Microbiology Laboratory Safety and Basic Procedures free essay sample

Safety in a microbiology laboratory is important in the prevention of infection that might be caused by the microorganisms being studied. This laboratory does not require the use of virulent human pathogens. However, many types of microorganisms are potentially pathogenic. This means that, although they would not cause disease in a normal healthy host, they might possibly do so if a large enough quantity of the microbes came into contact with a compromised host, such as by wounds and cuts. In addition to microorganisms, there are some chemicals used in this laboratory that are potentially harmful. Many procedures involve glassware, open flames, and sharp objects that can cause damage if used improperly. The following precautions should be taken to avoid the problems that could potentially occur. 1. Lab coats are required. Wearing old clothing is also desirable, since many reagents can produce permanent stains on clothes. 2. Students may not wear sandals or open toed or canvas shoes because of the constant danger of cuts and infections from broken glass found on the lab floors and the possibility of chemical spills. We will write a custom essay sample on Microbiology Laboratory Safety and Basic Procedures or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page . Long hair must be tied back to minimize fire hazard or contamination of experiments. Smoking, eating, and drinking in the laboratory are absolutely prohibited. 5. Upon entering the laboratory, coats, books, and other paraphernalia should be placed in specified locations and never on bench tops (except for lab manual). 6. At the beginning and termination of each laboratory session, bench tops are to be wiped with a disinfectant solution. 7. Observe strict personal hygiene. Wash your hands with soap at the start of the laboratory session before performing any procedures and before leaving the laboratory at the end of the session. 8. All cultures should be handled as being potentially pathogenic and the following precautions should be observed at all times: a. Cultures must always be carried in a test tube rack when moving around the laboratory. b. Cultures must be kept in a test tube rack on the bench tops when not in use. c. Broth cultures must never be pipetted by mouth. Always use a suction aid (never use your mouth) when filling a pipette or use a pipetter with a biological or chemical reagent. d. Spilled cultures should be covered with paper towels and then saturated with disinfectant solution. Following 15 minutes of reaction time, the towels should be removed and disposed. 9. Spills, cuts and other accidents should be reported to the instructor. 10. Aerosols should be avoided by use of proper technique for flaming the inoculating loops and needles and by performing any mixing of cultures and reagents in such a way as to avoid splashing. Removal of media, equipment, and cultures from the laboratory is prohibited unless directed. 12. During and at the end of each lab period, used pipettes should be discarded into the designated trays. Other used glassware should normally be placed into discard trays located in the back of the lab. Plastic ware such as Petri plates and pipetter tips should be discarded in the marked wastebasket. Used paper should be discarded into wastebaskets at the end of the lab period. Broken glassware is discarded into the box marked â€Å"Broken Glassware†, not into wastebaskets.

Competitive School Environments essays

Competitive School Environments essays Competition exists in many, many aspects of life, from sports, school, jobs, and even friends. In different situations competition is imperative and important and in other situations it can harm and be destructive. As a student a very competitive atmosphere is not a healthy way to learn. Being in a competitive environment encourages students to not help each other, to resent others and does not encourage students to become friends. One of the most important reasons competition can be harmful is that students are encouraged not to help one another. If a student needs help on an assignment or exam, another student would be less likely to help as they will be helping that person get a higher mark. The student who helped is less likely to get in, or stay in the program now that others are doing better. Often students care too much about the competition than helping their peers. In a competitive environment students generally learn to resent the people in the class who achieve the higher grades. In classes there are always the people who seem to do extremely well in everything they do. In a non competitive environment these people are looked upon with respect and admiration. While in the competitive environment people are jealous and resentful of these same people, probably because they know that the smart students will be guaranteed a spot in their choice program. Finally students in a competitive environment tend to not become as close friends. A very exciting part of school is the social aspect. Making friends with peers is easy in a non-competitive program as the students look to each other for help, and can count on the class to be there for them. For example in second year engineering the program is not competitive as long as you get over 60% then you stay in your program. As a result of this students stick together by doing assignments together, studying together which in turn de ...

The Punishment of Children Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Punishment of Children - Essay Example Positive approaches of child discipline should be encouraged among parent and even teachers in schools. Praising of a child’s good behavior will help in reinforcing positive behavior (Hardy, and Heyes, 47). Time outs are an effective way of disciplining since the child gets time to calm down and reflect on his or her behavior. Loss of privileges helps in disciplining a child since behavior will be modified positively among children for the fear of losing various privileges. There is a debate on whether punishment should be applied to children and type of punishment that is effective in changing behavior. There are people who argue that punishment of children should be encouraged. These people believe that issuing a punishment to a child will help in the disciplining of unruly child. Corporal punishments produced more civilized individuals who respected their elders since these children could not apply foul language when addressing their elders (Smith, Cowie, and Blades 51). Th e punishment served to scare the children on the consequences of using bad language. The proponents of corporal punishment among the children argue that in the olden times when corporal punishment was the routine of the day, using a bad language did not cross the minds of the children. The proponents try to compare the olden times and the present times where corporal punishment is being discouraged children are very unruly and that bad language is the order of the day. On ethical grounds, the proponents of child punishment argue that punishing a child can indeed help in saving the child’s future. In the past, the rate at which young people were arrested for their bad behavior was low unlike the present times where many children are being taken to prison and rehabilitation centers for their bad behavior like drug abuse. Many parents do not want to abandon corporal punishment they subject to their children because they believe that it is a God’s command that children sho uld be given a few strokes of the rod (Smith, Cowie, and Blades 56). There are opponents of corporal punishment to children especially these punishments have pronounced negative impacts on the lives of the children. Statistics shows that a corporal punishment lowers the children’s intelligence quotient (IQ). A study carried out in the United States shows that subjecting children to corporal punishments lowered their intellectual development and creativity. Corporal punishments makes a child develop fight back response system which greatly hampers a child’s creativity and imagination. Corporal punishments only serve to create an anti-social behavior and enhance violence in the society. Children who are exposed to corporal punishments develop a low self esteem since punishments strengthen a notion where the children will always view themselves as failures. Children tend to develop a rebellious behavior and develop some acts of violence as a method of self defense (Naz, e t al 14). Hardy and Heyes (52) argue that corporal punishments can cause physical damage in extreme cases where the punishment of children is termed as child abuse. The physical damage that arises from corporal punishment can be horrifying. Children suffer from broken limbs, internal hemorrhage, and the destruction of the sciatic nerves thus affecting the legs. The physical abuse of children causes unending psychological suffering and despair in life. The children can opt for bad

The Challenges of Call Centre Restructuring Essay

The Challenges of Call Centre Restructuring - Essay Example Tengo Ltd., an online supplier of notebook computers, established a customer contact centre to deal with customer complaints and inquiries about the company’s products. Recently, the company decided to restructure because the HR director discovered that there is an overstaffing problem at the call centre. This decision has resulted in job losses. This essay analyses the wisdom of the restructuring of the call centre, taking into account the external factor of the labour market and job competition, as well as the components of change management, performance management, effective leadership, and employee motivation. Restructuring the Call Centre Companies are restructuring and job designs are being streamlined. The labour force and production processes have been restructured to cut down expenses, helping companies successfully reduce expenses in reaction to growing competition. The external labour market of call centres is in fact large, composed of a large pool of white-collar workers. The external labour market of call centres is global, national, and local (Butler, 2004, p. 168). Hence, restructuring of the call centre harms many employees. It is essential to be knowledgeable of the external labour market because of the differences in employee characteristics. Different work groups express different beliefs on career growth and motivation. For instance, white-collar employees have a tendency to expand their career outside the limits of a particular company (Liao, Martocchio, & Joshi, 2010, p. 94). This is what happened to Tengo Ltd. It suffered a high rate of turnover because its professionals in the customer department were not satisfied with their jobs anymore. The turnover is primarily caused by the restructuring. Corporate decisions to restructure or initiate change in its internal labour markets are strongly influenced by external labour markets. The external labour markets decide what arrangements of retention, expertise, and wage rate are appropr iate for an organisation (Sharma, 2006, p. 59). Companies, like Tengo Ltd., choose to restructure because they confronted new circumstances or external pressures. The HR director who found out the problem in retaining call centre workers with a profitable nearby call centre was certainly dealing with the new situations of the external labour market. Therefore, organisational processes are mainly determined by the relationship between managerial approach and external labour markets. External labour markets significantly restrict the capacity of strategy. As stated by a manager, â€Å"If you’re not going to be the highest-paying wage base in the area, you will have high turnover† (Kumar, 2010, p. 292). For example, Tengo Ltd, after restructuring, gives the best reward package to Level 3 employees. Hence, it experienced increase in labour turnover among Level 1 and Level 2 employees who handle customer complaints. In terms of job competition, call centres have replaced hu man labour with automated processes. Technology carries with it the possibility of new and easier ways of doing things, while carrying as well the ability to eliminate human labour and separate the worker from his/her fruits of labour. Tengo Ltd., through rationalisation, invested more in new automated computer system to improve response time and quality of customer service. However, along with this investment is an increase in labour turnover because the company tried to reduce its expenses in the training and development of new employees. However, the poor outcomes of the restructuring attempt of Tengo Ltd. cannot be entirely attributed to the external labour markets and job competition. Other factors are involved such as the psychological and sociological responses of employees to

Justice System in The United Arab Emirates Research Paper

Justice System in The United Arab Emirates - Research Paper Example The judicial systems of Emirates of Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah are not part of the UAE Federal Judicial Authority because these Emirates have retained the power of their judicial systems. Therefore, the Emirates of Dubai and Ral Al Khaimah have no Federal Courts and all matters arising within these Emirates are handled by the Local Courts. The Federal Supreme Court of Cessation based in Abu Dhabi can appeal against any judgment passed by the Federal Courts of Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain. The Emirate of Ral Al Khaimah has no Federal Supreme Court of Cessation. The UAE Federal Law enacted by the UAE Supreme Council is applied at both the Federal Courts and Local Courts in UAE. Furthermore, the Courts also apply laws and regulations passed by the ruler. However, similar laws and legal procedures are applied in each of the Federal and Local Courts in Emirates but there are some differences. In cases where a conflict arises between Federal and Local Law then in suc h cases, the Federal Law will prevail. The justice system of the UAE is very efficient and fair which is the primary reason why UAE has attracted businesses from around the world. (Price et al 1998). The primary sources of law in UAE are the statutory codes because UAE has a Legal System which pertains to a civil law. The Egyptian legal system has influenced the UAE legal system to a great extent, thus the system enacted in the UAE can be regarded as a reflection of the system in Egypt. Interestingly, the Egyptian system has been influenced by French and Roman legal systems; therefore the legal system of UAE is an amalgamation of the systems of France, Rome, and Egypt. However, the major source of law is inevitably the Islamic Law codified in Shariah. The procedures and practices followed by the judicial system of UAE are based on Islamic Law.  

Simply Recipes Business Plan The App Marketing Essay

Simply Recipes Business Plan The App Marketing Essay Simply Recipes app is the next step in food recipe apps, and unlike anything currently on the market today. The goal of this app is to save users money while at the same time reducing food wastage and getting its users eating healthier. Its an easy and straight forward app that anyone can use and enjoy. One of the unique selling points of this app is the ability to select what items you have left in your fridge and the app will come up with recipes that will use as many of those ingredients up as possible. So if all you have left in your fridge is say an avocado, some goats cheese and beef, it will find recipes encompassing as many of these ingredients as possible. The healthy aspect comes in when browsing recipes that will contain nutritional information on how healthy the recipe is. If you are still in need of some ingredients it will create a shopping basket automatically for your desired ingredients and show the user deals and offers for the required ingredients at several supermarkets. This would allow the user to go to a store nearby to pick up your order or have it home delivered. As not all the items your want would be part of a recipe, or you may want to add something to the dish, the app would also gives the user an option to purchase any other items they require from the chosen supermarket sells. Mission Simply Recipes is looking to become the next kitchen essential, and the next stage in how people find out and access recipes. The mission is not only to have a simple to use app but to have a vast amount of choice available to its consumers. We want a fair profit for the owners and supermarket chains who sign up, while having a rewarding place for the employees to work. While at the same time being green and helping people reduce wastage and save money. Objectives Simply Recipes objectives for the first 5 years of operation include: Expanding into new customer segments. Introducing new celebrity chefs to the application. Keeping Employee Costs below 25% of revenue. To maintain a profit. Help People maintain a healthier lifestyle. Keys To Success The creation of a unique and innovative recipe app with many unique features, that differentiate us from the competition. Simple and easy to use app. Many discounts and offers to our customers. Large Amount of Monthly Active Users. To get several of the large supermarkets signed up to Simply Recipes. Several Celebrity Chefs signed up to Simply Recipes. Controlling Costs at all times without exception. Key Partners The first key partners we expect to obtain would be the companies that manage and maintain the app stores for the mobile operating system such as Google and Apple. These partners would give Simply Recipes a simple and effective method of distributing the app to potential customers. These partners would also give a simple and effective method of collecting users subscription fees, explained in more detail in the revenue section. Other key partners would include supermarket chains such as Tesco, Asda and Sainsburys, as this is where the users of the app would be purchasing their ingredients from. Having a close connection with these partners will help provide our customers with the greatest possible selection of ingredients and offers. While at the same time we will be able to provide the supermarket chains a better understanding of what its customers require. Key Activities Simply recipes will keep a keen eye on the maintenance and future development of the app. We will make sure it continues to function correctly and remains bug free. This will ensure its users have the best possible experience while using the application. As users will have the ability to upload their own content, we would like to have these recipes to have the recipes displaying their nutritional information such as how much fat, salt, etc is in the meal. The users of the app may be unaware of this information. So Simply Recipes plans on updating and maintaining this information for its users. We would also like to reward our customers who use the app regularly by uploading their own content and use it to purchase their weekly shop. To do this we will need to continually be looking for potential offers for our customers, whether they be free subscription to the app, restaurant/ supermarket vouchers etc. Key Resources To maintain Simply Recipes we will need a few key resources. One of these is computers to maintain and update the application. To distribute the app through the various application stores an internet connection will also be required. We currently have one member of our team who is technically minded so will be in charge of the development and maintenance of the application. We currently have three members of our team who are incredibly knowledgeable about the nutritional information in food. But as the application expands and more users upload their content they may not be able to handle the volumes so other nutritionists will need to be recruited. Value Propositions What are we selling? For the app user we would be offering them a vast amount of high quality recipes, and a highly discounted rate to those found in a recipe book. While at the same point having many unique features not currently found in current mobile recipe apps, such as the ability to enter several ingredients and the app will bring up recipes using as many of those ingredients as possible. Reducing wastage and saving the user money in the process. Another feature that you wont find in any other recipe app, is that if the user likes a recipe they can add the required ingredients in the recipe straight to a shopping basket. For the supermarket, we will be offering a large amount on active monthly users, enthusiastic cooks who are looking to cook something new. By giving supermarkets a chance to get closer to their customers they will receive a better understanding of what customers are buying and what items, if any, they should begin to stock. It will also give supermarkets a easy and cheap way to advertise what food and drink they currently have on offer. Finances Revenue Revenue will be created in several ways. The first method will be by charging the users a small subscription fee of around  £0.79. The reason why this price will be introduced at this rate as in our market research it has shown what people would be willing to pay for such a service, shown in Figure [1]. Figure [1] Subscription Price The majority of our revenue will come from the supermarkets. By allowing users to purchase the ingredients they require directly from supermarkets we would ask the supermarkets for a small cut of the profits they make from the transaction. In 2012 Tescos PLC was operating on a 6.1% profit margin [7], meaning a family of 4 spending  £100 a week on food Tesco would see  £6.10 of that. We would be asking Tescos for a 10% cut on their profit they receive through the app, resulting in Simply Recipes receiving around  £0.61. If we manage to achieve the 10,000 active monthly users at the beginning of the first year that could bring in revenue of up to  £317,200 from the supermarkets alone. We are looking at the end of year 5 to have around 60,000 monthly active users with around 70,000 that use the app for special occasions. This projection would bring in revenue of anywhere up to  £1,305,400. For users wishing to purchase a subscription to the app many of the Mobile operating systems allow users to purchase this through the operating systems designated application store. Then the company in charge of the app store pays the developer at the end or beginning of each month taking a cut of around 30% [2]. So for a  £0.79 subscription fee per user Simply Recipes would receive  £0.553 per month per user. This is a good way of collecting users fees as it can make users feel more comfortable with the transaction, as many people feel uncomfortable giving their card details to new websites/ Apps they are unfamiliar with. For users purchasing their shopping the users can purchase this in App, using either a debit or credit card. This purchase will be forwarded initially onto the supermarket with them returning the 10% of their profit to Simply Recipes. Below is a short breakdown of the where the revenue we plan on generating comes from: Revenue Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Investment 50000 0 0 0 0 Supermarkets 152500 228750 305000 457500 915000 Subscription 18960 3950 6320 15800 35550 221460 232700 311320 473300 950550 Costs The main cost for start up of Simply recipes will be the development of the app. This will be a one off cost for the initial start-up of the app, but a running cost will need to put into place of around to maintain the app keeping it up to date and bug free. As users will be able to upload and download recipes a server will initially need to hired to have some where the recipes can be stored for uploading and downloading. This will become a running cost for the first 5 years, where we would be looking to purchase a server for the company. To remove this running cost, and allow Simply Recipes to have easier access to the content its users are uploading. Once the first year of trading is complete and recruitment is required, Simply recipes will locate to a rented office. Another major cost in developing the app is advertising as without it people will be unlikely to hear about Simply Recipes. Below if a short break down of where the major costs of the business will be going: Expenses Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Wages 150000 200000 250000 300000 350000 Total Bills 20000 8000 8000 8000 8000 Advertising 20000 20000 20000 20000 20000 Rent 300 300 300 300 600 190300 208300 258300 308300 358600 Profit Simply Recipes is looking to help people lead a healthier and more productive lifestyle. By providing its users with a quick and simply to use app, it can help people tackle the problems that come with unhealthy eating such as diabetes and obesity. Modern society is beginning to prefer companies and individuals who have a greener attitude. Simply Recipes aim to become other company with the ambition of offering its users a great product while at the same time helping out the environment. By helping people come up with recipes with the ingredients that have lying around will reducing the amount of food and package wastage each household produces, while at the same time reducing the expenditure on their weekly shop. We are also looking to turn over a profit, which grows with each year of trading. Allowing us to expand the apps capabilities and what Simply Recipes can offer its customers. Below is what we are looking to make in the first 5 years of trading. Profit Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Revenue  £221,460.00  £232,700.00  £311,320.00  £473,300.00  £950,550.00 Expenses  £190,300.00  £208,300.00  £258,300.00  £308,300.00  £358,600.00  £31,160.00  £24,400.00  £53,020.00  £165,000.00  £591,950.00 Figure [2] Profit Channels The way to deliver apps to customers currently for the majority of mobile platforms is through there designated app store. For apple that would be the iOS app store [2], for Google the Google Play store [4] and for Windows phone the Windows Marketplace [6]. These stores allow users to find the application quickly and easily. So we will be submitting versions on the app to these stores to allow quick and easy access to the app. For Googles Android operating system their app store is not the only place that their users can access apps from, they can also be accessed from sites such as Amazon Apps [1]. Therefore Simply Recipes will be uploaded to these stores as well. Typing up recipes on a mobile device is tiresome and can take much longer than a desktop counterpart. So we would be looking in the future to have a website counterpart to the app. That would have similar functionality to that of the app. So people gain knowledge of Simply Apps quickly, we are aiming to advertise Simply Recipes in students campus news papers and news papers such at metro to attract business men and women. Customer Segments There are several different types of customers who are likely to use the app. Initially it will be aimed at the student market and the busy business men and women who dont have much free time so tend to look for meals that are quick and healthy, while at the same time trying to save some money. We would be looking in the future to expand the customer segments in the future to having recipes specific to users dietary requirements such as if they are diabetic or cant eat gluten. Its often hard to find a good set menu for dinner parties so this is another area which Simply Recipes would like to expand on. Our market research showed that the most common meal people make at home was dinner, shown in Figure [3], so this is the meal the Simply Recipes app will try to include the most content for. Figure [3] Meal Usually Cooked At Home Customer Relationships Customer relationships will be maintained in several ways. The first is by allowing users to easily upload and share their own recipes and rate others on theirs, to give the app a greater sense of community. The second will be by offering users special offers such as a free upgrade of the app to the premium service, money off their desired supermarket or even the chance for vouchers on meals out. The more the users uses the app for purchasing their weekly shop or even by uploading their own content the more discounts and offers they will receive. The final way this app aims to maintain a good customer relationship is by having a celebrity chef section. People buy many celebrity chef books, the size of the cookbook market in the US was around $1billion in 2011 [4].

Brief History of the National Rifle Association :: NRA Guns Historical Militia Essays

Brief History of the National Rifle Association   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The National Rifle Association in its simplest form is the largest gun club in the world. The organization was founded in 1871 by former Union Army officers to encourage sport shooting in order to have a fine tuned militia in case of emergency. The Union officers believed that a well regulated militia was integral for the security of a free state. It is an organization that opposes gun control, it believes in the individual defense of the uses of firearms, and it is interested in all aspects of shooting sports.1   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Today, the organization stands with approximately 3.4 million members. Within the NRA, there are four major organs. The Institute for Legislative Action (is the lobbying arm), the political Victory Fund (which is a political action committee), the Civil Rights Legal Defense Fund (deals with scholarly research and legal developments), and the Grass Roots Division (which specializes in raising support through grass roots methods). As a membership organization, the NRA's directions is set by voting members. The direction of the policies are carried out by a 75 member board that is geographically distributed. The Board of Directors are elected by secret ballot.2 Brady Act   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Brady Act was approved by Congress in November of 1993 and was then signed into law by President Clinton later in the month. The act was originally named for anti gun lobbyist Sarah Brady, and not for former press secretary Jim Brady. It was through Jim Brady's support and the media coverage that linked his name to the act. The act requires that there be a waiting period of five state government business days at the time an individual applies to purchase a handgun from a federal firearm license. During the five day wait, the local sheriff or police chief must "make a reasonable effort" to see if the purchaser is prohibited from owning a handgun. The police official may approve the sale before the five day period only if the record check has been completed or if he believes the purchaser needs a handgun immediately to protect himself or his family.3   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Presently, the Clinton administration isn't complying with the Brady Act. The act requires that within 60 months of enactment, the Attorney General must establish a national instant criminal background check system that allows federal firearms licensees to have access through some type of electronic method. The reason for the delay lies with the fact that U.S. Circuit Courts have split on whether the Brady Act violates the 10th amendment of the Constitution by allowing law enforcement agencies to conduct criminal records checks in

Pros and Cons of the Internet Essay

Ever since the World Wide Web was invented by Tim Bernes Lee in 1989, the internet has grown by leaps and bounds, and today ranks as one of the central phenomena in human life. Even though it offers a lot of benefits, its benefits are not purely unalloyed, but it is also associated with several unintended consequences (Otfinoski, 2007). On the positive side, the internet has been able to expand access to educational opportunities through e-learning or distance learning. This is because it offers enhanced access to educational opportunities both at a cost that is highly affordable, as well as in a manner that is highly convenient. For example, it allows those with busy schedules to conveniently schedule their classes. Apart from enhancing access to educational opportunities, Fairlie (2004) writes that individuals with access to the internet generally exhibit higher school enrolment and completion rates compared to those without access to internet technology. The internet also offers a huge repository of data and knowledge, resources which researchers can tap into. Secondly, the internet has become an important channel through which employment opportunities can be accessed. Sites such as Monster. com are daily helping to connect thousands of jobseekers with available job opportunities. Additionally, the internet is a powerful communication tool. Through the e-mail, instant messaging, and online chatting forums, people from many different parts of the world are able to send and receive messages and feedback from each other. The internet offers social networking forums such as Facebook and Twitter, through which millions of people worldwide share ideas and resources (Buchanan, 2002). The internet also provides huge entertainment value for millions of people worldwide. Through the internet, it is possible to watch and download one’s favourite videos, music, and TV shows. One can also play or download one’s favourite game. It offers a platform through which users can shop online, which enhances convenience in buying and selling (Buchanan, 2002). The internet has also made significant contributions to business, with e-commerce helping businesses create new sources of competitive advantage. Through direct marketing, organizations are able to cut out intermediation costs and lower costs. They are also able to access new markets without the added hassles of travelling across geographical boundaries. With more than one billion people connected to the internet, organizations have a potentially huge market made of billions of people, unlimited by space or time, which can be tapped into at the touch of a button (Rahman and Rasinghani, 2000). The internet has additionally brought about new opportunities that have birthed entirely new businesses and industries. Some of these businesses that immediately spring to mind include the so-called dotcoms, some examples of which include Amazon. com and EBay. These have created employment opportunities, and become a source of livelihood for thousands of people (Rahman and Rasinghani, 2000). Even though the internet provides a lot of benefits to users, it also has a grim underside associated with it. Security risks related to the breach of data security and confidentiality, data integrity, authentication, and non-repudiation exist. For example, by using â€Å"sniffer† programs, hackers can collect personal information such as passwords or credit card numbers from their unwitting victims, which they can use to carry out fraud. This is known as identity theft (Cheswick, Bellovin, and Rubin, 2003). Apart from the theft of sensitive personal data, data being transmitted over the internet is prone to being compromised, by for example being modified by malicious users. Other threats include spoofing, where one computer can sidestep the authentication of a system by impersonating it, thus gaining unauthorized access to data carried in that system. Bugs in software and hardware resulting from design vulnerabilities, as well as malicious programs such as viruses, Trojan horses, and worms also present potential security threats that internet users are faced with (Cheswick, Bellovin, and Rubin, 2003). Apart from security threats that internet users face, the internet has also been associated with increasing the rate of sexual immorality, more specifically by exposing underage users to sexually explicit or pornographic material. According to Rovou (2007), there are some 4. 2 million pornography sites, and that every second, 28, 258 people are viewing pornography. Yet another adverse consequence that has been associated with the internet is that it has led the creation of the digital divide, which is threatening to widen the disparities between marginalized groups (such as minorities and those with lower incomes) and the privileged ones. For example, the internet offers educational opportunities (through distance learning), employment opportunities (through sites such as monster. com), and in recent times citizens of many country have been able to participate in many important national events through the internet thanks to e-governance initiatives. The fact that many people from the low income brackets and those from minority racial and ethnic groups have not been able to effectively access the internet as their counterparts from the dominant group has brought about concerns that the disparities between the two groups are likely to widen further, with the risk of the widening inequality causing social strife (Fairlie, 2004). References: Buchanan, W. 2002. The complete handbook of the internet. Springer. ISBN: 1402072368, 9781402072369. Cheswick, RW, Bellovin, SM, and Rubin AD. 2003. Firewalls and Internet security: repelling the wily hacker. Addison-Wesley. ISBN:020163466X, 9780201634662 Fairlie RW, Pastor M, London R and Rosner R. 2004. Race, youth, and the digital divide: a research and policy initiative. Center for justice, tolerance and community. Retrieved on 220 June 2009 from http://cjtc. ucsc. edu/PowerPoints/dd_wtgrant_slide_show_204. pdf. Otfinoski, S. 2007. Computers. Marshall Cavendish. ISBN: 0761425977, 9780761425977 Rahman SM, and Rasinghani, MS. 2000. Electronic commerce: opportunity and challenges. Idea Group Inc. ISBN: 1878289764, 9781878289766. Rovou, J. 2007. ‘Porn & Pancakes’ fights X-rated addictions. Retrieved on 20 June 2009 from http://www. cnn. com/2007/US/04/04/porn. addiction/

Telecommunications

Telecommunications The transmission of words, sounds, images, or data in the form of electronic or electromagnetic signals or impulses. Transmission media include the telephone (using wire or optical cable), radio, television, microwave, and satellite. Data communication, the fastest growing field of telecommunication, is the process of transmitting data in digital form by wire or radio.Digital data can be generated directly in a 1/0 binary code by a computer or can be produced from a voice or visual signal by a process called encoding. A data communications network is created by interconnecting a large number of information sources so that data can flow freely among them. The data may consist of a specific item of information, a group of such items, or computer instructions. Examples include a news item, a bank transaction, a mailing address, a letter, a book, a mailing list, a bank statement, or a computer program.The devices used can be computers, terminals (devices that transmit and receive informa tion), and peripheral equipment such as printers (see Computer; Office Systems).Representative academic library LAN with external ...The transmission line used can be a normal or a specially purchased telephone line called a leased, or private, line (see Telephone). It can also take the form of a microwave or a communications-satellite linkage, or some combination of any of these various systems.Hardware and SoftwareEach telecommunications device uses hardware, which connects a device to the transmission line; and software, which makes it possible for a device to transmit information through the line.HardwareHardware usually consists of a transmitter and a cable interface, or, if the telephone is used as a transmission line, a modulator/demodulator, or modem.A transmitter prepares information for transmission by converting it from a form that the device uses (such as a clustered or parallel arrangement of electronic bits of information) to...

Managing Technology Synthes Inc

Managing Technology Synthes Inc Introduction Synthes Inc is a Switzerland-based company that specializes in manufacture of innovative equipment, instruments and implants used for surgical treatment of bone disease and trauma (Synthes, 2010).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Managing Technology: Synthes Inc specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The company has established itself as a market leader and innovating company that specializes in the production and marketing of products for surgical fixation, correction, and regeneration of skeleton and related soft tissues (Synthes, 2010). The company has a partnership dealing with AO Foundation, where the two organizations collaborate in product development and manufacture. The bedrock upon which success of Synthes Inc rests is innovation and adoption of appropriate technology in product development. Some of the competitors of the company include DePuy Company, Stryker Company and Zimmer Holdings, which also b oost vast market niche (Synthes, 2010). Should Synthes develop â€Å"bio-resorbable internal fixation devices? Synthes Inc has undoubtedly grown into a vast company that manufactures and distributes internal fixation devices. Currently, Synthes Inc has a market share of about 50% and remains a leader in many regions of America and Northern America (Synthes, 2010). The decision to venture into manufacture of bio-resorbable internal fixation is a risky undertaking that everybody wants to be cautious and strategic in decision making. The presence of potential market is overshadowed by fear, uncertainty, and hold-back attitude. But can Synthes Inc embrace this risk? The market for bio-resorbable products in America and Europe is promising. In 2000, it is estimated that there were six million fractures in the United States, whereby, 80% constituted adults while 20% constituted children (Gourville, 2002). At the same time, the potential of the market is exhibited in the growing number of key players’ making investment opportunities in the market. For example, there are three categories of players who have established their presence in the market: heavy weights such Johnson Johnson; the specialist such as the Bionx and Macropore; and the potentials such as Smith and Nephew (Gourville, 2002). One aspect that guides these investors involves existence of potential and market prospects in the market.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More At the same time, Synthes Inc has developed some core critical aspects that can aid the company into success, if it was to adopt manufacture and market of bio-resorbable. The company has established a close working relationship with surgeons and other specialists, which makes it possible to tailor-make bio-resorbable equipment that meets the desire of surgeons more appropriate. In the past, surgeons have pointed to t he lack of function of bio-resorbable devices, since did not meet requirements and needs of practitioners. Close work relationship and interaction with practitioners is likely to enable the company to capture the needs of customers than other competitors, and as such, have the ability to excel faster than competitors. Another strength that the company possesses, which in turn makes it necessary to venture into bio-resorbable market, has to do with presence of high skilled and dedicated research and development team. RD remains the bastion upon which innovation of market-moving products rests. RD team possesses the ability to develop products that have ability to meet customer needs in the most appropriate ways. Given its past experience, Synthes Inc has put in place one of the excellent RD teams and can utilize the expertise of the team to venture in the development of bio-resorbable (Gourville, 2002). Moreover, market experience in the use of bio-resorbable devices as evidenced thr ough research appears promising, and exhibits potential for growth. Many surgeons and practitioners express the ability to use or have used bio-resorbable devices in the past and would in future have the desire to use it (Gourville, 2002). The major areas the company can pay attention to in order to make this market experience increase positively include the key features that surgeons have proposed on the bio-resorbable devices. Synthes Inc. on the other hand possess experience in the manufacture of generation-two bio-resorbable devices, and this very aspect gives the company an upper hand as compared to competitors who have had to start from scratch hence increased costs.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Managing Technology: Synthes Inc specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The established ties of cooperation and collaboration between Synthes Inc. and AO Foundation provides Synthes with opportunity to utilize AO Foundati on market acumen experiences in education, product development, research and development, and sales force to penetrate the market (Gourville, 2002). AO Foundation is a great asset to Synthes Inc., and this is an opportunity the company can utilize to exert an upper hand as compared to competitors. What are the tradeoffs between the 4 options? The first option Synthesis is to totally ignore the proposal to venture into the bio-resorbable market. This option may well sound cute, especially in terms of preserving resources on technologies that remain uncertain. The company may not realize loss in case the technology flops, and it would have acted wisely if the market acceptance for the technology was not appropriate. But given that the future is unpredictable, Synthes Inc finds itself in dilemma. By totally disregarding the technology, Synthes will be giving its competitors an upper edge in the competition front, as the market become dynamic and saturated. Future prospects exist in the market and it might just be a matter of time before new future grounds for competition shift to this technology. Therefore, Synthes cannot afford to ignore the opportunity to venture in this market. Second option involves Synthes Inc adopting wait and see strategy, and let its competitors taste waters first. At the same time, adopting this strategy, Synthes will be able to save on costs pertaining to education and market advertisement and it will only venture when market already exists. The strategy may be appropriate if the company has a clear picture of competitors’ future strategic marketing and advertisement roadmap. The competitors may taste waters first, and in the process, create a market niche that Synthes may find it difficult to unblock in future. In most cases, initial steps that sometimes include education and practical demonstrations usually endeavor a lot to customers and create long-lasting impression that subsequent latecomer competitors find hard to snatch a way.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The third strategy for the company constitutes developing and marketing a line of bio-resorbable products using current available polymers. Through this, the company has the opportunity to develop a line of plates and screws designed specifically for fractures before gradually venturing into concrete market of bio-resorbable products. Again, this strategy may be appropriate but its applicability and final maturation may take a long term, thereby giving competitors time and opportunity to progress. Further, resources in the long-run may be more as to when compared if the company was to venture directly into the technology. The last strategy for Synthes involves turning efforts to more research and development of generation-3 bio-resorbable products. The strategy may be the most appropriate for the company given its established RD team. At the same time, the company has for a long time succeeded in innovating products that satisfy market needs in the most appropriate way. Further, hav ing close associations with AO Foundation, Synthes research and development capabilities are likely to results into innovation of bio-resorbable products that for a long time may remain market leaders. Therefore, it is prudent for Synthes to adopt this strategy. Synthes Inc influence on the development of bio-resorbable product market Technology innovation is one area that market leaders exert their market dominance and subsequently influence the market (Gourville, 2002). Synthes Inc. has a large market presence estimated at 50% as compared to competitors. The company possesses some core values and elements that competitors lack. At the same time, Synthes has an insightful research as to how market operates and behaves given its close presence and associations with key players in the market. In other words, Synthes Inc. interact with opinion leaders in the market. The company has a combination of expertise, technology, resources and human capability, all of which endeavor the compan y to the market in the most powerful way than competitors. Therefore, the presence of Synthes in the market, its subsequent activities in the market, its behavior with regard to technology adoption and later distribution of products for consumption are all likely to influence the market and also determine growth of the market, although relative powers of other competitors cannot be ignored. How might Synthes introduce resorbable? Introduction of resorbable products in the market may be achieved through adoption of new-product development cycle concepts and strategies (Verburg, Ort and Dicke, 2006). There must be prior research to establish needs, competitors, market share, consumer behavior over the product, costs and all information pertaining to the product. The company should further adopt product penetration strategies that include price cut, heavy promotion, multiple-unit packaging and enhancement of distribution locations (Pangs, 2004). At the same time, piloting pre-launch of products should be carried out to test the acceptability of the product and subsequently introduce necessary changes and improvement (Mohr, Sengupta and Slater, 2009). Moreover, identification of target market should be the prior strategy, and this should be followed by efforts to carry out heavy product advertisement, role demonstration, education and learning strategies about the product and brand creation and promotion (Pangs, 2004). Conclusion Synthes Inc understands that excellence in the market, especially with increasing competition rests on the ability to remain innovative, technologically alert and market focused. Research and development therefore remains the key area the organization should earnestly put more emphasis into. Market needs should constantly be transformed into appropriate and technological-adaptive products that have ability to endeavor to the market. In this case, it is advisable for the company to venture into bio-resorbable products market that presents future growth. To win the market, the company has to incorporate education, promotion, and demonstration strategies, while remaining focused on improvement of product features. Reference List Gourville, J. Y., 2002. Synthes. Harvard College Publication. [Attached notes]. Mohr, J. J., Sengupta, S. Slater, S. F., 2009. Marketing of high-technology products and innovations. NJ: Pearson Education. Pangs, P. N., 2004. Essentials of manufacturing engineering management. NE: iUniverse. Synthes. 2011. Dedicated to health. Web. Web. Verburg, R. M., Ortt, J. R. Dicke, W. M., 2006. Managing technology and innovation. NY: Routledge.

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep - Essay Example Richard Deckard, the lead bounty hunter experiences a paradox when he bemoans the killing of Luba Luft, the android impersonating opera singer against the backdrop of the previous killing of androids. Death is the overriding theme that dominates the narration of the two stories. These stories draw feelings of depression and sadness that engulf readers as they come to terms with the realities of pain and anguish. It is impossible to ignore the destructive consequences of war in Slaughterhouse-Five. The devastating bombing of the town of Dresden in Germany is at the height of world war situates seemingly random events. Throughout the time of suffering in Dresden, Billy Pilgrim shifts in and out of the meat locker. Luckily, he survives incineration that characterizes every aspect of life in the city. Billy’s ascendancy to become the president of Lion Club takes the efforts of his father-in-law. In the post-war era, he works as a prosperous optometrist. Vonnegut injects the aspect of Tralfamadorians to underscore the devastating consequence of war. Billy seems not to understand his world. He hallucinates about his moments with the Tralfamadorians in order to evade a world destroyed by the war. Traumatized by the destructiveness of the war, Billy fails to come to terms with the consequences of the war. Vonnegut’s description of the events in Dresden during war reflects the kind of destruction that is seen in Dick’s world. Dick develops a world in his imagination. This world is in a state of decay due to the dust of nuclear fallout that covers the whole landscape. He uses Kipple to represent a metaphysical decay of the world. The destruction that takes place in Dick’s world is constantly evolving. At the same time, Dick posits that the decaying world has a way of surviving itself through decay. The animals that appear when the novel comes to the  end confirm this claim. John Isidore’s spider reflects the ability of new life to renew itself through regeneration while the mechanical toad of Rick Deckard manifests the ability of all forms of life to discover how they can exist in the decaying world.

Global Business in Emerging Regions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words - 1

Global Business in Emerging Regions - Essay Example Furthermore, the objective of the essay is to: Understand the culture of Starbucks Understand the South Africa market potential The competitive analysis of Starbucks in South Africa Recommendation about the entry strategy mode of Starbucks in the emerging market Part A Company and Industry Analysis About Starbucks Company History Starbucks came to existence in the year 1971 in Seattle Pike Place market. It was formulated by three partners Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegal, and Gordon Bowker. The small store of Starbucks offered the finest coffee beans of the world. It was named after the first mate Moby  Dick, with the logo enthused by the sea which features a  twin?tailed  siren  from  Greek  mythology (2Starbucks  Coffee  Company 2011). In the year 1982, Howard  Schultz joined Starbucks as the director of operations and marketing. Subsequently, Starbucks was fully owned by Schultz in the year 1987, and stared expanding the business quickly (Starbucks  Coffee  Company 2011). Today, Starbucks is one of the largest coffeehouses, which employs more than thousands of employees and has a strong customer base. In the modern era, Starbucks in order to satisfy its customers has expanded the digital offerings and business strategies to extend its brands reach. Moreover, Starbucks is one of Fortune magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work For in 2012 and generated revenue of US$10,707 million (Cable News Network 2013). Organisational Culture The mission of Starbucks and the principles formed in the year 1990 are the basic foundations of the culture which is followed by Starbucks and its partners. The basic principles followed by Starbucks are to provide a better work environment and treat each individual with respect and dignity. To accept... Starbucks came into existence in the year 1971 in Seattle Pike Place market. It was formulated by three partners Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegal, and Gordon Bowker. The small store of Starbucks offered the finest coffee beans in the world. It was named after the first mate Moby Dick, with the logo enthused by the sea which features a twin†tailed siren from Greek mythology (2Starbucks Coffee Company 2011). In the year 1982, Howard Schultz joined Starbucks as the director of operations and marketing. Subsequently, Starbucks was fully owned by Schultz in the year 1987, and stared expanding the business quickly (Starbucks Coffee Company 2011). Today, Starbucks is one of the largest coffeehouses, which employs more than thousands of employees and has a strong customer base. In the modern era, Starbucks, in order to satisfy its customers, has expanded the digital offerings and business strategies to extend its brands reach. Moreover, Starbucks is one of Fortune magazine’s 100 Best C ompanies to Work For in 2012 and generated revenue of US$10,707 million (Cable News Network 2013). The mission of Starbucks and the principles formed in the year 1990 are the basic foundations of the culture which is followed by Starbucks and its partners. The basic principles followed by Starbucks are to provide a better work environment and treat each individual with respect and dignity. To accept diversity and change along with enhancing and expanding the business throughout the world are key aims of Starbucks.