Enhance And Simplify Security With Network Security

Enhance Simplify Security with Network Sentry Managed Services Bradford Networks is the leading provider of Network Security solutions that minimize the risk and impact of cyber threats by providing end-to-end visibility of all devices, continuous endpoint monitoring, and automated threat containment. As a Managed Services Provider (MSP) you know first-hand that as organization struggle to find and retain skilled IT staff, more organizations are turning to managed services to supplement their staff and fill knowledge gaps in specific technologies. IDC estimates that security–related services will account for nearly 45% of worldwide security spending in 2016, and that managed services will represent the largest segment of spending,†¦show more content†¦Its inherent flexibility lets IT organizations evolve security projects from initial trials through pilot rollouts to full deployments, while implementing effective security policies. Bradford Networks’ MSP License Program Network Sentry offers MSPs a fully-featured network endpoint control solution that is highly-scalable, offers subscription-based licensing packages that include support, and can be rapidly configured and deployed with customized security policies. Bradford’s MSP partner licensing program offers a comprehensive license package that includes: †¢ Network Sentry product †¢ Virtual appliances †¢ Sales training †¢ Product training †¢ Product deployment assistance †¢ Ongoing product updates and support The Benefits of Offering Network Sentry Network Sentry is a full-Featured Network Endpoint Control Solution. It delivers all the features of Bradford Networks’ award-winning Network Sentry solution including complete visibility and control over who and what is accessing the network, as well as continuous monitoring and automated threat response. This solution offers MSP partners: †¢ A Complete MSP Solution – This package offers a comprehensive solution that includes the Network Sentry software, sales training, product training, deployment services and ongoing product updates and support. †¢ No Capital Expense – This MSP license program will be offered on a subscription basis and does not require any capital expense, since it include the programShow MoreRelatedNetwork Security And Its Effect On Organizations1118 Words   |  5 PagesComputer networks have changed the way individuals and organizations conduct daily activities. Individuals have been using the internet for many years now and it has increased its presence around the world. The internet, as the name suggests, is a network of computers that can share resources, simplify communications, and provide information. Organizations utilize the networks for the same reasons as individuals do; however, they also allow organizations to conduct business and increase productivityRead MoreThe Convergence Of Big Data And Security Approaches1412 Words   |  6 Pages 3. Benefits of analytics – the convergence of big data and security approaches is likely to lead to huge investments in analytics for risk assessment, automation and detection by existing and new networking vendors. This growth will require greater processing power from network equipments. 4. Security vs. Speed – security vendors will have to balance the demands for high speeds and visible access sprawl to cope with insider threats. The problem may get even worse with the current trend that hasRead MoreThe Cost Effective Enhancement Of Enterprise Network Security Via Openflow Controlled Switches And Specialized Sdn Applications Running On A1481 Words   |  6 Pagesproject focuses on the cost effective enhancement of enterprise network security via OpenFlow controlled switches and specialized SDN applications running on a controller. The project will investigate on securing the network from various attacks like ping attack, TCP SYN attack, Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS), DHCP attack. Different security measures will be discussed through which the user can establish a secured network. These security measures will be implemented over SDN. 3. Objectives of ProposedRead MoreResearch Paper775 Words   |  4 Pagesidentity access solution that allows organizations to authenticate users from partner organizations. Using AD FS in Windows Server 2008, you can simply and very securely grant external users access to your organization’s domain resources. AD FS can also simplify integration between untrusted resources and domain resources within your own organization. Active Directory Lightweight Directory Service (AD LDS), formerly known as Active Directory Application Mode, can be used to provide directory services forRead MoreSynopsis Of The Sdn Technology1156 Words   |  5 PagesThe architecture is ambiguous to the protocols across the interfaces. The architecture of SDN allows the controller to control data plane resources. SDN simplifies the configuration of the wide range of resources that are available. SDN must be applicable within systems that already exist which contain many organizations with the need for security of the information that is being shared. Limitations in the real world include the need to exist with the present support systems, administrative or technologyRead MoreAssignment : Designing Technical Safeguards1050 Words   |  5 Pages Darryl W. Anderson CIS 349 January 15, 2017 In the past, academic and administrative computer systems were isolated, either for security reasons or as a result of limited interconnectivity with other computers. Today, nearly any information that an administrator, teacher, student or parent might is available through a network connection. Course lectures are presented are viewed and students submit their assignments via the internet school class shell. Student and parents canRead MoreCase Study : Pepperdine University1063 Words   |  5 PagesCase Study – Pepperdine University BYOD at Pepperdine University: Bradford Networks’ Network Sentry Provides a Network Connection as Easy as Starbucks †¦ Only Safer Network Sentry Integrates With Sourcefire IDS to Enable Rapid Threat Remediation for Pepperdine University. Pepperdine University is a liberal arts and research university with about 8,500 students and 2,000 faculty at its main campus near Malibu and five graduate schools across Southern California. The Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) movementRead MoreSwot Analysis : Inventive Restorative And Pharmaceutical Products1310 Words   |  6 Pagesto steal its intellectual property and sell its contenders. It is suspected that the corporate network has been attacked from unapproved sources more than once. In 2012, CMRG was dishonestly blamed for exploitative innovative work hones. Numerous attacks on the company have brought about defacement of its public website with Denial of Service attack over a 10-month period. Notwithstanding its security issues, CMRG has kept on developing quickly as far as its research and development departments.Read MoreVulnerability Assessment For UMU University794 Words   |  4 PagesTeneable Nessus - Security Center Continuous View is the proposed solution for UMUC a t this time. For the last two years Tenable Nessus has been chosen by users of the products as the winner of the System Administration, Networking, and Security Institutes (SANS) Best of Award [1]. Tenable works with Universities to provide the best solution for their needs at a reduced cost. The application suite is well versed in auditing solutions, credential and non-credentialed network-based scanning, andRead MoreAnalysis Of Snort977 Words   |  4 Pagesexpected to pay $500 yearly per sensor. Another difference of Suricata from Snort is the availability of JSON Suricata that greatly simplifies the combination of third-party applications such as the visualization of the logs and system monitoring. Moreover, the Suricata settings and the rules that are made in YML file format are more evident and usually simplifies the automated processing as compared to Snort. Further, Suricata has a unified output, and thus the results can be analyzed by using

Shakespeares Use of the Supernatural in Macbeth Essay

The supernatural was a popular element in many of the plays written in Shakespeares time (including Hamlet) and everyone of Shakespeares time found the supernatural fascinating. Even King James I took a special interest in supernatural and written a book, Daemonologie, on witchcraft. It must be remembered that, in Shakespeares day, supernatural referred to things that were above Nature; things which existed, but not part of the normal human life and unexplainable. The play Macbeth involves many supernatural actions that act as a catalyst for suspense and thrill, insight into character, foreshadowing of future events as well as making connections with the theme. In the opening scene of the play, the entrance of the three witches†¦show more content†¦Scene iii. Line 58) is also an element of supernatural. Later on in the play, we found Macbeth constantly relying on the witches supernatural powers and their ability to call out the three apparitions, yet another symbol of the supernatural. Over here, the calling out of the apparitions as supernatural elements in the play could be intended to increase the thrill and suspense of the audience. At the same time, bear in mind that Shakespeare had the play performed for King James I, perhaps, the supernatural scenes on the witches is intended to cater to King James Is personal interest. It is also noted that the presence of the witches in every scene, is often accompanied by thunder and dark skies, as though Nature is disturbed and troubled by their presence and supernatural forces. The disorder and disturbance of Nature in the presence of the witches supernatural forces could also reflect the disorder portrayed in the play as soon as the Great Chain of Being was violated when Macbeth murdered King Duncan and assumed the throne. Terrible and peculiar incidents of the supernatural surfaced after King Duncan was murdered. Life literally, is turned upside down. The day was covered with darkness, and an owl; an untameable bird of night and death kills upon a falcon, a day creature and a royal companion. Also, King Duncans horses became mad and ate each other. (Act II. Scene iv. Line 10-19). These supernatural surfaced after Macbeths act ofShow MoreRelated Use of the Supernatural in Shakespeares Macbeth Essay652 Words   |  3 PagesUse of the Supernatural in Macbeth In Shakespeares play The Tragedy of Macbeth, Shakespeare uses an underlying motif of the supernatural to control the characters and add a new dimension to the play. Shakespeare uses a large motif of light vs. darkness throughout the play to present moral choices and religious ideas. When the play opens, there is thunder rolling around and the witches on stage. The thunder is symbolic of darkness and gives the audience the first impression that the playRead MoreShakespeares Use of the Supernatural in Macbeth Essay1249 Words   |  5 PagesShakespeares Use of the Supernatural in Macbeth When Shakespeare wrote Macbeth in the early 1600s the King of England was James I. James was king of Scotland too. He ruled in Scotland before coming king in England in 1603 as well. James was supposed to have descended from the real Banquo. Some people often think that Shakespeare wanted to flatter James I by writing this play by showing James that he was nothing like Macbeth. In Shakespeares play Macbeth it has beenRead MoreWilliam Shakespeares Dramatic Use of the Supernatural in Macbeth1013 Words   |  5 PagesWilliam Shakespeares Dramatic Use of the Supernatural in Macbeth Be sure to include the witches, the dagger, Banquos ghost, the apparitions and the Old man. There are many themes in Macbeth like ambition, loyalty and hypocrisy but Shakespeare has used the theme of the supernatural to create dramatic emphasis and suspicion. He has used the witches, dagger, Banquos ghost, the apparitions and the old man to create to add an element of the supernatural to Macbeth. Read MoreShakespeares Use of the Supernatural in Macbeth Essay example5126 Words   |  21 PagesShakespeares Use of the Supernatural in Macbeth The supernatural is widely used in Macbeth, and covers major sections of it. It is used to generate interest, and to provoke thought and controversy. At the time the play was written, James the 1st was the English monarch. James the 1st was originally James the 4th on the Scottish throne, until there was a union of crowns between England and Scotland in the late 16th century. Shakespeare wrote the play for him, so the Read MoreRole of Supernatural in Shakespeares a Midsummer Nights Dream1547 Words   |  7 PagesStudy of Shakespeares Use of the Supernatural (Penn State University, English 444.2: Spring 1998) by Fred Coppersmith Near the end of the opening scene of Macbeth, Shakespeares three Weird Sisters proclaim in unison that fair is foul, and foul is fair, providing us, as readers, with perhaps the best understanding of the plays theme and the tragic downfall of its central character. That this revelation -- this pronouncement that all is not well in Scotland -- comes from a supernatural or otherworldlyRead More The Supernatural in Shakespeares Works Essay1747 Words   |  7 PagesThe Supernatural in Shakespeares Works No one questions the fact that William Shakespeare is a pure genius when it comes to creating immortal characters whose characteristics transcends those of the normal supernatural beings, but most students of literature agree that his uses of the supernatural aren’t merely figments of his creative imagination. Every man, woman, and child is influenced by the age into which they are born and Shakespeare was no exception. Not only does his use of supernaturalRead MoreMacbeth Themes899 Words   |  4 Pages â€Å"What are the major themes in Macbeth† By Connor Maguire William Shakespeare’s Macbeth a play complete with many themes and viewpoints. The themes are exhibited by the main characters of the play, notably antagonist Macbeth. Themes seen in the play include ambition, where is is portrayed as both dangerous and unnatural. However, it does exist in both good and evil forms in the play. Another theme seen is whether Macbeths actions in the play are a result of fate, or free will. Although outsideRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Macbeth As A Tragic Hero985 Words   |  4 PagesWilliam Shakespeare’s Macbeth (published 1623), a masterpiece, because of the number of issues it deals with in society both in Shakespeare’s time and modern society. He is regarded as the greatest English playwright of all time and has written many magnificent plays over the course of his lifetime. Shakespeare’s plays are still significant today as they cover many issues that we continue to face, such as racism (Shylock in Merchant of Venice), love (Romeo and Juliet), and the mysterious supernaturalRead MoreSupernatural Soliciting Within Shakespeare s Macbeth1728 Words   |  7 PagesNovember 6th, 2017 Supernatural Soliciting within Shakespeare s Macbeth Shakespeare’s Macbeth is broadly known as a cursed play by a myriad of individuals globally. Given its appalling history of death and disorder, as well as the supernatural elements present within the play, many have come to the latter conclusion. To add, Macbeth is also a tragedy, adding more malediction to the already allegedly accursed play. To create such a tragic, ill-fated play, Shakespeare uses a vast variety ofRead MoreThe Importance of the Theme of the Supernatural in William Shakespeares Macbeth951 Words   |  4 PagesThe Importance of the Theme of the Supernatural in William Shakespeares Macbeth The supernatural in Elizabethan times was seen as a very real threat to society. The public thought that there were such things as witches who could perform acts of the supernatural such as turning humans into animals and causing changes in the weather. Any mention of the supernatural in these times scared the public and many people, mainly women, were executed on the thought that they

Design and Procedure Free Essays

The study entitled â€Å"The level of Knowledge of Cigarette Smoker tricycle drivers of STOD (Pembo-Blueboz route) on sintax law and its relation to their Attitude towards Smoking† will use a quantitative approach. In which, according to Hammersley (1992), quantitative approach is taken when people are trying to analyze information, collect survey data and perform analyses and many other functions and since the researchers will use survey questionnaires as instrument. It is mainly helpful for strategic planning and implementation. We will write a custom essay sample on Design and Procedure or any similar topic only for you Order Now This design was adapted by the researchers to find out the level of knowledge of cigarette smokers on Sin tax Law and its relation to their attitude towards smoking, as stated on Hopkin’s article, quantitative research aims to determine the relationship between one thing and another. The principle of quantitative research will be applied in this study for it will help them in studying the abstract things such as level of knowledge and attitude of the smoking tricycle drivers. Hence, the researchers will be able to identify the variables: age, monthly income and education to be utilized for the purpose of the study and analysis and also to know the relationship of their attitude towards smoking and their knowledge on Sintax Law. The researchers will also use Descriptive type of research. Descriptive research is used when the purpose of the research is to determine the characteristics of certain groups or a subject and it is much applicable in their goal in the study to present the details and social setting of the selected smoking tricycle drivers on their level of knowledge on Sintax Law and their attitude on smoking. This study will describe the real situation of the researcher’s study and will further explain the data that will be gathered. Research Method The researchers will use the survey methodology for it is considered as the faster and cheapest way among others. Hence, survey is effective in producing information on opinions, attitudes, belief, presumption, and or socio-economic characteristics. Also, data will be reliable and could avoid or lessen its inconsistency. In addition to that, survey is simpler to analyze and easier to associate the gathered data. The survey will serve as their medium to gather data by asking questions. The researchers will use the survey method for they believed that it will be suitable on their study. Since a population can be quite large of a number, researchers will question only a sample. The sample respondents will be asked questions on their demographic profile along with the respective set of questionnaires regarding the data needed. By this survey, the respondents may give just to their freedom by voicing out their opinion or ideas prior to the research conducted. Through survey, the reliability of information collected from cigarette smoker respondents will maintain. Also, surveying will enable to help the researchers to gain a great deal of information at one time and will provide quantitative data. The researchers believed that this method remains as the most widely used method in gaining quantifiable data. Instrumentation The self-executed questionnaires by the researchers are the instrument they will use for their survey. It will serve as the medium to garner the necessary information for the research. This device aims to distinguish the level of knowledge of the cigarette smokers on the newly passed Sintax law and its relation to the smokers’ attitude towards smoking. The researchers will use closed questions, multiple-choice format, checklist format and the likert scale. The set of questions will be categorized based on the problem and objectives of this study. Closed question is considered as the simplest way whereas it is being nswerable by a yes or a no. By close ended questions, the researchers can avoid the unessential responses from the chosen respondents. To review the validity, the researchers made 2 page survey questionnaires. As a process, validation involves gathering and analyzing data to figure the accuracy of the instrument used. This survey is divided into 4 se ctions: profile, awareness, knowledge, and attitude. First part is where the respondents are being asked about their demographic profile. Second part of the instrument will measure the awareness of the respondents. Third is where the cigarette smokers’ knowledge unto the law will be measured. And last, the attitude of the respondents towards smoking will be asked. The purpose of this questionnaire is to fully determine if the tricycle drivers are aware or knowledgeable about the sintax law. By this instrument, the researchers will identify the cigarette smokers’ attitude on the said law. As a clarification, this study is only a fulfillment of requirement, for academic purposes only. Sample and Sampling Technique Usually, researchers aren’t capable of observing directly in every individual in a population they are studying. Rather, they gather information from a subset of individuals, called sample. Sample is a group of people that can be described as the sub-collection drawn from the population. In order for the sample to truly reflect the population, you need to have a sample that will represent the population. So in this study, the researchers selected tricycle drivers of STOD (Pembo-Blueboz route) who smoke to be the respondents. They will be selected through Simple Random sampling or SRS which is the one of the most commonly used probability method. Each respondent will be chosen randomly and entirely by chance. A simple random sample is an unbiased surveying technique. With the help of fishbowl draw, all the corresponding numbers of each correspondent will be place in it and will mixed thoroughly. In that case, all of them will have the chance to be the respondents. By this sample, the research study will be carried out. Sample random sampling is common and just simple. Its simplicity makes it relatively easy to interpret data collected via SRS. And for this reason, simple random sampling best suits situations where not much information is available about the population and data collection can be efficiently conducted on randomly distributed items. Data Collection Procedure The researchers will conduct survey for five days. The questionnaires will personally administer to the selected cigarette smokers according to the number of sample that will be computed. The researchers decided to survey 50% only of the total population of tricycle drivers, for not all the drivers smoke cigars. The respondents will participate in the study. Thus, ethical issues will be considered to make sure that everything will be confidential, especially the responses and will remain private as well as the safety of the respondents. All important details of the study, including its aim and purpose will relay by the researchers. And through this, the respondents will be able to understand the importance of their role in the completion of the research study. The respondents will not be forced to participate in the said research. The confidentiality of the participants will be ensured also by not disclosing their names or personal information in the research. Those significant details that can help in answering the research questions will be included. The completely filled-up questionnaires will be returned to the researchers for the evaluation and analysis of data. Statistical Formula The researchers will choose Likert survey for the questionnaire type as this will enable the respondents to answer the survey without difficulty. It will measure the extinct to which a person finds a question effective or ineffective. A Likert item is simply a statement which the respondent is asked to evaluate according to any kind of subjective or objective criteria; generally the level of agreement or disagreement is measured. It usually has four choices: strongly agree, agree, disagree, strongly disagree, but there are cases that it will go up to ten and sometimes, more than ten. And some times, instead of using the level of agreement, likert can also consists of options with assigned values (excellent, very good, average, below average poor; always, seldom, frequently, sometimes and never). A numerical value will be assigned to each potential choice and a mean figure for all the responses will be computed at the end of the evaluation. The final average score will represent the overall level of accomplishment or attitude of the respondents toward the subject matter. The researcher will then exclude irrelevant questions and will change difficult or unclear terminologies into simpler ones in order to ensure understanding. The researcher used the 4-point likert in order to have a concrete answers from the respondents because likert scale implied that the number of alternatives are open for manipulation, and this study will employ a manipulated likert scale by allowing only four choices and in so doing, will eliminate a default median response. Many techniques can be involved in statistics that treat data in required manner. Statistical treatment is one, and the result is dependent on the experiment used and the desired output. Describing the data is also involved in statistical treatment. And the best way is to undergo the measure of central tendencies- the mean. Through these, the researchers could easily explain how the data are concentrated. To fulfill the process of Statistical Treatment, the gathered data will be processed by the use of the software program called SPSS/PC+. Same principles will be followed in this program to compute for frequency distribution, percentage and weighted mean. To identify the awareness and to describe the profile of the respondents, the frequency distribution and percentage will be applied. And to describe the attitude of the selected smoking tricycle drivers of STOD (Pembo-Blueboz route) by each selected attitudinal area, the weighted mean will be utilized. The weighted mean which describe the attitude of the respondents will verbally interpret as follows: How to cite Design and Procedure, Papers

Dynamics of Factors Market Segmentation †Free Samples to Students

Question: Discuss about the Dynamics of Factors Market Segmentation. Answer: Introduction The present report focuses on the importance of marketing for the Donald B chocolate maker in Australia. Donald B being the new entrant in the Australian chocolate market should focus on some factors in order to expand their business. It has been evident from recent facts that the consumption of chocolates in Australia has been increasing over the years. Rise in demand for the confectionary products and rise in total number of international players in this industry mainly drives the chocolate market in Australia (Minifie, 2012). The report also analysis about the chocolate market in this nation, which involves- market segmentation, buyers behavior and key vendors analysis. The behavior of the buyers purchasing chocolate is mainly influenced by social, cultural, psychological and personal factors. In fact, micro as well as macro environmental forces are also analyzed in this study in order to highlight how these forces affect the business of Australia. The microenvironmental forces th at are discussed in this study involves producers, suppliers, competitors and publics. In addition, the macroenvironmental forces that are explained in this report involves- political, social, economic and technological. In the last section, the conclusion has been drawn based the present chocolate market condition in Australia and Donald B potentiality of growth of this chocolate confectionary sector in Australia. Effective market analysis has been the cornerstone of the successful marketing campaign. It refers to the assessment of both the external as well as internal market. It has been opined by West, Ford Ibrahim, (2012) that, market analysis is important for every business as it aids to determine their sales proposition, analyze the target customer and their competitors, drivers of the business growth and so on. It has been found out by some researcher that behavior of customers serve as vital tool for the marketers as it helps them to meet their sales target. Analyzing the consumer behavior helps the marketers design the product or service, set the product price, integrate appropriate promotional campaign and improve their business operations (IBISWorld, 2018). Both micro as well as macro environmental has been considered as one of the vital components of market analysis as it facilitates the researchers identify the different forces that impact the business environment and operations i n producing the product. In Australia, the chocolate market is segmented into different categories including the trends of the industry. However, the market is segmented by its type, age group, category, end user and the distribution channel. Recent evidences reflect that the chocolate industry of Australia has been increasing at high rate over the last few years. As a result, they are facing huge competition from the imported chocolate product that is coming from the other Asian nations. In addition to this, as the population in Australia has been ageing, it creates huge opportunity for the manufacturers to create rising number of confectionary product that provide to the age specific needs (McDonald Wilson, 2016). Furthermore, the increasing growth in this sector has been attributed to rising demand of consumers basically for the premium quality chocolates. Moreover, the overview of this chocolate confectionary market in this nation permits the new players as well as the existing enterprise to attain rapi d insight into their market value, packaging and data regarding distribution channel. The producers in the chocolate producing industry of Australia have been facing changing preferences of customers for over the past few years. Baker (2014) opines that increasing customer concerns about sugar as well as fat in foods have reduced the chocolate as well as confectionary demand for the past five years. As a result, the people of this country choose to move towards rich cocoa content products rather than buying chocolate. Furthermore, the participants in this sector have led to rise in product diversification and introduction of healthier products in order to limit the total number of customers switching to other products. As a result, the demand for high quality goods has increased in this market over the last few years. This in turn enhanced the performance of this chocolate industry. Thus, it is seen that the total revenue of this sector increased by near about 2.2% for the last five years. Segmentation of the market Monedelz international is one of the biggest food producers in Australia. It has the portfolio of some of the iconic brands involving Cadbury Dairy Milk, Pascall, etc. They basically focuses on the four pillars involving- mindful sncaking, safety, community and sustainability. Mars is also one of the leading brands in Australia that supplies high quality chocolate, food and other confectionary products (Wedel Kamakura, 2012). This company relies on five basic principles involving- mutuality, quality, efficiency, responsibility and freedom. Nestle is also one of the leading food and beverage forms in Australia that have near about 2000 brands. They conduct their business based on the principles of honesty, fairness and focusing on the people. In fact, their advertising policy and packaging makes them attain huge popularity in the market. As Donald B is the new entrant in this market, he should analyze these vendors before manufacturing the product. This in turn will help to achieve s uccess in the business. Australia has been one of the largest consumption rates of chocolate in the Asia- Pacific regions. Some of the major players in this industry are Mondelez, Mars, Nestle and so on. Mondelez International is the biggest chocolate company that dominates the chocolate market of Australia with near about 55% of share. The next biggest player that comes after Mondelez is Mars, which holds near about 18% of the market share. Nestle follows these two companies holding the total share of 14%. On the other hand, Lindt accounts for only 7% of the chocolate market in Australia. But this enterprise has been considered as the catalyst behind the present growth in the premium chocolate market of this nation (Wilkinson, 2013). Few success factors of these companies involve- attractive presentation of the product, manufacturing of premium products. The benchmark of these companies involves- cost of sales and total expenditure rate. However, Donald B being the new entrant faces several challenges in t he market especially from these biggest rivalries. It has been found out by the researcher that the chocolate market of Australia will grow at high rate in future owing to increase in total number of players in the market. The latest market trend that has been gaining huge momentum in the chocolate market of Australia is the dark chocolate innovation. For the last few years, the manufacturers of chocolate are bringing about innovations in account of manufacturing processes of chocolate in order to compete with its counterparts and open new streams of revenue. This innovation made by the chocolate producers helps them to attract new customers and retain new ones (Kotler, 2015). Owing to this market trends, the manufacturers of chocolate in Australia chooses to become innovative for adapting with the shifts in the preferences of consumers and counteract with these trends. For this the confectionary market in Australia has seen increase in diversification of products, sustainable production, premium chocolate and healthier options of product. Furthermore, increase in total demand for the premium products leads to huge growth in revenue. Overall, the confectionary market trends in Australia have seen an up ward trend over the last few years. Donald B being the new manufacturers in the market faces this challenge and thus focuses on innovating new products in order to sustain in the competitive business environment. Buyers behavior refers to the acts and decision process of the individuals that are involved in purchasing and utilization of products (Rani, 2014). The company operating in the competitive business environment analyzes the behavior of the consumers because of few reasons- Reactions of the buyers to the companys marketing strategy have huge affect on their success. Marketers of the industry predicts how their customers responds to their marketing strategies The marketing theories stresses that the company must create the marketing mix in order to analyze the buying patterns of the customers. The types of customers buying behavior are basically determined by- Involvement level in their purchase decision Customers involvement level also helps to determine the reason behind their interest in seeking information about the goods Influences Definition Characteristics of consumers of fast food and/or low calorie food Social Class ( middle class, upper class and lower class) Cultural factors mainly comprises of set of ideologies as well as values of the specific community or the group of people The consumer that lies in this category consists of both males and females. The customers belonging to social class mainly possess varied buying behaviours. It has been evident from the above study, the Australians consumes chocolates despite knowing the fact it is of high calaroie. Social Influence of the family The requirement and motives of the customers gets influenced by theier family, reference groups, and opinion laeders The consumer falling under this category gets influenced by their family members and other opinion leaders. The individuals sometimes take the decision from their group members. The Australians mainly ask for recommendations from their senior members before buying the chocolates. Opinion leaders They are mainly spokesperson. The markets of the company tries to attract these leaders in order to influence the consumers. Reference groups The group members positively and negatively influences the attitude and behaviour of persons Personal Occupation The individuals occupation has huge affect on their purchasing behaviour Under this factor, the characteristics of consumers of fast food involves- Low income as well as savings of persons purchases cheap products. Thus m they are strong headed Aggression and dominance influences the buying patterns of customers Economic situation The income as well as savings of the customers influences their buying behavior Personality As personality of the individuals varies during the time, it also influences their purchasing behaviour Psychological Perception There are various perceptual procedure , which involves- selective distortion, selective retention and selective distortion. High level of motivation positively influences the purchasing pattern of consumers They are more focused on beliefs and learning Strong attitude of persons enhances their purchasing power Beliefs and Attitudes The beliefs and attitudes of the individuals towards various products influences the customers buying pattern Microenvironment These are the factors in the companys immediate operations areas that impact their performance as well as decision making freedom. These factors mainly involve customers, suppliers, producers, competitors and publics. However, these forces are mainly internal to the companies. Both suppliers as well as producers plays huge role in the success of business. Producers mainly rely on the suppliers for transporting the goods to the customers. In order to operate in profitable manner, the manufacturers and suppliers provides good value to their consumers (scott, 2018). As Donald B is the new player in this sector, they must use whole sellers for distributing their chocolate in the Australian market. The image of the firm mainly decides the future of the market. Brands having good image in the market become successful in attracting their customers. Publics are basically the environmentalists, media persons, consumer protection groups, investors, shareholders etc who have direct contact with the company. The firm that gives their energy to manage their relationships with these publics helps them to achieve success in the business. However, their success in the market affects these people viewpoint in their activities. However, in the modern world, pubic plays vital role in microenviroment of business. The competition level in the industry has huge impact on the profit of the business. The larger the total number of rivalries, the lower is their market share. In addition, the competition pressure also compels the enterprise to update their activities as well as marketing strategies (Fleisher Bensoussan, 2015) Sometimes, competition also acts as positive factor and thus can aid churn demand. Competitor Overview of their competing offerings Target market Positioning Mondelez Premium products is one if the offerings that this company is pushing. They also increases their healthier offerings of product Their target market is mainly the emerging markets. They reinvests their profits in these markets in order to grow their business Mondelez has the leading position in the market with near about 37% of the value share. They have positioned itself as the producer of premium product brand. Mars Their competitive offerings are mainly based on production capacity, packaging designs, pricing of different packs, celebrity endorsements etc. Their main target market is the health conscious individuals and the children. Moreover, they products manufactured by them are mainly based on the preference of customers Mars has well position in the Australian chocolate market. It is the second largest manufacturer of chocolate in Australia with near about 18% share in the market. In fact, they produces their chocolate from the certified sources (Tudor Negricea,2012). Lindt The product offerings are suitable for the individuals with lactose intolerance. In fact, their chocolate products are mainly suitable for the vegetarians Their target customers are the age group of 25-30 years. They have well defined target customers to whom they offer products. These are the customers that spends more than average on high quality product. Lindt is nit well positioned in the Australian market as it accounts for about 7% of the market share. Products of Woolsworth Their competitive offerings lies in the low price offerings of the product Their target market involves- low income and price sensitive individuals. It has good position in the Australian chocolate market. Macroenvironment The macroenvironment forces consist of those forces that impact the economy and nit just particular segments. These forces involve- demographics, technological, cultural, economic and political factors. Macro Factor/Trend Definition of Factor Explanation of trends / events relevant to fast food or low calorie food Demographic Various market segments are affected by demographic forces involving ethnicity, age, household lifestyle etc. As the lifestyle of Australian are high, the people living in this nation do not hesitate in buying high priced product. Moreover, the chocolate makers also produce chocolate for all age groups. Economic The economic factors are vital as they impacts the spending and buying patterns of customers. Climatic conditions as well as technological forces affect the firms production and distribution of goods. Australia is considered as the good destination for doing business. But the present climatic conditions increase difficulty for the chocolate producers to manufacture at high rate. On the other hand, advancement in technology in this nation helps the chocolate manufacturer to produce innovative product. Natural The renewal of natural resources including forests, marine products and the non- renewable resources affects the production. There are several renewable an non-renewable resources in this nation, which positively affects the business operations. Technological Technology permits the firms to know the amount of goods they have in their warehouse. It also helps in tracking, marketing and communicating the products. Emerging technologies in this nation helps the chocolate makers to increase their total production. Political Political environment impacts marketing through laws, government agencies etc. Legislation also motivates trade as well as competition in the market. Australia has good political system for tackling challenges and thus he chocolate makers donot face any difficulty in producing products. On the contrary, increased regulation as well as legislation puts this industry under huge strain. Cultural These factors refer to customs, culture and change in cultural trend that changes the future of company. The Australian culture is the multicultural society. However, this cultural trends positively affects the chocolate industry in this nation. Conclusions From the above study, it can be concluded that effective marketing strategy is vital for every business especially for the new entrants. Donald B being the new chocolate maker in the industry should focus on buyers behavior, microenvironment and macroenvironment forces. Over the years, there has been rising trend in the chocolate market in Australia. As the Australians become increasingly concerned about sugar as well as fat in foods, it weakened the confectionary demand mainly mass-produced product. Even the chocolate makers of this industry are focusing on producing premium products owing to increase in demand of customers. As a result, the chocolate makers in this nation attain higher revenue and profit from the sale of these products. However, huge competition in this industry puts pressure on Donald B to become more innovative with their range of products. Thus, it is predicted that Donald B has good potential to grow in this nations chocolate confectionary sector. References Aaker, D. A. (2012).Building strong brands. Simon and Schuster. Australia Chocolate Market Size, Share, Analysis Forecast 2023 | TechSci Research. (2018).Techsciresearch.com. Retrieved 27 March 2018, from https://www.techsciresearch.com/report/australia-chocolate-market/1711.html Baker, M. J. (2014).Marketing strategy and management. Palgrave Macmillan. Barrientos, S. (2014). Gendered global production networks: Analysis of cocoachocolate sourcing.Regional Studies,48(5), 791-803. Church, A. H., Rotolo, C. T. (2013). How are top companies assessing their high-potentials and senior executives? A talent management benchmark study.Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research,65(3), 199. Dodgson, M., Gann, D. M., Phillips, N. (Eds.). (2013).The Oxford handbook of innovation management. OUP Oxford. Doyle, P., Bridgewater, S. (2012).Innovation in marketing. Routledge. Dunning, J. H. (2013).Multinationals, Technology Competitiveness (RLE International Business)(Vol. 13). Routledge. Fifield, P. (2012).Marketing strategy. Routledge. Fleisher, C. S., Bensoussan, B. E. (2015).Business and competitive analysis: effective application of new and classic methods. FT Press. IBISWorld, C. (2018).Chocolate and Confectionery Manufacturing in Australia Industry Market Research Report Now Updated by IBISWorld.PRWeb. Retrieved 27 March 2018, from https://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/10/prweb11250568.htm Kotler, P. (2015).Framework for marketing management. Pearson Education India. McDaniel, C., Gates, R. (2013).Marketing research. Singapore. McDonald, M., Wilson, H. (2016).Marketing Plans: How to prepare them, how to profit from them. John Wiley Sons. Minifie, B. (2012).Chocolate, cocoa and confectionery: science and technology. Springer Science Business Media. Rani, P. (2014). Factors influencing consumer behaviour.International journal of current research and academic review,2(9), 52-61. scott, s. (2018).Macro environmental factors vs. micro environmental factors.siobhan c. scott. Retrieved 28 March 2018, from https://siobhancscott.wordpress.com/2013/10/28/macro-environmental-factors-vs-micro-environmental-factors/ Sheth, J. N., Sisodia, R. S. (2015).Does marketing need reform?: Fresh perspectives on the future. Routledge. Solomon, M. R., Dahl, D. W., White, K., Zaichkowsky, J. L., Polegato, R. (2014).Consumer behavior: Buying, having, and being(Vol. 10). Pearson. Tudor, E. D. U., Negricea, I. C. (2012). Brand Positioning-a marketing resource and an effective tool for Small and Medium Enterprises.Journal of Knowledge Management, Economics and Information Technology,2(1), 1-11. Wedel, M., Kamakura, W. A. (2012).Market segmentation: Conceptual and methodological foundations(Vol. 8). Springer Science Business Media. West, D. C., Ford, J., Ibrahim, E. (2015).Strategic marketing: creating competitive advantage. Oxford University Press, USA. Wild, J. J., Wild, K. L., Han, J. C. (2014).International business. Pearson Education Limited. Wilkinson, F. (Ed.). (2013).The dynamics of labour market segmentation. Elsevier.

THE EVOLUTION OF THE US WHEAT INDUSTRY Essay Example For Students

THE EVOLUTION OF THE US WHEAT INDUSTRY Essay The US wheat industry demonstrates how integration across the food chain can raise efficiency. At the beginning of the century, it was much like what India is today. It was fragmented, with a proliferation of small regional markets. There was no standard grading system; each state had its own informal grades. Farmers, although large, were exploited by traders, who often bought wheat at low prices by claiming that it was poor or that demand was weak. The storage, handling, and transport infrastructure was limited. The result was high intermediary margins, a dearth of accurate market signals to producers, waste, and low processing yields. Today, however, the US industry is the benchmark for efficiency in grain processing and procurement. Its farmers produce 36 bushels per acre, one of the highest yields in the world, and its millers achieve flour extraction levels of 75 percent. We will write a custom essay on THE EVOLUTION OF THE US WHEAT INDUSTRY specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Its average waste level of 2 percent is the lowest in the world, and well ahead of the 8 to 11 percent in India.Large, integrated grain processors such as Cargill and Archer Daniel Midland (ADM) played a central role in this transformation. They have influenced all parts of the chain agricultural inputs, agricultural production, procurement, and processing and in so doing have been able to build profitability in a low-margin business. Agricultural inputs Cargill has developed high-yielding seed varieties that are resistant to disease and pests, raising productivity and reducing the need for agrochemicals. Agricultural production Large, integrated processors have established joint ventures with farmers cooperatives and provided marketing support, access to credit, and extension services. ADM, for example, works with Growmark, a cooperative of 175,000 farmers, to encourage them to use better seed varieties and improve farming practices. Procurement Integrated companies have invested in upstream infrastructure to streamline procurement. ADM owns almost 200 grain elevators in which grain is stored according to moisture content, grade, and dockage (impurities). The elevators allow incoming streams of wheat to be blended to achieve uniformity of grade and functional characteristics. ADM also owns almost 1,900 barges, 800 trucks, and 130,000 railcars for the rapid movement of grain. All loading and unloading is done using pneumatic blowers. Investment in infrastructure enables companies like ADM to achieve waste levels as low as 1 to 2 percent. Integrated companies have also influenced grain marketing. They played a key role in the development of grading systems and the standardization of grades in 1916. They have since provided continuous feedback to government agencies to ensure grading systems have kept pace with changes in grain production. They have also been important in the development of grain trading markets, which have helped stabilize grain prices and assisted the industry in managing risk. Processing Finally, these companies have influenced processing by raising yields. Continuous improvement in milling technology has pushed extraction rates as high as 75 percent, while process controls have enabled millers consistently to produce more than ten types of flour. This not only means that the market grows and consumers are more satisfied, but also results in better returns to farmers. Wheat farmers in the United States get 92 percent of the delivered mill price, compared with 70 percent for their Indian counterparts.

To Hell With Dying essays

To Hell With Dying essays In the picture book To Hell with Dying by Alice Walker, the narrator and her sibling were loyal companions to their elderly neighbor Mr. Sweet. Walkers use of point of view, setting, characters, themes, and figurative language help the story evolve. Walker writes this short story in first person point of view. The narrator, a now more matured woman, reminisces on her childhood memories of the revivals of Mr. Sweet but then towards the end she begins to talk about the present day and her attempt to save Mr. Sweet once again. The young girl is the narrator and protagonist in the story. The point of view affects the story because the reader cannot understand the pleasure that the children bring into Mr. Sweets somewhat meaningless life. With having the girl narrate the story, the reader is unable to detect her siblings emotional reaction to Mr. Sweet. Each characters outlook on a certain situation is vital to the overall story but the reader does not get that in Walkers story. The reader does not get any background information on any of the characters hence the characters are flat. The only character that is semi-round is Mr. Sweet because the reader learns about his alcoholism, diabetes, ambitions, and musical skills with the guitar. The protagonist is a girl in her early to mid twenties. The antagonist is her elderly neighbor, Mr. Sweet Little. The narrator of the story is a young, vibrant girl who doesnt really understand why and the important of reviving Mr. Sweet. The girl is very observant to Mr. Sweets ungrown-up like behaviors when he is with her and her siblings. She also noticed, how much [he] depended on her when she would participate in the revivals. The girls main purpose in the story is to help revive Mr. Sweet from the deathbed by kissing and tickling him all over with her other siblings keeping him company. The reader...

Geomorphology Lab 2 Report Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Geomorphology 2 - Lab Report Example Even though there was not difference observed, the ages given by radiocarbon dating were a bit unrealistic. The radiocarbon age-based sedimentation rate is considered unrealistic and cannot relied upon because of the fluctuations witnessed in the rate of production of carbon 14 at the top of the atmosphere. This carbon 14, older and young changes the apparent age of the samples. It is this time range because it gives an â€Å"age plateau† whereby a wide span of real time is covered. The significant effect occurs at this point because of the combination of large influx of 14C-depleted, carbon from the oceans, and decrease in the rate of 14C production from the atmosphere causes the â€Å"age plateau† 3. What is the percentage change in the sedimentation rate from radio-carbon age based sedimentation and calibrated age-based sedimentation? Why is the radiocarbon age-based sedimentation rate not realistic? However, the radiocarbon age-based sedimentation rate is considered unrealistic and cannot relied upon because of the fluctuations witnessed in the rate of production of carbon 14 at the top of the atmosphere. This carbon 14, older and young, changes the apparent age of the samples. 4. Note that the sedimentation rate declined 10000 to 8000 years ago. Can you provide an environmental factor (e.g climate, vegetation uplift, etc) and process-based source-to-sink explanation as this why occurred? Climate is a major environmental factor, which may have contributed to the sedimentation decline. As the result of aridity witnessed during this period, the amount of sediment transported and deposited decline. Rain is an important factor, given water is used in the transportation of the

M, a 72 year-old widow with neprohritic syndrome Assignment

M, a 72 year-old widow with neprohritic syndrome - Assignment Example Multiple substances such as, water, urea, creatinine, uremic toxins, and drugs move from the blood into the dialysate, thus facilitating removal from the blood. Solutes are transported across the membrane by either passive diffusion or ultrafiltration. M also received 7 sessions of Plasma Exchange. Plasma Exchange is a procedure in which blood is separated into different parts: red cells, white cell, platelets and plasma. The plasma is removed from the blood and a plasma substitute replaced. M had chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is the treatment which uses anti-cancer drugs to kill cancer (Myeloma) cells. Myeloma is the cancer that affects cells in the bone marrow called plasma cells leading to damage to the kidney. Haemodialysis and Plasma Exchange will correct M's blood chemistry and therefore relieve her present symptoms. M is hypertensive due to fluid overload or as a result of the failure of the kidneys. The Management of M's hypertension will have the highest priority. As Redmond and McClelland (2006) noted prompt recognition and treatment of hypertension are essential because cardiovascular disease including coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, stroke and left ventricular hypertrophy are the most common cause of death in patients with kidney disease. Risk reduction measures to prevent cardiovascular disease may delay the progression of kidney disease (in ARF or is the effect here Reno protective). ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are the drug of choice (Thomas 2004); however deterioration in renal function may follow initiation of treatment with these medications (DOH 2005, BNF 2006). Since hypertension can have deleterious effects on both cardiovascular and kidney functions, the long-term protection provided by ACE inhibitors (or ARBs) out weighs the risk they pose (Th omas 2004) (this is for ERF is it the same for ARF - CHECK). Because acute renal failure is a catabolic state, the patient can become nutritionally deficient. Total caloric intake should be 30 to 45 kcal (126 to 189 kJ) per kg per day, most of which should come from a combination of carbohydrates and lipids. In patients who are not receiving dialysis, protein intake should be restricted to 0.6 g per kg per day. Patients who are receiving dialysis should have a protein intake of 1 to 1.5 g per kg per day (Agrawal 2000). Hyperphosphatemia The patient has hyperphosphatemia. Phosphate is normally excreted by the kidney and phosphate retention and hyperphosphatemia may occur in ARF. Phosphate - binding agents may be used to retain phosphate ion in the gut. The most common agent is calcicihew, although M is on this drug she needs education on when to take the tablets or maybe increase the dosage. Uremia Caloric intake shou

It is a summary, so i don't know which better topic could be. please Essay

It is a summary, so i don't know which better topic could be. please write the best, thanks - Essay Example edge over the then available coloring products since it penetrated the scalp, and nourished the hair along with dying it, and Gelb later introduced the single-step coloring process called Miss Clairol Hair Color Bath. With the release of Miss Clairol, the number of women opting for hair dying increased drastically. Polykoff, the model advertising the Miss Clairol Hair Color Bath, had to select the ad very prudently, but still some controversies arose particularly because of fact that Gelb’s product could be applied at home personally came as a threat to the salons’ business. The company’s objective was to sell the product without causing any damage to the hairdressers’ status along with emphasizing upon the automaticity of the product to sell it. Miss Clair not only portrayed the image of a new woman, but also inspired many companies to open as its competitors, that are known as some of the most reputable brands

Acupuncture for Chronic Headache in Primary Care

Acupuncture for Chronic Headache in Primary Care Research Critique Introduction Research involves the use of systematic procedures to answer an inquiry. It involves data collection, synthesis and analysis in the light of the question or inquiry; and formulation of conclusions and recommendations, (Badke, 2004). General types of research include experimental studies which â€Å"are used to test the effect of a treatment or intervention†, (Peat, 2001, p. 16). Clinical trails fall under the broad category of experimental trials. Clinical trials are controlled experiments with patients, which range from â€Å"studies to prevent, detect, diagnose, control and treat health problems to studies of the psychological impact of a health problem and ways to improve people’s health, comfort, functioning, and quality of life†, (Brooten, 2006, p.86). Generally, clinical trials can be categorised into either randomised trials or non-randomised trials. This paper will try to evaluate the scientific research conducted by Vickers and colleagues (2004), entitled: Acupuncture for chronic headache in primary care: large, pragmatic, randomised trial, which was published on 15 March 2004 at the British Medical Journal. This particular topic was selected due to its relevance to this field of study. Numerous insights from this field of study and valuable best practice information in quantitative research methods can be gained from undertaking this critiquing task. This critique will be carried out using the research framework for critiquing health research formulated by Caldwell and co-workers (2005), which provides a comprehensive set of criteria against which the elements of the research article by Vickers and colleagues (2004) can be appropriately measured. This paper will first evaluate the overview of the study, including the abstract, literature review and the methodology used. Next, it will critically analyse issues concerning resear ch ethics, data protection and research funding. Then, it will evaluate the reliability, validity of the research results, including the sampling methods employed. It will then identify the specific strengths and weaknesses of the research article. Finally, the concluding judgement about the research article will be presented. Below are the definitions of selected important terms used in the research article: Acupuncture – pertains to the â€Å"technique of traditional Chinese medicine, in which a number of very fine metal needles are inserted into the skin at specially designated points†, (â€Å"Acupuncture†, 2007). ANCOVA – stands for ‘analysis of covariance’ which is a statistical treatment that combines analysis of variance (ANOVA) and regression; whereby â€Å"the predictable component of the individual differences can be removed with regression analysis†, (Anderson, 2001, p. 283). Chronic – â€Å"all impairments or deviations from normal that have one or more of the following characteristics: are permanent; leave residual disability; are caused by nonreversible pathological alteration; require special training of the patient for rehabilitation; or may be expected to require a long period of supervision, observation or care†, (Sidell, 1997, p. 1) Negative binomial regression – â€Å"is one of a class of mixed Poisson models that mix a second source of variance with the Poisson variance to account for overdispersion†, (Cohen, et al., 2003, p. 531). Outcome measures – â€Å"reflect patient health status at either the individual or the aggregate (population) level†, (Stommel Wills, 2004, p. 234). Randomised trial A randomised trial is a clinical trial that pertains to â€Å"an experiment in which therapies under investigation are allocated by a chance mechanism†, (Brooten, 2006, p.86). Sham Treatment – is the experimental treatment that â€Å"has no effect and which subjects cannot distinguish from the active treatment â€Å"(Peat, 2001, p. 20). Critical Analysis In March 15, 2004, the BMJ Publishing Group Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Medical Association, published the research article in its medical journal, the British Medical Journal (BMJ). Its â€Å"print BMJ has been published continuously since 1840, and now appears in four weekly editions, varying only in their advertising content. Together, their circulation totals about 122 000 copies, of which 10 000 are distributed outside Britain†, (BMJ, undated). Its website provides â€Å"the full text of everything published in the print journal since 1994, as well as much material unique to the web†, (BMJ, undated).These make the BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. an influential and authoritative source of medical articles. The authors are recognized medical practitioners with different fields of specialisations. Andrew Vickers is an assistant attending research methodologist at the Integrative Medicine Service, Biostatistics Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York; Rebecca Rees is a research officer at the Evidence for Policy and Practice Information and Co-ordinating Centre (EPPI-Centre), Social Science Research Unit in London; Catherine E Zollman is a general medical practitioner from Montpelier Health Centre in Bristol; Rob McCarney is a research officer at the Department of Psychological Medicine, Imperial College in London; Nadia Ellis is lecturer Department of Health and Social Sciences, Coventry University in Coventry; and both Peter Fisher, who is the director of research and Robbert Van Haselen who works as the deputy director of research are from Royal London Homeopathic Hospital. Thus, based on their qualifications, the authors have the credibility, needed knowledge and e xpertise to engage in an extensive scientific study such as the article being evaluated. The article is appropriately titled as Acupuncture for chronic headache in primary care: large, pragmatic, randomised trial, since it essentially focussed on the effectiveness of the use of acupuncture to relieve chronic headache. Moreover, the title expressly implies that the methodology utilizes a large sample in the randomised trial. The abstract appears to be concise and complete. In a few paragraphs, the essential research components were summarised in the abstract, namely: (1) the research objective; (2) setting; (3) participants; (4) interventions; (5) main outcome measures; (6) results; and (7) conclusions. The abstract provides the complete key information that the readers need to fully understand the article. The introduction explained the health costs related to headache, which is the main topic of the article, including the need to apply other approaches in its treatment, particularly, acupuncture. The introduction also provides the main aim or rationale of the study, whi ch was: â€Å"to estimate the effects of acupuncture in practice† in general; and â€Å"to determine the effects of a policy of ‘use acupuncture’ on headache, health status, days off sick, and use of resources in patients with chronic headache compared with a policy of avoid acupuncture†, in particular, (Vickers et al., 2004). However, the literature review was limited to only one source of published work – the Cochrane review of 26 randomised trials. This would be very insufficient in terms of the extent of evaluating available sources of information related to the topic of the study. Moreover, it does not provide a comprehensive evaluation of scholarly work from which the rationale of the study could be based. The study is a quantitative research, since the data obtained are represented in the form of numbers and statistical treatment was employed to interpret the data gathered (Grinnell Unrau, 2005, p. 62). Despite the lack of implicit statement of the hypothesis, the audience or reader can obtain a general notion or idea of what is being tested (the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of chronic headache). However, the variables were not clearly defined. Nevertheless, the procedures employed in the methodology were intricate and systematic. The participants were clearly identified and adequately described in the study. In the accrual of patients, several stages were established to facilitate the flow and recruitment of participants. Figure 1 in the appendix illustrates the flow of participants in the study. Moreover, ethical principles were upheld during the conduct of participant recruitment. Since most legal instruments expressly prohibit the use of human subjects for medica l research, the researchers obtained written informed consent from the participants. The researchers implemented a system to ensure randomization of the study through a ‘password protected database’, thereby eliminating the potential for bias and subsequently improving the quality of the results. As Peat (2001, p. 28), explains: â€Å" in randomised controlled trials, the quality of the evidence is improved if measurement bias, such as observer or reporting bias, is reduced by using objective outcome measurements and if observers are blinded to the group status of the subjects. The method of data collection proves to be valid and reliable, as evidenced by the relatively high number of treatments (12 treatments) employed over a sufficient length of time (3 months). Moreover, a follow-up procedure was implemented to generate â€Å"a global estimate of current and baseline headache severity†, (Vickers, et al., 2004). This further enhanced the validity of the results. The large sample size helped ensure the reliability of the results. Additionally, t he use of measurable outcomes such as the Likert scale of headache severity helped eliminate bias by extending common measurement criteria for the respondents. The article correlated its results with the findings in â€Å"prior literature on acupuncture†, (Vickers, et al., 2004), suggesting a high degree of validity of results generated. The presentation of results was systematic and at the same time, clear and comprehensive. The results portion explained the process of participant recruitment including the flow of participants through the trial, patient compliance and dropout rate and their characteristics. It also provided a clear explanation of data that were obtained with accompanying tables and graphs. Thus, the audience can easily comprehend the results obtained. In the discussion, the results generated were translated into the main findings of the study which were stated in a clear, yet simple manner. Moreover, the strengths and the limitations were identified and discussed clearly. The strengths of the research article are anchored on its methodology, such as in the recruitment of participants with a large sample size, the implementation of a system to conceal the randomization and the meticulous follow-up procedure one year after the experiment. Such procedures helped ensure that the research findings are reliable and valid. On the other hand, one of the limitations of the study is the absence of sham acupuncture for the participants, thereby failing to consider the potential placebo effects. Additionally, the participants were not blinded in the study; thereby raising the possibility of bias in terms of the participants’ assessments of their headache scores. In terms of the literature review, the article failed to provide an objective evaluation of a sufficient body of literature related to the topic of the research. Thus, it failed to address the gaps in knowledge related to acupuncture and chronic headache due to the lack of an extensive evaluation o f available literature. Conclusion In the final analysis, the research article serves as an additional source of authoritative and credible information regarding the use of acupuncture for the relief of chronic headache. The findings of the study strongly support available scientific evidence. The weaknesses of the research article discussed above can serve as important considerations for researchers who are planning to engage in a similar undertaking – they must evaluate a substantial body of literature to gain insight into the currently available information and subsequently identify knowledge gaps. Moreover, future randomised clinical studies in acupuncture should include a sham treatment to be able to consider potential placebo effects; and blinding of participants must be observed to eliminate bias. Bibliography Acupuncture. (2007). In The Columbia Encyclopedia (6th ed.). New York: Columbia University Press. Anderson, N.H., 2001. Empirical Direction in Design and Analysis. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Badke, W.B., 2004. Research strategies: Finding your way through the information fog. (Second Edition). New York: iUniverse, Inc. British Medical Journal. Undated. Available from: http://resources.bmj.com/bmj/about-bmj. [Accessed: 18 April, 2008]. Brooten, D., 2006. Clinical Trails. In: Encyclopedia of Nursing Research (Second Edition). Joyce Fitzpatrick and Wallace, J.J., (Eds). New York: Springer Publishing Company. Caldwell, K., Henshaw, L., Taylor, G., 2005. Developing a framework for critiquing health research. Journal of Health, Social and Environmental Issues, 6(1), 45-54. Cohen, J., Cohen, P., West, S.G. and Aiken, L.S., 2003. Applied Multiple Regression / Correlation Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum. Grinnell, R. M., Unrau, Y. A., (Eds.), 2005. Social Work Research and Evaluation: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches (7th ed.). New York: Oxford University Press. Peat, J. K. (Ed.), 2001. Health Science Research: A Handbook of Quantitative Methods. Crows Nest, N.S.W.: Allen Unwin. Sidell, N. L. , 1997. Adult Adjustment to Chronic Illness: A Review of the Literature. Health and Social Work, 22(1), 5+. Stommels, M., Wills, C.E., 2004. Clinical Research: Concepts and Principles for Advanced Practice Nurses. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins Vickers, A.J., Rees, R., Zollman, C.E., McCarney, R., Smith, C.M., Ellis, N., Fisher, P., 2004. Acupuncture for chronic headache in primary care: large, pragmatic, randomised trial. Available from: http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/328/7442/744. [Accessed: 15 April 2008]. Appendix Figure 1Flow of Participants Through the Trial Source: Vickers, et al., 2004

F. Scott Fitzgerald :: essays research papers

F. Scott Fitzgerald F. Scott Fitzgerald is in many ways one of the most important American writers of the twentieth century. In his first novel, This Side of Paradise, Fitzgerald epitomized the mindset of an era with the statement that his generation had, "grown up to find all Gods dead, all wars fought, and all faiths in man shaken†¦"(Fitzgerald 307). Aside from being a major literary voice of the twenties and thirties, Fitzgerald was also among "The Lost Generation’s" harshest and most insightful social critics. In his classic novel The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald blatantly criticized the immorality, materialism, and hedonism which characterized the lifestyles of America’s bourgeois during the nineteen-twenties. Collectively, Fitzgerald’s novels and short stories provide some of the best insight into the lifestyles of the rich during America’s most prosperous era, while simultaneously examining major literary themes such as disillus ionment, coming of age, and the corruption of the American Dream. The life of F. Scott Fitzgerald is marked by as much, if not more, romanticism and tragedy than his novels. Throughout Fitzgerald’s life, he unsuccessfully battled alcoholism, depression, and himself, in a quest for both personal and literary identity. At the age of twenty-three, Fitzgerald published his first novel, This Side of Paradise, to critical raves and unimaginable economic success. Shortly after the publishing of this novel, Fitzgerald was able to coerce Zelda Sayre into marriage. This marriage is manifestly the most significant event of his life—eventually, Zelda would not only expedite, but essentially, cause the personal and literary downfall of Fitzgerald. Upon marriage, and also coinciding with the pinnacle of Fitzgerald’s fame, Scott and Zelda began living a life of wasteful extravagance that was often characterized by recklessly drunken behavior. In order to maintain this lifestyl e, Fitzgerald was forced to put aside working on novels, and focus his creative efforts on penning lucrative, but by no means extraordinary, short stories. Throughout their marriage, Zelda put constant economic, as well as, emotional strains on Fitzgerald. She encouraged his short story writing, as well as his drinking, and was continually swaying his focus from writing to socializing. Also, Zelda’s eventual mental breakdown triggered Scott’s own series of nervous breakdowns. Because of these factors, Zelda is often considered the prime instigator of Fitzgerald’s literary and personal declines. Yet in spite of Zelda’s overtly negative influence on Fitzgerald, he continued to love his wife to the day he died.