Advanced Medical Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 8000 words

Advanced Medical - Essay Example The blood-brain barrier is very selective in its functions and would normally not allow for the introduction of drugs or any other chemicals into the brain. There is a need for active transport processes which would call for the use of energy (Battison, et.al., 2005). Mannitol can open the barrier by reducing the size of the endothelial cells, and then also stretching the closed junctions. Water then would exit the cell and enter the artery in order to facilitate osmotic balance (Vialet, Albanese, Thomachot, and Antonini, 2003). Water loss would lead to cells shrinking. The opened gap would peak after five minutes following mannitol administration. At this point, drugs are introduced into the artery and the brain. The impact of mannitol in decreasing intracranial pressure has caused its widespread use in neurosurgery (Lawson, 2007). In general, the impact has been credited to the hyper-osmotic impact of mannitol which causes the extraction of water from the swollen brain. However, this pharmacological action has been put at issue due to different observations (Lawson, 2007). One is that there is a decrease in intracranial pressure prior to any reduction in white matter content. Another is based on the observation that where the intracranial pressure is significantly decreased, there is no major shift in the white water content (Cruz, Minoja, and Okuchi, 2001). Intracranial pressure also stays high even with a decrease in white matter water with the administration of intravenous albumin. Author Hartwell (1993) discussed that soon after mannitol has been transfused, there was a slight rise in white matter water content. This was followed by an eventual fall having lowest values manifesting afte r 60 minutes and with levels being much less than pre-mannitol infusion. With the introduction of evidence-based medicine, the impact of mannitol was soon questioned (Wani,

Evaluation of CI analytical software (Cipher and Traction software) Research Paper

Evaluation of CI analytical software (Cipher and Traction software) - Research Paper Example Companies that are operating with highly competitive markets such as automotive industry or telecommunications industry would like to use Competitive Intelligence software that provides consistent information about the market like innovations, new products, prices, competitor activities, etc. Cipher is example software that provides information. On the other hand, multinational companies that have offices in all around the world would like to use software that facilitates communication among the employees especially if they conduct simultaneous projects. Traction is example software of that kind. Competitive intelligence involves gathering data about opponents; evaluate the data and using the findings to increase a cutthroat benefit in the marketplace. Competitive intelligence software makes simpler the procedure by giving templates for entering information and using models, forecasting tools, and online research to analyze competitive data. INTELLIGENCE CYCLE Five consecutive steps are involved in the Intelligence Cycle, and every step is linked with the other. We can also say that we should plan step one of planning and direction in order to plan second step, and so on. Elimination of any step will not give us the desirable results or the misguided results. The following are the steps of the Intelligence cycle, 1. Planning & Direction 2. Published Information 3. Primary Source Collection 4. Analysis & Production 5. Report & Inform We evaluated the software packages on the basis of Competitive Intelligence by keeping in mind these five intelligence cycle steps. We believe it is more accurate to note how well the software scored in the categories it fulfilled than to consider just the total score. Even then, the score reflects how comprehensively the product assisted that step of the cycle, more so than the quality of the package itself. Organizations or their CI technology users need to select the package or packages that best address their unique needs, as no two CI processes are alike. CIPHER Introduction As Cipher (2011) specifies, the business was recognized in 1996 by The Future Group. It is a consultancy firm that provides technologic solutions by putting stress on planned market study. It has two software products: Knowledge.Works and Intel Assist. Knowledge.Works Knowledge.Works is award-winning competitive intelligence product of Cipher. It is a web-based application built with a Microsoft SQL server back - end. As VIP Magazine (2010) said, Cipher’s Knowledge.Works is a relational record result that can assist a company in several componenst of the competitive intelligence cycle: data collection, aggregation, indexing, searching, analysis, reporting and collaboration. Knowledge.Works can be fully customized by each user and it is designed to meet an organization’s unique needs. It has the aptitude to focus on precise competitors or gather competitive benchmarking actions in chosen market sectors. It can also analyz e competitor activities based on the regions. Knowledge.Works can track product pricing and advertising on provincial or nationwide basis. A company who uses this software has also the option to choose the sources to be searched for specific subjects. It also offers keyword tag cloud which allows the users see the hot topics, filter the ones that are more interested. It also allows the users to categorize the sources from the web, newsfeeds and internal sources. Information is also delivered at

Financial resource management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Financial resource management - Assignment Example From the year 2010 the company has focused in launching range of its venture brands. For the first half of 2011 the company profits were ?1.9 billion, there followed a period of low growth of sales attributed by the changing consumer behavior switching to budget rivals. The market in which this company operates is considered to be competitive. Its major competitors being Asda, Sainsbury, the Co-operative Food Plc. and Morrison’s and as by 2011 the market share standings in the context of United Kingdom were as follows (Schuh 2012). Tesco Company 30.6%, Asda Company 17.3, Sainsbury plc. 16.6% and the Co-operative Food Plc. 7.3%. Tesco plc. Financial performance The financial year for Tesco comes to an end on 27 February, thus the financial year 2010 covers 2010/2011. In this financial year there had been a registered total sales increasing by 8.3% in its first half and 8.8% in the third quarter (Infinancials 2012). For the case of international sales it increased by 15.7%. The return on equity has also increased significantly putting into consideration the impacts of the financial crisis. The company has engaged on big expansive programs notably on international markets using both retained earnings and debt financing for these projects. As at August 2010 the company balance sheet indicated a short-term debt of ?1.6 billion, ?10.5 billion long term debts with an offset of ?1.977 billion cash position which gives a net debt of ?10.1 billion (Schuh 2012). Thus the company is committed in paying down the debts. The company has greatly diversified its property assets having a gained greatly in comparison with its book value. Attributing to this is that it has provided a buffer to the current company leverage position. Better financial position of this company is attributed by the predictable and reliable earnings as well as profitability. The major products that the company is consumer staples and personal goods and the implication of recession may not signifi cantly affect its sales and profits respectively. J Sainsbury plc. J Sainsbury plc is the parent company of a chain of supermarkets in United Kingdom also referred to as Sainsbury’s. The company is the third largest chain of supermarkets thus considered to have a significant market share in the United Kingdom domestic market. This company currently operates 1012 convenience stores, supermarkets and hypermarkets and a bank as well which sells financial services. In UK market the company is ranked third as it offers high quality grocery compared to its rivals. The company controls a market share of 16.4% coming fourth after its competitors Morrison’s, Asda’s and Tesco respectively (Infinancials 2012). Subsidiary businesses include Sainsbury’s local, Sainsbury’s online, Sainsbury’s Active Kids, Sainsbury’s Local and Sainsbury’s Bank. J Sainsbury plc. Financial performance For the past years the financial performance of this compan y has been characterized with increased turnover. From 1990 to 2010 the turnover has increased significantly from ?6.9 billion to ?21.4 billion with a fall in 2005 when the company way in the transition of restructuring itself (Schuh 2012). It is notable that for most of the years the company had a pre-tax profit of between ?500 million to ?700 million. The earnings per share have also increased significantly except in 2005 and 2006 (Infinancials 201

MPH503, Infertility and Public Health, Mod 3 Case Assignment Essay

MPH503, Infertility and Public Health, Mod 3 Case Assignment - Essay Example This paper will attempt to answer those questions in relation to the results of the Bragdon v Abbot case. According to Bragdon v Abbot there is a right to reproduce, similar to the right to breathe. The case is saying that reproduction is a major life function just like any other bodily function and a disability related to reproduction is as important as a disability related to asthma (Walker , 2010). Further, the Code of Federal Regulations according to Walker (2001) states that "any physiological disorder, or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: Neurological, musculoskeletal, special sense organs, respiratory (including speech organs), cardiovascular, reproductive, digestive, genital-urinary, hemi and lymphatic, skin, and endocrine." As is noted, reproductive is listed. There is a lot of disagreement at the moment as to whether or not infertility is a disability, in fact, it appears that all of the states supreme courts cannot seem to agree. However, in this particular case, it was determined to be a disability and unless another case comes along and determines the results of this one to be incorrect, it will be considered by insurance companies and employers to be so. Certainly insurance companies must respond by assuring that insurance cover infertility treatment. This writer does not believe this will last long. There will be another supreme court case to come along. It is not that this writer disagrees but certainly at the cost of such treatments insurance companies will either need to raise cost or find a way not to cover the treatment. It is thought that certainly most states will go for the attempt to get insurance companies to pay for infertility treatment, with the exception, possibly of self-insured cases. In some ways, mandating insurance to pay for infertility treatment

The Camera Essay Example for Free

The Camera Essay It was a hot summer July afternoon in Key West, Florida with my family. We were on our first family vacation in a long while. All of us were standing in the ocean water watching the trainer directing the dolphin to do tricks. She each let us interact individually with the dolphin. It was one of the best feelings ever to just be so close to this gentle creature. It was one of the most memorable experiences of my life that I never want to forget. How would I remember this exact moment in time? Photography is simply the answer. Photographs were taken during the whole time of this event. I can always look back at these photos and not forget one detail. In the words of Jim Jonnard, who is the founder of the Red digital camera system, â€Å"The camera is arguably one of the most important of all inventions†¦it is he single tool that has the ability to stop time, record history, generate art, tell stories, and communicate messages that transcend language like nothing else ever conceived. † (Red Camera) I agree with this statement and the depth within it. The way it changed art is still unexplainable with its eternal lasting impact. The invention of the camera was completely necessary in order for original art to grow and change its direction throughout history and present time. (Berger 16-20) When the camera was first invented it immediately changed how people saw. This was first depicted in paintings. It had taken away the uniqueness of paintings by conveying a different message. When looking at a painting on a screen its surroundings include but are not limited to furniture and the appearance of the walls in the background. This interferes with the true meaning of the image because its environment is causing a distraction to its viewers. Instead of the viewer finding its way to the painting, the painting makes its way to the viewer. The whole meaning changes in its path. This is when the power of the camera took over and became a whole new way of art. (Berger 16-20) Not much concern was put towards how the camera would affect artists and their work. At first they panicked. Adapting to this constant changing world with an art career wasn’t a quick adjustment for them. During the time of the 1830’s which was when the camera was invented was also the era where portraits were a huge deal. Artists felt this pressure through their commissioned portraits. This was the main job of most artists. Many of them didn’t view the camera as a positive attribute to their work. When the camera was introduced to society, people soon realized that it’d be a lot less money and more time efficient to just get photographs taken of them instead. The emergence of â€Å"starving artists† became quite popular. Artists started losing hope with their way of thinking that art had died. (Mcrae) However this art depression didn’t last too long. They were able to shift this downfall into something completely unique and out of the ordinary. Instead of just focusing on portraits that had to be â€Å"true to life,† they looked to paint new subjects, experimenting what could work. They started painting the everyday, working class people exposing the secrets of society. This lead to the development of Cubism, Impressionism, modern art, and even abstract art. To make their pieces unique they added elements that the camera could not obtain. They wanted spectators to know the original. Little did the artists know that photography became a whole new art in itself, opening a door of fresh inspiration. It all began with the camera teaching them realism which allowed artists to see the juxtaposition of things that are real and not. A new perspective was quickly attained and applied. At first painters had to create this concept of realism. Now they just had to arrange and capture. (Lane) Also, artists now didn’t have to sketch the image being created in front of their subject. They could just use a snapshot as a reference instead of having added pressure from the subjects they were surrounded by. This allowed for more detailed and intricate pieces to be created. Now artists had the opportunity to express themselves. Becoming interested in how the camera worked light became the main focus. Light was meant almost everything in art. it was used to depict the mood, theme and even taught the viewer how to feel after looking at a painting. Lighting had such a strong power and artists didn’t even realize this until the invention of the camera. Once again, the realism that photographs portrayed taught the artists how to do their work in a whole new way. Light reflected off of objects passes through the lens of the device, burning an image onto film. Artists made that same connection with humans. Through the human eye, light reflects off of objects and passes through the eye burning an image onto the retina. This concept really intrigued artists, applying the properties of light to their own paintings. (Kenny) I think this was an overwhelming time for artists. They were used to art as being a depiction of one of their creative envisions. Now there was this device that stopped moments in time which caused them to focus on reality. They had to adapt to producing pieces that were exactly as seen. I agree that this can be a difficult concept to grasp especially when taught something a specific way. (Berger 16-20) Now that it is clear that the invention of the camera first influenced art such as in paintings, it also created a whole new classification of art through the video camera. Why just take a snapshot in time when you can record what is actually occurring right in front of you? The art of cinema and theatre were born, showing a side of art that no one had ever seen before. Photographing motion picture just seemed unrealistic and nearly impossible to society at the time, but they were so wrong. It was the gateway to visual media. Changes and developments in the art world highly influenced visual artists, photographers, and film makers. Willie Varela, in The Journal of Film and Video quotes that, â€Å"filmmakers who started working after World War II constituted a movement as powerful and significant as the abstract expressionists in paintings. † These two types of arts worked hand in hand with each other. The ideas that these expressionist painters were able to gain from photography contributed to the growth and success of film making. Through this they were both able to have an extreme impact on each other, leading to the growth of the relationship between art and audience. (Tenney) Film was another way of communicating to society just as photographs and paintings did. This all goes back to the creation of the camera which just proves the point that it was completely necessary in order for art to prosper. It first influenced paintings and then progressed to even more especially motion picture. Videoing moments in time are such a crucial part of today’s society. I don’t think most people realize how much it’s used in their everyday lives. It is used for so many things such as television and movies but most importantly for communication. (Tenney) I feel that both photography and film are so important. It’s what helped to advance society in its major aspects. To me art was the first one, but through the camera a door opened revealing a whole new level of creativity. Society would not nearly be as advanced as it is today without this invention. A life without the camera seems impossible. It gave way to an innovative way of art that was created that ended up changing how people saw for a lifetime. A picture is worth more than just a thousand words.

Importance of Planning within the Business Environment

Importance of Planning within the Business Environment The objective of this assignment is to show the understanding of the business environment and management in construction and property. To achieve this, two core elements associated with management will be examined and compared with an existing construction company such as Wilmot Dixon, which is struggling with the current economical climate. This study will discuss the implementation of planning using innovative management strategies and tools required to assist companies to be better positioned for sustainable growth. Defining the Business Environment According to Palmer Hartley (2006) the business environment can be defined as everything which surrounds a system. For example, if we take a business as the core of a working system, there are surrounding influences which contribute to the workings of this system within the macro environment. For a business it can be difficult to identify what the elements are within the environment. We can demonstrate important factors relating to the business environment using the PESTEL model as illustrated in Figure 1.0 Businesses survive by turning inputs into goods and services which customers in the environment want to purchase. The current climate suggests we are still in a down turn market. With reference to Wilmott (2011) in an exclusive interview, he suggests that 2011 will be an extremely tough year due to the soaring costs associated with the supply chain and materials. Another politically associated topic is the increase in VAT. According to the Federation of Master Builders (2011), increasing VAT from 17.5% to 20% could lead to over 11,000 job losses in the construction industry over the next decade. Such an increase may deter many businesses from starting new projects and where projects are starting, contractors are not breaking even. An example of this can be related to Willmot Dixon, a primary tier contractor where they have forecast a slowdown in the property market. According to Willmot (2011) Firms are pricing below cost because they are talking themselves into believing the market price for materials and supply chain will continue to fall so then they can recover the difference. A fundamental issue with companies facing such a troublesome year would be to implement a business management plan looking to read the environment and understand how the business system will evolve in the future. Such a strategic move would involve essential planning. Planning 3.1 The purpose of planning Essentially, the purpose of planning is to contemplate future actions whether this is economic, political or environmental. According to Brews Purahit (2007), as business conditions become additionally unstable, companies tend to adapt a planning strategy. Change in the business environment creates uncertainty. It enables companies and people to adapt by establishing goals and objectives and sets out how to achieve them by implementing a business plan. With reference to figure 1.1, the initial approach would be to identify the purpose of planning, identifying the companys current position in the market and identify where they want to be. Once this has been established it will offer a clearer direction to employees. This will enhance motivate to increase control by allowing people to measure their progress against set targets and allow the company to use its resources efficiently. With reference to one of Wilmot Dixons senior partners, Willmot (2011) announced one of the companies key objectives due to the politically associated development of re-furbishing un-occupied housing Willmot Dixon is diversifying into new areas such as private residential and mixed-use regeneration development. We can associate this back to the PESTEL model where we can look at the political issues and demographics of the current economy. A major issue is that there is a shortage of housing with an ever increasing population. The government is looking to r e-furbish un-occupied properties scattered around the UK and put these properties back to council housing, an area Willmot Dixon has proposed to target. 3.2 Contents of planning Companies expanding in business or are looking to adapt to change in the business environment, prepare a business plan. According to Mckeever (2010), a business plan is a document that sets out the markets the business intends to serve. There are different plans which a business will decide upon, for example: A strategic plan sets out the overall direction for the business. It is broad in scope and covers all the companies major activities. A strategic business unit consists of a number of closely related products, which is meaningful to formulate a separate strategy. An operational plan details how the overall objectives are to be achieved, by specifying what is expected from senior management experts from specific departments or functions. Annual plans are common amongst most companies focusing on finance and setting budgets for the coming year. What is common in all business plans is focusing on the direction of the business in short and long term planning. Key aspects of planning include the strategy of the company and the development of the business to enhance profit. A planning hierarchy can be seen in figure 1.2, showing how the characteristics of plans changes at each level. According to Mathews (2011), a government plan to cut the cost of public construction projects by a fifth, through standardising buildings, was published alongside the recent Budget. With the property market having been so affluent and now with the market and the country progressively slipping into further recession, it would seem that more construction companies would be looking to plan long term, using a more strategic option rather than plan for the short term. 3.3 The Process of planning The process of planning relates to how plans are produced for a business or organisation to succeed. According to Jennings (2000), companies change their approach to planning as conditions change. There are seven iterative tasks which can be performed when making a plan as shown in figure 1.3. Figure 1.3 Seven iterative tasks in planning. Any plan depends on gathering information. Reverting back to the PESTEL model is good practice when sourcing information such as market trends, formal analysis of the political and legal factors, current economy, socio cultural factors, technology and issues relating to the environment. Whether the company is a centralised company where the decisions are taken at the centre of the company, or a decentralised company, where the decision-making is delegated to lower levels of management, within the organisation casual encounters with colleagues is a major influence in gathering information. Once all of the information has been accumulated a mission statement can be compiled showing the organisations direction and overall goal in the construction market. It will guide decision making and should inspire and motivate the workforce to accomplish the desired result. As a result of the mission statement, a SWOT analysis can be used to evaluate the company in the current economic climate. Conducting a SWOT analysis as defined in figure 1.4 will enable companies such as Willmot Dixon to define their key strengths and weaknesses. Completing a SWOT analysis integrates the external opportunities and threats, as example, according to Lowery (2011), the economy is shaping to be a tough year for the construction sector. VAT increases and higher employer National Insurance contributions combine with government spending cuts to spell a year of contraction. Articles such as this are a means of monitoring progress externally as well as internally. By evaluating how the economy will effect an organisation and by completing a SWOT analysis, allows companies to set their goals and objectives . Goals and objectives give focus to a task such as what will be achieved and when. Setting goals is difficult for companies as they have to look beyond their present status and predict how their role as a business will fit in with the changing economy. The criteria for assessing goals is to be realistic and this can be achieved using the SMART acronym. Specific: Does the goal set specific targets? Measurable: Goals can be defined precisely enough to measure progress towards them. Attainable: Goals should be challenging but not unreasonable. (Goal setting theory suggests the motivational consequences of goal setting. Rewarded: People see that attaining a goal will bring reward. Timed: Does the goal specify the time over which it will be achieved, to a reasonable and acceptable standard. Goals and objectives provide the reference point for other decisions within the management plan, formulating the criteria against which performance can be measured. Creating a set of goals and objectives will direct a company to identify what actions and resources are necessary in order to accomplish the set goals and objectives. This will identify what needs to be done, who will do it and communicate this information to the relevant personnel. With reference to Lynch (2005) specifies that managers handle this aspect of planning in 3 ways: Comprehensively: where managers decide to make a clear cut change in direction. They assume that success depends on driving the changes rapidly and in a coordinated way across the company that implies a comprehensive business plan, Incremental or directional plan: where areas of the business plan are uncertain such as a volatile market, or where the company is depending on the outcome of research. Important strategic areas may be left deliberately unclear until the outcomes of current events have been established (Lynch, 2005, Page 633), or the third way, selective planning when neither of the other two methods are the best way forward and managers implement major change only in some areas of the business plan. Plans will vary for different companies, as an example, Grant (2003), gives an insight into the way mangers can develop strategy. For instance his study in 6 major oil companies used a clear planning process as detailed in figure 1.3. The details varied between companies but all shared the common components. Figure 1.3 The generic strategic planning cycle Source: Based on Grant (2003) Once a plan has been formulated the objectives and actions of the plan needs to be communicated to managers and employees. In larger organisations this can incur time and effort but is carried out to ensure: Everyone understands the plan Allow time to resolve any issues, confusion or ambiguity Communicate judgements and assumptions that underline the plan Ensure the plan is instigated and activities are organised in practice and on paper. 3.4 Outcomes of planning However good a business plan is, unless it is implemented nothing normally happens. To ensure the plan is instigated, progress needs to be monitored. This can be monitored in a number of different ways such as, output and profit or by completing goals and objectives. By constantly evaluating the progress or the company and monitoring the results, objectives and targets can be changed to suit the business if for example there is change in legislation. This is why gathering knowledge and using a fundamental element such as the PESTEL model is a continual cycle to ensure sustainable growth. Conclusion Business plans will vary in every company, but the major elements will always remain consistent. In order to survive the current economic climate it is time for business to make significant changes. It is essential for companies to gather information that is to date with legislation, politics, technology etc and all the elements associated with the PESTEL model. This will enable companies to alter the business plan to constantly evolve with the market trend. The construction industry, according to many major companies and societies, is still in recession and with a new government introducing legislation involving tax increases and spending cuts, construction companies need to rethink their current strategies. Willmot Dixon, as an example, is looking to diversify into different areas of property development, with consistent work sprouting from maintenance and refurbishment work. Examples like this can demonstrate positive management thinking that will be the flagship for other smaller companies to follow. Bibliography Robson W., (1997). Strategic Management Information Systems. 2nd Ed. Great Britain: Pearson Education Limited. Palmer, A and Hartley, B., (2006). The Business Environment. 5th Ed. Great Britain: McGraw-Hill Education Harris, F and McCaffer, R., (2006) Modern Construction Management 6th Ed. Great Britain: Blackwell Publishing Limited Broddy, D. and Paton, S., (2011)). Management An Introduction 5th Ed. England: Pearson Education Limited

The Meditations of Zara Yaquob :: Philosophy Philosophers

The Meditations of Zara Yaquob (1) ABSTRACT: Claude Sumner was the first English-speaking scholar to introduce the thoughts of Zara Yaquob to the philosophical world. Sumner undertook the arduous task of comparing Zara Yaquob with Descartes on methods of thinking. For Sumner, modern philosophy began in Ethiopia with Zara Yaquob at the same time as in England and France. In what follows, I will compare Descartes and Yaquob as well. Introduction I would like Zara Yacob to introduce himself in his own words: I was born in the land of the priests of Aksum. But I am the son of a poor farmer in the district of Aksum; the day of my birth is 25th of Nahase 1592 A. D., the third year of the year of [King] Yaquob. By Christian baptism I was named Zara Yacob, but people called me Warqye. When I grew up, my father sent me to school in view of my instruction. And after I had read the psalms of David my teacher said to my father: "This young son of yours is clever and has the patience to learn; if you send him to a [higher] school, he will be a master and a doctor." After hearing this, my father sent me to study zema. But my voice was coarse and my throat was grating; so my schoolmaster used to laugh at me and to tease me. I stayed there for three months, until I overcame my sadness and went to another master who taught qane and sawsaw. God gave me the talent to learn faster than my companions and thus compensated me for my previous disappointment; I stayed there 4 years. During those days, God as it were snatched me from the claws of death, for as I was playing with my friends I fell into a ravine, and I do not know how I was saved except by a miracle from God. After I was saved I measured the depth of the ravine with a long rope and found it to be twenty-five fathoms and one palm [deep]. Thanking God for saving me, I went to the house of my master. After this I left for another school to study the interpretation of the Holy Scriptures. I remained ten years in this type of study; I learned the interpretations of the Frang and of our own scholars. Oftentimes their interpretation did not agree with my reason; but I withheld my opinion and hid in my heart all the thoughts of my mind.