixing pattern as compare to the air-lift fermenter. However, the mechanical fermenter has broader range of application as compared to the air-lift fermenter (Abashar M. E. E. 2002). Biological efficiency In terms of biological efficiency, the mechanical type of fermenter is more efficient as compare to the air-lift fermenter. However, due to the simplicity operation of air-lift fermenter, it is useful in the laboratory teaching and research. In a laboratory experiment, air-lift fermenter has successfully produce antibiotics, enzymes, microbial cells and vitamins for microbial analysis (AIR-LIFT LABORATORY FERMENTOR 2009). Operation and construction The operation of the air-lift fermenter is much simple and easier than the mechanical agitator fermenter. This is illustrated by the control of temperature in the air-lift fermenter, in which the temperature is readily controlled in an incubator or by attaching a heating tape externally to adjust to higher temperature. The construction of air-lift fermenter also more simpler as compared to the mechanical agitator fermenter, as such air-lift fermenter is applicable to continuous and semicontinuous fermentation. The effect of various gas mixture on microbial growth can be readily studied by the air-lift fermenter because the propagation of obligate thermophilic bacteria at 55 C has been successful (AIR-LIFT LABORATORY FERMENTOR 2009). Mixing and aeration In comparison of mixing in highly viscous non-Newtonian media, the conventional mechanical agitator performs relatively poorer than the air-lift fermenter. Also, conventional agitator has lower aeration rate due to its impeller flooding. Chisti Y. Jauregui-Haza U.J. (2002) had find out a better solution to overcome the limitation by creating mechanically stirred hybrid airlift bioreactor. This hybrid airlift bioreactor had one or more downward pumping axial flow impeller located at the bottom of the reactor. It able to overcome the limitation of both the mechanical and airlift reactor by providing confined annular zone with better aeration system. It also manages to improve the directional and fluid circulation for the suspending solids and minimize concentration gradients between nutrients and oxygen to the substrate (Chisti Y. Jauregui-Haza U.J. 2002). In the other case, mechanical agitator, the marine propeller is installed at the bottom of the draft-tube, to carry out a fermentation of highly viscous non-Newtonian media with Saccharopolyspora erythraea broth. The results show that the yield of antibiotic erythromycin was increased by 45% compared to the air-lift configuration or conventional mechanical agitator fermenter alone. In another study, highly viscous broth of mircrofungus N. sitophila was fermented in the airlift fermenter with low-shear axial flow impeller. The end result obtained from hybrid reactor shown that it is more effective as compared to the conventional Rushton turbine-stirred fermenter (Chisti Y. Jauregui-Haza U.J. 2002). In short, installation of mechanical agitator such as marine propeller or impeller in the draft-tube of air-lift fermenter can significantly improve the fluid circulation and hence increase viscous aerobic fermentation. Energy consumption Energy consumption of an operation system is the major constitute of the capital cost in one production. Generally, the energy consumption of air-lift fermenter is relatively lower than the mechanical agitator fermenter. In a production of a single cell protein, a low pressure air-lift fermenter was designed to reduce the energy usage. The fermenter broth was kept below 120cm in depth and air is injected to supply the oxygen, also to cool and agitate the broth. In this way, the low pressure air-lift fermenter reduces the energy consumption by producing 1 kWh/kg of protein, which could save 70% of energy as compared to mechanical agitator. Hence, it eliminates the investment of mechanical agitators, air compressors and heat exchangers (Chen N. Y., Kondis E. F., Srinivasan S. 1986). In contrast to mechanical agitator fermenter, air-lift fermenter has higher efficiency in mass transfer at the same power input. This is because air-lift fermenter is not using mechanical agitation, which in turn makes mass transfer perform faster (Chen N. Y., Kondis E. F., Srinivasan S. 1986). The application prove mechanical agitator has lower mass transfer is the performance of Rushton turbine impeller which involve high cells densities to support oxygen transfer rate and also the highly viscous broth cause turbulence and result in the poor mass transfer. However, air-lift fermenter with the draft tube manages to give better mixing and fluid circulation result in better mass transfer efficiency (Boodhoo K. 2006). An example of mechanical agitator, submerged agitating system is used in gas-liquid mixture. The mechanically rotational agitator is used to intensify the turbulent mixture between gas and liquid. In this system, pressurized gas is injected through the spargers to the agitating area, in the form of bigger bubbles which then broken into smaller bubbles by the mechanical agitators mixing power. However, the efficiency of the power consumption is generally greater in the mechanical agitator. Nonetheless, mechanical agitator also increase the residence time of the bubble and caused efficient gas-liquid mass transfer. However, the relative complication of the mechanical agitator has counterbalance the energy efficiency. Mechanical system complications includes driving motors, gear reducers, submerged agitators, long shaft and the expensive gas compression system (Chen N. Y., Kondis E. F., Srinivasan S. 1986). Cost Capital cost is the main factor to be considered in the industrial fermentation process. Fermenter cooling, mass transport between nutrients and microorganism and oxygen transfer are the main factors in affecting the design of the fermenter. The high demand of substrate to the oxygen amount increase the energy cost and caused significant increase in the production cost. Due to the simplicity operation in air-lift fermenter, it is generally lower in cost than the mechanical agitator fermenter (AIR-LIFT LABORATORY FERMENTOR 2009). This is because mechanical system involves extensive pipe lines, diffusers, distribution manifolds, expensive compressor and filtration system. As a result, it caused high power cost and capital costs. Moreover, the frequent plugging of the diffusers make the maintenance for the mechanical system is very troublesome particularly in the reaction involve solids such as aerobic wastewater treatment and industrial fermentation (AIR-LIFT LABORATORY FERMENTOR 2009) . Conclusion Both of the air-lift fermenter and mechanical agitator is used in the fermenter tube to aid in mixing and aeration. Mixing is very important to ensure optimum homogenous mixture of substrate and biomass throughout the entire process. Air-lift fermenter is suitable to plant and mammalian cells fermentation due to its low shear rate, protect cells from damage. The application of air-lift fermentation is the production of monoclonal antibodies. Whereas, mechanical agitator is more vigorous compare to air-lift fermenter, hence it is not suitable for fermentation involve plant and animal cells. The examples of the mechanical agitators are Rushton blade or disc turbine, open turbine impellers and marine impellers. In the above, comparisons was made between both of the air-lift and mechanical agitator in terms of biological efficiency, operation and construction, mixing and aeration, energy consumption and cost. Mechanical agitator has better biological efficiency than the air-lift fermente r, but air-lift fermenter has better mass transfer rate at the same power input. The operation and construction of air-lift fermenter is less complex than mechanical agitator. Likewise, energy consumption is relatively lower in air-lift fermenter. Nonetheless, both of the fermenters agitator types have its pros and cons. Choice of fermenter types is depend on the fermenter substrates and biomass biological nature. References : Abashar M. E. E. (2002) Influence of Hydrodynamic Flow Regimes on the Prediction of Gas Hold-up and Liquid Circulationin Airlift Reactors. Journal of King Saud University 16 (2) : 97-111. AIR-LIFT LABORATORY FERMENTOR (2009) [Online] Available from : http://aem.asm.org/cgi/reprint/4/1/31.pdf [Acccessed 21st Dec 2009] Bloch H.P. and Soares C. (2007) Mixers and Agitators. Process Plant Machinery 2nd edition. Page 617-631. Boodhoo K. (2006) Intensification of gas-liquid mass transfer using porous impellers for application to an E.coli batch fermentation process. Chen N. Y., Kondis E. F., Srinivasan S. (1986) Low-Pressure Airlift Fermenter for Single Cell Protein Production: I. Design and Oxygen Transfer Studies. [Online] Available from : http://people.clarkson.edu/class/ch465/Airlift%20fermenter%201986.pdf [Acccessed 21st Dec 2009] Chisti Y. Jauregui-Haza U.J. (2002) Oxygen transfer and mixing in mechanically agitated airlift bioreactors. Journal of biochemical engineering 10 (2): 143-153. European patent application (2009) [Online] Available from : http://www.freepatentsonline.com/EP0343885.pdf [Acccessed 21st Dec 2009] Fermentation, Chapter 1 (2009) [Online] Available from : http://www.coe.uga.edu/ttie/documents/biotech.pdf [Acccessed 21st Dec 2009] Freitas C., Fialov M., Zahradnik J. Teixeira J. A. (2000) Hydrodynamics of a three-phase external-loop airlift bioreactor. Journal of Chemical Engineering Science 55 (21) 4961-4972.

Dangers of Methamphetamine

Dangers of Methamphetamine Mark Dawod The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has estimated that five hundred metric tons of amphetamine-type stimulants are produced, coinciding with almost twenty-five million abusers. The US government reported in 2008 that about thirteen million people over the age of twelve has used meth, with over half a million being regular users of the substance. Meth has a market price in the US of thirteen billion dollars, which corroborates with its high street price, ranging from three to four hundred dollars for a fourth of a gram. Although meth is known for its disastrous side effects such as severe damage to the brain and heart, it helps those suffering with ADHD, narcolepsy, and dietary problemy. Overall, methamphetamine is a perilous stimulant that cripples the lives of its users and bystanders. However, with strong public awareness and education regarding the drugs deleterious effects, the dilemma of meth exploitation can be stopped. What is meth? Where did it originate from? Amphetamine, a dialect of the perilous methamphetamine we know today was first synthesized in Germany in 1887, however, scientists were blinded to its stimulant effects at the time. A few years later in 1893, meth was synthesized in Japan, it was not until 1919 that crystal meth was synthesized, similarly in Japan. At the time, the effects of this drug were not fully understood and were not perceived as dangerous, in turn the drug began to gain its popularity, although it did not fully take off until after the second great war. Methamphetamine was given to troops in wars such as World War II, the Korean Wars, and the Vietnam War to help them attain alertness throughout the battles, gaining an advantage over their counterparts. Additionally, methamphetamine was used during Nazi Germany as Hitler was intoxicated and enjoyed indulging in drugs. However, it was not until he sent Nazis thirty-five million pills of meth, known as Pervitin, which gave them the alertness to stay awake and fo cused for days at a time, they believed this pill to be just like coffee. Soon after World War II, biker gangs in California saw the value of this stimulant and began producing and smuggling it, resulting in them making a hefty profit as the drug was easy to produce and sell. To this day, methamphetamine is very well known and used frequently, especially in densely populated regions such as Miami and California. Methamphetamine also has very limited medical use, but is used largely by women seeking to lose weight as the drug suppresses appetite well. Methamphetamine is referred to as crystal, speed, ice, dope, whizz, chalk, and fast, just to name a few. Meth, usually used as a club drug, taken mostly at rave parties, is a poison that systematically destroys the body. I tried it once and BOOM! I was addicted, said a meth addict that lost all that he stood for because of this stimulant. Methamphetamine addiction is single handedly one of the toughest drug addictions to treat and resul ts in death largely because it burns up bodily resources that can only be replenished through frequent consumption of the drug. Who uses meth? And How? Studies show that meth users range from thirteen years old to thirty-three users old, although typically, users are within the fifteen to twenty-two year old age gap. Concerning race, African Americans are less likely to use meth than Caucasians. Meth users are predominantly Caucasian, blue collar workers, unemployed, and studying in either high school or college. Methamphetamine is also largely used in Native American communities because the spread of addiction has been widely spread from Mexican Drug Cartels, which is one of their main access sources for the substance. Women are also more likely to consume meth compared to other stimulants like heroin and cocaine because of its appetite suppressing side effect. Meth can be snorted, smoked, injected, and ingested; statistics concerning the different ways meth is consumed are as follows: 3% injest 12% snort 25% inject 60% smoke How does meth affect the body, mind, relationships, and environment? Upon the consumption of meth, the heart rate of user increases, along with their breathing patterns. Methamphetamine also releases exceedingly high levels of dopamine, 1100% more than cocaine does. This stimulant effect is also one of the main reasons that this substance is very addictive. However, with time, the brain builds a shield to the substance and the only way to get around this is by the consuming the drug more frequently and in higher doses, at this point the user is addicted and builds a reliance on the drug to feed their body resources. Short term, according to drugfreeworld.org, methamphetamine effects include the following: A limited desire for food Heightened heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature Dilated pupils Disorganized sleeping patterns Nausea Abnormal behavior, possibly violent if permitted Hallucinations and irritability Panic and psychosis Convulsions, seizures, and death Long term, according to drugfreeworld.org, methamphetamine effects include the following: Permanent damage to blood vessels, the brain, and/or the heart Liver, kidney, and/or lung damage If smoked, the carnage of nose tissues If injects, excessive diseases Malnutrition which leads to weight loss Harsh tooth decay Disorientation Increased psychological dependence Psychosis Depression Effects of Alzheimers in the brain Methamphetamine also plays a considerably large role in disturbing relationships between family members and friends. When on meth, the drug basically controls the body, resulting in unintended physical, mental, and emotional harm. The producing of meth within the household or near others is also significantly dangerous to those near by. Through explosions, fumes, or even waste (one pound of meth results in five pounds of waste) which in turn damages the environment. How can we lower the consumption and use of methamphetamine not used medically? According to P.A.C.E representatives, users of methamphetamine have indicated that the drug takes complete control over their body. This is due partially because of the high levels of dopamine that is released through the consumption of the substance. However, if a community is well-educated through a program such as Meth360, methamphetamine use will drop and more awareness will spread through neighboring areas. Conclusion Methamphetamine is a perilous stimulant that cripples the lives of its users and those surrounding them. Although, knowing what it is, its effects, and the dangers of its consumption, along with circulation of such information, the use of this drug will decrease and the environment, along with many families coping through the addiction of a loved one, will improve.

Fuel Cell Technology :: Exploratory Essays Research Papers

Fuel Cell Technology Fuel Cells are a hot topic these days between the soon to come fuel cell cars that Toyota and Honda plan on unveiling this year and the $1.2 billion president Bush announced he would dedicate to fuel cell research during his State of the Union address. The least efficient of these electrochemical energy converters are at least as efficient as internal combustion engines and many are doubly as efficient when using special techniques. Exhaust from fuel cells is extremely clean, often consisting only of water. Although some use hydrocarbons, fuel cells give off around one one-hundredth of the pollutants given off by an internal combustion engine using the same amount of fuel (Fuel Cell Technology Handbook). Unfortunately some engineering and infrastructure problems, especially costs, are keeping fuel cells from commercial viability right now. A Brief History of Fuel Cell Technology The ideas behind fuel cells have existed for around one hundred and sixty years. Sir William Grove is cited as the first person to think that one could produce a current by reversing the electrolysis of water (SAE.org). However, it was until fifty years later that the term ‘fuel cell’ was coined by two researchers, Charles Langer and Ludwig Mond, trying to invent the first viable fuel cell fueled by coal gas (SAE.org). The technology lay dormant for most of the early twentieth century because of great advances in the use of internal combustion engines. It wasn’t until 1959 that practical fuel cells were first demonstrated. NASA quickly took interest in the technology for the Apollo missions and since there has been a renaissance in research and development of fuel cells. Currently, there are on the order of hundreds of fuel cell generators in operation world wide, cities such as L.A., Chicago, and New York, own fuel cell powered public transit vehicles, and both Honda and Toyota plan on making fuel cell powered car commercially available within one year (fuelcells.org). How a Fuel Cell Works A fuel cell is an energy converter that uses electrochemical energy to create an electric current. Because they use electrochemistry for power, fuel cells are often likened to batteries that run on fuel. This description is not a bad one, but to be more precise, a fuel cell creates direct current by ionizing a fuel and then moving those ions through a circuit. The three main components are the anode (negatively charged piece), cathode (positively charge piece), and electrolyte (medium for the transfer of ions). Fuel, typically hydrogen, is ionized at the anode by a catalyst (substance that can change an interaction, but does not change the chemistry of it).

The Joys of Skydiving Essay -- Personal Narrative, essay about myself

It was a warm and sunny Saturday morning when my friend, Sivi, and I left our home to travel to the small local airport located outside of town. Just the previous night we had received 4 hours of classroom training in how to perform a successful "Skydive" and now we would receive 4 more hours of practical, hands-on training. Sivi and I have spent a lot of time talking with, and taking care of Senior Citizens on a volunteer basis. Through many conversations, we discovered that one of the major regrets that people have, as the near the end, is that they didn't experience everything that they wanted to when they were younger. The major reason for this was fear. Fear that they would fail or fear that they might be injured. Sivi and I had decided years ago that we would never allow fear to prevent us from trying something new. Now, in our middle and late forties, we had decided to voluntarily jump out of a perfectly good airplane just for the experience of doing so. When we arrived at the airport, there were about 10 other people. Most of them were men and we were the only couple. Of course the first matter of business was to read and sign a waiver that stated that we would NOT hold the skydiving school liable if our jump turned out to be, shall we say, less than perfect. I must admit that this certainly brought out some of the apprehension that Sivi and I had managed to bury deep inside ourselves. Next, we were sent to a shed where there were several sets of coveralls. Here we were instructed to pick out a pair of coveralls and a helmet that fit (as best as possible) and put them on. I must say that I felt more than a little silly wearing a pair of torn and uncomfortably tight coveralls ... ...ove the ground, I yanked down on the parachute control straps with all of my strength. The parachute got more air, and I slowed, almost to a standstill, and gently touched the ground. As my feet touched the Earth, I went into my roll and then stood back up. No broken bones or bruises. Sivi, immediately came out to greet me, and we both felt a great sense of relief and pride. Once again we managed to overcome our fears and experience something that cannot be imagined or viewed like a movie, but must be felt. As we walked to our car, we realized just how much the day had taken out of us physically. We were both bruised and sore from our practice jumps into the gravel pit and very tired. But, at the same time, our souls felt warm and satisfied at discovering that we could overcome our fears and experience the joy and freedom of skydiving.

The LEGO History

Today we will be talking about how the Lego company has started out and how it has gotten this far. Back in 1891 I don't think anyone would have thought it would be what it is today. We will be going back to the day that it started and getting in depth about what happened and how the group has grown to be this big today and what the machines are that the legos go threw. We will be getting into the history that most people don't know and uncovering it. The prices of original legos will be shown, the average cost of each lego produced and how much money they make off an average set of legos. The Lego Company begin in the workshop of Ole Kirk Christiansen in 1891, the group had a carpenter from Billund, Denmark. Who began making wood toys in 1932. In 1934, his company had made their name Lego. In 1947 the Lego group downed their making in wood toys and started to manufacture Legos. Which today is a major company with a net worth of 5.9 billion dollars. The name Lego is a mixture of two Danish words leg and godt, which meant play well. It is their name and ideal. In the past 80 years the company has moved from a small workshop to a massive company producing tons of Legos each day the exact number each day is 36,000 each minute. The average cost of one lego is 10.4 cents. Most of the smaller sets of lego buildings cost around 8 dollars and the more difficult ones are anywhere between 40 dollars and 70 dollars. The lego company started using plastic after many fires happen from the wood and plastic came available after World War Two, so the group decided to try it out and got a plastic molding injection machine. One of the first toys made with the plastic was a truck that could be taken apart and put back together and the company hit it big on that one. The plastic products weren't taken serious like the metal or wood ones because the customers where so use to metal and wood that they were scared to try something new but Lego advertised and advertised and their toys where mainly directed toward pre-school kids. they never really hit it big in the beginning, it took time and persistence to get their toys made right. They officially got rid of the wooden blocks after one of their last plants burned down. The lego group had such a great outcome at the end if 19th century and still do because they have such a high quality product compared to all the other manufacturing company's for toys. The group started to grow because they made the product safer for the kids, the group made the plastic with non-toxic plastic. The group Lego made it non-toxic because Lego wanted his product to be safe for the little kids handling his toys. In the beginning he started out with around four hundred and fifty workers and it grew over time as Lego grew. Now days the Lego group has around approximately fourteen thousand workers world wide. I have watched many videos of Lego reviews and every single one I have ever watched I have never seen a negative review

Detroit Riots

DetroitApril Woodson 4 February 2013 Newspaper analysis Tara Saunders Race riot in Detroit (June 20, 1943) The Detroit Riots, an article from The Chicago daily tribune was published three days after the riots. It talks more about the aftermath of the riots, after troops were ordered in and how it portrays the United States to the international community. The tone the article takes on is almost shameful and gives the vibe that not only should Detroit be embarrassed by the United States as a whole because the riots did spark racial tension in other cities like Los Angelas as well.Though the article is short the intensions of the message are very clear as it reads, â€Å"†¦the race riots which had brought deep disgrace upon that community came to an abrupt end†¦an important lesson to be drawn by the American people from this ugly incident†¦relations between the races in America have improved but we still have far to go before the problem can be regarded as solved. The ad vocates of super governments are asking us to believe that what we have not yet succeeded in accomplishing in America can be achieved with the stroke of a pen on an international treaty† (pg 1).Though the article is on the front page of this particular tribune issue, the location of the article in the newspaper gives one the impression that the riots are now a thing of the past. We know this because the article was published three days after the event and its proceeded by an article about control of rabies. The second article titled â€Å"F. D. R. for Troops in Detroit† which was also published by the Chicago tribune was written two days after the riots and it seems as though its attacking Roosevelt’s decisions to call upon the militia to help stop the riots or explain the reasoning being doing so.He does give the crowd a chance to disperse before he sends out the troops, â€Å"Now, therefore, I, Franklin D. Roosevelt, President of the United States, do hereby c ommand all persons engaged in said unlawful and insurrectionary proceedings to disperse and retire peaceably to their respective abodes immediately and here after abandon said combinations and submit themselves to the laws and constituted authorities†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (pg 2). I think this is important to note because a lot of people think it was just an attack on innocent people.This article also seems like it was published at the height of the riots when everything was in complete and utter chaos. The author of this article isn’t necessarily analyzing the riots but rather the political reasoning behind how appropriate Militant intervention would be. This article is also brief but it is important as it covers a big milestone during the riots and ultimately one of the biggest courses of actions, which was the decision of F. D. R. to send in troops to Detroit.This shows just how bad the riots were at that point and in relation to the last article I think this article unknowingly gi ves the readers an insight into just how embarrassing the aforementioned â€Å"ugly incident† really is. The third article from the Chicago daily tribune was also published two days after the riots. However this article takes up the whole front page with the title Army Rules Detroit it gives the impression that these were the last big moment of the riots, like the city was a damsel in distress and the Army was the superhero that came to rescue it.The article almost points to sum up the riots in the title by making three things obvious under the Army Rules Detroit we see in little letter, 23 die: Homes fired, shops looted in race riots, 700 wounded in wild disorders. Unlike previous articles its obvious this one was probably written by a racist author. The author of this article refers to black people as â€Å"Negro’s† and â€Å"negresses†. His tone makes it seem like African Americans are animals that cannot be tamed and the only option was military inter vention it also attempts to walk the reader through the state of the Detroit during the riot.Throughout the article we see subtitles like Thirteen Schools Closed, Trolley lines Suspend and Ammunition seized all theses titles seem to explain how out of control the city was, it gives us the bad side of the situation gives one the impression that things don’t seem to look up until the army arrives. Its not coincidence that this is such an in-depth analysis seeing how Chicago is right next door to Detroit. However although its obvious that the riots are the result of racial tension whenever the author quotes a white person he makes them seem like a victim while it may true in some cases he never sheds the same light n African Americans. Newspaper articles from the New York times aren’t as harsh and tend to concentrate more on what caused the riots, what law officials are doing to keep if from happening again as well how they are trying to punish the people who played major roles in the riot. Even democratic Representative John E. Rankin of Mississippi is quoted saying, â€Å" Detroit has suffered one of the most disastrous race riots in history† (pg 1). It says a lot when politician in the south could say such a thing when a lot of racism during that time is rooted in southern states.The New York Times focuses a lot on the aftermath of the riots and provides coverage on how the presence of the Army helped. One article from the Chicago tribune is titled in bold letters Army Rules Detroit and when one tries to tie the agenda of the two newspapers together it seems as if the New York tribune picks up where the Chicago tribune leaves off. The Army arrives and then we get to see what the Army does and the control measures implemented to keep such riots from happening again. These articles in general are trying to put the public at ease, to reassure them that once again Detroit is under control.From the Washington post we see feelings of shame and e mbarrassment resurface again. One-article titled Detroit Tragedy begins with, â€Å"No American can escape a feeling of shame as well as sorrow over the race riots†¦such an outbreak is at its ugliest when it stems from race hostility. † Just like the New York times, the Washington post also suggest that the main cause of the riots was â€Å"the inadequate living facilities of a community which has become desperately overcrowded as a result of the war. (pg 3) When reading through this article words like, ugly, disgrace, dangerous, shame and enemy really stick out, these are the words that best describe the riots and the impact it had on the people. Throughout newspapers across the united states the riots where regarded as ugly and I think the aforementioned quote â€Å"Such an outbreak is at its ugliest when it stems from race hostility†, best sums of the how the country viewed the riots.Though the riots only lasted twenty-four hours, during those hours the whole country was watching domestically and especially internationally with World War II also taking place. The Detroit Riots. † Chicago Daily Tribune (1923-1963): 12. Jun 23 1943. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: Chicago Tribune (1849-1989). Web. 4 Feb. 2013 . Detroit Tragedy. † The Washington Post (1923-1954) Jun 23 1943: 8. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Washington Post (1877-1996). 4 Feb. 2013 Special to THE NEW,YORK TIMES. Kelly Acts to Ease Detroit Riot Curb. † New York Times (1923-Current file) Jun 24 1943: 1. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The New York Times (1851-2009) with Index (1851-1993). 4 Feb. 2013 . Army Rules Detroit; 23 Die. † Chicago Daily Tribune (1923-1963) Jun 22 1943: 1. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: Chicago Tribune (1849-1989). 4 Feb. 2013 . F. D. R. Order for Troops in Detroit. † Chicago Daily Tribune (1923-1963) Jun 22 1943: ProQuest Historical Newspapers: Chicago Tribune (1849-1989). 4 Feb. 2013 . By The, Associated P. Army P atrols End Detroit Rioting; Death Toll at New York Times (1923-Current file) Jun 23 1943: 1. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The New York Times (1851-2009) with Index (1851-1993). 4 Feb. 2013 THE NEW,YORK TIMES. â€Å"Three Counties Under Curbs. † New York Times (1923-Current file) Jun 22 1943: 7. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The New York Times (1851-2009) with Index (1851-1993). 4 Feb. 2013 . â€Å"Detroit Calmer; Troops on Guard. † The Washington Post (1923-1954) Jun 23 1943: 1. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Washington Post (1877-1996). 4 Feb. 2013 .

Characteristics of a Human Service Professional Essay

Individuals working in hospice are a great example of chronic bereavement. â€Å"Chronic Bereavement refers to multiple losses and include the effects of chronic anticipatory, and unresolved grief, as well as the compounding effects of experiencing several episodes of grief concurrently† (Hooyman p 349). While meeting the emotional needs of the dying and their families health services professionals don’t have always have time to deal with their own grief appropriately. Compassion Fatigue â€Å"Compassion fatigue describes the convergence of secondary traumatic stress and cumulative stress or burnout, which is most prevalent among professionals, family members, and associates of trauma survivors (Hooyman p350). Many human service workers have had some kind of early-life trauma that influenced their career choice which makes them more vulnerable to compassion fatigue. The symptoms of compassion fatigue are similar to those of primary traumatic stress disorder. They differ in that compassion fatigue doesn’t affect the health care provider. Vicarious Traumatization Vicarious traumatization (VT) is defined as â€Å"the negative transformation in a helper’s inner experience that takes place as a result of deep empathic engagement with traumatized clients couples with a sense of professional responsibility to help.† (Hooyman p350). There are many considerations when treating vicarious traumatization, especially during self-care such as awareness, balance, and connection. Awareness is to recognize signs and symptoms of vicarious traumatization, avoid substances that numb your feelings and awareness and listen to those who have noticed changes in you and discuss those changes. Balance is setting limits to availability to therapeutic work and setting realistic expectations. Then you need to know to apply what you have learned in the workplace and your personal life. Burnout Burnout is one of the main reasons for the quick turnaround in the health care profession. â€Å"Burnout refers to physical, emotional, and psychological exhaustion accompanied by a sense of demoralization and diminishing caring and creativity and personal accomplishments†. (Hooyman p352) To avoid burnout to quickly, health professionals may need to take long weekends or vacations to rejuvenate themselves. Countertransference â€Å"Countertransference is broadly defined as the personal reactions elicited in the professional relationship, directed toward the client and stemming from the professional’s previous experiences.† (Hooyman p 355) Countertransference occurs when a health care provider has unresolved issues and those issues affect the patient. Countertransference reactions include but are not limited to: being overprotective, rejecting a client, needing constant approval or reinforcement. Self-awareness is necessary to avoid countertransference.

Business: Luxury Good and Competitive Advantage Essay

5. What is Coach’s strategy to compete in the ladies handbag and leather accessories industry? Has the company’s competitive strategy yielded a sustainable competitive advantage? If so, has that advantage translated into superior financial and market performance? A business strategy refers to the means by which it sets out to achieve its desired objectives and goals. Coach’s competitive strategy deals exclusively with management’s game plan for competing successfully and securing a competitive advantage over rivals Michael Kors, Salvatore Ferragamo, Prada, Giorgio Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, and Versace. The different types of strategies used by these companies include, but are not limited to, low-cost provider strategies, differentiation strategies, focused low-cost and differentiation strategies, and best-cost provider strategies. Coach Inc. ’s strategy that created the accessible luxury market in ladies handbags made it among the best-known luxury brands in North America and Asia and had allowed its sales to grow at an annual rate of 20 percent between 2000 and 2011, reaching $4. 2 billion. The company’s strategy focuses on five key initiatives. First, Coach built a market share in North America by 15 new full- price retail stores and 25 factory outlets. They have built a market share in Japan through the addition of 15 new locations. Coach seeks to raise brand awareness and build share in underpenetrated markets, including Europe and South America, and Asia, with 30 new locations planned in the region. It also looks to increase sales of products targeted towards men by offering dual gender lines. Lastly, Coach raised brand awareness and built market share through coach. com, global e-commerce sites, and social networking initiatives. Coach Inc. implements various advertising strategies, marketing strategies, sourcing strategies, and differentiation strategies, etc. Coach’s strategy, which focused on matching key luxury rivals in quality and styling while beating them on price by 50 percent or more, yielded a competitive advantage in attracting middle-income consumers desiring the taste of luxury, but also affluent and wealthy consumers with the means to spend more money. Another distinctive element was its multichannel distribution model, which included indirect wholesale sales to third-party retailers but focused primarily on direct-to-consumer sales. Coach appears to be using the best-cost provider strategy because it gives customers more value for their money while satisfying buyer expectations on key quality features, performance and service attributes. For example Coach uses attractive pricing to enable it to appeal to consumers who would not normally consider luxury brands, while the quality and styling of its products were sufficient to satisfy luxury consumers. Coach has the ability to do this through its factory outlet stores and its prices are way below the price of its competitors. Coach also displays differentiation by offering distinctive, easily recognizable luxury products that are extremely well made and provide excellent value. Coach has a unique approach to its differentiation. Each quarter, major consumer research is undertaken to define product trends, selection, and consumer desires. Monthly product launches enhance the company’s voguish image and give consumers reason to make purchases. They also use frequent product introductions because consumers always want the newest items and fashions. Coach sought to make consumer service experience an additional differentiating factor. It has agreed to refurbish or replace damaged handbags, regardless of the age of the bag. Through the company’s Special Request, customers were allowed to order merchandise for home delivery. Overall Coach displays a great mix of low cost and differentiation. A sustainable competitive advantage refers to a long-term competitive advantage that is not easily duplicable or surpassable by the competitors. Coach’s competitive advantage has proven to yield a sustainable competitive advantage. When it comes to anticipating fashion trends, Coach has 1 / 3 proven to be successful. Each year Coach interviews its customers through Internet questionnaires, phone surveys, and face-to-face encounters with shoppers at its stores. Such intense market research has helped Coach executives spot trends well before its competitors. This in turn has helped it to extend the brand far beyond the leather bags that long were its trademark and into watches, accessories, cosmetic cases, key fobs, belts, electronic accessories, gloves, hats, scarves, business cases, luggage, eyewear, fragrance, and clothing. According to the case study and further research, sales have grown an average of 29% over each of the past three years, fueling a strong 63% averaged return on invested capital during the same period. Currently Coach is a leading American marketer of fine accessories and gifts for women and men. Its sustainable competitive advantage is a result of employee engagement, supply chain capabilities, environmental conservation, and community. Coach seeks to hire and train the best employees in a supportive and engaging environment. Coach collaborates with their raw material suppliers and manufacturing partners. Coach continues to improve the way it makes it products in order to protect the resources of the environment. Coach also supports the local communities in which they operate. Results show that Coach has increased its net sales from $3,230,468 to $4,158,507, its market share increased by nearly 6%, and its common stock price is $60, which is a result of superior financial and market performance. 6. What are the strengths and weaknesses of Coach Inc.? What competencies and capabilities does it have that its chief rivals don’t have? What new market opportunities does Coach have? What threats do you see to the company’s future well being? Coach has many strengths and weaknesses. Coach strengths include its wide range of accessories such as its handbags, watches, accessories, cosmetic cases, key fobs, belts, electronic accessories, gloves, hats, scarves, business cases, luggage, eyewear, fragrance, and clothing. It is the leading luxury leather goods company in the United States, with expansion in Japan, China, and Asia. Coach has developed a respected reputation by providing their customers with quality products and its 70+ years of being in business. They do a great job of advertising through press releases, catalogs, internet, and shopping centers. Coach has a larger range of pricing which attracts lower income consumers and wealthier consumers. They also allow their products to be sold at stores (department and full price stores) and online. Coach prides themselves on creating customer value. However, Coach also displays weaknesses as well. They have a limited selection for men and a poor inventory turnover rate. Coach has no direct announcements to the public about the promotion of new products. Their new products first sell at full price which keeps the lower income consumers away. This could lead to the problem of selling more at their outlet stores versus their full price stores. Currently Coach relies on the United States, Japan, and Canada for the majority of its sales by not fully expanding into other countries. A core competency refers to a defining capability or advantage that distinguishes an enterprise from its competitors. Coach believes that external coaching and leadership workshops are powerful tools in increasing a leader’s awareness and insight on their management approach, which leads to core competencies and capabilities. Coach has the skill and expertise to create unique and differentiated luxury items at a lower cost than its competitors. It also has valuable physical assets, human assets, organizational assets, intangible assets, and alliances and cooperative ventures. All of these resources and capabilities are valuable, rare, hard to copy, and non-substitutable. Some of the defining characteristics that distinguish Coach from its competitors include its wide selection of luxury items, its low cost strategy, store location (outlet and full price), advertising, online shopping, meeting customer desires, superior value and quality, its direct-to-consumer channels and indirect channels, 970 wholesale locations in the United States and Canada, specialty retailers in 18 countries, and its relationships with consumers (customer loyalty). Coach’s strategy, which focused on matching key luxury rivals in quality and styling while beating them on price by 50 percent or more, yielded a competitive advantage in attracting middle-income consumers desiring the taste of luxury, but also affluent and wealthy consumers with the means to spend more money. Another 2 / 3 distinctive element was its multichannel distribution model, which included indirect wholesale sales to third-party retailers but focused primarily on direct-to-consumer sales. Coach has many new opportunities in its market of luxury goods. It has a high potential for increased sales with new product lines. The promotion in other countries can bring awareness to the brand and company. Its pricing can attract more customers because of the lower priced items compared to its competitors. Its online option of purchasing will increase as technology increases. Coach also has the opportunity to increase the number of stores in North America, expand stores in other countries, and use its flexible dependency on suppliers. However, Coach also faces numerous threats. There is always the threat of rivalry, competition, and substitutes in the luxury market. One of the major threats is counterfeit products and the economic downturn in the United States. Young adults and teens often go through phases of fashion and may later chose a different brand other than Coach. Coach faces exchange rate risks if they enter new foreign markets. Lastly there is a threat of not having enough stores around the world which could hurt the consumer market. These threats could hurt the well-being of the company, but its strengths and opportunities seem to outweigh them for the time being.

Is there microbial life in Mars Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Is there microbial life in Mars - Research Paper Example Most recently, scientists have come up with new and improved evidence to support their claims of life on Mars. The experiments, discoveries and propositions put forward by the scientists over the period of time regarding life on Mars are discussed further in the paper. The signs of microbial life first came into picture when the experiments of the Labeled Release (LR) apparatus turned out to be positive. This experiment tested on a sample of Martian soil by mixing it with a drop of water constituting of nutrients and radioactive carbon atoms. If the soil was positive for microbial life, the nutrients in the soil would be metabolized and radioactive gases such as methane or carbon dioxide would be produced. Control samples were also prepared by heating or isolating the samples that would kill any form of life if it existed. Control samples were also mixed with nutrient solutions; hence the control experiments provided a comparison. To the amusement and the excitement of the scientists , the LR experiment turned out positive for life. â€Å"The minute the nutrients were mixed with the soil sample, you got something like 10,000 counts of radioactive molecules- a huge spike from the 50 or 60 counts that constituted the natural background radiation on Mars† (Than). These were the earliest experiments performed by the NASA scientists in pursuit of their discovery for life on Mars. Although the LR experiments turned out positive but other space probes’ experiments were negative, making the existence of microbial life on Mars skeptical. Recently, the gas emissions on Mars have been linked to biological source. The experts believe that the chances for organisms to be a source of the gasses are quite explanatory and supportive of microbial life on Mars. The methane gas produced on the Red Planet is suspected to be produced by certain microbiological organisms. On the other hand, some scientists believe that methane can be a result of geological reasons i.e. volcanic processes. However, no active volcanoes have been discovered up till now on Mars. This evidence and explanation strengthens the probability of microbial life on Earth. Scientists have explained that methanogens, certain organisms, release methane as a waste product which dwells in the water beneath the underground ice. According to Prof Pillinger, â€Å"The most obvious source of methane is organisms. So if you find methane in an atmosphere, you can suspect there is life† (Staff Reporters). Miller and mathematician Giorgio Bianciardi, employed a cluster analysis technique on the Viking’s data. This technique groups together similar looking data. This analysis was performed to evaluate the realism of the experiments and investigate the outcome of the experiments. The technique turned out with two clusters; one with two active experiments and the other with five control experiments. The biological experiments from Earth sorted with the active experiments from Vi king exhibiting the validity of claims of microbial life on Mars. Another finding which supports the previous LR experiments is the Martian Rhythms. Circadian rhythms are internal clocks which can be found in every living thing, including microbes. On Earth the clock is set to 24 hour while on Mars it should be 24.7 hours, which is the duration of a Martian day. Miller noticed that the radioactive gas measurement sin the LR experiments exhibited a rhythmic rise during the day and decline during the night. The oscillations were in accordance with the Martian