Hospital Sketches by Louisa May Alcott Essay Example

Hospital Sketches by Louisa May Alcott Essay The chapter A Night, in Louisa May Alcotts Hospital Sketches, is the most inspired chapter in the book. It tells the story of a fatally wounded Virginia blacksmith John, and it fell to Alcott to tell the dying man of his imminent fate and to pen Johns final letter home to his family as he dictated it. The man died while squeezing Alcotts hand. She described that none of the deaths that she summoned in her life would make her heart ache as it did with John the blacksmith. Louisa argued that Civil War army nursing was particularly difficult because of the advanced technology of warfare which had created many weapons which were powerful and efficient butmedical science and technology had not advanced accordingly. In the absence of treatments, wounded limbs were amputated, frequently without the benefit of chloroform, using nothing more than a strong shot of whiskey. These treatments were excruciating, and often introduced new infections which were more dangerous than the wounds themsel ves. In the chapter A Day, Alcott provides some clear examples of both the conditions of injured soldiersand the difficult tasks that nurses encountered during the Civil War. For example, she wrote In they came, some on stretchers, some in mens arms, some feebly staggering along propped on rude crutches, and one lay stark and still with covered face, as a comrade gave his name to be recorded before they carried him away to the dead house. (Page 71) Compared with today, soldiers during the Civil War era did not have much access to medicine or medical equipment to help ease their wounds and pain. Many of them died instantly without being sent to the hospital, while those who survived often lived their lives in great pain and suffering from their injuries. Alcott attempted to inject humanity into the horrific situation that she witnessed in the hospital soat times, she infuses her writing with humor. However, its evident that she was

Frederick Griffith essays

Frederick Griffith essays Frederick Griffith is a scientist that was trying to discover a vaccine for pneumonia. The reason for his experiment was to see if injections of heat killed virulent bacteria would kill the mice. He found that the mixture of live non-virulent bacteria and heat-killed bacteria would kill the mice. The result would be live encapsulated virulent bacteria. This experiment became known as transformation that was named the transforming factor. Along with O.T. Avery at Rockefeller university. He realized that the work that they figured out that from one gene of a species or bacteria cell could be passed on or could be inherited. By his discovery they found that DNA is made up of nucleotides each consisting of a Nitrogen base, a deoxyribose sugar, and a phosphate group. His discovery was slowly recognized. Because of bacteria, they were considered prokaryotes and were considered lower and different. They thought that it was too simple that DNA consisted of only four different nucleotides. In 1952 Alfred D. Hershey and Martha Chase figured out what hereditary information directs the syntheses of new viruses within bacteria cells. The experiment were two separate phases one with DNA labeled the other with the protein labled. They found that 35s had remained outside the bacterial cells with the viral coats empty. For the 32 p had entered the cells, infected them and caused the new product of viral particles. That left DNA the only genetic material of bacteriophage. Alfred Mirsky found that somatic cells of a species contain equal amounts of DNA. But the cremates, however did not carry as much DNA as somatic cells they carried  ½ the # of somatic cells. Erwin Chargaff made a second contribution to Mirshys discovery. Chargaff analyzed the nitrogen bases of different living things and found that, the nitrogen bases do not occur equal. They vary from species to species. In his study of purines and pyrimidines the ...

Academic English Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2

Academic English - Essay Example The different areas of recognition that came from the child labor movement have proven that there are no circumstances in which child labor is an acceptable cause. Since it moves against the child’s natural physical and mental development, it is a detriment to the child to be forced to move into a labor situation and to not have the needs of a child that is growing in society. There are several companies that find it acceptable to use child labor, specifically because of the surrounding circumstances and economy. For most, this leads to a different level of reinforcement that provides the economy with more manufactured goods. More importantly, adults that aren’t able to work are able to allow their children to work under certain circumstances to support the family and the needs that are a part of the household. The main reason why child labor is continuously used is to help a family to move out of poverty and to better the circumstances in which the family is living in. More importantly, some countries have established roles with children that are based specifically on roles that the children should hold. Traditional ideals of the women’s role in society, implications of what the child is to do after they have gone through school and educational factors all influence the decision of the family to move a child into the labor force as opposed to helping them to go through the extra schooling that is required for the betterment of their cognitive development (Siddiqi, Patrinos, 2004). The several reasons behind child labor expand into the need for survival which is depicted by the family and those that are in the surrounding environment. In many countries, the concept of schooling and cognitive development is considered as secondary and isn’t as pertinent to the economic needs that are within the household. The traditional role of the household sees the aspect of child labor as one that is expected and which is a part of the upbringing of a child.

Ethics of Mass Media Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Ethics of Mass Media - Article Example There is a rising body of forensic evidence that indicate that mass shooters tend to emulate their most infamous predecessors. This copycat problem is very serious since most of the people who plan and execute such crimes are greatly influenced by previous attacks’ sensational news coverage. Taking that into account, I think the press should be extra mindful of the way they cover the news regarding murderers in killings. For instance, the way the Mass media covered the Oregon killing posed an ethical issue considering the possible effect it may have copycat crimes. Journalists should take another ethical approach to help lower the frequency of such killings while maintaining their aggressive and robust reporting. I tend to think that is not very unethical to use such graphical images or keep the names of the killers in headlines as it encourages copycats. It is unethical for mass media to publicize manifesto or video rant of killers in full. My own response is that just summar izing the salient materials tend to be smarter than propagating the demented bid for glory of killers. This will not interfere with the reporting because juveniles and rape victims charged are never named in news reports and yet wide coverage is still given to the issue. In addition, news organizations rarely cover the plight of American journalists taken hostage overseas to safeguard their safety. Mass media should avoid this unethical practice while informing the public to reduce the copycat problem that greatly contribute to mass shootings.

Plotinus and His Theory of Beauty Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Plotinus and His Theory of Beauty - Essay Example It is everything and nothing, everything and nowhere. The One is the source of all beings and, as the Good, the goal of all aspirations, human and non-human." (Bussanich, 1996, p. 38). According to Plotinus, everything that exists in the world flows out of the One and it is the One which emanates the divine Intellect. In turn, the Intellect originates the Soul, which incorporates the world soul, the human and other souls, and it is the Soul which produces the nature and matter in the universe. To Plotinus, one of the most striking features of the One is that it remains ever-complete and undiminished, in spite of the emanation and the idea of emanation of the One indicates that reality is structured in a hierarchical order, stretching from the uplifting source down to corporeal matter. Plotinus' theory of beauty can be realized in relation to his overall metaphysical psychology. As Binita Mehta maintains, the perception of beauty, according to Plotinus, dumbfounds the soul and fills i t with love. ... It is a phenomenological fact that an experience of rapturous delight that beauty evokes creates an appetite in us for further similar experiences For Plotinus, even a purely sensuous beauty can serve as a starting point of the quest for higher beauty." (Mehta). According to Plotinus, even the beauty in the material world should be realized as the reflection of the intelligible beauty. Therefore, there is an essential power for beauty as the apprehension of sensible beauty can very well propel the soul to realize the source of this lower form of beauty in the intelligible realm. In other words, beauty in every form and element can lead one to the ultimate source of beauty which is the source of everything in the world. Essentially, a reflective analysis of the theory of beauty according to Plotinus confirms that beauty is closely connected to the Divine or the One who is the ultimate source of all beings, and the concept of beauty has a great role in the ascent of the Soul to the One or the Divine. The notion of beauty has an essential role in the metaphysics of Plotinus who develops his theory of beauty in the I.6 and V.8 of his book the Enneads and a reflective analysis of these sections of the book can greatly offer the basics of notion of beauty according to the author. In the I.6 section of the book, Plotinus maintains that "Beauty addresses itself chiefly to sight, but there is a beauty for hearing too, as in certain combinations of words and all kinds of music, for melodies and cadences are beautiful; and minds that lift themselves above the realm of sense to higher order are aware of beauty in the conduct of life, in actions, in character, in the pursuit of the intellect; and there is beauty of the virtues. What loftier beauty there may be, yet, our

Identifying Hazards In The Workplace Construction Essay

Identifying Hazards In The Workplace Construction Essay Historically, health and safety laws in the United Kingdom (UK), for example, The Factories Act 1961, and The Offices, Shops and Railways Premises Act 1963, were applied to definite operations, and were planned prescriptively to correct acknowledged wrongs. (Ridley and  Channing, 2008: 42)   Health and safety legislation usually developed a section at a time, and each section covered an exacting class of person and was not of a reliable manner.   (Ridley and  Channing, 2008: 42) Legislation only useful to those workers who were on site, thus if the job required working away from their designated area, as a contractor, there was no legislation in place to cover these employees. Separate legislation with variations and methods of enforcement would apply to a factory, an office, a mine, or a quarry. There was certainly a need for change within the legislation in order to offer safety to employees. In May 1970, Labour Secretary of State for Employment and efficiency,  Barbara  Castle, appointed a Committee of Inquiry to undertake a wide-ranging review of health and safety within the  UK.  Lord  Robens  chaired the committee and its remit was to examine critically the provision made for the health and safety of persons in the course of their employment, furthermore to consider whether changes were needed and, if so, of what type. Three main factors prompted this enquiry: There had not been a comprehensive review of health and safety as a whole.   (Hutter, 2004: 21) There were disturbing levels of accident and disease at work, which were felt to be in need of scrutiny. (Hutter, 2004: 21) The traditional regulatory approach that is, an approach based on an extensive system of detailed statutory provisions administered and enforced by government departments and local authorities, was considered to be in need of examination. (Hutter, 2004: 22) The main criticism levelled by the committee was that administrative jurisdictions were fragmented; there were too many incongruent agencies responsible to government departments, enforcing excessive legislation. It was proposed that a more integrated system needed to be created to increase the effectiveness of the states contribution to safety and health at work. Moreover, it was argued that [r]eform should be aimed at creating the conditions for more effective self regulation by employers and employees jointly (Hutter, 2004: 22). The intentions being to make those involved understand that health and safety matters are their own concerns and not just the remit of external agencies. In essence, Health and Safety was moving forward from a regulatory process to a self-regulating process. The recommendations of the Robens Committee subsequently led to the introduction of the Health and Safety at Work Act (HASWA) 1974, which is the principal enabling legislation for the  UK; it imposes duties on employers, employees, and manufactures. Training is specifically mentioned within section 2 (2) HASWA 1974 and states that In addition to other requirements it is the employers duty to ensure the provision of such information, instruction, training and supervision as is necessary to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety at work of his employees.  (Tolleys, 2009: 1467)  Ã‚  This does not place a duty on an employer to provide training, however, it recognises that having carried out generic and specific risk assessments of the working area; an employer may well believe that training would be an effective measure of control of skills, knowledge, and competency. capability is not specially recognized within HASWA 1974 with exemption to an suggestion in section 19 (1) which refers to the appointment of inspectors of health and safety. This relates to such person having appropriate qualifications as it thinks necessary for carrying into effect the relevant statutory necessities within its field of responsibility  (Tolleys, 2009: 1466). Introduction In this assignment researcher have explained health and safety acts and also have explained the safe working environment in the work place. Researcher have explained the electrical hazards, fire hazards, emergency evacuation plan, working smoking policy, hygiene facilities, first aid and manual handling Electrical hazards   Electricity is a very useful source of energy but it is very dangerous. Circuit Overload Protection Overloading electrical circuits are very risky and should not be legal at any time. All systems shall be installed as designed by the manufacturer and in order with the National Electrical Code and restrained electrical codes. Each electrical circuit breaker or fuse should be clearly evident with the name of the electrical application served by that circuit. Breaker or fuse categorization allows for interval of the electrical current to the circuit in the event of a disaster due to electrical shock or defective appliances, and assists in classification of circuit overloading. Breaker boxes should be accessible at all times. Use of Extension Cords Conservatory cords used with moveable tools should be of the three-wire type with three spike plugs, excluding when using double insulated tools. Plugs should be nonconductive. The user should make sure that the wire sizes of addition cords are competent of treatment the load without heating and this should be checked upon before starting the job.   Numerous plug-on attachments on addition cords shall not be used.   Make sure that all addition cords are useful and free of uncovered wiring and spillages, unravelled area.   Extension cords must only be used for temporary purposes, not for permanent installation. Where there is a undying need for an electrical vent, one should be installed. While in use, the addition cord must not be located in such a manner as to present a nimble hazard or under rugs, carpets or chair mats.   Addition cords must not be placed where they may be injured by foot or traffic.   Addition cords must not be run through holes in walls or ceilings or t hrough doorways or windows. Electrical Grounding All electrically operated appliances shall be powerfully stranded. Electrically operated appliances may be stranded in the subsequent ways:  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  By an accepted grounding type accessory plug, provided the ground wire is attached to the metal inclusion of the electrical conductors and to the plug associated to the tools cord. The ground wire must be attached at all times while the tools are associated to the power supply.  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  By means of training instrumentalist run with the power conductors in the stretchy cord linked to the piece of equipment. The ground association must always make contact with the electrical vent ground while the piece of equipment is linked to the power supply conductors.  Ã‚   http://www.sefsc.noaa.gov/HTMLdocs/electricalsafe.htm Fire hazards Fire safety becomes everyones job at a worksite. Employers should educate workers about fire hazards in the workplace and about what to do in a fire crisis. This plan should sketch the coursework of key items in the event of a fire and supply an evacuation plan for workers on the site and wee to locate in a safe a secure place away from the building. In the assembly industry, a fire plan should be set up at the beforehand to start any destruction job. Building Fire Exits Every workplace building must have at least two means of flee distant from each other to be used in a fire emergency. Fire doors must not be blocked or locked to stop emergency use when employees are within the buildings. Postponed opening of fire doors is legal when an agreed alarm system is incorporated into the fire door design. Exit routes from buildings must be clear and free of obstructions and appropriately marked with signs designating exits from the building. Portable Fire Extinguishers Each workplace building must have a full balance of the proper type of fire extinguisher for the fire hazards present. Employees expected or predictable to use fire extinguishers must be instructed on the hazards of fighting fire, how to appropriately manage the fire extinguishers available, and what actions to follow in alerting others to the fire emergency. Only permitted fire extinguishers are allowed to be used in workplaces, and they must be kept in good functional situation. Appropriate protection and assessment of this equipment is compulsory of each employer. Where the employer wishes to abandon employees instead of having them fight small fires there must be written emergency plans and employee training for appropriate migration. Emergency Evacuation Planning Each employer needs to have a written emergency action plan for evacuation of employees which describes the routes to use and procedures to be followed by employees. Also procedures for accounting for all evacuated employees must be part of the plan. The written plan must be available for employee review. Where needed, special actions for helping actually impaired employees must be addressed in the plan; also, the plan must include events for those employees who must remain behind for the time being to shut down crucial plant equipment before they evacuate. Fire Prevention Plan Employers need to execute a written fire avoidance plan to complement the fire evacuation plan to minimize the frequency of evacuation. Stopping unnecessary fires from happening is the most resourceful way to grip them. The written plan shall be available for employee review. http://www.pp.okstate.edu/ehs/training/OSHAFIRE.HTM Workplace smoking policy An employer in discussion with the employees lays down rules and actions that govern some or all of the following: Functioning ethics that guide the smoking policy such as the rights of non-smokers and obedience with any legislation that relates to smoking in the work place. The places and times that smoking is allowed, if it is allowed at all.   The aim should be to certify the abolition or minimisation of smoke disclosure to employees where they work.   Employees should also have the option of smoke free rest areas, and it is up to the employer to decide on condition for smokers, such as smoking rooms. The schedule for visitors or members of the public that enter a workplace. Contractual obligations or conditions such as time allowed for smoking breaks, consequences of collapse to abide by with the policy. Support for smokers that wish to quit such as smoking termination services. Technical improvements such as improved ventilation where smoking is approved. The approach to be adopted for employees with higher health risk such as people with asthma or pregnant women. Working practices, such as roistering, that reduces employees exposure to smoke. Details of how the smoking policy may change over time it could become more uncertain after an early adjustment period. Procedures for reviewing the policy, ensuring obedience and resolving disputes. Hygiene facilities    Providing hygienic washroom facilities in the workplace are not only enviable, its a legal requirement for  all  UK  commercial grounds. ABC Hygiene is an experienced hygiene services company that understands your business legal desires in this area as well as the need to current a concerned and specialized image to both staff and consumers. The Company provides all the tools and services your business needs to sustain clean and fresh washroom facilities; ensuring that you can prudently manage everything from sanitary waste, soap dispensers, air fresheners, hand-drying and sanitising, right through to vending machines. This breadth of service is superior by the companys genuine promise to deliver a high-quality, trustworthy service, duly provided through its team of friendly, yet specialized  persons. First aid People at work can go through injury or sudden illness. It is most important that employers have made schedule to ensure their employees receive abrupt concentration if they are injured or taken ill at work. This site provides information on all aspects of first aid at work and will be of interest to employers, employees, first aiders and training organizations transversely all industry sectors. The Health and Safety First-Aid Regulations 1981 require employers to provide tools, services and personnel to enable first aid to be given to employees if they are injured or become ill at work. These Regulations concern to all workplaces including those with five or fewer employees and to the self-employed. Detailed information can be found in the Approved Code of training and Guidance:  Ã‚  The Health and Safety First-Aid Regulations 1981 L74. What will be depended on the conditions in the workplace, this includes whether skilled first aiders are needed, what should be integrated in a first aid box and if a first aid room is needed. Employers should carry out an judgment of first aid needs to conclude this. The Regulations do not place a legal responsibility on employers to make first aid stipulation for non-employees such as the public or children in schools. However, HSE strongly recommends that non-employees are integrated in a first aid needs evaluation and that condition is made for them. Risk assessment consists of a detailed risk assessment on a wet/dry heat area within a spa. It will incorporate what a risk assessment is and what it is for, also a risk assessment procedure and the possible dangers that could occur in the work place if the health and safety rules are not followed. A essential knowledge of health and safety is required before a risk assessment can be completed. The Health and safety at work act is a set of rules which are set to care for the employees, employers, clients and the business itself from any accidents or illness.   The health and safety act rules are there for both employees and employers to abide by to make sure the safety of anyone i.e. clients, delivery people, that may have anything to do with the workplace. A risk assessment is a major part of health and safety for any business as this will help stop accidents and serious harm to all worried.   A risk assessment is a careful examination of what could cause harm to people within the work place.   It is used to prioritise any possible dangers, to assess how dangerous they are and how to stop them. Huges P (2007) pg 67 states risk assessment methods are used to make a decision on priorities and to set objectives for eliminating hazards and falling risk. Businesslink.gov.uk (2008) states that you are not expected to reduce all risk, but you are compulsory to defend people as far as sensibly practical.   To perform a enough risk assessment there are five steps to make sure a thorough test has been done.   The first being to be familiar with serious hazards from the minor ones and then once these have been recognized, the second step would be to make a decision on who these may influence this will include anyone who has anything to do with the business.   The third element of a risk assessment is to appraise the level of the risks that have been found. A qualitative appraisal can be done in most cases which would enable the evaluator to grade them as medium, high or low depending on the potential danger it could cause.   The fourth step would be to record your findings and then start to put into place methods of avoidance. Lastly the risk assessment should be reviewed on a regular basis. Overall the risk assessment should consi st of identifying the hazards, establishing who they may influence, assess the risks; record the result and the make sure that regular checks are kept and recorded up to date.   Keeping a record will help to observe the health and safety within a business.

The Magic of a Dog :: Personal Narrative Essays

The Magic of a Dog    I knew he was gone the moment I awoke on Christmas morning. While other families somewhere laughed, smiled, and opened presents, I could only stare listlessly at my own presents, and those placed in the shopping bag in the corner, never to be opened. With the death of my beloved golden retriever, Kennedy, a part of me had also died. For Kennedy was no ordinary dog.    I was born with a disability. Although I have done intensive physical therapy since I was small and have made significant improvements over the years, I find it difficult to do some things which most people take for granted. Until I was eleven, I needed a aide at school. I could not go shopping by myself, or stay at home alone for more than a few minutes.    My disability also resulted in social isolation from others my age; many kids and adults were ill at ease around me. Even my friends were involved with activities that I couldn't keep up with, and I was left behind.    It was with the hope of increased self-reliance that I applied for a service dog from Canine Companions for Independence. Canine Companions (CCI) has been training dogs to assist people with disabilities other than blindness since 1975. Obeying about 70 commands, CCI service dogs retrieve dropped items, open doors, turn lights on and off, pull wheelchairs, and more.    After submitting an application to CCI, I was interviewed and scheduled to attend a training class in December, at the regional center near Columbus, Ohio. CCI's rigorous two-week training program is designed to teach dog training and leadership skills while matching each participant with a loving, loyal companion and helper. For the first two days each person works with all the dogs; on the third day everyone receives their Canine Companion. The remainder of the two weeks is spent learning commands and dog handling skills at the training center and in public places, with your new dog.    In this way, Kennedy came into my life. He brought me independence of the kind I had never known before. For the first time, I could move around the school without an aide following me, because he pulled my wheelchair and carried books in his backpack. I could shop at the mall by myself or with friends, and Kennedy would put his paws up on high counters to pay for things I bought.

Animal Farm – Corruption of Power

Jonathan Garcia Ms. Abasta English 9, Period 3 March 12, 2009 Corruption Of Power Can power really corrupt a person? Power can corrupt anybody who steps up as a leader, especially when power is unchecked. In Animal Farm, by George Orwell, Snowball and Napoleon fight for the top spot as leader, but on the way they become corrupted. As the animals discover new things and obtain them the pigs cunningly keep it for themselves. Even do Snowball also became corrupted Napoleon showed cruel force and intimidation to the animals to keep his position. Snowball became corrupt at some point during his time in power, but he always had the best interest for the farm. â€Å"Without halting for an instant, Snowball flung his fifteen stone against Jone’s leg (p. 37). † Even do Snowball was injured by Jone’s gun he got up and fought for the farm, animals, and freedom. His bravery in the war showed his true intentions for the animals, while Napoleon just hid and stayed behind. â€Å"At the meetings Snowball often won over the majority by his brilliant speeches (p. 43). † Snowball usually is able to persuade the vote to go his way with intelligence and peeches rather than through cruelty and fear. Snowball usually came up or sided with ideas that benefited the farm in a positive way like the windmill. In the end Snowball benefited the farm in a positive way for the animals, and not abusing his power. Unlike Snowball, Napoleon showed his authority through fear and intimidation. â€Å"When they had finished their confession, the dogs promptly tore their throats out and in a terrible voice Napoleon demanded whether any other animal had anything to confess (p. 75). † Demanding the animals to confess a crime they never had done with force, then illing them puts fear in the rest of the animals causing them to not act out against Napoleon. Also this fear and intimidation puts down the animals making them feel feeble. â€Å"Napoleon himself, majestically upright, casting haughty glances from side to side, and with his dogs gamboling round him (p. 117). † Himself standing up on two feet giving arrogant looks, he puts himself above all others showing he has more power and authority then anyone. Also the dogs surrounding him shows that no one can touch him putting more animals down again. So it shows that Napoleon is able to maintain his ower by putting others below him and putting fear into them. Napoleon was able to keep his power by fear and eliminating the competition, while Snowball used his intelligence and speeches to only have good for the animals he still lost his power. It shows that even do fear and intimidation keep your power its wrong and corrupted. It’s better to have the most sincere interests for the people, and not to put others below you. Snowball seems to be a better candidate as a leader compared to Napoleon’s cruelty. Even the best of people can become corrupted with power and abuse it.

Efficient Supply Chain Management Processes

Efficient Supply Chain Management Processes Introduction While the importance of proficient supply chain operations augments, organizations are obliged to make their processes incorporated with their chains of supply.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Efficient Supply Chain Management Processes specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It is significant to have a proficient supply chain, in view of the fact that the supply chain management does not only include the management of the connection between the various stakeholders, but also brings into line the achievements of the organization in realizing its corporate objectives. Nevertheless, the current global and competitive business environment necessitates a number of obligations for the organizations. For them to take part in the markets and maintain their lead, organizations are obliged to adopt various approaches founded on a good relationship with the customers, suppliers, retailers, and subsidiaries. Cons equently, a number of novel strategies and pioneering managements ought to be established in the supply chain management processes. This paper discusses efficient supply chain management processes. Supply chain management (SCM) is the â€Å"integration of key business processes from initial raw material extraction to the final or end customer, including all intermediate processing, transportation, and storage activities and final sale to the end-product customer† ( Wisner et al., 28). Supply chain is â€Å"a set of three or more companies directly linked by one or more of the upstream and downstream flows of products, services, finances, and information from a source to a customer† (Mentzer, 5; Mentzer et al., 18). SCM assumes that all companies that take part in the process of distributing goods and services to the end users are constituents of a network, pipeline, or supply chain. It involves all things that are needed to ensure that the consumers are contented and t akes account of the products they will purchase, the methods of their manufacture, and the modes of transporting them. The supply chain philosophy ascertains that the consumers get the best products at an appropriate time, at a desirable price and within the preferred locality. The rise in rivalry, intricacy, and geographical scope in the business environment has resulted in this broadened scope. The advance in information and technology has led to optimization of supply chain performance. The advent of the internet has played a pivotal role in the movement of messages within the companies in a supply chain. Companies that have adhered to SCM principles have reported considerable cost and cycle time reductions, for instance, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. reported rise in inventory turns and lowering of out-of-stock events.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More An essenti al principle of SCM is to observe the system of facilities, processes, and individuals who acquire raw materials, change them into manufactured goods, and eventually deliver them to the consumers as an amalgamated chain, instead of a cluster of different, but to some extent connected duties. The significance of this amalgamation cannot be overemphasized since the connections between the chains are the means of realizing the ultimate objective. As much as each company can have a supply chain, it does not imply that each company is able to manage optimally their supply chain to yield increased benefits. Although SCM is not complex in theory, it develops increased intricacies in practice as the company’s size and variety of products becomes larger. SCM is also intricate for the reason that companies may form constituents of a number of pipelines simultaneously. Elements of a supply chain The first element of a supply chain is production. Strategic decisions concerning production centers on the requirements of the consumers and the change in market trends as this is vital in meeting the goals of the organization. This initial phase in building up supply chain agility is concerned with the amount of products to manufacture and the various constituents that are to be produced. These strategic decisions concerning manufacturing should at the same time center on facilities available, value and quantity of the products to be made, while taking into consideration the requirements of the end-users. Alternatively, operational decisions centers on programming various operations within the organization, keeping equipment in good working condition and attending to the immediate needs of the customers. The maintenance of quality should be adhered to throughout the production process. The second element is supply. A company should be concerned with the capacity of their production to manufacture competent and good quality goods at minimized costs. However, a number of o rganizations are not able to give the required performance with the production of all the parts needed. Outsourcing is a good option to be reflected especially for parts that a company is unable to manufacture efficiently. Organizations should cautiously choose suppliers for raw materials based on developing velocity, quality and flexibility at minimized costs. In summary, an organization must make strategic decisions to ascertain their abilities to deliver quality products before outsourcing to other companies.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Efficient Supply Chain Management Processes specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The next element is inventory. Strategic decisions center on inventory and the quantity of finished goods that should be kept in the stores. A crucial issue exists between holding inventory in excess, which can result in increased costs to the company, and inadequate inventory that can fail t o meet the requirements of the consumers. This delicate balance scenario is critical in successful SCM. Operational inventory decisions are most of the time focused on having adequate inventory levels at every distribution link to cater for unpredictability in the market trends in order to maintain customer loyalty. Control strategies should consider having optimal levels of stock at every point. The subsequent element is location. Location decisions revolve around the fluctuating market demands and meeting the various requirements of the customers. Strategic decisions should be based on the positioning of manufacturing facilities, distribution networks, and putting them in strategic locations to attract as many customers as possible. Once prime locations are established, lasting decisions should be reached to locate manufacturing and stocking plants to be as near the consumer as possible. In companies where constituents are light in weight and depends on the market trends, the loca tion of the plants must be within the proximity of the customer. In heavier companies, accessibility to the source of the raw material should be the major concern. Decisions pertaining to location must also take note of tax and tariff issues; particularly where geographical boundaries are major hindrances to successful marketing. Transportation is another element. Strategic decisions concerning transportation issues are associated with inventory decisions and satisfying the varied consumer requirements. For example, air transportation enables the consumer to get the product faster but at increased costs compared to transportation by sea or rail. However, using sea or rail transport is slower and usually results in accumulation of stock in the store that may fail to provide the consumer with a quick service. Therefore, it is important to consider that because thirty percent of the overall cost of a product is included in its transport cost, making the right transport decision is cruc ial. Most of all, consumer service levels should be maintained at all times. Strategically, a company should have adequate measures to make sure that products are delivered timely to the targeted markets (Hugos, 14). The last element is information. Efficient SCM involves getting information from the position of the final consumer and joining that information throughout the chain to enable its faster flow. Information is used to coordinate daily activities and for forecasting and planning in guiding the schedule of the organization.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Too much use of paperwork and inefficient computer systems are unsuitable in the current competitive business environment. Cultivating the innovation culture needs consistent flow of information within the structure of an organization. Networks that link computers to each other and the use of internet consolidate the flow of vital information in an organization. Relationships within the supply chain Information and various process systems are amalgamated across the whole supply chain. The intricacy of supply chain increases as the goods and services move from one supplier to the next within the distribution network. The fundamental duties of a company remain the same, not considering whether or not it is following SCM. Suppliers are still needed to provide raw materials while production continues. Distributors are still needed to deliver the products to the consumers for them to purchase. The usual tasks of a company do not change. The eventual disparity in a company that practices SCM is that their attention changes from the occurrences in every link to involve the relationship existing among the various links (Helms, para. 6). An organization practicing efficient SCM also realizes that the chain has relationships that surpass the usual practices within its framework. Efficient management of the relationships is the place where the integration of the supply chain starts. Whichever enhancements or interruption to the supply chain relationships influences the whole chain. The collective supply chain outcome of indecision is illustrated in the following instance. Suppose a producer of iron box gets supply of poor quality thermostat, and since the producer is dependent on its supplier for prompt delivery, the poor quality batch leads to late delivery to a number of its customers. The iron box producer is compelled to stop further production since he or she lacks adequate material. In the end, the customer gets frustrated when he or she fails to get the preferred brand and ends up purchasing from a business rival. This process also has timing costs associated with it since the customer might have made the actual decision to purchase probably some time after delivery of the substandard thermostat. A number of occurrences take place within the supply chain that is most of the time unexpected. Suppliers may at times deliver materials earlier or later than anticipated. Consumers may increase, decrease, revoke previously assigned orders, or even place large orders. Vehicles used in transportation can break down. Workers can become unwell, refuse to work, or leave the job. Products destined to the market may be of poor quality. Some time ago, organizations prepared for the unexpected and increased their level of consumer contentment by allowing inventory to rise. However, presently this option is unacceptable since high inventories lead to increased costs of transportation and the possibility of the products becoming out dated thus impairing the f lexibility of the organization. All the way through the supply chain, inventory is most of the times generated and held at various places. A section of the inventory can then be decreased or eradicated thus the organization lowers costs and improves in productivity. Reducing the amount of duration it takes to transport manufactured goods from one link of the chain to the other also reduces the cycle time of the whole chain. Therefore, this enhances the competitiveness of the organization and increases the consumer contentment. The bullwhip effect Supply chain management gives the required visibility along the chain to increase the performance of the business and if this visibility is lacking up and down the supply chain, the bullwhip effect sets in. Since the consumer demand is most of the time not predictable, organizations ought to forecast demand to correctly position inventory and other available resources. Forecasts are derived from statistical data and may not be perfectly cor rect. Since forecast inaccuracies are evident, organizations usually have to deal with an inventory buffer known as the safety stock. Across the supply chain from the end-user to the one who supplies raw materials, everyone who takes part in supply chain has had increased observed variation in demand and therefore an increased requirement for safety stock. During the times when demand is increasing, down-stream participants’ raises their orders while when demand reduces, the quantity of orders reduce or halt to lower inventory. The effect seen is that variations are increased when a person goes upstream in the supply chain (away from the consumer). The causes of bullwhip effect can additionally be categorized into behavioral and operational causes. Behavioral causes involve wrong use of base-stock policies, lack of proper sensitivity to feedback and time delays, anxiety over unfulfilled demand, and observed threats of other players’ bounded rationality. Operational cau ses include dependent demand processing that comes due to forecast errors and altering of inventory control parameters with each demand perception. Others are lead-time variability, order synchronization due to consolidation of demands and transaction motives, trade promotion and forward buying, and lastly expectation of deficiency. The bullwhip effect has a number of consequences in the supply chain as is evident in the case of Proctor Gamble (PG) company. When the company was evaluating the demand patterns at different positions in the supply chain, it realized that its customers were using diapers at a steady rate. In this case, the demand order variability in the supply chain was increased as it travelled up the supply chain. The company was not capable of noticing the retailing of its products at the distribution channel stage. It had to depend on sales orders from vendors to formulate product forecasts, arrange for capacity, manage inventory, and program for production. This inadequate visibility led to too much inventory, error in forecasts, too much or restricted capacity, poor customer services, and the damage of its public image. Every connection in the supply chain had excessive inventory to offset the consequences of demand improbability and unpredictability. Research has indicated that having this excessive inventory is equivalent to one hundred days’ of supply. Consequently, by taking into account the effect on the raw materials, the total chain can have in excess of a year’s supply of inventory. Ideally, the bullwhip effect does not take place if all orders accurately fulfill the demand at every time. This effect is a major setback in forecast-driven supply chains and cautious control of the effect is a fundamental aspect for the success of any organization. One method of realizing this is to create a demand-driven supply chain that responds to real consumer orders. Wal-Mart distribution system has realized immense success by adop ting this model (â€Å"logistics,† para.13). Other companies, for example, Hewlett-Packard, PG, and Nestle have also been able to manage this effect. Other countermeasures that have been successfully implemented to control the bullwhip effect include innovative access to information for forecasting demand, reworked price structures, or coming up with approaches to incorporate small lot sizes at the same time as still maximizing transportation effectiveness (Mason and Towill, 43). Achieving this is possible through knowing the consequences of supply chain integration, visibility and information. SCM benefits Supply chain management gives several benefits to companies, which allows them to realize long-term profitability and continue with a solid competitive edge. There are four key advantages of implementing SCM. First, it results in improved supply chain network. SCM gives a proper visibility within the entire supply chain network of an organization. This is difficult to be r ealized when working with disjointed manual processes. By the use of supply chain, customers are able to keep an eye on the condition of all the activities within the entire distribution network. This results in more efficient monitoring and control of all interrelated processes. The processes start from obtaining raw materials to changing them into finished products to be purchased by the consumers. Therefore, the condition of all the activities can be monitored throughout and prompt corrective action undertaken before the situation becomes uncontrollable. Secondly, implementing SCM leads to minimized delays. A number of supply chains, especially those that have not be improved by a supply chain application, are usually interrupted by delays which can lead to reduced customer loyalty and loss in revenues. Orders delivery behind schedule, deceleration of production, and logistical blunders in marketing are all frequent issues that are able to reduce the capability of an organization in adequately meeting the needs of its customers. Implementing SCM ensures the efficient management of all activities from the beginning to the end. This results in increased level of on-time shipment of products across the board. Implementing SCM leads to enhanced collaboration among the various stakeholders. SCM makes it possible for an organization, suppliers and distributors to know the task each one of them is engaged in at all times as it bridges the gap between them, regardless of their geographical constraints. The supply chain partners are able to share crucial information, for example, forecasts and inventory conditions. This form of immediate, uninterrupted flow of information and sharing of vital data enables the supply chain partners to be conversant, thus making it possible for a smooth flow of supply chain processes. Lastly, SCM leads to reduced costs. SCM results in enhanced inventory control, which eradicates the strain on real estate and financial implications tha t often is realized when there is a need to keep surplus products. This strategy ensures more demand that is efficient planning. Therefore, production output can be targeted to a level that minimizes wastages due to lost sales. SCM makes it possible for an organization to have enhanced relationships with merchants and its distributors. This enables purchasing and logistics personnel to discover cost-cutting chances, for example, giving volume discounts. Requirements of SCM The first requirement is consumer focus. The supply chain begins and ends with the consumers, therefore the basic focus of SCM starts by appreciating the consumers, their importance, and needs. This involves understanding the internal consumers of the company as well as the consumers at the extreme end of the supply chain. Organizations ought to find out the requirements of the consumers from the product or services they are going to purchase. They should then focus their energy towards meeting these requirements. The process of the supplier ought to be associated with the purchasing process of the consumer and performance measurement ought to be consumer focused. This is because the behavior of the last consumer would eventually influence the performance of the whole supply chain. The second requirement is Information flow. Organizations should devote their resources in communication devices that are able to give rapid flow of information from one source to the other. Information is the key to enabling quick response among the parties in the supply chain in case any changes take place. Information assists in the process of decision making, for example, assessment and investigation options. The proper flow of information is significant to the visibility of the products and services as they move all the way through the supply chain as this enhances inventory control and consumer service abilities. Because matters of trust and security are important to information integration, a number of comp anies are triumphantly addressing these matters by coming up with partnerships in business. Another requirement is employee and management support. Supply chain approaches usually need transformations in processes and customary norms. This calls for flexibility among the supply chain members to be able to incorporate novel ways and concepts. Sometimes the level of flexibility and change needed becomes complex for companies and their workers. Nevertheless, the capability to adopt essential changes will enable an organization to reap the full benefits of implementing SCM. Since the supply chain is unpredictable, companies are instructed to give room for change, anticipate resistance and find ways of tackling any eventualities. Preparation in the ideas of SCM is able to assist in this endeavor. Furthermore, the new concepts should get adequate support from all the employees and those in management. The last requirement is measurement. Usually organizations adopt methods to enhance thei r performances minus taking concrete steps to ascertain the level of their success. The methods of measuring performance should reflect on the whole supply chain and be aimed at meeting the consumer requirements. Consequently, SCM guarantees that the methods of measurement are properly adhered to in the process of adopting SCM techniques in an organization. Attaining the objectives of SCM The ways that are employed to attain the objectives of SCM can be categorized into two groups. A number of ways strive to attain these objectives by enhancing the processes in the links of the chain while other ways strive to attain these objectives through transforming the duties or the purposes of the chain. The ways employed to enhance this process consist of modeling various alternatives, efficient measurement, and enhanced forecasting. Others are cross-docking inventories (products are not allowed to stop as inventory in the distribution chain), direct store delivery (bypass distribution cente r) and electronic data interchange technology. Direct store delivery method involves products that are needed when fresh or when fast restocking is needed. Electronic data interchange technology involves the use of computers as a method of communication among two or more organizations and it is used to process various issues that arise due to transaction. Big retailers such as Wal-Mart and Kmart have initiated this technology, which ensures that information is transmitted quickly. Other ways are present that employ changing roles to attain SCM objectives. These are postponement strategies (interrupts the differentiation of products to address the changing consumer requirements), vendor managed inventory (companies reach beyond their boundaries and combine their energies with suppliers and consumers), and supplier integration (organizations focus on allying with all the key suppliers in the supply chain). Supply chain operations reference The Supply-Chain Council (a not-for-profit tr ade association) set up the supply chain operations reference (SCOR) model. The model was made to illustrate all the activities of an organization that are related to meeting the requirements of the consumer and it divides the entire supply chain activities into five management processes of plan, source, make, deliver, and return. The model has numerous subdivisions. By illustrating supply chains, SCOR can be employed to illustrate supply chains that are extremely easy or extremely difficult through employing a standard of terminologies. Therefore, unrelated organizations can be connected to illustrate in detail the parameters in any supply chain. Global projects and site-specific projects have triumphantly adopted SCOR as a foundation for meeting their objectives. SCOR is an important tool employed by organizations to evaluate the arrangement of their supply chains, discover and assess metrics in the supply chain, establish weak points and attain optimal outcomes. SCOR is a cross-i ndustry guideline for supply chain management. It gives a universal supply chain framework, guideline on terms used, and regular metrics with related point of reference. Organizations, suppliers, and consumers are able to establish integrated supply chains using it since the model can be employed as a standard guideline for assessing, locating, and adopting SCM practices. Principles of supply chain management The first principle involves starting with the consumer by appreciating their values and varied needs. Consumers are grouped depending on the service requirements of the different groups. The supply chain is then altered to efficiently meet the needs of these groupings. These groupings assist the organization to provide products customized to the targeted market segment. The second principle involves managing logistics assets across the entire supply chain, not only within the organization. Plans that are concerned with the location of distribution plants, pipeline inventory, a nd transportation activities must involve both down-channel and up-channel partners, for example, retailer-managed inventory plans will need corporation to determine various delivery issues. The next principle appertains to organizing consumer management. This ensures that it gives one â€Å"face† to the consumer for any information needed as well as providing optimal customer service. It involves corresponding suppliers’ fulfillment processes with the consumers’ purchasing behavior and it necessitates that information technology to be organized to give a single window on the order status. The subsequent principle involves integrating sales and operations planning. This forms the foundation for a more responsive supply chain, for example, ensuring that all the functions have the same forecast number. This calls for sharing of information amongst the various stakeholders in a supply chain. The fifth principle appertains to leveraging manufacturing and sourcing to ensure flexible and competent processes. Leading organizations are implementing other strategies besides the traditional approaches. Postponement tactics, for an instance such as controlling production in order to lower inventory while maintaining optimal operations in the levels of stocks, can be practiced effectively. The next principle involves building strategic alliances and relationship management within all the members of the supply chain. Even though building a true collaboration is a daunting task, the reality is that if strategic relationships are lacking, controlling the whole supply chain as a distinct unit is difficult. The last principle deals with developing consumer-driven performance measures, which will eventually be the reference point for the behaviour of all the partners in the chain. The comprehensive supply chain strategy entails coming up with measures and performance criteria that checks the financial position of the entire supply chain. Conclusion As the s trategy of total quality management (TQM), Supply chain management is an advancing process since it lacks a definite stopping point. Implementing SCM ensures that an organization records increased benefits in costs reduction and competency improvement. Supply chains involves organizations together with the business operations required to design, make, deliver, and make use of a product or service. Organizations rely on their supply chains to provide them with what they need to survive and thrive in the competitive business environment. Each organization fits into one or more supply chains and has a duty to perform in every one of them. SCM attends to difficult matters and business rivalry by exploiting and improving the supply chain in order to give tactical, economic, and profitable outcomes to the organization. Helms, Marilyn. â€Å"Supply Chain Management.† Reference for Business. 2010. Web. Hugos, Michael. Essentials of supply chain management. Hoboken: Wiley Publishing, 2006. Print. â€Å"Logistics.† 2009 Global Sustainability Report. Wal-Mart. n.d. Web. Mason, Rachel and Dennis Towill. Coping with Uncertainty: Reducing Bullwhip Behaviour in Global Supply Chains. Supply Chain Forum 1.0 (2000): 40–44. Print. Mentzer, John T. et al. â€Å"Defining Supply Chain Management.† Journal of Business Logistics 22. 2 (2001): 1–25. Print. Mentzer, John T. Supply chain management. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publication, 2001. Print. Wisner et al. Principles of supply chain management: a balanced approach. Mason: South-Western Cengage Learning, 2008. Print.

Facts About Sponges (Porifera)

Facts About Sponges (Porifera) Sponges (Porifera) are a group of animals that includes about 10,000 living species. Members of this group include glass sponges, demosponges, and calcareous sponges. Adult sponges are sessile animals that live attached to hard rocky surfaces, shells, or submerged objects. The larvae are ciliated, free-swimming creatures. Most sponges inhabit marine environments but a few species live in freshwater habitats. Sponges are primitive multicellular animals that have no digestive system, no circulatory system, and no nervous system. They do not have organs and their cells are not organized into well-defined tissues. About Sponge Types There are three subgroups of sponges. The glass sponges have a skeleton that consists of fragile, glass-like spicules that are made of silica. The demosponges are often vibrantly colored and can grow to be the largest of all sponges. The demosponges account for more than 90 percent of all living sponge species. The calcarious sponges are the only group of sponges to have spicules that are made of calcium carbonate. Calcarious sponges are often smaller than other sponges. Sponge Body Layers The body of a sponge is like a sac that is perforated with lots of small openings or pores. The body wall consists of three layers: An outer layer of flat epidermal cellsA middle layer that consists of gelatinous substance and amoeboid cells that migrate within the layerAn inner layer that consists of flagellated cells and collar cells (also called choanocytes) How Sponges Eat Sponges are filter feeders. They draw water in through the pores located throughout their body wall into a central cavity. The central cavity is lined with collar cells which have a ring of tentacles that surround a flagellum. Movement of the flagellum creates current that keeps water flowing through the central cavity and out of a hole at the top of the sponge called the osculum. As water passes over the collar cells, food is captured by the collar cells ring of tentacles. Once absorbed, food is digested in food vacuoles or transferred to the amoeboid cells in the middle layer of the body wall for digestion. The water current also delivers a constant supply of oxygen to the sponge and removes nitrogenous waste products. Water exits the sponge through the large opening at the top of the body called the osculum. Classification of Porifera Sponges are classified within the following taxonomic hierarchy: Animals Invertebrates Porifera Sponges are divided into the following taxonomic groups: Calcarious sponges (Calcarea): There are about 400 species of calcarious sponges alive today. The calcareous sponges have spicules that consist of calcium carbonate, calcite, and aragonite. The spicules have two, three, or four points, depending on species.Demosponges (Demospongiae): There are about 6,900 species of demo sponges alive today. The demo sponges are the most diverse of the three groups of sponges. Members of this group are ancient creatures that first arose during the Precambrian.Glass sponges (Hexactinellida): There are about 3,000 species of glass sponges alive today. Glass sponges have a skeleton that is constructed from siliceous spicules.

Compare and contrast intellectual property rights in two regions Essay

Compare and contrast intellectual property rights in two regions. Comment on the difficulties faced in an increasingly globalised world - Essay Example Almost all the organizations whether large of small, national or multinational, and industrial or artistic develop logos, draw designs and introduce some brands that serve as the identity mark of their company. Intellectual property is the identity mark of an individual, a company, an organization or an industry, over which the creator contains complete and unconditional rights. The statute of law provides protection to such property in favour of the originator, and claim over this type of property without referencing to the devisor is against the statute of law and liable to be punishment. Copyright Act, Trademark Ordinance and Patents Ordinance provide protection to intellectual property rights. Different countries have devised various sets of law in order to protect intellectual property rights. Though the main objective behind all the states of the globe is to provide a complete and comprehensive scheme to the inventor of an intellectual product, yet the policies and laws vary from country to country. The same is the case with the United Kingdom and Pakistan, where the political authorities have passed distinguished intellectual property laws for the protection of intellectual rights. Once ruled over the Indo-Pakistan sub-continent, the UK introduced many legal acts like Civil & Criminal Procedural Codes, Sales of Goods, Arbitration Law, Contract Act 1872, Companies Ordinance and others. But after the partition of India in 1947, the independent Pakistani Republic passed new statutes of law including Intellectual Property Ordinance and others. It is therefore, significant variation could be observed between the IPR of both the above described countries. Before embarking up on the topic, it would be appropriate to define the types of intellectual property: Copyright consists of sections of art and literature including prose

Linear Function Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Linear Function - Essay Example More time you spend on phone, less time the battery last. Again amount of water needed is directly proportional to weather. More water is needed, to drink, in hot weather, as compare to cold weather. Again probability of success is directly proportional to hard work done. There are many activities, in our life, which can be proving as examples of linear functions in our life. 1. Suppose you have a lemonade stand, and when you charge $1 per cup of lemonade you sell 50 cups. But when you raise your price to $2 you only sell 25 cups. Write an equation for the number of cups you sell as a function of the price you charge. Denote "C" for number of cups, and "P" for the price you charge. Assume the function is linear. 3. Which of the following are functions Explain your reasoning for a, b, and c. Keep the definition of a function strongly in mind as you do this problem, it is not nearly as difficult as it may look. Think about whether the relationship between f(x) and x is consistent with being a function or not and explain your reasoning. Time taken by a person is function of speed of driving. How much you increase your driving speed, you take less time to cover the required distance. Now distance between your home and work place is constant provided you use same path for driving daily. So speed of driving is the one of major factor to decide time required to reach to the work.