Plot Summary: Young Goodman Brown

The story begins when the young Goodman Brown is saying goodbye to his wife, Faith. She asks him to stay with her, saying that she feels scared when she is alone. Goodman Brown tells her that he must travel for one night and reminds her to say her prayers and go to bed early so she will safe. Goodman Brown walks on a road through a forest. He looks around, afraid of what might be behind each tree, thinking that there might be Indians or the devil there. He soon comes upon a man in the road who greets Goodman Brown. More Summary of Devil at My HeelsThe man is dressed in regular clothing and looks normal except for a walking stick with a serpent carved that he carried. Goodman Brown and this mysterious figure go into the dark forest, the man offers Goodman Brown the staff, he says that it might help him walk faster, but Goodman Brown refuses. He says that he came to their meeting because he promised to do, but does not wish to touch the staff and wants to return to the village. Goodman Brown tells to him that he feels ashamed to socialize with him because he and his family members is Christian and good people.The man replies that he knew Goodman Brown’s family and other members of churches, and even the governor of the state. The purpose of their journey is to join in a ritual. Goodman Brown expresses reluctance, not only once but several times. He refuses because he says that he wants to return to his house for Faith. At that moment, there is a woman come and Goodman Brown knew that she i s Goody Cloyse, who he knows to be a pious, respected woman from the village. He hides, ashamed to be seen with the man. She identifies him as the devil and reveals herself to be a witch, on her way to the devil’s evil forest ceremony.The man gives Goodman Brown his staff then the man tells him that he can use it for transport to the ceremony if he changes his mind. Then he hears the voices of the minister of the church and Deacon Gookin, they are also on their way to the ceremony. Goodman Brown swears that even though everyone else in the world has gone to the devil, for Faith’s sake he will stay true to God. And, he hears voices coming from the ceremony and thinks he recognizes Faith’s voice. He screams her name, and a pink ribbon from her cap flutters down from the sky.After he knew that Faith has turned to devil and there is no good in the world, Goodman Brown gets the staff, which brings him quickly through the forest to the ceremony. When he arrived at the ceremony, he looks around to the forest, the trees are on fire, he sees his father, his mother, the minister, Deacon Gookin, Goody Cloyse and Martha Carrier. He and Faith approach the altar and they are to be anointed in blood to seal their alliance with wickedness. He tells Faith to look up to heaven and resist the devil, but suddenly he finds himself alone in the forest. The next morning Goodman Brown returns to Salem Village.Everyone that he passes is seems evil to him. He sees the minister and he refuses to accept the blessing from the minister who blessed him. He hears Deacon Gookin praying and he calls him as a witch. He sees Goody Cloyse quizzing a young girl on Bible verses and snatches the girl away. He sees Faith at his house and refuses to greet her. It’s unclear whether the meeting in the forest was a dream or not. But, Goodman Brown is changed. Now, He can’t believe the words of the minister, doesn’t trust anyone in his village, and doesn’t fully love his wife as before. He lives in the rest of his life with gloom and fear.

Subversive Stories and Hegemonic Tales

The great source of uncertainty and unpredictability in a rationalizing system are people-either the people who work thin those systems or the people who are served by them look up TV show â€Å"are you served†.. Same vocabulary as McDonald's Structure Go to any church is any giant Coors like golden arches Whenever you see cross first thing you think is Jesus, like arches and hamburgers Youth video- Mega Churches group project.. Wreck 15 â€Å"A typical Manchuria does not include actual bibles by the seats, but in exchange, a book written by the pastor themselves. This book Is a shortened version of the bible with modern day affairs discussed throughout(adaptability, also pastors can be as nouns as 28 years old to appeal to a more youthful crowd) Jesus Camps Funded by macrophages Point is to help child learn more about god and his love for everyone.To destroy the child's old and revive a new person that loves and accepts god Indoctrination at a young age(draw connection to Na zi regime of efficiency? Control? ) Comfortable seating Shorter services Cool, fun Coffee shops in the church Walter of the church world Article-Drop Kick Me Jesus Through the Goalposts of Life: Nationalization,Consumer Culture, and Modern Evangelical Churches J. B. Watson, Jar. Stephen F. Austin State university Point of article This dimension of the Nationalization of religion in the U.S. Will be examined in this paper, with special attention to its impact on evangelical churches. In particular, the church growth movement embraced by evangelical churches has accelerated the emphasis on consumer-based products and packaged spiritual programs â€Å"l think of the old slavery, and of the way the economy has now improved upon It. The new slavery has Improved upon the old by giving the new slaves the Illusion that they are its principles, for it is very humane.It buys their freedom, pays for it, and then erasures its money back again with shoddy goods and the promise of freedom† Economic Transitions and the Emergence of Consumer Religion Influence of capitalism on the religious organizations Consumption, according to Twitchier, is now essential to the construction of self- identity; the symbolic value of the product exceeds its practical value in most cases.Twitchier (1999; 2004) airframes the notion of â€Å"you are what you buy' and suggests that consumerism is now strongly woven into the social fabric – it provides products purchased for their practical value, but also for the crucial security value they can revive in an increasingly secular age. Pig 5 The consumer approach to Evangelical Religious practice Branding(point of association with symbols) Structure Pastor acts as CEO. Position themselves as â€Å"the last great hope† of resisting colonization It is this position that leads them to increased colonization, contrastingly Colonization-is the process by which religion in a society begins to lose influence and the interest in other worldly or idealistic religious ideas is replaced by greater emphasis on material success and other pragmatic concerns. Shift from moral foundations towards raciest more like American consumerism * Resources for modeling Innovators in Manchuria leaders Bill Hobbes and Rick Warren, have published multiple books and regularly conduct teaching seminars for church leaders â€Å"The purpose of all these products is to provide the information and skills necessary to replicate the Willow Creek or Saddlebags model of church growth in any geographic setting.

Pros and Cons Fire Hydraulics today.

In the fire service today many new up and coming firefighters are taught that when operating the pump on the truck â€Å"It set Is you Just move these levers and It will flow. I believe there is pros and cons to this tactic that has been adapted. While making It easier on new recruits to learn how to operate the equipment, It also denies them of the deep knowledge of the equipment and the ability to react to situations outside the norm. Some of the pros to the set It and forget It style of teaching new firefighters Is of ours the ease of learning.If you don't have to learn calculations and be able to do them on the fly you can be trained In a shorter time period, becoming an effective member on the fire scene In less time and for less cost to the city who you are employed. This tactic also allows for more people to be trained on the equipment in a shorter time. On the other hand though some cons to this style of teaching is that new members lack the ability to adjust to unforeseen c ircumstances. They are never taught the necessary skills to run into a sticky situation and be able to make needed adjustments to get themselves and others out safely.When safety should be top priority firefighters and equipment operators need to be trained as much as possible. The last thing you want is to have something happen where you lose incoming pressure or a pump and not be able to react and adjust to keep your guys on the inside with vital water to flow. In my opinion on the matter I absolutely believe that people should be trained to a point where they understand the equipment not Just where to slide the handle or which knob to turn and how far. The ability to calculate the water pressures and aka necessary adjustments is a vital task that is part of being a pump operator.I believe that more people should be trained to that level and should also pass there training and knowledge on to new people Joining the fire service. Those are just some of the pros and cons to addition al training of fire service members when it comes to operating the bumper. There are numerous other pros for making operation of this equipment simpler as well as plenty of cons that go with It as well. Pros and Cons Fire Hydraulics today. By John-Likewise when operating the pump on the truck â€Å"it set is you Just move these levers and it will low'.I believe there is pros and cons to this tactic that has been adapted. While making it easier on new recruits to learn how to operate the equipment, it also Some of the pros to the set it and forget it style of teaching new firefighters is of them on the fly you can be trained in a shorter time period, becoming an effective member on the fire scene in less time and for less cost to the city who you are training and knowledge on to new people Joining the fire service. Those are Just some equipment simpler as well as plenty of cons that go with it as well.

Scarcity and Opportunity Cost of Being a Student

EMatthew Aqui Econ 131-Online Steve Moody 2 November 2012 Scarcity and Opportunity Cost of Being a Student Scarcity and opportunity cost is something that the entire human population faces every day. Without scarcity, opportunity cost would cease to exist and the choices that people will have to make will always be easy because there would be no hard decisions or trade-offs. It is something that impacts society today because the choices that people make will be based on what they need or want.Whatever they choose to do, they will sacrifice an opportunity cost. Human needs will always be unlimited but the resources needed to meet those needs will always remain limited. But what exactly is scarcity and opportunity cost? First off, scarcity is an economical problem in which people who will always have unlimited wants and needs, will also face a limited amount of resources. Scarcity is something connected to all economical decisions because it is a worldwide problem. People have to make hard choices to decide what to receive and what to discard.This is where opportunity cost comes in. Opportunity cost is the next best choice that he or she decides not to do because of a better choice. It is something that people give up to get something else that they want even more. From what can be said of scarcity and opportunity cost, both fit in very well together. Scarcity forces people to make tough decisions on limited resources which lead to opportunity cost. Decision making will always be hard when people cannot always have what they want.Because resources are scarce, people will most likely choose the thing in which they need more. For example, if the price of a PC and a flat-screen HD TV were both on sales, people would have a choice of buying either one. If a person has enough money for only one, that person has to make a tough decision. If he or she chooses to buy the PC because it was the better alternative due to productivity and daily applications, then the opportu nity cost of buying the PC is to not receive the TV and lose the chance to buy the TV at a lower price.In addition, my personal application of scarcity and opportunity cost is something I can relate to especially as a student in college. College is very expensive especially with the cost rising. But I choose to go to college because of the benefits it provides for me for the future such as receiving a college degree to find a job. My other choice is to not go to school but to start working already. I can save up on money I do not have at the moment and use it to either live off of or save up for college later on. I could also choose to go to school and to work.The benefits are really great by getting an education and to also have an income. The costs to it is that I have to sacrifice other things such as having a recreational time with friends and family in order to make time for both school and work. At this point, I choose to go to school because I feel that getting an education e arly and going into the work force as soon as possible is my best option. If I were to work now and not go to school, I would have to wait before I can get my degree and wait even longer before I can find a job in my major.I feel that by only going to school, I will have more time to study which will benefit me even more by doing well in school. I would have less things to worry about. Scarcity is something that everyone is going to face in their lives whether it’s important or recreational. Sometimes we have to sacrifice certain things to gain the most out of something. We cannot always have everything that we want so we use the concept of an opportunity cost to help us decide which choice is the better one. One way to narrow down our opportunity cost to look at the things we want and the things that we need now.

Biological Risk Factors Back Pain Health And Social Care Essay

Research and argument concerning low back hurting and work-related muscoskeletal upsets reflects the prevalent confusion and uncertainness about epidemiological rules every bit good as spreads in the scientific literature. However some surveies have done a great occupation at painting a clear image of the association of certain hazard factors with low back hurting. This paper reviews a figure of surveies that discuss the nexus between several hazard factors including fleshiness, physical burden, psychosocial factors and smoke and lower back hurting. The reappraisal reveals assorted degrees of association between these hazard factors and lower back hurting and goes on to briefly highlight the findings and decisions of all the surveies reviewed in connexion with lower dorsum hurting.1.0 IntroductionWith the morning of the twenty-first century, low back upsets are progressively going expensive due to their dearly-won medical attending. Direct medical costs from lower dorsum hurting in t he United States entirely have been estimated to travel up to $ 90.6 billion annually.1 The status besides brings about non-financial deduction that have a significant impact non merely to the people enduring from lower dorsum hurting but besides to the economic system every bit good. Back pain-specific doomed production clip costs employers in the US an estimated $ 7.4 billion per twelvemonth among workers aged between 40 to 65 years.1 Thus bar and direction of lower dorsum hurting would cut down medical costs every bit good as improve lost production costs to employers. It is noted that, â€Å" Low back hurting is the taking cause of disablement. It occurs in similar proportions in all civilizations, interferes with the quality of life and work public presentation, and is the most common ground why people seek medical audiences. † On the other manus, â€Å" Acute back hurting is the most common presentation and is normally self-limiting, enduring less than three months irrespective of intervention. † Additionally, â€Å" chronic back hurting is a more hard job, which frequently has a strong psychological sheathing: work dissatisfaction, ennui, and a generous compensation system contribute to it. Among the diagnosings offered for chronic hurting is fibromyalgia, an urban status that does non differ materially from other cases of widespread chronic hurting. Although disc bulges detected on X ray are frequently blamed, they seldom are responsible for the hurting, and surgery is rarely successful at relieving it. † There are many si gnifiers of redress and direction options for lower dorsum hurting but surveies have non revealed any of them being outstanding and superior to others. Harmonizing to WHO Advisory Panel, â€Å" common result steps to be used to judge the efficaciousness of interventions for surveies. † 2Low back hurting can non be categorized as a disease or even a diagnostic entity. The term is merely used to depict hurting on an country of the organic structure that is so normally affected that it has become a paradigm of responses to external and internal stimulation. â€Å" The incidences and prevalence of low back hurting are approximately the same universe over ( Wherever epidemiological informations have been gathered or estimations made ) but such hurting ranks high as a cause of disablement and inability to work, as an intervention of the quality of life and as the cause for medical audiences. † 2 However, in many instances the cause of lower dorsum strivings is vague, and mer ely in minority of the instances does a direct nexus to some defined organic disease exist. There are many hazard factors that have been identified as related to trouble in the lower dorsum. Contrary to popular belief, the vertical position of worlds depends on the normal curvatures of the spine- such curvatures are non hence really the cause of lower dorsum hurting. Other factors such as fleshiness and gestation, which distort the curvature of the spinal column, can nevertheless ensue to endorse hurting. Some activities such as jogging and running on cement roads instead than clinker paths, heavy lifting, and prolonged sitting are other factors that can arouse lower back hurting. However, strong psychological factors besides play a function in lower dorsum hurting. There are a myriad of low back upset hazard factors, these are frequently classified into restrictive classs that include biomechanical, psychosocial and single hazard factors. Each of these groups of hazard factors has a huge measure of literature analyzing how specific hazard factors within the group relate to the hazard of lower dorsum upset. â€Å" Biomechanical hazard factors include such factors as lifting, bending, writhing, pushing/pulling, transporting heavy physical work, frequence, position and quiver. These have been good established in a batch of literature as factors for low dorsum upsets. † In order to pull off and forestall low dorsum upsets due to biomechanical exposures hazard factors, governments in most developed states have come up with threshold bound values based on recent biomechanical, psychophysical and epidemiological literature available. In the US this was done in 2001 by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists ( ACGIH ) . Psychosocial hazard factors may impact the patients ‘ psychological response to their activities ( work ) and act upon the hazard of low dorsum upsets. For illustration, mental work load was associated with the hazard of low back hurting symptoms. In reviewed literature, a figure of research workers have found that increased work load more than doubles the odds of lower dorsum upset. It has besides been discovered that depending on personality type, psychosocially nerve-racking environments lead to increased musculus coactivity, which increases spinal burden and hazard of lower dorsum pain.2 From this background, it can be concluded that the psychosocial hazard factors play a really of import and complex function for occupationally related low back upsets. Individual hazard factors besides referred to as personal hazard factors such as age, gender, smoke, race and old ages of experience on occupation are biological elements that have long been established as hazard factors for low dorsum upsets. Review of epidemiological facet of low back hurting in industry reveals that maximal frequence of symptoms occurs between the ages of 35 and 55. Older workers have been found to be more susceptible to high-cost back hurts than younger workers. Age fluctuation in the literature may be created by the cut cut-points in age classs every bit good as definitions of low back hurting or causes of lost clip ensuing from such hurting. The chief end of this reappraisal is to compare the assorted psychosocial and biological hazard factors that result to take down back upsets by exemplifying how the battalion of hazard factors within each group influence low back upset hazard. Most of the literature illustrates that each of the research workers has progressed within each group of hazard factors yet few research surveies have examined multiple groups. It is nevertheless hypothesized that each of the groups contributes to the overall hazard of low back upset. Consequently, the purpose of this reappraisal is to foreground the findings of each research with respect to psychosocial hazard factors and biological hazard factors in a comparative manner. The surveies in this reappraisal will be grouped harmonizing to the related hazard factors being examined. There are four major groups of hazard factors that will be examined in the reappraisal and these will include fleshiness, physical burden, psycho-social factors and smoking severally. However before reappraisal of these hazard factors the epidemiology and etiology of lower dorsum hurting will be examined foremost.2.0 Consequences of ReviewLiterature Search and Data ManagementThis literature reappraisal involved the hunt of four electronic libraries. The hunt covered the period between A ­1999 to 2010 in order to place surveies measuring societal and biological hazard factors for low back hurting. The scheme employed in the hunt chiefly involved uniting major footings related to the subject including lower back hurting, muscoskeletal upsets, psychosocial hazard factors, biological hazard factors, and work. The footings besides included free text-words and capable headers specif ic to each database. The process was chiefly based on guidelines for effectual searching.1 Information from the â€Å" aid † subdivision of each database was besides used apart from audience with a medical bibliothec.Inclusion and exclusion standardsIn this reappraisal, muscoskeletal hurting or hurts non associating to the lower dorsum were non included. To be eligible, the articles had to: A survey of hazard factors or a hazard factor for low back hurting in the grownup population. It should hold been published within the last 10 old ages, which is between 2002 and 2012. The survey should describe statistically important association between hazard factor and lower back hurting. Be equal reviewed, published in English and published in full text. Case surveies and cross-sectional surveies were non included in this reappraisal as these designs are non ideal to place determiners of a wellness condition.3 these are more appropriate to measure casualty which is non the instance for this reappraisal.Screening procedureThe reappraisal involved thorough â€Å" showing of the rubrics and abstracts of all identified commendations after which the full texts of the available and potentially eligible surveies were retrieved. The mention lists of all retrieved surveies were besides screened for extra relevant articles. †Evaluation procedureThe methodological quality of the eligible surveies was evaluated in relation to whether they fulfilled the standards for intervention of casualty or nor, and how likely deceptive factors ( opportunity, prejudice, and confusing factors ) affected the consequences. The major standards applied in measuring a possible causal relationship included: strength of association, consistence between surveie s, temporalty and coherency. Hazard factors were considered consistent if more than one survey reported their association with the result of involvement. â€Å" Coherence † means that an association is consistent with the natural history and biological science of the investigated upset.Literature Search and EvaluationEpidemiology: Survey 1 ( Seeking Care for Low Back Pain in the General Population4 )The chief topic of this survey is care for low back hurting. The survey chiefly aimed to â€Å" look into different facets of low back and neck-shoulder hurting in the general working population. This survey was designed to be a population-based case-referent probe. † The research was designed as a 2-year followup survey conducted to look into new patients seeking attention for lower dorsum hurting from all the health professionals in a specific part which had a population of about 17,000 work forces and adult females aged between 20 and 59 old ages. This was aimed at depic ting care-seeking behaviour for low back hurting in the general population described. The methodological analysis of the survey involved aggregation of informations on personal, medical, and occupational history from all the patients traveling through a clinical examination4. The survey chiefly focused on look intoing different facets of lower dorsum hurting and neck-shoulder hurting. The survey characterizes hurting, disablement, and ill leave tendencies among the patients involved every bit good as analyzing forecasters of recovery. In add-on the survey besides focused on happening a simple manner of sorting low back hurting in the epidemiological surveies as an appropriate intercession. The primary consequences of this survey indicated that whereas about 50 % of the patients went to doctors and physical therapists for intervention, the staying 50 % went to health professionals. The survey farther reported that some betterments in hurting and disablement were reported by patients after 3 months, but after that non many other betterments were reported. The consequences from the follow-up period showed that about 70 % of the attention searchers had non gone for ill leave in the follow-up period4. Further, attention seeking during this period was non associated with decreased hurting disablement. The survey did non happen any prognostic factors for recovery and the survey gathered gave information about hurting distribution that was more or less similar to that found in other clinical scrutinies. The strength of this survey is that it involved a big community and a big figure of respondents to be examined therefore cut downing the degrees of prejudice and increasing the assurance degrees of the findings. However the survey had the chief failing of this survey is that its general liability may be challenged because of its restriction to merely one part.Etiology: Survey 1 ( Lumbar Disc Degeneration: Epidemiology and Genetic Influences5 )The chief topic of this survey is lumbar disc devolution. The survey begins by giving the general definition of epidemiology saying that it refers to the survey of happening rates. It is these happening rates that this survey focuses on every bit far as lumbar phonograph record devolution ( which is a major cause of lower dorsum hurting ) is concerned. The survey is fundamentally designed as a literature reappraisal. It involved a elaborate reappraisal of literature conducted on the prevalence of disc devolution. The reappraisal was followed by summarisation of the documents reviewed with peculiar accent on surveies of familial influences. The reappraisal fundamentally involved treatment of the rubrics, methods and consequences of each research in the documents reviewed followed by presentation of the findings as a sum-up. This survey focused on synthesising the scientific literature on the prevalence of lumbar phonograph record devolution and factors associated with its happening, these included familial influences. The ultimate purpose was to roll up an stock list of all factors associated with lumbar phonograph record devolution by assorted surveies. The chief primary consequences of this reappraisal included coverage of utmost fluctuations in the reported prevalence of specific degenerative findings of the lumbar spinal column among surveies. It was revealed that these utmost fluctuations can non be explained wholly by age or other identifiable age factors. The survey indicates that from the findings, it is likely that these fluctuations are due, in great portion, to incompatibilities in instance definitions and measurings, which are impending research on the epidemiology of lumbar phonograph record devolution. The reappraisal besides revealed that research conducted in the past 10 old ages has resulted to improved apprehension of the etiology of disc devolution. It farther indicated that although antecedently, heavy physical burden was identified as the major hazard factor ensuing to devolution of the phonograph record, consequences of exposure-discordant monozygotic and duplicate surveies indicated that physical lading ensuing from work and athleticss plays a comparatively little function in disc devolution, beyond that of positions and everyday activities of day-to-day life. The chief strength of this survey is that it reviews the findings of several surveies that have been carried out on the lumbar phonograph record devolution and therefore it draws from a good deepness of scientific findings to make its decisions and avoids prejudice. The major failing though is that the assorted surveies reviewed had different designs and this did non aim a specific group of the society, this makes the consequences a spot inconsistent and undependable for a specific age group or business group.Etiology: Survey 2 ( Body Weight and Low Back Pain6 )This survey is a â€Å" systematic literature reappraisal of 56 journal articles describing on 65epidemiologic surveies. The chief aim of the reappraisal of literature is to set up if there is a â€Å" existent association between organic structure weight and low back hurting ( LBP ) and whether the nexus is causal. † The design of the survey involves as systematic reappraisal of the epidemiologic literature. The chief focal point or intercession of this reappraisal was to transport out an probe into whether there is grounds of a definite association between the organic structure weight and LBP in the epidemiologic literature reviewed. Apart from that, the reappraisal besides aimed to analyze whether there is grounds for causality, utilizing Bradford Hill ‘s classical standards which entail strength of association, dose-response relationship, temporalty, reversibility of symptoms, and consistence of findings.6 differences in survey result were besides sought for several other factors. The consequences of the reappraisal were fundamentally that â€Å" 32 per centum of all the surveies that were reviewed reported a statistically important positive weak association between organic structure weight and LBP. â€Å" Further, surveies that fulfilled the â€Å" station hoc standards ne'er report a rate ratio of above 2 ; but there is ever a possibility of a positive biological gradient. † Apart from that the reappraisal besides found out that the surveies had no information on temporalty or reversibility of and therefore there was no obvious consistence of findings. Therefore based on the findings, â€Å" the survey concluded that due to miss of grounds, organic structure weight should be considered a possible weak hazard index, nevertheless it besides pointed out that there was deficient informations to measure if it was a true cause of LBP. † This is an evidently strong reappraisal into the relationship between low back hurting and organic structure weigh because it is based on the reappraisal of a big figure of surveies. The figure of surveies used and the instances they cover offer the reappraisal a big border of assurance about the findings. The outstanding failing is that the reappraisal examines a big figure of surveies but offers a instead shallow sum of findings, deficiency of limitation to a few outstanding factors makes the decision of the survey a spot excessively broad.Fleshiness: Survey 1 ( Is Obesity Overrated as a â€Å" Risk Factor † for Poor Outcomes in Chronic Occupational Spinal Disorders? 7 )The chief topic of this survey is scrutiny of the function of fleshiness as a possible hazard factor taking to moo back hurting in chronic work-related spinal upsets. The survey subject suggests that the survey is nearing fleshiness as a perchance overrated hazard factor and seeks to happen out if that is tru e. The chief focal point of the survey is on the possible function of fleshiness as a hazard factor in those patients holding chronic work related spinal upsets that are merely at the beginning of a Restoration plan. Spinal upsets are closely associated with lower dorsum hurting. The survey utilized an extended study affecting subdivision of the sample population into groups and utilizing telephone interviews to transport out post-rehabilitation study. The whole procedure involved appraisal of patients ‘ pre-intervention and post-intervention utilizing questionnaires validated and designed several facets associating to take down back hurting. The primary consequences of this survey indicated that there was a high prevalence of fleshiness in the population that was surveyed with merely 22 % of the patients being ‘normal ‘ ( BMI & lt ; 25 ) . Over 43 % of the patients were corpulent ( BMI & gt ; 30 ) . The findings besides revealed a important tendency for bit by bit diminishing figure of males as fleshiness increased. Significant degrees of high blood pressure were besides progressively associated with fleshiness. The survey nevertheless indicated the deficiency of important differences in the location of hurt or continuance of disablement among the groups investigated. There were besides no important differences in all the socioeconomic results. From these findings, the survey concluded that fleshiness indicated more prevalence and badness in chronic upsets of the spinal column related to work at the concluding phase of long intervention in the functional Restoration plan. It besides indicated that fleshiness is non an independent hazard factor in the instance of socioeconomic affecting work position, extra wellness use, or perennial hurt claims.Fleshiness: Survey 2 ( Low Back Pain and Lifestyle. â€Å" Part II- Obesity: Information from a Population-based Sample of 29,424 Twin Subjects8 ) †This survey focuses on the relationship between low back hurting and life style with fleshiness being the chief facet related to lifestyle under probe. The survey recognizes the big figure of epidemiological surveies refering fleshiness but acknowledges the deficiency of lucidity about whether fleshiness and low back hurting are positively associated. Therefore the chief focal point of the survey is to find whether fleshiness is associated with low back hurting and if so, â€Å" whether the association is causal. The design of this survey involved a cross-sectional postal study. The fact that the survey involved information from a population-based sample of over 20 nine thousand duplicate topi cs well increases the cogency of its consequences. The application of twin topics besides strengthens the consequences more than if twins would non hold been used because each twin acts as a control experiment to the spouse. The chief failing of the survey lies in the period at which the information was collected. The mark population included Danish twins born between 1953 and 1982. This is a period in which fleshiness was non a existent issue in society and hence the consequences may non reflect the existent association between fleshiness and lower back hurting in the present clip particularly in states where fleshiness is chronic like the USA.Fleshiness: Survey 3 ( Effect of fleshiness and low back hurting on spinal mobility: a cross sectional survey in women9 )The chief topic in this survey is the consequence of fleshiness and low back hurting in spinal mobility as indicated in the rubric. The survey focuses on a cross subdivision of adult females. The chief focal point of the survey is to use a cross subdivision of adult females in the nonsubjective appraisal of the position and map of the spinal column during standing, flexure and sidelong bending in corpulent topics with and without chronic lower back hurting and to look into the function of fleshiness in chronic lower back hurting. The designed utilised in this survey is a cross-section. The survey involves 13 corpulent topics, 13 corpulent topics with chronic lower back hurting and 11 wellness topics. Chiefly, the survey revealed that fleshiness was characterized by a by and large reduced ROM of the spinal column, due to a reduced mobility at both the pelvic and pectoral degree ; a inactive postural version with an increased front tooth pelvic joust. The survey besides revealed that fleshiness with chronic lower back hurting is associated with an increased degree of lumbar hollow-back. It was besides found out from the survey that in sidelong bending, fleshiness with chronic lower back hurting is associated with a reduced ROM of the lumbar and pectoral spinal column, whereas fleshiness on its ain appears to impact merely the thoracic curve. From the findings, the survey concluded that those persons with chronic lower back hurting showed higher grade of spinal damage when compared to those without chronic lower back hurting. The chief strength of the survey is that it uses three groups of adult females, those enduring fleshiness, those corpulent but with chronic lower back hurting and those without both. This acts as a really strong footing for comparing and mostly validates the findings. However the chief failing is that the findings may non be applied to work forces because they can be challenged on the footing of basic physiological differences between the two genders.Physical burden: Survey 1 ( Lumbar Disc Degeneration: Epidemiology and Genetic Influences )The chief topic in this survey is the epidemiology and familial influences of lumbar phonograph record devolution. The survey focuses on the synthesis of scientific literature on the prevalence of lumbar phonograph record devolution and factors associated with its happening, including familial influences. The survey is a literature reappraisal. After reappraisal of a figure of the literature on a figure of researches, the survey revealed that there are utmost fluctuations in the reported prevalence of specific degenerative findings of the lumbar spinal column among surveies. The findings revel farther that this devolution can non be explained wholly by age or other identifiable hazard factors. It is pointed out that there is the likeliness of these fluctuations ensuing in great portion, from incompatibilities in instance definitions and measurings which are impending research on the epidemiology of disc devolution. The survey, like another one discussed earlier, points out that antecedently, heavy physical burden was the hazard factor chiefly suspected for disc devolution but that consequences of exposure-discordant monozygotic and authoritative twin surveies indicated that physical burden ensuing from activities associating to work or feature play a really little function in devolution of the phonograph record beyond that of unsloped positions and everyday activities carried out in day-to-day life. The survey farther revels that research carried out late points to a great function of heredity in disc devolution, explicating the 74 % of the discrepancy in grownup populations studied to day of the month.Physical burden: Survey 3 ( Biomechanics of Increased Exposure to Lumbar Injury Caused by Cyclic Loading11 )The chief topic of this survey is to analyze the biomechanics associating to increase in exposure to hurts impacting the lumbar ensuing from cyclic burden. The survey chiefly focuses on mus culus stableness recovery with remainder. The research design applied in the survey was experimental. This involved usage of an electromyography to enter the responses from the lumbar multifidus of a cat in vivo. The survey chiefly focused on finding the rate at which automatic muscular stableness would be recovered during remainder after initiation of viscoelastic laxness ensuing from 50 proceedingss of cyclic burden. The consequences of the survey show that the loss of automatic muscular stabilizing activity induced by the laxness developed in the viscoelastic constructions by 50 proceedingss of cyclic burden was recovered 20 % to 255 at the terminal of a 10-minute remainder. Further minor recovery of 5 % to 10 % occurred in about 20 or 30 proceedingss clip, and an extra 1 % to 2 % recovery was observed after 2hours of remainder. The response loads ensuing from electromyography activity were increasing at a really slow rate afterwards. Complete recovery did non happen in the 2-hour remainder period.Physical burden: Survey 4 ( Disc Height and Signal Intensity of the Nucleus Pulposus on Magnetic Resonance Imaging as Indexs of Lumbar Disc Degeneration12 )The topic of this survey is chiefly the survey of lumbar phonograph record devolution with the usage of magnetic resonance imagination. The survey utilizes an experimental design whereby magnetic resonance imagination ( MRI ) is applied in the cross -sectional survey of how the lumbar spinal column perverts. The research involves scrutiny of a sum of 41 workers runing machines, 41 carpenters working in building sites, and 46 churchmans working in office, all these aged between 4o to 45 old ages, 22 pupils aged between 18 and 20 old ages are besides examined. All the scrutinies are carried out utilizing sagittal magnetic resonance imagination. From the survey it was revealed that immature workers recorded the lowest highs of phonograph record while exhibiting the highest strengths of signal. The phonograph record height recordings bit by bit increased from the workers making sedentary work ( office ) to the 1s transporting out more physical activities at all phonograph record degrees. It was further revealed that the comparative strength if the signal indicated diminishing phonograph record tallness in all workers at all signal degrees. In additive mold, the strength of the signal in relation to the businesss, in mention to the immature pupils, showed a important consequence on phonograph record tallness. The findings led to the decision that â€Å" comparative signal strength was lower in the middle-aged work forces than in the immature work forces, bespeaking age related disc devolution. Despite the general positive association between phonograph record narrowing and reduced comparative signal strength, disc contracting may act out of the blue in relation to signal strength and age. Therefore, signal strength may be a more sensitive step of disc devolution. † The strength of this survey is that it presents a good method for the survey of disc devolution. The findings aid to foreground the importance of magnetic resonance imagination and peculiarly signal strength as a method of mensurating disc devolution. This is really of import towards the direction of low back hurting as disc devolution is one of the major causes.Smoke: Survey 1 ( Effect of Nicotine on Spinal Disc Cells: A Cellular Mechanism for Disc Degeneration13 )The chief topic in this survey is how nicotine affects spinal phonograph record cells. The survey investigates cellular mechanism in which disc decomposition can happen with the influence of nicotine. This survey is designed as an experimental probe with the purpose of finding the consequence of nicotine on the intervertebral spinal phonograph record karyon pulposus ( NP ) cells cultured in vitro. The survey aims to measure the effects of nicotine on cell proliferation, extracellular matrix production, and viability of NP cells in 3-dimensional alginate concepts cultured in vitro. The survey carried this out through research lab experiments using civilized bovine chondrocytic interverterbral phonograph record cells. The findings of this survey revealed that â€Å" there was both a dosage and time-dependent response to nicotine, with concepts cultured in low-nicotine concentration media showing an early addition in DNA, GAG, and collagen content, while concepts cultured in high nicotine concentration media demonstrated a late lessening in these parametric quantities. † Immunochemistry revealed the â€Å" presence of type I collagen on the extracellular matrix instead than the normal type II collagen seen in the controls. † In decision the survey observed that nicotine has an overall damaging consequence on NP phonograph record cells cultured in vitro. There was important suppression of cell proliferation and extracellular matrix synthesis. It was besides concluded that nicotine in baccy may hold a function in pathogenesis of disc devolution. The chief strength of this survey is that it reveals scientific consequences utilizing existent research lab experiments which were able to associate nicotine straight with disc devolution. This besides shows that ingestion of nicotine is associated with lower dorsum hurting. The lone failing is that the usage of bovid intervertebral phonograph record cells may non supply the same consequences as if existent human cells were applied therefore go forthing room for uncertainty.Smoke: Survey 2 ( Smoking and Low Back Pain14 )This survey involved the literature reappraisal of 41 journal articles describing 47 epidemiologic surveies. The chief topic of the survey was to seek and set up the nexus of smoke and low back hurting by reexamining journal articles affecting surveies that have been carried out about the same. The survey design fundamentally involved a systematic reappraisal of the epidemiologic literature on smoke and low back hurting. The chief focal point and aim of the survey was to set up whether smoking consequences to moo back hurting and whether surcease of smoking reduces the incidence and/or prevalence of low back hurting. Basically, the 41 original research studies that presented 47 surveies, all of them published between 1974 and 1996 were reviewed. The chief focal point of the reappraisal was proving the strength of association, dose response correlativity, temporalty, decrease of symptoms with smoke surcease, and consistence of findings. The presence of positive findings was viewed in visible radiation of the definition of low back hurting. The consequences of the reappraisal revealed that there was no consistence of statistically important positive associations between smoking and low back hurting. The association, when nowadays, was normally weak and clearly evident merely in big survey samples. The reappraisal showed that no other survey features had an consequence on the frequence of positive associations. In position of these, extra analyses were performed on surveies with big samples. In general, these did non incorporate consistent positive findings in relation to dose-response, temporalty, or reversibility. The decision was made that soon, smoking should be considered a weak hazard indictor and non a cause of low back hurting. The strength of this survey lies in the fact that reappraisal of a big sample of surveies analyzing the relationship between smoke and lower back hurting produces consequences that attract greater assurance.Psychosocial factors: Systematic Review of Psychosocial Factors at Work and Private Life as Risk Factors for Back Pain15The chief topic of this survey was reappraisal of psychosocial factors moving as hazard factors for back hurting either at place or at work. The design of the survey entails a systematic reappraisal of experimental surveies. The chief purpose of the survey was to measure whether psychosocial factors at work every bit good as in private life are risk factors for the happening of back hurting. The method applied involved a computerized bibliographical hunt of databases restricted to surveies with a cohort or case-control design. The survey revealed that there was strong grounds for low societal support in the workplace and low occupation satisfaction as hazard factors for back hurting. The survey did non happen sufficient grounds for a an consequence on a high work topographic point, high qualitative demands, low occupation content, low occupation control, and psychosocial factors in private life. In decision the survey pointed out that grounds was found for an consequence of low workplace societal support and low occupation satisfaction. Based on the reappraisal, there is grounds for an consequence of work-related psychosocial factors, but grounds for the function of specific factors has non been established yet.3.0 DecisionThe systematic reappraisal carried out on the assorted surveies in this paper confirm a plausible causal relationships between some normally reported hazard factors such as high biomechanical and psychosocial demands, smoke, high organic structure mass index, and the presence of co-morbi dities. The consequences of recent longitudinal surveies have confirmed some of the findings in the old reappraisals that have evaluated causal relationships between the hazard factors and specific types of Work Related Muscoskeletal Disorders ( WMSD ) . This reappraisal besides highlights the scarce grounds sing some of the often reported hazard factors for lower dorsum hurting. It is of import to underscore that the deficiency of grounds for a causal relationship between factors and low back hurting does non needfully uncover that the factor is non a hazard, but points out that farther probe is required. Factors do non necessitate surveies demoing that they are so hazards in order to impact musculoskeletal wellness. Similarly, the factors reported more often are non needfully the 1s with the highest degree of grounds showing their causal relationship with work low back hurting. Finally, the hazard factors showing a specific degree of grounds associated with them are non the lone 1s that should be considered ; they are merely the 1s that have already been tested. In visible radiation of this decision, future research and possible practical application of the findings is proposed.

Haematology Exam Questions Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4500 words

Haematology Exam Questions - Coursework Example Anaemia is a medical condition in which the number of the red blood cells is low. This low number of the red blood cells is as a result on the reduction in the production of the red blood cells and an increase in loss of the red blood cells. Production of red blood cells takes place in the bone marrow and a body needs vitamin B12, iron and folic acid in order to produce more of the red cells. Deficiency on these three components causes anaemia develops.(c)  Explain the laboratory results you would expect in a case of iron deficiency anaemia for the following parameters and state reference ranges:i.  HaemoglobinThe concentration of haemoglobin   will be low meaning that there is a poor circulation of oxygen into the body since the iron containing compound (haemoglobin) in the red blood cells have reduced. The normal levels of   haemoglobin   in adults males is 130-170 g/L and in adult females is 120-150 g/L.ii.  Mean cell volume (MVC)MVC is an estimate in the volume of the red blood cells. In case of iron deficiency, the Mean Cell Volume will be a low. Normal mean cell volume in adults is 83-101fL.iii.  Red Cell CountThe red blood cell count is the estimation on the number of the red blood cell per litre of blood. In case of a deficiency in iron, there will be abnormally a low number of the red blood cell. The normal range in adult males is 4.5-5.5Ãâ€"1012/L and in females is 3.8-4.8Ãâ€"109/L.In case of iron deficiency, the Mean Cell Haemoglobin is either low or high. The normal range of MCH is 27-32 pg in adults. v. Reticulocyte Cou

To what extent is the personal thinking more reliable than shared Essay

To what extent is the personal thinking more reliable than shared knowledge for decision making - Essay Example Personal knowledge can only be reliable when the objective or the aim is not broad. When an individual is working alone, there would be less of influence in decision-making, making the scenario more comfortable. Again, lone thinking can save time since there would be no need for discussions or consultation. T provides a situation where someone feels settled and can come up with mature conclusion without further influence. However, the knowledge achieved or shown cannot be compared to the extend through which the situation could be if the knowledge was to be shared. For instance, during an examination, the best way to test certain area of thinking is through taking certain task individually. Examiners set tasks to try on levels of personal knowledge, which can only be tested while alone. Therefore, although, knowledge bring out more advantages while shared, it primary structure or basics are related to personal knowledge. Without individual knowledge, there would be poor shared knowle dge. Another example of benefits of individual thinking is that, it would be easier to look at or see the weaknesses and improvise the best strategies to correct those issues. For instance, a tribe, community, society or even a country can only have one leader. Although there are others, basically, the knowledge of that single leader would determine the developments and guidance within the country. The leader serves as the overall and final decision maker. Therefore, the conditions within that specific leadership empire would be determined by final decision of only one person, the leader. Therefore, personal knowledge might be to some extend reliable. However, shared knowledge bares the largest advantage in decision-making. For instance, from the history, people could provide their territories with security and earn rights to live with

International Marketing Strategy Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

International Marketing Strategy Report - Essay Example According to IMF, the Russian economy is about 2 trillion doallrs in GDP. The country is one of the highly growing countries in the world. The country has a favourable political and socio-economic environment that is crucial for business. Toyota Motor Company is a multinational vehicle producer and a public company listed in the New York Stock Exchange and London Stock Exchange. The company has a global presence with operations in countries such as Japan, USA, Canada, Russia and European nations among many other regions. In the Russian market, the company commands a leading market share with about 150,000 units sold in 2012. For the company to survive in any political regime there must be satisfactory authenticity as perceived by the citizens through continuous economic and effective development. Adherence to the established code of conduct leads to increased sales and market growth in foreign operations. The Macro, Micro and Eternal Environment Influences Over the years, Toyota Comp any has faced a number of challenges in their established markets in business operations, particularly in the production segment. Specifically, the automobile products are seen to have defective parts and other engineering challenges. This led to a number of recalls that dented the reputation of the firm. Nonetheless, the executives insisted that they marked vehicles for defaults that were regarded non-problematic in order to establish the real challenges and please the clients. Moreover, the company is faced with market challenges in their Russian and Japanese market due to the growing tensions between the two nations. This has given the German and Korean firms a chance to grow their market share in the country. The company is faced with high competition from other automobile firms such as General Motors, Honda, and Ford. The Toyota Company, being a multinational presence in the industry, has to deal with the recognized legal and regulatory requirements in their international marke ts. Every nation has their own regulations on business operations that affects corporate outcomes. Appreciating that Russia underwent through 70 years under communist rule that ended in 1990, it is outright that this played a role in shaping the Russian way of life. Even before the communist rule, it is crucial to bear in mind that Russia had been under authoritarian rule for more than a thousand years. Even though it may be risky to generalize the cultural perspective on doing business in Russia based on these, this information ought to be appreciated as a point of departure in attempts to understand the unique micro and macro perspectives in doing business there. Considering its unique history, there are distinct cultural perspectives of doing business that anyone ought to consider before venturing into the Russian market. SWOT Analysis Strengths Production presence in Russia High brand reputation Supportive government policies in Russia Global presence and brand assortment Weakne sses High number of complaints and vehicle recalls Frail presence in the emerging markets Opportunities Intensification through acquisitions High uptake of ‘green automobiles’ Changing client wants Threats High costs for raw materials High competition from rival companies Varying fuel prices Product, Price, Promotion and Distribution Strategies

Economics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 24

Economics - Essay Example onsuming them till they are in a position of not being able to afford them or need some other external causes to prevent their usage; sometimes people might even go beyond their capacity to get hold of the commodities. In such cases, the government has to impose a very high tax on the particular item for the welfare of the society (George & Wilding, 1984). Thus, the main reason operating behind the imposition of high taxes on addiction items is the price inelasticity of demand (Baumol & Blinder, 2008). One such item of addiction is tobacco that is often considered as being one of the most harmful and hazardous elements of consumption as well and this is the reason why the government of all concerned nations have decided to impose a high tax on the same. When tax is imposed on a commodity, it results to an upward shift in the supply curve of the commodity but the demand curve remains unchanged. This is because, the tax in such cases are imposed in the form of higher prices and thus are sales tax (Aronson, Hilley & Maxwell, 1986). So these taxes are indirect in the sense that they are transferred from the seller to the buyer. In case of a sales tax, the retailers will buy lower quantity of a product from the wholesalers which subsequently lead to a fall in the supply of the commodity – this factor is reflected through an upward shift in the supply curve. For a commodity like tobacco having a very low price elasticity of demand, an upward shift in the supply curve with demand remaining constant, leads to a rise in the position of the equilibrium point and consequently, a fall in the equilibrium quantity and a rise in the equilibrium price. However, the fall in quantity is not in proportion to the rise in the final price (Lipsey & Harbury, 1992). Thus, it is found that the imposition of taxes on items like tobacco, which have a very low price elasticity of demand, is that, they serve a two-fold purpose. Firstly, it leads to a fall in aggregate consumption so as to

Easy Jet's strategy in action-Strategic management undergaraduate Essay

Easy Jet's strategy in action-Strategic management undergaraduate - Essay Example These companies then ran almost scraped ships, and so on. On the other hand, EasyJet applies an efficient, cost-effective strategy that spreads in all racks of its management operations, that is, from boardroom to cockpit. Though being a large-scale airline operator that manages busy routes with modern aircraft, EasyJet is still low-cost company that has boomed in the market in a very short time. For the customers the EasyJet offers a safe, friendly airline that is, all the more, efficient for very low fare prices. With the growth of the company’s assets (its moving from a private venture to a public company, for example), has alerted other brands in the airline industry and a very intense air of competition is what can be seen soaring the European airline industry. As such other such giants as the British Airways and Ryanair are coming up with more solid strategies as well that give EasyJet a hard time as the â€Å"British Airways implementation of a low-cost strategy on its European network has put easyjet under pressure from a "full-service" airline on one side and Ryanair, the "no-service" airline, on the other† (proquest.umi.com). As such it is a challenge for the EasyJet to be in the market with the similar nature of being a low-cost no frills airline that is growing by the day and also on the constantly upward-moving curve of high profits, monopoly of its own modern kind, goodwill among the customer for safe and secure airline service, and most of all of being a low-cost, high-quality operator in Europe and elsewhere. In this regard, we can see that EasyJet is coming heavy as the company merger with GO airline is a milestone and it was analysed that â€Å"EasyJet/Go would become a bigger player overnight through its merger† (myphlip.pearsoncmg.com). Thus, in the following part of the paper, it seems wise to look

American Express Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

American Express - Case Study Example American Express is perceived as a premium brand product and the principles listed above are reflected in their credit card business. Though the service credit cards are directed at several different income and status levels, they have been able to maintain a mystique of exclusivity. The cards cover the range of the common inexpensive credit card to the 'cause marketed' Red Card which donates a share of the profits to fight AIDS. High income levels are targeted with the Black Centurian Card costing $2500 and made out of titanium. Their peripheral businesses, such as car rental and hotel reservations, have benefited from this brand recognition and customer loyalty. Teamwork has allowed American Express to become a truly global company. They entered the international market at the beginning of the 20th century with the introduction of internationally accepted Traveler's Checks. Their cards are now recognized around the world. While much of American Express's success has come from their innovation in financing, they have also been able to cultivate and manage relationships based on their reputation. When the company went through organizational restructuring in the middle of the 1980s to confront the growing competition from Visa and Mastercard and the loss of merchant services, they turned to their core business and its principles. "Rebuilding relationships with merchants became a top priority, as did significantly increasing American Express Card acceptance across a wide range of industries and geographical markets" ("Our History"). Years later, the company's chief executive would say, in retrospect, "If not for the strength of our brand name, American Express would have collapsed by the late 1980s" ("Our History"). For American Express, it was not the product but their brand reputation that saved the company. Today, many other products compliment the financial card segment. They have co-branded with Citi Bank and other financial institutions to offer bank issued credit cards. They offer a wide range of personal and business travel services that fit well with the financial card unit. They have become a one-stop-shop for the personal or business traveler. In addition they offer an array of business services from financing to taxes that once again are based on, and linked to, the business credit card unit. A business can arrange all their financing, financial planning, lines of credit, travel, lodging, and airlines, and have it all billed through the payment service unit. These services would not have been possible for American Express without the unique position and reputation of their financial card product. Works Cited "Our

Preventing STI on Juveniles Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Preventing STI on Juveniles - Essay Example The effects associated with the acquisition of STIs are not only limited to medical and psychological aspects but have other devastating implications on the infected teenagers including the cost and sequelae of STIs. In order to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, a diverse range of barrier methods are available, such as condoms to ensure safety of both partners during coitus. In modern society, one of the major problems faced by the health care system is the prevention of sexually transmitted infections in juveniles (Steele et al 2005). Preventive Measures: Abstinence from sexual relations is one of the most efficacious means of reducing the risk of acquiring AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections. On the other hand, maintaining a mutual monogamous sexual relationship with an uninfected partner is another way of minimizing the risk of acquiring STIs through sexual contact. The risk of infection with HIV and other STIs can also be significantly reduced by usi ng barrier methods such as latex condoms or by using spermicides. In heterosexual partners, the prevalence of HIV infection is quite high. In accordance with a recent research, the percentage of heterosexual partners having HIV infection is as high as 11% and about 60% of HIV infected heterosexual partners’ exhibit seropositive results (McGlynn et al 2000). The need for Diverse Interventions: In order to reduce the initial acquisition, further transmission and sequelae of sexually transmitted infections, there is an urgent need to formulate and strictly implement a diverse range of interventions. Interventions such as fostering the use of condoms, development of new biomedical methods, school-college based educational programs and routine screening have simply not been able to cause a sharp decrease in the incidence of sexually transmitted infections in sexually active young individuals. It is a fact that these interventions have significantly increased the awareness about ST Is but the rapid increase in the number of cases reported each year mirrors their inefficacy. The alarming rise in the number of teenagers having STIs reflects the failure of the government in the implementation of effective and diverse interventions at every level. Therefore, the need for drawing up and strictly enforcing effective projects for the prevention of STIs is the greatest now than ever before (Steele et al 2005). Design for Change in Practice: To ensure effective outcomes, it is a prerequisite for the interventions mentioned in this section to be implemented comprehensively and at different societal levels. The new design for change in practice will address the following areas of concern. The most effective way of sharply decreasing the percentage of new STI cases is to convey the importance of sexual abstinence to young individuals. The advent of new biomedical approaches, such as vaccines, has been assumed to provide easy and instant solution to the critical problem of rise in STIs in juveniles. However, it is quite unrealistic to believe that such approaches will provide fast and instant solution. The realistic approach is to couple these biomedical approaches with behavioral approaches in order to increase their effectiveness and efficacy. Thirdly, it is quite important to realize that teenagers need to be informed about how to properly use condoms during sexual intercourse. Unfortunately, a large number of community or school based programs and parent

What is wilsonianism and to what extent did it feature and influence Essay

What is wilsonianism and to what extent did it feature and influence in US foreign policy throughout history as well as in the present time - Essay Example Prior to his ascendancy to office, he had served as the head of the Princeton University between 1902 and 1910. From there, he went ahead to be the Governor of New Jersey until the year 1913. As he sought for the presidency, he battled against the Progressive Party’s front man, Theodore Roosevelt, and the Republican leader, William Howard. He attained office through fronting the Democratic Party’s successful onslaught. On attaining office, he influenced the majority Democratic Congress to initiate significant progressive restructuring. He managed to push through more and radical bills than any other president in the country, and the popularity of his bills is second only to the New Deal (Alan, 2006:39). His ideals included the centralized deal Act, the Clayton Antitrust Act, the proceeds levy bill, the central store Act, and the centralized Farm mortgage Act. He also persuaded the current congress to assent to the Adamson Act, which was famous for changing the period of workdays for railroad gangs to 8-hour days. In addition, he later staged a frenzied support scheme to publicize the women’s rights. In 1916, he successfully regained office, and subsequently guided the country’s participation in the World War 1. During this time, he concentrated his focus on the war, and the following peace treaty transactions that went on in Paris. By managing to keep the country from actively participating in the war, he became popular with the local citizens. However, in1917, the German forces forced him to reconsider, when they started attacking the country unprovoked. Thus, in April 1917, he directed congress to declare the country’s official entry into the war. As the war went on raging, Wilson redirected his efforts towards exercising diplomacy, and embarked on analyzing America’s financial status. As he did this, he left the country’s army administration to focus on the war with no imposed restrictions. He went about

What I have learned in this class Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

What I have learned in this class - Essay Example My introduction to this class laid the groundwork for a clear understanding of construction project management. I understood that this class was not going to teach me everything I need to know about this topic, but that learning is a lifelong process. Many valuable lessons can be learned from others. It may be valuable to try and think about problems in a different context and from a different perspective. It the construction industry, as in many industries, it is often the soft-side or people aspect of engineering that makes the difference. Remember that people are often the most important part of a process. People plus process equal product. So I will remember to use my education in context, learn from others, and continue to expand my knowledge of construction project management. The construction industry is very unique. Construction can be run in an open shop, union shop, or merit shop. Residential construction consists of building places for people to live such as houses or apartment building. Commercial and institutional construction consists of building structures such as office buildings. Infrastructure construction is usually civil engineering projects such as highways, bridges, or waterworks. Industrial construction involves manufacturing or power projects. The construction industry is unique, always changing, not always extremely technical, doesn’t always contain a lot of data or standardization, has a large number of participants and people involved. There has been a lot of legislation to monitor the construction industry such as requiring bids on jobs and controlling wage rates. Computers are being used more and more in the construction industry. The quality and quantity of labor in this industry are declining. Material, equipment, labor, an d management are blending more and more on the global scale. Vendors and suppliers are becoming more involved at the construction

What type of creative person are you IN other worlds, How are you Essay

What type of creative person are you IN other worlds, How are you creative How does your creativity benefit you - Essay Example In terms of creativity, I am a person who pays attention to detail. In any situation, paying attention to the small things that any ordinary person would overlook enables me to always come up with creative solutions. In terms of artistic ability, I have done some poems and drawings which showcase my creativity. However, I can assertively state that creativity is not like talent; it is not naturally acquired. In contrast, it is an art which one has to learn to nurture. Once one gains the creative aspect, it becomes part of own lifestyle. My creativity benefits me in many ways. First, life presents different challenges that would require creative decisions to overcome. In such instances, I have always found solution to most of my problems through creativity. For instance, I was not born in a well of family. Consequently, I did not have enough pocket money as my classmates in high school. However, I made up for the money I did have by selling some paintings at a fee whenever there was an opportunity to do so. Besides, school work always demands creativity. Most of the questions asked during exams in subjects like mathematics or social sciences require engagement of some creative thoughts. In such cases, applying the knowledge gained in class is usually accompanied with some creativity. It is in such instances that I have come to appreciate creativity. In fact, in studies not requiring theoretical knowledge as a background, I have always excelled. The most significant aspect of creativity that has benefited me most is in my social life. Being a foreign student, it is a little bit different to get integrate with every student. However, as a creative being, I find myself easy while interacting with other students. During my first days in school, communication was not so easy given the speech impediment that I had. However, this did not bar me from communicating with my colleagues as I always came up with creative means of talking to them.

International Business Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

International Business - Research Paper Example ates and sold domestically. Furthermore, it is the hope of this author that by elaborating upon the fundamental decision-making structure that must be engaged with in order for such a choice to be made logically, the reader will come to a more full and complete appreciation for the many factors that take place prior to affirm determining what particular strategy and means of operation it will pursue. Finally, the analysis will seek to take a definitive stance with regards to whether making or buying a product is the better approach. Before delving too deeply into the issue at hand, it should be understood that such a level of inquiry necessarily demands that the firm/business entity must engage in a cost-benefit analysis of outsourcing versus domestic production. However, although it may seem that this cost-benefit analysis is necessarily something that is simple, it involves a series of steps, several different measurements, and a thorough analysis of both compliments and inputs of production as well as projected levels of sale and/or import tariffs/taxes/duties (Kisner, 2003). Due to the general complexity of this decision-making process, many firms have engaged in electronic software systems that help to keep a running tabulation of all differentials involved. However, for purposes of this brief analysis, the reader should seek to integrate with the determinant costs and benefits based upon experience analytical and non-electronically facilitated process. From even a cursory review of the make versus buy argument, the reader should come to understand there are essentially for primal numbers that the analyst must be fundamentally aware of. These four determinants which must be measured prior to any consideration being given are as follows: the volume, the fixed cost of making, per-unit direct cost when making, and per-unit cost when buying (Whittle, 2012). Accordingly, the preceding analysis will seek to engage the reader with a more full and complete underst anding of why each of these four determinants must be fundamentally understood and appreciated prior to any actionable decision being made by the entity in question. Besides the obvious level of importance of the four specific values which have been listed an elaborate upon the above, their overall importance is more specifically with regards to their representation within two specific equations. Ultimately, as can be expected, these two equations are understood as â€Å"costs to buy was quote and â€Å"costs to make†; however, more often, these equations are merely referenced in terms of their respective acronyms – CTB/CTM. Respect to CTB, this can be defined as volume multiplied by per unit cost when buying (Zhu, 1997). Likewise, with relation to CTM, this can be understood as fixed unit costs plus per unit direct cost multiplied by volume. In and of themselves, the determinant compliments of these equations tell the producer/importer little if

Effects of human behavior on contemporary architecture design Essay

Effects of human behavior on contemporary architecture design - Essay Example Human beings in their natural way interact with the physical environment. They shape the environment to suit their needs. Human beings are always under conditions of uncertainty. They have unlimited needs that require to be satisfied for their survival. It is the unique nature for humans to have a sense of place (Newman and Douglas 72). The idea of place can be based on the built entity and the component of social order. This creates a need to possess a certain territory. The territory should provide comfort and shelter. Shelter is a basic need of human beings and an important factor in architectural design. At this level people seek out housing that fits their requirement, and will prefer to work in locations that reflect their ideals of social status. Individuals have a great deal of influence on modern architectural design in the manner they behave, interact and control space. Their safety and security connects to personal feelings and space that they inhabit. These feelings bear a great deal of influence on how design solutions appear relative to the surrounding society. Cultural traits are those characteristics that define culture and sub-culture. They are the human norms that govern actions, the view of the world and approach of human behaviors (Newman and Douglas 72). The most common trait definitions are cultural values, roles and norms. Cultural values call for an architectural design that is relevant to the cultural norms. A successful facility must provide aesthetic and functional significance to the society.

Allocating a Scarce Resource Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Allocating a Scarce Resource - Assignment Example According to FAO Director-General Dr. Jacques Diouf, â€Å"agriculture is the number-one user of freshwater worldwide. The agriculture sector must take the lead in coping with water scarcity by finding more effective ways to conserve rain-fed moisture and irrigate farmlands† (FAO Newsroom 2007). As validated by Rogers and Wilson (2000), â€Å"irrigation represents by far the largest use of water in the state of Kansas†. In recognizing the need to conserve this limited resource, the state has outlined guidelines for an irrigation water conservation plan which aims to assist irrigators in preparing plans for water conservation in their respective local areas (Kansas Water Office, et.al. 2006). As properly identified by state authorities and by the farmers themselves, and by preparing said guidelines for water conservation for irrigation purposes, the local residents of Kansas have recognized the imminent danger of water resource scarcity and state water conflicts. The state recognizes the need to â€Å"curtail waste of water and ensure that water use does not exceed reasonable needs† (ibid). Three state agencies are closely monitoring water irrigation practices of farmers. These are the Division of Water Resources (DWR), the Groundwater Management Districts (GMD) and/or the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). In an important study conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Kansas Water Office, the effect of irrigation practices on water usage was determined. The results of the study revealed that despite increased efficiency in irrigation practices, water usage did not decrease or even increased significantly (US Water News Online 2006). Another study conducted by Perry (2006), â€Å"although irrigation water use for all Groundwater Management Districts showed no statistically significant trend, an apparently increased efficiency of center pivots irrigation systems with drop nozzles has allowed more water-intensive crops to be grown on  more irrigated acres†.

Life Cycle Essay Example for Free

Life Cycle Essay In this paper I will be writing about the life cycle and the understanding of what impacts an individual. I will be explaining three major concepts such as how self-determination impacts an individual’s ability to successfully negotiate challenges in each life cycle. Also how autonomy impacts an individual’s ability to successfully negotiate challenges in each life cycle and how policies and legislation could impact the family during each life cycle. When it comes to the life cycle there are stages individuals will pass through in their entire life cycle. When it comes to self-determination it starts from birth to about 18months old. During these first 18 months the child is developing optimism, trust, confidence, and security by their mother and father if they are properly cared for by them. If by change there is no trust from the parents to the child they could grow into insecurity, unimportance, and most likely be wary of trust in themselves and in the world. Later in life if the individuals were properly cared for he or she will be able to make things happen in their lives for themselves. This all comes with feeling confidence and being able to trust and make their own decision in their lives. Individuals learn how to be self-determination in early elementary by learning how to make their own choices, promote early problem solving skills by thinking aloud as they address simple problems. This stage is called autonomy vs. shame this is from 18 months to about 5years old. This is when individuals will have the chance to assemble self-esteem and autonomy as they learn new skills and right from wrong. If the individual is cared for the correct way they will learn how to carry them self with pride rather than shame and very sure of themselves. This is about the time individuals will start to wonder and explore the word why and start to experiment of what to believe to be an adult. Playing with Barbie’s and ken’s, also toys such has cars plays a role with wanting to know things and why. If you don’t have involvement with your child in this stage they ca n resolve problems such as struggles through social role identification. With this it can bring an individual frustrated over goals in life and also  may feel guilt. Industry vs. inferiority stage is during age 6 to 12 years old. This is when learning new skills and understanding with developing sense of industry. This is too a stage of social development that you learn plus need throughout the stage of everybody’s life cycle. If an individual experience unanswered thoughts of failure and weakness amongst their peers, they are known to have very serious troubles in conditions of capability and self-esteem during their entire life cycle. As individuals will expand their relationship with school and neighbors during this time of their life cycle parents are still important in their life. In the stage of 12 to 18 years old self-determination and autonomy plays a role in an individual’s life cycle. This is where development is found of what has been done with that person. At this point it has to do with the primarily upon what a person dose with their life. If this means an individual’s has to struggle to be able to discover and find out who they are when having to be deal with negotiating and struggling with social interaction this will bring in their sense of morality and right from wrong skills they have learned. From some reason or another there is a delay in adulthood this can cause a person to become very withdrawn from having responsibilities in life to more in the right direction. Policies and legislation has enter into people life cycle from stage one from learning right from wrong. It really kicks in about the time 18 to 65 years old with dealing with finding love in your life and some are ready before other to settle down and to start a family. If a person does not find them self in at least finding some companies with one another that individual could come to be isolated and that is not good for a person. During this time phrase people are also getting their career in order along with their family this is to be called taking control of all responsibilities in life. When it comes to the stage of 65 to death with an individual this is when it involves reflection. This could be feeling of integrity, contentment feeling you have led a meaningful life. If for some reason a person can not feel like they have lived a happy meaningful life they could be feeling the fear of death. When feeling this way they are struggling to find out what the purpose of their own live was about here in the world. Having the thoughts going through their mind of was everything worth it, what was the point of life this is when they will have start to feel failure and it be a stressful and happy time with individuals life  cycle. In this paper this explains the three major concepts in the family life cycle. Self-determination how it impacts the ability to successfully negotiates challenges in the life cycle. How autonomy impacts individuals ability to successfully negotiate in the life cycle and also the policies and legislation ability could impact an individual’s life cycle. The life cycle is something everyone has to go through and to know it starts from birth to death. Reference The Expanded Family Life Cycle: Individual, Family, and Social Perspectives, Fourth Edition. Chapter 2: Self in context: Human Development and Individual Life Cycle in Systemic Perspective. Monica McGoldrick, Betty Carter, Nydia Garcia Preto (2011).

The Cash Connection Essay Example for Free

The Cash Connection Essay The payday lending industry is a very competitive industry established in the 1990’s, designed to give citizens the option to receive a quick fix regarding financial issues, in an effort to make ends meet. The main objective for those in the payday loan industry â€Å"should be to serve customers in compliance with the rules of the industry and better educate them on the services and products they offer† (Personal Communications, 2012). This industry raises the controversial topic of ethical, or unethical, and to this day is still being disputed. Cash Connection’s strategy is â€Å"to provide financial products and services to the unbanked and financially underserved customers†(CashConnection. eu), also to set themselves apart their competition with the intention of becoming the most dominant franchise in the lending industry. The lending industry was established to provide citizens in a financial crisis with quick cash loans while adhering to the rules of the industry, and informing them of the importance of wise borrowing. A focused differentiation strategy is defined as â€Å"concentrating on a narrow buyer segment and outcompeting rivals with a product offering that meets the specific tastes and requirements of niche members better than the product offerings of rivals†. Cash Connection is taking this approach by offering attractive features to its customers that its competitors cannot offer. The different characteristics consumers find valuable when searching for a quick cash loan, such as lower interest rates, and larger loans have an impact on the consumer’s purchase decision. Cash Connection uses that to their advantage by focusing their strategy around those features in an effort to become the leading lending franchise in that industry. In the excerpt given by Paul Smith there is evidence that suggests that Cash Connection’s strategy and business model is ethical. â€Å"Individuals taking high interest loans were less likely to be in poverty, less likely to be hungry and less likely to have lost their job† (Personal Communications, 2012). Given this act, high interest loans have had a positive impact on society as a whole. Cash Connection explains the importance of wise borrowing before the customer receives the loan, in hopes of preventing the customer from getting into serious financial trouble, as a fair warning before the transaction is complete. â€Å"For companies that operate within this industry, a main objective should be to serve customers in compliance with the rules of the industry and better educate them on the services and products they offer† (Personal Communications, 2012). Certain liabilities are associated with almost every offered product, for example tobacco companies include a warning regarding the health risks associated with the product, and also, alcohol incorporates the same concept into its products. The evidence that suggests Cash Connection’s strategy and business model lies in the â€Å"Pay Loans Scrutinized† video, regarding a woman who carelessly used the system, and built up dependence for the instant cash received (CBS, 2008). In this video a lady reveals her financial struggles she has acquired through the use of high interest lending loans. She explains how lending loans are to blame for the debt she acquired, and states she would prefer to go without heat, water, and food than be in the financial position she is currently in. She obviously abused the privilege and got herself into a predicament. The only unethical argument that rises is the high interest rates that apply under the terms and conditions, making it difficult for those living in poverty to pay back borrowed money. The dominant economic characteristics that affect the payday lending industry consist of the different rules and regulations imposed by the government. The biggest threat the payday lending industry faces is the possibility of it becoming illegal. â€Å"A state that has permissive usury laws can always change its laws to lower ceilings on payday loan finance charges, or to make payday lending illegal†(Caskey, 2002). Also Caskey states some payday franchises require customers to be enrolled in a job position that provides income, along with a checking account. This can have a major impact on the payday lending industry by ruling out those customers that do not fit the necessary requirements established in order to receive a lending loan. â€Å"The five competitive forces include (1) competition from rival sellers, (2) competition from potential new entrants to the industry, (3) competition from producers of substitute products, (4) supplier bargaining power, and (5) customer bargaining power† (Rollins, 2011). Rivalry among the lending industry is very intense and competitive. Since the 1990’s when this industry was established, competition has been fierce because of â€Å"The exiting of traditional financial institutions from the small-denomination, short-term credit market; a change largely due to its high cost structure,† and â€Å"The soaring cost of bounced checks and overdraft protection fees, late bill payment penalties, and other informal extensions of short-term credit† (Personal Communications, 2012). Competition from new entrants in the industry can impose a serious threat because barriers to entry are so low. The only ingredient necessary to enter this market is access to upfront cash. Competition from producers of substitute products contains the ability to be a serious threat because of the different types of loans that banks offer, along with the different characteristics regarding those loans, such as financing programs. Supplier bargaining power holds moderate strength which lies in the hands of the banks. Banks choose which payday franchise to do business with based on that company’s performance. Without the assistance of banks â€Å"the supplier† there is no opportunity for success, so the supplier bargaining power holds serious strength in determining the success of Cash Connection. Lastly, Customer bargaining power does not hold great power. The rates for each payday business are basically the same, and negotiating is not an option for consumers in this industry. The five forces model reveals that the payday lending industry is not ideal for those wanting to manage a successful business. It is very easy for competitors to enter the market, it is in danger of becoming illegal, competition is fierce, and the market already contains too many. The driving forces that currently affect the payday lending industry differ from tate to state. In South Carolina for example, the maximum loan amount is $550, the loan cannot exceed 31 days, and A licensee shall not charge, directly or indirectly, a fee for other consideration in excess of 15% of the face amount of the check† (Morton, 2012). Also several different acts were implemented by the Federal Government to address the different issues associated with payday lending that have an effect, forcing businesses like Cash Connection to create a strategy and approach that comply with these regulations.

Comparison of Buying Behaviour: Own Brand and Label Food

Comparison of Buying Behaviour: Own Brand and Label Food CHAPTER ONE 1. INTRODUCTION In the UK, for nearly two thirds of consumers, own-label is an important reason to shop in a particular store. Value for money, availability and the breadth of products on offer are the key factors attracting customers to own label products. (Mintel Report, 2007). Own-label brands give consumers the opportunity to find something new at a supermarket, while branded is the same whichever store a consumer buys from. Consumers are increasingly careful about their grocery shop, using forward planning and budgeting to control the amount they spend. Shopping habits have become more price-focused with rising numbers of consumers looking for the lowest prices and special offers. Retail brands do not yet command the same degree of brand loyalty that the big brand names do, even though many consumers do agree that taste and quality are often on a par. (Mintel Report, 2008). According to Mintel report (2006) when it comes to choosing brands over own-label products, familiarity and trust are important criteria. Europe is the most developed region of the world for own label groceries and in Europe, own label is growing faster than manufacturers brands. Own-label brands and ranges can span all categories, something manufacturers brands cannot do. This presence builds trust and strengthens own-label branding. Retailers are able to suppress prices below competitors. The scale and flexibility of own-label production can also lead to a quick response to changing consumer needs and occasions. Consumer buying behaviour has remarkably influenced by the current credit crunch/recession. (Mintel Report, 2006) The UK is also experiencing a large increase in immigration. In October 2005, National Statistics reported that a record 582,000 people came to live in the UK from elsewhere in the world. It also predicted that the population might increase by up to 7.2 million over the next 25 years, with more than half the rise being attributed to immigration. This will boost overall demand for all retail goods. Own label or private brand can be hard to establish and costly to stock and promote. However, they also yield higher profit margins for the reseller. And they give resellers exclusive products that cannot be bought from competitors, resulting in greater store traffic and loyalty. (Mintel Report, 2006) The study is an investigation in to the current issues concerned with consumer buying behaviour for branded and own-label food. Consumer buying attitude has been greatly influenced by the current credit crunch and nine out of ten consumers thinking their financial situation has got worse over the last 12 months. (Mintel Report, 2008) This study will investigate the factors that influence buying behaviour of consumers shopping at an ALDI store. Factors such as price, quality of products, family size, culture, particular food product, financial background, gender and different age groups of consumers will be considered. Two thirds of consumers are looking out for deals/promotions, over half only buy what they need and just under a third go to discounters or cook from scratch more often. (Mintel Report, 2008). According to Foley (2008) ALDI is a rapidly grown discount supermarket and growing rapidly, pulling in thousands of new customers trying to save a few pounds on their weekly shop. ALDIs big boast is that it carries a limited range i.e. just over 1000 products (and only 15 brand names) compared with the 25,000 product lines in a supermarket such as Tesco, but buys in huge numbers and gets top quality. ALDI rigorously controls costs and their stores are all basic. There is no fancy flooring or fixtures. The lighting is definitely not designed to enhance the products. You dont take the shop home, only the food†. It is the same product but it doesnt cost more because of its decoration. In order to save money; over four in ten consumers buy more own-label value lines, buy own-label products more often or have switched to cheaper brands. (Foley, 2008). Individuals aged between 15-34 shows the greatest growth in the tendency to look for the lowest prices. Between 2006 and 2011, the number of people over 65 is projected to increase by 10.1%, increasing their proportion of the population as a whole from 21.6% to 23.4%. This obviously means that the proportion of the population who are retired, on fixed incomes, and, therefore, managing on tighter budgets will increase, this should maintain interest in lower-cost, own-brand goods. Furthermore this research will also focus on quality of branded and own-label food products from a consumer perspective. Assumptions that an own label is a cheap version of the manufacturer brand; is not evident. The gap in quality that was evident over a decade ago has been reduced in recent years. This is supported by Chaney, 2004 who concluded that every sale places the retailers highly valued name at risk and this has meant that there is increasingly little difference in the quality level of own brands compared to manufacturers brands. (Chaney, 2004). 1.1 Aims and Objectives 1.1.1 Aims The study aims to investigate consumer buying behaviour with regards to branded and own-label food products using ALDI as a case study. 1.1.2 Objectives 1. To carry out a literature review on consumer behaviour with regards to purchasing food and the current issues concerned with branded and own-label products. 2. By use of a case-study and questionnaire determine consumer behaviour with regards to branded and own label food products. 3. To compare and contrast the quality of own label and branded foods from a consumer perspective. 4. To analyze the primary data collected in the light of the secondary data in order to identify the key issues that influence consumer behaviour and the purchasing of own-label and branded food products. CHAPTER TWO 2. LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Introduction The aim of the literature review is to evaluate critically current data from research relevant to the aims and objectives of the project and evaluate the findings. 2.2 Evaluate critically the UK food retail market Seth and Randall (1999) stated that supermarkets across the developed world have been a key feature of the second half of the twentieth century, and the UK supermarket in its own right has, and in a world context, has been both important and distinctive. The UK is today often seen as the worlds most innovative retail market. Presentation and range, 06 goods including adventurous new chilled food and meal solutions are product fields that the rest of the world is still discovering; this has lead to researches such as, suggesting that it is difficult to fault UK sourcing energies or innovative drive. Next there is own-label. This plays an increasingly important and developmental role in this respect. They also mentioned that supermarkets activities have affected our lives and changed them as substantially as probably any other single influence. Supermarkets are universal, their customers drawn from all elements in society, from richest to poorest. It has been calculated that today the average British citizen will spend two years of their life or 3 percent of a normal waking life inside the doors of a supermarket. According to Embargo (1996), the average UK household spends over  £50 per week on food. Between us this amounts to 43 billion spent throughout the year. This is about 12 percent of total consumer expenditure, and a massive 85 per cent of this is spent in supermarkets. Embargo (1996) also stated that the British supermarkets are a 20th-century invention, offering the shopper unprecedented variety and convenience. From humble beginnings as a stall in Leeds or as West End Dairy, they have grown to dominate food retailing. Over 80 per cent of consumers regularly shop in supermarkets for food and basic household goods. According to Embargo (1996), one of the most significant trends in supermarket retailing is the growth in own-label sales relative to branded products. Own-label lines, sold under the supermarkets name, have become an effective way for the big stores to increase profits and build customer loyalty. Own-brand options are available for the majority of foods, offering consumers a wider choice of goods than ever before. (Embargo, 1996) According to Verdict Research (UK Food Grocery Retailers 2009 (April, 2009), in 2008 food and grocery specialists defied wider retail market gloom, increasing their combined sales by 5.0% to  £124.1bn. Grocers performed especially well with sales ahead by 5.6% their strongest growth since 2001. Food price inflation has driven market growth. Higher energy costs, a series of crop failures and growing food demand from China pushed UK food grocery inflation up to 6.4%. Even price-keen grocers experienced their highest rate of inflation in 17 years at 4.7%. (Verdict Research, April 2009) According to verdict Research, April 2009) the credit crunch and subsequent recession, plus inflation have had a profound impact on consumer behaviour and the wider dynamics of grocery retailing. Price, or more specifically value, now sits firmly at the top of the consumer agenda. Customers are searching for the best prices and increasingly switching to own label or alternative brands. (Verdict Research, April 2009) According to Verdict research i.e. UK Retail Futures 2013 (April 2009), though food grocery will significantly outperform the wider retail market, the recession is resulting in an unprecedented change in consumer behaviour. The discounters are enjoying impressive growth, while the major grocers focus on enhancing value credentials, leading to what we believe will be long-lasting changes to the grocery market. Verdict believes two key drivers will inhibit growth in food grocery over the next five years. Firstly, with consumers more cautious and trading down, value growth will slow. Secondly, grocers will find it tougher to open new stores especially superstores, with space and volume growth easing as a consequence. (Verdict Research Retail futures, April 2009) Grocers are focusing more effort on developing their own-brand offers, either through lower prices or through the introduction of new ranges to build scale, increase choice, promote value credentials and boost margins. (Verdict Research Retail futures, April 2009) 2.3 Evaluate critically Factors that affect UK food retail market According to Kathawala (1989), quality may mean different things to different people, for instance, Juran defines quality as â€Å"fitness for use† while Crosby defines it as â€Å"conformance to requirements†. Their definitions imply a quality standard equated to that of satisfying the customers demand. Deming defines quality as â€Å"surpassing customers needs and expectations throughout the life of the product†. Feigenbaum indicated the ever-changing and elusive nature of quality when he defined it as â€Å"a moving target†. Kathawala (1989) mentioned, a comprehensive definition of quality would include all four aspects, â€Å"Conformance to requirements, surpassing customers needs and expectations throughout the life of the product, quality is a moving target, quality is fitness for use†. (Kathawala, 1989). Armstrong and Kotler (2007) stated that, quality has a direct impact on product or service performance; it is closely linked to customer value and satisfaction. He claimed, in the narrowest sense, quality can be defined as â€Å"freedom from defects†. But most customer-centered companies go beyond this narrow definition. Instead, they define quality in terms of creating customer value and satisfaction. According to Armstrong and kotler, (2007) The American Society for Quality defines quality as the characteristics of a product or service that bear on its ability to satisfy stated or implied customer needs. Similarly, Siemens defines quality this way: â€Å"Quality is when our customer comes back and our products dont†. (Armstrong and Kotler, 2007). According to Solomon (1996), consumer satisfaction or dissatisfaction is determined by the overall feelings, or attitude, a person has about a product after it has been purchased. Solomon (1996) also mentioned that, product quality affects customer satisfaction, which in turn, results in increased profitability among firms who provide quality products. Consequently Quality is more than a marketing buzzword. Customers want quality and value. Especially because of foreign competition, claims of product quality have become strategically crucial to maintaining a competitive advantage. Consumers use a number of cues to infer quality, including brand name, price and even their own estimates of how much money has been put into a new products advertising campaign. Solomon (1996) mentioned that, one way to define quality is to establish uniform standards to which products from around the world must conform. This is the intent of the International Standards Organization. Seth and Randall (2000) stated that, the supermarkets know that they rely absolutely on their customers confidence in the safety of the food they buy. They work hard to deserve that confidence, and their record shows that they do. According to Smith (1997) â€Å"Quality is about listening to our customers and delivering more than they expect. Its about paying attention to the smallest details and getting it right first time, every time. Most important, quality is a continuous process that involves every employee. By making small improvements every day, we can make real progress and deliver increasingly higher levels of customer satisfaction. Quality allows us to measure and compare our performance against the best in class. It sets the standards for our support services and enables us to focus training and development on the most important areas†. According to Solomon (1996), â€Å"Perception is the process by which physical sensations, such as sights, sound, and smells, are selected, organized, and interpreted. The eventual interpretation of a stimulus allows it to be assigned meaning. A perceptual map is a widely used marketing tool that evaluates the relative standing of competing brands along relevant dimensions†. (Solomon, 1996) As a result consumers have a particular perception of a particular product, they expect and know what to expect from branded. Therefore the non-branded product must as far as possible meet these perceptions if it is to compete with the branded product. A cheaper product may compensate for some variation but the own brand product must be recognisable by the consumer. Almost every business has a trading name, from the smallest market trader to the largest multi-national corporation. Only a minority of those businesses however, have what could be classed as a ‘brand or a ‘brand name. Branding is a word commonly referred to by advertisers and marketing people. Armstrong and Kotler (2007) stated that, â€Å"a brand is a name or symbol that is commonly known to identify a company or its products and separate them from the competition†. They go on to say a well-known brand is generally regarded as one that people will recognise, often even if they do not know about the company or its products/services. These are usually the businesses name or the name of a product, although it can also include the name of a feature or style of a product. The overall ‘branding of a company or product can also stretch to a logo, symbol, or even design features (E.g.: Regularly used colours or layouts, such as red and white for Coca Cola.) that identify the company or its products/services. (Armstrong and Kotler, 2007). For example: The Nike brand name is known throughout the world, people can identify the name and logo even if they have never bought any of their products. However, not only is the company name a brand, but the logo (The ‘tick symbol) is also a strong piece of branding in its own right. The majority of people that are aware of the company can also identify it (or its products) from this symbol alone. The clothing and running shoe company Adidas is well known for using three stripes on its range of products. This design feature branding allows people to identify their products, even if the Adidas brand name and logo is not present. (Armstrong and Kotler, 2007). 2.4 Strengths and weaknesses of own-label food and drink. Table 1: Strengths and weaknesses of own-label food and drink, as stated by Mintel, (2006). According to Business Services (2009), the main benefit of branding is that customers are much more likely to remember a business. A strong brand name and logo/image helps to keep a company image in the mind of potential customers. If a business sells products that are often bought on impulse, a customer recognising a brand could mean the difference between no-sale and a sale. Even if the customer is not aware of selling of particular product, if they trust that brand, they are likely to trust unfamiliar products. If a customer is happy with your products or services, a brand helps to build customer loyalty across the business. For example Marks and Spencer is recognised by consumers as offering a specified standard of quality they therefore assume if they buy any food product from Marks and Spencer the product will be of the same quality standard. (Business Services, 2009). A strong brand will project an image of a large and established business to potential customers. People usually associate branding with larger businesses that have the money to spend on advertising and promotion. The creation of effective branding can make business appear to be much bigger than it really is. An image of size and establishment can be especially important when a customer wants reassurance that particular brand will still be around in a few years time. (Business Services, 2009). A strong brand projects an image of quality in the business; many people see the brand as a part of a product or service that helps to show its quality and value. According to Business Services (2009), if you show a person two identical products, only one of which is branded, they will almost always believe the branded item is higher quality. Over time the image of quality of an effective branding business will usually go up. Of course, branding cannot replace good quality, and bad publicity will damage a brand (and businesses image), especially if it continues over a long period of time. For example: The Sunny Delight drinks brand was one of the biggest in the UK just a year after its launch. However, constant bad publicity about the quality of the product has severely damaged the image of the brand, and sales have dropped for each of the past several years. (Business Services, 2009). A strong brand creates an image of an established business that has been around for long enough to become well known. A branded business is more likely to be seen as experienced in their products or services, and will generally be seen as more reliable and trustworthy than an unbranded business. Most people will believe that a business would be hesitant to put their brand name on something that was of poor quality. (Business Services, 2009). If a business has a strong brand, it allows you to link together several different products or ranges. A brand name can be used on every product or service a company sell, meaning that customers for one product will be more likely to buy another product of same brand. For Example: Sony sells televisions, music equipment, consoles, camcorders, DVD players, video players, and etc all under the Sony brand name. Creation of separate brand names for product ranges allowing people to see brand name, and then use the range brand name to work out what they wish to buy. For Example: Cadburys makes a range of confectionary under many different sub-brand names such as Dairy Milk, Boost, Flake, and Time Out. All of these are sold under the product brand, but all feature the Cadburys brand name on the packaging. (Business Services, 2009). A strong brand is memorable, but people still need to be exposed to it, this often requires a lot of advertising and PR over a long period of time, which can be very costly. There are also costs involved with the creating of a brand image or logo (Paying for a designer, printing new letterheads/business cards etc.), and although most of these are only one off costs, they are still relatively large for most small businesses. The exposure of a brand can be left to word of mouth, this will save money, but will also greatly slow down the exposure that the brand receives. (Armstrong and Kotler, 2007). One of the main problems with many branded businesses is that they lose their personal image. The ability to deal on a personal basis with customers is one of the biggest advantages small business have, and poorly designed branding could give customers the impression that a business is losing its personal touch. (Business Services, 2009). Every brand has a certain image to potential customers, and part of that image is about what products or services a company sell. If a company is known for selling just one product and want to sell another product, will that company be able to do so effectively? If a company sell computers, would that brand name be suitable for selling vacuum cleaners? If a brand is focused too strongly on one product, it can limit the ability to sell other products. (Armstrong and Kotler, 2007). The process of creating a brand will usually take a long period of time. As well as creating a brand and updating your signs and equipment (e.g. stationary, vehicles etc), it need to expose to potential customers. It is commonly shown that people need to see an advert at least three times before they absorb it, which means that a company will need to advertise and promote the brand for a considerable amount of time before it will become well known. (Business Services, 2009). The continuing development of own-label brands can be largely attributed to ownership concentration in the retailing industry by multiples such as Tesco, Sainsburys and Asda. The two leading supermarkets, Tesco and Sainsburys have exploited this branding strategy to the extent that 50 percent of their sales are their own-label products. The supermarkets are committing considerable finances to their own-labels to increase their penetration. (Chaney, 2004). In marketing own-label brands the retailers have several advantages over manufacturer brands. Own-label brands can access the prime shelves as this space is controlled by the retailer. Manufacturer brands generally have to pay for the privilege of displaying and merchandising their goods. Furthermore, retailers, unlike the manufacturers, have knowledge of competitors sales figures and promotions. (Chaney, 2004). 2.5 Evaluate literature that relating to consumer behaviour According to Colla (2003), discount food retailing has experienced considerable expansion over the last ten years and currently occupies an important position in the European retail industry. According to Shine et al (1997), Consumers have become increasingly interested in nutritional issues over recent years. This interest in nutrition is fuelled by a number of factors including lifestyle, ageing population, dietary and safety concerns. The consumer is influenced by various sources of information such as the family/household, social network, â€Å"popular media†, and government dietary guidelines Shine et al (1997) also stated that majority of consumers consider diet to be a very important component of their lifestyles and regard nutrition as a positive attribute of food products. Increasing consumer interest in nutrition has led to an increased interest in nutrition labelling. Nutrition labelling was found to have an impact on consumer purchase decisions. Of those consumers who read nutritional labels, 81 per cent use them in their evaluation of food products. According to Baltas (2001), Nutrition labelling of food products has received considerable attention in the marketing literature due to increasing consumer interest in health and diet issues. He also stated, nutrition labelling of food products is intended to enable informed consumer choices and stimulate the consumption and production of healthful products. The effectiveness of nutrition labelling depends also on the organisation and presentation of the information, implying the importance of regulatory issues. Baltas (2001) stated that in the UK, more than 80 percent of surveyed individuals claim that they look at labels and that label information affects their purchase decision. Most consumers also use information on nutrition labels the first time they purchase a product and this then becomes a source of new knowledge they can draw on in subsequent purchases. Baltas (2001) also stated nutritional attributes are, of course, only a subset of objective and perceived characteristics such as price, taste and brand name determining consumer preferences. Their relative importance for the determination of consumption patterns may vary not only over people, but also across product categories and purchase occasions. According to Mintel, (Food Packaging UK, 2008) the most important consideration for consumers is that the packaging to compost is not always realistic. Mintel also stated, Four in five shoppers agreed that the food inside was not accurately depicted on the packaging. Nearly as many confirmed that it was sometimes hard to tell how much food was inside the packaging. (Mintel, Food Packaging UK, 2008). Shoppers at discounters; Morrisons and the Co-op found it harder to tell the quantity of food from the packaging it looks as though these supermarkets could be more accurate in their own-label packaging. Consumers should be able to take a good look at the food item they are buying to get an idea what it looks like and how much it contains. (Mintel, Food Packaging UK, 2008). According to Mintel (2006), significant differences are evident between the attitudes of men and women towards food packaging. Almost two thirds of women, compared to just over half of men, say that labelling is important when deciding what to buy. Womens role as the key grocery purchaser in many households has removed the need for men to study labels more carefully when choosing what to buy. However, growth of one-person households is expected to bring mens attitudes towards packaging more in line with those of women, as an increasing number of men take responsibility for doing their grocery shopping. According to Mintel Report (Food Packaging, 2006), â€Å"Consumer attention on the environmental impact of packaging is set to continue, with further debate anticipated on the sustainability of different packaging systems and the environmental impact of reuse, recycling and incineration. Biodegradable plastics are already emerging and a gradual wider acceptance of the concept is expected, while the pressure to engineer improved performance whilst utilising less material resources will continue to exercise packaging manufacturers†. According to Montgomery (2008), a study by the Co-operative Bank revealed that more than a third of people surveyed are making cuts in their weekly shopping spend. â€Å"Were typically spending  £68.33 per adult on the weekly supermarket shop, compared with an average of  £89.88 in 2007†. Montgomery stated that, its no surprise that the likes of Tesco, Sainsbury, Waitrose and Asda are feeling the pinch. (Montgomery, 2008). She also explain that the two key items to have dropped off our shopping lists are flowers and magazines, while next on the hit list is bottled water, expensive handwash and CDs, followed by wine, teeth whitening products, fabric conditioner, unsliced bread and nail polish. (Montgomery, 2008). Emma Thomas, from the Co-operative Bank, commented: People are being more conservative in their spending and are finding that cutting back on luxury items can help make a difference. Developing a household budget is essential to keep spending in check and to identify ways costs can be trimmed. (Montgomery, 2008). â€Å"Thanks to the credit crunch, the budget supermarket chains, such as Cost-cutter, Aldi and Lidl, have been transformed from the haunt of cash-strapped students to the savvy housewifes favourite†. (Montgomery, 2008). Montgomery (2008) stated that, sales at Cost-cutter (budget supermarket) have grown by 6.2% so far this year. Lidl came out as the cheapest supermarket after a recent survey carried out by â€Å"Which?† magazine. Montgomery (2008) explains that in a price comparison of a typical shopping basket, the publication found that Aldi was 3% more expensive, while Tesco was 21% more expens