Research paper nuclear testing in North Korea Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Nuclear testing in North Korea - Research Paper Example President Obama further went on to denote that the act by North Korea will increase the isolation of North Korea, from the international community. It is important to denote that this nuclear test by North Korea was unexpected, despite the regime issuing a warning on the 24th of January 2013, that it would conduct a nuclear test (Davenport, 11). However, the regime did not identify a specific date that it would undertake the nuclear test. It is important to understand that this announcement was made; just two days after the Security Council of the United Nations passed a decision to strengthen the sanctions that were placed against North Korea (Park, Kyung-Ae, and Mark, 39). These sanctions were in response to the decision by North Korea to launch a satellite on the December 12th 2012. It is important to understand that the security council of the United Nations seeks to prevent Pyongyang from launching satellites, and this is because the technology used in launching a satellite is directly used for purposes of making ballistic missiles (Davenport, 33). North Korea is considered a rogue regime, and on this basis, the United Nations cannot trust the regime with a ballistic or nuclear weapon. It is important to understand that the road for North Korea becoming a nuclear state began on October 2006, when the country conducted its first nuclear. The other nuclear test was conducted by North Korea on May 2009. Prior to conducting a nuclear test in 2006, North Korea announced that it no longer recognized the treaty of nuclear nonproliferation. This was on April 2003. In as much as North Korea withdrew from the treaty, the United Nations, and other countries who signed the treaty have not recognized this withdrawal. On this basis, the Security Council of the United Nations, under resolution 2009, and 2006 makes it mandatory for North Korea to abandon all its nuclear activities, and

Case Study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 10

Case Study - Essay Example Regarding health care, the country has five primary care providers. From these five primary care providers, only one specializes in geriatric care and there is one 54-bed long-term nursing care facility located in the northern region. There is no public transit system because of rural roads. However, residents may call a hospital shuttle program if they need transportation to a physicians appointment. Mr. Thompson, a nurse in community health, and his committee are aware that as the baby-boomer population ages, health care professionals need to prepare for a rapid increase in the number of people older than 65 years of age. The committees purpose is to make suggestions to the health department and county officials about how to prepare for the influx in health services that will be needed for these older adults. For Mr. Thompson to assess the communitys knowledge and beliefs, values and sentiments, goals and perceived needs, norms, problem-solving processes, power, leadership, and influence structures, he should engage in personal interactions with the people in the community. He can do this while attending community events from which he knew interactions will happen. Taking down notes while or after conversing with community members can also be a good method. Aside from interactions or interviews, he could also acquire available written records which might be helpful or may serve as support in his data generation. To maintain an analytical edge during data generation, his self-conscious, reflexive effort will be needed. He should also be mindful with the objective of his study and ensure its congruence with the data that he is generating (Allen and Lyne,

Ginger and Turmeric: History and use

Ginger and Turmeric: History and use Ginger and Turmeric Introduction Ginger Ginger and turmeric are categorize in the same family, Zingiberaceae, along with cardamom (White 2007)(Leal 2003). The most frequently used herbal supplement is Zingiber officinale, which is the scientific name for ginger (White 2007). The scientific name of ginger, Zingiber officinale , was created by Linaeus a Swedish botanist from the 18th century. Linaeus named ginger after Singabera, or shaped like a horn, which is an Indian Sanskrit (Hoffman, 2007).Ginger is known for its overpowering smell and taste and also for its medical use to reduce nausea (White 2007). The well-known aroma of ginger is from the ketones, one of these ketones is gingerol (White 2007). The strong taste that ginger possesses is from phenylproanoids, non pungent fats and waxes (Hoffman 2007).Gingers taste is known when its hydrocarbon tails unite with its receptors (Hoffman 2007). Ginerols and zingerone are the non-volatile phenylpropanoids that contribute to gingers taste (Hoffman 2007).The dehydrated form o f these molecules are gingerols and shogals which has a lot stronger taste (Hoffman 2007). The rhizome, which is a steam, is normally consumed but is referred to as the â€Å"ginger root† (White 2007). Ginger can be consumed in many forms of which are as juice, dry power, syrup or even in pill form for easy digestion (Hoffman 2007). Fresh ginger does not contain zingerone but once cooked the zesty sweet flavor of zingerone appears from ginerol converting into zingerone (Hoffman 2007). Turmeric Curcuma longa, or turmeric, is known for being an Indian spice (Jurenka 2009). Turmeric is located in South Asia, Southwest Asia, China, the Caribbean Island and South America (Leal et al., 2003). Turmeric is known for the particular reign of Asia and the Middle Eastern countries (Tayyem et al., 2006). In India, the average consumption of turmeric is around 2 to 2.5 grams, this means that the consumption of curcumin is anywhere from 60 to100 mg a day (Chainani-Wu 2003). Turmeric is used in foods for its yellow color and flavor (Leal et al., 2003).Turmeric has been used in laxatives and as a pesticide (Negi etal., 1999).In 1910, Lampe and Milobedzka, discovered what made the famous yellow color in turmeric, which is curcumin (Jurenka 2009). Medically turmeric is known for its anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, antimutagenic and anti-inflammatory activities (Leal et al., 2003). When curcumin is taken by mouth it has a low bioavailability (Tayyem et al., 2006). Turmeric has many effects on the DNA by inhibiting the destruction, lowering the mutations and helping repair DNA (Krishnaswamy 2007). It was also shown that the level of detoxifying enzymes increase with the amount of turmeric (Krishnaswamy 2007). Turmeric is indigenous to the topical region of South and Southeast Asia (Krishnaswamy 2007). The way that turmeric is used in food in India is that it is fried or it is boiled and at these elevated temperature this still did not affect turmerics ability to prevent mutants (Krishnaswamy 2007). Historical Usage Ginger Ginger has been historically used for colds, fevers, digestive problems and to increase the appetite (White 2007). Ginger has been referred to in the ancient passages in countries like China, Ancient Rome, India, Arabia and Greece (Olgoli et al., 2009). Ginger has been utilize in numerous of ways because of its aroma and also in culinary ways by adding it to jams, drinks, breads and sweets (Olgoli et al., 2009). Ginger has been used for diarrhea, gastritis, and nausea for thousands of years in Asian medicine (Olgoli et al., 2009). In China and Thai ginger has been used in controlling nausea and vomiting in pregnant women (Olgoli et al., 2009). For thousands of years, ginger has been used for medical purposes as wells as a culinary spice added to food for its color and flavor (Hoffman 2007). Ginger has been discussed in many ancient Indian, Arab, Chinese, Greek and Roman medical text on the medical used of it and was referred to as the universal medicine in India (Hoffman 2007). Ginge r has been used for problems related to the respiratory and digestive tracts as well as a tonic for the heart and a paste to help with headaches and aching joints due to arthritis (Hoffman 2007). The gastrointestinal tract has been benefited a great deal from ginger by inhibiting gastric ulcers, increasing digestion enzymes, and improving the secretion of bile (Chen et al, 2007). There is a wild ginger located in Hawaii that is used for cuts, bruises, sores, fungal skin infections, painful joints, sprains, headaches, stomachaches and toothaches (Hoffman 2007). Turmeric Turmeric was used as a treatment for diseases related to inflammation in Ayurvedic medicine (Jurenka 2009). Turmeric was used in historically in Indian medicine for rheumatic disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, for wound healing and even for removing worm from people and animals to cosmetics (Krishnaswamy 2007). Turmeric in paste form has been used on chicken pox, small pox, and measles (Krishnaswamy 2007). In India there is land that is set aside for the growth of spices and condiment; 60 percent of that land is used for the growth of turmeric (Krishnaswamy 2007). For religious ritual turmeric has been used as dyes for not only fabric but also used on the skin (Funk et al., 2006). Bioactive Ingredient Ginger Two bioactive ingredients of ginger are shogaols and gingerols which act like antioxidants (Leal et al., 2003). There are additional compounds in ginger extract that stop the growing of microorganisms and effect the growth of specifically Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium avium (Leal et al., 2003). Another bioactive ingredient of ginger is zingerone, it helps with the prevention of diarrhea due to pathogens (Chen, 2007). The bioactive ingredients of ginger, that make ginger known for its function of being an: antioxidant, anti-angiogenesis, anti-cancer, anti-atherosclerotic, and anti inflammatory are gingerol, shogoal, and paradol (Hanim et al., 2008). The way these molecules are able to posses all of these properties is by reducing the number activity of nuclear factor-kappa B. Nuclear factor-kappa B is important in the ability for the cell to multiply and form new blood vessels. When nuclear factor-kappa B inhibited it hinders the formation of new blood vessels and the c ells ability to rapidly multiply (Hanim et al., 2008). Saponins, alkaloids, and flavonoids are all found in ginger (Ghayur Gilani, 2005). (Hoffman 2007) Tumeric Curcuminoids are a bioactive ingredient in turmeric that has antioxidant properties (Leal et al., 2003). In a reaction that requires polykedtide synthase, two p-coumaroyl-CoA molecules are joined together with a malonyl-CoA molecule to release a water molecule and form curcuminoids (Ramirez-Ahumada et al., 2006).There are three types of curcuminoids, they are curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemthoycurcumin (Jurenka 2009). Turmeric has the largest amount of curcumin compared to other spices; turmeric is 3.14 percent curcumin and can be up to 9 percent curcuminoids (Tayyem et al., 2006)(Krishnaswamy 2007). The carbonyl group in curcumin has been related to how turmeric may help with preventing cancer (Leal et al., 2003). Curcumin is virtually water insoluble because its a lipophilic polyphenol molecule (Jurenka 2009). In addition, curcumin can survive the acidic content of the stomach (Jurenka 2009). Another important group of ingredients in turmeric are the volatile oils; rumerone , zingiberone, and atlantone (Jurenka 2009). (Ahmed Gilani, 2008) Modern Use Ginger Related to Nausea, Vomiting, and Diarrhea The way that ginger prevents vomiting is not a known mechanism (White 2007). But what is considered is that ginger stops the binding of serotonin receptors and has an effect on the gastrointestinal system along with the central nervous system to prevent vomiting (White 2007). Ginger has shown to have a positive effect on reducing nausea and vomiting related to both pregnancy and post operation (White 2007). Pregnant women taking ginger by capsule have shown to experience positive results by having a decrease in nausea and vomiting (Ozgoli et al., 2009). Women who are pregnant and experiencing nausea and vomiting should take 250 mg of ginger four times a day (White 2007). In China, United Kingdom, and Thailand ginger is listed on the pharmacopeias list for being an important drug for pregnant women because of its ability to decrease nausea and vomiting (Ozgoli et al., 2009). In a study with pregnant women, 77 percent of the women had a major improvement in the severity of nausea and 6 7 percent had a decrease in frequency of vomiting when using ginger syrup (Ozgoli et al, 2009). When ginger is taken by either capsule or syrup there was a positive result in reducing nausea (Ozgoli et al., 2009). Levine et al. found that nausea was slowed down during chemotherapy treatments when ginger was combined with protein (Levine et al., 2008). In a recent study done by Chen et al., they found an additional benefit to ginger, that it prevents diarrhea (Chen et al, 2007). The way ginger stop diarrhea is by inhibiting the B subunit of heat-labile enterotoxin from attaching to the ganglioside GM1 (Chen et al., 2007). Ginger and Arthritis There are varied views on whether ginger has any effect on relieving pain from arthritis (White 2007). There was a study that showed a significant difference in reducing arthritis symptoms in the knee with the uses of ginger extract but another study said that it may only be in the first phase of treatment that symptoms are reduced (White 2007). Patients taking ginger in the powder form have noticed a decrease in swelling and pain (White 2007). There has not been much research on the use of ginger rubbing oil but it is an option to ease the pain from inflamed joints (White 2007). In a study performed on rats, the subjects were injected with polyarthritis which is like redness and irritation to the skin, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis and each rats knee was measured before inflammation (Levy et al., 2006).One group of rats was given 6.2 mg/kg of 6-shogaol per a day, this group had much lower amount of swelling in the knee compared to the control group (Levy et al., 2006).Aft er twenty-eight days of the trial, the swelling of the 6-shogaol group was almost as low as the circumference of the knee measurement before the trial began (Levy et al., 2006). The way that 6-shogaol reduced the inflammation was by keeping monocytes, macrophages, leukocyte, and lymphocytes in the blood and inhibiting the movement of them into the synovial cavity (Levy et al., 2006). Ginger and Heart Disease One of gingers known properties is effect on cholesterol, which is known as hyocholesterosterolamic, having low total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein are to important components in reduce risk for heart disease (A1-Amin et al., 2006).Ginger may lower the risk of heart disease by lowing cholesterol and thinning the blood to prevent clots from forming (Hoffman 2007). In a study performed on rats, when taking ginger daily the blood cholesterol of the rats was reduced but had an inverse affect on blood sugar by increasing it in the rats (Srinivasan 2005) High blood pressure is another risk factor in having an increase risk for heart disease. The ginger root has been shown in studies using rats to be lower high blood pressure but there are very few studies done with humans (Chen et al., 2009). The two ingredient of ginger that has a lower effect of blood pressure are 6-shogaol and 6-gingerol but the mechanism of how they do it is unknown (Chen et al., 2009). When rats were given g inger there was a 44 percent decrease in blood cholesterol levels. After seven weeks of ginger treatment there was a 41 percent decrease in triglycerides in these same rats (Al-Amin et al., 2006). Ginger and Anti-inflammatory agents Ginger can be consumed as tea or you can inhale the vapors through steam, this is a method use to decrease inflammation in upper respiratory infections like flu, sinusitis, colds and bronchitis (Hoffman 2007). Ginger has also been beneficial in women who experience painful menstrual cycles (Hoffman 2007). Ginger and Antimicrobial Activity Ginger extract slows down the growth of two bacteria, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium avium. This is a very significant finding due to the increase of tuberculosis the past few years and the increase in drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Leal et al, 2003). Patients who are immune compromised benefit from the antimicrobial activity of ginger (Leal et al., 2003). Ginger and Diabetes There have been mixed reviews on if ginger has blood glucose lowering effects and if it beneficial to diabetics. Some studies show that it lowers blood glucose in both diabetic and non-diabetic animals but it also shows that ginger has increased blood glucose levels (Al-Amin et al., 2006). In a trail with rats that had been experimentally induced with diabetes they found that ginger could help in the treatment of diabetes (Al-Amin et al., 2006). The group of rats that had diabetes that were treated with ginger had a 52 percent decrease in their blood glucose levels (Al-Amin et al., 2006). The non-diabetic rats did gain weight through this trial and the control diabetic group lost weight (Al-Amin et al., 2006). The diabetic rats that were treated with ginger, at the end of the trial had maintained their weight (Al-Amin et al., 2006). The protein levels present in the urine of the rats that were given ginger had decrease by 60 percent (Al-Amin et al., 2006). In the diabetic rats that w ere administrated ginger, there was a reduction in both urine excretion as well as water consumption (Al-Amin et al., 2006). Ginger enhances the release of insulin from the beta cells in the pancreases; this is one of the few mechanisms that result in a beneficial outcome on people with diabetes (Al-Amin et al., 2006). Ginger and Cancer The initiation of nuclear factor-kappa B is stopped by ginger root, which will inhibit the growth of the tumor cell and the ability of new blood vessels to supply blood and nutrients to the tumor (Rhode et al., 2007). Ovarian cancer cells have shown to slow down and even stop growth in the presences of 6-shagoal, a component of ginger (Rhode et al., 2007). After one to five days of ovarian cancer cells being in the presence of ginger the growth of the cells slowed down. With the dose ranging as high as 50 micrograms/ul to as low as 30 micrograms/ul of ginger there was evidence of slowing down of the cell growth of the cancer cells (Rhode et al., 2007). Prostate cancer, colon cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, and breast cancer has been reduced in occurrence with the increase of ginger and other functional foods (Rhode et al., 2007). With the stopping of nuclear factor-kappa B, this shows that another benefit to ginger is that it is anti-neoplastic (Rhode et al., 2007). There was a decr ease in the spreading of cancer in the lungs when a bioactive ingredient of ginger, 6-gingerol, was administrated to mice ( Yance Sagar et al., 2006). Turmeric and Anti-inflammatory The inflammatory diseases that benefit from turmeric are inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, arthritis, certain cancers and chronic anterior uveitis (Jurenka 2009). There are many ways that curcumin, in turmeric, decreases inflammation for example the down regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and lipoxygenase (Jurenka 2009). Another way that inflammation is reduced is to stop the formation of inflammatory cytokines. Some of these cytokines are interleukin -1,-2,-6,-8 and -12, migration inhibitory protein, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TMF-alpha) and monocyte chemoacttractant protein (MCP) (Jurenka 2009). Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) is inhibited by curcumin, which prevents the action of inducible nitric oxide syntheses and cyclooxygenase-2 (Jurenka 2009). Nuclear factor kappa B is affects inflammation, the growth of a new tumor, cell growth and division, and transformation (Jurenka 2009). When taking 50 to 200mg/kg of curcumin, in mice, there was a smaller occurrence of edem a and at 48mg/kg there was an even smaller occurrence of edema by 50-percent (Jurenka 2009). When there has been damage to the mucosal cells, for example Ulcerative Colitis, curcumin is shown to reduce the inflammation (Jurenka 2009). When giving curcumin to rats with Ulcerative Colitis, that was induced experimentally, there was a decrease in inflammation and progress in reducing severity of symptoms; this was also true in rats that had experimentally induced pancreatitis (Jurenka 2009). When comparing curcumin to phenylbutazone and a placebo, which was lactose powder, 400mg of curcumin showed the best results in decreasing inflammation in patient after surgery (Jurenka 2009). A study done on patients with an inflammatory eye disease, anterior uveitis, there showed a positive result from the use of curcumin. There were two groups, one took 375 mg of curcumin alone and the other group took the 375mg of curcumin combined with antitubercular therapy. Following two weeks of these therapies, the group that took just curcumin there was a 100 percent improvement but the group with the combination of curcumin with the antitubercular therapy only had an 86 percent improvement (Jurenka 2009). In animals, curcumin has slowe d down multiple sclerosis (Fahey et al., 2007) Turmeric and Gastric Ulcers When a study was done, on patients diagnosed with peptic ulcers, curcumin showed an absence of ulcers at their check up. Patients were told to take 600mg of curcumin 30 to 60 minutes prior to eating a meal , then at 4:00 pm and once again prior to going to bed, so about five times a day. This study was conducted for twelve weeks and in a third of the way through the study 48 percent of the patients did not have any ulcers. When the twelve weeks were over 76 percent of patients were absent of ulcers (Jurenka 2009). Turmeric and Arthritis When rats were given 4mg/kg of curcuminoids per a day four days before arthritis inducted injection there was a 75 percent decrease in joint inflammation in a rats with acute arthritis and a 68 percent decrease in joint inflammation in rats with chronic arthritis (Jurenka 2009). Due to low levels of absorption, they decided to see if oral curcuminoids would decrease joint inflammation. Four days before given the arthritis inducted injections the rats were given a high oral dose of curcuminoids, by the third day there was a 48 percent decrease in joint inflammation. This showed that the oral intake of curcuminoids can still lower joint inflammation in regards to arthritis (Jurenka 2009). There was a reduction in swollen joints and stiffness in the morning and an increase in walking time for people with rheumatoid arthritis when taking 1200 mg of curcumin a day (Jurenka 2009). Four days before the injection, the rats were given 23mg/kg/day of curcuminoids (Funk et al., 2006). In an acu te inflammatory state, there was an inhibition of 64 percent and an even better result with chronic arthritis with a 72 percent inhibition (Funk et al., 2006). Funk et al. found that whether it is a large amount of fraction turmeric or a small amount of curcuminoids that are have been purified, they both have shown to have benefits to arthritis and help suppress it (Funk et al., 2006). However they do think that the more harmless and more successful form is purified curcuminoids (Funk et al., 2006). Turmeric and Cancer The ability to prevent rapid cell growth and the ability to cause signaling that will result in cell death are two important ways curcumin has show to stop the growth of cancer (Fahey et al., 2007). When curcumin stops the actions of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, this promotes the death of the cancer cell (Fahey et al., 2007). Curcumin has thought to have effect that can inhibit the growth of cancer and many studies have shown that curcumin has stopped the formation of cancer cells (Jurenka 2009). There are many mechanism of how curcumin decrease the risk of cancer. High levels of COX-2 have been related to cancer; therefore curcumin is beneficial by decreasing COX-2 and NF-kB (Jurenka 2009). Lipoxygenase is used to metabolize arachidonic acid, when this occurs scavenging free radicals are formed. The way curcumin has anti-cancer activity is it interferes with lipoxygenase to slow down the metabolism of arachidonic acid, which reduces the free radicals (Jurenka 2009). The growth of cancer cells is slowed down when curcumin reduces the occurrence of inflammatory cytokines IL -1B, IL-6, and TNF-a (Jurenka 2009). Protein kinase C is an intercellular signaling protein in which intervenes on the rapid growth and inflammation of the cells, curcumin down-regulates these enzymes to reduce the growth of tumors (Jurenka 2009). The anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant actions of curcumin play a big role in its prevention of cancer (Tayyem et al.2006). In colon cancer present in animals, curcumin slowed down the growth of tumors (Tayyem et al., 2006). Turmeric and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) One of the most frequently experienced symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome is abdominal pain. In an eight week study done on patients with Irritable bowel syndrome patients were divided into two groups and administrated 72mg of turmeric extract or 144mg of turmeric extract (Jurenka 2009). . Half way through the study the occurrence of IBS had decrease by 53 percent in patients taking 72 mg of turmeric extract and there was a 60 percent reduction in patient taking 144mg of turmeric extract. When the study was complete there was a 22 percent decrease in abdominal pain in patients taking 72mg and a 25 percent decrease in patients receiving 144mg of turmeric extract (Jurenka 2009). Turmeric and Blood Glucose Levels In some studies, they found that turmeric has a positive effect on glucose tolerance (Srinivasan 2005). In people taking curcumin, an active ingredient in turmeric, they were able to lower their fasting blood sugar levels, which resulted in their insulin dosage decreasing (Srinivasan 2005). In a study that looked at rats with diabetes, the rhizome extract exhibited lower levels of blood sugar levels (Srinivasan 2005). The conclusion, of the study was that people that are diabetic will benefit from 1 gram of turmeric power with a healthy diet (Srinivasan 2005). Turmeric and Heart Disease Turmerics anti-oxidant properties help in the combat against heart disease. When turmeric was from one to five percent of the diet within four weeks cholesterol and triglycerides had decreased while HDL had increased (Krishnaswamy 2007). In a sixty day trial, a group of people were given 20 mg of curcumin. At the end of the trial the levels of high density lipoprotein and low density lipoproteins peroxidation concentration had been reduced from anywhere between 25 percent to 50 percent (Bosca et al., 1997). Turmeric and Alzheimers Disease When looking at the population if India, there was a noticeable link between Alzheimers disease and turmeric. Turmeric is a greatly used spice in India and the prevalence of Alzheimers disease is lower in India when compared to the United States (Calabrese et al., 2003). There is not much scientific finding on turmeric inhibiting Alzheimers disease and the way it is done is unknown (Ahmed Gilani, 2008). When observing the activity of AChE and the curcuminoids, bisdemethoxycurcumin was the most powerful curcuminoid while curcumin was the least effective curcuminoid (Ahmed Gilani, 2008). In the test to examine memory retention, they used rats that had scopolamine-induced amnesia and the Morris water maze. After being injected with scopolamine, the rats were given either a mixture of curcuminoid or either bisdemethoxycurcumin, or curcumin. All curcuminoids, either the mixture or individually, showed inverse effects of the scopolamine-induced amnesia, which showed that curcuminoids cou ld be used for treating Alzheimers disease (Ahmed Gilani, 2008).In the brain, curcumin reduces the oxidative stress, lower the amount of plaque and inhibits inflammation. These actions are key components in preventing Alzheimers disease but this can also play a part in inhibiting the development of Parkinsons disease also (Lim et al., 2001). Turmeric and Antibiotics Activity One of well know functions of turmeric is its ability to inhibit the growth of bacteria. Turmeric has shown to inhibit the growth of many bacteria including, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Negi et al., 1999). Other bacteria that is inhibited by ginger is Helicobacter pylori (De et al., 2009). Gram positive bacteria required a lot less quantity of turmeric oil than gram negative to inhibit bacteria (Negi et al, 1999). Gram positive only required 50 ppm to inhibit the growth of bacteria but 200 pm was require to inhibit the growth of gram negative bacteria (Negi et al., 1999). Safety/Toxicity Ginger Ginger is listed on the WHO monograph and the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations safe herb list (Ozgoli et al., 2009). Ginger may affect the gastrointestinal tract slightly and cause heartburn, diarrhea, and irritation to the mouth but besides these symptoms ginger does not cause any adverse effects (White 2007). In animals, ginger had inotropic effects which lead to arrhythmia (White 2007). It has been shown that 1,000 mg a day of ginger is safe and has had better results than the higher doses (Ozgoli et al., 2009). Ginger consumption should not exceed 4 grams a day and ginger should not be given to children under the age of 2 (Hoffman 2007). If someone is on warfarin they should check with their doctor about taking high dose of ginger (White 2007). Patients should talk to their primary care physician about taking warfarin and ginger they both having blood thinning effects(Hoffman 2007).There needs to be more research on adverse effect and drug interaction with ginger (White 2007). If someone has gallstones, they need to talk to their doctor about taking ginger as a medicine due to the ginger increasing the flow of bile (Hoffman 2007). Ginger has no adverse effects on the outcomes of pregnancy and is a safe and practical product to be used (White 2007). The potency of ginger increases when it is in powder form, so it is advised that pregnant women do not take ginger in powdered form (Hoffman 2007). Turmeric Turmeric has shown to be a very safe supplement. In a human trial that lasted for three months they were administrated 8 grams of curcumin a day and determined that it was safe (Chainani-Wu 2003). Studies have shown that it is safe to take up to 8 grams of curcumin, an ingredient in turmeric, on a daily bases (Jurenka 2009).The only concern with turmeric is hepatotoxicity; in two studies done with rats and mice hepatotoxicity was showing up in test (Chainani-Wu 2003). In one study, rat and mice were given a diet of 5 percent turmeric and turmeric extract for 90 days there were adverse effect of weight loss, change in the weight of the liver, and hepatotoxicity (Chainani-Wu 2003). Another study performed on mice, within 14 days of the study there were signs of hepatotoxicity (Chainani-Wu 2003). The diet was made of 0.2 percent to 5 percent turmeric and a .05 percent to 0.25 percent ethanolic turmeric extract (Chainani-Wu 2003). In human studies there seem to be no problem with hepatot oxicity and Chainani Wu believes this because humans metabolize curcumin more easily than rats (Chainani-Wu 2003). In the study done by Bosca et al., they had not adverse side effect on the liver from turmeric; they looked at liver enzyme and monitored the bilrubin levels (Bosca et al., 1997). If patients are taking chemotherapy drugs they should talk with their doctors (Jurenka 2009). Curcumin can inhibit as well as enhance chemotherapy drugs, so it is important to discuss the type of drug you are taking with your doctor (Jurenka 2009). Patients on anticoagulant and antiplatetlet medicines should talk to their doctors before taking high doses of curcumin; because of its ability prevent platelet aggregation (Chainani-Wu 2003). If patients are suffering from gallstone before taking large dose of turmeric they should discuss it with a doctor. The contractions of the gallbladder are increased when taking curcumin (Chainani-Wu 2003). Conclusion Both ginger and turmeric have been proven safe by many studies and have shown great benefits to the health of individuals. Turmeric and ginger both have shown to decrease negative effects of diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and cancer. Both of these spices show antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. There seem to be no detrimental side effect of taking ginger or turmeric, so there is no harm trying to add more into your diet. As with adding any supplement it best to take in moderation and contact your primary care physician.

Symbols and Symbolism Essay - Symbolism in Nathaniel Hawthornes The Scarlet Letter :: Scarlet Letter essays

Symbolism in the Scarlet Letter Symbolism plays an important role in the Scarlet Letter. The scarlet "A" is used to represent sin and anguish along with happiness. The "A" has different meanings to people other than what was originally intended. The scaffold is used as a place of repentance and judgment by God. Pearl is another major symbol used as a reminder of the scarlet letter. The scarlet "A" is the most important symbol in the Scarlet Letter. The letter "A" does not have a "universally symbolic relationship" with adultery. The letter "A" was the first letter of adultery and the Puritans put the negative connotation on the letter. The community interprets the cosmic "A" as Angel, signifying the passing of Governor Winthrop. The letter on Hester's bosom represented the sin of adultery, yet as that it meant different things to Hester, Dimsdale, Pearl, Chillingworth and the Puritan community. To Hester it represented "alienation and unjust humiliation" . "Hester looked, by way of humoring the child; and she saw that, owing to the peculiar effect of this convex mirror, the scarlet letter was represented in exaggerated and gigantic proportions, so as to be greatly the most prominent feature of her appearance. In truth, she seemed absolutely hidden behind it." This shows how the community saw a sinner and the "A", not Hester. The women sneered and jested at her in public and wanted to take Pearl from her. The prison also symbolizes isolation and alienation. Hester lives in a prison of alienation and Dimsdale in his guilt. Yet later as Hester shows signs of humbleness by embroidering items for others and still wearing dim colored clothing, the community says her "A" is for able. To Dimsdale, the letter represents his guilt and agony. It constantly torments him throughout the book. It reminds him of his undeclared sin and also how Hester suffers for him. For Chillingworth, the letter is his need for revenge and he wants what is on the minister's chest unveiled to the community. He did not want this to happen as fast as it happened for the letter was Chillingworth's life, and he died shortly afterward Dimsdale's death because he had nothing to do with his life.

Beer and Company Essay

The South African Breweries Limited is a holding company invested in and taking management responsibility for a portfolio of businesses, principally engaged in meeting mass market consumer needs. Beer is the major profit contributor, but an important balance is provided by interests in complementary beverages, retailing, hotels, and the manufacture and supply of selected consumer goods and services, together with strategic investments in businesses which support the mainstream interests. Company History: The South African Breweries Limited (SAB) is a holding company whose principal line of business is brewing. The company holds an impressive 98 percent share of the beer market in its home country of South Africa, where it sells 14 brands of beer, including local lagers Castle and Lion as well as foreign brands brewed under license–Heineken, Guinness, Amstel, and Carling Black Label. Aggressive overseas expansion following the end of apartheid, however, has also given SAB ownership of, or stakes in, more than 25 breweries in the emerging markets of central Europe, China, and sub-Saharan Africa. Overall, in terms of volume, South African Breweries is the world’s fourth largest brewer. SAB also has a variety of nonbrewing operations, such as carbonated and natural fruit drinks and other beverages, retailing, hotels and gaming, and manufacturing of safety matches and glass. The company has been divesting many of these noncore assets in the late 1990s. SAB’s history is in many ways the history of the South African brewing industry, most notably through the government-ordered merger of the largest breweries in 1956. The company’s history was also greatly influenced by the apartheid system and its effect on the domestic economy, on domestic firms, and on foreign investment in South Africa. Early History The discovery of gold on the Witwatersrand (a region encompassing Johannesburg) in 1875 brought large numbers of prospectors to South Africa. Small outposts for white settlers were transformed into busy cities with new industries. Several brewmasters, most with little experience, began to produce a variety of beers which immediately gained popularity with the settlers. In 1889 a British sailor named Frederick Mead left his ship in Durban and took a job working in the canteen of a local army garrison at Fort Napier. While there, Mead, who was only 20, became acquainted with a businessman in Pietermaritzburg named George Raw. Neither of them knew anything about brewing, but they persuaded the local residents to help establish the Natal Brewery Syndicate. After purchasing a factory site, Frederick Mead returned to England to procure machinery and raise capital. In need of brewing expertise, Mead approached W. H. Hackblock, head of Morgan’s Brewery in Norwich. The two men became friends and Hackblock agreed to serve as chairman of Mead’s company, which was registered in 1890 as the Natal Brewery Syndicate (South East Africa) Limited. The company brewed its first beer in July 1891. Mead remained interested in establishing a brewery in the rapidly growing Witwatersrand. In 1892 he purchased the Castle Brewery in Johannesburg from its proprietor Charles Glass. The expansion of this facility, however, was beyond the means of the Natal Brewery Syndicate, and Mead returned to England to attract new investors. In the final arrangement, Mead formed another larger company based in London called The South African United Breweries. This company took over the operations of both the Natal Brewery Syndicate and the Castle Brewery. After construction of the new Castle Brewery, South African United Breweries made additional share offerings which were purchased by South Africa’s largest investment houses. Subsequent growth precipitated a restructuring of the company and reincorporation in London on May 15, 1895, as The South African Breweries Limited. In 1896 South African Breweries purchased its first boarding houses. That same year, Frederick Mead moved to England for health reasons but continued to occupy a seat on the board of directors and frequently returned to South Africa. From London, Mead directed the purchase of machinery for brewing lager beer from the Pfaudler Vacuum Company in the United States. Patent restrictions and mechanical difficulties delayed production of Castle lager until 1898. The beer gained such widespread popularity that competing breweries rushed to introduce their own lagers. South African Breweries, or SAB, was listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1895 and two years later became the first industrial company to be listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Through these listings SAB had greater access to additional investor capital. On October 11, 1899, a war broke out between British colonial forces and Dutch and Huguenot settlers known as Boers. The war drove residents of Johannesburg out of the city and forced the Castle Brewery to close for almost a year. When British troops recovered the area, the brewery had sustained little or no damage. British authorities regarded the plant as an essential industry, and encouraged the company to resume production in August 1900. Disrupted supply lines caused shortages of yeast and other raw materials, but within a year production had returned to full capacity. The Boer War ended in 1902 but was followed by a severe economic depression. The brewing industry was not as adversely affected as others, however, and SAB was able to continue its expansion across southern Africa. The company acquired the Durban Breweries and Distillers company, and established a new plant at Bloemfontein. SAB purchased Morgan’s Brewery in Port Elizabeth in 1906 and, five years later, acquired another brewery in Salisbury, Rhodesia (now Harare, Zimbabwe). At its northernmost point, SAB established a brewery at Ndola, Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia). W. H. Hackblock died in 1907 and was succeeded as chairman by Sydney Chambers. In 1912 Chambers led the company into an innovative arrangement with its competitor, Ohlsson’s Brewery, to cultivate hops jointly at a site near the city of George, midway between Port Elizabeth and Cape Town. A joint subsidiary called Union Hop Growers spent many years developing new hybrids, which delayed the first commercial use of South African-grown hops until 1920. Diversified into Bottles, Lodging, and Mineral Water in Early 20th Century After Frederick Mead died in August 1915, John Stroyan, who succeeded Sydney Chambers a few months earlier, became the most important figure in SAB management. Stroyan faced a serious challenge the following year when hostilities during World War I interrupted the supply of bottles to South Africa. SAB decided to establish its own bottle-making plants in 1917. Actual production, however, did not begin until 1919, the year the war ended. Another economic depression beset South Africa after World War I, but steady growth in the demand for beer reduced many of the detrimental effects of the depression. SAB was financially strong enough in 1921 to purchase the Grand Hotel in Cape Town, an important addition to the company’s lodging business. SAB gained an interest in the mineral water business in 1925, when it purchased a substantial interest in the Schweppes Company. The Great Depression of the early 1930s had little effect on the South African brewing industry; SAB continued to expand its operations and improve its facilities. The company’s biggest problems were shortages of labor and capital. The Spanish Civil War and rising political tensions in Europe during the mid- and late 1930s caused a disruption in the supply of cork to South Africa. Faced with a severe shortage of cork seals for its beer, SAB developed a method of recycling old cork until a new supplier of cork could be found. Castle Beer accompanied South African soldiers to the East African and Mediterranean theaters of World War II, but apart from its involvement in Europe, South Africa was relatively unaffected by World War II. When hostilities ended in 1945, SAB turned its attention to further modernization and expansion. Arthur Griffith-Boscawen, who had succeeded John Stroyan as chairman in 1940, died in 1946, and was replaced by John Stroyan’s son, Captain John R. A. Stroyan. Under the leadership of the younger Stroyan, SAB concentrated on the establishment of a South African barley industry as an extension of the joint agricultural project it operated with Ohlsson’s. Takeover of Ohlsson’s and United Breweries in 1956 South African Breweries entered a new stage of its development in 1950. That year, in the midst of a large corporate modernization program, SAB decided to move its head office from London to Johannesburg. In 1951 the company acquired the Hotel Victoria in Johannesburg, and a second brewery in Salisbury. Captain Stroyan retired the following year and returned to England. His successor, a talented barrister named J. K. Cockburn Millar, died after only four months in office, and was replaced by a solicitor, S. J. Constance. After producing nothing but beer for more than 60 years, SAB began to introduce a range of liquor products. The incentive to diversify was provided by increased taxes on beer. Consumption of beer in South Africa fell for the first time on record and showed every indication of further decline. Officials of the three largest brewing companies in South Africa, SAB, Ohlsson’s Cape Breweries, and United Breweries, met on several occasions in London and Johannesburg to discuss the viability of competition under deteriorating market conditions. In 1956 these officials decided that the three companies should merge their operations into one large brewing concern. SAB acquired all the shares of Ohlsson’s and United Breweries, thus retaining the South African Breweries name. B. C. Smither of Ohlsson’s and M. W. J. Bull of United Breweries joined the SAB board of directors. Although the new company controlled 90 percent of the market for beer in South Africa, antiquated production facilities narrowed profit margins. In response, company activities were centralized in the Transvaal and the Western Province, areas where the three companies had previously competed. In addition, the old Castle Brewery in Johannesburg was closed in 1958. After succeeding Constance as chairman in 1959, M. W. J. Bull initiated a further diversification into wines and spirits. In 1960 SAB acquired the Stellenbosch Farmers Winery and later added Monis Wineries. Bull retired at the end of 1964 and was replaced by Dr. Frans J. C. Cronje, an economist and lawyer with substantial experience in government. The company encountered a severe financial crisis in 1966 when Whitbread and Heineken entered the South African beer market. The most damaging market developments, however, came from government quarters as successive increases in excise duties made beer the most heavily taxed beverage per serving. Consumers began to abandon beer for wine and sorghum beer. SAB was able to reduce the effect of this crisis by increased sales of products from the Stellenbosch winery. South African Breweries CEO Ted Sceales was instrumental in the creation of a new subsidiary called Barsab Investment Trust, jointly held by SAB and Thomas Barlow & Sons Ltd. (later Barlow Rand), the rapidly expanding mining services group. Barsab permitted SAB and Barlow to invest in each other and pool their managerial and administrative resources. It also provided SAB with the resources needed to adapt to rapidly changing market conditions. Sceales died following an auto accident in 1967, but the success of Barsab continued under the new chief executive, Dick Goss. South African Breweries first attempted to move its legal domicile from Britain to South Africa in 1950, but was prevented from doing so by complex tax obligations to the British government. Consequently, SAB, which still derived about one-third of its income from investments in Rhodesia and Zambia, was bound to observe the British trade embargo against Rhodesia in 1967. Reincorporated in South Africa in 1970 Parliamentary motions to permit the reincorporation of SAB in South Africa were initiated in 1968. These motions, however, did not gain approval until March 17, 1970. On May 26, 1970, after 75 years as an English company, SAB became a de jure South African company. During the late 1960s SAB began brewing a number of new beers–some under license from foreign brewers–including Guinness, Amstel, Carling Black Label, and Rogue. The company also acquired the Old Dutch and Stag brands, as well as Whitbread in South Africa. While sales of wine and spirits continued to rise, SAB sold a number of its liquor-oriented hotels, and reorganized those that remained under a new subsidiary called the Southern Sun Hotel Corporation. Southern Sun, which operated 50 hotels in South Africa, was formed by the merger in 1969 of the existing SAB hotel interests with those of the Sol Kerzner family. The South African government barred SAB from further investment in the liquor industry and limited its ability to invest overseas. The company then made several attempts to diversify its operations. In 1972 SAB and Barlow Rand decided to alter their collaboration and dissolve Barsab. As a result, two former Barsab holdings, the Shoe Corporation, and Afcol, South Africa’s largest furniture manufacturer, came under SAB control. The following year, SAB acquired OK Bazaars, a large discount department store chain. Certain other investments were disposed of, however, including ventures in banking and food products. Several brewing interests attempted to challenge SAB’s dominant position in the South African market. Various German interests set up breweries in Botswana and Swaziland in a failed attempt to gain a foothold in South Africa. Louis Luyt, a South African entrepreneur, also failed, and sold his breweries to the Rembrandt Group in 1973. The Luyt breweries, which formed the core of Rembrandt’s alcoholic beverage group, were later incorporated as the Intercontinental Breweries. Determined to succeed, Rembrandt’s chairman, Dr. Anton Rupert, committed his company to a scheme of competition based on control of liquor retail outlets. In 1978 Rembrandt acquired a 49 percent share of Gilbey’s, the third largest liquor group in South Africa. The addition of Gilbey’s 100 retail outlets gave Rembrandt access to a total of 450 stores. South African Breweries responded by acquiring Union Wine, an independent liquor retailer with 24 hotels and over 50 retail outlets. Once again, market conditions were not conducive to competition. The government, therefore, proposed a rationalization program in which SAB would take over Rembrandt’s brewing interests and turn over its wine and spirits operations to an independent subsidiary called Cape Wine and Distillers. The program, executed in November 1979, also called for Rembrandt to turn over its Oude Meester wine and spirits operations to Cape Wines, in which SAB, Rembrandt, and the KWV wine growers cooperative each owned a 30 percent interest. The remaining 10 percent interest was sold to private investors. Government Restrictions Led to More Diversification in the 1980s and Early 1990s By the early 1980s the South African government’s system of racial separation (apartheid) and deteriorating social conditions for blacks had become international issues. Many business leaders openly called for change, but the government still prevented companies such as SAB from transferring capital out of South Africa through foreign investments. Often these companies had little choice but to reinvest their surplus capital in South African ventures, which in turn gave them a more crucial interest in the resolution of social and human rights problems within South Africa. Many foreign-owned companies, which faced fewer restrictions on divestment, sold their South African subsidiaries and closed their offices in South Africa. This trend made acquisitions by South African companies easier. SAB took over control of the ABI soft drink concern from Coca-Cola, and later added several clothing retailers, including Scotts Stores (acquired in 1981) and the Edgars chain (added in 1982). A government order in 1979 for SAB to sell its Solly Kramer retail liquor stores was completed in 1986, five years before its deadline. Also in 1986 SAB established a joint venture with Ceres Fruit Juices to sell leading noncarbonated juice brands Ceres, Liquifruit, and Fruitee. In 1987 Murray B. Hofmeyer succeeded Cronje as chairman. Hofmeyer and his successor, Meyer Kahn, continued to diversify through acquisition, adding Lion Match Company, the leading manufacturer of safety matches in Africa, in 1987; Da Gama Textiles Company, a leading South African textile manufacturer, in 1989; and the Plate Glass Group, a manufacturer of glass and board products, in 1992. End of Apartheid Fueled Major Changes in the 1990s The dismantling of apartheid finally began in 1990, with the unbanning of opposition political parties, including the African National Congress, and the release of political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela. Major political changes rapidly followed. In 1991 the remaining apartheid laws were repealed. In 1992, an all-white referendum approved a new constitution that would lead to eventual free elections. Finally, in 1994, the first nationwide free elections were held and were won by the ANC, with Mandela elected president. SAB&mdashting largely out of self-interest since 85 percent of the beer in South Africa was purchased by blacks–was well out in front of the political changes as it had begun to hire blacks in the early 1980s. By 1985 28 percent of salaried employees were black, a figure that rose to 48 percent by 1994. Nevertheless, the threat of a government-forced breakup of SAB’s beer monopoly hung over the company following the end of apartheid. Partly in response to this threat, and partly in response to the loosening of laws regarding foreign investment, the Kahn-led South African Breweries aggressively expanded outside its home country starting in 1993. That year, SAB spent US$50 million for an 80 percent stake in Hungary’s largest brewer, Dreher Breweries, the first of a series of moves into the emerging markets of central Europe. In 1996 the company gained joint control of two of the largest breweries in Poland, Lech Brewery and Tyskie Brewery, as well as three breweries in Romania and one in Slovakia. In 1994 SAB created a joint venture with Hong Kong-based China Resources Enterprise Limited; by early 1998 this joint venture had gained majority control of five breweries in China. A third area of foreign growth for SAB was in sub-Saharan Africa, where management control was gained of breweries in Botswana, Swaziland, Lesotho, Zambia, Tanzania, Mozambique, Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, and Uganda during this period. In August 1997 Kahn was appointed chief executive of the South African police service, becoming the first civilian to hold the post. The outspoken Kahn, who had been vocal in calling for the rapid liberalization of the economy and for a restoration of law and order, was made responsible for cracking down on a national crime epidemic. Taking over as acting chairman of SAB was Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africa’s most prominent black capitalist and a former militant trade unionist. By this time, South African Breweries was the world’s fourth largest brewer and had a rapidly expanding international brewing empire. The company was now free to unload its noncore businesses in order to concentrate more closely on brewing and its other beverage operations. Under Ramaphosa, it did just that. In late 1997 and early 1998 SAB divested its holdings in OK Bazaars, Afcol, and Da Gama Textiles, and announced that Lion Match and Conshu Holdings, a footwear maker, were also likely to be jettisoned. These divestments were not proceeding quickly enough for some observers, but SAB had already managed to strengthen its overall position in the face of the continued threat of the breakup of its domestic beer monopoly. Selling off noncore assets was freeing up capital for additional investment in foreign breweries, which would further mitigate the impact of any government intervention. Principal Subsidiaries: Southern Associated Maltsters (Pty. ) Ltd. ; SAB Hop Farms (Pty. ) Ltd. ; SAB International Holdings Inc. ; SAB International (Africa) B. V. (Netherlands); Botswana Breweries (Pty. ) Ltd. (40%); Kgalagadi Breweries (Pty. ) Ltd. (Botswana; 40%); Swaziland Brewers (Pty. ) Ltd. (60%); Lesotho Brewing Company (Pty. ) Ltd. (39%); Tanzania Breweries Ltd. (46%); Cervejas de Mozambique Limitada (65%); Zambian Breweries Plc (45%); Nile Breweries Limited (Uganda; 40%); SAB International (Europe) B. V. (Netherlands); Dreher Breweries (Hungary; 85%); Lech Browary Wielkopolski S. A. (Poland; 32%); SC Vulturul S. A. (Romania; 70%); Compania Cervecera de Canarias S. A. (Spain; 51%); SC Pitber S. A. (Romania; 81%); SC Ursus S. A. (Romania; 73%); Browary Tyskie Gorny Slask S. A. (Poland; 45%); SAB International (Asia) B. V. (Netherlands); China Resources Enterprise Beverages Ltd. (49%); China Resources Shenyang; Snowflake Beer Co. Ltd. (China; 44%); China Resources Dalian Brewery Co. Ltd. (49%); Shenzhen C’est Bon Food and Drink Co. Ltd. (China; 33%); China Resources (Jilin) Brewery Co. Ltd. (90%); Delta Corporation Ltd. (Zimbabwe; 23%); Seychelles Breweries Ltd. (20%); Accra Breweries Limited (Ghana; 50. 5%); Amalgamated Beverage Industries Ltd. (68%); Coca-Cola Canners (Pty. ) Ltd. (24%); Can Vendors (Pty. ) Ltd. ; Appletiser South Africa (Pty. ) Ltd. ; Appletiser Pure Fruit Juices (Pty. ) Ltd. ; Ceres Fruit Juices (Pty. ) Ltd. (35%); Valaqua (Pty. ) Ltd. ; Associated Fruit Processors (Pty. ) Ltd. (50%); Traditional Beer Investments (Pty.) Ltd. ; Distillers Corporation (SA) Ltd. (30%); Stellenbosch Farmers’ Winery Group Ltd. (30%); Edgars Stores Ltd. (65%); Amalgamated Retail Ltd. (â€Å"Amrel†) (68%); Southern Sun Holdings Ltd. ; Plate Glass and Shatterprufe Industries Ltd. (68%); Da Gama Textile Company Ltd. (61%); The Lion Match Company Ltd. (71%); Conshu Holdings Ltd. (67%) International Expansion in the Post-Apartheid Era The dismantling of apartheid finally began in 1990, with the unbanning of opposition political parties, including the African National Congress (ANC), and the release of political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela. Major political changes rapidly followed. In 1991 the remaining apartheid laws were repealed. In 1992, an all-white referendum approved a new constitution that would lead to eventual free elections. Finally, in 1994, the first nationwide free elections were held and were won by the ANC, with Mandela elected president. SAB–acting largely out of self-interest given that 85 percent of the beer in South Africa was purchased by blacks–was well out in front of the political changes as it had begun to hire blacks in the early 1980s. By 1985, 28 percent of salaried employees were black, a figure that rose to 48 percent by 1994. Nevertheless, the threat of a government-forced breakup of SAB’s beer monopoly hung over the company following the end of apartheid. Partly in response to this threat, and partly in response to the loosening of laws regarding foreign investment, the Kahn-led South African Breweries aggressively expanded outside its home country starting in 1993. That year, SAB spent $50 million for an 80 percent stake in Hungary’s largest brewer, Dreher Breweries, the first of a series of moves into the emerging markets of central Europe. From 1995 to 1997 the company gained joint control of two of the largest breweries in Poland, Lech Brewery and Tyskie Brewery, as well as three breweries in Romania and one in Slovakia. In 1994 SAB created a joint venture with Hong Kong-based China Resources Enterprise Limited; by early 1998 this joint venture had gained majority control of five breweries in China. A third area of foreign growth for SAB was in sub-Saharan Africa, where management control was gained of breweries in Botswana, Swaziland, Lesotho, Zambia, Tanzania, Mozambique, Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, and Uganda during this period. In August 1997 Kahn was appointed chief executive of the South African police service, becoming the first civilian to hold the post. The outspoken Kahn, who had been vocal in calling for the rapid liberalization of the economy and for a restoration of law and order, was made responsible for cracking down on a national crime epidemic. Taking over as acting chairman of SAB was Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africa’s most prominent black capitalist and a former militant trade unionist. By this time, South African Breweries was the world’s fourth largest brewer and had a rapidly expanding international brewing empire. The company was now free to unload its noncore businesses in order to concentrate more closely on brewing and its other beverage operations. Under Ramaphosa, it did just that. From late 1997 through early 1999 SAB divested its holdings in OK Bazaars, Afcol, Da Gama Textiles, Edgars, Lion Match, and Conshu Holdings, a footwear maker. With the mid-1999 sale of Plate Glass, SAB had trimmed its holdings down to beer, soft drinks, wine and liquor, and hotels and gaming. The year 1999 was a pivotal year in SAB’s history for a host of other reasons as well. Seeking access to capital markets better endowed that those at home, the company in early 1999 shifted its headquarters back to London–reincorporating itself as South African Breweries plc–and moved its primary stock exchange listing from Johannesburg to London, retaining the former as a secondary listing. As part of its London listing, it raised ? 300 million to fund further international expansion. There were also changes on the management front. Kahn returned to the chairmanship, his two-and-a-half-year stint at the police service complete; Ramaphosa remained on the board as a director. In addition, Graham Mackey, who had served as group managing director since 1997, was named chief executive in early 1999. On the international front, SAB acquired a stake in a sixth Chinese brewery in 1999 and began producing beer in Russia at Kaluga Brewing Company, which had been acquired the previous year. SAB’s two Polish breweries, Lech and Tyskie, were merged to form Kompania Piwowarska S. A. The most important brewery transaction that year, however, occurred in October, when SAB acquired from Nomura International plc for $321 million a controlling interest in Pilsner Urquell and Radegast, two brewers in the Czech Republic that combined comprised the leader (with a 44 percent market share) in a nation whose citizens consumed more beer per capita than anyone else in the world. The crown jewel of this deal was the Pilsner Urquell brand, the most famous Czech beer and the original pilsner, first produced at a brewery in Pilsen in 1842. SAB began laying plans to make Pilsner Urquell the company’s flagship brand outside of Africa and to seek entree into developed markets through the export of this brand. Via this acquisition, South African Breweries became the leader of the central European beer market and jumped into third place among global brewing titans. Moving into the Developed World As SABMiller, Early 2000s SAB’s drive into emerging markets continued in the early 2000s. South African Breweries entered the Indian beer market for the first time in 2000, taking a majority stake in Narang Breweries. Control of two more Indian brewers, Mysore Breweries and Rochees Breweries, was purchased the following year. In April 2001 SAB and the Castel group, the two largest beverage companies on the African continent, entered into a strategic alliance whereby SAB exchanged a 38 percent interest in its African division (excluding South Africa) for a 20 percent stake in Castel’s beer business. SAB thus gained a share of a wider array of African breweries, and the two partners also agreed to seek investments in new African markets via 50-50 joint ventures. Also in 2001 SAB entered into a new joint venture in China with the Sichuan Blue Sword Breweries Group, which owned ten breweries in Sichuan province. SAB now had interests in more than two dozen Chinese breweries and had positioned itself as that nation’s number two brewer, trailing only Tsingtao. Yet another development in 2001 was that South African Breweries became the first international brewer to enter the Central American market. In November the company acquired a 97 percent stake in Cerveceria Hondurena, S.A. , the sole brewer and the largest bottler of soft drinks (Coca-Cola) in Honduras, from the Dole Food Company Inc. for $537 million. Simultaneously, SAB and the prominent Meza family of El Salvador created a joint venture called BevCo Ltd. to which SAB contributed its new Honduran holding and the Meza family contributed the bulk of its brewing, soft drink, and bottled water businesses in El Salvador. By fiscal 2002, just eight years after its first brewing acquisition outside of Africa, 55 percent of SAB’s $4. 36 billion in revenues were derived from its non-South African operations. This figure would shoot up to an even more remarkable 75 percent just one year later following the company’s boldest move yet–its takeover of Miller Brewing Company, the number two beer maker in the world’s largest beer market, the United States, whose main brands included Miller Genuine Draft, Miller High Life, Miller Lite, and Milwaukee’s Best. Consummated in July 2002, the deal consisted of a stock swap with Miller’s owner, Philip Morris Companies Inc., that was valued at $3. 48 billion. SAB additionally absorbed $2 billion in Miller debt. Upon completion of the acquisition, SAB changed its name to SABMiller plc and was now the world’s number two brewer, behind only Anheuser-Busch. Philip Morris (which changed its name to Altria Group, Inc. in 2003) became the biggest SABMiller shareholder with a 36 percent economic interest and 25 percent of the voting rights (the total at which it was capped) and also gained three seats on the SABMiller board. Miller had recorded 2001 revenues of $4. 24 billion but had for some time been losing market share to the number one and number three U. S. players, Anheuser-Busch and Adolph Coors Company, respectively. SABMiller took immediate action to try to reverse Miller’s fortunes, announcing that one of Miller’s nine U. S. breweries would be closed, and bringing in a new CEO for Miller, Norman Adami, who had headed up the South African brewery operations of SABMiller. In March 2003, in a further pullback from noncore operations, SABMiller moved its entire hotel and gaming interests into a new company called Tsogo Sun Holdings (Pty.) Ltd. , which was to be majority controlled by black empowerment company Tsogo Investments. SABMiller held an initial 49 percent interest in the new company but said that it intended to continue to reduce its hospitality holdings. Despite having just completed the Miller acquisition, the company did not shy away from making additional purchases and deals. Early in 2003 Browar Dojlidy, a brewer in northeastern Poland, was acquired for $38 million. In June SABMiller made its first major investment in Western Europe, buying a 60 percent stake in Birra Peroni S.p. A. , the number two brewing company in Italy, for EUR 246 million ($279 million). Later in 2003 Peroni ended its licensed brewing and selling of the Budweiser brand in Italy and instead started import sales of Miller Genuine Draft. Similar synergies between SABMiller’s increasingly global operations were being implemented, such as the launch of Pilsner Urquell and Miller Genuine Draft in South Africa in early 2003 and the introduction of Miller Genuine Draft into several more European countries, including Russia, Romania, the Czech Republic, and Poland. Over in Asia, SABMiller consolidated its operations in India under Mysore Breweries; the operations of Mysore were then consolidated with the brewing operations of Shaw Wallace and Company Limited, the second largest brewing group in India, to form a joint venture called Shaw Wallace Breweries Limited, 50 percent owned by Mysore. This deal cost SABMiller $132. 8 million. The firm spent an additional HK$675 million ($87 million) for a 29. 6 percent stake in Harbin Group Limited, China’s fourth largest brewer and the leader in that country’s northeastern region. The SABMiller of the early 21st century, a globally active company with a sharp focus on beverages–mainly beer–was a far different company from the apartheid-era SAB, which was centered largely in South Africa where it had diversified interests. SABM.

The Stone Boy

Essay – The stone boy. In this essay, would I like to discuss how the way his family neglects Arnold can affect him in the future. The story is set in the south part of the USA where we meet the following characters, Arnold and Eugene on their way out early in the morning. The two boys are on their way out to the lake, where they are going to pick peas and if they are luckily, to shoot some ducks. Arnold has got a 22-caliber rifle, which he got from his father and on their way to the lake, when passing under some wires the rifle got stuck in it and ended up killing Eugene. When telling his parents about the incident they didn’t believed him. Shortly after the sheriff and the father bring Arnold in to town, they didn’t believe it was an accident but that he had planed everything. In The Stone Boy we meet a little boy by the name Arnold, who’s only 9 years old. He is a young, happy boy who looked up to his brother[1]. But something went awry when his brother got killed. He went into a state of shock that instead of calling for his father to help Eugene so that he could maybe survive, just went on picking peas. Furthermore his state of shock became worse when he was brought to the sheriff’s office for a hearing; In there, the sheriff questions Arnold about things, like why he was carrying a . 22-caliber rifle, if him and his brother where good friends, how it happened ect. But then the sheriff began pinpointing his questions, like why he didn’t call for help and why he kept on picking peas for an hour could Arnold not answer the question. Which made it seem obvous, to the sherrif and the father, that the boy might have killed Eugie for the sake of pleasure that and that accusation made Arnold look as an evil young boy[2]. The way the grownups handled the situation was poorly. The boy at only nine years gets questions thrown at him. â€Å"â€Å"I came down to pick peas,† he said. â€Å"What’s that got to do with it? † â€Å"It’s better to pick peas while they’re cool. † Those where the last words Arnold said at the sheriff’s office, before he was look upon as cruel and didn’t care about his brother. [3] The relationship between Mother and Arnold in The Stone Boy is not how it should be. At page 4 from line 116 and till the end of the page you see how Arnold’s mother is ignoring him. Putting her hands over her face to cover her eyes from meeting her on sons’ and ignoring him when he tries to come in to his mother at night to find closure, you can’t do anything, but feel sad for poor Arnold. If a child breaks something or looses something they should be scolded, but getting angry at a 9 year old child because for an accident no matter size and treating the child as a murderer because of his reaction should not be the answer. Arnold’s mother should have thought about that, because he was in grief and wanted her to be there, and maybe hold him in her arms and tell him that everything is going to be okay. But unfortunately she doesn’t do that and that becomes a consequence. The Stone Boy is written in a subjective 3rd-person. When I say subjective, I mean that the narrator only lets us see what Arnold is thinking while commenting throughout the story. An example could be; â€Å"Then he went out the door and down the back steps legs trembling from the fright his answer gave him. †[4] This is where his mother asked him what it was he wanted from her the night before, when she didn’t let him into her room. You can begin to see how he is affected by everything that has happened. That night she didn’t let him in, changed him because of the way he is emotionally. The themes that are mostly seen in The Stone Boy: †¢ Death: which we have seen throughout the story; the death of Eugene and mostly the death of himself. †¢ Identity/Failure: by the end of the story, Arnold has transformed himself into the â€Å"stone boy† referred to in the title. Yet, he doesn’t do so because he feels himself unable to experience emotions and share feelings; he does so because he realizes that this is how his family looks at him. Violence: the sheriff judges Arnold, defining him as a cold-blooded, merciless monster; everyone present feels the chill of his words. The sheriff's next words tell a grim future for Arnold. The Stone Boy covers most of the story, like I mentioned in the ‘themes’ section, about how the people around him, made him become this cynical ‘stone boy’ no matter what he does from that day on (after Eugeneâ₠¬â„¢s death) won’t change anything, because the environment has become ‘blinded’ by his emotional state. While reading the text, I found besides the misery, sadness and neglect, there was a very important massage and a big question; â€Å"Why was there a weapon at home and at a place where children could easily reach? † It wasn’t the boys fault but the parents. By that said no need to write more than that. ———————– [1] The Stone Boy – page 1. [2] The Stone Boy – page 4, line 106. [3] The Stone Boy – page 4, line 112. [4] The Stone Boy – page 5, line 142-143

Free Essays on Call Of The Wild - Plot Summary

The Call of the Wild is about Buck, the son of a St. Bernard and a Scotch Shepherd dog, who was taken from his beautiful home in California to the treacherous Alaskan wilderness, where he discovers the the call of the wild within him. At first, Buck is a companion to Judge Miller and his family in the Santa Clara Valley, California. Because of the gold rush in the north, there is a demand for strong dogs that can lead sleds, and Buck is stolen from Judge Miller’s estate and transported north for sale as a sled dog. It is during this journey that the first changes emerge in Buck. Before being sold to Francois and Perrault, to join their team in sledding across the north, he is broken by the man in the red sweater. Though the man teaches him his first lesson in the law of club and fang, Buck allows himself to be broken only physically. He never would let man break his spirit. From this time on, Buck is initiated into a new world. He sees his friend, Curly, brutally killed, and he himself is beaten by both man and fellow dog as he adapts to his surrounding. As he adapts, Buck finds that he has a tendency to lead the pack, and soon grows an adversary in the current dog team leader, Spitz. From the very start of their rivalry, it is obvious that some harm will come to one of them. After much struggle and competition, Buck finally kills Spitz and takes over the lead of the team. After growing a sort of respect for Francois and Perrault, Buck and his team are sold to Hal, Mercedes and Charles. Hal, although inexperienced and very incompetent as a sledder, believes that he knows best despite the advice from other sledders. His sled is too heavy, and he pushes the dogs too hard. He fails to bring enough food, and the dogs start to become exhausted and starved. Through much laziness and poor judgment, Hal runs his dog team to the point of death, at which time Buck collapses. Hal inflicts blow after blow on him, and puts Buck closer and clo... Free Essays on Call Of The Wild - Plot Summary Free Essays on Call Of The Wild - Plot Summary The Call of the Wild is about Buck, the son of a St. Bernard and a Scotch Shepherd dog, who was taken from his beautiful home in California to the treacherous Alaskan wilderness, where he discovers the the call of the wild within him. At first, Buck is a companion to Judge Miller and his family in the Santa Clara Valley, California. Because of the gold rush in the north, there is a demand for strong dogs that can lead sleds, and Buck is stolen from Judge Miller’s estate and transported north for sale as a sled dog. It is during this journey that the first changes emerge in Buck. Before being sold to Francois and Perrault, to join their team in sledding across the north, he is broken by the man in the red sweater. Though the man teaches him his first lesson in the law of club and fang, Buck allows himself to be broken only physically. He never would let man break his spirit. From this time on, Buck is initiated into a new world. He sees his friend, Curly, brutally killed, and he himself is beaten by both man and fellow dog as he adapts to his surrounding. As he adapts, Buck finds that he has a tendency to lead the pack, and soon grows an adversary in the current dog team leader, Spitz. From the very start of their rivalry, it is obvious that some harm will come to one of them. After much struggle and competition, Buck finally kills Spitz and takes over the lead of the team. After growing a sort of respect for Francois and Perrault, Buck and his team are sold to Hal, Mercedes and Charles. Hal, although inexperienced and very incompetent as a sledder, believes that he knows best despite the advice from other sledders. His sled is too heavy, and he pushes the dogs too hard. He fails to bring enough food, and the dogs start to become exhausted and starved. Through much laziness and poor judgment, Hal runs his dog team to the point of death, at which time Buck collapses. Hal inflicts blow after blow on him, and puts Buck closer and clo...

Healthy Forests essays

Healthy Forests essays The major issue threatening Arizona forests and wildlife today is managing forests to reduce fire risk. Arizona faces another "critical" fire season this summer, much the same as those the state saw last year and in 2002. This past month alone two large wildfires have sparked: the 4,311-acre "Webber" fire northeast of Pine and the 5,700-acre "Citrus" fire, northwest of Gila Bend. Unless it starts raining today and rains all spring, fire season this summer is looking to be a great threat. (Villa) Several factors feed our dry forests: drought, bark beetles and poor management. With the proper management our forests can be brought back to a healthy state and lower the risk of devastating fires. The focus of this essay will be on the factors of a healthy forest, ways to bring our forests into a healthy state and the new federal legislation that will help achieve these goals. The ponderosa pine forests of Arizona have evolved over thousands of years. Over this time, the trees have developed several adaptations which help them survive in dry and incessantly warm habitat. A once common occurrence in these forests which shaped the pine's particular ecological adaptations was wildfire. Studies indicate that the ponderosa pine forests on the southern plateau near Flagstaff, Arizona, and along the Mogollon Rim, were subjected to low-intensity ground fires perhaps every 2-12 years over historical time. However, due to fire suppression policy implemented by the United States Forest Service and other land management agencies beginning in the early 1900s, this pattern of fire drastically changed. The lack of reoccurring fire, along with widespread logging and grazing of forest lands, has led to changes in forest structure and ecology. (Moir) Today's ponderosa pine forest is often characterized by dense thickets of young pines with a thick under-story on the forest floor. When looking at census pictures from years before it is easy to s...

5 Secrets to Getting Never-Ending Job Offers! - Guest Post by David Mensah

5 Secrets to Getting Never-Ending Job Offers! - Guest Post by David Mensah Last week I wrote about the importance of follow-up and feedback for success in your business or job search. The article, Do These * 2 * Things and Get Amazing Results in Your Business OR Job Search, really was about how to have fruitful conversations and build valuable connections. This week, my good friend and long-time business writing client, David Mensah, shares his wisdom on a very related topic: how to create a stream of job and work offers through  the art of talking to people. Guest post by David Mensah Imagine this experience: You’re in the middle of a conversation with a friend, colleague or new acquaintance, when that person suddenly interrupts the flow of the conversation to offer you some form of employment! For most of my life, I have had that experience on a regular basis, and I have ultimately built a career as a leadership trainer and executive coach as a result. So when I started to expand my consulting practice to include career coaching, I wanted to see whether I could train people to do what I have done successfully in my own professional life: generate employment opportunities consistently, both in official interviews and everyday conversations, whether or not they are looking for a job. Here are my top 5 recommendations for creating â€Å"the never-ending job offer†: BE EXCITED: Choose a career that sparks your passion, and let that passion show! Your excitement is contagious. I can always tell when others are passionate about their careers. Genuine excitement is interesting and contagious, while feigned excitement is forced and boring. Discover your true calling, even if it doesnt make sense or scares you (are you an accountant who always wanted to be a dancer?) Your career is as personal as it gets and it’s worth finding out- and sharing- what lights you up. BE INTERESTED IN OTHERS: When people are authentically curious about me, I feel lucky and safe and I want to know more about that person in return. That’s the type of interest you want to create in others. When talking about your life, make sure to make time to explore the lives of those around you. You might ask questions about people’s background, work successes and challenges, or families. Explore their values and what’s important to them. Train yourself to find something interesting about everyone, including friends, networking contacts, and yes, even interviewers! In every conversation I make it my practice to find 10 things I like about the other person in the first 5 minutes. It makes me listen differently. Keep asking questions until you find an area where the other person is energized, and focus there. You might be surprised at the benefits that come back to you. IN AN INTERVIEW, ASK QUESTIONS: Come prepared to every job or informational interview with questions you want to ask. And don’t stop there. Frankly, if you are not interested enough in the middle of an interview to have a few spontaneous questions, you are probably not interested in the job or the company. Questions emerge from a natural desire to know more- to delve deeply into things that matter to you. When you ask people questions, they learn a lot about how you think and feel about them, their company, and, if applicable, the available position. Your questions reveal something about you at the same time as you learn about someone or something else. BE CONNECTED: People hire people they feel good about and this feeling arises from a sense of connection. To create affinity with people where it might not exist automatically, consider telling stories about yourself emphasizing your humanity. I have been known to talk about my most recent business failure or how my ego gets in the way of my dreams. Stories about our failures and flaws allow others to connect deeply with us and push people quickly past the surface differences that keep us separate. While connecting with others comes easily to some, it can be challenging to some people. Do your personal growth work so that you can easily connect to the new people in your life without internal stories about you or them getting in the way. SPEAK ABOUT YOURSELF USING THEIR LANGUAGE: As any conversation progresses, I learn more and more about the person I am speaking with. Once you know enough about someone, it is much easier to tell them about yourself, because now you can reference the parts of their life that help them understand yours. When I am talking with someone who values their family over everything, it is natural for me to use my love and appreciation for my puppy to describe how relationships motivate my professional successes and failures. When I talk to people who care primarily about making a difference for others, I describe my interest in coaching as a way to teach skills that they can pass on to everyone they touch. The more you truly listen to someone, the more you can use the language they use and speak to their values. You will make deep connections with people who feel seen and understood by you, and who will want to find ways to spend more time in your presence- perhaps by offering you a job. When my clients embrace these practices, not just in interviews but in every interaction with others, they start generating job opportunities. Getting excited about your own career and cultivating an authentic interest in others results in others’ sitting up and taking notice. Your never-ending job opportunity will happen one conversation at a time. David Mensah is a leadership trainer and executive coach living and working in New York City. Please connect with him on twitter @DKBWAVE or learn more about his work at www.DKBWAVE.com.

Gender in Action- this is Women in Contemporary Society class Assignment

Gender in Action- this is Women in Contemporary Society class - Assignment Example How women were often judged through physical appearance, rather than assessing their inherent ability to possess qualities greater than that which would be seen as the normal expected behavior. In the end, â€Å"It was no ordinary thing that called her away-- it was probably farther from ordinary than anything that had ever happened in Dickson County. But what her eye took in was that her kitchen was in no shape for leaving; her bread all ready for mixing, half the flour sifted and half unsifted,† (Cook, p. 257). To epitomize the choice that many within the woman’s movement would be faced with, â€Å"Even after she had her foot on the door-step, her hand on the knob, Martha Hale had a moment of feeling she could not cross that threshold. And the reason it seemed she couldnt cross it now was simply because she hadnt crossed it before,† (Cook, p. 258). Ultimately, the choice of whether or not to enter into a new aspect of public life that may have been unimaginable up until that very moment. Not only feeling the responsibility to stay with that which would have been known but to also have the opportunity to experience new things at the same time. For children, they are often faced with the position of determining their gender roles in society, not only in terms of how they see themselves but also, how they take those perceptions and translate them into how they ultimately see others around them that they encounter. As a group of the human race that tends to be far more impressionable than those who would be older, the ability to enforce those roles within their own cultural groups is often times aided by their understanding of what either gender is expected to do and expected to be. In terms of the issue as to whether or not most children would follow such role definitions, for the most part, some children would seek to do so and some would wish to re-evaluate their role within the world and would create a different path for

Politics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 4

Politics - Essay Example World has been changing enormously hardly looking at damage it is been doing to the environment. The ecological balance of the planet has been destructed greatly due to the industrial waste and carbon emission from transport system. The first world countries have polluted the planet deeply and it is ironical that the same countries encourage third world countries to cut down on pollution. Some have even criticized that sustainable development is provoking the world to step back to pre modern style of living. â€Å"Sustainable Development is often an over-used word, but goes to the heart of tackling a number of inter-related global issues such as poverty, inequality, hunger and environmental degradation† (Shah, 2010).This idea arose from various movement for protecting the nature and environment from the past. This concept gives different meaning to different people and we can see that lot of countries have various policies which encourage environmental sustainability. The sustainable development has been given more importance since the emergence of global warming issue which has threatened the world lately. Global warming has been a phenomenon which has raised much eye brows in recent years. It is an increase in the planets temperature since 20th century and its continuation. The increase of Greenhouse gas has led to the detoriation of the ozone layer .Scientist have found out that the carbon emission have led to the creation of hole in the ozone layer. â€Å"Under the George W. Bush administration, the USA government framed climate change as a threat to core economic interests, questioning the scientific basis for limiting CO2 emissions. Many political leaders in Washington agreed with this†(Humphreys,Pg. 44).Even though a very positive vibe can be seen among governments little is seen towards the practice. Coal and oil usage have made difficult for the US economy to cut the carbon emission. If the rich and

Starting Up a Business That Involves The Supply of Green And Organic Assignment

Starting Up a Business That Involves The Supply of Green And Organic Groceries - Assignment Example The researcher states that he wants to start his business of natural and organic grocery delivery service which will mainly focus on the supply of fruits and vegetables because of the recent interest in fresh and green farm produce. The society is increasingly becoming aware of the need for environmentally friendly production of food and disposal of food waste. In addition, recent health concerns about junk food and unhealthy eating mean that there will be a special interest in green groceries. The business will fill the need of environmental and health conscious individuals who prefer greengroceries over genetically modified or junk food. In addition, there is a food shortage in some regions, and the never-ending need to eat means that there will always be a constant demand for food. A lesson from Bakers Edge and Shark Tank is that networking is essential in any business. The Shark Tank investors largely focus on networking as integral to the success of any business. A network is a structure that attracts and informs potential customers of the existence of a business. The network involves such things as aggressive marketing and endorsements from celebrity personalities. In addition, it is essential to identify potential investors and their networks. Bakers Edge interview on the Shark Tank show gave them considerable exposure and mileage in the bakery business. Oprah also hosted and endorsed their product.

Differing perceptions of new venture failure Essay

Differing perceptions of new venture failure - Essay Example note that the introduction of the venture capitalist brings in new dimensions in the survival of new ventures since within the first 7 years of establishment; only 18 percent of the new ventures fail as compared to 75 percent of non VC funded new ventures. The authors note that research on the factors that cause failures of new ventures is limited due to factors such as difficulty in conducting financial analysis on failed ventures and the reluctance of entrepreneurs to discuss their venture failures. The authors also discuss the factors leading to new venture failures in the perspective of the venture capitalists and the entrepreneurs. Venture capitalists cite factors such as poor management and unfavourable market conditions while the entrepreneurs cite factors such as product factors, financial limitations and managerial problems. All these are discussed in relation to the attribution theory. The argument that the ventures examined represented all the new ventures and that the factors leading to failure as ranked in order of importance by the authors is misleading due to the fact that new ventures and entrepreneurs from other locations may be faced with other factors of failure. It is therefore important to note that applying the results of the study should be done with that fact in mind. The factors may depend on the location and may also be time determined as well as depend on the individual characteristics. An alternative conclusion could therefore be that the success of the new venture will depend on the internal characteristics of the venture. Zacharkis, Andrew Meyer, Dale G. and DeCastro, J. â€Å"Differing perceptions of new venture failure: A matched exploratory study of venture capitalists and entrepreneurs.† Journal of Small Business Management 7.1 (1999):

Role of Religion and REN in Wells and Byrn Essay

Role of Religion and REN in Wells and Byrn - Essay Example This essay declares that H.G. Wells in his work titled The Discovery of the Future and E.W. Byrn named The Progress of Invention during the Past Fifty Years discuss how future might pan out influenced by various factors. Wells examine the ways past and present determines future, with various psychological and philosophical aspects playing inducing roles. On the other hand, Byrn focus on various scientific and technological inventions and discoveries of the past and the ways those things are orienting contemporary times and might sway future as well. Although both writers take a distinct approach in formulating their vision of progress, they both deal with how religion and REN play an optimal influencing role, and in other cases, how they take a ‘backseat’ and allow humans to play their roles in future and their vision of progress.This discussion stresses that  humans play prominent roles, there are occasions when religion subtly and even explicitly plays a role in peop le’s living and thereby influences their future and progress. That is, religion in the form of god or superior power is shown to influence individuals or society and in a way their future.  Although humans has invented and discovered many life sustaining and useful things, there is a view that superior powers and religion mainly played the facilitating role in that process.  Wells point out that future is something that is ambiguous, complex, and difficult to grasp.

Building block assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Building block - Assignment Example A weakness of Starbucks Cafà © is that its product is a luxury item that performs poorly during bad economic times. Another weakness of Starbucks Cafà © is high raw material costs. Starbuck Cafà © uses only fair trade coffee at its stores which is more than twice as expensive as regular coffee. Starbucks Cafà © is a company that has expanded its operations oversees. The company has further opportunities for expansion into foreign markets. The firm must expand internationally because the U.S market has become saturated. Another opportunity for Starbucks Cafà © is the potential to grow its sales in the retail marketplace by selling unprepared pounds of Starbucks coffee at supermarkets and other establishments. A threat that Starbucks Cafà © must be aware of is substitute products. In terms of competition in the coffee marketplace a major threat to the company is the continued expansion of McCafà ©. McDonald’s has over 34,000 establishments worldwide and its McCafà © operation sells quality coffee at lower prices than Starbucks

Role of Religion and REN in Wells and Byrn Essay

Role of Religion and REN in Wells and Byrn - Essay Example This essay declares that H.G. Wells in his work titled The Discovery of the Future and E.W. Byrn named The Progress of Invention during the Past Fifty Years discuss how future might pan out influenced by various factors. Wells examine the ways past and present determines future, with various psychological and philosophical aspects playing inducing roles. On the other hand, Byrn focus on various scientific and technological inventions and discoveries of the past and the ways those things are orienting contemporary times and might sway future as well. Although both writers take a distinct approach in formulating their vision of progress, they both deal with how religion and REN play an optimal influencing role, and in other cases, how they take a ‘backseat’ and allow humans to play their roles in future and their vision of progress.This discussion stresses that  humans play prominent roles, there are occasions when religion subtly and even explicitly plays a role in peop le’s living and thereby influences their future and progress. That is, religion in the form of god or superior power is shown to influence individuals or society and in a way their future.  Although humans has invented and discovered many life sustaining and useful things, there is a view that superior powers and religion mainly played the facilitating role in that process.  Wells point out that future is something that is ambiguous, complex, and difficult to grasp.

Optimal Portfolio Essay Example for Free

Optimal Portfolio Essay On the continued emphasis on the knowledge transfer process and not just whether it leads to value creation but how it occurs following a merger and how it leads to value creation. In addition, it was believed there is a need to focus more on the emergent nature of value creation following an acquisition and how individuals and communities of practice factor into this process. Optimal portfolio can be characterized as resulting in a controversy between skeptical economic and enthusiastic financial research, earning of firms in the decline after consolidation. In contrast, financial researchers claim that acquiring firms do not lose and earnings do not decline in the years following integration. This performance disparity reflects the different methods and perspective of economic and financial merger and acquisition research that seems to bias the respective findings. However, continuing the controversy of whether optimal portfolio is good or bad in general is of very limited practical use. A more practical approach is to instead look at what the factors are that determine high versus low merger and acquisition performance. The same logic holds for investors who buy foreign securities or undertake direct investment abroad. They expose themselves to the risk that the value of these assets in terms of domestic currency will drop when the price of foreign exchange drops. They can protect themselves by hedging, selling the foreign currency forward. But they may have to pay an exchange risk premium to do so. There is some reason to believe that such exchange risk premiums are relatively small. Much of exchange risk is diversifiable: the domestic importer who wishes to buy foreign exchange forward will, through the intermediation of the market, find a natural partner in the foreign importer who wishes to buy domestic exchange forward. Similarly, the investor who wishes to sell foreign exchange forward will find a ready partner in the foreign investor who wishes to buy foreign exchange forward, the market-clearing equilibrium forward price at which all parties end up trading may not be far off from the expected future spot price that would prevail in the absence of uncertainty. Few investors’ holding actually reflect global capitalization weights; most portfolios have disproportionately large domestic exposure. This tendency to concentrate assts domestically referred to as home bias influences the currency hedging policy because fewer underlying assets are invested abroad. Is there an underlying economic rationale for home bias, are there rules of thumb to help determine a suitable home bias level and how does the home bias affect the currency hedging policy. Fixed income home bias affects the Sharpe ratio. It compares the expected excess return, volatility and Sharpe ratio for the global capitalization weighted portfolios with global equity investments and domestic-only fixed income holdings. Familiarize the policies, procedures and method in your organization that govern the way projects are done, it doesn’t mean that executive office give you their support means you are on your own alone, you are still working to this company and all the major decision must be approved by the higher office. Edit the charter with your boss until you both agree on its procedure and possible outcome is cleared to both of you. This project must be pursued to be able to have a systematic networking of all the data bases from the main office to its branches. A central program will be developed in the main office and will be networked in all branches; all data must correlate to the main program. Optimal Portfolio Distribution: Rather than choosing sides between economic accounting and financial stock-market performance measures and their respective biases. There are optimal portfolio had received a vast criticism. For distribution will be the favored services and the provider of the customer financing from other firm, at the same time as the second firm will be the preferred provider of their respective people only. A staffing plan, the people required in this project must need to implement the project, They must personally select the key people in your team you must be able to identify their interest and ask for their dedication to functioning efficiently and effectively on the project team. They should also agree to accept and give their assurance in reaching the team goals, because these key team members are involved in the procedures from the start till the end of the project. companies should be contracted as early as possible to assist in evaluating the issues and minimizing the dissemination of potentially damaging information among non-privileged persons. Management need to determine whether to publicly disclosed the violations a/or repay any overpayments or, if warranted, explain to the investigators why violations have not occurred. Internal control is a process affected by an entity’s board of directors, management and other personnel designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the achievement of objectives in the following categories, reliability of financial reporting, effectiveness and efficiency of operations and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. This definition emphasis the fact that internal control is a function of the board management and other personnel within the organization, the responsibility for internal control rests squarely on management shoulders. Optimal distribution will present the charter to the executive offices as well as to the major stockholders, he will present the propose plan to them and ask for their approval. Once the proposed plan is being approved the next step is to present the project to the unit managers, this unit managers are the one responsible for the essential defining of the new process so the project manager together with his team will elucidate these unit managers, they have to convince them for they do not comprehend the knowledge owned by the lower-level staff members who are responsible in the daily activities of the company. The stakeholders are those who has vested interest in the success of the project, they also give their expectations for the better understood throughout the project procedures identified a critical stage of their sales outcome, and with the help of the propose project which will organize all the data from all branch office plus the fact of the easy access of all the requirements or data needed the company will have a better system in serving their patriot clients. With the propose project they can aim to have grow in their growth which is attainable by targeting new markets, expanding their network globally and be able to produce several new products.