Lab Report of the Experiment of Conjugation of E. Coli Essay Example

Lab Report of the Experiment of Conjugation of E. Coli Paper Using alkaline lysine nipper, a DNA lassie was isolated from the donor and transcontinental strains and FIG electrophoresis was used to determine the size of the plasmid. The conjugation efficiency was found to be 16. 25% and the plasmid DNA was approximately 97 kilobytes long. The results show that the F plasmid was effectively transferred from the donor cells into the recipient cells via conjugation. Introduction:Bacterial conjugation is the unidirectional transfer of either genomic DNA or plasmid DNA from a donor bacterial cell to a recipient bacterial cell by cell-to-cell contact via a sex pills (Sonatas Simmons, 2006). Conjugation was first discovered by Elderberry and Datum in 1946. In their experiment, they grew two strains of bacteria in separate vessels with rich medium and then together in one vessel containing the same medium. Then, they spread the three vessel contents onto medium agar plates and incubated them overnight at ETC. The only plate that showed cell growth was the plate containing the mixture of the two bacterial strains. The other two plates showed no growth. This experiment proved that in order for recombination to occur, the two strains must come in contact with one another (Elderberry, Datum, 1946). In 1950, Bernard Davis discovered that cell-to-cell contact was required to obtain a transcontinental. Using a U tube containing a sintered filter between the two sides of the tube, he added two types of bacteria (donor and recipient) to each side of the tube. Because of the filter, Davis never observed conjugation. This further proved that in order for conjugation to occur, the cells must come into physical contact. In order for cells to undergo conjugation, one cell must contain a fertility factor (F). William Hayes discovered this F factor in 1952. The F factor, which is a small auricular molecule of DNA (plasmid), controls the synthesis of F pill that connect donor and recipient cells during conjugation. These F factors are approximately 105 bagpipers in size. In bacterial conjugation, a donor cell containing the F plasmid is referred to as an F+ cell while a recipient cell that lacks the plasmid is an F- cell. When an F+ cell mates with an F- cell (conjugation), the plasmid is transferred. Both the donor and recipient cells become F+ cells and contain the F plasmid. While transferring the F+ plasmid, sometimes the plasmid is integrated into the recipients chromosome. We will write a custom essay sample on Lab Report of the Experiment of Conjugation of E. Coli specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Lab Report of the Experiment of Conjugation of E. Coli specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Lab Report of the Experiment of Conjugation of E. Coli specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer These cells are referred to as Hoff cells. Sometimes chromosomal DNA is looped out of the F plasmid, and chromosomal genes are transferred into the recipient; the recipient cells are referred to as F strains. When donor F cells mate with recipient F- cells, genomic DNA is transferred from donor to recipient. This transfer is known as seduction and the cell that receives the F plasmid from the donor is referred to as a transcontinental (Sonatas Simmons, 2006). In the experiment performed, conjugation was studied in E. Coli bacterial cells. The donor bacterial cells contained the F plasmid that had the lack+ gene integrated into it, making the cells Flag+stars. The recipient bacterial cells were F- lack-stir. The donor and recipient cells were mixed and plated onto streptomycin indicator plates. Using AGE electrophoresis, plasmid DNA was isolated and its size was determined. The plasmid was present in the donor and transcontinental cells; however, in the recipient cells the plasmid was absent. Materials and Methods:One ml of each of donor (Flag+stars) and recipient (F- lack-stir) the E. Oil bacterial strains, from the American Type Culture Collection in Rockville, Md. , was pipettes with a pitman into a sterile culture tube and incubated, without shaking, at 370 C for 90 minutes. Before plating the strains on agar plates, dilutions of the three strains of cells were prepared with LB broth. 100 Pl of 10-5 and 10-6 dilutions of donor cells were each plated onto McCracken (MAC) agar plates without streptomycin. 100 Pl of 1 0-5 dilution of donor cells and 10-5 and 10-6 recipient were also plated onto MAC plates with streptomycin. 00 Pl of 10-4 and 10-5 dilutions of the conjugation mixture cells were plated onto MAC agar with streptomycin. All seven plates were inverted and placed in a ETC incubator for about 24 hours. The bacterial colonies on each plate were counted the next day (colony counts seen in Table l). Donor colonies were picked with a sterile loop and placed into a sterile test tube containing LB broth. Recipient and transcontinental colonies were also isolated and placed into sterile test tubes containing LB broth and streptomycin. The tubes were then placed in a 37 C shaking incubator at 250 RPM overnight. After the incubation, 1. 5 ml of each of the three cultures were added to offender tubes and centrifuged at 13,200 RPM for 1 minute. An alkaline lysine procedure like that of Bromine and Doll was then performed to extract the lassie DNA with 200 Pl of alkaline SD detergent solution (Bromine Daly, 1979). After the alkaline lysine procedure was complete, the pellets were washed with a 100% ethanol and stored in a -ICC freezer. A 1% agrees gel in 0. 5 X TUBE buffer was prepared for gel electrophoresis in a gel tray. The gel tray was placed into the BIO-RADAR FIG Mapped apparatus. Loading dye was added and each sample (apron. 25 VI) was then loaded into a well. DNA markers were loaded into the first and last wells. The gel was run under program 4 for 16 hours, 180 volts forward and 120 volts reverse. When the program was knishes, the gel was placed into an tedium bromide solution to stain. After staining, the gel was gently rocked in distilled water. Using a Kodak IDEAS 290 imaging system, a picture of the gel was taken (which can be seen in Figure 1. 0). Results:During the experiment, donor (F+lack+stars) and recipient (F-lack-stir) cells were mixed and plated onto streptomycin indicator plates. Plasmid DNA was extracted from the donor and transcontinental cells and FIG electrophoresis was used to determine the plasmids size. After plating and incubating the bacterial dilutions, the cell colonies were counted. It was observed that all of the donor ells were red, all of the recipient cells were white, and the conjugation culture cells were a mix of red and white. There were too many (>300) red colonies to count on the donor 10-5 MAC agar plate and 60 red colonies on the donor 10-6 MAC agar plate. No colonies were seen on the donor 10-5 MAC agar + strep plate. There were 126 white colonies on the recipient 10-5 MAC + strep plate and 32 white colonies seen on the recipient 10-6 MAC + strep agar plate. The transcontinental 10-4 MAC + strep agar plate had 206 red and too many white colonies to count, while the transcontinental 10-5 MAC + strep agar plate had 26 De colonies and 86 white colonies (seen in Table l). Using the cell counts and their dilutions, the culture concentration was calculated. The concentration of donor cells in the 10-6 dilution was xx cells/ ml_. The concentration of recipient cells in the 10-6 dilution was 3. Axis cells/ml. The concentration of transcontinental cells in the 10-5 dilution was 2. Xx cells/ ml (Table II). The conjugation efficiency was calculated to be 16. 25% (Table Ill). Upon completion of a FIG electrophoresis, marker standards were used to determine the plasmid size and the distance traveled. The size and mobility f the bands in Marker II (Figure 1. 0) were measured and a standard curve was generated ( Figure 2. 0). This curve was then used to determine the plasmid size present in the donor and transcontinental cells. The plasmid was not present in the recipient cells. ) The plasmid traveled 14. 5 mm and was approximately 101 kilobytes long. Discussion:After plating the donor cells onto MAC plates that did not contain the streptomycin antibiotic, red colonies grew. This result is plausible because the donor cells contained the lack Oberon, which codes for enzymes that can utilize lactose as food. Cells containing this Oberon can grow on MAC plates because the plates contain lactose sugar. These two plates were then compared to the donor plate that contained the streptomycin antibiotic. No colonies grew on the streptomycin plate. This is because the donor cells did not contain the gene for streptomycin resistance. After plating the recipient cells onto MAC+strep plates, white colonies grew. This result is seen because the recipient cells lack the lack Oberon. These cells cannot utilize lactose as a food source. Also, the recipient cells were able to grow in the presence of streptomycin because they contained gene for resistance to the antibiotic. On the plates containing MAC+strep and 10-5 transcontinental cells, there were 26 red cells present. Ideally, because the cells were too dilute for conjugation to be seen, there should have been no red cells present. On the plates containing MAC+strep and 10-4 transcontinental cells, both red and white colonies were observed. The white colonies were recipient cells and the red were transcontinental. It can be determined that the red cells were the transcontinental because previously, red cells (which indicate donor cells) were not able to grow on plates containing streptomycin. Because they ere present on streptomycin plate, the cells must have undergone conjugation. After isolating the plasmids and running them on a FIG electrophoresis, it was observed that the plasmid was only present in the donor and transcontinental cells. This occurred because only the donor cells contained the plasmid. Because donor cells were not present in the recipient cells, no conjugation could occur; therefore, no plasmid would be seen in the recipient lane on the gel. The size of the F plasmid was determined by measuring the distance the plasmid traveled in the gel, and comparing it to a known marker (Marker II). The size of the F plasmid as determined to be approximately 97 kilobytes long. This was compared to the literature value, of approximately 100 kilobytes (Sealing, Paulson, and Cooper, 1991 Because the plasmid size is very close to the literature value, it can be concluded that the DNA plasmid was successfully isolated from the donor to the transcontinental cells. Genomic DNA was not transferred and no Hoff strains were formed. The conjugation efficiency was calculated and found to be 16. 25% on the transcontinental plates, meaning for every 100 cells on the plate, 16. 5 were transcontinental. A 16. 25% conjugation efficiency is a reasonable value. The value seen could be due to the fact that even though a donor cell contains the F plasmid, the plasmid is not always transferred into every single recipient cell. If this were the case, a conjugation efficiency of 100% would be seen every time. Comparing this value to an efficiency value seen in the literature of 94%, the value is a bit low (Kiang et al. , 2000). To increase the conjugation efficiency, the mixed donor and recipient cells could be left to sit for a longer period of time.

Current Events in Business Research Essay Example

Current Events in Business Research Essay Example Current Events in Business Research Essay Current Events in Business Research Essay Essay Topic: Current Current Events in Business Research Name: Course: Institution: Instructor: Date: Current Events on Business Research A business research process refers to the initiative of coming up with business decisions after careful analysis of the business environment such as the company, competitors, the industry, the market and strategies developed with an aim of achieving business goals. These current events on business research are key factors in effective decision making for long-term success in any business. The process involves an overview of a company’s strengths and weaknesses to determine the required efforts for further development. Current events in business research target market opportunities and revolve around the mitigation of business risk. I experienced the business research process as an employee in a company known as Pacific Computers, which sells computer hardware and offers software services. The company had extensive analytical research studies of the business progress as I witnessed when I was in the sales department. Monthly and annual meetings were held to determine the failures and successes of Pacific Computers. The scale of business performance was measured according to short-term achievements in a bid to affirm strategies of long-term achievements. The scale of business performance was deduced from the results from the business research within and without the organization. A research study in business involves data collection and analysis in a company for managers to make the best decisions that coincide with the company’s goals (Cooper Schindler, 2010). In Pacific Computers, the senior and departmental managers compiled the data results and stipulated major changes to evaluate and improve business performance. Pacific Computers needed a larger market share than it had already secured in the IT industry. Strategies could only be effective if opportunities in the business environment were explored adequately. Therefore, suggestions given by clients and employees, data on the company and IT industry’s history among others served as the data collected. Subsequently, the managers made logical decisions on improvements such as upgraded software services, re-branding the company, newly developed marketing strategies, differentiation in computer products, advertisements and promotions. The research reports of Pacific Computers included detailed historical financial statements. This enabled the managers to evaluate and assess the profit earnings by comparing the present and the past financial performance of the company in the IT market and industry. The research process was necessary in my fourth year as an employee of Pacific Computers because was opting to lay-off a part of the workforce t o cut on its costs. Fortunately, the data results prompted alternative ideas of increasing the profit margin. Alternative ideas included the introduction of new computer models with high processor speed that could be compatible with the workload of customers, as they suggested according to the data presented. The research gave the management team a new insight on the weaknesses of the major competitors in the IT market and the members deduced a competitive advantage that scooped a large share of the market and increased the company’s profit margin notably. Decisions made by the management such as outsourcing, restructuring the organization, forming a change agent committee to communicate change, differentiation of computer products, human resource strategies, promotion, community initiatives and advertisement lead to high productivity and a continued culture of high performance in IT business. The implementation of these strategies and the positive outcome in business is evidence that business research fosters strong managerial decisions in an organization or a company (Cooper Schind ler, 2010). By monitoring the current events on business research and examining the data results, Pacific Computers was able to re-establish itself and maintain its business image. Top of Form Bottom of Form

Ping Sweeps and Port Scans Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Ping Sweeps and Port Scans - Case Study Example Ping sweeps are used to detect the IP addresses that are being used by live hosts. Ping messages are made up of a pair of ICMP messages referred to as Echo Request and Echo Reply (Chen & Davis, 2006). Unfortunately, ping is usually taken advantage of by attackers to scan a block of IP addresses for a set of active hosts. There are many tools that can perform a ping sweep, and this further makes it easy for attackers to exploit. The major advantage is that ping sweeps can easily be noticed. In addition, it possible for ICMP messages to be blocked, and therefore some organizations might opt to block these messages as a safety precaution. When the administrator wants to carry out a ping sweep, he may enable the ICMP messages temporarily and block them after the ping sweep (Chen & Davis, 2006). Generally, ping sweeps are an old and slower technology and are rarely used today. A port scan refers to a series of messages sent by an individual with the intent of breaking into a computer system (Christopher, 2014). The messages are sent to each port one by one. Once the attacker breaks into the computer, he will be able to learn about the computer network services each associated with a port number provided by that computer (Christopher, 2014). The attacker can also learn about the owners of these services and understand whether or not anonymous logins are supported on that computer. A server that is publicly accessible is highly susceptible to port scans. Luckily, port scans are easy to detect. In addition, using the proper tools, the amount of information relating to open services can be limited.  

Corporate protection Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Corporate protection - Essay Example In order to achieve these objectives, the company has made an effort of sending its Chief Financial officer and CEO to the Caucasus region, as a fact-finding mission, as well as deploying an expatriate group of 25 employees for 6 months, in order to familiarize with engineering and drilling techniques required in the region. However, the stated objectives of the company have led to it facing a number of threats which requires it to take action. It is needed to increase the expertise of its Protective Security Managers for better examination and understanding of threats hence planing and implementing effective security strategy (Kit bond corporate protection services n.d.). The purpose of the strategy will be to provide protective security solutions, capable of not only maximizing protection for the employees, but also ensuring their liberty in conducting operations in the region. Textar Oil and Gas Company as a multinational corporate organization in the field of gas and oil global exploitation, is facing a lot of difficulties. It is experiencing a number of threats which are putting its employees, especially those in the caucasus region, into a great danger. The emerging Textar’s competitive companies in the market are responsible of these threats. To provide better solutons for these threats, the Company has proposed a corporate orientated protective security solution, through a strategy that involves two maximum security corporations (Halibozek & Kovacich 2003). These security corparations can work as separate entities but in the case of Textar Company, they have decided to work as one unit inoder to ensure maximum security for the company, as well as its employees especially those working in the caucasus regions which seems to be the most insecure region. The first security corporation is KBCPS. This is an asset protection corporation, developed to offer interventions

My Future in Safety Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

My Future in Safety Management - Essay Example There is a demand for safety specialists with the understanding of management issues; this will only increase my marketability within the career field I have chosen.("American Society of Safety Engineers") I think having the chance to supervise and oversee safety programs and make a difference in my field is inspiring. There are so many industries where the skills I possess, and continue to develop, might be welcomed into. From healthcare to engineering and mining to manufacturing, the possibilities are extreme. I do not think I have made a final decision as to which industry I will enter as yet. However, the income potential for such positions is very encouraging as well. The yearly earnings can range from $30,000 to $150,000 depending on the demand. This financial security with potential for growth is, also, a fantastic incentive within all the industries, as well.("Council on Practices and Standards") I found the PowerPoint presentation pertaining to goal setting to be very encouraging. The importance of setting short term goals that are realistic enough to achieve, so you will not be disappointed in yourself and become disenchanted with ones career pursuits. I think that reminding goals setters, not only, to provide a goal, but be certain that goal has a deadline. If there is no deadline then there is no consequence for not staying on course with your goal’s proper completion. Lastly, the statement that caught my attention, primarily, for its brazen common sense; â€Å"People plan their vacation more than they plan their life.

Theories of Firm Internationalisation

Theories of Firm Internationalisation Firms internationalisation decisions can be driven by various motives, taking this into account, discuss in particular the choice of a firm of how to internationalise its production activities in terms of a trade off between ownership and market transactions. After the World War II, there has been rapid growth in international trade in both goods and services, resulting in various transactions across national borders for the purpose of satisfying the needs of individuals and organisations. The result of this global competition has forced organisations to expand their business by finding out new markets at home and foreign countries making them ‘Transnational firms. Dicken (2007) defines Transnational Corporations (TNC) as â€Å"A firm that has power to co-ordinate and control operations in more than one country, even if it does not own them†. Rugman and Hodgetts, 2003 says Multinational corporations, defined as â€Å"A company headquarter in one country but having operations in other countries†. The significance of TNC lies mainly in its ability to co-ordinate and control different transactions within transnational production networks, ability to take advantage of distribution factors of production and ability to be fl exible in locations. The growing TNCs led to various patterns and trends in international business like rapid growth in world trade and investment, cross border mergers and acquisitions resulting in the process of Internationalization. Internationalization is the process of increasing involvement in international operations across national borders which comprises both changed perspectives and positions. (Buckley and Ghauri, 1999) Internationalization is one potential strategy that is being used increasingly by business firms to maximise size of the firm, increase their profitability, increasing their market share and becoming industry leader. It is a major attribute of the current strategy process of most business firms which determines the ongoing development and change in the international firm in terms of values, scope, principles, business ideas, action orientation, nature of work and converging norms. The internationalization dimension is related to all these aspects of the strategy process and thus making the firms become ‘Transnational. In this global competition, it is important for the firm to become transnational and internationalization process focuses mainly on the development of the individual firm on its gradual acquisition, integration, and use of knowledge about foreign markets and operations. (Dicken, P., 2007) Firms internationalization decision is mainly to acquire profits. The origins of the internationalisation of the industry are described by both macroeconomics approach, regarded as a general-system approach which is focused on the capitalist system as a whole, and microeconomics approach, based upon a firm-specific level. In a macroeconomics approach, the expansions of firms activities into foreign countries are explained by the circuits of capital and the theory of new international division of labour. A microeconomics approach entails the Dunnings eclectic paradigm and the theory of product life cycle. As most TNCs are capitalist enterprises, they behave according to basic rules of capitalism, the ways in which firm acquires profits along with various motives like increasing their market share, becoming industry leader or simply making firm bigger. But above all, the most important factor for internationalization is the pursuit of profits. In this competitive economy, competition b etween firms is becoming increasingly global and much more volatile not just confining them to national level but with firms across the world. Thus TNCs simply explain the need for internationalization at macro level in pursuit of profits and performance better in the global competitive economy. (Dicken, P., 1992) The new international division of labour, proposed by Stephen Hymer, is used to explain the shift of industrial production from the core (the industrialised countries) to the periphery (the developing countries). Firms in developed countries due to increasing wages in their home countries are forced to seek the alternative locations providing cheap labour, which are the third world countries. Dicken (1992) points out that even though this concept has some validity in explanation of internationalisation process, it also contains several drawbacks as it is excessively narrow and one-dimensional and it overstates the extent to which industrial production has been relocated to the global periphery. Micro level approach is an approach to understand the internationalization of economic activity through the TNC which is much as firm specific. The decision to become global firm is made by individual firms or more by decision makers in the firm rather than focusing upon the decisions at capitalist system as a whole like in macro level approach. According to Hymers pioneering study in 1960, domestic firms will have natural advantage over foreign firms in terms of better understanding of local market conditions and business environment. But, a foreign firm wishing to produce in any other market would have to posses some firm specific assets which overcome the natural advantages of domestic firm. These firm specific assets are like size of the firm and economies of scale, access to raw materials, marketing skills, technological expertise, reduced transaction costs or access to cheaper sources of finance, which makes a foreign firm to compete domestic firm in its home country. Hymers st udy expressed that the firm wishing in transnational production would have its own set of qualifying principles specific to ownership which overcome the advantages of indigenous firms in the country of production. (Nilsson, J.E, Dicken, P., Peck, J., 1996) In 1966, Vernon developed the product life cycle to explain the observed pattern of international trade. The theory suggests that in the earlier stages of products life cycle all the production activities of a product is done in the place in which it was invented. Once the product is used in the markets, production gradually moves away from the point of origin to the places with low production costs and high market activity, in order to acquire high profits by the firm. There are four stages in product life cycle: Introduction, growth, maturity and decline. The location of production depends on the stage of the cycle. In the introduction stage the firm seeks to build product awareness and develop a market for the product. In the growth stage, the firm tries to increase brand preference and market share. At maturity stage, the strong growth in sales decreases due to heavy competition between similar products. At this stage the primary objective of the firm is to defend the market shar es by expanding into new markets or low developing countries (LDCs) to maximize profits. In the final stage, due to decline in the sales, the firm tries to maintain the product by adding new features and targeting new markets. (Dicken 2003) According to Dunnings Eclectic Paradigm, a firm will engage in international production when each of the following three conditions is present: 1. Owner specific advantages, 2. Location specific advantages and 3. Internalization advantages. As the three principles are derived from variety of theoretical approaches such as the theory of the firm, organization theory, trade theory and location theory, dunning labelled his approach as ‘eclectic which integrates various strands of explanation of international production. Owner specific advantages or Firm specific advantages are assets which are internal to firm. Every firm must possess certain ownership specific advantages which are unique compared to their competing firms from other countries. These firm specific advantages are intangible and transferred within the TNC at low cost (e.g., technology, brand name, and benefits of economies of scale) which either provides higher revenues or lower costs that can reduce operating costs compared to its competitors in a foreign country.(Wattanasupachoke, 2002) A firm must possess location specific advantages to exploit its assets in foreign rather than domestic country. Therefore the location specific advantages of different countries are important in determining which will become host countries for the transnational corporations. They constitute economic, political and socio cultural advantages which are important factors in the context of transnational production. (Wattanasupachoke 2002) Transnational corporations choose internalization where the market does not exist or functions poorly. There must be internalization advantages to the firm from exploiting its advantages itself, rather than selling them or leasing them. The more uncertain the environment faced by the firm (which may be due to price, quality and availability of raw materials) the more likely a firm internalize its operations. Internalization occurs in the case of knowledge and technology, where many firms spend huge sums of money on various research and development. To ensure satisfactory returns on the investment without selling or leasing the technology to other foreign firms, the firm itself exploits its technological advantage directly by setting up its own production facilities. (Whitley, R., 1994) Under ‘eclectic theory other theories of internationalization are more concerned with the processes that a firm must go through. Sequential theory of internationalization is a process in which a firm enters into the foreign market. It is also called as ‘Uppsala model and the firm enters other markets through four discrete stages: Intermittent exports, exports via agents and through licensing, overseas sales through knowledge agreements with local firms (example franchising) and foreign direct investment (FDI) in the foreign market. Initially, the firm is purely a domestic firm in terms of both production and markets. Once the firm reaches saturation point in its domestic market, it looks into foreign markets in order to maintain growth and profitability. During early stages, the firm does this through exports using the services of overseas sales agent, who are independent of the exporting firm. In the second stage, the process of gaining control over its foreign sales is achieved by setting up its own sales outlets. This can be done in two ways, either by setting up an entirely new outlet or by acquiring local firm. When the firm performs better and acquires good profits, it decides on establishment of entire production facilities with consideration of its favourable factors in a foreign market. Figure1 shows the path of development of a firm in the evolution of a transnational corporation. (Wall and Rees, 2004) In a network perspective, the process of internationalization is like creating new relationships or building on existing relationships in international markets, with the focus shifting from the organizational to that of social. It is people who make decisions and take the actions. The series of networks are considered at three levels: Macro, Inter-organizational and Intra-organizational. (Wall and Rees, 2004) In network theory, the business environment is seen as a set of diverse interests, powers, characteristics which advances on national and international business decisions. At macro- level, a firm has to break old relationships or add new ones to enter new markets. A new entrant finds difficult to break into a market that already has stable relationship. Such firms are able to reconfigure the existing networks, thus more successful in internationalization process. At Inter-organizational level, firms are good in different relationships to one another in different markets. They may be competitors in one market, collaborators in other and ‘suppliers and customers to each other in a third. Thus, if one firm internationalizes it draws other firms into international production. At intra-organizational level, relations within the organization influence the decision making process. If a transnational corporation has its subsidiaries in other countries, decisions taken at the subsidiary level increases the degree of international involvement of the parent TNC, depending on the degree of decentralization of decision making by the firm. (Wall and Rees, 2004) The various theories explain the process of internationalization and results in the firms motivation for engaging in transnational operations. When a firm decides to establish a production facility in the foreign market it mainly focuses its interests in terms of size of the market and availability of requirements which are useful for the production facility. Though firms motivation in transnational production is highly individual, still it can be broadly classified into two categories: Market Orientation and Asset Orientation. (Dicken, 2007) Most foreign direct investment in the process of transnational production is designed to serve a specific location market by taking consideration of market size and other conditions. The goods and services produced in the foreign country are almost identical to that being produced in the firms home country but the firm modifies its products slightly in order to gain the tastes and preferences of the local market. Market oriented investment is a form of horizontal expansion across national boundaries which concentrates on three factors in making up the decision of the location. The most important factor is a size of the market measured in terms of per-capita income rather than in terms of population. For example, countries in Europe and US, though they have less population, their per-capita income is high. Population in countries with low income levels spend larger portion of their income on basic necessities while people in countries with high income levels spend higher portion of th eir income on higher order manufacture goods and services. The last important factor for market oriented production is accessibility into the markets (transportation) and other political barriers. (Dicken, 2007) The choice of strategy for transnational production will be influenced by the reasons for becoming transnational. Foreign direct investment is designed to take advantage of the fact that the various assets that a firm needs to produce are not available in the same quantity and quality everywhere. So, it is important for a firm to consider about asset orientated production when it becomes transnational. It is broadly classified into two ways: Technology and labour. Firm benefits from the production costs if there are low labour costs along with high technology. Variations in wage costs, labour productivity and knowledge and skills constitute asset based advantages to the firm becoming transnational. Once a firm has decided to go international, it takes place in wide variety of ways, most of which can be classified into three broad categories: Export based methods Non- equity methods Equity methods Export based methods for internationalization It is the most common way in which a firm becomes international, by producing its products in the domestic markets but exports a proportion of its products to foreign markets. Exporting is an oldest and straight forward way of carrying international business. Its growth can be reduced to the liberalisation of trade that has taken place globally and within regional trading blocs due to concept of free trade like European Union (EU), NAFTA (North American Free Trade Association), ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations), and APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Corporation). The export based methods of internationalizing are divided into ‘indirect exporting and ‘direct exporting. (Wall and Rees, 2004) Indirect exporting: When a firm does not have any international activity by itself then it operates through intermediaries for physical distribution of goods and services in the foreign market. Initially an export house buys products from domestic firm and sells them abroad on its own account. A confirming house acts for foreign buyers where it brings sellers and buyers into direct contact and guarantee payments on a commission basis. Finally a buying house performs functions in seeking out sellers to match buyers particular needs. Direct exporting: In this form a firm is directly involved in distributing and selling its own products to the foreign markets. It is long term commitment to a particular foreign market with the firm choosing local agents and distributors specific to that market. It allows the exporter to monitor developments and competitions in the host market. It promotes interaction between producer and end user with long term commitments such as providing after sales services to encourage repeat purchases. Non- Equity based methods for internationalization In this form of internationalization, the firm either sells technology or do business in the form of contract, involving patents, trademarks and copyrights. It is often referred to as intellectual property rights and form major part of international transactions. This non-equity method of internationalization takes into forms of licensing, franchising or other types of contractual agreement. (Wall and Rees, 2004) Licensing: It is a permission granted by the licensor (proprietary owner) to a licensee (foreign party) in the form of a contract to engage in an activity which is otherwise legally forbidden. The licensee buys the right to exploit technology and products from the licensor, which is protected by the intellectual property rights like patent, trademark or copyright. The licensor benefits from the licensees local knowledge and distribution channels; also it is a low cost strategy for internationalization since the foreign entrant makes little or no resource commitment. This type of agreement is mostly found in industries like RD and other industries where fixed costs are high. (Rugman and Hodgetts, 2003) Franchising: In this form, the franchisee purchases the right to undertake business activity using the franchisors name or trademark rather than any patented technology. Many firms choose franchising as a means of internationalizing as it establishes firms business in short time with relatively little direct investment and creates global image through standard marketing approach. It allows franchiser a high degree of control and enables to understand the local taste and preferences in the foreign country. For example, Coca-Colas franchising arrangements with various partners in different countries has given an advantage over its arch rival PepsiCo. Franchising also helps in building up global brand which can be cultivated and standardised overtime. (Wall and Rees, 2004) Other contractual modes of internationalization: Besides licensing and franchising, Management contracting is another form of internationalization where a supplier in one country provides certain ongoing management functions to a client in another country. Examples include technical service agreements are provided across borders, as when a company outsources its operations to a foreign firm. Contract-based partnerships are also formed between different nationalities in order to share the cost of an investment. For example, pharmaceutical companies, automobile companies make agreements between themselves to include cooperation, co-research and co-development activities. (Wall and Rees, 2004) Equity based methods for internationalization When a firm physically invests in any another country, it is referred as Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). The major advantage of this method is that the firm has greatest level of control over its proprietary information and technology. A firm can use different ways to FDI by acquiring an existing firm, creating equity joint ventures, merging or establishing a foreign operation by its own (green-field investment). (De Propris, L., 2009) Acquisition and Establishment of a firm by its own (green-field investment): Acquisition of an existing foreign company has a number of advantages compared to green-field investment. For example, it allows an immediate presence in the market which results in a fast returns on capital and ready access to knowledge of the local market. Also, problems associated with green-field investments such as cultural, legal and management issues are avoided. Joint Ventures: It involves creating a new identity in which both the initiating partners take active roles in formulating strategy and making decisions. It helps to share technologies and lower the costs of high risks in various development projects. Joint Ventures make firm to gain economics of scale and scope in value adding activities on a global basis. It creates a firm to secure access to partners technology and accumulate learning process which is used for more effective future competition in the industry. Joint Ventures are common in high technology industries; it usually takes one of the two forms: Specialized Joint Ventures and Shared value added Joint Ventures. (Wall and Rees, 2004) In Specialized Joint Ventures, each partner brings a specific competency like one firm might indulge in a function of production and other does with marketing. For example organizations like JVC (Japan) and Thomson (France) have been into specialized Joint Venture where JVC contributed the specialized skills involved the manufacturing technologies needed to produce optical and compact discs, semiconductors while Thomson contributed the specific marketing skills needed to compete in European markets. In Shared value added Joint Ventures, both partners contributed to same function or value added activity. For example in the case of Fuji-Xerox, it is a shared value added Joint Venture with the design, production and marketing function all shared between two firms. Merging with a firm: In this equity based method for internationalization, a firm uses FDI by merging with a firm in the foreign country by buying its stake and holding appropriate ownership in the form of equities. It helps to extend its business rapidly and can use its infrastructure and knowledge about local market to improve its market share compared to its competitors. In equity based methods for internationalization, creation of consortium is one of the oldest forms of foreign direct investment. East Asian business models like Japanese Keiretsu and South Korean chaebols are more successful in building cross industry consortia when compared to western countries. Consortium of these types are sophisticated forms of strategic alliances designed to maximise the benefits like risk sharing, cost reductions, economies of scale etc .They tend to have long term and stable inter firm relationships based on mutual obligations in order to be forerunner of technology based industries. The Japanese Keiretsu is a combination of 20-25 different industrial companies centred on a large traditional company where transactions conducted through alliances of affiliated companies. It is divided into two forms, horizontal keiretsu which consists of highly diversified groups which are organized around core bank and general trading company (For example, Mitsubishi, Mitsui and Sanwa). Vertical Keiretsu is organized around a large parent company in a specific industry like Toshiba, Toyota and Sony etc. There are strong linkages between these two forms and the organization is extremely complex and wide reaching. (De Propris, L., 2009 and Wall and Rees, 2004) The South Korean chaebols, usually dominated by the founding families are similar consortia which are centred on a holding company. While a Keiretsu is financed by group banks and run by professional managers, chaebols get their funding from governments and are managed by family members. Examples include Samsung, Daewoo etc are industrialist families and the company keeps the stock in family hands. (Wall and Rees, 2004) When a firm becomes transnational, it has specific impacts on both host economies and home economies. The impacts like transfer of resources, capital, technology, an increase of employment, concerns about sovereignty and trade and balance of payments occur on the host economy. The specific impacts on home economies will be like loss of technology, sovereignty, loss of employment and tax avoidance. Conclusion In the process of globalisation, a firm operates their activities globally and the internationalisation process is one of the primary sites of attention. The changes in the technology in the fields of telecommunications and computer lessen the costs of cross border operations and encourage firms to engage in transnational production activities. Internationalisation is a sequential process where firms internalise their economic activities characterised in terms of aggressiveness and motivated by either internal or external triggers or a combination of both. It is one of the key strategic decisions for firms to maximise or at least sustain profits to survive in the world of uncertainty and complexity. The global economic expansion has been largely facilitated by the growth of TNCs. They dominate world trade and capital movement with turnover exceeding the GNP of some countries. These corporations continue to grow and influence the landscape of the world economy. The various motives for the firms internationalization process has been discussed and the ways in which firm use FDI to engage in the transnational production makes it to compete globally. It seems clear that theories of internationalization make the firm to take up decision to become transnational with each specifying its implications and benefits. Dunnings eclectic paradigm emphasis on OLI advantages, stating a firm will engage in international production when each of the following three conditions is present. The various theories explain the process of internationalization and when a firm decides to establish a production facility in the foreign market it focuses mainly on the market size. Though firms motivation in transnational production is highly individual, still it is classified into Market Orientation and Asset Orientation which states the conditions for the firm to become transnational corporation. When firm decides to go international the various methods of internationalization like equity based, non equity based, export based are used to engage its production activities in terms of a trade off between ownership and market transactions. References Buckley, P.J., Ghauri, P.N., 1999, â€Å"The Internationalization of the firm†, 2nd Edition, London: Thomson. De Propris, L., 2009, Lecture slides on The Nature of Transnational Corporation and From TNCs to global production networks, Lecture 4 5. Dicken, P., 1992, â€Å"Global Shift: The Internationalisation of Economic Activity†, 2nd Edition, London: Paul Chapman. Dicken, P., 2003, â€Å"Global Shift: Reshaping the global economic map in the 21st century†, 4th Edition, London: Sage. Dicken, P., 2007, â€Å"Global Shift: Mapping the changing contours of the world economy†, 5th Edition, London: Sage. Dunning, J. H., â€Å"Multinational Enterprises and the Global Economy†, Workingham: Addison-Weslay, 1994. Hymer, S., â€Å"The Multinational Corporation and the law of uneven development†, in Radice, H., 1975 â€Å"International firms and modern imperialism†, Harmond-sworth: Penguin. Nilsson, J.E., Dicken, P., Peck, J., 1996, â€Å"Internationalization Process: European firms in global competition†, Ed, London: Paul Chapman. Rugman, A.M., and Hodgetts, R.M., 2003 â€Å"International Business†, 3rd Edition, England: Pearson. Walls, S., and Rees, B., 2004, â€Å"International Business†, 2nd Edition, England: Pearson, pp: 34-64. Wattanasupachoke, T., (2002) â€Å"Internationalization: Motives and Consequences†, ABAC Journal, 22, 16-30. Whitley, R., 1994, â€Å"The Internationalization of Firms and Markets: Its Significance and Institutional Structuring†, Organization Journal, 1, 101.

Michael Jordan: Beyond Personal Glory Essay -- Basketball Players Pape

Michael Jordan: Beyond Personal Glory Michael Jordan is the only athlete to have ever gained the middle name "Air" because of his unbelievable ability to soar through the sky before he smashes the ball through the rim. He has managed to defy all obstacles ever thrown his way within the sport of basketball, earning his reputation as the most competitive and determined player in the NBA. Over the span of Michael Jordan's 18 year long career in the NBA, he has enjoyed world wide attention and recognition as the ambassador of basketball. Jordan has influenced basketball players around the globe and, with his own shoes and clothing brand, along with his artistic way of handling himself on the court, has developed a style of his own within the sport. Michael Jordan can be considered the foremost leader of the enlightenment in the sport of basketball. I myself am the owner of two pairs of Jordan shoes, which I consider to be my favorite shoes, although I certainly realize that Jordan's merchandise is way too expensive and I along with the rest of the basketball fanatics am being suckered in to paying large sums of money for an image. Ever since I started my journey as a basketball player, Michael Jordan has been an idol and a role model for me to follow in my quest to reach my own goals as an athlete. I have devoured all the information about this man I could possibly attain and have been inspired by his life as a basketball player as well as a role model off the court. Many people characterize Michael Jordan as a typical athlete, who was successful within his sport, but because of his personal flaws and his self-destructive competitiveness never managed to exceed the level of other very competent and well known athle... ...el, Michael Jordan is a brand name." Nieman Reports, Vol. 53 Issue3, p41. Grimm, Mathiew. "Over Jordan." Brandweek, Vol. 40 Issue 6, p. 24. Hirsch, Phil. "Should his Airness be a Cultural Icon?" http://www.geocities.com/colosseum/Field/1307/newspaper.html. Lipsyte, Robert. Michael Jordan: A Life above the rim. New York, NY: Harper Collins,c1994. "Michael Jordan." American Decades CD-ROM. Gale Research, 1998. "Michael Jordan." Contemporary Black Biography, New York: Gale Group 1999. "Michael Jordan." Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2nd ed. New York: Gale Research,1998. "Jordan's Wife Juanita Files for Divorce." http://espn.go.com/nba/news/2002/0107/1307442.html. "Michael Jordan Foundation." http://www.delorisjordan.com/page/MJpage.html.Dec.1. "Michael Jordan." Notable Black American Men. New York: Gale Research, 1998.

Cataracts Treatment

Prevention & Treatment Wearing UV-protecting sunglasses and regular intake of antioxidants may slow the development of cataracts. N-acetylcarnosine eye drops is topical non-surgical treatment of cataracts, which can improve transmissivity and reduce glare sensitivity. The most common types of surgical treatments include intracapsular cataract extraction (ICCE), Extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) and phacoemulsification (Phaco). Surgical removal is more effective for stopping cataract formation.Progression of cataracts can be slowed by avoiding large amounts of ultraviolet light, not  smoking, and following a healthy diet. Wearing UV-protection sunglasses when exposed to sunlight can be helpful. Non-surgical Topical  treatment (eye drops) with the less well-known antioxidant  N-acetylcarnosine  has been shown in randomized controlled clinical trials to improve transmissivity and reduce glare sensitivity for patients with cataracts. Surgical: Currently, the most effective treatment for cataracts is surgical removal. Medications cannot stop cataract formation.They most common types of surgical treatment include: intracapsular cataract extraction (ICCE) Extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) phacoemulsification (Phaco) intracapsular cataract extraction involved removal of the entire lens and its supporting structures. Extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) and phacoemulsification (Phaco) involves removal of the cataract leaving the posterior capsule intact. The difference between ECCE and Phaco is the size of the incision and the technique of cataract removal. With ECCE, the incision is approximately 6 millimeters.The central nucleus of the cataract is removed by gentle external expression. Then the incision is closed with about 3 sutures. By comparison, a Phaco incision is only approximately 2 millimeters. Ultrasound energy dissolves the nucleus and it is aspirated through a small instrument. The incision may or may not require any sutures to clo se it. Phaco can offers the patient the quickest recovery both techniques (Msics and Phaco)gave similar results, but that manual small-incision surgery is faster, less expensive, and less technology-dependent than phaco- emulsification.Thus manual small-incision surgery appeared more appropriate in low-income countries. 6,7 A systematic review provides evidence from seven RCTs that phacoemulsification gives a better outcome than ECCE with sutures. We also found evidence that ECCE with a posterior chamber lens implant provides better visual outcome than ICCE with aphakic glasses. The long term effect of posterior capsular opacification (PCO) needs to be assessed in larger populations. The data also suggests that ICCE with an anterior chamber lens implant is an effective alternative to ICCE with aphakic glasses, with similar safety.Phacoemulsification provides the best visual outcomes but will only be accessible to the poorer countries if the cost of phacoemulsification and foldable I OLs decrease. Manual small incision cataract surgery provides early visual rehabilitation and comparable visual outcome to PHACO. It has better visual outcomes than ECCE and can be used in any clinic that is currently carrying out ECCE with IOL. Further research from developing regions are needed to compare the cost and longer term outcomes of these procedures e. g. PCO and corneal endothelial cell damage.In more than 95% of cases, a new lens, known as a lens implant or intraocular lens is inserted at the same time as the cataract removal. Although modern techniques have made cataract surgery quite safe, complications can occur with any surgical procedure, including cataract extraction. These include hemorrhage, infection, loss of a portion of the cataract into the eye, displacement of the intraocular lens, glaucoma, and  retinal detachment. Fortunately, all these complications are rare and usually can be managed. Blindness is a rare complication of cataract surgery. http://www. c ataractcare. com. au/

First day of middle school Essay

I WAS VERY NERVOUS WHEN I GOT ON THE BUS BECAUSE I DIDN’T KNOW ANYBODY. I NOTICED ONE GIRL FROM MY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, BUT SHE DIDN’T TALK TO ME FOR TWO DAYS. WHILE I WAS ON THE BUS I INTRODUCED MYSELF TO A BOY NAMED TOMMIE AND WE BECAME FRIENDS. EVERY SINCE I SPOKE THAT DAY, TOMMIE AND HAVE BEEN CLOSE. WE HAVE EACH OTHERS BACK WITH CLASS WORK AND HOMEWORK. DURING LUNCH TOMMIE SAVED ME A SEAT, OUR LOCKERS ARE CLOSE BY EACH OTHER AND WE HAVE SEVERAL CLASSES TOGETHER. I STARTED TO LOOSEN UP AS THE DAY PROGRESSED BECAUSE I REALIZED. MIDDLE SCHOOL IS NOT ALL THAT BAD. MY FIRST PERIOD TEACHER SCARED ME BECAUSE SHE HAD ADEEPVOICE THAT CAUGHT MY ATTENTION. NOW THAT TIME IS PASSING IM MEETING MORE FRIENDS, MORE FRIENDLY TEACHERS AND STAFF. I HAVE LEARNED MY SCHEDULE WHICH IS DIVIDED INTO TWO DAYS ADAYAND B DAY. I LEARNED HOW TO DO THINGS IN A TIMELY MATTER BECAUSE WE CANT BE LATE TO CLASS OR THE BUS. IM STARTING TO SHOW MORE RESPONABLITIES SINCE ENROLLING IN BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE ACADEMY egg pupa larva GET STARTED RIGHT AWAY. This placeholder text includes tips to help you quickly format your report and add other elements, such as a chart, diagram, or table of contents. You might be amazed at how easy it is. LOOK GREAT EVERY TIME †¢Need a heading? On the Home tab, in the Styles gallery, just click the heading you want. Notice other styles in that gallery as well, such as for a quote or a numbered list. †¢You might like the photo on the cover page as much as we do, but if it’s not ideal for your report, right-click it and then click Change Picture to add your own. †¢Adding a professional-quality graphic is a snap. In fact, when you add a chart or a SmartArt diagram from the Insert tab, it automatically matches the look of your report. GIVE IT THAT FINISHING TOUCH Need to add a table of contents or a bibliography? No sweat. ADD A TABLE OF CONTENTS It couldn’t be easier to add a table of contents to your report. Just click in the document where you want the TOC to appear. Then, on the References tab, click Table of Contents and then click one of the Automatic options. When you do, the TOC is inserted and text you formatted using Heading 1, Heading 2, and Heading 3 styles is automatically added to it. ADD A BIBLIOGRAPHY On the References tab, in the Citations & Bibliography group, click Insert Citation for the option to add sources and then place citations in the document. 2 When you’ve added all the citations you need for your report, on the References tab, click Bibliography to insert a formatted bibliography in your choice of styles. And you’re done. Nice work!      

Social Security act of 1935 essays

Social Security act of 1935 essays During the 1930s the Great Depression triggered a crises in the nations economic life. The Great Depression left millions people unemployed and penniless. President Franklin D. Roosevelts administration searched for a way to jump-start the economy. This was that backbone of the Social Security Act of 1935. On August 14, 1935 President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the original social security act. The original social security act was part of Franklin D. Roosevelts plan called The New Deal. The New Deal was created to help jump-start the economy by provider unemployed workers with jobs. The original social security act was created to help retired workers, by paying them a continuing income after retirement. Today social security has grown to become an essential factor of modern life. One in every six Americans receives a social security benefit and about ninety-eight percent of all workers are in jobs covered by social security. Over time the original social security act has went through many changes and amendments. Some of the important changes the original social security act went through was is broaden to include survivor benefits, disability benefits, health-care benefits, and automatic cost-of-living adjustments. Its first amendment was in 1939, which added two new categories to the benefits. These categories are payment of the spouse and minor children of retired workers and survivor benefits paid to family in the event of the premature death of the worker. In 1950 it went through its second amendment which raised benefits for the first time ever and placed the program on the road to the virtually universal coverage it has today. Then it went through its third amendment, which added a disability insurance program that provides the public with additional coverage against economic insecurity. In 1956 the social security act was amended to provided benefits to disabled workers. ...

Public Officials And Morals Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Public Officials And Morals - Essay Example Negative talks on differences between people such as on ethnicity, race, gender, and age should be avoided at all costs. This is so because people emulate and take to heart the words of these officials and may even act upon them hence fueling hatred amongst people. An example of this is in the African countries that experience civil wars which are fueled and sometimes caused by their elected public officials. Their hatred talks on other tribes and ethnic groups have been seen to lead to fights amongst the citizens as was the case in the Rwandan genocide. Their behavior when in that elected public post should also be one without blemishes even though they are human and are bound to mistakes. They should try to avoid situations that will not stand well with the public that elected them making them regret their decision, showing bad decision-making ability and embarrassing their family and friends. The most common of these situations to avoid is engaging in extramarital affairs while st ill in office. This is morally wrong as it downplays the value of family, the virtue of faithfulness as well as setting a bad example to the young generation by showing that immorality is not a bad thing. An example of this is in the Clinton Lewinsky sex scandal where Bill Clinton who held the highest public office in the United States where the public had elected him to be showed lack of moral exemplary behavior and judgment by engaging in sexual relations with a white house intern while he had a wife.

Understanding customer service Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Understanding customer service - Essay Example While these moments keep occurring within a business, capturing these moments remains essential in enhancing business performance. The identification of such moments therefore becomes essential in reacting to the moment of truth presented to a businessperson. Jan Carlzon’s moment of truth focused on instances when businesspersons came into contact with customers. While the customer remains the most influential stakeholder to the success of business, this might not be the only moment of truth. Coming into contact with customer, however, remains a significant moment because the business becomes enabled to learn about the perceptions of the customer (Carlzon 1989). Understanding these feeling and perceptions remains essential in making customer service better. Within service focused businesses, this aspect of contacting the customer remains essential as the customer consumes the services directly. Within a manufacturing industry the instances of making such contact become increasingly limited. Customers rarely have direct contact with the company and the moment of truth could be encountered through the products delivered. Encounters with realistic experiences enable visualization of experiences based on the perceptions of other individuals. Companies can improve their performance through addressing various issues occurring within a moment of truth, by initiating essential changes into business operations. Not all interactions with customers could be defined as moments of truth. Increased focus on customer interactions could provide misleading information regarding the expectations of other people regarding the business products and services. Business products can enable business customers to make decisions regarding company products or services. Moments of truth can be established through analysis of company performance, based on the vision and mission of the company. This aspect defines