Thursday, October 10, 2019
Technology effects of Human Relationships
They say ââ¬Å"All good things must come to an endâ⬠. Well if this is correct, and Technology had stopped existing how would the world respond? I predict that this world would go into a ââ¬Å"great depressionâ⬠. Not necessarily because of beneficial and honorable things like the abilities to further your education, watching the news, or cooking a simple meal for the family but because of the inability to use technology as a relationship based source.Based on the research Iââ¬â¢ve done, studies have shown that technology has a very negative effect on human relationships because people are basically using it for robots, an unrealistic emotional caregiver, internet, a social skills killer and a communicator, relationship built off false emotions. In the past, if a person is feeling alone or so emotional to the point where they need to consult to someone they would with another person. Now-a-days, if there is a problem, a person talks there situation out to a talking teddy bear named ââ¬Å"Fujitsuâ⬠.This Fujitsu is built to keep company to a person by being understanding and loving. Another human like robot is the baby seal. In the article ââ¬Å"Flight for conversationâ⬠, an elderly woman actually talked to this seal about personal problems, the woman became comforted because it actually seemed to be following her conversation. The scariest thing about these issues, is, we are willing to conform to a battery robot than an actual human being. Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram are the most popular social networks there is, so to have one is not a surprise. It is proved to be a very addictive technology tool.Many people are so in tuned with these internet sources that they cut all ties with their actual surroundings. A mother could be talking to their child about a serious topic, but the daughter could not even be listening to that mother because their tweeting . People especially teens, rather reveal their feelings to a website rather than t heir own parents. A quote, from the article, ââ¬Å"Just How Many Facebook Friends Do You Need? ââ¬Å" supports this argument ââ¬Å"No matter if it is a wall post, a comment, or a photo, young peopleââ¬â¢s engagement with Facebook is drivenâ⬠.Texting is considered to be, one of the fastest most used communicator there is to exist. Although it is very convenient, it is depriving the two interactors from a real conversation and relationship. ââ¬Å"Someday, someday, but certainly not now, Iââ¬â¢d like to learn how to have a conversation. â⬠a 16 year old boy sayââ¬â¢s because he feels he has no communication skills. Also for instance, if one is unfamiliar with someone and trying to get to know them they will text that person to become better acquaintances. The issue with this is that when a person text, it is impossible to really understand the other's attitude, emotions or behavior.Therefore you really truly don't know them; you could become attached to a person that you really have no interest in. Many can argue that, Technology has so many positive results, and that it doesn't matter about a few negative ones. I disagree with these rational remarks, human relationships are very important and self-beneficial; we should not continue to destroy something so valuable. In order to fix the problem, technology users should practice more one on one conversation with others human beings. Learn how to accept technology as a benefit not a need. ï » ¿Technology Effects of Human Relationships They say ââ¬Å"All good things must come to an endâ⬠. Well if this is correct, and Technology had stopped existing how would the world respond? I predict that this world would go into a ââ¬Å"great depressionâ⬠. Not necessarily because of beneficial and honorable things like the abilities to further your education, watching the news, or cooking a simple meal for the family but because of the inability to use technology as a relationship based source.Based on the research Iââ¬â¢ve done, studies have shown that technology has a very negative effect on human relationships because people are basically using it for robots, an unrealistic emotional caregiver, internet, a social skills killer and a communicator, relationship built off false emotions. In the past, if a person is feeling alone or so emotional to the point where they need to consult to someone they would with another person. Now-a-days, if there is a problem, a person talks there situation out to a talking teddy bear named ââ¬Å"Fujitsuâ⬠.This Fujitsu is built to keep company to a person by being understanding and loving. Another human like robot is the baby seal. In the article ââ¬Å"Flight for conversationâ⬠, an elderly woman actually talked to this seal about personal problems, the woman became comforted because it actually seemed to be following her conversation. The scariest thing about these issues, is, we are willing to conform to a battery robot than an actual human being. Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram are the most popular social networks there is, so to have one is not a surprise. It is proved to be a very addictive technology tool.Many people are so in tuned with these internet sources that they cut all ties with their actual surroundings. A mother could be talking to their child about a serious topic, but the daughter could not even be listening to that mother because their tweeting . People especially teens, rather reveal their feelings to a website rather than t heir own parents. A quote, from the article, ââ¬Å"Just How Many Facebook Friends Do You Need? ââ¬Å" supports this argument ââ¬Å"No matter if it is a wall post, a comment, or a photo, young peopleââ¬â¢s engagement with Facebook is drivenâ⬠.Texting is considered to be, one of the fastest most used communicator there is to exist. Although it is very convenient, it is depriving the two interactors from a real conversation and relationship. ââ¬Å"Someday, someday, but certainly not now, Iââ¬â¢d like to learn how to have a conversationâ⬠a 16 year old boy sayââ¬â¢s because he feels he has no communication skills. Also for instance, if one is unfamiliar with someone and trying to get to know them they will text that person to become better acquaintances. The issue with this is that when a person text, it is impossible to really understand the other's attitude, emotions or behavior.Therefore you really truly don't know them; you could become attached to a person th at you really have no interest in. Many can argue that, Technology has so many positive results, and that it doesn't matter about a few negative ones. I disagree with these rational remarks, human relationships are very important and self-beneficial; we should not continue to destroy something so valuable. In order to fix the problem, technology users should practice more one on one conversation with others human beings. Learn how to accept technology as a benefit not a need.
Wednesday, October 9, 2019
School Shootings
Situation On February 14, 2018, Nikolas Cruz massacred 17 students of Stoneman Douglas High School. Since then, politicians, grieving mothers and fathers, and average citizens are at odds with one another over what should be done to prevent such a catastrophe from happening again. In today's world of perceived division, animosity, and public policy debate, it seems now more than ever that school shootings are a hot button issue. In 2018, websites and organizations with political agendas argue that anywhere from 15 to 18 school shootings have happened in the U.S. while those with opposing beliefs say that those incidents have been exaggerated or isolated incidents either near or off a school campus. Since the shooting at the University of Texas (1966) to the Columbine (1999) shooting to most recently the Stoneman Douglas (2018) school shooting, acts of violence are becoming more and more common. School shootings perpetrated by youth (16-25) are a concern and researchers have investigated what causes individuals to perform such actions. Years of research, investigating, autopsies, and psychological evaluations can be, to a degree narrowed down into two causes of school shootings; Individual factors affecting troubled youth and social/cultural influences. While many would argue that there is no definitive cause of school shootings, it seems that most suspects involved experienced some sort of contribution at the psychological or communal level. The researchers who have data to back their argument are hopefully going to be instrumental as to determine a cure or implement preventative measures to make sure a school shooting can either never happen again or reduce the number of incidents/casualties. Researchers: Argument of Individual Factors Affecting Troubled YouthThe consensus among most researchers is that the suspect suffers from mental health issues. Dr. McGee and Dr. DeBernardo, both forensic examiners, believe that ââ¬Å"school shootersâ⬠can usually fit a common criteria due to their research of adolescents responsible for school shootings from 1993 to 1998. Both agree that through their research, the ââ¬Å"shooterâ⬠is a ââ¬Å"normalâ⬠adolescent coming from a middle class, white neighborhood of around 50,000 people. They have a somewhat high IQ and come from a type of broken home (divorce, separation, etc.). It isn't until that they investigated what the child was experiencing pre-incident that caused concern. The adolescent will experience low self-esteem, disconnect from their peers, and some sort of psychological stressor. These stressors/factors all culminate into ââ¬Å"triggeringâ⬠the suspect into them believing that the only way to respond to recent trauma is to enact violence on whoever they believe is the cause for such conflict. In the case of Charles Whitman who was the perpetrator of the University of Texas massacre, he murdered the ones closest to him, his wife and mother for debatable reasons while Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold took revenge on their entire school. Glenn W. Muschert, author of ââ¬Å"Research in School Shootingsâ⬠examines the multitudes of contributing factors of school shootings and states ââ¬Å"A variety of causes may contribute to school shootings â⬠¦ even if direct causality may not be established.â⬠(Muschert, 67) While he believes that there is no definitive cause, mental health is the primary point of argumentation. Continuing with the trend of individual factors affecting troubled youth, another pivotal cause that researchers can identify besides mental health problems is peer humiliation/bullying. Mr. Kimmel and Mr. Mahler, authors and contributors to ââ¬Å"Adolescent Masculinity, Homophobia, and Violenceâ⬠examine the societal impacts of possible school shooters at the peer level, stating ââ¬Å"In conducting our analysis â⬠¦ because they were different from the other boysââ¬âshy, bookish, honor students, artistic, musical, theatrical, nonathletic, ââ¬Å"geekish,â⬠or weird.â⬠(Kimmel Mahler, 1445) Contrary to mental health, the argument of these authors is that the influence doesn't happen personally from psychological issues but those around them. In their research, most school shooters are suburban caucasian males in suburban neighborhoods and the influence is from students use of derogatory, homophobic slurs to ridicule these kids and repress their individualistic qualities. Eventually this contributes to the triggers discussed with mental health and the peer humiliation/identity becomes the cause. Another quote from a researcher contributing to the argument that bullying creates school shooters states ââ¬Å"Is there something disturbing about the fact that children expect that their schools will have high levels of gay bashing, slut bashing, violence against girls, racism, and violence against those who are less able or otherwise ââ¬Å"differentâ⬠?â⬠(Klein,233) Jessie Klein believes through experimentation, statistics and testimonials from victims of bullying, this hurts the individual in such a way that the only recourse is through violence in the form of school shootings. Argument: Social, Media, External Influences Lead to School ShootingsWhile the argument from a multitude of researchers and scholars that mental health and bullying are the preliminary factors that cause school shootings, other researchers examining the same topic have come upon the hypothesis that external factors are to blame. The first would be the media's coverage of school shooters upon apprehension. The national news and tv coverage gives the belief that those who commit school shootings are regarded as celebrities within the nation's spotlight on them. Since the Columbine Shooting the news provides national news to inform America about what is currently happening but students who are currently experiencing a rough patch of bullying, declining mental health, and other things see this as an opportunity to gain the attention of all who are drawn to national disaster. Video games are believed by many to glorify and give possible shooters a platform to commit such an act without consequence leading to the belief that violence in schools is the next step. McGee, J. P., ; DeBernardo, C. R. The classroom avenger: A behavioral profile of school based shootings. The Forensic Examiner, (1999). 8(5-6), 16-18. (2018)Muschert, G.W., Research in School Shootings. (2007) vol. 1, issue.1, 60-80Kimmel, M. S.; Mahler, M. Adolescent Masculinity, Homophobia, and Violence. (2003)k vol. 46, issue. 10, 1439-1458Klein, J., The Bully Society: School Shootings and the Crisis of Bullying in America's Schools. NYU Press. (2012) School Shootings In this paper it looks at some previous school shooting that have happened in the United States. It looks at the shooters, and also look at theories of what possibly couldââ¬â¢ve been their motives for commenting such a tragedy, taking innocent lives. The paper looks at what we have learned and what we can do to prevent future school shooting tragedies. It looks at how bullying has pulled the trigger and how kids just want to be heard. The paper looks at what psychologist and criminologist have to say about future shootings and past shooters.It looks at the copycat effect and how the 1999 Columbine High School shooting has set the tone and gained such attention that people have attempted or made notion that there will be an attempted repeat. Keywords: School shootings are a tragedy that does not cross many minds in America until one occurs. The people who end up involved never imagine something like that happening to them, and the ones that go unaffected by the situation continue to ignore it. This is a major problem in America today.But we canââ¬â¢t really fix what we donââ¬â¢t know what to fix, looking back on these tragedies that take place in schools. We see donââ¬â¢t see nothing but a cold blood killer, but looking deeper than what the naked eye sees on the surface, we have saw that many of the shooters that have shot up schools in the past have been victims. They have been victims of harassment, depression, and anger that has been built up. They have stated warning signs but people in society tend to ignore and blow the warning signs off like nothing could ever happen.That is until all the built up anger and resentment from being bullied, feeling alone, and depressed seem to outburst in to horrific tragedies. The Columbine Shooting. Americaââ¬â¢s most deadly school shooting took place at Columbine High School in 1999. Two boys named Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold opened fire on their classmates killing which 14 classmates and teaches life go t taken away that day when Harris and Klebold entered their school. They also took their own life after the horrific act (Phillips, 2006). It is said that the two killers were plotting this soon to be known tragedy for two months.Right after the shooting happened, it was discovered that one of the gunmen had an internet site talking about killing. The website talked about making pipe bombs on the website it stated that ââ¬Å"pipe bombs were some the easiest and deadliest way to kill a large group of people. â⬠The site also referred to NBK which was an event that that was approaching where the pipe bombs would be used. Itââ¬â¢s said that the two boys were a members of an antisocial group that are referred to as the ââ¬Å"Trench Coat Mafiaâ⬠there was supposedly a group of ten students that wore long coats and dark sunglasses all the time.Classmates of the two killerââ¬â¢s state that they were jerks and that they were strange. They didnââ¬â¢t really talk to anyon e else at the school, they were considered to be outcasts (Marshall, 1999). Shooters who were victims of bullying. One in particular shooting is a prime example that bullying can send someone over the edge. The shooting took place at Heath High School in west Paducah Kentucky in 1997. The shooter was Michael Carneal who claimed he was bullied and he opened fire on the school prayer group, shooting eight of his classmates.When Carneal was asked why did he do it? He said he was sick of being bullied and picked on (Deadly lessons: Understanding, 2003). Carneal stated that he was talked down to and humiliated and even physically tormented. He was brought to his breaking point due to bullying. Michael Carneal wasnââ¬â¢t just the only one that has opened fire in school due to being bullied. Alleged shooter Charles Williams who took the lives of two students injuring thirteen others when he opened fire at a Santana High School in Santee California in 2001.It was the deadliest shooting i n the United States since massacre that took place at Columbine High School in 1999. Williams had a fit depressingly common profile for children in trouble in the United States Schools according to psychologists and the schools security. The teen was a social outsider whose angry lethal threats were taking as jokes by his friends and family. Richard Butterworth a psychologist who studies United States school shootings, states that the consciousness that are in kids today is shooting is the way to manifest their anger.Since the Columbine school shooting schools have been so afraid of a fire in their hallways, they have put extinguishers everywhere. But yet they have done nothing to what are causing the fires, these kids are mad and they donââ¬â¢t know what else to do states Butterworth (Quinn, 2001). Eric Chester a Denver based teen expert stated that Williams ââ¬Å"appears to be another distraught, disengaged, disenfranchised kid who wanted people to take notice of himâ⬠(Q uinn, 2001).Williams was a 15 year old who was described as ââ¬Å"a skinny kid who got picked on a lotâ⬠some of his other aquanauts described him as an outsider who was a nerd, but others state that he was well liked. One classmate Jessica more says people called him ââ¬Å"freak, dork, and nerdâ⬠(Bradberry, 2001). These two examples of school shooters were not the only victims that felt like they had to open fire inside hallways to be notice or heard. Sad to say they will probably be more that are victims of being bullied and will feel as this is the only way.The Copycat Effect. Since the Columbine High School shooting they seem to be an outburst of copycats that have been found with bomb making material in their passion, people who have made threats to do something Columbine like, to people found just days before their plots that are columbine like and are about to be take place and have been stop due to tips to the officials. The recent school shooting that took plac e a Sandy Hook Elementary School where 28 in total lost their life including the shooter himself and his mother.From the evidence gathered at the house of alleged shooter Adam Lanza, there was no goodbye letters nor a tell all letter. No motive was giving as to why Lanza opened fire in an elementary school full of innocent kids, from the news the day of the shooting no one really knew of an Adam Lanza which means he was antisocial probably. However the officials and investigators did discover he was a twenty year old boy who was obsessed with mass killers. The most odd and dark disturbing thing investigators and officials recovered at Lanzaââ¬â¢s house was Lanzaââ¬â¢s fascination with the 1999 Columbine High School shooting.The Columbine massacre was like the center of Lanzaââ¬â¢s obsession that had to do with mass shootings. According to the Newtown report, Lanza had ââ¬Å"hundreds of documents, images, and videos pertaining to the Columbine High School massacre. â⬠He also had downloaded videos about the two gunmen (Pearce, 2013). During an analysis of school shootings between the years 1999-2007 Professor Ralph W. Harkin of the John Jay College of Criminal Justice at City University of New York found that 8 out of 12 school shooters ââ¬Å"directly referred to the Columbine shootingâ⬠(Pearce, 2013).Seung-hui Cho just right after the Columbine High shooting, Cho was an eighth grader when he had supposedly written a disturbing English paper and in it he stated that he wanted to make a repeat of the Columbine shooting eight years after that paper he opened fire on the campus of Virginia Tech College and took the lives of 32 people including his own. Which passed the Columbines total body count with flying colors, even though it was at a college. He still was in the train of thought while he was in grade school which wasnââ¬â¢t many years later after the Columbine shooting.Like one Criminologist warned in 2007 after the Virginia Tech sho oting ââ¬Å"records exist but to be brokenâ⬠(Pearce, 2013). Theories behind the purpose of kids and teenage killers. Although there are a lot of theories on why kids and teenagers go on killing sprees at schools, no one can really put a finger on to why they go on their killing sprees taking innocent peopleââ¬â¢s lives. A big theory is that they are bullied and thatââ¬â¢s the only one that makes sense to a lot of unknown motives of past mass killers that go on killing sprees at schools.They are out casters that can no longer stand the bullying and humiliation, and just want to be heard. They feel as if the only fix to being heard and notice is pack guns to school and unleash the hurt and angry they feel to the bullies, even though they tend to take innocent peopleââ¬â¢s lives that havenââ¬â¢t done nothing to them in their path to destruction. Some theories state that they just want the fame weather they take their own life in the process or they pay the price livi ng. Other theories blame mental illness, some theories blame numerous things all at once.They were mental ill and got picked on and they went unheard, so they wanted to get famous to get notice and heard. But nobody can actually pin point what has exactly triggered todays youths killing sprees. James Alan Fox a Criminologist professor at Northeast University in Boston states ââ¬Å"Nothing is different about kidsâ⬠although fifty years ago, a kid that has been getting bullied or is a victim of being bullied is more likely to take their anger out by going on a vandalism spree rather than to pick up the nearest gun they can get their hands on and go on a killing spree (Khadaroo, 2013).What has been learned and what can help prevent school Shootings. Shootings at educational institutes are tragic and a shocking thing for the United States. For the most recent big massacre that took place at Sandy Hook Elementary, there have been many discussions on what we can do to prevent someth ing so horrific from happening again. But in the reality a lot of people find themselves asking can anything really be done to prevent such horrific things like school shooting from happening?An article the is prepared by Dr.à Daniel J. Flannery at Case Western Reserve University and colleagues the article contains an examination of the past studies on the topic thatââ¬â¢s main focus is on ââ¬Å"targetedâ⬠and ââ¬Å"rampageâ⬠or ââ¬Å"spreeâ⬠shootings. The article finds that there is some characteristics shared from past shooters. Shooters shared characteristics like narcissism, depression, low self-esteem, and a fascination with violence. There isnââ¬â¢t however enough distinctive similarities to create a distinctive profile for a future potential shooter (Springer, 2012).The authors came to a conclusion, that the most effective way to possibly prevent these kind of tragedies is through a threat assessment. An assessment which requires fundamental testing , such as suicide risk, homicide risk, thought process, reality testing, mood and behavior, as well as social and developmental histories. Another key is to pay close attention to an obsession with violence and firearms. Even though this may seem obvious, but the resources that are provided to mental health school officials donââ¬â¢t provide for these assessments.The other conclusion that the authors have come to, is that the mental health officials and adults need to take threats of violence seriously, just like they have been doing to the suicide threats (Springer, 2012). Conclusion. The conclusion we have come to by the end of this paper on school shootings is, that majority of the shootings that have happened have been outburst of anger and just of direr need of wanting to be heard. Although there isnââ¬â¢t many clear motives, almost in every case the shooter have or has been bullied or has been an out caster.Weââ¬â¢ve learned that the Columbine High School shooting has set the bar high for the high body count and even though that was surpassed at the Virginia Tech shooting. The Columbine gave school shootings a new tone. Sure we could crack down on guns and make stricter laws toward them. But the Columbine shooters made it clear that if someone really knew how to make a good bomb they could just as well kill people. There are rules about being tougher on bullying but thereââ¬â¢s always going to be bullying going on no matter how much we suspend kids, press charges against them it might take away some of the bullying.But it will still be there. A lot of these shooters just wanted to be heard and they felt as opening fire in the hallways of school was the only way to get people to listen. So even though there isnââ¬â¢t a lot we can do in prevention of these horrific crimes we can still look for a solution. School shootings can happen in any community in this country. What people donââ¬â¢t realize is that it can happen in a flash, it doesnà ¢â¬â¢t matter how many awards the school gains for being an efficient school, it doesnââ¬â¢t matter how many good people theyââ¬â¢re in the community.There is always a left out person an out caster that has been a victim or is being a victim as we speak that just wants someone to hear them out but this country donââ¬â¢t seem to listen even when they do make threats. Some shooting the shooters have clearly said something bad was going to happen, that they were going to do something. But there again no one would listen people just think yeah right you couldnââ¬â¢t and you wouldnââ¬â¢t. But in reality they are being dead serious. Every threat needs to be taken serious and the one that makes the threats needs people to take time to listen to what they have to say, to what they are feeling.
Tuesday, October 8, 2019
Coral Reefs Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words
Coral Reefs - Research Paper Example of this student that the reader will come away from this paper with a more informed understanding of how the coral reefs are an integral part of the ecosystem and the means by which action must be encouraged in order to save them from any further destruction. Although it is true that these reefs are beautiful, they allow for tens of thousands of different forms of sea life to reside within these reefs; in a way that they could not within the deeper oceans and other unprotected regions of the sea. This protection from indigenous species allows for species that would otherwise have little to no protection from predators to thrive within such an environment. Moreover, the habitat that the coral reefs provide creates a somewhat sustainable ecosystem which humans can then leverage in the form of planned and ethical fishing. An analysis of existing coral reefs denote that approximately 30-40 million people are year are fed from the sea life that is harvested within these zones. Naturally, even though this only makes up a small portion of the earthââ¬â¢s population, it forms an essential part of defining the way in which the food chain operates in the means by which tens of millions of people gain sustenance each and every year. Another element of great importance with regards to the coral reefs has to do with the ability of the coral reef to turn carbon dioxide into limestone. Ultimately, as the ongoing fear over global climate change has evidenced, the increasing levels of CO2 have created a situation in which CO2 is being evidenced to a further and further degree within the environment (Villanueva 887). As the earth does not have the ability to remedy this increase at the same pace that human industrial activities and burning of fossil fuel creates it, the need for protecting the earthââ¬â¢s natural ability to transform CO2 into other substances is essential. Even though it might not be possible to reverse the rate of global warming/climate change, seeking to
Monday, October 7, 2019
What is Copyright, Fair Use, Public Domain Essay
What is Copyright, Fair Use, Public Domain - Essay Example In the culture of music, copyright has the intention of promoting the creation of new works, since authors and pioneers are given full control of and benefit from them. Copyrights are territorial thus implying they cannot go beyond a specific state/nation unless that nation has entered into an international agreement. It is imperative to note that personally, as a copyright holder, I have to cater for the copyright enforcement. In this regard, the holders are required to look for legal representation, administrative and in some cases court costs. These costs which in most cases also involve time should be put into consideration when the evaluation of benefits of enforcing copyrights. Additionally, disputes regarding copyright are handled by an approach that is directed to the infringing party so that the matter is settled out of court. Fair use is a limitation as well as exception to the exclusive right that is granted to the author of any creative work by copyright law. The copyright law of the United States advocates that fair use is a doctrine that allows limited use of copyrighted work without necessarily getting permission from the holders of rights. Fair use includes commentary, criticism, teaching, research, news reporting, scholarship and archiving. Fair use provides for the legal, unlicensed citation or incorporating copyrighted material in a different work of another author and are evaluated according to four underlying factors; a) The purpose, nature and the intention of the use, b) The nature of the copyrighted work, c) The nature and the substantiality of the material used, and, d) the effect of use on the potential market for or value of the work. Fair use positively affects music culture since it promotes a level playing ground for all players in the music industry, and all players, whether rich or poor are protected by this law. Personally, the law of fair use will protect me as
Sunday, October 6, 2019
C-reactive protein as a novel biomarker Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words
C-reactive protein as a novel biomarker - Essay Example This process leads to the formation of foamy macrophages and atheromatous plaques and, finally, to atherothrombotic disease. Atherosclerosis is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Although measurement of lipid levels, stress testing, and coronary angiography are effective indicators of the extent and severity of the disease, circulating markers that could be easily and noninvasively measured would be powerful tools to diagnose, monitor, and intervene in this disease process. One promising marker is CRP, a major acute phase response protein synthesized in the liver in response to the elaboration of acute phase response cytokines, such as interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) (figure 1). Other associated acute phase proteins include serum amyloid A protein, fibrinogen, and mannan-binding lectin. CRP is a member of the pentraxin protein family, which is so named because these proteins possess five identical subunits. CRP, which is elaborated dramatically during acute inflammation, augments the immune response to certain antigens, activates complement, and increases the monocytic production of tissue factors (1). CRP binds to phosphoryl choline on bacterial surfaces, acting as an opsonin and playing a pivotal role in host defense. Interestingly, CRP also appears to bind low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in vitro, which suggests a direct interaction with the atherogenic lipids (2). Why use CRP as an indicator Atherogenesis is initiated by endothelial injury, which is followed by activation of endothelial cells, up-regulation of cytokines and adhesion molecules (eg, soluble intercellular adhesion molecules, E-selectin), and migration of inflammatory cells into the subendothelium (see figure 1). In this scenario, IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-alpha stimulate CRP synthesis by inducing hepatic gene expression (3). Because atherosclerosis is now considered an inflammatory disease and an elevated level of CRP in
Saturday, October 5, 2019
Marketing Communications Plan Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words
Marketing Communications Plan - Case Study Example Once Zara have carefully analysed the internal and external business environment and critically examined the industry in general the most suitable marketing strategies will be selected and these strategies will be administered by effectively and continually monitoring external threats and opportunities and revising internal efficiency procedures. The market analysis investigates both the internal and external business environment. It is vital that Zara carefully monitor both the internal and external aspects regarding its business as both the internal and external environment and their respective influences will be decisive traits in relation to its success and survival in the industry. The internal business environment and its influence is that which is to some extent within the business's control. The main attributes in the internal environment include efficiency in the production process, through management skills and effective communication channels. To effectively control and monitor the internal business environment, Zara must conduct continual appraisals of the business's operations and readily act upon any factors, which cause inefficiencies in any phase of the production and consumer process (Tremblay and Martins-Filho, 2001). The External business environment and it... Changes in the external environment will create opportunities or threats in the market place Zara must be aware of. Fluctuations in the economy, changing customer attitudes and values, and demographic patterns heavily influence the success of Zara products in the market and the reception they receive from the consumers. SWOT Analysis: SWOT stands for Strengths Weakness Opportunities Threats. SWOT analysis is a technique much used in much general management as well as marketing scenarios. SWOT consists of examining the current activities of the organisation- its Strengths and Weakness- and then using this and external research data to set out the Opportunities and Threats that exist. Strengths: Zara has been a complex part of UK culture since almost a decade. The product's image is loaded with over-romanticizing, and this is an image many people have taken deeply to heart. The Zara image is displayed on T-shirts, hats, and collectible memorabilia. This extremely recognizable branding is one of Zara's greatest strengths. Additionally, decreased expenditure on advertising is one of their greatest strengths. It allows them to conduct business on a global scale while at the same time maintain a local approach. Weaknesses: Weaknesses for any business need to be both minimised and monitored in order to effectively achieve productivity and efficiency in their business's activities, Zara is no exception. Although domestic business as well as many international markets are thriving but Zara has recently reported some declines in unit case volumes in different markets of the world. Opportunities: Brand recognition is the significant factor affecting Zara's competitive position. Zara's brand name is known well throughout the world today. The primary concern
Friday, October 4, 2019
Financial Management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 3
Financial Management - Assignment Example The merger will help reduce the cost of production of coffee, which is the main reason why the Burger King Company lagged behind in the industry. To illustrate further on this synergy, the BKW has found an already established partner in the field of coffee, which is a vital breakfast menu in America. The Burger King Company does not need to establish its own coffee brand from scratch since it now has a partner in that field. The partner already enjoys economic of sale from the massive client base it serves thus transferring the same to Burger King Worldwide. The merger will help BKW develop and strengthen the brand appeal to compete with McDonalds McCafe. The merger presents an opportunity for BKW to benefit from additional resources from Canada. This is because Tim Hortons highly dominates Canadaââ¬â¢s market share of baked goods (with more than 70%) in comparison to other American companies. Tim Hortons also has 75% of the coffee market, which is much more than the combined mark et shares of Starbucks and McDonalds in Canada. Burger King can take advantage of Tim Hortons lead and use it to enhance its dominance in the country. Looking deeper into growth and Revenue enhancement, the merger presents better opportunities for expansion. Having recorded annual sales of at least 3 billion dollars last year, Tim Hortons enjoys an impressive growth rate and steady margins. On the other hand, Burger King has kept on struggling against domestic companies, despite its major presence of in the country. The company is more likely to experience growth by venturing outside the U.S. In terms of revenue enhancement, the merger will enable tax inversion, thus allowing Burger King to enjoy lower corporate tax in Canada. Tim Hortons enjoys a 15% federal tax rate and a 11.5% corporate tax rate in Ontario. These rates in Canada are significantly lower that the tax rates in America. A combined tax rate of 26.5%
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