Techniques used in landscape interpretations Essay

Techniques used in landscape interpretations - Essay Example might not pay that much attention to the castle itself and try to set his/her attention to the way the castle builders included and used natural elements of the land to their advantage. All these different interpretations means that there is no single unified technique to examine a landscape and as there are hundreds of landscapes and thousands of interpretations which can be made of those landscapes a singular technique might be impossible to come by. At the same time, there are various schools of thought which lead a person to apply some basic interpretive methods that further allow them to come up with a singular interpretation for a particular scene. Towards that purpose it is essential for us to understand and appreciate the modern methods of landscape interpretations which are discussed in this paper along. These interpretative techniques have been mentioned by architects, artists and scientists who have utilized these methods to study landscapes around the world. Normally, the first step in examining any given landscape is to actually look at the landscape with the naked eye. Of course this may not be possible in certain situations like interpreting the landscapes of other planets or subterranean structures but in most topographical analysis situations it is certainly a clear possibility. Dennis (2003) gives a very interesting approach to this subject by giving four ways to deliberately look at a landscape. The visual ideology of a landscape is the first element which can be created in the mind of the person who is trying to interpret a landscape. The visual ideology often masks the social conditions which produced the landscape in the first place but by paying close attention to the attention, a person can get to the superficial meaning embedded in the landscape. This signifies the material landscape as the representation of the natural order which is present in the scene and also clarifies any social relations which can be seen from the ideology which

Effect of Foreign Direct Investment in the Retailing Sector

Effect of Foreign Direct Investment in the Retailing Sector The effect of foreign direct investment in the retailing sector  on the economy of Russia Abstract Following the dramatic, although sometime erratic growth of the retail sector in Russia, this paper provides an insight into the growth of this sector of the Russian economy, particularly concentrating upon the impact of foreign direct investment. As part of this process the research studies the potential benefits that are available to the foreign corporation together with the difficulties that making such an investment can experience. It is concluded that, providing Russia maintains a democratic political structure and can eliminate the adverse elements of their current system, such as corporate crime, the country provides an attractive market for retail globalisation, which will continue to benefit the Russian economy. Executive Summary Since the barriers of communism have been eradicated and a capitalist structure introduced, the Russian retail sector has experienced significant growth. As this report shows, much of this has been achieved through the relaxation of the Russian approach to foreign direct investment. From the research conducted for this paper it can be seen that FDI has contributed significantly to the present growth levels being experienced in Russia. Nevertheless, upon analysis of the benefits and disadvantages that face an international retailer wishing to take advantage of this emerging market place, it has been found that there are issues that need to be addressed if the current level of growth is to be sustained in the future. There is little doubt that, with the size of its consumer population and the continuing level of demand for western products, that Russia represents a major new market for the international retailer corporation. As revealed within this paper those who have already established outlets within this market place have already created a competitive advantage for their businesses. The report finds that there are some significant difficulties that still exist, which create a level of reluctance with new entrants. Most of these are based upon the demographic spread of the population, together with the cost of entry that is increased as a result of the current tax and regulatory regime. Similarly, the current domestic retailers are, in some instances, showing reluctance to participate in proposed mergers or takeovers. Whilst this low level of entry from external firms continues, the domestic retailers are also taking advantage of the situation by consolidating their own position within the market. This is being done by way of mergers and also by using the Western concept of retailing and extending their reach and coverage, not only through the main towns and cities, but also throughout the more rural areas. In reality, if they maintain these strategies, it will only serve to further increase the cost of entry to external firms and, from the FDI view, this would further delay their ability to benefit from the available market share. Therefore, we would suggest that two issues be addressed. That, if they wish to be active players in the increasing Russian retail market, the should evaluate whether the cost of immediate entry outweighs the potential loss of future competitive advantage. In respect of the Russian government, it is suggested that there should be consideration given to incorporating a more level of tariffs that is more in line with international standards, thereby increasing the attractiveness of their retail markets to foreign organisations. This is particularly important as they are also competing against other emerging countries and, if they want to benefit from the available investment, like the corporate retailers, they need to consider the advantage of early entry. Table of Contents Abstract Executive Summary Table of Contents List of Tables List of Figures List of Figures Chapter 1: Introduction 1.1 Motivation for the research 1.2. Aims and objectives 1.3 Overview Chapter 2: Literature Review 2.1 Russian change to capitalism 2.2 The Russian Retail Sector 2.3 Foreign Investment in Russia’s Retail sector 2.4 Summary Chapter 2: Methodology 2.1. Research method 2.2. Research material choice 2.3. Research performance Chapter 3: Findings and Analysis 4.1 Russian retail sector 4.2 Foreign Direct Investment 4.3 Problems and benefits to FDI 4.4 Advantages of FDI to Russian Retail Sector Chapter 6: Conclusion Bibliography Books Journals List of Tables Table 2 FDI in emerging countries in Europe Table 3 Russian major retailers. Table 3 FDI levels 2006-2007 Table 4 Potential FDI retail entrants List of Figures Figure 1 Russian retail growth Figure 2 Breakdown of retail sales Figure 3 Russia Hot Drink sales Figure 4 retail sales 2005 Chapter 1: Introduction 1.1 Motivation for the research Since the Russian political environment changed in the early 1990’s from the closed communistic approach to the more open capitalist format, which has allowed for the involvement of external financial institutions and corporations, the country’s economy has undergone a dramatic evolutionary process. As a result of this change, and notwithstanding the severe difficulties experienced in 1998, the Russian economy has achieved a remarkable pattern of growth over the past two decades. Nowhere has this growth factor been more noticeable that in the country’s retail sector, which according to recent research (RNOS 2006) has seen a recent growth of 30.8%, of which the food sector itself accounted for 22%. The same report forecasts a dramatic increase on these figures by the end of 2008, with food sector growth expected to double. However, such a dramatic increase in the rate of growth experience could not have been achieved solely by the privatisation of the internal marketplace. As with the economies of other emerging capitalists markets the Russian retail sector has attracted the attention of international corporate players, who have shown an interest in opening outlets in places like Moscow so that they can gain a significant share of the extremely large Russian consumer market. Many international corporations have already established a presence in this marketplace and other corporations such as the American giant Wal-Mart are seriously discussing projects that help them gain entry to this sector of the Russian economy. 1.2. Aims and objectives The purpose of this paper is to evaluate what effect this FDI[1] by external corporations has had upon the Russian retail sector. In conducting this research the objectives are to: To provide a better understanding of the economic forces that currently operates in the Russian retail sector. To evaluate the benefits and difficulties experienced by foreign corporations that have already established a presence in the Russian retail sector. To provide an indication of the issues that corporation intending to invest in the Russian retail economy will need to consider. To evaluate the impact that FDI has on the Russian Retail market It is intended that this paper will add to the existing literature available on the issues raised and provide an indication of areas whether further research needs to be considered. 1.3 Overview Following on from this introduction a review and evaluation of the current available literature relating to the issues raised will be conducted in chapter two. In chapter three the methodology for our research is explained in detail and this is followed by an analysis and discussion of the findings of that research. Chapter five concludes the paper and includes appropriate recommendations as well as indications of where the authors feel that further research on the subject may be beneficial. Chapter 2: Literature Review Within this literature review it is the intention to provide an understanding of the historical growth of the Russian retail sector economy since the capital free-market approach was adopted. As an integral part of this review will concentrate upon the political structure and how this differs from that of more developed countries, such as the UK and US. Furthermore, this chapter will review research that has previously been conducted in respect of the external organisations that have already began to operate within this sector of the Russian economy, outlining the experiences that they have had working within this relatively new capitalist environment. 2.1 Russian change to capitalism Following the collapse of communism in the late 1980’s, Russia began the slow steps towards building a free market economy, and this has caught the attention of numerous academic writers and observers. Many researchers, such as Dyker (2004), Medvedev (2000) and Gustafon (2001), have commented upon the fact that in the initial stages this free-market development was hampered by the continuing power struggle that was still taking place between the old hardliners and the new democratic factions. However, when Yeltsin defeated the attempted coup in 1992, power was finally wrestled from the central politicians and the process of conversion to capitalism could and did begin (Medevdev 2000, p.11). This forward move to a capitalist structure was reinforced in the same year by the â€Å"de-controlling† of prices (Gustafon 2001, 10). However, like fledgling free market economies, in the early stages of development the transition bought with it some difficulties. One of the major difficulties was the financial problem resulting from falling output. A Dyker (2004, p.5) and Granville and Oppenheimer (2001, p.3), comment in their research, it was expected that the transition would be â€Å"weak†, and they have expressed some surprise that the West â€Å"despite their expertise on communist regimes,† as Granville and Oppenheimer (2001, p.3) comment, were not prepared for this event. Others have also commented upon the levels of dishonesty in those early years. In Vadim Volkov (2002, p.3 and p.10) study of the Russian Mafia and organised crime, he reveals that there was a significant rise in business crime, particularly extortion and protection rackets. Volkov’s research shows that by the end of the 1980’s the reported incidences had exceeded 4,500 per annum and that it continued to grow dramatically during the early part of the 1990’s, reaching a peak of 17,169 cases in 1996 and the state was struggling to control this situation. The only beneficial effect of this racketeering as far as Volkov (2002, p.142) was that it led to a growth of a retail security sector. Russia also experienced a significant financial disaster in 1998, which saw the relatively new stock market index fall to 38 points, a 60% drop on its opening position, during which time the country fell back on it â€Å"familiar trade activities and exported natural resources, together with outside help to survive the crisis (Turnock 2005, p.130). Things began to change when President Putin came to power. Despite the fact that many researchers consider his approach to be the creation of a â€Å"managed democracy† (Terterov 2005, p.3), with observers being particularly critical of the lack of competition during the 2004 elections. Despite this perception, Putin was able to restore some measure of order to the process of transition. It is the general view that most of Putin’s reforms, perhaps with the exception of the variety of legislations that â€Å"restricted companies freedom of [financial] action† (Granville and Oppenheimer 2001, p.218), did contribute to a more positive free-market economy evolution (Dyker 2004; Granville and Oppeheimer 2001 and Turnock 2005). As Hoffman (2003, p.372), a trustworthy retail-banking environment was being built and additionally retailing outlets being released from state ownership into the hands of private owners. Granville and Oppenheimer’s (2001, p.511) produced evidence of this from a survey, which reported that, â€Å"by the end of 1995, 34 per cent of retail pharmacies had become independent juridical entities.† Oleinik (2005, p.214) confirms this position, revealing, â€Å"Roughly 50 percent of State-owned retailers, wholesale enterprises, public catering and transport enterprises were privatised as of July 1994.† In fact, in the early years much of the early change to capitalism was centred on internalised privatisation and restructuring of the various infrastructures, which researchers such as Burawoy (1996) and Turnock (2002) considered being a normal part of the process to be conducted before economic evolution can begin. 2.2 The Russian Retail Sector Whilst Russia has relied heavily upon its traditional manufacturing and natural resources to provide economic growth in the past, with the onset of capitalisation, it has been widely acknowledged within researches (Gufaston 2001 and Medvevev 2000 are two of these), the retail sector began to have an increasing impact. In fact it is held that in Moscow, which accounts for 27% of the country’s retail trade, this and â€Å"the growth of its consumer sector was the main factor in Russias economic turnaround† (Gustafson 2001, p.186). Many writers have studied the retail phenomena in an attempt to provide an understanding of the theory surrounding it, and how groups within the retail arena will react (e.g. Porter 1979, 1980; McGee Thomas 1986; Caves Porter 1977, 1978). Roth and Klein (1999, p.173), produce a general system theory that results in a multiple of outcomes irrespective of the fact that all firms may be subject to the same environment. The retail development in Russia over the past decade or tow certainly follows this theory. The growth of firms has been subjected to the many differing consumer demands, with a historical preference for open market and small store shopping. Similarly the geographical situation is Russia, whit a small number of major towns and cities dispersed over a wide area, has made also affected their growth patterns. Despite the fact that it is generally consider that the authorities approach to the retail sector has been correct (Terterov 2005, p. 28), there are others that argue that â€Å"business found it hard going, burdened as they were not only by taxes and the extortions of corrupt officials but also by the cruel racketeering that kept growing stronger† (Medvedev 2000, p.23). Similarly, others believe that there the development of the consumer sector was poor (Dyker 2004, p.57) and, in comparison with more developed economies, the levels of â€Å"integration were rather low† (Wehrheim 2002, p.19). Furthermore, this is said to have led to a wide variance of standards, with some improving and others not (Medvevev 2000, p.91). Thus it is little wonder that such researchers in the early 2000’s, should consider that â€Å"Russia was not the most successful country in pursuing the shift from plan to market( Wehrheim 2003, p.17). However during the last five years this position has begun to change, with the retail sector now growing at a dramatic rate. In fact its growth position is second only to India. This is being partially attributed to the increase in personal and disposable income (see table 1), GDP and the rise in the currency value. (Newswire Today 2007). This growth is encouraging attention from foreign businesses, who are looking for business or joint-venture opportunities in the Russian retail sector, such as the food industry (Wehrheim 2003, p.136) 2.3 Foreign Investment in Russia’s Retail sector Prior to Gorbachev’s accession to the Russian Presidency, FDI in Russia had been banned since the late 1920’s (Brady 2000, p.185). However, since this ban was lifted, and particularly during the past decade, FDI has become an increasingly important part of Russia’s economic growth (Dyker 2004, p.207), However, FDI interest was slow to begin with. Turnock (2005, p.3) advances the theory that this was due to the fact that â€Å"Whilst FDI and economic growth are linked, it does not necessarily follow that FDI helps in improving the investment climate, it usually requires the climate to be good in the first place.† Similarly, as foreign investors had learnt with other emerging countries, there is no â€Å"pain without Gain (Dyker, 2004, p.20). Nevertheless, once the free-market economy begun to flourish for internal organisations, Western corporation became interested, and this led to an increase in investment from overseas, which rose by â€Å"155 in dollar terms† by the end of 1994 (Brady 2000, p.205). Investors wanted to get a share of the market stock, â€Å"even though they often knew nothing about the companies , a situation encouraged by Russian tycoons (Hoffman 2003, p.207 and p.361). The one incident that did produce an adverse effect to FDI in Russia was the financial crisis of 1998 when, because of the apparent inability of the market â€Å"to restore order in its economy has forced foreign investors to take their money and head for the exit† (Medvedev 2000, p.296) However, once this crisis had been resolved, the flow of FDI continued to grow (see table 2). By the end of 1995 it had reached a position where five percent of the Russian consumer market was in the hands of foreign owners or their subsidiaries (Medvedecv 2000, p.156). Table 2 FDI in emerging countries in Europe Source: Turnock 2005, p.5 The position has also increased dramatically in the years post those in the above table. For example, the CIA Fact book (2007) showed that FDI doubled from $14.6 billion to $30 billion between 2005 and 2006. These figures were building on the back of a $9.4 billion FDI amount in 2004 (Special Report 2005), and there is little sign of this situation slowing down in the foreseeable future. In addition to the taking over of domestic retailers, foreign corporations are also setting up their own within the country, with Ikea, which â€Å"has 50,000 workers and 159 stores in 29 countries making and selling over 10,000 articles around the world and is one of the largest furniture companies† (Turnock 2005, p.237) being one of the most noticeable. 2.4 Summary It would appear from the literature that has been reviewed here that, whilst most academics agreed that Russia’s road to capitalism had a less than favourable start, and was also interrupted by the crisis of 1998, it’s economic growth has now become more stable and, despite the current political disquiet that exists about the country, the current levels of growth and FDI are set to continue for the foreseeable future. Chapter 2: Methodology 2.1. Research method Due to the complexities of the research being undertaken, together with the geographical and time constraints, it was felt that the best method of approach for this research was to use a quantitative approach. In view of the study being conducted, it is felt that this approach a wealth of literature, information that would span a sufficient level of governmental, independent observers and research sources to enable this paper to achieve its objectives. Similarly, such is the breadth of these resources that it is felt they ensure accuracy and ample range for comparative purposes. In the view of the author this approach has provided an adequate research base for purpose of this study. 2.2. Research material choice In terms of the government resources, the relevant data has been selected from various national international and global organisations. Other data in respect of FDI and the retail sector activity within the Russian market place, has been collected and researched using academic publications, together with industry news and press reports, supported by surveys and other technical data. Furthermore, we have used the data available on several corporate bodies that have secured a position within this market sector. 2.3. Research performance Using this data, the first step was to study the movement of the retail sector itself during the past few years, then to outline the events within the foreign direct investment factor, including a brief study of some of the external corporations that have sought to invest in this market place. During this process we have been able to also identify the benefits and disadvantage that such a move might bring to the investing corporation company. From these actions we have then been able to conduct analysis and outline areas for discussion. Chapter 3: Findings and Analysis 4.1 Russian retail sector The Russian retail sector, as previously indicated previously, has seen a period of continued growth since the beginning of this century. According to research carried out by RNCOS (2006), The market in 2004 grew to a value of $193.2 million, which represents a year-on-year performance increase of nearly thirty one percent, making in one of the most attractive retail markets globally. The same report also states that the expectation is for the growth rate to continue to exceed GDP during the course of the following years. Later resources available from the Russian Trade federation (see figure 1), show that this growth is continuing and is anticipated to accelerate in the next three years, with the major concentration on the main cities and towns. Figure 1 Russian retail growth Source http://www.russiantradeny.com/index.php?chapter=rtaction=showid=41 Additionally, the Russian statistics service (Rosstat) have released figures for the first quarter of 2007, which show that in that period alone the grown has been 13.6%, which at $117.456 billion, puts the sector on course to reach $500 billion for the who year. , in Russia, retail sales grew 13.6% YOY to reach the level of 3.043 Trillion Rubles (US$117.456757 Billion) from January to April 2007. However, retail sales grew 13.8% to reach around 814.8 billion rubles (US$31.4504652 Billion) in this April alone. A further report by Kuipers (2006) shows a further breakdown of these sales. From this analysis, it can be seen that, whilst food retail is growing appreciably at 17.6%, the non-feed area is doing even better (see figure 2). Figure 2 Breakdown of retail sales Of these amounts approximately 48% represent retail sales attributed to imported goods. The increases n this area has been brought about partially as a result of recent changes that the Russian authorities have made to various duties and levies. For example, as a recent Euromonitor (2006) study shows, the import duty on â€Å"raw coffee beans was abolished in 2006, with the direct intention of encouraging new players such as Nescafe and Starbucks. The following graph shows the effect that it is estimated this will have on the market for hot drink sales over the next few years. Figure 3 Russia Hot Drink sales There has been a significant growth of retail in the past few years in Russia and, as a result of this, Russia’s 76.3% increase in trade outlets is out-stripping the performance of other Eastern European countries (Czech 0% and Croatia 17%) and Europe as a whole (20%). The generally held view, as voiced by Vitaly Podolskyi, CFO of the Russian retailer Pyaterochka, during an interview with Kuipers (2006), is that by 2010 Russia could well become the largest retail market in Europe. However, in a later interview Vitaly Podolskyi, also stated that it was a difficult sector for domestic retailers, and for foreign entrants who were seeking to establish a profitable business in a reasonable timescale, simply because of the geographic fragmentation of the market place. In this respect his view was that for the foreseeable future, the best route for new entrants would be by mergers and acquisitions. As will be seen later this is a route already being preferred by some of the countries domiciled retail corporations. This view is supported by other research conducted by Kuipers (2006), which confirms that the country’s retail sales are still being generated upon old traditional lines. As can be seen from the following graph (figure 4) (Kuipers 2006), nearly half of all shopping is conducted in open-air markets, with modern trade outlets accounting for only around 20%. and the rest being generated through smaller outlets. Figure 4 retail sales 2005 Much of the reason for the slow pace of change in consumer buying habits is because of the fact that most development in this sector has taken place in the major cities such as Moscow and others mentioned in figure 1 above (see page 20). As mentioned earlier, with such a large geographical area and spread of population involved, it is difficult to impact these methods upon the larger population. However, as the growth rates in these metropolis begin to slow down, so the major retailers are beginning to look for growth further afield (Zeitung 2004), this is currentlu concentrated upon areas where the population is more than one million, but as this development continues, as with economies like the UK, smaller areas of population will no doubt be targeted in the future. As of 2004, as reported in a study conducted by Harri Larentz,, the major retailers within the Russian sector are still predominantly of domestic origin (see Table 3), with only three external competitors at that time. These can generally be broken down into three types of operators. †¢ discounters – developed by Magnit, Pyaterochka, Dixi and Kopeika. They feature a limited assortment (up to 4,500 SKUs), selling space of 250-1,000 m ², and a gross margin of 17-24 per cent. They are normally located in residential areas. †¢ traditional supermarkets – developed by Seventh Continent, Perekriostok, Ramstore, Rewe and, recently, by Auchan, with locations in city centres, along highways and in residential areas. Typically they generate a gross margin of 25-32 per cent and have an assortment of up to 20,000 SKUs. †¢ hypermarkets – developed by Auchan, Metro, Perekriostok, Mosmart, Lenta, Karousel and Seventh Continent – with selling space from 4,000-16,000 m ², 15,000-40,000 SKUs and a gross margin of 13-20 per cent. However, since this report was produced, the chains of Pyaterochka and Perekrestok have been merged to form the largest food retailer in the country by turnover.(X5 Retail Group NV 2007). Table 3 Russian major retailers. Source: Harri Lorentz 2004 From the consumers viewpoint, these new retail formats are having a beneficial effect, and not only in increasing the range of choice, but in the early days they increased the consumers purchasing power by bringing down price increases, although in latter years this has not been maintained (Anon 2005). Although the Russian economy experienced a downturn during the first half of 2005, from 7.6% to 5.6%, the position has improved since then, and the advances being made within the retail sector are driving much of this improvement. 4.2 Foreign Direct Investment As has been previously identified within this research, FDI is continuing to increase within the Russian economy (see table 2, p.16) and the latest figures produced by the Russian Federal state statistics service confirms this position for 2006-2007 (see table 3 below). However, as can be seen from this table. The amount of FDI directed at the retail sector is still a relatively small percentage of the overall investment. Table 3 FDI levels 2006-2007 Nevertheless, although this is the case, some of the balance of FDI is going to manufacturing industries that serve as production and supplier organisations for the retail sector. For example, in 2006 Nestle and their main competitor Kraft â€Å"launched and built† instant coffee production facilities (Eurmonitor 2006), which will no doubt encourage other foreign corporations to make the same move. Food Retailers There are already some international corporations already investing in the retail sector. As was noted in the report by Harri Larentz (2004), Auchan from France, Martloraf and Metro from Germany, Ramstore from Turkey, Spar from the Netherlands and Stockmann from Finland already have a foot in the door. But, apart from Ramstor and Metro, which have around 2 and six stores respec

Hackers :: social issues

Hackers â€Å"...they are still hardly criminal in nature. The intention of most of these individuals is not to destroy or exploit systems but to learn in minute detail how they are used and what they are used for. The quest is purely intellectual, but the drive to learn is so overwhelming that any obstacle blocking its course will be circumvented. Unfortunately the obstacles are usually state and federal laws on unauthorized computer access...† This is a quote from Chris Goggans who was once a member of the hacker Legion of Doom club. On-line he was known as â€Å"Erik Bloodaxe†.1 The term â€Å"hacker† was first used in the nineteen sixties to describe college students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The students were given this title because of their obsession with computers. They couldn’t get enough of computers. â€Å"Hacker† was a label of pride to these students. These first hackers did things such as probe systems to find out how they worked and how to make it give out secrets just as hackers do today. They believed computer time and software should be free and freely shared and resented those who protected ownership. A surprising aspect of hackers is that they actually had rules of their own of what they could do to others files and what they could not do. These rules said no one was to erase, damage, or change anyone’s files. One last rule that they had was no using any one system for personal gain. Surprisingly, most of the hackers followed these guidelines.. Now over the years, â€Å"hacker† is a label stating competence and knowledge to meaning someone who breaks into computers. With this information we now have the knowledge that hackers are older and do not have ethics and morals as they used to. The old rules have been forgotten and the FBI has made it’s own definition of a typical hacker: 1. Eighteen to thirty-five years old. 2. Usually male. 3. Bright and highly motivated. 4. The first workers on the job in the morning. 5. The most trusted employees on the job. There is an operation known as â€Å"salami slicing†. This is a form of data diddling that occurs when an employee steals small amounts from a large number of sources through the electronic changing of data. Just like slicing thin pieces from a roll of salami. Some hackers fall upon their information on accident.

Frostbite Chapter 14

FOURTEEN TWO GUYS I'D NEVER MET before were squaring off against each other. They looked to be in their twenties, and neither noticed me. The one who'd bumped into me shoved the other one hard, forcing him to stagger back considerably. â€Å"You're afraid!† yelled the guy by me. He had on green swimming trunks, and his black hair was slicked back with water. â€Å"You're all afraid. You just want to hole up in your mansions and let the guardians do your dirty work. What are you going to do when they're all dead? Who'll protect you then?† The other guy wiped the blood off his face with the back of his hand. I suddenly recognized him- thanks to his blond highlights. He was the royal who'd yelled at Tasha about wanting to lead Moroi to battle. She'd called him Andrew. He tried to land a hit and failed; his technique was all wrong. â€Å"This is the safest way. Listen to that Strigoi-lover, and we'll all be dead. She's trying to kill our whole race off!† â€Å"She's trying to save us!† â€Å"She's trying to get us to use black magic!† The â€Å"Strigoi-lover† had to be Tasha. The non-royal guy was the first person outside of my little circle whom I'd ever heard speak in her favor. I wondered how many others out there shared his view. He punched Andrew again, and my base instincts- or maybe the punch- made me leap into action. I sprang forward and wedged myself between them. I was still dizzy and a bit unsteady. If they hadn't been standing so close, I probably would have fallen over. They both hesitated, clearly caught off guard. â€Å"Get out of here,† snapped Andrew. Being male and Moroi, they had greater height and weight than I, but I was probably stronger than either one alone. Hoping I could make the most of that, I grabbed each of them by the arm, pulled them toward me, and then shoved them away as hard as I could. They staggered, not having expected my strength. I staggered a little too. The non-royal glared and took a step toward me. I was counting on the fact that he'd be old-fashioned and not hit a girl. â€Å"What are you doing?† he exclaimed. Several people had gathered and were watching excitedly. I returned his glare. â€Å"I'm trying to stop you guys from being any more idiotic than you already are! You want to help? Stop fighting each other! Ripping each other's heads off isn't going to save the Moroi unless you're trying to thin stupidity out of the gene pool.† I pointed at Andrew. â€Å"Tasha Ozera is not trying to kill everyone off. She's trying to get you to stop being a victim.† I turned to the other guy. â€Å"And as for you, you've got a long ways to go if you think this is the way to get your point across. Magic- especially offensive magic- takes a lot of self-control, and so far, you aren't impressing me with yours. I have more than you do, and if you knew me at all, you'd know how crazy that is.† The two guys stared at me, stunned. I was apparently more effective than a taser. Well, at least for several seconds I was. Because once the shock of my words wore off, they went at each other again. I got caught in the crossfire and shoved away, nearly falling in the process. Suddenly, from behind me, Mason came to my defense. He punched the first guy he could- the non-royal. The guy flew backward, falling into one of the pools with a splash. I yelped, remembering my earlier fear about skull-cracking, but a moment later, he found his feet and rubbed water out of his eyes. I grabbed Mason's arm, trying to hold him back, but he shrugged me off and went after Andrew. He shoved Andrew hard, pushing him into several Moroi- andrew's friends, I suspected- who seemed to be trying to break up the fight. The guy in the pool climbed out, fury written all over his face, and made moves toward Andrew. This time, both Mason and I blocked his way. He glared at all of us. â€Å"Don't,† I warned him. The guy clenched his fists and looked as though he might try to take us on. But we were intimidating, and he didn't appear to have an entourage of friends here like Andrew- who was shouting obscenities and being led away- did. With a few muttered threats, the non-royal backed off. As soon as he was gone, I turned on Mason. â€Å"Are you out of your mind?† â€Å"Huh?† he asked. â€Å"Jumping into the middle of that!† â€Å"You jumped in too,† he said. I started to argue, then realized he was right. â€Å"It's different,† I grumbled. He leaned forward. â€Å"Are you drunk?† â€Å"No. Of course not. I'm just trying to keep you from doing something stupid. Just because you have delusions of being able to kill a Strigoi doesn't mean you have to take it out on everyone else.† â€Å"Delusions?† he asked stiffly. I started to feel kind of nauseous just then. My head spinning, I continued toward the side room, hoping I didn't stumble. But when I reached it, I saw that it wasn't some kind of dessert or drink room after all. Well, at least not in the way I'd been thinking. It was a feeder room. Several humans reclined on satin-covered chaise lounges with Moroi by their sides. Jasmine incense burned in the air. Stunned, I watched with an eerie fascination as a blond Moroi guy leaned forward and bit into the neck of a very pretty redhead. All of these feeders were exceptionally good-looking, I realized just then. Like actresses or models. Only the best for royalty. The guy drank long and deep, and the girl closed her eyes and parted her lips, an expression of pure bliss on her face as Moroi endorphins flooded into her bloodstream. I shivered, taken back to when I too had experienced that same kind of euphoria. In my alcohol-hazed mind, the whole thing suddenly seemed startlingly erotic. In fact, I almost felt intrusive- like I was watching people have sex. When the Moroi finished and licked the last of the blood away, he brushed his lips against her cheek in a soft kiss. â€Å"Want to volunteer?† Light fingertips brushed my neck, and I jumped. I turned around and saw Adrian's green eyes and knowing smirk. â€Å"Don't do that,† I told him, knocking his hand away. â€Å"Then what are you doing in here?† he asked. I gestured around me. â€Å"I'm lost.† He peered at me. â€Å"Are you drunk?† â€Å"No. Of course not†¦but †¦Ã¢â‚¬  The nausea had settled a little, but I still didn't feel right. â€Å"I think I should sit down.† He took my arm. â€Å"Well, don't do it in here. Someone might get the wrong idea. Let's go somewhere quiet.† He steered me off into a different room, and I looked around with interest. It was a massage area. Several Moroi lay back on tables and were getting back and foot massages from hotel staff. The oil they used smelled like rosemary and lavender. Under any other circumstances, a massage would have sounded great, but lying on my stomach seemed like the worst idea just now. I sat down on the carpeted floor, leaning back against the wall. Adrian walked away and returned with a glass of water. Sitting down as well, he handed it to me. â€Å"Drink this. It'll help.† â€Å"I told you, I'm not drunk,† I mumbled. But I downed the water anyway. â€Å"Uh-huh.† He smiled at me. â€Å"You did nice work with that fight. Who was the other guy that helped you?† â€Å"My boyfriend,† I said. â€Å"Sort of.† â€Å"Mia was right. You do have a lot of guys in your life.† â€Å"It's not like that.† â€Å"Okay.† He was still smiling. â€Å"Where's Vasilisa? I figured she'd be attached to you.† â€Å"She's with her boyfriend.† I studied him. â€Å"What's with the tone? Jealous? You want him for yourself?† â€Å"God, no. I just don't like him.† â€Å"Does he treat her badly?† he asked. â€Å"No,† I admitted. â€Å"He adores her. He's just kind of a jerk.† Adrian was clearly enjoying this. â€Å"Ah, you are jealous. Does she spend more time with him than you?† I ignored that. â€Å"Why do you keep asking about her? Are you interested in her?† He laughed. â€Å"Rest easy, I'm not interested in her in the same way I am you.† â€Å"But you are interested.† â€Å"I just want to talk to her.† He left to fetch me more water. â€Å"Feeling better?† he asked, handing the glass to me. It was crystal and intricately carved. It seemed too fancy for plain water. â€Å"Yeah †¦ I didn't think those drinks were that strong.† â€Å"That's the beauty of them,† he chuckled. â€Å"And speaking of beauty †¦ that's a great color on you.† I shifted. I might not have been showing as much skin as those other girls, but I was showing more than I really wanted to with Adrian. Or was I? There was something weird about him. His arrogant manner annoyed me†¦but I still liked being around him. Maybe the smartass in me recognized a kindred spirit. Somewhere in the back of my drunken mind, a light clicked on. But I couldn't quite get to it. I drank more water. â€Å"You haven't had a cigarette in, like, ten minutes,† I pointed out, wanting to change the subject. He made a face. â€Å"No smoking in here.† â€Å"I'm sure you've made up for it in punch.† His smile returned. â€Å"Well, some of us can hold our liquor. You aren't going to be sick, are you?† I still felt tipsy but no longer nauseous. â€Å"No.† â€Å"Good.† I thought back to when I'd dreamed about him. It had been just a dream, but it had stuck with me, particularly the talk about me being surrounded in darkness. I wanted to ask him about it†¦ even though I knew it was stupid. It had been my dream, not his. â€Å"Adrian†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He turned his green eyes on me. â€Å"Yes, darling?† I couldn't bring myself to ask. â€Å"Never mind.† He started to retort, then tilted his head toward the door. â€Å"Ah, here she comes.† â€Å"Who- â€Å" Lissa stepped into the room, eyes scanning around. When she spotted us, I saw relief break over her. I couldn't feel it, though. Intoxicants like alcohol numbed the bond. It was another reason I shouldn't have taken such a stupid chance tonight. â€Å"There you are,† she said, kneeling beside me. Glancing at Adrian, she gave him a nod. â€Å"Hey.† â€Å"Hey yourself, cousin,† he returned, using the family terms royals sometimes used around each other. â€Å"You okay?† Lissa asked me. â€Å"When I saw how drunk you were, I thought you might have fallen in somewhere and drowned.† â€Å"I'm not- † I gave up trying to deny it. â€Å"I'm fine.† Adrian's usual expression had turned serious as he studied Lissa. It again reminded me of the dream. â€Å"How'd you find her?† Lissa gave him a puzzled look. â€Å"I, um, checked all the rooms.† â€Å"Oh.† He looked disappointed. â€Å"I thought you might have used your bond.† Both she and I stared. â€Å"How do you know about that?† I demanded. Only a few people at school knew about it. Adrian had spoken about it as casually as he might have my hair color. â€Å"Hey, I can't reveal all my secrets, can I?† he asked mysteriously. â€Å"And besides, there's a certain way you two act around each other †¦ it's hard to explain. It's pretty cool†¦ all the old myths are true.† Lissa regarded him warily. â€Å"The bond only works one way. Rose can sense what I'm feeling and thinking, but I can't do it back to her.† â€Å"Ah.† We sat in silence a few moments, and I drank more water. Adrian spoke again. â€Å"What'd you specialize in anyway, cousin?† She looked embarrassed. We both knew it was important to keep her spirit powers secret from others who might abuse her healing, but her cover story of not having specialized always bothered her. â€Å"I haven't,† she said. â€Å"Do they think you're going to? Late bloomer?† â€Å"No.† â€Å"You're probably higher in the other elements, though, right? Just not strong enough to really master any?† He reached out to pat her shoulder in an exaggerated show of comfort. â€Å"Yeah, how'd you- â€Å" The instant his fingers touched her, she gasped. It was as though a bolt of lightning had struck her. The strangest look crossed her face. Even drunk, I felt the flood of joy that came pouring through the bond. She stared at Adrian in wonder. His eyes were locked onto hers too. I didn't understand why they were looking at each other like that, but it bothered me. â€Å"Hey,† I said. â€Å"Stop that. I told you, she has a boyfriend.† â€Å"I know,† he said, still watching her. A small smile turned his lips. â€Å"We need to have a chat someday, cousin.† â€Å"Yes,† she agreed. â€Å"Hey.† I was more confused than ever. â€Å"You have a boyfriend. And there he is.† She blinked back to reality. All three of us turned toward the doorway. Christian and the others stood there. I suddenly had a flashback to when they'd found me with Adrian's arm around me. This wasn't much better. Lissa and I were sitting on either side of him, very close. She sprang up, looking mildly guilty. Christian was regarding her curiously. â€Å"We're getting ready to leave,† he said. â€Å"Okay,† she told him. She looked down at me. â€Å"Ready?† I nodded and started to clamber to my feet. Adrian caught my arm as I did and helped me up. He smiled at Lissa. â€Å"Nice talking to you.† To me, he murmured very quietly, â€Å"Don't worry. I told you, I'm not interested in her in that way. She doesn't look as good in a bathing suit. Probably not as good out of one either.† I pulled my arm away. â€Å"Well, you'll never find out.† â€Å"It's okay,† he said. â€Å"I have a good imagination.† I joined the others, and we headed back toward the main part of the lodge. Mason gave me as strange a look as Christian had given Lissa and stayed away from me, walking toward the front with Eddie. To my surprise and discomfort, I found myself walking beside Mia. She looked miserable. â€Å"I†¦ I'm really sorry about what happened,† I said finally. â€Å"You don't have to act like you care, Rose.† â€Å"No, no. I mean it. It's horrible†¦I'm so sorry.† She wouldn't look at me. â€Å"Is†¦that is, are you going to see your dad soon?† â€Å"Whenever they have the memorial,† she said stiffly. â€Å"Oh.† I didn't know what else to say and gave up, instead turning my attention to the stairs as we climbed back up to the lodge's main level. Unexpectedly, Mia was the one who continued the conversation. â€Å"I watched you break up that fight †¦Ã¢â‚¬  she said slowly. â€Å"You mentioned offensive magic. Like you knew about it.† Oh. Great. She was going to make a play at blackmail†¦or was she? At the moment, she seemed almost civil. â€Å"I was just guessing,† I said. No way was I going to bust Tasha and Christian. â€Å"I don't really know that much. Just stories I've heard.† â€Å"Oh.† Her face fell. â€Å"What kind of stories?† â€Å"Um, well†¦Ã¢â‚¬ I tried to think of something neither too vague nor too specific. â€Å"Like I told those guys†¦the concentration thing is big. Because if you're in a battle with Strigoi, all sorts of things can distract you. So you've got to keep control.† That was actually a basic guardian rule, but it must have been new to Mia. Her eyes widened with eagerness. â€Å"What else? What kind of spells do people use?† I shook my head. â€Å"I don't know. I don't really even know how spells work, and like I said, these are just†¦stories I've heard. My guess is you just find ways to use your element as a weapon. Like †¦ fire users really have an advantage because fire'll kill Strigoi, so it's easy for them. And air users can suffocate people.† I'd actually experienced that last one vicariously through Lissa. It had been horrible. Mia's eyes grew wider still. â€Å"What about a water user?† she asked. â€Å"How could water hurt a Strigoi?† I paused. â€Å"I, uh, never heard any stories about water users. Sorry.† â€Å"Do you have any ideas, though? Ways that, like, someone like me could learn to fight?† Ah. So that's what this was about. It actually wasn't all that crazy. I remembered how excited she'd looked at the meeting when Tasha had talked about attacking Strigoi. Mia wanted to take revenge on the Strigoi for her mother's death. No wonder she and Mason had been getting along so well. â€Å"Mia,† I said gently, catching hold of the door to let her pass. We were almost at the lobby now. â€Å"I know how you must want to †¦ do something. But I think you're better off just sort of letting yourself, um, grieve.† She reddened, and suddenly, I was seeing the normal and angry Mia. â€Å"Don't talk down to me,† she said. â€Å"Hey, I'm not. I'm serious. I'm just saying you shouldn't do anything rash while you're still upset. Besides †¦Ã¢â‚¬  I bit off my words. She narrowed her eyes. â€Å"What?† Screw it. She needed to know. â€Å"Well, I don't really know what good a water user would be against a Strigoi. It's probably the least useful element to use on one of them.† Outrage filled her features. â€Å"You're a real bitch, you know that?† â€Å"I'm just telling you the truth.† â€Å"Well, let me tell you the truth. You're a total idiot when it comes to guys.† I thought about Dimitri. She wasn't entirely off base. â€Å"Mason's great,† she continued. â€Å"One of the nicest guys I know- and you don't even notice! He'd do anything for you, and you were off throwing yourself at Adrian Ivashkov.† Her words surprised me. Could Mia have a crush on Mason? And while I certainly hadn't been throwing myself at Adrian, I could see how it might have looked that way. And even if it weren't true, that wouldn't have stopped Mason from feeling hurt and betrayed. â€Å"You're right,† I said. Mia stared at me, so astonished I'd agreed with her that she didn't say anything else for the rest of the walk. We reached the part of the lodge that split off into different wings for guys and girls. I grabbed a hold of Mason's arm as the others walked off. â€Å"Hang on,† I told him. I badly needed to reassure him about Adrian, but a tiny part of me wondered if I was doing it because I actually wanted Mason or because I just liked the idea of him wanting me and selfishly didn't want to lose that. He stopped and looked at me. His face was wary. â€Å"I wanted to tell you I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled at you after the fight- I know you were just trying to help. And with Adrian†¦nothing happened. I mean it.† â€Å"It didn't look that way,† Mason said. But the anger on his face had faded. â€Å"I know, but believe me, it's all him. He's got some kind of stupid crush on me.† My tone must have been convincing because Mason smiled. â€Å"Well. Hard not to.† â€Å"I'm not interested in him,† I continued. â€Å"Or anyone else.† It was a small lie, but I didn't think it mattered just then. I was going to be over Dimitri soon, and Mia had been right about Mason. He was wonderful and sweet and cute. I would be an idiot not to pursue this †¦ right? My hand was still on his arm, and I pulled him toward me. He didn't need much more of a signal. He leaned down and kissed me, and in the process, I found myself pressed up against the wall- very much like with Dimitri in the practice room. Of course, it felt nothing like how it had with Dimitri, but it was still nice in its way. I put my arms around Mason and started to pull him closer. â€Å"We could go †¦ somewhere,† I said. He pushed back and laughed. â€Å"Not when you're drunk.† â€Å"I'm not†¦ that†¦ drunk anymore,† I said, trying to pull him back. Giving me a small kiss on the lips, he stepped back. â€Å"Drunk enough. Look, this isn't easy, believe me. But if you still want me tomorrow- when you're sober- then we'll talk.† He leaned down and kissed me again. I tried to wrap my arms around him, but he broke away once more. â€Å"Easy there, girl,† he teased, backing toward his hallway. I glared at him, but he only laughed and turned around. As he walked away, my glare faded, and I headed back to my room with a smile on my face.

History of Economic Thought Essay

(1) In the article of Allen et al. â€Å"The Foundations of Free Enterprise,† the three types of economic system were discussed. In a traditional economic system, the allocation of resources is based on social customs, culture, and to some extent, religious traditions. The distribution of the fruits of production is dictated by traditional criteria such as age, sex, and other individual qualities that are not essentially related to personal productivity. Primitive, agrarian, and less-developed societies mostly fall on this category. Many traditional economies progressed into a market economic system, wherein the allocation of resources is controlled by private individuals and businesses. The individuals make independent decisions that reflect their best interest, affecting the market demand, product supply, the price of products, and the kinds of goods and services produced. Business competition could be tight, causing some businesses to close down and unemployment to rise. Meanwhile, the government has only minimal control over the individual and business decisions, interfering only when needed. This often results in unequal distribution of resources, which causes poverty to emerge. Conversely, in a command or authoritative economic system, the allocation of resources is directed by the government. The government operates all the industries, determines what goods and services to be produced, how they will be to produced, how they will be divided among the people, and decides how to utilize the talents and skills of its workers. Hence, equal distribution of resources is enforced at the expense of individual freedom. 2) The Quantity Theory of Money (QTM) was developed during the 16th century in an attempt to explain why gold and silver inflow into the U. S. and Europe caused the price levels to increase. Schenk, in his article on money, reports that after minting the large amounts of gold and silver from the Aztec and Incan empires which were brought back to Spain by the conquistadors, the amount of money in circulation went up. The price levels, at the same time, gradually started their slow, century-long rise. Economists such as Henry Thornton were led to assume that â€Å"more money equals more inflation and an increase in money supply does not necessarily mean an increase in economic output† (cited in the article of Heakal on What is the Quantity Theory of Money). Thus, a direct relationship was established between the quantity of money in an economy and the price levels of goods and services. For instance, when the amount of money in circulation doubles, price levels also double, which causes inflation, i. e. the rate at which the price level escalates. This means that the consumer pays twice as much for the same amount of the good or service. (3) Christianity taught faith in reason as the greatest gift of God to man. This stimulated the pursuit of science and democratic practice which gave rise to capitalism. Christian theologians also theorized about the nature of equality and individual rights, which is a feature of capitalism. Christianity also fostered actual progress in ter ms of technical and organizational innovations. During the medieval times, the church was the largest landowner in Europe, and much of the profit went to the religious orders to pay for liturgical services. The rapid innovation in agricultural technology yielded large profits, causing the church to reinvest profits to increase production and diversified. It also led the church to hire more labor force. Hence, based on this information, it is safe to conclude that the church has largely contributed to the rise of capitalism during the medieval period (Stark, B11).

7 Facts About Bacteriophages

7 Facts About Bacteriophages Bacteriophages are bacteria eaters in that they are viruses that infect and destroy bacteria. Sometimes called phages, these microscopic organisms are ubiquitous in nature. In addition to infecting bacteria, bacteriophages also infect other microscopic prokaryotes known as archaea. This infection is specific to a specific species of bacteria or archaea. A phage that infects E. coli for instance, will not infect anthrax bacteria. Since bacteriophages do not infect human cells, they have been used in medical therapies to treat bacterial diseases. Bacteriophages have three main structure types. Since bacteriophages are viruses, they consist of a nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) enclosed within a protein shell or capsid. A bacteriophage may also have a protein tail attached to the capsid with tail fibers extending from the tail. The tail fibers help the phage attach to its host and the tail helps to inject the viral genes into the host. A bacteriophage may exist as: viral genes in a capsid head with no tailviral genes in  a capsid head with a taila filamentous or rod-shaped capsid with circular single-stranded DNA. Bacteriophages pack their genome How do viruses fit their voluminous genetic material into their capsids? RNA bacteriophages, plant viruses, and animal viruses have a self-folding mechanism that enables the viral genome to fit within the capsid container. It appears that only viral RNA genome have this self-folding mechanism. DNA viruses fit their genome into the capsid with the help of special enzymes known as packing enzymes. Bacteriophages have two life cycles Bacteriophages are capable of reproducing by either the lysogenic or lytic life cycles. The lysogenic cycle is also known as the temperate cycle because the host is not killed. The virus injects its genes into the bacterium and the viral genes are inserted into the bacterial chromosome. In the bacteriophage lytic cycle, the virus replicates within the host. The host is killed when the newly replicated viruses break open or lyse the host cell and are released. Bacteriophages transfer genes between bacteria Bacteriophages help to transfer genes between bacteria by means of genetic recombination. This type of gene transfer is known as transduction. Transduction can be accomplished through either the lytic or lysogenic cycle. In the lytic cycle, for example, the phage injects its DNA into a bacterium and enzymes separate the bacterial DNA into pieces. The phage genes direct the bacterium to produce more viral genes and viral components (capsids, tail, etc.). As the new viruses begin to assemble, bacterial DNA may inadvertently become enclosed within a viral capsid. In this case, the phage possesses bacterial DNA instead of viral DNA. When this phage infects another bacterium, it injects the DNA from the previous bacterium into the host cell. The donor bacterial DNA then may become inserted into the genome of the newly infected bacterium by recombination. As a result, the genes from one bacterium are transferred to another. Bacteriophages can make bacteria harmful to humans Bacteriophages play a role in human disease by turning some harmless bacteria into agents of disease. Some bacteria species including E. coli, Streptococcus pyogenes (causes flesh-eating disease), Vibrio cholerae (causes cholera), and Shigella (causes dysentery) become harmful when genes that produce toxic substances are transferred to them via bacteriophages. These bacteria are then able to infect humans and cause food poisoning and other deadly diseases. Bacteriophages are being used to target superbugs Scientists have isolated bacteriophages that destroy the superbug Clostridium difficile (C. diff). C. diff typically affects the digestive system causing diarrhea and colitis. Treating this type of infection with bacteriophages provides a way to preserve the good gut bacteria while destroying only the C. diff germs. Bacteriophages are seen as a good alternative to antibiotics. Due to antibiotic overuse, resistant strains of bacteria are becoming more common. Bacteriophages are also being used to destroy other superbugs including drug-resistant E. coli and MRSA. Bacteriophages play a significant role in the world's carbon cycle Bacteriophages are the most abundant virus in the ocean. Phages known as Pelagiphages infect and destroy SAR11 bacteria. These bacteria convert dissolved carbon molecules into carbon dioxide and influence the amount of available atmospheric carbon. Pelagiphages play an important role in the carbon cycle by destroying SAR11 bacteria, which proliferate at a high rate and are very good at adapting to avoid infection. Pelagiphages keep SAR11 bacteria numbers in check, ensuring that there is not an overabundance of global carbon dioxide production. Sources: Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica Online, s. v. bacteriophage, accessed October 07, 2015, britannica.com/science/bacteriophage.Norwegian School of Veterinary Science. Viruses Can Turn Harmless E. Coli Dangerous. ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 22 April 2009. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090417195827.htm.University of Leicester. Bacteria-eating viruses magic bullets in the war on superbugs. ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 16 October 2013. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131016212558.htm.Oregon State University. A war without end, with Earths carbon cycle held in the balance. ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 13 February 2013. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130213132323.htm.

indias earthquake essays

indias earthquake essays Residents in the Gujarat State of western India spent the night outside Friday, too fearful to go back into their damaged homes after India's most powerful earthquake in half a century. The 7.9 magnitude earthquake killed as many as 2,000, injured at least 2,000, and left 4,000 missing. Most of the missing are thought to be buried under rubble, and rescue workers dug frantically with bulldozers, shovels, sticks even bare hands trying to find them. "The earthquake is a calamity of national magnitude," said Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who planned a trip to the area to survey damage. "We have decided to meet the emergency on a war footing," he said. "This is the time for people to rally around." The temblor shook high-rise towers 600 miles away in the capital, New Delhi. The quake could be felt as far as 1,200 miles away in Calcutta and coastal Bangladesh. The quake struck at 8:46 a.m. as many cities were beginning celebrations for India's 51st Republic Day, which commemorates the adoption of the country's constitution. In Ahmadabad, Gujarat's commercial capital and a sprawling city of 4.5 million, helmeted rescue workers used iron rods to pry slabs of concrete and metal, searching for survivors. Women wept and rocked back and forth, watching as the few available bulldozers and cranes pushed through the piles of stone that once had housed families and shops. Beds, children's toys and clothes lay abandoned in the debris, lamp posts and electric pylons were twisted and many buildings were left leaning precariously. After night fell, with temperatures at 55 degrees, survivors spread blankets and huddled around campfires. "There is a great panic among the people and they have spilled out onto the streets," said Haren Panya, home minister of Gujarat. Because of the aftershocks, "We have asked people to move out of old buildings." Corpses were piled up on the verandah of the N.S. Hospital,...

Top-25 Chemistry Features and Articles

Top-25 Chemistry Features and Articles What are visitors reading? ThoughtCo. has you covered with this handy list of all of the top chemistry topics readers are perusing. Included in this top-25 listing are brief explanations of what youll find if you click the links. Using the periodic table  - The periodic table of the elements contains a wide variety of information. Most tables list element symbols, atomic number, and atomic mass at a minimum. The periodic table is organized so you can see trends in element properties at a glance.Chemical and physical changes  -  Chemical and physical changes are related to  chemical and physical properties.  Chemical changes take place on the molecular level. A chemical change produces a  new substance, as this article explains.Printable periodic tables  - Sometimes its nice to have a paper version of the periodic table of the elements that you can refer to when working problems or doing experiments in the lab. This is a collection of periodic tables that you can print and use. Additional specialty tables are also available.Chemistry glossary  - Find the definitions to terms in this ever-expanding glossary.  The comprehensive glossary offers definitions for terms which are commonly used in ch emistry and chemical engineering. Printable chemistry worksheets  - Print worksheets to practice chemistry problems.  The collection of chemistry worksheets is available in PDF format.Facts about acids and bases - Learn the essential about acids, bases and pH. The link provides the top 10 facts ranging from definitions to the  common test of whether an unknown is an acid or a base.Baking soda vs. baking powder  - Baking powder contains baking soda, but the two substances are used under different conditions.  Learn about the difference between the two and how to make substitutions while baking.Can you drink too much water?  - In a word, yes.  Learn whether its possible to drink too much water, how much it takes, and what happens.Chemistry problems  - Learn how to work problems by using examples.  This collection contains worked general chemistry and introductory chemistry problems, listed in alphabetical orderCrystal meth  - The chemical n-methyl-1-phenyl-propan-2-amine is called methamphetamine, m ethylamphetamine or desoxyephedrine. The shortened name is simply meth.  Learn about the chemistry of this well-known illegal drug. How to write a lab report  - Lab reports are an essential part of all laboratory courses and usually a significant part of your grade.  Here are step-by-step instructions on how to prepare a lab report for chemistry.List of elements  - This is a list of all the known chemical elements.  The names and  element symbols  are provided in this comprehensive list.How to calculate concentration  - Calculating the  concentration  of a chemical  solution is a basic skill all students of chemistry must develop early in their studies.  Learn how to determine the concentration of a chemical solution.Heterogeneous vs. homogeneous  - Heterogeneous  and  homogeneous  refer to mixtures of materials in chemistry.  Find out the difference between heterogeneous and homogeneous mixtures and get examples.How to balance equations  - A chemical equation describes what happens in a chemical  reaction.  Learn how to set up a balanced equation.Acid-base indicators  - An   acid-base indicator  is a weak acid or a weak base.  Information in this article includes common indicators, with a table showing pH ranges, quantities and colors. How to calculate theoretical yield  - Before performing chemical reactions, it is helpful to know how much product will be produced with given quantities of reactants.  Learn how to calculate the theoretical yield of a chemical reaction.What is borax?  - Borax is a natural mineral with a chemical formula Na2B4O7   10H2O.  Find out what borax is and how it cleans and kills bugs. Learn whether its safe to use.Independent vs. dependent variables  - The two main variables in an experiment are the independent and dependent variable. Learn to understand the difference between independent and dependent variables in a scientific experiment.Firework colors  - Creating firework colors is a complex endeavor, requiring considerable art and application of physical science.  Learn how the colors are formed with a table of common colorants.Periodic table quiz  - Use information about the elements found using a periodic table to answer the questions to this multiple-choice quiz.Nat ural mosquito repellents  -  You can avoid being bitten by making sure you arent attracting mosquitoes by using a repellent and avoiding actions that diminish the effectiveness of the repellent.  Find natural alternatives to help repel mosquitoes and other insects. Chemistry quizzes  - Look here for all of the quizzes and self-tests and for links to quizzes at other sites.  This collection of chemistry test questions is grouped according to subject.  Home experiments  - Whether you are homeschooling or simply looking for chemistry activities that you can do with everyday materials, this link will help. The link includes everything from holiday-themed experiments to steps for building a volcano.Science fair experiments  - Get instructions for setting up your own project.  This list of science fair project ideas is grouped according to topic and educational level. Learn how to make a poster and give a presentation judges will love.

CROSS CULTURAL MANAGEMENT - HR Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

CROSS CULTURAL MANAGEMENT - HR - Essay Example Communication problems arising owing to cultural diversity can damage the team relationships in a business organization. In the case study under consideration, the French company Lemma is facing such problems owing to the differences between its organizational culture and the cultural makeup of the Anglo-Saxon companies it has acquired. There exist distinct differences between the French and Anglo-Saxon cultural values. The organizational culture at Lemma had its basis in the French cultural and social values, which made it difficult for the company to face the global integration – local adaptation dilemma. As per the Hofstede cultural dimensions, France has a high Power Difference Index. This means that the French managers tend to be autocratic in their approach towards administration and business. They prefer a hierarchical form of organization, where the senior administrators and managers do retain a certain distance from their subordinates. The French tend to prefer a cent ralized form of administration and expect their subordinates to obediently endorse the decisions taken by them. French are collectivist in their business and social interactions. The teams tend to be closely integrated in their approach and composition and there exist strong bonds between the colleagues in an organization that are to a great extent determined by status and hierarchy. The managers tend to support and protect their subordinates in exchange for unquestioning loyalty. The companies operate like a large family that is usually hierarchical in its constitution. The French culture is an essentially feminine culture. Personal relationships and bonds stand above anything else. Team members prefer to be modest and caring in their approach and preference is given to arriving at mutually acceptable decisions through consensus, rather than through direct confrontation. France has a high Uncertainty Avoidance Index, meaning that the French managers have a high intolerance for unce rtainty and ambiguity and are uncomfortable with contrary opinions and ideas. Hall facilitates another set of cultural dimensions, which offer more insight into the French cultural values. According to Hall, the French culture is a High Context Culture. Much is taken for granted and people believe in instinctive and contextual understanding rather than resorting to detailed explanation. There exists a strong distinction between in-group and out-group. The bonds between team members are very strong and interpersonal relationships play a crucial role in career development. There is high preference for long term relationships and people are very flexible with time. These premises are supported by the theory of Dutch scholar Trompenaars, as per whom the French culture is affiliated to particularism with highly collectivist tendencies. The French tend to be specific in their approach to relationships, depending too much on custom and protocol. It is an ascription culture, where status is governed more by traditional norms and less by individual achievement. In that context, the term ‘Anglo-Saxon’ primarily refers to the cultural values and norms of the Lemma’s non-French employees, who are primarily North Americans. The cultural values of these employees are in sharp contrast to Lemma’s specifically French values. The ‘Anglo-Saxon’ cultural values lean in the favour of a low Power Distance Index in the sense that Lemma’s Anglo-Saxon employees and managers are not accepting

Race and power in the US Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Race and power in the US - Essay Example However, the measures taken by the government and its officials have raised questions and protests regarding violations on civil liberties. This paper attempts to answer the question: "In time of war or national emergency we respond too harshly in our restriction of position, grounding it in a discussion of post 9/11 events." Section 1 of the Fourteenth Amendment of the United states Constitution states that: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." However, it seems that the restrictions imposed by the U.S. government in response to 9/11 and its war on terror, h as seriously infringed on the liberties of the very citizens which government seeks to protect. A majority of Americans (65.9%) are concerned that the war on terrorism has seriously affected civil liberties.1 Several instances support the claims of civil liberty advocates. The 9/11 detainees, 750 Arab residents in the U.S., were rounded up and were held by authorities for several weeks. Hundreds were deported after secret immigration hearings were held. All of them were never charged with any connection to 9/11. Congress and President Bush signed the USA Patriot Act which allows the government to expand its powers and conduct electronic surveillance and obtain personal records in criminal investigations and terrorism cases. The Justice Department also broadened the FBI's ability to conduct surveillance on domestic organizations despite the Patriot Act facilitating for the Bureau and other law enforcement agencies, access and share information from the CIA. Around 660 foreign nationa ls are being held without access to legal counsel or judicial review at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, after being captured in Afghanistan. The U.S government is preparing military trials which have few procedural rights. Two "enemy combatants" are being held incommunicado at Charleston brig, one of them Yasser Hamdi a U.S. citizen, after their capture in Afghanistan. The imprisonment of foreign nationals especially Arabs and Muslims is becoming a condemnable pattern. However, those that support government actions say that the measures taken by the Bush administration are less severe than those in the past when people of German origin were harassed during World War I while American citizens of Japanese ancestry were herded into camps in the Second World War. However, post-war generations have condemned these injustices and if we know or even feel that what we are doing today is in the same although "less severe" track as what we had done in the past, I do not believe that it is enough justification. Any form of infringement on civil liberty is unacceptable. We should condemn the government's unilateral and covert actions which undermine judicial review. The basic rights of the accused, in this case the rights to a legal counsel and fair and impartial trial, long upheld by American jurisprudence and

Faith Based Prisons Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Faith Based Prisons - Research Paper Example Faith-based prisons do not take away the thought of being in prison and paying for a wrongdoing. Just like in traditional prisons, inmates participate in all normal day-to-day prison activities but at weekends and evenings, they undergo extra classes that deeply examine issues like spirituality, good parenting, anger management, the effect of crime on victims, moral expectations of a believer among others. There is evidence of people who after going through a faith-based prison, they have totally changed and are now working towards the development of a morally upright society. An example of this is Cooper Ken, a convicted bank robber who is now an evangelical leader (Goddard, 2003). The term faith-based refers to any idea, plan, program or organization that has been established based on religious beliefs. In this case, a faith-based prison is a type of program that seeks to transform offenders through religious teachings on morality and spirituality. There are no distinctive types of faith-based prisons. However, they can be established by a religious organization like a church, an example of this being the Lawtey Correctional Institution program in Raiford, Florida. Alternatively, they can be incorporated into existing traditional prisons as a faith and character program. In this case, those who choose to enroll for the faith and character program are assigned to a different dormitory where they hold meetings with leaders and clergy to discuss issues of spirituality and morality. Faith-based prisons accommodate inmates that have chosen to participate in faith-based rehabilitation programs regardless of their spiritual beliefs.  Faith-based prison is the re-entry program for the prisoner which aims at helping those individuals returning from the prison re-integrate themselves back into the public.

Formal Report Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Formal Report - Assignment Example Business Transportation Services Co. Ltd. has a proven track record of providing transportation methods that are both affordable and efficient. We have a huge fleet of cars which cater to our customer’s need as and when it is required. We provide the best solutions. We guarantee to meet or beat the price of any other carrier. Just show us your current contract and we’ll show you how we can do better. We are a Pacific Northwest regional carrier, so our drivers know the area and are not as fatigued as long-haul carriers. We have a variety of trailer sizes and types, so odds are good that we can always provide you with dedicated runs from pickup to delivery at your facility, instead of less-than-truckload (LTL) runs that must make stops for multiple customers. At Business Transportation Services, the client satisfaction sits on top of our lists. Our fleet of cars have been specifically numbered keeping in mind the large number of clients we cater to. Discussing of Findings : Business Transport Consultancy has a fleet of cars which can be sent at any time. We have done some interesting research and found out that quite often, companies have to go through the following problems: 1. Fuel Cost 2. Car Effeciency 3. Labour Charges Let’s deal with the first problem right now. As mentioned before over here the fuel is the most important issue. To tackle the fuel cost issues, we have further divided the proposal into 1. Cost Saving 2. Efficiency So, in the purview of dealing with the high rise fuel costs, the first step is to understand cost saving. How can we do cost saving? The answer lies in managing the fleet of cars only when their requirement happens to arise. We provide quick and fast solutions whenever our clients have to transport their goods from one place to another. At our company, we provide our clients with the best solutions catering to their time and need. In the field of fast moving business, one cannot rely on renting the transport, bu t we go much further than just providing for rental solutions. The way we operate is that we provide our customers with an option to run our vehicles at any given time. You can chose from a range of vehicles which we have to provide your suitable needs. However, it must be kept in mind that the vehicle you chose is efficient in managing its fuel consumption. For you, the best strategy at this time in order to avoid the fuel consumption issues would be to hire or rent for purchase depending upon the user ability of the vehicle. Since you had 10 SUVs earlier to manage you daily transport needs, we have got down that figure to five high capacity vans which have special cabins for housing the maximum amount of goods. The per ton capacity of this high capacity van far outreaches the number you would have attained with a normal SUV. The petrol efficiency arrived at is less than the SUV, but since you can carry more goods, the overall ratio has drastically improved. Now, when we looked at the date and compared the fuel efficiency, we found out that in engaging 10 SUVs you were spending close to 40 USD on a barrel. However, once you start using our high capacity vans which have been specifically designed and built for carrying lots of goods and in the most efficient way, you realise that the fuel consumption for every journey goes down to 20 USD a barrel. That’s a drop of half the price. This is a remarkable stat as it provides us with the correct way of dealing with t

Buzz Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Buzz Marketing - Essay Example Yes, it will seem unfamiliar. Yes, you will be criticized. And yes, it will work†. (Hughes 2005, Chapter 2) Using word of mouth for promoting goods and services is an old tool, yet traditional marketing has only started using it since the audience became sceptical towards â€Å"traditional† advertising. As Knermouch and Green (2001, np) have it: â€Å"†¦the art of generating word-of-mouth has grown far more sophisticated since the early days of simple publicity stunts. Marketers are learning to turn their brands into carefully guarded secrets that are revealed to a knowing few in each community, who in turn tell a few more, who tell a few more, and so on. Rather than blitzing the airways with 30-second TV commercials for its new Focus subcompact, Ford Motor Co. recruited just a handful of trendsetters in a few markets and gave them each a Focus to drive for six months. Their duties? Simply to be seen with the car and to hand out Focus-themed trinkets to anyone who expressed interest in it†. Traditional advertising has ceased to be a reliable source of information for many people, and therefore the good old world of mouth is becoming one of the most powerful tools for the modern marketing specialists for building and promoting brands. People tend to believe the recommendations of their close ones- their relatives and friends- when choosing a product, and therefore the word of mouth is an important marketing tool. On the other hand, word of mouth is the communication that is quite difficult to manage. It is only possible for the company to influence the launch of informational campaign and supplying additional information using the channels that are accessible by the target audience. It is next to impossible to forecast how people will interpret and change this information. (Hughes 2005) Because the choice of the initial information to be spread is an important and not an easy step, it should be paid considerable attention: the target audience, source

Reflection on the revolution in France Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Reflection on the revolution in France - Essay Example Burke’s stand is clarified when he writes â€Å"no man should be the judge in his own cause†.1And â€Å"this can only be done by a power out of themselves and not in the exercise of its function, subject to that will and to those passions which it is its office to bridle and subdue†. 2The French revolutionists demonstrated this point when they overlooked their main cause, which was freedom and started demanding equality, which is also known as ‘freedom’s enemy’. Burke opined that liberty although a necessity, should however be limited, otherwise it can result in extreme chaos. Burke also focused primarily on presenting practical solutions instead of fixating on the metaphysics when he writes â€Å"What is the use of discussing a man's abstract right to food or to medicine? The question is upon the method of procuring and administering them. In this deliberation I shall always advise to call in the aid of the farmer and the physician, rather t han the professor." 3He was a Whig and a Protestant and while rejecting a monarchic government he also accentuated the need of adhering to rules of the government to keep the nation functioning in the appropriate order. Burke stresses upon man’s complex nature and the subtleties that affect it when he says: â€Å"The nature of man is intricate; the objects of society are of the greatest possible complexity: and therefore no simple disposition or direction of power can be suitable either to man’s nature or to the quality of his affairs†. 4 He criticizes the governments for being ignorant and not fully capable of making the right decisions by keeping in mind man’s complicated temperament and the situation at that place and time. â€Å"Political reason is a computing principle; adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing, morally and not metaphysically, or mathematically, true moral denominations†. 5 Here Burke assumes that man’s actions are related to his own being or points of interest and he does not necessarily act according to his fellow’s welfare. With this in mind Burke believed that there is a need for a flexible social control depending on the circumstances at that particular moment. Burke was in fact, both a monarchist and a democrat. At times he looks up to the controlled regime of a King or a dictator whereas sometimes he consents a democratic government and the rights it gives its citizens. During Burke’s time there was a lot of confusion about the way things should be. The way governments worked was changing and if we follow his ways we see not so much political philosophy as everyday rationality. Burke was a true traditionalist and it was his words that defined conservatism. Having read his writings in this day and age, it can only be hoped that he would approve of the way our governments’ work. However nothing can be said about whether he would approve of the results because governme nts nowadays cross several norms and have many different ways to work around various rules. We are not sure of what the individual rights of people really are and have lost the focus to more false rights of masses that beg for increased modifications. This has affected society in more ways that we know. We are getting lost in this distorted society that we live in, something that Burke would have not respected or supported. Burke tried his best to create a balance between political requirements and the realities of human nature. We cannot say that his solutions were flawless however they also

Buzz Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Buzz Marketing - Essay Example Yes, it will seem unfamiliar. Yes, you will be criticized. And yes, it will work†. (Hughes 2005, Chapter 2) Using word of mouth for promoting goods and services is an old tool, yet traditional marketing has only started using it since the audience became sceptical towards â€Å"traditional† advertising. As Knermouch and Green (2001, np) have it: â€Å"†¦the art of generating word-of-mouth has grown far more sophisticated since the early days of simple publicity stunts. Marketers are learning to turn their brands into carefully guarded secrets that are revealed to a knowing few in each community, who in turn tell a few more, who tell a few more, and so on. Rather than blitzing the airways with 30-second TV commercials for its new Focus subcompact, Ford Motor Co. recruited just a handful of trendsetters in a few markets and gave them each a Focus to drive for six months. Their duties? Simply to be seen with the car and to hand out Focus-themed trinkets to anyone who expressed interest in it†. Traditional advertising has ceased to be a reliable source of information for many people, and therefore the good old world of mouth is becoming one of the most powerful tools for the modern marketing specialists for building and promoting brands. People tend to believe the recommendations of their close ones- their relatives and friends- when choosing a product, and therefore the word of mouth is an important marketing tool. On the other hand, word of mouth is the communication that is quite difficult to manage. It is only possible for the company to influence the launch of informational campaign and supplying additional information using the channels that are accessible by the target audience. It is next to impossible to forecast how people will interpret and change this information. (Hughes 2005) Because the choice of the initial information to be spread is an important and not an easy step, it should be paid considerable attention: the target audience, source

Child and Family and their Social, Cultural and Relationship Problems Essay

Child and Family and their Social, Cultural and Relationship Problems - Essay Example A family assessment should contain discussions regarding the type of family, family finance, safety, health, emotional support within the family and outside the family and family roles. (Pillittery, 2007). This will be the guide that this paper will use in order to gain the necessary information it needs in order to create an appropriate conclusion. This will also help in the goal of the paper, which is to provide recommendations on nursing recommendations for a six(6) week period. This papers main discussion points are; The case we are presented with provides us with a multitude of variables, facts, ideas and sources. Most, if not all of these things are things that will have some sort of effect on the child, either for short-term or in the long run. We were provided with a short family background, relationship descriptions, summaries of actions and histories, and these are the points of the case that our paper will focus on and use in order to get the needed results. We will also be relating these facts to current literature in order to get a bearing on the correct path to take for the assessment and nursing care plan. Aside from the family influence, cultural, religious and environmental influences also play an important role in this case, as, according to a paper by oregonstate.edu, these social influences will have a resounding effect a persons attitude or outlook. Aside from the factors stated above, the case had also described some issues such as the child's difficulty in adjusting to life in a foreign place, being diagnosed with Post-traumatic stress disorder, suffering from a form of Dyslexia, being diagnosed with Epstein-Barr virus, having been teased at school due to his racial background, and being unable to be with the people he is comfortable  with for one reason or another. On their own, these issues may be minor, but combined, they create a massive impact on the child and his wee-being. We will take all of these factors into consideration for the entire duration of the case.

Advertising Influences Purchasing Decisions Of Students Marketing Essay

Advertising Influences Purchasing Decisions Of Students Marketing Essay Total 2010 UK advertising expenditure amounted to 14.5 billion. Of this, more than 80 per cent was spent on display advertising in the press, broadcast, print and outdoor media. (Source: The Advertising Association) Under the current circumstances, advertising represents one of the major sectors in the economy with millions of workers worldwide. The efficiency of functioning of the economy in general, to a considerable degree, depends on that sector. Advertising accompanies competition between companies and is an essential attribute of the market economy. 1.2 Background Companies need to understand consumer behaviour in order to find the best way on how to shift demand of products in their favour. When companies are able to discover the reasons why consumers make particular purchasing decisions, they can adapt their marketing efforts to better suit the needs of the consumers. Understanding consumer behaviour may result in increased sales and improved profit performance of the organization. Classical microeconomic theories of consumer behaviour have focused on the principles of rational consumer behaviour, which suggests that consumers choice is primarily a matter of personal preferences, whereas utility theory of consumer behaviour maintains that consumer choices reflect their attempt to secure maximum usefulness from their financial resources. Citation! While classical theories still apply in contemporary western societies, the role of mass media, internet and various aspect of modern culture may have fundamentally changed many elements in the understanding of consumer behaviour. Also marketing opportunities available in the digital information age have altered the way how consumer choice is being shaped and used for profit. Advertising is perhaps the first thing that people think about when considering marketing. Companies must do more than make good products they must inform consumers about product benefits and carefully position products in consumers minds. To do this, they must skilfully use the mass-promotion tools of advertising. Advertising strategy consists of two major elements: creating advertising messages and selecting advertising media. Media planners consider many factors when making their media choices. The media habits of target consumers will affect media choice advertisers look for media that reach target consumers effectively. Target audiences are set to focus on different groups: adults, teens, pre-schoolers and other groups. It is essential to become familiar the target market, their habits, behaviours and attitude to advertising in general. It is known that student youth is less conservative in their views and decisions, comparing to others age and social groups. 1.3 Research Aims and Rationale Based on the above information, the main aim of the research is to investigate the extent to which the purchasing decisions of students in the UK are influenced by the advertisement campaigns. During the preparation of the current research paper a questionnaire was carried out among Queen Marys students, which aimed to study their attitude to advertising. Survey sample covered opinions of 20 young people between the ages of 21-24, that is students in their last years of studies. The survey had a probing character and could not represent the aggregate of the student youth population or even more general adult audience with statistical precision. However it offers a clear representation of dominating tendencies in preferences and opinions of the chosen audience, which is the main aim of mass advertising. 1.4 Outline of the Project The second chapter of this project will review the literature, and will focus on the importance of choosing an advertising media. Chapter 3 will introduce research method and procedures. Reasons for specific questions will be considered. Chapter 4 will report and analyse the results of the conducted survey. Finally a conclusion will be made in Chapter 5. It will also include recommendations for further research. Chapter 2: Literature review Advertising is an important means by which economic enterprises communicate with both their current and potential customers. It is often said that to be effective an advertisement must be read, understood, believed, remembered and acted upon (Adcock, Halborg, Ross, 2001) There are five principal ways in which a company can communicate with its markets: Media advertising (commercial television and radio, the press, posters, cinema and direct mail/internet) Public relations activities Selling Merchandising Packaging (Chisnal, 2001) These promotional activities are at the heart of effective marketing strategies. According to Adcock, Halborg, Ross, (2001) advertising strategy consists of two major elements: creating advertising messages and selecting advertising media. The major steps in media selection are: deciding on reach, frequency and impact; choosing among major media types; selecting specific media vehicles; and deciding on media timing. Media planners consider many factors when making their media choices. The media habits of target consumers will affect media choice advertisers look for media that reach target consumers effectively (Kotler, Armstrong, 1997). For example fashions are best advertised in colour magazines while daily newspapers are a first consideration in advertising real estate. Therefore different types of messages may require different media. The major media types are newspapers, television, radio, magazines, outdoor and the Internet. It is important to list advantages and limitations of these mediums, as they will prove to be guidelines in the interpretation of the observed results. For example, newspapers appeal for their timeliness and high believability. However, its audience is relatively small. On the other hand television has good mass market coverage and combines sight, sound and motion but it is quite expensive. Magazines are known for their credibility and prestige. Advantages of outdoor advertising are high repeat exposure and low cost, while lack of creativeness is its limitation (Adcock, Halborg, Ross, 2001). Advertising on the Internet is a growing market; commercials are very flexible and can be viewed anytime. Cost is another major factor in media choice. Whereas television is very expensive, for example, newspaper advertising costs much less. Setting the advertising budget is a complex task. Some critics claim that large consumer packaged-goods firms tend to spend too much on advertising. They claim that the large consumer companies use lots of image advertising without really knowing its effects. They overspend as a form of insurance against not spending enough. (Kotler, Armstrong, 1997) For a long time, television and magazines have dominated in the media mixes of advertisers with other media being neglected (Jobber, 1995). Recently, however, the costs of these media have gone up and audiences have dropped. Advertisers are now increasingly turning to alternative media, such as outdoor advertising or the Internet. The question that concerns companies remains the same: how much effect does advertising spending really has on consumer buying and branding royalty? In order to answer it media impact must be re-examined regularly. Chapter 3: Research Method and Procedure 3.1 Introduction The current research paper is concerned with determining an appropriate media type (medium) which better suits habits and preferences of the observed population. This chapter re Therefore the aim of this chapter is to review the research methods which were used in this project. It is necessary for a researcher to choose a suitable method for the problem. To get a full picture a blend of qualitative and quantative research analysis is recommended. This research will take the following procedure: define the research objectives, develop the research approach and examine the process. 3.2 Research Objectives. This research takes into consideration three main objectives. Firstly, it seeks to determine respondents attitudes to advertising in general. Secondly, it tries to identify students preferences among different types of media. The final objective of the survey is concerned with evaluating the impacts of advertisement campaigns on the purchasing decisions of students in the UK. Research sample Since the population all International Students in London is too big, the sample, that is going to be extracted from the population, are twenty Queen Mary University students doing Pre-Masters foundation Program in 2010-11. The sample technique that is going to be used is a simple random sampling or just random sampling. This method assumes that each unit has exactly the same chance to be selected and used in order to avoid any bias 3.3 Research Approach and Instruments. There are several methods of collecting data for a research. In the current paper the primary data was collected using questionnaires. This method has proved to be efficient way in getting both quantative and qualitative data. The questionnaire (Appendix 1) incorporated both main types of questions which are commonly used in surveys: open-ended questions and closed questions. Open questions are interesting because of the spontaneity and individual flavour of the replies, but frequently it is difficult to compress free answers into a limited number of computer coding. Whereas open questions gave to the research depth and range of information, findings in closed questions provided the research with statistical evidence. 3.4 Process Interviewer was recording all answers verbatim because there is always a danger of interviewer bias through inaccurate recording. In order to make the sampling random, the survey will be conducted in place and at the time when it is highly possible to chose from relatively large number of students 3.4 Specific questions Question 1 and 2 determines Question 3 is marketing question Questions 4 and 5 attempts to Questions 6 to 8 looks at In giving an answer to the question 1: What is your attitude to advertising in general? respondents had a considerable freedom in phrasing an answer, which may be lengthy and detailed, and in his or her own words. In the question 3 respondents were able to choose from a range of possible answers. The simple follow up question invited to give a more detailed explanation on the subject. Questions 4 to 8 were closed type questions, which call strictly limited responses. The respondents were offered a choice of alternative replies from which he or she was expected to select an answer corresponding to his or her personal views on a particular subject. The research used simple binary questions requiring yes or no answer. 3.5 Summary The results of this process will appear and be analysed in the next chapter. Chapter 4: Results 4.1 Introduction This project sought to examine exposure to advertising media among students and find out to what extent advertising influences their purchasing decisions. To achieve the research projects aim and rationale, a questionnaire was utilized as stated in the previous chapter. The following section will present and analyse results (see Appendix 2) of this survey. 4.2 Findings. Part 1 As shown in Figure 1, the largest proportion of respondents prefers television, whereas magazines took the second place. The results also indicate that the Internet is the third most popular media, while newspaper and outdoor advertising share the fourth place. The percentages indicate the proportion of total votes students gave to a specific media. Respondents could make multiple choices in this question. From the qualitative data, the popularity of television was not a surprise as it combines sight, sound and motion. It was described by respondents as the most effective and the best medium for advertising. Its advantage lies in broad mass market coverage. It is believed that magazines appeal to students for their credibility and prestige; long life and good secondary readership (Adcock, Halborg and Ross, 2001). Students explained that it is good for fashion, and pictures of movie stars make it attractive. Outdoor media was described as the most creative and eye catching. It is interesting to note that on the contrary (Ibid) mentioned little creativity as a negative side of this type of media. Newspapers appeal for its timeliness and high believability (Ibid). It is noted that they are popular among respondents who spend a lot of time travelling. Internet advertising is a relatively new media type. However, the number of its admirers grows. It can be partly explained by the growing popularity of online shopping. Another advantage is that it has no time limitation and can be viewed day and night. However, respondents mentioned spam as its negative point. Radio came last, probably due to its disadvantages, being that it has fleeting exposure and encourages lack of concentration. 4.2 Finding. Part 2 The figure 2 below shows responses to questions 1-2 and 4-8. The bar chart clearly shows students opinions on specific subjects. The majority of students have a positive attitude to advertising and commonly cite its informative function. In other words it creates awareness of products. It is noted that some students see the artistic value in commercials. Advertising creates awareness, so it is no wonder that majority (65%) prefer advertised products over unadvertised (question 4). However, there is a strong opinion that quality products do not need advertising. There have been quite a few commercials that state that a product of their company is better than the competitors product. The results show that the vast majority of respondents do not believe those commercials. Therefore, might be a good idea for companies not to employ such advertising strategies. Slightly more than a half of respondent believe that commercials help them to make a better purchase. It is noted that consumers are better off when exposed to some information about the product before buying it. However 45% prefer to do their own research about the product. Answers to the question 7 clearly show the power of advertising. Eighty five per cent of students wanted to try something just because they saw it in a commercial. It is noted, that respondents were curious and wanted try a product to see whether it was as good as the commercial said it was. It is important to note that 70% of respondents sometimes sing songs from commercials. This may work as an indicator for companies that adding an appealing tune to a commercial can increase sales. 4.3 Summary The results have helped to reach the objectives of this research. This chapter has attempted to compare findings with description of Adcock, Halborg and Ross, (2001). Summary will appear in the next chapter. Chapter 5: Conclusion Introduction This chapter will summarize the findings of this research project, highlight some of the interesting results, offer practical implications, cite limitations of this project and give suggestions for further research. Summary of Findings and Interesting Findings The purpose of the current study was to identify an advertising media with the largest exposure and find out the effect it has on its target audience. Results were analysed in the previous chapter. Practical implications of this research were also considered. Identifying and understanding the target audience is important for companies who use advertising tools to promote their products. The evidence about students preferences among different media types may help companies to better allocate their advertising space. Results have shown that students have positive attitude towards advertising in general because it carries an informative function, creates awareness and helps them to make a better purchase. Some interesting results were found. For example, an advertising strategy, when a company positions their products as superior to a competitors products proved ineffective as only few students trusted such commercials. Companies may also consider adding appealing songs to their commercials. Limitations of the Research The current study was limited by the size of the sample and imbalance concerning the students country of origin. Since all of the respondents within this project were international students, the findings do not necessarily reflect the habits and opinions of all students. This is important since advertising campaigns usually target the values of the western societies and different cultures may have different attitudes towards advertising. Therefore, it would be important to conduct further research in this area of media influence and involve more respondents from western culture countries. Another limitation is that the questionnaire might have been more complete if it incorporated likelihood scales. Recommendations for further studies This research has raised many questions in need of investigation. The designed questions were not perfect so some other aspects may be needed to investigate what contributes to making a purchasing decision. Some factors examined in this research influence consumers but do not necessarily mean that they will make an actual purchase. For example, further research may investigate what advertising strategies such as verbal or visual elements appeal to consumers. Endnote This project has been concerned with advertisings influence on students purchasing decisions and the research indicates that choosing the correct advertising strategy is a crucial element in an effective marketing strategy. Bibliography Kotler Philip, Armstrong Gary Kotler Philip, Armstrong Gary, Saunders John, Wong Veronica Dennis Adcock, Al Halborg, Caroline Ross Principles and practise of marketing, Fourth edition published 2001. David Jobber, Principles and practice of marketing, 1995 Peter Chisnall, Marketing research, McGraw Hill, 2001 The Advertising Association. www.adassoc.org.uk