Business M2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Business M2 - Essay Example Features that can be added to the website are such as virtual help desks, whereby a customer can access real time customer care services. In this case, this requires embedment of a chat widget, where they can initiate a chat with an online operator. Businesses have derived substantial benefits from their websites, whereby they are able to promote their services and products. Other uses their websites to conduct online transactions that contribute to overall sales for the company (Smith, 2012). On the other hand, they can communicate to their customers through the website and this leads to increased efficiency. Customers are provided with a platform through the website where they can communicate effectively and send their complaints, facilitate processing of orders, following up and seeking other services (Smith, 2012). Moreover, customers are able to gather information concerning the business that can be used for making relevant decisions such as selection of vendors. Smith, D. (2012). IT and Business Working Together for Better Compliance. In Defense of Data. Retrived from:

Wine Industry Essay Example for Free

Wine Industry Essay The analysis provides information on the two international wine brands (Banrock Station and Bordeaux) that from different kinds of world wine producers, New World and Old World, enter into the same market of the United Kingdom. Also, this report analysis why these wine corporations go to oversea, why choose England, and how achieve success in England applying Global-Local Model to judge which strategy the companies adopt. In addition, this report focusing on marketing. Banrock Station expands global market because of the saturate Australian wine market. The report apply the product lifecycle to explain this, and apply the object, strategy and tactic model to analysis why Bordeaux wine export internationally and why expand wine market in England in order to improve the consumption by volume and value terms and increase profits. Then, this report also explain the reasons why Banrock Station choose British market by PESTEL model, and analysis political, economic and law aspects in detail. Banrock Station Company focuses on the innovation which involves conservation projects and Eco-mate packaging to sustain its competitive advantages. Nevertheless, Bordeaux wine choose standardize more than adapt in two specific areas: promotion and product. 1. Introduction . The worldwide wine industry is divided into two parts: Old world and new world. Old world wineries are Characterised by long-established and relatively unchanging methods and location of wine production mentioned by Glenn and John (2009). France, England, Italy, Germany belong to Old World wineries. On the contrary, the New World wineries appreciate new technology and non-natural chemicals. Australia, New Zealand, North America, South Africa, Chile and Argentina are named New World wine makers (Anderson, 2003). Banrock Station is located in Kingston-on Murray, in South Australia. Banrock Station was set up in 1994, as one part of Hardy Wine Company (Natures a big winner at the station, 2005). The property of the company includes approximately 1,068 hectares of floodplain and wetland, as well as 307 hectares of woodland buffer. Today, Banrock Station, not only is one of the most well-liked brands in Australia, but also is the label which is growing fast in the United Kingdom. In addition, this company exports wines to more than 50 countries in the world, such as the United States of America, Italy, Canada, Japan, France, Spain and China. Bordeaux wine is a global brand from France. In the Bordeaux vineyard, there are 60 Appellation dOrigine Controlee (AOC), which is judged the largest French A. O. C wine region. Bordeaux wine comprises numerous popular wine brand, for instance, Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Semillion. Each Bordeaux wine has its own character. Blending drives persistent flavour and overall quality. In the case of aromas, hundreds of active molecules in the wine interact during the blending process to create a new wine with a complexity, delicacy, and richness that surpass by far the simple addition of the characteristics of each of the assembled wines (http://www. bordeaux.com). 2. The Reason for going oversea and entering British wine market Now, Australia has been the fourth largest nation exporting wine, followed by France, Italy, Spain, and the UK is the biggest nation where Australian wine export (Australian wines in the British Wine Market, 2004). As seen from the graph 1 of the Product Lifecycle, in 2007, the Australian wine market go into maturity stage. Consequently, the Australian wine corporations are all face this problem, of course, including Banrock Station. First of all, it confronts fierce competition in domestic market, because there are over 60 regions producing wine, for instance, Barossa Valley and Eden Valley in South Australia, Hunter Valley and Cowra in New South Wales, Granite Belt and South Burnett in Queensland, Derent Valley and Coal River Valley in Tasmania, Goulburn Valley and Geelong in Victoria, and Blackwood Valley and Peel in Western Australia (A+ Australian Wine, 2011). In addition, the competitors come from other countries also effect the Banrock Stations sales, such as Constellation Brands from America, Malivoire Wine Company from Canada, Bordeaux Wine from France, Tenuta Monte Rosola from Italy, and Esteban Martin from Span. France is a well-known wine country in the world. According to the report named Wine in France (2010, 2007), in 2006, The French wine market grow by 1. 6% to reach a value of $35. 1 billion, in contrast, this market just grow by 0. 2% in 2009, these statistics show the growth of French wine market is very slow. Therefore, for the local companies, the space of development is small and it is also difficult to increase the companies consumption and income. In addition, both domestic and global market, New World wineries have pounded the French wine (Superleague bouquet, 2003). Because of this and France is considered to the empire of wine by the consumers worldwide, the competition in France is very intensive. In terms of global wine trade, the percentage of New World wine has increased from nearly 5% to exceed 28% during last 2 decades (Rothfield and Wittwer, 2008; IWSR, 2008). This paragraph apply PESTEL model to explain why Banrock Station Company and Bordeaux wine entry to Great Britain. For Australia and France, England, as one of the largest wine market, is keeping stable developing. In 2003, the Great British wine market went up by 2. 9%, reaching a value of about $10 billion, and this raised by 3. 1%, achieving a value of nearly $11 billion(wine in the United Kingdom, 2004 2010). The industry profile of wine in the United Kingdom (2010, May) reports that thanks to the undesirable climate for planting grapes, although there are few vineyards in the country, the United Kingdom imports the mass majority of wine from foreign wine makers. In 2003, the wineries in the UK produced only 10. 20% of the market share in their own country (Wine in the United Kingdom, 2004). By comparison, there is few things agitating by French and Australian wine makers toward nature climate and soil where grows vine (Unleash the war on terroir, 2007). Also, the stable economic and political regulatory environment and the government policy of generally opening to the trade and investment contribute to building a really low risk environment to do business and low barriers to entry this wine market throughout England. In France, however, the government has imposed a ban on oversea takeover bid for the companies. Besides, the Risks to Realization of Potential Returns rating refers to how risky an investment in the food and drink industry of the country is, according to Business Environment illustrated. The Risks to Realization of Potential Returns rating of the UK is higher than France (United Kingdom Food Drink Report, 2009). As a result, it is much easier and more safe to enter British market than in France for Australian companies. In the 1970s, the new laws give the local England supermarkets the rights to sell wine; this increase the consumption of oversea wines in Great Britain, especially the New World wines (Anderson, 2003). For example, it is legendary that, since 1960, the per capital wine consumption of Australia has grown up twice every decade in the British wine market (Rothfield and Wittwer, 2008). 3. Strategy analysis. 3. 1 Innovation of Banrock Station in Great Britain Compare to other wine companies, like Jacobs Creek and Nottage Hill, Banrock Station is a special one, because it not only is a wine maker, but also has a responsibility for ecological conservation. The Good Earth, Fine Wine is Banrock Station slogan (www. banrockstation. com), and this perfectly contains this companys two essential commitments: one is the contribution to the sustainable environment, for example, one of the conversation projects is named Eden project cooperated with the UK tell everyone how people can make contribution to protecting environment everydady (www.edenproject. com), the other one is the production of good quality wines. The core of companys promotion activity is donating conservation works. According to Pritchard Chris, the company announced Banrock Station has contributed A$1 million (C$880,000) to preserving and rehabilitating the wetlands all over the world, recently, and supporting a information centre for the Wild Bird Trust of British Columbia to organize and manage the data of avian, which is a perfect evidence. According to the journal article of Charity alliances reap rewards, Banrocks ? 125,000 sponsorship has financed wetland rehabilitation and exhibits at WWT Centres, as well as 10% of the costs of monitoring and maintaining 1700 hectares of wetlands in the UK. These help Banrock Station to reap the reward and enhance the image of the brand from both old consumers and potential consumers, for instance, as a grocery brand, Banrock Station has become the sixth fastest expending in the Great British (Charity alliances reap rewards, 2002). Rebecca Hopkins who is a spokesperson of Banrock Station, states We have successfully positioned ourselves as a brand that cares about the environment, and it is obvious that people like that. The corporation has involved in nearly 100 conservation projects throughout the world, this is real evidence, not just talking (Pritchard, 2002). To be an environmentally friendly business is wise means to increasing the reputation of the company. Moreover, Banrock Station Company focuses on the high-technology, as a New World winery. Today, Banrock Station uses Eco-Mate which is a new environmental package. There is an increasing number of customers concentrating on convenience. Therefore, the predominant character of EcoMate is convenient means it is easily to squeeze out the air and retain wines or other things (such as fruits and vegetables) fresh, lighter as well as, because of its weight is only 1033 grams, compare to a liter of bottled wine, is 60% lighter. Because of this, it is helpful to reduce the cost of package and transport cost. When the cost is down, Banrock Station can easier to maintain competitiveness. In addition, it is 100 percent recyclable and is totally made of renewable materials. According to Miriam Leenders, who is the Global Marketing Manager of Banrock Station, the company is focus on the environmental conservation projects. As well as he claims, It was a natural progression to give our customers the choice to buy our wine in an enviro-pack(Ecomate makes Banrock Station even leaner and greener). 3. 2 Standardization of Bordeaux wine in Great Britain From the graph 2, it can be know that Bordeaux wine adopt cost leadership strategy, and standardize more than adapt in th UK. This part discuss why Bordeaux wine like to standardization in British market, particularly in two parts of marketing mix: promotion and product. Firstly, looking at the promotion. As Bordeaux wine is positioned internationally a luxury wine brand, it is considered an expensive wine by both French and British customers. What is more, there are three main distribution channels in France, which are supermarket and hypermarkets (with 49. 10% of market share by volume in 2009), on-trade channel (with 32. 70% of market share by volume in 2009), and specialist retailers, at 14. 3% (Wine in France, 2010). The story of distribution channel in British wine market is similar to the Frances. Meanwhile, the leader of distribution channel of that is also supermarket and hypermarkets, presenting 48. 10% of market volume. On-trade channel accounts for 18. 70% share of total volume, which followed by the specialist retailers, with 23. 60% share (Wine in the United Kingdom, 2010). Thanks to the similar product position and distribution channel between France and Great Britain, it can save cost of promoting products if standardize the promotion strategy, although there is a few of difference between them. Move to product of marketing mix, Old World constraints of strictly controlled appellations and wine making practices, Anderson (2003) says, in comparison, New world producer are free from this (like Banrock Station). As a consequence, it is more difficult to meet customer need for Bordeaux wine. Standardization of product is the direct and good way to save cost because the company can use same machines and employ same kind of works. These reasons contributing to Bordeaux wine export same wine products to the UK market. 4. Recommendation Facing lots of competitor, for Banrock Station, it is wise to make whites and reds go green which means the company focuses on environmental achievement and corporation social responsibility, this influenced by the Australian business guide which is Green is gold and has succeeded far beyond expectations for the brand, especially ture in Australia. Innovating EcoMate package is a good example. Because of this, the company sets up an environmentally friendly example among consumers, which will also add value the products and increase the brand reputation. A simple SWOT analysis gives the information that one of the strengths of Bordeaux wine is its brand (Stuart and Smith). Being an Old World wine producer, Bordeaux wine has a long history of making wine and has a good reputation. Therefore, Bordeaux wine can maximum the strength, such as in the package, make the brand name bright to attract consumers, then achieve more profit. In order to counter the growth of Old World, it is the time to give up the age -old production methods (Carol, 2010). References: Anderson, K. (2003). Wines New World. Foreign Policy, 136, 46-54. Australian wines in the British Wine Market: A Hedonic Price Analysis. (2004). Retrieved from http://0-web. ebscohost. com. library. newcastle. edu. au/ehost/resultsadvanced? sid=79c09e98-6add-4a64-ab77-252566211746%40sessionmgr4vid=5hid=15bquery=(UK)+and+(wine)+and+(supermarket)bdata=JmRiPWJ0aCZ0eXBlPTEmc2l0ZT1laG9zdC1saXZl A+ Australian Wine. (2011). Wine Regions. Retrieved from http://www. apluswines. com/en/wine-regions. aspx Charity alliances reap rewards. (2002,July 18). Marketing (00253650). Carol, M. (2007, April, 9). Bordeaux goes to the lab. Business Week (00077135) Ecomate makes Banrock Station even leaner and greener. (2008, Apirl). Food Magazine, p. 18. Glenn, B. John, O. (2009). Old World, New World, Third World? Reconceptualising the Worlds of Wine. Journal of Wine Research, 2010, Vol. 21, No. 1, pp. 57-75. Natures a big winner at the station. (2005, September 18). Sunday Mail, p. 103. Retrieved from http://0-web. ebscohost. com. library. newcastle. edu. au/ehost/detail? vid=36hid=113sid=1c156dcb-29d5-435c-ad42-1c5c046f5289%40sessionmgr114bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=n5hAN=200509181103212317. Pritchard, C. (2002 September). Making whites and reds go green. Marketing Magazine. p. 8. Rothfield, J. Wittwer, G. (2008). The Global Wine Statistical Compendium: 1961-2006, 4th ed, Australian Wine and Brand Corporation, Adelaide. Superleague bouquet (2003, July, 5). Economist, Vol. 368. Stuar, L. Smith,C. E. The Use of Quality and Reputation Indicators by Consumers: The Case of Bordeaux Wine. Unleash the war on terroir. (2007). Location: Economist Newspaper Limited Retrieved from http://0-web. ebscohost. com. library.newcastle. edu. au/ehost/detail? vid=11hid=11sid=412a3b9c-0ef9-4af5-9cf1-e84a85269894%40sessionmgr12bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=bthAN=28033497 United Kingdom Food Drink Report. (2009). Location: Business Monitor International Ltd. Wine in the United Kingdom. (2004, October). Datamoniter: Wine Industry Profile. Wine in the United Kingdom. (2010, May). Datamoniter: Wine Industry Profile. Wine in France. (2010, May). Datamoniter: Wine Industry Profile.

Determination of Stomatal Index

Determination of Stomatal Index The Plant material of Viscum capitellatum Smith. parasitism on Dendrophthoe falcata which is itself parasitic on M. indica was collected from Amba Ghat, Kolhapur, Western Ghat region of Maharashtra from India in November 2009. The collection are lies [Latitude 16o 58 0.59N and Longitude 73 ° 48 36.61E at altitude 1100m]. The plant specimen (Voucher no. 550) was authenticated by Dr. Vinay Raole, Reader, Department of Botany, M.S. University, Baroda, India. Pharmacognostical Study Macroscopical Study[68] It includes the shape, size, colour, texture, surface and odour of the drug in crude or powered form and often sufficient to enable to identify the whole drugs. Microscopical Study Histochemistry It gives the idea about the colour reaction of specific chemical reagent towards plant tissues [68]. Microscopical images are given in Figure no. 2. Quantitative Microscopy [66-69] Transverse sections of scale and stems were obtained by means of a microtome and stained with different staining reagents as per standard procedures [66, 70-71]. All observations were performed using Motic Digital Photomicroscope. Histological study of leaves and stem were performed by reported method [69]. Leaves were boiled in a 5% aqueous solution of NaOH for 5 min while stems were boiled with 10% aqueous solution of NaOH for 10 min. After cooling and washing with water, pieces were treated with a 25% aqueous solution of chromic acid for 30 min at room temperature. Washed pieces of both leaf and stem were pressed in between two slides and slides coves. Determination of Stomatal Number The average number of stomata per square millimeter of epidermis is termed the stomatal number. Determination of Stomatal Index The percentage proportional to the ultimate divisions of the epidermis of a leaf, which has been converted into stomata, is termed the stomatal index. SI = S ÃÆ'- 100 E + S Where SI = Stomatal index, S = number of stomata per unit area and E = number of ordinary epidermal cells in the same unit area. Procedure [68] Pieces of leaf between margin or midrib was cleared and mounted, and the lower surface examined by means of a microscope with a 4mm objective and an eyepiece containing a 5mm square micrometer disc. Counts were made of the numbers of the epidermal cells and of stomata within a square grid, a cell being counted if at least half of its area lies within the grid. The stomata index was determined for both leaf surfaces. Results pertaining to quantitative microscopical study are given in table no. 8. Analytical Study Ash Value 1.1 Total ash Total ash gives the idea about the residue obtained after ignition. It consist of physiological ash obtain by ignition of plant tissues and non physiological ash obtain by ignition of extraneous matter adhering to the surface of Plant. 2 gm of accurately weighed air dried powdered drug was taken in silica crucible. This silica crucible with drug material was kept in muffle furnace and ignited at temperature 4500C. The material was heated till the white coloured ash and constant weight is obtained. The procedure was performed in triplicate. Result is given in table No. 9. The total ash was calculated by subtracting the weight of crucible with ash of drug after ignition from weight of crucible with drug powder before ignition. Percentage of total ash was calculated with reference to air-dried drug. Acid insoluble ash Acid insoluble ash gives the idea about the presence of inorganic material such as calcium oxalate present in plant material. The ash obtained in the total ash method was boiled with 25 ml of 2N hydrochloric acid for 5 min. Insoluble matter was collected on ash less filter paper (Whatman paper) and washed with hot water. The material retained on filter paper and along with filter paper, was further ignited and weighed. Percentage of acid insoluble ash was calculated with reference to air dried material. Result is given in table No. 9. Water soluble ash The ash obtained from total ash was boiled with 25 ml water for 5 min. All insoluble matter was collected on ash less filter paper, washed with hot water and ignited for 15 min at the temperature not exceeding 4500C. The percentage of water soluble ash was calculated by subtracting weight of insoluble matter from weight of total ash. The difference between weights represents water soluble ash. Percentage of water soluble ash was calculated with reference to air dried drug. Result is given in table No. 9. Extractive Value Extraction by cold maceration It is the process of extraction of crude drugs with solvents with several daily shakings or stirring at room temperature.1 kg of powdered plant was extracted with 5 lit of methanol by cold maceration method. The extract was concentrated on rotary vacuum evaporator (Roteva Equitron, Mumbai) and further dried in vacuum dryer [73]. Successive extraction by using Soxhlet apparatus Weighed accurately 200gm of dried, powered crude drug and kept in a filter paper cover which was already placed in thimble. Then the solvent was slowly poured onto it. The solvent from thimble goes to lower round bottom flask via siphon tube due to the siphoning or syphon cycle. Such 2-3 cycles of solvent were performed and then drug powder was kept for 12 hours with solvent for imbibitions. After 12 hours imbibitions, solvent from flask heated to form vapors. Due to heat the solvent from RBF gets converted into its vapors, and then these vapors pass via side tube into the condenser where it gets condensed. This solvent dripped again on to drug material, which was placed in thimble. This process was continued till thimble gets filled with solvent and when level of solvent reaches to syphon tube, pulling of whole solvent into the flask is taken place. All this events repeated several times and drug material gets extracted continuously with fresh solvent. This process was performed for 3 days and when syphon solution showed negative test for phytoconstituents, extraction was completed. Then the heating was stopped and the mixture was collected and cooled. Then this mixture was filtered and concentrated by using rotary flash vacuum evaporator. The extract was dried in vacuum dryer and was stored in freeze. Then this marc obtained after pet ether extraction and subjected again to extraction by following solvents (Table 10) [73]. Moisture content by Loss on Drying 2 g of air powdered drug was placed in a silica crucible. Before that, crucible was cleaned and dried and weight of empty crucible was taken. The powder was spread in a thin uniform layer. The crucible was then placed in the oven at 1050C. The powder was dried for 4 h and cooled in a desiccator to room temperature and weight of the cooled crucible plus powder was noted. Result is given in table no. 9. Analysis of inorganic constituents (Elemental analysis) Ash of drug material was prepared and adds 50% v/v HCl or 50% v/v HNO3 to ash. Keep it for 1 hour. Filtered and with the filtrate performed the test as per method reported [74]. The results of analysis of inorganic constituents are given in (Table 11). Test for calcium a) Add dil. NH4OH and saturated ammonium oxalate solution to filtrate. White ppt of calcium oxalate forms which is soluble in HCl. Calcium present. b) Add ammonium carbonate to filtrate. White ppt which is insoluble in NH4Cl. Calcium present. Tests for iron a) Add 2% potassium ferricyanide to filtrate. Dark blue coloration. Iron present. b) To filtrate, add 5% ammonium thiocyanate. Blood red color. Iron present. c) To filtrate, add dil. HCl and sol. of KMnO4. Pink color. Iron present. Tests for magnesium a) To filtrate add NaOH. White ppt. Magnesium present. b) To filtrate add (NH4)2CO3. White ppt, redissolve in NH4Cl. Magnesium present. Tests for potassium a) Add sodium cobalt nitrite to filtrate. Yellow ppt. Potassium present. b) Flame test. Violet color to flame. Potassium present. Tests for sodium a) Add uranyl zinc acetate to filtrate, shake well. Yellow crystalline ppt. Sodium present. Tests for carbonate a) Add HgCl2 to filtrate. Brownish red ppt. Carbonate present. b) Add dil. Acid to the filtrate. Effervescence of CO2 Carbonate present. c) Add MgSO4 to filtrate. White ppt. Carbonate present. Tests for Sulphate a) Add BaCl2 to filtrate. White crystalline ppt Sulphate present. b) Add filtrate to lead acetate sol. White ppt. Sulphate present. Tests for phosphate a) Add HNO3 and ammonium molybdate to filtrate, heat 10 min. cool. b) Add silver ammonium- nitrate to filtrate Yellow crystalline ppt. Light yellow ppt Phosphate present. Phosphate present. Tests for chloride a) Add AgNO3 to filtrate. b) To filtrate, add manganese dioxide and H2SO4 White curd ppt, soluble in dil. NH3. Odour of chlorine Chloride present. Chloride present. Tests for nitrate a) Add water to filtrate, add H2SO4 from side of test tube. b) Add H2SO4 and copper to filtrate, warm Brown color at junction of two liquid Liberation of red fumes Nitrate present. Nitrate present. Determination of Type of Starch Grains The shape of starch grains present was determined according to the reported method [68]. Size of starch grains were measured with the help of calibrated Photomicroscope using Motic software. Starch grains were identified by staining with Iodine solution. The Motic digital Photomicroscope was calibrated with images obtained with various magnifications (10x, 40x and 100x) by using standard slide in 1.3 software. The images obtained in triplicate and average figures calculated from 20 readings in each parameter (Table no. 12). Crude Fiber Content Pre-weighed dried powder material was extracted with Petroleum ether (b.p. 40- 600C) using soxhlet apparatus for 8 h. The marc obtained after extraction was utilized for determination of Crude Fiber Content. Crude fiber was investigated by acid-base digestion with H2SO4 (1.25%) and of NaOH (1.25%) solution. The marc after extraction was taken into a 500ml beaker and 200ml of boiling H2SO4 added. The content was boiled for 30 minutes, cooled, filtered and the residue washed three times with 50ml of boiling water. The washed residue was further boiled in 200ml of NaOH for 30 minutes. The digest was filtered to obtain residue. This was washed three times with 50ml of boiling water and lastly with 25ml of ethanol. The washed residue was dried in an oven at 1250C to constant weight and cooled in dessicator. The residue was scraped into a pre-weighed porcelain crucible, weighed, ashed at 5500C for 2 hours, cooled in a dessicator and weighed. Crude fiber content was expressed as percentage loss in weight on ignition. Result is given in table No. 13. Phyto-chemical Analysis Extracts Petroleum ether, benzene, chloroform, acetone and methanol extract obtained by successive extraction method and aqueous extract by maceration method [68, 95]. Qualitative analysis All the extracts were subjected to proximate chemical analysis and its result is given in table no. 14. Tests for Acidic compounds: a) To the test solution add sodium bi-carbonate b) Test solution treated with warm water and filter. Test the filtrate with litmus paper. Tests for Alkaloids: a) Dragendorffs Test: Test solution treated with Dragendorffs reagent (potassium bismuth iodide) b) Mayers Test: Test solution treated with Mayers reagent (Potassium mercuric iodide). c) Wagners Test: Test solution treated with Wagners reagent (Iodine in potassium iodide). d) Hagers Test: To the test solution add gives with Hagers reagent (Saturated picric acid solution). e) Tannic acid test: Test solution treated with Tannic acid solution. f) Picrolonic acid test: Test solution treated with Picrolonic acid. Test for amino acids: a) Millions Test: Test solution treated with Millions reagent and heated on a water bath. b) Ninhydrin Test: Test solution boiled with Ninhydrin reagent. Test for Carbohydrates: a) Molischs Test: To the test solution add with few drops of Molischs reagent (Alcoholicà ¯Ã‚ Ã‚ ¡-naphthol) and 2ml of conc. sulphuric acid is added slowly from the sides of the test tube. b) Barfords Test: Test solution heated with Barfords reagent on water bath. c) Selivanoffs test (Test for Ketones): To the test solution add crystals of resorcinol and equal volumes of concentrated hydrochloric acid and heat on a water bath. d) Test for pentose: To the test solution add equal volumes of hydrochloric acid containing small amount of Phloroglucinol and heat. e) Osazone formation test: Heat the test solution with the solution of phenyl hydrazine hydrochloride, sodium acetate, and acetic acid. Test for Flavonoids: a) Shinoda Test: Test solution treated with fragments of magnesium ribbon and conc. Hydrochloric acid. b) Alkaline Reagent Test: Test solution treated with sodium hydroxide solution c) Zinc-Hydrochloride test: Treat test solution with zinc dust and few drops of HCL Test for glycosides: General test: Extract 200 mg of drug with 5 ml of dilute sulphuric acid by warming on a water bath, filter it, and neutralize the acid extract with 5 % solution of sodium hydroxide. Add 0.1 ml of Fehlings solution A and B until it becomes alkaline (test with pH paper) and heat on water bath for 2 minutes. Test B: Repeat Test A procedure by using 5 ml of water instead of dilute sulphuric acid. Note the quantity of red precipitate formed. Chemical tests for specific glycosides: Tests for Anthraquinone glycosides: a) Borntragers test: Boil the test material with 1ml of sulphuric acid for 5minutes. Filter while hot. Cool the filtrate; shake with equal volume of dichloromethane or chloroform. Separate the lower layer of dichloromethane or chloroform; shake it with half of its volume of dilute ammonia. b) Modified Borntragers test: Boil 200 mg of test material with 2ml of sulphuric acid. Treat with 2 ml of 5 % aqueous ferric chloride solution (freshly prepared) for 5 minutes, shake it with equal volume of chloroform and continue the test as above. c) Test for hydroxy anthraquinones: treat the sample with potassium hydroxide solution. Tests for cardiac glycosides: a) Keddes test: Extract the drug with chloroform, evaporate to dryness. Add one drop of 90 % alcohol and 2 drops of 2 % sodium hydroxide solution. b) Keller-Killiani Test: (Test for deoxy sugars) Extract the drug with chloroform and evaporate it to dryness. Add 0.4 ml of glacial acetic acid containing ferric chloride, add carefully 0.5 ml of conc. sulphuric acid by the side of test tube. c) Raymonds number: treat the test solution with hot methanolic alkali. d) Baljets Test: The test solution treated with sodium picrate or picric acid. e) Legals Test: Test solution treated with pyridine [made alkaline by adding sodium nitroprusside solution]. f) Tests for coumarins glycosides: Place small amount of sample in test tube and covered it with a filter paper, moistened with dilute sodium hydroxide solution. Placed the covered test tube on water bath for several minutes. Remove the paper and expose it to ultraviolet (UV) light. Cynogentic glycosides: Place 200 mg of drug in conical flask and moisten with few drops of water.( Flask should be completely dry because hydrogen cyanide produced will dissolve in the water rather than come off as gas to react with paper) moisten a piece of picric acid paper with 5% aqueous sodium carbonate solution and suspended in neck of flask. Warm gently at about 37oC. Observe the change in color. Saponin glycosides: Froth test: Place 2 ml solution of drug in water in a test tube, shake well. Tests for steroids and triterpenoids: a) Liebermann Burchard Test: Treat the extract with few drops of acetic anhydride, boil and cool, add conc. sulphuric acid from the sides of test tube. b) Salkowski test: Treat the extract with few drops of conc. sulphuric acid. c) Sulfur powder test: Add small amount of sulfur powder to the test solution. d) Tests for inulin: To the test solution add the solution of à ¯Ã‚ Ã‚ ¡-naphthol and sulphuric acid. e) Tests for Lignin: Treat the sample with hydrochloric acid and Phloroglucinol. Tests for Mucilage: Treat the sample with thionine solution. After 15 min wash with alcohol Tests for tannins: a) Ferric-Chloride Test: Treat test solution with few drops of ferric chloride solution. b) Gelatin test: To the test solution add 1 % gelatin solution containing 10 % sodium chloride. Tests for proteins: a) Heat test: Heat the test solution in boiling water bath. b) Biuret Test: Test solution treated with Biuret reagent (40% sodium hydroxide and dilute copper sulfate solution). c) Xanthoproteic test: To the test solution, add 1 ml of conc. nitric acid and boil yellow precipitate is formed. After cooling it, add 40 % sodium hydroxide solution. d) Test for starch: To the test solution, add weak aqueous iodine solution. Blue color indicates presence of starch, which disappears on heating and reappears on cooling. Effervescence produces Litmus paper turns blue Gives reddish brown colored precipitate Gives cream colored precipitate Gives reddish brown colored precipitate Gives yellow colored precipitate Gives buff colored precipitate Gives yellow colored precipitate White colored precipitate Gives violet color Purple to violet ring appears at the junction of two liquids If red cupric oxide is formed Rose color is produced Red color produced. Yellow crystals formed. Observe under microscope. Shows pink scarlet, crimson red or occasionally green to blue color after few minutes. Shows increase in the intensity of yellow color on addition of few drops of dilute acid. Shows red color after few minutes. Red Precipitate formed compared with precipitate of test A A rose pink to red color is produced in ammonical layer. A rose pink to red color is produced in ammonical layer. Red color produced Purple color is produced. Acetic acid layer shows blue colour. Violet colour produced Gives yellow to orange color Gives blood red color Paper shows green fluorescence. Reddish purple color Stable froth (foam) formed Brown ring is formed at the junction of two layers, If upper layer turns green If upper layer turns deep red Red color at lower layer Yellow color at lower layer It sinks at the bottom Brownish red color formed Pink color formed Mucilage turns violet red. Gives dark blue color Green color appears Precipitate formed Proteins gets coagulated Gives violet color Orange color formed Blue color, which disappears on heating and reappears on cooling Acidic compounds present Acidic compounds present Alkaloids present Alkaloids present Alkaloids present Alkaloids present Alkaloids present Alkaloids present Amino acids present Amino acids present Carbohydrates present Monosaccharides are present. Carbohydrates present Carbohydrates present Carbohydrates present Flavonoids present Flavonoids present Flavonoids present If the precipitate in Test A is greater than in Test B then glycoside may be present. Anthraquinone glycosides present Anthraquinone glycosides present Hydroxy anthraquinones present Cardiac glycosides present Cardiac glycosides present Cardiac glycosides present Cardiac glycosides present Cardiac glycosides present Coumarins glycosides present Cynogentic glycosides present Saponin glycosides Present Steroids present Triterpenoids present Steroids present Triterpenoids present Steroids present Inulin Present Lignin Present Mucilage present Hydrolysable tannins Condensed tannins Tannins present Proteins present Proteins present Proteins present Starch present Floroscence Analysis of various extracts Petroleum ether, Benzene, Chloroform, Acetone, Methanol and Aqueous extracts were screened for fluorescence characteristic. The observation pertaining to their colour in day light and under ultra-violet light were noticed and represented in table. Many substances for example quinine in solution in dilute sulphuric acid when suitably illuminated emit light of a different wavelength or colour from that which falls on them. This emitted light (fluorescence) ceases when the exciting light is removed [68].Results given in Table No. 15. HPLC Analysis of sample drug The chromatographic pattern of plant was obtained as per report with some modifications for which the HPLC conditions are as follows. Extract: The methanol extract diluted with HPLC grade methanol and filtered through whatman filter paper and used for analysis Instrument: Shimadzu LC-20AT with UV/visible detector Stationary Phase: Bonda- pack C-18 column with 250ÃÆ'-4mm Mobile Phase: Methanol (80): Water (20) Detection wave length: 350 nm Flow Rate: 2 ml/min. HPLC Chromatogram is given in Fig. 3 and its retention time is given in Table no. 16 HPTLC Analysis of sample drug The chromatographic pattern of plant was obtained as per report with some modifications for which the HPTLC conditions are as follows. Extract: Methanolic Extract Instrument: HPTLC (Camag, Switzerland) Stationary Phase: pre-coated silica gel plates Mobile Phase: Ethyl acetate: Formic acid: Glacial acetic acid: water (100:05:10:20) Spraying Reagent: Natural Product Reagent (NP reagent) Detection: 365 nm. HPTLC Chromatogram is given in Fig. 4 and its retention time is given in Table no. 17. Isolation and characterization of chemical principle Compound I The methanol extract was dissolved in water and partitioned with ethyl acetate and n- butanol. The ethyl acetate fraction was subjected to column chromatography for isolation of compounds. Column chromatography: The separation of extract constituents was done by column chromatography. The clean and dried glass column was used. The silica gel for column chromatography (#60-120) was activated at 1100c.The column was filled with silica gel and mobile phase without formation of any air bubbles. The silica gel was then allowed to stabilize in the column. Mixture of two or three compounds was isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of methanol extract of the plant with following experimental conditions [73]. Height of column: 20 cm Diameter of column: 3.5 cm. Stationary phase: Silica gel (#60-120). Mobile phase: Benzene† Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ Chloroform † Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ Ethyl acetate† Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ Methanol with variant Proportions Elution: Gradient elution. Fraction quantity: 25 ml Preparative TLC: 20 X 20 glass plates were coated with the thick layer of silica gel or any other adsorbent material. The plates were then activated at 1100c.The sample-containing mixture of two or more compounds were applied in the form of thin band on the plate. The plate was then developed. The different bands separated on the plate were scratched and recovered with methanol. Purity of dried sample was checked by TLC method. One single compound was isolated with the help of preparative chromatography from fractions 54- 58. The compound is given for spectral analysis. FTIR spectra, Mass spectra and 1HNMR are given in fig. no. 5, 6 and 7 respectively. The spectral data of FTIR and 1HNMR are given in Table no. 18 and 19 respectively. The assumed structure of the compound (Quercetin) is given in Fig. No. 8. Compound II Petroleum ether extract obtained is processed for separation of the unsaponifiable and saponifiable matter. Extract is allowed to saponify using alcoholic KOH with reflux and then it is extracted with solvent ether for separation of unsaponifiable matter. The aqueous phase is acidified with concentrated H2SO4 and then again extracted with the solvent ether for separation of the saponifiable matter [73]. Fractionation of unsaponifiable matter Experimental: Height of column: 25 cm Diameter of column: 3.5 cm. Stationary phase: Silica gel for column chromatography (#60-120). Mobile phase: Benzene† Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ Ethyl acetate Elution: Gradient elution. Fraction quantity: 30 ml Fractions No. 24-27 were subjected for thin layer chromatography with following experimental conditions. Stationary phase: Silica gel H Mobile phase: Ethyl acetate: Benzene (1: 9) Detection: Vanilin-sulphuric acid reagent Identification: Whitish Purple colour Fraction was concentrated and single band was applied. After plate development; developed band was scraped (Rf. 0.62). After separation of single compound from the silica, it is dried. This sample was further given for spectroscopic analysis. FTIR spectra, Mass spectra and 1HNMR are given in fig. no. 9, 10 and 11 respectively. The spectral data of FTIR and 1HNMR are given in Table no. 20 and 21 respectively. The assumed structure of the compound (Quercetin) is given in Fig. No. 12. Biochemical Estimations a) Estimation of Total carbohydrate content The estimation of carbohydrate was done using the method acid base digestion. Principle: In hot acidic media glucose is converted to hydroxy methyl furfural by dehydration. This forms a green colour product with phenol. Procedure: 100mg of the aqueous extract was taken and it was hydrolyzed by keeping it on water bath for 3 hours with 5 ml of HCl (2.5N) and cooled at room temperature. Neutralized it with sodium carbonate and volume was made up to 100 ml and from this centrifuge 10 ml of the solution. Then 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1ml of working standard was pipetted out into a series of test tube and in separate test tubes 0.1 and 0.2 ml of sample solution was pipetted out and the volume was make up to 1ml with water. The blank was prepared with 1 ml distilled water. Then 1ml phenol solution and 5ml of sulphuric acid (96%) was added to each test tube and shaken well. After 10 min the test tube was placed in water bath at 25-30à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ °C for 20 min. The absorbance was read at 490 nm. And the amount of total carbohydrate present was calculated in the sample using standard graph. Result pertaining to Total carbohydrate content is given in Table no. 22 and Calibration curve of standard glucose dilutions are gi ven in Fig. No. 13. Estimation of Bitterness value The bitterness value of plant material was compared with diluted solution of Quinine hydrochloride. Preparation of Solutions Preparation of Quinine hydrochloride solution The stock solution of 100 µg/ml was prepared from which a series of dilutions 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56 and 58  µg/ml were prepared. Preparation of Sample Preparation Form the stack solution of 1000  µg/ml, 100, 200, 300 and 400 µg/ml dilutions were prepared. Method Tasted all the dilutions of sample and Quinine sulphate by taking the solution in mouth and swirled it for 30 secs in mouth mainly near to the tongue. After tasting each dilution the mouth wash rinsed thoroughly with drinking water and taken the interval of 10 mins. Until the bitter sensation of previous dilution was no more remain. Then compared the dilution of sample which produced the same bitterness equivalent to the dilution of Quinine sulphate. Then bitterness value was calculated according to following formula. Bitterness value in units per gram = 2000 ÃÆ'- A B ÃÆ'- C Where A= quantity of Quinine sulphate (mg) having higher bitterness B= the concentration of stock solution (mg/ml) C= Volume of sample in ml having higher bitterness Result pertaining to estimation of bitterness value is given in Table no. 22 Total Phenolic content The total phenolic content of methanol extract of V. capitellatum Smith. (VCM) was estimated using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. In this method, the blue colour formed due to the polyphenol was measured at 760 nm using UV spectrophotometer. Chemicals Folin- Ciocalteu reagent (Merck Co.) Gallic acid (Sigma Ltd., USA) Sodium carbonate (SISCO Research Laboratory Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India) Reagent preparation Folin-Ciocalteu (phenol) reagent The reagent was prepared by diluting 1ml with 5ml of distilled water. Sodium carbonate 15% solution was prepared in distilled water. Gallic acid solution The stock solution was prepared by dissolving 1mg gallic acid in 10ml of water from which different concentrations (20-100 µg/ml) were prepared. Sample preparation Sample solution was prepared by dissolving 10 mg of the extract in 100 ml of methanol to give (100  µg/ml) solution. Procedure 0.1ml of extract was mixed with the 0.2ml of Folin-Ciocalteu reagent, 2 ml water and 1 ml of sodium carbonate solution, and absorbance was measured at 760 nm after 10 min incubation at 50 0C. The total phenolic was expressed as  µg gallic acid equivalent. Result pertaining to Total phenolic content is given in Table no. 22 and Calibration curve of standard gallic acid dilutions are given in Fig. No. 14. Total Flavonoid Content Total flavonoid content of VCM was determined using method reported [79].

Air Pollution :: essays research papers

Air Pollution   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Air, is the most essential element for all living organisms and yet, most humans play a big role on polluting this essential resource. Air pollution may not be as dangerous in its direct outcome as nuclear or water pollution can be, but in the long term it will have an tremendous effect on the environment and health of its organisms living in. Asthma, cancer, acid rain, and the disability to photosynthesize are only a few causes of air pollution.The atmospheric pollutants with the greatest effect onto the environment are the carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, dust particles, radioactive isotopes, and chlorofluorocarbons. The major sources that enable carbon monoxide to enter the atmosphere are the exhausts of cars, the burning of fossil fuels, and the oxidation of natural methane. Carbon dioxide is caused by the consumption of fossil fuels only and it causes the possible greenhouse effect which has global warming as an outcome. Hydrocarbons are caused by the combustion of oil and petrol and it effects the environment with carcinogen. Carcinogen is a chemical agent that causes cancer. Sulphur dioxide is certainly one of the major atmospheric pollutants considered that it causes stinging eyes, lung damage, asthma, and acid rain. It is the result of coal-fired power stations. Nitrogen oxides that is produced by the exhaust of cars, causes pneumonia and asphyxia. The outcome of the well known dust particles is often underestimated. It is caused by industrial chimneys, car exhaust, and volcanic eruptions and it effects the environment by toxic effects and damage of the lungs. Radioactive isotopes which are caused by small quantities from nuclear waste and nuclear accidents have an carcinogenic effect on the environment as well. The outcome of chlorfluorocarbons, which had been first discovered in the 80s is that it destroys the ozone layer. Many of those major atmospheric pollutants combined produce th e dangerous and well known smoke and gas emission called smog. Smog or dust dome is most often formed when a layer of cool air is trapped beneath a layer of still warmer air. The mixture of benzopyrene ( a cancer causing substance that is produced by the evaporation of petrol), the waste of hydrocarbons, combined with nitrogen dioxide, oxygen, and sunlight produce the photochemical smog which can be recognized as the yellow cloud over every big city in the world. Besides that optical effect it causes an increase of ozone in the lower atmosphere and the health conditions of the particular organism living in such an area.

Disappearing Frogs

Why are Frogs disappearing around the world? Around the world, frogs are declining at an alarming rate due to threats like pollution, disease and climate change, which makes them the first indicators of ecosystem changes. Many Frogs all around the world are vanishing because the rapid changes in the environment are killing them. Also frogs, and all amphibians, may be sensitive indicators of water quality because they absorb gases and chemicals directly through the skin. Vanishing frogs could be an early warning of serious water problems in the environment. Though fungi and habitat destruction have been implicated in the disappearances, the frogs’ problem comes down to one problem: Amphibians are extremely sensitive to changes in their environment. Amphibians’ physiology and complex water-and-land life cycle expose them to more environmental changes than most animals, and though they have survived climate changes before, today's changes are accelerating too rapidly for frogs to keep pace. Also, frogs’ eggs have no shells, exposing embryos to increased UV-B radiation levels, which can cause harmful mutations. Pollution has contaminated the water frogs thrive in and global climate change is causing higher levels of infectious diseases. What can be done to protect threatened frogs? In some cases, nothing very effective. There are a number of species that now live only in carefully controlled zoo or laboratory environments, and it may or may not be possible to reintroduce them into the wild. In many cases, others thinks it's better to concentrate on saving habitats and letting their endangered amphibians survive or perish in the wild than to catch the remaining animals and keep them in a modern ark in hopes of a later opportunity to reintroduce them somewhere. Part of the reason is that climate change is altering habitats in ways that we can't predict very well, so that conditions that might be ideal in a particular spot might be ephemeral. In the United States, an unofficial Partnership for Amphibian and Reptile Conservation advises private land owners of things they can do to protect frogs and other living things, for example, fencing off just a part of a pond where cattle drink.

Succubus Heat CHAPTER 15

Mary's excited blathering rang through the house as I hurried down the hallway. I could see the bathroom at the end and three closed doors along the way. Great. Did they have to be shut? With my luck, they'd probably squeak. I could only hope that Mary would remain too loud and too distracted to notice. The first door opened-with no squeaking-into a bedroom. The bed was unmade, and clothes had been pushed into piles against the wall. An old dresser sat against one wall, and a nightstand with some papers stood near the other. There was also a mirror on the ceiling. Shuddering, I considered going in to investigate the nightstand papers but decided to hold out and see if I might find an office behind one of the other two doors. Shutting this one silently, I continued down the hallway. The second door did squeak, and I froze, waiting for Mary to come tearing down after me in an effort to bludgeon me with one of Seth's books. I wasn't entirely sure how far his star power would go to save me if caught snooping. She didn't look like the violent type, but one never knew. Fortunately, she kept talking without pause, and I stuck my head inside the new room. It was just another bedroom, a guest one by the looks of the dust and lack of personal items. I closed the door, grimacing at another squeak. One more room to go. Jackpot. The third wasn't an office, but it did appear to be a workspace. Wide tables lay along the walls, covered in chunks of crystal-clear quartz, smoky quartz, etc.-in various states. Some were raw and jagged; others were polished and carved. Tools like blades and picks lay nearby, along with a more sophisticated and modern-looking device I couldn't identify. Maybe some type of laser cutter. Best of all, there was a two-drawer filing cabinet against the wall. I hurried to it, still mindful of Mary's chatter, and opened the top drawer. Over a hundred file folders with names met me. I pulled one at random and saw that it did indeed have a job order. There was a description of the item, client information, job status, and a picture of the finished product. Unfortunately, having all this information meant little to me. I had no idea what name had been used for the seal-or if Mary was even the one who had made it. Frustrated, I opened the next drawer and found financial records, like bills and bank statements. I also located folders labeled â€Å"work logs† categorized by month. I eagerly pulled out this month's and discovered a simple list of dates, client names, and brief descriptions of products. All-except for the three most recent ones-had check marks beside them. Finished products, presumably. I scanned the dates before Jerome's disappearance, cross-checking against the descriptions. Green Tara statue . Bracelet . Athame . Three invoices in the last two weeks caught my attention: round pendant, talisman, medallion . I recognized none of the client names, but the culprit could no doubt have used an alias. Returning to the second drawer, I found each client's file. The pendant was the right size and shape, but it had a hole drilled in it for a chain or string. I couldn't say why, but something told me the seal's original form would be whole. The talisman turned out to be the wrong shape. It was thick and oblong, more like a stone someone would keep in their pocket for good luck. I was starting to panic now. This was taking too long, and I couldn't hear Mary anymore. God, espionage had been so much easier when I could turn invisible. With shaking hands, I pulled out the last file-the medallion. The client was Sam Markowitz, and he'd picked it up four days ago. The photo depicted a flat, quarter-sized disc made of smoky quartz with symbols I didn't recognize etched onto it. Was that it? It was the closest I had to a match of Carter's description. There could be other matches-items ordered months ago-but I didn't have time to go through any more files. I shoved the medallion photo into my purse, closed the drawer, and hurried back out to the hall, half expecting to find Mary blocking my path. I had no need to worry, though. She had never left Seth's side-literally. She now sat in my spot, pressing Seth between her and the couch's arm. Two stacks of books were on the coffee table, and an open one was on his lap. He finished signing it and glanced up at my entrance with a relieved look. â€Å"But you see,† Mary was saying, â€Å"until O'Neill is able to confront the darkness within himself, he'll never be able to open himself to Cady. He's had his moments of vulnerability, of course-like the cave scene in Dominant Eclipse -but he's still keeping his armor up-just like on the veranda in Memories of Man -and so it's no wonder-â€Å" â€Å"Hey,† I said cheerfully. â€Å"We should probably get going.† Seth shot up from his seat, looking rather like a trapped animal who had just gnawed its own leg off and was about to run free. â€Å"Yes. We don't want to detain Mary any further.† Mary stood up too. â€Å"No, no! It's okay. Really. And you have to finish signing my books.† With a grimace, Seth grabbed the last three books and hastily scrawled his signature in them. â€Å"Thanks for talking to us,† he said. â€Å"It's been great meeting you.† â€Å"Are you sure you have to go?† she pleaded. â€Å"I was going to make some dinner soon.† She shot me an accusing look. â€Å"And if it's Ginger who needs to leave, I can give you a ride home later in my van-â€Å" â€Å"No, really,† said Seth, backing up to stand by me. â€Å"I appreciate it, but I have to, you know, get back to writing.† Extricating ourselves was painful. Mary begged and kept offering everything from discount jewelry to thinly veiled sexual suggestions. â€Å"Step on the gas and do not look back,† Seth told me when we got in the car. I complied, peeling out of her driveway as fast as I could and kicking up dirt and gravel in the process. â€Å"That right there,† I mused, â€Å"is the kind of fan who keeps authors in their crawlspace.† Seth leaned his head back against the seat. â€Å"Do not ever do that to me again. Ever.† â€Å"I wasn't that far away. I would have heard you screaming.† â€Å"Not if she used ether first. God, Georgina. She had her hand on my leg.† â€Å"That's Ginger to you.† â€Å"Please tell me you got something useful out of that. I know you didn't go to the bathroom.† â€Å"Nope. I broke into her workroom and ransacked her files.† He groaned. â€Å"Breaking and entering.† â€Å"Hey, I'm a creature of Hell. And she technically let us in.† â€Å"What'd you find?† Eyes on the road, I reached into my purse and fumbled until I found the picture. I handed it to Seth. â€Å"This is it?† he asked. â€Å"I'm not certain. It's close to the description, but I don't know enough about this to really say.† â€Å"Hmm.† Seth studied it and then slipped it back into my purse. We rode for a few more minutes in silence until I finally asked, â€Å"I was never that bad of a fan, was I? That crazy?† â€Å"Oh, God, no,† he said. â€Å"Absolutely not. You were charming and cute and-† He abruptly cut himself off, but those words hung in the air between us. â€Å"You-you weren't like that. Nothing like that,† he managed at last. There was a husky tone to his voice, hinting of some emotion but refusing to reveal which one it was. I'd meant my comment to be light, just a way to keep the conversation going. However, like everything else lately, the words had ended up triggering far more meaning than I'd intended. I had a flashback to when Seth and I had first met, when I hadn't even known who he was. I'd rattled off my feelings for my favorite author, little knowing I was actually talking to him. Unlike Mary, I hadn't stalked him on the Internet and known what he looked like. Seth cleared his throat. â€Å"So†¦what will you do with the picture now?† I ran with his change in subject. â€Å"Get someone to identify it, I guess. Erik, maybe. Or Dante.† More silence fell, and I felt the tension ratchet up. Dante. Once again, harmless words had triggered big consequences between us. I expected Seth to try again to shift the subject, but instead, he actually addressed it. â€Å"It's weird†¦seeing you with Dante.† â€Å"Don't you mean it's weird seeing me with anyone?† â€Å"Well†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Even with my eyes on the road, I knew he had that thoughtful, slightly distracted look in his eyes that meant he was pondering how best to phrase his next words. I used to love that look. Now I was on high alert. â€Å"Yeah, to a certain extent, of course,† he finally admitted. â€Å"It'll always be weird. But every time I talk to him, I just think†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"If you say that I can do better, then I'm pulling this car over right now.† â€Å"Um, no. I was just going to say he doesn't seem like your type.† â€Å"That's nearly the same thing,† I pointed out. â€Å"You sound just like Hugh and the others. I'm getting so sick of this! Honestly, it doesn't matter who I date. You're never going to be happy.† â€Å"That's not true,† said Seth. â€Å"It's just†¦when you're around him, you're darker and more cynical. You're not like you used to be. This sounds stupid, considering what you are, but you're†¦well, you're a force for good in the world.† â€Å"Oh, come on ,† I said. â€Å"No, I mean it. Maybe you are a creature of Hell, but people feel better when they're around you. You have this way of talking and smiling that affects everyone. You're nice, you're good-hearted, you worry about others†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He sighed. â€Å"But when you're with Dante, it's like all that light that normally shines out from you gets sucked away.† â€Å"That light got sucked away a long time ago,† I said bitterly. â€Å"Long before he came along.† â€Å"No, it didn't. It's there, and if you're going to be involved with someone, you need someone who sees it, someone who loves you for it and wants to help bring it out.† I had someone like that , I thought. You . â€Å"Dante and I work well together, no matter what any of you think. He understands me.† â€Å"No,† said Seth flatly. His voice was low, but I could hear the anger in it. â€Å"He doesn't.† â€Å"What other options do I have? You're throwing me into an impossible situation. You know I can't date anyone who's good. I can't risk hurting them, but I don't want to be alone. This is my only option.† â€Å"No. It can't be. Before we were together, it wasn't like this. You weren't drinking all the time and having sex with anonymous guys in bathrooms!† And that's when I did it, just like a dad on a road trip. I pulled the car over to the side of the road. It was a long, country highway, and there wasn't much traffic. Seth stared incredulously. â€Å"What are you doing?† â€Å"Saving us from an accident,† I growled, turning so I could meet him straight in the eye. â€Å"And you'll be lucky if I don't make you get out and walk the rest of the way. Look, you want to know why I wasn't dating loser guys when we met? Because I wasn't dating anyone . I took my hits and went home alone. Why is it so wrong for me to want to be with someone now?† â€Å"It shouldn't matter if you're dating someone or not. You still shouldn't be acting like this!† â€Å"You're telling me what I should and shouldn't be doing? It's my business. You have no right!† I yelled back. â€Å"Friends have every right to tell friends when they're on a bad path,† he snapped back. â€Å"Bullshit! I've never seen you interfere with anyone else's life, no matter how badly they were screwing it up. I'm the only one you seem to want to mess with. Why do you care so much about what I do?† Seth and I had raised our voices only rarely while dating, and it had never even come close to this. It was a wonder we didn't shatter the windows. â€Å"Because I care about you! I told you that at the party. Breaking up doesn't mean you stop caring about someone.† â€Å"Yes, but it means you have to let them go.† I was so upset that I was on the verge of tears. â€Å"You can't have it both ways. You can't get rid of me and then try to pull me back†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"I never wanted to get rid of you.† I stared at him for several heavy moments and felt those traitorous tears brimming heavier and heavier in my eyes. â€Å"Then why did you do it?† After all that yelling, his voice sounded barely like a whisper. â€Å"Because†¦I wanted to save you.† â€Å"You can't,† I murmured, swallowing the tears back with great effort. â€Å"You can't keep saving me, can't keep trying to. It's too late.† â€Å"No,† he said. His heart was in his eyes, and it was ripping mine apart. â€Å"Not for you. Never.† I don't know how it happened exactly, but suddenly we were kissing. His lips were just as I remembered, soft and powerful and wonderful. It wasn't a chaste kiss, nor was it a ripping-off-each-other's-clothes kiss. It was hungry and desperate, like we'd been struggling through a desert and only just now found the water we needed to survive. Best of all, it was just kissing. Just me and Seth. There was no life energy or succubus schemes involved. There was no need to back off for fear of what might happen. We could drink from each other without pulling back. Except, well, we did. We jerked apart, and I knew the shock on his face mirrored my own. What had we just done? Had we†¦had we really done it? It was a kiss. A real kiss. The kind of kiss we'd always wanted. The kiss we weren't supposed to be having. I turned abruptly away, staring at the road ahead. I was frozen and numb†¦and yet, alive and filled with warmth. The world had been in that kiss. But I didn't know how to react to it, didn't know what I was supposed to do now. So, I did the most inane thing possible. I started the car. â€Å"We should get back,† I said. â€Å"Yeah,† he agreed, sounding as stunned as I felt. I dared a look out of my peripheral vision. His eyes were fixed straight ahead, his wonderful lips tightened in a line that somehow made them look strong and vulnerable at the same time. I wanted to lean over and kiss them again, to melt as I had moments ago and forget all about reason. I wanted that perfect feeling to last forever. Instead of dealing with what had just happened, however, I did the cowardly thing and stepped on the gas. We drove back to the city in miserable silence, neither of us mentioning the kiss but both of us thinking about it. I dropped him off at the bookstore and offered a polite thank-you for his help. He returned it equally politely-giving me one last pensive look-and then walked off toward his car. I watched him go, memorizing every line of his body and how he moved. Every emotion possible warred within me, and I had no idea which deserved to win. I was exhausted by the time I stepped into my apartment building. The day had been mentally and physically wearying, what with would-be rapists, larceny, and the kiss heard 'round the world. Later, I'd find someone to identify the photograph for me. For now, I just wanted to sprawl on the couch and watch TV, preferably TV that had nothing to do with the magical or paranormal-or any romantic tension. Unfortunately, the magical and paranormal was waiting for me. What's Nanette doing here? That was my last coherent thought before I was thrown against the far side of my living room. I hit hard, my head cracking against the wall. I fell to the ground, my legs just barely possessing the reflexes to keep me from falling as black spots sparkled across my vision. Nanette faced me, terrible and beautiful in all her golden glory. She hadn't laid a hand on me, but she didn't need to, not with the power she wielded. â€Å"How dare you,† she hissed, eyes narrowed. â€Å"How dare you spread those kinds of rumors.† â€Å"What are you-ah!† I was shoved back to the wall again. The distance wasn't nearly so far as before, but the force was so hard that the impact hurt just as much. More pain shot through my skull as I tried to make sense of all this. â€Å"I don't know what you're talking about!† I cried. Nanette stalked toward me, putting her face inches from mine. â€Å"Of course you do. You told Cedric that I was the one who'd summoned Jerome, that I was the one causing chaos in his territory.† â€Å"I didn't,† I whimpered. â€Å"Not exactly. I just told him you'd met with Jerome.† She snarled and grabbed me by the front of my shirt, jerking me forward. â€Å"That was nothing. Nothing! But now others are suspicious.† â€Å"I just thought he should know and-â€Å" â€Å"Do you know what you may have done?† she screamed. â€Å"I was a candidate for this city! You may have ruined everything.† She threw me again, this time toward the corner my TV was in. Its sharp angles bit into me when I hit, and I crumpled to the floor. I tried to pull myself up but never made it. Nanette was right there beside me. I had a full view of her black stiletto pumps just before she kicked me in the ribs. Pain blasted me, and my body instinctively tried to curl over and protect itself. But she was too fast and too powerful. Greg had had a lot of brute strength at his disposal, brute strength I'd been able to counteract a little. But against Nanette? Against a demon? Her strength was beyond that of a human, nearly beyond human comprehension. â€Å"Do. Not. Fuck. With. Me,† she said, punctuating each hit with a kick to my stomach or ribs. â€Å"Do you understand? You are nothing. Nothing .† â€Å"I'm sorry,† I said. My eyes burned, and every part of my body was screaming, begging for this to end. The kicking stopped, and I rolled to my side, only to have a wave of power slam down on me and roll me to my stomach, pinning me down on the floor like an invisible ton of bricks. I tried to move but couldn't even budge. â€Å"I don't care if you're Jerome's favorite or Cedric's new darling,† she said. Her voice was all ice and malice. Again, she didn't touch me with her hands, but the back of my shirt suddenly ripped open. â€Å"I could destroy you right now, blast you from the face of the earth, and no one would say anything. Instead-you're lucky I'm in a good mood today.† Her â€Å"good mood† felt like a thousand whips hitting my back. Tiny lashes of power, sharp as razors and burning like flames, slammed into me. I screamed as they slashed at my skin, ripping it open. Some part of me thought that if I screamed loud enough, maybe a neighbor would hear me. It was a useless sentiment, though. She would have soundproofed this room much as the demons had at the Cellar. Besides, what could any mortal do against this? Again and again those invisible whips tore into me. Obviously, I couldn't see what was happening, but in my mind's eye, I imagined my flesh torn to ribbons, my entire back a horrible, bloody mess. I don't know how many times those lashings repeated. They blurred together. I was fast approaching a point where the pain was so intense, so overwhelming that I almost couldn't feel it. My vision was going black, my brain barely able to hold consciousness. When the beating finally stopped, I wondered if I was dead. The room was still and silent. Then, the invisible force lifted off my back. I tried to roll over but couldn't. Nanette knelt down, her lips right against my ear. â€Å"Do not fuck with me,† she whispered. â€Å"You interfere again, and I will kill you.† She vanished. I was left alone, sobbing and bleeding. I tried to move again but still was unable to. What was I going to do? I couldn't even call for help. Of course, it probably didn't matter. The pain was so great that I was either going to die or pass out any minute now. Human devices might not kill me, but demonic ones could, regardless if I was in stasis. Suddenly, out of nowhere, I felt strong arms slide underneath me, gently lifting me in a way that kept my back up. I stifled a small cry. Even without my back being touched, the movement hit every other muscle and place on my body that Nanette had hurt. I opened my eyes, trying to see who was there, but my vision was swimming and rapidly darkening. â€Å"What†¦Ã¢â‚¬  was all I managed to get out. â€Å"Shh, love. It's going to be okay. You're going to be okay.† Those arms gently eased me onto my bed. I moaned again as fire shot through my ribs. Cool hands smoothed back my hair, but I still couldn't see anything. â€Å"I can't heal you,† the voice said. â€Å"But I'll get someone who can help. Just don't move. It's going to be okay.† There was something familiar about the voice, but I couldn't identify it through the haze and confusion in my head. I could barely breathe, let alone think. Silence fell after that, as though my mysterious benefactor had left. Yet a few moments later, I blearily saw hands set Aubrey on the bed beside me. She leaned forward, sniffing my face. One of the friendly hands petted her head and back, in that way that could so often coax cats into lying down. It worked, and after turning in a couple of circles, she settled down beside me. Then, the hand stroked my hair one last time. â€Å"Everything's going to be okay.† That was the last thing I remembered hearing. My savior might have stayed or left. I didn't know because a few moments later, that blackness finally won, and I sank into a dreamless sleep that was mercifully free of pain.

Your checklist for establishing salary ranges

Your checklist for establishing salary ranges Outwardly, your company probably has a standard line when it comes to describing employee salaries- something along the lines of â€Å"salary commensurate with performance and experience,† perhaps. Internally, it’s essential to have a close eye on what you’re paying particular employees, whether this aligns with industry standards, and what a particular position is worth to your company. Establishing pay ranges or set salary boundaries is essential to getting a handle on this information and managing salary moving forward. Let’s look at how you can approach the task for your company.Determine the value of each position within your organization.It would be nice to think that you can’t put a dollar number on an employee’s worth, but†¦the accountants beg to differ. This isn’t personal to whomever holds the job. Each position within your company has, realistically, a minimum and maximum value. Figuring out that value depends first on determining what the market value is for a given position. Your jobs may not match other companies’ jobs 1:1, but matching approximate job duties and levels of seniority can give you a pretty good idea of what others are paying for similar work. Sites like PayScale offer glimpses into position salaries, but the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics can really be your gold standard of salary data.Re-evaluate current employees.This is likely the most painful part of the process because it could uncover some uncomfortable realities. Are your current employees making salaries in line with their market value? If they’re making less, this is a relatively easy fix- you can increase base salary until it’s aligned. If they’re making more, it’s tougher. Cutting someone’s pay is going to negatively affect morale and employee engagement. What you can do is determine that a particular employee won’t be eligible for base pay increases, but rather bon uses or other compensation.Review and rank all the jobs in your organization.By figuring out the most essential jobs in your organization and assigning value based on seniority, job complexity, education required, training necessary, and other aspects, you can start establishing a hierarchy of salary ranges.Review your job descriptions.Once you start considering the relative value of each position, it’s important to make sure that your recruitment materials are realistic. Are your job descriptions reflective of the actual job? If you’re going to assign a specific value range to a position based on the job tasks, experience and skills necessary, etc., then you’ll be able to manage the salary process better, and earlier in the process.hbspt.cta.load(2785852, '9e52c197-5b5b-45e6-af34-d56403f973c5', {});Determine the specific ranges.Once you’ve gone through the work of assigning relative value to each position in your company, it’s time to start attach ing real numbers to each position. A salary range should have a minimum, a midpoint, and a maximum. Most salary ranges are 30-40% apart, from minimum to maximum.Communicate your salary philosophy.Then, after you’ve established ranges throughout your company, it’s important to be clear about what the salary expectations are for each role. This doesn’t mean publishing the specific dollar ranges (given the confidentiality of individual employees’ salary information), but employees should know if you’re planning to compensate them with bonuses instead of base pay increases, or how you determine base bay raises. If employees are totally in the dark about how salaries are determined and why, it leaves the door open for negativity and speculation. It can also help you in disputes over employee pay, if the salary philosophy and methodology is at least somewhat transparent.Don’t get complacent.Keep monitoring your ranges, perhaps auditing them annual ly, to make sure that your salary ranges are keeping pace with the market standards.Setting salary ranges makes your organization run more efficiently when it comes to hiring, developing existing talent, and adhering to financial best practices. It’s also a way to make sure you have a strong handle on what’s going on at every level your organization, and to inform how you can continue to meet organizational goals while supporting employees in a data-driven way.

Free Essays on Homers Odyssey

Homer’s Odyssey In the world we live in today, everyone admires different types of heroes. However, in Homers world, he created The Odyssey, where he created all the noble heroes to have most of the same characteristics and attributes. These heroes were the ones who saved people. They were brave, daring, courageous, wise, and had so much spirit! Odysseus, the main character, was intelligent, bold, and had an excellent awareness and form of thought. Although he has these strengths, he is still human and has his downfalls. Some of his negative qualities were: he was selfish and disloyal to his rather faithful wife, but, of course, his valiant attributes are the most evident when reading this book. For the most part, Odysseus it the one telling the story, so we see that he is very communicative. When he escapes from Cyclops cave, we see that he is brave and a great strategist. When he jabbed Cyclops eye with pike of olive, he decided not to kill him because if he did, he would not have been able to get out of the cave. This shows that he thought beforehand and what the outcome of the situation would have been if he let his fighting nature take over. Another example of his bravery is that he went to the Hades, a place feared by just about everyone. Nausicaa is offered to him to wife, but his heart aches for his wife so he declines. I am kind of surprised he didn’t sleep with her before he left. He showed sensitivity when he met his mother and when he heard the song of the Trojan War. After all these good traits, not all of Odysseus’ qualities are desirable. These are his impulsiveness, arrogance, and nosiness. I think he knew that he struggles with these areas. Odysseus’ curiosity enticed him to go to Cyclops cave but his impulsiveness overcame his common sense to think what might have happened next. As Odysseus was making his getaway, from Cyclops cave, he yelled to Cyclops identifying himself because of his pride. Cyclops w... Free Essays on Homers Odyssey Free Essays on Homers Odyssey Homer’s Odyssey In the world we live in today, everyone admires different types of heroes. However, in Homers world, he created The Odyssey, where he created all the noble heroes to have most of the same characteristics and attributes. These heroes were the ones who saved people. They were brave, daring, courageous, wise, and had so much spirit! Odysseus, the main character, was intelligent, bold, and had an excellent awareness and form of thought. Although he has these strengths, he is still human and has his downfalls. Some of his negative qualities were: he was selfish and disloyal to his rather faithful wife, but, of course, his valiant attributes are the most evident when reading this book. For the most part, Odysseus it the one telling the story, so we see that he is very communicative. When he escapes from Cyclops cave, we see that he is brave and a great strategist. When he jabbed Cyclops eye with pike of olive, he decided not to kill him because if he did, he would not have been able to get out of the cave. This shows that he thought beforehand and what the outcome of the situation would have been if he let his fighting nature take over. Another example of his bravery is that he went to the Hades, a place feared by just about everyone. Nausicaa is offered to him to wife, but his heart aches for his wife so he declines. I am kind of surprised he didn’t sleep with her before he left. He showed sensitivity when he met his mother and when he heard the song of the Trojan War. After all these good traits, not all of Odysseus’ qualities are desirable. These are his impulsiveness, arrogance, and nosiness. I think he knew that he struggles with these areas. Odysseus’ curiosity enticed him to go to Cyclops cave but his impulsiveness overcame his common sense to think what might have happened next. As Odysseus was making his getaway, from Cyclops cave, he yelled to Cyclops identifying himself because of his pride. Cyclops w... Free Essays on Homers Odyssey Homer’s Odyssey In the world we live in today, everyone admires different types of heroes. However, in Homers world, he created The Odyssey, where he created all the noble heroes to have most of the same characteristics and attributes. These heroes were the ones who saved people. They were brave, daring, courageous, wise, and had so much spirit! Odysseus, the main character, was intelligent, bold, and had an excellent awareness and form of thought. Although he has these strengths, he is still human and has his downfalls. Some of his negative qualities were: he was selfish and disloyal to his rather faithful wife, but, of course, his valiant attributes are the most evident when reading this book. For the most part, Odysseus it the one telling the story, so we see that he is very communicative. When he escapes from Cyclops cave, we see that he is brave and a great strategist. When he jabbed Cyclops eye with pike of olive, he decided not to kill him because if he did, he would not have been able to get out of the cave. This shows that he thought beforehand and what the outcome of the situation would have been if he let his fighting nature take over. Another example of his bravery is that he went to the Hades, a place feared by just about everyone. Nausicaa is offered to him to wife, but his heart aches for his wife so he declines. I am kind of surprised he didn’t sleep with her before he left. He showed sensitivity when he met his mother and when he heard the song of the Trojan War. After all these good traits, not all of Odysseus’ qualities are desirable. These are his impulsiveness, arrogance, and nosiness. I think he knew that he struggles with these areas. Odysseus’ curiosity enticed him to go to Cyclops cave but his impulsiveness overcame his common sense to think what might have happened next. As Odysseus was making his getaway, from Cyclops cave, he yelled to Cyclops identifying himself because of his pride. Cyclops w...

Enlightenment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Enlightenment - Essay Example ople realized the need of societal reforms hence challenging the authority exercised by traditional institutions such as the Catholic Church whose influence was deeply and widely rooted in society. Philosophers who influenced people’s thinking and reasoning through their work during The Enlightenment included: , John Locke, Francis Bacon, Renà © Descartes and Isaac Newton among others (Perry, 2013). The era of enlightenment coincided with the scientific revolution led by Isaac Newton (NatilusMaker, n.d.). Literacy increased as a result of people deviating from religious texts and instead embracing new ideas especially from publications by philosophers. According to Bertrand Russell, a British philosopher who strongly opposed idealism, The Enlightenment was a manifestation of the schism that was greatly influenced by Martin Luther (Carey, 2015). The Enlightenment also takes into account the inclination of people towards democracy that was vigorously fought for in the 16th Century. It was influenced by the desire of Protestants to break away from the Catholic Church (Perry, 2013). Initially, democracy was only enjoyed by the elite class until the 19th Century when the emergence of political movements necessitated democratic citizenship. These moves contributed to what is seen today as freedom of speech. Formation of political parties to fight for human rights began as early as the 1500s. By the 1600s, political representation had taken course leading to the development of binding political instruments such as Habeas Corpus Act (1679). Colonization is yet another factor that contributes to The Enlightenment. America for instance was colonized by Europeans who had also settled in other parts of the world. By the 16th Century, competition to venture into new territories by colonies had become immense. It is only after American Revolutionary in 1783 that America gained independence and developed their first constitution in 1788 (Perry, 2013). Many other colonized

Ethical Theories Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Ethical Theories - Assignment Example However, most of the time a decision taken for the interest of an individual usually affects the interests of others. In such a case, other people may regard such actions as unethical. A critical evaluation of such a situation is likely to lead to a conclusion that every person is an egoist because an offence usually occurs when their interests are not achieved. According to Cecily and Payne (1990), â€Å"the free market economy operates under such philosophies†. This kind of market devoid of government influence through regulations generates a society in which each individual seeks to satisfy personal interests, and if everybody is successful, then the society will benefit as a whole. So long as each individual in business will be capable of making profits legitimately, then he/she will have fulfilled the moral obligation of the business. However, it is important for people to distinguish between egoism and selfish interests. It is most likely that selfish interests will cause an imbalanced society whereby some individuals will be deprived. Export of capital is significant in fulfilling economic goals. It facilitates growth of foreign direct investments and businesses in foreign countries grow. This helps in increasing the profitability of capitalists who would otherwise suffer a reduction in profits due to lack of opportunities for investment despite the surplus capital. In the less developed countries, there is scarcity of capital while the market remains unexploited, and there is availability of cheap land. On the other hand, there are cheap labour as well as cheap raw materials. Export of capital is also significant in the maintenance of a balance of trade (Tone 1991). This is because if a country liberalizes its market for foreign investors, which is the case in the United States, it also needs to find market for its domestic products, which helps in increasing exports so that the imports do not exceed the

Waitrose Business to Business analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Waitrose Business to Business analysis - Essay Example This has been achieved through transparency in the governance system through its constitution. This enables the company to remain competitive in the industry. All partners have a share in profits and in making all management decision for the firm. Though the company has fully appreciated the role of e-commerce, it has been experiencing a number of challenges recently. For instance, users confirmed that they did not like the redesigned website as it was unfriendly to the users. The pages of the website loaded slowly and that the product list was unavailable sometimes leading to frustrations (Charlton, 2011). To deal with this, the management announced that it will deal with all issues as presented by customers concerning the website on listing and speed. Conyan, M & Richard F., 2012. "John Lewis Partnership." A guide to employee ownership. [Online] Available at: [Accessed 05 May 2015]. Savvas, A., 2006. Waitrose rolls out new supply chain platform. [Online] Available at: [Accessed 05 May

Practice Problems for Elasticity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Practice Problems for Elasticity - Essay Example Price elasticity is always negative for complements. Forth and last, income, a change in income causes a shift in demand. Income elasticity f demand is calculated as the percent change in demand divided by the percent change in income. This change determines the magnitude f the shift. Demand can increase or decrease with the increase or decrease in income. Along any straight-line demand curve, elasticity decreases from infinity to zero. In the range f the demand curve where elasticity is more than one, decreasing price increases revenue. In the rage where elasticity is less than one, however, decreasing price decreases revenue. My service selection is Pet Day Care and I have found it to price elastic...meaning that there are several substitutes. Low-end services like dog walking are good substitutes for drop-off pet day care centers. A fall in the price for someone to come to your home and let your dog out or walk or dog may likely decrease the demand for you take your pet to an "All-Day" daycare facility. The lower price f the "In-Home" service induces consumers to purchases these services versus those f a drop-off or "All-Day" facility. The cross-price elasticity f Pet Day Care with respect to drop-off or in-home service determines the magnitude f shift in the demand curve. Lowering the price f drop-off service would likely increase demand and revenue. Immediate substitutes or replacements f... Where as a walking service averages about $25 per week for 2 ten-minute daily walks Monday through Friday and in home services averaging $25 - $30 per day. Price adjustments have increased demand in the drop-off sector as having space resources readily available i.e. -warehouse space or open land have become increasingly available and by market standards, very cheap to acquire and maintain. This project was able to focus on the market structure f a Pet Day Care service. Each division represents a different market structure. I learned about perfect competition part day care, full day care, and in home pet day care. The changes depended on the type f pet care the pet owner went with. It was interesting to see how the changes and decisions that are made in the different types f care can affect the results f the prices and the cost/profits for the service. Microeconomics Price Elasticity f Demand 1.) If the price elasticity f demand for heroin is estimated to be about 0.4 this means that the demand is mostly inelastic because the elasticity demand is less than one. Being mostly inelastic means a percent change in price leads to a less than proportional percent change in quantity demanded. So if there is a 10% increase in price, it will lead to a 4% decrease in quantity demanded. 2.) If the price f heroin increases, given its inelastic demand, the suppliers' income will increase. This is proved to be true because mostly inelastic demand and total revenue are directly related. When the price is raised on heroin the percentage changed f quantity demanded is less than the percentage changed for the price in turn raising the total revenue f the heroin dealers. This policy has

Business Intelligence in Action Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

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JavaScript Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

JavaScript - Essay Example In the course of its development however, it has gone beyond the realm of simple interactive web features to become a â€Å"respected programming language used by corporations and developers across the globe to make incredible applications† (Resig, 2006, p. 3). JavaScript 2.0, the next major release, is currently under development. The success of any scripting language lies in its compatibility across different browsers, operating systems and platforms. A language developed by Netscape and Mozilla Foundation, JavaScript is naturally fully supported on all Netscape and Mozilla browsers (Lemay, 1996, p. 8). Increasing popularity however pushed other web browsers to support the language or implement a dialect that is compatible with ECMAScript. ECMAScript is yet another scripting language developed by Ecma International; according to a Wikipedia (2009) article, JavaScript is in fact just a dialect of ECMAScript. In this section, we shall examine whether JavaScript is a truly cross-platform application. We shall begin by checking popular browsers for JavaScript support. Netscape Navigator and Mozilla Firefox are, as mentioned, out of the question, leaving us only with Internet Explorer, Safari, Google Chrome and Opera. Internet Explorer. JScript, an ECMAScript dialect, is Microsoft’s answer to JavaScript’s popularity. Because JScript and JavaScript are derived from ECMAScript, the two have minor differences. In other words, an IE browser may, to some extent, read a code differently from a Firefox browser. Thankfully, McFedries (2001) confirms that these differences are trivial and that commonly used JavaScript codes will still run smoothly on non-Mozilla or non-Netscape browsers. Safari. About two years ago, Safari, a browser developed by Apple, was made available to Windows. Luckily, â€Å"Safari uses Apples WebKit for rendering web pages and running JavaScript†, as stated in a Wikipedia

Practice Problems for Elasticity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Practice Problems for Elasticity - Essay Example Price elasticity is always negative for complements. Forth and last, income, a change in income causes a shift in demand. Income elasticity f demand is calculated as the percent change in demand divided by the percent change in income. This change determines the magnitude f the shift. Demand can increase or decrease with the increase or decrease in income. Along any straight-line demand curve, elasticity decreases from infinity to zero. In the range f the demand curve where elasticity is more than one, decreasing price increases revenue. In the rage where elasticity is less than one, however, decreasing price decreases revenue. My service selection is Pet Day Care and I have found it to price elastic...meaning that there are several substitutes. Low-end services like dog walking are good substitutes for drop-off pet day care centers. A fall in the price for someone to come to your home and let your dog out or walk or dog may likely decrease the demand for you take your pet to an "All-Day" daycare facility. The lower price f the "In-Home" service induces consumers to purchases these services versus those f a drop-off or "All-Day" facility. The cross-price elasticity f Pet Day Care with respect to drop-off or in-home service determines the magnitude f shift in the demand curve. Lowering the price f drop-off service would likely increase demand and revenue. Immediate substitutes or replacements f... Where as a walking service averages about $25 per week for 2 ten-minute daily walks Monday through Friday and in home services averaging $25 - $30 per day. Price adjustments have increased demand in the drop-off sector as having space resources readily available i.e. -warehouse space or open land have become increasingly available and by market standards, very cheap to acquire and maintain. This project was able to focus on the market structure f a Pet Day Care service. Each division represents a different market structure. I learned about perfect competition part day care, full day care, and in home pet day care. The changes depended on the type f pet care the pet owner went with. It was interesting to see how the changes and decisions that are made in the different types f care can affect the results f the prices and the cost/profits for the service. Microeconomics Price Elasticity f Demand 1.) If the price elasticity f demand for heroin is estimated to be about 0.4 this means that the demand is mostly inelastic because the elasticity demand is less than one. Being mostly inelastic means a percent change in price leads to a less than proportional percent change in quantity demanded. So if there is a 10% increase in price, it will lead to a 4% decrease in quantity demanded. 2.) If the price f heroin increases, given its inelastic demand, the suppliers' income will increase. This is proved to be true because mostly inelastic demand and total revenue are directly related. When the price is raised on heroin the percentage changed f quantity demanded is less than the percentage changed for the price in turn raising the total revenue f the heroin dealers. This policy has

JavaScript Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

JavaScript - Essay Example In the course of its development however, it has gone beyond the realm of simple interactive web features to become a â€Å"respected programming language used by corporations and developers across the globe to make incredible applications† (Resig, 2006, p. 3). JavaScript 2.0, the next major release, is currently under development. The success of any scripting language lies in its compatibility across different browsers, operating systems and platforms. A language developed by Netscape and Mozilla Foundation, JavaScript is naturally fully supported on all Netscape and Mozilla browsers (Lemay, 1996, p. 8). Increasing popularity however pushed other web browsers to support the language or implement a dialect that is compatible with ECMAScript. ECMAScript is yet another scripting language developed by Ecma International; according to a Wikipedia (2009) article, JavaScript is in fact just a dialect of ECMAScript. In this section, we shall examine whether JavaScript is a truly cross-platform application. We shall begin by checking popular browsers for JavaScript support. Netscape Navigator and Mozilla Firefox are, as mentioned, out of the question, leaving us only with Internet Explorer, Safari, Google Chrome and Opera. Internet Explorer. JScript, an ECMAScript dialect, is Microsoft’s answer to JavaScript’s popularity. Because JScript and JavaScript are derived from ECMAScript, the two have minor differences. In other words, an IE browser may, to some extent, read a code differently from a Firefox browser. Thankfully, McFedries (2001) confirms that these differences are trivial and that commonly used JavaScript codes will still run smoothly on non-Mozilla or non-Netscape browsers. Safari. About two years ago, Safari, a browser developed by Apple, was made available to Windows. Luckily, â€Å"Safari uses Apples WebKit for rendering web pages and running JavaScript†, as stated in a Wikipedia