Global Economic Environment and Marketing Essay

Global Economic Environment and Marketing - Essay Example This has lowered the cost of production for the company which in turn has provided them cost leadership. This also allows the company to maintain its environmental standards (The Times Newspaper, 2009). The key economic factors are: Firstly, the use of renewable raw materials and smarter use of them along with a dedicated relationship with suppliers have contributed to the company’s performance. Secondly, the economies of scale enjoyed by the company in terms of huge production scales. This has further lowered production costs. Thirdly, it has strategically placed its sourcing materials close to the supply chain to reduce costs. This factor further reduces the cost of handling by the company and contributes to its profit. Lastly, the use of innovative technologies has increased the profits of the company over the years. This paper aims to understand the impact on the marketing strategies of IKEA on account of globalization and the impact on the changing customer behaviour. Pot ential economic impact on marketing strategies IKEA initially operated with ten stores at the time it had opened. The increasing integration of the world economies on account of globalization has made IKEA operate a large number of stores to present day. The number of stores has raised to 345 in 42 countries in 2013 (IKEA Group, 2013b). IKEA has expanded its business across the continents of US, Asia along with the countries of Europe. The business environment it had to face in the different countries was different. For example, when it entered China, it faced a unique problem at hand by following its low pricing strategy. The Chinese customers were confused with the low prices of products, while the local companies began to copy the design. In China, the company chose to enter in a joint venture and customize its products to meet the aspirations of the clients (Chu, Girdhar and Sood, 2013). Porter’s five forces can be applied to understand the marketing strategy of the firm. Firstly, the competition from other firms becomes an important factor. IKEA has created a highly competitive market for its business. Secondly, the threat of new entrants can pose a problem to a firm. This threat is relatively less for IKEA because of high levels of market saturation and high capital investments. Thirdly, the bargaining power of suppliers is one of the forces. In case IKEA, all the suppliers strive to maintain a good relationship with the firm. IKEA has maintained strategic relationship with the suppliers, but reduced their bargaining power. The threat from substitute products is another component in Porter’s five forces. This threat is again weak in relation to IKEA because of its large scale. The bargaining power of the buyers is also less due to the large scale of operation of IKEA. This section concentrates on some of these forces in shaping IKEA’s choice (Luxinnovation G.I.E., 2008). Competitive advantage The factor which has contributed signific antly to become the greatest competitive advantage for the company is cost leadership. This has mainly owes to the self-sufficiency of the company. The company strives to provide for the home furnishings that are contemporary in sense of style, robust in quality and offers it at reasonably fair prices. IKEA does not depend on the third party manufacturers instead the employees of the company design the low cost furniture which can be readily assembled by the customers

Personal narrative about an experience that impacted you involving Essay

Personal narrative about an experience that impacted you involving your education - Essay Example Academics was something that my parents put a great deal of pressure upon; they had invested a great amount of money for the purpose of my education and thus wanted me to excel more than I wanted to. I was never good in studies, but I always spent time trying to make my parents happy by trying my best to get good grades. The high school I attended had a number of clubs and associations attached with its prestigious name and as students we were always encouraged to be a part of them. There was one social service unit that did not have too many students as a part of it and thus the student body always urged students to join it in order to help the special children within the city. However, the club was never able to attract a lot of attention towards itself because not everyone wanted to become a part of a social unit designed for the welfare of differently-abled children. My parents have always tried to help charitable organisations and young orphans to live a better life in whatever way they can; my mother has raised me teaching me little things like donating m old clothes and always taking food for orphans on festive occasions. These habits have been inculcated within me so deep that somehow someday, I was urged from within to join the social service unit in order to interact with differently abled children and understand how they lived lives. With time, we were taken on field trips where we visited children from various schools; some of them were blind, some deaf, and some were physically handicapped. However, I remember meeting a young boy by the name of Austin, who was autistic. Soon, we had a three day older sibling program where we were each assigned a young boy or girl to foster and nurture under our care. We were to behave as their big brothers or sisters and teach them all kinds of values and morals and spend three days with them. I was assigned as Austin’s brother. At first, I did not understand how to deal with the young boy because he always thought on a different wavelength – I was still not able to understand how to interact with Austin and by the end of the first day I felt frustrated and disappointed on having had him appointed with me. However, as the second day came and I wearily woke up to go meet Austin, I was surprised when he handed me a jigsaw that he had painted, cut up and made for me. He told me with his slurry speech that he had designed it on the story ‘Hansel and Gretel’ by the Grimm Brothers. I was extremely touched. That day, I met Austin’s teachers as well and they showed me his skills and creativity. I was amazed to see that the boy had an amazing sense of art – his paintings were something different! His teachers also told me that despite his challenges, Austin spent hours at an end reading and being read to, trying to understand his texts and making sure that he did well in his studies, because his parents believed in him and told him that God would take his illne ss away if he studied hard and made something of himself. His parents had raised him by telling him every day that his handicap was only a matter of perspective and that he was the only one who could change it by making himself smarter day by day. Those thoughts hit me like an impact as I thought to myself how lucky I was to be physically fit unlike Austin. However, despite his challenges, he was doing well in his studies and making excellent progress. Till today, I am grateful to Austin for

Experiment to Learn the Amount of Iron in Iron Tablets

Experiment to Learn the Amount of Iron in Iron Tablets GABRIELA CARUSO KANDIR 1.1 What is Topic area you are investigating in to: Prepare and standardize a potassium permanganate solution and use it to determine the amount of iron (II) in iron tablets What is your title: Analyze the actual amount of iron (II) present in a tablet of iron supplement What is your Aim: Demonstrate if iron supplements have the adequate levels of iron (II) by studying if the claims in supplement bottles are correct or not. 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 Objectives: Measure the amount of iron (II) in supplement tablets through performing a redox titration reaction 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 Extraneous variables (contaminants): Permanganate solutions tend to decompose with time, causing a change in concentration. To overcome this variable it is important to standardizing the KMnO4 solution. Sulfuric acid should always be in excess to avoid insoluble brown manganese oxide (MNO2) formation. Introduction and/or rationale: Iron is a mineral that is naturally present in many foods, added to some food products and available as a dietary supplement. Ion is an essential component of hemoglobin, an erythrocyte protein that transfers oxygen from the lungs to the tissues. As a component of myoglobin, it provides oxygen to muscles. Iron also supports the metabolism and is necessary for growth, development, normal cellular functioning, and synthesis of some hormones and connective tissues. In case of iron deficiency the human body cannot make enough healthy oxygen carrying red blood cells (erythrocyte), and a lack of those cells is called iron deficiency anemia. Without healthy red blood cells it is not possible to transport enough oxygen through the body, and without oxygen there is fatigue. Exhaustion can affect everything, from brain function to the ability of the immune system to fight infectious. The daily requirements for iron depends o age, gender and overall health. Starting at adolescence, a woman’s daily iron needs increases. Women need more iron because they lose blood each month during their period. That is why the NHS advices women from ages 19 to 50 to get 14.8 mg of iron each day, while men the same age need to ingest only 8 mg. For the same age group the United States department of health and the Heart and stroke foundation in Canada recommends a even higher daily intake of 18 mg of iron per day. Most women will ingest their daily iron needs through their normal meat and vegetables diet. Some groups, such as vegetarians, pregnant women, or those with higher blood loss (blood donations, heavy menstrual periods, stomach or intestine conditions among other examples) may need iron tablets supplementation on top of their regular diet. This is due either because of a decrease in ion intake (diet) or absorption or there is an increase in the iron needs (such as pregnancy or breast feeding for example). An iron deficiency and consequent anemia will lead to signs of short of breath, fast heartbeat, cold hands and feet, craving for strange substances such as dirt or clay, hair loss, sores at the corner of the mouth and sore tongue. As mentioned before, in some cases of iron deficiency eating a diet that is high in iron-rich foods such as fortified cereals, read meat, dried fruit and beans may not be enough to give the required needs, in this case a doctor may recommend iron supplement, but unlike some supplements, when the subject is iron, more is definitely not better. Adults shouldn’t take any more than 45 mg of iron a day unless they are being treated with iron under close medical supervision. 2.4 Analysis of source material: Oxidation-reduction (redox) reactions are one of many chemical reactions. Redox usually involves the transfer of electrons. Titration is the volumetric measurements of a solution of know concentration when it reacts completely with a measured volume or mass of another substance. The analysis of present iron in a supplement tablet can be done by a redox titration reaction. Iron (II) ions can be ionized to ion (III) ions by potassium permanganate in acidic solution. For the redox titration reaction one of the most commonly strong oxidizing agent is used, the potassium permanganate (KMnO4). Iron (II) will be oxidized to iron (III) and the potassium permanganate will be reduced to Manganese. MnO4+8H++5Fe2+à ¯Ã†â€™Ã‚  Mn2+4H2O+5Fe3+ As the Potassium permanganate doesn’t require an indicator to signal the end-point of the titration, it has a unique advantage among titrants. In an acidic condition the deep purple solution of manganite ions is reduced to a very pale pink solution of manganese ions. This solution is so pale as to appear colorless when dilute and, in practice, the marked difference in color between these two oxidation states is useful as an end-point for this redox reaction. The manganite ion accepts electrons and is reduced to colorless Mn 2+ ions according to the following half-equation: The potassium manganite solution is added from the burette to the solution of the reducing agent and is immediately decolorized. As soon as the reducing agent is used up, the next drop of potassium manganite solution is not decolorized therefore coloring the solution as a pale purple color. The end-point is the first appearance of this purple color. The acid used to provide H+ is dilute sulfuric acid. Risk assessment: Name of the Chemical Risk incurred How to reduce the severity of the risk Disposal/Spillage KMnO4 Not Hazardous Not Hazardous Not Hazardous 3M H2SO4 Risk 4 for irritating eyes and skin. Casing severe burns to eye, skin and body tissues. If well handled the risk is low. Wear Safety Glasses Keep out of reach of Children, Keep container in a ventilated place In case of contacted with skin or eyes, rinse immediately with water and seek medical advice If ingested wash out month, apply artificial respiration if needed, seek medical help Avoid contact of the acid with water. As any strong acid it may explode and or produce corrosive fumes in (fast) contact with water Wash down the sink with a large amount of water In case of Spillage, liquid can be absorbed using sand adsorbent. This should be transferred to a suitable container and disposed as contaminated waste Iron Supplement tablets Not Hazardous Not Hazardous Not Hazardous 2.1 List the equipment and chemicals/reagents you would use to undertake your experiment: Potassium Permanganate Burette and Clamp with white numbering Iron sample (Iron supplement tablets- 3 different samples) Appropriate glassware 3M sulfuric acid (H2SO4) Magnetic stirrer 3 100- 150 mL beakers 2.1 How you would carry out the experiment including the use of equipment and what chemicals/reagents you would use? preparation of the Iron tablet sample: Clear three 100-150 mL beakers with soap and water. Rinse with several small portions of distilled water Directly into each beaker, weigh approximately 0.5 grams of iron sample. Add 15 mL of distilled water to each sample and stir to dissolve the solid Add 8mL of 3M sulfuric acid, to each sample. This step is needed to provide the hydrogen ions, which are required for the reduction of the permanganate ion. Titration of the Iron sample Potassium Permanganate: Obtain approximately 55 mL of the standardized potassium permanganate solution (KMnO4), and record the exact concentration of the KMnO4 solution. Prepare the buret by cleaning, rinsing and filling with potassium permanganate solution. Record the initial volume reading to the nearest 0.01 mL Titrate each sample to the endpoint (first appearance of permanent- at leat 10 seconds-, pale pink color). Record the final buret reading The mass of iron in each sample can be determined from the volume of KMnO4 required to titrate. This is possible through determining the moles of KMnO4 used, and a balanced equation. 2.1 How will you collect and record the data: data will be collected from the 3 samples in a table with the initial and final volume of titrate. A note on the exact concentration of the KMnO4 solution will also be present in the results sheet. 2.1 How will you Analyze results: The mass present in each sample will be determine through the calculation of the concentration of a reagent from the titration results. Results will be compared with the claims from supplement bottles to verify if the amounts are similar or the claims are incorrect. 2.1 How will you present your data?: Data will be presented with tables showing the amount of iron (II) in the three samples followed by a comparing graph of the quantities found in the tests with the claims in the iron supplement bottles. References: Reference List: Heart and Stroke Foundation (2015) Nutrients for women [Online] Available from: http://www.healthcheck.org/page/nutrients-women>  (Accessed on 22 April 2015) NHS (2015) Vitamins and Minerals- Iron [Online] Available from: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vitamins-minerals/Pages/Iron.aspx  (Accessed on 22 April 2015) Centers for disease control and prevention (2011) Iron and iron deficiency [Online] Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/everyone/basics/vitamins/iron.html  (Accessed on 22 April 2015) Webmed (2011) What You Need to Know About Iron Supplements [Online] Available from: http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/lifestyle-guide-11/iron-supplements?page=3  (Accessed on 22 April 2015) National Institute of Health (2015) Iron [Online] Available from: http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-HealthProfessional/#h2  (Accessed on 22 April 2015) AQA (2009) 2 Inorganic Chemistry PSA10 Carry out a redox titration [Online] Available from: http://filestore.aqa.org.uk/subjects/AQA-2420-W-TRB-PSA10.PDF  (Accessed on 23 April 2015) A-level Chemistry web (2015) Redox titration [Online] Available from: http://alevelchem.com/aqa_a_level_chemistry/unit3.6/inorg01.htm  (Accessed on 23 April 2015) Collin College (2010) Determination of Iron in Dietary Supplement through Redox Titrations [Online] Available from: http://www.collin.edu/chemistry/Handouts/1412/Redox Titration Experiment.pdf>  (Accessed on 23 April 2015) Chemistry Lab Mouse A2 (2008) Practical: Determination of the Percentage of Iron in Iron Tablets [Online] Available from: http://sustainability.sellafieldsites.com/resources/labmouse/chemistry_a2/3204.php>  (Accessed on 24 April 2015) Northern Virginia Community College (2014) Chemistry 111 Lab- Redox Titration [Online] Available from: http://www.nvcc.edu/alexandria/stb/chm/111/111.08RedoxTitrationSpring2015.pdf >  (Accessed on 24 April 2015) Boundless (2014) Redox titrations [Online] Available from: https://www.boundless.com/chemistry/textbooks/boundless-chemistry-textbook/aqueous-reactions-4/oxidation-reduction-reactions-48/redox-titrations-248-1533/>  (Accessed on 24 April 2015) Winona State University (2010) Determination of Iron by Redox Titration [Online] Available from: http://course1.winona.edu/cmiertschin/213/inquiry_lab/exp10_fe_redox.pdf  (Accessed on 24 April 2015) Braemar College (2015) Internal Assessment Guidelines Unit Timeline [Online] Available from: http://vinkichemistry12.weebly.com/uploads/2/5/2/1/25219856/course_description_-_unit_3_2015.pdf>  (Accessed on 24 April 2015) Risk assessment services (2008) Hazard Communication Sheet  SULPHURIC ACID 90-100%w/w [Online] Available from: http://www.riskassessmentservices.co.uk/HazCom/Sulphuric Acid3.pdf>  (Accessed on 24 April 2015) TAQ 2 Time Frame of the investigation if the experiment was to be carried out: 3 days for background research 2 days to write an introduction, reference list 1 day to arrange chemicals, samples and equipments to do the experiment 1 day to do the experiment 1 day to analyze collected data 2 days to write results, build tables and graphs and write a conclusion and abstract Total 10 days to finalize carry out the research project

The Mystic Knights Band and Daniel Robert Elfman Essay example -- music

Daniel Robert Elfman known as Danny Elfman was born May 29, 1953 in Amarillo Texas. He grew up in Los Angeles until he moved to France with his brother at the age of 18. His mother Blossom Elfman was a teacher and a writer and his father Milton was a teacher and was also in the Air Force. His brother Robert is a filmmaker. He was married to Bridget Fonda on November 29, 2003 and has scored one movie of hers in 1997. He has three children Lola born in 1979, Mali born in 1984, and Oliver born in 2005. When he went with his brother to France he performed with an avant-garde musical theater group known as Le Grand Magic Circus. He then decided to travel through Ghana, Mali, and Upper Volta in Africa experiencing new musical styles that would influence his own style. While in Africa he contracted malaria. When he finally returned to the United States he began studying at CalArts even though he was not really a student there. In 1972 Richard Elfman began a band known as The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo that was a new wave band when he left the band to become a filmmaker. In 1976 Danny took over the band until they retired in 1995. They were then called simply Oingo Boingo in 1979 they were a ska influenced new wave band until they changed styles again in the 80’s and became more guitar rock. They were known for their Halloween themes and sold out every Halloween concert they ever performed. One of their most popular songs that is played on several radio stations every year for Halloween is â€Å"Dead Man’s Party†. In 1985 Tim Burton and Paul Reubens asked Danny Elfman to write the score for their film Pee-wee’s Big Adventure. At the time he had no formal training but sought help from Steve Bartek the guitarist and arranger for Oin... ...on all 24. Nominated for 2 British Academy Film Awards and has not won either, same with Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards. Nominated for 4 Chicago Film Critics Association Awards and did not win any of them. Nominated for 2 Emmy Awards won one. Nominated for 2 Golden Globes did not win either time. Nominated for 11 Grammy Awards won once. Nominated for 1 Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards did not win it. Nominated for 6 Satellite Awards won once. Nominated for 12 Saturn Awards won 5 of them. Nominated for 2 Sierra Awards one once. Nominated for 2 World Soundtrack Awards did not win either time. He has been nominated for a total of 75 awards and has won 33. Works Cited Barnes & Noble Biography: http://video.barnesandnoble.com/search/biography.asp?CTR=68216 Encylopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Danny_Elfman.aspx Music For a Darkened Theatre

Ekg Measurement and Interpretation at Rest and During Exercise

EKG Measurement and Interpretation at Rest and During Exercise Jonathan Murdock March 5, 2013 March 19, 2013 (KIN 375) Purpose: In the United States, people suffer from heart problems every day. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every year about 935,000 people in the United States suffer from a heart attack and about 600,000 die from heart problems. Electrocardiograms (EKG or ECG) provide important information concerning the electrical activity of the heart as well as the quantity and quality of heart contractions.An EKG, along with blood work to measure troponin levels, can definitively determine whether or not a person has suffered from a myocardial infarction. In order to obtain an EKG, electrodes are strategically placed on the limbs and torso of a subject to measure the electrical current that is generated in the heart and transferred to the skin. The electrical signal is first generated in the sinoatrial node (SA node). It then travels to both th e left and right atria to cause them to contract.Then, the signal goes to the atrioventricular node (AV node) where it is briefly delayed to allow all of the blood from the atria to move into the ventricles. It then moves through the Bundle of His toward the apex of the heart and then through the Purkinje fibers. This causes contraction of the ventricles to pump blood throughout the body and lungs. The purpose of this lab was to compare EKG at rest with and exercising EKG. In doing so, the subject’s heart health could be determined based on the results of being put under the stress of exercise versus when resting.Methods: Subject: The subject participating in this lab was a college aged (18-25 years) male enrolled in KIN 375. The participant was healthy, exercised regularly, and did not report any history of heart problems. Equipment: The equipment used in this lab included alcohol prep wipes, 10 electrodes and wires, a computer to read the EKG with paper to print EKG strips, a chair, a treadmill, and a timer. Procedures: The first step was to remove the subject’s shirt.Next, all of the areas where electrodes were going to be placed were cleaned with an alcohol prep wipe. Once these areas were dry, electrodes were placed in their proper places; one electrode per limb and six on the torso. The electrodes for the left (LA) and right (RA) upper limbs were placed just under the clavicles near the shoulders. The electrodes for the left (LL) and right (RL) lower limbs were placed at the waist line just above each limb. For the torso, electrode 1(V1) was placed in the fourth intercostal space to the right of the subject’s sternum.Electrode 2 (V2) was also placed in the fourth intercostal space but to the left of the subject’s sternum. Next, electrode 4 (V4) was placed in the fifth intercostal space on the midclavicular line. Then, electrode 3 (V3) was placed halfway between V2 and V4. Next, the sixth electrode (V6) was placed in the fifth intercostal space on the midaxillary line. Lastly, the fifth electrode (V5) was placed halfway between V4 and V6 in the fifth intercostal space. The subject sat on the chair without moving for three minutes to generate a resting EKG.Then, the subject walked 2 mph on the treadmill with a 7. 0% incline for five minutes. This generated an exercising EKG. Lastly, the subject sat on the chair without moving for three minutes to generate a recovery EKG. Results: The subject successfully completed all three EKG recordings. The resting and recovery EKG readings were very easy to read; whereas, the exercising EKG had a lot of artifact that made it difficult to read. Artifact is something that is not â€Å"heart made† and usually comes from movement.The exercising EKG also had the most QRS complexes due to the fact that the subject’s heart rate was the highest while exercising. Discussion: As previously stated, an EKG measures the electrical currents of the heart. There are diff erent waves shown on an EKG. Each wave is represented by a letter. The first small wave is known as the P wave. The P wave represents atrial depolarization and contraction. The next wave is slightly negative and it is known as the Q wave. The Q wave initiates depolarization of the ventricles.The next wave, which is the large positive spike in the wave, is known as the R wave. The R wave represents ventricular depolarization and contraction. The next wave is slightly negative and it is known as the S wave. The S wave represents the negative wave of ventricular depolarization. The last wave is slightly larger than the P wave and it is known as the T wave. It represents ventricular repolarization and relaxation. Since there are three waves that represent ventricular depolarization, they are combined into what is known as the QRS complex.The section of the EKG from the beginning of the P wave to the beginning of the QRS complex represents the ventricular fill time and is known as the PR interval. Ventricular systole, or contraction, is shown by the start of the Q wave to the start of the T wave and is known as the QT interval. Lastly, from the end of the S wave to the start of the T wave, ventricular repolarization is normally isoelectric (on the baseline) and is represented by the ST segment. Any slight changes from normal sinus rhythm in any of these waves could indicate a heart problem.Electrodes were used to measure the electrical current in the heart. The paths from each electrode to another created a lead. Lead I was the path between RA and LA. Lead II was the path between RA and LL. Lead III was the path between LA and LL. The ground electrode was RL. An EKG wave read positive when the current moved toward a positive electrode and it read negative when the current moved toward the negative electrode. At rest, the EKG was much â€Å"cleaner† (less artifact) and the P waves, QRS complexes, and T waves were much easier to identify.During exercise, howev er, these waveforms were much more difficult to identify because of the large amount of artifact. Compared to at rest, the waveforms were much steeper and quicker which indicated the heart rate was speeding up, contraction and filling times decreased, and the contractions were much more forceful to pump the blood to the necessary tissue. There were a couple factors that could have hindered a completely accurate EKG reading; such as, cheap electrodes, movement of wires, and the placement of electrodes.All of these factors could have affected the EKG reading to cause extra artifact or inaccurate readings of the electrical current. Conclusion: Every year, hundreds of thousands of people die from heart problems. Many of these heart problems could be detected if the individuals had received an EKG. An EKG measures the electrical currents of the heart and shows when there are defects or blocks by the change in waveform. If more people were able to have an EKG when the problems arose, then maybe more lives would have been saved.

Heart of Darkness and “The Hollow Men” Essay

Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness reveals the theme of self-reflection, however that reflection leads to a caliginous finish filled with vacantness. A poem written in 1925, â€Å"The Hollow Men† by T.S. Eliot, portrays a nearly equivalent feeling of emptiness. Both of which form a vacuous, hollow existence of man. Conrad and Eliot’s work mirrors each other’s directly with their internal reflection and overall emptiness. In fact, Eliot even begins his poem with â€Å"Mistah Kurtz- He dead.† a citation from Heart of Darkness. Poems often intend to express more than what they literally say within their lines. In T.S. Eliot’s â€Å"Hollow Men,† Eliot depicts the insignificant lives of these â€Å"hollow men,† â€Å"stuffed† with worthlessness. He then goes on to explain how the men go about their daily lives and â€Å"whisper together† meaningless things. Eliot also speaks of the eyes that are â€Å"more distant and more solemn than a fading star.† The hollow men’s eyes are in a sort of hellish state, with stares of nothingness as they gaze out among the world. God’s eyes seem out of reach to these hopeless men, God’s eyes â€Å"do not appear,† they are too distant for them to reach. â€Å"This dead land this cactus land here the stone images are raised,† men in this barren and empty land are seen worshipping false gods, worthless stone. The only way for the hollow men to find hope is for God to be brought pack in and praised in â€Å"death’s twilight kingdom,† which in itself seems hopeless. Almost spontaneously Eliot brings in a nursery rhyme, creating a whimsical and simplistic way about the hollow men. Shortly after he starts the Lord’s Prayer, â€Å"For thine is the Kingdom,† and repeats it several times seeming to loose his train of thought, adding to the meaningless stuffing of these hollow men. â€Å"This is the way the world ends not with a bang but a whimper,† ends Eliot’s poem and also the lives of the hollow men, without meaning or significance. Like the theme of hollowness throughout â€Å"The Hollow Men,† â€Å"Heart of Darkness† generates the similar theme of self-reflection and the eventual feeling of emptiness. The protagonist, Marlow, sees that England is filled with superfluous actions and material things. â€Å"The inner truth is hidden.† The character of Marlow consists of a wandering sailor with little knowledge of who he really is. When traveling throughout the world, Marlow’s eyes open as he realizes the darkness of the world. Marlow leaves behind Eliot’s â€Å"deliberate disguises† and journeys to the void land of Africa. Soon He soon ascertains that Africa is very similar to England, in that it is centered around the worthless materials and money, â€Å"the word ‘ivory’ rang in the air†¦ you would think they were praying to it.† Marlow’s main reason of going into this strange land was to check on the inner station and unintentionally on Kurtz. Through all of the things Marlow witnesses on his voyage, he discovers the true emptiness and hollowness within himself. The jungles of Africa assume the same roles as the deserts of â€Å"The Hollow Men,† the area is barren and forsaken reflecting the mind of Marlow. In the â€Å"inner station† Marlow meets a character who seems to be â€Å"stuffed† like the men of Eliot’s poem, â€Å"I could poke my forefinger through him, and would find nothing but a little loose dirt.† When Kurtz is finally introduced in Heart of Darkness he is repeatedly labeled as a â€Å"universal genius,† and this so-called genius is from his own inner reflections. Something â€Å"had whispered to him things about himself which he did not know, things of which he had no conceptions till he took counsel with this great solitude – and the whisper had proved irresistibly fascinating. It echoed loudly within him because he was hollow at the core.† The whispers in â€Å"The Hollow Men† are also found throughout Heart of Darkness. Kurtz knows deep inside that he is empty and attempts to fill the void with these whispers. His remorse for these actions are revealed through his last words, â€Å"The horror! The horror!† His genius was eventually seen for what it truly was; he knew was he had, a â€Å"hollow† existence. The poem and novella both represent the masked, hollow, and meaningless existence of men, through a sense of reflection of oneself. Heart of Darkness is a tale of searching of meaningless ends and â€Å"The Hollow Men† reveals the tragedy of the hollowness in men, both show that these material obsessions of the world are worth nothing in the overall outlook of life.

Filters through which one perceives the world Essays

Filters through which one perceives the world Essays Filters through which one perceives the world Essay Filters through which one perceives the world Essay The Oxford Advanced Learning Dictionary defines a filter, as an apparatus for holding back substances. Filters allow somethings to pass through them and not others. This word can have many different forms of usage. Yet, when talking about life or how one perceives the world, a filter has a more discrete, hidden meaning. Everyday we filter ideas via the medium of sight, touch, smells, taste and sounds through our head. These senses can be significantly applied to the topic at hand. Although forming the body of this essay with the senses, it can be made easier, by breaking the question down into two manageable questions. How are things really? And what determines the filters through which we perceive the world, and life? An idea has all four senses some how woven into it. An idea is a questioned statement that one could be asking themselves and curious about the outcome of it all. The idea may have positive or negative feedback linked to it. For example, suppose a human being, fed up with life, decided that he/she wants to rob a bank and live off other peoples riches. : When he/she actually comes down to the whole plan, it has to be filtered through his/her brain. The brain understands the consequences behind the actions and does not filter the idea through, thus does not perform the task at hand. This idea may now be edging towards the background of the human conscience, but the conscience only kicks in just before one is about to make a comment, or perform an action. The filter is the first stage of pulling back the negative feedback. Keep account of the fact that filters dont always fully hold back things. Before a human being touches a flame or puts his/her hand in a freezing bucket of water, he/she attempts to recount a moment in his/her lifetime where he/she actually performed this task. The idea of putting ones hand through a flame is brought to the gates of the brain. In order for the brain to carry out the mission, the idea first, has to pass through the filters. In this case the filter realises that this experience may cause some bodily harm. Now that the filter has decided this, it brings the idea to the conscience, which then allows a second chance for he/she to think about what may happen. It is very common for young children aged between one and three years old to actually put its hand in a flame. This is because the filter has no recollection of past experiences with a flame, and therefore is a virgin to this feeling. This idea is allowed to pass into the brain (the conscience doesnt kick in, because babies dont have one at that age, and if it does, scientists have still to prove it) and then on to the action. Thus, the result is that the baby burns his/her hand and starts crying. But because of this experience, it has grown smarter (brain wise) and speeds up the advancement of its filter through which it may perceive the world. One of the most used, unless one is sleeping, is the sense of sight. This is definitely a filter that is able to affect the understanding of the world, and what things really are. The everyday life is controlled by sight. Sight gives humans a clear sense of direction and an image of what things really are. If there is a green apple on a table and a group of 20 people were asked what they see, they would say exactly what they are viewing, which in this case is a green apple. From this, it has been made evident that all humans with a clear vision (excluding blind people) all view the same images as each other. Now comes a contradiction to all that has just been said. Suppose a friend has told a human being, that a plane crashed killing all the dominant world leaders. This person with out viewing any images on a screen or on paper only knows the damage it has caused to the world, but has no idea how it has affected the people and the country, that are governed by these leaders. This person has no visual recollection of the devastation and can be by no means persuaded to believe it, since he/she hasnt viewed any proof. This proves that sight is the only filter that clearly allows a human to comprehend how things in life really are. Carrying on from this topic, sight is also a filter because it is able to block out things that someone may not want to see. The filter of sight narrowly differentiates itself from a human conscience. One has the option to filter through images that he/she would request to view, which in a sense voluntarily changes the perception of the world. Through sight this person can decide how he/she perceives the world. If the human being requests to have a positive perception of the world, he/she does not look on to the devastating results of the worst killers, human beings. The only person to decide what things really are, are humans themselves. Every human being has a different mind of its own; each one is able to interpret items completely differently according to his/her beliefs. Till this day some people find it difficult to express the ways in which, they think things really are. The majority of these people fall back on a certain religion to illustrate the path to the certainty of how things are, including life. The determining factors, when discussing the realness of certain objects, can only be finally evaluated by any certain individual. Everyday, a human being conscience sly filters ideas through their head. What they view surrounding them, is determined as being reality and that everyone would view the same images. Our guardians in life, our parents, provide lifes filters to their children, as well as a conscience and morals. Through these traits the human being is able to uncover the reality of objects, which may affect ones outlook and or perception of life and the world we live in today. The media, in a broader sense provides us, with an open perception of the world. Through the television, radio and papers, it encourages an identical view on things, among the total population. So maybe, the media has a more influencing power on us, than our parents or beliefs do. After all this information about filters is taken into account, the end result is what is real. After viewings, tasting etc. an object, only after that, can one actually decide if it is real or not. So the filters are our senses and everyday ideology. Answering the first question that decides whats real? Is simply answered by the second questions answer, which is the human being him/her self. All these questions and answers, are all connected together. This includes TOK, life, perception and filters. The result being a never ending circle, and that is what I am sure is how it really is.

Matrix essays

Matrix essays In the science fiction movie "The Matrix" people are ruled by Artificial Intelligence (AI), machines made by men to make life easier on the human race. This form of industrialization has also begun in our world today. We have given birth to a host of machines that think for themselves, hoping they would make our lives easier and less taxing on our bodies. In the movie the machines have taken control of the humans and rule over them by hiding from them the real world. In today's society machines have begun a hostile take over of the lives of humans. Ironic, is it not, that in the movie, and in our lives today, machines have become rulers over the humans who made them. In the time when the movie takes place, the humans of the world are being governed by the machines they created. At first the machines, after becoming fed up with working for the humans, attacked the humans through technological warfare. The humans countered by destroying what they thought to be the only source of energ y for the machines, the sun. When the machines lost the power of the sun, they had to find a new source of energy. The machines learned that the human body itself can produce the kind of energy necessary to sustain their lives. But humans would never just bow down to their enemies and so the machines had to devise a way to detain the humans so that they could extract that energy. The machines created a computer program called "The Matrix." In the movie this marvel displays the digital image of a human's mental self along with that of other humans and a mock up of the world as it was at the highest point in human history. While some humans were detained in the matrix to be used for energy, other humans were fed intravenously to them. Humans became crops to the machines, they were grown in massive fields and harvested like wheat until they were ripe enough to be fed to the other humans. The living humans merely lived out what they thought were their real live...

Geology and Wildlife of the Appalachian Mountains

Geology and Wildlife of the Appalachian Mountains The Appalachian Mountain Range is an ancient band of mountains that stretches in a southwestern arc from the Canadian province of Newfoundland to central Alabama, the heart of southeastern United States. The highest peak in the Appalachians is Mount Mitchell (North Carolina) which lies at an elevation of 6,684 feet above sea level. Habitat Classification The habitat zones found within the Appalachian Mountain Range may be classified as follows: Ecozone: TerrestrialEcosystem: Alpine / MontaneRegion: NearcticPrimary Habitat: Temperate forestSecondary Habitats: Mixed deciduous forest (also known as southern hardwood forest), southern Appalachian forest, transition forest, and boreal forest Wildlife The wildlife a person might encounter in the Appalachian Mountains includes a wide variety of animals: Mammals (moose, white-tailed deer, black bears, beaver, chipmunks, rabbits, squirrels, foxes, raccoons, opossums, skunks, groundhogs, porcupines, bats, weasels, shrews, and minks)Birds (hawks, woodpeckers, warblers, thrushes, wrens, nuthatches, flycatchers, sapsuckers, and grouses)Reptiles and amphibians (frogs, salamanders, turtles, rattlesnakes, and copperheads) Plants A hiker along the Appalachian Trail would see plenty of plant life as well. More than 2,000 species of plants are believed to live along the mountain range, with 200 species living only in the southern Appalachians. Rhododendron,  azalea, and  mountain laurel are among those producing flowers. A multitude of tree species includes red  spruce, balsam  fir, sugar maple,  buckeye,  beech,  ash,  birch,  red oak,  white oak, poplar,  walnut,  sycamore, yellow poplar, buckeye, eastern hemlock, and  chestnut oak. Mushrooms, ferns, mosses, and grasses also are abundant. Geology and History The Appalachians were formed during a series of collisions and separations of tectonic plates that began 300 million years ago and continued through the Paleozoic and Mesozoic Eras. When the Appalachians were still forming, the continents were in different locations than today, and North America and Europe had collided. The Appalachians were once an extension of the Caledonian mountain chain, a chain that is today in Scotland and Scandinavia. Since their formation, the Appalachians have undergone extensive erosion. The Appalachians are a geologically complex range of mountains that are a mosaic of folded and uplifted plateaus, parallel ridges and valleys, metamorphosed sediments and volcanic rock layers. Conservation The rich forests and coal veins provided industry to an often impoverished area. But the aftermath sometimes left areas of the Appalachians devastated with air pollution, dead trees, and acid rain. Several groups are working to conserve the habitat for future generations as the native species also face threats from urbanization and climate change. Where to See Wildlife The 2,100-mile Appalachian Trail is a favorite of hikers, running from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Main. Shelters are posted along the route for overnight stays, though it isnt necessary to hike the entire trail to enjoy its beauty. For those who would rather drive, the Blue Ridge Parkway runs 469 miles from Virginias Shenandoah National Park to the  Great Smoky Mountains National Park  in North Carolina and Tennessee. Some of the places you can see wildlife along the Appalachians include: Appalachian National Scenic Trail (stretches from Maine to Georgia)Cuyahoga Valley National Park (Ohio)Great Smoky Mountains National Park (North Carolina and Tennessee)Shenandoah National Park (Virginia)White Mountain National Forest (New Hampshire and Maine)

Promotional Campaign Olympenergy the energy drink Research Proposal

Promotional Campaign Olympenergy the energy drink - Research Proposal Example The health and energy drinks sector is the most promising, profitable and growing segment in the UK (Reuters, 2008). Accordingly Unilever plans to launch its new energy drink during the London 2012 Olympics which would give the brand a good start. This product will be labeled Olympenergy and would be an energy drink, basically a sports drink without artificial sugar. This sport drink would also be beneficial for the older generation as it would reduce muscles and joint aches. It would help the viewers of the Olympics by providing cognitive support. The energy drinks market in the UK has very high potential. This is evident from a report which says that an energy drink with an Asian ant as its principal agent made a successful entry in the UKs stimulant drinks market (Functional Ingredients, 2002). This drink raises the energy level, fights ageing, and enhances sexual vigour apart from fortifying the different systems in the body. Moreover, the energy and sport drink market is thrivin g in the UK with 484 million litres drunk in 2008 (Williams, 2011). Energy drink producers are generally targeting the young and active consumers. The campaign for plan to leverage the maximum promotional benefits is presented below. 2. Marketing strategy The marketing strategy of consumer goods has undergone a change due to internationalization and globalization. Marketing is not just restricted to adjusting the elements of the marketing mix. Today products marketing demands services being extended to the consumers, and services have extended elements of marketing mix. The marketing campaigning would include several tasks such as taking into account the issues of standardization and adaptation. 2.1 Standardization and... Unilever markets its products in all markets including the developed and the developing countries. Standardization means that the same marketing strategy is applied in all markets without considering the local factors. Standardization means identical product lines at identical prices through identical distribution systems with identical promotional programmes. Standardization can bring about significant benefits but this can be feasible if the markets and the consumer behavior are homogenous. Markets are supposed to be homogenized because of advanced technology in communication and information systems but heterogeneous cultures, political systems and economic conditions across borders makes this task difficult. Standardization is a product-oriented approach and not a customer-oriented approach to marketing. Product focus can blind the company to the consumer needs and wants. Standardization ignores the customer needs and the focus is on reducing the product variables. Cultural differ ences and competitor strategy are also important factors in devising the marketing strategy of such products. Thus, local adaptation becomes essential in devising the market plans.

Research and Report on a Current Online University Assignment

Research and Report on a Current Online University - Assignment Example The aspects include different leadership theories and knowledge of ethical leadership among others (Education Portal, 2013). Brief Analysis of the Course Based on Different Principles as well as Benchmarks and Improvement of the Course On the basis of different principles as well as benchmarks, it can be affirmed that the course of Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership tends to assist the students in providing them with effective ideas for solving different problems within a workplace. The course generally concerns the usage of various scientific research based techniques that deliberately trains the students to become an effectual business leader. Moreover, the different topics of the course relating to various leadership philosophies, ethics along with styles of personal leadership and conflict ultimately raise the benchmark of the course. Contextually, the course can be improved by appointing a broad range of faculties belonging to diverse educational as well as professional backgrou nds so that the students can be provided with greater ideas about the perception of organizational leadership especially in K-12 business settings and become a successful business leader in their future endeavors. Apart from appointing experienced faculties, the course can also be enhanced by introducing more helpful topics such as strategic planning, organizational behavior, leadership theory as well as practice relating to e-learning and statistical methodologies among others (Michigan State University, 2011). Evaluation of the Selected Course in Determining the Learning Needs and Expectations of the Learners The different topics or subject areas included in the course of Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership effectively determines the learning requirements as well as the expectations of the learners with due significance. In relation to the learning needs and the prospects of the learners or the students, it can be stated that the completion of this course would ultimately support t hem in obtaining the skills required for superior leadership positions in the current day business sectors and to efficiently train others in performing different leadership roles successfully. The various significant topics of the course would also help the learners in acquiring a detailed idea about solving conflicts or disputes, conducting any strategic planning and making any effective developmental policy required to deal with the situation. In other words, it can be stated that the course would eventually aid the learners in successfully dealing with the complex situations commonly faced within a workplace and therefore holding superior leadership positions as compared to others (Education Portal, 2013). Hence, it can be affirmed that the course designed is effective enough to address the learners’ expectations and needs with efficiency. Benchmarks and Principles of Doctor of Business Administration - Management Course The course of Doctor of Business Administration und er Grand Canyon University provides its students with the prospect to raise their knowledge about different theories of business. This particular course has been structured in a way so that the learners or the students can acquire a comprehensive idea about various aspects that include execution of business management theories relating to global economy and implementation of

Offenses of burglary Research Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Offenses of burglary - Research Proposal Example While in the past, the retributive or punitive aspect has been a foremost element of burglary sentences, in recent times, this has been slowly evolving into a kind of restorative justice, or sentencing, aimed primarily at reparation of economic status of the victims, or seeking to put them in a position, had the felony not taken place. This is apparently aimed at providing material succor to the victims for the property lost or destroyed, due to the felonious act. Current studies show that, imparting from the charge of leniency in burglary pronouncements, the restorative and reparation part of sentencing practices of courts are gaining more currency, especially with regard to public attitudes and outlooks towards burglary crimes in United States of America. It is also being increasingly seen that punishment for felony needs to commensurate with levels of actual felony the culprit has indulged in. This proposal seeks to examine public opinion and beliefs towards sentencing practices by Judges and juries and how these have impacted felony cases. It needs to be appreciated that there are many influences that impact upon opinions. Impressions drawn from media coverage and how the general public view felony crimes and its final sentencing results also determines the formulation of opinions. The changing trends in legal pronouncement are also important since they would, to a large extent, set precedents for future trials and sentencing of defendants in burglary cases. Summary and evaluation of seven designs and methods used in previous research with similar objectives Summary: 1. Questionnaires presented to Senate Court Judges on cases of felony. 2. Interviews conducted with executive functionaries of correctional schools 3. Public surveys with selected respondents and responsible private citizens. 4. Interviews with prison wardens and jailers of juvenile homes 5. Conducting studies in prison settings housing criminals with recidivist occurrences of burglary, larceny and similar crimes 6. Information gathered from State police troopers and law enforcement departments. 7. Internet information gathered from US Department of Justice (DoJ) websites 1. Coming to the involvement of senate court judges, it transpires that the members of these juries are responsible for hearing trials and passing verdicts on crimes relating to burglary offences. Their wide ranging knowledge and experience would be important aspects for a study of this kind. 2. It is seen that in cases of burglary crimes committed by juveniles and young people, the courts would sentence them to detention or incarceration, in correctional or reformatory schools, depending upon the severity of the offence. Although forming a minority for the purpose of this survey, this would be useful for the purpose of this survey. 3. Since the public opinion or benefits are a significant part of this research study, it is but natural that this aspect needs to be considered. Therefore, a survey in the line of public research through online questionnaire, or video conferencing

Ibtisam Mahameed Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Ibtisam Mahameed - Essay Example She helps them enhance their confidence and then introduce them to peer groups of the three main religions – Christianity, Judaism, as well as Islam (Jerusalem Peacemakers 1). For a number of years, Mahameed has been offering advice to Jewish and Arab women concerning their status in the society. As a religious woman – Muslim, she has worked with religious Druze, Christian and Jewish women on promoting peace through learning about each other’s religions, as well as cultures, and spreading them to other religions. She is currently on the board members of Middleway, a group for promoting a peaceful, non-violence community, and she was instrumental in helping establish the Women’s Interfaith Encounter, a women’s program of the IEA – Interfaith Encounter Association (Jerusalem Peacemakers 1). As we can see, Ibtisam Mahameed is a very influential woman, one that can be contrasted to the likes of Mother Teresa and Wangari Mathai of Kenya due to her work. This paper will dwell on this prominent Arab woman who has gone against all odds to establish herself in a nation that disregards the female race. It will dwell on her background, works, influences and achievements. Background Ibtisam Mahameed is a member of the Arab-Palestinian minority in Israel, a group, which lost most of its terrain, assets, rights and freedom, in the Israel’s War of Independence, in 1948. ... She has eight siblings – three brothers and five sisters, and she and her husband, a house painter, have three children. She is currently in her early 50’s. She states that when she was growing up, extremely few girls in the Arab community had schooling rights, but her parents were incredibly supportive, and she managed to complete high school. Since then, she has studied educational administration and management. As a religious woman, particularly Muslim, Mahameed claims that she is obliged to wear traditional garments (Jerusalem Peacemakers 1). Unfortunately, the Israeli community around her associates every religious Muslim with potential terrorism and extremism. Her peace activist work needs her to travel a lot and alone (not with her family members) around Israel and throughout the work. Therefore, she is obliged to spend nights away from her family members, a matter that is very odd in the traditional Arab community (Jerusalem Peacemakers 1). In such a community, the woman is expected always to be at home fending for her family while the husband goes to work. This is why harsh rules are imposed on women and working in the Arab world. In the beginning, Mahameed says that some members of her family found it very hard to accept her association with Jews and Christians, as well as her work for Arab-Jewish co-existence (Global Oneness Project 1). The family members who found that odd even went to the extent of not talking to her, but now support her. She claims that her family pays a social price due to her activism. For instance, her daughter was the main candidate for a teaching job in Mahameed’s home town, but she was denied the opportunity as the village elders felt

Potter Five Forces Analysis Of NYC Chauffeurs VIP Assignment

Potter Five Forces Analysis Of NYC Chauffeurs VIP - Assignment Example In spite of the strategic management process developed by the organization management policy and goals, the success of the company was limited because of the existing competition especially from new companies investing in the chauffer industry. The introduction of new services by competitors and new business ventures in the next years will affect the revenue of the company. The perception that the company will be able to wade the storm because of its past expansion record is unfounded because of the increasing competition and the inflation affecting the consumers. There are several competitors who will affect the revenue collection of the company. The main competitors in the market include the iDriveYourCar.com and the chauffernewyork services. The iDriveyourcar.com offers rental services for vehicles without offering drivers if the consumer only needs the car. The offering of flexibility in car hire increases the competition for the company because of variety and diversity. Threats from substitutes There are several substitutes to the product range provided by the company. The products are from competitors such as city taxi services and buses which offer cheaper services to the consumer. Latest changes in the transport sector and existence of other market share leaders such as MTA Company and other companies introduce substitute to the transport system offer by the VIP limo service. The company is faced with a serious challenge from cost effective service delivery companies which do not offer high end products such as the limo but have focused on cheaper alternatives such as bus transport. These companies offer substitute services that pose a serious challenge for the NYC Chauffeurs VIP company. The substitute services are cost effective and readily accessible thus a threat to the growth and expansion of the NYC Chauffeurs VIP company. Competition The chauffeur industry has several companies especially in New York. These companies include New York Chauffeur, Chauffeured Service s and Chauffeur New York. These are the main source of competition. Stiff competition is from Chauffeured Service and iDriveyour Car.com. Chauffeured services have been in the market for over one decade making it have loyal customers and brand presence and strong brand image. Other companies are also venturing on Limousine industry have developed strategic plans to increase the market share of their respective companies. Competition for the companies is stiff and any delay or drop in the level of service delivery will lead to serious loss of revenue. The competition has been moved into the social media marketing. The use of social media platform has encouraged feedback collection and service improvement. However, social media has also led to serious competition between the companies. Buyer power This is an external factor. The number of customers willing to buy the product or service is dependent on their income, which is affected by inflation and other economic factors. These facto rs affect the level and quality of service that the customer will require from the company. During the financial meltdown, the service volume requested by the customers changed significantly resulting in the drop in revenue collection. Price differences and change can force the company revenue to decline

Automobile Centric Organizations Research Paper

Automobile Centric Organizations - Research Paper Example This paper will look at Daimler AG Corporation and the BMW group; two automobile centric organizations that operate in competition with each other, in complete detail with insight into the background of the company and its sectors and recent activities. Then, a full scale financial analysis by means of financial ratios will be conducted in order to analyze the most recent operating performance of both groups in contrast with each other. 'Daimler AG (formerly Daimler-Benz AG, DaimlerChrysler AG) is a German car Corporation (not to be confused with the British Daimler Motor Company) and the world's thirteenth largest car manufacturer as well as the largest truck manufacturer in the world. In addition to automobiles, Daimler manufactures trucks and provides financial services through its Daimler Financial Services arm.The company also owns major stakes in aerospace group EADS, high-technology and parent company of the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes racing team McLaren Group, and Japanese tru ck maker Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation. Daimler produces cars and trucks under the brands of Mercedes-Benz, Maybach, Smart, Freightliner and many others.' (Daimler AG, 2009)'Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (info) (BMW), (English: Bavarian Motor Works) is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company. Founded in 1916, it is known for its performance and luxury vehicles. It owns and produces the MINI brand, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.' (BMW Group, 2009) In order to understand the complete picture that are depicted by the numerical financial ratios, it is critical to understand the key economic and business indicators that are essential for the operation of any organization in the business world: including the two under observation here. Key economic and business drivers Increasing demand trends International and local demand for cars is a main driver of the company's business and financial performance. Both organizations' diverse set of products and offerings is designed to provide more consistent results in both strong and weak economic environments. The company accomplishes this by not only having a mix of offerings with long-term cash and income streams, as well as cyclical transaction-based sales, but also by continually developing competitive products. In addition, both organizations continues to transform itself to take advantage of shifting demand trends, focusing on client- and industry-specific opportunities, and business performance. (Lev et al, 1979) Internal Business Transformation and International Integration Initiatives As indicated by their latest financial reports, control of costs and efficiency of management are the prime considerations for both these organizations at the current point in time and are committed towards the seamless transformation to an internationally integrated enterprise. The companies continue to drive greater productivity, flexibility and cost savings by transforming and globally integrating their own business processes and functions. This integration has improved their capacity to innovate by providing greater clarity of key priorities around shared goals and objectives and led to a sharper focus for the company on learning, development and knowledge sharing. (Lev et al, 1979) Investing in Growth Opportunities Both companies continue to significantly invest in growth opportunities as a way to drive revenue growth and market share gains. Daimler AG has announced that new capacities are to be created in Kecskemt, Hungary for the future expansion of the model range of premium compact cars. The first cars are to be assembled there in 2012 at this said facility. In addition, Daimler also became a key shareholder in Tognum in April, 2008. Daimler AG takes a 22.3% equity interest in Tognum AG. This acquisition is intended to secure long-term supply

Potter Five Forces Analysis Of NYC Chauffeurs VIP Assignment

Potter Five Forces Analysis Of NYC Chauffeurs VIP - Assignment Example In spite of the strategic management process developed by the organization management policy and goals, the success of the company was limited because of the existing competition especially from new companies investing in the chauffer industry. The introduction of new services by competitors and new business ventures in the next years will affect the revenue of the company. The perception that the company will be able to wade the storm because of its past expansion record is unfounded because of the increasing competition and the inflation affecting the consumers. There are several competitors who will affect the revenue collection of the company. The main competitors in the market include the iDriveYourCar.com and the chauffernewyork services. The iDriveyourcar.com offers rental services for vehicles without offering drivers if the consumer only needs the car. The offering of flexibility in car hire increases the competition for the company because of variety and diversity. Threats from substitutes There are several substitutes to the product range provided by the company. The products are from competitors such as city taxi services and buses which offer cheaper services to the consumer. Latest changes in the transport sector and existence of other market share leaders such as MTA Company and other companies introduce substitute to the transport system offer by the VIP limo service. The company is faced with a serious challenge from cost effective service delivery companies which do not offer high end products such as the limo but have focused on cheaper alternatives such as bus transport. These companies offer substitute services that pose a serious challenge for the NYC Chauffeurs VIP company. The substitute services are cost effective and readily accessible thus a threat to the growth and expansion of the NYC Chauffeurs VIP company. Competition The chauffeur industry has several companies especially in New York. These companies include New York Chauffeur, Chauffeured Service s and Chauffeur New York. These are the main source of competition. Stiff competition is from Chauffeured Service and iDriveyour Car.com. Chauffeured services have been in the market for over one decade making it have loyal customers and brand presence and strong brand image. Other companies are also venturing on Limousine industry have developed strategic plans to increase the market share of their respective companies. Competition for the companies is stiff and any delay or drop in the level of service delivery will lead to serious loss of revenue. The competition has been moved into the social media marketing. The use of social media platform has encouraged feedback collection and service improvement. However, social media has also led to serious competition between the companies. Buyer power This is an external factor. The number of customers willing to buy the product or service is dependent on their income, which is affected by inflation and other economic factors. These facto rs affect the level and quality of service that the customer will require from the company. During the financial meltdown, the service volume requested by the customers changed significantly resulting in the drop in revenue collection. Price differences and change can force the company revenue to decline

Sandhurst School Bombing by Wendy Malezo Essay Example for Free

Sandhurst School Bombing by Wendy Malezo Essay Many people have remembered the unfortunate events of the Sandhurst Road School bombing as a drastic and tragic act of wickedness. The Sandhurst Road School bombing occurred at a ‘big’ and ‘imposing’ school on Minard Road in Catford, South East London on Wednesday 20th January 1943 when a German fighter-bomber dropped a ‘500kg’ bomb on the school at approximately 12:30pm. The resulting explosion killed ‘32 children and 6 staff and 60 others injured’ many buried under rubble. Later on a further six children died in hospital. Many questions arise on whether Schumann deliberately ‘targeted’ the school or simply attacked what looked like a large factory. ‘The school was also several storeys high’. Most raids happened in the night but some were dropped in the day. Witness reports say ‘the planes flew first past the school, and then bombed it on the second run’. The school was surrounded by residential buildings. This suggests the this incident could of also been a mass bombing and it could also be categorised as ‘deliberate’ and most likely to be represented as ‘hunnish brutality’ (described in source B1). Source B2 is taken from the Kentish Mercury which was a newspaper article which was also published 2 days after the bombing. Although it may seem as reliable, the interpretation is weak due to it being biased and censored because government and RAF would want people on the home front to have strong morale. Due to inefficiencies of the warning systems the air raid siren had not sounded by the time German planes arrived. Many children ‘were having their lunch’ and the attack destroyed the area of the school where they were eating. Mary Burch and Eric Brady were both eyewitnesses. The event was also said to be ‘one that couldn’t be forgotten’ moreover Mary went on to say that ‘it was a feeling that couldn’t be explained’. It is most likely that these German bombers would’ve known about the existence of the school because it could clearly be identified as a school. A various of sources suggest that the RAF had bombed Berlin 3 days prior to this bombing which was a retaliation raid demanded by Hitler. Before the bombing everything was reported as normal, people were getting on with their daily lifestyles. Morales were high and uplifted. Source B4 explains that the tragedy was indeed deliberate and the civilians questioned the ‘boast’ of Captain Schumann moreover he showed no remorse however this interpretation is also weak because the newspaper quotes the leader in the process of avoiding the decrease of morale.

Introduction To Medicinal Plants Biology Essay

Introduction To Medicinal Plants Biology Essay About 250,000 higher plant species on earth, more than 80,000 species are reported to have at least some medicinal value and around 5000 species have specific therapeutic value. Herbs are staging a comeback and herbal renaissance is happening all over the globe. The herbal products today symbolize safety in compare to the synthetics that are considered as unsafe to human and environment. Even though herbs had been priced for their medicinal, flavoring and aromatic qualities for centuries, the synthetic products of the modern age surpassed their importance, for a while. However, the blind dependence on synthetics is over and people are returning to the herbals with hope of safety and security. Over three-quarters of the world population relies mainly on plants and plant extracts for health care. More than 30% of the entire plant species were used for medicinal purposes. (Joy, P.P., 2001) Herbals in world market: It is estimated that world market for plant derived drugs may account for about Rs.2, 00,000 crores. Presently, Indian contribution is less than Rs.2000 crores. The annual production of medicinal and aromatic plants raw material is worth about Rs.200 crores. This is likely to reach US $5 trillion by 2050. It has been estimated that in developed countries such as United States, plant drugs constitute as much as 25% of the total drugs, while in fast developing countries such as China and India, the contribution is as much as 80%. Thus, the economic importance of medicinal plants is much more to countries such as India than to rest of the world. (Joy, P.P., 2001) Biodiversity of herbals in India: India is one of the worlds 12 biodiversity centers with the presence of over 45000 different plant species. Indias diversity is UN compared due to the presence of 16 different agro-climatic zones, 10 vegetation zones, 25 biotic provinces and 426 biomes (habitats of specific species). Among these, about 15000-20000 plants have good medicinal value. However, only 7000-7500 species are used for their medicinal values by traditional communities. In India, drugs of plant origin have been used in traditional systems of medicines such as Unani and Ayurveda since ancient times. The Ayurveda system of medicine uses about 700 species, Unani 700, Siddha 600, Amchi 600 and modern medicine around 30 species. About 8,000 herbal remedies have been included in Ayurveda. The Rig-Veda (5000 BC) has recorded 67 medicinal plants, Yajurveda 81 species, Atharvaveda (4500-2500 BC) 290 species, Charak Samhita (700 BC) and Sushrut Samhita (200 BC) had described properties and uses of 1100 and 1270 species respectively, in compounding of drugs and these are still used in the classical formulations, in the Ayurvedic system of medicine. (Joy, P.P., 2001) Sources of medicinal drugs: The drugs are derived either from the whole plant or from different organs, like leaves, stem, bark, root, flower, seed, etc. Some drugs are prepared from excretory plant product such as gum, resins and latex. Plants, especially used in Ayurveda can provide biologically active molecules and lead structures for the development of modified derivatives with enhanced activity and /or reduced toxicity. Some important chemical intermediates needed for manufacturing the modern drugs are also obtained from plants (Eg. ÃŽÂ ²-ionone).The forest in India is the principal(diosgenin, solasodine) repository of large number of medicinal and aromatic plants, which are largely collected as raw materials for manufacture of drugs and perfumery products. The small fraction of flowering plants that have so far been investigated have yielded about 120 therapeutic agents of known structure from about 90 species of plants. Some of the useful plant drugs include vinblastine, vincristine, taxol, podophyllo toxin, camptothecin, digitoxigenin, gitoxigenin, digoxigenin, tubocurarine, morphine, codeine, aspirin, atropine, pilocarpine, capscicine, allicin, curcumin, artemisinin and ephedrine among others. (Joy, P.P., 2001) History of herbal medicine: Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Folk (tribal) medicines are the major systems of indigenous medicines. Among these systems, Ayurveda is most developed and widely practiced in India. Ayurveda dating back to 1500-800 BC has been an integral part of Indian culture. The term comes from the Sanskrit root Au (life) and Veda (knowledge). As the name implies it is not only the science of treatment of the ill but covers the whole gamut of happy human life involving the physical, metaphysical and the spiritual aspects. Ayurveda is gaining prominence as the natural system of health care all over the world. Today this system of medicine is being practiced in countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan, while the traditional system of medicine in the other countries like Tibet, Mongolia and Thailand appear to be derived from Ayurveda. Phytomedicines are also being used increasingly in Western Europe. Recently the US Government has established the Office of Alternative Medicine at the National Institute of Health at Bethesda and its support to alternative medicine includes basic and applied research in traditional systems of medicines such as Chinese, Ayurvedic. (Joy, P.P., 2001) Disadvantages: A major lacuna in Ayurveda is the lack of drug standardization, information and quality control. Most of the Ayurvedic medicines are in the form of crude extracts which are a mixture of several ingredients and the active principles when isolated individually fail to give desired activity. This implies that the activity of the extract is the synergistic effect of its various components. About 121 (45 tropical and 76 subtropical) major plant drugs have been identified for which no synthetic one is currently available. The scientific study of traditional medicines, derivation of drugs through bio prospecting and systematic conservation of the concerned medicinal plants is of great importance. Unfortunately, much of the ancient knowledge and many valuable plants are being lost at an alarming rate. Red Data Book of India has 427 entries of endangered species of which 28 are considered extinct, 124 endangered, 81 vulnerable, 100 rare and 34 insufficiently known species (Thomas, 1997).There are basically two scientific techniques of conservation of genetic diversity of these plants. They are the in situ and ex situ method of conservation. (Joy, P.P., 2001) In Situ conservation of medicinal plants: It is only in nature that plant diversity at the genetic, species and eco-system level can be conserved on long-term basis. (www.ggssc.net) It is necessary to conserve in distinct, representative bio geographic zones inter and intra specific genetic variation. Ex situ conservation of medicinal plants: A. Ethno-medicinal plant gardens: Creation of a network of regional and sub-regional ethno-medicinal plant gardens which should contain accessions of all the medicinal plants known to the various ethnic communities in different regions of India. This chain of gardens will act as regional repositories of our cultural and ethno medicinal history and embody the living traditions of our societys knowledge of medicinal plants. (www.ggssc.net) Current status: There are estimated to be around 50 such gardens in the country ranging from acre to 40 acres some of them were set up by an All India Health Network (AHN). More recently a network of 15 such gardens has been set up in 3 states of South India with the initiative of FRLHT. One of the gardens is located in TBGRI, (Tropical botanical garden research institute) Palode at Thiruvananthapuram. B. Gene banks: In India there is a large number of medicinal plant species are under various degrees of threat. The precautionary principles would suggest that an immediate and country-wide exercise be taken up to deposit seeds of wild medicinal plants with a first priority to known Red listed species and endemic species. Current status: The department of bio-technology, Government of India has recently taken the initiative to establish 3 gene banks in the country. One is with ICAR at the NBPGR (National Bureau of plant genetic Resources) Campus, the second is with CIMAPs, (Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic plants) Luck now and the third with TBFRI in Thiruvananthapuram. C. Nursery network: The most urgent and primary task in order to ensure immediate availability of plants and planting materials to various user groups is to promote a nationwide network of medicinal plant nurseries, which will multiply all the regional specific plants that are used in the current practice of traditional medicine. These nurseries should become the primary sources of supply of plants and seed material that can be subsequently multiplied by the various users. Current status: Planting material for 40 odd species of medicinal and aromatic plants is reportedly available in the ICAR and CSIR (CIMAP) network. In South India FRLHT (Foundation for Rural Revitalization of Local Health Tradition) has recently set up a network of 55 supply nurseries. D. Cultivation of medicinal plants: Figures projecting demand and trade in medicinal plant species globally indicate a step upward trend in the near future. One estimate puts the figure of world trade in medicinal plants and related products at US $ 5 trillion by A.D. 2050 (world bank report , 1996).The demand so far has been met mainly from wild sources. This cant go on for much longer; policy intervention is urgently needed to encourage and facilitate investments into commercial cultivation of medicinal plants. (Joy, P.P., 2001) Cultivation of medicinal plants is inversely linked to prevalence of easy and cheap collection from the wild, lack of regulation in trade, cornering of the profits from wild collection by a vast network of traders and middlemen and absence of industrys interest in providing buy-back guarantees to growers. Current status: In the Govt. sector agro-technology of 40 odd species has been developed by ICAR Agricultural University System and CSIR (CIMAOs RRL, Jammu and Jorhat). In recent years industries like Dabur, Zandu, Indian Herbs, Arya Vaidya Shala, and Arya Vaidya Pharmacy and others have made some symbolic efforts to initiate cultivation. Since1984 NABARD (National Bank of Agricultural and Rural Development) has formulated schemes for financing cultivation and processing of medicinal plants. E. Community based enterprises: The income generated by the traditional medicine industry benefits small section of the society. A strong case exists for promotion of community level enterprises for value addition to medicinal plants through simple, on site techniques like drying, cleaning, crushing, powdering, grading, packaging etc. This will also increase the stake of rural communities in conservation and change the skewed nature of income distribution of the industry. Current status: Three community based enterprises are known in south India, one in Gandhi gram Trust, (Dindigul), Premade development Society (Peer made) Kerala and the third by VGKK in B.R.Hills, Mysore. Importance of Herbal Medicines: Herbal medicines are prepared from a variety of plant material such as leaves, stems, roots, bark, etc. They usually contain many biologically active ingredients and are used primarily for treating mild or chronic ailments. (www.ggssc.net) Herbal remedies can also be purchased in the form of pills, capsules or powders, or in more concentrated liquid forms called extracts and tinctures. They can apply topically in creams or ointments, soaked into cloths and used as compresses, or applied directly to the skin as poultices. A combination therapy integrating ayurveda and allopathy whereby the side effects and undesirable reactions could be controlled can be thought of. Studies can show that the toxic effects of radiations and chemotherapy in cancer treatment could be reduced by Ayurvedic medications and similarly surgical wound healing could be accelerated by Ayurvedic medicines. Modern science and technology have an essential role to play in the process. Systems of Medicine: There are mainly 3 systems of medicine practiced in the world today. They are, Modern System of medicine or Allopathy: This system was developed in the Western countries. In this system drugs (tablets, capsules, injections, tonics etc.) are manufactured using synthetic chemicals and / or chemicals derived from natural products like plants, animals, minerals etc. This system also uses modern equipment for diagnosis, analysis, surgery etc. Medicines or drugs of this system is often criticized for its treatment of the symptoms rather than the cause of the disease, harmful side effects of certain drugs and for being out of reach of common / poor people due to the high cost of drugs and treatment. This system is used in all the countries of the world today. (www.ggssc.net) Alternative Medicine or Traditional System: Different countries of the world developed independently their own traditional systems of medicine using locally available materials like minerals and products of plants and animals. (www.ggssc.net) The World Health Organization (WHO) is giving importance to these alternate medicine systems to provide Primary Health Care to millions of people in the developing countries. Development of herbal medicine: China developed the Chinese system of medicine, which is practiced in China, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan and other countries. In India, Ayurveda (developed in North India), Siddha (developed in Tamil Nadu) and Nagarjuna (developed in Andhra Pradesh) systems of medicine were developed. Ayurveda is practiced in Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh also. Herbo-mineral is another traditional system used in India and other neighbouring countries. Drugs (balms, oils, pills, tonics, paste etc) are manufactured and marketed in these systems. (Joy, P.P., 2001) Advantages of traditional medicine: Traditional systems of medicine continue to be widely practiced on many accounts. Population rise, inadequate supply of drugs, prohibitive cost of treatments, side effects of several allopathic drugs and development of resistance to currently used drugs for infectious diseases have led to increased emphasis on the use of plant materials as a source of medicines for a wide variety of human ailments. Folk Medicine or tribal medicine: The medicinal systems followed by various tribals of different countries are popularly known as folk or tribal medicine. In the system, the medicine man or the doctor of the tribe who has the knowledge of treating diseases, keeps this knowledge as a closely guarded secret and passes it to the next generation by word of mouth. No written texts on these systems are available and different tribes follow different time tested methods. The treatment is often associated with lengthy and mystic rituals, in addition to prescription of drugs (decoctions, pastes, powders, oils, ashed materials etc.). Generally speaking, folk medicine can also be regarded as a traditional system of medicine. The basic aim of all the above systems of medicine is to alleviate the sufferings of human beings and their domesticated animals. (www.ggssc.net) Other Systems of medicine: Yoga, Acupressure, Acupuncture, Reiki, Magneto therapy, Pyramid therapy, Flower therapy, Homeopathy, Nature Cure or Naturopathy etc. are some of the other systems of medicine practiced in different parts of the world today. Utilization of Herbal Plants: The utility of medicinal plants has four major segments they are, Medicinal plants utilized in indigenous or traditional systems of medicines (ISM) Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homeopathy systems of medicines , OTC (over the country, non-prescription) items / products involving plant parts, extracts galenicals etc. , Essential oils , Phyto pharmaceuticals or plants used in modern systems of medicine. (www.ggssc.net) Medicinal plants used in Traditional Systems of Medicine: As its name implies, it is the part of tradition of each country which employs practices that have been handed down from generation to generation. An important feature of traditional therapy is the preference of practitioner for compound prescriptions over single substance/drug as it is being held that some constituents are effective only in the presence of others. This renders assessment of efficacy and eventually identification of active principles as required in international standards much difficult than for simple preparation. In India, earlier the medicines used in indigenous systems of medicines were generally prepared by the practicing physicians by themselves, but now this practice has been largely replaced by the establishment of organized indigenous drug industries. It is estimated that at present there are more than 1, 00,000 licensed registered practitioners of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani medicine or Homeopathy. In fact reliable data on availability in different regions of country as well as supply and demand of medicinal plants used in production of indigenous medicines are not available. (www.ggssc.net) Plants-parts, extracts and galenicals of medicinal herbs: The direct utilization of plant material is not only a feature of ISM in the developing world but also in developed countries like USA, UK, Germany etc., the various herbal formulations are sold on health food shops. Preparation of decoctions, tinctures, galenicals and total extracts of plants also form a part of many pharmacopoeias of the world. The current trend of medicinal plants based drug industry is to procedure standard extracts of plants as raw material. (www.ggssc.net) Essential Oils from herbal plants: The essential oil industry was traditionally a cottage industry in India. Since 1947, a number of industrial companies have been established for large scale production of essential oils, oleoresins and perfumes. The essential oil from plants includes Ajowan oil, Eucalyptus oil, Geranium oil, Lavender oil, Palmarosa oil, Patchouli oil, Rose oil, Sandalwood oil, Turpentine oil and Vetiver oil. Phyto-pharmaceuticals of medicinal plants: During the past decades, bulk production of plant based drugs has become an important segment of Indian pharmaceutical industry. Some of the Phyto-pharmaceuticals which are produced in India at present include Morphine, codeine, papaverine (Papaver somniferum), quinine, quinidine, cinchonine and cinchonidine (Cinchona sp., C.calisaya, C. Hyoscine, hyoscyamine (Hyocyamus Niger and H. muticus), colchicine (Gloriosa superbad, Colchicum luteum and Iphigenia stellata), cephaeline and emetin (Cephalis ipacacuanha), sennosides A B (Cassia angustifolia and C. acutifolia), reserpine, rescinnamine, ajmalicine and ajmaline (Rauvolfia serpentina); vinblastine and vincristine, ajmalicine (raubacine) (Catharanthus roseus); guggul lipid (Commiphora wightii); taxol (Taxus baccata); artemisinin (Artemisai annua) etc. (www.ggssc.net) Table I: Represents about plants containing Therapeutic value (Joy, P.P., 2001) Plant groups Plant species Family Genera Species Thalophytes 230 I.Monocots A)Liliaceae 45 165 B)Orchidaceae 45 135 Bryophytes 39 II. Dicots A)Compositae 89 331 Pteridophytes 382 B)Leguminosae 91 313 Gymnospermae 55 C)Ranuculaceae 31 208 Angiospermae: a)Monocotyledones b) Dicotyledones 676 3495 D)Laminaceae 46 189 E)Rosaceae 28 146 F)Umbelliferae 34 123 G)Rubiaceae 35 118 H)Euphorbiaceae 30 104 Total 4877 I)Asclepiadaceae 29 101 CLASSIFICATION OF HERBAL PLANTS: They are classified according to the part used, habit, habitat, therapeutic value etc, besides the usual botanical classification.Based on Therapeutic value they are classified as follows. Anti malarial : Cinchona officinalis, Artemisia annua ,Anticancer : Catharanthus roseus, Taxus baccata ,Antiulcer : Azadirachta indica, Glycyrrhiza glabra , Antidiabetic : Catharanthus roseus, Momordica charantia , Anticholesterol : Allium sativum Anti inflammatory : Curcuma domestica, Desmodium gangeticum , Antiviral : Acacia catechu Antibacterial : Plumbago indica , Antifungal : Allium sativum , Antiprotozoal : Ailanthus sp., Cephaelis ipacacuanha , Antidiarrhoeal : Psidium guava, Curcuma domestica , Hypotensive : Coleus forskohlii, Alium sativum , Tranquilizing : Rauvolfia serpentina , Anaesthetic : Erythroxylum coca , Spasmolytic : Atropa belladona, Hyoscyamus niger , Diuretic : Phyllanthus niruri, Centella asiatica , Astringent : Piper betel, Abrus precatorius Anthelmentic : Quisqualis indica, Punica granatum , Cardio tonic : Digitalis sp., Thevetia sp. Antiallergic : Nandina domestica, Scutellaria baicalensis ,Hepatoprotective : Silybum marianum, Andrographis paniculata. (Joy, P.P., 2001) Safety of medicinal plants: The safety and effectiveness of alternative medicines have not be been scientifically proven and remains largely unknown. A number of herbs are thought to be likely to cause adverse effects. Furthermore, adulteration, inappropriate formulation, or lack of understanding of plant and drug interactions have led to adverse reactions that are sometimes life threatening or lethal. Proper double-blind clinical trials are needed to determine the safety and efficacy of each plant before they can be recommended for medical use. Although many consumers believe that herbal medicines are safe because they are natural, herbal medicines may interact with synthetic drugs causing toxicity to the patient, may have contamination that is a safety consideration, and herbal medicines, without proven efficacy, may be used to replace medicines that have a proven efficacy. (Joy, P.P., 2001) Eg: Ephedra has been known to have numerous side effects, including severe skin reactions, irritability, nervousness, dizziness, trembling, headache, insomnia, profuse perspiration, dehydration, itchy scalp and skin, vomiting, hyperthermia, irregular heartbeat, seizures, heart attack, stroke, or death. Poisonous plants which have limited medicinal effects are often not sold in material doses in the United States or are available only to trained practitioners, these include: Aconite, Arnica, Belladonna, Bryonia, Datura, Gelsemium, Henbane, Male Fern Phytolacca, Podophyllum andVeratrum. Furthermore, herbs such as Lobelia, Ephedra and Eonymus that cause nausea, sweating, and vomiting, have been traditionally prized for this action. Plants such as Comfrey and Petasites have specific toxicity due to hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloid content. There are other plant medicines which require caution or can interact with other medications, including St. Johns wort and grapefruit. (Phytotherapy , www.wikipedia.com) INTRODUCTION TO DIABETES MELLITUS In recent years, developed nations have witnessed an explosive increase in the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) predominantly related to lifestyle changes and the resulting surge in obesity. The metabolic consequences of prolonged hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia, including accelerated atherosclerosis, chronic kidney disease, and blindness, pose an enormous burden on patients with diabetes mellitus and on the public health system. (Goodman Gilmans, 2006) In 1869, a German medical student, Paul Langerhans, noted that the pancreas contains two distinct groups of cells the acinar cells, which secrete digestive enzymes, and cells that are clustered in islands, or islets, which he suggested, served a second function. Direct evidence for this function came in 1889, when Minkowski and von Mering showed that pancreatectomized dogs exhibit a syndrome similar to diabetes mellitus in humans (Goodman Gilmans,2006) In the early 1900s, Gurg Zuelzer, an internist in Berlin, attempted to treat a dying diabetic patient with extracts of pancreas. Although the patient improved temporarily, he sank back into a coma and died when the supply of extract was exhausted. E.L. Scott, a student at the University of Chicago, made another early attempt to isolate an active principle in 1911. Using alcoholic extracts of the pancreas Scott treated several diabetic dogs with encouraging results; however, he lacked clear measures of control of blood glucose concentrations, Between 1916 and 1920, the Romanian physiologist Nicolas Paulesco found that injections of pancreatic extracts reduced urinary sugar and ketones in diabetic dogs. Although he published the results of his experiments, their significance was fully appreciated only years later. (Goodman Gilmans, 2006) Banting assumed that the islets secreted insulin but that the hormone was destroyed by proteolytic digestion prior to or during extraction. Together with Charles Best, he attempted to overcome the problem by ligating the pancreatic ducts. The acinar tissue degenerated, leaving the islets undisturbed; the remaining tissue then was extracted with ethanol and acid. Banting and Best thus obtained a pancreatic extract that decreased the concentration of blood glucose in diabetic dogs. (Goodman Gilmans, 2006) Insulin was purified and crystallized by Abel within a few years of its discovery. Sanger established the amino acid sequence of insulin in 1960, the protein was synthesized in 1963, and Hodgkin and coworkers elucidated insulins three-dimensional structure in 1972. Insulin was the hormone for which Yalow and Berson first developed the radioimmunoassay (Goodman Gilmans, 2006) Insulin regulation is achieved by the coordinated interplay of various nutrients, gastrointestinal hormones, pancreatic hormones, and autonomic neurotransmitters. Glucose, amino acids, fatty acids, and ketone bodies promote the secretion of insulin. The islets of Langerhans are richly innervated by both adrenergic and cholinergic nerves. Stimulation of a2 adrenergic receptors inhibits insulin secretion, whereas b2 adrenergic receptor agonists and vagal nerve stimulation enhance release. In general, any condition that activates the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system (such as hypoxia, hypoglycemia, exercise, hypothermia, surgery, or severe burns) suppresses the secretion of insulin by stimulation of ÃŽÂ ±2-adrenergic receptors. Predictably, ÃŽÂ ±2 adrenergic receptor antagonists increase basal concentrations of insulin in plasma, and ÃŽÂ ²2 adrenergic receptor antagonists decrease them. The sugar is more effective in provoking insulin secretion when taken orall y than when administered intravenously because the ingestion of glucose (or food) induces the release of gastrointestinal hormones and stimulates vagal activity. Several gastrointestinal hormones promote the secretion of insulin. The most potent of these are gastrointestinal inhibitory peptide (GIP) and glucagon like peptide 1 (GLP-1). Insulin release also is stimulated by gastrin, secretin, Cholecystokinin, vasoactive intestinal peptide, gastrin-releasing peptide, and Enteroglucagon. (Goodman Gilmans, 2006) Distribution: Insulin circulates in blood as the free monomer, and its volume of distribution approximates the volume of extracellular fluid. Under fasting conditions, the pancreas secretes about 40 mg (1 unit) of insulin per hour into the portal vein to achieve a concentration of insulin in portal blood of 2 to 4 ng/ml (50 to 100 minutes/ml) and in the peripheral circulation of 0.5 ng/ml (12 minutes/ml) or about 0.1 nM. After ingestion of a meal, there is a rapid rise in the concentration of insulin in portal blood, followed by a parallel but smaller rise in the peripheral circulation. (Goodman Gilmans, 2006) Half Life: The half-life of insulin in plasma is about 5 to 6 minutes in normal subjects and patients with uncomplicated diabetes. This value may be increased in diabetics who develop anti-insulin antibodies. (Goodman Gilmans, 2006) Metabolism: Degradation of insulin occurs primarily in liver, kidney, and muscle. About 50% of the insulin that reaches the liver via the portal vein is destroyed and never reaches the general circulation. Insulin is filtered by the renal glomeruli and is reabsorbed by the tubules, which also degrade it. Severe impairment of renal function appears to affect the rate of disappearance of circulating insulin to a greater extent than does hepatic disease. Peripheral tissues such as fat also inactivate insulin, but this is of less significance quantitatively. The important target tissues for regulation of glucose homeostasis by insulin are liver, muscle, and fat, but insulin exerts potent regulatory effects on other cell types as well. Insulin is the primary hormone responsible for controlling the uptake, use, and storage of cellular nutrients. (Goodman Gilmans, 2006) Figure 1: Insulin release from ÃŽÂ ²-cell DIABETES MELLITUS: Diabetes mellitus (DM) consists of a group of syndromes characterized by hyperglycemia; altered metabolism of lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins; and an increased risk of complications from vascular disease. Most patients can be classified clinically as having either type 1 or type 2 DM. Criteria for the diagnosis of DM have been proposed by several medical organizations. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria include symptoms of DM (e.g., polyuria, polydipsia, and unexplained weight loss) and a random plasma glucose concentration of greater than 200 mg/dl (11.1 mM), a fasting plasma glucose concentration of greater than 126 ml/dl (7 mM), or a plasma glucose concentration of greater than 200 mg/dl (11 mM) 2 hours after the ingestion of an oral glucose load In the United States, about 5% to 10% of all diabetic patients have type 1 DM, with an incidence of 18 per 100,000 inhabitants per year. A similar incidence is found in the United Kingdom. The incidence of type 1 DM in Europe varies with latitude. The highest rates occur in northern Europe (Finland, 43 per 100,000) and the lowest in the south (France and Italy, 8 per 100,000). The one exception to this rule is the small island of Sardinia, close to Italy, which has an incidence of 30 per 100,000. However, even the relatively low incidence rates of type 1 DM in southern Europe are far higher than the rates in Japan (1 per 100,000 inhabitants). There are more than 125 million persons with diabetes in the world today, and by 2010, this number is expected to approach 220 million. (Goodman Gilmans, 2006) Both type 1 and type 2 DM are increasing in frequency. The reason for the increase of type 1 DM is not known. The genetic basis for type 2 DM cannot change in such a short time; thus other contributing factors, including increasing age, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and low birth weight, must account for this dramatic increase. In addition, type 2 DM is being diagnosed with remarkable frequency in preadolescents and adolescents. Up to 45% of newly diagnosed children and adolescents have type 2 DM. There are genetic and environmental components that affect the risk of developing either type 1 or type 2 DM Types: Diabetes can be divided into