Tuesday, August 6, 2019

Evacuation Sources Questions Essay Example for Free

Evacuation Sources Questions Essay Well, to answer this question I must first analyse both the sources, source B is a picture depicting what seems to be a class of evacuees and their teacher walking down the road, probably to the train station to be evacuated. The picture shows many of the children waving and smiling, and what seems like a lot of them skipping, showing them being happy about being evacuated. Being a photograph, it is quite unlikely that it has been changed in any way, or staged to show the children being happy, as the scene seems quite natural. However it is still possible that it was staged by the government at the time to encourage people not to resist evacuating their children, this would be done by showing the children happy and carefree, not afraid or worried about it. Also the picture was taken at the start of the war, when not many people had been evacuated, at this time the children and their families may not know exactly where they were going, and may have treated it like a holiday, so therefore they probably wouldnt be to afraid about what was happening. So, overall this source is quite a useful source, but that of course depends on what for, it is useful for showing childrens reactions to being evacuated at the start of the war, however this wouldnt be useful for any time before or after this, limiting its usefulness. This also could, if it was a staged photograph by the government, be useful for showing what the government wanted people to think. Source C however is quite different to the previous source, this is an interview with a school teacher during the evacuation, in 1988, in this source, it offers a different view of the childrens feelings about being evacuated, in this source, it tells us that the children were afraid to talk, showing that they werent care or worry free about the situation. This source is primary evidence, as the person was there at the time, however this is taken in 1988, and the person could very well have forgotten some of the details of the evacuation, and therefore their memory of the event could be unreliable. However this might not be the case, and therefore it could be quite reliable. Overall, I think that source B is the most reliable, as it is a photograph taken at the time, and therefore the details of the situation would nearly definitely be correct, source C however is an account from memory and therefore the details could be wrong. Source D is a photograph taken by the government during the war of evacuees being bathed, it shows three bath tubs close together with all the children washing and laughing, this scene would be likely to give the impression that the children, and the places they went to were hygienic, this would lessen the worries of the childrens families, and also may convince more people to become host families, because the children here seem healthy, clean and happy, not dirty smelly children with bad manners, as was many peoples views of them. Also this may convince people to evacuate their children, as many families living in the cities were to poor to even bath their children, so this would be seen as an improvement in their lifestyle and living conditions. Also, if this picture was taken after around January 1940, when many evacuees returned, many of their reasons being that they felt they were better of at home, and that life with the host families was unhappy, or the parents believed this to be so, then this photograph could be being used by the government to convince families to keep their children with host families, that life out there wasnt as bad as it was made out to be. So overall I think that it really depends on when this photo was taken, which would determine why it was taken.

Monday, August 5, 2019

Media And Growth Of Bacteria

Media And Growth Of Bacteria To grow and reproduce, microorganisms require nutrients as their source of energy and certain environmental conditions. Adaptation to different habitats has been acquired by microbes living in the exposed environment. In the laboratory, however, these requirements are to be met by a culture medium. Therefore, media preparation is an essential aspect in microbial growth. There is a wide variety of media which can be used for laboratory purposes. Generally, similar procedures can be used in the preparation of media. In this practical, YT broth is prepared from yeast extract, trypton, NaCl and agar. YT broth is a commonly used bacterial Esherichia coli culture media in molecular biology. Usually, YT medium is applicable for phage DNA production. Compared to LB broth, YT is a richer medium in which it supports higher cell density and a longer growth period for E. coli. Bacteria are the most abundant and most important biological component as they involve in the transformation and mineralization of organic matter in the biosphere (Cho Adam, 1988; Pomeroy Wiebe, 2001). Generally, growth is defined as an increase in number of cells. Bacterial cell growth depends upon a large number of cellular reactions such as transforming energy. Syntheses of small molecules are performed to build macromolecules and to provide various cofactors and coenzymes for biochemical reactions. Polymerization of monomers builds the macromolecules in the bacterial cell. As the macromolecules accumulate in the cell, they are assembled into new structures with specific functions such as the cell wall, cytoplasmic membranes, ribosomes and flagella, if to name a few, and eventually lead to cell division. E. coli is used as a test organism in this practical for investigating the bacterial growth. Such a growing rod shaped cell bacterium elongates to approximately twice their original length and then forms a partition that constricts the cell into two daughter cells. This process is known as binary fission. A partition called the septum is formed by the inward growth of the cytoplasmic membrane and the cell wall from opposite directions. The septum continues to grow inwards until the two daughter cells are pinched off. When one cell separates from to form two daughter cells, one generation has occurred and the time required for binary fission is known as the generation time. Under the best nutritional conditions, the generation time of a laboratory E. coli culture is approximately 20 minutes (Buettner et al., 1973). The growth stages of bacterial cells are described in a growth curve consisting of the lag phase, exponential phase, stationary phase and death phase (Zwietering et al., 1990). In the lag phase, the bacterial cell begins to grow only after a period of time due to new environment being inoculated. The time interval of lag phase depends on the growth conditions and the history of the inoculum. If the growing culture is transferred into the same medium under the same conditions, there is no lag phase and exponential phase starts immediately. However, if the inoculum transferred is taken from the stationary phase in an old culture, lag phase is observed. This is because certain essentials of the cell have depleted and time is required for biosynthesis of new constituents. The lag phase is also observed when the cells are transferred from a rich culture medium to a poorer culture medium. In the poorer condition, the cells need to synthesize the essential metabolites that are not present i n the previous medium. Thus, time is needed by the cells to produce new enzymes. In the exponential phase, the cell divides to form two cells, both the total cell number and mass double but there is no change in the average cell mass. The cells are said to be in their healthiest state. The rate of exponential growth varies widely among microorganisms. The rate is influenced by environmental conditions and the genetic characteristics of the organism itself. In the stationary phase, the essential nutrients of the culture medium are used up and at the same time, the wastes produced by the bacterial cells accumulate in the culture medium. Thus, growth is inhibited. The exponential growth is ceased and the cells reach the stationary phase. There is no net increase or decrease in the cell number and hence the growth rate of the cells is zero. The cells enter the death phase of the growth cycle after reaching the stationary phase whereby cell lysis occurs. Figure 1: Typical growth curve of a bacterial population. The growth of E.coli is investigated under various cultural conditions, including effect of pH, temperature and aeration). Effect of pH is ascertained by preparing media of different pH values. Temperature is always a potentially limiting factor by affecting all chemical and biochemical processes and thus is viewed as an interactive factor (Pomeroy Wiebe, 2001). Aeration is done by shaking so that air space volume can be increased. As such, good and excellent aeration is stimulated. MATERIALS Media components (yeast extract, trypton, NaCl and agar), E. coli culture, 20x petri dish, 5250 ml conical flask and 1100 ml conical flask, plus cotton wool plugs in aluminium foil, Whatman paper METHOD Media Preparation The five 250 ml conical flasks and one 100 ml conical flasks were prepared and labelled as M1-M10 on the first day of practical. 100 ml of YT broth was prepared in 250 ml flasks, with the composition as trypton 1.6%(w:v), yeast extract 1%(w:v), and NaCl 0.5%(w:v). The pH was adjusted to those shown in table 2.1, followed by autoclaving. 500 ml agar was prepared in 1L flask, in which composed of YT broth and agar (13.5 g/L). The prepared medium was autoclaved. The agar was poured on 20 petri dishes. Inoculation Day 2 was begun with inoculating M1 to M8 with 1.0ml E. coli, while M9 and M10 as control set. Incubation was performed at 37Â °C for 24 hours. Whatman paper was dried overnight. Analysis Prior to an analysis, the culture was well shaken and the sampling was done under aseptic condition. Measurement of cell density and variable cell (as colony forming units, cfu) After the overnight incubation, a 3.0ml aliquot of each culture was taken and the absorbance was measured at 660nm. M9 and M10 was used as the blank. Data obtained was tabulated. Measurement of final pH of broth The final pH of the cell culture was measured. The results were also recorded in table 2.1. Measurement of CFU At day 3, a serial dilution was done from 10-2, 10-4, 10-6, 10-8 to 10-10. Hockey stick spreading technique was performed to plate out the sample. Two replicates were done for each plate, labelled a and b respectively. The culture was incubated at 37Â °C for 24 hours. The changes were observed and recorded on the next day, and thereby determining the CFU, as what recorded in table 2.2(a) and 2.2(b). Measurement of biomass The Whatman paper dried was weighed and the initial weight was recorded. A 10ml aliquot of the content of the flasks was filtered using the Whatman paper by washing with distilled water. The paper together with the content was dried in oven at 70Â °C overnight. On the next day, the final weight was measured and thereby obtaining the net weight gain of the filter paper. The result was recorded in table 2.3. RESULTS The pH change and the absorbance values measured were recorded in table 2.1. Flask M1 M2 M3 M4 M5 M6 M7 M8 M9 M10 Pre-incubation pH 4.0 7.0 10.0 7.0 4.0 7.0 10.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 Post-incubation pH 3.96 7.08 10.16 7.16 4.13 7.21 9.93 7.73 7.12 7.14 OD660nm 0.108 1.267 0.01 0.916 0.191 1.906 0.056 1.812 0.0 0.0 Growth condition No shaking (with air space) No shaking (without air space) Shaking at 200 rpm (with air space) Shaking at 200 rpm (without air space) Table 2.1: pH change and absorbance measured for M1 to M10 CFU for plate labelled a and for plate b was calculated using the formula below, which was then recorded in table 2.2(a) and 2.2(b) respectively. CFU = colony number x dilution factor = x cfu/0.1ml = ? cfu/ml Table 2.2(a): CFU for plate labelled a Flask M1 M2 M3 M4 M5 M6 M7 M8 M9 M10 Dilution (10-4) 55 22 0 >300 1 161 0 >300 0 0 CFU/ml 5500000 2200000 0 TMTC 100000 16100000 0 TMTC 0 0 Dilution (10-6) 0 13 0 185 0 24 0 3 0 0 CFU/ml 0 130000000 0 1850000000 0 240000000 0 30000000 0 0 Flask M1 M2 M3 M4 M5 M6 M7 M8 M9 M10 Dilution (10-4) 13 >300 0 >300 0 >300 0 >300 0 0 CFU/ml 1300000 TMTC 0 TMTC 0 TMTC 0 TMTC 0 0 Dilution (10-6) 0 3 0 89 0 32 0 4 0 0 CFU/ml 0 30000000 0 890000000 0 320000000 0 40000000 0 0 Table 2.2(b): CFU for plate labelled b The biomass was calculated using the formula below and was recorded in table 2.3. Biomass (g/ml) = Flask M1 M2 M3 M4 M5 M6 M7 M8 M9 M10 Initial weight of filter paper 1.14 1.16 1.14 1.17 1.19 1.15 1.16 1.19 1.16 1.17 Dried weight of filter paper 1.15 1.17 1.14 1.17 1.20 1.17 1.16 1.19 1.16 1.17 Mass Difference 0.01 0.01 0.0 0.0 0.01 0.02 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Biomass (mg /ml) 0.001 0.001 0.0 0.0 0.001 0.002 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Table 2.3: Biomass DISCUSSION From the tables in the result section and observation, we analyze the growth of E. coli under various pH and aeration condition. Measuring OD and calculating CFU give relevant and supportive information to our experiment. However, the biomass calculated is not applicable to accurately ascertain the factors affecting the growth as some errors occurred during the measurement of biomass, probably. Cell density and variable cell OD stands for optical density which indicates the wavelength of light. In this practical, OD660 measures the light absorbance by E. coli cultures, which correspond to the E. coli cell density in a given volume. OD660 determines whether the cells are ready for making cell stocks or as a competent cell. In other words, it can be said that in this part, OD660 was used to ascertain the quantity of E. coli grown in the YT broth after incubating overnight at 37Â °C. Flasks M1 to M8 were inoculated with 1.0 ml of E. coli culture. The result showed that growth had occurred. On the other hand, M9 and M10 served as the control set in which inoculation of bacteria was not applied, in addition to acting as blank during analysis with spectrophotometer. From table 2.1, it was shown that the OD of both M9 and M10 appeared to be zero. This shows that there was no sign of growth of E. coli in the two flasks. Spreading of plates was done in class II laminar flow cabinet. Sterile operation in cell culture is vital where it can affect the CFU of E. coli. This minimizes the chance of culture contamination. On top of that, the safety of the operator is ensured (Betler, 2004). From the aspect of CFU, as what shown in table 2.2(a) and 2.2(b), there was abundant of cells in M2, M4, M6 and M8. The cell density was still high even with the dilution of 10-6. Therefore, it was determined that E. coli has the optimum growth pH at 7.0. Effect of broths pH on growth Different growth condition gives different OD values. Optimum pH of E.coli growing in a culture at 37oC is around 7.0. E.coli is not able to tolerate under extremely alkaline and acidic environments because most of the enzymes found in the bacterium are very pH-sensitive. These enzymes carry out the important processes in E.coli. When there is extreme change in pH, enzymes in E.coli become denatured. Denature of enzymes in E.coli can lead to all sorts of interruptions to biochemical processes or even causes death of the E.coli. From table 2.1, it was found that there was no growth of E.coli in both flask M3 and M7 with pH 10.0; as the absorbance measured were 0.01 and 0.056 respectively. Whereas, there were some E.coli grow in flask M1 and M5 with pH 4.0, which have OD recorded 0.108 and 0.191 respectively. Thus, it can be concluded that E.coli seems to be more tolerate to lower pH (acidic condition) than higher pH (alkaline condition). Since pH 7.0 is the optimum pH for the growth of E.coli at 37oC, there were many colony of E.coli growing on the agar plates which spread with the sample from flask M2, M4, M6 and M8. There are some changes in the pH before and after the incubation. This is because there is formation of inhibitory products such as organic acids during the growth of E.coli in the YT nutrient broth. Effect of aeration on growth pH of medium is determined by medium composition, buffers, cellular metabolism and aeration. NaCl is used as buffer, where the depletion of this organic buffer will cause an E. coli reaches its maximum pH limit. Hence, care has to be taken to balance the organic buffer, sugar content and aeration medium because low aeration leads to production of acids; High aeration causes cells to use organic acids as carbon source, and thus increases the pH of medium. In brief, selected aeration also helps in maintaining cells pH. Theoretically, shake flask incubator reduces the solid and liquid inter-phase, thus minimizing the mass transfer. Increased speed and momentum cause cells to lyse among themselves. Increased speed also increases the formation of foam, thus trapping gas and resulting less gas in the liquid. Since cells require nutrients for survival, absence of gas as nutrient source will cause cells to die. Hence, shaking flask actually plays an important role in bringing an improvement to mass transfer between the gas phase outside the shake flask and the liquid phase inside the shake flask. Shake flask incubator can provide a suitable environment by ensuring sufficient transfer of oxygen gas to the cell culture by appropriate mixing. Agitation will increase the aeration of the bacterial growth of E.coli. This is because oxygen is important for high density growth of E.coli cells. Agitation is controlled by the shaking speed of a shaker incubator. Thus, from the observation, Whatman paper with content from M6 has bigger biomass than others. The biomass of M6 is 1.0 mg/ml. This is because flask M6 has been shaken at 200rpm and the flask contains air space which helps in the growth of E.coli cells. Therefore, the media without shaking or without air space or without both of these growth conditions has less growth of E.coli. Thus, M6 has the best growth condition for E.coli if compared with other media. However, from the observation in this experiment, there is more E.coli colony grows in M8 (growth condition with shaking at 200rpm but without air space) than M6 (growth condition with both shaking at 200rpm and with air space) in the culture with serial dilution 10-4. Theoretically, there should be less E.coli colony grows on the plate which spread with the culture from M8 since flask M8 has less flavour growth condition for the growth of E.coli. This unexpected observation may be because the sample with serial dilution 10-4 is not well shaken before take 1.0ml of aliquot to spread on the plate. From our result, it was again determined that the growth rate of E. coli is not affected by shaking. This is proven through our experiment where there was no significant difference in yields with or without shaking cultures. When air is supplied, however, shaking cultures shows a higher yield than static cultures. The main purpose of shaking cultures at 20 rpm is to mix thoroughly the nutrient concentration in broth, with constant temperature, 37Â °C. 37Â °C is the optimum growth temperature for E.coli. Shaking prevents cells localizing at the bottom of the broth which causes a faster depletion of nutrient as time passes. Nutrients still present in the broth but cells may not accessible to them. Hence, shaking minimizes areas of high and low nutrient concentration. The amplitude of the vibration controls the intensity of fluid mixing. Shaking broth brings advantage to non-motile cells because it enables the metabolism rate to continue, in addition to benefiting mobile cells by redu cing energy on mobility. Besides, shaking increases the aeration of broth which leads to a higher yield of E. coli. From the OD values, OD at pH 7 shows the highest value for both shaking and non-shaking media because pH 7 is the most suitable medium for growth of E.coli. However, pH 7 from shaking broth has a comparatively higher OD reading compare to non-shaking broth due to shaking enhances the growth of E.coli. However, OD of pH 4 is far higher than OD of pH 10 because E.coli can still grow on pH 4, but pH 10 does not really support growth of E.coli. As for M9 and M10, both broths do not show any OD reading value because no E.coli culture is added into both broths. When pH and vibration are held constant (i.e. pH 7 with shaking), broth with aeration shows a higher OD value compare to non-aeration. This means that a higher E.coli cell density in aerated broth compare to non-aerated broth. When other factors are held constant, air space does not significantly affect E.coli yields, because E.coli is a facultative anaerobe, which means E.coli is able to produce energy during aerobic respiration and switch to anaerobic respiration when oxygen is depleting in the environment. Thus, E.coli grows in both with or without air space broth. Supposedly, colony forming unit (CFU) in plates from medium with air space has a higher growth amount compare to medium with no air-space. This is because E.coli cells produce a large quantity of acetic acid with no air-space, and thus reducing the pH of broth and does not favour the growth of E.coli. Acetic acid inhibits growth condition under anaerobic growth condition. However, according to our result, when the pH and vibration are held constant (both of pH 7 and with no shaking), CFU is greater in non air space compare to with air space. This may be due to errors occur where the mouth of broth is not tightly covered which leads to entranc e of oxygen molecules into the broth. CONCLUSION Sterile medium such as sterile YT broth is essential for bacteria growth. The optimum pH for the growth of E. coli is 7.0. Excellent aeration promotes growth of bacteria to a further extent than what good aeration does. QUESTIONS Write a flow chart for the above protocol before you start work. Label all the conical flasks from M1 to M10 Add 100ml YT broth to flasks M1 to M3 and M5 to M7 Adjust the pH of the media to 4.0,7.0 and 10.0 using either HCL or NaOH Autoclave and allow to cool to room temperature For flask M4 to M8, autoclave 200ml of the medium in a bigger container and then pour the cooled medium into the sterile 100ml conical flask Inoculate flasks M1 to M8 with 1.0ml of E.coli culture under aseptic conditions Incubate with or without shaking as indicated from the table Prepare M9 and M10 under the same conditions as for flask M2 and M6, but do not add any inoculum Prepare and autoclave the agar After an overnight incubation,take 3.0ml aliquot of each culture and measure the absorbance at 660nm Do a serial dilution from 10-1 to 10-5 in a sterile microfuge tube and plate out 0.1ml of the sample at 10-4 to 10-5 in YT agar media Incubate at 370C overnight Determine the cfu/ml of the original culture and tabulate data Measure the final pH of the cell culture and tabulate results Filter 10ml aliquot of the content of the flasks using pre-weighted Whatman paper dried in an oven at 800C overnight Measure the net weight gain of the filter paper as an indication of biomass Tabulate results Discuss your results with respect to the effect of pH of the media and aeration on bacterial growth and reasons for your observations. In addition to nutrients, the pH of the growth medium is also important for E.coli growth rate and cell density. The optimal growth pH for E.coli is near neutral. E.coli cells can grow reasonably well over a range of three pH units (from pH 5.5 to 8.5). Extreme pH beyond this range will significantly decrease the cell growth rate and may sometimes even cause cell death. The minimum and maximum growth pHs for E.coli are pH 4.4 and 9.0 respectively. E.coli cells appear to tolerate a more neutral pH better than a high pH. This is clearly shown as E.coli grows well at pH 7 as shown on plate M2, M4,M6, and M8.In fact, extended exposure of E.coli cells to a high pH causes cell lysis. This is the reason why no colonies were found on plate M3 and M7. At the saturation or stationary phase, the pH of the E.coli culture in commonly used media is near its pH limits. pH is another limiting factor for cell growth in addition to nutrition exhaustion and accumulation of toxic metabolites. E.coli cel ls can also use sugars such as glycerol and glucose as carbon or energy sources. When the E.coli cells use these sugars as carbon sources, they will produce acetic acid and therefore lower the medium pH. Carefully balancing the sugar contents, and aeration conditions can maintain the culture medium pH near E.coli optimum growth pH or within the range of the three pH units. Low aeration conditions lead the cells to produce acids. High aeration conditions allow the cells to use organic acids as carbon source and increase medium pH. Selected aeration conditions can also help cells maintain its medium pH. Do your data on absorbance at 660nm correlate with the cfu/ml and biomass data? Explain. The data on the absorbance at 660nm correlates with cfu/ml as a lower OD660nm gives a high cfu/ml and vice versa. But the data of absorbance does not correlate with the biomass. Despite the inherent inaccuracy of the method, if the procedure is adequately controlled and calibrated the estimation of microbial numbers by optical density should be sufficiently accurate for use in preparing inoculum for cfu/ml testing. Would you expect to obtain the same data if you were to scale up the experiment using a 1000L fermenter? Explain your answer. No, as the size and volume of the fermentor increases, the volume and density of the E.coli culture will increase too so the CFU/ml will also increase.

Sunday, August 4, 2019

Avon Case :: essays research papers

Recommendations for Avon Case Two recommendations for promoting direct-sales through consumer and the business; One is to offer incentives to its customers and second is to motivate the business to promoting its products by advertisements, establishing sales competition for employees, participating in conventions, and by endorsing franchise of its products to retail stores. Promoting Avon’s products and high chance of increasing direct-sales is to offer incentives to its consumers. Incentives provide a positive motivational influence to encourage and excite buyers to buy the products. Such incentives, appropriate for this situation, are coupons, rebates, product samples and awards. Coupons can be attached in mail, beauty magazines, newspapers, and advertisements on mail or on the internet company’s official website. Rebates can be offered also to attract more buyers to buy the products. Rebates can be advertised also on coupons through mail or the internet. Another successful way of attracting consumers is by offering samples of Avon’s cosmetic products, which can be done door-to-door or attached on an advertisement through mail. Finally, awards through prizes, contests or sweepstakes can offer consumers the chance to win something small or big like cash or a free-trip to the Bahamas. Also, prizes can be offering a free gift wheneve r a consumers purchase one of Avon’s products. This last incentive option attracts more attention from consumers than the three other options. Motivate the Avon business to reach its goals of promoting its products and gaining sales through advertisements, sales competition, participating in conventions and endorsing franchise. Advertising is the key to attracting consumers and the outcome is high sales. Such advertisement is done through media (television), mail, or the internet. The more awareness from the public of the company the more likely to attract more buyers and the outcome is high sales.

Saturday, August 3, 2019

Point Shaving :: essays research papers

I think that it’s a tragedy to see that many collegiate athletes are involved in gambling situations. It’s hard on the athletes too, because they’re not getting paid to play the game so it’s hard to resist thousands of dollars to only win by a few, in cases on point shaving. When I was watching that movie â€Å"Blue Chips†, which is all about illegal college betting and buying athletes to come to their school, there was a scene involving the coach and the point guard regarding a point shaving incident three years ago. After the student was harassed by the coach he finally confessed saying, â€Å"We won the game, we just didn’t beat the spread. That’s only for those gamblers anyway†. He has a point with what he said but that’s not the point. A lot of young athletes do see point shaving as partaking in an illegal and unlawful event or don’t believe that much in it, morally. So people say that if the college players were getting paid none of this would happen. I don’t know if giving the players a stipend is going end this because unless you’re paying the athletes thousands of dollars a week or a game, the stipend won’t be more than what they’re being offered. I do think that it might help but I’m not sure if that help is going to make a big enough difference. On the same note, if you eliminate spreads, can they be sure that it will make a difference when it comes to gambling. Don’t get me wrong, eliminating the spreads would decrease the amounts of point shaving incidents, but it won’t necessarily stop them. Bookies can make up their own spreads and ask players to shave points regardless of the fact that the spread is not publicized. The bookie has an idea by about how much one team may beat another. I understand that they will probably never â€Å"eliminate collegiate gambling† but they’re t rying to limit and reduce it and I’m all for it too. Unfortunately there is the big issue of the politicians and their campaigning for funds and it’s going to be hard to control that too. I can understand why Congress isn’t closing the Nevada loophole or at least delaying it, but I still don’t agree with it.

Friday, August 2, 2019

How to refine Tai Lin Radio Service Ltd to the market leader position in the electrical appliances retail industry :: Strategic Business Management Strategy

1.0 Executive Summary Electrical appliances are an indispensable part of our daily. Hong Kong's electrical appliances retail trades vigorous development in recent years, because present is age of technical and information, many technical products arose at this historic moment. They are providing a wide array of quality and fashionable digital products, including consumer electronics, computers and communication items, enabling trend-seeking customers to enjoy a vibrant digital lifestyle. In the electrical appliance stores, the product type are more and more on selling, as the same time, the electrical appliance outlet or specialty shop are rapid increase. Which making tomorrow’s dream of smart living today’s reality for people in Hong Kong. Recently, electrical appliances store mostly with chain management, also have the magnificent decoration and be stationed in Hong Kong or Kowloon each famous plaza or shopping mall. These forces the electrical appliances retail trade arrive to a period which â€Å"The powerhouse retains, the weak one eliminates† .Many old shops replaced by new competitor or reformed because they are lack of reform. This report based on the Tai Lin Radio Service Ltd present condition, though the multiple analyses and the suggestion, hope this marketing plan creates a long-term growth model for their retail success. 2.0 Introduction 2.1 Company background and highlighting Tai Lin Radio Service Limited had it's beginnings in 1946, being one of the earliest electrics appliance store in Hong Kong. By serving the communities for sixty years, Tai Lin has established trust and esteem with customers. Retailing and repairing radios were the core early stage business of Tai Lin, by growing of the business, product range expanded broadly to televisions and electronic appliances. In 1975, Tai Lin even introduced the first stereo Hi-Fi to Hong Kong. In order to cope with the rapid growing populations in the 60's, Tai Lin broadly expanded their business by opening shop outlets in different areas of Hong Kong and varies shopping arcades. Tai Lin Radio Service Limited was officially trademarked in 1976 and as their name implied "Service Orientated" as the company's focal point. For the generations to come, Tai Lin would carry on their aim serving the communities with the latest electrics and the greatest sincere. Year 2006, Tai Lin is going to celebrate their 60th anniversary. By renovating their branches, rearranging the products mixture and opening more shop outlets in the near future, Tai Lin is going to present a completely revitalized new appearance. Nowadays, Tai Lin Radio Service Ltd has 10 branch stores in 8 locations - Tsuan Wan, Yuen long, Sha Tin, Mong Kok, Jordan, Kwun Tong, Causeway Bay and Central.

Climate Council

Climate Council The organisation chosen is Climate Council, which has made great part in doing study on the clime alteration to the populace. Climate council is non-profit organisation set up to go on to register studies to the populace to do them be cognizant of the clime alteration state of affairs at the present.Introduction of Climate CouncilClimate Council is an Australian non-profit organisation ( NGO ) , which is established to supply a better image and manner for the populace to acquire to cognize facts of clime alterations. Till now, the NGO is funded by contributions from public. At first, Climate Council is named as Australian Climate Commission, launched by the former opinion party Labor Party in 2011 as an independent consultative group to register studies to the populace on clime alteration. After the new party came into force in 2013, the Climate Council is dismissed for avoiding duplicate of services. But thanks to the state of affairss that many people are appealing to the reinstate ment of Climate Council both in world and online, the Climate Council was set up in 2013 by Tim Flannery, a former head commissioner of the Climate Commission. And harmonizing to Flannery, the council members are working pro bono. Till now, Climate Council is running based on people’s contribution. And the head director has promised that people could donate, but they could ne'er impact their independency and credibleness by contribution ( Guardian, 2013 ) .Valuess of Climate CouncilHarmonizing to Smith and Gruber ( 2006 ) , throughout the history of Earth, clime alteration is a immense job at the present. The job is non whether clime alteration exists, but when, where and how much serious clime alteration is at the minute ( Bulkeley & A ; Betsill, 2002 ) . The first value of Climate Council is consciousness of clime alteration state of affairs and its influence by the populace. Climate Council is set up by the Labor Party once more to assist the populace to be cognizant of the state of affairs of clime alteration and the influences clime alterations would hold on people’s life. At first it was dumped by the authorities governments, but as public is appealing to the Climate Council extremely both online and in world, Climate Council is established once more for the interest of the populace. As ideas of the populace is developing, clime alterations is more and more serious and the populace is more cognizant of the influences brought approximately by clime alterations, the populace would love to cognize more about the current state of affairs of the clime alteration and its consequence on different facets of our life. Furthermore, to cognize more about the society and universe people are populating in is an equal right for all the people. In Australia, people’s consciousness of clime alteration is developing and people would make more to assist the lone Earth to be a better topographic point for people and their coevalss to populate. Therefore, people’s consciousness of the state of affairs of clime alteration and its consequence is a basic right for the people populating in Australia. That is to state, Climate Council is making a great occupation in recognizing people’s right of consciousness, as a non-profit organisation. What is more, when people know more about the consequence brought approximately by clime alterations, people would make more to cut down green-house gases, cut down pollution and assist the Earth to be a more comfy and sustainable topographic point for their coevalss to populate, which is a win-win motion. Second, its value is non-profit. Before 2011, Climate Council is a portion of Australian authorities and their staff get paid by the revenue enhancement of the people. After 2013, Climate Council is a non-profit organisation. Non-profit organisation is a sort of organisation which does non concentrate on profitable industry, and stress on public personal businesss to better public public assistance, such as instruction, human rights, environment and so on. Non-profit organisation is the sort of organisation reflecting people’s consciousness of attention, love and part. The staff in Climate Council is now working pro bono, which is worthy of regard from foreigners. And their good religion should be spoken extremely of. Third, its value is independency. Till now, Climate Council gets contributions from the populace. But the current job is that the fund is non a stable flow of fund, but a flexible one, which would non be a good pick for a long-run run. As a consequence, the main executive of Climate Council is looking for a stable and large company or several investors to corporate. With the long-run stable fund, they might make better on their research and study on clime alteration. But here comes another job which is that its independency may be affected by the largest investors. But the main executive has stated that they will remain independency and will non be affected by any other 3rd party ( Guardian, 2013 ) . Fourthly, its value is credibleness. The credibleness of Climate Council is an indispensable component to the consciousness of people. Peoples would make as they suggested to assist the universe to be a better topographic point, which means that the study people’s action is based on should be trusting. Since Climate Council is a 3rd party funded by contribution from the populace, its non-profit characteristic would assist Climate Council to be more creditable when doing studies on clime alteration to the populace. Since Climate Council is set up, non intend for money but meant to make more to assist the populace to acquire to cognize the clime alterations and its consequence so as to assist cut down the release of green-house gases, the credibleness of Climate Council is made certain. What is more, when Climate Council would acquire contributions from some certain companies or groups for stable and long-run undertaking, the head director has promised that the study of the inst itute would remain creditable and will non be affected by any other 3rd party. The statement of the main executive makes certain that the people could swear the study of Climate Council and so do some actions and motions towards the jobs it refers to or harmonizing to some suggestions Climate Council has made in those studies ( Guardian, 2013 ) . I agree to the full on the values of Climate Council, which are warrant of people’s rights of consciousness of clime alteration and its side effects, non-profit, independency and credibleness. The rights of people’s consciousness is portion of human rights, which is pulling more and more attending on the international universe. As an institute of appealing to people to protect the environment, non-profit shows their purpose is environmental protection. Independence and credibleness make sure that the study of Climate Council is trusting and people could do reactions harmonizing to the studies. As a consequence, I am to the full for the above mentioned four values of Climate Council.Interests of Climate CouncilThe involvements of Climate Council would be divided into three parts. First of wholly, from the position of capital, since the institute is non-profit and all the fund it receives would be used on the study of clime alteration, as a effect, the institute will non acquire capital as net incomes. And because the staff are working pro bono, the staff themselves will non acquire a big amount of money as payment. As a consequence, both the institute and its staff will non acquire money as involvements. Second, the involvements of the institute and staff are non-profit and for the public assistance and involvements of the populace. The public’s right of consciousness of clime alteration and its side effects to their life criterions would be served and guaranteed. Third, the involvements of the institute are for the interest the Earth and all the people populating on it. Because when people find out the current serious state of affairs of clime alteration and its side consequence to their life criterions and the Earth, the protection of the clime and the Earth would be enhanced. As a consequence, the Earth would be protected and the life criterions and wellness of people and their coevalss would be guaranteed. As a effect, the whole involvements of Climate Council would be for the involvements of all Australians, all the human existences and the Earth. I am extremely for their high consciousness of part. To do it more practical than a promise, I would propose Climate Council would put up a promotion system to hold all their contributions and costs known by the populace, as many non-profit organisations do. This action would do its studies more independent, trusting and dependable.Advocacy Positions.From the studies of Climate Council, the protagonism place it takes is that human existences should take duty of clime alteration due to factory pollution, coal combustion and other industrial actions, merely as Susan ( 2009 ) has wrote in her book. And it has stand for animate beings that animate beings are non the chief grounds for clime alteration, merely the same with Steinfeld’s point of position ( 2006 ) . What is more, natural catastrophe is non chief cause for clime alteration, ei ther ( Climate Council Report, 2014 ) . There are two facets of its protagonism place Climate Council stands for. On the one manus, its protagonism place could be that the rights of Australians to hold a better apprehension of clime alteration and its bad effects to human being’s life could be realized and guaranteed. On the other manus, one time the public get a better apprehension of clime alteration and its side effects, Australians would make their best to protect the environment, tonss of runs would be launched to cut down the release of green-house gases, such as C dioxide and so on. After people’s consciousness has been aroused and motion has been made to better the quality of environment, a better topographic point for life could be looked frontward to in the close hereafter. To sum up, the protagonism place of Climate Council is people’s consciousness and the environment protection. On the one manus, the consciousness of clime alteration and its side effects could be get by the pubic, which is besides their right to hold a better apprehension of the continent they are populating on. On the other manus, the Earth would be protected in a more effectual and efficient manner. In the terminal, the concluding purpose of Climate Council would be realized. 5. Use of Science The usage of scientific discipline could be divided into two parts, one is that Climate Council is utilizing scientific discipline to distribute their thought of environment protection and the other is that people could utilize scientific discipline power to construct a better universe with less pollution, as what Americans ballot for ( National Research Council, 2010 ) . Because of the development of computing machines, laptops, smart phones, web sites and other on-line societal webs, Climate Council could be small to distribute their study and environmental positions to other people online. From the studies, one can state that people are reading and distributing the studies through Tweet, its official web and other societal webs. In this means, more people could acquire to their clime studies with no fees attached. In the study â€Å"Be prepared: clime alteration and NSW bushfire threat† , statistics and economic statistics are used throughout the study, such as â€Å" in 2013, bushfires in January and October burnt 768,000 hectares of land and destroyed 279 homes† , â€Å"total economic costs of NSW bushfires in 2014 are projected to be $ 43 million† ( Climate Council Report, 2014 ) and so on. Thankss to science development, statistics could be used to depict the influence of bushfire and clime alteration in a specific manner. Peoples would be moved by the particular and big figure of losingss, which would elicit their willingness to protect the Earth female parent. In the study named â€Å"Your forenoon caffeine hit is at risk† ( Climate Council Report, 2014 ) , picture is used to show their thoughts, which is a field, graphic manner for audience to detect, besides thanks to the development of scientific discipline. In the study related to coastal flood menace ( Brisbane Times, 2014 ) , thanks to the power of scientific discipline, scientists would acquire to cognize the grounds doing coastal flood menace and would supply ways to work out the job scientifically. In another study named â€Å"Solar: people’s choice† ( Climate Council Report, 2014 ) , scientific discipline development aid people to utilize solar power as a agency to warm their bath H2O and room. The clean and natural resources could non be turned into power for human existences to utilize without the aid of extremely developed engineering and scientific discipline. Science could assist the universe to cut down pollution and do a more comfy topographic point to populate. About usage of scientific discipline by Climate Council, I would propose that more work could be done. For illustration, I find out that people would love to portion a picture study made by Climate Council instead than a written version. As a effect, Climate Council could do more video study to better their influence. After all, their purpose is to do more and more people get entree to the clime studies and know the study content which would elicit their purpose to protect the environment and the continent they are populating on.DecisionAs for values of Climate Council, I speak extremely of its four values, which are warrant of rights of people’s consciousness of clime alteration and its side effects, non-profit, independency and credibleness. As to involvements of Climate Council, I would state that, the institute is working for the public assistance of the populace of Australian, even people throughout the universe. It would be better if they have their contributions and cos ts known to public. With respect to its protagonism place, Climate Council is working to protect environment in the terminal. About the usage of scientific discipline, they could utilize video more when distributing the studies to do more people get entree to the studies. Mentions Bulkeley, H. & A ; Betsill, M. ( 2002 ) .Cities and Climate Change. London ; New York: Routledge. National Research Council. ( 2010 ) .America ‘s Climate Choices: Panel on Advancing the Science of Climate Change.Washington, D.C. : The National Academies Press. Smith, T. M. , Yin, X. & A ; Gruber, A. ( 2006 ) . Variations in one-year planetary precipitation ( 1979–2004 ) , based on the Global Precipitation Climatology Project 2.5 ° analysis.Geophysical Research Letters, 33 ( 6 ) . Solomon, S. , Plattner, G. K. , Knutti, R. & A ; Friedlingstein, P. , ( 2009 ) . Irreversible clime alteration due to carbon dioxide emanations.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 106 ( 6 ) . Steinfeld, H. , Gerber, P. , Wassenaar, T. , Castel, V. , Rosales, M. & A ; C. de Haan. ( 2006 ) . Livestock ‘s Long Shadow: Environment Issues and Options. Climate Council. ( 2014 ) . Be prepared: clime alteration and the NSW Bushfire Threat, retrieved Oct 28Thursday, 2014 from: hypertext transfer protocol: //www.climatecouncil.org.au/be-prepared-climate-change-and-the-nsw-bushfire-threat Climate Council. ( 2014 ) . Your forenoon caffeine hit is at hazard, retrieved on Oct 26Thursday, 2014 from: hypertext transfer protocol: //www.climatecouncil.org.au/your-morning-caffeine-hit-is-at-risk Climate Council. ( 2014 ) . Solar: the people’s pick, retrieved on Oct 26Thursday, 2014 from: hypertext transfer protocol: //www.climatecouncil.org.au/solar-the-people-s-choice Hannam, P. ( 2014 ) . Coastal flood menace rises, says Climate Council,Brisbane Times,retrieved on Oct 26Thursday, 2014 from: hypertext transfer protocol: //www.brisbanetimes.com.au/environment/climate-change/coastal-inundation-threat-rises-says-climate-council-20140916-10hqe6.html Milman, O. ( 2013 ) . Climate council faces ‘titantic struggle’ , says Tim Flannery,The Guardian,retrieved on Oct 26Thursday, 2014 from: hypertext transfer protocol: //www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/sep/24/climate-council-faces-titanic-struggle

Thursday, August 1, 2019

Readings on the Power of the Nation-State Essay

World Society and the Nation-State by John W. Meyer, John Boli, George M. Thomas, and Francisco O. Ramirez * This essay begins by explaining that it is the world models of institutions and the purposes they serve—equality, socioeconomic progress, human development—are the foundations for the current nation-state order. These world models have become increasingly important in the post-war era as globalization has increased and intensified exponentially. * They then expand upon this point, explaining that traditionally, scholars believe that states are products of their own histories and internal forces. This essay asserts that this is inaccurate because in today’s era especially, there are many outside forces due to globalization that shape a nation state’s culture, institutions, and other features. * They argue that the main reasons for the emergence of world-society models have been out of wars, like World War II and the Cold War. These global conflicts may have pushed for the improvement of nationally organized progress and human development on the global scale. * Many scholars predict a failure of world-society, drawing upon evidence from the gross violations of world-cultural principles in Bosnia, the stagnant development in Africa, and the overall evasion of proper responsibility all over the globe. The Declining Authority of States by Susan Strange * Strange opens with the assertion that although they may not admit it, those in charge in capitalist nations are losing power and reputability. Politicians make empty promises and the people no longer believe them. It is exactly this type of discontent that brought down the Soviet Union and its satellite states. Political discontent by the public has risen globally and seems to be evident everywhere. * Strange also asserts that answers lie in the public opinion and everyday citizens of a country, not in the current political system. She says this because normal people use commonsense which seems to be more legitimate than the most common academic theories politicians base their notions upon. * Strange argues that after extensive study of the global political economy, she has come to the conclusion that we need to rethink some of the traditional concepts and assumptions that international relations are based upon. She presents four main assumptions that need to be revised: 1. The limits of politics as a  social activity. 2. The nature and sources of power within a society. 3. The necessity and contrasting invisibility of authority in a capitalist economy. 4. The anarchic nature of international society and rational conduct of states as the unitary actors in that society. * An interesting point Strange argues is that as governments try to gain more authority, they are squashing out ethnic minorities and indigenous peoples’ sovereignty. Some principle examples include the Basques of southwestern Europe, the Tibetans of China, the Scots of the United Kingdom, and the Aborigines of Australia.   Global Organized Crime by James H. Mittelman Mittelman explains that because of globalization, crime has completely evolved into a more complex and frightening concept. The new type of global crime involves crimes that didn’t even exist a few decades ago—computer crimes, money laundering, nuclear material theft, counterfeiting, stock market schemes, etc. Crime is also no longer localized, but taking place on a global scale. * Mittelman provides a chief example of this globalized crime using Chinese triads that have smuggled people illegally into the U.S. since the 1840’s. The corruption of the Chinese government and oppression of Chinese workers has caused this issue of illegal migration. * Mittelman also explains that global organized crime can be equated to transnational firms because they operate both above and below the state. Above the state, they operate using the manipulation of permeable borders and deregulation. Below the state, they operate by offering incentives to the marginalized populations who are struggling to cope with the effects of globalization. * He also describes the role of global crime in relation to the state. Traditionally, states are viewed as arbiters and mediators in interstate relations. However, this role is changing as crime has transcended borders and caused the cooperation of state governments to try and combat this trend. Mittelman also clarifies that although crime groups aren’t revolutionary or trying to take over the government, they are slowly changing the role of government and somewhat undermining its power.   Has Globalization Gone Too Far? By Dani Rodrik * Rodrik begins by asserting that globalization has dramatically increased the gap between the rich and the poor; the middle class is disappearing.  Because of this, tension between those in charge—the policymakers and market moguls—and those at the bottom—workers, environmentalists, etc.—has risen and become a major dividing factor. * This divide causes tension and a decrease in social stability. Rodrik highlights three main sources of tension. 1. Reduced barriers to trade and investment accentuate the imbalance between groups that can transcend international borders—capitalists, professionals, highly skilled workers—and those that can’t—unskilled workers. 2. Nations face major differences in terms of ideologies, politics, socioeconomics and this can cause conflicts within and between nations of opposing traditions. 3. Globalization has made it close to impossible for governing bodies to provide social insurance—a central function that has held societies together in the post-war period. * Rodrik then explains that in order to deal with these issues, policymakers must make difficult decisions in order to strike a balance between domestic cohesion and global interaction. Rodrik recognizes that this situation is usually viewed as a trade-off, however through maintaining a healthy balance between domestic needs and global progress, this can be achieved. Welfare Spending in an Era of Globalization: The North-South Divide by John Glenn * Glenn first recognizes that in less-industrialized states, welfare spending has decreased during the period of globalization due to the increased spending focused on structural development. On the other hand, highly industrialized nations have been the key agents in starting and maintaining globalization. * Glenn then examines two different hypotheses. The first states that nations are actively reconfiguring themselves in order to produce a business-nurturing environment. This competition state hypothesis claims that the globalization of the economy is putting the pressures on the states to make the business-conducive environment. The second hypothesis asserts that states make up for those who are most negatively affected by the economic progress and as a result of this, a decrease in social spending will not occur. * Glenn recognizes the overlap between these two hypotheses in that they both emphasize the importance of state investment in human capital in order to compete in the global economy of today. He also supports his findings with several tables  exhibiting different states’ growth of government expenditures, social spending trends, etc. in order for readers to visually see these trends that are occurring across the globe. World Culture and the Future of Schooling by David P. Baker and Gerald K. LeTendre * This article begins with the theory that education is, contrary to popular belief, a global undertaking. It defines the traditional, national vision of education as an institution for education and socialization of a country’s youth, preparing them to be successful adult citizens of their nation. The authors argue that this notion is inaccurate and is becoming more so every day. * The article asserts that global forces are shaping the evolution of schooling and education is growing more globally uniform due to the permeability of borders and educational values penetrating those borders and infiltrating educational systems within those borders. * The worldwide success of mass education is then examined. It is observed that all over the world, public schooling is educating the vast majority of youth and preparing them for a bright and educated future. In addition to this trend, traditional educational values have become widely accepted. These values can be education for the collective good, national government funding and interest in education, early education lasting through early adulthood as an effective tool in long-term impact, and statuses such as race, gender, religion and language should not deter an individual or group from accessing education.