Howard Husock s Turning Food Deserts Into Oases Why...

Howard Husock’s report â€Å"Turning Food Deserts into Oases – Why New York’s Public Housing Should Encourage Commercial Development† was published by the Manhattan Institute and selected for this reaction paper. The report tells us about the incentives offered in New York City (NYC) to provide access to fresh food for an affordable price in low-income neighborhoods. Husock also discusses the shortage of supermarkets in NYC, New York City Housing Authority’s (NYCHA’s) historical anti-commercial bias, NYCHA’s food deserts, changing NYCHA food deserts into oases, and the commercial rent revenue NYCHA could make from commercial development on NYCHA property. According to the report, tax, financial, and zoning incentives have been offered to attract supermarkets to low-income areas since 2009 via a program called FRESH – Food Retail Expansion to Support Health. The FRESH program was established after a 2008 report â€Å"Going to Market: New York City’s Neighborhood Grocery Store and Supermarket Shortage† confirmed that there was a shortage of supermarkets in NYC mostly because there is no space available to build and low-income neighborhoods, where many NYCHA properties are, is where supermarkets are needed the most. Also, zoning prohibit stores larger than 10,000 feet from being built without special permits and public review. For perspective, the definition of a supermarket shortage is helpful and is when there is less than 3 square feet of supermarket floor space per capita. The

Shale Gas An Exploration Depth Analysis - 2690 Words

Shale Gas: An In Depth Analysis TEJERA, STEPHANIE EVR3010 2077687 Top to bottom: One of the many plants in existence extracting shale oil, and the other of the shale reserves in the United States presented in a map, and are from www.metallirari.com and www.fracfocus.org. Index of Contents Title page†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.1 Index of Contents†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...2 Introduction†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...†¦3 Synopsis†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..4 Causes of Environmental Effects†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...†¦.5 - 6 Occurrence†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦....7 Social and Economic Impacts†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦....8 Personal Suggestions for Preservation and Recovery of the Environment†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.9†¦show more content†¦It is the same drilling we have done over the course of history and still to this date that has affected the environment. Petroleum and natural gas have been used for over 5000 years, in all parts of the world, and currently its use is steadily growing, causing new effects on our planet. Although there is an abundant amount of oil and gas within the core of our planet beneath major sources of water, eventually they will become scarce and overused, causing us to search for other means in other geographical territories, including on land. The more we discover about these sources of energy the better we understand them and eventually the more efficient we can be at conserving them (Estefani, 2013). As aforementioned, throughout history there have been many sources of fuel that have propelled man. Instead of choosing one and eventually letting it run its course after excessive use, we have exhausted all efforts trying to find other sources for use to help power the busy lives of our race. One such natural gas is shale oil. Shale gas is actually the refined version of shale oil. Shale oil, or marlstone, forms from the deposits of macrobiotic matter mixing with the sedimentary materials on the foundation of lakes at depths of about 3000 feet over a period of millions of years. Along with the plants and animals that die off and fall to the

Politics And Panama Canal Essay Example For Students

Politics And Panama Canal Essay During the Spanish-American War the warship Oregon was summoned from the WestCoast. The trip took two months to travel 14,000 miles around Cape Horn to theAtlantic. (The American Journey 741) How was the United States supposed todefend it shores if it took ships that long to get between them? The UnitedState had to build a canal through Central America; national security dependedon it. The Politics of the Panama Canal are confusing. This confusion includesthe building, the economics and the operation of this facility. The canal, beganin 1881 and finished in 1914(Dolan 55), has caused one country to fail, anotherto triumph, and another to gain its independence. There was a need for a canalthrough the isthmus of Central America. The big question was who would step upand build it. France had just lost the Franco-Prussian War against Germany. Thecountry felt that it had lost some prestige in eyes of other nations. Thereseemed only one certain way to restore its glory, undertake and compl ete themost challenging engineering feat in history. Build a canal through CentralAmerica and link the worlds two greatest oceans. (Dolan 53) The French chosePanama to build its canal because it was far narrower than Nicaragua, itscloset competitor. They obtained permission from Columbia to lay the waterway. (Dolan 53) A private company was founded in 1879 to raise the needed capital toundertake the construction. Appointed president of the company was Ferdind deLesseps, who had guided the construction of the Suez Canal. (Panama) The Frenchabandoned the project in 1889, due to a lack of funding. (Dolan 59) Now it wastime for the Americans to get involved. But there was one problem; they hadsigned a treaty with Great Britain that said, if one or the other decided tobuild a canal then the two countries would work together. This treaty was calledthe Clayton Bulwer Treaty. In 1901 the treaty was replaced with the Hay-Pauncefotetreaty. It called for Great Britain to give the United States the right to actindependently in the development of an Atlantic Pacific waterway. Why did theBritish agree to the treaty? They were tied up in the Boer War in South Africaand didnt want to split the bill on a canal? (Dolan 63) Now congress had todecide on where to dig the canal. The two main choices were Pana ma andNicaragua. Just days before the vote on the canal site, Philipee Benau-Varillaobtained ninety Nicaragua stamps that pictured a railroad dock with an activevolcano in the background, and sent them to all of the senators with a message:An official witness of the volcanic activity in Nicaragua. (Mcneese 78) Didit work? Panama got the go ahead. The United States now to get permission fromColumbia to dig in Panama. In 1902, John Hay, the U.S. Secretary of State begannegotiate with the Colombian government. An agreement was finally reached inJanuary 1903 in the signing of the Hay-Banau-Varilla Treaty, which granted theUnited States a strip of land 6 miles wide along the general route laid out byde Lesspes. The U.S. had the right to administer and police this zone. In returnthey would pay the Colombian government $10 million, and after nine years ofoperation Columbia would get an annual fee of $250,000. (Dolan 63) The treatyhad to be ratified in both the U.S. and Columbia before it c ould take affect. The U.S. gave its approval in March 1903, but the Colombian Congress said therewas not enough money for the right to dig in Panama. They wanted an additional$5 million from the Americans. They also objected to many of the points on theadministration of what was now known as the Canal Zone. (Dolan 64) When theColumbian Government refused to ratify the treaty, Panama revolted because theyfeared the United States would build through Nicaragua. After they declaredtheir independence from Columbia, President Theodore Roosevelt ensured thesuccess of the revolt when he ordered a U.S. warship to prevent Colombian troopsfrom entering the isthmus. (Panama) Now Panama had its independence and the U.S. The Effects of Music Therapy on Mentally Handicapp Essaycontrol over the zone. The question of sovereignty over the canal aroused deeppassions, which came to boil in 1964 with massive rioting by Panamanians, aresponse to U.S. troops, bloodshed on both sides. In the aftermath, PresidentLydon Johnson agreed to renegotiate the treaty related to the Panama Canal. (Conaway) In 1977 United States and Panama agreed on a new treaty. The mostsignificant agreement was the transferring of ownership of the canal to Panamato take the place on December 31, 1999. Also they agreed to cooperate in thedefense of the canal. The annual payment was upped to $ 10 million and was to bepaid from the canals revenue, plus a payment of 30 cents for each ton ofshipping. And when Panama took control of the canal it was free to employAmericans. (Dolan 128) Also included in the treaty was a neutrality clause. Thecanal is to remain open to merchant vessels of all nations indefinitely, withoutdiscriminations as to conditions or tolls. The clause does not allow the U.S. tointervene in the internal affairs of Panama. It does however give the UnitedStates and Panama the responsibility to insure that the canal remains open. (Crane 81) Though it was rich with symbolic significance the signing ceremony onSeptember 7, 1977, hardly ended the controversy over the treaties. Theratification battle in the U.S. Senate still lay ahead, and it called for theuse of every political tool available to President Carters team. It was abattle won vote by vote, through personal appeals, political accommodations, andoccasionally silly details. Carter recall one senator, a former collegeprofessor, was proud of a book he had written on semantics. Before meeting withhim to try to persuade him to vote for the treaties, Carter read the entire book? which was really boring ? and proved that he had by discussing someof its point with him. He eventually got the senators vote. (SecondDecade) In 1988 the canal became involved in a struggle for power in Panama. Manuel Noreiga had assumed military power over Panama. In response PresidentRonald Reagan decided to ban the annual payments to Panama and freeze Panamasassets in U.S. banks. This cut Noriega revenue by $180 million a year. (Dolan140) Facing a rapidly deteriorating situation, President Bush ordered U.S. troops into Panama on December 20 1989, to protect U.S. citizens, to meet treatyresponsibilities, to defend the canal, and to assist in restoring democracy andbring Noreiga to Justice. The Panamanian democratic opposition formed a newgovernment led by President Guillermd Endum. (Second Decade) Finally Panama wasunder democratic control and had something to look forward to. The turning overof the Panama Canal to Panama. No longer would their economic depend on howanother country wanted to run things. They now will decide how they want to runthe canal. And they will run it as the please because as of December 31, 1999,the day the U.S. turned over the canal, they owned the canal. Finally afterdecades of frustration they were truly free. Politics will undoubtedly have aninfluence in the maintaining, the economics, and the operation of the PanamaCanal in the years to come. They will help the canal expand in the lives of morePanamanians and maybe someday even building of another canal over the Isthmus ofPanama. BibliographyCrane, Phillip F: Surrender in Panama, the Case Against the Treaties. NewYork: Dale Books, 1978 Conaway, Janell. Americas. Jan 1999, 16. NewsBank,Online 1999 Dolan, Edward F.: Panama and the United States, Their Canal, andTheir Stormy Years. New York: Moffy Press Inc., 1990 McCullough, David: The PathBetween the Seas. New York: Simon a Schuster, 1977 McNeese, Tim. The PanamaCanal. San Diego: Lucent Books. Inc, 1997 Panama. The Volume Library. South Western Company, 1994 The Second Decade: Panama at the Canal Treaties. U.S. Department of Dispatch, 1990

The Eyes Of The Dragon (1228 words) Essay Example For Students

The Eyes Of The Dragon (1228 words) Essay The Eyes of the DragonAnnonymousAlthough it may seem quite absurd, the role of animalsin The Eyes of the Dragon is a very supreme anddignified part of the novel. Through the developmentof the novel, the animal kingdom roars novel from insects to dogs and theyall play their own, individual roles. The great black and white Anduan Huskynamed Frisky who is, out of all of her dogs, Naomi’s favorite, leads BenStaad and Naomi directly to the whereabouts of Dennis, Peter’s butler. Flagg’s animals are symbols of his plans for the downfall of Delain. Thedragon that is killed by King Roland may be considered the most the memorableof all. In this archetypal tale, Thomas sees Flagg murder Thomas’s fatherthrough the eyes of the dragon. In the end of the novel, though, all of theanimals’ roles fall into place. Frisky, Naomi’s companion, is a strong-willed, over-confident, Anduan Husky who may have been the â€Å"greatesttracking dog that ever lived.† This dog sums up themeaning of a man’s best friend. Frisky, who can track athree-day-old scent in the middle winter, is the reasonthe story takes place as it does. Just as arson dogshelp pinpoint the location of substances used to startfires, Frisky uses her keen sense of smell to pinpointexactly where Dennis, son of Brandon, has journeyed tofrom Peyna’s farmhouse. Dennis’s mission is to go backto the castle where Thomas the Tax-Bringer and Flagg,the king’s magician, live and are at high power. Peyna,who has just given up his Judge-General’s bench, has afeeling that there is some reason why Peter has askedfor the Royal Napkins and his mother’s dollhouse. Dennisis to find this reason by sending a letter to Peter,who is imprisoned at the time. Dennis journeys fromPeyna’s farm in the Inner Baronies back to the fearfulcastle with nothing except for the risks of gettingkilled. Five days later, with not a soul knowing thewhereabouts of Dennis, Naomi and Ben Staad (Peter’sbest friend) come upon the deserted farm. Naomi’s dogshave been pulling the sleds for thirty miles all theway from a snowy hollow in which they were camping. We will write a custom essay on The Eyes Of The Dragon (1228 words) specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now The two now feel helpless. With no clue on where therefriend had traveled to, they search diligently for anysigns of what they are to do next and find nothing atall. â€Å"If only there were a way to track him,† Ben saysand, thereafter, a light bulb lights in Naomi’s headlike the sun on a due-soaked morning (King 296). Thisis the epitome of where Frisky fits into the picture. After brief discussion and argument, Ben and Naomidiscover that there are traces of Dennis in thisabandoned shed but it cannot be detected by humans andFrisky’s sense of smell is like the â€Å"eyesight of a manwith the gaze of a hawk† (King 299). Stephen Kingsubstantially points out that Dennis’s scent is abright electric blue and that Frisky has the scentstored away in her â€Å"library of scents† (King 299). Frisky leads her companions far and high, throughmany miles of snow to the deserted farmhouse andeventually to a place in which they are forced to pause. astle moat. One may appear dumbfounded considering whyFrisky is referred to above as being ‘over-confident.’At the moat, after some minor conflict, the Anduan Husky personallyexpedites the situation and takes a leap of faith into the great sewerpipe which takes the travelers under the castle and directly to Dennis’slocation. Besides the fact that Frisky’s â€Å"noble nose† is a main theme andcould be considered by some a moral, there is more educational andentertainment values here than in any other part of the story. .ud0fc198e44aaecc8ef8d72977b096ca7 , .ud0fc198e44aaecc8ef8d72977b096ca7 .postImageUrl , .ud0fc198e44aaecc8ef8d72977b096ca7 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ud0fc198e44aaecc8ef8d72977b096ca7 , .ud0fc198e44aaecc8ef8d72977b096ca7:hover , .ud0fc198e44aaecc8ef8d72977b096ca7:visited , .ud0fc198e44aaecc8ef8d72977b096ca7:active { border:0!important; } .ud0fc198e44aaecc8ef8d72977b096ca7 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ud0fc198e44aaecc8ef8d72977b096ca7 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ud0fc198e44aaecc8ef8d72977b096ca7:active , .ud0fc198e44aaecc8ef8d72977b096ca7:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ud0fc198e44aaecc8ef8d72977b096ca7 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ud0fc198e44aaecc8ef8d72977b096ca7 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ud0fc198e44aaecc8ef8d72977b096ca7 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ud0fc198e44aaecc8ef8d72977b096ca7 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ud0fc198e44aaecc8ef8d72977b096ca7:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ud0fc198e44aaecc8ef8d72977b096ca7 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ud0fc198e44aaecc8ef8d72977b096ca7 .ud0fc198e44aaecc8ef8d72977b096ca7-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ud0fc198e44aaecc8ef8d72977b096ca7:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Russian Revolutions of 1917 EssayFlagg’s animals aide him in all of his attempts to doom the kingdom ofDelain. For example, the deathwatch spider that Flagg kept encaged fortwenty years is his way to attempt to kill Sasha, the King’s beloved wife. The spider has been feeding on newborn baby mice that are dying from poison. The spider is blood red and as big as a rat (King 31). Flagg squeezes thespider to death and mixes the deadly insides with a glass of brandy,something that Sasha drinks a glass of each night to help her sleep. Flaggrings for a servant to come and take the glass to her. Sasha never finds outhow close to death she came that night (King 33). Another example is themouse Flagg uses to set up Peter. Flagg is a very powerful magician. Withthis knowledge, no one would question Flagg’s abilities to place Dragon Sand,the most deadly substance of the time, into a box that he stole from Peterlong ago and hide the box, along with a cursed mouse, into a secret placethat, allegedly, only Peter knows about. Because the evidence of the crime isfound in a place that only Peterknows about, people begin to see a murderer’s facebehind a mask of affection and respect (King 116). Peteris then tried before a jury and taken to the top of theneedle where he is to spend the rest of his life. The reader is introduced to the dragon at the beginningof the novel when King Roland and others are hunting andire-breathing creature. The young dragon is killed whenthe brave King nocks his arrow, draws, and fires. Roland makes a direct hit in the spot under the dragon’sthroat where it takes in air to create fire (King 13). The dragon dies immediately. Otherwise called the Niner,the dragon’s head is hung up in King Roland’s sittingroom along with the head of every other animal in whichthe King had considered worth keeping (King 92). Thedragon’s head is a major secret of the castle. Flagg,being the magician he is, knows most secrets of thecastle (No one, not even he, know all of them) (King 81). Flagg, after Thomas has a bad day at a luncheon withhis father, shows the secrets to Thomas, for he has afeeling it may lead to mischief. This turns out to betrue. The secret is this: After one is led through amaze of corridors and through the â€Å"dim† door, he mustpress a certain stone in order to access the passagewaythat is revealed after the click is heard (King 89). Atthe end of the passageway, there are two little panels. After sliding these panels, one find himself behind theNiner and will discover that he can see directlythrough the dragon’s eyes. Though heeding Flagg’s advicenot to go too often, Thomas is watching the night inwhich Flagg poisons King Roland. But after Thomas isdeclared King, and years of dealing with terriblenightmares, Thomas discovers one thing: guilt andsecrets, like murdered bones, never rest easy (King 167). Stated in this collection of ideas is that the role ofthe animals in The Eyes of the Dragon is a supreme anddignified part of the novel. The reader must reread thenovel for any further confirmation. In conclusion, onecan now acknowledge that animals’ effect on howsomething takes place is important to everyday livingas well as important to the world of literature. Written by Michael Peebles in Hoover,ALcontact at:

Photosynthesis Essays

Photosynthesis Essays Photosynthesis Essay Photosynthesis Essay Essay Topic: Synthesis Photosynthesis is the combination of sugar from light, carbon dioxide and water with oxygen being a waste product. This process is possibly the most important biochemical path known. Nearly everything in our everyday lives depends on this process, we would not be alive right now if it werent for this cycle, this is due to the fact that us humans breath in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide, with plants it is the opposite; they take in carbon dioxide and take out oxygen, which we breathe in making it extremely important for us to have plants in order to respire.The process of photosynthesis is a very complex process.Here is a picture of an ordinary leaf. The leaf plays a major part in the process of photosynthesis, as it takes in the light which is later on made to glucosePhotosynthesis uses the energy of light to make glucose which keeps the plant alive. Just like we eat food to keep us alive and healthy, plants use the energy of the sun and water in order to stay alive and healthy. Plants use the energy of light to make glucose to stay alive. Below is the general equation for the process of photosynthesis:6 CO2 + 6 H2O + light à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ C6H12O6 + 6 O2Carbon Dioxide + Water + Light energy à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ Glucose + OxygenThe rate of photosynthesis depends on four factors: carbon dioxide, light intensity, chlorophyll and water (or other photosynthetic pigments). In order to find out the importance of these factors for photosynthesis, some experiments are carried out.Aim: My main purpose or aim of this coursework is to find out whether photosynthesis relies on all factors or whether the process can function without the use of sunlight or carbon dioxide or water etc.Factors that may affect photosynthesisThere are five main factors that may affect the rate of photosynthesis they are:1. Light intensity2. Co2 concentration3. Effect of chlorophyll4. The effect of temperature (main chosen coursework factor)The experiments and how to undergo th em1. Light IntensityThe aim of this experiment is to find out whether or not the intensity of light would affect the rate of photosynthesis in a plant. To do this, I used a piece of foil which had a triangular shape in the middle of it and masked it on a plant where their was an exposed region and a shaded region..After three hours the leaf was picked, observed and tested with iodine solution, following is the result..ResultWe can clearly see that the masked area has turned brown whilst the unmasked area has turned dark blue.EvaluationThe masked part had given us a negative result to the iodine test which proves that there is no photosynthesis occurring if their is no light. Starch is available in the exposed region. This proves to us that photosynthesis can be carried out in the presence of light.ConclusionDuring this experiment we have concluded that photosynthesis almost mainly depends on the presence of light. If there is no light resource available photosynthesis will not occur forcing the plant to die.2. Carbon dioxide concentrationThe aim or purpose of this experiment is to prove that photosynthesis cannot function without carbon dioxide. The experiment will be as follows..Two pots of the same type of plants are prepared inside plastic bags, both are kept in the same temperature with the same light intensity, the only difference is that soda lime has been added to plant A whilst there is no soda lime in plant B.Plant APlant BAfter three hours, the leaves where picked up, observed and tested with iodine solution. Below are the results..Plant APlant BResultPlant A remains brown whilst plant b has turned to dark blue.EvaluationIn plant A the soda lime has absorbed most of the carbon dioxide. In the absence of carbon dioxide the iodine test is negative. Starch is not produced throughout the experiment which proves that photosynthesis cannot take place without carbon dioxide. This means that carbon dioxide is one of the factors that are needed for photosynth esis. However in plant b, carbon dioxide is present in the plastic bag. The plant can produce starch which the iodine test has proved to us as it scored a positive score.3. Effect of ChlorophyllMy aim here is to find out whether chlorophyll affects the rate of photosynthesis or not. To do this I will carry out the following experiment.A pot of variegated plant is destarched by putting into a dark environment for one to two days before the experiment. A variegated leaf is used for testing because part of the leaf contains chlorophyll (or other photosynthetic pigments) while the rest does not. One of the variegated leaves is selected and exposed to light.After three hours the leaf is picked up, observed and tested with iodine solution, the result is shown in the following diagram.ResultThe non-green region of the leaf has remained brown, whilst the green region of the leaf has turned dark blue.EvaluationStarch is present in the green region. This proves that photosynthesis can be carr ied out in the presence of chlorophyll. While the non-green region gives a negative result to the iodine test. This experiment has proved to us that chlorophyll does affect the rate of photosynthesis.4. The effect of temperatureThis is my main chosen point of interest throughout the coursework.AimOur main aim is to find out whether temperature affects the rate of photosynthesis in a Canadian pondweed (this is a picture of Canadian pondweed).ApparatusTo undergo the experiment we needed the following items and apparatus:1. Sprigs of pondweed2. Boiling tubes filled with water3. Lamp4. Thermometer5. Ice6. Supply of constant hot water7. Tissues8. Ruler9. Beaker10. Bubble counter11. Scissors12. Tweezers13. TimerSafetyAlthough this experiment may seem harmless we must take full precautions at all times to avoid any injury possible, below are some things we should bare in mind whilst performing the experiment to avoid serious damage or injury:* Hot water can cause serious injury therefore w e must be very wary and attentive to where we pour it.* Scissors can also cause injury hence we should only stick to the task of cutting the pond weed not your partners hair.* The lamp is supplied by electricity and we are dealing with water in this experiment, splashing water around could cause an electric shock.Following these safety tips will lead to a happy learning injury free environment.PredictionAccording to my knowledge and understanding of this experiment I strongly believe that temperature affects the rate of photosynthesis.I also predict that 30à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½C should be the best temperature for the pondweed to photosynthesize, this is because I believe that this temperature is neither to hot nor too cold for the pondweed, hence it produces more bubbles, which represent oxygen.ResultsTemp. à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½CExperiment 1Experiment 2Experiment 3Average125845.6672018161516.333034363836401491111.33501000.333AnalysisAccording to our results in we can clearly see that 30à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½C is the best temperature for photosynthesis to take place. We know this because out of all the other four temperatures, 30à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½C is the most temperature that has produced the most bubbles. This is due to the fact that this temperature is neither too hot nor too cold it is the ideal temperature for photosynthesis to take place. Both 20à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½C and 40à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½C half produced approximately half the bubbles that 30à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½C has produced, both temperatures have produced a decent number of bubbles but both are not as effective as 30à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½C this is because 20à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½C is slightly cold which makes it more difficult for the pondweed to produce bubbles. 40à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½C was not as effective as 30à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½C because the temperature 40à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½C is somewhat hot and is not ideal for photosynthesis to take place in as the results have proven.The results have proven that 12à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½C is a temperature that negatively affects the rate of photosynthesis. It has been proven in the results to have released a low amount of bubbles during all 3 experiments; this is because this temperature is very low, too low for the pondweed to produce bubbles because it is too cold it may even die because of the cold temperature.We can clearly see from the result that out of all the five different temperatures 50à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½C was the least temperature to produce bubbles. This is because this temperature is very hot, too hot for the pondweed to produce bubbles. These temperatures may be to hot for the pondweed to take, resulting in the pondweed dyeing hence it produces little or no bubbles.ConclusionAfter analyzing, looking and observing our results we have concluded that 30à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½C is the best temperature for photosynthesis to take place in plants. This is because this temperature is not too hot nor too cold for the plant to photosynthesize.We have also concluded that temperature does affect the rate of photosynthesis in a plant. As we have tested the rate of photosynthesis at different temperatures and have come to realize that it plays an impact on the rate of photosynthesis which is represented in bubbles in this experiment.VariablesThere are some factors we must keep the same during the experiment to make it as fair as possible in order to get fair and accurate results, these factors are:* Type of plant (we have used pondweed throughout the test).* Volume of water.* Lamp distance (the lamp was always 30cm away).* All the experiments must be timed (5 minutes per experiment).Whilst there are factors we must change as part of the experiment to make it as fair as possible, they are:* Surrounding temperature.* Change the weed from the last experiment.** You may think this factor is weird, but it is vital to change the pondweed in every experiment, this is just incase your pondweed has died because the last or present temperature is too hot or too cold. Therefore it is advised that you change the pondweed in every experiment.MethodThe method we used in order to undergo the experiment was basic and straight forward. We placed a standard pondweed in a testube filled with water, after diagonally cutting the end part of the weed in order to score sufficient and fair results.We placed this testube inside a beaker; this beaker was filled with water which varied in temperature according to what temperature we needed. We placed a lamp 30cm away from the plant, and after ensuring we had used the right temperature of water by using a thermometer, we began the timer and began to look closely for bubbles. After a period of five minutes we stopped counting the bubbles, the results are available in the results section of the coursework. Here is a diagram of the experiment..EvaluationI believe the experiment went well just as planned and worked out very well. I am confident about this because the results I got where the pretty much the same as the professional scientific results.I also believe that my results where accurate eno ugh to prove that my prediction was correct. As I predicted that 30à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½C would be the most suitable temperature for photosynthesis to take place. We can see that this prediction is correct by looking at the graph.The method I used in order to carry out the experiment in my opinion was as fair as possible. I changed the pondweed every time in order to get a fair result, I also used the same volume of water each time to make sure that it does not effect the rate of bubbles released.If I had the opportunity to repeat the experiment I would try to measure the rate of photosynthesis at more temperatures, this would give me a clearer result and will indicate to me perfectly which temperature is most suitable for the most amount of bubbles given of from the Elodea.

Free Online GED Testing and Resources

Free Online GED Testing and Resources We do so much online today that it seems natural to expect to be able to take the GED test online, too. Can you? Nope. There was some confusion when, in 2014, the GED test became computer-based. You now take the GED test on a computer, but not online. Theres a very big difference between computer-based and online. You can find free practice GED tests online in several places, but when youre ready to sit down for the actual test, you need to take it at a certified testing center, in person. The good news is that they are all over America, even in the smallest communities, so chances are very good that there is one near you. Google Adult Education in your town or city, or look it up in the phone book, if you still have one. So what kinds of GED prep resources can you find online? Plenty! Online High Schools - Thumbs Up or Down? Many people choose to attend an online high school. Are they safe? Some are. Youll need to do some serious homework. Its especially important to be sure the school you choose is accredited. What does that mean? Learn why  accreditation is important  before you sign up for any online high school. Online Prep If you just want some help prepping, and arent interested in signing up for a school, there are plenty of places online that offer lessons and practice tests. We list several of them in this article, Free Online GED Practice Tests and Free GED Classes. Remember that most communities, whether small or huge, have literacy councils that offer free tutoring for adults and children in many, many subjects, including GED, English, math, reading, and pretty much anything you need help with. Ask. If you have trouble finding them, check with the local newspaper. Theyll be sure to know. Studying for Your GED at   Home Earning a GED can be embarrassing, so many people choose to study at home, and now that there are so many resources available on the Internet, studying at home is so much easier. We have some tips for you in this article, Ways to Study for Your GED/High School Equivalency Diploma at Home Scams There are a lot of scams out there, and the people running them are pretty heartless. Please do not fall for offers that claim you can take the GED test online. Theyre all scams. They want your money, lots of it, in exchange for a meaningless piece of paper. Dont think employers or schools will fall for these fake certificates. Theyre smarter than that. So you will have lost good money and gotten absolutely nothing in return. Earn your GED the right way and be proud of it. And remember, you must take your GED test at a certified testing center, in person. Find a center near you by going to your states GED website or to the GED Testing Service.

Leadership and Change Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Leadership and Change - Essay Example This study outlines that Paul Hersey and Ken Blanchard developed a model known as the Situational Leadership theory. This theory states that there is not only one best way to perform leadership. Leadership style depends upon the situation which arises in the company. A particular leadership style is not applicable in all organizational situations, as different situation demand different leadership style. Effective leadership depends upon the task given, and the most appropriate leaders are the ones who react to the leadership style in accordance with the maturity of the group. Yes, the video was impressive as it acknowledged me with the situational leadership concept. It helped me to understand the reason behind Hersey-Blanchard success. They focused on four leadership behaviors, they are telling, selling, participating and delegating. They even focused on four maturity behaviors. They are competence, willingness, motivation and group competence.

Managing Cultral Diversity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Managing Cultral Diversity - Essay Example Employing a diverse workforce helps the organization to deal with diverse groups of clients. However, these companies will need to have effective diversity and inclusion strategies in order to retain their diverse workforce. This paper will seek to analyze how Nike, Adidas, and Puma handle diversity through a review of information on their websites. The company with the best diversity policy would be the best to work in for most people on the job market. For Nike, their mission has to do with the athletes and innovation, as well as inspiration that they give these athletes. Additionally, the company has various guiding principles that they expect their staff to adhere to, including that their main goal is innovation and that they should maintain Nike’s brand image (Nikeinc.com 1). When it comes to diversity, Nike’s website has a lot of information on their policy for inclusivity. According to their website, Nike relies on a diverse workforce in order to diversify their perspective, background, and opinion. They also harness their diversity to inspire ideas and innovation. From their website, it is clear that innovation is a central theme. In fact, Nike has a Diversity and Inclusion team whose responsibilities include sharing the essential nature of diversity and inclusion with the aim of building understanding and awareness, the utilization of diversity and inclusion in order to create inspiration for new ideas, and to encourage connections between players in their supply chain and within the organization (Nikeinc.com 1). According to the website, Nike also develops Nike Networks that seek to aid Nike in making increased strides towards diversity (Nikeinc.com 1). For example, in the United States, there are six networks for employees that are designed to focus on important communities working for the company. Each of the network’s intended purpose is to improve work performance, professional development, assist the company to recruit divers e skilled employees, and improve interaction and teamwork across their various work groups. These networks are central to the company given their prominence on their website, and they include the Native American employee network, the Latino employee network, the African American employee network, Asia-Pacific employee network, and the LGBT employee network (Nikeinc.com 1). The next website of the study was that belonging to Adidas, which also dealt with the issue of diversity, albeit not as prominently as Nike. The Adidas group, like Nike, aims to become the global leader in the industry by creating brands that have a passion for sports and the accompanying lifestyle (Adidas-group.com 1). Information on the website says that they are committed to the continuous strengthening of their products and brands to improve their competitiveness, that they are leaders in design and innovations seeking to aid athletes in reaching their highest skill levels with each product, and that they are focused on their clients with continuous improvements in quality (Adidas-group.com 1). In addition, the company is also a global entity with increased focus on environmental and social responsibility, which seeks to embrace diversity and creativity, whereas also being financially rewarding to shareholders, as well as employees. According to Adidas’

Associate Level Material Essay Example for Free

Associate Level Material Essay Directions: Choose one of the Facts for Consideration sections from Ch. 3 of the text and list the page number for the section you chose. Then, complete the following table. List five threats appropriate to the environment from the section you chose. Rate the risk for each threat from 0 (low) to 10 (high). Then, list five appropriate countermeasures. Once you complete the table, write a brief explanation of the countermeasures for the two threats with the highest risk total, stating how the countermeasure reduces the risk associated with that threat. The inmate escape is very important. If there are extra guards then it will be easy to prevent this from happening, especially since some trips can take up to 48 hours to complete. With all the stopping (two to eight stops on any given trip) and going it would be great to have the countermeasure. When it  comes to inmates taking over the van, I feel as though that is something that can happen even if there are two officers on the van. Inmates are strong and they always have something up their sleeves. So if we were to take the countermeasure and actually have them checked before they get on the van and then handcuffed it makes the ride safer and less threatening.

Essay --

One third of the United States population complains of insomnia, with about one More than 40% of those suffering from insomnia self- medicate with over the counter drugs (OTC) or with other substances such as alcohol. 2 half of those are saying it’s serious.1 Insomnia is defined by inability to initiate or maintain sleep despite of adequate time and opportunity to sleep which results in daytime impairment.2 time it’s characterized as problems with either sleep onset, sleep maintenance, or non- restorative sleep. Impairments associated with insomnia can lead to: impaired cognitive functioning, increased incidence of bodily pain, increased future risk of psychiatric disorders, increased risk of accidents, and increased healthcare cost.3 also have negative health consequences on obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.4 There are four different types of insomnia.2,5 3 days in duration, most likely cause is acute situational or environmental stressors. Second is short term insomnia less than 3 weeks caused by personal stress of an ongoing nature. Third type is chronic primary insomnia with duration of more than 3 weeks not related to lifestyle may be due to medical causes. Finally the forth type is a chronic secondary insomnia with duration of more than 3 weeks related to lifestyle likely caused psychological illness, substance abuse, behavioral cause(poor sleep hygiene). Secondary chronic insomnia may be caused by comorbid diseases such as: heart failure, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, sleep apnea, medications, substance abuse, restless leg syndrome or circadian rhythm sleep disorders. As far as the medications are concerned possible medication classes that cause insomnia are antidepressant... ... choice for sleep onset insomnia. Appropriate drugs may include zaleplon, zolpidem IR, ramelteon and triazolam. However, rebound insomnia may be a problem with short acting benzodiazepines like triazolam. Moreover, sleep maintenance insomnia are most appropriately treated with drugs that have an intermediate duration and no active metabolites to minimize daytime effects such as : zolpidem, eszopiclone, temazepam, and estazolam may be appropriate choices. Also, zaleplon can be taken after awakening in the night if > 4 hr left for sleep. Attached are the tables with drug treatment options for insomnia, and questionnaires to assess the initial insomnia and post treatment. Nevertheless sedative-hypnotics should only be used in the lowest effective dose (to decrease the next day morning impairment) for a short duration of time in treatment of insomnia.

Biopure Corporation

DATE:March 16, 2013 TO:Carl Rausch President and CEO of Biopure Corporation FROM:Hoang, Ann and Mishra, Ravi RE:Whether and When to Launch Oxyglobin Biopure needs to determine the best course of action to launch two new products, Oxyglobin a blood substitute for the veterinary market and Hemopure a blood substitute for the human market. Oxyglobin has been approved for commercial use and is ready for launch while Hemopure is expected to be FDA approved within two years. Biopure needs to decide whether and when to launch Oxyglobin.If decided to launch, the ability to price Oxyglobin appropriately is critical to minimize the impact of prospective launch for Hemopure. We believe Oxyglobin should be launched immediately because of realized potentials and benefits. The potentials are: to create a brand image for blood substitutes, to create a competitive advantage by first launch, to have the benefit of â€Å"go to market† with production, sales and distribution, and to create reven ues to launch Hemopure. The potential revenues earned from Oxyglobin could be used toward building another facility for manufacturing of Hemopure.The possible obstacles Biopure might encounter with Oxyglobin are: veterinarians may not recommend and/or perform blood transfusions, the ability to produce Oxyglobin when Hemopure is launched, and Biopure has little or no experience with launching of high R&D profile products. Oxyglobin can be launched successfully because it is FDA approved and will be first in the market as animal blood substitute. As indicated on the survey, veterinarians may not recommend the use of it because it is an expensive product; however, pet owners showed interest and preferred to be informed of alternative treatments for their pets.Therefore, Oxyglobin should be launched with a starting price of $200 per unit. Biopure should use in-house sales force to distribute Oxyglobin to save approximately 30% of the fees charged by the third party distributors. By laun ching Oxyglobin, Biopure will create revenues to continue with research and development for Hemopure. When Hemopure is launched, the marketing and distribution issues encountered during Oxyglobin launch can be avoided. Based on the SWOT analysis shown (Table 1: SWOT Analysis for Oxyglobin), we believe Biopure should start selling Oxyglobin immediately.To address Ted Jacobs’ argument regarding the size of the veterinary market and the price sensitivity, which may impact Hemopure’s price when launched; we believe that because of the physical characteristics of these two products (Oxyglobin is targeting veterinary market and Hemopure targeting human market), pricing would not be a major concern for the following reasons. Launching of Oxyglobin will create a competitive advantage because Oxyglobin is unique, first of its kind, first to market, and with no competition. Oxyglobin will achieve prominence as a breakthrough discovery product of the century.It would take the com petitors between 2 to 5 years for a new product to get approved and ready for market. Oxyglobin will proliferation Biopure’s reputation, credibility and have a greater impact on an IPO when the company decides to go public. Oxyglobin will generate revenues to boost Biopure development efforts ahead of its competitors in obtaining FDA approval for launching of Hemopure. Biopure will have a better knowledge and understanding of market strategies based on lessons learned from launching of Oxyglobin.In two years, Biopure would also have established a robust distribution network in time for launching of Hemopure. Launching of Oxyglobin will also minimize Biopure overall potential risks; if Oxyglobin fails, then the lessons learned would help to alter strategic decisions for launching of Hemopure (see Table 2: SWOT Analysis for Hemopure). Based on our analysis, we recommend that launching of Oxyglobin at this point instead of waiting for two years or more to launch Oxyglobin with H emopure represents the best solution to the primary concern facing Biopure at this time.If launched together, Biopure may be able to sell at a high price, and make more profit with per unit cost for both products. The overall profit would be minimal because there would not be as many units of each product to sell since Biopure has to share the same facility to manufacture Oxyglobin and Hemopure. Biopure would also lose out on the potential revenues it will generate to increase production capacity for Hemopure. There would be zero profit for two years which will not bode well with the stockholders. Exhibits STRENGTHS |WEAKNESS | | | | |FDA approval for commercial use as blood substitutes for the |Undesirable side effect such as discoloration of urine and | |veterinary market |gastrointestinal problems | |Competitive advantage, first company to receive approval for blood |Single manufacturing facility for Oxyglobin and Hemopure. |substitute of any type |Small veterinary market for Ox yglobin | |No competition for Oxyglobin |Price sensitivity within the veterinary market | |Possible brand image for â€Å"blood substitute† |No established network of distributors | |Sufficient source material e. . blood of cattle to support the full |Annual capacity of 300,000 units | |production capacity | | |Raw materials cost is $1. 0 per unit | | |OPPORTUNITIES |THREATS | | | | |Establish brand image/position for â€Å"blood substitute† products |Lower the market price for Oxyglobin may result inability to recoup | |Success of Oxyglobin will bring opportunity for Hemopure |development costs | | |Negative impact on the ability to appropriately price Hemopure | | |Competitors to enter the veterinary market with their own product | |Table 1: SWOT Analysis for Oxyglobin | |STRENGTHS |WEAKNESS | | | |Stored at room temperature |Single manufacturing facility for Oxyglobin and Hemopure. | |Disease free |Annual capacity of 150,000 units | |Longer shelf life for up to 2 years |Universal blood substitute | |Immediately 100% efficient at transporting oxygen |Short half-life | |Purity, efficacy and convenience |Potential of higher toxicity | |Raw materials cost is $1. 0 per unit | | |OPPORTUNITIES |THREATS | | | | |Experience in marketing of Oxyglobin |FDA rejects Hemopure | |Advantage for brand image for â€Å"blood substitutes† from Oxyglobin |Competition from Baxter’s HemAssist and Northfield’s PolyHeme | |Increase in demand for blood substitute is expected to increase with | | |the aging population | | |Table 2: SWOT Analysis for Hemopure |

China Communist Party

Communist Victory The victory of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) over the Nationalist faction in the Chinese Civil War was a direct result of numerous influences, both internal and external. However, three important reasons for the CCP’s victory can be attributed to the Japanese attack and occupation of China during World War II, the CCP’s treatment of the Chinese people, and the political failures of the nationalist forces. The combination of these historical events provided a situation that allowed the CCP to defy the odds and take over China.The Japanese invasion of China in 1937 was the setup for the eventual success of the CCP. Although it cost the CCP manpower and resources, the Japanese attack allowed for the formation of a political environment that favored the spread of the communist party. The Japanese help legitimize the CCP by singling it out as a special enemy and instructing the Japanese supported puppet government in the job of exterminating the communi sts in their jurisdictions. The phrase, â€Å"the enemy of my enemy is my friend† applies in this situation.After the mistreatment the Chinese population endured under Japanese occupation, it is easy to comprehend why the Chinese people would gravitate towards a group that was so despised by their main tormenter. The added attention that the CCP received from the Japanese occupiers showed the Chinese people that the CCP was a force to be reckoned with, and a possible threat to Japanese interests in China. This publicity put the CCP’s in the minds of the people as a counter to the Japanese. The Japanese invasion left a power vacuum for the CCP to fill.As the Japanese forces advanced, â€Å"the traditional ruling elite evacuated†¦ and left peasants to defend for themselves during the eight years of occupation. † This allowed for the CCP to move in to the areas without leadership and gave the CCP the opportunity to win over public support. The Japanese militar y expansion into the region forced the KMT forces out of the area, but as Japanese units left the area, the CCP moved in, taking the place of the KMT government. The invasion of China also changed how the peasants viewed China as a whole.Before the invasion, the people â€Å"were a passive element in politics†¦absorbed in local matters and only had the dimmest sense of ‘China’. † However, the Japanese invasion changed how many peasants saw their role in greater population, and focused more on issues like â€Å"national defense, citizenship, treason, legitimacy of government, and the long-range betterment of the Chinese state. † The Japanese attacks on the Chinese people motivated them into shifting their thinking. They now had to think about who was going to protect their lives and property.With both nationalist and communist factions fighting the Japanese army, the interactions of the people and anti-Japanese forces would influence on what side the p eople agreed. In Edgar Snow’s Red Star Over China, Snow shares his account of what he witnessed during his time in China reporting on the actions of the communist party. Snow noticed, â€Å"most of the peasants†¦seemed to support the communists and the Red Army†¦and when asked whether they preferred it to the old days, the answer was nearly always an emphatic ‘yes. † Snow provides detail about the policies that allowed the peasants to favor the new communist rule in their region, writing that, â€Å"the Reds gave land to the land-hungry peasants, †took land and livestock from the wealthy classes and redistributed them among the poor. † The CCP polices also allowed for upper classes to not lose everything but rather †both the landlord and the rich peasant were allowed as much land as they could till with their own labor. † Although some may question the total accuracy of Snow’s work, it cannot be disputed that the policies Snow refers to did indeed influence the people into supporting the communists.Another key point on how the CCP won over the peoples’ support is the rules and policies to which Mao’s followers were forced to adhere. Simple orders like do not steal, return what your borrow, replace what you break, and be courteous allowed the CCP to earn the loyalty of the Chinese people. The communists showed special effort in appealing to women, as they hoped to win over a group of people who were traditionally an oppressed class. Instead of using only force, this respectful behavior towards the people wooed them into the supporting the CCP. The CCP actively took the communist message to the people.The communist way was presented as an ideal society for the Chinese to thrive under, and offered hope to the masses. The CCP sent out propagandists and troupes of actors teaching and entertaining the people the new superior communist way. Nationalist feelings were also stirred by the CCP in the war against the Japanese, aiding in uniting the people under the organized communist resistance. The KMT also played a vital role in the eventual communist victory in main land China. Before the second Sino-Japanese War began in 1937, the KMT focused not on the growing Japanese threat, but instead the communist faction in China.The communist forces retreated, but were not entirely eliminated. This move left open the opportunity for the CCP to grow, adapt and eventually take on the nationalist forces again at a later time. The war with Japan highlighted the failures of the nationalist regime. Hsi Chi in his work Nationalist China at War states that the abuse of the people at the hands of the nationalists â€Å"made the government appear in the people’s eyes as symbol of oppression and exploitation, and provoked widespread disillusionment and alienation among the people.This attitude in relation to the government allowed for the CCP to have a better chance at persuading t he people to join the communist movement. This failure to gain the support of the people is seconded by a soldier in the nationalist army in a letter to America. The soldier, Rau Huang, writes, â€Å"In the early stages of our war against the communists, our government was negligent in not seeking the support of the masses†¦the communists did not neglect this opportunity†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The communist victory in the Chinese Civil War was a major moment in the 20th century.The communist had the fortune to have an environment that allowed their efforts to carry on despite being targeted by two other factions. A prolonged Japanese invasion permitted the CCP to move into regions and garner support from the people that may not have been available otherwise. Without a Japanese attack, a sense of nationalism may have been harder to produce from the populace. The party’s organization and methods to gain the support of the masses would prove vital in the victory as well, showing th e people a new future that could be achieved.The nationalist forces were defeated in part because they didn’t eliminate all the communists before the war with Japan, and their own disorganization and inability to gain support from the people proved to be too much to overcome. Certainly, these are not the only reasons why the CCP succeeded in taking control of China, but these elements each played their part in the puzzle that led to final victory of the Chinese Communist Party. Works Cited Babb, Geoff, â€Å"The Chinese Civil War† (presentation, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, October 29, 2012). Chi, Hsi. Nationalist China at War: Military Defeats and Political Collapse, 1937-45.Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 1982. Huang , Ray. â€Å"Letter From Nanking. † Military Review, December 1948. Johnson, Chalmers. Peasant Nationalism and Communist Power, etc. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1966. Snow, Edgar. Red Star over China. New York: Grove Press , 1968. ——————————————– [ 1 ]. Johnson, Chalmers. Peasant Nationalism and Communist Power, etc. (Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1966), 32. [ 2 ]. Johnson, Peasant Nationalism and Communist Power, 70. [ 3 ]. Johnson, Peasant Nationalism and Communist Power, 69. [ 4 ].Johnson, Peasant Nationalism and Communist Power, 69. [ 5 ]. Snow, Edgar. Red Star Over China. (New York: Grove Press, 1968), 222. [ 6 ]. Snow, Red Star Over China, 222. [ 7 ]. Snow, Red Star Over China, 222. [ 8 ]. Babb, Geoff, â€Å"The Chinese Civil War† (presentation, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, October 29, 2012). [ 9 ]. Babb, â€Å"The Chinese Civil War†. [ 10 ]. Babb, â€Å"The Chinese Civil War†. [ 11 ]. Chi, Hsi. Nationalist China at war: military defeats and political collapse, 1937-45. (Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 1982), 190. [ 12 ]. Huang , Ray. â€Å"Letter From Nanking. † Military Review, December 1948.

Ethical dilemma of a patient’s refusal of blood transfusion The WritePass Journal

Ethical dilemma of a patient’s refusal of blood transfusion Introduction Ethical dilemma of a patient’s refusal of blood transfusion IntroductionUtilitarian approachDeontological approachMorality versus religionMy personal viewConclusionReferencesRelated Introduction In the analysis of this ethical dilemma we assess a case of a 20-year-old, pregnant, black Hispanic female presented to the Emergency Department (ED) in critical condition following a car accident. She displayed signs and symptoms of internal bleeding and was advised to have a blood transfusion and emergency surgery in an attempt to save her and the foetus. She refused to accept blood or blood products and rejected the surgery as well. Her refusal was based on a fear of blood transfusion due to her religious beliefs. The ethical dilemma presented is whether to respect the patients autonomy and compromise standards of care or ignore the patients wishes in an attempt to save her life. Her religious values are at stake. The issues concerning her values are the right or wrong of her actions and the acceptance, reputation or embarrassment of her decision in the social world. This case demonstrates dilemmas faced by healthcare professionals caring for patients in critical, life-threatening situations who have divergent views and values contrary to what is offered as a solution to their predicament. In the analysis of the ethical dilemma surrounding this particular case, we make explorations basing on two principle approaches; utilitarianism and deontology. This is in an endeavour to find the right moral balance and/or stand between the patient’s view and value and that of the healthcare professional seeking to intervene to restore her to health. Utilitarian approach Utilitarianism believes that the moral standing of an action, whether right or wrong, is dependent entirely on its consequences. This theory holds that the course of action that is considered proper is one that maximizes utility, maximizing happiness and reducing pain/suffering. In this approach, the worth of an action is only determined by outcome or result, consequent to that action. It therefore is a form of consequentialism (Paul and Elder, 2006). For our purpose and appropriate in this context, Mill (1998) argues that the morality of the action depends entirely upon the intention that is, upon what the agent wills to do. Intention, in it being a foresight of consequences, constitutes the moral position of the act, whether right or wrong. I acknowledge that what is morally right and best for her in the values that she has expressed, is her religious stand and affiliation in which the medical interventions proposed are denounced. At the same time, however, and under the circumstances, her health risks might lead to miscarriage and there is likelihood that they might also eventually lead her into depression. In the utilitarian view, the young lady in this situation risks losing her own life and that of the foetus she carries if she does not allow the blood transfusion and surgical procedure to bring her to health. The doctors and nurses therefore have to consider her life first. Her circumstance is considered as legally enforceable and specific according to the Benthams tradition right (1816), assigning to law the role to define inviolable rights to protect the well-being of the individual (Hart, 1973). The utilitarian approach is a straight forward way to determine the best possibilities for all involved, balancing pleasure over pain for everyone (Paul and Elder, 2006). According to this principle, it is better to maximize equality between the lady and her foetus, and in view of her severe pain, to go ahead and perform the blood transfusion and emergency surgery. With this approach, I assume that later in a better state of health and recovery and after saving her life, she will console and will reconcile her moral stand with her predicament. The physicians therefore have the moral right to override the young ladys refusal of the blood transfusion. Also useful in the argument and supporting the judgment for blood transfusion that the doctor may (or must) seek to override the patients refusal are two ethical principles. These are the principle of non-maleficence and the related principle of beneficence. The principle of non-maleficence requires the doctor to avoid harm where possible (Paul and Elder, 2006). So, withholding a proven, beneficial treatment would likely have the effect of producing harm. On the other hand, the principle of beneficence, which is inherent in the maximization of benefits and minimization of harm (Paul and Elder, 2006), could also be useful in support of the argument for the duty to administer the blood transfusion against the patients expressed will. However, this assumption and what society regards as of best interest to the patient should not be determinative of what is ideally her individual best interest. Overriding her wishes and not taking her religious views into account in going ahead with the blood transfusion and intervention might lead to a far worse situation for her. Among the possible eventualities after her treatment is depression, which might result from feeling that she has gone against the rules and expectations of her religion which are very important to her. Her situation might also be worse if she gets eliminated from her church for going against the rules of her religion. She might lose acceptance from her family members and friends. These eventualities might lead to the deterioration of her health, which by taking the contrasted utilitarian approach and our assumptions, we intend to protect. This eventuality will therefore thwart our best intentions. Deontological approach A more appropriate approach, more suitable to determine what is best for her, is Deontology and especially the philosophical tradition of Immanuel Kant. Unlike utilitarianism which is focused on the outcomes, consequences and eventualities of actions, Deontological ethics often referred to as duty-based ethics, are concerned with what people do, their actions. It is the belief that people have a duty to do the right thing, even it produces more harm (or less good) or a bad result than do the wrong thing (Wood, 1999). Kant gives a categorical imperative to act morally at all times. One was that it was wrong to act in a way that treats others as mere means, rather than end in themselves. According to Kant, persons are made special by a distinctive set of principally psychological capacities which includes self-consciousness and rationality, a distinct capacity for personhood (Wood, 1999). This view is founded on two basic principles; first, a person has the distinctive ability to think and to act rationally, best expressed when they behave morally or as a moral community. Secondly, people have dignity and are valuable in a distinctive way, a unique, intrinsic value that has no exchange value. This is in contrast to things which have an exchange value such as a coat whose value is equivalent to the money paid for it (Wood, 1999). According to Deontology, it will be wrong to undermine her autonomy and flout her dignity treat her as a mere means. It is better, therefore, to respect her religious belief and respect her decision not wanting to have the blood transfusion. Respect for the patients principles and her status as a competent adult mandates that doctors should comply with her expressed wishes even if the predicted outcomes are unfavourable or may result in death. It is her choice as a self-conscious, rational adult with intrinsic capacity to evaluate and know what is morally right and acceptable for herself. Morality versus religion For many religious people, and especially those in monotheistic religions, morality and religion are the same they are inseparable. For them, it is either that religion is their morality or that morality is part of their religion (Childress, et al., 1986). Religions have frameworks of values through which adherents are guided in determining right and wrong. The monotheistic religions derive ideas of right and wrong by the rules and laws set in their respective holy books and by their religious leaders (Childress, et al., 1986). For adherents like our patient, the rules set out and as interpreted by religious leaders are absolute and there are dire consequences for flouting such rules. For most monotheistic religions, flouting rules and values is considered sin, a failure that leads to punishment in the after-life. The patient in this instance expresses a fear of blood transfusion due to her religious beliefs, possibly a fear of dire consequence such as future punishment. This absolutism and the derivation of values from deity and holy books can hardly be challenged by rational criticism and explanations that seek to give some worth to disallowed practices and procedures such as blood transfusion in this particular case. My personal view There can be different opinions and points of view about what should be done with the patient in the analysis of this ethical dilemma. There can be different possibilities and we may never reach clear and generally agreeable conclusions with regard to what is morally right in this case, with our conclusions and inferences dependent on our varied ideas and beliefs over morality based on varied religious, societal and cultural backgrounds, among other influences. With the well-being of the individual protected as an inviolable right in the utilitarian approach, and since under the circumstance, the patient risks losing her life, risks miscarriage and possible depression as consequences of her refusal of intervention, the doctors and nurses have to consider her life first as legally enforceable and specific. The related principles of non-maleficence and beneficence provide useful support for the argument requiring that the doctor, with the knowledge of the necessity of the intervention, avoids harm by not withholding such beneficial treatment. This makes the assumption that it is for the patients individual good that she receives treatment even if her expressed will has to be overridden. Although the patients autonomy should be respected as it is her life and at her age she is a competent adult, in this case, she will have to deal with the consequences of the blood transfusion in the future, when in a position of health and when her death has been avoided. This decision is justified based on my opinion to maximize the patient’s high quality of well-being on J. S Mill’s Principles of Utility (1806-1873).   Mill (1998) states that the principle of utility does not mean that any given pleasure or exemption from pain (such as health) is to be looked upon as a means to happiness, and so to be desired. They are desired and desirable in and for themselves; besides being a means, they are a part of the end, a part of the happiness. An acknowledgement of the importance of her religion to her is, however, essential and is considered to be an important part of the argument put forth. Her religious stand and affiliation makes her wary of blood transfusion and represents the morally right position for her. I consider that under the principle of utility applied to this context, blood transfusion, if performed against her expressed will, would cause the patient unhappiness and pain in the future. However, considerations of future stigma and loss of acceptance, or depression resulting from her reaction to these consequences are only possible if she manages to survive her current predicament. It is therefore a priority and a greater good, that she receives such an intervention and manages to survive and that her unborn child also survives. I feel that she has a right to be accepted by the church and her family despite the decisions she makes, with the realization in all rationality that the blood transfusion, though considered a ‘mistake’ or ‘sin’, serves to get her to health and possibly to save her life after the accident. It is not an intended procedure that she willingly sought, but is necessitated by her medical predicament after the accident. She wouldn’t have to have the procedure in a state of adequate health and well-being. I would in this case, therefore, appeal for such rational consideration among the people in her social circle, with the acknowledgement of her predicament and respect for her autonomy and individual capacity and competence. I also consider the people she is associated with and her unborn child and the possible impact her unhappiness would bring them in future. I am aware that this conduct of blood transfusion could upset her family and church and cause some conflict within their relationship, but the main subject to consider is the patient. Respect for her autonomy and competence in the decision would make her feel worthy, valued, respected and dignified.   Depression could result from either of the choices, if the blood transfusion is conducted or not. This could in turn cause harm to her unborn baby, to herself, and to those she associates with in her social world, who have to live with the consequences of such ill health. This means that whether or not the blood transfusion is conducted, there will possibly be consequences and we have then to weigh the relative impact of either option over the other to acquire a morally right position. However, our assumptions of the best interest for the patient and her good cannot be determinative of her ideal best interests. The consequences from proceeding with the blood transfusion against her expressed will, which we consider less harmful than the consequences of withholding of treatment, might well turn out to be worse for her. Depression and deterioration of health exacerbated by her loss of acceptance in her church and social circle could be terrible for her, worse in her case than the consequences of death or ill health consequent from withholding treatment which we consider to have more harm. Will we, by overriding her will, therefore be undermining her autonomy and treating her as a mere means? Acknowledging that she is a self-conscious and rational individual having distinct capacity and competence, we would and it would clearly be wrong to undermine her autonomy and flout her dignity. She can rationally evaluate the predicted outcomes, however unfavourable, and make appropriate decisions on what is acceptable for herself and morally right. The doctors therefore should comply with her expressed wishes, however unfavourable the outcome. From these arguments put forward in this case, I deduce that there would be more negatives than positives if the blood transfusion is conducted, even with her death and the loss of her unborn child as possible eventualities of withholding treatment. Conclusion The overall and ultimate questions are who is or what is it that determines what is right and what is wrong? Do we do what is morally right according to the patient and respect their autonomy or do we go against her wishes and act based on what we as a society feel is morally right according to us? Given that our conclusions are dependent upon individual ideas and beliefs about what is moral and what is immoral basing on our religious, societal, cultural backgrounds, etc., what should we do in line with our work ethics, beliefs, codes of conduct, etc.? In assessing the case of the 20-year-old patient and the ethical dilemma resulting from her refusal of blood transfusion citing contravention to her religious beliefs, I have made explorations of this particular case using two major approaches; the utilitarian and deontological principles, together with the ethical principles of non-maleficence and beneficence to support the various arguments. The utilitarian approach seeks to protect the well-being of the patient as a legally enforceable right as under these circumstances, justifying the override of her wishes to conduct the blood transfusion. This approach is supported by ethical principles of non-maleficence and beneficence, that the doctor avoids harming the patient by not withholding necessary intervention and beneficial treatment. On the other hand, Kantianism/the deontological approach seeks to protect the autonomy and psychological independence of the patient in the evaluation of her predicament and the making of choices appropriate and acceptable to her in her moral standing. This latter approach is more appealing, considering that we cannot assume to be able to accurately quantify the greater of harms consequent from any of the choices of the ethical dilemma. There is a tendency for us to determine that death as an eventuality is a significant harm, and therefore to consider it a greater good to try and prevent such an eventuality whatever the arguments against it. This is especially so with an assumption that she can reconcile her predicament later after she manages to survive and is in better health. For the young patient, however, our assumptions of her best interest cannot be determinate of her ideal good and the consequences may turn out to be a greater harm to her, worse than the withholding of treatment. Her unhappiness from the override of her expressed will in conducting the blood transfusion and possible depression may lead to a deterioration of her health, with suffering and death as possible eventualities as well. With this consideration, I deem it morally right that the doctors respect her expressed will not to conduct the blood transfusion however unfavourable the consequences. References Childress, (ed.), James, F., Macquarrie, (ed.) John, 1986. The Westminster Dictionary of Christian Ethics. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press. p. 400. Hart, H., 1973. Bentham on Legal Rights. In: Oxford Essays in Jurisprudence. Oxford: The Clarendon Press. Paul, R., and L., Elder, 2006. The Miniature Guide to Understanding the Foundations of Ethical Reasoning. United States: Foundation for Critical Thinking Free Press. Mill, J., 1998. Crisp, R., ed. Utilitarianism. Oxford University Press. pp. 65. Wood, A., 1999. Kants Ethical Thought. New York: Cambridge University Press.

Past Forms of Regular and Irregular Verbs Practice Exercise

Past Forms of Regular and Irregular Verbs Practice Exercise This exercise will give you practice in using the correct past forms of regular verbs and irregular verbs. Before attempting the exercise, you may find it helpful to review Forming the Past Tense of Regular Verbs and introduction to Irregular Verbs in English Instructions The paragraph below has been adapted from the opening chapter of  Black Boy, an autobiography by Richard Wright. Complete each sentence correctly by changing the verbs in brackets from the present tense to the simple past tense. For example, the verb tell in the first sentence should be changed to told. When you have completed the exercise, compare your answers with those at the bottom of this page. From Black Boy, by Richard Wright One evening my mother [tell] _____ me that thereafter I would have to do the shopping for food. She [take] _____ me to the corner store to show me the way. I was proud; I [feel] _____ like a grownup. The next afternoon I looped the basket over my arm and [go] _____ down the pavement toward the store. When I [reach] _____ the corner, a gang of boys [grab] _____ me, [knock] _____ me down, [snatch] _____ the basket, [take] _____ the money, and [send] _____ me running home in panic. That evening I [tell] _____ my mother what had happened, but she [make] _____ no comment; she [sit] _____ down at once, [write] _____ another note, [give] _____ me more money, and [send] _____ me out to the grocery again. I crept down the steps and [see] _____ the same gang of boys playing down the street. I [run] _____ back into the house. Below (in bold) are the answers to the exercise above: Practice in Using the Past Forms of Regular and Irregular Verbs. Answers From Black Boy, by Richard Wright One evening my mother told me that thereafter I would have to do the shopping for food. She took me to the corner store to show me the way. I was proud; I felt like a grownup. The next afternoon I looped the basket over my arm and went down the pavement toward the store. When I reached the corner, a gang of boys grabbed me, knocked me down, snatched the basket, took the money, and sent me running home in panic. That evening I told my mother what had happened, but she made no comment; she sat down at once, wrote another note, gave me more money, and sent me out to the grocery again. I crept down the steps and saw the same gang of boys playing down the street. I ran back into the house.

SONY Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

SONY - Essay Example Marketing can be said as identifying the wants of the customer and providing them with those wants at a price they are willing to buy. It is not only about advertising your product but also making sure that your marketing of a product reaches to the right target market. To get better results, we use several components of marketing which include planning, pricing, promotion and distribution (Kotler, 2012). The concept of 4p’s that is product, pricing, placement and promotion mixed together in an efficient manner gives out effective results (Joshi, 2005). Talking briefly about the 4p’s, they are said to be the backbone of marketing. Using the 4p’s in correct manner can bring out good results. The first P is taken as product, the product or service being sold by a company (Adcock & Al Halborg, 2001). This may include the product characteristics such as quality, design, service warranty, variety and brand name. The second P is the place. It concerns majorly with the target market of the company’s product. What product is made for whom and in what geographical location it should be sent the most is what is decided in place. The third P is the price which decides what price to a company should charge for its product. This is decided by the purchasing power of the consumers, the demand for the product and its utility. The forth and the last P is promotion in which the company decides what promotional techniques to use to gain maximum sales and profit from their product. This may include advertising, door to door selling, distribution channels etc (David A. Acker, 1988). The company we have chosen to study the marketing techniques and the application of these techniques is Sony Inc. The word Sony is a Latin word which means sound and in Japanese it means smart and presentable (Inc., 2013). Sony Corporation known as Sony is a Japanese company and have it’s headquarter in Tokyo, Japan. It has many diversified businesses under its umbrel la. The company is majorly known for its entertainment products it provides to its customers which include televisions, stereo systems and playsation games. It also has a financial service head which includes banks and investment companies, though Sony is majorly recognized as a company which provides high quality electronic entertainment products. Sony stands on 87th in the top 500 companies of Fortune (Global, 2013). Sony Corporation is the subsidiary of Sony Group which deals in the electronics. It has a research and development department which is responsible for the development of the new products. This makes Sony one of the greatest and largest electronic manufacturing companies in the world. We will now examine that how Sony’s marketing techniques have given the company a huge brand name and success globally. We will look into the four P’s that is product, place, price and promotion of the company and discuss their roles in building up what Sony is now today (So ny Corporation, 2012). Product Sony’s product portfolio is extremely vast ranging from a variety of electronic devices to a number of products in the entertainment category. Sony manipulates the attributes of its products to satisfy its diversified large target market. Customers constantly demand new and innovated

Gap analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Gap analysis - Essay Example Proficiency in communication as an art can be learned depending upon motivations and goals (Littlejohn & Foss, 2008). The advent of information technology with electronic means of communication modernized even its learning process traversing what once were limitations in terms of culture, space and ethics (Littlejohn & Foss, 2008). Sociopsychologist, Cybernetics, and Sociocultural groups may slightly vary in interest, rights, and values in the aspects of communication as well as it motivations, but, bottom-line is the crossover between and among communicators (Littlejohn & Foss, 2008). Being proactive makes an efficient manager bringing about flexibility and the ability to make appropriate responses (Harrell, 2003). Being polite brings about respect, trust and honesty, a mark in trade that can be a lasting legacy (Harrell, 2003). With the advent of Information technology coupled with electronic communication means what is left as the gap facing global communications seems to be the priceless possession which is attitude (Harrell, 2003). It is the individual resolve to prosper as overall attitude determines the quality of life one may live (Harrell, 2003). The gap facing global communication is gradually easing up. Thanks to the contributions of Information technology and its latest electronic communication art.

Eye Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Eye - Essay Example The lens is located in the ciliary body, attached to suspensory muscle; it is formed by fine translucent filaments. The vitreous body, the posterior chamber, is a transparent jelly that is somewhat bigger as compared to the aqueous humor; it is positioned at the rear side of lens and is surrounded by the sclera. Glaucoma is an eye infection in which the regular fluid pressure within the eyes increases gradually, causing loss of sight. It is normally treated with eye drops, but surgery is also advised in some cases where drug treatment is not successful. Diabetic retinopathy is a very common diabetic eye disease and the main reason of blindness in grown-ups. Variations in retina’s blood vessels are the cause of this disease. Generally, treatment usually does not cure diabetic retinopathy; however, strict control of blood sugar will lessen the risk of vision loss (Samii & Jannetta, 2012). Another common visual impairment is myopia, in which the distant objects seem blurred. It can be treated with glasses, contact lenses, or corrective

Molecular Docking: Experimental Techniques

Molecular Docking: Experimental Techniques Experimental techniques for the determination of three-dimensional structure proteins crystallographic and magnetic resonance protocols have contributed for the deposition of over 12,000 protein structures in the Protein Data Bank. Although the number of available experimental protocols is large and improving rapidly, the determination of the structure of all detected protein-molecule interactions experimentally at high resolution is still an impossible task. Hence, reliable computational methods are of increasing importance. Protein docking involves the calculation of the three-dimensional structure of a protein-molecule complex. The molecule can be another protein, a small peptide or other small molecule (e. g. ligand). Ligand docking is nowadays of great importance in the drug discovery area, with great scientific and commercial interest. The main goal of protein docking is to predict how a pair of molecules interact, predicting accurate ligand poses and evaluating the main existi ng interactions. It should be able to adequately search the conformational available space and calculate the free energy of each conformation to identify the minimum energy conformation. Goals and Steps Protein docking requires the structures of the elements that form the complex and aims to predict correctly the binding site on the target, the orientation of the ligand and the conformation of both. At the end, a rank of possible docking poses based on estimated binding affinities or estimated free energies of binding is given. To successfully predict a target/ligand complex three steps are needed: (1) have accurate structures of the molecules involved in the interaction, (2) location of the binding site, and (3) determination of the binding mode and evaluation. According to Gray, the best docking targets are single-domain small proteins with known monomer structures, with experimentally-determined micromolar or better binding affinity, and minimal backbone conformational change after binding. The docking problem becomes more complicated when one of the structures undergoes significant conformational changes upon binding , for proteins whose structure was solves by homology modeling or for molecules with high degrees of freedom. However there have been reported successful docking results with modeled targets. The second step depends on the algorithm behind the docking software. Some of the used algorithms will be described further on. The hypothesis behind docking predictions is that the structure of a complex is the lowest free energy state that is accessible to the system. In Nature a protein-molecule complex change their conformations to become more compatible to one another, shifting two equilibriums progressively from less compatible to most compatible conformations for both, located at the local minimum of their potential energy surfaces. However ligands do not always adopt their lowest potential energy conformations when binding to their protein targets. Combining these two facts, the results can be influenced by the previous knowledge of the system. If a ligand has to explore a large area of the protein surface to find an adequate docking location, there is a lower probability of find the energy minimum than in the case of docking to a well-defined binding site on the protein. If a putative interaction region has been experimentally determined, this information can be used as useful input to guide the docking algorithm. Several new techniques to locate putative binding sites based on physicochemical properties or evolutionary conservation have been developed in recent years and are reviewed elsewhere. However, a good docking algorithm has to be able to predict realistically the docking site and distinguish it from nonspecific and/or energetically unfavorable ones even when performing a blind docking calculation. The third step is the determination of the binding mode and it mainly depends on the atoms surrounding the docking site and the distance between suitable interacting pairs, as well as the specific conformation and orientation of the molecules of the complex. The resulting conformation is ranked according to its evaluation by the used scoring function. Docking Approaches The speed and accuracy of the docking results depends on the used docking approach. Two major docking approaches are used by the available docking softwares. Shape Complementarity/Matching Methods This is the most common docking technique. The molecules are described in terms of descriptors, which may include structural complementarity terms (solvent-accessible area, overall shape and geometric constraints) and binding complementarity terms (hydrogen binding interactions, hydrophobic contacts and van der Waals interactions). Taking these terms into account, a given molecule is docked into the protein target by matching features. A combination of different descriptors is found to be able to enrich the number of near-native solutions in the set of best ranked docking solutions. This is a fast and robust technique that has been used successfully to screen large compound databases. Its main disadvantage is based on the incapacity of modeling accurately large protein motions and dynamic changes in the conformations. Simulation Methods The second approach simulates the real molecular recognition mechanism, a more complicated and detailed process. According to this method, the two molecules from the complex are distanced by a physical distance and the ligand explores its conformational space and finds its docking site after a finite number of moves. These moves can be translations, rotations, torsion angle rotations or others, and each have a different contribution to the final total energy of the system. The advantages of this approach include a better incorporation of ligand flexibility and a physically closer approach to what happens in reality. However, as the ligand has to explore a large energy landscape, this approach takes longer to evaluate the best docking site. Grid-based techniques and fast optimization methods are being developed to overcome this disadvantage. Mechanics of Docking The success of a docking software depends on two components: (1) the search algorithm, and (2) the scoring function. The combination of these two components will dictate the overall results of the docking task. Search Algorithm All possible rotational and translational orientations, distortions, backbone and side chain flexibility and various degrees of freedom make it impossible to perform an exhautive sampling. To lower the possibilities, most docking programs account only for ligand flexibility (e.g. representing it as a ensemble of structures), maintaining the target rigid. Others attempt to insert some target flexibility by using rotamer libraries, or some degree of side-chain flexibility by using soft interfaces and scaling sterical interactions, or a further side-chain refinement stage. Some of the most used search algorithms are described below. Systematic or stochastic torsional searches about rotatable bonds Rigid body methods This searching method is based on a simplified rigid body representation of the protein onto a regular 3D Cartesian grid. Then it distinguishes grid cells according to whether the two molecules are near or intersect the protein surface, or are deeply buried into the protein core and the degree of overlap is scored. This method generates a large number of docked conformations with favorable surface complementarity. The disadvantages of this searching method are that it maintains the target protein rigid and it cannot find binding modes with a high degree of accuracy due to its inherent simplification of the complex. However, most rigid-body procedures result in good docked conformation if the used structure of the target protein used is obtained by experimental data. Molecular dynamics simulations In this approach the protein is kept rigid while the ligand explores freely the conformational space, obtaining a ensemble of states accessible to the complex. The generated conformations are docked and a determined number of minimization steps are performed, followed by an overall ranking. This is a computational complex method, although it does not need a specialized scoring function and it provides a useful tool to generate ligand conformations. In principle, it allows for full atomic flexibility or flexibility restricted to relevant parts of the complex during the docking task. Genetic algorithms These searching algorithms perform global conformational searches particularly well. Based on the language of natural genetics and biological evolution, their goal is to evolve previous conformations into new low energy conformations. Each spatial arrangement of the pair is represented as a gene with a particular energy and the entire genome is a representation of the complete energy landscape which will be explored. Similar to biological evolution, random pairs of individuals are mated using a process of crossover and there is also the possibility of a random mutation in the offspring. During each iteration, high-scoring features in the current generation are preserved in the next cycle. This approach permits exploring of large conformational spaces. The main disadvantages include requiring the target protein to remain fixed during the docking task and multiple runs to obtain reliable results, which makes it a poor candidate to perform large databases screening. Limiting the conform ational space to explore and the explorations of conformational changes at sites of interest can largely increase the performance of the docking task using this algorithm. Scoring Function In docking, the goal of a scoring function is to serve as a mathematical method to predict the strength of the non-covalent interaction between the two molecules. Usually, this value is represented as the binding affinity, and indicates how favorable the binding interaction is. An ideal scoring function should be able to recognize favorable native contacts and discriminate non-native contacts with lower scores, and rank a set of molecules, predicting the correct modes of binding. These scoring functions can be parameterized (trained) against a set of experimental data for combinations of binding affinities, buried surface areas, desolvatation and electrostatic interation energies and hydrophobicity scores of molecular species similar to the species in study. There are four classes of scoring functions, which are described below. Choosing a scoring function should always be based on the resolution of the search method. Most scoring functions are physics-based molecular mechanics force fields that estimate the nonbonded interaction energy of the docking pose. Affinities are estimated based on the total internal energy, which is estimated taking into account the strength of intramolecular van der Waals and electrostatic interactions and the desolvation energy. It is know that the free energy of binding is higly dependent on the system and it is often dominated by desolvation or electrostatic contributions. Other software also take into account the torsional free energy and the unbound systems energy as penalizing terms. At the end, a low (negative) energy indicates a stable complex, with a likely binding interaction. Empirical scoring functions define simple functional forms for interactions between the two molecules of the complex. Some examples include the number atoms in contact between ligand and receptor, change in the solvent accessible surface area, number of hydrogen bonds, conformational entropy, and hydrophobic and hydrophilic contacts. These provide a fast method to rank potential inhibitory candidates. Knowledge-based scoring functions are based on statistical analysis on intermolecular interactions and interactions distances extracted from large databases of protein-ligand complexes (e.g. PDB). This method is based on the assumption that there are intramolecular interactions between certain atoms that occur more frequently, which will be energetically favorable. If detected these interaction will contributed more to a favorable binding affinity. Hybrid scoring functions combined one or more features from the ones described above. There has is always a focus on the scoring function when developing a new docking program. Newly developed scoring functions are evaluated based on their ability to reproduce known ligand-binding patters for well-studied receptors. Despite the development of new and improved scoring functions, there is still a difficulty in identifying the best docking solutions from a list of false positives or decoys. Disadvantages of Molecular Docking Docking calculations can be hampered by a number of reasons: (1) the ligand binds to deep specific pockets of the protein structure; (2) does not consider the presence of solvent, which can be crucial to allow hydrogen bond interactions to occur; (3) if there is an attachment of the ligand to a solid surface (e.g. resin) via a spacer arm; (4) ligands with high flexibility; (5) weak interactions between the ligand and the protein; (6) large-scale motions of the peptide backbone. However, new optimizations and extensions are being developed into existing programs to overcome these drawbacks. AutoDock Autodock (version 4.0.1) was the program package that was used for the docking task in this work. It is used for automated docking of small molecules (e.g. peptides, enzyme inihibitors and drugs) to macromolecules (e.g. proteins, antibodies, DNA and RNA). It is a very complete software package, allowing a robust and accurate procedure and a reasonable computational demand. AutoDock which allows the use of ligand with fixed and flexible degrees of freedom. The searching function used by AutoDock is the Lemarkian Genetic Algorithm (LGA), throughly described by Morris et al. LGA is a hybrid searching algorithm that combines the advantages of the global search of the common genetic algorithms and the advantages of a local search method to perform energy minimization, enhancing the performance relative to genetic algorithms. The local search does not require gradient information about the local energy landscape, facilitating torsional space search and allowing to handle more degrees of freedom. The AutoDock scoring function (described by Huey et al is a semi-empirical free energy force field scoring function that evaluates conformations and calculates the ligand-receptor binding affinity. The force field was parameterized using a large set of complexes with known inhibition constants (Ki), structure and binding energies. It evaluates enthalpic contributions (e.g. repulsion, hydrogen bonding) using a molecular mechanics approach and evaluates de changes in solvation and conformational mobility through an empirical approach. At the end of the docking task, Autodock returns a set of the top ranked answers according to the input system and parameters. Each is accompanied by the information regarding the estimated Ki and estimated free energy of binding, which is decomposed into (1) final intramolecular energy (van der Waals, hydrogen bond, desolvation and electrostatic energy), (2) final total internal energy, (3) torsional free energy, and (4) unbound systems energy and estimated as: (1)+(2)+(3)-(4). Due to its technical characteristics, automated docking with AutoDock is not widely used to screen a large number of compounds. However, Park et al performed a benchmarking which showed the potentialities of this software for database screening, with a overall better average docking time and performance than other tested docking software. The vast conformational sampling, degrees of freedom, complicated steric and chemical complementarity still offer a challenge for the computational approach to molecular docking. The inclusion of all possible conformational changes during docking searches is still impossible, and it would be of particular importance where only homology modeled structures are available. Slight modeling inaccuracies can result in false negatives, weak binding or even wrong docking poses. Better insights into the nature of protein folding and binding, protein dynamics and biomolecular energetics will allow the development of better docking algorithms. Unilever Case Study Analysis: SWOT Unilever Case Study Analysis: SWOT INTRODUCTION: There are many kinds of business everywhere; where there are many issues related to the growth of the company and Different strategies will enable different companies to reach those goals. Unilever is a company started in 1930 formed of Dutch Margarine Company and British based lever brothers. Unilever holds a wide range of products which include food, personal care, beverages, canned foods, ice creams and many more which are worlds best consumer brands. The case study describes a lot of information regarding Unilevers business strategies, key elements of Unilevers path to growth, how they rejuvenated and restructured the companies slow moving performance to wide range of brands across the world. BRIEF CASE STUDY: Unilever was created in 1930 as an outcome of merger with dual chairpersons and headquarters one in Netherlands and other in United Kingdom. This is of one the giant and best competitors in the industry which holds wide range of products. The two chairpersons have launched a strategy in early 2000 to recover the companys performance which was said to be lackluster. With the new strategies the company showed a significant progress and has gone through many dealings over the next years, this made the company to open 20 new acquisitions worldwide and increased the sales of the company. Thus the companys business was restructured, renovated and improved through its acquisitions. Then their came companies likes nestle which effecting the growth of Unilever. Unilever then started efforts to attract and motivate young, talented and innovative managers from outside its company. TASK 1: SWOT : A planning technique which is used for summarizing the key issues and evaluates the Strengths (S), Weaknesses (W), Opportunities (O) and Threats (T) in any business is called an SWOT analysis. Analysis is the brief study of any case how they are going to be obtained, who are responsible for causing it and solving it by planning which involves internal and external factors of a business or an organization; internal factors are classified as strengths(S) or weaknesses (W) and external factors are classified as Opportunities (O) or Threats (T). Strengths are those characteristics of a person or a company that are useful to achieve the goals. Weaknesses are the characteristics of a person or a company that is destructive to achieve the objective. Opportunities and threats are the external factors that are helpful in achieving and damaging the business performance respectively. The figure1 show the illustrative diagram of SWOT analysis. The internal factors include personal, finance, manufacturing capabilities, etc and the external factors may include technological changes which may cause changes in products and processes that is inventing a new product or making the product better which include quality of the product and the consumer desire, market influences due to unemployment rates effect the company and price factors is one of the important thing to keep in mind , market place is one more thing which is very important that is the company or a business should be located in a convenient environment to the consumers to attract and the product should be user friendly. Another important factor is that its external appearance the packing and the name of the products should be eye catchy. At last he customer relations should be friendly and consumer satisfaction is very necessary. Other than these there are some more factors which may be changing due to econ omic and social factors and competitive positions which may create new opportunities or threats. SWOT analysis is useful in decision making when most wanted these include nonprofit organizations, individuals. It is the only method for classification and has its own weaknesses. A SWOT which produces no strategies is of no use whereas which generates important strategies is useful. Unilever had a very tough competition during that time when it was bringing about the changes it was probably at this stage that these companies had moved forward with there various strategies. Skills, assets, finance, facilities are the resources which are used in any business to compete in the industry. In the same way Unilever used their own resources to grow as giant company. They have implemented SWOT analysis and implemented new business strategies and rejuvenated their company from lack lust to significant progress in sales. It has concentrated on marketing and advertising its business and gained increased pricing with supermarket vendors. Unilever was lagging in sales when compared with nestle, Procter Gamble, Kelloggs etc its path of growth strategy which met considerable uncertainty which made Unilever to undertake a series of actions by cutting the companies profile to reach corporate goals and introduced 20 new acquisitions worldwide and restructured the company into two divisions one includes all food products and other household and personal care. Then started other two new businesses across the world. The external market factors such as technological changes, social factors, and other companies growth made a very big impact on the consumer preferences and Unilever had to cut its revenue growth. Later it continued to obtain more products across the world and these products gave managers to make their own decision making to set priorities by introducing new initiatives. Unilever has even motivated and attracted young talented managers from outside the company to join their company. According to Unilevers SWOT analysis the strengths of the company are recognized as it is a global company with strong brand profile with worlds best brands and maintains strong relation with its retailers. But coming to its weaknesses it has insufficient management of brands and doesnt not connect with customers. And inability to maximize acquisitions has reduced spending for R D. Thought it has got many opportunities by introducing many products by changing customer preferences and increase in productio n of quality goods. There are threats equally which cause decrease in revenues with high market competition, increasing the number brands and exchange rates. There are many growth expectations, risks, profit margins in food and house hold industry which is composed of many sectors and sub sectors by challenging the change of customers preferences with challenging rival firms to gain market shares. Then with competitive achievement by creating attractive products through acquisitions and with capability of growing sales of the brands which existed and improve margins. For all this the many key to success was advertising the products. By improving the profits of the company not only included shifting sales of the products but also boosting efficiency and unit costs. There were three factors which worried in 2000, the consolidation pressures in food industry which bothered were slower growth rates in food industries, rapid consolidation among grocery markets that is between branded manufactures and private manufactures for good self space in the grocery stores. In the United States for several years the food industry was miserable and was expected to continue for few more years due to more women working and decreasing house hold sizes, single parents and singles. But the food industry in Europe, Asia, Africa and other less developed countries were attractive. Thought the competition between branded and private manufactures was a never ending issue, private manufactures improved their quality of products by growing market shares. Then there came many giant super markets and gave an opportunity for private brands with attractive prices below branded products and even provided checkout scanners to help the customers know price difference which tempt them to BRIEF SWOT ANALYSIS OF UNILEVERS CASE STUDY STRENGHTS WEAKNESSESS Global company. Reduced spending for R D. Best Brands. Inability to maximize acquisitions. Strong relation with retailers. Insufficient management of brands. Dual Leadership. OPPURTUNITIES THREATS Increasing in need of quality products. Decrease in revenues. Changing customer preferences. Strong competition. Increase in brands. shift to the private brands. Due to the heavy competition among them manufactures had to cut down the costs of the products, number of versions of the products and weed out weak brands and concentrate on those brands which were popular among the customers and those could develop into global brands. Introducing dual headquarters by dividing the food industry which consisted of 6 categories and household industry which consisted of 8 categories there were many benefits such as improving food and household industry by focusing more on them regionally and globally. Accelerating decision making and successful integration of R D though there were some critics that Unilever has been paying more for some of its acquisitions such as acquire Amora Maille. Unilever as of then in 2003 had been seen as a growing organization which probably had all the necessary requirements to make it a force to recon with, during the Path to Growth strategy many aspects of the company had come out some of them included the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Strengths, probably the biggest strength that the company had at that time was the correct selection of the brands and the products it had in store unilever had done many researches and had to make many decisions to get the right combinations products that where to be sold it also had the right ideas to increase the sales and all the leading brands to help its cause. Unilever was very good at that time even if the financial aspect was taken into consideration it could experiment with various aspects of its store cause had the financial backup which was required at that time to help it implement various ideas and deal with the market pressures, for any company to improve its sales marke ting always plays a very important role this was probably there biggest strength as the marketing strategy applied by them managed to grab peoples attention as they easy to be connected to and much more simplistic and realistic. Unilever did manage all its clients very well considering that during a phase when they where cutting on the brands it would have been a risk to out anything at that time but it was very well managed by the company. Mainly the fact that unilever was now looking to make the higher range or the brands which where more famous as there core brands which made it much easier for them to advertise considering that it is much easier to promote a very well known and a trusted brand rather than a normal or new brand to increase the sales. Weaknesses, though unilever had a very good policy and all the right objectives to make a difference in the industry it couldnt happen basically due to the lack of proper organization, it was actually much like a bureaucratic organization where things where divided between too many people and it had become difficult to get the ideas moving due to the lack of proper organization, it probably all started with the fact that the company had to deal with too many brands in the first place it would obviously have the impact when the Path to Growth strategy came up cause of the then 1600 brands only 400 brands where retained and rest all where either removed or replaced, that shows that due the lack of proper organization and too many brands being part of it didnt help it in making the changes it wanted to in a better and quickest way. The organization was probably one field in which the company was lacking because it was felt that at the top of the company as there were too many people mak ing decisions and these decisions had to be put forward and this delayed the process of improvement for the company. Opportunities, during this phase of development and renewing it content and upgrading of the stock it turned out to be very fruitful as it provided many working opportunities for people it was at that time that many people where starting to get full time work, during this phase a lot of acquisition also took place with the major brands which resulted in some alterations in plans to that which were planned. SlimFast which is a private company is another acquisition of Unilever after implementing path to growth strategy in 2000 the company bargained an agreement to purchase slimfast diet foods. It had strong sales and network and has a special space in every super market and drugstores these products were made from natural ingredients and added vitamins and minerals to provide good nutritional profile. It also maintained a very good relationship with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other agencies. Unilever has concentrated more on this Slimfast since the company was growing fast and attracted the customers to buy more of it for healthier and long living life .Management of Unilever utilized the opportunity to globalize the product in other countries like Europe, Australia due to increase in the percent of obese. According to the world health organization percent of the obese was increasing gradually. UNILEVERS TOP COMPETITORS ? Figure: Competitors Performance Comparison http://finance.aol.com/company/unilever-plc-amer/ul/nys/top-competitors Ben Jerrys acquisitions which produces one of the finest ice creams anywhere in pint cartons and wholesale at groceries. Their sales slogan was Vermont finest All Natural Ice cream. They never use any artificial flavors thought the cost is little more it is worth the price. According to the time magazine Vermont makes the best ice cream in the world with 29 flavors in pint cartons and 45 flavors in bulk cartons. There products were distributed throughout the world. On demand Ben jerry operated three manufacturing plants where Vermont plant produces super premier ice cream and frozen yogurts where as spring field produces ice cream, lot fat ice creams in bulk, pint cartons and half gallons. Dreyers and Haagen-Dazs were the two major competitors of Ben jerry and other competitors were Colombo frozen yogurts, Kemps ice cream and star bucks. Ben Jerry produces a wide range of ice creams products like sticks, bars, frozen yogurt pops etc. Though Haagen- Dazs was the global market leader followed by Ben jerry it had an insignificant market share in United States where as Haagen- Dazs was more significantly sold in foreign markets. Both Ben jerry and Haagen-Dazs produced ice creams with cookies and candies in it. Bestfoods was a global company across the world almost in 60 countries which was busy in manufacturing and marketing the food products. Bestfoods profits are almost from outside of the United States that is almost 60 percent of its profits. It is one of the best managed food companies among United States who has much number of employees working with in their company in which half of them were at non US locations. The company increased payments for 14 successive years has its revenues grow by7.8 percent annual rate and suddenly slow downed during the period of 1997 and 1999. Then the company introduced a strategy with four core elements. Globalization of the companys core consumers: Products which are new in the market are needed to be globalized that is the products which are less popular among the consumers, are needed to be advertised and market those products to increase its sales and profits of those products. Few such products are knorr product line, salad dressing and food service operations. The advertising of such kind of products was done very well in order to get those products globally recognized and be accepted among many big brands and soon they became household names. Improvement in cost effectiveness: With changing customer preference the quality of the products must be improved and therefore there should also be improvement in cost effectiveness as the quality improves cost increases. Cost effectiveness is nothing but it is a way by which you show to a customer that a certain is product is worth using or is better than other product or the money u spend on it is worth it. Cost effectiveness in simple would be defined as showing the worth of the product. Looking for new market opportunities: Extending the product sales all over the world via new product introductions and extending sales of the products which are existed in the market. It is very important for any company to be always alert and look for opportunities to extend the business to a large scale and see it in a bigger picture based on the opportunities it gets. Using free cash to make new acquisition: With expanding the products and brands company has created 60 acquisitions in the global market. After struggling a lot in June 2000 best foods agreed to be acquired by Unilever. Best foods were the largest acquisition undertaken by Unilever by as far as concerned and which makes a largest combination of food companies in 12 years. Management of Unilever believed that combining and assimilating bestfoods would result in pre tax cost saving, better efficiencies in business process, synergy in distribution marketing, reformation of general and administrative functions and improved economies of scale. By creating robust business in United States market, increasing strengths of Unilever and best foods in Europe, building of best foods in Latin America to speed up the growth of Unilever brands, by distributing strengths in Asia- pacific to grow and sped up Bestfoods brands and increasing the sales of Unilever products by food service channel of Bestfoods. The work culture was so casual to make the atmosphere fun and lively with communication between the management and employees. The company respected the employees suggestions and respected them even paid the employees a reasonable salary Finally Unilever has announced sale of Bestfoods Backing Company to Canadian food and super market group known as George Weston for $ 1.76billion though Unilever declared to divest Bestfoods Baking Company and Unilever other products and bakery products does not exit any more at Unilever. Bestfoods has 19plans across the United States with a strong management team and was entirely US based. It was one of the best distributing for delivering the baked products which are really baked fresh and sent directly to the retail stores. With its dedication and hard work Bestfoods sales has increased its profit margins by 8 percent. Later again Unilever announced to sell 19 Bestfood brands across North America to ACH food companies which is a supplementary of Associated British Food. By successfully combining the operations of bestfoods with Unilever by the year end of 2003 the two companies had been merged in 63countries across the world TASK 2: Path to Growth: Path to growth strategy was initiated in 2000 and was restructured for several years for better and significant results. The key elements of this Unilevers path to growth strategy were cutting down its brands from 1600 brands to 400core brands to achieve top line sales and increase profits by advertising the brands which are more popular and leading brands across the world and concentrating on R D. Another important key element was divesting underperforming brands and theirs companies and introducing more innovated things to enhance the internal development of the organization and making new acquisitions. Unilevers years of slow performance and its lack of corporate strategy in the competition industry with low number of brands and ordinary performance in growing markets with a little global presence made to create a path to growth strategy which was a 5 year growth plan which made them to concentrate on more brands and product innovations for internal and external growth of the company. And made the company to grow with acquisitions. According to FitzGerald and Bergmans path to growth strategy they predicted to manufacture double digit wages per share growth and superior positions. Focusing on the key brands by advertising and marketing made business grow higher and build brand value and increased brands prices. The case study shows Unilever as a global company according to SOWT analysis after introducing the path to growth strategy the company had really increased its sales and with introducing more number of acquisitions and cutting down the cost of revenues. As the acquisitions like Slimfast, Ben jerry and best foods were rapidly growing their market across the world building a very strong profile and providing customers attractive products and offers. Slim fast has 20%anual growth rate with strong sales and distribution all over the world and also maintained good customer relation. Where Ben jerry was worlds giant ice cream products and yogurt maker with strong brand equity. Bestfoods was USs 10 largest foo d products company with a strong global position. The two key elements of the Unilevers new business strategy was to cut down on the number of brands that were being sold or being marketed by the company, at that time Unilever was operating with as many as 1600 brands and much more products due to this the cut down on the number of products and brands was considered, the 1600 brands that where part of the company were cut down to as many as 400 core brands, the core brands mostly included all the famous and popular brands which are generally very popular among people, this idea came up as to make sure that the products where sold and by doing this it would not be much of a problem for the marketi8ng of these products as most of these brands where already day to day and very famous brands which people would generally prefer buying, which would mean that it would take much less an effort to connect to the people and more over the marketing was also done in such a way that people where able to connect to it very easily, the other key e lement of the unilevers strategy was to remove all the underperforming companies or brands and introduce some other new brands or companies in order to enhance the internal development of the organization and make new acquisitions which would enhance the sales of the company and make it more likable for the people this strategy was designed to increase the sales of the company and get rid of the companies which where not much in demand . Weaknesses according to SWOT analysis showed the company has dual leadership, insufficient management of brands and reduced R D after all this slow performance and small global presence the management has introduced path to growth strategy, which increased the company sales with cutting down it costs and introducing more acquisitions resulted in globalizing the company. As a result there were few expectations to achieve a double digit growth and securing a better position in global market for food and household products by increasing the quality of the product to gain pricing power and attract more customers. But according to the strategy plan the targets which were set was really high that is top line sales growth of 5-6 percent annually, increasing profits, and plan to complete by the end of 2004. If we look and analyze the path to growth strategy we can tell whether the strategy is working or not, we can say that it is working by its success rates and increase in profits and increase in brands and acquisitions that is the consumer preferences have changed due to which the products quality has changed and prices have changed the leading brands sales have increased from 75 percent to 93 percent. Food and personal care industry have increased its profits consistently. Operating assets have also improved by 9 percent. Acquisitions like slim fast, Ben jerry and best foods have gradually improved its growth and established its acquisitions all over the world. But the other side it is completely not yes, Unilever was gaining profits significantly after introducing new strategies but it was losing too yes it reported a net loss of $318M as the competitions was increasing and new brands were coming in to the market and rivals were introducing new strategies to compete Unilever. In th e year 2004 sales grew only by .4 percent leading brands by .9 percent so this proves that Unilever was lagging behind competitors in terms of innovation and advertising. Unilevers lack of advertising and marketing failed to improve sales. The company was small and not globalized. In this case Unilever attracted the new young talented manages to join their company with innovated ideas to increase its company profits by new methods of advertising and marketing. To justify Unilever strategies it maintained dual headquarters and dual chairpersons which reduced effective thinking and slow downed the decision making. Unilever is divided into Unilever Plc and Unilever NV. This made Unilever to focus on the needs of the customers and increase its sales profits in various industries like food, personal case, and household industries all over the world. As customers demand the products which are of the best quality and branded but at the same time convenient, cheap and attractive. The market for household products have been decreased its profits as the numbers of single parents have been increased and the rate of females working out have been increased and the demand for the healthy and high quality food has been increased. The consumers preference of the products such as its look, quality of the product and nutritional values has been increased by providing a strong competition against its giant competitors and private manufactures. This allows Unilever to focus on the need of its customers by increasing its sales. In 2003 Unilever executing its path to growth strategy by increasing its operating margins to over 15percent, but the sales of the leading brands growth as slowdown and raised questions among the investors and retailers that whether company brands could deliver some 5-6 percent of growth in revenues in the next coming years. TASK 3: Unilevers current business Strategies: Ever since the ‘Path to Growth strategy ended in 2005 there has been a 15% increase in the sales and development in the overall progress of Unilever. After the ‘Path to Growth came to an end a new process was developed by Unilever called as the Brand Imprint which helped the marketing teams in understanding how the business could face risks as well as opportunities from the social, economic and environmental issues. In this process each brand was scrutinized by a team looking into various aspects of it such as the direct as well the indirect impacts of the product, it also checked how the brand would go ahead in the future looking at the products possibilities of growth both from a customer and a stakeholders point of view. The outcome of the Brand Imprint is that the process has helped in making important decisions for the company keeping the future in perspective it also developed in addressing social missions, social and environmental issues. The Brand Imprint provided a perfect experience to find some systematic and measurable ways to explore different brands and improve the brands by addressing social issues, helping people the product well and reducing the environmental issues. When the S.W.O.T analysis was done on the ‘Path to Growth strategy many different aspects of the strategy where scrutinized using the SWOT analysis in which it dealt with many aspects such as the strength, weakness, opportunities and the threats that are being faced. After the analysis it came out that it had been very useful to determine the various aspects attached to it. Unilever for years had been a slow developing company, though the company had the right infrastructure and the capital but it couldnt utilize it properly that was basically the reason why the path to growth and various other strategies where starting to come up to help the company to increase the sales of the products and improve the business. Path to growth played a major part in the development of the company. The Path to Growth strategy did prove to be quite a useful thing considering the fact that during this period almost all of the unsuccessful brands where removed or replaced and the brands which where trusted and kept managed to increase the sales by 75% to 93%. Unilevers growth was considerably slow during this phase because the company was at that stage making very drastic changes and for these changes to come up and make a difference was something unexpected but the companys growth was obvious in certain fields thanks to the new strategies that had come in to improve the sales of the company so as to improve the business of the company. It was due to the fact that the company probably took way too much time u started and implement its plans that it caused the success to be not as higher as expected. Many business analysts and commentators felt that most of the strategies of the path to growth where working fine but there was always a speculation that what ever progress was talking place was happening too slow considering the competition the market was in with at that time, it was also felt that as the basic functionality of the business was spread among way too many people made the management way to complex and it would have been better off if it was simpler. It did work out fine when it came to the advertising of the product and getting it known to the people as it was more public oriented and it used the sources to the full extent to connect to the people. It did experience a drastic growth during that period as the analysis had proved that the company had the highest growth percentage as compared to any other company during that period it did bring in high profits to the company but looking at the whole picture it did prove to be a huge loss for the company considering the fa ct that they faced a countable loss in the revenue margin and that proved to be the difference, though it did have the right amount of sales and customers due to the slowness of there analysis to sort out and remove or replace the stuff did make a difference to analysis in the larger picture. But the company did grow during that time which might as well have effected the revenue cause many new store where started and large number of employees where starting to be employed on a full time basis. It did do quite well on the international market as well. By looking at the way the company had grown during this stage is quite remarkable many business analysts and commentators had felt that they probably had the right scheme of action because during that time they where handling 1600 brands and which was way too much and among those were quit few brands which hardly made any diff to the company so then the whole idea of brands cut based on the market outlook and sales reports was looked into to classify as to which of the products or brands where fast selling and which had the scope to sell more. It was that idea to cut down on the number of brands and start promoting only few brands which where much easier to be marketed and which where more likable by the people by which it would increase the sales and also make the marketing of these products easier cause when you are promoting bigger brands which are often very well known to public would mean that u don have to spend much on the marketing. Did the company experience growth during this period? Yes, would be the right thing to say voiding the minor things which might effect the outcome but it did see the light of success though slowly and there process and ideas where starting to get implemented in a better way and in a more successful way to deal with the growth of the company, the process of cutting down on the under selling companies was probably the decision that started to turn the tide for the company as it was when the losses where starting to be covered and it was mor