Ebooks & libraries Essay

Ebooks are now becoming more popular in libraries as confirmed by two recent conferences: the Charleston Conference and London Online. This is because library users find it more convenient to use ebooks as compared to printed sources. John Barnes of Cengage announce to the Charleston audience that their users prefer electronic though they still sell more print than electronic reference. In line with this, he believed that libraries have to â€Å"move faster away from print reference† so as to meet the growing demand for ebooks. He also added that the cost per use of the print collection was 5 times greater than the electronic collection. The demand for e-reference books, including dictionaries, almanacs, encyclopedias, and handbooks, continued to rise since it had been included in library systems. In view of this, the presenters showed some issues that were to be addressed, particularly monitoring the usage of scholarly monographs. Peter Shephard of Project COUNTER said that the COUNTER to be installed in many libraries will be of great help in usage reporting. Currently, there are eight libraries that use the system. Ebooks experienced high use despite little promotion. Compared to printed references, ebooks can be more profitable since it can be sold directly to students and libraries. For now, ebook usage are undergoing intensive studies as to how it will work. However, since there are many different types of ebooks, researchers are having a hard time identifying usage patterns. Nevertheless, ebooks are available in libraries for use in research, reference, and more. LIST OF REFERENCES Tenopir, C. (2008). Ebooks Arrive. Library Journal, 133(2):25, January 2

Abc Model of Crisis Intervention

Although not everyone that comes across a stressor in life will experience a crisis, some are unable to cope with the stressor in a healthy manner and eventually succumb to a crisis. If this person does not receive the adequate crisis intervention during this state, he or she is likely to be unable to function at the level he or she had been functioning before the crisis. This will inevitably lead to additional crisis scenarios for every stressor they must face in life. This pattern can go on for many years until the person’s ego is completely drained of its capacity to deal with reality; often such people commit suicide, kill someone, or have a psychotic breakdown. † (Kanel, K. 2007). In order to be able to help the client to the best of the counselor’s abilities, the ABC Model of Crisis Intervention provides a useful guideline to learn about crisis intervention.In our textbook, Kanel states that â€Å"The three aspects of a crisis are (1) A precipitating event occurs; (2) the perception of this event leads to subjective distress; and (3) usual coping methods fail, leading the person experiencing the event to function psychologically, emotionally, or behaviorally at a lower level than before the precipitating event occurred. † In order to successfully help a client cope with a crisis, these three components must be recognized so that the counselor can help the client identify and overcome the crisis.The perception of the event is by far the most crucial to identify, as this is the one that can help the counselor select the best treatment for the client. In order to be a successful crisis intervention counselor, the most important skills needed are listening to the client with a compassionate and empathetic ear. According to our textbook, the most basic skill of helping is listening. â€Å"Good eye contact, attentive body language, expressive vocal style, and verbal following are valuable listening tools. † (Kanel, K. 2007).Thi s implies that by listening to your client and demonstrating genuine care, sympathy and interest, you can build a trusting rapport with your client and enable them to truly open up to you. If you are unable to build this rapport, you will go nowhere with a client that is either too embarrassed or not confident enough in your ability to help them. It is critical to identify the client’s perception of the event in order to help them. This is what will tell you what the problem at hand truly is. By doing so, the counselor can help the client identify the problem and overcome their issues.I like to use the Cognitive Tree as a metaphor rather than as a guideline of sorts. You need to get to the root of the problem in order to determine how to fix it. If your roots are healthy, your branches will blossom. But if your roots are damaged and aren’t dealt with in a constructive and healthy manner, your branches will wither and perish. I would identify the precipitating event by directly asking the client why they came to see me. After this initial question, I would follow with several open ended questions in order to allow the client to not only describe what the problem is, but also how they perceive the problem to be.Questions like â€Å"What does this mean to you? † or â€Å"†What emotions are going on inside you? † can allow them to express in detail their perception, without making any assumptions for them. As with any patient/client relationships, there are several ethical considerations that should be paid special attention, and if any are present, should be reported immediately. These include any suicidal or homicidal thoughts or intents made clear by the patient. If it is a possibility that they may endanger their life or someone else’s life, this must be reported. Any forms of abuse are also not to be allowed or tolerated, much less encouraged.This includes child abuse, elder abuse and even spousal abuse. Whether the ab use is happening to them, someone else in their household or they are the abuser themselves, this is not to be taken lightly and would need to reported and fully investigated to ensure the best interests of the client as well as their immediate family. Substance-abuse issues also need to be addressed and in that case, adequate treatment would include detox and/or rehab services. Finally any medical concerns that may have arisen are also of concern and should be dealt with immediately.For instance, if since the event the client has become a hoarder or compulsive sex addict, these issues must also be dealt with appropriately. There are many methods of coping treatments available to your clients in today’s day and age. Most traditional forms of coping treatments are those such as support groups or 12-step groups, individual or family therapy, legal aid, or even reading self-help books. Preventative techniques of coping help the client prepare for future stressors in their lives and thus help them to be more able to cope with these stressors in a normal and healthy manner.I would most likely recommend the client to meditate daily in order to remain calm. I would also tell them to envision any stressors that can ever possibly arise and to already plan how they would react to it. For instance, if a client is scared that their husband may need to have a surgery performed, I would tell them to decide how they would deal with it if it does happen. By doing so, they will already begin to face their demons and it will not appear as scary as it did.So when it does happen, it lost all of the unexpected surprise element and can be easier to deal with. The most important thing I must keep in mind as I try to help patients cope with their crisis is that they can be the best counselor to themselves by pretending a friend of theirs was going through a similar situation. What advice would they give their friend? Odds are that is the best advice anyone can give them, so th ey might as well listen to their own advice.References Kanel, Kristi (2007). A Guide to Crisis Intervention. Belmont, CA; Cengage Learning.

Mid-term Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Mid-term - Essay Example Faith, in terms of a religion is termed as the acceptance of a religion or beliefs pertaining to a religion. Theology, in contrast to religion is defined as the concept which involves the detailed approach of divine. This proposes a study of God and the divine power. The main aim of theology is to acquire knowledge about the divine power, God. In general terms theology is a part of science which aims at analyzing the divinity. (Kessler, 2007). Theology is study of religion and hence one can study about a religion without being a part of it. A religious study is a field of research which analyzes the properties and concept of religion. It also interprets the difference and similarity among the religions and exhibits the cross religion aspects. It analyzes the individual elements of a religion and describes the nuances in an external manner. Spirituality is referred as a means by which a person realizes himself through several aspects like prayer, yoga and meditation. It can also be na med as the path which combined with religion, helps a person to move forward to the eternal journey of life. These concepts are similar in one or more ways as each one of them relates to the religion and its concepts. Though they are different in their features, they are dependent as religion is the major underlying concept. Though Faith and Religion are considered to be the same, they differ from each other as faith is the ultimate belief on something while religion is something which is manmade. Faith can be considered as the trust and loyalty towards God whereas religion is manmade where a group of people believe in the existence of a superpower. Faith and religion complement each other and thus they coexist. Faith is the belief while religion teaches how to practice this faith. Part II Sacred Power 3 Metaphor is a term which is used for comparing any two distinct terms which do not have any relevance in common. These words do not share any common concept, but they might be simil ar in one of the important ways. Metaphor is used to describe a word by highlighting its similarity to another word. Comparing a noun with another is known as a metaphor. For example, the phrase I am like a flower, exhibits that a person is compared with the flower. Transcendence is a concept that transforms a pattern into another pattern. When considering transcendence in religion, it is considered as the one which transforms the world with the help of religion. Transcendence emphasizes on the fact that God is a supernatural power which is beyond the world’s reach. This term is often used with the study of theology. Metaphors are generally used to illustrate the sacred as transcendent. Immanence is often related with religion and its aspects and it emphasizes on the presence of the God. The divine is considered as the superior aspect and it surpasses all the other existing things in the world. Part III Sacred Actions 5 The five different ways in which humans worship are name d as technological rituals, therapeutic and anti therapeutic rituals, ideological rituals, salvation rituals and revitalization rituals. Technological rituals help in preventing the change of state that occurs in the nature. It is carried out to ensure that the humans are benefited in some way or the other. The example for technological rituals includes conducting prayers for rain and weather. The next type of worship is the therapeutic and a

Production of Robot Model SANR Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Production of Robot Model SANR - Term Paper Example The firm that is analyzed in the paper is SANR, a European leader in machinery production with an objective of availing cutting-edge solutions to various end user needs for a long time. Opening the new product line within the current capacity not only presents competitive promises of the modern technology standards but also opens unique chances for portfolio diversification. In the initiation of the new product line, the company aims to achieve certain market driven objectives as outlined below. i) Keep up with the pace of smart technology experienced in modern gadgets while maintaining its work mechanization tradition ii) Venturing into high-end programmable products iii) Penetrating exciting market segments iv) Making relevant technology contributions to business Over and above its main objectives, the organization has yearly objectives. These are as outlined under: Aims of SANR in the first year - Let people know the product - Establish itself as a reliable business - Sell at least 15 robots -Sell at least 6 unites within the first half of the year - Rest of the year 9 robots Aims of SANR in the second year -Sell at least 35 robots - Upgrade the robot by adding new functions including a house protection system. An alarm, for example. Aims of SANR in the third year - increase price per unit to 200,000 Pounds - open new stores in Dubai & Paris - Develop new robots in new format - Sell over 150 units per year ... An alarm, for example. Aims of SANR in the third year - increase price per unit to 200,000 Pounds - open new stores in Dubai & Paris - Develop new robots in new format - Sell over 150 units per year The Business Opportunity The unique aspect of the opportunity that the launch of the product is likely to enjoy mainly depends on the excitement created by the various products under the brand SANR Robot. Under the SANR robot brand, the company will present various innovations offering exciting mechanization to seven different end users. The main robot products will include; office personal assistance, massage services, office calls response, hair washing, skincare, cleaning and food and drink service. It therefore follows that the wide spectrum of target markets presents a wide range of business opportunities. According to the initial production, the product launch will target office solutions for personal assistance and call centre solutions, followed by other commercial robot products namely cleaning and beauty. The final launch will include the food and beverage market solutions, with customized use such as by leading food outlets such as the McDonalds on whose recommendation the production segment is hugely dependent. In terms of the opportunity presented by the use of the capacity achieved by SANR in the operations of its machinery production business, the new product faces a better survival chance than when the plant is a new distinct aspect. As an illustration, technical capacity currently available will only require reorganization and deployment with little additions. Alternately, having an established market presence through other various machinery lines that SANR deals in is an added advantage for the

The Sex differances in learning in chimpanzees Essay

The Sex differances in learning in chimpanzees - Essay Example In specific, this paper has selected an article, ‘Sex Differences in Learning in Chimpanzees’ (Lonsdorf et al, 2004) that is a synopsis of a four-year longitudinal study carried out at Gombe National Park in Tanzania on wild chimpanzees. Primarily, the paper will attempt to provide a brief summation of the mentioned article that will enable the reader to understand basic and important findings, as well as limitations of this article. In this article, as earlier mentioned, wild chimpanzee of Gombe National Park in Tanzania were the participants of this four-year longitudinal study, and experts attempted to identify the sexual differences in the learning process and practice of these chimpanzees during the study. Findings of the study indicated that chimpanzees were skillful in the utilization of flexible tools for hunting termites from their mounds. Plantations were the only source of such tools that enabled chimpanzees to ‘fish for termites’ and eat them after extraction from the termite heaps. Experts (Lonsdorf et al, 2004) specified that chimpanzee culture of the local environment indicated that utilization of tools was a common practice for chimpanzees that used tools for various purposes. In addition, experts revealed that various studies have indicated that chimpanzees are the most intelligible non-human species to utilize tools for different purposes. Experts also disclosed that social learning and interaction capabilities of chimpanzees were some of the basic factors that cause such a varying range of utilization of tools in their communities. Article denoted that the experts focused on fourteen chimpanzees below eleven years of age during the period of four months, and paid attention to their interaction with their chimpanzee mothers during fishing sessions for the termites. Analysis of fishing practices and social interaction in the chimpanzee community indicated that chimpanzees of both genders interacted

Critique of Media Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Critique of Media - Essay Example She demonstrates how consumers and corporations have more contact than ever and how this has allowed the consumer to make their angry voices heard. In spite of lavish advertising campaigns, big business is finding it more and more difficult to keep issues such as exploitation and environmental damage under wraps. The brand, which for so long has inspired trust and loyalty, is becoming undermined by the increasing ability of the consumer to rebel against its one-size-fits-all approach and exercise self-determination, argues Klein. Klein’s argument bases itself around the idea that companies now produce brands rather than products. They rely on their name, rather than the quality of their goods, to shift stock and make profits. This is not a new concept in media criticism. Companies now regularly invest in brand management as part of their overall advertising budget2. Media channels reflect this through advertising which focuses on selling the name and developing a certain image to accompany the brand. She then goes on to explain that companies exploit both producers and consumers, paying a less than fair wage for good produced in the third world which are then sold in the west for designer prices. The originality in her critique comes when she does not focus on the exploited third-world worker, but rather explores western culture and its suffocation by branding. Everything is branded, she states, and this leaves no space free from advertising and marketing. Schools, youth culture and sexual identity ar e all targets for the brands and this leads to the situation in which we now find ourselves – with no unbranded public spaces left. Klein then moves beyond this, passing from media critic, to her secondary role as activist. In order to get away from the branding machine, she suggests ‘culture jamming.’ This subversion of advertising allows the consumer to take back control and free themselves from marketing’s

Brown vs. Board of Education Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Brown vs. Board of Education - Essay Example In issuing the verdict on May 17, 1954, the Court set aside the ruling in Plessy v Ferguson 163 U.S. 537 (1896), which had permitted states to segregate the education system within their jurisdiction provided there were similar facilities in black and white schools. Led by Chief Justice Earl Warren, the Court noted that â€Å"separate but equal† policy had actually triggered massive inequality in the US’s education system (Rose 325). The decision essentially triggered a flurry of reactions by the supportive civil rights movement and was attributed to the significant integration of education in the United States around the mid-20th century. In 1896, a similar case had reached the Supreme Court, but one which legitimized segregation based on the â€Å"separate but equal† principle. In Plessy v. Ferguson, the majority decision led by Justice Brown held that the Fourteenth Amendment to the US Constitution was clearly categorical that an ideal system should be one in which all communities are guaranteed equal protection in separate institutions (Smikle 39). The Court argued that the constitution recognized differences and separations based on color, race, ethnicity and other social and political factors, hence the legality of segregation in government-run schools. Owing the persistence of social divisions and the disproportionately lower level of education among blacks since 1896, the plaintiffs brought up a class action suit against the Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas in the US’s Kansas District Court in 1951. The claimants comprised of more than a dozen parents whose who felt that their children had been denied their constitutional rights by the then Topeka School District. The parents’ attempt to register their children in education facilities which were nearest to them was denied on the basis of segregation policy. Their denial of an education opportunity prompted them to seek court’s guidance on the issue (Rose

Analysis of British Airways Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Analysis of British Airways - Essay Example I will be able to help the company in its decision-making processes specifically on the strategic path that it would take. This is because I have been able to acquire knowledge and skills in the fields of general management, strategic management, and corporate finance. I am particularly interested in joining the management and planning team which primarily determines the core competencies, strengths, weaknesses, and the needs of British Airways. I can surely be instrumental in shaping the strategic path of the organization with my hard-earned knowledge and skill in assessing the internal performance of the company as well as the external factors in its external environment, I believe that in landing a job, a potential employee must only be imbued with the technical skills needed for the position. One of the most important things to consider is the persons high level of motivation to excel in the field and his capacity to deal with the diverse individual in the business organization. Joining British Airways has been one of my greatest dreams and I am highly passionate to aid in the company's success. I am highly motivated to excel in this career, wanting not just a mere position but with commitment and devotion, I would like to pursue growth and excellence. I believe that I will be able to stand the pressure of joining a diverse workforce because I am trained to be open-minded and respectful of individuals outside my color, culture, value, and opinion. In order to prove that I will be effective in my chose position, I will be giving a brief analysis of British Airways current performance through the employment of strategic management tools. First, I will be focusing on the business organizations financial performance by a financial ratio analysis. Next, I will look at the company's internal and external environment by the identification of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

Econimic impacts on Emirates Airline Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Econimic impacts on Emirates Airline - Essay Example Operating in 55 countries and to 77 destinations, Emirates airlines is one of the major airliners in the world at present. It has started its operations from Dubai in 1985 and currently serving in almost every major destinations of the world. It has won the best airliner award many times because of the excellent services it offers to the customers. But still it is facing stiff challenges at present due to the recession. This paper briefly analyses the economic environment of airline industry in general and emirates airlines in particular. Financial experts believe that Emirates airlines future could be determined by Dubais sister emirate, Abu Dhabi government (Milmo et al). Currently Dubai is undergoing a severe financial crisis and the reports from Dubai shows that one of the biggest organizations in Dubai, â€Å"Dubai world† is on the verge of destruction because of financial crisis. Dubai government is waiting for Abu Dhabi’s help in sort out the economic problems. â€Å"Emirates is owned by the Investment Corporation of Dubai, which is in turn controlled by the Dubai government† (Milmo et al). The current financial crisis of the Dubai government may force the government to think in terms of a merger between Emirates and the Abu Dhabi counterpart Al-Itihad. The increased focus on diversification by neglecting other areas of business has created a strategic failure in the Emirates’ airline business. Emirates blindly went after acquisition strategies to extend the wings by overlooking other areas like the service sector. Stakeholders and their interests were overlooked by the company when they concentrated more on other aspects of the operations. The customer service standards have been adversely affected and the reputation of the airline has been affected badly in the last few years. The bargaining power of the sellers is low at present especially because of the current global recession. At the same time increased

What kind of leadership style improves employee satisfaction in China Literature review

What kind of leadership style improves employee satisfaction in China - Literature review Example Work by 9 different authors (Fu et al (2011), Shen, J (2010), Talehgani et al (2010), Hsu and Chen (2011), Ngo et al (2008), Wong et al (2007), Madlcok (2008), Loi and Ngo (2010) and Wu and Chiang (2007)) between 2007 and 2012 have been primarily discussed in the study to identify their methodology for studying the different factors determining employee job satisfaction, the reliability and validity of the data and methodology, their findings and to identify if any major similarities or differences exist in their observations. This critical review of the mentioned available literature is useful in understanding the relationship between leadership styles and employee satisfaction. Topic review It is understood that leadership is a process that has influence on the motivation and performance of group activities as the group works towards realizing the common goals. The type of leadership provided by the leader or manager and the specific environment are seen to determine the successful achievement of the organizational goals in every organization or group across the globe (Talehgani et al, 2010, p 92). This prompts one to explore what leadership style or styles exist that is identified to be more successful than others and what impact these styles have on factors including employee motivation and subsequent job satisfaction. Their study draws on a combination of Robert House’s direction-goal model (House, 1996) and Geert Hofstede’s study on dividing of cultural dimensions (Hofstede and Hofstede, 2012) to develop a model that aimed to assess the cultural behaviour pattern in 18 countries. The researchers divided leadership styles into four categories: directional, supportive, participatory and success oriented... The purpose of this research is to study the different leadership styles employed by managers in the different organizational settings to assess the impact on employee satisfaction in China. The focus of the study is to understand the different kinds of organizational settings or firm ownership and identify what specific patterns of leadership exist within these different organizations to affect employee motivation and job satisfaction. This study is important in the background of China facing talent shortage as per a 2010 survey by Manpower Inc. and another joint survey conducted by Kelly Services and Harvard Business Review. It is understood that leadership is a process that has influence on the motivation and performance of group activities as the group works towards realizing the common goals. The type of leadership provided by the leader or manager and the specific environment are seen to determine the successful achievement of the organizational goals in every organization or g roup across the globe. This prompts one to explore what leadership style or styles exist that is identified to be more successful than others and what impact these styles have on factors including employee motivation and subsequent job satisfaction. Their study draws on a combination of Robert House’s direction-goal model and Geert Hofstede’s study on dividing of cultural dimensions to develop a model that aimed to assess the cultural behaviour pattern in 18 countries. The researchers divided leadership styles into four categories: directional, supportive, participatory and success oriented leadership.

The Essence of Food Essay Example for Free

The Essence of Food Essay Food is any substance, usually composed primarily of carbohydrates, fats, water and/or proteins, that can be eaten or drunk by an animal or human for nutrition or pleasure. Items considered food may be sourced from plants, animals or other categories such as fungus or fermented products like alcohol. Although many human cultures sought food items through hunting and gathering, today most cultures use farming, ranching, and fishing, with hunting, foraging and other methods of a local nature included but playing a minor role. Most traditions have a recognizable cuisine, a specific set of cooking traditions, preferences, and practices, the study of which is known as gastronomy. Many cultures have diversified their foods by means of preparation, cooking methods and manufacturing. This also includes a complex food trade which helps the cultures to economically survive by-way-of food, not just by consumption. Many cultures study the dietary analysis of food habits. While humans are omnivores, religion and social constructs such as morality often affect which foods they will consume. Food safety is also a concern with foodborne illness claiming many lives each year. In many languages, food is often used metaphorically or figuratively, as in food for thought. Contents [hide] 1 Food sources 1. 1 Plants 1. 2 Animals 2 Production 3 Preparation 3. 1 Animal slaughter and butchering 3. 2 Cooking 3. 2. 1 Cooking equipment and methods 3. 2. 2 Raw food 3. 3 Restaurants 3. 4 Food manufacture 4 Commercial trade 4. 1 International exports and imports 4. 2 Marketing and retailing 4. 3 Prices 5 Famine and hunger 5. 1 Food aid 6 Safety 6. 1 Allergies 7 Diet 7. 1 Cultural and religious diets 7. 2 Diet deficiencies 7. 3 Moral, ethical, and health conscious diet 8 Nutrition 9 Legal definition 10 See also 11 Notes 12 References Food sources Almost all foods are of plant or animal origin, although there are some exceptions. Foods not coming from animal or plant sources include various edible fungi, such mushrooms. Fungi and ambient bacteria are used in the preparation of fermented and pickled foods such as leavened bread, alcoholic drinks, cheese, pickles, and yogurt. Many cultures eat seaweed, a protist, or blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) such as Spirulina. [1] Additionally, salt is often eaten as a flavoring or preservative, and baking soda is used in food preparation. Both of these are inorganic substances, as is water, an important part of human diet. Plants A variety of foods from plant sources Many plants or plant parts are eaten as food. There are around 2,000 plant species which are cultivated for food, and many have several distinct cultivars. [2] Seeds of plants are a good source of food for animals, including humans because they contain nutrients necessary for the plants initial growth. In fact, the majority of food consumed by human beings are seed-based foods. Edible seeds include cereals (such as maize, wheat, and rice), legumes (such as beans, peas, and lentils), and nuts. Oilseeds are often pressed to produce rich oils, such as sunflower, rapeseed (including canola oil), and sesame. [3] One of the earliest food recipes made from ground chickpeas is called hummus, which can be traced back to Ancient Egypt times. Fruits are the ripened ovaries of plants, including the seeds within. Many plants have evolved fruits that are attractive as a food source to animals, so that animals will eat the fruits and excrete the seeds some distance away. Fruits, therefore, make up a significant part of the diets of most cultures. Some botanical fruits, such as tomatoes, pumpkins and eggplants, are eaten as vegetables. [4] (For more information, see list of fruits. ) Vegetables are a second type of plant matter that is commonly eaten as food. These include root vegetables (such as potatoes and carrots), leaf vegetables (such as spinach and lettuce), stem vegetables (such as bamboo shoots and asparagus), and inflorescence vegetables (such as globe artichokes and broccoli). Many herbs and spices are highly-flavorful vegetables. [5] Animals Various raw meats Main article: Animal source foods Animals can be used as food either directly, or indirectly by the products they produce. Meat is an example of a direct product taken from an animal, which comes from either muscle systems or from organs. Food products produced by animals include milk produced by mammals, which in many cultures is drunk or processed into dairy products such as cheese or butter. In addition birds and other animals lay eggs, which are often eaten, and bees produce honey, a popular sweetener in many cultures. Some cultures consume blood, some in the form of blood sausage, as a thickener for sauces, a cured salted form for times of food scarcity, and others use blood in stews such as civet. [6] Production Tractor and Chaser Bin Main article: Agriculture Food is traditionally obtained through farming, ranching, and fishing, with hunting, foraging and other methods of subsistence locally important. More recently, there has been a growing trend towards more sustainable agricultural practices. This approach, which is partly fueled by consumer demand, encourages biodiversity, local self-reliance and organic farming methods. [7] Major influences on food production are international organizations, (e. g. the World Trade Organization and Common Agricultural Policy), national government policy (or law), and war. [8] Preparation While some food can be eaten raw, many foods undergo some form of preparation for reasons of safety, palatability, or flavor. At the simplest level this may involve washing, cutting, trimming or adding other foods or ingredients, such as spices. It may also involve mixing, heating or cooling, pressure cooking, fermentation, or combination with other food. In a home, most food preparation takes place in a kitchen. Some preparation is done to enhance the taste or aesthetic appeal; other preparation may help to preserve the food; and others may be involved in cultural identity. A meal is made up of food which is prepared to be eaten at a specific time and place. [9] Animal slaughter and butchering Workers and cattle in a slaughterhouse. The preparation of animal-based food will usually involve slaughter, evisceration, hanging, portioning and rendering. In developed countries, this is usually done outside the home in slaughterhouses which are used to process animals en mass for meat production. Many countries regulate their slaughterhouses by law. For example the United States has established the Humane Slaughter Act of 1958, which requires that an animal be stunned before killing. This act, like those in many countries, exempts slaughter in accordance to religious law, such as kosher shechita and dhabiha halal. Strict interpretations of kashrut require the animal to be fully aware when its carotid artery is cut. [10] On the local level a butcher may commonly break down larger animal meat into smaller manageable cuts and pre-wrapped for commercial sale or wrapped to order in butcher paper. In addition fish and seafood may be fabricated into smaller cuts by a fish monger at the local level. However fish butchery may be done on board a fishing vessel and quick-frozen for preservation of quality. [11] Cooking Main article: Cooking Cooking with a Wok in China The term cooking encompasses a vast range of methods, tools and combinations of ingredients to improve the flavor or digestibility of food. Cooking technique, known as culinary art, generally requires the selection, measurement and combining of ingredients in an ordered procedure in an effort to achieve the desired result. Constraints on success include the variability of ingredients, ambient conditions, tools, and the skill of the individual cooking. [12] The diversity of cooking worldwide is a reflection of the myriad nutritional, aesthetic, agricultural, economic, cultural and religious considerations that impact upon it. [13] Cooking requires applying heat to a food which usually, though not always, chemically transforms it, thus changing its flavor, texture, appearance, and nutritional properties. [14] Cooking proper, as opposed to roasting, requires the boiling of water in a container, and was practiced at least since the 10th millennium BC with the introduction of pottery. [15] There is archaeological evidence of roasted foodstuffs at Homo erectus campsites dating from 420,000 years ago. [16] Cooking equipment and methods There are many types of cooking equipment used for cooking. Ovens are one type of cooking equipment which can be used for baking or roasting and offer a dry-heat cooking method. Different cuisines will use different types of ovens, for example Indian culture uses a Tandoor oven is a cylindrical clay oven which operates at a single high temperature,[17] while western kitchens will use variable temperature convection ovens, conventional ovens, toaster ovens in addition to non-radiant heat ovens like the microwave oven. Ovens may be wood-fired, coal-fired, gas, electric, or oil-fired. [18] A stainless steel frying pan. Various types of cook-tops are used as well. They carry the same variations of fuel types as the ovens mentioned above. cook-tops are used to heat vessels placed on top of the heat source, such as a saute pan, sauce pot, frying pan, pressure cooker, etc. These pieces of equipment can use either a moist or dry cooking method and include methods such as steaming, simmering, boiling, and poaching for moist methods; while the dry methods include sauteing, pan frying, or deep-frying. [19] Traditional asado In addition, many cultures use grills for cooking. A grill operates with a radiant heat source from below, usually covered with a metal grid and sometimes a cover. An open bit barbecue in the American south is one example along with the American style outdoor grill fueled by wood, liquid propane or charcoal along with soaked wood chips for smoking. [20] A Mexican style of barbecue is called barbacoa, which involves the cooking of meats and whole sheep over open fire. In Argentina, asado is prepared on a grill held over an open pit or fire made upon the ground, on which a whole animal is grilled or in other cases smaller cuts of the animal. [21] Raw food Many types of sushi ready to be eaten. Certain cultures highlight animal and vegetable foods in their raw state. Sushi in Japan is one such cuisine that features raw sliced fish, either in sashimi, nigiri, or maki styles. [22] Steak tartare and salmon tartare are dishes made from diced or ground raw beef or salmon respectively, mixed with various ingredients and served with baguette, brioche or frites. [23] In Italy, carpaccio is a dish of very thin sliced raw beef, drizzled with a vinaigrette made with olive oil. [24] A popular health food movement known as raw foodism promotes a mostly vegan diet of raw fruits, vegetables and grains prepared in various ways, including juicing, food dehydration, not passing the 118 degree mark, and sprouting. [25] Restaurants Toms Restaurant, a restaurant in New York Many cultures produce food for sale in restaurants for paying customers. These restaurants often have trained chefs who prepare the food, while trained waitstaff serve the customers. The term restaurant is credited to the French from the 19th century, as it relates to the restorative nature of the bouillons that were once served in them. However, the concept pre-dates the naming of these establishments, as evidence suggests commercial food preparation may have existed during the age of the city of Pompeii, as well as an urban sales of prepared foods in China during the Song Dynasty. The coffee shops or cafes of 17th century Europe may also be considered an early version of the restaurant. [26] In 2005 the United States spent $496 billion annually for out-of-home dining. Expenditures by type of out-of-home dining was as follows, 40% in full-service restaurants, 37. 2% in limited service restaurants (fast food), 6. 6% in schools or colleges, 5. 4% in bars and vending machines, 4. 7% in hotels and motels, 4. 0% in recreational places, and 2. 2% in other which includes military bases. [27] Food manufacture Packaged household food items Main article: Food manufacture Packaged foods are manufactured outside the home for purchase. This can be as simple as a butcher preparing meat, or as complex as a modern international food industry. Early food processing techniques were limited by available food preservation, packaging and transportation. This mainly involved salting, curing, curdling, drying, pickling, fermentation and smoking. [28] During the industrialization era in the 19th century, food manufacturing arose. [29] This development took advantage of new mass markets and emerging new technology, such as milling, preservation, packaging and labeling and transportation. It brought the advantages of pre-prepared time saving food to the bulk of ordinary people who did not employ domestic servants. [30] At the start of the 21st century, a two-tier structure has arisen, with a few international food processing giants controlling a wide range of well-known food brands. There also exists a wide array of small local or national food processing companies. [31] Advanced technologies have also come to change food manufacture. Computer-based control systems, sophisticated processing and packaging methods, and logistics and distribution advances, can enhance product quality, improve food safety, and reduce costs. [30] Commercial trade International exports and imports Food imports in 2005 World Bank reported that the EU was the top food importer in 2005 followed at a distance by the USA and Japan. Food is now traded and marketed on a global basis. The variety and availability of food is no longer restricted by the diversity of locally grown food or the limitations of the local growing season. [32] Between 1961 and 1999 there has been a 400% increase in worldwide food exports. [33] Some countries are now economically dependent on food exports, which in some cases account for over 80% of all exports. [34] In 1994 over 100 countries became signatories to the Uruguay Round of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade in a dramatic increase in trade liberalization. This included an agreement to reduce subsidies paid to farmers, underpinned by the WTO enforcement of agricultural subsidy, tariffs, import quotas and settlement of trade disputes that cannot be bilaterally resolved. [35] Where trade barriers are raised on the disputed grounds of public health and safety, the WTO refer the dispute to the Codex Alimentarius Commission, which was founded in 1962 by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization. Trade liberalization has greatly affected world food trade. [36].

Effect of pH on Percent Oxygen Saturation of Haemaglobin

Effect of pH on Percent Oxygen Saturation of Haemaglobin Abstract The purpose of this lab was to determine the effect of changes in the pH and the partial pressure of oxygen on haemoglobin’s affinity for oxygen and percent oxygen saturation in the Bos taurus blood. At a lower pH (6.8) with a 21mmHg p50 value, it was found that the oxygen dissociation curve shifted to the right, which indicates that the Bohr Effect causes haemoglobin to lose its affinity for oxygen. This concludes that the increased carbon dioxide concentration forces haemoglobin to release its bound oxygen to the high metabolizing tissues (converting to deoxy-haemoglobin), but also forces the protein to bind more oxygen at the respiratory surfaces in order to transport enough oxygen to areas with a low oxygen partial pressure. At a higher pH (7.4), the oxygen dissociation curve shifted to the left with a 14mmHg p50 value since haemoglobin receives more oxygen, causing haemoglobin to have a higher affinity for oxygen and to remain as oxyhaemoglobin. Both sigmoid shaped curves contain a steep portion at 9.1mmHg and a plateau at 60mmHg. In conclusion, since the p50 value at pH 6.8 (21mmHg) is lower than the p50 value at pH 7.4 (14mmHg), this signifies that in an acidic environment, there is a higher partial pressure of oxygen in the environment as haemoglobin cannot bind the available oxygen as much due to its lowered affinity for oxygen. Introduction Haemoglobin is a specialized protein found inside the red blood cells of vertebrates that have developed organs for gaseous exchange as a substitute for simple diffusion. This respiratory pigment transports dissolved oxygen in the blood from the respiratory surface to the tissues through the circulatory system, and transports carbon dioxide back for excretion at the respiratory surface by exhalation. When one oxygen molecule binds to the iron containing heme group of the tetrameric-structured haemoglobin—which has four globulin subunits non-covalently linked to each other: two alpha- and two beta-polypeptide chains—its allosteric property increases its affinity for the addition of the next three successive oxygen molecules (Fenton et al., 2015). A total of four oxygen molecules can bind to this protein; however changes in the partial pressure of oxygen at the gas exchange site can affect haemoglobin’s percent oxygen saturation and changes in pH can alter haemoglo bin’s affinity for oxygen (also known as the Bohr Effect). The magnitude of the Bohr Effect in haemoglobin results from the breaking of the salt bridges between the histidine residues when the protein changes between its two structures at equilibrium: oxyhaemoglobin and deoxyhaemoglobin (Kilmartin, 1974; Zheng et al., 2013). During the structural shift, the histidine residues will react with the sulfhydryl group of the cysteine that is found in the deoxyhaemoglobin (Okonjo et al., 2014). Consequently, this change in the structural conformation of cysteine leads to a reduced Bohr Effect (Okonjo et al., 2014). Since deoxyhaemoglobin has been altered at a chemical level, it will experience a minimized Bohr Effect while its affinity for oxygen increases (Riggs, 1988). The Bohr Effect states that in a high pH alkaline environment, protons are released when oxygen is attached to haemoglobin; but are not released when in an acidic environment (Riggs, 1988). To what extent did the variations of PO2 and pH levels affect haemoglobin’s percent oxygen saturation in the Bos taurus blood was examined as the main purpose in this lab and is depicted by an oxygen dissociation curve. The resultant sigmoidal (S) shape relates the partial pressure of oxygen and haemoglobin’s percent oxygen saturation at different pH levels. Given that the manometer PO2 is held constant at the specific mmHg value, it is predicted that the oxygen dissociation curve will shift to the right at a pH of 6.8 (which is lower than the normal pH value of 7.4) as there is an increase in carbon dioxide concentration. This indicates that a pH drop will decrease the percent oxygen saturation of haemoglobin, and hence, its affinity for oxygen. Conversely, it is estimated that the curve will shift to the left at a pH of 7.4 as there are less carbon dioxide molecules in an alkaline environment. It is also predicted that at P50, there will be a difference in the percent oxygen saturation of haemoglobin at the different pH levels and that the two sigmoidal curves of the oxygen dissociation graph will eventually meet at equilibrium past P50 due to the Bohr Effect. In relation, Hill conducted his experiment with a similar procedure on human muscle and haemoglobin and concluded that at a higher pH level (muscle haemoglobin at pH 9.2 and blood haemoglobin at pH 9.2), the curve shifted to the left while at a lower pH level (muscle haemoglobin at pH 7.0 and blood haemoglobin at pH 7.0), the curve shifted to the right due to the Bohr Effect (Hill, 1936). Materials and Methods This experiment was conducted based on the BIO202 lab manual; however, the procedures performed for the Bos taurus at pH 7.4 under section 2 was deviated from the instructions provided. The maximum vacuum pressure was set at 750 mmHg instead of the listed value of 700mmHg since vacuum did not provide enough pressure at 700mmHg to deoxygenate the blood appropriately. My lab partners, Isabel, Zainab and Dianne, performed the experimental tests on Bos taurus buffered at pH 7.4. We collected the data conducted at pH 6.8 from our colleagues: Kashamala, Kiran, Jing, and Seevin. Results Figure 1 This oxygen dissociation curve graph depicts a logarithmic regression that relates the effect of the partial pressure of oxygen on haemoglobin’s percent oxygen saturation at both pH levels in Bos taurus. The manometer reading was converted to the partial pressure of oxygen with equation a listed in the appendix. In addition, the percentage transmittance value obtained from the spectrophotometer was converted to the percent oxygen saturation of haemoglobin using the equations of the two logarithmic regression curves. The P50 value at pH 6.8 is ~21mmHg and at pH 7.4 is ~14mmHg. This value reveals the change in the partial pressure of oxygen at the different pH levels due to the Bohr Effect when 50% of haemoglobin has been saturated. In Figure 1, the effect of the partial pressure of oxygen on the percent oxygen saturation of haemoglobin illustrates a sigmoidal shape as the main trend at the pH of 6.8 and 7.4. As PO2 increases, haemoglobin’s oxygen saturation also increases until a maximum amount of oxygen molecules have bound to this blood pigment. There are two patterns in this oxygen dissociation graph: (1) the steep (beginning at 9.1mmHg) and (2) the plateau (~60mmHg). The steep section begins when PO2 first rises from 9.1mmHg and the percent saturation increases drastically. At pH 6.8, the steepness levels off at point three where PO2 is 30.1mmHg and the percent saturation is at 84.0826%. At pH 7.4, the steepness levels off at point two where PO2 is 30.1mmHg and the saturation is at 83.6601%. When haemoglobin has reached its maximum oxygen capacity, the curve relating PO2 and haemoglobin saturation plateaus and become theoretical. During this period, haemoglobin maintains its maximum oxygen saturation at the maximum PO2. At pH 6.8, the maximum PO2 of 156.12mmHg occurs when the vacuum is not used (the pressure remains at 0mmHg), which gives haemoglobin a maximum theoretical oxygen saturation of 102.612%. At pH 7.4, the maximum PO2 of 156.12mmHg gives haemoglobin a maximum oxygen saturation of 97.7172%, which is slightly lower than the value at pH 6.8. In terms of pH change (the Bohr Effect), the curve of the lower pH shifts to the right while the curve of the higher pH shifts to the left. However, the starting point for both of the sigmoidal-shaped curves is at PO2 of 9.1mmHg, where 6.9259% saturation is for pH 6.8 and 8.3333% saturation is for pH 7.4. Discussion The results support the hypothesis that the oxygen dissociation curve will shift to the right at the pH value of 6.8, showing that haemoglobin’s (Hb’s) percent oxygen saturation decreases (due to a lower affinity for oxygen), whereas the graph will shift to the left at the pH value of 7.4, demonstrating that haemoglobin’s percent oxygen saturation increases (due to a higher affinity for oxygen). The p50 values from the graph indicates that in a basic environment, there is a lower partial pressure of oxygen in the environment (14mmHg) when compared to an acidic environment (21mmHg) because haemoglobin is able to bind to more of the available oxygen due to its increased affinity for oxygen whereas at pH 6.8, haemoglobin is unable to bind to as much oxygen due to its decreased affinity for oxygen. The reason behind this lowered oxygen affinity is due to the Bohr Effect and the high concentration of carbon dioxide present in the area. Moreover, the amount of carbon d ioxide concentration present changes the pH, which directly affects the ability of haemoglobin to bind to oxygen and readily dissociate oxygen. When there is a high partial pressure of oxygen in an area where haemoglobin is present, the tetrameric protein’s percentage saturation of oxygen increases as well because there are more available oxygen molecules to bind to. Due to the cluster of oxygen molecules around this blood pigment, haemoglobins affinity for oxygen becomes tremendously improved due to its allosteric property, where the next three successive oxygen molecules are more readily bound after the first one has been attached. From this, since haemoglobin is able to transport more oxygen molecules from the respiratory surface, a high concentration of oxygen is released into the blood plasma to be absorbed by the surrounding tissues. This is why in Figure 1, the graph—comparing the effect of the partial pressure of oxygen on haemoglobin saturation—has an incredibly steep curve at the beginning to indicate that haemoglobin is able to pick up a lot of oxygen molecules. From the graph, at pH 6.8, there is a high partial pressure of carbon dioxide where water reacts with carbon dioxide, generating H+ ions that produce an acidic environment with a low pH (Riggs, 1988). This reduces haemoglobin’s affinity for oxygen, where haemoglobin subsequently converts into deoxyhaemoglobin, which is its alternate structural form. In this acidic environment, the tissues are at a high metabolic rate and need more oxygen molecules. So, according to the Bohr Effect, haemoglobin will bind to more oxygen at the respiratory surface and release its oxygen content more readily at the tissues (where there is a lowered PO2) in order to raise the pH level back to normal. In essence, the body raises the partial pressure of oxygen to match that of carbon dioxide so that a dynamic equilibrium is created to raise blood pH back to normal levels and reduce the acidity – where the rate of perfusion and ventilation is equal to each other. In terms of the pH at 7.4, ther e is low carbon dioxide partial pressure where the environment is more alkaline. The Bohr Effect prevents the transport of oxygen to the deoxygenated area, so that the partial pressure of oxygen also decreases in respect to the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in an attempt to decrease the pH level. However, if haemoglobin attaches onto oxygen, protons are released, which equals out the increase in oxygen with an increase in carbon dioxide. Thus, the increase in H+ is directly proportional to the increase in CO2 (Riggs, 1988). The two curves eventually meet together at one point, indicating that Bos taurus is attempting to maintain pH equilibrium, where pH 6.8 attempts to raise Hb saturation for a more alkaline environment and pH 7.4 attempts to reduce Hb saturation for a more acidic environment. However, the Bohr Effect presents an advantage to the body when it is subjected to an oxygen deficient environment during exercise, where there is lactic acid buildup, a drop in blood pH, and an increase in carbon dioxide and hydrogen concentrations. The formation of carbonic acid and H+ ions from the reaction between water and carbon dioxide produces an acidic environment, lowering the pH levels (Riggs, 1988). In these regions, the production of carbon dioxide from muscle cells inhibits haemoglobin’s affinity for oxygen in the bloodstream by binding to haemoglobin itself, forming carbamino haemoglobin. Carbamino haemoglobin brings the H+ protons generated along with the carbon dioxide molecules to the lungs, where it is expelled through exhalation (Riggs, 1988). When this happens, there is not enough oxygen present at the tissues, so the Bohr Effect sends haemoglobin to the tissues, which readily releases its oxygen content into the tissues because it can no longer hold onto the molecule as it travels further into the bloodstream. Eventually, the Bohr Effect helps to raise blood pH back up to normal levels when enduring anaerobic respiration since haemoglobin is continually releasing its bound oxygen molecules as its affinity decreases to be the rising carbon dioxide levels. It is beneficial for haemoglobin to have a low affinity for oxygen near the tissues to increase oxygen uptake by the tissues, but to have a high affinity for oxygen at respiratory surfaces so haemoglobin can transport as much oxygen as possible, and as far into the body as possible. Thus, altering the oxygen affinity of haemoglobin is the bodys way of using the Bohr Effect to its advantage to solve the problem of lacking oxygen since more oxygen is released with an increase in carbon dioxide levels. One limitation of the experiment involved the absence of a spectrophotometer and the instrumental error of the vacuum. The vacuum failed to serve its purpose at the 700mmHg level, so it had to be increased to the 750mmHg level for the procedure done for pH 7.4, which results in an unfair comparison for the data done for pH 6.8. In conclusion, when pH is low, haemoglobin has less affinity for oxygen (lower saturation) whereas when pH is high, haemoglobin has more affinity for oxygen (higher saturation). References Fenton, B., Dumont, B., and Owen, M. (2015). Respiratory Pigments: Hemoglobin and  Hemocyanin. In Integrative Animal Biology (ed. S. Hinic-Frlog), pp. 300-301. Toronto, ON: Nelson Education Ltd. Hill, R. (1936). Oxygen Dissociation Curves of Muscle Haemoglobin. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. 120,  472-483. Kilmartin, J. V. (1974). THE ALKALINE BOHR EFFECT OF HUMAN HEMOGLOBIN.Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 241, 465-471. Okonjo, K. O., Olatunde, A. M., Fodeke, A. A. and Babalola, J. O. (2014). Bohr effect of  human hemoglobin A: Magnitude of negative contributions determined by the equilibrium between two tertiary structures. Biophysical Chemistry. 190, 41-49. Riggs, A. F. (1988). The Bohr Effect. Annual Reviews Inc. 50, 181-204. Zheng, G., Schaefer, M. and Karpus, M. (2013). Hemoglobin Bohr Effects: Atomic Origin of the Histidine Residue Contributions. Biochemistry. 52, 8539-8555. Appendix Figure A1 This standard curve graph depicts a linear regression that relates the effect of percent transmittance on the percent saturation of haemoglobin at both pH levels in Bos taurus. Oxygenated haemolysate was exposed to the vacuum at a maximum pressure of 700mmHg for 5 minutes to become entirely deoxygenated, which was added to the oxygenated haemolysate. Different amounts of 100% oxygenated and 100% deoxygenated haemoglobin were combined to give five various saturation percentages. A percent transmittance reading was taken for each of the saturation percentages, using a spectrophotometer. Oxygen Dissociation Curve (Sample Calculation #1) The manometer reading values are converted to the partial pressure of oxygen with the formula: (Equation a), where D is the barometric pressure (measured in mmHg), W is the water vapor pressure (measured in mmHg), and M is the manometer reading (measured in mmHg). The temperature was 22 ºC and the barometric pressure was 763mmHg for the lab room. Manometer reading at 300mmHg: Therefore, the partial pressure of oxygen at a manometer reading of 300mmHg is 93.1mmHg. Oxygen Dissociation Curve (Sample Calculation #2) The regression line equation is used to convert the percent transmittance to the percent oxygen saturation of haemoglobin. At the pH 6.8: The regression line equation is, where the variable y represents the percent transmittance value and the variable x represents the percent oxygen saturation of haemoglobin. Partial pressure of oxygen at 93.1mmHg: Therefore, the percent oxygen saturation of haemoglobin is 98.0559% at the pH 6.8. At the pH 7.4: The regression line equation is, where the variable y represents the percent transmittance value and the variable x represents the percent oxygen saturation of haemoglobin. Partial pressure of oxygen at 93.1mmHg: Therefore, the percent oxygen saturation of haemoglobin is 94.7712% at the pH 7.4.  Ã‚  

The Business Environment Of Tata Motors In India

The Business Environment Of Tata Motors In India As emphasized by (Palmer and Hartley, 2006) the Macroenvironment of a company is composed of the External Determinants. This includes factors such as political, economical, social, technological, environmental and legal. These factors have an indirect impact on a firm or any business activity. The Microenvironment of a company is composed of the Internal Determinants. This includes factors such as suppliers, consumers, competitors. Bringing this into perspective it is very significant for any company to analyse and study the Business environment in order to make plans, design strategies and take decisions. For example, a company from the United Kingdom setting up its activities in India has to focus on the Macro and Micro Environment in India to run successfully. If they work according to the analysis of the business environment in the United Kingdom they are bound to fail in their operations in India. Thus to understand the Macroenvironments, companies and management students can make use of PEST analysis which helps in critically evaluating the political, economical, social, technological, environmental and legal determinants which have an indirect impact on any business entity. This critical evaluation helps a business firm to strategise effectively and take justified decisions. After analysing the business environment using the PEST tool, any company can make use of SWOT analysis to gain an insight on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to survive in todays world comprised of severe competition. According to (Day and Shoemaker, 2005) scanning the Business Environment is like adapting a peripheral vision. Companies with a peripheral vision can recognize the changes taking place in the business environment and accordingly take steps to confront potential threats and grab the opportunities that can prove to be of significance moving ahead. Companies with a good peripheral vision gain a competitive edge over their competitors if they react positively to the changes happening around. The company selected for this work is Tata Motors. Being a huge manufacturer of automobiles, its periphery consists of all the accordant forces. Thus an analysis will be done considering the changes that have occurred over the last five years, how Tata Motors have reacted to these changes in order to survive in todays world of fierce competition. In this work Tata Motors will be analysed using tools like PEST Analysis, Michael Porters five forces and SWOT Analysis, and in the process these tools should be of help in deriving some conclusions and making some recommendations. Organisation Description and Background Tata Motors is Indias largest manufacturer of automobiles. It was initially known as Tata Engineering and Locomotive Company. In 1954, the company signed a collaboration agreement with Daimler Benz of Germany and started the manufacturing of commercial vehicles. It has been a pioneer in this sector, especially in India. They also have their base of operations in the UK, South Korea, Thailand and Spain. Manufacturing of passenger cars, utility vehicles, passenger buses and light, medium and heavy commercial vehicles are the main areas of business of Tata Motors. [www.tatamotors.com] The commercial line of Tata Motors has had its roots strengthening since several years in different market segments such as Europe, Africa, Australia, Southeast Asia, South Asia and the Middle East. Tata Motors have always believed in acquisitions to expand their business and build a market share around the world. Daewoo, a commercial vehicle company was the second largest truck manufacturer in South Korea. It was acquired by Tata Motors in the year 2004 and this take over gave Tata a significant place in the Korean Market. Following this acquisition Tata Motors got into a joint venture with Thonburi Automotive in the year 2006 allowing them to operate in Thailand. Tata Motors believes in expanding through Mergers and Acquisitions rather than spending several years in building a business. [www.tatamotors.com] The largest acquisition made by Tata Motors was that of Jaguar and land Rover from Ford in March 2008. These two brands cost Ford 5.3 billion dollars where as Tata paid Ford 2.3 billion dollars (Carty, USA Today). This was a significant step for the company as it paved way for them into the business of luxury cars. Tata Motors, in the above mentioned journey has been exposed to the determinants in its environment. Going ahead an analysis would be done on it using tools such as PEST Analysis, Michael Porters five forces and Swot Analysis. PEST ANALYSIS POLITICAL FACTORS: As mentioned above Tata Motors has its operations in several countries around the world. In setting up these operations it was vital for Tata Motors to analyse the Political Environment so as to run the business smoothly. Over the last five years Tata Motors has had a chance to venture in different Markets. When it entered in the UK, the options of entering USA and Russia were also available. But Tata Motors preferred UK over USA and Russia due to favourable political factors such as India being a preferred economic agent, UK car market and potential and language similarity. USA market requires high quality and there are several non-tariff barriers which make it difficult for a new company to enter the market. The reason Russia was declined is because they lack a well-developed dealership network, there were high entry barriers, Language problem and finally there was always the uncertainty of future economic state. As emphasized by (Hill, 2002) the cooperation between India and the U K falls in the regime of favourability which implies benefits being derived due to less tariff and non-tariff barriers. Thus Tata Motors decision of entering the UK market is justified. ECONOMIC FACTORS: This is one of the most significant determinants that need to be analysed as it encompasses factors such as market growth potential, pricing strategies, return on investment and various such monetary aspects. Since 2004 Tata Motors is on an expansion role around the world. It has made its presence felt in over five countries world-wide through acquisitions and joint ventures. Over the past five years there have been changes in different economies. Tata Motors has been adapting to these changes successfully and running their business smoothly. To give an example if there is a hike in price of aluminium in Kenya, Tata Motors has the option of falling back on suppliers in Europe or Asia. They also have to keep a close eye on the fluctuation in the currency rates. The rupee being strong against the American Dollar doesnt mean it will be strong against the Sterling Pound. This factor is directly related to Capital Investment thus posing a challenge, Tata Motors operating in different econ omies which have been in a turmoil due to recession. SOCIAL FACTORS: Demography is one of the significant social factors. It comprises of lifestyle, consumer trends, income, spending power etc. The trait of demographic trends allows a company to make plans and strategise on the kind of products to be marketed. As emphasized by (Mintel, 2006) the influence of fashion and luxury is so strong that consumers neglect the hike in price of fuel. Catering to this Tata Motors launched Tata Safari and Tata Sumo Grande, Indias premier SUVs. Having said that, not all the people are in a position to afford these cars. Bringing this into perspective Tata Motors has continued to manufacture and market Tata Indica, a low budget passenger car. A lot of motorcycle accidents taking place in India, Ratan Tata, the Chairman of Tata Group had a vision of launching the worlds cheapest car and his vision did come true in the form of Tata Nano. Thus it is clearly evident that Tata Motors does respond to changes in the social factors. TECHNOLOGICAL FACTORS: Technology is a factor that enables a company to gain a competitive edge and survive the fierce competition in the market. Tata Motors has currently employed 1400 Scientists and Engineers in their Research and Development Team. This has ensured that they are ahead or at par with their competitors in the domestic market as well as internationally. [www.tatamotors.com]. In the last 5-10 years technology has been advancing at a very rapid space. There have been foreign automobile giants like Hyundai, Toyota etc setting up operations in India. Their cars were technologically far too advanced than Indian cars. They had power steering and windows, central locking, automatic transmission on gears etc. Considering these changes in the environment Tata Motors did not lag behind. They also adapted and brought out cars with this technology and survived the robust change and maintained their position as a leader in the automobile sector. MICHAEL PORTERS FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS: http://www.valuebasedmanagement.net/images/porterfiveforces.gif Source: www.valuebasedmanagement.net. The above mentioned diagram shows the factors considered as significant by Michael Porter in his analysis. Moving further we will see how this analysis can be used to evaluate Tata Motors project Tata Nano. Threat of New Entrants: Tata Motors launched Tata Nano as the worlds cheapest car. It basically targeted the people who used motorcycles as their mode of transport. Indian automobile sector is vibrant and emerging, attracting international brands like Volkswagen, Toyota, etc all of whom are expected to launch new innovative products. Tata Nano is priced approximately at just Rs 1,00,000. Launching a product at such low cost implies that the manufacturer needs to make a huge initial investment and bear a low profit margin as well. The competitors are studying the strategies of Tata Motors closely. But because of the above mentioned reasons Tata Motors doesnt have the threat of New Entrants immediately but yes it will have to definitely face some fierce competition in the future. [www.scribd.com] Threat of Substitutes: Tata Nano faces a threat from electric cars as a substitute. Reva car is already present in the Indian market and Morbi based Ajanta Group is planning on manufacturing an electric car. Ajanta Group is planning on pricing its electric car at Rs 85000 which is even cheaper than the Tata Nano. Reacting to this threat Tata Motors has aleady considered making an electric car and named it the E-Nano. [www.scribd.com] The second hand market for cars is also booming in India. These second hand cars can act as substitutes to Tata Nano as they are in the same price range, moreover they have powerful engines. [www.jimthetrucker.com] Bargaining Power of buyers: Tata Nano is a car that has been manufactured keeping in mind the people with low income. At present Tata Nano is the only car in the Indian Market available at such a low price(approximately Rs 1,00,000). Bringing this into perspective the Indian consumers do not have many options. This implies that there is not much bargaining power vested in the hands of the buyer. But as and when the competitors come with similar cars the buyer will have the power to switch cars, the power of choice etc. [www.tatamotors.com] Bargaining Power of Suppliers: There are about 60 companies acting as suppliers for Tata Nano. These suppliers together assimilated an amount of about $112.7 dollars to set up base on the Singur Complex. Suppliers mentioned that the existing plants were equipped enough to support the launch of Tata Nano provided the Tata Plant shifts to Pantnagar or Pune. Other suppliers showed cooperation by showing the will to use their sheds as warehouses for storing purposes. (www.scribd.com) Tata Motors has formulated a bill marketing system vesting the interest of the suppliers. Through this Tatas bank makes the payment to the suppliers and then Tata pays the bank. Tata has also set up a suppliers council to recognize and rectify issues such as delayed payments which were acting as hindrance between the company and its suppliers. [www.tatamotors.com] This shows that the suppliers conveyed utmost support to Tata Motors, thus rather than acting as a threat they acted in favour of the auto manufacturer. Tata Nano being the only make of its type the suppliers seem to be liberal but as and when competitors come up with similar cars the suppliers bargaining power will pose as a threat. Rivalry among existing firms: The competition is very fierce among car manufacturers in India, especially the small car manufacturers like Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Chevrolet etc. Tata Motors had come up with the Tata Indica to compete with the Maruti Suzuki 800, Maruti Suzuki Zen etc. Maruti at that time was the leader in the small car market in India. As a counter attack to the Tata Indica, Maruti came up with cars like Alto and some brand extensions like the Zen Estilo. The scene completely changed with the launch of Tata Nano. The price of Tata Nano was half the price of Maruti 800, which then was one of the cheapest car in the Indian Market. In response Maruti Suzuki talked about slashing down the prices of Maruti 800 and Maruti Alto. There were also speculations about Maruti Suzuki redesigning the 800 to pose a challenge to Nano but this got scrapped as the costs involved were very high. The launch of Nano also hurt the dealers of second hand vehicles. These dealers in response got in tie-ups with banks and financial institutions to attract consumers towards buying second hand cars. Thus the launch of Nano intensified the rivalry amongst existing firms. [www.driveinside.com] VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS http://gscmotion.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/a-value-chain-analysis1.jpg Source http://gscmotion.wordpress.com/2009/08/07/using-value-chain-analysis-for-customer-satisfaction/ The diagram shown above describes the main components and sub-components of a value chain. Going forward in this assignment an analysis will be done on the value chain of Tata Motors. Inbound Logistics: Tata Motors has a very strong set up of Inbound Logistics. This gives the company attain a competitive edge over the other players in the market. Following are the factors which enable the company to maintain a strong set up on Inbound Logistics. Tata Motors gets into Long term contracts with its service providers in transport and various other activities. It does the same with the agents dealing with it. It employs special personnel at regional offices to supervise the entire process. The company has made use of SAP business softwares to strengthen its IT department through which it is able to monitor the activities. The storage facilities are very efficient which lead to easy stuffing and retrieval of materials. [www.tatamotors.com] Operations: Over the past few years Tata Motors has established a Capital Equipment Manufacturing Division which assists the company in development capabilities of international standard. It also has designed Apprentice trainee courses which ensure stability in the supply of skilled manpower. Tata Motors also has a team looking into Kaizen and TPM which profoundly works towards improving efficiency. The company has an automated manufacturing process. Moreover the manufacturing is well distributed not just within India but globally. The company practices optimum utilization of capacity. An example to support this could be that of Mercedes Benz which uses Tata Motors paint shop facilities. Outbound Logistics: Stockyards all across the country and also in the countries abroad where Tata Motors has its operations set up implies that they have a strong Outbound Logistics. As mentioned above the company gets into long term contracts with transporters, gives high and constant business to them which ensures it gets the best deals. SAP programmes ensure that all the offices and various sections are well connected which ensure timely execution of tasks. Pilferage is prevented, thanks to an excellent security system being enforced. Marketing and Sales: Tata Motors is in a pact with large number of dealers and agents to support the function of marketing and sales of its products. Tata Motors follows a systematic approach towards understanding the needs and preferences of customers. Over the past five years Tata Motors has been analysing the market dynamics and accordingly manufacturing innovative products or extending existing brands. Some examples of this would be Tata 207, Tata 407 and Tata Ace. Tata Motors caters to different segment of customers like the common man, farmers, Defence, State Transport etc. It has specific teams developed to address the needs of these customers respectively. Their strategy in Marketing and sales has enabled them to impose a Pan India and Global presence. A fact to support this statement is that Fiat which is an international brand got into a pact with Tata Motors on 13th January 2006 to use the dealership of Tata Motors to sell its vehicles and Tata Motors would use Fiats technology and unutilized capacity.[www.tatamotors.com]

Japanese American History and the Movie Snow Falling on Cedars :: Film Snow Falling Cedars Essays

Japanese American History and the Movie Snow Falling on Cedars The author of Snow Falling on Cedars did a good job with his research into the first to middle half of the 20th century experiences of Japanese immigrants. Unfortunately, like most movies based on extensive books, I believe this movie may underachieve in representing the author’s intentions. This movie seems almost as an outline to what it should be. The major problem area is with portraying the emotions between characters. For example, the bond between Ishmael Chambers and Hatsue Miyamoto seems significant at first, but does not seem to be as painstakingly hard to break as they try to represent towards the end. Also, hints of prejudice are revealed in various places through out the movie, but they fail to represent the attitudes that were more prevalent during the era. The first trace of good research for the movie is realized with the fact that it takes place on a fictional island near Puget Sound, Washington. This is an acceptable setting because Japanese immigration into the U.S. was focused mainly on the West Coast. Also, depicting the Japanese as grape farmers represents the fact that most of the immigrants moved to rural areas and 40% of them were farmers by 1940 (213).* Japanese immigration rose in 1882 after the Chinese Exclusion Act. This was in part to fill the gaps in the labor supply. These Japanese in turn were discriminated against. Much of the American prejudice against the Japanese was carried over from feelings about the Chinese. The ideas were that the Japanese were racially inferior, cruel, crafty, and threatening (222). It is also apparent by social distance scales that extreme prejudice existed at the time against the Japanese. In 1946 they ranked at the very bottom of the list, even under the more traditionally stigmatized groups such as the Mexican Americans, African Americans, and other racially identifiable groups (38). The movie does a good job of representing the social distance between the Japanese and White Americans. It makes it apparent that there is not much interaction between the two segments of the adult population. This most likely stems from the fact that during the time most Japanese immigrants functioned in the rural economic enclaves based on agriculture. This limited secondary structural assimilation, and thus primary structural assimilation.

Sarah Moore and Angelina Emily Grimke :: essays research papers

Sarah (Moore) and Angelina (Emily) Grimke   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Sarah is the eldest of the Grimke sisters, born in Charleston South Carolina in November of 1792. Angelina, the youngest, was born in Massachusetts in February of 1805. The Grimke family consisted of the sisters, an aristocratic, slave owning father, Judge John Faucherand and Mother, Mary Smith Grimke. Sarah had the overwhelming desire to practice law, though due to her status as a women, she was not admitted, or allowed to attend any Universities that were available at the time. This was only the beginning to the discrimination and humiliation she was to experience in her fight against sexism.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Both Sarah and Angelina joined the Society of Friends (a.k.a. Quakers) in Philadelphia in their early twenties. Their time there strengthened their independent thinking skills. The sisters were unhappy with the Society of Friends, due to the strict regulations they lived under. Soon afterward both sisters moved to North Carolina to join the Anti-Slavery movement.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In 1835 Angelina wrote a letter of support to Abolitionist leader William Lloyd Garrison who published it in his newspaper The Liberator. The following year, 1836, she composed a thirty page pamphlet entitled An Appeal to the Christian Women of the South. This pamphlet urged southern women to persuade their influential husbands to re-examine the morality of the slavery institution. A similar plea was made towards the Southern Church institutions months later in An Epistle to the Clergy of the Southern States. Though praised by other abolitionists in the free states, officials in South Carolina burned copies and threatened imprisonment to the authors should they return to that state. During this time the sisters released their own family slaves after they were apportioned to them as part of the family estate.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Angelina also began the sister's speaking career in the private homes of Philadelphia women. The sisters moved to New York in 1836 where they addressed the larger audiences of Churches and public halls. With all their good efforts the sisters were brought under fire from the General Association of

Copper Mountain Essay -- Environmental Issues

It’s a sunny October afternoon and I’m listening to the breeze gently rustle the tree tops above me. I look down into the creek as I sit here munching on some cashews, and I see trout gliding effortlessly through the crystal-clear water. I revel in how incredibly lush the area is†¦although it’s been a dry summer the ground is still moist, plants are bright and colorful, and wildlife is abound. After I finish my snack and tuck my trash away into my backpack, I continue my hike up this parcel of land that is may soon become barren with towers of steel and wire draping the landscape. I wonder to myself what will become of these fish, or the fresh clean water that runs into the Reeder Reservoir, the source of Ashland’s drinking water. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), ski area expansions are the most ecological damaging task that an area can undertake. In a plan revision for the White River National Forest in Colorado, regarding the Copper Mountain Ski Resort expansion, the EPA hammers that point home when they say that â€Å"†¦no other land management prescription on the Forest directly results in more stream-water depletion, wetland impacts, air pollution, permanent vegetation change, or permanent habitat loss†¦ more wetland impacts and stream depletions resulted from ski area expansion and improvement than from all other Forest management activities combined, including many direct and indirect impacts that are permanent (irreversible and irretrievable).† Meanwhile, skier numbers nationally have only increased just two percent since 1978(source). Which begs the question, why have ski area sizes more than doubled in acreage to the tune of 107%(source)? Mt. Ashland’s future expansion surely isn’t needed due t... ...ts past development and expansion of the Copper Mountain ski area as major factor in the degradation of the watershed and local water quality. Impacts include: increased peak flows, increased water temperature, increased erosion and sediment transport, and decrease flow due to snowmaking activities. The USDA has taken exhaustive steps to help mitigate the damage caused by the expansion at a great financial cost to taxpayers. The USDA has had to redesign all stream crossings to allow for higher stream flows and to withstand expected floods. They also performed physical modifications of the stream patterns and stream geometry to improve long term stream health. Environmental Scorecard Concerned locals first brought attention to the Environmental Scorecard in November of 2008 after an article published in the local newspaper, Ashland Daily Tidings, appeared.

Cape Literature Ia “Much Ado About Nothing” by William Shakespeare Essay

The 1993 film adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Much Ado about Nothing, by Kenneth Branagh, differs in many aspects from the original script written by Shakespeare. Branagh employs brilliant cinematography, manipulating lighting, camera angles to produce a carefree version to the original text. The soundtrack is dazzling and his interpretation breathes life and vitality into this old world play. According to critic Vincent Canby, â€Å"He has taken a Shakespearean romantic comedy, the sort of thing that usually turns to mush on the screen and made a movie that is triumphantly romantic, comic and, most surprising of all, emotionally alive† (May 7th, 1993). Lighting, music and technology enhance the various moods that perpetuate the film and Branagh is thus able to overcome language barriers, which enables the performance to be more understandable for a modern audience. The movie is assumed to be more light-hearted and free flowing than the original text. According to critic Todd McCarthy â€Å"The film is continuously enjoyable from its action-filled opening to the dazzling final shot. † Much Ado about Nothing is a tale of friendship, betrayal and the power of love to conquer all obstacles. It is one of Shakespeare’s comedies and though it has a dark side, staying true to being a comedy, serious issues are treated light heartedly. Branagh moves the setting from Messina to the verdant hills of Tuscany. His choice of setting therefore determines his overall mood for the film. The production begins with the recitation of Balthazar’s song by Beatrice (Emma Thompson). When the scene comes to light the audience is exposed to a striking panoramic shot of the rich rural setting. The shot then pans down to a society picnicking under the Tuscan sun. The society seems relaxed and warm as they loll on the grass listening to Beatrice (Emma Thompson), who is perched in a tree, reciting the song. The pace quickly changes from lethargy to one of excitement, as a messenger brings news of the forthcoming arrival of Don Pedro (Denzel Washington) and his men. Men and women scurry to the villa amid screams and laughter to get ready for the prince. Thoughts of war are abandoned and replaced by thoughts of love. The plot then revolves around two couples, Hero (Kate Beckinsale) and Claudio (Robert Sean Leonard), and Beatrice and Benedict (Kenneth Branagh). Claudio seeks Don Pedro’s help in wooing Hero. Once successful the prince then turns his attention to older, warring couple of Beatrice and Benedick and plots to gull them into falling in love. However, Don John (Keanu Reeves), the bastard, plots to destroy harmony in the play as he tries to foil the plans of marriage between the younger couple. His victory is fleeting as his evil plans are unearthed by Dogberry and his night watch. All ends well and the production ends in dancing and merriment. From the very beginning Branagh utilizes the advantages that technology has made possible producing a zesty film that is emotionally alive. He employs many techniques to make his production a success the first being the manipulation of different camera angles. As the film begins the audience hears the recital of what was originally Balthazar’s song by Beatrice, the words to the song appearing in white against a black backdrop, to the gentle lilt of a guitar. In this opening scene the screen comes to light with a magnificent panoramic shot of the countryside scenery. This establishes a very light-hearted and airy mood, and thus sets the tone for the production as blithe and jocular. Branagh sets his film at the Villa Vignamaggio in the hills of Tuscany, the bright Tuscan sunshine adds to the nature of the film giving it a jovial feel. The scene ‘pans’ down to men and women, sitting in the grass, occasionally playing with each other’s hair, allowing time to pass in a carefree manner. This slow ‘pan shot’ then quickly changes to a rapid flicking from scene to scene as Don Pedro arrives. The mood that is then highlighted is one of excitement as the camera switches from focusing of the scurry of characters to the villa and the victorious entrance of the prince and his men. As the film progresses Branagh exploits the use of the different camera angles to provide emotional information about the characters involved in the scene which thus allows the audience to form judgments about those said characters. For instance, when Benedick first speaks, the camera angle changes to focus on Beatrice – she scowls. This close-up allows the audience intimate details of the character’s emotional state. Here it hints to a history, a painful one at that, between the two. Even in the shaming scene, Branagh is able to focus on Margaret. In the original text Margaret is completely left out. Shakespeare was not privy to the advances of technology thus he was not able to do as Branagh did, thus Margaret was left out of the original scene. However through her show of guilt Branagh is able to reassure the audience that this will not last a feat Shakespeare achieved through manipulating language and plot structure. Significantly, when the villains tell of the â€Å"betrayal† of Hero the plan is never revealed however, and the camera angle switches to show Hero in her bed alone again reaffirming to the audience the truth something Shakespeare attained through language. Also as Branagh abridges the two gulling scenes, he is able to then superimpose the end of each scene, one over the next to show both characters experiencing the same thing. The cameras focus on their faces highlighting the immense joy they are both experiencing and relaying it onto the audience. Benedict is playing in the fountain and Beatrice is swinging on a swing, love is triumphant over the squabbles and the characters are now content. Another noteworthy technique that Branagh employs is that of character placement. In the opening scene Beatrice is shown perched in a tree, unlike the other women who are sitting, this immediately signifies that she is different. Shakespearean comedies usually have heroines possessing qualities beyond their time. Shakespeare is able to establish Beatrice’s character a witty and independent through her language and interaction with other characters. Through her interaction with the messenger who yields, and her witty repartee with Benedick, Shakespeare produces a character way beyond her time. However, managing simple character placement Branagh is able to visually complement what is set by language and that is an independent, strong character. Even when the soldiers arrive from war, the riding formation is to character role and status: Don Pedro, the prince, is place in the middle to the forefront and he is flanked on both sides, to the left by the ‘villains’ Don John and his henchmen and to the right by the ‘heroes’ Claudio and the others. Also in the shaming scene all the women take Hero’s side with the exception of Benedick who stays to support his love Beatrice, while the men are on the opposite side defending their honor against the ‘unchaste’ Hero. Costuming in this film is quite simple. The characters are dressed in white cotton which evokes a sense of simplicity which matches his vision for the play and complements the setting perfectly however, it does then produce a society that is quite leisurely and not like original society which was overly concerned with outward appearances. In Shakespearean times, dress was very important especially since it shows status and that was one of the most important things even in the original script of the play. However Branagh makes simple variations which are quite as successful. For instance Don Pedro and Don John don leather pants; all soldiers wear the same uniform with the exception of color to show their roles. The villains’ pants and jacket collars are black while the heroes don blue pants and blue collared jackets. The prince is the only character seen wearing a gold chain and pendant. With these slight variations in costuming Branagh is able to achieve the same means and stays true to his vision for the play. The soundtrack to the film was brilliant, at the beginning a cadence of guitar complements the languid feeling at the picnic as the mood changes so too does the music. The soundtrack soars to add excitement and hint victory as the Prince arrives. When the scene changes and Don John takes center frame the tune is ominous, the music is threatening and thunder booms as he puts his first plot to work. The soundtrack take on a melancholic tune as Claudio believes that the Prince is wooing Hero for himself. Shakespeare knew the importance of music. It is Balthazar’s song that Branagh employs suitably as the theme song for the film as it comments on the inconsistencies of men who â€Å"are deceivers ever†. Branagh’s use of props not only adds visual insight but comedy as well. In the beginning when the men arrive from war the flag thrusted upwards symbolizes their victory. For the masked ball, the characters wore appropriate masks which related to characteristics of the characters that wore them. Leonato wore a skull which signifies his old age, Borachio had a Cyclops mask which highlights his evil, Beatrice wore a cat mask which symbolizes her cunning nature and sexual prowess, Benedict wore a fool’s mask as he is frequently the joker, Hero had a pure white mask showing her purity, and Claudio had a baby mask symbolizing his youth. Benedict is seen fidgeting with his mask as Beatrice bashes him mercilessly, which shows his deflating ego as he endures the verbal abuse. Benedict has a fold chair as his prop for his soliloquy; he fidgets with the chair to add comedy. Once again this shows that Branagh uses his ability to have props to his advantage to make the movie more appealing to a modern audience. Branagh chose Denzel Washington to portray Don Pedro despite the fact that all Shakespeare’s actors were white. It was a smart thing to do however, because he is instantly recognized, being the Prince, and this blatantly shows the infidelity due to the stark contrast between him and Don John who is played by Keanu Reeves. The actors for Benedick and Beatrice are Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson who were married in real life and their natural chemistry comes out while portraying these characters. Shakespeare uses language to emphasize incompetence. Critics say that Dogberry’s language is lost in the squabble of Michael Keaton’s overacting. While Shakespeare depends on language Keaton is more dependent on his movements and antics to be comedic. According to critics from ‘Cinema For Crazy’ â€Å"Some of the characters are a bit annoying, like the constable played by Michael Keaton, and some of the scenes are overly dramatic, but it is Shakespeare after all and when it comes to playing with words, there’s no one better. Branagh and Thompson are wonderful together, Leonard and Beckinsale embody everything young lovers should be, Washington is powerfully sexy as the lonely leader and even Reeves delivers as the sullen villain. † Branagh makes full use of the lighting and setting, some of the things that Shakespeare was not fortunate enough to have in his time. All of the scenes where love blooms are usually outside in Branagh’s production; the outdoor landscape is very light-hearted and highlights the affectionate nature. The talks of love and courtship take place out in the green, in an airy setting where the mood is tranquil and cheerful. Villainy thrives in dimly lit areas. When the audience is exposed to Don John’s true nature it takes place in the dark sort of dungeon-like place, which is suited for evil. Branagh must also be commended on his use of the outdoors; he takes advantage of his environment by taking his production outside whereas Shakespeare was limited to the stage. Branagh’s use of this also enables his production to be more appealing to the audience and more understanding as most of the playful scenes take place outdoors. The wedding scene takes place outside in a merry environment which is supposed to make the shaming scene lighter. Branagh’s rendition of Much Ado about Nothing is very similar in meaning to that of the original text and deserves a certain level of credit for his precision. Branagh saw to the needs of a modern audience and set his production to their appeal. His use of comedy, lighting, cinematography and costuming each contribute significantly in their own way to the play. Although Branagh made a few mistakes; for example casting Keaton as Dogberry, which was the most negatively critiqued character. The critic James Berardinelli also says that Reeves’ casting has â€Å"missed its mark† and â€Å"modern actors who seem out of place in the period setting†. Branagh chose to base his main focus on the Elizabethans’ preoccupation with loyalty and chastity rather than on their fixation with outward appearances. It can be concluded that Kenneth Branagh’s interpretation of Much Ado about Nothing is without a doubt considerably accurate in terms of its acquiescence with the text. Despite the fact that he does not capture everything in the play, the pieces which he does, enables a clearer understanding of the play for a modern day audience.

Gran Torino Transcultural Analysis Essay

Gran Torino starring Clint Eastwood was about a man’s struggle in adapting to the changes in his environment when confronted by unfamiliar exposure to cultural differences. The film was chosen because it told a story about one’s struggle with traditional practice, cultural diversity, gender roles, and the acceptance of others. In terms of culture, there was an abundance of traditional practices related to the Hmong community. The screenplay was written by Nick Schenk and the movie was filmed in July 2008 (Longwell, T). Gran Torino was directed and produced by Clint Eastwood, who also played the role of the main character known as Walt Kowalski. Walt was an American man and a Korean War veteran who resided in a neighborhood that became inhabited by Hmong families (Gran Torino, 2008). The relationship that Walt had with his own family was disconnected and distant because his sons embraced the modern way of living but Walt was more traditional. Walt was portrayed as a grum py old man who did not like to socialize with others. All of that changed when Walt became associated with the Hmong children next door, Thao and Sue. Walt saved Thao from being taken by the Hmong gang members and was viewed as a hero by the Hmong families despite the fact that Walt was just trying to keep other people off his lawn. Upon an unexpected invitation by Sue, Walt’s world became intertwined with the Hmong community as he was introduced to various traditional Hmong customs and foods. After a series of events, the Hmong gang returned and injured Thao’s family which prompted Walt to seek redemption from his war past by sacrificing himself for the safety of Thao and Sue. The film portrayed culture clashes between an American and Hmong families while focusing on the struggles that Hmong immigrants endure to survive within their community. The Hmong population was great in Minneapolis, Minnesota and it was the original setting of Gran Torino and also the home town of screenplay writer Nick Schenk (Longwell). Schenk had never written any other featured films prior to Gran Torino and it was his first recognized piece. In the early 90s, Schenk worked at a factory where many of his co-workers were Hmong and he gained some knowledge about the history of Hmong people (Longwell). The Hmong sided with the U.S during the Vietnam War but ended up in refugee camps due to communist takeover after the U.S. troops left, which resulted in the Hmong fleeing to the U.S. to escape from the communist forces (Gran  Torino, 2008). Schenk began to incorporate Hmong families into the story with a Korean War veteran to emphasize a clash of cultures. The intended purpose of this film was to express the cultural barriers in the language, customs, and gender roles between Hmong people and Americans. The writers and directors did a great job on portraying masculinity as the perceived dominant role between the characters. In Gran Torino, Walt criticized Thao for doing things that men are not supposed to do such as gardening. Thao does a good job in representing role reversal because he was proud to do women chores like washing the dishes and gardening. Walt tried his best to look after Thao and made Thao masculine by teaching him how to talk to other â€Å"real† men. Walt believed that real American men are supposed to be strong, fight for themselves, pay taxes, and work hard at a hands-on laboring job. Walt eventually helped Thao become a man by getting him a â€Å"real† job, tools for construction work, and social skills to interact with other men. This film was derived from Schenk’s prior experience as a factory worker with other Hmong people and this writer did not create any other significant work subsequent to the production of Gran Torino. The plot of t he movie was to show how two different types of culture collide and interact. In addition, there was also indication that masculinity in males was important as shown by the main character, Walt. The sub-plot was to show the viewers that men are not supposed to be barbaric but to become a sophisticated people with class and follow society’s rule. The main characters were Walt Kowalski, Spider, Thao, and Thao’s older sister, Sue. Walt played the dominating male that represented how a real man should be. Spider, Thao and Sue’s cousin, represented an antagonist barbaric villain that supposed to be a gangster whom terrorized Walt’s neighborhood. Thao played an innocent feminine teenage role that Walt believed was not masculine, but has class and self-respect. Sue played the smart, sophisticated, typical school Asian girl who ended up getting injured by her cousin, Spider, and his gang. It was through the interaction with Sue and Walt that the viewers were able to experience Hmong history and cultural customs. In one of the scenes during a car ride home, Sue explained to Walt the origin of Hmong people and she also invited him to her house for meal where Walt thoroughly enjoyed the foods of Hmong culture. Walt and Spider treated Thao like a child because they both wanted to teach Thao how to become a man. Spid er taught Thao that  he needed to become a barbaric person to become a â€Å"real† man, while Walt taught Thao that hard work and following society norms was what a â€Å"real† man should do. Sue was the only main female character that was able to change Walt’s mind about Hmong people. Because of Sue’s persistence, Walt decided to help her and her family from Spider and his gang. Walt became the protagonist at the end of the movie by risking his own life to bring down Spider and his gang and restoring peace to the community. My opinion about the film was that the director did a good job on portraying masculinity and how a real man should act and treat a woman. There were a lot of racism coming out of Walt’s mouth about Asians, but in the end, I believed he had a change of heart about his Hmong neighbors. I believe he came to realizations that not all Asians are the same as he remembered during his Korean War days. The way Walt finally gave a confession to the priest and how he died for his neighbor was really unexpected. The acting of Walt’s character by Clint Eastwood was really good as well. Walt’s character caught my attention and made me want to know more about his previous life, especially when he talked about how he was in the Kore an War. The cinematography could have been better and at times, it felt like I was watching a biography rather than a movie. One of the flaws was that Walt did not get in a fight for his rude behavior towards everyone that he encountered. Another flaw was that he sacrificed his life for a neighbor when he knew that he could have called the cops on Spider and his crew for possession of a fire arm and shooting his neighbor’s house, rather than choosing death at the end. Also, I believed the movie could have been better if they left out his illness from the doctor’s visit. If they had left that out and continued with the suicidal death in the end rather than risking Walt’s life because of a terminal illness, Walt’s character would have been more heroic. On the contrary, a strength of the movie was when Sue corrected Walt about the pronunciation of her race while giving him a history of where Hmong people came from and why they immigrated to America. The ultimate strength was when Walt died for his neighbor by going to Spider’s apartment complex with witnesses around to see h im get murdered. Throughout the movie, the film showed the audience that Walt always carried a gun to scare off his foes, but at the end, he realized that he did not need a weapon to bring down Spider and his gang. One of the things that I learned from the film was that nurses should not be too quick to judge someone based on appearance, like how Walt called all the Asians â€Å"gooks† without knowing their nationality. In one of the scenes in the movie, Walt was in the waiting room at the hospital for a check-up and a nurse mispronounced his name. The nurse called him â€Å"Koski† while his name was â€Å"Kowalski.† Walt gave her a disgusting look and the nurse did not apologize or asked if she was mispronouncing his name or not. As a future nurse, I want to maintain a professional role and acknowledge patients by their correct name. Correctly pronouncing a patient’s name also eliminates human error and also prevents doctors from diagnosing the wrong person. In conclusion, I would recommend this movie to people who are uneducated about Asian culture. There were a lot of racist terms that Walt used in the movie about Asians and the stereotypes of Asians eating dogs which are not true. I would rate the movie a 4 out of 5 stars because the movie was rich in cultural content and character development. The film is appropriate for audiences ages 13 and up and mainly geared toward mal es. There were a lot of violent content and gang related terms involved. As a result of watching this movie, I learned that one can change if surrounded by the right people under inevitable circumstances such as Walt’s culture clash with his Hmong neighbors. In addition, helping one another was the most rewarding take home message of Gran Torino. Whether I am helping a patient or just lending a helping hand to my next door neighbor, I will remember to be kind as to prevent one another from going down the wrong paths. References Eastwood, C. (Producer & Director). (2008). Gran torino [Motion Picture]. Burbank, CA: Warner Bros. Longwell, T. (2008). Eastwood recognizes Hmong immigrants with new film. Reuters. Retrieved May 27, 2014, from http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/12/09/us-gran-idUSTRE4B81ZC20081209