Thursday, October 31, 2019

Advantages and Limitation of International Trade Assignment

Advantages and Limitation of International Trade - Assignment Example This essay explores the issues surrounding international trade. The Theory of Comparative Advantage. If two countries X and Y trade in two goods G and H, both can benefit by specializing in the good in which they have a comparative advantage and then trading them. This has been proved valid even when country X has an absolute advantage in both goods due to the complexities of intra-country distribution of resources. Distribution of Gains and Losses from Trade. If goods G and H use two inputs, K and L (capital/ labor), at given prices, production of goods will probably utilize inputs in different ratios. If G uses a higher ratio of K to L than H, production of that good becomes K-intensive, relative to H. Here, if G is K-intensive, it will mean that H is L-intensive.  If country X’s inputs of production have a higher ratio of K to L than country Y, then X is K-abundant and Y is L-abundant, relatively. A country will tend to export products which are intensive in factors that country has in abundance. A labor-abundant country (say country Y), will tend to export labor-intensive products. Also, country X’s capital-intensive exports will rise. As it does so, the relative price of the abundant factor in that country will rise. The L-abundant country will see labor prices rising, i.e. wages will rise. The purchasing power of owners of labor will rise; purchasing power of owners of capital will fall. International trade will tend to equalize the relative prices of the two factors in the two countries

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) Collection, Preparation and Uses

Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) Collection, Preparation and Uses Samuel Good Fresh Frozen Plasma Introduction Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) is the name for the liquid portion of human blood, which has been frozen and preserved. It is taken by blood donation and is stored until needed for blood transfusion. FFP has been available since 1941 (Hoffman, et al, 1990), it was used initially as a volume expander (Erber, et al, 2006), but is now used for the â€Å"management and prevention of bleeding in coagulopathic patients† (Ho, et al, 2005). The term FFP is confusing as the plasma cannot be frozen as well as fresh at the same time. What the term implies is that the plasma was frozen rapidly after it was taken and therefore can be considered fresh. The plasma, from a transfusion aspect, contains essential components such as fibrinogen, albumin, globulin and coagulation factors. These allow for specific individual components to be transferred to a recipient who is in need. The most efficient and effective way to make optimum use of blood which has been donated, is to separate it into its individual components. This process allows for a â€Å"wider availability of blood products† (Spence, et al, 2006) and also reduces the risk patients are exposed to â€Å"transfusion-related risks† (Erber, et al, 2006). The use of FFP and its individual products has increased tenfold since its first introduction (Hoffman, et al, 1990). One reason for this may be the declining availability of whole blood because of the trend to use component therapy (Spence, et al, 2006). Collection and Storage When a donor gives a unit of whole blood, the blood is then separated into several components parts. These include; packed red blood cells (pRBC), platelets and FFP. If required the FFP can be further divided into cryoprecipitate and something called cryo-poor plasma. Cryo-poor plasma is rarely used as a therapeutic response (Lauzier, et al, 2007). As mentioned previously, plasma is the non-cellular, liquid part of the blood. It is made up of; water, electrolytes and proteins. The proteins include the clotting factors and intrinsic coagulants (Murray, et al, 1995). The plasma is separated from the blood after donation and then frozen. For the plasma to be considered ‘fresh’ it must be frozen â€Å"within eight hours of collection† (Murray, et al, 1995) and stored at a temperature of minus 18 degrees centigrade or lower. If this fails to happen, the product is known just as ‘frozen plasma’, which like cryo-poor plasma, is rarely used for therapeutic means. However, to maintain coagulation factors to optimum levels the plasma should be stored at minus 30 degrees centigrade (Lauzier, et al, 2007). FFP can be prepared by separation from whole blood or via plasmapheresis. Plasmapheresis is the name given to a â€Å"broad range of procedures† where â€Å"extracorporeal separation of blood components† (Erber, et al, 2006) results in a plasma which is filtered. Preparation To summarise, FFP is collected in citrate-containing anticoagulant solution, frozen within 8 hours and stored at minus 30 degrees centigrade for up to a year. Although every protection is taken to ensure sterility, it is quite possible for the donor to have an asymptomatic bacteraemia at the time of donation (Stanworth, et al, 2004). The bacteria will have its proliferation down-regulated by the plasma being frozen. However, FFP can still sometimes transmit infectious diseases. Therefore, screening and pathogen inactivation may be performed to reduce the risk. FFP contains no RBC’s and also no WBC’s. As there are no WBC’s the plasma is referred to be as being leucodepleted. This is an indication as to why FFP can transmit said diseases. As mentioned pathogen inactivation can be performed and this is done by using either Methylene blue or a solvent/detergent process. The Methylene Blue Technique Methylene blue is a dye that has been shown to be very effective in the inactivation of pathogens. It binds to nucleic acids and, on illumination with white light, singlet oxygen is formed. This then destroys viral DNA and RNA, therefore viral replication cannot take place. Solvent/Detergent Technique This technique is used for the preparation of factors viii and ix as well as immunoglobulins. First, a solvent is added to the plasma which removes the lipid viral envelope. After this is complete, a detergent is added which inactivates the viral contents. The solvent and detergent are then removed by a physical separation technique, in which they are dissolved in oil. Column chromatography can then be used to isolate factors viii and ix. Once any treatment that is required is complete, the FFP is ready for use. It is an accepted practice that FFP is thawed before use (Ho, et al, 2005). The required units of FFP are placed in a water bath set at 30 – 37 degrees centigrade for approximately 20 – 30 minutes. Von Heyman, et al investigated the effects of 2 different thawing machines and running warm water of 43 degrees centigrade, on the activity of clotting factors, inhibitors and activation markers in FFP. They discovered no significant differences in the activity of coagulation markers over a 6 hour period post thawing. However, a major conclusion found was that, if FFP is immediately transfused after thawing, the product remained rich in clotting factors. Also, if the plasma is left, the activity of said clotting factors decline gradually and therefore FFP should only be maintained at room temperature for up to 4 hours. If thawed FFP is not used within 24 hours it becomes a separate product known as ‘thawed plasma’ (Murray, et al, 1995). Most clotting factors are stable in thawed plasma, however some labile factors, such as v and viii are not. Their degradation actually accelerates whilst the plasma is in a liquid state (Lauzier, et al, 2007). The only main advantage of having thawed plasma readily available, is that it can be transfused rapidly if a severely injured patient requires it. FFP Blood Type Specific It is widely accepted that O negative is the universal donor for pRBC’s, however for FFP this isn’t the case. A and B antigens of the blood are located on the red cells themselves. Type O individuals are devoid of these proteins on their red blood cells. Plasma does not contain RBC’s, but it contains antibodies to the corresponding absent protein. An example of this is: Type A individual has Anti-B antibodies in their blood. Type O plasma has both Anti-A and Anti-B antibodies and is incompatible with about 55 percent of the population. An individual with type AB blood has neither Anti-A nor Anti-B antibodies. This makes the AB plasma ideal for universal use when the blood type of the patient is unknown. The Rh status is irrelevant because any plasma with Anti-D is destroyed at the manufacturing stage. Recipient blood Acceptable blood groups of donor plasma O O,A,B,AB A A,AB B B,AB AB AB The major problem with blood type AB is that the percentage of the population which has it is only 4 percent. Therefore it is better to use FFP which is blood type compatible, which will be determined at the blood bank. Usage There are very few actual specific needs for the use of FFP (Spence, et al, 2006). Usually FFP is used to treat â€Å"deficiencies of coagulation proteins where specific factor concentrates are unavailable† (Hoffman, et al, 1990). Coagulation deficiencies can occur in a variety of different clinical situations. These include massive blood loss, surgery, and infection or acquired multiple coagulation factor deficiencies. Examples of FFP usage: Replacement of isolated factor deficiencies Reversal of Warfarin effects Massive blood transfusion Antithrombin III deficiency Treatment of immunodeficiency Treatment of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura Treatment of Disseminated intravascular coagulation Replacement of isolated factor deficiency FFP can be used to heat deficiencies of factors II, V, VII, IX, X and XI. It is only chosen as a treatment when no specific component therapy is available. Certain factors require a different haemostatic level, for example; severe factor X deficiency only requires a factor level of about 10 percent. Therefore FFP has a range of success when treating factor deficiencies. Reversal of Warfarin effect If a patient is being treated with Warfarin, they have been shown to be deficient in â€Å"functional vitamin K dependent coagulation factors II, VII, IX and X† (Spence, et al, 2006). Usually vitamin K will be administered, however anticoagulated patients will be actively bleeding, and therefore FFP can be used. Massive blood transfusion The use of FFP as a treatment on massive blood transfusion has increased over the decades. Massive bleeding is defined as â€Å"the loss of one blood volume within 24 hours† or as â€Å"50 percent blood loss within 3 hours† or a â€Å"bleeding rate of 150 ml/minute† (Lauzier, et al, 2007). It is indicated for use in patients who have documented blood clotting abnormalities after large blood loss and who are in need of urgent treatment. This is due to the fact that in most emergency situations it is unacceptable to wait hours for lab results to be returned. Antithrombin III deficiency FFP is sometimes used as a source of Antithrombin III in people who are deficient of this inhibitor. Especially if the patients are undergoing surgery or who use Heparin to treat thrombosis. Treatment of Immunodeficiency FFP has been used in children and adults with a humoral immunodeficiency as a source of immunoglobulin. It is also sometimes used for infants when parental nutrition is lacking, and they are suffering with severe protein losing enteropathy (Erber, et al, 2006). Treatment of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura The treatment recommended for this condition is a daily plasma exchange (Murray, et al, 1995). Prompt intervention is indicated if development of neurological abnormalities start to appear. This plasma exchange usually continues for at least 2 days after remission (Ho, et al, 2005). Treatment of Disseminated intravascular coagulation Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a syndrome where the control of the coagulation system becomes disturbed and out of control. This is usually due to pro-coagulants being dispersed into circulation (Stanworth, et al, 2004). Most of the time this happens secondary to a disease or disorder, such as cancer. In the presence of DIC, fibrinogen, platelets and coagulation factors V and VIII become rapidly depleted. FFP is given as treatment to prevent further problems or progression. Treatment usually involves a patient being infused with a single line of FFP and then coagulation tests performed to assess the clinical benefit (Stanworth, et al, 2004). There are also some conditional uses where FFP can be used but is not the first choice treatment, such as liver disease and Paediatric use. If patients have an abnormal coagulation profile and are suffering from liver disease, they can be treated with FFP. There is varying success and treatment must be monitored by regular transfusion coagulation tests. Clotting times of infants have been shown to be longer than that of adults (Murray, et al, 1995), and even longer in premature babies (OShaughnessy, et al, 2004). Vitamin K deficiency is the most common cause of neonatal bleeding (Murray, et al, 1995). FFP can be used to counter the effects if required. In the case of babies suffering from haemorrhagic disease of the newborn, FFP can be used as treatment. But only if the â€Å"chance of bleeding is greater than the risk of harmful reactions† to the treatment with FFP (Lauzier, et al, 2007). Risks As with any transfusion there is a risk of infection, the main risks identified include: Disease transmission Excessive intravascular volume Anaphylactoid reactions Alloimmunisation Transfusion related acute lung injury The risks associated with viral infectivity of FFP are similar to that of whole blood and RBC’s. As mentioned earlier this risk can be countered by photochemically treating the plasma. Allergic reactions that occur in response to FFP transfusion vary in severity from â€Å"hives to fatal non-cardiac pulmonary oedema† (Stanworth, et al, 2004). Transfusion relate acute lung injury (TRALI) is defined as a â€Å"new episode of acute lung injury within 6 hours of complicated therapy† (OShaughnessy, et al, 2004). It manifests as severe respiratory problems, including hypoxia and other symptoms linked to pulmonary oedema. Symptoms will usually subside 2 days after ceasing FFP treatment (Stanworth, et al, 2004). Alloimmunisation can occur if Anti-Rh antibodies are formed after treatment with FFP. To counter this, plasma containing Anti-D antibodies should not be given to an RhD-positive recipient. There has also been reported incidences of post-transfusion Hepatitis, and depends on a number factors, including donor selection. Also with any intravenously transfused fluid, there is a chance of hypervolemia which could lead to cardiac failure, therefore administration of FFP should not be given in excessive doses. Below is a suggested dosage breakdown: Volume of 1 Unit Plasma: 200-250 mL 1 mL plasma contains 1 u coagulation factors 1 Unit contains 220 u coagulation factors Factor recovery with transfusion = 40% 1 Unit provides ~80 u coagulation factors 70 kg X .05 = plasma volume of 35 dL (3.5 L) 80 u = 2.3 u/dL = 2.3% (of normal 100 u/dL) 35 dL In a 70 kg Patient: 1 Unit Plasma increases most factors ~2.5% 4 Units Plasma increase most factors ~10% Figures taken from (http://reference.medscape.com/drug/ffp-octaplas-fresh-frozen-plasma-999499) Conclusion In conclusion, FFP can be used as an effective treatment for a number of different clinical issues. It also does not come without risk and therefore FFP should be collected, stored, prepared and used in an efficient and safe manner. Below I have summarised the administration of FFP. FFP (Fresh Frozen Plasma) Volume: 240-300ml (mean 273ml) Storage: designated temperature controlled freezer. Core temperature -30 o C Shelf life: 24 months (frozen) Must be ABO compatible, but Rh is not necessary to be considered for transfusion and no anti D prophylaxis is required if Rh-D negative patients receive Rh-D positive FFP. Prior to the transfusion FFP must be thawed under controlled conditions using specifically designed equipment. Thawing usually takes approximately 15-30 minutes Once thawed, FFP must not be re-frozen and should be transfused as quickly as possible. Post-thaw storage results in a decline in the quality of coagulation factors. If stored at 4 degrees centigrade post thawing (in a designated temperature controlled refrigerator), the transfusion must be completed within 24 hours of thawing. Pooled solvent-detergent treated plasma is also commercially available Dose: typically 10-15ml/kg. This dose may need to be exceeded in massive haemorrhage depending on the clinical situation and its monitoring (BCSH 2004) Typical infusion rate 10-20ml/kg/hr (approximately 30 minutes per unit) Rapid infusion may be appropriate when given to replace coagulation factors during major haemorrhage. There is anecdotal evidence that acute reactions may be more common with faster administration rates. (http://reference.medscape.com/drug/ffp-octaplas-fresh-frozen-plasma-999499) REFERENCES Erber WN, Perry DJ: Plasma and plasma products in the treatment of massive hemorrhage. Best Pract Res Clin Haematol 2006, 19:97-112 Hewson JR, Neame PB, Kumar N, Ayrton A, Gregor P, Davis C, Shragge BW. Coagulopathy related to dilution and hypotension during massive transfusion. Crit Care Med. 1985;13(5):387-391. Ho AM, Karmakar MK, Dion PW. Are we giving enough coagulation factors during major trauma resuscitation? Am J Surg. 2005;190(3):479-484. Hoffman M, Jenner P. Variability in fibrinogen and Von Willebrand factor content of cryoprecipitate.  Brief Sci Rep. 1990;93(5):694-697. Lauzier F, Cook D, Griffith L, Upton J, Crowther M: Fresh frozen plasma transfusion in critically ill patients. Crit Care Med 2007, 35:1655-1659. Leslie SD, Toy PT. Laboratory hemostatic abnormalities in massively transfused patients given red blood cells and crystalloid. Am J Clin Pathol. 1991;96(6):770-773. Murray DJ, Olson J, Strauss R, Tinker JH. Coagulation changes during packed red cell replacement of major blood loss. Anesthesiology. 1988;69(6):839-845 Murray DJ, Pennell BJ, Weinstein SL, Olson JD.Packed red cells in acute blood loss: dilutional coagulopathy as a cause of surgical bleeding. Anesth Analg. 1995;80(2):336-342. OShaughnessy DF, Atterbury C, Bolton Maggs P, Murphy M, Thomas D, Yates S, Williamson LM, British Committee for Standards in Haematology, Blood Transfusion Task Force: Guidelines for the use of fresh-frozen plasma, cryoprecipitate and cryosupernatant. Br J Haematol 2004, 126:11-28. Spence RK: Clinical use of plasma and plasma fractions. Best Pract Res Clin Haematol 2006, 19:83-96. Stanworth SJ, Brunskill SJ, Hyde CJ, McClelland DB, Murphy MF: Is fresh frozen plasma clinically effective? A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Br J Haematol 2004, 126:139-152 Tieu BH, Holcomb JB, Schreiber MA. Coagulopathy:its pathophysiology and treatment in the injured patient. World J Surg. 2007;31(5):1055-1065 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fresh_frozen_plasma http://www.psbc.org/therapy/ffp.htm http://reference.medscape.com/drug/ffp-octaplas-fresh-frozen-plasma-999499 http://ccforum.com/content/14/1/202

Friday, October 25, 2019

The River Runs Through It :: essays research papers

The 'Water is Wide'; takes place on the coast of South Carolina and Yamacraw Island during the nineteen sixties. A man by the name of Pat Conroy offers to teach over on the island, many people on the island have no education and are illiterate. When Conroy gets over to the island he finds himself very disgraceful. The teachers at the school believe that the children cannot be taught. His method of teaching is very different from others. One of Conroy's goals was to teach the children about America. So he showed them movies and let them listen to American musicians. After doing this about every day, it made an influence in the children's lives.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Big C and Lincoln were the class clowns. They hated the principle because every time they did something bad she would beat them. During most of his time on the island, Conroy stayed with the Skimberry's. The Skimberry's were a nice couple named Zeke and Ida.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When Halloween came around Conroy decided he wanted to take the children over to Bluffton, South Carolina, or Halloween so they could 'trick or treat.'; None of the kids even knew what 'trick or treating'; was. After making field trip forms and sending them home with all the children. The children came back with one of them signed. So Conroy went door to door asking begging each of the parents to let their children go.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Throughout the story Pat Conroy took the children many places. Unfortunately Mrs. Brown and Ted Stone accused him of doing many wrong things. He was not able to return the next year.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Even if Conroy did not teach the children anything, he still felt they would be able to survive in the outside world. I like this book. It made me very thankful that I have a good education. I also like the way Pat Conroy writes. In the future, I hope to read some of his other books. My favorite part of the book was when they would listen to the music of different artists, I also liked when they would play outside and he would tell about how they played so roughly.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Occupy Wall Street Movement Essay

The Occupy Wall Street Movement began on Sept. 17, 2011, when a diffuse group of activists began a loosely organized protest called Occupy Wall Street, camping out in Zuccotti Park, a privately owned park in New York’s financial district. The protest was to stand against corporate and government greed, social inequality and the corrosive power of major banks and multinational corporations over the democratic process. The idea was to camp out for weeks or even months to replicate the kind, if not the scale, of protests that had erupted earlier in 2011 in Tunisia and Egypt. There were many that protested for this trying to make a change. Many people fought for their rights asking for help for certain situations such as foreclosing in homes and also asking for better jobs to support their families which I feel was the hugest part regarding this Movement. The Movement was very important for these people to stand up for their rights and announce the help that they needed and they feel that other people deserved when stuck in situations. There was a main slogan for these protesters. We are 99 percent was a huge part of this. It refers to income differential, a main issue for OWS. It derives from a We are 99 percent flyer calling for Occupy Wall Street’s second General Assembly in August 2011. The variation â€Å"We are the 99%† originated from a page of the same name. Vietnam War era, and that the majority of Democrats, independents and Republicans see the income gap as causing social friction. The slogan was boosted by statistics which were from the Congressional Budget report released in October 2011. I feel that Occupy Wall Street Movement did have great point. I think what they were hoping to do was great for people. Others did not understand that they were trying to distribute more of a even income for all people with better jobs. They were even trying to create more of a number of jobs for all people. A big part of this was to relieve much debt from people that had this. I think the effort for this had great morals and should have been remember and supported. This is a issues that I believe still comes from time and time and there still hasn’t been much done about these issues presented. Many people do not understand how hard today’s world is. There would be so much relief is there was a program that could help people out so much. I think people are fighting for their rights for so many things. People are looking for other’s to listen to their opinions. These people in the Movement wanted to make a change not just for themselves, but for the world and future. They were trying to make the public understand what they are not agreeing with and get them to understand that there are many other factors that need to be considered. Utilitarianism I feel plays a huge part in this. This represents good over bad for almost all situations. I feel that people in this Movement could feel that they would involve themselves with this. One of the big points with Utilitarianism is that one must understand happiness before they can get happiness. I feel that for what the people in this movement were fighting for was their happiness and they have already understood unhappiness. People can understand Utilitarianism that believes in this protest. Many people have gone through these six stages that were fighting for their rights. These people were looking for happiness and to maximize it as long as possible. It was very important for these people to get out of their tough situations and fight for a better life for everyone. People were not disregarding their problems; they were simply acknowledging them and trying to move on. It was just asking for help. Kant’s ethics I feel is the opposite of this movement. Kant felt that acting out in feelings and self interest meant you had no moral worth. He felt people that made mistakes just shall be punished. Many people are fighting to not feel this way. They were fighting for the right to get better no matter their situation. Just because a mistake is made does not mean you did not have any morals or any self worth. People everyday have made mistake that should not be held against them for their whole lives. Many people have made decisions which may have been wrong. We all should have the right to move on and go forward. There is not morally wrong about sticking up for what you believe in and fighting for it. Kant was very by the book and believed that everything should go a certain way. I don’t think he considered to fight for rights for humans and that some things that come along aren’t always morally correct. Another thing that was fought in this Movement was income equality. Income inequality is increasing nationwide and new data from the Census Bureau shows which states have it worst. Maine, West Virginia and California all count among states where the wealth gap is expanding fastest. The gap between the richest and poorest residents of twenty states increased last year, while remaining about the same for the remaining 30, according to newly released data from the U.S. Census Bureau. No states saw significant decreases in their levels of income inequality. There is a huge different in the income equality. Many people don’t make barely anything to others. This has gotten worse over the years. It has even gotten worse then the 1700’s. There is way too far of a difference between the minimum wages and taxes that are taken from people. It would only be fair to up the minimum wage to make things more fair to people that do not have as good as others. This is something that people in the Movement were fighting for also. I feel that people in this movement would have been satisfied by just being acknowledged for the change they were trying to make. It is important for people trying to make a change in many important ways to at least feel like they are getting somewhere. I think a great outcome would be for people to consider what they are saying and work on fixing the problems. I think that many things that are being fought for are morally correct. If we all take a chance and realize the things we need to work on like provding help for people that need it, that would be great. For example, now in 2012 we have Obama care that helps many people that are in need of insurance that cannot afford it. Romney now is trying to get rid of this saying the government is paying too much to help low income people. This is the same thing. Many low income people are in need of this help and this should not be taken away from them. I think that a great ending would be for all people to be financially good. But everyone must work to get this help. I think we should all be financially stable no matter what income we make. Money is most of today’s problem especially with this economy today, if we could somehow get past this moment and look outside of this I think we could make it as a country by helping each other out. I believe this movement stood for great things. I think it will continue more movements in the future. Many people feel strongly about this subject. Some people use government help and abuse, but there are many people out there that need the help. I feel there should be a limited time to get assistance until you get on your feet. I believe there will be many people who want to fight over an argument about that. I hope there will be more positive movements such as this one in the future so people can stand up for what they believe in and what they hope for. People are looking for better jobs to make more money for their family. I feel that all people should fight to get to the best. That issue will never fade away. Some people had said about the movement that people were only asking for money which was not true. The goal of this movement was to get help for different things. These people in my opinion were not trying to over grow capitalism or start a riot. People were hoping for help when foreclosing on their homes which was a big issue. These are things that are happening to people who lose their jobs or getting a pay cut at work. These people were hoping for programs to get back on their feet. There are so many programs out there to help people; some money from the government should be able to go towards helping out people in these situations. I feel that this movement was very important and that people will continue to ask for this help until they are heard or a change is made. References: http://occupywallst.org/ http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/organizations/o/occupy_wall_street/index.html http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/16/us/ny-occupy-anniversary/index.html

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Blood glucose regulation Essay

DISCUSSION 1. Explain how insulin changed plasma glucose concentration over the course of the experiment. The insulin changed the plasma glucose levels by raising dramatically from fasting to the one hour mark, but by hour 3 it droped again to almost the same levels as fasting. The glucagon remained almost the same on throughout the levels except that it lowered a bit 1 hour after the  meal. 2. Explain how glucagon changed plasma glucose concentration over the course of the experiment. Glucagon acts on liver cells to promote breakdown of glycogen into glucose and formation of glucose from lactic acid and certain amino acids. 3. Explain what caused the change in plasma ketone concentration over the course of the experiment. Ketones changed from high during fasting to lower after eating and even after hour three because it first they were needed to generate ATP but droped because they were not needed as much for fuel. 4. Explain how negative feedback caused the changes in plasma insulin concentration observed during the experiment. the level of blood glucose controls secretion of both glucagon and insulin via negative feedback. 5. Explain how negative feedback caused the changes in plasma glucagon concentration observed during the experiment. 6. The insulin/glucagon ratio changed over the course of the experiment indicating changes in glucose storage and changes in ability to increase blood glucose concentration via glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis. State when glucose storage capability was highest and why. 7. State when glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis were highest and why. 1 hour post meal because that’s when there was the highest amount of sugar in the blood. 8. Explain how a high blood ketone level helps the body conserve blood  glucose. When the concentration of ketone bodies in the blood rises above normal the ketone bodies, most of which are acids, must buffered. 9. Restate your predictions that were correct and give the data from your experiment that supports them. Restate your predictions that were not correct and correct them, giving the data from your experiment that supports the correction. APPLICATION 1. During exercise, epinephrine and norepinephrine are released from the adrenal medulla. Epinephrine and norepinephrine have the same effect on plasma glucose levels as glucagon. Explain how epinephrine and norepinephrine affect plasma glucose and why this is important during exercise. Epinephrine and norepinephrine will be released by the adrenal medullae in response to stress. During exercise the brain will release epinephrine and norepinephrine because it has been told that the body needs to adjust to the new demand that must be met. Which means that the heart rate needs to increase in order to support itself and work efficiently. 3. The symptoms of diabetes mellitus include high plasma glucose levels and ketoacidosis (blood pH decreases due to increasing levels of ketones). Explain how diabetes causes these symptoms. Diabetic ketoacidosis is a dangerous complication of diabetes mellitus because the chemical balance of the body becomes too acidic.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Fuel Tax Essay Example

Fuel Tax Essay Example Fuel Tax Essay Fuel Tax Essay Do you just want cheaper fuel to increase your income? To become a popular Government? Squeeze more profit for your firm? Protect the environment? Break car dependence? These questions are a sign of the ever-increasing pressure for and against a reduction in fuel tax. The governments reluctance to openly discuss its policy has caused a real clouding of the arguments causing a general sense of frustration. This essay addresses both sides of the arena in the pursuit of bringing clarity and reason to an emotional topic. This essay uses the term petrol as defined to be a flammable fuel used in internal combustion engines(Oxford Con Dic, 1989: 425), thus including diesel, as well as unleaded vehicles. The issues that are covered are externalities, tax, public transport, who the tax effects, and utility. The arguments are ordered against a reduction then for a reduction. Over the last 30 years, with the rise of environmental awareness, the externalities connected with the use of motor vehicles have caused major concern to society and has presented a strong argument against a reduction in petrol tax. Pigovian taxes are the best way to correct for the negative impact of externalities by taking into account the social costs of using petrol to such a great extent. These social costs: health, congestion, environmental breakdown and accidents all need correcting. Every time you burn petrol you generate pollution in the atmosphere with carbon dioxide, thus increasing global warming and health problems e.g. asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory disorders. Congestion causes lost opportunity costs from unproductive time wasted. Accidents cannot be measured accurately as the loss of intellectual productivity cannot account for future possibilities. The best way is to allocate efficiency with social cost added to the pricing model. : As we see in figure 1: The marginal private cost curve is MPC. D is also the marginal benefit curve. Marginal cost exceeds MPC. In a competitive market, output is Qo, price is Po. When a Pigovian tax is imposed to show the social costs, then MSC becomes the MC for suppliers decisions. The price rises to P1 and the quantity falls to Q1: the point of allocation efficiency (Parkin, King 1995: 527). With the market failure and the externalities addressed the government can gather the tax revenue and tackle the social costs with revenue generated, which brings the price into alignment with their external costs. To look closer at the nature of tax and its winners and losers will reveal that all the tax is past onto the consumer in accordance with its inelastic properties. As the rules of tax state, with the fall in quantity demanded being smaller than the price reduction (in percentages). The consumer will be saddled with the larger cut of tax in the short run and all the tax in the long run. Therefore, the consumer is paying for all the externalities and the firm that profits from supplying petrol: pays nothing. As seen above in figure 1, there is a dead weight loss, which is caused from the reduction in the quantity demanded. This welfare loss has been minimized, however, this shows the petrol sectors ability to sustain large tax increases. The lack of response by motorists to the increases in the price of petrol causes the tax to become very appealing for revenue generation. The quantity demanded does not drop much after a tax increase. This shows how large amounts of money can be raised easily. In 1999/2000, fuel duties (excluding VAT) raised à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½22.3 billion, which is 6% of the total governments revenue (HM Treasury 46: 2000). The market for fuel is able the bear a large tax charge and the extent of the market is sizable too. Six pence on all road fuel duties raises as much money as one penny on the basic rate of income tax (HM Treasury 44: 1999). The suppliers and the government are seen to raise huge amounts of revenue from highly taxed petrol. In response to the argument for a reduction in petrol tax as the large amounts of revenue generate seem excessive and appear to be public and private profiteering. With the revenue being re-invested in infrastructure as the government is committed to doing. In the Chancellors Pre-Budget Speech in November 1999, [we] are now in a position instead of the pre-announced 6 per cent escalator-to make our decisions Budget by Budget with the following commitment: if there are any real term rises in road fuel duties, the revenues will go straight to a ring-fenced fund for the modernisation of roads and public transport (Smith, 2000; 8) These pledged billions give the vehicle user a real choice. The need to break car dependency and shift back the demand curve back instead of a taxing shift along the demand curve will reduce drivers by more. See figure 2: The option of substitute transport will make the driver fell they do have a choice to private vehicles. Investment of the revenue from petrol tax is a great asset. Much more than the revenue from the mandatory car tax gives. These improvements are necessary, as the infrastructure needs modernizing. This alternative will drop demand by giving a substitute drivers can rely on. The haulage industry will use it to put its freight back on the railways, if confidence were restored. A solid public transport system reduces demand without tax by using the revenue to change behaviour on petrol reliance. People are not adverse to tax increases if they know where the money is being spent. There is no way to guarantee that the money allocated to spending on roads and public transport is actually going to be spent in these areas. With the state of the rail system, the amount of congestion and the crackdown on accidents by fines, which many see as a new source of revenue, we are not seeing the benefits from the high petrol taxes: the highest in Europe. See figure 3: Unleaded petrol UK 55.47 Netherlands 44.84 Italy 42.93 Germany 40.12 Austria 32.35 Spain 28.04 Figure 3. European petrol duty and VAT, pence per litre With these high prices drivers expect to see improvements. This is the essence of their frustration. The modernization the government speaks of has not shown many tangible results. The alternative transport needed has not improved enough to encourage drivers to alter their actions and onto public transport. The cost of living taken across different household groups shows that an increase on petrol tax hits the poorest car owner, as well as, rural dwellers (Smith, 2000: 4). These are the people that need a substitute of public transport. Their incomes and budget constraints are the most susceptible to price rises. The governments lack of results in modernizing and producing a good transport alternative are just rationalizations for easy revenue. As with firms supplying homogeneous product we should be aware of the likelihood for them to maximise their profits in the event of a reduction in petrol tax. If the government were to give a 10 percent decrease in fuel tax the firms would not pass on all the savings to the customer. The small differences in price on the petrol forecourt do suggest price fixing, although illegal, it is difficult to prove. The petrol suppliers might, for example, pass on an 8 percent reduction and profit from the other 2 percent. This is a problem in a homogeneous market with few firms, indicative of the markets for natural resources. Although petrol users are also trying to increase their position by fuel tax being reduced. The Government are looking after all interests. These three groups are all willing to maximise their utility. As well as income utility there is utility as a quantitative measure of psychological satisfaction (Etrzioni, Lawrence, 1991: 86) present. The chance of promotion from mak ing more profits, getting something cheaper, or covering short falls in other public services are all difficult to value in financial terms. The inter conflict of interest will not allow for mutually beneficial trade. Rational self-interest depends in which of these groups you are, and to the same extent if you think this is an argument for or against a petrol tax reduction. In conclusion, we have seen that the taxes on petrol are in place to correct externalities by bringing adding social costs to show the real cost of vehicle use. This in turn has shown the petrol market to be one of high taxation with its inelastic nature. The revenue generated would regenerate the public transport sector to allow for alternative travel, although governments have failed to deliver. Tax affects vehicle users who need a substitute for car travel the most. And finally we saw utility maximisation pulling the debate in all directions. Tax reduction maybe a personal issue but there are rational arguments which need addressing to come to a solution in the best interests of society.

Sunday, October 20, 2019

Chemical Reaction Essay

Chemical Reaction Essay Chemical Reaction Essay jTask 3 - D4 Within my report I was aiming to look and the rate of reaction and how it increases while the temperature increases. This experiment was completed and through out the experiment the temperature increases and decreases because the hydrochloric acid and the sodium thiosulfate. The aim of this experiment was to time how long it would take for chemical solution to be able to turn translucent. When the temperature of the chemicals increase, then the atoms would rapidly produce kinetic energy. So therefore more kinetic energy will be produced because of the head on collision. So in summary the rate of reaction will be quicker or faster. Where as in the enzyme report, shows that experiment was used to see if the temperature would have effected the Autolytic Enzyme System which needs a minimum energy aspect which would met the chemical reaction which occurs of the Streptococcus Faecalis. This means that the cells would become destructive because of the own actions in the enzymes. My own report and the enzyme report are both completing the same task which is to investigate weather the temperature increase with the rate of reaction. In addition in my there were many different temperatures taken in my experiment so that the experiment shown a wide variety of results. Furthermore in my experiment the rate if reactions was between 0.1 sodium thiosulfate and 1m hydrochloric acid. In my experiment the sodium was used to help increase the rate of reaction. In addition in my experiment it was visible that the rate of reaction was increasing when the temperature would increase. The similarities and differences between my report and the enzyme report would be that the

Saturday, October 19, 2019

Biography of Rihanna

She began signing when she was seven with two of her classmates but it wasn’t until she was sixteen that she met Evan Rogers and began to work with him and moved out of Barbados. A year after moving to the states she was asked to meet with Jay-z at DefJam Records where she was offered a contract in February 2005. Working with DefJam records she was able to record her first album by the end of 2005. â€Å"Music of the sun† was released and Pon De Replay became her first widely known hit making it in to the top 5 singles for that year. Just about a year later she released album number two â€Å"A Girl Like Me†. Her song S. O. S. was her first number one hit and the album was ranked in the top five albums for the year. In May 2007 she released her third album â€Å"Good Girl Gone Bad† which won her a Grammy for best rap/collaboration for her number one hit Umbrella. This album also was known for three other number one hits including Don’t Stop the Music, Take a Bow, and Disturbia. Around two years later she released her fourth album â€Å"Rated R† which was the number one album on the Billboard Hot 100 albums for the year. Three of her songs from this album made it to the top ten singles including Russian Roulette, Hard, and Rude Boy. Under a year later she released â€Å"Loud† being one of her most popular albums and being known for her three number one singles Only Girl(In the World), Samp;M, and What’s My Name?. Finally her most recent album â€Å"Talk That Talk† was released in 2012 and is currently known for the number one single We Found Love. As of now we know that she is working on her seventh album which no information has been release about. She had been on four tours around the world and has one upcoming tour Diamonds World Tour which will be her biggest, longest tour yet. Rihanna often gives credit to her idols that all influenced her in different ways. The person she says influenced her the most would be Madonna saying â€Å"I want to be the Black Madonna. † She also has said that Whitney Houston, Beyonce, Bob Marley, Marilyn Monroe, Mariah Carey and Destiny’s child were very influential on her life becoming a successful artist in today’s music industry. Rihanna has become an influential person herself, having been and idol for Justin Bieber and Rita Ora, both younger artists. She has been named one of the most influential people in the world and ranks fourth in the most powerful celebrities. She has received many awards including five American Music awards, eighteen Billboard Music awards, two BRIT awards and 5 Grammys. She has had eleven number one singles on Billboards top 100 and was named Digital Artist for the 2000’s by Billboard Music as well. She is the highest selling digital artist of all time with 47,571,000 sold singles as of early 2012. Forbes reported that she earned a little over $82 million between May 2010 and May 2012 and she continues to expand on her career. Rihanna in known for her thought provoking music videos, many of them with under-lying meanings. Much like Madonna she incorporates substance abuse, domestic violence or love triangles into her videos. She also turns obscure situations into glitz and glamorous situations. Many of her videos and outfits have caused controversy because of the explicit content. Her live shows are known for her hip shaking, sex appeal, attitude, sexy outfits and over the top performances sometimes being quite risque. She has said that â€Å"These performances are all an act, that’s not me. That’s a part I play. You know it’s like a piece of art with all these toys and textures to play with. † In her early days she was a typical teen pop star but she easily shifted her appearance dramatically and continues to change frequently. By the time she released her â€Å"Good Girl Gone Bad† album she had completely shook the teen pop star image everyone had gave her. By 2008 she was named best dressed by Peoples magazine and was on Maxims Hot 100 for five consecutive years (2007-2011). In 2009 Glamour named her Woman of the year and she ranked seventeenth out of fifty in Most Glamorous Women. She also was named sexiest women alive in 2011 by Esquire. Not only is she an extremely successful music artist, she has had her share in acting as well. In 2006 she mad a cameo appearance in the movie Bring it On: All or Nothing. In 2012 she was seen in the movie Battleship as GM2 officer Cora Raikes and had another cameo appearance in The Katy Perry Movie. In the next two years she will be seen in End of the World and Happy Smekday. The successful Barbadian superstar started out as a typical teen pop singer and has made a huge name for herself, not only singing but acting as well. Attempting to turn herself into the â€Å"Black Madonna† it seems she has met her goal although she continues to do more with her career. After seven years and six albums Rihanna has become one of the most popular music artists not only in the USA but worldwide. She is one of the most influential celebrities for upcoming music artists in the industry today.

Friday, October 18, 2019

Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 393

Assignment Example To stop such unfair actions and from threatening of employee, a committee of neutral people could have been formed. The role of this committee would be to identify any unfair practices used by anyone to intimidate or threaten anyone. Moreover, employees should also have been asked to report any such unfair practice or intimidation they or their family members have received to this committee and then the committee would have the authority to punish such people. Yes, the racial nature of the rhetoric puts an extra pressure or burden on the union than a normal rhetoric about an employer. When the racism, ethnicity, religion and cultural aspects are involved then it influences people more than the normal situation (Jackson, Schuler, & Werner, 2009). Thus, in this situation, with the involvement of racism, not only the patriotism towards the country or racism has ignited, but it has also encouraged employees that have not been satisfied to show their frustration. Thus, by combining the ethnic or racism, an extra burden has been

Listen Up Cabin Crew Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Listen Up Cabin Crew - Essay Example He breaks down the communication process in understandable segments: Overconfidence, Social norms in the cabin, and Repetition. Then, related to Behavior, he cites the attitudes, expected norms of behavior, and perceived behavioral control, repetition, and confusion between repetition and recall. For an article of less than 800 words that is a review of a 91 page manual of extensive research, Darby has done a very good job. He has given enough details to the categories and information, condensing the information so that it is quickly learned. He cited his sources, focusing mainly on Azjen's research. The way he cites the categories is organized and easily understandable. If one wanted to know the basics of the ATSB's manual, this is a quick readable resource. The attached questionnaires in the ATSB's manual were used in the research for the compilation of data. This is mentioned also in Darby's article. He selected main topics and used those, mentioning the research that was available and used. Completely left out of any research questionnaire were anything asked of the cabin crew. As mentioned previously, the research and experts used are excellent examples of the type of information to bring confidence to the reader. The information is logical and follows sequential thinking. There are no seen errors in the structure of the thought process. If there are any biases perceived in this article, it has to do with a prejudice against passengers. However, that is stated in the beginning because that is the focus of the article-attempting to understand why passengers do not pay enough attention to the instructions given by the cabin crew. This seems to enhance the writer's credibility because it is stated in the beginning and is cited from the manual. My personal reaction to this is positive because it enhances my belief that passengers need more awareness of safety procedures on all flights and we need to do our best to continually make them aware of the rules and procedures. Darby presents an excellent behavioral view of this problem, but he does not address the emotional content to any large extent. However, neither does the ATSB manual. It only discusses the behavioral. Whether it would be helpful to discuss the emotional or not would really depend on the reaction of the passenger to any type of emergency situation and how the cabin crew would handle it. The cabin crew could be trained to understand the emotional problems associated with passengers. That training would then reflect in how they work with the passengers once inside the cabin. There are many more cited documents in the original ATSB document than what Darby used or was able to use in his article. Also not explained was the perception passengers have of the flight attendants and the difference of perception between shorter flights and longer ones. The trust level is addressed in the ATSB report, but not mentioned in Darby's article. It is my view that the article is quite valid and dependable. Whether Darby had a word length limit probably had something to do with the amount of information he was able to compile in the amount of allocated space. Had he had more space he could have included more about the research of the passengers, the reactions they have to the brochures in the seat pockets, and how much attention they actually pay to the emergency procedures. The statistics in the original manual by

How to use a Gold in Wind Turbines Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

How to use a Gold in Wind Turbines - Case Study Example One of the ways of embracing the sustainable activities is through employing wind power in the production of electric energy instead of using fossil fuels to produce electricity (Jamieson 2012). The gadget that converts wind energy to electric energy is wind turbine. The use of wind turbine to produce electricity has been in existence for some time now. However, it was not until people realized that other sources of energy such as fossil fuel and nuclear energy among others degrade environment that wind turbine was widely used to produce electricity (Mathew & Philip 2011). Basically, wind turbine produces electric energy by conversion of the wind’s kinetic energy to electric energy. Wind turbine is made up of a number components which are made from various materials. These components include: turbine, hub, tower, generator, nacelle, gear box, yaw and control system among others (Ancona & McVeigh 2001). Just as mentioned earlier, the components are made from various materials d epending on the environment of operation of the components, and the use into which these components are put in the wind turbine. The materials from which these components are made include: gold, plastics, iron, copper, steel and rubber among others (Blaabjerg & Chen 2006). This paper, therefore, aims at identifying as well as discussing the various ways in which gold is currently used in wind turbine components. The paper will also identify the new ways in which gold can be used in wind turbines. The paper also discusses the various components of wind turbine. The main components of wind turbines Just as earlier mentioned, the main components of wind turbine are: turbine, rotor, tower, generator, nacelle, gear box, yaw and control system among others. These components play various specific roles in order to ensure that wind turbine functions perfectly. The descriptions as well as functions of these wind turbine components have been discussed in the preceding sections of the paper. R otor Rotor is amongst the most important components of wind turbine, and it includes: turbine spinner, turbine hub and blades (normally three in number). The blades of wind turbines also considered amongst the important parts of a wind turbine, and are normally fabricated from the following materials: balsa wood, fiber glass, composites, and carbon fiber among other components (Burton, Jenkins, & Sharpe 2011). The strength-to-weight ratio of these components is normally high, and that’s why they are used in the manufacture of these components. Typically the dimensions of these blades range between 34 meters to 55 meters (Jamieson 2012). When the blades are manufactured, the raw materials are moulded into shapes that resemble airfoils in order to generate lift effect which in turn makes the rotor to rotate. In order to avoid blades from being stricken by lightning, they are sufficiently earthed in addition to being made of materials that can protect them being stricken by ligh tning (Manwell, McGowan, & Rogers 2010). The blades are usually bolted on the hub in such way that the hub is able to rotate, and take advantage of the wind’s varying speeds. The hub of wind turbine is normally made from cast iron that is ductile in nature, and usually considered as one of components of wind turbine with the greatest weight (Mathew & Philip 2011). This component of the wind turbine is usually rigid, and is designed in such a way that it is able to absorb vibrational forces. The hub is further covered by a component known as

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Leadership Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words - 2

Leadership - Essay Example Moreover, good leadership engenders the quality of inspiration over coercion; choosing to allow for the possibility of trailblazing new ideas rather than merely following a prescriptive playbook of actions based upon needs. Further, leadership, although prized and likely a commodity that is lacking within the current professional and political world, is not often appreciated within many of the largest multinational corporations throughout the world. This is of course due to the fact that oftentimes management is expected to be carried out utilizing a rather formulaic approach that does not rely upon the leadership capacity or imagination of the individual. However, leadership itself entails a great deal more than mere direction. Corollary parts of trust, belief, and mutual understanding between people are necessary components that cannot and should not be diminished. With respect to what leadership means to me, the answer to this deviates slightly from the textbook definition of what defines leadership. In this way, leadership must engender a great deal of selflessness, tacit yet clearly discernible levels of trust, and the continual dedication to considering the needs of those under your supervision prior to your own needs (Mutalib & Ghani, 2013). As a function of defining and understanding these nuanced concepts to a greater degree, the following analysis will focus upon understanding the following quote: â€Å"A leader’s true test is his or her ability to inspire behavioural changes required to transform organizational performance throughout the ranks† (Caldwell et al., 2012). This will in turn be analyzed leveraging an appreciation for the many schools of management theory that have existed and been promoted throughout the years; attempting to gain a level of oversight with regards to how leadership is viewed as a transformational process through which greater degrees of cohesion and increasing levels of utility/profitability can be engaged. B efore delving into the step-by-step discussion of how the different management theories relate to an interpretation of leadership within the current model, it must be understood that leadership and management are two distinctly interconnected concepts. Whereas management refers to the actual process of accomplishing tasks, focusing resources, and mitigating risks, leadership engenders a more nuanced and personal understanding of how a given individual can encourage cooperation and respect within the employees/stakeholders in question (Mayer et al., 2012). By much the same token, management has a number of roles and functions whereas leadership is not judged by easily quantifiable metrics. For instance, management roles and functions can include, but are not limited to, decision-making, problem-solving, motivation, influencing, negotiating, delegation, and communication. This is not meant to state that leadership does not engender many of the same requirements. However, leadership is something that should not be understood to exist wholly separate from the management process. Rather, the two, in an ideal interpretation and application, must exist side-by-side as a means of providing the best overall product and experience to all individuals involved within the process (Muethel et al., 2012). In such a way, one of the best means of measuring effective leadership is to seek to engage with effective management and ensure that these determinants are met first and foremost. Only once effective management is realized, can true leadership tickets form. This is not to state that leadership must follow managerial process and/or theory 100% of the time. Rather, past instances have proven that many times there is a market deviation from standard managerial protocol and the

The Problems of Contemporary American Culture Assignment

The Problems of Contemporary American Culture - Assignment Example Many teenagers disrespect their parents, adults, the elderly, and traditions. The media no longer differentiate the news from gossip and personal opinions. Many people assert their rights without knowing and doing their responsibilities as law-abiding and productive citizens. We have high rates of recidivism, because we not prepare ex-convicts for re-integration into community life. Sapiental Circle Questions What do you cherish about American culture? Respondent 1 Sex: Male Age: 52 Relationship: Neighbor and friend Answer: I cherish the belief in the American Dream, where any people from any gender, race, and age can attain happiness and success through hard work and determination. Respondent 2 Sex: Female Age: 39 Relationship: Mother’s friend Answer: I cherish the freedoms in American culture that other societies do not have, like freedom of speech and freedom of demonstration. Respondent 3 Sex: Male Age: 19 Relationship: Cousin Answer: I like that we have freedoms. I can cr iticize my government without being killed for my views. Respondent 4 Sex: Female Age: 18 Relationship: Friend Answer: I like the notion of the American Dream and our freedoms. It means we can be who we want to be and no one can stop us. We can speak our minds and we can still wake up and live another day. Classmate 1 Sex: Female Age: 20 Relationship: Friend Answer: The best in American culture is our freedoms. ... Respondent 1 Answer: So many youth nowadays have no respect for their parents and adults. They think they know everything and yet they know nothing, even about themselves and their culture. Respondent 2 Answer: Mass media makes me sick. I rarely watch TV nowadays. It’s all about selling sex, violence, and materialism. Respondent 3 Answer: People fight for their rights, but they don’t want the responsibilities that go with it. They just want this and that, but they will not give time for issues that matter. Respondent 4 Answer: I find it problematic that media glorifies skinny and perfectly beautiful models and actresses. They teach youth that they can never be young, pretty, and sexy enough. They teach poor self-esteem and self worth. Classmate 1 Answer: The problem is the lack of self-criticism, the inability to stop and examine our weaknesses. Media also sucks. It’s driven by money and produces sexual, misogynistic, and materialistic images and messages all the time. Classmate 2 Answer: It’s problematic that people no longer care about each other. They are too individualistic. I also dislike its apparent lack of respect for other cultures in other countries. We cannot force our ideals on others, no matter how noble we think they are. My Own Answers What do you cherish about American culture? I cherish the concept of the American Dream and our civil rights and freedoms. Migrants and natives can both reach their ideals of success and happiness. They have the liberty and support from the government too, which help them reach their dreams in life. What do you find problematic in America culture? I find it problematic that the culture is steeped with materialism, sensationalism, discrimination, indifference, immorality

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

How to use a Gold in Wind Turbines Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

How to use a Gold in Wind Turbines - Case Study Example One of the ways of embracing the sustainable activities is through employing wind power in the production of electric energy instead of using fossil fuels to produce electricity (Jamieson 2012). The gadget that converts wind energy to electric energy is wind turbine. The use of wind turbine to produce electricity has been in existence for some time now. However, it was not until people realized that other sources of energy such as fossil fuel and nuclear energy among others degrade environment that wind turbine was widely used to produce electricity (Mathew & Philip 2011). Basically, wind turbine produces electric energy by conversion of the wind’s kinetic energy to electric energy. Wind turbine is made up of a number components which are made from various materials. These components include: turbine, hub, tower, generator, nacelle, gear box, yaw and control system among others (Ancona & McVeigh 2001). Just as mentioned earlier, the components are made from various materials d epending on the environment of operation of the components, and the use into which these components are put in the wind turbine. The materials from which these components are made include: gold, plastics, iron, copper, steel and rubber among others (Blaabjerg & Chen 2006). This paper, therefore, aims at identifying as well as discussing the various ways in which gold is currently used in wind turbine components. The paper will also identify the new ways in which gold can be used in wind turbines. The paper also discusses the various components of wind turbine. The main components of wind turbines Just as earlier mentioned, the main components of wind turbine are: turbine, rotor, tower, generator, nacelle, gear box, yaw and control system among others. These components play various specific roles in order to ensure that wind turbine functions perfectly. The descriptions as well as functions of these wind turbine components have been discussed in the preceding sections of the paper. R otor Rotor is amongst the most important components of wind turbine, and it includes: turbine spinner, turbine hub and blades (normally three in number). The blades of wind turbines also considered amongst the important parts of a wind turbine, and are normally fabricated from the following materials: balsa wood, fiber glass, composites, and carbon fiber among other components (Burton, Jenkins, & Sharpe 2011). The strength-to-weight ratio of these components is normally high, and that’s why they are used in the manufacture of these components. Typically the dimensions of these blades range between 34 meters to 55 meters (Jamieson 2012). When the blades are manufactured, the raw materials are moulded into shapes that resemble airfoils in order to generate lift effect which in turn makes the rotor to rotate. In order to avoid blades from being stricken by lightning, they are sufficiently earthed in addition to being made of materials that can protect them being stricken by ligh tning (Manwell, McGowan, & Rogers 2010). The blades are usually bolted on the hub in such way that the hub is able to rotate, and take advantage of the wind’s varying speeds. The hub of wind turbine is normally made from cast iron that is ductile in nature, and usually considered as one of components of wind turbine with the greatest weight (Mathew & Philip 2011). This component of the wind turbine is usually rigid, and is designed in such a way that it is able to absorb vibrational forces. The hub is further covered by a component known as

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

The Problems of Contemporary American Culture Assignment

The Problems of Contemporary American Culture - Assignment Example Many teenagers disrespect their parents, adults, the elderly, and traditions. The media no longer differentiate the news from gossip and personal opinions. Many people assert their rights without knowing and doing their responsibilities as law-abiding and productive citizens. We have high rates of recidivism, because we not prepare ex-convicts for re-integration into community life. Sapiental Circle Questions What do you cherish about American culture? Respondent 1 Sex: Male Age: 52 Relationship: Neighbor and friend Answer: I cherish the belief in the American Dream, where any people from any gender, race, and age can attain happiness and success through hard work and determination. Respondent 2 Sex: Female Age: 39 Relationship: Mother’s friend Answer: I cherish the freedoms in American culture that other societies do not have, like freedom of speech and freedom of demonstration. Respondent 3 Sex: Male Age: 19 Relationship: Cousin Answer: I like that we have freedoms. I can cr iticize my government without being killed for my views. Respondent 4 Sex: Female Age: 18 Relationship: Friend Answer: I like the notion of the American Dream and our freedoms. It means we can be who we want to be and no one can stop us. We can speak our minds and we can still wake up and live another day. Classmate 1 Sex: Female Age: 20 Relationship: Friend Answer: The best in American culture is our freedoms. ... Respondent 1 Answer: So many youth nowadays have no respect for their parents and adults. They think they know everything and yet they know nothing, even about themselves and their culture. Respondent 2 Answer: Mass media makes me sick. I rarely watch TV nowadays. It’s all about selling sex, violence, and materialism. Respondent 3 Answer: People fight for their rights, but they don’t want the responsibilities that go with it. They just want this and that, but they will not give time for issues that matter. Respondent 4 Answer: I find it problematic that media glorifies skinny and perfectly beautiful models and actresses. They teach youth that they can never be young, pretty, and sexy enough. They teach poor self-esteem and self worth. Classmate 1 Answer: The problem is the lack of self-criticism, the inability to stop and examine our weaknesses. Media also sucks. It’s driven by money and produces sexual, misogynistic, and materialistic images and messages all the time. Classmate 2 Answer: It’s problematic that people no longer care about each other. They are too individualistic. I also dislike its apparent lack of respect for other cultures in other countries. We cannot force our ideals on others, no matter how noble we think they are. My Own Answers What do you cherish about American culture? I cherish the concept of the American Dream and our civil rights and freedoms. Migrants and natives can both reach their ideals of success and happiness. They have the liberty and support from the government too, which help them reach their dreams in life. What do you find problematic in America culture? I find it problematic that the culture is steeped with materialism, sensationalism, discrimination, indifference, immorality

Review Questions Essay Example for Free

Review Questions Essay Answer the following questions (you may use MS Project Help): 1) What are the three base calendars included in MS Project and what are the default values of each? Standard Default base calendar, Monday to Friday, 8 to 5, lunch noon to 1. This is the default base calendar used for the project, for tasks and for resources. Night Shift Usually for graveyard shift, 11 PM to 8 AM, five days a week, lunch 3 AM to 4AM. 24 Hours – Work never stops here. Typically used for projects in a manufacturing situation, midnight until midnight 7 days a week. 2) What is the difference between a base calendar and a resource calendar? Resource Calendars apply to only specific resources. 3) Why schedule one project meeting after completion of the last task, Test System? We should as a final meeting to discuss how the project went as a whole. 4) Give an example of when you would assign a 24-hour calendar to a resource. 24-Hour calendars would be used in situations where a consultant is being used to complete a fixed-cost task 5) If you were doing a senior project, what would be the base calendar you would use for students working on the project and what adjustments would you make to it? The base calendar I would use would probably be the 24-hour calendar because there would not be a set time each task will be worked on. Turn in this sheet with your MS Project file to the Weekly iLab Dropbox.

Monday, October 14, 2019

Effect of Politics on Health Care Policies

Effect of Politics on Health Care Policies How Have Political Ideologies Helped to Shape Policy in the Healthcare Arena Introduction During the late 19th and early 20th Centuries welfare and the provision of healthcare was dominated largely by a laissez-faire approach. Many people in Britain lived in impoverished and unsanitary conditions. By the time of the Boer War (1899-1902) nearly a third of all troops suffered from malnutrition and they were judged unfit to serve. This information was used by social reformers as evidence that Government ought to provide health and welfare services that were an improvement on those which existed at the time (Moore, 2002). Since then policy making has been shaped by the ideology of the Government that is in power. Different ideologies are associated with different political parties, the ones referred to in this paper are associated with Liberal and Labour Governments, Tory Government and New Labour. The ideological underpinnings of these political parties are respectively, social democratic, new right thinking and the third way. This paper will attempt to show how such ideolog ies have helped to shape policy in healthcare, beginning with social democratic policies which produced the 1942 Beveridge Report and laid the foundations for the British welfare state (Walsh et al, 2000). Post-War Social Democracy Social democracy is made up of a number of different strands but its policies are most closely associated with Labour Governments but is often subscribed to by most Liberal Democrats and some Tories. The Post-War Labour Government saw the Welfare State as central to society and one of the things that promoted social cohesion. Thus the ideologies of post-war Labour Governments are the basis of the British Welfare State (Giddens, 2001). The post-war Labour Government believed in universal welfare provision, where a high standard of welfare is available to all those who need them. This system results in what is known as an institutional model of welfare. Central to this approach is an understanding of healthcare as of a high standard, comprehensive, and available to all. Giddens (2001) notes that this kind of provision was based on the ideas of the economist John Milton Keynes and meant that Government was involved at all levels of people’s lives. The post-war welfare state was formed on an understanding that there would be full employment. The 1942 Beveridge Report recommended the introduction of a system of National Assurance. Under this system everyone paid a part of what they earned to the Government and theoretically this would finance the welfare benefits they obtained. The National Health Service grew out of the publishing of by In 1946 Anuerin Bevan introduced a National Health Services Bill from which grew the National Health Service. Underlying this was the idea that healthcare and hospitalisation would be provided free at the point of access. The National Health Service, which was established in 1948, became the envy of the Western world as people received free primary care from their local GP, free medicine, free eye and dental care and free hospitalisation. By the 1950s however, it was becoming impossible to sustain a completely free service and the Government were forced to introduce some charges for prescription s, spectacles and dentistry. This was largely due to the fact that the demand for healthcare exceeded Government resources to pay for it. The NHS lurched from one financial crisis to the next because the demands on it were so great (Walsh et al, 2000). Moore (2002) maintains that until the late 1970s British social policy was dominated by this approach which opposed radical change and believed that the best way to achieve a more just an equal society was over a period of time. However, the post-war government had not envisioned rising unemployment and reduced tax revenues. The Social Democratic approach has been criticised as being paternalistic and elitist, telling people that the state knows what is best for them. This approach has also been accused of creating a dependency culture rather than allowing people to think for themselves. This was a central argument of the New Right. The New Right Approach The Tory Government that was voted into office in 1979 argued that under the previous Government state services had become oppressive and inefficient. New Right thinking lay behind the Government’s policies, which in turn influenced its critique of Social Democratic policies and the welfare state. New Right approaches emphasise the role of the private sector in service provision. The incoming Government was concerned with the spiralling costs of welfare, particularly the health service, and the fact that people relied to heavily on Government services. Universal provision had created a nanny state a welfare dependency. Thatcher argued that it was preferable to provide services through the market, through charity, or through family members. Personal responsibility and self-reliance were the core values promoted by the Tories. The New Right Approach concentrated on lifestyle and its physical and mental effects thereby placing responsibility for the state of an individual’ s health on their own shoulders (Giddens, 2001). The new Government introduced market principles into the health service. Instead of doctors and patients, the term healthcare providers and clients were introduced. In theory this was supposed to give people more choice over the type of care they received, in practice it was a roll back of services. Stiglitz (2002) maintains that rather than increasing user choice the system actually gave the Government more control over people’s lives and allowed them to monitor take up of services to cut costs. In order to control spending on health competing NHS Trusts were introduced. This meant the growth of a two tier system within the Health Service and the introduction of private care (Walsh et al, 2000). The Conservatives also began a process of deinstitutionalisation, closing geriatric wards and psychiatric hospitals, discharging people into the community. In 1990 the Community Care Act was introduced. Means and Smith (1994) have argued that this Act did anything but care, †¦the term community thus enables the continuous construction of an idyllic past of plenty and social harmony which acts as an immanent critique of contemporary social relations. Thus the call by politicians and policy makers to replace present systems of provision with community care feeds into this myth by implying that it is possible to recreate what many believe were the harmonious, caring and integrated communities of the past (Means and Smith, 1994:5). The New Right approach to policy making has been criticised at a number of levels and some research studies e.g. Howarth (1999) found that since 1991 the mortality rates in some local authority areas have risen by 40% and are thus significantly higher than the national average. When New Labour came to power they continued the critiques of welfare dependency and introduced further reforms. Their approach is not yet fully developed but is known as the Third Way. The Third Way Approach Dean (2003) maintains that when New Labour came to power in 1997 they did not break with New Right approaches. Blair maintained that they were offering a third way, that broke with the old left and agreed with some of the Conservative policies. New Labour ministers have argued that new policies are needed to cope with poverty and inequality and to improve education and health. Blair’s Government argue that the state cannot provide everything and people need to be ready to help themselves more. The Government will however, provide funding and opportunities for people to help themselves. New Labour have continued using market principles in healthcare and have introduced a system which accounts for the number of cases that a hospital trust deals with. Its healthcare policies also involve using the private health system to cope with the overflow work that comes from the NHS (Moore, 2002). New Labour still hold to the view that the introduction of market principles into the healthc are system will result in greater efficiency and better care. Critics have argued that the inequalities under the Conservatives have continued under New Labour and there is now a postcode lottery within healthcare i.e. where a person lives determines the amount and quality of healthcare that they receive. In response to this the Government set up Health Action Zones in 1998. By 1999 these were focussed on underprivileged areas where the health of the population was thought to be particularly poor. Health Action Zones are based on the principle of inter-agency working i.e. health is not simply a matter for the NHS, voluntary organisations, GPs and housing and social services all play a part in promoting health. The Government also introduced NHS Direct, a telephone help service that people can contact when they are not clear what to do about a health problem. In some areas there are walk in health centres staffed by nurses, they deal with minor health problems and take some of the load off of AE departments. (Moore, 2002). Some critics argue tha t Third Way policies benefit the better off at the expense of the poorer members of society.(Alcock, 1997)..It is also argued that Third Way polices are not sufficiently though through and therefore appear indistinct. Conclusion This paper has looked at the ways in which political ideology shapes policy making. It has focussed on policy making in health because this is still a hotly debated topic in both the media and in the public arena at large. Social democrats believe in universal welfare provision but the idea is based on full employment and that is no longer a viable concept. New Right thinking is against such total provision and believes that individuals need to be more self-reliant. Third Way policies use a combination of approaches but in practice much of the policy making is virtually indistinguishable from that of the New Right. Clearly these ideologies do have an effect on policy making, but more importantly they have an effect on the lives of British people. While there were many weaknesses in the Social Democratic approach it seems to be the general view that health services have deteriorated considerably with changing ideologies. 1600 words References Alcock, P. 1994 â€Å"Back to the Future: Victorian Values for the 21st Century† in Murray, C. 1994 Underclass: The Crisis Deepens London, IEA Dean, H. 2003 â€Å"The Third Way and social welfare: the myth of post-emotionalism† Social Policy and Administration Vol 7 Issue 7 p.695 Giddens, 2001. 4th ed. Sociology. Cambridge, Polity Press Howarth, C. 1999 Monitoring Poverty and Social Exclusion 1999 York, Joseph Rowntree Foundation Marsh, Keating and Eyre et al 2000 2nd ed. Sociology: Making Sense of Society Essex, Pearson Education Means, R. and Smith, R. 1994 Community Care, Policy and Practice London, Macmillan Moore, S. Scourfield, P. Sinclair, S. Burch, S. and Wendon, B. 3rd ed. 2002 Social Welfare Alive Cheltenham, Nelson Thornes. Stiglitz, J. 2002 Globalisation and Its Discontents New York and London: WW Norton Company Walsh, I ed. 2000 Sociology: Making Sense of Society. Edinburgh, Prentice Hall.

Sunday, October 13, 2019

Cultural Norms and the Effects on America Essay -- Literary Analysis,

Cultural norms play a function in the way individuals view the world. Although, some individual’s experience social dilemmas between their heritage and being American. As United States citizens, individuals should go beyond ethnicity and see everybody as an American. America was established by immigrants from all over the world, which turned the nation into a collage made of a number of diverse cultures. With these different cultures come the laws and religions that govern their behavior. In, Mind Reading an Anthology for Writers by Gary Colombo presents a number of remarkable essays on cultural customs. In â€Å"Hidden Culture† by Edward T. Hall, he describes culture as well as, how an individual’s culture effects their capability to understand another person’s cultural customs. In â€Å"Mrs. Cassadore† by Mick Fedullo, explains his life experience while educating the Apache students on the reservation. Fedullo overcomes cultural obstacles. Fe dullo helps his students to realize that it is acceptable to be Apache. Fedullo teaches his students that one should never transform who they are. â€Å"The Self and Society: Changes, Problems, and Opportunities by Roy F. Baumeister make use of labels to explain selfhood. Baumeister discuss the history of selfhood to rationalize selfhood. For example, how changes in the society and culture affect selfhood. Two other articles that give some insight on American culture are â€Å"A Quilt of a Country† by Anna Quindlen, and â€Å"Communication In A Global Village† by Dean Barnlund. Culture is something people are born into. The way people view culture is how they are raised around it. Throughout history, our country has experienced social revolutions. When there are social revolutions, bringing about structural... ...eople would be more insightful to other cultures. An individual upbringing and cultural teachings make a person, and how they react to others. Unfortunately some people cannot make it past the ethnicity and sometimes tensions can be detected between their tradition and being American. As citizens in the United States all man and women ought to go further than ethnicity and see every person as an American. This is something that needs to be taught from childhood on. It is a shame that it is now 2010 and prejudice is very much alive in the United States. Maybe someday the citizens in America will be able to move past the cultural and ethnic differences and see each other as equals. Then America will be a nation to be revered as a country that can overcome anything. All it takes is a little faith and kindness and understanding that everyone matters.

Saturday, October 12, 2019

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby - Nick Carraway as Narrator Essa

The narrative point of view adopted by F. Scott Fitzgerald in The Great Gatsby supports the novel's criticism of the upper class and the importance of wealth in society. Fitzgerald uses Nick Carraway as the narrator who views the upper class as entirely superficial. Through his observation of people at Gatsby's party, at the beginning of chapter three, Nick seems to feel that the wealthy are clones of a stereotype accepted and created by themselves. To him it seems as though this society is based on appearance and recognition and judges people according to how much they own rather than what they believe in. Nick's criticisms are accepted by the reader as impartial because Nick is the only major character who is not preoccupied with wealth. This is established in the first few pages of the novel where Nick describes himself and his upbringing in a manner that immediately secures the trust of the reader. This allows Nick to act as a measure for other characters who are in a relentless pursuit of money and power.      Fitzgerald creates a particular impression of Nick in the first few pages of the novel in order for Nick to present himself as honest and to secure the trust of the reader. Fitzgerald does this by describing Nick's upbringing and his opinion of himself. Nick states that he is 'inclined to reserve all judgments' which is 'a matter of infinite hope.' This has the immediate effect of presenting Nick as an unbiased narrator. When he states that his tolerance has a limit, the reader feels that he would only judge people if they have gone too far. The importance of this is that Nick does form very strong opinions of characters later in the novel. This encourages the reader to view these characters so that they will develop ... ...ween the reader and Nick in order for the reader to accept Nick's opinions as impartial. He places Nick in a typical situation where wealthy people interact. The reader is encouraged to view the upper class as superficial and as a group of clones who choose to fit into a single self-created stereotype. By focusing on only a few individuals at Gatsby's party, Nick presents the entire class' pretentious behaviour quickly and effectively to the reader. The importance of appearance and recognition to these people is noted several times by Nick when he describes groups of people behaving in their typically superficial manner. The narrative point of view adopted by F. Scott Fitzgerald thoroughly supports this novel's criticism of wealthy people and how they choose to lead their lives.   Ã‚   Works Cited: Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. New York: Macmillan, 1992.

Friday, October 11, 2019

A Mexican Tejano in American Texas Essay

Thesis As young Tejano boy who lives in Texas with family, friends, and a community with respectful ordinance and order for law. One has experienced a life drastic change when two frontiers are met in Texas for the demand for independence, land, and property in my land. A Tejano life becomes a change for one when the United States fight in battle for Independence with Mexico, and ultimately change the characteristic and the effects of a Tejano life-for a boy. I am Tejano What is a Tejano? We are known to be the first descendants to grow families in Texas. From 1600’s through the late 1800’s, Tejano’s are extractions of the Mexican and Spanish groups that first colonized the Texas frontier. I have lived many years in Texas prior to the revolution and I helped create the areas first plaza’s, politics, missionaries, plantations, ranches, and developed roadways. â€Å"I am a Tejano!† San Antonio de Bexar where I was born, part of the Spain’s colonial holdings in the New World. My father Bernardo H. Reyes had immigrated to Texas from the State of Veracruz, Mexico. My father’s European heritage and devoted craftsman skills. My father: Bernardo H. Reyes surged as a forerunner in the society of San Antonio. He devoted his work as a mayor (Alcalde), of San Antonio, Texas to which was heroic to a Tejano son. He hoisted us in the European section of the plaza, and sent my older blood brothers and me to Mexico for better schooling. In change, school was subject to change for me. My advantages in school came to an end. At the age of 13, my father passed unexpectedly forcing us to return home to supply support to family back home in 1811 and 1813. The Anti-colonial revolutionaries took over many towns as I watched violently defeating our Mexican military. My older brother Danny Reyes, fought with the Mexican Army, also, helping the rebels in the fights, he was discharged when they discovered the event leading to a Battle of Alaz’n in Coahuila-y-Tejas, on June 20, 1813. Tejano Origins Tejano’s contributed to a stable cultural effect throughout the economic region in Texas. My people ranched and furnished a true historical value to Texas with families cultivated a new transition of a foreign Spanish flag to the Mexican flag. From people who wrote the laws that define Tejano life and also invited Angelo Immigrants-Whites. Tejano life was important in unifying the community for a military purpose of the reconciliation to settle in Texas. Tejano cultures were very distinguished with a very strong sense of community. In 1821, one was told there was a population of 4,000 Tejano’s in Texas. The early Spaniards had originally brought with them a good associating for neighboring brothers-which was identified as the barrio. The barrio was reinforced on the Texas Frontera when the early expeditions came to settle in Texas. People came together as families creating communities around the missions which made Texas a home to Tejano’s to settle. The term â⠂¬Å"Tejano† has been used to identify ones people and as a Tejano boy historically. I knew that Texas was the heritage of Spaniards to Mexican culture, and is now forced to see a new transition take place-with the United States for Independence. Texas Between 1821 and 1836, Texas was the land that introduced two frontiers in the Battles of American Military and Mexican Military for Independence, land, and power. Culture and social commerce were competitive during these condemning years. A political dominance for Mexican lands was well-catching when new settlers migrated into Mexico. In September 1810, before the United States migrated, New Spain was afraid that the first movement for freedom would lead to independence by a Mexican Priest named Miguel Hidalgo (My Uncle). His main ambition was to create a movement that would be independent country from Spain. Ending Texas the New Constitution gave a self-governed province by making a new state of Coahuila y Texas. In 1810 Mexico declared its independence from Spain after a protracted struggle. In September 1821, after three hundred years under Spanish rule, Mexico obtained its sovereignty and became a New Mexican empire. Years after in 1836, the Alamo took battle in the front and in 1846 the Battle of the Mexican American War lasted two years ceding nearly half of its territory from Mexico to the United States. These were The Battle of the Alamo followed by the Mexican-American War in 1846. Changing the political forces during for Tejano’s in Texas. Anglo Men (White) Anglo is a prefix indicating a relation to English white people in 1821 (â€Å"American History†, 2012). When the Anglo Men first appeared in Texas, Tejano settlement composed three areas to separate the regions in Texas. The Nacogdoches region, the Bexar Goliad Region along with the San Antonio river. Each of the population fluctuated independently in its region from others between the Nueces River and the Rio Grande, but shared certain trademarks in many similarities, which was military. Spain closed the Mouth of the Mississippi to foreigners from 1784 through 1795 due to 50,000 Americans settlers crossing. It was difficult to return across the Appalachian Mountains. The Americans were trying to set plantations for their crops in Louisiana and Texas during this time. Thomas Jefferson Threatened Mexico for a war over this new transition. Philip Nolan became the first Anglo American to cross the borders to sell horse trading in Texas but was arrested by Spanish borders. In Mex ico City foiled our plans. Mexico was afraid about the reports that American immigrants were flouting Mexican laws and entering illegally, causing the Tejano population to be outnumbered to a rate of ten to one. The Mexican government excluded the importation of indentured servants to Texas and I was then surrounded by angle white settlers. Conclusion It is evident that Tejano laws laid much of the foundation for a prosperous Texan society and community. Eventually, American settlers fight for Independence with Mexico in the Mexican-American War, changing the effects, cultures, and territories-for Tejano’s. Indeed, the history of Texas can never be complete without the story of his origins and founders of an eminent Tejano. Reference American History. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/essays/1801-1900/anglo-american-colonization-in-texas/texas-1821-1836.php Garcia, D (2004, Jan). People & Events: Jose’ Antonio Navarro (1795-1871). Remember the Alamo, From http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/alamo/filmmore/webcredits.html From http://www.geocities.com/flambdog/texanscivilwar.htm MARTINEZ-CATSAM, A. (2013). War along the Border: The Mexican Revolution and Tejano Communities. Journal of Southern History, 79(3), 752-753 Schultz, K. M. (2012). HIST 2 (2nd Ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.

Thursday, October 10, 2019

Toll Roads

One day my mother an I were driving to one of my football games. When we were about to arrive there was a little toll booth that read, â€Å"Two Dollars†. We couldn’t find any money so we decided to run it. The fine was fifty dollars. I believe we should take out toll roads because they can cause a lot of conflict with people. One reason why we should take out toll roads is because they can cause traffic. People have jobs and may have to take toll roads to get to them.Say a man is looking for money in his wallet, it may take a while and hold up people behind him. Many people will be late for work and may lose their jobs. Another reason why is because thousands of people in California are unemployed. Usually toll roads are two dollars, but it can vary. People don’t have much money do be paying for toll roads especially if you have to use one daily. You can buy a card but that leads to my next reason.If someone is leaving their house in a hurry they can forget thei r wallet which would either contain money or their toll pass. When they reach the toll road they would probably have to run it. Then they get a fine. This can cause much conflict with people. Many people may say that people work hard on the roads and they get a satisfying drive. But if you don’t have money or forget your toll pass then you’ll be in trouble. I believe that we should take out toll roads.

Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Breadtalk Research

Talk Local brand; regional success. BreadTalk Group Limited started out in 2000 as a local bakery chain best known for its signature floss buns, before firmly establishing its brand name and evolving into a major food retailer in less than 10 years. It currently operates in three main segments: bakery, food court and restaurants. It entered the restaurant segment in 2003 after acquiring the Singapore franchise rights to the renowned Din Tai Fung restaurant brand. The food court business soon followed in 2005. The group was listed on SGX in 2003. China to spearhead the next growth phase. From Singapore, it moved to the rest of the region and China is currently one of its key markets outside of Singapore. Given the sheer size of the consumer market in China, we believe that it will be the future catalyst for BreadTalks growth. While Singapore currently remains the largest revenue contributor to the Group, BreadTalks diverse brands of various food offerings and established foothold in Beijing and Shanghai should allow it to take advantage of rising disposable incomes as well as react quickly to new consumer trends in China. In terms of number of outlets, China already outnumbers Singapore with 20 food courts, 3 Carls Jr fast food restaurants, 3 RamenPlay restaurants and 184 bakery outlets. Rising costs, an issue, but manageable. We believe that BreadTalk will be able to maintain a gross profit margin of about 55%, which is in line with its margins over the past five years despite potential hike in food costs. Previous fluctuations in raw material prices had not resulted in any significant impact on gross profit margins, and the group also plans to improve its margins by shortening its supply chain and bulk sourcing globally for its supplies. Initiate with BUY and fair value estimate of S$0. 74. We project revenue growth of 26% YoY for FY2011F on the back of outlet expansions and stronger sales from existing stores. Backed by strong sales projections, its growing brand recognition and its continuous commitment to review and enhance its offerings, we are initiating coverage on BreadTalk with a BUY rating and a fair value estimate of S$0. 74 based on a discounted cash flow-to-firm valuation model with a WACC discount rate of 8. 02%. This valuation translates to an upside potential of about 11. 6% based on the last traded price of S$0. 66.