Medicinal Marijuana Essays - Neurochemistry, Medicine, Cannabis

Medicinal Marijuana Marijuana when used in the medical sense is beneficial to not only the patient's health but to their financial status as well. In this report you'll see many reasons why we believe this. Medical marijuana is used in many treatments. We are not obviously the only people who believe this either. In the last 20 years, 36 states have passed some form of legislation recognizing the medical value of marijuana. In 1996, voters in both Arizona and California passed laws allowing the medical use of marijuana. In 1998 Alaska, Washington and Oregon passed medical use marijuana laws, and in 1999 Maine passed a similar law (Grinspoon, 5). The chronic effects of marijuana are of greater concern for medical use and fall into two categories: the effects of chronic smoking, and the effects of THC. Marijuana smoking is associated with abnormalities of cells lining the human respiratory tract. Marijuana smoke, like tobacco smoke, is associated with increased risk of cancer, lung damage, and poor pregnancy outcomes. It is the most widely used illicit drug, marijuana is predictably the first illicit drug most people Although studies all suggest that marijuana smoke is an important risk factor for the development of respiratory cancer, proof of this is yet to be seen (Iverson, 21). Marijuana is not a completely benign substance. However, except for the harms associated with smoking, the adverse effects of marijuana use are within the range of effects tolerated for other medications. The harmful effects to individuals from the perspective of possible medical use of marijuana are not necessarily the same as the harmful physical effects of drug abuse (Iverson, 24). For most people, the primary adverse effect of acute marijuana use is diminished psychomotor performance. It is, therefore, inadvisable to operate any vehicle or potentially dangerous equipment while under the influence of marijuana, THC, or any cannabinoid drug with comparable effects (Zimmerman, 45). A minority of marijuana users experience dysphoria, or unpleasant feelings. THC is the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Cannabinoids are the group of compounds related to THC, whether found in the marijuana plant, in animals, or synthesized in chemistry laboratories. Cannabinoids likely have a natural role in pain modulation, control of movement, and memory. The natural role of cannabinoids in immune systems is likely multifaceted and remains unclear. The brain can and will develop a tolerance to cannabinoids after a prolonged use of marijuana (Joy). Animal research has shown the possibility that dependence will occur, but this possibility is much lower than the chance of developing a dependence on benzodiazepines, opiates, cocaine, or nicotine. Withdrawal symptoms have also been seen in animal testing. The symptoms are much milder than the symptoms of withdrawal from some prescribed medications such as Valium and Codeine (Mathre, 25). Chemotherapy can often prolong someone's life for many years. In some cases, a complete cure can be obtained. Unfortunately, chemotherapy has many side effects associated with it that are not pleasant in the least bit. Patients sometimes find these effects so distressing they abandon chemotherapy entirely. People with AIDS (Acquired Immune Disease) also experience these problems (Zimmerman, 59). Studies with marijuana have shown that marijuana reduces the nausea and vomiting often associated with chemotherapy treatments. Because the marijuana does this, it provides two other benefits. The patient is able to retain food and maintain body strength and he or she can tolerate the chemotherapy treatments for a longer amount of time in order to live longer (Mathre, 68). In September 1988, the chief administrative law judge of the Drug Enforcement Administration ruled that marijuana has medical value in the treatment of side effects caused by cancer chemotherapy. His decision was over-ruled by the administrator of the DEA and marijuana remained illegal for medical purposes until recently (Grinspoon, 16). Glaucoma is another illness that marijuana has been shown to help. Glaucoma can strike people of all ages but is most often found among those over 65. The most common form of glaucoma is chronic or open-angle glaucoma. The symptoms of glaucoma include pressure within the eye, intraocular pressure or IOP, which can cause damage to the optic nerve if it is not controlled effectively. A 30% drop in eye pressure has been found in glaucoma patients when

Amyloplast Definition and Function

Amyloplast Definition and Function An amyloplast is an organelle found in plant cells. Amyloplasts are plastids that produce and store starch within internal membrane compartments. They are commonly found in vegetative plant tissues, such as tubers (potatoes) and bulbs. Amyloplasts are also thought to be involved in gravity sensing (gravitropism) and helping plant roots grow in a downward direction. Key Takeaways: Amyloplast and Other Plastids Plastids are plant organelles that function in nutrient synthesis and storage. These double-membrane, cytoplasmic structures have their own DNA and replicate independently of the cell.Plastids develop from immature cells called proplastids that mature into chloroplasts, chromoplasts, gerontoplasts, and leucoplasts.Amyloplasts are leucoplasts that function mainly in starch storage. They are colorless and found in plant tissues that do not undergo photosynthesis (roots and seeds).Amyloplasts synthesize transitory starch which is stored temporarily in chloroplasts and used for energy. Chloroplasts are the sites of photosynthesis and energy production in plants.Amyloplasts also help to orient root growth downward toward the direction of gravity. Amyloplasts are derived from a group of plastids known as leucoplasts. Leucoplasts have no pigmentation and appear colorless. Several other types of plastids are found within plant cells including chloroplasts (sites of photosynthesis), chromoplasts (produce plant pigments), and gerontoplasts (degraded chloroplasts). Types of Plastids This image of vertical section of a leaf was taken with a scanning electron microscope. Chloroplasts (green plastids responsible for photosynthesis) and other organelles are seen inside the cells. Clouds Hill Imaging Ltd./Corbis Documentary/Getty Images Plastids are organelles that function primarily in nutrient synthesis and storage of biological molecules. While there are different types of plastids specialized to fill specific roles, plastids share some common characteristics. They are located in the cell cytoplasm and are surrounded by a double lipid membrane. Plastids also have their own DNA and can replicate independently from the rest of the cell. Some plastids contain pigments and are colorful, while others lack pigments and are colorless. Plastids develop from immature, undifferentiated cells called proplastids. Proplastids mature into four types of specialized plastids: chloroplasts, chromoplasts, gerontoplasts, and leucoplasts. Chloroplasts: These green plastids are responsible for photosynthesis and energy production through glucose synthesis. They contain chlorophyll, a green pigment that absorbs light energy. Chloroplasts are commonly found in specialized cells called guard cells located in plant leaves and stems. Guard cells open and close tiny pores called stomata to allow for gas exchange required for photosynthesis.Chromoplasts: These colorful plastids are responsible for cartenoid pigment production and storage. Carotenoids produce red, yellow, and orange pigments. Chromoplasts are primarily located in ripened fruit, flowers, roots, and leaves of angiosperms. They are responsible for tissue coloration in plants, which serves to attract pollinators. Some chloroplasts found in unripened fruit convert to chromoplasts as the fruit matures. This change of color from green to a carotenoid color indicates that the fruit is ripe. Leaf color change in fall is due to loss of the green pigment chlorophyll, whi ch reveals the underlying carotenoid coloration of the leaves. Amyloplasts can also be converted to chromoplasts by first transitioning to amylochromoplasts (plastids containing starch and carotenoids) and then to chromoplasts. Gerontoplasts: These plastids develop from the degradation of chloroplasts, which occurs when plant cells die. In the process, chlorophyll is broken down in chloroplasts leaving only cartotenoid pigments in the resulting gerontoplast cells.Leucoplasts: These plastids lack color and function to store nutrients. Leucoplast Plastids This false-color transmission electron micrograph shows an amyloplast (large central body), a starch- containing plastid, found in a cell from the root cap of an onion. Amyloplasts contain large quantities of starch (blue globules). Dr. Jeremy Burgess/Science Photo Library/Getty Images Leucoplasts are typically found in tissues that dont undergo photosynthesis, such as roots and seeds. Types of leucoplasts include: Amyloplasts: These leucoplasts convert glucose to starch for storage. The starch is stored as granules in amyloplasts of tubers, seeds, stems, and fruit. The dense starch grains cause amyloplasts to sediment in plant tissue in response to gravity. This induces growth in a downward direction. Amyloplasts also synthesize transitory starch. This type of starch is stored temporarily in chloroplasts to be broken down and used for energy at night when photosynthesis does not occur. Transitory starch is found primarily in tissues where photosynthesis occurs, such as leaves.Elaioplasts: These leucoplasts synthesize fatty acids and store oils in lipid-filled microcompartments called plastoglobuli. They are important to the proper development of pollen grains.Etioplasts: These light-deprived chloroplasts do not contain chlorophyll but have the precursor pigment for chlorophyll production. Once exposed to light, chlorophyll production occurs and etioplasts are converted to chloroplasts.Proteino plasts: Also called aleuroplasts, these leucoplasts store protein and are often found in seeds. Amyloplast Development This image shows starch grains (green) in the parenchyma of a Clematis sp. plant. Starch is synthesized from the carbohydrate sucrose, a sugar produced by the plant during photosynthesis, and used as a source of energy. It is stored as grains in structures called amyloplasts (yellow). Steve Gschmeissner/Science Photo Library/Getty Images Amyloplasts are responsible for all starch synthesis in plants. They are found in plant parenchyma tissue which composes the outer and inner layers of stems and roots; the middle layer of leaves; and the soft tissue in fruits. Amyloplasts develop from proplastids and divide by the process of binary fission. Maturing amyloplasts develop internal membranes which create compartments for the storage of starch. Starch is a polymer of glucose that exists in two forms: amylopectin and amylose. Starch granules are composed of both amylopectin and amylose molecules arranged in a highly organized fashion. The size and number of starch grains contained within amyloplasts varies based on the plant species. Some contain a single spherical shaped grain, while others contain multiple small grains. The size of the amyloplast itself depends on the amount of starch being stored. Sources Horner, H. T., et al. Amyloplast to Chromoplast Conversion in Developing Ornamental Tobacco Floral Nectaries Provides Sugar for Nectar and Antioxidants for Protection. American Journal of Botany, vol. 94, no. 1, Jan. 2007, pp. 12–24., doi:10.3732/ajb.94.1.12. Weise, Sean E., et al. The Role of Transitory Starch in C3, CAM, and C4 Metabolism and Opportunities for Engineering Leaf Starch Accumulation. Journal of Experimental Botany, vol. 62, no. 9, 2011, pp. 3109–3118., doi:10.1093/jxb/err035.

SAT Accommodations What They Are and How to Get Them

SAT Accommodations What They Are and How to Get Them SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips You can slow down the clock with SAT accommodations. If you have a documented disability, or are just curious about what it takes to get SAT extra time, you may be wondering about the process of getting SAT accommodations. We’ll take you through the process step-by-step, and show you how to maximize your odds of getting accommodations. If you’re taking the SAT and have a disability or other condition, you will want to read this guide! Overview of the Accommodations Process There are two ways to get accommodations on the SAT – either by requesting them through your school, or requesting them yourself using a paper application. College Board strongly encourages going through your school, since they allow school coordinators to use their online Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) system. If you use the paper request system, it will take longer, plus you will have to provide much more documentation about the accommodations you need and the condition that you have. Even by going through your school – the fastest option – getting your accommodations can take up to seven weeks. That means if you want accommodations by a certain test date, you should begin the approval process well in advance. For some tests you may even have to begin getting your approval during the previous school year. For example, if you want to take the October SAT with accommodations, College Board recommends you begin the process the previous spring. Getting accommodations can be a long process, and will require lots of documentation. It should go without saying that you should only seek accommodations if you have a disability or condition that requires them. Typically, most students who get accommodations on the SAT are students with disabilities who also receive accommodations at school. Still, if you don’t receive accommodations at school but think you may need them for the SAT, read on to learn about the process and your odds of getting accommodated. The Three Basic Steps to Getting Testing Accommodations 1. Start the process early enough to make sure you have time – keeping in mind it takes seven weeks once your materials are submitted. Keep reading for a detailed timeline! 2. Send your request and documentation to College Board, either through your school’s SSD coordinator or via paper. (For more on documentation, types of accommodations, and conditions that are most commonly accommodated, see below.) 3. Once College Board approves your request, they will give you a seven-digit code. Use that code when signing up for the SAT online and your accommodations will automatically be included. What Kind of Disability or Condition Do I Need to Have to Qualify? To get approval of your accommodations by College Board, they need to verify you have a documented disability or condition that impairs your ability to take the SAT. For the SAT, students with disabilities like the following are often accommodated, though this is not an exhaustive list: ADHD Autism Spectrum Disorders Communication Disorders Head Injuries Hearing Impairments Learning Disorders Physical/Medical Disabilities Psychiatric Disorders Tic Disorders/Tourette’s Visual Impairments Note that limited English proficiency is not considered a condition that College Board can provide accommodations for. For the fine print on College Board’s eligibility standards, see their website. What If I Have a Temporary Condition? It’s not going to be easy to bubble in answers with a broken wrist†¦ If you have a temporary condition that is impairing your ability to take the SAT - for example you broke your right wrist and that’s your writing hand - it is possible to get accommodations, but it will be much more difficult. The odds increase if you are signed up for an AP Exam and will not heal by the late test date, or if you are a senior who hasn’t taken the SAT yet. The process will be different for you. Instead of working with your school’s SSD coordinator or sending in the Accommodations Approval form to College Board, you will submit a different form, which you can access online here. What Are Common Accommodations? The accommodations you can get will vary based on your needs and situation. Here are some of the most commonly given SAT accommodations: Extended time (50% extra is most common, anything more than 100% is considered rare) on either one section or the entire test Computer for typing essays Extra or extended breaks Reading/seeing accommodations (e.g. large print, Braille, magnifier) Scribe for essays Reader for the test Different setting – e.g. preferential seating, small group, or a private room For a more exhaustive list, see this College Board guide. As an example, a student with ADHD might take the test with a small group of students to minimize distractions. Or a student with a learning disability in math might receive extended time on the math sections. Or a student with diabetes might request frequent breaks to be able to track their blood sugar during the test. There are many different potential combinations of condition and accommodation, and they will change based on your particular situation. Extended time, extra or extended breaks, computers, and reading/seeing accommodations are among the most common, though there is a much longer list of potential accommodations. (The College Board provides a more exhaustive list including rarer accommodations like special time of day and special lighting.) If you need an accommodation not listed, College Board encourages you to submit your request anyway for approval. Timing to Request SAT Accommodations Get ready to plan ahead. Make sure to begin the process of seeking accommodations early. The approval process can take up to seven weeks, and only begins once College Board has received all of your documentation. If some of your documentation is missing and/or you have to resubmit information, the seven-week process will begin all over again. Since preparing documentation and getting all of your information to College Board will take some time, even if you are working through your school, make sure you begin with plenty of time to spare – at least three months before your desired test date to be safe. College Board recommends the following timeline to receiving documentation: 2016-17 Test Date Deadline for College Board Receiving Documentation October 1, 2016 SAT August 12, 2016 October 15 and 19, and November 2, 2016 PSAT/NMSQT August 30, 2016 November 5, 2016 SAT September 16, 2016 December 3, 2016 SAT October 15, 2016 January 21, 2017 SAT December 2, 2016 February 21-March 31, 2017, PSAT 10 December 16, 2016 March 11, 2017 SAT January 20, 2017 April 3-14 , 2017, PSAT 10 February 13, 2017 May 1-5, 8-12, 2017, AP Exams February 17, 2017 May 6, 2017 March 17, 2017 June 3, 2017 April 14, 2017 Timeline via College Board. Obviously, many of these test dates and deadlines have already passed, but you can use these dates to plan ahead – for example, if you are planning on taking the SAT in October of your junior year, know that you should have all documentation submitted by late August of your junior year. Also, note that for the October tests, since the deadline for materials being received is in late August – when most school years start – you should begin the process of reaching out to your school’s SSD Coordinator and getting documentation the previous Spring. The first week of school is a hectic time, so you'll likely not be able to get it done then. In fact, to be safe, it’s not a bad idea to have your materials submitted by June so just in case something is missing, you will have time to get everything sent over the summer so there will be plenty of time to approve your request before the October test. So How Do I Apply for SAT Accommodations? Method 1 (Highly Recommended): Go Through Your School College Board recommends, and we agree, the most efficient way to get accommodations is to go through your school. Specifically, contact your school’s Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) coordinator. If you’re not sure who that is, contact someone at your school’s guidance counseling department and they will be able to direct you. Your school’s SSD coordinator will be able to use College Board’s SSD Online service, which is a more streamlined accommodations approval service. In fact, it’s likely your school’s SSD coordinator has already been through this process with other students, so they will be familiar with College Board’s SSD system and will be able to help guide you through the process. The SSD coordinator will provide you with a parent consent form, which you need to get signed by your parents/guardians and returned to the school before the process can begin. Next, the SSD coordinator will sign up for SSD Online, and submit documentation related to your request, including your IEP (Individualized Education Plan) or 504 Plan if you have one. (If your school’s SSD coordinator is new to the process, direct them to this link for College Board’s instructions.) In other words, your SSD coordinator will handle most of the process, including making the request and providing necessary documentation. In most cases, this means your family does not have to provide additional documentation. However, you may need to provide extra documentation if any of the following scenarios apply: 1. You are not on an IEP or 504 Plan, or have one but haven’t been using it for at least the last four months, or haven’t been receiving any accommodations for at least four months. Basically, if you haven’t been receiving accommodations at school, College Board will want to know why you need them for the SAT. 2. Your school does not have documentation that meets College Board guidelines. 3. Your disability testing is not current. 4. You’re requesting an uncommon accommodation like more than 100% extended time. College Board will want to make sure that, when granting exceptional accommodations, you actually need them. After your SSD Coordinator submits your request, College Board will send back an approval or denial within seven weeks. One benefit of the SSD Online system is that, if College Board requires extra documentation or something is missing, they will be able to immediately alert your school’s SSD coordinator, which will speed up the process. Method 2: Submit a Paper Request If you can’t use your school’s SSD coordinator to submit a request, it is also possible to submit a paper request to College Board. This method takes longer, since you are mailing documents rather than sending them online, plus you will have to provide much more documentation. First of all, to get the form, you either need to pick it up from your school’s SSD Coordinator or request it from College Board’s SSD department, whose contact info is below. There is no way to download it online. Email info@ssd.collegeboard.org Phone 212-713-8333 Fax 886-360-0114 TTY 609-882-4118 Mail College Board SSD Program P.O. Box 8060 Mt. Vernon IL 62864-0060 Once you get the form, you will list your personal information, your high school’s College Board code, and the date of your desired SAT test. (Note that this form does not double as a test registration form, you will still have to sign up for the SAT after you get your accommodations.) Next, you will state which accommodations you are requesting. Make sure the accommodations are specifically linked to your disability, and do not repeat. (For example, do not request both a reader and a cassette player if you need the test read aloud.) Also make sure you provide information about those accommodations, including your history of using them at school, and your performance with and without accommodations. (For example, if you are requesting extended time, include a comparison of your work ability in timed and untimed conditions.) Finally, and most importantly, you will provide documentation about your disability. This includes information about your IEP or 504 Plan if you have one, most recent cognitive or ability testing, and most recent medical evaluation if you have a medical or psychiatric disability. Documentation required will vary by disability and the accommodation(s) you’re requesting. Your documentation must be very detailed – not just a medical note or your IEP. History of your symptoms, accommodations given in school, and the reason accommodations are necessary for the SAT are all necessary information. You can find more fine print on documentation here. Okay, so it might not take this much documentation to get SAT accommodations, but it might feel like it! You can find complete instructions and requirements for completing the paper form at College Board’s website. Once you send in the form, College Board will first verify that you have sent in all necessary documentation, and request more if needed. After that, they will either approve or deny your request. Approved? If your request for accommodations is approved, your accommodations will remain in place until one year after you graduate high school. So once you’re approved, you don’t have to worry about ever going through the process again! College Board will give you a seven-digit code to use whenever you sign up for a test online. You will be able to use your accommodations on all College Board tests, including the PSAT, SAT, SAT Subject Tests, and AP Exams. To use them on SAT and SAT Subject Tests, use your code when you sign up online. For the PSAT and AP Exams, inform your school you receive accommodations from College Board and they will make sure your accommodations are in place on test days. If you have to change your accommodations, either inform your school’s SSD Coordinator and have them submit the request through SSD Online, or submit your request independently. Again, the fastest way to change your accommodations will be by going through SSD Online, so use that if possible. More Hints and Tips If you need accommodations, get them as early as possible in your high school career. Since College Board’s accommodations will last until after you graduate, the earlier you get your accommodations the more you will be able to use them – especially on AP Exams and the PSAT, which you may begin taking as a sophomore or even a freshman. If you’re unsure if you need or want accommodations on the SAT, consider your situation. If you’re on an IEP or 504 Plan that grants you extra time, breaks, or tools on tests, it’s highly likely you will also benefit from those accommodations on the SAT. Remember, the SAT is a very challenging test that requires a ton of mental processing, math calculations, and writing in a short period of time. Plus, it will be easier to get accommodations on the SAT if they are similar to ones you have been using in school. If you are not on an IEP or 504 Plan at school, but have a condition that will make the SAT difficult, consult with your school’s SSD Coordinator about taking the SAT with or without accommodations. It will be harder – though not impossible – to get accommodations if you are not on a plan with your school, so determining if you need them will be an important first step. You could also try taking SAT Practice Tests with and without the accommodations you think you will need to get a sense of if you want to request them. For example, if you think you will need extra time, try taking one practice test using typical SAT timing, and one with extended time. If your condition or disability makes it markedly more difficult to complete the SAT in the allotted time, consider seeking out the accommodation. Don’t underestimate the SAT! Finally, whether you end up getting accommodations or not, make sure you take enough time to study and prepare for the SAT. It is a very difficult test, and will not be like tests you take for class or standardized state exams. Along with your necessary accommodations, smart studying is the best way to be ready for the SAT. What’s Next? Once you get your accommodations, what score should you aim for? Learn about the average SAT score, the average SAT score in your state, and how to develop your own personal target score. Curious about how the SAT is scored? Learn how your answers get turned into a composite score between 600 and 2400 and how to use that information to your advantage. Stressed about taking the SAT? Learn about the three most common sources of anxiety and how to cope with them. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points?We've written a guide about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

Psychology- Media File Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Psychology- Media File - Essay Example It also speaks of the child prostitution which takes place when a child is sent away from home in the quest of finding enough money to feed the other family dependents. This news story appealed to me because I think those parents who have no respect and dignity left for their own kids expect nothing from life. I believe they should be taken to task since they are ruining their children’s future as well as playing with their mental psyche. This news story presents the aspect of understanding what the child wants from life and what he is given in return. More than that, the aspects related with prostitution, child labor and begging are not even envisaged by the family when they give away their children so that they could come back with some money for the good of the family. Family violence contributes endlessly to these tactics by the parents who just want to satisfy their whims and short term desires over the long term growth of these kids. This indeed is a heinous activity to speak the least. This news story was published in the Baltimore Sun and it discusses the aspect of child discipline and Angelina Jolie’s domestic life which seems to be in the news for all the odd reasons. Her lawyers tried to protect her from a barrage of questions from the media where they raised a number of speculations in line with the release of the movie â€Å"A mighty heart†, based on the death of Daniel Pearl. Instead of answering questions related with the movie itself, she felt more happy at telling the media how she and Brad Pitt, her boyfriend, felt about disciplining children at home and thus she set a good precedent by talking about her personal life which can easily be an encouraging factor for her fans all over the world and thus they would take a leaf out of her book and look to discipline their own kids. This news story is indeed something very interesting about what Jolie thinks of her domestic life and in what manner she can

Short placement ministry Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Short placement ministry - Essay Example They come in to assist individuals using material support in case of a tragedy or a time of loss. They as well offer training to their staff members to ensure they remained professionally relevant and updated with the trending issues in the profession thus giving full support to their staff members. (Camphell, 2014, p. 130) Parents and family members who lose their beloved ones when receiving medical attention from the medical services provided by the chapel find both material and moral support. Such families and parents are offered financial support besides counseling and comfort. So as to achieve its missions and objectives of providing high quality healthcare services and access to spiritual, cultural and religious care, the chapel collaborates with the denominations and the local faith communities which communicate the members of the communities the services on offer (Kelly, 1896, p. 430). With that everybody in the society and community as a whole gains quick and reliable access to the services of the chapel anytime they need such services. Luton and Dunstable chapel also works hand in hand with various volunteers who come in to offer support through financial donations for the development of the various services. The volunteer teams also contain an individual who provide comfort and support to the visitors, patients and staff regardless of their religious backgrounds. The volunteer groups include bedside ministers who frequently provide their services especially ministry on Sundays besides other days, ward visitors who pay homage to and support the patients in the chapels hospital and chapel volunteers who make their visits to the wards mainly on Sundays and Saturdays to cross check on which patients would like to attend the spiritual services of the chapel. (Camphell, 2014, p. 149) The chapel volunteers also assist in the organization of the Sunday morning hospital’s services. They bring the hospital patients to attend services at

Impact of British Colonialisation on Indian Culture Essay Example for Free

Impact of British Colonialisation on Indian Culture Essay Colonialism is the establishment, maintenance, acquisition and expansion of colonies in one territory by people from another territory. It is a process whereby the metropole claims sovereignty over the colony, and the social structure, government, and economics of the colony are changed by colonizers from the metropole. Colonialism is a set of unequal relationships between the metropole and the colony and between the colonists and the indigenous population. The colonial period normally refers to the late 15th to the 20th century, when European states established colonies on other continents. During this time, the justifications for colonialism included various factors such as Christian missionary work, the profits to be made, the expansion of the power of the metropole and various religious and political beliefs. WHY COLONISE INDIA? Britain discovered the Indian sub-continent when it was looking to expand its vast empire. The East India Company was formed and came to recognize that India was a hub of trade and home to many natural resources. This situation made India an attractive colony to Britain as it seemed unquestionable that Britain would benefit from the situation. Britain did benefit from the situation; however, notwithstanding the obvious injustices associated with colonization, India also experienced positive impacts that continued even once India gained independence from Britain in 1947. It is important to note that although India gained independence all ties with the British nation were not cut. Britishers earmarked that no person in India was beggar. The country is of high wealth, high moral values, and people of caliber and thought to break the backbone of the nation i.e. cultural and spiritual heritage and therefore they proposed to replace old and ancient education system, for if the Indians thin k that all that is foreign and English is good and greater than their own, they will lose their self esteem, their native culture and they will become what britishers want them, a truly dominated nation. IMPACT OF COLONIALISATION The impacts of colonization are immense and pervasive. Various effects, both immediate and protracted, include the spread of virulent diseases, the establishment of unequal social relations, exploitation, enslavement, medical advances, the creation of new institutions, and technological progress. Colonial practices also spur the spread of languages, literature and cultural institutions. The native cultures of the colonized peoples can also have a powerful influence on the imperial country. Impact of British rule in India had been widespread throughout the country and affected the cultural, technological, religious, social, political and economic state of India. India had persistently tolerated the British rule for 200 prolonged years, with their everlasting impression been forever etched upon the succeeding Indian citizens. Impact of British rule in India, in this context, is one that had perhaps emerged forth right from the 16th century, when British missionaries had sailed to easte rn soil to spread Christianity, much before the British East India Company. The negative impact of British rule in India was mostly visible in the economic aspect which occurred as a result of de-industrialization and destruction of rural economy. Initial Impact of British Rule in India British invasion on India was not the first of its kind; India has prior to British arrival, been host to pellets of ruthless foreign invasions. The British, in this regard, were the last to arrive in India. However, when it came to the power game, it undoubtedly was the British and the British East India Company, who completely captured Indian power and people. They covertly and efficiently expanded their empire with the competent aid of Indian soldiers. Indians had joined the East India Company army solely for the reason that they received salary on the first day of every month, very much unlike the Indian emperors and their system of reign. As such, impact of British rule in India already had begun to do its work, with the very first Christian missionaries arriving to India, with the intention to turn a majority of population into Christians. They tried to cast Christianity in the light of a better religion and with economic inducements convinced the poor Indians into Christianity . POSITIVE IMPACT 1. Modernization and industrialization During British occupation, India was modernized and industrialized. British industrialists invested huge amounts of capital in the region. The British East India Company built the worlds third-largest railroad network, which connected regions and enabled the country to develop a modern economy. Western culture also improved Indian culture with the development of a road network, telephone and telegraph lines, many dams and bridges and irrigation canals. During British occupation, these developed systems of transportation and communication benefited the British, rather than Indians. But they were put in place for Indian culture to take advantage of when the country finally achieved its independence. 2. Education Indian culture benefited from Western culture in the area of education. During British occupation, many schools and colleges were built throughout India. Literacy increased and, for the first time, the poorest classes of society had access to knowledge. 3. Employment The presence of Western traders in India increased the demand for goods and services in India. As a result of the British living in India, Indian artisans, weavers and craftsmen were steadily employed. Although they were deprived of the full profits of their labors, these artisans and craftsman grew in numbers, and the Indian labor force became more skilled and handy. By the time the British left the subcontinent, a greater percentage of Indians had acquired skills to make a living. 4. Establishment of churches gave importance to port cities The very foremost impact of British rule on India was the religious impact, as was established by the missionaries and their establishment of churches in every possible corner of the country. In this regard, the port cities like Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai gained enough importance, due to their accessibility for navigational purposes. They were later turned into the 3 cardinal presidency towns. The keen attempt of British Christians to turn several bunches of Indians into a complete unfamiliar religion was successful, though only in parts. Some had gladly accepted it, in fear of inviting the rage of the company, while others had turned hostile, in turn giving rise to collisions and difference of opinion. 5. Socio-Cultural Impact of British Rule in India The socio-cultural impact of British rule upon India was also another intense impression that had lasted throughout their rule, never for once losing their significant status. From every field of living, be it in education, art, architecture, painting, literature, poetry, drama, novels or even Indian religion and philosophy, the whole Indian set-up had suffered a gradual change. The conventional and simple society, prevalent in India, respected and dreaded the British rulers. British aristocrats travelled throughout India in separate Europeans Only First-Class Railway Carriages. They had for themselves separate waiting rooms in most of the major railway stations. They also came to set up elite schools for their children. In most of the theatre halls, the balcony was earmarked for the whites and the local maharaja. Their significant passionate pastime, during late 19th and early 20th centuries, appeared to be hunting animals and birds in Indian jungles. As such, the population of tige rs, lions and elephants slumped down because of indiscriminate hunting. 6. Creating Unity One of the first impacts that colonisation had in India was the development of unity. When Britain first acquired India as a colony the country was divided. The British imposed system impacted India by bringing more equality to the country as the caste system which outlined social hierarchy was adapted. It is also significant that Britain accepted all of the religions of India which also allowed unity to prosper. 7. Leading Towards Democracy India has also experienced positive impacts from the institution established and then left behind by the colonizers. The institutions established by the British Raj and then inherited by India helped lead to democracy in modern day India. The assistance of these institutions assisted India in becoming the world’s largest democracy today. It is also of note that Britain first introduced India to early capitalism through colonization. Britain transformed India into an agricultural based capitalist economy and established forms of private ownership. These actions led India into creating free trade and competitive business. 8. Sports Another positive impact of colonisation can be seen in sport in India. During the colonial period Britain brought the sport of cricket to India. Cricket today brings enthusiasm to millions of Indians and is celebrated around the country. India as a nation has also emerged as a prominent team in cricket tournaments as India has successfully beaten many other countries. Cricket also serves to connect much of the Indian population as the sport is celebrated nationally. 9. Setting up of railways The British had introduced the system of Railways in a chain method, with the whole of the country staying witness to placing of railways tracks, railway platforms and railway carriages. Indeed India railways, postal services, legal and judicial systems and other government-based services have all been derived primarily from the British administration. British rule virtually had helped unify India, which till then was quite fragmentary. The in-built inferiority complex was the characteristic trademark of the mass of the native population, till Mahatma Gandhi. 10. Introduction of English language Introduction of English language which was infact intended to create a class of people appreciative of English culture and life style indirectly helped Indians to acquire a link language. Although introduction of helped in developing an efficient bureaucracy for the british government, it gave Indians an opportunity to know western concept of rights and freedom and the extent of discrimination practiced against them by British. Exchange of ideas among Indians speaking variety of languages became possible. 11. Other positive effects * Stamping out of infanticide * Stamping out of ritual burning of widows (Sati) * Abolishment of slavery * Elimination of dacoits from highways * Legalization of remarriage of widows * Introduction of penal code for equality NEGATIVE IMPACT 1. Development of constitution Development of our constitutional framework is to a great extent based on the legacies of the British colonial rule. Our constitution was formed in protest to britishers because at that time India was under the slavery of British raj otherwise the picture of our constitution would have been different. 2. Slaves and indentured servants The labour shortage that resulted inspired European colonizers to develop a new source of labour, using a system of indentured servitude. Indentured servants consented to a contract with the European colonizers. Under their contract, the servant would work for an employer for a term of at least a year, while the employer agreed to pay for the servants voyage to the colony, possibly pay for the return to the country of origin, and pay the employee a wage as well. The employee was indentured to the employer because they owed a debt back to the employer for their travel expense to the colony, which they were expected to pay through their wages. In practice, indentured servants were exploited through terrible working conditions and burdensome debts created by the employers, with whom the servants had no means of negotiating the debt once they arrived in the colony. 3. Impact on health Encounters between explorers and populations in the rest of the world often introduced new diseases, which sometimes caused local epidemics of extraordinary virulence. For example, smallpox, measles, malaria, yellow fever, and others were unknown in pre-Columbian America. 4. Economic Impact of British Rule in India Impact of British rule in India however was not restricted only to these spheres; the economic impact was yet another domain which practically had drained out the native populace, creating a forever draught in 1947. The chief aim of these settlers was to make India an agrarian country that would supply an industrialised England. As such, the Indian farmers suffered with their land revenue, most of which were ruthlessly being seized by the hyperbolic Zamindar class. Each passing year further tightened the economy, making Indians go insane to the nerve; Indian local-manufactured products were sold in tremendously cheap rates in Britain, making the native money-making policy even harder. The world-over societal degradation also had spilled in India, like the World War I or the Great Depression of the 1930s. The situation had become so very dreadful that there could not be found any out of such an entangled mess. 5. Constructive Impact of British Rule in India Amidst all these alarming states and conditions, the imperial rule were compassionate enough to introduce European education in India. This ground-breaking impact of British rule in India truly has benefited India in the long run, carving out a prestigious position of India in the world map. Knowledge of English was essential to earn a job in the British bureaucracy, in the British trading firms and of course in the British Army in the officer level. Many dignified concepts like parliamentary democracy, the European scientific ideas, industrialization and liberal human philosophy permeated into the Indian brain. 6. Resource Drain One of the primary goals of colonialism was the establishment of a resource-generating system through which natural resources from colonized regions were gathered and traded by the colonizing nation. This process reduced the availability of natural resources in the colonized nations, leading to times of hunger, poverty and need. Some colonies were heavily farmed, with food stores shipped to feed populations elsewhere while locals survived on less. Further, this created a system where a colonized country could be farmed for its natural wealth, but receive no monetary benefits. 7. Dismissal of Hinduism Religion provided the needed rationale for this cruel plunder. All native Hindus were dismissed as heathens or pagans despicable creatures who dont have to be treated like human beings till they take their fateful decision to embrace Christianity. According to the missionaries who came to India to play second fiddle to the British Imperial rulers, Christianity was the only true religion. Jesus Christ was the only true God. All other religions like Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and many other traditional faiths and religions in India had to be eliminated to save the souls of India and Indians. All facets and all aspects of Hindu religion and Hindu society were dismissed as idolatry and superstition, in order to advance the noble Christian pursuit of salvation for the barbarous heathens of India. Along with Christian religion came the rest of British or Western culture, thought and customs and the gradual end of traditional ways of life. Thus our traditional religions and cult ures were gradually subverted or eliminated. CONCLUSION Today India is the largest provider of services in the world in large part due to colonisation; however, it is uncertain if without colonisation this would be possible. The Indian population is able to compete in the service sector due to the positive impact of the English language being left behind post British rule. When colonisation was occurring in India schools were established which taught and offered instruction in English. It is also of note that the East India Company had a positive impact by establishing some services such as rail throughout the country. The British rule introduced the railways, the press, and the western system of education, clubs and associations all of which shook the prevalent socio-economic order. But the processes of exploitation unleashed by them destroyed the possibilities of development of industries and a modern economic system in India. The British rule rather systematically destroyed the native industries of India for the benefit of the industries in Britain and their market in India. Even though it sought to tie down the people it ruled to colonial backwardness, it released new historical forces within the Indian fold by throwing the traditional economic system and socio-cultural order out of gear. It gave birth to the desire of material advancement and better amenities and living conditions of individuals. Also it gave birth to a spirit of inquiry in the minds of Indian intellectuals who came in contact with western education. Both the social reformists and the conservatives took a fresh and critical look at their own society and culture as a reaction to western interpretation of the same. REFERENCES: * Positive Negative Effects of Colonialism | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/info_8505011_positive-negative-effects-colonialism.html#ixzz1pZTzR700 * nos.org/317courseE/L-35%20COLONIALISM%20IN%20INDIA.pdfSimilar * www.kwintessential.co.uk//india/Impact-of-Colonisation-in-India/Cached * en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_colonialism * Government of India, Report of the Education Commission 1964-66, Delhi, 1966. * D. Warriner, Land Reform in Principle and Practice, Oxford University Press, 1969 * Maddison, â€Å"The Historical Origins of Indian Poverty†

Revenge :: essays research papers

REVENGE   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Love is a strange thing. It is strong, free, and blind. With it come many pleasures. However, what often occurs after love is the antithesis of love. Once love is lost in a person, a barrage of feelings inhabits that person. One of the darkest, strongest, most eminent emotions that occur in a person is the feeling of revenge. The Crucible and The Scarlet Letter are both classic and dated stories that are mostly based upon love, lost love, and revenge.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In The Scarlet Letter, Chillingsworth and Hester are supposed to be in love. They are married, which is a sacred bond tying two people together that love each other very much. When Hester senses that she may never again see her husband, who had all but abandoned her, she seeks comfort in the arms of another man. She thought that Chillingsworth would never find out. When he did find out, he became very angry at losing his wife; she had betrayed him. He responded by trying to kill the other party, Arthur Dimmesdale. Revenge had turned a once normal man into a blood seeking, greedy, stingy, and decrepitly weak old man.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Revenge was also the driving force behind the Abigail Walker’s, a character in The Chamber, accusations of Elizabeth Proctor being a witch. John Proctor and Abigail Williams once had an affair. John was lonely and in need of human comfort, comfort his wife was unable to give in her dying state. However when she regained her health, John left Abigail and went back to his wife. Abigail was furious at his decision; she would love to get back at the hurt he caused. Abigail found her opening once the witch trials transpired. She knew that to John Proctor, losing his wife meant losing his life. Abigail saw this as the way to get him back, so she screamed “witch'; upon Elizabeth, saying “ Proctor. Abigail was willing to kill a woman just to get back at John Proctor.

Renaissance Medicine and Medical Practices Essay

In the beginning of the Elizabethan Era medicine was the beginning of advancements. During the Renaissance, disease was a big problem. Medicine was not as advanced as it is today, but being discovered from witchcraft and superstitions, to cures for the sick. Medicine was not advanced then so the citizens looked for cure from the â€Å"witches† and their beliefs just led them to their deaths. Religious citizens prayed, or consumed blood from someone else as they believed to contain the soul of the deceased. â€Å"†¦. octors sought for explanations [for illnesses] in the stars rather than in the blood stream and preferred magical to clinical experiment. † (Netzley 70). They believed the illness or sickness was spiritual rather than from the body. Superstitions were a big thing in this era. â€Å"Black Death† a plague that spread in Florence in 1348 was believed to be punishment from God. As medicine was being discovered the new knowledge was slowly being accepted by the citizens. Medicine discovered by the Europeans was not as accurate though. As time passed, medicine was then based on Aristotle ideas; on four humors in the body. They are blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile; which determine the imbalance and were thought to be related to their personality. Leonardo Da Vinci had sketched accurate anatomies at which influenced medicine studies. â€Å"that his ideas were familiar to the scientific environment in which he found himself,†¦ the likelihood is that Leonardo’s thoughts was important landmark in the development of scientific ideas,† (Walker 94). Eventually the Hippocrates studies were discovered, they had lived in B. C. era. Their studies were used for comparison at which proved their discoveries and solutions wrong and the Hippocrates were very accurate as they had sketched the structures and their thoughts on how the human body functioned which led them to new discoveries. There were many medical practices that were believed to cure the person and in contrary some made them more sick or led them to death, Bloodletting was a popular practice done at which they would cut the patients artery on their arm or sometimes both arms, and were bled until they felt drowsy which was consider to be when the felt â€Å"better†. This practice sometimes was done too often the patient would simply die of lack of blood supply. The medical practice of the four humors determined imbalance in patients. In order to diagnose the doctors would check patient’s pulse and urine; looking as color and smell. The remedy or are used where herbs and spices. Spices were believed to balance the humors rated on a scale from hotness, coldness and wetness. â€Å"Renaissance doctors . . . . . followed the traditional herbal medicine practiced throughout the Middle Ages† (Walker 96). Most common used herb was the theriac for medicinal recipes, an antidote for poison. Cinnamon and pepper were two spices commonly used and were rated hottest. Surgeries were not very popular and were rarely ever done, in small towns the barbers will be the surgeon as they couldn’t afford to pay a qualified doctor. Medicine advanced through the years till today, but the Renaissance era seemed to be the discovery of new medicine that help cure the sick. Never less did they learn more about the human and animal body but discovered diseases and several cures for them.

H&M company analysis Essay

H&M were established in Vasteras, Sweden in 1947 by Erling Persson. World events and trends of monumental significance have occurred, since the little Swedish ready-to-wear chain developed into a multinational concern with stores in 18 different countries. When their store opened in Stockholm’s kungsgatan, there was a queue one kilometer long and the traffic police were forced to intervene. H&M stands for Hennes and Mauritz, it is a Public Limited Company, whereby all the stores are owned and solely run by H&M.  Business forms such as joint ventures and franchising are therefore not possible. H&M are regarded as a high street fashion retailer, aimed at ‘everybody’ – and always with the best prices. They are recognised for inexpensive but trendy clothing. They currently have 901 stores located in 18 countries, employing 39,000 employees. The focus on foreign markets began with a store in Norway in 1964, and due to this inter? national status they currently occupy market share allover the world. By 1961 H&M opened a store in Norway and by 1964 in Denmark, they were quick to keep up with changing trends. In 1974 H&M was listed on the stock exchange, and they opened stores in Europe. By the 1980’s H&M began focusing on internationalization with a new managing director Stefan Persson. Stores were opened in Germany and the Netherlands and the share prices rose. H&M got their first in house designers with pupils hand-picked from the fashion and tailoring colleges in Stockholm to work in Norrlandsgatan, where there was also a major drive on jewelry and accessories. In 1983, H&M offered their customers a new and convenient way of shop? ping, by selling clothes by mail order, in order to keep up with competition, which was becoming more and more intense. By the 90’s H&M were greatly worried by the impact of e-commerce, more companies were starting to have web pages, and by 1995, companies began providing the service of Internet shopping. In 1992 H&M opened in Belgium, 1994 in Austria, and by 1996 in Luxembourg. A dramatic change came about for H&M in 1998 when they began selling on the Internet. It was apparent to directors, which they had to do this, as competition was becoming fierce, and profits were lowering. Today H&M has received global recognition for its designer collaborations, including Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, Viktor & Rolf, Roberto Cavalli, Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garà §ons, Matthew Williamson, Jimmy Choo, Sonia Rykiel and Lanvin. Every H&M store is unique: our One New Change store is H&M’s first in the City of London and carries collections and accessories for women and men, including tailoring and suiting and a selection of swimwear. H&M Company Profile Production H&M does not own any factories. Instead, clothes and other products are commissioned from around 800 independent suppliers, primarily in Asia and  Europe. The H&M buying department plans the range. After that, all practical aspects are dealt with by our production offices. These production offices, where most of the employees are drawn from the local population, are in constant contact with the suppliers. The production offices are responsible for placing the order with the right supplier and for items being produced at the right price, making sure that they are of good quality and delivered at the right time. They also audit that production takes place under good working conditions. The production offices perform extensive safety and quality testing, including checks for shrinkage, twisting and colour fastness, as well as ensuring that the chemical requirements have been met. A product’s lead-time can vary from a couple of weeks to six months. For high-volume fashion basics and children wear it is advantageous to place orders far in advance. Trend-led garments produced in smaller volumes require considerably shorter lead times. H&M strives to order each piece at its optimal moment, finding the right balance between price, time and quality. Strategy- Global expansion H&M stores should always be located in the best business locations, whether in a big city or a small-town shopping centre. This has been a firm principle of H&M’s since the very first women wear shop opened in 1947, and it is still true today. We always look for the best business location combined with the most favourable market terms. That applies to H&M as well as & Other Stories, Cheap Monday, COS, Monki and Weekday. H&M does not own any store premises, which makes way for flexibility and adaptability. By renting space, we can move at the same pace as our markets. Long-term quality lies at the heart of the expansion strategy. Before H&M moves into a new country or city an assessment is made of the market’s potential. Factors such as demographic structure, purchasing power, economic growth, infrastructure and political risk are analyzed. Alongside expansion, existing stores are renovated, offering customers all over the world exciting new shopping experiences. H&M is also working actively to make all stores sustainable in the long term, for example through energy-saving initiatives and environmentally adapted materials. H&M remains positive towards future expansion and new business opportunities. The growth target  is to increase the number of stores by 10–15 percent per year with continued high profitability and at the same time increase sales in comparable units. The strong pace of expansion is continuing in 2013 with a planned 350 new stores net. This means that we will effectively be opening a new store every day. In 2013 the highest rate of expansion will again be in China and in the US. Investments will also continue within online sales. H&M plans to launch online sales in the US, the world’s largest market for e-commerce. Vision and Mission H&M ‘s vision is to always provide the customers with better offers than before and to constantly exceed their customers’ expectations. At the same time, H&M also trying to be most popular fashion brand in the world and H&M took many years of efforts to realize it. â€Å"2010 was a very good year for H&M with a sales increase of 15 percent. Profit after financial items increased to SEK 25 billion. During the year we improved our market position further with a strengthened customer offering by giving the customers even more fashion and quality at the best price. The economy improved from 2009 but in several countries the economic situation was still uncertain and difficult.†-Karl-Johan Persson, CEO From the comments of CEO Persson, we can see that the mission for H&M is to strengthen customer offering by giving more fashion and quality at the best price. H&M Strategic Planning Establishment & Effectiveness To achieve that vision and mission, H&M strive to make the costumers the best offering about the design and fashion. for example, the British fashion designer created a capsule women’s collection got a fantastic sales when it was launched in around 200 H&M stores on 23 April, 2009.Its bright colors and lively patterns attracted customers. And only a month later, a more comprehensive summer collection which was typical Matthew Williamson wonderful colors and patterns arrived in the stores. The pieces also worked really well with H&M’s own summer collections. H&M expanded substantially during 2009 and 2010, opening stores in numerous exciting new markets. For example, Lebanon in October 2009,Russia in March 2009, Beijing in April 2009,South Korea, Israel and Turkey in 2010 and Croatia, Romania, Jordan,  and Morocco in 2011.With the fast expansion all over the world, H&M is gradually becoming stronger and have a firm position in this industry. At the same time, H&M are still trying to expand the online and catalogue sales, because the stores are not the only place customers can enjoy shopping with H&M. At the beginning of 2011, they have been launching the new H&M Shop Online in the markets where they offer online and catalogue sales before, easy and fun as visiting a store, regardless of whether customers shop by tablet or smartphone, via apps or directly at hm.com. H&M’s interactive shop online offers easy navigation and is much appreciated by customers in all eight countries where H&M and H&M Home offer online shopping: Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria and the UK. Since January 2013 H&M shop online is completely mobile-adapted. In the US, the world’s largest retail market, H&M plans to offer online shopping from summer 2013. Distance selling is a vital and growing complement to stores. COS, Monki and Weekday offer online shopping in 18 European countries. The new H&M brand & Other Stories, which is launching in spring 2013, will be available both in stores and online. & Other Stories will offer shopping online at stories.com in ten European countries. H&M’s communication is global and hm.com is one of the world’s most popular fashion websites. Fashion enthusiasts all over the world interact with H&M via social media and apps. H&M is also one of the leading fashion companies on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+ and YouTube, as well as on China’s social networks Youku and Sina Weibo and Russia’s VKontakte. Social media spreads the news further about H&M when the brand expands into new, exciting markets. Naturally, it will help H&M to achieve its vision in the future. Furthermore, goal of H&M is â€Å"to increase the number of stores by 10 – 15 percent per year† Under the goal, in 2009, H&M was expanding rapidly. We can see from annual report 2009-2012, during 2012 H&M opened 304 new stores n et. Achieve goal that 10 – 15% new stores net per year. External Analysis Opportunities There are several opportunities for H&M to develop its business. As the online market is more and more developed and H&M should start to sell its  product online. At the start of 2011, H&M are launching the new H&M Shop Online in the markets where they offer online and catalogue sales already. Shopping experience and functionality have been improved. Around the end of 2010 they plan to start online sales in USA where should be the world’s largest online market. In addition, the economic crisis was really strong and it may increase the interest of the population for cheap and fashionable clothes. Finally the development of some Asian countries such as Vietnam can give the opportunities to H&M to found new suppliers cheaper and more preferment in terms of quality and time of production. Some supplier markets with high purchasing power and plenty of customers are with an interest in fashion, just like in our Asian markets, China and Japan. H&M’s expansion is rapid and running parallel on four continents. Many potential projects are running simultaneously and competing with each other. â€Å"There are considerably more opportunities for new openings than the stores that we actually door open,† says Stefan Larsson. â€Å"During the establishment process we decide against some potential stores. Only the best business opportunities remain. The aim is to create the best H&M stores through a combination of best location and best possible business conditions, wherever they are in the world.† Threats The major threat is that this market is full of competitors that are constantly growing and that are generally aggressive. That’s why H&M should keep its effort in differentiation in order to face this competition. In addition, there are other risks and uncertainties they cannot avoid and predict. It related to fashion, weather situations, climate changes, trade interventions and exchange rates, but also in connection with expansion into new markets, the launch of new concepts, changes in consumer behavior and handling of the brand. The year was also full of challenges. The global financial crisis and recession, with more consumer restraint and discount driven markets, naturally affected. However, H&M recognized that there were things they could have done better too. Self-criticism and striving to make constant improvements are part of H&M’s corporate culture and they work hard to become more efficient in all areas. Increased efficiency also means that they can invest i n giving the customers an even more attractive offering. Internal Analysis Strengths H&M’s strengths include a good brand image and cheap price. H&M has established a strong brand which motivates employees creating unity and attracts skilled work force. The company benefits from a good image from the customers and they have a strong fame everywhere in the world thanks to its huge number of outlets. Also the prices that H&M offer to its customers are really competitive thanks to the cost saving management way of the company. Cheap price is known by everybody. Their other strength is that they have a wide range and many different concepts. The entire concept of low priced apparel has brought loyal customers for H&M for years. The various departments for women, men, teenagers and children are their foundation. They can work with them in different types of buildings, street locations and shopping centers with very different characters. Weaknesses As the company wants to save money everywhere it’s possible, the distribution system is really slow and it takes a lot of time to deliver a product to the outlet. It may be really bad for the reaction time if the company to the competitors offer. Also the low quality of the product could give to the customers the need to go to the competitors. H&M has amount of suppliers. This is a good thing. However, as H&M’s production units add up to 2700, the control of all these demand great resources and management. If H&M cannot maintain its effective organizational structure, the situation may lead to the failure of control. SWOT Analyze Strengths: Qualitative and high fashion items for a extremely low price. A wide range of collection of products which are permanently renewed Some lines products in store are created by guest designers This company is very reactive and has very fast delivery times Well-known brand with powerful financial resources. Weakness: Production at one time of a wide volume of product with no guarantee of any sale. A wide range of targeted customers and so a wide range of different  style without any real focus on a particular type of customer or tendency. Not innovative fashion products but copy of the luxury or high fashion brands. Opportunities Fashion plays an increasingly important role in society. For both men and women. Growing market and so at a worldwide level. Economic crisis: people try to find solutions to buy the cloth which is economical and practical. Threats: Many competitors present on this market. Fashioning products change very frequently and quickly. Other risks and uncertainties they cannot avoid and predict. It related to fashion, weather situations, climate changes, trade interventions and exchange rates Benchmarking Benchmarking is an analytical tool which is often used to determine whether a company’s competency of value chain activities are strongly competitive compared to other rivals so that it can be confident to winning in the marketplace. Benchmarking includes measuring costs of value chain activities in an industry to formulate â€Å"best practice† among competitive firms with the views of learning or improving on those best practices. Benchmarking can make a firm to take action to improve its competitiveness and win a good position by identifying value chain activities where rival firms have comparative strengths in cost, service, operation and reputation. It can be typically measured by quality, time and cost. Through learning the benchmark company, we can make improvements which help to do things better, faster, and cheaper. The most important part of benchmarking is to gain access to other company’s value chain activities with associated costs. Benchmarking needs to compare the process of management or results with the best firm in this industry, think about how they perform it, how to compete with them. Organizations evaluate various aspects of their processes in relation to best practice companies’ processes, usually within a peer group defined for the purposes of comparison. As an organization, benchmarking allows to develop plans in  order to make improvements or adapt specific best practices, usually with the aim of increasing some aspect of performance. In this case, the rival of H&M, Zara has been selected as the benchmarking target. They have something in common which is easy to compare with. Both of them are successful apparel company and have a huge popularity in the same industry. However, they own difference business strategy to conduct the business performance. The aim of benchmark in here is to evaluate H&M’s strategic management and learn some experiences to improve their strategy and performance better. Zara is a subsidiary company of the Spanish Inditex Group. It is a famous apparel brand, and also the exclusive brand of apparel retail chain of Zara brand. It was established in 1975 in Spain. As a part of Inditex Group, Zara is ranked to the third around the world and the first brand in Spain. Among 56 countries, it has owned the establishment of more than two thousand clothing chains. Zara is always favored by the young people who love the fashion. It stands out by the excellent design and cheap price. In short, everyone can embrace high fashion in Zara. Now Zara has established 2200 women’s apparel chain shops in 27 countries in Europe and the 55 countries in the world. In 2004 its revenues ups to 4.6 billion Euros, profits of 440 million Euros. This performance is even better than GAP and H&M which is the largest brand in U.S. The main point of the H&M strategy is to achieve lower costs combined with differentiation. The differentiation is mainly based on more fashionable limited collections. For Zara it’s completely different because they try to be more fashionable for reasonable prices. Not the cheapest prices in general, but cheap prices comparing to competitors who offer similar products. Hierarchy of strategy 1. Corporate strategy The first hierarchy is corporate strategy. It describes the set of businesses, markets, or industries in which the organization competes and the distribution of resources among those business. The direction an organization takes with the objective of achieving business success in the long term. H&M have a constant corporate strategy based on really fast market coverage by opening constantly new stores every week. The company has plans to double its number of outlets by 2013 that implies that they plan to have about 3000 stores around the world. It means that they open every days a new store. They want to be present everywhere in the world and in every activity areas. They are also always looking for occupying markets share from the competitors and increasing the amount of sales, the popularity and the profit 2. Business strategy The second hierarchy is business strategy. Business strategy usually happens at the business unit or product level and it emphasizes improvement of the competitiveness, positions of a corporate products or services in the specific field or market segment served by that business unit. There are two main categories in business strategy: low-cost and differentiation strategies. The strategy of H&M is both lower costs and differentiation: They are constantly looking for reduce cost in every step of the business in order to offer to the customers the best prices. First they have a simply supply chain management that is based on a â€Å"just in time† management system. Delivery times vary from 2-3 weeks to six months, depending on the type of product. It is therefore important to be able to order each item at the right time for stores in order to have it on time. The short delivery times is not always wanted because they must consider the compromise between price, time and quality. They also save cost in producing in Asia and they have partnership with cheap suppliers that produce fast and cheap. In the same time they really want to be different than the competitors in order to have a competitive advantage. This sector is really competitive and H&M need to be different to attract the customers and increase the market  shares. To achieve this differentiation, they regularly offer special limited collections designed by famous artist or designers such as Roberto Cavalli, Madonna, Karl Lagerfeld and so on. 3. Functional strategy The third hierarchy is functional strategy. It is the approach taken by a functional area in order to achieve corporate and business unit objectives and strategies by means of optimizing resource productivity. For example, an IT company such as Samsung will surely have a functional strategy based on research and development in order to create new IT materials and be more competitive. The H&M functional strategy is also based on the research and development area of its organization as they are constantly looking for new models in order to be different from the competitors. They use more than one hundred designers to create the new model in order to create fashion and not following what the competitors did. In addition, as we previously seen, they also work sometimes with famous designers to make special collections. These strategies must complete and consistent with each other in order to have an efficient global strategy. But we must also say that these strategies must be in accordance with the goals and the image that the company wants to share with customers. In this case H&M has a goal that is really different to the strategy is that the company wants to offer products that are good in term of quality, nevertheless at the same time they use cheap suppliers in order to be competitive and offer the best price to the customers. BCG MATRIX In order to construct the BCG matrix of H&M, first we need to identify the SBU-Strategic Business Unit. According to H&M’s annual report, there are 4 main SBUs are currently been run by this firm, namely, women, men, teenagers and children. Recommendations for H&M The paper has analyzed various aspects of H&M’s strategic management and its implementation. Based on these facts and theories, recommendations can be made for the company. Generally speaking, my recommendations are simple. 1. As the most competitive rival, Zara is not so dangerous yet, but H&M should keep an eye on their growth and strategy, and try to change the strategy flexibly all the time. 2. Lacking own supply chain is one of weak point of H&M. If H&M develop own supply chain management, the production process will be faster and reactive which can bring more profits. 3. H&M has already had a big market share in the world. For the present, maintaining the development efforts and getting the market penetrations are better strategy. 4. H&M should take more efforts on the fashion design and product more fashionable clothes with cheaper price to attract own specialized customers. Most importantly, I think that H&M doesn’t need to reduce the expansion. Because of this speed of expanding, many people doubt that H&M raised the cost and loosed the control due to the amount of suppliers. In my opinion, it has the ability to control and monitor the suppliers. I also recommend that it can focus on some emerging markets, like China, Malaysia, Singapore†¦As a Chinese, I think China had indeed embraced globalization, but of a sort. For example, traveling through Shanghai, it would be hard to distinguish it from Taipei, Hong Kong, or any US city for that matter. The wide street ispacked with automobiles. Bright Neon lights decorate the shops. You will find Chinese wearing Nike shoes or Calvin Klein tees, and drink Coca cola. The impression is that foreign products and influence flows free and accepted readily at China. Compared with domestic products, they prefer international brand like H&M and Zara. There are of course foreign companies able to set a stronghold in the Chinese soil, but only those who came utterly prepared, knowledgeable in Chinese society, and committed to do business. After all China is a large country with its transportation and communication sector still under development. The immediate issues faced by the investors were cultural differences, trade barriers and government restrictions.

Bring on the Clones essays

Bring on the Clones essays On February 24, 1997, the birth of a cloned sheep shocked the public of the United States . The prospects of human cloning and the uses of cloning technology in genetic engineering quickly became a highly debated issue. The sides to the debate were easily drawn. Many felt that the use of cloning would be morally wrong and would be yet another step in the road of mankinds ultimate destruction. Others debated that, to fear something because it is different is foolish and that by tapping this new resource we could solve many of the worlds problems. Morality versus advancement, this is the issue facing those joining the argument on cloning To begin with, cloning is still a very imperfect science. The possibility of human cloning is still not even assured. Scientists have told a Select Committee of the House of Commons that the nuclear transfer technique they have applied to produce a cloned sheep could be, in theory, applied to humans . Whether anyone would try and whether it would work is another matter. But the "what if" question must now be asked with much more seriousness than would have ever been justified before. In all of its complexity, the argument against cloning is easily summed up. To replicate any human technologically is a process that goes against the simplest dignity of the uniqueness of each human being in God's eyes. Many would see this as a violation of the uniqueness of a human life, which God has given to each of us and to no one else. Some argue that the existence of "identical" twins means that we should have no ethical difficulty over cloning, or that to object to cloning implies that twins are abnormal. This argument is ill conceived. Biologically, identical human twins are not the norm, but the unusual manner of their creation does not make them any less human. They are recognized as being is a uniquely valuable individual. There are two fundamental differences between cloning and twinnin...

Eotyrannus - Facts and Figures

Eotyrannus - Facts and Figures Name: Eotyrannus (Greek for dawn tyrant); pronounced EE-oh-tih-RAN-us Habitat: Woodlands of Western Europe Historical Period: Early Cretaceous (125-120 million years ago) Size and Weight: About 15 feet long and 300-500 pounds Diet: Meat Distinguishing Characteristics: Small size; relatively long arms with grasping hands About Eotyrannus The tiny tyrannosaur Eotyrannus lived during the early Cretaceous period, about 50 million years before more famous relatives like Tyrannosaurus Rexand, following a common theme in evolution, this dinosaur was much smaller than its giant descendant (the same way the first, mouse-sized mammals of the Mesozoic Era were much smaller than the whales and elephants that evolved from them). In fact, the 300- to 500-pound Eotyrannus was so slender and wiry, with relatively long arms and legs and grasping hands, that to the untrained eye it might look more like a raptor; the giveaway is the lack of single, giant claws on each of its hind feet, as sported by the likes of Velociraptor and Deinonychus. (One paleontologist speculates that Eoraptor was actually a non-tyrannosaur theropod closely related to Megaraptor, but this idea is still being digested by the scientific community.) One of the most remarkable things about Eotyrannus is that its remains were discovered on Englands Isle of Wightwestern Europe isnt exactly famous for its tyrannosaurs! From an evolutionary point of view, however, this makes sense: we know that the earliest tyrannosaurs (like the 25-pound, feathered Dilong) lived a few million years before Eotyrannus in eastern Asia, while the largest tyrannosaurs (like the multi-ton T. Rex and Albertosaurus) were indigenous to late Cretaceous North America. One possible scenario is that the very first tyrannosaurs migrated west from Asia, quickly evolving to Eotyrannus-like sizes, and then reached the culmination of their development in North America. (A similar pattern held with horned, frilled dinosaurs, the tiny progenitors of which originated in Asia and then made their way westwards to North America, spawning multi-ton genera like Triceratops.)

Corinthian College Annual Report for 2005 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Corinthian College Annual Report for 2005 - Essay Example The annual report is formatted to include an informational portion that need not follow any set format. The actual information required in the report to the SEC is found in the 'consolidated statements' portion of the annual report and contains information to satisfy 10K reporting requirements. The actual report is done by an independent accounting firm hired by the corporation. This firm performs the analysis and reporting functions required by the SEC. Often, the corporation submits an agreement, or disagreements, addendum to the report to explain anything out of the ordinary to the SEC. As stated earlier, the 'notes' section explains the 'consolidated' reports section of the annual report. It is the longest portion of the report and, in some ways, is the most important part of the report. Investors examine the annual report to determine whether or not the corporation is worth investing in. If this is a publicly listed corporation then investors interested in the corporation can purchase stocks and receive dividends from the corporation. The most important factor the investor would be interested in would be the profit/loss section of the report and the 'notes' section that explains that portion. In the annual report for Corinthian College, Inc. the profit/loss section of the report (the balance sheets) is located on page 57 of the 10K report. Its corresponding notes section is located on page 61. Investors would be looking intently at the notes section that explains the assets and liabilities of the corporation. These are explained in the notes section and are labeled 'taxes', 'comprehensive income', 'stock based compensation' and, 'income per share' section of the report. To determine whether or not the corporation is a good investment investors would be looking for how the stocks are valuated, whether the corporation is profitable, and the growth rate of the corporation. The 'balance sheet' of the corporation (the numbers) follows with a more detailed report than is found in the 10K report. The balance sheet for the previous year is provided for comparison. Investors will read this section of the report to help them decide whether or not to invest. Also, investment analys ts and financial advisors examine this section to decide whether or not to track and recommend the corporation for investment. A vital portion to the 'notes' section is the acquisitions page. This report lists Wyo-Tech Acquisition Corp. ("Wyo-Tech"), Learning Tree University, Inc. ("LTU", Career Choices, Inc. ("Career Choices"), East Coast Aero Tech, LLC ("ECAT")., and CDI Education Corporation ("CDI"), A.M.I., Inc. as acquisitions. All these acquisitions may be a liability for the corporation initially but may increase profits in the future. The investor would be interested to know what the future plans are for these acquisitions. Fair market value for the above acquisitions is listed on page 75 and provides a snapshot of how much the acquisitions added to the corporation. The corporation also assumed leases that the acquisitions had in place. One of the most important sections that corporation outsiders would be interested in is Note 7-Preferred Stock and Common Stockholders' Equity section. It explains such details as how much preferred