Critical Lens Essay Essay

â€Å"It is not what an author says, but what he or she whispers that is important,† by Logan Pearsall Smith. This quote means that the author delivers the theme through underlie themes. A lot of the times he may not come out and say what they are trying to say. Most of the time you have to read between the lines. This statement is true in literature as well as in life. Two literary works that prove this quote to be true are â€Å"The Tragedy of Macbeth†, the play, by William Shakespeare and â€Å"The Lord Of The Flies†, the novel by William Golding. â€Å"The Tragedy of Macbeth†, the play, by William Shakespeare proves this quote to be true by using many different methods. William Shakespeare uses themes to whisper that too much drive for something can help to destroy a person. Also taking part in evil can destroy a person. The Main character, Macbeth, allows his drive, or tragic flaw, to control his life to the point of death. One Example is when Macbeth gets killed because he killed so many other people, including Macduff’s family, and Macduff wanted revenge. In it self the title of the play â€Å"The Tragedy of Macbeth†, is a way of the author whispering to the audience that Macbeth will die by the end of the play. Throughout the play Shakespeare tells the readers that it was his drive and participation in evil that lead the Macbeth’s death, you just have to read between the lines to see this. The second literary work that helps to prove this quote to be true is â€Å"The Lord Of The Flies†, the novel by William Golding. This novel also uses theme to prove this quote to be true. Golding whispers that the theme of â€Å"The Lord Of The Flies† is that man’s evil action dictates the extent that democracy can flourish. The protagonist, Ralph, is elected as the leader of the young group of boys on the island. Throughout the novel Ralph is constantly challenged by the antagonist, Jack. Golding uses the conch as a symbol of democracy. Because of Jack Simon and Piggy both died. Simon and Piggy symbolized intellect and reason. Throughout The Lord Of The Flies Golding whispers that everybody has a dark side, which is what prevents democracy from flourishing. † It is not what an author says, but what he or she whispers that is  important,† by Logan Pearsall Smith. This quote means that the author delivers the theme through underlie themes. A lot of the times he may not come out and say what they are trying to say. Most of the time you have to read between the lines. This statement is true in literature as well as in life. Two literary works that prove this quote to be true are The Tragedy of Macbeth, the play, by William Shakespeare and The Lord Of The Flies, the novel by William Golding. Both of these novels used many different methods of showing how the author whispers the theme to the audience. In both situations the readers were able to figure it out.

To what extent do different approaches to change management facilitate or hinder organisational unification when companies acquire assets?

Abstract This paper describes three major approaches to change management, such as Kotter’s eight-step mode, Bridge’s transition model and Prosci’s ADKAR model. The focus on change management theories and leadership structure is important in order to provide viable recommendations to the top-management team at White Bird, whose performance with regards to change management is compared to the one of Perdue Farms. It has been also determined the most appropriate organisational structure for White Bird along with expanding the integration of employees and achieving adequate unification. Introduction The occurrence of change in the organisational context is an important precondition for business success. White Bird has tried to stabilise its integration processes within the formed holding (Cameron and Green, 2012). The recognition of applicable HR management issues is fundamental to provide properly structured orientation to the company (Hayes, 2010). The objective of this paper is to explore to what extent different approaches to change management facilitate or hinder unification when companies acquire assets. Comparative Case Study of White Bird and Perdue FarmsKotter’s Eight-Step ModelThe agriculture holding White Bird, which is based in Russia, is at a stage of integration and revitalisation of its HR management tasks. The process of managing business change in this organisation is fundamental to its improvement and growth. The acquisition of the organisation has led to the use of strong authoritative management (Cameron and Green, 2012). White Bird has been engaged in a process of applying crucial HR practices. In comparison, another company that operates in the agricultural sector in a developed country is Perdue Farms. This company, similarly to White Bird, relies on the implementation of change management theories in order to achieve a competitive advantage (Elliott, 2011). One of the change management theories that produce fast and effective results is Kotter’s eight-step model (Kotter, 1996). The focus of this theory is on the establishment of a sense of urgency, for ming a powerful coalition and developing vision. Both White Bird and Perdue Farms demonstrate the application of these principles of change management in their structure. White Bird is focused on ensuring a smooth change process, which includes the importance of making a relevant decision regarding the top-management team. Even though the present leadership style in the company is authoritative in nature, it could be beneficial for the organisation to develop another type competencies and leadership (Hayes, 2010). Participative leadership would provide a significant basis for the smooth integration of change management practices in White Bird. Participative or democratic leaders offer guidance to group members and allow input from other individuals in order to ensure a high level of motivation and creativity (Kotter, 1996). Perdue Farms has a flexible structure of leadership, which has contributed to the success of the company (Elliott, 2011).Bridge’s Transition Model of Change ManagementAnother change management theory that can be considered by White Bird is Bridge’s transition model, which provides a good understanding of what actually takes place when an organisational change occurs. Bridge differentiates between the processes of change and transition, implying that change is based on situational factors (Bridges, 2009). Therefore, the best organisational structure for this type of business would be a matrix structure, which combines elements of divisional and functional structure. As a result, the organisation of business activities would be properly completed considering the emphasis on dual management that would expand the decision-making skills of team members (Cameron and Green, 2012). A similar model has been applied at Perdue Farms, which has improved efficiency and reduced production cost to a significant extent (Elliott, 2011). White Bird can also maintain excellence in quality by integrating employees to corporate culture in order to create a single, unified organisation. It can be argued that White Bird should proceed in a manner that is consistent with its overall mission and objectives.Prosciâ€℠¢s ADKARModelThe change management model of Prosci, identified as ADKAR, can provide adequate orientation to the agriculture holding in terms of allowing change management teams to focus on achieving specific business outcomes (Hiatt, 2006). In general, ADKAR stands for awareness, desire, knowledge, ability and reinforcement. These elements have proved efficient to the functioning of Perdue Farms, whose performance can serve as a relevant example of successful change management initiatives for White Bird. The most significant benefit associated with Prosci’s model of change management is that it provides a clear direction for managers to manage change in accordance with the organisation’s competencies, corporate culture and orientation to change (Hayes, 2010). Elements of employee participation and engagement are important in the process of maintaining organisational change at White Bird. In addition, the organisation should be able to implement new skills and behaviou rs along with the necessity to sustain the change (Hiatt, 2006). In conclusion, it can be presented the argument that the approaches of Kotter, Bridge and Prosci to change management can facilitate the process of organisational unification. Conclusion This paper focused on the determination of the extent to which different approaches to change management can facilitate or hinder organisational unification (Cameron and Green, 2012). Such discussion took place with regards to the performance of White Bird compared to the one of Perdue Farms. It has been concluded that Kotter’s eight-step model, Bridge’s transition model and Prosci’s ADKAR can represent significant benefits to organisations in a process of change (Hayes, 2010). Such findings have important implications to the leadership orientation and business structure of White Bird. References Bridges, W. (2009). Managing Transitions: Making the Most of Change. Philadelphia: Da Capo Press. Cameron, E. and Green, M. (2012). Making Sense of Change Management: A Complete Guide to the Models Tools and Techniques of Organizational Change. London: Kogan Page. Elliott, S. (2011). Perdue Goes to the Farm with an Earnest Approach. The New York Times [online]. Available at: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/27/business/media/27adco.html?_r=0 [Accessed: 12 August 2014]. Hayes, J. (2010). The Theory and Practice of Change Management. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Hiatt, J. (2006). ADKAR: A Model for Change in Business, Government and Our Community. Loveland: Prosci Inc. Kotter, J. P. (1996). Leading Change. Watertown, MA: Harvard Business Press.

The cultural change process in British Airways Essay

The cultural change process in British Airways - Essay Example The project begins with the description of the type of change that was brought about in the organization highlighting on the different forces for change. The British Airways have recently embarked on a cultural change program with the focus of transforming the organization into one where innovation, customer focus, and growth would account for the major defining qualities of the organization. The organization has demonstrated immense inefficiency since 1979 arising out of its culture and history. Even though British Airways was to be controlled by the board, the bodies operated autonomously and were least integrated in practice. This was one of the major reasons why there were inefficiencies in operations which became a predominant backlog in the company’s culture and organizational efficiencies. This called for a reorientation program for uplifting and reinforcing the operational culture through the removal of the ever increasing inefficiencies. The cultural change program wa s based on the following five main themes: Performance- Creation of a performance based culture; Colleagues: Engaging workers and employees in British Airways for transforming BA into a high performing workplace, Customers: Focusing all the people in the organization to deliver consistent service to customers; Partnerships: The development and maintenance of world class partnerships with the key internal and external stakeholders of the organization; and Operational efficiency: Driving for continuous improvement both for the short and the long term.       (British Airways, â€Å"A new change programme†). Forces for Change in British Airways Suppliers: The procurement team of the company has recorded and measured risks across the important suppliers. It has presently identified more than 25 numbers of suppliers who, if they ceased to trade with, would lead to the creation of severe operational difficulties. This called for the need to

Mandatory Vaccines Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Mandatory Vaccines - Research Paper Example Parents in the US have, for many years, been reluctant to have their children vaccinated because of the supposed link between Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism. This fear can partly be attributed to the fact; despite the overarching research on autism, there are still gaps in the identification of its causal factors. Parents are inclined toward suspecting MMR vaccine as the causal factor for autism because vaccination will have some impact on the child’s health over the passage of time. However, there is plentiful evidence from research that suggests that there is no valid reason or evidence that supports the consideration of MMR vaccine to be a cause of autism in children. In their research, Neal A. Halsey, Susan L. Hyman, and the Conference Writing Panel (2001) reviewed all information presented on the link by the parents, physicians, and scientists and found that there is no scientific cause-and-effect relationship between MMR vaccine and autism. The board further discussed the actual causes of autism and emphasizes a need for the pediatricians to ensure the reception of immunizations (Halsey et al., 2001). Gerber and Offit (2008) found more than 20 studies from researchers from all across the globe that could not find any evidence that would suggest the existence of a link between vaccines and autism. These scientifically incorrect theories are misleading and undermine the true causal factors of autism, substituting them with vaccination in the early childhood. Not only has vaccination found to have no cause-and-effect relationship with autism by a number of studies, but also certain studies have shown how not vaccinating can induce motor developmental abnormalities in children. Chelsea Flowers Anderson shares the story of Jennifer Russo discussing how her experience with her daughter transformed her from being anti-vax

Operationalizing New Service Concept in Pre-Existing Fast Food Chain Essay

Operationalizing New Service Concept in Pre-Existing Fast Food Chain of Restaurants - Essay Example Introduction 4 2. Background 5 3. Literature Review 5 4. Designing New Service Concept and Service Innovation 6 5. Research 6 6. Service Recovery Design 7 7. Recommendations 8 8. Service Strategy 10 9. Conclusion 10 10. References 12 1. Introduction Customers are significant for every business , however, for fast food companies , which offer food which are perishable, it is very important to retain customer, create customer loyalty and regulate customers to survive in the increasingly competitive environment, which has been elevated through the globalization of fast food chains. Brink and Berndt (2004) found that many companies spent a lot of their efforts, money and time to recruit new customers but a few companies took appropriate steps to retain customer and customer loyally. In 2011, the total revenue generated by Italian fast food market was $2.1 billion, which represents a negative annual rate from 2007 to 2011. The demand for fast food was high till 2007 and the market perform ance also reduced during this time period. The market volume in fast food is classed as the number of visits the customer makes to the same fast food restaurant. Fast food restaurant market can be broken down into- Take Away Quick Service restaurant Mobile Food Street The fast food restaurant at the leisure locations The fast food chains meet new competitors in the market and customer relationship is the marketing purpose which can keep customers from going to the competitors (Ramakrishnan, 2006). Customer retention is the method which helps to keep customers actively involved with the firm through optimal allocation of resources (Kotelnikov, 2006). Six economic benefits of customer retention as outlined by Brink and Berndt (2004)- It reduces the cost of customer acquisition and customer replacement. It guarantees base profits as the customers may follow the minimum spend for a time period. It promotes increased customer revenue. It reduces the overall operating costs as the compani es spread the costs over many customers. It provides easy referral to new customers from the pre-existing customers and the customer can be charged premium price as they do not wait for discounts or price reductions. 2. Background The Italian restaurant operates a chain of 26 full-service restaurants close to shopping malls and high streets. The restaurant is known for excellent service and high quality Italian cuisine. The restaurant is looking for expansion opportunities and the management wants to launch new chain which will have following features 1. Low cost food 2. Limited menu The main issue is that the new outlets may lead to poor customer experience which can tarnish the image of the well established restaurant brand. Regardless of what the service industry perceive about their service and customers, the service should function for customers properly. It should be as per the perceived notion of service by the customer, even if in case, the customers have not experienced it previously (Johnston and Clark, 2001). Through word-of-mouth customer have a perceived imagination of the type of service, and during and after the service delivery the service should meet customers’ expectations related to the duration, notion and flexibility provided. Every organisation should focus on delivering the service concept. The paper explains how service concept is the key driver in service design decision at various

ANALYISI Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

ANALYISI - Essay Example Orwell is hopeless and confused (Orwell, 2003). The world he desires does not want to trust him, yet the world he hates seeks to absorb him completely within its systems. Orwell’s feeling is common to people who wish to reject their environments but realize that they represent lone voices. His troubled conscience cannot adequately reconcile with the horrors of colonial oppression. It becomes difficult for him to accommodate both worlds. He wishes to place himself at the service of the Burmans and to challenge the racist views that are resident in both sides of the racial divide. He expresses an overwhelming sense of loss and confusion. He is lost in a world of binary opposites between the colonial oppressor and the dominated Burmans. Orwell strives to create his own private world, in which he can engage with both worlds on an impartial level. The torments he suffers from the Burmans and the blame he incurs from his own race appear to take a toll on his perception of the world as cruel and difficult. The very act of shooting an elephant provides him with an opportunity to reconcile with a hostile society. This particular feeling shows on his element at the tense moment when he contemplates on whether or not to kill the stray elephant. He was not particularly convinced that his actions were appropriate but felt an immense force from the gathering crowd that expected him to carry out the shooting. On this score, his decisions were subject to mental pressure. He became a puppet of the population, with the realization that any further restraint would prove his distance and confirm the rift that existed between his colonialist race and the race of the oppressed Burmans. The moral decision that he chose was consistent with his inner guilt. From his own feelings, Orwell shows that he had purged himself from the guilt of racism and oppression. The situation he confronts is the important moment when he has to dispel the racial

Health informatics Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Health informatics - Research Paper Example It requires valid techniques and caution in order for success to b realized. The definition of health is refers to the state of an individual having no illness or any injury affecting them. The definition of informatics is refers to the science found in the computer information systems. These two words come together to bring benefit in the healthcare sector. However, health informatics has its own importance, advantages and disadvantages. Health informatics is an important part of the health sector in various ways. For one, through health informatics, important research can be undertaken on serious diseases that trouble many patients. For instance, research on diabetes which affects both adults and children is taken to another level as they try to find ways of making this condition treatable using less harmful treatments. For his reason, having health informatics personnel is important in any clinical institution as it aids in the research department. These personnel will be able to guide the researches using their information technology expertise on how to go deeper in their research on various subjects (Hersh 2009). They will be able to enable the institution identify what might have been missed in the past. This is because they will be using much advanced technology in their research. Health informatics personnel are also important in the clinical sector due to the involvement of several important areas. Some of these areas include reminder systems, electronic health records, data repositories, coding, ontologies and vocabularies as well as data sharing. When such advanced factors are put in the clinical sector of any healthcare environment, then the quality of their health provision is advanced. Communication is made much easier. When the individual in charge needs to confirm a certain concept then they can easily access the materials due t easier

W8-IP Project Portfolio management and Project Plan Assignment

W8-IP Project Portfolio management and Project Plan - Assignment Example Frozen Food Company was established to respond to opportunity of a unique and healthy market. The aim of this report is to develop and implement the processes for project portfolio management in the Frozen Food Company. This would allow the company to select the projects that yield maximum profit and are best aligned with the business strategy. The funded projects would enhance the company’s mission of providing the nutritious food to its customers and increasing the living standards of the society. The company also aims at reduction of pollution to maintain and sustain a safe environment both for customers and its employees. 1. Introduction Frozen Food Company, a multi-national company specializing in frozen foods, cereals and tin packed foods, is organized into various strategic business units that are aligned with the corporate business strategy of the company in a fast moving consumer goods sector. The company is maintaining its operations globally with mission of â€Å"c hange and innovation† and has the strategy to develop a new range of products ahead of time before the competitors. The company also aims at reduction of pollution to maintain and sustain a safe environment both for customers and its employees. Frozen Food Company can achieve this through the creation of an effective project portfolio and strategic business units (Kerzner 2010). This study would be conducted in one of the strategic business units of the company to create an effective project portfolio. 2. Aim and Objectives Selection of the right project aligned with the business strategy is an important aspect of the business from the view point of profitability. No organization has unlimited resources and thus it becomes crucial to manage its scarce for optimal utilization to achieve maximum benefit from the operations of its strategic business units. In the given problem scenario, it is essential to analyze the projects and select the most appropriate to create an effective portfolio that is aligned with organizational strategy and maximizes the profitability through optimal utilization of resources (Kerzner 2010) and is the aim of this report. 3. Scope of the Project This project focuses on measuring how the firm will increase its shareholders growth through evaluating the revenue growth, expectations, operating margin and asset efficiency. Focus on the SBU known as Frozen Food Company that specialized in Vegetables & Chicken Cutlets, Chicken Nuggets, Parathas, Chicken Rolls, French Fries and Burger Patties. This scope will be limited in order to focus on the objectives effectively. Following activites would be the part of this project report Recognizing portfolios available in the company Selecting a portfolio Managing the portfolio The above activities will be carried out using the

Business requirements for Matrix Data Corporation Essay

Business requirements for Matrix Data Corporation - Essay Example 1.2 Background including current process The Matrix Data Corporation in Owings Mills, Maryland is a company that collects data and analyses web-based data for large clients using Web analytics software. They have decided to add a new data repository system to enhance the sales allowing the company to grow by 20% each year. In order to support the volume expected the IT’s role will be to upgrade the current data warehouse system from a ten (10) terabyte data warehouse to 60 terabyte allowing Matrix Data Corporation to collectdata beyond the standard relational databasesystems. This project goal is to provide guidance on the implementation process and how the changes will administered. The project is scheduled to begin on November 21, 2012 and the expected end date is December 23, 2012. The project will also identify what is needed to make the change and to accomplish these changes without interfering with current business production. 1.3 Scope 1.3.1 Scope of Project The scope o f the will identify the procedures used to coordinate the project and the users, and stakeholders to ensure the needs are met. Applications –Will be implemented in phase 1 by November 15, 2012. Database – The application will use a MSSQL (SQL Server) database System Hardware –Data repository system is required. Matrix Corp. ... Process Re-engineering will highlight four phases; 1) Initiation – Aimed at identifying and understanding the purpose 2) Analysis – An in depth analysis of the process tasks and process 3) Reengineering – Discuss and design features needed 4) Implementation and evaluation – Address stakeholders issues and concerns   (Carr and Johansson, 1995). Customization - customization can be applied throughout the different layers of the new project delivery process, from the network diagram level to the scope of work associated with specific activities. The SDLC methodology will be used to implement changes. Interfaces – Agile methods will be integratedto provide delivery engines (Griffith 1994) and new system hardware to be set up and will be implemented using the SDLC methodology. Architecture – The application and technical architecture is a formal description and representation of a system, organized in a way that supports reasoning about the stru cture of the system which comprises system components. Conversion –AdWords Conversion Tracking will begin importing the data from the Analytics account,   Testing – Testing will include testing on volume and capacity, and performance. Funding –Project funding is limited to $25,000.00 Training - Training will be held every Monday in conference room C, for 1 hour. e provided weekly Education – will include an in depth overview of the process and slides will be provided. 1.3.2 Constraints and Assumptions The following constraints have been identified: Restricted and limit project execution, budget limit of $10,000.00. The following assumptions have been made in defining the scope, objectives and approach: Need

Hispanic Literature Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Hispanic Literature - Essay Example "Talpa" provides excellent examples of Rulfo's attention to detail and his style of painting a picture of the setting and rough environment. Rulfo utilizes the theme of man vs. environment to describe life in the pueblo. As much as he paints plainly a portrait of landscape, Rulfo's details about the harsh environment often mirror the severity of the characters' actions. Killings are thematic in "The Man" and "Talpa," and the environment is used as a harsh burden punishing the characters for their killings. Rulfo's short stories relate to his life because they occur in the environment that he knows. He is often characterized as a regionalist writer, meaning that his works tell about the people and lifestyle of a specific area -- Rulfo's being the central valley of Mexico in the 1950's. Rulfo was born in 1917 in Jalisco. His childhood was difficult, and the violence in the 1920s probably impacted him and made his writing style as violent and severe as it is. He was left an orphan before the age of ten. These harsh realities of life are echoed in his works, often about killings. That tone is also mirrored within the environment. Monsivis, a notable Mexican journalist, explains Rulfo's place in Hispanic literature, that he is a trustworthy interpreter of the daily life of those living in the pueblos. "En nuestra cultura nacional Juan Rulfo ha sido un intrprete absolutamente confiable de la lgica ntima, los modos de ser, el sentido idiomtico, la poesa secreta y pblica de los pueblos y las comunidades campesinas, mantenidas en la marginalidad y el olvido" (El Poder). Rulfo recounts with authenticity that life in a not so easy. Rulfo makes this theme more complicated by using the human element. He opens his short story "The Man" with this relationship, man vs. environment, in mind. "The man's feet sank into the sand, leaving a formless track, like some animal's hoof. They clambered over the rocks, digging in at the steepness of the ascent, then they trudged on upward, searching out the horizon." "The Man" provides for easy analysis of Juan Rulfo's writing style and his theme of man vs. environment because the main character, struggling along the road, hears his own voice and thoughts through an imaginary secondary character, which appears, trudging along the path behind him. As the main character is walking up the hill, a man speaks, " 'He climbed along here, raking the mountainside,' said the man pursuing him. 'He cut away branches with a machete. You can tell that he was gripped by fear. Fear always leaves marks. That's what will cause his downfall' (42)". Later, when the main character arrives at the river, there is a semblance of peace within the story. He is able to rest. At this point, the imaginary man says aloud: "'Nobody will hurt you, son. I'm here to protect you. That's why I was born before you were and my bones hardened before yours" (45)'. In short, the struggles occurring inside the man's conscience are mirrored in narrative as Rulfo works through the text and sends the character across the landscape. Rulfo's short stories address the real everyday struggles of life. Another great example of this is in his short story "Talpa." As George Schade writes in the introduction to The Burning Plain, "many of

Investigate how a major event can influence the hospitality, travel and tourism industry Essay Example for Free

Investigate how a major event can influence the hospitality, travel and tourism industry Essay Executive Summary Within this report it outlines how a major event can influence the hospitality, travel and tourism industries. It will go into great detail about the chosen event and how this particular event impacted these industries, with topics such as what an event is, the chosen event in detail, and how this event impacted these industries. Table of Contents I. Methodology II. Introduction III. Findings IV. Conclusion V. References VI. Appendices VII. Bibliography Methodology After already establishing the basis of the theoretical view of this report, it is now required to reflect on how the evidence will be composed to support the theory and research within this report. There are a number of ways in which this research will be collected. Firstly it will be important to establish what an actual event is as well as definitions of the terms hospitality, travel and tourism. This can be done through secondary sources such as books e. g. Allen, O’Toole et al 2011, websites and newspapers. The chosen event will then show how it has impacted the hospitality, travel and tourism industries in Belfast as well as how the Northern Ireland Tourism Board had this planned as part of Northern Ireland’s preparation of making Northern Ireland a huge tourist destination. Introduction The subject matter of this report is too educate how a major event can influence the hospitality, travel and tourism industries, looking a single event in particular, so that the impacts are more in a personal tone rather than generalising to looking into events as a whole. Definitions will be given of what an event, hospitality, travel and tourism actually are. Topics will include information on the chosen event that will be discussed in greater detail, Belfast as a tourist destination, important impacts on the hospitality, travel and tourism industries. Benefits of a major event within a city. How a major event can impact on a city or destination improvements, and a brief incite into Northern Ireland’s Tourist Board’s plan for Northern Ireland to become a huge and popular tourist destination in the future. Investigate how a major event can influence the hospitality, travel and tourism industry. For this report I have chosen to research and ‘Investigate how a major event can influence the hospitality, travel and tourism industry. ’ The event in which I aim on investigating is the opening if the Titanic Signature Building. This report will explain in detail how the opening of the Titanic Signature Building influenced the hospitality, travel and tourism industries. Within this report you will be introduced to the main question of this report. Topics will include talking about the building itself, its visitor numbers, Belfast as a tourism destination, the impacts the building had on Belfast’s hospitality, travel tourism industry. â€Å"The hospitality and tourism industry is a multi-billion-dollar industry with 700 million international travellers per year around the world,† said Zainal (2012) in his book, ‘Current Issues in Hospitality and Tourism: Research and Innovations. ’ According to the oxford dictionary the exact definitions of what an event, hospitality and tourism actually are. â€Å"An event is described as a thing that happens or takes place, especially one of importance, a planned public or social occasion. † â€Å"Hospitality is the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors or strangers. † And the definition of tourism is the â€Å"temporary movement of people to destinations outside their normal places of work and residence, the activity undertaken during the stay in those destinations, and the facilities created to cater for their needs. † According to Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) the Northern Ireland vision is, ‘To create the new Northern Ireland experience and get it on everyone’s destination wish list. ’ As the well-known slogan for Northern Ireland 2012 was that â€Å"Northern Ireland 2012 is our time, our place† This means that NITB have stated that they think Northern Ireland is a rising tourist destination. And that Northern Ireland is trying to offer a unique way to be involved and to celebrate. And we as a city need to take our story to a wider audience. So as part of this transaction to take ‘our story’ to a wider audience, the Titanic signature building project started. Shone and Parry (2010) said that â€Å"for a town or city wishing to become a tourist destination, elements such as attractions, accommodation, transport, infrastructure and facilities must be present. † Belfast has been in the middle of this process over the past few years, and especially as 2012 was meant to be ‘our time, our place’ Belfast certainly lived up to this. And a huge part was the titanic signature building. The Titanic Signature building is the world’s largest Titanic visitor attraction 400,000 visitors were expected to visit the building per annum 900,000 per annum footfall through the building. Within the first 6 months, 500,000 people had already visited Titanic Belfast. â€Å"One of the most important impacts is the tourism revenue generated by an event. In addition to their spending at the event, external visitors are likely to spend on travel, accommodation, and goods and services in the host city. Titanic Belfast was part of NITB’s plan to attract visitors to Belfast and Northern Ireland with a consequent increase in revenue, which will generate jobs and income. Based on projected visitor numbers its one off the most expensive buildings of its kind in Europe. It cost ? 77million to construct, with most of the funding (? 60million) coming from the public’s wallet. Mike Smith, the chief executive of the building said that, â€Å"We think the building is good value for money. † The opening of the Titanic Belfast produced instant employment benefits as it was estimated that 200 people would be needed to work in the building. The projected increase in visitor numbers, from within the UK and Ireland as well as internationally, will lead to a corresponding demand for local hotels and services, therefore generating job opportunities in the construction and hospitality sectors. Allen, O’Toole et al 2011, talked about how a major event has potential to bring ‘new money’ into Belfast from outside visitors. â€Å"The role event tourism is required to play in a destination’s tourism development efforts will vary according to the overall tourism strategy that is being pursued. † (Allen, O’Toole et al 2011) Belfast is now a popular short-break destination and one of Europes top visitor destinations. In 2006, Belfast had 6. 8 million tourists compared to 2011 when we had 7. 86 million tourists. There was quite a number if impacts the opening of Titanic Belfast had on tourism on not only Belfast but Northern Ireland as a whole. The Titanic Signature building is located only 5 minutes from the city centre, so therefore this increasingly popular tourism attraction is not difficult to travel to, there are buses to the Titanic Quarter every 10-15 minutes from the City Centre. It is also within walking distance. The city centre is always crowded with tourist companies who are there to promote tours of the city, these tours run every day and very frequently, they seem to be every popular and since the opening of the Titanic Signature Building, a new tour opened up that was solely about the Titanic alone and it’s attractions. â€Å"Events add to the range of experiences a destination can offer, and this then adds to its capacity to attract and hold visitors for longer periods of time. † (Getz and Wicks 1994) Since the opening of the Titanic Building, this saw Belfasts biggest jump in hotel occupancy in March 2012 in nearly a decade and a 12% year on year hike in revenues. Then in April saw the year on year occupancy in Belfasts leading hotels increase by 25%, the average is usually are 15% over April 2011. Belfast’s PWC partner Stephen Curragh said, â€Å"Overall, 2012 has been a successful year for Belfast hotels thus far, but it is off a very low base and will require sustained visitor numbers to bring Belfast back to pre-downturn levels of profitability. † Allen, O’Toole et al (2011) said that events can also provide a significant spur to both public and private investment in a destination. Large scale events can play in destination renewal and in the later development of a destination’s attractiveness and capacity as a tourist destination. NITB have identified excellent events and business tourism as two of their winning themes with the potential to deliver competitive advantages for Northern Ireland as part of their tourism Strategic Framework for Action 2004-2007. NITB said, â€Å"Note for the Excellent Events theme, research confirms that events are an effective tool for changing perceptions and attracting visitors. † Opportunity 2012 2013 2014 2015 Total Additional Visitors 150,00 333,000 200,000 150,000 833,00 Additional Revenue ?24 million ?52 million ?34 million ?30 million ?140 million Created Jobs 612 1,326 867 765 3,570 This table, which can be found on NITB’s 2012 guide, shows NITB’s goal for the future, which is to increase tourism spend to ? 1 million by 2020 and to increase visitor numbers to 4. 5 million by 2020 It shows NITB’s plan in more detail. In 2013 their plan is at its peak by expecting to have 333,000 additional visitors into Northern Ireland which will then create 52 million additional revenue and will generate 1,326 extra jobs in Northern Ireland. Events can affect the hospitality, travel ; tourism industries in many ways. In Belfast due to the opening of the titanic building we have shown you that there has been quite a high incline in Belfast as a tourist destination. Overall we found that the Titanic Building has had an positive impact on hospitality and tourism in Belfast. â€Å"2012 is about changing global perceptions and trying to get tourists to come to Northern Ireland,† Arlene Foster.

Looking At The History Of Animation Film Studies Essay

Looking At The History Of Animation Film Studies Essay Firstly Edward Mybridge used 24 cameras to record the actions of Humans in Motion stop motion pictures. By this method they learned the dynamics of animal movement. In 1880s Thaumatrope two side one side with bird and other side with cage when twirl it the two image superimpose on each other and the bird will appear inside the cage because of the persistance of vission. Zoetrope is the series of images which are drawn and placed in a cylindrical object when the object revolves the images in a cylinder creates the illusion of motion and creates an animation in 1860s. 1878- THE PRAXINOSCOPE It is similar to the Zeotrope but its requiring mirrors to project the image. Emile Reynaud was the first person to opened first movie theater in Paris using the Praxinoscope. 1891- THE KINETOSCOPE The famous American inventor Thomas Alva Edison built on the previous models a model of his own which is considered to be the first cinema machine. It consisted of a box through which a reel of photos were passed, at a rate of 46 images per second, and lit by an incandescent lamp; the spectator could see the show through a peephole. In 1896 he shot the first movie kiss of all time. 1894- THE CINEMATOGRAPH In 1894 the French duo of Lumiere brothers created the first real movie camera. They were intrigued by the Kinetoscope and tried to build a better model themselves. They came up with a machine which the called the Cinematograph which was a combination of a camera and a projector. In 1895 they shot the first movie called Date. This movie is considered to be the birth of cinema. Flip Book is the process of drawing a picture some semilar to the another, by fliping the page the an animation is being create. The similar process is also called cel animation. Cel and Paper Animation Technique By mid of 1910s animation production in US was already controlled by the techniques of cell and paper. America was the most popular in cell animation than in Europe because of assembly line Taylorism that had taken America by storm.Cell Animation wass most appropriate way to the assembly line style of manufacturing because itook a whole line of persons working on very specific and simple respective duties. On the other hand in Europe where the assembly line style of work was not encouragd, clay animation and other form of animation that required only a few individuals working on the set at a time was more popular. Because the actual set can only afford a limited amount of individuals working at one time together and no more this style and other alternative forums of animation became more widely accepted. Disney Cell Animation By drawing each image background and layout of scene one at a time using onion-skinning technique. The element or character which might have movement are drawn on transparent sheet of paper known as Cels and laid over the background which is static. Only moving elements need to be redrawn, backgroung can also be drawn longer and moved to give the effect of travelling. For eg- The simpsons, South park etc. These days most of the work done on Computer. Synched Sound : Steamboat Willie was released on November 18th 1928 by Disney. The first cartoon synchronized with sound titledSteamboat Willie was created by Disney. Firstly Didney tried to get a deal with RCA or Western Electronic to record the sound track of the movie but it was not succided. Then Walt signed contract with botleg Powers Cinephone process and even with disastorous finally the first sound track in a session was recorded with a 15-pice band and his own Micky squeaks. The Future of Animation 3D Animation Toy Story released November 22nd 1995 On enterance of computer graphics and 3D softwares the feature length film of high graphics can virtually be created in 3D. Toy Story is considered to be the first full length animated feature film which ever made on computer graphics. Toy Story was made by the partners Disney and Pixar. Story board of the movie to final render created in CG digital imagery. Combination of 3D 2D The Iron Giant released on 1999. If we see the Iron Giant it looks like the traditionaliy drawn cell by cell but its not true the giant robot is actually made and designed in 3D software and rendered as a 2D image. Autodesk Maya was used to design this character. One of the most important advantage in creating 3D software is that it is easy to animate no need of frame by frame drawing. Also most of the backgrond which looks like 2D were also made in 3D software and rendered as 2D image. Fishing released on 1999 Pacific Data Images use of non realistic photo, realistic water colour effect rendering in 3D software. Character Animation is all about what the character is thinking .At times, he was getting lost. Is he happy or sad? So we punched it up. Rather then having him just look up at the sky, we had him jump off the ground just a bit. That touch better communicates what he is thinking, what his feeling. Thats all I do all day long as a character animator- move 3D models to look like their thinking David Gainey Dinosaur released in 2000 With the development of the technologies of Computer Graphics it introduce a new and more realistic CGI characters accordingly those seen in Dinosaur. The creation, design and implementation of real technology of realistic digital hair on the lemurs are elaborated. Kung Fu Panda was released on November 9th 2008 with the development of advanced technology DVDs and Blue-ray Disc produced by DreamWorks Animation and was distributed by Paramount Pictures. However the concept of Kung Fu Panda has been around since 1993, but the work started on this feature film in 2004 because of the flexibility of the software flexibility or the software development. Berief History of Indian Animation Dadasaheb Phalke is known as the father of Indian cinema he produced 95 movies and 26 short films in his 19 years career. Ek Anek Aur Ekta, a short traditional animated short educational film was released in 1974 was considered as the first animated film from India from Doordarshans Film Division. The theme of the film is to teach children the value of unity. This film was the first animated films from India which was broadcast on National television channel and it was broadcast in the nations official language Hindi. The first Indian animated television series is Ghayab Aaya was released in 1986 and it is directed by Suddhasattwa Basu. And Rodeside Romeo is the first Indian 3D Animated film was written and directed by Jugal Hansraj and was produced by a joint project between Yash Raj Films and the Indian Division of the Walt Disney Company. Development of Animation Principles: Almost all of the principles of traditional animation were developed at the Walt Disney Studios in 1930s. The principles of the animation were developed to make good animation, especially character animation, more realistic and entertaining. All the principle which was developed during the traditional animation is applied to 3D CG animation. There are 28 Principles of Animation out of those 12 principles are considered as basic but most important principles of animation introduced by the Disney animators Ollie Johnstone and Frank Thomas in 19 81 in the book called The Illusion of Disney Animation. Their effort is to produce more realistic animations The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation on the work of the leading Disney animators from the 1930 onward. The book and its principles have become generally adopted and have been referred as the Bible of the Animation Industry. The principles are still having the great relevance or the computer graphics animation.

General Information About Hydrilla And Photosynthesis Biology Essay

General Information About Hydrilla And Photosynthesis Biology Essay All green parts of a plant have chloroplasts in their cells and can carry out photosynthesis. In most plants, however, the leaves have the most chloroplasts (about half a million per square millimeter of leaf surface) and are the major sites of photosynthesis. Their green color is from chlorophyll, a light-absorbing pigment in the chloroplasts that plays a central role in converting solar energy to chemical energy. Pp 109 (Campbell, N.A. et. Al. 2009 Many aquatic weed scientists consider Hydrilla verticillata the most problematic aquatic plant in the United States. This plant, native to Africa, Australia, and parts of Asia, was introduced to Florida in 1960 via the aquarium trade. Hydrilla is now well established throughout water bodies in the southern states where control and management costs millions of dollars each year. From 1980 to 2005, Florida alone spent $174 million on hydrilla control. On the West Coast, California, Washington, and Idaho all have limited populations of hydrilla. Managers in all three states are serious about eradicating these infestations. Washingtons hydrilla infestation, discovered in 1995 in two interconnected lakes in King County, is the only known occurrence of hydrilla in Washington and eradication efforts are ongoing. Hydrilla is also increasingly being discovered in the northern tier states and in the Midwest.    Habitat Hydrilla forms dense mats of vegetation that interfere with recreation and destroy fish and wildlife habitat. Hydrilla has several advantages over other plants. It will grow with less light and is more efficient at taking up nutrients than native species. It also has extremely effective methods of propagation. Besides making seeds (seedlings are actually rarely seen in nature), it can sprout new plants from root fragments or stem fragments containing as few as two whorls of leaves. Recreational users can easily spread these small fragments from water body to water body.    However, hydrillas real secret to success is its ability to produce structures called turions and tubers. (Presence of these structures is also a characteristic that distinguishes this species from similar looking plants.) Turions are compact and produced along the leafy stems. They break free from the parent plant and drift or settle to the lake bottom to start new plants. They are generally about a quarter inch long, dark green, and appear spiny. Tubers are underground and form at the end of roots. They are small, potato-like or pea-like, and are usually white or yellowish. Hydrilla produces an abundance of tubers and turions in the fall and the tubers may remain dormant for several years in the sediment. The hydrilla variety found in Washington will also make tubers in the spring and will produce non-dormant turions throughout the growing season. Tubers and turions can withstand ice cover, drying, herbicides, and ingestion and regurgitation by waterfowl. One square meter of hydril la can produce 5,000 tubers!  Ã‚  Ã‚   There are two varieties of hydrilla in the United States. Many of the plants in the southern United States are all one sex (female) and are dioecious. Dioecious plants cannot produce seed. The plants in Washington are monoecious (having both male and female flowers on the same plant) and can produce seed. In New Zealand, where hydrilla is not native, the hydrilla plants are all male. Generally, the northern-most populations of hydrilla in the United States are monoecious. Although the hydrilla in Idaho is dioecious, all of Idahos dioecious hydrilla populations are associated with warmer geothermal-influenced waters. Monoecious hydrilla looks and grows somewhat differently than dioecious hydrilla. It tends to have a delicate appearance and sprawls along the lake bottom. The tubers from these monoecious plants are smaller than tubers produced by their southern female relatives. Management Hydrilla is a federally listed noxious weed, listed as a Class A weed on Washingtons Noxious Weed List, and is on the Washington State Department of Agricultures Quarantine list. Weed scientists suspect that some of the hydrilla infestations in California resulted from hydrilla tubers hitch hiking on mail order water lily rhizomes. Plant managers also speculate that Washingtons only hydrilla infestation in Pipe and Lucerne Lakes near Seattle also resulted from contaminated water lilies. Non-native water lilies were once common in these two lakes (before lake managers started herbicide treatments for hydrilla). Since the hydrilla discovery in 1995 in Pipe and Lucerne Lakes, there have been no other reports of hydrilla in Washington. State and local governments (King County and the cities of Covington and Maple Valley) are working together to eradicate the hydrilla infestation by using a combination of an aquatic herbicide called fluridone and diver and snorkeler hand removal. This is a multi-year ongoing effort because hydrilla tubers are long-lived and they do not all sprout at once. Prior to herbicide treatments (started in 1995) hydrilla densely covered the bottom of Pipe and Lucerne Lakes and had started to grow over the tops of Eurasian watermilfoil plants also in the lakes. As of 2009, surveyors have not detected any hydrilla plants in Lucerne Lake since 2004 and no hydrilla plants in Pipe Lake since 2006.    Identification Hydrilla closely resembles two other aquatic plants found in Washington: The non-native plant Brazilian elodea Egeria densa and the native plant American waterweed Elodea canadensis. You can distinguish hydrilla from these look-alike species by the presence of tubers (0.2 to 0.4 inch long, off-white to yellowish, pea-like structures buried in the sediment). Neither Brazilian elodea nor waterweed has tubers. Other characteristics to look for include:    Leaves in whorls around the stem (generally five leaves per whorl). Serrations or small spines along the leaf edges. The midrib of the leaf is often reddish when fresh. We are especially concerned about new introductions of hydrilla in the Pacific Northwest. If you think that you have seen hydrilla growing in Washington, please contact Kathy Hamel ([emailprotected]) or Jenifer Parsons ([emailprotected]) immediately.   The hydrilla line drawing is the copyright property of the University of   Florida Center for Aquatic Plants (Gainesville). Used with permission.   Follow This Link for Technical Information About Hydrilla Trouble in Paradise: Factors that Impact Coral Health Part C: Impact of Climate Change on Coral Reefs Scientists monitor coral health in a variety of ways. Sometimes they are able to take direct measurements, but at other times they must rely on remote measurements taken by satellites or on indicators such as ocean temperature or the presence of algal blooms algal blooms: the rapid excessive growth of algae, generally caused by high nutrient levels. Algal blooms can result in decreased oxygen in a body of water when the algae die, threatening the health of local marine life.. The rise of global temperatures due to increased levels of greenhouse gases-namely carbon dioxide- in the atmosphere is a major concern around the world. But did you know that as the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere increases, the amount of CO2 in the oceans rises as well? In fact, estimates indicate that the oceans have absorbed as much as 50% of all CO2 released into the atmosphere by human activity since 1750. What does this mean for ocean life and coral reefs in particular? Explore what happens to the ocean when CO2 content increases. Show me materials needed for this experiment Hide 300 mL bromothymol blue (a dye used as an acid-base indicator) aqueous solution 500 mL beaker drinking straw Pour the bromothymol blue solution into the beaker. Observe the color of the solution. Show me more information about bromothymol blue solution Hide When a bromothymol blue solution is neutral (like pure distilled water) it will appear green. If the solution is slightly basic, the solution will appear blue. If the solution is acidic, it will appear yellow. Bromothymol Blue pH indicator dye in an acidic, neutral, and alkaline solution (left to right). Take a drinking straw and place it into the solution. Exhale through the straw into the solution. BE CAREFUL NOT TO INHALE ANY OF THE SOLUTION! Keep blowing into the solution until you see a change in color. Checking In What happened to the bromothymol blue solution when you added carbon dioxide? Stop and Think 1: Based on what you observed in the experiment, what do you think the effect of increased carbon dioxide levels has on the ocean? What consequences might this have for coral reefs? Look at the image below showing the oceans involvement in Earths carbon cycle. http://serc.carleton.edu/eslabs/corals/5c.html Hydrilla From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search Hydrilla Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Monocots Order: Alismatales Family: Hydrocharitaceae Genus: Hydrilla Rich. Species: H. verticillata Binomial name Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle in Lotus Pond, Hyderabad, India. Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Hydrilla verticillata Hydrilla (Esthwaite Waterweed or Hydrilla) is an aquatic plant genus, usually treated as containing just one species, Hydrilla verticillata, though some botanists divide it into several species. Synonyms include H. asiatica, H. japonica, H. lithuanica, and H. ovalifolica. It is native to the cool and warm waters of the Old World in Asia, Europe, Africa and Australia, with a sparse, scattered distribution; in Europe, it is reported from Ireland, Great Britain, Germany, and the Baltic States, and in Australia from Northern Territory, Queensland, and New South Wales.[1][2][3] Foliage detail It has off-white to yellowish rhizomes growing in sediments at the water bottom at up to 2 m depth. The stems grow up to 1-2 m long. The leaves are arranged in whorls of two to eight around the stem, each leaf 5-20  mm long and 0.7-2  mm broad, with serrations or small spines along the leaf margins; the leaf midrib is often reddish when fresh. It is monoecious (sometimes dioecious), with male and female flowers produced separately on a single plant; the flowers are small, with three sepals and three petals, the petals 3-5  mm long, transparent with red streaks. It reproduces primarily vegetatively by fragmentation and by rhizomes and turions (overwintering buds), and flowers are rarely seen.[2][4][5][6] Hydrilla has a high resistance to salinity (>9-10ppt) compared to many other freshwater associated aquatic plants. The name Esthwaite Waterweed derives from its occurrence in Esthwaite Water in northwestern England, the only English site where it is native, but now presumed extinct, having not been seen since 1941.[7] Hydrilla closely resembles some other related aquatic plants, including Egeria and Elodea. [edit] Status as an invasive plant Hydrilla is naturalised and invasive in the United States following release in the 1960s from aquariums into waterways in Florida. It is now established in the southeast from Connecticut to Texas, and also in California.[8] By the 1990s control and management were costing millions of dollars each year. Hydrilla can be controlled by the application of aquatic herbicides and it is also eaten by grass carp, itself an invasive species in North America. Insects used as biological pest control for this plant include weevils of genus Bagous and the Asian hydrilla leaf-mining fly (Hydrellia pakistanae). Tubers pose a problem to control as they can lay dormant for a number of years. This has made it even more difficult to remove from waterways and estuaries. As an invasive species in Florida, Hydrilla has become the most serious aquatic weed problem for Florida and most of the U.S. Because it was such a threat as an invasive species, restrictions were placed, only allowing a single type of chemical, fluridone, to be used as an herbicide. This was done to prevent the evolution of multiple mutants. The result is fluridone resistant Hyrdilla. As hydrilla spread rapidly to lakes across the southern United States in the past, the expansion of resistant biotypes is likely to pose significant environmental challenges in the future. [9] This abundant source of biomas is a known hyperaccumulator of Mercury, Cadmium, Chromium and Lead, and asuch can be used in phytoremediation.[10] shttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrilla  · This page was last modified on 12 February 2010 at 10:35.  · Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. See Terms of Use for details. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. Bromothymol blue From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search Bromothymol blue IUPAC name[hide] 4,4-(1,1-dioxido-3H-2,1-benzoxathiole-3,3-diyl)bis(2-bromo-6-isopropyl-3-methylphenol) Identifiers CAS number 76-59-5  Y PubChem 6450 SMILES   [show] CC1=C(C(=C(C=C1C2(C3=CC=CC=C3S(=O)(=O)O2)C4=CC(=C(C(=C4C)Br)O)C(C)C)C(C)C)O)Br Properties Molecular formula C27H28Br2O5S Molar mass 624.38 g molà ¢Ã‹â€ Ã¢â‚¬â„¢1 Density 1.25 g/cm3 Melting point 202  Ã‚ °C, 475  K, 396  Ã‚ °F Acidity (pKa) 7.10 Supplementary data page Structure and properties n, ÃŽÂ µr, etc. Thermodynamic data Phase behaviour Solid, liquid, gas Spectral data UV, IR, NMR, MS   Y  (what is this?)  Ã‚  (verify) Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25  Ã‚ °C, 100  kPa) Infobox references Bromothymol blue (also known as bromothymol sulfone phthalein, Bromthymol Blue, and BTB) is a chemical indicator for weak acids and bases. The chemical is also used for observing photosynthetic activities or respiratory indicators (turns yellow as CO2 is added). Bromothymol blue acts as a weak acid in solution. It can thus be in protonated or deprotonated form, appearing yellow and blue respectively. It is bluish green in neutral solution. It is typically sold in solid form as the sodium salt of the acid indicator. It also finds occasional use in the laboratory as a biological slide stain. At this point it is already blue, and a drop or two is used on a water slide. The cover slip is placed on top of the water droplet and the specimen in it, with the blue coloring mixed in. It is sometimes used to define cell walls or nuclei under the microscope. Bromothymol blue is mostly used in measuring substances that would have relatively low acidic or basic levels (near a neutral pH). It is often used in managing the pH of pools and fish tanks, and for measuring the presence of carbonic acid in a liquid. A common demonstration of BTBs pH indicator properties involves exhaling through a tube into a neutral solution of BTB. As carbon dioxide is absorbed from the breath into the solution, forming carbonic acid, the solution changes color from green to yellow. Thus, BTB is commonly used in middle school science classes to demonstrate that the more that muscles are used, the greater the CO2 output. Bromothymol is also used in obstetrics for detecting premature rupture of membranes. Amniotic fluid typically has a pH > 7.2, bromothymol will therefore turn blue when brought in contact with fluid leaking from the amnion. As vaginal pH normally is acidic, the blue color indicates the presence of amniotic fluid. The test may be false-positive in the presence of other alkaline substances such as blood, semen, or in the presence of bacterial vaginosis. The pKa for bromothymol blue is 7.10. [edit] Indicator colors BTB indicator in pH acidic, neutral, and alkaline solutions (left to right). Bromothymol Blue (pH indicator) below pH 6.0 above pH 7.6 6.0 à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬  7.6

Gingko Biloba Essay -- Herbal Supplements Papers

Gingko Biloba Introduction We, as consumers, are always trying to find new products to buy in which to improve ourselves. In modern-day American culture, improving oneself has become synonymous with feeling younger and healthier. Gingko biloba extract is one of the popular herbal supplements being marketed to mainstream consumers as a "smart" and "anti-aging" drug (http://www.stevemorow.com/food.htm) which will work to help to increase their overall brain functioning in the normal population, as well as, those who suffer from mental impairment due to aging. Gingko biloba extract has also been labeled an anti-aging drug due to its antioxidant properties, its supposed free radical scavenger properties, as well as its reported increases in people’s overall mental functioning. You see advertisements for it on television, as well as, the Internet making a large number of different kinds of claims of Gingko biloba’s benefits. The claimed benefits range from increasing overall brain functioning in norma l people to people with mental impairment, to being a mood enhancer (http://www.televar.com/alpha/biloba.html), to helping with such slight conditions as cough and asthma, to helping increase circulation in patients suffering from painful vascular diseases to actually having "slimming" applications (http://www.mmpinc.com/WHATS.HTM). If all these claims are true, then Gingko biloba extract sounds like a "mulit-cure"drug for the entire population. This paper will attempt to reduce the confusion associated with the large number of claimed benefits of taking Gingko biloba by explaining what the research literature has to back up these claims. I had a hard time myself keeping track of all the reported claims. At this time, Gingko bil... ...esearch, 4(2), 89-93. Taillandier, J., Ammar, A., Rabourdin, J.P., Ribeyre, J.P., Pichon, J., Niddam, S., Pierart, H. (1986). Treatment of cerebral aging disorders with Gingko biloba extract. A longitudinal multicenter double-blind drug vs. placebo study. Presse Medicale, 15(31) Sep. 25, 1583-7. Vettorello, G., Cerreta, G., Derwish, A., Cataldi, A., Schettino, A., Occhionorelli, S., Donini, I. (1996). Contribution of a combination of aplha and beta benzopyrones, flavonoids, and natural terpenes in the treatment of lymphedema of the lower limbs at the 2nd stage of the surgical classification. Minerva Cardioangiologica, 44(9), 447-55. Warot, D., Lacomblez, L., Danjou, P., Weiller, E., Payan, C., Puech, A.J. (1991). Comparative effects of gingko biloba extracts on psychomotor performances and memory in healthy subjects. Therapie, 46(1) Jan-Feb, 33-6.

Caviar Essays -- essays research papers

Caviar Settlers of America discovered sturgeon to be the most prolific fish of the North American continent. In the beginning of 19th century, the United States was the major producer of caviar in the world and produced 90% of the world's caviar. The American caviar industry got started when Henry Schacht, a German immigrant, opened a business catching sturgeon on the Delaware River. He treated his caviar with German salt and exported a great deal of it to Europe. At around the same time, sturgeon was fished from the Columbia River on the west coast. At one time, caviar was so common in America. It was served in saloons to encourage thirsty drinkers. Hudson River sturgeons were so plentiful that the flesh was referred to as "Albany beef." A nickel could get you a serving of the best caviar available in New York, and many of the most lavish establishments, including the Waldorf Astoria, offered free-flowing caviar as an amuse-bouche opening to an elegant meal. Caviar was also a common food in California during the gold rush days. Recently, the United States has made a strong comeback in caviar production. The U.S. Goverment says that the roe of sturgeon may be called simply "Caviar," whereas the roe of other fish can be called "Caviar" only if the name of the fish comes first. The following is a descriptive list of caviars made from American fresh water fish: American Sturgeon - Sturgeon resemble a prehistoric creature, but they are actually t...

Green Alliances: McDonalds and Environmental Defense Essay -- Environm

Green Alliances: McDonalds and Environmental Defense On August 1, 1990, Shelby Yastrow, McDonald’s Senior Vice President of Environmental Affairs, and Fred Krupp, Environmental Defense’s Executive Director, announced that the company and the organization would form a partnership with the goal of improving waste management at McDonald’s. The announcement came as a surprise to many outside of McDonald’s and Environmental Defense; the alliance of the world’s largest fast-food company with one of the country’s oldest and best-known environmental organizations seemed improbable. McDonald’s seemed a more likely target for Environmental Defense’s litigation than a potential partner. Reaction to the announcement was mixed. Many, such as the Wall Street Journal, applauded the decision to cooperation, saying that the alliance could â€Å"break ground in the fight to protect the environment.†[1] Others, such as Warren T. Brooks of the San Francisco Chronicle, accused McDonaldâ₠¬â„¢s of caving into pressure from the â€Å"elitist yuppies†[2] of Environmental Defense. Still others, like Hans Schuttle of the Boston Globe, feared that Environmental Defense was catering to big business and â€Å"watering down† its stands.[3] McDonald’s and Environmental Defense themselves seemed unsure of the direction the partnership would take. Krupp spoke of â€Å"work[ing] together to improve the environment,† but also cautioned, â€Å"we’re always ready to roll out the heavy artillery.† Yastrow likewise expressed cautious optimism about the partnership. In this, Krupp and Yastrow were acknowledging McDonald’s and Environmental Defense’s very different histories and perspectives, yet they were also implying that each had evolved enough to a point where they were in a posit... ...26] www.environmentaldefense.org/pubs/Reports/McDfinreport.html, updated 8/21/00, accessed 11/16/00. [27] www.environmentaldefense.org/pubs/Reports/McDfinreport.html, updated 8/21/00, accessed 11/16/00. [28] www.environmentaldefense.org/pubs/Reports/McDfinreport.html, updated 8/21/00, accessed 11/16/00. [29] Langert, 12/4/00. [30] www.environmentaldefense.org/pubs/EDF-Letter/1991/Jan/a_mcdonalds.html, accessed 11/16/00. [31] Livesey, p. 5 [32] Livesey, p. 11 [33] Langert, 12/4/00. [34] www.environmentaldefense.org/pubs/StrategicPlan/, accessed 12/7/00. [35] www.environmentaldefense.org/pubs/Newsletter/1999/Dec/gc_ways.html, accessed 11/23/00. [36] National Resources Defense Council website, www.nrdc.org/cities/recycling/append.asp, accessed 11/14/00. [37] www.environmentaldefense.org/pubs/Reports/launchethic.html, accessed 11/23/00.

Nucor Case

NUCOR MEMORANDUM To: F. Kenneth Iverson and Management Team of Nucor Corporation CC: AGSM Faculty Teams Subject: Investment Decision Date: 04/22/2009 From: 1713898 The Situation In 1986, flat sheet segment contained 52% of US total steel market1. Nucor Corporation, which is a steel minimill well-known for its leadership, efficient operation and well-structured compensation, is showing the interest in the flat sheet segment. At the same time, there are many new thin-slab casting technologies to help minimills enter the new market quickly and cost-efficiently. One of them is from German firm, SMS Schloemann-Siemag, who has consistently introduced its unique technology, Compact Strip Production (CSP), to Nucor. As the chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of Nucor, F. Kenneth Iverson has to make a decision on whether Nucor should go for CSP plant developed by SMS. The Issue The most salient issue than concerns Nucor and its management team right now is – What is the best strategy for Nucor to target the flat sheet segment? Alternatives 1. Go for CSP plant: Obviously, the most important reason for Nucor to buy CSP technology is that Nucor could take advantage of the huge opportunity of entering flat-sheet market. As the pioneer of CSP application, Nucor would have 2 to 3 years head start to utilize its technology advantage in order to secure a desired market share. Consequently, CSP will help Nucor to achieve its long-term vision: to target the high end of flat-sheet market. The competition of the low end of flatsheet market is increasing due to the interest of many minimills and the low price products of overseas competitors. Aiming at the high end segment is a wise strategy because the high end segment is expected to bring more profits and help Nucor to grow consistently in future. 1 Exhibit 2 – Steel Mill Product Segments: 1986, page 15 of the case 1 However, going for CSP plant option exposes many disadvantages as well. First of all, without expertise in flat-sheet products, Nucor will be not in a good position to compete fairly to expert players. Subsequently, Nucor will face difficulties in new plant operation and possibly be outpaced by integrated mills adopting CSP. Secondly, the resource constraints will not favor CSP. Sharing resources between CSP and the joint venture with Yamato Kogyo might bring in a risk of not enough capital or even worse, bankruptcy. Last but not least, uncertainty of technology is another major concern. The possibility of new plant’s obsoleteness is there and Nucor clearly does not want to pay a huge sunk cost just because it is the pioneer. 2. Not to go for CSP plant: By not going for CSP, Nucor can apply wait-and-see strategy. It allows Nucor more time to watchfully define the target market and wait for a matured and proven thin-slab casting technology. By that, Nucor will be able to avoid a huge sunk cost. Next, Nucor could utilize the resource on the joint venture with Yamato Kogyo. Hence, the risk of capital shortness will be eliminated. In the other hand, Nucor will let go a significant opportunity to capture some shares of flat-sheet market. It might not affect Nucor in short-term. However, in the long-term, assuming many steel producers adopting successfully CSP or other thin-slab casting technologies, Nucor will be pushed to a bad position to compete over. Also, it will take even more time and resource for Nucor to catch up. Recommendation The first alternative is strongly recommended because of the following three reasons. First, even though money is an issue, it is not a big issue for Nucor. With $185 million in cash and short-term securities on hand together with the ability to issue corporate longterm bond2, Nucor is completed able to fund CSP with a strict financial management. Secondly, CSP project is showing a good cashflow even in the case of CSP’s obsoleteness. Assuming that new CSP plant is operating at 100% capacity or 1 million ton per year, Nucor will get hold of 2. 76% of flat sheet market3, which is reasonable. From a simple projection4, new CSP plant is showing a positive cashflow with NPV = $141. 55 mil, IRR = 19%, and payback period = 4. 34 years. Thirdly, the argument that Nucor should not go to flat-sheet market because of its lacking experience is not convincing. Unless Nucor does not want to enter flat-sheet market, the earlier Nucor enter flat-sheet market, the faster it will learn and the better it will sustain in future. Second-last paragraph, page 14 of the case Appendix 3 4 Appendix 4 2 3 2 Appendices 1. SWOT analysis Strengths Leadership Efficient operation Well-structured compensation Culture Weakness Resource constraint No experience in flat sheet product Opportunities Enter flat sheet market Pioneer in thin-slab casting technology Threats Uncertainty about technology Competition, possibly be outpaced by integrated mills adopting CSP . Porter five forces analysis5 The threat of substitute products – buyer propensity to substitute – relative price performance of substitutes – buyer switching costs – perceived level of product differentiation The threat of the entry of new competitors – Existence of barriers to entry (patents, right, etc. ) – economies of product differences – brand equi ty – switching cost or sunk cost – capital requirements – access to distribution – absolute cost advantages – learning curve advantages – expected retaliation by incumbents – government policies The intensity of competitive rivalry 5 MEDIUM MEDIUM HIGH HIGH LOW MEDIUM HIGH HIGH HIGH LOW MEDIUM LOW MEDIUM HIGH MODERATELY HIGH LOW LOW http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Porter_5_forces_analysis 3 numbers of competitors rate of industry growth intermittent industry overcapacity exit barriers diversity of competitors informational complexity and asymmetry – fixed cost allocation per value added – level of advertising expense – Economies of scale – sustainable competitive advantage through improvisation The bargaining power of customers – buyer concentration to firm concentration ratio – degree of dependency upon existing channels of istribution – bargaining leverage – buyer volume – buyer switching costs relative to firm switching costs – buyer information availability – ability to backward integrate – availability of existing substitute products – buyer price sensitivity – differential advantage (uniqueness) of industry prod ucts – RFM (Regency + Frequency + Monetary Value) analysis The bargaining power of suppliers – supplier switching costs relative to firm switching costs – degree of differentiation of inputs – presence of substitute inputs – supplier concentration to firm concentration ratio – employee solidarity (e. . labor unions) – threat of forward integration by suppliers relative to the threat of backward integration by firms – cost of inputs relative to selling price of the product – MEDIUM MEDIUM – HIGH MEDIUM LOW HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH MEDIUM HIGH LOW MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM LOW MEDIUM LOW LOW MEDIUM MEDIUM HIGH HIGH MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM HIGH MEDIUM – MEDIUM 4 3. Estimation of market share of a full capacity CSP plant Total flat sheet segment 36. 6 CSP full capacity 17 Market share of Nucor's CSP plant with 100% capacity 2. 76% Unit: millions of ton 4. CSP plant’s cash flow with assumption: discount rate = 10%, constant cashflow Cashflow per year Total Cost per ton8 8 Revenues per ton Profit per ton Shipment (millions of ton)7 Total Profit per year Hot-rolled (HR) 225 306. 5 81. 5 0. 5 40,750,000. 00 Cold-rolled (CR) 283 390. 5 107. 5 0. 35 37,625,000. 00 Both HR & CR 78,375,000. 00 Cashflow in 10-year opportunity window Discount rate Year Cashflow 10% 0 -340 Unit 1 78. 37 2 78. 37 3 78. 37 4 78. 37 5 78. 37 6 78. 37 7 78. 37 8 78. 37 9 78. 37 $ mil 10 78. 37 NPV IRR Payback period 141. 55 19% 4. 34 $ mil year 6 Exhibit 2 – Steel Mill Product Segments: 1986, page 15 of the case Exhibit 12A – Construction Costs for Flat-Rolled Product Plants: 1986, page 22 of the case 8 Exhibit 12B – Comparative Operating Data for Flat-Rolled Product Plants: 1986, page 22 of the case 7 5 Nucor Case NUCOR CASE In this analysis we use the Net present value to consider if Nucor should invest in the new technology called: thin slab minimill. NPV is really useful in order to make this kind of decision because it uses the concept of future cash value to evaluate whether the investment is worth, however the NPV is sometimes difficult to calculate because it is not always easy to estimate future cash flow.Considering the assumption I made in the first part of the spread sheet, the thin slab project doesn’t appear to be a wise investment for Nucor because the future cash flows at the present value are less than the initial cost of the investment. Comparing the NPV of the three different scenarios it is evident that the best option for Iverson is to continue whit the unmodernized process. The first consideration about to undertake the investment is based on particular assumptions about the future, if we change those the result of the decision could also change.Due to the fluctuati on of the market is difficult to make the right assumptions and this is why to calculate the NPV is not easy. For instance if we changed the discount rate and we lower it below the IRR, the resulting NPV will be positive and this case to invest in the new technology could be a profitable decision. We can also change the steel price rate keeping the cost rate constant, if it is increased enough the NPV could result positive, at the same time if we reduce cost rate keeping the price rate constant we can find an equal result.Regarding the real option analysis if Nucor decides to wait it is unlikely that another will decide to make this kind of investment first. The follow strategy could be a wise decision for Nucor, because the NPV is slightly negative so the management could decide to undertake this investment in order to gain experience and subsequently use that experience for other plants so this initial price could generate future opportunities.

Decision Making and Correct Answer

Caleb is late to his first meeting because his car broke down, and Caleb's boss concludes that Caleb is not punctual when he first walks in. 4. It is important for managers to balance managerial authority and team member autonomy. Which Of the following is true about a typical team? *b. Mangers have the latitude to make some decisions without consulting the 5. The major conclusion from the Cash studies was: Groups have a significant influence over individual members 6. Katherine project team is extremely cohesive; it has become a norm to cooperate and agree with one another.Although Katherine disagrees with mom of the influential members in the group who have decided that they do not need to conduct interviews as part of their data collection, she doesn't question their decision. As a result, the group falls prey to: *c. Grouping 7. Peter is working for a publishing company that works mainly on children's books. His team is working on a storyboard for a new book. One member suggests that it would be a good idea to introduce a children's book on sexual education for the second grade level.Before Peter can say anything, one member excitedly starts to draft a story while two others offer to work on harasser development, and a final member begins work on the cover art. This scenario is an example of: *a. Group popularization b. Shared information bias c. Confirmation bias d. Escalation of commitment 8. Fear of being challenged for speaking up will most likely lead to: a. Group popularization b. Overconfidence *c. Shared information bias 9. Zoe is leading a sales team for a jewelry company. The group has attempted to open more stores in shopping malls, but what little stores they have opened have not been very profitable.Zoe decides to request a larger budget to pursue more space in shopping malls. Zoe is demonstrating: *a. Escalation of commitment d. Ingrown/outgrip bias 10. After taking this class, you know that the most effective leaders: a. Discourage deviant op inions encourage deviant opinions c. Play the role of the designated deviant d. When did we learn about deviants this semester? 1 1 . The orientation phase of group decision making begins with: a. Brainstorming as many solutions to the problem as possible b. Critically evaluating and reflecting upon decisions *c. Clearly defining the problem d. Eating to know your team members 12. A professional NAB basketball has just retired from the game and decides o start a sports bar. The basketball player's status as a former NAB star is an example of a: *b. Diffuse status characteristic 13. Which of the following is not one of the seven steps in Puffer's (1992) model for applying power dynamics? A. Predict what individuals' points of view are likely to be; how will they feel about what they are trying to do? B. Determine what external power bases you will contend with which of them will have the most influence in the decision? C.Determine which of the various strategies and tactics for exerc ising power are most appropriate; which are likely to be effective, given he situation you confront? *d. None of the above 14. Who would be considered to have high status in an organization? A. An expert driller in an oil company b. A sales rep who is likeable and friendly c. A project manager who knows several people in other groups All of the above 15. Which of the following is not a benefit of having a deviant? *a. Deviants create conflict early, which accelerates team maturity and cohesion b. Deviants foster creativity and innovation by forcing multiple perspectives c.Deviants are the strongest opposition to Grouping d. All of the above are benefits of having a deviant 6. According to Malcolm Caldwell, people gain status by: *c. High degree of likeability d. All Of the above 17. Harold is the â€Å"guy that knows a guy. † Whenever the team proposes to bring in a contractor or use outside help, Harold always comes through with a contact. Harold is a: a. Maven Connector 18. Kelsey decides to use her Spring Break to help build houses in Southern Missouri. Unfortunately, she is the only one on her team that knows how to use a hammer. Kelsey could best be described as: *a. Maven 19.John is enthusiastic, optimistic, and well-liked by everyone on his team, asking him one of the most influential members. According to Malcolm Caldwell, author of The Tipping point, John derives his credibility from being *b. Salesperson 20. The author of the textbook gives a â€Å"Top 1 0† list of hard lessons learned by working in teams. This list includes: a. Be easy on people and tough on the problem b. Being trustworthy is a good thing c. Take your time *d. All of the above 21 . The following is an example of personalization: â€Å"We need a budget for the project by tomorrow or else we will cancel the project altogether. A. True *b. False 22. Lisa does not get the promotion she wanted. She concludes that her boss doesn't like her and is probably still is upset th at she accidentally spilled coffee on him two weeks. The following is an example of both personalization and mind reading. *a. True b. False 23. Grouping is a collaborative group decision making effort that has become popular in recent years as a valuable decision making tool. 24. Shared information bias is a common occurrence in teams where member's fear challenged or being challenged in their perspectives. True 25.The Orientation phase of decision making involves brainstorming and proposing solutions to a given problem. 6. An example of an objective of the Discussion phase of decision making would be to critique the accuracy of and evidence for one's conclusions. 27. Carl Jung defines introverts as people whose personalities lend them to spending more time alone or with small groups. False 28. Systems thinking encourages group members to resist reductionism views of problem solving in order to avoid short-sighted solutions and unintended consequences. 29. The Decision Rule phase i s often when roles and tasks are assigned. 0. Diffuse status characteristics have little to do with the task at hand and so hey are generally ignored when judging or perceiving group members. 31 . What is Fundamental Attribution Error? What are three common mistakes (aka cognitive distortions) made when receiving and responding to messages, as identified by Beck (1995), that are associated with Fundamental Attribution Error? (Note that these are different than Grouping, overconfidence, etc. ). For one of the three, give an example. Correct Answer: Varies 32. Describe the Functional Model of Decision Making.Pick two of the steps in the decision making process and describe how leaving them out might negatively affect a decision. 3. Give a personal or historical example of a decision making process gone wrong. Use your knowledge of either the Functional Model of Decision Making or the Ladder of Inference, as well as your knowledge of common decision making problems. Chi 1 . While growi ng up there are many external factors that influence the creative potential of an individual. During the adolescent and young years there is one specific factor that plays a key role in nurturing the development of creativity.This force fosters creativity through providing knowledge, resources, and encouragement to an individual. What is this force? *a. Mentoring 2. Tyler is working math problems for his calculus class. Which type of problem will most likely involve divergent thought? A. Arithmetic problem b. Drawing a graph c. Algebra problem *d. All of the above are examples of convergent thought 3. Elliot works for a large supermarket. He receives an email from Mark, the UP of Marketing. The UP wants Elliot to design a new store layout that will encourage customers to see more of the store, and so purchase more. Mark wants the design by next week.In order to accomplish his task, Elliot should: *d. Think elaborately 4. Which of the following is true concerning creative people? *d. Their creativity is often limited to one domain 5. Which of the following is not a characteristic of a creative person? *b. Acceptance of Norms 6. Which of the following is not one of the group processes that reduces the effectiveness of brainstorming? *a. Negative morning 7. In which career would convergent thought be used more commonly than divergent thought? *b. Accounting 8. At Google, employees are often given a large portion of the day to work independently on any projects that they choose.What character trait is Google trying to encourage in its employees? *b. Intrinsic Motivation 9. Ambler's (1985, 1990) poem experiment found that: *c. Extrinsic prompts have a negative effect on creativity 10. Sentimentally (1 988; 1 990) posits that creativity can be understood within three subsystems: *d. Person, domain, field 1 1 How could the difference between a field and domain be most aptly described? A domain is a realm of expertise while a field is a group of people who define exce llence for that realm 12. Which social influence has the most impact on an individual's creativity ring adolescence and young adulthood? D. Mentors 13. Generally speaking, what is the most significant social influence on the development of creativity? *a. Parents 14. Which of the following social influences is best known for having both a positive and negative influence on creative development? *a. Education 15. Which of the following statements is true concerning creative influence? *d. Mentor figures are especially important in adolescence and young adulthood, but colleagues are the primary influences in adulthood. 16. Organizational creativity under the conditions that: *a. Creative ideas should be supported, but also critiqued and evaluated 17.Each was a group leader in a project last semester, and it was very time consuming and taxing on him. This semester he has yet another group project to do. He notices that Nicole is on his team. She was also in his class last semester and he remembers her as Very proactive and hard-working. He determines that he will â€Å"sit this one out' and delegate most of his work to Nicole. Each is demonstrating: Social Loafing 18. Which of the following is not true of creative people? *c. Creative people are limited inasmuch as they are restrained by social invention 19.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms Essay

I. Importance of Study Found in the Journal of Advanced Nursing, a group of Norwegian psychologists conducted an observational longitudinal study to discover whether or not there is a relationship because Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL), and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms (PTSD). Mette Senneseth, Kjersti Alsaker & Gerd Karin Natvig, conducted this study. According to the journal, the aim of the study was to examine HRQoL and PTSD symptoms in the people that attend Accident and Emergency departments (A&E), due to the fact that they suffer from some type of psychosocial crisis (Alasker et al. 2011, 403). Hereafter, this is referred to as Research 1. The study done in Research 1 revealed that there has been an interest in researching one’s quality of life, and how it correlates with one’s health. The term HRQoL refers to the â€Å"effects of health, illness and treatment on QoL† (Alasker et al. 2011, 403). There have been a number of studies that suggest that traumatic lif e events, including, but not limited to, sexual assault and military combat, have a negative effect on HRQoL. Additionally, poor HRQoL is not only associated with PTSD symptoms, but they are related to differences and modification in HRQoL, and there is a negative correlation between the two (Alasker et al. 2011, 403). The researchers hypothesized that people who seek help at A&E, suffering from such psychosocial calamites, have lower HRQoL than the general population of Norway at the time of the study, and that the participants will have improved HRQoL after two months (Alasker et al. 2011, 403). In addition, a second hypothesis predicts that participants who have high levels of PTSD symptoms at the time of the study will have reduced symptoms after the conclusion of the study at two months. Lastly, the third hypothesis wraps the study up by predicating that high levels of PTSD symptoms are associated to low HRQoL scores in a follow-up experiment (Alasker et al., 2011, 403). Found in the Cyber-psychology, Behavior and Social Networking Journal, a group of researchers conducted a study to compare the effects of VR-graded exposure therapy (VR-GET) versus treatment as usual (TAU) on people suffering from combat related PTSD (McLay et al. 2011, 223). Robert Mclay, Dennis Wood, Jennifer Webb-Murphy, James Spira, Mark Miederholf, Jeffery Pyne and Brenda  Wiederhold conducted this study. Hereafter, this is referred to as Research 2. The doctors responsible for conducting this study found that there has only been one â€Å"randomized, controlled proof-of-concept† study that was specifically designed for Active Duty Service Members suffering from PTSD (McLay et al. 2011, 223). Also, the doctors wanted to extend the â€Å"already found research gathered† from victi ms of PTSD, and take the study one step further. The researchers of Research 2 hypothesized that â€Å"patients with combat-related PTSD would be more likely to experience clinically significant improvements in VR-GET than treatment as usual† (McLay et al. 2011, 224). VR-GET is a virtual reality stimulation that combines graded virtual reality exposure with â€Å"physiologic monitoring and skills training† (McLay et al. 2011, 224). Also, VR-GET promotes engagement with, rather than escaping the events and experiences that prompt a traumatic episode. II. METHODS In regards to Research 1, the participants in the study had to meet three criteria before they were able to participate. During the recruitment period, the researchers found participants who were attending the A&E due to a â€Å"psychosocial crisis and who consulted a psychiatric nurse,† were 18 years of age or older, and those who were able to both read and understand Norwegian (Alasker et al. 2011, 404). A total of 113 were asked to participate in the study. Of those 113 people selected, 99 of the people participated in the baseline study, and 41 participated in both the baseline study, and the follow-up study. Aforementioned, this was an observational longitudinal study, where participants were observed repeatedly over a long period of time. There were two types of instruments that were used for the research in Research 1. The first instrument that was used was a SF-36 Health Survey, which is a â€Å"36 item self-report questionnaire that assesses eight domains of physical and MH ranging from 1-100† (Alasker et al. 2011, 404). In this survey, the higher score reveals the best HRQoL, and the lower score reveals the poorest HRQoL (Alasker et al. 2011, 404). The second instrument that was used for this study was the Post-traumatic Symptom Scale (PTSS-10), which is a ten item self-report questionnaire that â€Å"assesses the presence  and intensity of symptoms† (Alasker et al. 2011, 404). On the PTSS-10, scores range from 10 to 70, and a score of 35 or greater results in a PTSD diagnosis (Alasker et al. 2011, 404). In addition to the two questionnaires, participants were encouraged to go to consolations at the A&E. The number of consultations that each participant attended varies throughout the study. In regards to Research 2, â€Å"participants for the study were all Active Duty Service Members who had been diagnosed by a military mental health professional as having PTSD† related to military combat (McLay et al. 2011, 224). At the end of the baseline assessment, those who were qualified to participate in he study were asked to draw a piece of paper out of an envelop, making the selection of treatment completely random, and giving the participants an equal chance of choosing either treatment. There were a total of twenty people that participated in this study; ten assigned to the VR-GET and another ten assigned to TAU (McLay et al. 2011, 225). The two methods of Research 2 consisted of the VR-GET and the TAU. The participants that were assigned for the VR-GET had a sequence of sessions that consisted of different activities. First, the therapist would meet with the participant and discuss their trauma history. In the second session, participants were asked to reveal their more traumatic stories of their military combat and tours. In later sessions, the participant used the virtual reality helmet to relive their most traumatic events, based off of the information that was gathered about them in the earlier sessions. In each session, the participants were observed on their ability to face their fears and anxieties (McLay et al. 2011, 225). â€Å"Participants assigned to TAU could receive any of the regular services available to them at the NMCSD and NHCP. These two facilities offer full spectrum of PTSD treatment, including, but not limited to, cognitive processing therapy, prolonged exposure, and group therapy† (McLa y et al. 2011, 225). III. ANALYSIS/RESULTS Analysis The researchers for Research 1 used the two self-report questionnaires to gather their data. In addition, the researchers processed the data using  statistical analysis with the help of SPSS16 Processor for Windows (Oslo, Norway). The researcher for this study wants to compare the results of the two surveys with the general population of Norway, and to succeed with that, they used SF-36 data through the Norwegian Coordinated Living Conditions Survey from 2002, consisting of 5131 people (Alasker et al. 2011, 405). In Research 2, it was found that participants in the baseline study had lower norm-based scores in all eight HRQoL domains in comparison to the general population of Norway. In the follow-up study, two months later, the â€Å"participants still had lower norm-based scores than the general population of Norway, but participants had improved their HRQoL in five of the eight domains from the baseline study to the follow-up study† (Alasker et al. 2011, 406). In regard to the PTSS-10 questionnaire in Research 1, among the participants in the baseline study, 79% of them had a PTSS-10 score that was 35, expressing high levels of PTSD symptoms (Alasker et al. 2011, 406). At the follow-up, â€Å"59% of the participants had a PTSS-10 score that was 35, which shows high levels of PTSD symptoms, which can indicate a risk of developing PTSD† (Alasker et al. 2011, 406). The researchers for Research 2 aimed to identify which of the VR-GET or TAU would yield a greater percentage of participants with a â€Å"clinically meaningful reduction in PTSD† (McLay et al. 2011, 225). The researcher succeeded in deepening their research by investigating the â€Å"difference in CAPS scores at an initial assessment and then at the post-treatment assessment in VR-GET versus TAU† (McLay et al. 2011, 226). The CAPS is a â€Å"rating scale for PTSD that corresponds with the 17 symptoms of PTSD† (McLay et al. 2011, 226). Participants were classified according to whether or not they had a 30% of larger reduction of their PTSD based on the results of their CAPS. ii. Analysis Results Taking a look at Research 1, and the question concerning whether or not there is a link between PTSD symptoms and HRQoL, researchers looked at the differences in SF-36 scores between PTSS-10 subgroups in a follow-up study (Alasker et al. 2011, 406). â€Å"The PTSS-10 high scoring and low scoring subgroups at the 2-month follow-up differed in all eight of the HRQoL domains in the follow up study† (Alasker et al. 2011, 406). In addition, the PTSS-10 low scoring participants had improved HRQoL in six out of the eight domains (Alasker et al. 2011, 407). In regards to Research 2, all ten of the participants assigned to the VR-GET were assessed with the CAPS at the post-assessment. Seven out of the ten participants showed an improvement of 30% or more on the CAPS. On the other hand, out of the ten participants that were assigned to the TAU, one did not complete a CAPS assessment. Nevertheless, one out of the nine returning participants receiving the TAU revealed more than a 30% improvements on the CAPS (McLay et al. 2011, 226). â€Å"There was no significant difference between VR-GET and TAU average CAPS scores both before and after the treatments, but there was indeed a significant difference in the average CAPS score over the course of the entire treatment† (McLay et al. 2011, 226). IV. DISCUSSION Results Summary Concerning Research 1’s first hypothesis, participants of the study reported lower HRQoL compared to the general population of Norway in all eight HRQoL domains (Alasker et al. 2011, 408). In regards to the second hypothesis, participants in Research 1 reported high levels of PTSD symptoms at the time of the baseline experiment. Furthermore, PTSS-10 scores did improve from the time of the baseline experiment to the follow-up. The results show that PTSD symptoms decrease for people suffering from a psychosocial crisis in the 2 months after attending the A&E (Alasker et al. 2011, 408). Lastly, concerning the questions if there is a link between the level of PTSD symptoms and HRQoL in the follow-up study, the researchers found that a â€Å"high level of PTSD symptoms after a two month period were linked to lower HRQoL† (Alasker et al. 2011, 408). Results for Research 2 Strengths and Weaknesses In regards to Research 1, there are many strengths and lurking variables that should be pointed out. One strength of the study was that they  progress of the study was completely up to the participant. The participant had the option as to how may consultations they wanted to attend, and the varied decisions led to different results. Another strength of the study was that they used instruments that were both appropriate to the study, and reliable. On the contrary, there were several confounding variables in Research 1 that must be acknowledged. First, there is no evidence that anyone in this trial was on any sort of anti-depressant or medication that would affect his or her scores on the SF-36 and the PTSS-10. Also, there are so many different traumatic events that would cause someone to show symptoms of PTSD. The study should limit its participants to those who experienced similar types of trauma. As for Research 2, there were also strengths and weaknesses to the study. As for its strengths, the doctors did a good job through their selections process to select a small group of people who were highly qualified for this study. Also, the exam that was used to measure the severity of the participants PTSD was based off of seventeen symptoms of PTSD, whereas the instrument used in Research 1 (PTSS-10) only focused on ten symptoms of PTSD. Lastly, the ten-week span of the study was appropriate in yielding results. Just like any other study, there are confounding variables that need to be identified for Research 2. Although the goal was to get the participants in for a reassessment at the conclusion of the study (ten weeks), reassessment for some did not occur until as far as 36 weeks. With that being said, participants have plenty of time to have a relapse, or more time in combat that can result in more severe PTSD. iii. Future Directions The researchers of Research 1 suggest that a â€Å"randomized control trial with a control group is needed to investigate the effect of the psychosocial interactions that are given to this group† (Alasker et al. 2011, 407). In addition, they suggest that it is crucial to get more, information about the long term effects of acute crisis intervention on PTSD symptoms and HRQoL â€Å"given by psychiatric nurses to participants† (Alasker et al. 2011, 410). The researchers of Research 2 also have some suggestions for further directions of this research. It was stated that other studies on the topic  of virtual reality therapy on PTSD victims, improvements in symptoms aren’t visible until sometimes three months after treatment. For future studies there needs to be a longer wait time for the follow-ups so that there can be the most accurate results. In addition, the journal states that careful monitoring of the participants is also something that needs to be done more thorough in the future because a participants overall health, aside from PTSD, must be taken into consideration when the researchers are making observations and conclusions about the participants (McLay et al. 2011, 226). Works Cited Mette Senneseth, Kjersti Alsaker, Gerd Karin Natvig. (2011). Health-related Quality of Life and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms in Accident and Emergency Attenders Suffering From Psychosocial Crises: a Longitudinal Study, Journal of Advanced Nursing 68(2), 402-414. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.rocky.iona.edu:2048/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=6c7164f6-d4f6-4ce6-8a46-f1ad579caf63%40sessionmgr15&vid=5&hid=24 Robert N. Mclay, Dennis P. Wood, Jennifer A. Webb-Murphy, James L. Spira, Mark D. Wiederhold, Jeffery M. Pyne, Brenda K. Wiederhold. (2011). A Randomized, Control Trial of Virtual Reality-Graded Exposure Therapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Active Duty Service Members with Combat-Related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking Volume 14, Issue 4. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.rocky.iona.edu:2048/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=61603dcf-c639-423e-8f1e-365db0b36d61%40sessionmgr13&vid=4&hid=24