Editi a paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 5

Editi a paper - Essay Example not comprehend the significance of their contribution in a child’s language learning abilities and dismiss their roles in influencing their belief that their role does affect their children`s linguistic functioning. There are some various factors that which might cause a low impact belief such as Having a low impact belief could be because living in a foreign country or marrying a foreign partner. Inter-racial and inter-cultural marriages / mixed marriages tend to reinforce such a belief in the parents, which completely disregards the role they might play in fostering their children’s linguistic abilities since such parents, more often than not, seldom care about what language their children may speak and hence the parents do not care if their children speak their native language. Another important thing factor is the parent’s total disregard of the significance of learning a foreign language such as English when the parents do not see the importance of a certain language i.e. English. When I was teaching at an intermediate school, I have seen and witnessed such cases where parents who do not see the fail to realize the significance importance of English language and therefore the y do not encourage their children to learn it. Some parents with low impact belief told stated that they do not care if whether their children learn English or not because they believe that their children will never benefit from it. Luckily Fortunately, (at the one end of the spectrum ), there are was a significant proportion of some parents with high impact belief and they are very interested who expressed a high level of interest in raising their children as bilinguals. At the same intermediate school, I have talked to some parents who were willing to do everything to help their children improve their second language skills. Therefore, those children with high impacted parents whose parents displayed a ‘high impact belief’ about bilingualism are the observed to be the best

Marketing Strategy Of Tony And Guy Salon

Marketing Strategy Of Tony And Guy Salon Tony and Guy salon is working marketing strategy that would enable the company regains the control of the hair treatments market globally. More so, the company is working towards reviving and rejuvenating operational the Dubai Branch that has not been performing well. The organization has set aside $ 1000000 for the processes in the marketing strategy. The conservative limited marketing budget will spread among such activities as marketing efforts renting showrooms in high traffic areas in cities where there will not only be more visibility of the Tony Guy products but also its professionally trained staff will offer hair treatment services at subsidized rates and show case the organizations product and services. Apart from the existing outlets, the activities will be conducted in selected well-traveled, popular malls located in high human traffic areas. Although, it will be costly to lease these locations temporarily, normally higher than normal rent, part of the high cost of rents will be offset of the sales made during the exercise. The other proceeds will go to marketing activities that are designed to increase visibility such as road-shows and other activities. Generally the marketing strategy is composed of the following activities: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Advertisements: there will be Advertisements in country specific and international magazines, journals, newspapers and other publications. Those publications that have wide readerships among the women and youth will be give priority since these groups the biggest junk of the target market segments. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Since not all the target markets may be reached by advertisements in publications, alternatives means of reaching them will have to be decided. One way will be using large billboards in major roads feeding major world cities. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ In-store and Store Front Displays: These displays will be visible to the large walk- through traffic base. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Electronic mediums such Television Commercials, radio and internet à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Sponsored events and roads shows will be another marketing strategy to be used. 3.1 Mission The major objective of marketing strategies will be to inform the customers and those potentials customer that Tony and Guy products and Salon Services are not only available locally but also that the company is committed to providing reasonably priced, convenient hair styling and the organization exists to attract and maintain customers. When Tony and Guy adhere to this maxim, everything else will fall into place. Their services will meet or exceed the expectations of their customers and eventually result in secured and protected future markets. 3.2 Marketing Objectives à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ The marketing strategies will increase repeat customers by at least 9% per quarter. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Product visibilities and awareness is to be boosted by 14% à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ The strategies will decrease customer acquisition costs by 8% per year. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Non performing branches such the as one Dubai is to maintain positive, steady growth each month. 3.3 Financial Objectives Ultimately, the marketing objectives of the marketing strategy must translate into sales. After the implementation of the marketing strategy, the following effects are anticipated or targeted sales: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ 10% increase in the amount of retail products sold per year. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Growth of the profit margin by 3% per year. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Full recovery of sales and ultimately profitability in the Dubai branches and other branches initially performing poorly throughout the worlds; one year since the inception of marketing programs. Target Marketing, as part of the strategy will enable Tony and Guy; to reach different market segments: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Men: past statistics show that men at least 70%-75%of men use hair make up, thus implying significant clientele potentials. Relevant communicational tactical ads will to reach these groups will be used. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Upper-end and lower-end women markets: The biggest proportions (about 90%) of the revenues to the hair industry come from female customers. Women have generally been found to be fond of identifying themselves with classy and expensive and fashionable products and services. Although they can be discriminated by class and prices, the quality of services and the functionality of different brands of Tony and Guy brands will greatly influence this segment t of the market. There therefore great potential market in the women populations. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Young Mothers with Children: Young children are an emerging market in the hair treatment industry. A typical family salon has facilities that allow the children to play while they are waiting and then will work with the parents in calming the children nerves when they are ready for treatment. Each of the three groups will be targeted separately. The Tony and Guy outlets and the new leased promotional centers will prepare its staff to offer quick and convenient services to the male customers. Outlets will close late at night 8 pm in high traffic centers and security services will be acquired from security companies. Through out the periods, no appointments will be required, and most of the salon services will be on first come first serve basis but quick, convenient and satisfactory to the customers. As for women, generally, researches have shown them to prefer the allure of classy salons, although practically not everyone can afford such luxury. For this reason, Tony and Guy will provide the different hair treatment services but strictly within the normal range prices. Tony and Guy will target these customers by emphasizing the sophisticated, ultra hype styling that Tony and Guy will offer at all their outlets all over the world during the promotion period or the time of implementing the marketing strategies. Entertainment will be offered. To reach both the high end and low end market at the time while appealing wit classy but affordable services and products, Tony and Guy advertisement will be made to appeal to all. The advertisement while communicating the classiness of the services and products will also emphasize of the affordability. Above all, advertisements will demonstrate that making up and treating ones hair with companys products and or services is a necessity, as bas ic as clothing. It will communicate that it not longer a secondary need but a basic need for every woman. With the latest finding confirming that there is an emerging market in the children for the hair industry, Tony and Guy cannot ignore the segment. To win the Children market, Tony and Guy, will focus its strategies towards mothers with children by offering kids toys to play with while they wait and child-friendly hair stylists. Additionally, children receive a special rate reflecting the fact that childrens hair grows so fast that it can be expensive to keep up with regular treatments as well as the recognition that it generally takes a lot less time to treat a childs hair so it should be inherently less expensive. The tactical advertisement will be tuned to appeal to this group while reaching other segment with the same message. 3.5 Positioning Tony and Guy Salon marketing strategies will position the organization in the industry strategically to be a one stop-shop convenient, full and affordable services and products. While reaching families a corporate entity, the salons also will appeals to individuals with all the outlets prepared to offer quality services and products at competitive rates even after the promotional periods. Tony and Guy will be offering one-stop services, building it competitive edge by striving to achieve its desired positioning through; à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Excellent customer services through out all centers: Tony and Guys competitive edge will be based on superior customer service. The company recognizes that the hair treatment industry has crowded market with challenging situations id differentiating its products and services from those of the competitors. To stand out in the market, Tony and Guy, take advantage of its combined concerted efforts to sell the hair products while at the same time operating salons. The two activities not only give an opportunity to the customers to try the products and the services but also enables them experience the quality of services and the products the company offers. Tony and Guys have been trained in the London Academy in quality customers services. This will enable the company through out its branches spread across the globe to simultaneously offer or provide superior customer attention. The staff will be as much as possible be flexible to the needs of the customer. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ The staff will be incentivized to offer quality client services throughout. While Tony and Guy will invest time and money into training the employees, other concerted efforts will be arranged to ensure that clients receive the best experience possible making it is easier to turn them into a long-term customer and improve the companys and the its services and products reputations. Through the superior customer service, Tony and Guy will be able to effectively compete against and outlast larger chains and independent stores operating in the industry both locally and internationally. 3.6 Strategy Pyramids To fully overhaul, the old marketing strategies, with rejuvenated efforts, the single most apparent objective is to position Tony and Guy as the premier, full service, family salon in the internationally. The pyramids marketing strategy will seek to first create customer awareness regarding the services offered, then develop the customer base, and finally work toward building customer loyalty and referrals. The message that Tony and Guy will seek to communicate is that the entire family can be served quickly, professionally, with superior customer service at reasonable rates. The message will be communicated through various methods. During and after the promotions, the messages will continue to be communicated through in-store and storefront displays through all the outlets and partnering retail salons. This will be a convenient and cost effective method to attract potential and existing customers that walk around the or near the outlets and retail centre. This will complement the other method of communication is advertisements in two local and international regular publications newspapers. Marketing Mix Tony and Guy marketing mix will carefully companied selectively to influence customer behavior in favor of the services and product of the company. Theoretically, a typical marketing mix model is comprised of the 4Ps of marketing namely: pricing, Place (distribution), Promotion and advertising, and Product. Pricing Tony and Guy Salon pricing system will be founded on a competitive pricing model that while making the services and products affordable, also remains competitive relative to competitors prices. This pricing strategy will be the most fundamental element that needs serious considerations in each and every market. Although the pricing of services and products by Tony and Guy will be guided by the current levels and those of the competitors, the company will strive to offer optimal prices, affordable and compelling to the customer, yet giving reasonable returns. During the promotions, the prices will be subsidized, but at minimum, the revenues must offset the promotional expenses. Thereafter the new set of optimal prices will be offered for the products. Each markets retail outlets will be issued with pricing guidelines. Tony and Guy acknowledge the difficulty in standardizing prizes in all the markets considering the variations in income and economic levels. For this reason each segment of economic separated by national boundaries and currency will have specific pricing model guidelines. Independent salons franchised to offer Tony and Guy products and services will be given discounts to together with customers identifies to have been loyal (Westwood, 2000). Price Policy While Tony and Guy Company Salon admit that pricing is the most important element that influences customer or rather buyer behavior and the same determine the profitability of any enterprise, the company intends to develop policies that would assist the managements and retailing outlets in setting optimum pricings that are enticing to customers. These prices will be so strategic that that it will affect the overall performances and the future competitiveness of Tony and Guy. Attracting new clients and keeping the customers, will be the key agenda in the pricing policies to be developed. Because of these affordably but competitive prices, Tony and Guy will use other strategies expand its market. The lower prices will be compensated by larger sales volumes. In this case the best method that the company sees as what will attract the customers and keep them. For the prices to be competitive and appealing to customers, the organization devises strategies and conducts feasibility analyses of customers experiences at different pricing scenarios. This requires some market research and testing to determine customer behavior at different selected rates. The Tony and Guy Hair products and hair treatment services will use the fixed price in specific regions with similar market segment description such demographic, cultural and economic situations. This policy involves determining the price for customers who are wiling to purchase the product with the same prices, given the same shared market conditions and environment. Though it sounds discriminatory in nature, the prices will be fixed in such a way that it will be very easy for the company to administer and in the long run be able to maintain a good will within the customers. This strategy will enable the company use the higher pricing in better economics markets to compensate the minimal rates charged in the markets whose economic and average income levels are lowers. This is one of the strategies often recommended for company multinationals operating in countries having different economic performances (Westwood, 2000). Place (Place of Distribution) Worldwide Marketing (Promotion) Tony and Guy Salon being an international company that deals with hair treatments products an services, has a strategic marketing plan program for its product and services with a world wide scope. Since the birth of the organization in United Kingdom, the company has always catered for the demand of its customers across the globe. Consistent with this global reach, the company has always been aware of its customer around the globe. In line with this element of the marketing mix and consistent to the marketing strategy, the strategy has always been to formulate and invent products that meets the needs of customers in different part of the world. With much investment in research and development of Tony and Guy salon products, the organization has already meet identified the specific needs required in most parts of the world including the strict Islamic Middle East. Following adaptation of its products to meet the specific hair needs of the customers in different part of the globe, Tony and Guy has earned high approval rating from clients. This explains the successive awards the company has won. For example, in 2006, it won the South West Hairdresser of the Year and it has won the London Hairdresser of the Year (11 times) consecutively. While sensitive to such social issues as racism and whiles making efforts not to conform to beauty concepts of each and every culture in the countries they are operating, Tony and Guy has taken into consideration, Tony and Guy take into consideration colors appreciated by its customers. The company gives its customers opportunities to embrace diversity amongst them selves while enhancing their personal features and aesthetics. Tony and Guy Salon employees are another lot of diversity. With majority of them being women and multi-colored, they are considered a minority implying an excellent team out of an affirmative action and a symbol of the target global market. To Tony and Guy Salon, embracing people cultures is the best method to reach and to serve the interest of the consumer wherever they are. Locating the store in a high traffic mall will significantly increase visibility. A targeted advertising campaign will also communicate Tony and Guy Salons desired messages. The company intends to use various media so as to reach its target market. Research will be made so that the right media is selected which is more efficient and more reliable. The promotional activities that the company intends to put in place include having a chain of distribution that is well coordinated and that which can provide the right channel to the market that is targeted. Some of the channels which are available in Kenya include use of mass media, newspapers, the internet and personal selling. Through these methods, the company is able to reach many people at the same time and establish a strong market in Kenya (Kirsch and Goldfarb, 2002). Product and services A practical marketing strategy is not complete without the product element of the marketing mix. One way Tony and Guy Salon have ensured appropriately blending its hair treatment products and services. Customer service is on strategy that has been used to deliver quality to customers worldwide. All the Tony and Guy Salon employees have been trained in exceptional customer service in the London Academy. The partnering retail salons have also been given strict guidelines on the quality of customer service. Tony and Guy is recognized for it commitment to continually pursue researches that ultimately improve the quality of the company products and service. One of the strategic plans has had has always been to take into account the best interests of the customers wherever they are. By giving a wider variety of products and services, the company has been able to offer customers a wider range that customers can chose from according to their needs and preferences. The products and services are prices in such a way that it caters for the needs of all the customers which though geographically separated are united by the Tony and Guy products and services. Regardless of age, whether affluent or poor, whether in Africa or in Asia, Tony and Guy offer product and services that suits the needs and are affordable to each of them. To remain reliant, the company keeps abreast of the latest trends in the industry. Tony and Guy continually update their brands and responding to the dynamics of the industry. To enhance these processed the company has a dedicated team that pursue research and product innovation. The major objective of all these efforts is to consolidate a stronger clientele base among diverse cultures around the globe. Since the emergence advertising and promotions, Tony and Guy, has commissioned several posters around the major cities to publicize the company products. Since the introduction advertising through movies in the 1950s, the company has engaged it also a medium of reaching customers. Tony and Guy has also sponsored major Soap Operas in Europe and Asia which are also transmitted or sold to other continents. Use of celebrity personalities in adverting has not escaped the company marketing strategies. The famous actresses and other personalities has enabled Tony and Guy relate the successful with personality lives to their corporate and brand images and subsequently boasting visibility and sales. Ethical Issues and CSR In any marketing program, ethical issues normally emerge. There is one major ethical issue that will be of great concern in this marketing plan for Tony and Guy salon. The ethical issue revolves around the conventional use of advertising using images of beautiful women. The hair treatment industry being just part of beauty and cosmetic industry, has conventionally been using images of women to advertise. This is because, the core target audient is the women populace and images of other popular or celebrity women can sell a message of advertisement to them. The underlying ethical issue in Tony and Guy marketing strategy is in the use of using advertisement that carry beautiful women. This has recently attracted criticism with critics claiming that use of images, more so explicit or very exposing women images not only degrades the stands of morals in the society but also lowers the dignity of women. In addition to these criticisms, the images are said to be offensive to conservative cultures. According to Blaire (1994), advertising using feminine messages whether visual or otherwise, delineates from the natural and local cultures principles and instead are forced to see herself through the eyes of another ideal woman in an ad image.

Personal Narrative - Bad Things Happen to Bad People :: Personal Narratives

Bad Things Happen to Bad People How many times have you just finished washing your car and, while you are driving down the highway all you hear is PLOP followed by juicy, white feces splattered on your windshield. Or how furious does one get when a pile of Miss FooFoo’s dog crap that your neighbor neglected to pick up a couple of hours ago encompasses your shirt and Levis jeans, while mowing the front yard. I know that I get royally upset when I see bird bombs on my car after I just finished washing it a few hours ago, or when I step in a fresh pile of Miss FooFoo’s poo poo! But who ever puts themselves in the animal’s point of view? Who ever thinks about the fact that we are paving over all the land and cutting down all the trees that provide oxygen for our lungs and homes for the aviators? Let me tell you what, if I was a bird, I would crap all over your shiny car! Many times I have stopped and yelled at people who are driving in my car when they are about to throw things out of the window. I don’t hate, because that is an extremely powerful word, but I do despise the fact that people don’t have a problem with throwing their garbage wherever they please. Just because you finished eating your triple quarter-pounder with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and extra mayonnaise thirty seconds ago from whatever atherosclerosis causing grease pit, doesn’t mean you can take your filthy napkin and paper bag and toss it out the window like your John Elway! It seems like the majority of humankind either does not care or does not realize that the trash is either going to sit there on the side of the road or is going to be picked up by some nature nurturing chump like myself. It is absolutely horrible that people litter the land with Styrofoam cups, plastic glasses, and beer bottles that would take centuries to degrade. Mothers and fathers are forever talking about how they want their children to have it better than they did, and how they want to give their children everything within their power. But yet these ignorant individuals continuously dispose of their trash wherever and whenever they want. By the time my children are of age to realize how absolutely disgusting the world is where mankind has placed his disease ridden feet upon the soil, it will be too late.

Anz Introduction

Recommendation It is recommended that ANZ Bank’s management should reconsider customer value proposition, reputation and security risk as a consequence of ANZ Bank recent outsourcing strategy. This report discusses three main issues that ANZ Bank’s management may have to consider if it is to enhance strength and core competency. Customer value proposition Firstly, as ANZ Bank has stressed that ‘becomes a super regional bank’ is a core strategy objective (ANZ 2012), ANZ will have to consider the potential effect for customer value proposition as a result of recent outsourcing strategy.It has been pointed that the problem of losing managerial control that may arise from outsourcing (RBA tells bank to go slowly 2012). Weerakkody and Irani (2009) suggest that the loss of managerial control may negatively affect the quality of service which will lessen customer value proposition. Based on Porters’ five forces, ANZ Bank is involved in a situation of a high bargaining power of customers (loyalty) and the threat of substitution (Porter 1980). Reduced customer value proposition will enhance power of customers and threat of substitution (Porter 1980).Opponents may suggest that outsourcing will contribute to emphasising competitive advantage (Mcivor 2011). The competitive advantage of ANZ Bank is trade and supply chain (ANZ Trade & Supply chain – A Competitive Advantage 2009). Focusing on competitive advantage will enhance customer value proposition (Piggott 2012). It will assist ANZ Bank achieve its business objective. However, ANZ Bank outsourced 50 jobs include a head of human resources, credit officers and business analysts (Wade and Hawthorne 2012). Fail to package requirements and manage contract efficiently will often result in poor performance and raising cost (Scott 2008).If poor quality services are provided and ANZ Bank fail to control this, customer value proposition will be negatively affected. Therefore, the risk of r educed customer value proposition is a significant issue that ANZ Bank should consider. Reputation The second significant issues facing ANZ Bank will be the reduced reputation in light of ANZ Bank sends jobs overseas (Wade and Hawthorne 2012). According to utilitarianism, ANZ Bank’s manager should make decisions not only based on responsibilities to the company and shareholders but also employees and society (Hartman and DesJardins 2006).Staff reduction in domestic industry will negatively impact unemployment rate. The less society responsibility will influence reputation. Applying SWOT analysis to this case, weaken the internal strength of the worthy brand will put ANZ Bank in a less competitive position (Agarwal, Grassl and Pahl 2012). Critics of this issue may suggest that outsourcing is a method for cost saving. Based on deontology, ANZ Bank’s manager has to make decisions on the basis of responsibilities to the company and shareholders (Hartman and DesJardins 2006 ).Outsourcing is an effective way to execute responsibilities. ANZ Bank (2012) announced that customer focus is a strategy to drive competitive advantage. Indeed, outperformance of customer service will enhance reputation ANZ Bank much more significantly than outsourcing. However, Waters (2012) pointed out that offshoring may cause workforce problem which will threaten the reputation of ANZ Bank. If ANZ Bank fail to outperform competitors with customer service, the reduced brand image may lead ANZ Bank lose market share.Hence ANZ Bank will have to consider the potential problem of reputation. Security risk The third issue that ANZ bank should aware of is security risk which can strongly affect success of outsourcing (RBA tells bank to go slowly 2012). Nassimbeni, Sartor and Dus (2012) suggests that as the foreign organisation may have less protect in a cultural and legal environment, the security risk become more relevant. The security risk increases as sensible data are available f or providers, intermediaries and sub-contractors (Nassimbeni, Sartor and Dus 2012).The outsourcing industry which builds relationship with ANZ Bank can make profit through selling customer information to ANZ Bank’s competitors. Based on value chain, leak of customer information will reduce value of service (Needle 2010). Customers may switch to competitors. It can be argued that there is a contract which would protect data and customer information. The contract is legal protection tool to constrain operators (Nassimbeni, Sartor and Dus 2012). However, even if there is a contract, it does not guarantee everything will operate smoothly.The level of legal and judicial environment will affect the effectiveness of contract (Nassimbeni, Sartor and Dus 2012). For example, Vodafone has been suffered customer privacy leaks. It leads Vodafone faces penalties of up to $250,000 (Sydney Morning Herald 2011). Therefore, it is very important for ANZ Bank to consider security issue. Conclusi on Therefore it can be concluded that ANZ Bank should reconsider customer value proposition, reputation and security risk in response to the recent outsourcing strategy. Reference List Agarwal, R. , Grassl, W. and Pahl, G. 012, ‘Meta-SWOT: introducing a new strategic planning tool’, Journal of business strategy, vol. 33, no. 2, pp. 12-21, viewed 10 May 2012, Business Source Premier. ANZ, 2012, Our company: profile, Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited, Melbourne, viewed 6 May 2012, < http://www. anz. com/about-us/our-company/profile/>. ANZ Trade & Supply chain – A Competitive Advantage, 2009, Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited, Melbourne, viewed 6 May 2012,. Nassimbeni, G. Sartor, M. and Dus, D. 2012, ‘Security risk in service offshoring and outsourcing’, Industry management and data system, vol. 112, no. 3, pp. 405-440, viewed 10 May 2012, Business Source Premier. Needle, D. 2010, Business in context: an introduction to busin ess and its environment, 5thed. , Cengage Learning, Andover. Hartman, L. and DesJardins, J. 2006, Business ethics: decision making for personal integrity and social responsibility, McGraw Hill, Sydney. Mclvor, R. 2011, ‘Outsourcing done right’, Industrial Engineer, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 30-35. Piggot, L. 2012, Introduction to business (BUSS1001), The University of Sydney, Sydney, 18 March, viewed 6 May 2012, < http://blackboard. econ. usyd. edu. au/ @@/81A8AC3019FFF9D178B10ACC0DBF3F0A/courses/1/BUSS1001_SEM1_2012/content/_559616_1/embedded/BUSS1001_Sem%201%2C%202012_Week%203%20Lecture. pdf> Porter, M. E. 1980, Competitive strategy: Techniques for analyzing industries and competitors, Free Press, New York. ‘RBA tells bank to go slowly’, 2012, Sydney Morning Herald, 29 March, viewed 6 May 2012, <

Marketing and Pottery Barn Essay

1. If Williams-Sonoma continues with its’ present strategies and objectives, where will it be in 5 years? Given today’s economy, and the bleak economic outlook, I do not believe Williams-Sonoma will continue to exist with its’ current strategies and objectives to serve its’ below target market consumers. Bottom line is many consumers cannot afford the products being sold by the company. Although, the company’s target market is in the 10% of wealthiest consumers, and had total earnings of over 3.5 billion. (2010 shareholders meeting). Other avenues of generating revenue must be explored. I fear that even the 10% will eventually become more cost conscious in the years to come. On the lines of the company improving its’ position in the next five years, I think the company should continue to improve on concepts already in place. An example is the Pottery Barn Teen website. (pbteen.com). Williams-Sonoma had used the concept in moderation starting with WS bridal registry. The idea took flight and as a result, moved the concept to its’ retail operations such as Pottery Barn, resulting in a 500% jump in online sales generating over 1 billion in revenue. (Prophet.com). Still with all these profits and improvements, if WS cannot hold by decreasing its’ prices so that others not in the 10% range can afford their products, the company will fail like the housing market. Over the next five years, the company should consider expanding its’ product line to include bath dà ©cor to complement the already established retail home furnishings. 2. If you were CEO of Williams-Sonoma, what strategies would you recommend? There are so many recommendations. I would first build on the internet base I talked about earlier. If I can improve internet sales over 500% I certainly want to keep that going. I would incorporate interactive websites. Having the ability to talk to, chat with an associate while I’m shopping in my underwear is always helpful. Next I would improve my e-commerce presence by advertising on social media outlets and improve accessibility to shopping by posting web-apps. I would consider lowering price points so I could tap into the more than 10% of consumers without becoming â€Å"Wal-Mart†. Now the company did do something to increase its’ position that I found useful. That was to decrease its’ overall lease space by 2%. (2010 shareholders meeting). This reduction in retail occupancy costs attributed to the 1 billion dollars the company enjoyed last year. I would also consider expanding the company’s customer base by broadening the product line to similar to Home Goods or Bed Bath and beyond who currently double the revenue of Williams-Sonoma. (Redistribute assets earmarked for traditional cataloging to online accesses. Not only will this save money, but will also impact paper usage. I believe advertising in this was has all but outlived its’ usefulness. 3. Describe the competitive strategies used by each of Williams-Sonoma’s competitors. Which of these are most effective? Williams-Sonoma has six major competitors plus one more in their market. The company holds only 7.9% market share (FY10) to main competitor Bed, Bath and Beyond with an astonishing 34.4%. (William-sonoma.com/investors) BBB’s strategy is to offer competitive prices for quality products. Its’ target market is middle to upper middle class and this is the reason it fairs better in the current market. The Bombay Company’s strategy was to increase its’ footprint by increasing outlet store locations so it could offload clearance items and increase sales to the outlet mall customer base. (Homeaccentstoday.com). Crate and Barrel decided to complete a nationwide marketing campaign that targeted catalogs and websites. While Pier 1 Imports, in a bold move consolidated chains, and licensed their name to Sears in Puerto Rico. (turnaround.org). Door to Store decided to convert and market to style-minded customers at low prices capitalizing on web selling and shipping nationwide. (buyfurnitureyoulove.org). Rolling Pin Kitchen Emporium switched most of its locations to upscale malls and targeted marketing thru websites and catalogs. While Restoration Hardware seemed to advertize to its wealthiest customers targeting the top 10%, attempting to expand its base. If I had to choose one of these strategies I would have to go with the one I mentioned first. I am aware that this was not a in the original case study but in researching I found the Bed Bath and Beyond strategy to be most formidable considering the company doubled the revenue of Williams-Sonoma last year. There is a reason why the company commands 35.4% market share in FY 09 while WS was at 7.9%. (Williams-sonoma.com/investors) Williams-Sonoma is only utilizing a portion of marketing power while watching other companies progress thru a tough recession and recover by constant restructuring. 4. How is Williams-Sonoma using the Internet as a distribution channel now, and how would you recommend that they us the Internet in the future? Williams-Sonoma launched a bridal registry as a test bed for furthering the use of the internet. (prophet.net).This shift was so successful it moved the use of the internet to Pottery Barn, and other retail outlets. The result was 500% increase in internet sales and a 1 billion dollar profit. They also used the web to launch PB Teen which focused on the gap in age between Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Kids. Each website is interactive now but PB Teen was the first with outstanding success. This appealed to dialed in kids wanting something to improve their own piece of sanity, their bedrooms. The interactive site allows the exchange of ideas, instant feedback and the customer has the ability to view products they like. Williams-Sonoma has already completed its’ internet shift. I feel they can rely more on the model by providing 24 hour online support to those consumers that have odd hours. Furthermore I believe the company should limit its’ use of hardcopy catalogs unless specifically requested because this focus had established itself as a business, does nothing for it in the future. Another approach is marketing thru social networking sites. This approach, along with direct marketing does have its’ costs and would show profit after the initial cost blast. If the company wishes to improve its’ position of 7.9% market share, it will need every edge it can possibly have.

The Definition of Transcendentalist

The Definition of Transcendentalist A Transcendentalist was a follower of an American philosophical movement known as Transcendentalism which emphasized the importance of the individual and was a break from more formalized religions. Transcendentalism flourished from roughly the mid-1830s to the 1860s, and was often viewed as a move toward the spiritual, and thus a break from the increasing materialism of American society at the time. The leading figure of Transcendentalism was the writer and public speaker Ralph Waldo Emerson, who had been a Unitarian minister. The publication of Emerson’s classic essay â€Å"Nature† in September 1836 is often cited as a pivotal event, as the essay expressed some of the central ideas of Transcendentalism. Other figures associated with Transcendentalism include Henry David Thoreau, author of Walden, and Margaret Fuller, an early feminist writer and editor. Transcendentalism was and is difficult to categorize, as it could be viewed as a: Spiritual movementPhilosophical movementLiterary movement Emerson himself provided a fairly open definition in his 1842 essay â€Å"The Transcendentalist†: The Transcendentalist adopts the whole connection of spiritual doctrine. He believes in miracle, in the perpetual openness of the human mind to new influx of light and power; he believes in inspiration, and in ecstasy. He wishes that the spiritual principle should be suffered to demonstrate itself to the end, in all possible applications to the state of man, without the admission of anything unspiritual; that is, anything positive, dogmatic, personal. Thus, the spiritual measure of inspiration is the depth of the thought, and never, who said it? And so he resists all attempts to palm other rules and measures on the spirit than its own. Also Known As: New England Transcendentalists

About Nickel Dimed Essays

About Nickel Dimed Essays About Nickel Dimed Paper About Nickel Dimed Paper Barbara Ehrenreich’s non-fiction bestseller, Nickel and Dimed, is the story of an essay writer who went undercover as a low wage worker to find out how non-skilled workers make ends meet. The experiment took place in Florida, Maine, and Minnesota, with the author finding a job and lodgings in each location. The experiment was to be held for one month in each location, working full time and living only off the amount of money earned in low-wage jobs. The goal was to determine whether or not the author could both live off the money earned and have enough money at the end of the month to pay the next month’s rent. The purpose of Ehrenreich’s book is simply to determine if she â€Å"could match income to expenses, as the truly poor attempt to do every day. † Working different jobs in restaurants, a hotel, a nursing home, a cleaning service, and at a major retailer Ehrenreich finds the truth – it is nearly impossible to match income and expense on wage income. Her research shows that a strong â€Å"work ethic† is often not enough to provide necessities like shelter, food, and transportation. For people who work in restaurants, hotels, retail stores, and other service jobs the pay is simply not enough to work your way up the ladder of success. Barbara undertakes life as a person that earns poverty-level wages. The book is a real eye opener to what you can actually do for six to seven dollars an hour. The theme of this book is, from my view, you never realize what you have until it is gone. People all across the United States of America live without some of our necessities because they cant afford much more than shelter and food. Barbara shows in this book that living on minimum wage is possible, but barely. My analysis of the theme in this book is very important for people to see and understand that the group of people who earn the bare minimum wage is probably what you wouldnt suspect. Most Americans believe all those who are poor and homeless are those without a job, only surviving on a little amount received through governmental aid. But in this book, we learn that is no always true. People can still have a job living in the same conditions as someone who doesn’t have a job. They can just have very low-wage jobs. These low-wage jobs hourly pay from the $5. 15 mandatory minimum to the mere but reputable $10 wage. At this salary one may not seem noticeably poor, however factor in the needed expenses of housing, food, childcare, and transportation, one may dwindle into poverty. With an increasing amount of low wage workers from such communities as those of welfare recipients, the employment opportunity is becoming scarce forcing one to migrate in order to accomplish the best salary, leaving a more stressful lifestyle with many more hardships to endure.

The Meaning Behind West African Kente Cloth

The Meaning Behind West African Kente Cloth Kente is a brightly colored, banded material and is the most widely known cloth produced in Africa. Although kente cloth is now identified with the Akan people in West Africa, and particularly the Asante Kingdom, the term originates from the neighboring Fante. Kente cloth is closely related to Adinkra cloth, which has symbols stenciled into cloth and is associated with mourning.​ History Kente cloth is made from thin strips about four cm thick woven together on narrow looms - typically by men. The strips are interlaced to form a fabric which is usually worn wrapped around the shoulders and waist like a toga - the garment is also known as kente. Women wear two shorter lengths to form a skirt and bodice. Originally made from white cotton with some indigo patterning, kente cloth evolved when silk arrived with Portuguese traders in the seventeenth century. Fabric samples were pulled apart for the silken thread, which was then woven into the kente cloth. Later, when skeins of silk became available, more sophisticated patterns were created - although the extortionate cost of the silk meant they were only available to Akan royalty. Mythology and Meaning Kente has its own mythology - claiming the original cloth was taken from the web of a spider - and related superstitions - such as no work can be started or completed on a Friday and that mistakes require an offering to be made to the loom. In kente cloth colors are significant: Blue means loveGreen means growth and energyYellow (gold) means wealth and royaltyRed means violence and anger,White means goodness or victoryGrey means shameBlack means death (or old age) Royalty Even today, when a new design is created, it must first be offered to the royal house. If the king declines to take the pattern, it can be sold to the public. Designs worn by Asante royalty may not be worn by others. Pan-African Diaspora As one of the prominent symbols of African arts and culture, Kente cloth has been embraced by the broader African diaspora (which means people of African descent wherever they might live.) Kente cloth is particularly popular in the United States among African-Americans and can be found on all types of clothing, accessories, and objects. These designs replicate registered Kente designs, but are often mass-produced outside of Ghana with no recognition or payment going to the Akan craftsmen and designers, which Boatema Boateng has argued represents a significant loss of income to Ghana. Sources Boateng, Boatema, The Copyright Thing Doesnt Work Here: Adinkra and Kente Cloth and Intellectual Property in Ghana. University of Minnesota Press, 2011.Smith, Shea Clark. Kente Cloth Motifs, African Arts, vol. 9, no. 1 (Oct. 1975): 36-39.

QUESTIONS FOR AN EXAM Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

QUESTIONS FOR AN EXAM - Assignment Example The less dangerous amongst all these kinds of mutations is duplication of gene as it does not impact the actual genetic sequence. Amongst various point mutations, the least disastrous in my consideration is silent mutation as it causes a change in DNA sequence but this change does not impact on the type of protein that is to be produced. Carbon dioxide is formed as a by-product during Krebs cycle when 6-Carbon molecule renders electrons to NAD+ and converts it into NADH. This Carbon dioxide is then carried via blood to the lungs from where it is exhaled. On the other hand, oxygen is inhaled during respiration as it is consumed during the electron chain as it binds with the free H+ ions to form water. The alternative way of respiration is anaerobic respiration. The anaerobic respiration is not a viable option for organisms to respire as it restricts the generation of FAD+ and NAD+ and may result in halting the whole process of respiration. However, for a limited time the pyruvate may accept electrons from NADH and thus form lactic acid but respiration can’t be continued for a long time in organisms (Starr

The Irish Image in Contemporary Society Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

The Irish Image in Contemporary Society - Essay Example In 19th century newspaper cartoons, however, those same qualities are portrayed as negative, as the irresponsible antics of a mentally inferior people. This is a stereotype that has managed to survive into modern politically correct society. Before emigrating to America during the Famine years of the mid 19th century, the Irish had long endured racial intolerance from the British. In a letter to his wife, Charles Kingsley wrote, "...I am haunted by the human chimpanzees I saw [in Ireland]... I don't believe they are our fault...But to see white chimpanzees is dreadful; if they were black, one would not feel it so much," (Curtis, 1968). Phrenology, the study of cranial shapes and characteristics, became highly popular between 1800 and 1850 (Wohl, 1990), and asserted that the Irish skull shape was not that of a human being's, but closer to that of an ape's. The Irish were "primitive." John Beddoe, president of the Anthropological Institute from 1889 to 1891, wrote in his book The Races of Britain (1862), that all intelligent men were orthognathous, meaning they had smaller jaw bones, while the Irish were prognathous (more prominent jaw bones) and were thus more akin to Cromagnon man (Wohl, 1990). Punch cartoons of the Iri sh reflect this belief, depicting them with long, drooping upper-lips and apelike features. The circumstances that the Irish went on to face would often be linked with this belief. In the 1840s, a fungus infected the crops of Ireland and an estimated one-fourth of the population died of starvation (The History Place, 2000). Reports were made of finding bodies lying in the road with green foam oozing from the mouth because the deceased had been eating grass to stave off hunger (The History Place, 2000). Thus, in 1847, the United States saw the largest mass immigration in history. Boston, which had a population of 115,000, was suddenly inundated with 37,000 Irish immigrants (The History Place, 2000). New York City, which had a population of 372,000, saw 52,000 Irish in 1847 (The History Place, 2000). In Boston, the Irish were greeted with scorn by the English Puritans, who saw their rural manners and poverty as boorish. Of all of the foreign immigrant groups, the Irish were the poorest (The History Place, 2000). As soon as they stepped off the boat, they were herded into large houses that had been subdivided into apartments, often with no water or ventilation (Th e History Place, 2000). There were so many Irish arriving, however, that many actually slept in the gardens, backyards, and alleys surrounding the house (The History Place, 2000). A Boston Committee of Internal Health reported these houses as: "a perfect hive of human beings, without comforts and without common necessaries; in many cases, huddled together like brutes, without regard to age or sex or sense of decency. Under such circumstances, self-respect, forethought, and all the high and noble virtues soon die out, and sullen indifference and despair or disorder, intemperance and utter degradation reign supreme," (The History Place, 2000). That could be why the city's crime rate increased by a breathtaking 400 percent (The History Place, 2000). The Irish gained such a notorious reputation for rowdiness and violence that many

Sequence Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Sequence Analysis - Essay Example Sequences alignment is one of the pillars of bioinformatics and is the process of comparing two or more sequences to deduce whether they are related to one another. In this comparison, one may draw inferences as to whether two proteins for instance have similar function, contains similar structural motifs which are the conserved sequences with a protein sequence that correspond to structural or functional regions. Sequence alignment is used to determine whether two or more sequence display sufficient similarity. This similarity must be sufficient to infer homology. Usually in sequence alignment; two terms are prominent, homology and similarity. Similarity is a measure and can be measured for instance the percentage identity and homology can never be measured and it is the conclusion drawn from the similarity data to infer whether any two genes or gene product being compared share a common evolutionary history. Homology may be defined as a putative conclusion which is reached after examining optimal alignment between two sequences and assessment of their similarity. Homology between two sequences is not measured in degrees and it implies evolutionary relationship. Homology may be classified as either orthologs which are genes separate by speciation event (s) and they may have similar structural domains and function. Paralogs sequences may be genes separated by duplications events and may provide insight on novel genes arising from duplication event adapting to modified cellular functions. Sequence alignment may either be local or global. Global sequence alignment compares two sequences along their entire length whereas local sequence alignment finds the most similar regions in two sequences being aligned. Albeit slow the dynamic programming algorithms are more accurate compared to the heuristic algorithms, FASTA and BLAST (Polyanovsky, et al., 2011). BLAST and FASTA algorithms are the

Astra Planeta Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Astra Planeta - Assignment Example Twinkle 5 is a suitable name for this company because the first thing that comes to the mind of most Europeans and Americans when they hear the word â€Å"Twinkle† is â€Å"star†. Since the name has to be connected to â€Å"Five Stars†, â€Å"Twinkle 5† is a name that shares the theme as well as number. Twinkle 5 is also suitable because it will be the first bicycle and e-scooter company in Europe and America that will be called Twinkle 5, so the name lends the company a unique identity. A very important aspect of Twinkle 5 is that it carries the themes of tidiness, neatness, cleanliness, and perfection. Sparkle is the word used for shining and twinkling. It is commonly used in the toothpaste ads. Sparkle shares the theme of shining and twinkling with the â€Å"Five Stars.† Sparkle is a very simple yet sophisticated name that never goes out of trend. Besides, there is no bicycle and e-scooter company named Sparkle in Europe or America. To hear the name Sparkle, a bicycle or e-scooter is not the first thing that comes to mind; but then all this company is about is innovation, creativity, and drama. Even if not technically, the name does lend a feeling of cleanliness and tidiness that is the embodiment of this work. The name Tri-Prism is the short form of Triangular Prism. â€Å"Tri-Prism† is a suitable name for this company because a triangular prism has five faces through which light passes and refracts or reflects. This has quite a lot in common with â€Å"Five Stars† both in terms of number and in terms of function. Stars also serve as a source of light. Tri-Prism is a fancy name unheard of in the bicycle and e-scooter industry as the name of a shop before in Europe or America. It is easy to pronounce and yet, its uniqueness leaves a trace on the mind of the listener. â€Å"Shine at Prime† is a very different name and has a theme to share with â€Å"Five Stars.† Prime is also connected to the word â€Å"primary† which in academic terms is translated as â€Å"five†. Shining is a function of stars. So joined together, shine at prime not only relates to â€Å"Five Stars† but also generates a beautiful message to the customers.

Identification of Clostridium difficle Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Identification of Clostridium difficle - Essay Example 3-4). Diarrhoea cases associated with C. difficle have been increasing in the contemporary world. In addition, increased resistance has been identified. It is also a major cause of hospital-based infection. Specifically, this infection affects the inner linings of the colon and produces toxins, which can lead to serious inflammation as well as diarrhoea. During the 2000s, this infection used to be treated using antibiotic fluoroquinolone to which the infection developed resistance. In the developed nations, C. difficle is a key cause of infectious diarrhoea. It is mostly spread in poor healthcare settings. The infection has not only become more prevalent in today’s world but also gotten harder to treat. Bearing in mind that the infection emerged several decades ago, many diagnostic methods have been developed since the earliest times of its discovery. Some of these methods are effective while others have been ignored due to inconsistencies. This diagnosis incorporates a wide history of recent antibiotic therapy, diarrhoea development, or any other indication of acute colitis (Planche & Wilcox, 2011, p. 3). In addition, the diagnosis is also based on the demonstration of an infection by toxigenic C. difficle. This is usually done through the detection of toxin A or B within stool samples. Pathogenesis leads to the production of toxin while the toxin strains are responsible for the production of toxin A, also known as enterotoxin or toxin B, cytotoxin. The diagnostic methods can be divided into several subsections that include laboratory methods, antigen detection methods, and nucleic acid amplification methods (McFarland, 2011, p. 431-432). The laboratory methods include culture Aga r media, enriching pores, CCN test, and selective media. The antigen detection methods, on the other hand, include GDH Assays while the nucleic acid amplification methods include PCR Assays and LAMP Assays. Although there may be many diagnostic

Wash Avenue Incorporated Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Wash Avenue Incorporated - Case Study Example Having worked in a car wash to support his college education, he has acquired the necessary skills and has always been inspired to put up his own company. To differentiate itself from other players, Wash Avenue will be located in the mall's garage and provide services while the customers shop. The company will officially be opening its first shop in Copley Place but plans to expand into other areas as soon as it gains popularity in the market. By locating in the malls, Wash Avenue hopes to develop a core competence in (1) extending quality car wash service and (2) utilizing the best available technologies in the market. In order to translate this into sustainable advantage, Wash Avenue will outline a unique process of giving "car make-overs" and ensure consistency. The company will also partner with the car wash technology expert Seven CarWash Romania Inc (2008) which will design and update its equipment. The US car wash industry is comprised of 14,000 full-service car washes accounting for US$5 billion in annual revenue (International Car Wash Association 2008). This huge market is still highly unsaturated and business organizations are still looking for ways where they can improve their service offerings. In this situational analysis, the PEST model will be used in order to fully understand all the opportunities, challenges, and issues which confront the industry players (Thomson 2002). This strategic management technique will enable Wash Avenue to identify the opportunities and threats in its external environment and respond to this by crafting appropriate marketing strategies. Political. The nature of car wash business makes it as a subject of legislations which varies from state to state. However, the theme of these regulations is often about the preservation of water and environment (International Car Wash Association 2008) . All car wash operators are required to manage and to use only a minimal amount of water during the process. Currently, as customers are also becoming more and more aware of social corporate responsibility, car wash operators are also pressured of rethinking their solid waste management practices in order to ensure sustainable development. Economic. The United States have entered a turning point in its economic history. From long been globally respected because of its economic hegemony, the nation is now threatened by economic slowdown (US Economic Crisis 2008). This situation is

Identification of Clostridium difficle Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Identification of Clostridium difficle - Essay Example 3-4). Diarrhoea cases associated with C. difficle have been increasing in the contemporary world. In addition, increased resistance has been identified. It is also a major cause of hospital-based infection. Specifically, this infection affects the inner linings of the colon and produces toxins, which can lead to serious inflammation as well as diarrhoea. During the 2000s, this infection used to be treated using antibiotic fluoroquinolone to which the infection developed resistance. In the developed nations, C. difficle is a key cause of infectious diarrhoea. It is mostly spread in poor healthcare settings. The infection has not only become more prevalent in today’s world but also gotten harder to treat. Bearing in mind that the infection emerged several decades ago, many diagnostic methods have been developed since the earliest times of its discovery. Some of these methods are effective while others have been ignored due to inconsistencies. This diagnosis incorporates a wide history of recent antibiotic therapy, diarrhoea development, or any other indication of acute colitis (Planche & Wilcox, 2011, p. 3). In addition, the diagnosis is also based on the demonstration of an infection by toxigenic C. difficle. This is usually done through the detection of toxin A or B within stool samples. Pathogenesis leads to the production of toxin while the toxin strains are responsible for the production of toxin A, also known as enterotoxin or toxin B, cytotoxin. The diagnostic methods can be divided into several subsections that include laboratory methods, antigen detection methods, and nucleic acid amplification methods (McFarland, 2011, p. 431-432). The laboratory methods include culture Aga r media, enriching pores, CCN test, and selective media. The antigen detection methods, on the other hand, include GDH Assays while the nucleic acid amplification methods include PCR Assays and LAMP Assays. Although there may be many diagnostic

Should racial profiling be accepted as a law enforcement practice Essay

Should racial profiling be accepted as a law enforcement practice - Essay Example living amongst Americans. It is unfortunate, then, that the country who welcomed these people of different races to live in its soil is now thinking of implementing a program that would be put these invited guests at risk. Racial profiling can be synonymous to racial discrimination and should not be practiced because it puts innocent people at risk, promotes prejudice among police officers and in some way violates an individual’s freedom of expression. Racial profiling as the term connotes is when individuals, usually those tasked to protect the public, commit an act in the performance of this duty based on stereotypes of race, colour, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, or place of origin because of reasonable suspicion. â€Å"250† as it is called in the New York Police Department authorizes police personnel to stop, question and pat down individuals who appear reasonably suspicious. (Weir and Capote) It has supposedly decreased the crime rate in the city. After the 9/11att acks on the World Trade Center, many people have showed support for the measure. Others are in fear of it and incidents have shown exactly why opposition exists. The appearance of a person is not a determinant of the race of such person. As such one of the requirements of racial profiling will already lead to many errors that can traumatize innocent citizens. In the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing, many dark-skinned men feared arrest. There were several dark-skinned individuals who became persons of interest for the police. (Izadi) Sunil Tripathi, a university student who was found dead was also suspected for the bombing. (Schroeder) As it turned out the actual bombers were Caucasian who appeared to be tied up with Islamic fundamentalists. (Izadi) Kasim Walters who is 17 and living in Brooklyn has been stopped seven times by the NYPD and has described his experience as very scary. (Weir and Capote) These individuals were judged because of how they looked. These acts showed that just being a person of color makes an innocent person a suspect. This should not be so. Race or beliefs cannot be known just by looking at a person. The second requirement of racial profiling is that the person is reasonably suspicious. What is reasonably suspicious? Sunil Tripathi’s photo was flashed on television after a post on Reddit claimed he was the Boston bomber. (Daily) Immediately, police and concerned citizens were looking for Tripathi. Later on, when the real culprits were apprehended and Tripathi’s body was found, apologies flooded media. The damage has been done, however. The young man’s reputation was already tarnished, the mystery surrounding his death aggravating the issue of mistaken identity. Racial profiling seems to say that when there are tribal tags on a person’s car (Amnesty) or one’s clothing is similar to those worn by individuals wanted by authorities it is (Goldstein) legal for police to stop the person to conduct a search. This is both inconvenient and humiliating. Finally, racial profiling should not be practiced because it gives rise to bias among law enforcement people and harmful behavior. Indeed police officers should be commended by putting their lives on the line to protect society. Nevertheless, it is not a secret that they can be violent or prejudiced at times. Reality TV programs such as COPS and America’s Most Wanted have given audience a glimpse on how the authorities handle the

Intellectual Property Rights And Traditional Knowledge

Intellectual Property Rights And Traditional Knowledge Traditional knowledge encompasses the beliefs, knowledge, practices, innovations, arts, spirituality, and other forms of cultural practices that belong to indigenous communities worldwide. The intergovernmental board on rational property and inherent resources, customary awareness and tradition has met ten times since 2001 and the Tenth Session took place in Geneva, 30 November-8 December 2006. The committee has been discussing intellectual property issues as they arise in relation to the protection of traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions and access to hereditary resources and profit sharing. 1) What is Indigenous/traditional Knowledge? Traditional Knowledge is the knowledge usually related to the environment. This knowledge is owned by the whole community. Holders of traditional knowledge want to be protected against publication of culturally sensitive information. A holder of traditional knowledge wants a system which can contribute to the preservation and safeguarding of traditional knowledge and the customary means for their development, preservation and transmission, and promote the conservation, maintenance, application and wider use of traditional knowledge, for the direct benefit of traditional knowledge holders in particular, and for the benefit of humanity in general. WIPO (1999) For example in Australia the case of Dr. Mountford, who undertook an expedition to the Northern Territory outback in 1940. Local Aboriginal people revealed to him tribal sites and objects possessing deep religious and cultural significance for them. The publication was held by the court as it could disclose information of deep religious and cultural significance to the Aborigines. The system should recognize the intrinsic value of traditional knowledge, including its social, spiritual, economic, intellectual, scientific, ecological, technological, commercial and educational value. Intellectual Property law: Intellectual property law covers a wide range of rights and privileges and in the UK is defined by s. 72(5) of the Supreme Court Act 1981 (amended by Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988) to include; There are some serious concerns about the suitability of the existing IPR system to the indigenous peoples traditional knowledge. The indigenous communities generate and posses their traditional knowledge collectively. The difficulty experienced by indigenous peoples in trying to protect their traditional knowledge under intellectual property (IP) rights law stems mainly from its failure to satisfy the requirements for protection under existing IP law. Reference Chapter 2 WIPO (1999) â€Å"Intellectual Property Needs and Expectations of traditional knowledge Holders†, WIPO Report on Fact-Finding Missions 1998-1999, WIPO, Geneva (Publication Number 768E). Source: http://www.wipo.int/globalissues/tk/report/final/index.html 9/05/2008 Paragraph 19 of Doha WTO Ministerial Declaration (WTO Document No. WT/MIN(01)/DEC/1) adopted on 14 November 2001, calls for the TRIPS Council to examine the issue of protection of traditional knowledge and folklore. Source: http://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/minist_e/min01_e/mindecl_e.doc Chapter Three Safety Of Sui-Generis Protection Of Traditional Knowledge And Genetic Resources 3.1. Introduction Traditional knowledge holders are concerned about loss of traditional lifestyles and knowledge because the young ones of the community cannot carry forward traditional practices. They also want their traditional knowledge to be respected together with the holders. They are against misappropriation of traditional knowledge including use of traditional knowledge without any benefit sharing, or use in a derogatory manner. Lack of recognition of the need to preserve and promote the further use of traditional knowledge is also their concern. They also advocate for equity considerations in the sense that the custodians of traditional knowledge to be fairly compensated if traditional knowledge leads to commercial gain. A single solution can hardly be expected to meet such a wide range of concerns and objectives.To address these concerns two options can be put in place namely: Intellectual property rights (IP)system Sui Generis Protection Intellectual property rights (IP) system Intellectual property system can be utilised to commercialize traditional knowledge or prevent its misuse. For example, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists in Australia have obtained a national certification trademark. The intellectual property system is useful to universities and RD organizations first as a source of information from where further knowledge can be created and can be used to plan for further studies in the area of concern and as literature. It can be used as a source for products and services when their industrial or commercial exploitation is used for social, cultural or economic gains. Correa, C. (2001) However hindrances for effective management of intellectual property rights are those associated with the lack of abundance in reference materials, necessary to create confidence. Often, the institutional policy will not cover all the areas associated with the different areas of intellectual property. Lack of a dynamic and rewarding policy, which is fully communicated to members, will also be of some hindrance. It is important that stakeholders are involved in its evolution and review process. Finally, the difficulty of enforcement due to infrastructural shortcomings should be expected. This would be viewed as a result of funding, cultural issues and weak economics and industries Sui generic system Sui generis is a Latin phrase which means â€Å"of its own kind.† It is a system which has been designed specifically to address the needs and concerns of a particular issue. Prior Informed Consent Countries have already decided that the existing intellectual property system is not, on its own, adequate to protect traditional knowledge. A number of them have enacted or are in the process of enacting sui generis systems of protection. Access by other parties will be based on the prior informed consent (PIC) of the community obtained accordIng to customary laws. Any benefits arising from genetic resources or associated knowledge will be equitably shared. The Philippines has enacted legislation, and is considering further provisions, giving indigenous communities rights over their traditional knowledge. Access by other parties will be based on the prior informed consent (PIC) of the community obtained accordIng to customary laws. Any benefits arising from genetic resources or associated knowledge will be equitably shared. Costa Rica has not yet fulfilled the participatory process to determine the nature and extent of the sui generis communitary intellectual rights. With this system apart from sharing the benefits, if tangible returns are generated it can attract greater involvement of younger members of the community. However with such a wide range of material to protect and such diverse reasons for â€Å"protecting it†, it may be that a single all-encompassing sui generis system of protection for traditional knowled.The system would allow all plant genetic resources to be monopolised. Plant breeding would thus come to a standstill. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) The Convention, which was agreed in 1992, seeks to promote the conservation of biodiversity and the equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilisation of genetic resources. It asserts the sovereign rights of nations over their national resources, the right to determine access according to national legislation with the aim of facilitating the sustainable use of these resources, promoting access and their common use.   To date about more than fifty countries have developed national access and benefit sharing legislation. Some of the examples are mention below. a) â€Å"Pakistan ( Draft Legislation on Entry to Biological and Community privileges, 2004 whose one of its major aims is to protect and encourage cultural diversity, valuing creativity, practices and knowledge of local communities. b) Bangladesh (Draft Biodiversity and Community Protection Act of Bangladesh, 1998).whose number one general objectives is to safeguard the sovereign rights of the Communities that have understanding of biodiversity, and have managed, maintained , preserved, reproduced and improved biodiversity c) India (Biological Diversity Act, 2002; Biodiversity Rules, 2004). Authority is given to the implementation sanction grants-in-aid and grants to the State Bio-diversity Board and Biodiversity Management Committees for specific purposes and also undertakes physical inspection of any area in connection with the implementation of the Act. d) Malaysia (Sarawak Biodiversity Center Ordinance, 1997; Sarawak Biodiversity (Access, Collection and Research) Regulations, 1998; Sabah Biodiversity Enactment, 2000). One of its penalty states that any person who, without a permit from the Council, collects or takes away any protected resources from their habitat or place where they are found or grown or take such resources out of the State, shall be guilty of an offence: Penalty, a fine not exceeding fifty thousand ringgit or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or both. e) Philippines (Executive Order No. 247, 1995; Department of Environment and Natural Resources Administrative Orders 96-20, 1996; Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act; Republic Act No. 9147, 2001)† [26]. Article 3 of CBD recognizes the sovereign right of nations. In spite of all these efforts, while entering into ABS contracts the current access and benefit mechanism has failed to effectively resolve the major problems faced by the local communities and countries. Reference Correa, C. (2001) â€Å"Traditional Knowledge and Intellectual Property†, QUNO, Geneva. Source: http://hostings.diplomacy.edu/quaker/new/doc/tkcol3.pdf 09/05/2008 Sui generis system of protection is a distinct system tailored or modified to accommodate the special characteristics of traditional knowledge or folklore.Sui generis systems of protection are already provided in areas such as the protection of plant varieties (UPOV system) and protection of databases (EC Directive 96/9/EC, 11 March 1996. Source: http://www.eurogeographics.org/WorkGroups/WG1/eu_directive.pdf).09/05/2008 Chapter 4 Overview Of The Ipr And Traditional Knowledge Debate In International Negotiations The importance of protecting and preserving indigenous traditional knowledge has been recognized in several international instruments, including the WIPO, CBD and the TRIPS Council of the WTO. 4.2. Convention on Biological Diversity The convention was drafted at the 1992 â€Å"Earth Summit† in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil [30] and it came into force in 1993 [31]. The convention emphasized what is depicted in article 8(j) the most important provision of CBD on indigenous knowledge, it reads: â€Å"Each Agreeing Party shall, as far as likelihood and correctness: focus to its national law, protect, value, and maintain understanding , innovations and of local and practices of local and native group. It implies that local communities embodying traditional life styles possess an equal status to indigenous peoples. 4.2. The Conference of the Parties (COP) COP is a decision making body of the convention whose function is to regularly review implementation of the convention [41]. In 6th convention of Parties, the Working group of Entry and profit sharing adopted Bonn Guidelines [20] under decision VI/24. The ABS Decision of the seventh conference mandated the operational group on ABS and Article 8(j) to expound and bargain an intercontinental regime on access to genetic resources and profit sharing with the objective to efficiently implement the provision in Article 15 aimed Article 8(j) [49]. Comments The COP had failed to take any considerable action at the international level. 4.3. The Bonn Guidelines They were officially adopted to provide for a set of rules that will facilitate the drafting and further development of national biodiversity legislation. The Guidelines encourage parties to â€Å"adopt measures to reveal the source country of the genetic resources and traditional understanding, innovations, , benefit sharing, and norms of local and native group in application for intellectual property privileges. †¢ Criticism The guidelines were criticized by several environmental NGO, arguing that voluntary non binding Guidelines can never replace legally binding instruments. The voluntary position of the Guidelines will provide member states with an excuse for non- action. Analysis Despite of criticisms, they are a vital step towards the harmonization of the regime of access and benefit sharing. The CBD help foster bilateral agreements between the providers and users of resources. 4.4. TRIPS, Traditional Knowledge and Genetic Resources The relevant provisions in this regard could be Article 39 (protection of undisclosed information), if the TK is kept as secret knowledge, and Article 22 (protection of geographical indications). The developing countries also argued that the exclusions in Article 27(3) (b) should be clarified. In November 2001, the widely published â€Å"Doha Declaration† was issued at the fourth WTO Ministerial Conference held in Doha, Qatar. The protection of traditional knowledge and folklore was given particular attention. As a contribution to this examination, several developing countries in together with other groups of developing countries, submitted a paper to the Council for TRIPS in June 2002. The paper proposed that WTO Member States to meet the following requirement: (i) Original disclosure of the country and source of the biological resource traditional understanding used in the invention; (ii) Proof of well knowledgeable consent through approval of authorities under Evidence of prior informed consent through approval of authorities under significant national regimes. (iii) Proof of just and equitable profit sharing under the national regime of the original country.† [63]. The United States and Japan have raised the primary objections to the above. These countries have argued that: (i) Such corrections would not be constant with TRIPs Agreement and would be in violation of the rule of non-discrimination amongst field of technology; (ii) Expanding the norms of disclosure would amount to a legal and administrative â€Å"nightmare† and an unnecessary burden on the patent applicant and the Patent office [64]. Analysis Countries avoid the misappropriation of traditional knowledge and with the implementation of the sharing of benefits principle, than with the development of an intellectual property rights regime for traditional knowledge (most notably U.S. and Japan). 4.5. WIPOs Inter-Governmental board on rational possessions and inherent Resource, customary Knowledge and Tradition. The IGC is very much concerned about enhancing the protection of Traditional Knowledge and has therefore focused on understanding the needs and expectations of traditional communities. Also at the IGC third session, World Intellectual Property Organization produced a paper called â€Å"Elements of Sui Generic System for the Protection of Traditional Knowledge†. [45] In Autumn 2005, the WIPOs General Assembly extended the mandate of IGC to continue its work on achieving feasible solutions to the protection of Traditional Knowledge In July 2007 meeting of the WIPOs Intergovernmental Committee (IGC), the developing countries were demanding an international legally binding instrument to protect their resources, while developed countries such as United States, Japan, want a non-binding recommendation. Indigenous peoples organizations expressed frustration, that both genetic resources and traditional knowledge are open to misappropriation. Organization (WIPO) as to whether there should be a binding International treaty to protect genetic resources, [73]. 4.6. Discussion Winding up the discussion, determination of positive synergies between various international regimes in the context of IPR, vis a vis, protection of GRs and related TK is a politically and technically intricate and challenging endeavor. However it has been shown that addressing some of the cases under conversation and the most significant international forums where this discussion takes place, in regard to TK protection and profit sharing, still remains far from achieved [53]. Law and policy needs to check the following: a) Nations of origin assert their rights over their genetics resources, b) Assured benefits of the use these resources are shared equally. c) Native peoples intellectual efforts well protected [53]. 4.7. Summary Compared to the situation that existed a decade ago, currently WIPO, CBD, Council of TRIPs and several other national and regional process are involved in finding decision to establish constructive synergies among IPR and biodiversity related issues, which in itself is an important development [53]. The author is of the view that one of the effective strategies for developing countries, in the wake of heightened debates over TK protection and monopolization attempts of industrialized nations. Nations exercise sovereignty in the safeguarding of hereditary resources and similar traditional understanding with the kind of measures they put in place. The wealth of genetic resources and related traditional knowledge plays an important part in the general well being, food security and health care of the indigenous communities. Reference Pires de Carvalho, N. (2000) â€Å"Requiring Disclosure of the Origin of Genetic Resources and Prior Informed Consent in Patent Applications without Infringing the Trips Agreement: The Problem and the Solution†, Washington University Journal of Law and Policy, vol. 2, pp.371-401 McDonald, S. (2001) â€Å"Exploring the hidden costs of Patents notes of a talk given at Quakers House Geneva 16 May 2001†, QUNO Occasional Paper 4, QUNO, Geneva. The Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997, Republican Act No. 8371. Source: http://www.grain.org/docs/philippines-ipra-2008-en.pdf, and The Community Intellectual Rights Protection Act 1994 Senate Bill No. 1841 (still pending). Source: http://www.grain.org/docs/philippines-cirpa-2008-en.pdf Chapter 5 The Philippines Experience Philippines have vast variety of traditional knowledge concentrated in health care, agriculture and forestry just to mention a few. The Philippines was the first country to introduced legislation on access to genetic resources, with the signing of Executive Order 247 (EO 247), â€Å"Prescribing Guidelines and Establishing a Regulatory Framework for the Prospecting of Biological and Genetic Resources, their By-Products and Derivatives, for Scientific and Commercial Purposes, and for Other Purposes†, on May 18, 1995 [6]. Because of the wide scope and the procedure required for the prior informed consent, certain problems were experienced in implementing EO 247.The law stipulates that indigenous societies are owners of their knowledge of traditional medicine and when outsiders use the information they must acknowledge the source and demand a share of any financial return coming from commercial use. The legislation however seeks to maintain the free exchange of biodiversity among local communities. This prevents exploitation of the communitys resources by foreigners with no benefits to the actual owners of the resources. In the context of compliance with the International regimes, TRIPS Agreement, the Philippines has an Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, i.e. Republic Act No. 829300. This code covers economic rights of the country [32].which shows the government commitment towards protecting the rights of indigenous communities to ownership of their resources Analysis Law regulating access to genetic and biological resources (IPRA and EO 247) have both tried to pave the way for mutual research efforts. The use Genetic Resources in safeguarding Traditional Knowledge Vietnam: In spite of the importance hereditary resources and traditional understanding in the lives of Vietnamese people, the results of the survey conducted by WIPO in accordance to test out the legislative steps taken by the Vietnamese government, unfortunately shows that hardly any efforts have been taken by the law makers for the protection of traditional knowledge. However, the Government Decree No. 7-CP of February 1996 elaborates the following measures taken. a) â€Å"Article 4: The overall policy of the Government is to invest for building national capacity in conserving, selecting, producing and carrying on the business of developing seed varieties†. This means greater biodiversity in the country b) Article 8: Genetic resources are to be considered as national property and managed by the State. All organizations and individuals are encouraged to prospect for, collect, preserve, utilize and enrich genetic resources for the benefit of the national economy and social welfare. In this regard, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) is the main government body responsible for the management of development of seed varieties by the State. This prevents exploitation of national resources for selfish gains. Vietnam and International Regimes Vietnam needs to elaborate a national structure for the safety of heritable resources and customary knowledge. In this regard, MARD is drafting legislation guard of generic resources and similar traditional norms. Protection of Traditional Knowledge in Indonesia The existing Indonesian intellectual property provides little legal protection for traditional knowledge. Some sort of protection is given under the existing â€Å"copyright, distinctive signs and trade secret law† [40]. Some of these laws were further amended In addition, the intention to provide protection to traditional knowledge is also clear from the media report on copyright, Law No 19/2002. And also an informal version of the said law, indicate that â€Å"Article 10 vests in the State the copyright to, inter alia, prehistoric remains, historical and other national cultural objects, stories, legends, folk tales, epics, songs, handicrafts, choreography and dances†[40]. Moreover, the publication by the Indonesian National News Agency shows the government willingness in preventing the outsiders from illegally accessing and patenting other peoples knowledge. [40]. The importance of Intellectual property Rights is visible from submission of the draft of new IPR regulations to the peoples Consultative Assembly. The Indian Experience India formally established under the National Biodiversity Act, Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL). It was considered as a great step forward for preventing misappropriation of traditional knowledge and help in identifying the real traditional knowledge rights holders. The Biodiversity Act 2002 is the first attempt of the Indian legislators attains the aim of CBD. In practice the protection mechanisms are not very effective and are regarded as greatly biased against the safety of the native communities. Guarding of Genetic Resources and Customary Understanding in Pakistan is blessed with enormous amount of natural resources and also is rich in bio wealth. Due to a range of climate zones and various environmental conditions, the country has got a great capability for producing all sorts of food products. A Biodiversity Action Plan for Pakistan (BAP) The increasing environmental problems led to the Biodiversity Action Plan in 1999, which is the most important step taken by the government of Pakistan to prevent biodiversity loss. In collaboration with World Conservation Union, Pakistan (IUCN) and World Wide Fund for Nature, the Government of Pakistan, Ministry of Environment, Local Government and Rural Development, put forward the Biodiversity Action Plan [47]. Draft law on entry to Biological Resources and Community privileges 2004 In order to established fundamental grounds for an ABS mechanism, the Pakistani Ministry of food, Agriculture and livestock is working on draft legislation [49]. This draft is in accordance to the international Convention on Biological Diversity, which will help in providing protection to the rights of indigenous communities of the country. The Way Forward Pakistan has accomplished little so far, due to lack of implementation of the new policies due to lack of funds, skilled personnel and infrastructure. The government should use the sovereign rights stipulated in the CBD to put in place measures to protect biodiversity. In addition, there is a need to address the institutional flaws, which includes the deficiency of monitory and enforcement mechanisms. Claims regarding unfulfilled requirements of patentability. Here we will discuss the well-known cases of Turmeric and Basmati rice, which send a signal to biotech companies or organizations, not to treat the developing countries resources as a free good. 1. The Turmeric Case This has been a milestone success for a developing country like India to protect the traditional knowledge of its indigenous communities and discourages the illegal obtaining of patent over their knowledge. 2. The Basmati Case It was concerned with protection of traditional knowledge and geographical indications. It involved new strains of rice which were to be sold under the name Basmati by a Texas based company, but protests emerged from India and Pakistan over the repercussions the name could have on their communities. The case showed that it is expensive to challenge biopiracy cases. CONCLUSION Effectively protecting the genetic resources, traditional knowledge, and folklore is very important for the developing countries and the most undeveloped countries against the background of the international trade, and concerned with the interests of the developing countries and the most undeveloped countries. If we can find some useful solutions to effectively protect genetic resources, traditional knowledge, and folklore, the position of the developing and most undeveloped countries in the international trade will be strengthened. The issue of protecting of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge is a global issue and still receives attention it deserves. Generally speaking, WTO agreements, including TRIPS Agreement, are a deal between the developed countries and the developing countries, and the whole agreements of WTO are balanced in the interests of the developed countries and the developing countries. On the one hand, the developing countries accepted the standards or criteria for the protection of intellectual property set up by the developed countries. This is good for developed countries, and helped them to strengthen their position in the international trade. On the other hand, the developing countries participated in the new world trade system, and benefited from this trade system. Some of them even since then have enjoyed MFN from some of the developed countries. There have been championing for the formation of new intercontinental lawful protections for these resources, but questions remained unanswered. Who would benefit from the safety measures created for heritable resources, traditional knowledge, or myths? No country, person or worldwide organization has been able to identify the particular beneficiaries of these sought after security measures. None also has determined to what extent of such safeguarding might be what would involve â€Å"fair use† or additional exceptions of restrictions, or even what enforcement mechanisms could be functional. A few countries want to stop others from using their customs while others want to make or commercialize from such use. How could any one structure include these benefits? And to complicate the matter, there is no contract as to what exact damage would be solved by new means of protection. One step taken to react to customary know how holders, said Linda Lourie, makes sure that patents are not approved on recognized process or products, including those that are measured in customary information. A patent is a funding by a national government to an author for the right to exclude others from producing, using, or selling his or her innovation. To qualify for patent safeguarding in many nations, a discovery must needs to be new, useful and not to be minor addition of what is already known. A few customary understanding the rest will seek Patent regarding greater understanding and reap the profit from it. Though considerable work has been done for the protection of such knowledge and resources, a challenging agenda of research and policy still lingers in the minds of many How extensive are genetic resources and indigenous knowledge of countries, and to what uses can they be utilized. The activities in this regard can be observed, not only in the framework of international organizations, but as several developing countries have also made tremendous efforts for introducing effective legislations for promoting and conserving genetic resources and traditional knowledge. The significance of publishing customary knowledge and making that information accessible to patent examiners worldwide cannot be overemphasized, said Lourie. If customary understanding is documented, that understanding may not be topic of patent, even if it is not broadly known in a developed country. The United States is encouraging other nations to create digital databases to record their customary understanding and guard it from patent attempts. Digital databases would permit patent examiners globally to search and scrutinize customary knowledge. In the US, few Native-American tribes are cataloguing their tribal values in a way that that fulfils the need for recording and the need to deny strangers entry to information. Eric Wilson, the Tulalip ethnic in the dialects in the state of Washington in the US, for instant, have determines who is to have way in to what customary information about their familiarity, culture, history, or practices. Some users have unrestricted entry, while the rest, like US. Patent examiners, may have restricted access. Some holders of customary understanding want to be exact that new technologies original from their customary knowledge include a fair distribution of benefits. These communities may want to bargain contractual benefit-sharing agreements about new processes or products produced through study using their customary understanding. Lourie warned, that it could be a blunder to anticipate from such contracts; to present; few economic repayments have accrued from commercialization of customary knowledge. Factors contributing to this include recognizing that TKs significance in the lives of the popular world and in the preservation of biodiversity, concerns about the massive loss of TK, little or no sharing of resulting payback with the original holders of TK, interest in capturing the potential of TK for local sustainable growth, and increasing concern to native rights. Most importantly, how do providing countries tackle the misappropriation of such knowledge and resources? In all these areas, the developing countries can build a credible international negotiating position. Developing Countries in Asia: The Concerns As far as the smooth and successful adoption of international provisions and regimes into domestic laws

Is Penn State tuition too expensive? :: Journalism Journalistic Essays

Is Penn State tuition too expensive? The Pennsylvania State University is one of the biggest state universities in the nation, with over 40,000 students currently enrolled in that university system. It is also a very old school, with its 150th birthday coming up in the year of 2005. Over the last one and a half century, Penn State has produced the most number of alumni in the world. In my major, meteorology alone, famous alumni such as Jon M. Nese, Greg Forbes, and Joe Bastardi are contributing their invaluable knowledge to the world in the science of meteorology. They are often seen in the national broadcasts. These are some of the major factors attracting perspective students to attend Penn State. Do you ever think about the cost of attending Penn State since Penn State is one of the most expensive public institutions in the United States? Let’s consider how expensive Penn State is for students. Is it worth as much as $20,000 per year for in-state residents, and is it worth as much as $30,000 per year for students living outside of Pennsylvania? More and more students change their final decisions due to the expensive cost of attending specific colleges or universities. Towards these issues, I will perform a detailed evaluation so that students can be informed about the cost of tuition at Penn State. First of all, comparing the price tags of going to Penn State and other similar colleges will provide a basic sense on how expensive Penn State is relative to others. For Midwestern public universities that have nearly the same sizes in enrollment compared to Penn State, the tuition of Penn State is by far more expensive than those Midwestern colleges. Let’s consider Michigan State University, with an enrollment of nearly 35,000. The in-state tuition for Michigan State University is about $6,700, while the out-of-state tuition is close to $16,700 (Michigan 2004). On the other hand, Penn State—University Park, has a student population of nearly 34,000 students. The in-state and out-of-state tuitions at Penn State are at least $2,000 more than the tuitions for attending Michigan State (PSU Registrar 2004). Penn State’s annual tuition is 30% more expensive than some public universities in the Midwest. One may argue that the difference in tuition is due to the locati on of the universities. This is not true at all, and I will provide evidence that will show that there is a weak or no correlation between the public university’s location and the tuition rate.

lupus Essay -- essays research papers

What is happening in research?  ¨Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Many doctors and scientists are investigating the cause and cure of lupus. At medical centres worldwide (including Canada), research has led to improved tests and techniques for diagnosis and better methods for predicting flares. These allow doctors to start treatment sooner, which improves chances for success. As part of research, many centres collect and store patient information and statistics. The results of this data can help doctors and patients make better decisions about treatment of an increasingly wide range of symptoms. This, along with today's advances in technology, the greater awareness about lupus, and the promise of a cure, gives hope to all whose lives are touched by lupus. Lupus Lupus: The disease with 1000 faces! What is lupus?  ¨Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Lupus is a chronic disease with a variety of symptoms caused by inflammation in one or more parts of the body. It is estimated that it affects more than 50,000 Canadians. Lupus is not contagious and is not related to AIDS or cancer. It belongs in the family of diseases that includes rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, juvenile diabetes, and scleroderma. The most common type of lupus is SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus). It is a complex and baffling condition that can target any tissue or organ of the body, including skin, muscles, joints, blood and blood vessels, lungs, heart, kidneys, and the brain. There are other types of lupus which mainly affect the skin. A few individuals develop drug-induced lupus as a response to some medications used to treat other conditions. These symptoms disappear when the person stops taking the medication. Who gets lupus?  ¨Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Anyone can: women, men, children. Between the ages 15 and 45, eight times more women than men get lupus. In those under 15 and over 45, both sexes are affected equally. What causes lupus?  ¨Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  No one knows for sure. What we do know is that, in lupus, the immune system (the body's defense against viruses and bacteria) is unable to tell the difference between intruders and the body's own tissues. Trying to do its job, it attacks parts of the body, causing inflammation and creating the symptoms of lupus.  ¨Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Because it occurs most often in women of childbearing age, it seems ... ...ts. Sometimes, x-rays, ultrasound examination and biopsies of organ tissues are needed depending on the symptoms and the organs involved. The ANA test  ¨Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) test is a critical test in the diagnosis of lupus. A normal immune system makes antibodies to fight infection, but in those with lupus, the immune system makes antibodies against its own tissues. If you have lupus, you make an antibody directed against the nucleus of a cell that contains important cellular functional components such as DNA. Almost all systemic lupus patients receive a positive ANA test, but not all ANA positive tests point to a lupus diagnosis. This is a very important point. If you get a positive test result, it could be pointing to one of a number of autoimmune problems, or to no autoimmune problem at all. It could be without any clinical consequences. Because the results could mean a number of things, it is critical that a rheumatologist evaluate the test. Visible Signs and Symptoms of Discoid Lupus Skin Lesions and Scabbing Swelling of Extremities and Joints Scabbing and skin irritation of the ears Irritation and swelling on the face The End