What Is a Linear Programming Problem

Linear Programming is a mathematical technique useful for allocation of scarce or limited resources to several competing activities on the basis of given criterion of optimality. The usefulness of linear programming as a tool for optimal decision-making on resource allocation, is based on its applicability to many diversified decision problems. The effective use and application requires, as on its applicability to many diversified decision problems. The effective use and application requires, as a first step, the mathematical formulation of an LP model, when the problem is presented in words.Steps of linear programming model formulation are summarized as follows : STEP 1 : Identify the Decision Variables a) Express each constraint in words. For this you should first see whether the constraint is of the form >/ (at least as large as), of the form < (no larger than) or of the form = (exactly equal to) b) You should then verbally express the objective function c) Steps (a) and (b) should then allow you to verbally identify the decision variablesIf there are several decision alternatives available , then in order to identify the decision variables you need to ask yourself the question – what decisions must be made in order to optimize the objective function ? Having accomplished step 1(a) through (c) decide the symbolic notation for the decision variables and specify units of measurement. Such specification of units of measurement would help in interpreting the final solution of the LP problem . STEP 2 : Identify the Problem Data For solving a problem, we need to identify the problem data so as to provide the actual values for the decision variables. For this,†¦

IELTS

Look at these six explanations or definitions of ‘education' written in different styles ND: Decide if the explanations are spoken or written.Match each one with the source from which you think it was taken, listed at the end. Education can be seen as either a battlefield for values or a question of systems or, more simply, as an extension of the biological function of the upbringing of children – known more simply as parenting. We'll start by looking at how far the role of teacher goes beyond being a parent. The process by which your mind develops through learning at a school, college, or university; the knowledge and skills that you gain from being taught. Education' comes from a Latin word.One of the important things about education is to give people an interest in knowledge and an ability to learn – or strategies or techniques for learning – and a knowledge of how to find out about things they want to know. Education: teaching, schooling, training, inst ruction, tuition, tutelage, edification, tutoring, cultivation, upbringing, indoctrination, drilling; learning, lore, knowledge, information, erudition†¦ ‘Its Education forms the common mind Just as the twig is bent, the tree's inclined. People going to school and learning.Students discuss the questions to introduce the subject of the lesson. Students' own answers. Ideas may include: use of formal vocabulary; clearly organized and structured; need for support for ideas. It is important to follow the conventions so that your writing is accepted as a valid contribution to the academic debate. If the writing uses a different style or format it will not be regarded as ‘academic writing, even if the ideas are valid. Informal and formal Students compare two definitions of economics. The informal/spoken text is unplanned; includes hesitation fillers; uses informal language e. You know; is personal; uses questions. The formal/written text is planned; does not include any he sitation or digression; uses formal vocabulary; is impersonal. Students identify which sentences are formal and which are informal. Answers: F Students complete the guidelines with the words from the box. Personal tentative evidence neutral vague, precise contractions abbreviations slang speaking Students rewrite the sentences in a formal style. Possible answers: It was reported that it was unsatisfactory. It seemed that the lecture was very difficult to understand.They need to discover owe to conduct a survey of elderly people's opinions of young children. The results were better than expected. / appeared to be better than expected. It was reported that none of the students knew the answer. One man described his unhappiness at being alone. Identifying different styles Students read the six explanations of ‘education', decide if they are written or spoken and match them to the sources. Answers: e d b Students write an explanation of education in an academic style. Various answ ers are possible.Model answer (uses impersonal structures; cautious/tentative language; purports ideas with examples; is neutral in tone; uses specific vocabulary; avoids contractions and colloquialisms). The term ‘education' can be defined in a number of different ways. A narrow definition might be limited to the education system, that is, the structure organizing schools, colleges, and universities, and those who work and learn in them. A broader understanding of the term would include all types of teaching, training and learning, including parent-child interactions at home and any type of communicative activity in which information is shared.

Should You Submit Your SAT/ACT Scores?

College applications are rarely straightforward, and as the process evolves over time, aspects that used to be fairly standard are becoming less so. This is especially true of standardized tests. While some colleges still place a great deal of weight on SAT or ACT scores, sometimes even using them as an initial screening tool, other colleges no longer require them at all. This leaves some college applicants wondering when and if they should submit their SAT or ACT scores. In this post, we’ll discuss how to decide when to submit your scores and when to withhold them. If you’re planning to apply to college this season, don’t send those score reports without reading this post first. Testing policies are different at each school. Some colleges require that you submit every score from every test you’ve taken. Some want to see only your highest section scores. Other colleges want to see only your highest composite score. It can all get a little confusing when you’re trying to apply to seven or eight different schools. Luckily, checking the score policy at each college is usually fairly straightforward. For one, when you log onto the CollegeBoard’s Score Report page and begin to select the schools you’d like to send your scores to, the form will automatically suggest which scores to send based on that specific school’s testing policy. This is a great tool, but it’s no substitute for doing your own research. The admissions page for each college generally lists its testing policy in an obvious place. If you can’t find it, check the FAQ page or contact the office of admissions directly. Â   The bottom line is that you need to understand the specific testing policy at every school you apply to in order to make an informed decision. Before you send any score reports, research the testing policy at each school on your list and come up with a score report plan for each school individually. Our students see an average increase of 250 points on their SAT scores. At , we recommend choosing only one standardized test and sticking with it. This means that if you choose the ACT, you should focus exclusively on the ACT, and the same vice versa if you choose the SAT. We know, though, that sometimes students choose to take both tests. In this case, you might have a trickier time deciding which score to submit, or wondering if you should submit them both. Â   You should only submit both scores if both are exceptionally impressive. Submitting both scores still won’t necessarily set you apart from someone who submits only one equally as impressive score, but at least it can’t hurt. If you’re not sure how impressive your scores are, you should look up how they compare to the test scores of last year’s admitted students. You can generally find this information through a simple web query. Your scores are considered impressive if they place comfortably above the 75th percentile of admitted students. Â   If your scores on the ACT and SAT are not equally impressive, do not submit both. Instead, only submit the scores that place you higher amongst other admitted students. Again, use the information available from a web query to see how last year’s admitted students faired. Then, select the scores that place you closer to the top. For example, if your SAT scores place you at the 75th percentile of admitted students, but your ACT scores place you at the 50th percentile, stick with your SAT scores. Even though your ACT scores are comfortably within the acceptable range, they aren’t as impressive as your SAT scores, and submitting them could take away from the good impression left by your SATs. Test optional schools are one of the scenarios that elicit the most questions about submitting test scores. While testing policies used to be fairly black and white, test optional schools definitely leave a gray area. In general, when a college application lists smoothing as optional, you should considered it required unless it will ultimately be a big strike against you. Basically, this means that you should still submit your best SAT or ACT score to a test optional school, unless it is poor enough to really count against you. You can determine this by checking the scores of admitted students from last year. If your score places you below the 25th percentile, think twice about submitting it. It might be best to discuss your options with your guidance counselor or eliciting advice from ’s Applications Guidance service. Here, you will be paired with a personal admissions specialist from a top a college who can provide step-by-step guidance through the entire application process, including selecting which, if any, scores to submit. To learn more about test optional schools, check out our post What Test-Optional Means for College Admissions . Of course, your best offense is always a good defense, so we suggest avoiding any questions about submitting test scores by maximizing your SAT or ACT performance from the get go. If you achieve a score you’re proud to submit, you won’t have to worry about it. For advice about preparing for standardized tests, check out these important posts: For more help preparing for your standardized tests, consider the benefits of ’s full service, customized SAT Tutoring Program , where the brightest and most qualified tutors in the industry guide students to an average score increase of 140 points.

The Fall Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The Fall - Essay Example The book explores the themes of redemption, self gratification and personal growth and offers a critical view of the protagonist’s views and experiences during the Second World War. This essay sets out to take an analytical survey at the character’s attempt at reinventing himself. Jean Baptist was a lawyer, who had built a reputation for himself as being a good defense lawyer, who helped the less fortunate fight for justice where they could not afford to hire the services of one. He used to give alms to beggars on the streets and offer his aid to blind people cross the streets. His good charitable deeds made him feel different from other people who he saw as being hypocritical and selfish. His kindly deeds fed his ego and made him feel righteous. One day when he was heading home, he came across a woman on the Pont de Art Bridge standing on the ledge staring down at the water. He did not pause to afford even the woman a glance, but just passed her, and after a few paces, he heard a loud scream and the sound of a body splashing the water down below. Jean Baptist did nothing to help the woman who was swept away screaming for help. The incident of the woman who committed suicide on the Pont de Art Bridge marked the turning point of Jean Baptist’s life. ... He came to the realization it was a form of show off to the passersby. At this moment, he realized that he was a far much worse hypocrite and selfish than those he criticized among his peers and government. He tried convincing himself that he failed to rescue the woman because rescuing her, involved risking his own personal safety, so it was better off that he did not help her so that he could continue helping others. No matter how hard he tried to justify his actions on that day, his conscience did not allow him to feel better about himself. Jeans Baptist Clemence’s realization that he was no different from leaders, in government and his peers, triggered the process of trying to justify himself by denouncing the exact principles that he stood by and jeopardized his career, in the process. No one believed his utterances because according to his reputation and how people knew him, he could only have been joking. He said, â€Å"I wish I could wring the beggar’s necks and beat them up in the streets† (Horton 48). Jean Baptist proclaimed that the poor and the oppressed were oppressing the decent working class of people, and wished they could be banished from the streets. People around him and his friends who knew him well and understood him well thought he was just making fun. This got Jean Baptist frustrated and he started avoiding his friends and immersing himself into alcohol. He stopped practicing law and ruined his reputation. The World War started during, his dramatic turn around, and France was occupied by the German forces. He endeavors to believe that he is a reputable man, but he finds himself in a society that is full of forgeries (Horton 35). Horton relates this to Jean Baptist’s situation because

PR 10 Krikorian & Danticat Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

PR 10 Krikorian & Danticat - Essay Example An enemy of the state is any individual or party that feels like the United States has not respected their doctrines or principles through the implementation of any of its policies and thus acts negatively upon the citizens, or government officials. Safety through immigration control debates the United States of America is a country that should find it necessary to strengthen its border control patrols and policies in order to counter and decrease future terrorist assaults. According to Krikorian, America is a robust power that could not be defeated by conventional techniques (Davies 489). He also reasons that the state’s novel that is from individuals who realize this situation and immigrate in the county. Afterwards, they are commonly recognized as the â€Å"fourth-generation† rivalry in opposition to us. Personally, I believe that Krikorian has spent an immoderate amount of time on military strategies, enemy concerns and border patrols to the issue. As a result, he has distorted the problems. Krikorian fails to clearly realize who the â€Å"enemy† is and does not mention the faults made by the United States government. Already, a number of critics of his journal have reasoned that his points have backed and remain supporting the issue (Davies 490). In high school, I was a great friend to a classmate of mine who was one of the members of a six-member group and movement. This movement believed that school uniform was a policy that suppressed our rights. As a result, they decided to take action by demonstrating in a way that could greatly catch the attention of the school administration. The group planned to wear blue armbands, neatly a quarter-inch in breadth with no inscription on it on Friday, September 17, 2009. After reports of the plan reached the media, school administrators proclaimed that pupils’ with the armbands would be suspended from school for six

Engaging with Vulnerable People Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Engaging with Vulnerable People - Essay Example I will also investigate through the professional values with reference to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)’s Code of Professional Conduct with regard to the care provided to Miss. Jaya. This essay will find out whether the staff had given respect while maintaining the patient’s dignity and self-respect. The anti discriminatory practice concerns in the case study are explained in the essay while analyzing how these elements affect providing care. A personal perspective about the issue and lessons obtained from the assignment is added in the conclusion. The Concept of Vulnerability The concept of vulnerability has been widely used to explain a situation in which the physical as well as the mental well-being needed for a normal productive life is impaired and at continuous risk (‘The concept of vulnerability’, n.d.). In simple terms of general usage, vulnerability can be denoted as the state of being exposed to hazards, risks, and stresses. When it come s to health-related vulnerability, poor health grade causes the entry into the condition of vulnerability. The vulnerability in the health care system is affected with the people and society in the form mortality, morbidity, and more commonly in various forms of social deprivation. The concept of vulnerability itself is evident in the perception of health risk, and has always been affecting the public health systems. In each country, the state of vulnerability depends on the level of development and stages of health transition. Even when there are certain patterns, certain population sections of society are highly exposed to the health hazards and poorest quality of life. The group extremely exposed to vulnerability is women, under the categories of women in rural areas, abandoned old women, and teenage mothers. Such identification and categorization of the highly vulnerable group has facilitated the investigators to conceptualize health care as multi-sectored service. The Royal Col lege of Nursing (Cited by Dyson, 2007) suggests that while taking care of the old people, the nurses should realise the multi-ethnic backgrounds of the patient, which can greatly influence the quality of care; assessment and evaluation of care in a rage of acute care setting will help in developing and promoting fair and anti-discriminatory healthcare practice. The strategies must be formulated at the local level as well as the national level, in order to tackle down the vulnerability towards women, especially towards the aged women. At the same time, policy formulation intended to eradicate vulnerability must not end up in creating new forms of vulnerability against the existing ones. Each nurse, regardless of their practise and service is expected to adhere to the NMC codes of conduct as well as to its recommendation and guidelines, in order to promote a safe environment for clients and others. Nurses are ought to preserve the patient’s safety, and this practise can be cons idered to be the base for behaviour and code of conduct. Patients under the care of a nurse, like Miss. Jaya in the case study who was admitted in the ward under the care of nurse, are vulnerable by virtue of illness, injury, and more of dependent nature and undesired incidents. And such incidents create an unequal influence base within the nurse-patient relationship.

American Government Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

American Government - Essay Example It is better - much better. To start, America is now a place where people can tastefully joke about race. Since many democrats believe that former president Bill Clinton was good for the economy, and a proponent for initiatives that positively impacted lower classes, which of course includes many African-American families, it is joked that he is the first black president. According to DeWayne Wickham's "Clinton, Africa, and True Colors," which was published in USA Today, author Toni Morrison coined the phrase. Wickham doesn't think that Mr. Clinton can be called the first black president, but agrees he is "almost certainly the next best thing" (para. 1). It's not that Morrison's comment did not offend some. It did. The truth is, though, that many African Americans embrace the term, and even laugh about it. It is probably one of the reasons that Mrs. Clinton has some of the momentum she has - people long for the thriving economic times generated by the last Clinton in office. It is impressive, though, that a wh ite president can be looked upon as favorably by black people as Mr. Clinton was, and it is even more impressive that the average African American is not offended by his being called black. Obama has even joined in the jibing. In an Economist article, "Primary Colour," Obama was asked how he feels about the former white president being called black. ... Referring to Clinton a potential brother, a term of endearment from one black man to another, is also funny. There was a time when a black man would have died for merely suggesting that a white man was kin to a black man. Now, it is no more than a punch line. That's progress. With all the fight for equality that women, too, have suffered, it would seem that most women would jump at the chance to elect a female president. That isn't always the case. It says a lot about the country that women, even white women, are supporting Barack Obama. In "Black Women Talk Barack," Amy Alexander writes that the "archetypal 'black woman voter' does not exist" (10). Alexander explains that white women of the baby boomer generation are enthusiastic about Obama. Black women, who are often seen as conflicted about whether to vote their race or gender, may also be leaning more heavily toward Obama. Alexander writes that this phenomenon is even easier to explain. "The mothers of black boys are going to vote for Obama" (10). The truth is, Obama offers hope to African Americans everywhere. Alexander is correct. He is what every mother, whites and blacks, though, wants her son to be. Obama is smart, educated, articulate, and promising to look out for the every day American. With all of the struggles and discrimination that black people have faced, and still do, he is more than just a possible black president. He is a beacon of understanding. Clinton might speak of understanding the plight of black people, or the lower class, but Obama is black people. One of his own family members, according to a television interview, was among the class of people who die from illness, or old age, and can't

Health-related topics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Health-related topics - Essay Example The health field bases on different factors the ability to overcome challenges depends on the models choices by a particular party. A person is best defined by the manner in which he or she overcomes social and other environmental challenges. The challenges within the environments are what shape a person’s mind. Jones (2001) creates a new concept and encourages each individual to describe their environment based on positivity and ignoring the negative attributes. The positive energy defined by the author is essential in everyday’s life. The world needs positive minds to enhance activities within the cultural spaces. Ignoring the negatives implies that allowing a person’s mind to generate solution based on available options. Public health is a major proponent in a given society. The positive energy within the spaces can be used to point out opportunities and highlights models to be applied while assisting those affected by a given misfortune. Illnesses require positive energy. The positive energy is accompanied by diversity on the mind set. A person needs to take diversity as tool to appreciate other cultures and identify the significance of different people within the environment (Jones, 2001). Diversity allows a person to seek advice in case of a complex situation. The social spaces are developed to give room for different ideas. Diversity allows those with negative thoughts to shift their philosophies and allow the society to unite against a given occurrence. In my case, I believe in a diverse mind. The ability to mentor others and offer health services are based on a diverse approach. Working with a community that allows the minority and the marginalized groups to have equal say is what I believe. Healthcare provisions bases on two components. These components are determined either by the health providers or by the healthcare beneficiaries. The beneficiary needs a positive thinking while the providers

Byzantine and Islamic systems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Byzantine and Islamic systems - Essay Example While previous adaptations played a major role in shaping the conflict that occurred between the Byzantine and Islamic empires, they were insufficient to operate on their own due to the consistent changes and dynamics that had occurred in the empires over time (Miller, 2002 n.p.). Therefore, it was inevitable for both systems to adapt a unique and current tactics and strategies that would not suffice for the intended dominance and supremacy wars. The Byzantine system borrowed more from the already collapsed Roman Empire of the 4th century, since they were more or less founded on similar principles (Watson, 2010 p87). Similarly, the Islamic systems also borrowed very much from the Huns, who were ancient Muslims who also had engaged in fights with the earlier Roman opponents, only that there was an addition of more Islam zeal during this period (Esposito, 1988 p37). Thus, it is apparent that both systems adapted strategies that would enable them defeat their opponents, which included f orging ties with the neighboring empires to reinforce their might. Nevertheless, through academic research, this explorative paper concluded that both the Byzantine Empire and Islamic System had military, cultural and economic force. However, the analysis found that the Islamic empire had a religious force behind their push, which served to compensate for the lack of a sophisticated administrative system, like the one that the Byzantine Empire had already put in place. Military within Byzantine Empire was made up of a large force, which did not reduce despite several incursions from the Muslims, owing to the continued growth of the population within the Byzantine Empire (Watson, 2010 p82). Byzantine Empire Military managed to maintain a huge force starting the 10th century through the 12th century, although the sufficient resources required to create such large armies and enhance their efficiency had dwindled over time, making it impossible for the empire to establish a large effici ent national army. The strength of the Byzantine Empire Military was based on the establishment of a sophisticated administrative system through the 10th and the 11th century, referred to as the theme system (Haldon, 2002 p12). This system divided the whole Byzantine Empire into several administrative units, which were then able to consolidate their authority over the territory they manned, at the expense of the establishment of large national army, which would require much resources and logistical planning and strategies. The thematic system was applied as an effective solution tool, to counter the Islamic army attacks, which were being experienced from different sides of the Byzantine Empire, making it possible for rapid response to the attacks, as opposed to the large national military response, which would be delayed by the logistical and the resource requirements (Miller, 2002 n.p.). The essence of the thematic military strategy applied by the Byzantine Empire, was to maintain a full time field presence of the troops in different regions of the empire that were prone to attacks, something that would not be efficient, through the use of a large national army (Esposito, 1988 p42). Military within Islamic System was based on a different system, which was an element of the previous adaptations from the Huns, who were also involved in conflicts with the earlier Roman Empire. The ‘hit and run’ tactic was the one the Muslim system mostly applied in their assault against the Byzantine Empire, which was perpetually threatened from various quarters. However, while the Muslim system borrowed the tactic from the Huns, who had previously engaged in a series of battle with the Roman Empire, they invoked the religious

A Critical Analysis Of the Changing Face of Fashion Essay

A Critical Analysis Of the Changing Face of Fashion - Essay Example The essay "A Critical Analysis Of the Changing Face of Fashion" talks about the Face of Fashion and analyzes its changing. Photography roots dates back to the remote days of the invention of the principle concerning the camera obscura. During this timeline, some substances were observed to be visibly altered by the light. At this stage, no one thought of capturing the images in a permanent. In 1800, Thomas Wedgwood attempted to come up with the first photographic documents which turned out to be unsuccessful. In mid-1820s, Niepce Nicephore came up with a successful camera although several days of exposure to the camera were needed and thus the earliest results turned out to be very crude. Louis Daguerre, a Niepce’s associate, came up with the daguerreotype process. The process was the first photographic process that was publicly announced. The process required a few minutes of exposure so as to record the image. The process produced a finely detailed, precise result. The proce ss was commercially introduced and traded in the year 1839, and the date is accepted to date as the year of birth of actual practical photography. Exhibit 1 shows the world’s earliest surviving camera. The metal based process of daguerreotype had some competition soon. The competition was of the salt process by the paper-based collotype negative. The photographic process was invented and innovated by Henry Talbot Fox. Subsequent innovations as time went reduced the required camera exposure as per from minutes to seconds.

Hazardous Material Handling Essay Example for Free

Hazardous Material Handling Essay Chemicals are found in all places; they are used to enhance crop production, distill drinking water, and simplify everyday chores. But chemicals can also be hazardous to the environment as well as to humans if released or used inappropriately. These hazards can take place during disposal, use, transportation, storage, or production.   If a chemical is released in harmful amounts or used unsafely, it can cause lifelong health effects, serious injury, death, and damage to homes, buildings, and other property. In the recent years, the Federal Bureau of Investigation publicly announced that terrorists are particularly interested in releasing hazardous material as well as in targeting their containers on American soil. Alarmingly, if terrorists succeed in such an attack in a populated vicinity, the result would be devastating. The number of casualties ensuing from such an attack would be enormous; dwarfing the fatality count in the 911 attacks. Chemical, Biological and Nuclear Agents and Incidents Deadly chemical, biological, and nuclear agents that may be employed by non-state actors or adversarial nations against civilians could cause mass casualties.   Other than calculated terrorist attacks and deliberate employment of NBC weapons during military operations, the hazards could result from the release of toxic radioactive matters, biological agents of operational significance, and industrial chemicals (Mauroni, 2007, p. 290). Basically, chemical incidents are depicted by rapid onset, from minutes to hours, of apparent health indicators. While in cases of radiological and biological incidents, the onset symptoms entails days to weeks, normally with no distinctive indicators. A recent simulation by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory revealed that if an attack should occur during a political event or other public celebrations, people could die at a rate of more than 100 per second and, within 30 minutes, up to 100,000 people could die (District of Columbia, Office of the Attorney General, 2005, p. 2). Likewise, a 2004 study by the Homeland Security Council found that even under less crowded circumstances, an attack in a metropolitan area would cause 100,000 hospitalizations, 10,000 severe injuries and 17,500 deaths (District of Columbia, Office of the Attorney General, 2005, p. 2). I. Chemical Agents Several types of toxic cyanide compounds may be used in terrorist attacks. Potassium or sodium cyanides are pale yellow-to-white salts that can be easily utilized to poison drinks or food. When combined with chemicals that enhance skin penetration, cyanide salts can be dispersed as a contact poison. Toxic industrial chemicals such as mustard or nerve agents, in contrast, can be utilized in larger amounts to compensate for their inferior toxicity. Initial skin contact results in slight skin irritation, which turns into more acute yellow fluid-filled lesions (U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2003). Inhalation of mustard causes breathing problems, damages the lungs, and death by suffocation caused by water in the lungs. II. Biological Agents Bacillus anthracis, the bacterium that generates anthrax, is an attractive biological agent for terrorist attacks because it can endure different environmental conditions, and its inhalation could normally result in death. Anthrax can be used to contaminate water or food or disseminated in an aerosol to respectively cause ingestional or inhalational anthrax (U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2003). III. Radiological and Nuclear Agents and Devices An RDD or radiological dispersal device is designed to cause contamination of radioactive material due to its diffusing function.   A range of radioactive materials could be employed in a RDD, including Cobalt-60, Strontium-90, and Cesium-137 (U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2003). Use of an RDD by terrorists could result in economic, environmental and health effects, as well as social and political effects. In a nuclear terrorist event, the hazards are nuclear radiation, shock or blast effect, and thermal radiation. Developments on MAZMAT Incidents Approaches Proper sample gathering is significant to preserve sample veracity for laboratory testing, to guarantee chain-of-custody documentation for possible legal actions, and basically to protect those on-site responders and victims (Association of Public Health Laboratories, 2008). Accordingly, in the recent years the laboratory training programs slowly and seriously take in a proactive sample collection seminar, along with familiarization with laboratory testing methods, as well as proficiency testing program. These programs are intended to assure that first responders in the field will be able to accurately use hand-held testing devices, correctly understand test results and develop proper action plan derived from the findings. Moreover, in view of the fact the ability to detect impending terrorism agents is essential to effective and safe emergency response, Hazmat responders are now being trained on how to operate a range of Hazmat detection devices. As the war against terrorism has intensified, the number of technological advances and knowledge in the field of terrorist agent detection has also been improved among Hazmat teams. Conclusion Hazardous materials incidents cover a diversity of possible situations including explosions, transportation accidents, spills, fires, and similar events. Hazards may include chemical reactions, health hazards, toxicity, explosives, radiological hazards, or a combination of any of the said hazards. In view of these, terrorists have a wide range of alternatives of toxic materials and means for attacks. To adequately and safely counteract Hazmat terrorist attacks, Hazmat teams are regularly modernizing, as well as participating in related trainings, as these trainings identify their strengths and weaknesses not only of their respective teams, but how the teams works together when disaster does arise.

St. Augustines Confessions Essay Example for Free

St. Augustines Confessions Essay There was nothing in Augustines Confessions that will help reveal his background especially concerning his socio-economic status. One has to consult other sources for that. But knowing fully well that education in ancient times is prized by the rich and the elite it is easy to deduce from the well written Latin masterpiece that indeed Augustine belong to the creme de la creme of society. This is a significant insight because not only is Augustine part of the highly educated and well-to-do crowd he also is a man who longs for God. A close study of the Confessions will lead one to understand how Augustine views Christianity. Based on the document, Augustine believed that Christianity is about striving to be intimate with God and at the same time a daily struggle to make the flesh obedient to the call of a godly life in Christ Jesus. Intimacy with God One of the most radical concepts about Christianity is the notion that mere mortals can be intimate with God. In order to appreciate this idea one has to first understand that Christianity like Judaism believes in one Almighty God who is Lord of Lords and King of Kings. They are not simply worshipping someone that is ruler of a particular locale, like a god that is in-charge of a really old Oak tree or some ancient hill. This God is the one and only. Aside from that the God of St. Augustine is a great Deity whose power is evident in the Old Testament portion of the Bible. The God of Augustine is the Creator of Heaven and Earth. And yet Augustine wanted to be close to Him. This is evident in Book I: The Early Years. In the first few paragraphs Augustines deep longings was evident by expressing near panic not knowing what to do first. Is it to call Him or to praise Him? Having the ultimate goal in mind Augustine said that, â€Å"You stir man to take pleasure in praising you, because you have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you† (Book I: Early Years). This desire for intimacy is actually radical. One only has to take a casual review of ancient religions, Greek and Roman mythology to realize that for thousands of years before Augustines Confessions God or the gods were considered to be mean and cruel. The ultimate goal of the worshiper is not to be intimate with the gods but to appease them. God according to other religion is indeed mighty but He is unapproachable. As one continues to read, one will find that Augustine was simply warming up. He is not merely content with the getting to know you stage and his desire to know God goes deeper not willing to accept a superficial relationship. Augustine did not write the Confessions because he simply wanted to earn the favor of God. He went one step further and in the first few sentence of Book II, Augustine declared that he desires to love God (see Book II: Adolescence). The Flesh The words coming from his pen were profound and those who may mistake Augustine’s longing for intimacy with the Almighty as wishful thinking. Augustine as agreed in beginning of this study was a man born to privilege and highly educated. If what he is saying is truth then it will be either as a mockery to God or as an honest desire to really know and be known by Him. One has to continue digging deeper into the Confessions in order to understand that Augustine was not deluded into thinking that this quest will be an easy one. It is at the point of realization that knowing God will not be an easy task Augustine begins to pour out his frustration that he is a sinner and has no illusion that he will be able to walk like the great and godly men of old like Moses and Elijah. In Book VIII: The Birthpangs of Conversion, Augustine mentioned his past, the desire for women and being enamored with the world and its intoxicating temptations. In Book VIII Augustine began to provide the resolution to a very complicated proposition that was made in the beginning of this study. It is possible to be intimate with God but its not going to be easy. The first step in order for a man to know God and be known by him, before a loving relationship between child and God can commence there is a need to first forsake worldly desires. In short a conversation from darkness to light must first occur and Augustine promises that there is nothing like it and that every sacrifice is worth every good thing that one can receive from Christ Jesus. Conclusion Aside from the fact that Augustine a highly educated, intelligent and very talented man to give up all the pleasures of this world to embrace the cross of Christ, there are other facets to the Confessions that are very radical. As mentioned earlier the concept that God is approachable and that one can build a relationship with him is an idea that is so advanced it is impossible to find any precedent other than the New Testament of the Christian Bible. But Augustine emphasized that he is not merely content to know God he is in the quest to learn how to love God. This is raising the bar so high it is almost impossible to reach it. It is a good thing to know that Augustine took time to explain that his goal of being intimate with God will not be a walk in the park. In fact, according to his own â€Å"confessions† there are many obstacles that must be overcome in order to achieve that goal. And it begins with conversion from darkness to light. At the end St. Augustine set an example and encourages many to strive for the impossible because it is only through God that one can find meaning, satisfaction and rest in this life. References Saint Augustine. (1998). Confessions. H. Chadwick (Trans. ). New York: Oxford University Press.

Explain The Relationship Between Strategic Management And Human Resource Management Business Essay

Explain The Relationship Between Strategic Management And Human Resource Management Business Essay Every organisation is trying to become more efficient and more productive. The key to an organisations success is to become more global and advance from a technological prospective. In order to become more efficient and to make its goals achievable, an organization should focus the most important assets of all other resources, which is the human capital or the intellectual assets. After all, none other than a person or an employee executes every achievement or any activity in an organization. Thus keeping this particular asset in good terms and managing it up to a standard is quite a challenge in terms of time and similarly finance. However, having a well organized and a well-managed human resource brings more significance to an organizations wellbeing. This essay will investigate how Strategic Management (SM) and Human Resource Management (HRM) are related, and then evaluated the role they play in providing organisations with a competitive advantage. Strategic management deals with devising people interventions that help an organization to develop the customer behaviour to promote the competitive advantage (Saini, 2009). The strategic management process helps the organisation to react quickly towards the new challenges. This dynamic method helps organizations find new and more efficient ways to do business. Strategic formulation, which is the practice of classifying a companys goal and strength and strategic implementation which express as the process of allocating resource and developing structures are the two components of strategic management process (Kramar, Bartram and De Cieri, 2011) Strategic management processes raise the organizations to discover new and more capable ways to do business. Situation analysis, strategy implementation, strategy formulation and strategy evaluation are the key elements of the strategic management process (Kramar, Bartram, and De Cieri, 2011). By dealing with these elements of the SM process in order listed, companies can assess and re-evaluate situations as they develop; always making sure, the company has positioned itself optimally in the business environment. Situation analysis engages with looking over the companys internal and external environments and the context in which the company fits in to those environments. As a way of implementing, observations are made about companys internal environment and investigations are carried out to find out how employees interact with each other at all levels. In the completion of the situational analysis, a strategy is formulated. (Kramar, Bartram and De Cieri, 2011). This involves determin ing the companys strengths to decide which strategies could be implemented. Operational strategies involve routine operations, outlining the procedures and process by which the company does business. Competitive strategies involve finding ways to compete with a particular industry or business (Kramar, Bartram, and De Cieri, 2011). Strategy implementation is the third step in the strategic management process. It involves the implementation of the formulated strategy. The final step in the strategic management process engages observing the results of an implemented strategy (Kramar, Bartram, and De Cieri, 2011). As mentioned, these four elements and the process of building a good strategy would be very significant to an organization, which presumes to manage their intellectual resource with great efficiency. Using strategies would help HRM to be more rapid and supervised in their decision making process and in achieving the objectives and targets of the entity (Kramar, Bartram and De Cieri, 2011) Human resource management described as a set of activities aimed at building an organizational performance (Plumb, 2008). Also having a good HR management department is identically important to an organisations strong financial. Any organization is goal oriented and has targets to achieve, and the employees of the organization perform them. The employees are the works force in the entity, thus managing and maintaining them is very crucial and very vital to its top managers on behalf of the organization. Managing the work force is also important as it gives the foundation of a healthy entity; this happens only if an entity holds a strong work force that is right for the job (Payne, 2010). Having a strong work force opens many opportunities for the organization in terms of growing their day to day businesses, and consequently by overcoming supplementary trades the company unwraps a pathway to a successful and a most importantly a sustainable organization in today competitive world. Thus, using strategies and planning HR activities is quite important to a business entity for the betterment of the employees, which consequently brings success to the organization itself. HR strategies are laid down according to the overall objectives of the organizations in the same way as investments or marketing strategies. However, HRM strategies explained through quantifiable terms so that outcomes of them measured. Also, HR strategic objectives go past the basic calculation and control of staff numbers and minimization of costs (Barrett, 2009). The function of a Human Resource Management strategy is when adopting their HR practices, organizations must take into account the interest of the fit between these firm strategy and practices. As a result, the main goals of strategic HRM is to make sure that HRM is aligned with the strategic needs of organization (Saini, 2009). Strategic management is important in all kind of organization activities to achieve their long-term goal. Hence, most of the managers agreed that perceived strategic management is the most important capability and information technology as the least important competency for HR managers (Payne, 2010). Strategic management domain contains visioning, analytical and leadership skills that managers viewed as important for human resource (Payne, 2010). Thus HR leaders can make significant role to strategy development and achievement as well as to improve the quality of decision related strategy and talent. Overall, the relationship between HR and management is becoming mutual. HR executives are trying to become a part at the management table and they are concerned in everyday management activities. However, there is still a long way to go if HR is to become a strategic partner at all levels. In order to do that, HR needs to expand its internal competencies to deal with organizational issue s and find ways to suggest creative and innovative solutions to organisation wide issues (Kramar, Bartram and De Cieri, 2011). Meanwhile for harder strategic HR themes like cost cutting, rate of return productivity measurement, performance measurement it has been noticed that the employees volunteer reluctantly. Therefore, a clear dualism is apparent in HR intervention that organisations have been adopting for their survival (Saini, 2009). In addition, strategic management prescriptions are never comfortable when put together with pluralist employment relations framework (Saini, 2009). Some organisations have a practice of using strategies not only in HR but also in other aspects of their organisations to achieve their target goals and objectives without any hassle. Practicing strategies in HR would be beneficial not only to the employee but also it is the right way to do the right job (Lawler, Boundreau, 2009) Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM) also identifies the long-term effects of HR decisions on the employment and development and development on the bond between management and staffs in the organisation as being significant (Barrett, 2009). This is important if the company wants to gain competitive edge through its workforce. As a result of, HR departments integration to the business, the personnel were re-looked as a resource in the company. On the other hand, SHRM system helps effectively by answering the requests of the strategy and environment and assists strategic flexibility with the goal of achieving the active fit (Pablos, Lytras, 2008). Strategic management can also help the organization to identify their strength, weaknesses, and opportunity and threat. So, that the organization can compete with their competitive firms and build their profit and achieve their success. Strategic management as general and within HR, helps to organize how HR systems and practices with the aim of developing a competitive advantage for the firm (Pablos, Lytras, 2008) According to Porter, (1994) competitive advantage defined as an advantage that arises from observing and realizing ways of competing that are unique and distinctive from those of rivals, and that can be sustained over time. Some researches tell that human resources can become the cause of competitive advantage for the organization is not new. At the same time, the organization need to understand that competitive advantage is not permanent (Pablos, Lytras, 2008). The speed with which competitors are able to acquire the skills needed to duplicate the benefits of a firms value-creating strategy determines how long the competitive advantage will last (Pablos, Lytras, 2008). In addition, it has accepted that firms can generate a competitive advantage from their management practices. Organizational resource leads to a constant competitive advantage when the resources are valuable, rare and have no substitute (Pablos, Lytras, 2008). Human resource needs to create organizational values in or der to be a source of competitive advantage. Therefore, organizations offer jobs in which individual can show their different skills (Pablos, Lytras, 2008). When the firm choose a strategy, they make choices among competing alternatives. Competitive advantages help to sketch the organizational procedure by analytically and the emergent strategy help the rational decision making process by senior management and enhance the firms competitiveness. In addition, the organizations can develop a long-term competitive advantage. Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM) allows the adaptation of HR practices, the knowledge, and the behaviour of the employees as regards the immediate needs of the organization. In brief, SHRM must facilitate strategic flexibility with the goal of reaching an active fit (Pablos, Lytras, 2008). In the past, organizations and their top managers assumed the status of managing the most vital intellectual assets of an entity. Thus, they tried to bring in systems in which they could be in track of workers and their actions, which is handling and regulating the work force of an organization. However, as the world has evolved throughout the years and due to many reasons, managers have understood the workforce is also kind of a resource that is in common with other resources. As a result, they implemented the process of strategic management. Therefore, in conclusion this essay has expressed how strategy and planning are related to HRM, the relationship between strategic management and HR management and how strategic human resource management helps to develop the competitive advantage of firm. As proved above, practicing of these strategies would absolutely assist an organization in achieving their aims and objectives. Consequently, it is significant for HR management to change from being primarily administrative and operational to becoming a strategic contributor.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee :: Free Essay Writer

To Kill a Mockingbird The theme of these two chapters is that Dill, and Jem wanted to go to the Radely house to get a peep at Boo Radely through the blinds. Scout feels uneasy about it but despite Jem’s wishes refuses to go home. He gets shot at with a gun while trying to escape. He lost his pants while escaping and when he went back to get them they where laid out on the fence like they where expecting Jem to come back. The next day every body was talking about it, they all thought Mr. Radely shot at a black man but missed. It seemed like Mr. Radely knew it was Jem though. Jem and Nathan Radley each said hi and Mr. Radely was talking about filling his tree with cement even though it was perfectly healthy. Jem found this strange. The protagonist in these chapters would be scout. She tries to convince Dill and Jem not to do it. Jem does not listen and tells her to go home, but she stays. Jem and Dill would be neither protagonist or antagonist of these chapters is Boo Radely because he is the main reason why Jem decides to go there in the first place. Scout is a tomboy who has a soft side. Even though she is rough and Strong, she is also a coward, like the time she wouldn’t go to the Radely house. She beats up the kids at school for example she beat up the kids for picking on her for liking black people. Scout is smart and trustworthy. Although most of the town is racist she thinks every body is equal. Jem is very brave, for example the time he went to see Boo Radely, and then when he lost his pants trying to escape, he went back for them even after the fact that he was shot at. He is smart but very stubborn, he wont listen to anybody because he always got to have things his way. Jem is strong, and persistent. He can sometimes be mean to Scout, epically after he met Dill. He isn’t racist and is kind and trustworthy. Dill is smart because he knows who to read even thought he is young. He is kind and open minded, he is not afraid to speak his mind. Dill is an open person, but he can be persistent. He is a smart boy but he can be very stubborn.

Why Students Dont Have Time :: Education Educating Time management Essays

Why Students Don't Have Time When I was a student, my teacher once said to me that a large amount of time is only good when you can use it wisely. The tactics of the teaching profession that I, a modern educator, am about to describe, result in the very opposite. I. In the first place, ladies and gentlemen, the amount of time a student has outside of school, like Romeo's love for Juliet, is precious for every minute. A student's time is like a person's income before taxes. Free time would be the amount remaining after all homework (taxes) was done. Focus, therefore, on the small amounts of free time a student actually has than large expanses that he appears to have from 2 PM to 8 AM. II. Whatever amount of work has been done in class, a teacher is to give the students the same amount of homework each day, between one and two hours a night. Even if the entire year's curriculum is covered in the first three class days, a teacher is to find homework to give the students each day following, regardless of whether it has anything to do with the subject matter of the class. III. A teacher is not to make any exceptions for his tardy work policy no matter what the excuse. The punishment for someone who had a big game or whose house was burned down or whose house was buried under ten feet of snow shall be the same as someone who has no reasonable excuse. A teacher shall not even hear trite excuses such as "my dog ate my homework" even if the student in question has a 12-week-old black Labrador retriever that has a serious biting and chewing problem and chews everything from socks to shoes to, unfortunately, homework. IV. A teacher is to give numerous out-of-class yet short-term projects to his students. They will then think that they have spent all the time needed for one class but then have to work for another hour on another class project. These projects should be the type by which procrastination is not an option; ones that the teacher give five weeks in advance but are due a day after they are able to begin. For example, a reading assignment out of a book specially ordered by the School District due five weeks in advance but due the day after the books arrived.

The Significance of the Beginning Chapter of Frank McCourts Angelas Ashes :: Essays Papers

The Significance of the Beginning Chapter of Frank McCourts Angelas Ashes He is just another poor Irish boy. His story is of poverty, emotional struggles, and growing up. Have we not read about that already? Everyone thinks their childhood is unique, but do we not all have basically the same experiences? Frank McCourt experiences events similar to other children, but that fact is forgotten once the reader begins Angela’s Ashes. Actual reality becomes less important than this little boy’s perception of reality, upon which the focus is set and remains there throughout the book. McCourt is not telling the story of what happened, but rather of how the events related to his own development. He draws the reader into himself by writing in the first person and using a personal tone which always reflects his outlook. In the first chapter, he inconspicuously establishes himself as the only character in his memoir, causing the reader not to follow him through his childhood, but to become him as a child. â€Å"People everywhere brag and whimper about the woes of their early years, but nothing can compare with the Irish version†(1), McCourt writes as he begins to describe the world in which he grows up. For he creates a separate world for himself, where people he knows wander in and out whenever they can hold his attention. McCourt’s world serves as a coping mechanism as well as an expression of his creativity. He surrounds himself with the depressing truth about his home and family, but brings in each morsel of truth with his own explanation, often humorous, thus exposing himself only to his interpretation of reality. McCourt’s task is to contain his world in the four hundred sixty pages of the book and to have the reader immersed by the end of the first chapter. The opening pages provide a foundation for McCourt, himself, and for his perception, enabling the reader to follow his stream-of-consciousness sentences throughout the book. He gives a flash preview of the book’s content on the first page, giving the reader an idea of what he is getting into. McCourt then abruptly interrupts himself (which becomes common throughout the book) as though he has forgotten to mention some pertinent fact, and then proceeds to introduce his parents. Although he is now writing from his parents’ point of view, the reader is quite aware that this is still McCourt’s interpretation of their story.

The Role of Inflammation in the Advancement of Chronic Obstructive

The Role of inflammation in the advancement of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease. Introduction Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the collective term used for respiratory disease, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. The disease develops slowly and is often not diagnosed until it is advanced and irreparable damage is evident (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, 2011). The disease is characterised by airflow obstruction and lung parenchyma.Parenchyma, associated with emphysema, is the permanent enlargement of the air spaces distal to the terminal bronchioles, accompanied by airway wall destruction, without obvious fibrosis (Demirjian and Kamangar, 2011; Atsuyasu et al. , 2007). Airflow limitation results from loss of elastic recoil and reduced airway tethering. Chronic bronchitis leads to narrowing of airway calibre, increasing airway resistance. Patients may display signs of one or both of these diseases as they frequently occur in associat ion with each other.Common symptoms are wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath on exertion, production of sputum and recurrent respiratory infections (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, 2011). There are a host of triggers that exacerbates symptoms including smoking and environmental pollutants, resulting in chronic inflammation (Kazuhiro and Barnes, 2009; Manuel et al. , 2002). â€Å"Inflammation is defined as the presence of redness, swelling and pain, caused by the presence of edema fluid and the infiltration of tissues by leukocytes† (Nairn & Helbert, 2002, pp15).Inflammation is a key biological response to eliminate harmful pathogens, but there is increasing evidence to suggest that chronic inflammatory responses are accountable for the advancement of this disease and other chronic diseases including coronary artery disease, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. This review explores the correlation between COPD and inflammation and the subsequent effects on the systemic systems and the link with coronary heart disease (Mantovini et. al. , 2008; Mohr & Pelletier, 2005; Sattar et. al. , 2003; Powells et. al. , 2001; Danesh et. al. 2000; Murdoch & Finn, 2000). Methods Search engines used were Google Scholar and Pub Med using the keywords COPD, inflammation, disease, apoptosis, interleukin 8, cytokines, coronary heart disease and COPD. Searches were restricted to dates between 1999 and 2012. The majority of the included papers were obtained from the reference lists of other research papers. COPD risk factors: COPD is strongly linked with repeated exposure to noxious particles or gases and cigarette smoke has been acknowledged as a prime risk factor (Fabri et. al. , 2006; Lindberg et al. , 2005; Pauwels and Rabe. 2004, Association for Respiratory Technology & Physiology, 2000). Smokers have an increased prevalence of respiratory and lung function abnormalities, a greater rate of decline in FEV1 and a higher mortality rate than non-smokers (World health organisation, 2012). However, only a third of smokers develop COPD which implies that other factors such as genetics and environment are involved (Agusti, 2003). Exposure to air pollution caused by heating and cooking with bio-mass fuels in poorly ventilated housing are major risk factors for COPD, especially in developing countries (Pauwels & Rabe, 2004).The most documented COPD genetic risk factor is the deficiency of Alpha -1-antitrypsin, a polymorphic glycoprotein which offers anti-protease protection against the serine proteinease, neutrophil elastase (Abboud & Vimalanathan, 2008; Devereux, 2006; Siafakas & Tzortzaki, 2002; Fabbri et al. , 2006). Research studies (in vitro) indicated that Alpha – 1 – antitrypsin also possesses anti-inflammatory capabilities that extend beyond its anti-protease role, including regulation of CD14 expression (Nita, Serapinas & Janciauskiene, 2007), inhibition of TNF-? ene upregulation (Subramaniyam , 2007) and inhibition of lipopolysaccharide activation of monocytes and neutrophil migration (Janciauskiene et al. , 2004). Deficiency of Alpha -1-antitrypsin is associated with COPD progression in both smokers and non-smokers, although far greater in smokers (Bergen et al. , 2010; Fabbri et al. , 2006; Siafakas and Tzortzaki. , 2002; Foos et al. , 2002). Studies have suggested that smoking with this genetic disposition will substantially increase risk of developing COPD (Kohnlein & Welte, 2008; Pauwels & Rabe, 2004; Foos et al. , 2002; Siafakas & Tzortzaki, 2002; Association forRespiratory Technology and Physiology, 2000). Pathogenesis of COPD Exposure to noxious particles â€Å"†¦ triggers cytokine activation to recruit cells, which play a vital role in removing the noxious agents†¦ † (Nairn & Helbert, 2007, pp22). An infiltration of neutrophils, eosinophils and CD8+ T-lymphocytes into the airways and lungs follows (Demedts et al, 2006; Mahler et al. , 2004; Sopo ri, 2002). High concentrations of chemokines, interleukon-8 (IL8) and tumor necrosis factor-a have been found in patients with COPD which are potent activators and chemo-attractants of leukocyte subpopulations (Murdoch and Finn, 2000; Yamamoto et al. 1997). The interaction of chemo-attractants with leukocytes initiates a series of coordinated and cellular events, which includes phagocytosis, release of soluble anti-microbials and formation of reactive oxygen compounds involved in intracellular killing (Murdoch & Finn, 2000). Neutrophils and macrophages release elastase, stimulating the production of mucus to assist in ridding the airways of the irritants and subsequent waste generated by the inflammatory response (Shimizu et al. , 2000).Other processes such as neutrophil necrosis and reactive oxygen species further contribute to mucus hyper secretion (Kim and Nadel, 2004; Mizgerd, 2002). When an inflammatory response is no longer needed protease inhibitor cells dampen the response. Research suggests that the inhibiting response in COPD is not triggered and chronic inflammation presides, representing a crucial mechanism in the pathogenesis of COPD (Demedts et al. , 2006; Hodge et al 2004). Hypersecretion of mucous can inhibit the ciliated epithelium from transporting mucus from the airways.Subsequent delays in bacteria clearance results in bacterial colonisation, which stimulates further granulocytic recruitment to the airways, escalating the inflammatory response. Chronic inflammation is linked with tissue destruction, imbalance of proteolytic and anti-proteolytic activity, hyper secretion of mucus, increased apoptotic activity and oxidative stress which contribute to the progression of COPD. Long term, chronic inflammation can result in widespread airway and parenchymal cell destruction which further contributes to disease progression (Mantovini et al. 2008; Mohr and Pelletier, 2005; Sattar et al. , 2003; Sopori, 2002; Powells et al. , 2001; Danesh et al. , 2 000; Murdoch & Finn, 2000). Research suggests that macrophages express a markedly lower amount of toll like receptors in COPD suffers, resulting in a decreased recognition of microbes, facilitating damaging microbial colonisation, which may explain the increased amount of respiratory infections in COPD sufferers (Schneberger, 2011; Droemann et al. 2005). Infection initiates a biased release of inflammatory mediators which may escalate the pathogenesis of the disease (Gaschler et al. 2009, Ritter et al. , 2005; Sethi, 2000). Oxidative stress Demedts et al, 2005 found that the alveolar macrophages of COPD sufferers produced much higher levers of oxygen radicals and myeloperoxide which are important for the destruction of inter-cellular pathogens. Oxidant/anti-oxidant imbalance can result in the inactivation of anti-proteinases, airspace epithelial injury, increased sequestration of neutrophils in the pulmonary microvasculature, and gene expression of pro-inflammatory mediators, all of which exacerbate the inflammatory response (MacNee, 2000 Drost et al. 2005). Emphysema like changes have been show in the CT scans of malnourished women, suggesting that diet has an effect on lung tissue in the absence of smoking (Coxon et al. , 2004). Dietary supplementation then may be a beneficial therapeutic intervention in this condition, as antioxidants not only protect against the direct injurious effects of oxidants, but fundamentally alter the inflammatory events that play an important part in the pathogenesis of COPD (Coxon et al. , 2004; MacNee, 2000). Apoptosis and COPDResearch suggests that there is increased apoptosis of epithelial cells in smokers and COPD patients. Apoptosis persisted despite smoking cessation which suggests apoptosis may play a part in driving the inflammatory process and progression of the disease (Hodge et al. , 2003). Increased apoptotic alveolar epithelial and endothelial cells in the lungs not counterbalanced by proliferation and sufficient ph agocytic clearance results in destruction of lung tissue and development of emphysema (Demedts et al, 2006; Kazutetsu, Naoko & Atsushi, 2003; Barnes et al. 000) Apoptosis can be induced by various stimuli, including oxidative stress, elastase and infiltrating cytoxix CD8 + T cells which are all associated with inflammation (Kazutetsu, Naoko and Atsushi, 2003). Efferocytosis allows for the removal of apoptotic material with minimal inflammation and prevents the development of secondary necrosis and ongoing inflammation. Failure of this highly conserved process may contribute to disease pathogenesis by impeding both the resolution of inflammation and the maintenance of alveolar integrity (Mukaro and Hodge, 2011; Taylor et al. , 2010; Morimoto et al, 2006; Vandivier et al, 2006).Proteolytic/Anti-proteolytic activity Mukaro and Hodge, (2011) suggests that in COPD there is an imbalance between proteolytic and anti-proteolytic activity, a prominent factor in the pathogenesis of this disea se, which may contribute to lung parenchymal destruction. Research has also found that macrophages demonstrate defective phagocytic ability against common airways pathogens in COPD (Taylor et al. , 2010; Hodge et al. , 2003), The findings of Berenson et al. , (2006), supported a paradigm of defective immune responsiveness of alveolar macrophages, but found no significant differences in the blood macrophages of COPD sufferers.Taylor (2010) believes that persistence of bacteria as a consequence of defective phagocytosis may be a chronic antigenic drive for chronic inflammation. Systemic effects of COPD â€Å"Chronic inflammation is present in all disease processes, mediating all stages of disease from initiation, manifestation and maturation† (Sompayrac 2003, pp12). Compelling epidemioligical data links systemic inflammation to atherosclerosis, ischemic heart disease, strokes, and coronary deaths (Danesh, Whincup and Walker, 2000; Ridker, 1999).These observations have been stro ngly supported by experiments that show the direct effects of certain inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), on the pathogenesis of plaque formation (Zwaka, Hombach and Torzewski, 2001; Lagrand, Visser & Hermens, 1999). A study by Gan, Man & Sin, 2003) found that patients with COPD were 2. 18 times more likely to have an elevated circulating c-reactive protein levels. Evidence strongly suggests that there is relationship between COPD, systemic inflammation, and cardiovascular diseases.Studies show that patients with mild-to-moderate COPD, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality (Din and Man, 2009; Pope et al, 2003). As these diseases share similar risk factors such as smoking, increased age and inactivity, causation is unclear and is likely to be due to multiple factors, including lifestyle, environmental and genetics (Gan, 2005; Agusti et. al. 2003). Discussion Inflammation, it would appear, is a double edged sword; crucial for cleara nce of pathogens and recovery from injury; but can also contribute to life threatening chronic diseases (Smith, 1994; Sporori, 2003).COPD is a complex condition, influenced by multiple genetic and/or environmental risks. A cycle of low grade inflammation is the consequence, with destructive and damaging effects, resulting in mucus hyper-secretion, airway obstruction, increased elastase production and oxidative stress, which encourage further inflammation and destruction. COPD is associated with exposure to smoke or noxious gases, however inflammation may also be caused by irritation from coughing, wheezing, respiratory infections and mucus production. Most exacerbations of COPD are caused by bacterial or viral infection (Sanjay and Murphy, 2008; Sanjay 2008).Mucosal cells produce mucus, which irritates the airways causing airway obstruction. This subsequently reduces FEV1, and cough effectiveness, which contributes to the build up of bacterial mucus. Imbalance between proteolytic an d anti-proteolytic activity presides, creating an ideal environment for infection. Research suggests that macrophages express a markedly lower amount of toll like receptors in COPD suffers, resulting in a decreased recognition of microbes, facilitating damaging microbial colonisation, which may explain the increased amount of respiratory infections in COPD sufferers (Schneberger,2011; Droemann et al. 005). Infection initiates a biased release of inflammatory mediators which may escalate the pathogenesis of the disease (Gaschler et al. , 2009, Ritter et al. , 2005; Sethi, 2000). Researchers have found high levels of neutrophils, macrophages and CD8+ cells in ex smokers (Lappers et al. , 2006). Thus, suggesting that inflammatory changes in COPD, although initially induced by inhalation of noxious agents, are fundamental to the disease process, rather than to the initial trigger per se (Gamble et al, 2007). Studies have shown that airway epithelial and T-cell apoptosis in COPD continue s despite smoking cessation (Lappers et al. 2006). Excess apoptosis results in inappropriate destruction of host tissue, leading to atrophy and tissue necrosis, which in turn further stimulates the inflammatory response and perpetuates the situation. We have already ascertained an imbalance between the proteolytic and anti-proteolytic activity and this is another factor that contributes, resulting in failure to resolve the inflammatory reaction rapidly (Hodge et al. , 2005). Un-cleared apoptotic cells may undergo secondary necrosis with discharge of injurious cells contents resulting in tissue destruction and further inflammation.Inability to remove apoptotic cells and debris created overwhelms the normal clearance mechanisms, stimulating further inflammatory responses, further contributing to COPD pathogenesis (Sanjay and Murphy, 2008; Sanjay 2008). It has been identified that the immune system may become less responsive, the longer that chronic inflammation presides, which may lea d you to believe that this would initiate an inhibitory effect on the inflammatory process. However this is not the case and the inflammatory process persists, presenting as low level chronic inflammation.In addition a less responsive immune system is more susceptible to infection, exacerbating the inflammatory response (Sanjay and Murphy, 2008; Sanjay 2008). There appears to be strong epidemiological links between cardiovascular disease and COPD. The same inflammatory markets are evident in both suggesting a systemic link. Both diseases share similar risk factors, so it is difficult to determine initiation of the diseases. One could also argue that the debilitating effects of COPD, which include a reduced exercise capacity, dyspnoea and deconditioning increase the risk of cardiovascular disease development.In conclusion, it appears that adaptive immune is active in the disease progression of this complex pathophysiological syndrome. Particularly elaboration and production of cytoki nes, chemical mediators and auto-antibodies, which directly injure respiratory tissues. CD8+ mediates tissue destruction, whereas CD4 orchestrates inflammatory responses, which facilitates humoral immune responses (Gadgill and Duncan 2008). Conclusions made in this review are only valid within the boundaries of the research and papers used. 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Trade Secrets: How to Procure a Passport

People often take a great deal for granted while dismissing so much of what goes on around them. This is especially true when what people fail to see involves the plight of illegal immigrants and low-level workers. These unnoticed persons are the very individuals around whom the plot of director Stephen Frears’s Dirty Pretty Secrets revolves. They are the people like lead character Okwe (Chiwetel Ejiofor), who describes himself and his friends as â€Å"The people you do not see [.. . ] the ones who drive your cabs, clean your rooms, and suck your cocks† (Dirty Pretty Secrets). Generally, the transparency of their existence works against their success; occasionally, the anonymity of these unseen people provides the perfect cover for their entrance into mainstream society—provided that they can tolerate what must be done along the way.The storyline of Dirty Pretty Secrets which is set in London, England, revolves primarily around three people: Okwe (Chiwetel Ejiofo r), a cabbie by day and a desk clerk at the Baltic Hotel by night; Senay (Audrey Tautou), a friend of Okwe’s, who is a maid at the Baltic Hotel; and Sneaky (Sergi Là ³pez), the head clerk at the Baltic who uses the motel as a distribution center for anything that will net him money—most notably, human organs.The complex relationships that surround these three characters are further developed by two supporting actors: Sophie Okonedo, who plays Juliette, the Baltic’s resident hooker; and Benedict Wong, who plays Guo Yi, a morgue employee and friend of Okwe’s. As the film progresses, the audience learns that Okwe is an illegal immigrant who was forced to flee his home in Lagos, Nigeria after being falsely accused of his wife’s murder. Okwe was working as a pathologist when a Nigerian Government official was shot, and when Okwe refused to destroy evidence of the crime, his home was firebombed—with his wife inside.The Nigerian police accused Okw e of the crime, so he fled. Senay is an immigrant from Turkey, and while she is not an illegal, she is forced to violate the immigration policies of London to survive. Specifically, she is not allowed to work during the six-month period during which her case is being reviewed; therefore, to survive, she works illegally. Sneaky is living and working in London legally, so he is in a position to take advantage of both Okwe and Senay, and the degree to which he is willing to exploit their secrets leads to the story’s pivotal scene.The most prevalent themes in Dirty Pretty Things are human integrity coupled with how the need to remain secretive can result in personal compromise and leave one open to mistreatment, but the sub-theme is how the people who go unnoticed often band together to survive and support one another against their foes. Okwe is a sympathetic character, and as the plot progresses, the audience begins to see that he must make escalating choices that challenge his sense of right and wrong. Because he is a fugitive from justice, he is eventually coerced by Sneaky to participate in his organ-trading scheme.Senay is also very likable, especially after the audience sees that the secrecy and prudishness she initially displays are due to her immigrant status and her being Muslim. Once the Immigration Enforcement Directors begin to hunt her down, she is forced to seek alternate employment and is immediately made a sex toy by her sweat-shop boss. Senay becomes the final piece in Sneaky’s ploy to force Okwe to become the Baltic’s organ doctor when she, in an act of desperation, agrees to give up a kidney in exchange for a passport: Okwe agrees to perform the surgery to ensure that Senay is not butchered.Like Okwe, Senay is forced to compromise more and more of herself in order to survive. The juxtaposing of Okwe with Guo and Senay with Juliette adds even greater depth to this movie: where most of the people Okwe and Senay associate with take advantage of their situations and exploit them, Guo and Juliette—a morgue worker and a hooker—help the main characters survive and persevere: it is a banding together of those whom society fails to acknowledge. Dirty Pretty Things is an excellent film on a variety of levels and should appeal to a wide-range of viewers.The plot is timely and gritty, the acting is superb, and the turning of the tables at the end of the movie—when Okwe and Senay exploit Sneaky’s greed and end up taking his kidney—make one want to stand up and cheer for the justice that is served and the underdogs who dish it out. Anyone who has felt inferior and has been forced to make choices dictated by that feeling of inferiority will likely enjoy this movie, and certainly, those open to reevaluating their prejudice against illegal immigrants will be forced to think again about their postion.

A Personal Educational Philosophies

My personal philosophy of education is holistic, and focuses on the role of the teacher as a facilitator of students. This personal philosophy is important in guiding my future career goals to become a better educator. I believe that teaching and learning are concepts that often cannot be easily teased apart. Often, we learn even as we teach, as in the case of a new teacher who learns a great deal about the importance of keeping the attention and respect of children as she teaches her very first real kindergarten class. In addition, we teach as we learn, as in the case of a child who shares his family's Christmas traditions with a class who is learning about holidays throughout the world. Students, in my opinion, are active participants in the teaching process. Often, professional educators see themselves as teachers, and focus strongly on their teaching skills, abilities, philosophies, and plans. I see teachers instead as facilitators of learning among students. This belief takes the emphasis off the importance of the teacher as the authority who imparts knowledge to children, and instead focuses importance on the learner's role in acquiring knowledge or skills. My personal philosophy of education encompasses a little bit from each of the five philosophies of education. The five philosophies are: Essentialism, Progressivism, Perennialism, Existentialism, and Behaviorism. While many in the educational community tend to attach themselves strongly to one philosophy, and discount the others, I believe there is a lot to be learned from each of the theories. That said, the philosophies of Existentialism and Perennialism have special appeal for me. Existentialism places a strong focus on the unique development of the student, with the teachers role to † help students define their own essence by exposing them to various paths they may take in life and creating an environment in which they may freely choose their own preferred way† (Shaw, Existentialism). Perennialism also holds as strong appeal, which espouses the â€Å"the notion that some ideas have lasted over centuries and are as relevant today as when they were first conceived, Perennialism urges that these ideas should be the focus of education† ((Shaw, Perennialism). I strongly feel that the ability to learn, rather than simply rote learning of facts or beliefs, is absolutely worth knowing. Enabling students to become critical thinkers, who can learn on their own, in a number of different environments, is the most important facet of teaching. This is especially true today, in a world that is brimming with information. Individuals in our society, more than ever before, need to be able to obtain knowledge from the multitude of information in the world today. It is impossible to know everything in the world today, and this is often even true among specific specialties. As an example, who among us would be arrogant enough to say that he or she knows everything there is to know about education? The key components of my personal philosophy of teaching follow: A teacher is simply the facilitator of learning. All educational philosophies have some important ideas. The ability to learn, rather than simply rote learning of facts or beliefs, is absolutely worth knowing. Teaching and learning are concepts that often cannot be easily teased apart. Taken together, these components form my personal philosophy of teaching. I plan to use these beliefs to become a better teacher, who focuses strongly facilitating learning in students. I will use these beliefs as the key basis of my instructional practice. Personally, I plan to use these beliefs to empower my friends and family (and myself) to become active learners. In conclusion, my personal philosophy of teaching focuses on the student, rather than the teacher. I see myself as a facilitator of learning, whose job it is to empower students to learn on their own. I also see a valuable role in a holistic view of teaching, with much to be learned from each of the five educational philosophies.

Swot Analysis: Pepsi

SWOT Analysis: PepsiCo Diversification Strategy in 2008 Name Course Instructor Name Date PepsiCo Diversification Strategy in 2008 PepsiCo History †¢ PepsiCo is the second largest snack and beverage company in the world. Established in 1965 when Pepsi-Cola and Frito-Lay shareholders merged their salty snack icon and soft drink giant. With revenues of $500 million with popular brands such as Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Fritos, Lay’s, Cheetos, and Ruffles, they have achieved growth and long-term value in its operational activities by creating competitive advantages through new product innovation and acquisitions. Its portfolio has grown year after year with its acquisition of Tropicana in 1998, two largest bottlers (Pepsi Bottling Group/PepsiAmericas) in 2010 and Wimm-Bill-Dann (dairy products) in 2011, and the merger with Quaker Oats in 2001. Profits generating $39. 5 billion in net revenues in 2007 leading to 19 products each generating $1 billion in worldwide retail revenues in 2010. Some of the most popular inclusions have been Quaker Oats, Gatorade G2, Tiger Woods signature sports drinks, Cap’n Crunch cereal, Aquafina, and Aunt Jamima pancake mix. In keeping up with consumer health and wellness concerns of reducing saturated fats, cholesterol, trans fats, and simple carbohydrates, PepsiCo created better-for-you and good-for-you products under the Power of One alliance strategy which focused on increasing customers tendency to purchase more than one PepsiCo product during each visit. A quite ingenious innovation! †¢ †¢ SWOT Analysis Strengths Branding Diversification Distribution Weaknesses Overdependence on Snacks & Non-carbonated drinks Large Size Low Productivity Opportunities Broadening of Product Base International Expansion Growing Snacks of new flavors and Bottled Water market in U. S. Threats Decline in Carbonated Drink Sales Potential Negative Impact of Government Regulations Intense Competition Potential Disruption Strengths Branding †¢ PepsiCo’s top brand is its most recognized brand in the world, Pepsi, followed by its 155 varieties of Frito-Lay, PepsiCo beverages, Tropicana, Gatorade, and Quaker Oats brands. Most PepsiCo brands reached number one or two positions in their respective categories and has â€Å"24 other global and local brands with annual retail sales ranging from $250 million to $1 billion, including Sobe, Naked, AMP Energy, Propel Zero, Sabritas, Gamesa, Lebedyansky, Aunt Jemima and Rice? A? Roni . † (PepsiCo website) In2008, Frito-Lay was the top selling chip brand in the U. S. and Propel Fitness Water was the leading brand of functional water; In 2007 it was Gatorade, propel, and Aquafina with a 76 percent market share. Three initiatives leading the industry were â€Å"convenience, a growing awareness of nutritional content of snack foods, and indulgent snacking. † (Gamble & Thompson, 2012, pg. 426) The strength of these brands is evident in PepsiCo’s presence in 200 countries and proven in it’s 2007 net revenues of $39. 5 billion globally and annualized revenues of $60 billion in 2010. (PepsiCo website) The company has the largest market share in the US beverage at 39%, and snack food market at 25%. Such brand dominance insures loyalty and repetitive sales. †¢ Diversification †¢ PepsiCo’s diversification not only integrates snacks (chips), ready-to-drink teas, juice drinks, flavored/bottled water, as well as breakfast cereals, cakes and cake mixes, but its brands are catered to its international franchise such Crujitos corn snacks, Fruko beverages, and Crueslic cereal sold in the UK, Europe, Asia, Middle East, and Africa. All the various products plus a multi-channel distribution system, and its 300,000 team of professionals that thrive on collaboration and respect were led by three CEOs (Enrico, Reinemund, Nooyi); all of which served to insulate PepsiCo position as the â€Å"world’s second largest food and beverage business†. (PepsiCo website) Distribution †¢ The company delivers its products through direct-store-delivery (DSD) from manufacturing plants and warehouses to customer warehouses and foodservice and vending distribution networks to retail stores. PepsiCo website) These delivery options allow maximum visibility and appeal (DSD), costs savings for fragile/perishables with lower turnover (customer warehouse), and the use of third party distribution services (foodservice/vending) to schools, stadiums and restaurants reducing stock-outs. All are based on â€Å"customer needs, product characteristics, and local trade practices†. (PepsiCo website) Weaknesses Overdependence on Snacks and Non-carbonated drinks †¢ PepsiCo failed to focus on its main brand, Pepsi. Although sales of carbonated drinks was considerable his, it was carried by it’s non-carbonated which increased revenues 5 percent; consequently, carbonated revenues dropped 3 percent the same year, 2007. †¢ The company focused on more healthy products by trying to develop new sweeteners and acquiring Izze lightly carbonated sparkling fruit drinks in 2007. It failed to strengthen its position in the U. S. to out beat Coca-Cola and lagged 10 percent in 2007; bumping PepsiCo to the number two position of nonalcoholic beverage producer. (Gamble & Thompson, 2012, pg. 430) Large Size †¢ Despite its international presence, 48 percent of its revenues originate in the US. (Gamble & Thompson, 2012, pg. 431) This leaves PepsiCo vulnerable to the impact of changing economic conditions. Large US customers could exploit PepsiCo’s lack of bargaining power and negatively impact revenues. Acquisition of Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and KFC initially proved beneficial but continued growth in snack food and beverage acquisitions deemed its strategic-fit benefits existing between restaurants and its core beverage and snacks were difficult to capture. Benefits were offset by fast-food industries fierce price competition and low profit margins. (Gamble & Thompson, 2012, pg. 423) †¢ â€Å"Its value chain consists of 230 plants, 3,600 distribution systems, and 120,000 service routes around the world. (Gamble & Thompson, 2012, pg. 436) Low Productivity †¢ Low profit margins on PepsiCo’s international business demanded the need for a new organizational structure leading to the 2008 realignment creating a three division structure under one roof with six reporting segments: Frito-Lay North America, Quaker Foods North America, Latin American Foods, PepsiCo Americas Beverages, United Kingdom & Europe, and Middle East, Africa & Asia. (Gamble & Thompson, 2012, pg. 36) In an article from the Dow Jones & Company, dated 21 November 2012, it reports a disappointing year for Pepsi and the speculation that PepsiCo may be reconsidering its refusal to create separate global snacks and beverage companies. † (Proquest) Opportunities Broadening of Product Base †¢ PepsiCo seized opportunity of potential weaknesses by acquiring Mexico’s largest Pepsi bottler, Pepsi-Gemex SA de CV, for $1. 26 billion capitalizing Mexico’s number one producer of purified wa ter. (Gamble & Thompson, 2012, pg. 34) In addition, the two largest bottlers (Pepsi Bottling Group/PepsiAmericas) in 2010 and Wimm-Bill-Dann (dairy products) in 2011, and the merger with Quaker Oats in 2001. †¢ It continues to broaden its product base by introducing what consumers want most: Healthier snacks and drinks, convenient snack size portions, and introducing multiple flavors to the needs of various cultures. These initiatives will enable PepsiCo to adjust to the changing lifestyles of its consumers and appeal to its international customer base. International Expansion †¢ PepsiCo is focused on expanding Gatorade into 15 additional countries, Tropicana into 20 new markets, and Lipton into five international markets in 2012. (Gamble & Thompson, 2012, pg. 434) Its expansion into international markets and a lessening its dependence on US sales in addition to the company plans on major capital initiatives in China will increase their global customer base. Growing Snacks of new flavors and Bottled Water market in US †¢ Products such as Aquafina, and Propel are well established products and in a position to ride the upward crest. PepsiCo products such as, Doritos tortilla chips, Cheetos cheese flavored snacks, Tostitos tortilla chips, Ruffles potato chips, Sun Chips multigrain snacks, Rold Gold pretzels, benefit from a growing savory snack markets.. Threats Decline in Carbonated Drink Sales †¢ Soft drink sales have decline by as much as 2 percent from 2005 to 2007 due to a health conscience society. Fruit beverages went down slightly and others stayed relatively the same. The future state of the economy and additional emphasis on health could drive these numbers in the negative direction. Potential Negative Impact of Government Regulations †¢ Manufacturing, marketing, and distribution of food products may be altered as a result of state, federal or local dictates. In 2000, PepsiCo experienced FTC setbacks due to concerns over the merger of Gatorade and that it might give the company too much leverage in negotiations with convenience stores. The FTC stipulated that PepsiCo could not jointly distribute Gatorade with soft drinks for 10 years. (Gamble & Thompson, 2012, pg. 423) This could have set them so far ahead of their number one competitor to stay number one. There’s also been talk about the ingredient, acryl amide, suggesting it could cause cancer if consumed in significant amounts in rats. If the company has to comply with a related regulation or add warning labels, it could have negative impacts. Intense Competition †¢ The Coca-Cola Company is PepsiCo’s primary competitors. Intense competition may influence pricing, advertising, sales promotion initiatives undertaken by PepsiCo. Potential Disruption †¢ The economy is unstable and people are cutting back on spending. Although people want to eat and drink healthier products, the costs to eat healthier is more expensive so the changes to make healthier snacks need to stay reasonable. Another potential threat are the generic brands most stores sell that appeal to the penny pincher during hard times. Alternatives Smaller packaging †¢ PepsiCo could expound on making smaller portions to all their products that have high sale rates. Selling in bulk at cheaper prices is another option for the residential and business arena. Advertisements †¢ Promote their products through effective marketing strategies. Utilize internet, facebook and other resources that hit thousands at one time but isn’t expensive. Do funny advertisements like the Super Bowl ones more often. These are things people remember and talk about for long periods. Intense Competition †¢ The Coca-Cola Company is PepsiCo’s primary competitors. Intense competition may influence pricing, advertising, sales promotion initiatives undertaken by PepsiCo. The economy is unstable and people are cutting back on spending. Although people want to eat and drink healthier products, the costs to eat healthier is more expensive so the changes to make healthier snacks need to stay reasonable. Another potential threat are the generic brands most stores sell that appeal to the penny pincher during hard times Potential Disruption Due to Labor Unrest – †¢ Outsource jobs to other countries to benefit their needs but provide job opportunities to people in the U. S. This provides added growth at home and abroad while not jeopardizing at home support. Assessment †¢ PepsiCo has held their own for decades and have grown into the global market becoming diverse in the snack industry, carbonated and non-carbonated drinks, and incorporating new seasonings and spices to appeal to the local nationals. Pepsi has a large loyal group of customers that they need to stay attuned to and ensure they offer incentives for being so loyal. Offering discounts is a great way to not only keep customers, but it helps gain new customers. Overall, Pepsi has achieved success and stayed in the running. Although they were bumped down to number two, it seems as though the take great care in addressing lessons learned and are not fast to make a rash decision as they Dow recently reported that I mentioned above. They have cross-communication and rotate managers to keep them fresh on new initiatives and this puts fresh eyes on the situation to better capture new ideas and identify potential shortfalls. PepsiCo commitment is to deliver sustained growth. They offer a wide variety to meet the needs and preferences to satisfy fun to contributing to healthier lifestyles. It has a solid foundation and is only going to progress back to the number one position in the future. I think it needs to continue what it’s doing but not over extend themselves to where they lose focus on what started them in the first place, their number one product, the Pepsi. Which happens to be my favorite soda! †¢ †¢ †¢ References PepsiCo, (n. d. ). PepsiCo. Retrieved from http://www. pepsico. com/ on December 12, 2012 PepsiCo, (n. d. ). PepsiCo. Retrieved from http://www. pepsico. om/Download/PepsiCo_Quick_Facts. pdf on December 12, 2012 Bary, A. , (2011). Don't Rule Out a Pepsi Breakup Yet. Barron's, 91(47), 20. Retrieved from http://proquest. umi. com/pqdweb? index=0&did=2526832001&SrchMode=1&sid=9&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD& RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1323732097&clientId=74379 on December 12, 2011, (Proquest Document ID: 2526832001). Gamble, J. E. , & Thompson, A. A. , (2011). Essentials of Strategic Management: The Quest for Competitive Advantage. (2nd ed. ). New York: McGraw-Hill