Escherichia coli Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Escherichia coli - Essay Example E. coli is essentially liable for some intestinal and extra-intestinal contaminations. A portion of these infewctions incluse meningitis, peritonitis, urinary tract contaminations, septicemia, Gram-negative pneumonia and mastitis. In view of the destructiveness properties of the enteric E. coli, these are partitioned into the accompanying: enterotoxigenic, enterotoxigenic, enteroinvasive, verotoxigenic, enterohaemorrhagic and enteroaggregative E. coli. Enterotoxigenic (ETEC), is the causative specialist of the runs in people, pigs, sheep, goats, dairy cattle, canines, and ponies. Enteropathogenic (EPEC) is the causative specialist of loose bowels in people, bunnies, mutts, felines and ponies. Enteroinvasive (EIEC), is discovered distinctly in people, where as verotoxigenic (VTEC) is found in pigs, cows, canines and felines. Enterohaemorrhagic (EHEC) is found in people, dairy cattle, and goats, assaulting porcine strains that colonize the gut similarly as human EPEC strains and entero aggregative E. coli.. Gastrointestinal Food industry assumes a significant job in the spread of illnesses by e-coli. Most ailment has been connected with utilization of half-cooked, debased ground hamburger. There are likewise veggie lover sources as individuals have additionally gotten sick from eating debased bean grows or new verdant vegetables, for example, lettuce and spinach. Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a main source of food-borne sickness in different pieces of the world. E. coli O157:H7 was first perceived as a reason for sickness in 1982 during an episode of extreme bleeding loose bowels; the flare-up was followed to polluted cheeseburgers. From that point forward, more diseases in the United States have been brought about by eating half-cooked ground hamburger than by some other food. It is a reality dependent on a 1999 gauge that 73,000 instances of disease and 61 passings happen each year in the United States alone. Unhygienic practices are the fundamental driver for contamination with E.coli O157:H7. The basic manner by which this bacterial contamination influences people is ridiculous looseness of the bowels, and some of the time may likewise be liable for to kidney disappointment. Disease can likewise be transmitted starting with one individual then onto the next through contact. Moreover, disease can likewise come about because of drinking crude milk and in the wake of swimming in or drinking sewage-sullied water. This bacterial has become so regular that there are additionally reports of e-coli in packaged drinking water.

Case study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 4

Contextual investigation Example The absolute quantities of the stores that it can recuperate are evaluated to be at 300 and 7,000,000 tons of oil and the flammable gas was gauges are roughly 400 and eight five billions cubic meters (Exxon Neftegas Limited). The execution and improvement of this task have been roused with the application and utilization of advance development techniques and innovations. Additionally, the utilization of such advancements and development strategies have prompted decreased expense of activity for the general venture improvement and also prompted limited negative ecological effects. Moreover, the task has figured out how to defeat the vast majority of its specialized and natural difficulties; hence, meeting its set objectives and targets through use of the recently presented advancements. Moreover, the submitted supervisory crew has effective changed the project’s objectives and goal into the achievement of the undertaking through their submitted accommodation to the task. Be that as it may, the undertaking has been confronted with various difficulties including complex administrative standards, constrained foundation, troublesome coordinations, and incompetent work. In any case, the administration ap propriate use of its effective plans particularly along the new advancements has prompted fruitful consummation of the project’s first stage (Exxon Neftegas Limited). The Sakhalin venture is one of the biggest remote direct speculations that are found in Russia. It had the target of satisfying the ever-developing vitality requests in Russia and different pieces of the world. The task figured out how to satisfy this target or its point since it delivers and gracefully vitality for both household utilization in Russia and sending out a portion of its vitality to upper east Asia. Also, it helped Russia to merge its vital position with respect to the flexibly of vitality in different pieces of the world. At the end of the day, the undertaking made Russia to be a world vitality provider and be

Why Creativity is so Crucial for Entrepreneurs

Why Creativity is so Crucial for Entrepreneurs In today’s economic world, entrepreneurship is considered the key factor toward economic development. Entrepreneurs strive to create more opportunities in industry, providing more employment options and ultimately having a positive impact on per capital income, revenue generation, lifestyle, etc. This article deals with one of the most important elements of entrepreneurship: creativity. © Shutterstock.com | OllyyIn this article, we look at 1) characteristics of the entrepreneurial process, 2) why creativity is so important for entrepreneurs, 3) the link between entrepreneurship and creativity, 4) basic elements of the creative process, and 5) how to be creative and think outside the box.CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ENTREPRENEURIAL PROCESSEntrepreneurship is like doing any other business, but there are some characteristics, which distinguish it from traditional business techniques.InnovationAn entrepreneur’s mind revolves around new ideas and opportunities for innovation. There is a continuous and conscious effort required to look for niches and undertake the risks in entering them. Entrepreneurship involves the continuous examination of existing business workflows and devising ways in order to carry them out in a more efficient and effective way, in terms of both time and cost. In simple words, entrepreneurship works toward the optimization of business.Economic Importa nceEntrepreneurship works toward optimizing resources and taking full use of them to create efficient processes. It increases an enterprise’s wealth and adds value by increasing the economic activity that comes with optimizing the whole process.More ProfitThe process of entrepreneurship rewards the individual by increasing the profit potential of the enterprise. This is the result of undertaking new ideas and providing an innovative product or service.Risk-TakingThe whole essence of entrepreneurship revolves around the courage and ability to take new risks. Patience is needed to observe the fruitful outcome of an idea, and it takes time and effort to go from conceptualization to implementation of ideas. This time and effort is the risk that the entrepreneur is willing to take.Job OpportunitiesEntrepreneurship creates new niches and enterprises, which requires a work force. This provides exciting job opportunities for young adults. Hence, with the innovation and profit, entrepreneu rship has immense potential for creating jobs.The Entrepreneurial ProcessThe entrepreneurial process starts with conception and refinement of an idea, followed by implementation and management. The flow chart of the entrepreneurial process is shown below: WHY CREATIVITY IS SO CRUCIAL FOR ENTREPRENEURS?A thorough observation of the entrepreneurial process shows that creative thinking is the must have “skill” of an entrepreneur for the creation of new ideas. Creativity allows a person to devise interesting processes, which gives so many advantages to entrepreneurs.But what exactly makes creativity so crucial and important in an entrepreneur’s work life?Creativity leads to success by:Creating new ideas for competitive advantage.  The whole process of entrepreneurship is rooted in creation and exploration of new ideas. When an entrepreneur is able to generate a new idea that is feasible as well as efficient, it gives him an edge over the competition. The ability to explore different niches is just like a learned skill or a resource that is possessed by an individual.Thinking of novel ways to develop your product and improve the business.  Creativity helps develop new ways of improving an existing product or service and optimizing a business. There is always a room for improvement in the deliverables of an enterprise; it is the creative entrepreneur who can assess how to do it.Thinking the unthinkable.  Creativity requires imagination to produce the most obscure ideas. Imagination is needed to cross the boundary of “usual” and “normal” or to think outside the box. This allows entrepreneurs to think beyond the traditional solutions, come up with something new, interesting, versatile, and yet have success potential.Finding similar patterns in different areas. Sometimes, due to following a routine or a habit, the thinking process also goes along the line of those established processes. Creativity enables people to connect dissimilar and unrelated subjects and make successful entrepreneurial ideas. Merging different fields creates interesting intersections that creates new niches. Most people are afraid of bringing different disciplines together, but most interesting ideas come from colliding different fiel ds.Developing new niches through creativity and entrepreneurship.  In entrepreneurship, it is important that new aspects of traditional business are explored. This can be in the form of changing the method of manufacturing the product or delivering the service or how are they supplied to the user. All these areas can create a niche that has great potential in business.ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND CREATIVITY HOW ARE THEY LINKED?We have now assessed that entrepreneurs can attribute their success to creativity. But what exactly links entrepreneurship and creativity?Entrepreneurs link the creative mind and the business mind.In today’s world, due to globalization and excessive industrialization, products are manufactured and exported to international markets. As a result, there is easier access to every product, everywhere. The consumer has access to various kinds of products ranging in type and quality. So what does a businessperson do in a market flooded with products? How can someone think of manufacturing and supplying a product in markets where consumers already have their trusted preferences and so many choices to choose from? How can we make a product stand out from the rest?A creative mind answers all those questions. Creativity helps us think of how to improve existing business practices. A brand might be very established and popular among the consumers, but there is always something that can be done differently from them and in a better way. A creative mind is like an artist who creates new and exciting patterns on canvas. Creativity can come up with the most unthinkable ideas and bring innovation into existing practices.Creativity is simply the ability of imagination. Imagination leads someone to reach never before explored areas. In business terms, imagination alone is what is known as “thinking outside the box”. Using imagination, an entrepreneur can put aside the practical norms and think of something creative and innovative.However, a creative mind ha s to have entrepreneurial skills to bring those creative ideas to life in a business setting. An entrepreneur assesses the requirements of how to execute an idea by analyzing available vs. required resources, how to establish a new enterprise and how to manage it. An entrepreneur designs business models that can support and execute innovative ideas in the first place. An entrepreneur provides the ‘science’ aspect about how to bring the artistic creativity to life. Therefore, an entrepreneur bridges the gap between the creative genius and a traditional business approach.There are indicators that signify the creative thinking of a successful entrepreneur.Creativity does give an entrepreneur a competitive advantage, but how does one assess whether they are creative enough or not?Following are characteristic features indicative of a creative entrepreneur:An entrepreneur adheres to rules and principles only when they add value to the organization and have a potential to attract more customers.An entrepreneur experiments with his ideas as the first step. The second step is learning from the experience and the third step is implementation of what they have learned.An entrepreneur is less afraid to lose and is always keen to experiment in new ventures.The entrepreneur is not afraid of creativity and believes that creative ideas will only help their enterprise.A creative thinker will take inspiration from new ideas in every area directly or indirectly related to the enterprise.An entrepreneur is not afraid to go beyond the industry and enter new markets. This opens a wide range of opportunities to formulate new niches.Every product and service is not good enough and has room for improvement. An entrepreneur realizes that very well.A creative thinker is interested in bringing totally opposite things together to create new products or services.An entrepreneur creates new products for existing services and new services for existing products.Creative ideas come more qu ickly when someone is not afraid to appreciate new ideas irrespective of who comes up with them.An entrepreneur shares an idea and is open to feedback that improves and refines the idea.Creativity comes from learning different things, whether they are related to the industry or not.These indicators show that entrepreneurship and creativity go hand in hand with each other. Entrepreneurs are more flexible and seek improvement more than they seek perfection.Creativity needs to be structured.Despite all the flexibility to undertake new ventures, creativity does require a bit of structure for successful execution. However, too much structure robs the whole essence of the process. The key lies in having a rigorous approach toward work without being too stiff. Researchers say that creativity works best with two separate approaches: convergent and divergent. A convergent approach is focused and seeks a single solution using available information. However, divergent thinking works to create many creative ideas in different directions.Creative thinking is not the only skill needed for entrepreneurship.The discussion so far has led us to think that entrepreneurship is deeply rooted in certain basic skills: creating new ideas and having the ability to take risk in executing them. However, one should realize that this is not the only skill that is required for the successful execution of an idea. Creating an idea might be easy; successfully executing it might be a difficult task. What makes a person a successful entrepreneur? Why do some people recognize the opportunities that exist around them and others do not? Are they genetically different? Or do they have a different perspective to handle things?There might not be conclusive answers to those questions, but researchers have pointed out some areas for which an entrepreneur should have some expertise. These are:Personal traits. Personal attributes help entrepreneurs in a variety of ways. Optimism; vision, self-control; a nd having initiative, persistence, tolerance and resilience are all the features that make an entrepreneur stand out and have the ability to maneuver projects.Interpersonal skills. An entrepreneur has to interact with people at many levels. This requires them to have excellent interpersonal skills. Communication, leadership, motivation, personal relations, negotiation skills, and ethics are attributes that are a must have in a very dynamic business environment.Critical thinking. An entrepreneur must be his own critic. There should be a keen observation of various aspects of an idea so it can be perfected before implementation. A lot of future effort can be saved if an idea is critically analyzed, and no one else can do it better than the entrepreneur himself.Practical skills. These skills are required at the stage of idea implementation and management of the enterprise. An entrepreneur must be able to plan and organize goals and tasks. There should be effective decision-making and c ritical monitoring at various stages of the process.Business thinking vs. creative thinking: what comes first?This question is similar to: which came first, the chicken or the egg? The debate involves which aspect the entrepreneur chooses to handle first: the creative or the practical side of the process.Some believe that creativity is the initial step of the process and it is followed by the building of the model for its execution. However, it might not always be true. These two processes are so interlinked with each other that it is rather difficult to mark their boundaries. Both aspects go hand in hand with each other from start to finish. However, creativity might be dominant at the preliminary stage and the business thinking might be at the helm during the execution, or vice versa. BASIC ELEMENTS OF THE CREATIVE PROCESSThe process of creating interesting ventures is inherently dynamic and versatile. There are many aspects to the approach and the stages of the creative process. Some insight into the process is given below:Step 1: PreparationThe first stage, of course, is the preparation of some basic ideas to hold onto. There has to be some inspiration that “forces” or “prepares” the entrepreneur to move forward. The creative process starts with identifying a problem and then researching for related information. This is done in an effort to start looking for a viable solution. An entrepreneur looks in every direction to solve the problem, be it inside the industry or outside.Step 2: Thinking outside the box â€" going beyond the comfort zoneCan we achieve anything if we are not willing to go beyond our comfort zone? One has to leave the comfortable arena, go beyond and take a risk. Rewards come with efforts.“Thinking outside the box” is an expression that has been used in marketing, business and psychology since the 1970s. It owes its origin to a “nine dot” game that was once used as a test of creativity. The puzzle was designed such that th e person had to go beyond the dots to find the solution. However, psychologists say that this “external” factor is not really external, it is simply the existing solution to the problem. “External” is only how our brain tends to perceive it.Step 3: Creativity isn’t magicDespite the immensely amazing things creativity can achieve, it is definitely not magical. Creativity is simply approaching things with a different perspective. The simplest approach to creative thinking can be copying different elements, transforming them, combining them and eureka! There is a new idea. This essentially makes use of existing elements. As Kirby Ferguson says, “It happens by applying ordinary tools of thought to existing materials. And the soil from which we grow our creations is something we scorn and misunderstand even though it gives us so much â€" and that’s… copying.”Step 4: IncubationDuring the incubation stage, ideas that have the potential to solve a problem tend to flourish. This stage is characterized by the unconscious thought process of refining an idea. Apparently, there are many activities at work during this stage, but the overall goal is to find a solution. Evaluating existing projects can help to generate viable ideas. Some researchers even refer to the creativity process as re-creativity since it takes inspiration from existing ideas and molds them in an innovative way.Step 5: IlluminationIncubation leads to clarity of ideas. This is the “solution finding” stage. Now the creativity process leads to the knowledge of some practical ideas that can be put to work. It is like a “light bulb” moment, hence it’s called illumination.Step 6: VerificationThis stage determines whether the “found” solution even has the potential to work or not. The idea can either be accepted as such, modified with minor or major changes, or rejected altogether, requiring that the whole process be done again.Step 7: Critical thinkingGenerating innovative idea s is a comparatively easy task. The major success of an entrepreneurial endeavor lies in critically examining the viability of an idea. Critical thinking enables an entrepreneur to self-judge in order to evaluate the idea. It is defined as a self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored and self-corrective process of evaluating an idea.No one else is aware of the aspects of the problem as well as the proposed solution like the entrepreneur is. Therefore, a very honest opinion about the viability of the idea can come from the entrepreneur himself.Critical thinking offers many competitive advantages to the entrepreneur, such as:It helps formulate the best possible idea.It allows for exploring new horizons and seeing the big picture.It enables the entrepreneur to evaluate and ask questions that have not been considered previously.It helps in taking decisive actions; the result of creativity.Therefore, the process of creative thinking that starts with brainstorming “ends” at the c ritical analysis of the idea’s viability. The resulting potentially viable ideas can lead to the creation of actual entrepreneurial enterprises or improvement of the existing ones.HOW TO BE CREATIVE AND THINK OUTSIDE THE BOXIn business, if one aspires to achieve more, then it requires doing more. Everyone is comfortable with the norms as they are pretty established with few chances of risks. However, entrepreneurship cannot thrive on the “norms”, rather it requires building something innovative from those norms. Creativity leads to innovation, which in turn leads to improvement in the business one way or the other. Creative thinking leads to new products and services, increasing market competition.Creativity being a very important factor of the whole endeavor can sometime not be that easy to achieve. An entrepreneur cannot rely upon occasional “light bulb” moments to achieve professional greatness. However, there are certain ways that can “train” the entrepreneur to be able to think creatively on a frequent basis, boost the process and make it more efficient.Think freely, but focus on the major question you want answered, the product you want developed, or the area you want improved.Free thinking is primary to creating more contemporary and profitable business practices. Likewise, a creative mind is expected to come up with innovative ideas; something not thought of before. However, the basic focus of the creative process should revolve around a problem and building a solution for it. Putting up some restrictions and establishing some parameters is important in the creative process. Endless opportunities interfere with the generation of viable ideas. Focused thinking helps in detailed idea generation that has the potential to be implemented.Brainstorm.Choosing a successful idea requires that there are enough viable ideas on the table in the first place. Creative thinkers need to churn out every possible alternative they have in mind. In fact, the collection of ideas or brainstorming is so important that there should be regular brainstorming sessions. This helps in compiling every idea starting with the most absurd ones. One should know that a very weird idea could be made wonderful later on.Encourage and reward creative ideas of your team.The team can be the greatest asset an enterprise can have. Conscious efforts should be made to encourage the employees to think creatively. There could be small trips arranged for employees to get inspiration and effectively engage in creative thinking. At the end, there should be rewards for employees who help in increasing the company’s value. There could be certificates, vacations, awards or another motivational strategy to inspire employees.Share ideas and solicit feedback.We learn a lot from our experiences. Nevertheless, in entrepreneurial endeavors, it is better that an idea is refined and theoretically foolproof before it is taken to the step of execution. One person could be ign oring some very important aspects of a problem, however, sharing ideas and soliciting feedback can give a multidimensional perspective.Evaluate your ideas.Princeton Creative Research has laid out a checklist for entrepreneurs to evaluate an idea. Some salient checkpoints are given below:Do you think your idea has some realistic need and is beneficial toward that?Can you pinpoint the issue your idea resolves?What will be the expected short-term and long-term results and gains of implementation?Do you know any limitations of the idea? Are there any risk factors involved?Is the implementation simple or complicated?Do you think the market can accept your idea? Do you know who your potential customer would be?Is there a need of your product or service? Alternatively, will it have to be created by marketing and promotion?These evaluation marks can help supply detailed knowledge of the idea’s viability, providing another tool to check the idea along with critical thinking.Entrepreneurshi p could simply be the solution for the economic problems of today’s world. It brings the most innovative and exciting ideas to reality. However, it is a process that can be made even more successful with creative thinking. The above discussion helps us realize the importance of creativity in the entrepreneurial process. Creativity and entrepreneurship are intricately related and go hand in hand with each other. However, both are important to each other; and one cannot guarantee success without the other. Hence, to be a successful entrepreneur, creative thinking should be consciously done to bring forward the most viable ideas.

Current Issues Facing The American Education System Essay

There was once a time when white males were only allowed to attend colleges and universities. After the civil war, women and those of different ethnicities were thrown into the college scene. However, even today there continues to be the ongoing debate on how it is best to enroll, educate, and graduate these students that were once denied higher education. Because of this debate, American universities still need to provide accommodations to these groups of students. Those previously denied the right to attend universities now face issues because of the confidence gap, the economic gap, and the stress gap. These issues can be fixed if changes are made in the universities teaching system. According to Adrienne Rich in the article†¦show more content†¦Are American Universities still unconsciously holding those back that were once denied the right of higher education? The Chronicles of Higher Education pointed out three key issues that women and those of different ethnici ties still face today. The first issue was the confidence gap. Evaluating themselves lower then men in their academic abilities, women continue to worry about their academic performance. This lack of confidence could be coming from professors, students, or university itself. However, this is not the only issue. The next issue involves levels of stress and depression. Women and those of different ethnicities tend to enter colleges with higher stress and depression than the typical white male (Sax). Once again this stress and depression can be due to teachers, students, and the university. This also leads into the last issue, which is the economic gap. An example of this is issue, can be shown by using women from lower socioeconomic classes. As more and more women from this class choose to attend college, the average income for female college students drops further behind males. A statistic in the San Francisco Chronicle can prove this examples point. College educated blac k women annually earns almost $13,000 less than college white educate men do (CM-14). Those these issues are being pointed out some people argue thatShow MoreRelatedThe Future Of The American Public School System1344 Words   |  6 Pagesbe reconstructed in both fundamental and radical ways. The school system must be restructured. The future of the American public school system is significant because the maintenance of an informed and productive citizenry is vital to the future of this country. Historically Americans have strongly asserted the importance of public schools in a democracy and despite growing disdain for the perceived value of the school system, public schools remain central to democracy in the United States.Read MoreThe Current Issues Of Capitalism867 Words   |  4 Pages The current issues of Capitalism in America is a grave concern to Americans. 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Evolution and the Modern Social Contract Theory Essay...

The Emergence of the Modern Social Contract Theory Essay Outline POLS 14033 – Political Ideas and Ideologies The Emergence of the Modern Social Contract Theory Essay Question: Firstly, in this essay, we will describe and analyze the various concepts of the evolution and emergence of the modern social contract theory thru the analysis of several of its key political thinkers. We will provide a detailed review of the concepts that have developed and that were crucial for the emergence and evolution of this theory including the questions of the origin of society and the legitimacy of the authority of the state over the individuals. We will describe the social context in which the modern social contract theory has†¦show more content†¦Rousseau, Jean-Jacques. â€Å"Du Contrat Social ou Principes du droit politique†, France, 1762. With the changes humanity faced and as the overall population increased, the concept of communities and divisions of labour were introduced and one could say they â€Å"gave† rise to leisure time. Private property, how ever was the most significant concept that influenced his social contract theory the most. According to Rousseau, private property constituted greatly in the pivotal moment of our evolution out into competitiveness and other â€Å"greedy† one could argue stat and out of the simple and more â€Å"pure†. Rousseau had great thoughts on â€Å"the state of nature† and that this state was happy and equal before the invention of property. Rousseau analyzes the invention of property as a â€Å"fall from grace† that was the State of nature. 3. Hobbes, Thomas. â€Å"Leviathan†, Great Britain, 1651. 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A question that has been debated for the past few decades is; is it corporately viable to introduce social responsibility as a proposed addition to the work ethic of business organisations. As well as, if adopting the framework of corporate social responsibility would yield positive improvements for those organisations. The purpose of this essay is to research the notion of CSR and uncoverRead MoreHerbert Spencer Essay13142 Words   |  53 Pagesconcept of evolution and played an important part in the development of economics, political science, biology, and philosophy. Herbert Spencer was born in Derby on April 27, 1820. His childhood, described in An Autobiography (1904), reflected the attitudes of a family which was known on both sides to include religious nonconformists, social critics, and rebels. His father, a teacher, had been a Wesleyan, but he separated himself from organized religion as he did from political and social authorityRead MoreThe Stakeholder Theory11680 Words   |  47 PagesThe Stakeholder Theory of the Corporation: Concepts, Evidence, and Implications Author(s): Thomas Donaldson and Lee E. Preston Source: The Academy of Management Review, Vol. 20, No. 1 (Jan., 1995), pp. 65-91 Published by: Academy of Management Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/258887 Accessed: 20/04/2010 23:08 Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of JSTOR s Terms and Conditions of Use, available at http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp. JSTOR s TermsRead MoreCurrent Issue in Management Accounting6101 Words   |  25 Pagesmanage, lead or ignore them, big changes are a foot in the accounting profession, and the best course of navigation will be collaborative. That journey begins with communication *Accounting And Finance Current Issues In Management Accounting Accounting Essay Performance measurement is the process to use the parameters to measure the performance of the organization. This process of measuring performance often uses the statistical evidence to determine progress toward specific defined organizational objectivesRead MoreCsr Theories13535 Words   |  55 PagesCorporate Social Responsibility Theories: Mapping the Territory Elisabet Garriga, `  ´ Domenec Mele ABSTRACT. The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) ï ¬ eld presents not only a landscape of theories but also a proliferation of approaches, which are controversial, complex and unclear. This article tries to clarify the situation, ‘‘mapping the territory’’ by classifying the main CSR theories and related approaches in four groups: (1) instrumental theories, in which the corporation is seen as only

Judging yourself Free Essays

This is a strong trial that could go well over either way. Even though the state at this point in time does not have a right-to-die statue I believe it should. A doctor that one is seeking help and care from should have no say how he/she (the patient) should die. We will write a custom essay sample on Judging yourself or any similar topic only for you Order Now By definition a doctor is â€Å"a person licensed to practice medicine, as a physician, surgeon, dentist, or veterinarian (dictionary. com)†. Nowhere in that description does it explain a person licensed to declare rightful legal euthinization. Being the daughter of a terminal cancer patient is hard enough. I can’t imagine having the extra stress of monitoring how your mother or father dies in the hospital bed. Having a state law for the right to die statue could save so many more families from extra heartache. After all it plan and simple is your very own life to live and if one wants to die in a certain way; by golly they should be allowed to. Plan and simple the statue involves, shifting the right-to-die laws from granting permission for death to defining hat constitutes causing a premature death. Thereby allowing choosing timely death will require new thinking within the right-to-die movement. But this second approach is likely to be supported by more people who formerly were undecided about the right-to-die. We all want to avoid premature death for ourselves. And we can support new laws that prohibit helping or causing anyone to die too soon. But this still becomes an issue because everyone has different opinions and views on life death and even health treatments. Looking on the court side the law against causing premature death specifies safeguards that might be fulfilled in order to prove that the death was timely rather than premature. And because these sateguards are included in the written law, no Judge can exclude such facts and opinions from any subsequent trial. A great example would be the last trial of Jack Kevorkian was lost because the defense could not offer testimony from the patient and the family that death at this time was the best possible alternative. The Judge ruled that all such facts and opinions were irrelevant. The only question was whether Jack Kevorkian gave a lethal injection. â€Å"If Dr. Kevorkian had been charged with causing premature death, he would never have been sent to prison because the death of Thomas Youk† who was dying of ALS†was not premature (Park, Permission)†. The fact that he died a timely death would have been proven by presenting safeguards that were fulfilled in choosing the best time for him to die. How to cite Judging yourself, Papers

Innovation and Sustainable Business Development for Revenue Growth

Question: Discuss about theInnovation and Sustainable Business Development for Revenue Growth. Answer: Concept of a business model A business model is referred to the clear and concise way of showing how exactly the business is operated. In an organization, the management team is expected to explain the business model in few sentences (Fey Trimble, 1993). All the companies in present time try to strive to offer the value to customers. The stronger the value proposition, especially when it is compared with the competitors, the most likely many customers will buy through the company. The business model is considered as the way of translating the concept of the value proposition in the potential for having profitability and rapid revenue growth (Fey Trimble, 1993). The business model explains the various methods, which can be used by companies in generating revenue. It can include charging the fees for subscription, selling the products or services, selling the service contract over the item for creating the revenue opportunities. The model also depicts the factors related to the business operation that leads to profitability. The organization might hold high margin, as compared to competitors, due to the low-cost sources associated with supply (Fey Trimble, 1993). A business that attains advantage through word of mouth suggestions through present customers towards prospective customers can become profitable, as this type of marketing is less costly than others like advertising. Explain what is involved when referring to the notion of an e-business archetype, business model as an activity system AND a business model as a cost-revenue architecture. The business model is the integral part of economic and trading behaviour in this pre-classical period. In the mid-1990s the concept of business model has become more prevalent through the coming of the internet, as it has helped in collecting momentum, since that time. From that period, ideas around this concept are resonated with business practitioners and scholars, as mentioned by various publications, which also include book chapters, articles in the scientific journals and business press (Fey Trimble, 1993). The research stream that is devoted towards the business model focuses on e-business. It implies doing the business electronically. It includes e-markets, e-commerce, as well as internet based business, and involves the companies that undertake commercial transactions with the buyers and business partners on the internet (Forrester, 1994). Only companies that rarely make use of websites for displaying the product/service information are excluded. Current advancement in the information and communication technologies, like the swift and emergence of internet and this lead to rapid reduction in the communication and computing cost, which has permitted towards the development of different ways of creating and delivering the value, that has also offered scope for creating the unconventional mechanism of exchange and transaction architectures (Keating, 1998). The same has accentuated the expectation for designing new boundaries of organizational forms. Indeed, all these developments have opened the doors for business model design through enabling the companies to bring change in primary ways for organizing and engaging in the economic exchange in inside and across the boundaries of the industry. As per Keating (1998), it includes the ways, through which companies quickly communicate with both customers and suppliers. The companies conceptualize the business model like the system of interdependent activities, which transcend the focal companies and span around the boundaries (Vennix, 1992). The system of activity try to enable the company to create value in relation with partners, but also relevant to value creation share (Keating, 1998). As per empirical research, it is recommended that there are two sets related with parameters, on which activity system designers expect to consider, structure and governance, design components, that explain the activity system architecture, as well as design themes like efficiency, novelty, lock-in, and complementarities. It also describes the activity system sources of value creation. The basic logic behind the business model revolves around the revenue and cost of the companies, along with capture value mechanism, and cost value proposition (Lane, 1993). Therefore, conceived the business model could act as a vehicle for initiating innovation, just like the inno vation subject. Explain how these business model conceptualizations can be used to analyse and solve static and dynamic problems, including business model design/redesign problems. Lane and Oliva (1998) identify different thinking along with the process of modelling, which characterize the problem definition and explores the conceptualization stage like the divergent. Along with this, it also points towards the variation in the answers of people towards the question, when they are individually formulated or either in the group (Lane Oliva, 1998). In this context, it depicts the process, in which the conceptual model use was linked with the Delphi technique modification in the problem elicitation of issues and its conceptualization. Lane and Oliva (1998) also emphasize over the significance of facilitation process and the session design in handling issues within groups. Many tools aid towards the conceptualization and identification of issues. Martinez Luna (2001) emphasize on other things like the significance to include the decision making process in modelling and the ability to quickly diagnose the actual problem and then matching the issues with the releva nt modelling technique (Martinez Luna, 2001). Business model conceptualization is referred as the way to tackle the complex issues occurring in the decision conference aided through different tools. Especially the group including the multi-attribute utility models, the project combined system assumptions surfacing and testing, as well as system dynamics in the policy analysis and conceptualization of the issues (Martinez Luna, 2001). Explain what is meant by the term business context and the notion that changes in business are inevitable. Big data is defined as the four V, such as volume, variety, velocity, and veracity. The new paradigm explains by combining all these dimensions. In the period of data management, most of the information is captured through business transactions including the processes, stakeholders, services, and products (Martinez Richardson, 2001). In the current years, data goes beyond the corporate boundaries, and the same is increasingly made available. It also includes relevant information through internet-of-things and social networks. Mobile manufacturing company Oppo, have around 5 billion handsets all over the world, along with the mobile channel, which serves as the core gateway on the internet in a huge swath of both China and India. It is another source of big data because every action considers by the user could be potentially geotagged (Mashayekhi, 1992). Explain how the organization's business model has been impacted by the change and what this means for managers when making decisions about the organization's business model. Location based services are making use of big real-time data as well as analytics, which enables the organizations to easily understand how the need for customers and interest get change when the customers move from their location (Sterman, 2000). Research undertaken in the proactive customers care will be considered as disruptive, as the conventional location concept in sales will most likely to get change. The different changes taking place in business are mainly due to the big data and will most liable to cause a dramatic shift within different professions (Scholl, 1995). Specific job category will get obsolete, where else the job categories and will be most likely to attain strength. Conclude by briefly discussing the significance of your findings for the future of business models research and practice. This review recommends around three concepts, which might warrant different considerations like e-business model archetypes; business model as cost/revenue architecture, and business model as an activity system. This different type of concept can be investigated fruitfully and in relation with one another, under the single business model theme. The important theme which is formulated is forming, basically goes around the notion of business model, just like the new unit analysis, providing the systematic viewpoint over how to conduct business, that encompasses the activities of boundary spanning, and emphasize over value creation along with value capture. All these themes are mutually reinforcing and are even interconnect. It recommends that the field is going through the conceptual consolidation that is required to move the way for cumulative research within the business model. References Fey, W. R. and J. Trimble (1993). An Expert System to Aid in Model Conceptualization. International System Dynamics Conference. Cancun, Mexico, System Dynamics Society. Forrester, J. (1994). Policies, Decisions and Information Sources for Modeling in Modeling for Learning Organizations. J. Morecroft and J. Sterman eds. Productivity Press. Portland, OR pp. 51-84. Also in European Journal of Operational Research, 59(1), 42-63 Keating, E. K. (1998). "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Developing a System Dynamics Model, but Were Afraid to Ask.". 16th International Conference of the System Dynamics Society, Quebec '98, Quebec City, Canada, System Dynamics Society. Lane, D. C. (1993). The Road Not Taken: Observing a Process of Issue Selection and Model Conceptualization. System Dynamics Review, 9(3), 239-264. Lane, D. C. and Oliva, R. (1998). The Greater Whole: Towards a Synthesis of SD and SSM. European Journal of Operational Research, 107(1), 214-235. Martinez, I. Luna, L. (2001). Best Practices in System Dynamics: a Structural Approach. in The 19th International Conference of the System Dynamics Society. Martinez, I. Richardson, G. P. (2001). Best Practices in System Dynamics Modeling. in The 19th International Conference of the System Dynamics Society. Mashayekhi, A. N. (1992). From a Static Picture to a Dynamic Problem Definition. Proceedings of the 1992 International System Dynamics Conference of the System Dynamics Society. 11 Utrecht, the Netherlands, The System Dynamics Society. Scholl, G. J. (1995). Benchmarking the system dynamics community: research results. System Dynamics Review, 11(2), 139 to 155 Sterman, J.D. (2000). Business Dynamics : Systems Thinking and Modeling for a Complex World. Boston: Irwin/McGraw-Hill. Vennix, J. A. M., et al. (1992). Model-building for group decision support and alternatives in knowledge elicitation. European Journal of Operations Research, 59(1), 28-41.

The Ethnic Conflict Between Israel and Palestine free essay sample

Ethnic conflict between Israeli and Palestine Many countries during the time have fought one another. Some of the fights resulted in global wars, some maintained only a local significance, but still there are a lot of issues that are dealt with by using military force. These issues have varied over the time from the distribution of power to religion, race, and ethnicity and so on. The purpose of this essay is to look into the ethnic conflict of Israel and Palestine and to reveal the basis of the issue as well as to see how the countries are dealing with it. To begin with, it is necessary to look into the history of both Israel and Palestine. At first a look will be taken into the history of the State of Palestine. In the 19th century Palestine was a province of Ottoman Empire. In 1850 its population was around 4% Jewish, 8% Christian and the rest were Muslim. We will write a custom essay sample on The Ethnic Conflict Between Israel and Palestine or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page There was no conflict between the communities and everyone lived peacefully. The State of Palestine was proclaimed on 15th November 1988 by the Palestine Liberalization Organization’s (PLO’s) National Council in exile in Algiers which unilaterally adopted the Palestinian Doctrine of Independence. It claims the Palestinian territories and has designated Jerusalem as its capital. Even though Palestine was a state that existed earlier, because of historic events of the Arabs and the fact that Britain stood on the side of Jews, the land was divided and the areas constituting the State of Palestine have been occupied by Israel since 1967. The people of Israel trace their origin to Abraham, who established the belief that there is only one God, who is the creator of the universe. Abraham, his son Yitzhak (Isaac), and grandson Jacob (Israel), are referred to as the patriarchs of the Israelites. All three patriarchs lived in the Land of Canaan, that later came to be known as the Land of Israel. The State of Israel was founded on 14th May 1948 in Palestine which then was the Arab land. Its capital is Jerusalem and Israel is the world’s only Jewish-majority state. As anti-Semitism prejudice against or hatred of Jews in Europe increased, the leading Jewish figures came to the conclusion that Jews need a State of their own. Basically it was historys legacy that created divisive issues between Palestinians and Israelis. Judea, home of the Jews in ancient times, was conquered by the Romans and renamed Palestine. Palestine was later conquered and inhabited by Arabs for over a thousand years. The Zionist movement arose to restore the Jews to Israel, largely ignoring the existing Arab population. Following the Balfour Declaration in 1917, Palestine was granted to Britain as a League of Nations mandate to build a national home for the Jewish people, since anti-Semitism was growing and without a state of their own Jews would always be persecuted. Palestinians were not consulted in this matter, which is one of the reasons that the Arabs resented the Jews coming in to take their land. Led by Grand Mufti Hajj Amin El Husseini, Palestinians rioted repeatedly and later revolted, creating a history of enmity between Jews and Arabs in Palestine. Britain stopped Jewish immigration to Palestine. Following the Holocaust, in which 6 million Jews were killed by the Nazis, pressure on Britain increased to allow Jewish immigration to Palestine. In the 1917 Balfour Declaration the British government had said that a „national home for the Jewish people would be founded in Palestine, while preserving the civil and religious rights of non-Jewish communities there†. The second part of the deal was not put into practice. In 1947, the United Nations, to whom the British handed over the whole problem because they couldn’t manage to take care of it, partitioned the land into Arab and Jewish states. The Arabs did not accept the partition and war, called the Intifada (the uprising), broke out. The Jews won a decisive victory, expanded their state and created several hundred thousand Palestinian refugees. The Arab states refused to recognize Israel or make peace with it. Wars broke out in 1956, 1967, 1973 and 1982, and there were many terror raids and Israeli reprisals. During these wars the Israeli forces out numbered the Arabs by three to one. By the end of the war in 1947, Israel had occupied seventy eight percent of Palestine and three quarter of a million Palestinians had been made refugees. After the 1967 conflict it seized the remaining twenty two percent, including the West Bank and Gaza Strip. However because international law states it is illegal to occupy territory through war, theses occupied areas do not belong to Israel. Each side believes different versions of the same history. Each side views the conflict as wholly the fault of the other and expects an apology. In 1993 there was a process started to put an end to decades of confrontation and conflict and strive to live in peaceful coexistence, mutual dignity and security. This process was called the Oslo Peace Process (OPP). There are six main causes for the Palestinians and Jews to be in such a conflict: * Land * Palestinian refugees wanted to go home, but Israel declined * Water – Israel is taking more water resources to itself, though it should be distributed fairly * Settlements – small units of houses protected by special guards that are both in Israel’s and Palestine’s territory * Borders and security Jerusalem – as the capital for both countries, Jews rule it in majority, though it should be done equally. The principles of agreement and the overall framework of the OPP’s negotiation were the following: * Israel recognized the existence of the Palestinian political side and recognizes the Palestine Liberalization Organizations (PLO) * PLO reco gnized the right of existence of Israel. * Israeli agreed on the autonomy of the Palestinian occupied territories. It called for a five-year transitional period in which Israeli forces would withdraw from occupied territories and a Palestinian Authority would be set up, leading to a permanent settlement. It was signed on the White House lawn in September 1993 in the presence of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat. After the Oslo agreement, Yasser Arafat returned to Palestinian territory, the Palestinian Authority was established and Israeli withdrawals began. However, the agreement was denounced by hardline Israelis and Palestinians as a sell-out and it did not take hold. The former general Ariel Sharon was Israeli prime minister he announced that Israel would leave the Gaza Strip and would build a wall and fence to defend itself against suicide bombers and separate the Palestinian territories from Israel. Sharon expelled nearly ten thousand Jewish settlers from twenty one settlements In Gaza and the West Bank and by 2005 Israeli soldiers had left the Gaza strip for the first time in decades. This infuriated the Israel right wing who split into divisions to try and oust Sharon, significantly though, he was popular with the Israeli people with over eighty percent of the electorate backing his plans. Some believe this was the closest the Palestine and Israel conflict came to any sort of settlement and peace. However when Sharon’s party was succeeded by the more aggressive and pro-Israeli Likud party, led by the incumbent Benjamin Netanyahu, any chance of a treaty vanished and tension resurfaced. Basically the result was not satisfactory. Palestinians rejected the OPP and there was no final settlement. Everything was secretive, the public didn’t know of all the negotiations and discussions going on and it was the mistrust of the parties between themselves that led to the rejection of a peace settlement. But still Israelis and Palestinians are trying to unite to define the problem. Even though Jews got their own state as the Balfour Declaration stated, it is questionable whether it was worth all this – wars, killings, loss of territory, continuous fighting over resources like water and so on. Speaking about the character of this conflict it is safe to say that is is not just an ethnic conflict that reaches into history, but also a conflict regarding borders, territory and resources. And as mentioned before, Jews got their state and it is a powerful democratic society with a high standard of living and it is considered a hi-tech industry, its borders have still not been fixed and, above all, it has not and in the foreseeable future will not reach a settlement with the Palestinians. It is powerful but it is not at peace. [ 1 ]. http://www. mongabay. com/history/jordan/jordan-the_palestinians_and_the_palestine_liberation_organization. html [ 2 ]. http://www. science. co. il/israel-history. php [ 3 ]. http://lifeprogram. org/LIFE_in_Israel. html [ 4 ]. http://news. bbc. co. uk/2/hi/world/middle_east/7381315. stm [ 5 ]. http://www. mideastweb. org/nutshell. htm [ 6 ]. http://news. bbc. co. uk/2/hi/middle_east/7385301. stm [ 7 ]. Ibid.

Personal Values and Ethical Standards

Personal Values and Ethical Standards Personal values are principles that define a person as an individual. Honesty, reliability, and trust, are personal values that determine how an individual will face the world and relate with people. Our personal values are our convictions' regarding what we believe is important and desirable. A value is a belief, a mission, or a philosophy that is meaningful. Whether we are consciously aware of them or not, every individual has a core set of personal values. Values can range from the commonplace, such as the belief in hard work and punctuality, to the more psychological, such as self-reliance, concern for others, and harmony of purpose.Mothers and Fathers do their best to raise their children to become upstanding citizens. Honesty, integrity, loyalty, faith, fairness, family, equality, responsibility, accountability and discipline are just of few of the never ending values that my Mother and Grandparents instilled in me. I was always taught that the way you are treated is a reflecti on of how others will treat you, so it is very important to treat others with respect by being honest and loyal.Addams Family ValuesMy mother gave birth to me when she was a junior in high school, the first five years of my rearing were done with a great deal of help from my grandparents so she could still continue her education and provide a decent life for herself and me. Although my mother getting pregnant with me was unplanned, she assumed responsibility for her actions by keeping me and doing all that she could to give me a good life and endless opportunities. Her hard work and dedication to provide a life full of possibilities for me was my first lesson in personal values. Most of my personal values were learned through the actions of my mother and grandparents. The best...

Financial analysis Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Financial analysis - Case Study Example There are various as to why a firm can be profitable and experience cash flow problems at the same time. This case study will discuss the reasons as to why the firm is experiencing cash problems and provide recommendations on how it can improve its cash flow. Cash flow is the ability of a company to meet its financial obligations. A negative cash flow prevents a company from meeting its debt payments like in the case of Cape Chemicals. It is important for Cape Chemicals to analyze the reasons leading to the negative cash flow while still reporting an increase in the profits. By doing this, it will be able to lower its debt ratio to enable it acquire long term borrowing. The analysis will also be aimed at acquiring a positive cash flow and positive profits. Reasons for the negative cash flows at Cape Chemicals The profit for the company has increased significantly over the last three years due to the increase in the revenue obtained from the increase in sales of chemicals. The new pro duct lines have led to increased production and hence increased sales and revenues. However, despite of the increase in profit, the company has negative cash flow due to increase dependence of loans for its capital expenditure. This means that the cash obtained from the profits and other business income is used in capital expenditure. That is, the company uses all of its liquid cash to pay for loans used in capital expenditure leaving it with a negative cash flow. Cape Chemical is a company which deals with the distribution of dry and liquid chemicals. The main reason as to why the company is profitable but broke is because the company has been servicing loans or purchasing capital equipments. Cape Chemicals has intensely used its cash flows to purchase capital equipments in its bid to add new product lines for the company. The need to increase the capacity of the company has seen the company use most of its cash to purchase new equipments a situation which has drained its cash flow s. An additional chemical product line for the company requires a large sum of money which has drained the firm’s cash supplies. The company has also been serving loans (long term loans) which have been borrowed for the capital requirement reasons. Cape Chemicals used to borrow for its capital requirement until 2006 when the company had reached its bank borrowing limit. The increased borrowing has led to an increase in the debt ratio of the company as shown below Debt ratio 2005 2006 2007 45.45% 58.4% 71.5% The increase in the debt ratio over the three year period is an indication of increase borrowing. The close the ratio is to 100%, the higher is the company depended on borrowings and loans making leading to increase in the total debts and a reduction in the total assets. Capital expenditures are subject to depreciation which reduces the net income and subsequently the profitability of the company. The depreciation expenses associated with the capital expenditure of Cape Ch emical therefore leads to the negative cash flow experienced in the company. Poor collections practice in the company is also responsible for the negative cash flow. For example, according to Stewart, the liberal credit policy in the company had led to increased accounts receivables which then led to the reduction in the

Road Traffic Accident Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words - 1

Road Traffic Accident - Essay Example The case that is undertaken for discussion is a 26 year old pedestrian male who is struck by a high speeding car, consequent to which he suffers multiple injuries which includes deep 5cm laceration on his forehead, sharp pain in the back of the neck, unequal chest movements, abdominal injury and injury to the pelvis and right femur. The 3 main injuries which will be specifically discussed are the sharp pain in the back of the neck, unequal chest movement and injury to the pelvis. The sharp pain in the back of the neck of the patient hints at probable spine injury at that area. Most cervical spine fractures occur predominantly at 2 levels -at the level of C2 and at the level of C6 or C7 (Mueller 2006). The normal cervical spine has 3 distinct columns- the anterior column is composed of anterior longitudinal ligament and the anterior 2/3rds of the vertebral bodies, the middle column consists of the posterior longitudinal ligament and the posterior 1/3rd of the vertebral bodies, the annulus and intervertebral discs and the posterior column includes all of the bony elements formed by the pedicles, transverse processes, articulating facets, laminae, and spinous processes. Disruption of more than one of these columns makes the spine move as 2 separate units, increasing the likelihood of spinal cord injury. Based on the mechanism of injury, cervical spine injury can be classified into flexion, flexion-rotation, extension, extension-rotation, vertical compression, la teral flexion, and imprecisely understood mechanisms (Mueller 2006). The patient can present with the spinal shock which manifests as flaccidity, areflexia, loss of anal sphincter tone, fetal incontinence, priapism and loss of bulbocavernosus reflex. He can also manifest with signs of neurogenic shock like hypotension, paradoxical bradycardia and flushed but dry skin.  Ã‚        The 26-year-old man who met with a road traffic accident was admitted with multiple injuries involving the spine, chest and the pelvis. He was managed in the intensive care with continuous monitoring of his vital signs. He was given appropriate fluids, electrolytes, blood transfusion, diet, and medications. The main concern in this patient is the prognosis of spinal cord injury which is poor. Hence it is obvious that the patient and his family members are worried about his prospects in terms of recovery, day-to-day activities, employment, social and married life. The patient and the relatives will need emotional and psychological help before discharge. In addition, the patient will also need rehabilitation measures including physiotherapy and occupational therapy.            

Factors for the Development of Trigger Points

Factors for the Development of Trigger Points Introduction The primary mean of locomotion which enables human and other animals to move on their foot is running. There are some regular points the gait cycle during which both the feet are not on the ground in running. Running has aflightphase during which neither limb is in ground contact. Running gait can be divided into two phases in context to the lower extremity which is  absorption, propulsion, initial swing and terminal swing. As per electromyographic data suggests: as speed increases, ilio-psoas, gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, hamstring and rectus femoris all developed larger peak forces throughout the stride cycle. The peak force exerted by gastrocnemius increases as speed increased from 3.5 to 7m/sec but showed no significant changes thereafter. The peak force exerted by soleus also increased from 3.5 to7m/sec, but furthermore t decreases till 9m/sec. soleus, gastrocnemius and vastus provides approximately 75% of the total vertical support impulse needs to accelerate where soleus alone contributes 50% of all. The vertical ground reaction force increases for speeds up to 7 m/sec is almost entirely of soleus whereas vastus to the vertical ground reaction force does not affect with increase in running speed. The rate of ankle plantar flexors shortening increases with the running speed and solus and gastrocnemius contracts at37% and 23% of their maximum shortening velocities respectively.as a result, onl y 30 and 40% of their peak potentially developed by soleus and gastrocnemius respectively during sprinting.inspite of producing significant and large amount of forces whetreas they did not contribute in knee-hip joint accelerations during swing phase. if we compare sprinters with non sprinters;the previous one has greater thickness with longer fascicles of their gastrocnemius and vastus lateralis muscles on ultrasound imaging,than later one.(abe et al.,2001) The plantar flexion moment arms were 25% smaller of sprinters than those of non-sprinters and this difference was highly significant. garth and miller examined 17 athletes who presented for treatment of incapacitating pain and soreness located posteromedially along the middle two thirds of the Symptoms were aggravated by repetitive wt.bearing which was referred to as shin splints. Due to excessively pronation caused by hyper mobile midfoot flexible pes valgus, muscular imbalance etc, the flexor digitorumlongus and flexor hallucislongus can become overloaded and vulnerable to develop trigger points in these muscles. The lateral compartment syndrome is likely to develop in runners with excessive pronation and abnormally mobile subtalar joints can also be overloaded in high arched supinated foot with triceps surae weakness as well as can be suggestive of peroneus longus and brevis trigger points. Myofascial trigger points:-Travell and Simons defined it as a hyperirritable contraction knot usually present within muscles or its fascia which produces pain on compression and can give rise to specific referred pain ,motor dysfunction ,and autonomic phenomena in a specified referred zone which rarely coincides entirely with dermatomal segment. Trigger points are manually palpated with following characteristics including local twitch response, jump in sign, referred pain zones and autonomic phenomenal changes. As suggested by Travell and simons in 1999 in their trigger point manual book,the etiology of trigger points involves all three factors that includes biomechanical,CNS,and local myofascial tissues. As per microscopic and biopsy studies, which has been done of local myofascial tissue where there is presence of trigger points revealed and explained these contraction knots as round,large and,darkly staining fibers.presence of these knots causes significant increases in average diameter of muscles. spontaneous electrical activity (SEA) in TrPs have also seen and studied through electromyographic studies while adjacent muscle tissues were electrically silent which suggested and implicated neuromuscular junction and motor end plates interchangeable, nevertheless the motor end plates describes structure and the neuromuscular junction reflects function. Gunn and Milbrandt in 1977 was first explicated and find correlation between motor end plates and trigger points also known as myalgic spots . As stated by Travell and Simons in context to motor end plate dysfunction that due to  excessively release of Ach from presynaptic nerve terminal leads to rapid activation of the  nicotinic Ach receptors on the post synaptic terminal which results in muscle action potential and muscle contraction. Since this hypothesis of travell and simons was one way to interpret EMG results but EMG for post synaptic fibers ,there is increase in SEA in trigger points that could be a characteristics to the result of presynaptic,synaptic or post synaptic dysfunction and can be inherited or acquired. As a general rule, factors for the development of trigger points includes muscle overuse or direct/ indirect trauma which may be the results of sustained low level or repetitive muscle contractions,eccentric/concentric,submaximal/maximal muscle contractions. Although muscular damage is not necessary all the time for development of trigger points there may be injuries at the microlevel which includes damage of cell membrane ,sarcoplasmic reticulum with release of high amounts of ca2+ ions,and disruption of proteins like desmin,titin or dystrophin. Mechanical muscle contractions exceeding respective muscles capacity is defined as overuse.as we know that arterial capillary beds blood pressures approx 35mm hg at the beginning and venous capillary beds pressure at the end is 15mm Hg which used to be obstructed during muscle contractions and recovers with relaxation;known as muscular pump. However,Muscular metabolism is maintained by oxygen and glucose which faces crisis during sustained muscle contractions.Even contractions performed at only 10 % and 25 % of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) may alter and produce impairment in blood circulation of muscles, As per Otten ;pain and trigger points may be developed by increased or alterations in the pressure gradients during low level exertions(personal communications 2005). During submaximal concentric contractions, ATP is utilized for 4-6 seconds initially from muscle’s storage and subsequentally it shifts to direct phosphorylation of ADP through creatinine phosphate. Stored ATP and CP provides enough energy and power for approx 14-16 sec but thereafter physiologically a short span of rest is needed to replenish the exhausted reserves of intracellular ATP and CP. As a general rule if ATP demands are within the capacity of the aerobic pathway muscles  can continue its activities for hours but as demand exceeds;anaerobic glycolysis will start contributing of the total generated ATP. This further leads to crisis of ATP and sustained sarcomere contractions starts the progression of trigger points. The Eccentric contractions are commonly used to control the rate of movement in our body. although there is no solid correlations between eccentric loading and development of trigger points. Itoh et al found in their study in which middle finger extensor muscle was being eccentrically loaded. After 3 sets of exercise ,one day and two days after exercises ,findings were similar encapsulating tender taut bands which were painful on compression;suggests that eccentric  loading may be correlated with development of trigger points. There are biopsy studies also who confirms and suggest the role of eccentric contractions in disruption of cytoskeletal structures especially desmin , and titin (largest in our body);a protein which interconnects the adjacent myofibrils and connects myosin filaments to the z-bands with a linkage to actin filaments ;respectively. Prolonged ecentric exercises enlarge the muscle fibers microscopically and all these enlarged fibers are exclusively fast glycolytic type(typeII) which considered as highly fatiguable and unable to regenerate ATP in early exercise period It results a high stiffness state of fibers which on stretch disrupts leading to cytoskeletal and myofibrillar damage. Apart from this in eccentric exercised muscles there is increase concentration of calcium due to sarcoplasmic reticulum disruption that keep actin and myosin molecules together an activates several mechanisms which may further damage cell membrane and cytoskeletal disruption and again the same results that is development of trigger points. Jump in sign is an response to pressure applied on a trigger point which may leads to wincing, crying, or withdrawing by patients. Local twitch response is a fleeting response or contraction of tense muscle fibers or group that traverse a trigger point on response to stimulation via snapping palpation or needling of trigger point or its surrounding area. Referred autonomic phenomena: vasoconstriction (blanching), coldness sweating, pilomotor response, ptosis, and/or, hyper secretion that occur in a same region or area where trigger points refers pain and its sensations. Referred pain zones: an area of pain which is entirely remote from its source. Generally  in case of trigger points ,specifically activated and central trigger points and sporadically  infrequently,conjoin entirely with the peripheral nerve distribution or dermatomal segments. The lower extremity functional scale (LEFS) is a functional status questionnaire that aims to investigate the degree of difficulty a patient experiences in performing everyday tasks, due to disorders of his/her lower extremity.The LEFS consists of twenty items, each of which is scored on a 5-point scale (0 to 4) (appendix 1). Beck depression inventory-ii is a depression measurement scale or an instrument to measure the emotional, motivational,somatic and cognitive symptoms observed in patients.this scale consist of 21 questions which is symptom related to quantify degree of depression in subjects usually it covers adolescents and adults and given in appendix 2. VAS is a psychometric response scale and a measurement instrument for subjective characteristics or attitudes that cannot be directly measured. Respondents specify their  level of agreement to a statement by indicating a position along a continuous line between  two end-points. Pressure algometer is force gauze with a rubber disk of 1 cm surface which is very helpful in clinical setup for diagnosing trigger points ,fibrositis,myalgic spots as well as it helps in quantification of pressure pain threshold and Pressure pain threshold for measurement of  normal and abnormal surfaces are given in appendix 3.

Valuing Wal-Mart

Assessment of Wal-Mart valuation using different methods To test the assumption of a discount rate of 7% as given in the outline of the case, we calculated the required rate of return for the Wal-Mart stock using CAPM . Using rWalMart = Rf + ? WalMart [E(RM) – RF], we find the required rate of return to be 7. 01% and in line with the information given in the case outline. Perpetual dividend growth model: The standard method of calculating a stock price using the perpetual dividend growth model is done by assessing a company’s dividend one year into the future adding the future expected growth rate.The Cardiovascular SystemThe formula is written as: P0 = D1/(Ke ? g), where Ke is the investor required return, D1 is next year’s dividend and g is the expected growth rate of the dividend. The standard method can however be rearranged if the company analyzed is consider in â€Å"steady state†. A steady state implies that the annual return on equity equals the co st of equity capital providing the rational that the dividend payout ratio is the sole determinant of the dividend growth. It requires some complexity to determine if a company has reached steady state.To investigate and analyze if Wal-Mart is in steady state, we would employ the following definition: Steady state value = free cash flow / discount rate . After careful consideration we have reached the conclusion that we find it fair and realistic to label Wal-Mart as such. This is further underlined by the maturity and stable performance of the company, which is illustrated in the stable revenue growth (exhibit 1), stable financial market stock data and relative stable dividend distribution (exhibit 3).Further, we are comfortable using the simplified steady state formula given the foreseeable forecasting period as we are only forecasting the stock price a few years in the future and not conduction long-term multiyear forecasting where the underlying assumptions of the model and the competitive landscape can dramatically change. We find evidence that the forecast period is essential in the selection of method in the INSEAD article â€Å"Selecting an accounting-based Valuation Model† of May 2011. If we were to forecast long-term price levels, we would opt for the conventional formula of P0 = D1/(Ke-g).Given the steady state nature of Wal-Mart we use the adjusted dividend growth model of: P0 = (E1 ? p)/ (Ke ? g), where g = (1-p)*Ke and where E1 is the earnings 1 year into the future and p is the payout ratio or the percentage of earnings paid in dividends. Using this method, P0 = (E1 ? p)/ (Ke – ((1-p)* Ke)), we estimate the stock price to be $58. 56 . For reference and to provide validation to our estimates, we have in addition estimated the stock price using the conventional dividend discount model of P0= (D1/(Ke-g). Using the conventional model we estimate the stock price to be $59. 8. We conclude that the estimated price of the stock is higher t han the current market price of $53. 48 , which means we believe there is unrealized intrinsic value, hence the stock is undervalued and should we be analyzing the stock on this basis only, our recommendation would therefore be buy. Forecasted Dividend for the next 3 years plus future sale of the stock: Instead of valuing the stock with infinite dividend approach, we use a set number of years (3) plus we included the value of selling the stock after the set number of years.The selling of the stock is represented in the model as a terminal value. The terminal value is the value of the company’s expected cash-flow beyond the forecast period. We estimate the terminal value by using the perpetuity method mentioned above and be employing the formula of Terminal Value (TV) = FCFt+1 / WACC . We used the approximation that WACC equals the required rate of return as found using CAPM (7. 01%, appendix 1). This also corresponds with the given discount rate of 7%.As we are asked to find to price by forecasting dividends for the next three years plus the selling of the stock after year three, we have extrapolate our findings from the perpetuity method using the earnings per share with the given earnings per share growth and the required rate of return. By calculating the dividend per share until D=3 and employing: P0 = D1/(1+Ke)^1 + D2/(1+Ke)^2 + D3/(1+Ke)^3+TV/(1+Ke)^3, where TV is the terminal value we calculate the present day intrinsic value of the Wal-Mart stock to be $62. 15 hence the market value is consider low compared to our forecasted value.This method replicates the basic foundation of the Discount Cash flow Model (DCF), which in our opinion is the preferred method in valuation studies. Three-Stage Approach: There are no questions about this approach in the outline of the assignment, so the following comments should be considered â€Å"back of an envelope† considerations. In general the three-stage approach allows us to add complexity to the stand ard dividend discount models by enabling changing growth scenarios throughout the forecasting period: an initial period of higher than normal growth, a transition/consolidation period of declining growth and final a period of stable growth.The main assumptions are that the company on which we conduct the calculation study currently is in extraordinary strong growth phase. The time period with the extraordinary strong growth must be strictly defined and eventually be replaced with the declining growth assumption. Lastly, Capital Expenditures and Depreciation are expected to grow at the same rate as revenues. . Analyzing exhibit 4 we see a theoretical stock price of $120. 37. Using the excel template and by entering the calculated discount rate and the data given in the case, we find the theoretic value to be $95. 68.We recognize the calculated theoretical value is considerable higher than the market value of the Wal-Mart stock, which could provide a strong indication for investing. H owever, we also recognize the weakness of the three-stage model thus we are careful to draw too decisive conclusion. We are especially concerned about the sensitivity and impact on the end theoretical price when making just marginal changes in the input factor. Valuation models in general are sensitive to the input factors, but we believe the extra complexity in the three-stage model amplifies even small forecast errors.We understand that the three-stage model can be very useful for companies approaching the transition phase between growth phase and consolidation, but Wal-Mart does in our opinion not fulfill this characteristic. Thus, leading us to conclude the three-stage model isn’t particularly applicable to valuation studies of Wal-Mart. Price/Earnings multiple approach: The debate on whether to use trailing or projected price/earnings multiple is ongoing. We have found evidence in literature that there is no clear preference on which method to use as both have advantages and disadvantages .We have no strong view or preference generally speaking, but in the case of Wal-Mart we believe there is a case for use trialing data rather than projected data. For reference we have calculated both using P0 = EPS * P/E . We see the range of estimates is very wide, which is due to the sensitivity of the input factors i. e. even small changes in the P/E-data will have significant influence on the estimated value at P0. We prefer to use the P/E multiple to assess how Wal-Mart is perceived and valuated against peers. In addition we use S&P500 as reference index and benchmark.Using the data in exhibit 6, we have identified Wal-mart, Target, The Gap and Costco to be peers. We have concluded this after examining key financial data of all the companies provided in the exhibit. We realize that Wal-Mart is not directly comparable with the peers mentioned given the much larger market capitalization and turn-over, but knowing this a comparability study still adds value in our opinion. Detailed data of the comparison is brought in appendix 5. Looking at the graphical representation we see a clear trend in the peer group of declining P/E-ratios.The trend is confirmed by further lower P/E-projections for the coming year. We are not overly concerned with the declining P/E ratios as it seems to be an industry wide trend and not isolated to Wal-Mart. Hence when assessing relative attractiveness of the grocery industry players, we do not see Wal-Mart having worse financial performance than the peers. As argued in the beginning of this paper in the section when discussing the steady state phase of Wal-Mart, we believe we can make a rough estimation of whether the P/E-ratio reflects a fair value of the stock or not. The method e employ is a rewritten method of the DDM. By arguing steady state we can also defend arguing Wal-Mart to be a zero growth company by assuming the company pays out all of its earnings in dividends. As we know from the data provided, thi s is not entirely reflecting the real scenario, however we still believe it adds value to the overall assessment of the value of the Wal-Mart stock. The rule of thumb argues that the P/E-ratio using the zero growth company assumption is fair when it equals the 1/r, where r is the discount rate meaning when Projected P/E = 1/r the P/E ratio is fair and reflects a fair value of the company.Based on the research in this section we have found no red flags in the financial performance or when analyzing with peers. The historical P/E-ratio of Wal-Mart has been higher than the industry average so the decline over the time period can at first glance look dramatic. However, we believe the declining P/E-ratio is an industry wide tendency and not isolated to Wal-Mart. Further, given the strong P/E-growth in the early part of the data sample the Wal-Mart P/E-ratio is also subject to a strong base effect.When applying the zero growth company fair value estimates, we see the projections made by t he analysts are lower than the 1/r which we for this purpose consider a fair P/E, which can be seen as a supportive factor for the overall valuation of the Wal-Mart stock. Conclusion and recommendation: As indicated in the text above we have the most confidence in the first two methods in the paper. Taking a simple average of our findings we estimate the Wal-Mart stock price – or fair value – to be $60. 16 (58. 56; 59. 78; 62. 5), which is higher than the current stock price of $53. 48 hence we believe the Wal-Mart stock is $6. 68 or 12. 49% undervalued. Further, we find our estimates to be in line with the general analyst consensus target price of $60. 50. Given our findings and research we will recommend Gupta to buy the Wal-Mart stock. However, we recommend Gupta to employ a margin of safety. We recognize that our calculated price estimates have considerable projection risk given the future value is calculated based on estimates.It is out of scope for this paper to evaluate the quality of the projections and forecasts, so we recommend Gupta to be conservative in communicating the price target. We suggest communicating the buy recommendation with an initial price target of $57. 75, which is +8% from the current market price. When the $57. 75 price is achieved we recommend running the models again to get validation on the $60. 16 price target. We recommend this step-by-step approach as margin of safety for projection inaccuracies. Given the time and year of the research done, we find further evidence that employing a margin of safety is a solid strategy.This is especially due to the distressed situation of the financial markets after the collapse of the financial system starting in 2008. Given the unusual market situation any investments in stock or other financial instruments are subject to considerable risk from external factors, hereunder risk appetite, liquidity and macroeconomic developments, which currently are not properly factored in our price estimates. However, we are encouraged to invest in Wal-Mart given the defensive characteristics of the stock compared to the S&P500 benchmark given ?

‘Looking for Alaska’ by John Green Essay

‘Looking for Alaska’, John Green’s Debut novel was published in 2005.The novel is about a group of lost, but additionally very intelligent teenagers, who attend Culver Creek Boarding School for their first junior year. They are on the contrary to shallow, more or less precise opposite; Alaska Young, Miles Halter and Chip Martin’s thought are as deep as the Mariana trench. Their complicated way of looking at life, thirst for an adventure, seeking simplicity and comprehension in an intricate world will eventually end up hurting them. â€Å"If people were rain, I was drizzle and she was a hurricane† was Miles imagery of Alaska after her tragic death. Even though the novel is written via Miles perspective the entire structure of the story revolves around Alaska’s death. This is from one hundred and thirty six days before, where we see Miles as a dull, anti-social geek; to one hundred and thirty six days after where we see Miles as ‘Pudgeâ₠¬â„¢, a well developed man with friends, who smoked cigarettes and drank wine. Even before the actual death occurs, death is a recurring theme, from Alaska’s mother’s death to Miles trying to find out what happens to oneself upon dying. Miles is obsessed with peoples last words; dying words. The very actual thought of last words completely fascinates him. Alaska is a character in this book who is completely associated with death. It has played an important role in her life and will play an important role in the lives of the characters lives after her life is brought to an abrupt end. It makes the characters rediscover so much more about about themselves. We become acquainted with the characters through their actions and conversations. Alaska Young behaves in a most reckless manner.is such an interesting, beautiful, enigmatic individual, nevertheless so self-destructive. Just two days before she is gone forever, the boys learn that they hardly knew the girl they love so fervently (during ‘Barn Night’). January 9th, 1997 was the turning point in Alaska’s life. She was barley eight years old but witnessed her mother’s death, sitting by her side and watching the life draining out of her. Alaska never called the ambulance or made an attempt to save her mother. This had ruined her. Eight year old Alaska drowned he rself in guilt. Her extreme unpredictalbililty and spontaneity was most likely an effect of ‘ failing her mother’. She had her moment and didn’t take it. This effected the way she handled spontaneous situations in the future. Alaska would never think twice about her actions or reflect the possible consequences. This  eventually gets her killed. In the final religion exam, the students have to pick what they think is the most important question human beings must answer, and examine how Buddhism, Islam and Christianity (three world religions) attempt to answer it. Miles chooses to examine the question ‘What will happen to us when we die?’. Miles will never find the answer until he experiences it, but chooses to settle with a fact from science class; energy is never created and never destroyed. In religion the soul flies to heaven and peoples beliefs give them answers to everything. Alaska on the other hand isn’t a believer; the question related to her mother’s death drives her crazy. Among a variety of metaphors, the imagery of the labyrinth is a main throughout the novel. â€Å"How will I ever get out of t he labyrinth of suffering?†. Alaska dwindles into the boundless depths of this question. Is the labyrinth living or dying-the world on the end of it? The labyrinth answers the endless anwerless questions life brings. In this novel, Alaska is the labyrinth; she traps herself in an evil circle of answerless questions that force her deeper into the depths of sufferings. She cannot free herself from herself. The novel’s message is philosophical. it is about looking past a list of answerless questions in life, and not fold yourself into self-destruct. If Alaska killed herself, it was out of hopelessness. People kill themselves because it seems the only way out of the labyrinth of suffering; the flame of hope they carry is extinguished. But it never is as Green concludes. Alaska Young was to deep in the enigma of frustration over her answerless questions and guilt. There are many instances where Miles tries to figure out how Alaska’s death occurred, why it happened, what really are about, and Alaska Young’s last words. Death plays an important part in life, although many people fail to see it. It is a subject most people avoid talking about, as the thought itself scares them, but it is important to face death and be aware that it can touch anyone in anyway close to you. The book uses death as an aspect to show the readers that death is something inevitable, but we can never become ready for it.