Monday, September 30, 2019
Additive Layer Manufacturing for Aerospace Parts Essay
ES Technology has revealed that additive layer manufacturing (ALM) for direct part production has been embraced by a number of manufacturing sectors, not least the aerospace industry The ability to produce components in a range of materials including hot-work steels, stainless steel, cobalt chromes and Inconel, plus titanium and aluminium alloys, presents the aerospace industry with large potential for direct part production using ALM. ALM has already been used to produce small and medium-sized aerospace components, and having realised the potential of the process, aerospace manufacturers are seeking to produce larger, more complex parts. Material Solutions operates an ALM applications development centre with a particular focus on the aerospace sector. Carl Brancher of Material Solutions, said: ‘ALM in high-performance materials is well suited for complex thin-walled structures in gas turbines. ‘However, as a new technology it is not yet well understood or validated by potential users and, like all manufacturing processes, to get the best from metal ALM requires the designer to understand the process capabilities and materials’ mechanical properties,’ he added. Brancher said Materials Solutions is bridging this gap by providing manufactured parts, consulting (principally to the aerospace market), and working with equipment and materials vendors to develop the technology for mass production. See more: Masters of Satire: John Dryden and Jonathan Swift Essay The collaboration between Material Solutions and its industry clients has so far led to the production of a range of components over the last three years. This programme has now reached the limit of component size that can be produced using the existing Material Solutions ALM systems. With the continuing pressure from aerospace manufacturers to develop the capability to produce larger parts, Material Solutions turned to Concept Laser to explore the potential for building larger components using Concept Laser’s M3 linear system. The fundamental principles of the M3 linear make it a novel development in the world of ALM. Unlike other machines the M3 linear does not have fixed optics but a combination of galvo scanning mirrors and linear direct drives to move the scanning head. Already used to build larger volume components, the M3 linear has all of the pre-requisites for up-scaling to enable production of the types of components envisaged by the aerospace industry. It is not only the physical attributes of the system that lend themselves to production of large components but the process control and laser scanning strategy already developed by Concept Laser, which will eliminate the potential pitfalls of accuracy errors on large components. Having established the potential of the M3 linear machine, Material Solutions set out to design a test component that would qualify certain build criteria and which could also be used to educate and inform aerospace designers of ‘Additive Friendly’ design features and techniques. These include reducing supports and using larger flowing radii to assist in reducing the time to build and subsequently, component production and finishing costs. The test part incorporates many features such as small diameter holes, threaded features, thin rib sections and areas of thick material section all typically found in aerospace components. The greatest challenges for Concept Laser were that a component of this size had never before been built and added to this the part was required in an unexpectedly short timescale. The finished component demonstrates the current capabilities of the technology in terms of size (300mm diameter), accuracy and surface finish. While this part does not yet satisfy the ultimate demands of aerospace manufacturers it clearly confirms the capabilities of the process, the scalable potential of Concept Laser’s M3 linear machine and the sound base which Concept Laser have for further development of the M3 linear for large aerospace components. There are also practical aspects to be considered when building large parts. Larger volume components require greater volumes of powder and hence a robust and stable platform to accommodate the weight. Having then built a large volume, and potentially very heavy component, safe and easy removal is essential. The M3 linear machine is built around a substantial fabricated framework and already incorporates a removable build module enabling the module and component to be easily positioned under an overhead crane if required. The success of this exercise and the current collaboration between Material Solutions and Concept Laser will be used to define the future strategies that will eventually see parts manufactured by ALM techniques leave the laboratory and take to the air.
Sunday, September 29, 2019
Galapagos Island Case Essay
Introduction Geographical                    The geographical mapping of Galapagos Island is able to support both aquatic life and terrestrial life due to its adverse favorable climatic conditions. This is because this island lies in the Pacific Ocean about 999   km from the South American coast and straddling the Equator. Due to this smart geographical condition, there is abundant biodiversity of both flora and fauna. Galapagos Island is one of 13 islands that is currently inhabited, with a total population of 30,000 people. According to the latest survey, the Galapagos Marine Reserve occupies roughly 139,000 square kilometers. This large natural habitat can support huge mass of living creatures if protection measures are put in place to safe the endangered species. The island was recognized as world heritage site due to abundant living things that are not easily found elsewhere, but only exist in this prestigious island. Galapagos Island Biodiversity                   This island is blessed with abundant biodiversity, which enables it to have its natural heritage. Galapagos has specific niche to many unique, endemic animals. Naturally, some of these animals are fearless due to lack of natural enemies. This is a usual case for some of marine life. The only enemy is man due to his agribusiness activities and his new technologies concerning marine science, fishing and tourism. For example, the giant tortoise has gradually evolved into several distinct forms on the different islands of the archipelago. The reason being, these tortoise have no natural predators except man during the 17th and 18th centuries when buccaneers and pirates used the islands as a staging post. This is the only time when these tortoises were being used as delicacies. The Galapagos Island has several species of reptiles. They include, the marine iguana, which is a herbivore that grazes on seaweed, land iguanas, lizards, geckos, lava and snakes. Some of the native terrestrial mammals include rats that prefer grassy areas or wheat and rice plantation and two species of bat. Other common creatures are finches. There are several species of finches. Some are small brownish, soil like finches that are adapted to a range of different foods. These are known as Darwin’s finches. The name was coined after the father of evolution sir Charles Darwin because they have been important to scientists trying to study how evolution occurs this is because of different beak types. They include the tool-using woodpecker finch. Other endemic terrestrial birds include hawk, flycatcher, rail and other species of mocking birds. All these birds have specific characters that feature in them and are the only birds found in Galapagos.           Among the endemic aquatic birds are a flightless cormorant, two species of gull, and one penguin species that live in tropical waters. Going on, Sea lions and fur seals occur along the coasts, while dolphins, whales and sea turtles are also common. Other species of fish are found along the seashores. Several species of insects, cryoptera, spiders, mites, slugs, land snails, seashells, starfishes and urchins, crabs, and many other smaller invertebrates occur.             Beside different kinds of animals, the island supports different types of fauna. The plants of           Galapagos are equally fascinating and attractive. In the highlands, there occur many species of endemic Scalesia tree that is characterized by having daisies, as well as tree ferns, bromeliads and orchids. Along the coasts are mangrove forest and huge prickly pear and candelabra cacti. The Brachycereus cacti are adapted to less fertile lava flows. The lava flow is a remnant of volcanic activities that erupted in the past . Note that Galapagos Island is a product of those volcanic activities. The shores can support many vivid morning glories and mats of bright red sesuvium. Galapagos also has its very own, endemic species of cotton, tomato, pepper, guava and passionflower that are not exotic. Kinds of plants, especially those belonging to the daisy phylum, have gradually evolved on the different niche in this island into whole arrays of endemic species. This again provides bio-conservationist with classic examples of adaptive speciation. Biodiversity threats.                 Currently, the Galapagos Islands are among the best nation parks with tropical archipelago in the world. Despite being rich in its pristine nature, it faces challenges and extinction threats to the only unique type of biodiversity in the island. Actually foreign species sneaked in by naughty ship workers, pirates and other evil-minded foreigners are some of human intrusions that adversely pose a major threat to native terrestrial biodiversity. Another factor is spilling of oils in the seawater and during mosquitos’ control. Several myriad of invasive plants and animals vectored in by man’s day to days operations, inhabit the island adding more competition in the food chain. . Some of these foreign plants include food crops like quinine, guava and blackberry. In the operation process, harmful weeds and parasitic plants are introduced in new territories of this Island.            Animals in this category of invasive species include both domesticated and wild, for example, goats, Netherlands pigs, Asian dogs, cats, rats and fire ants. Some of introduced species in Galapagos Island include rodents like the black rat, Norwegian rat and house hold mouse. These rodents are disastrous as they feed on the native wildlife of the islands, including plants, seeds, bird’s eggs and chicks, reptile’s eggs and young ones. This way the rodents threaten the fragile ecosystem of the islands and are responsible for extinctions on islands biodiversity worldwide. The rodents also pose a great risk to human health by spreading zoonotic infections.[1]  Beside that, rodents are agricultural and household pests. They are vectors to fleas, worms and other protozoan. It is known that some nematodes that affect rats can invade other small animals and plants through evolution. [2]              Some species, such as the mangrove habitat birds like finch species such as C. heliobates, the Galapagos petrel and the flightless cormorant are endangered somehow due to reduced populations caused by fluctuating reproductive system. Much tourism during breeding seasons increases animal stress and disturbance. This interferes with reproductive systems. Other endemic birds in the island are the tree finches such as Certhidea olivacea and Camarhynchus psittacula.                  The Galapagos birds are already under threat from invasive rodents. The interference from both natural effects and human activities is a threat to Galapagos penguin and other aquatic bird species From a case study, it was observed that, 22 to 23.5 percent of the endemic plant species and 48.9 to 51 percent of the vertebrate species are considered endangered. Some of these problems have existed for more than a century due to negligence and ignorance by the government and other environmentalists.          Global warming which is a feature of human adverse pollution to the environment has endangered marine life. Snow and ice melting is a threat to some of marine creatures. Another threat to the biodiversity is that, Galapagos is undergoing an enormous cycle of economic and population growth that is accelerated by external markets and competition. External pressures are accompanied by increased threats to native biodiversity that drag be hide conservation efforts. Some of these threats as stated are the arrival of invasive species, over-harvesting of marine resources, for example, almost more than 90 million sharks are killed a year, mainly for their fins. They are fetched from the sea purposely for their fins and not the flesh. This barbaric altitude can wipe sharks in the near future if pouching will not stop. When sharks become wiped, tourism industry would be greatly affected making the economy of Galapagos to dwindle. Lastly, more frequent pollution events like agribusiness activities interfere with biota.  Agricultural farming involves use of several chemicals that interfere with the marine life. This mostly occurs when these chemicals find their way into the sea either by drainage or through silting.      Indirectly, enormous demand growths on the biodiversity of the islands are due to the international tourism industry and aquatic or marine resources. These are some of global factors driving business growth in Galapagos. This huge developments act as catalysts for the growth of the Galapagos human population. This has consequently, resulted to the needs for greater local access to basic natural resources and public services to catch up with the increasing human population and competition; this creates new social and political stresses in the islands. Poor distribution of resources and income from the protected areas discourages self-motive for conservation. Internal conflicts due to external market impact do not address conservation of biodiversity. Lack of awareness on importance of conservation biology in the Island, and non-instrumental professionals lead to failures to re-address the issue of endangering the species.  Conservation  methods and the needs to protecting the biodiversity.     After describing most of endangered species in this island, it is good to focus on and advocate scientific Conservation methods of both flora and fauna. Preservation of the endangered species and the environment is a complex process that requires strong machinery force. Therefore, without government and non-government back-up, this project cannot succeed. Proper programs need to be set up to outsource services and other strategic means, including funding to enhance successive conservation. In Galapagos Island, several foundations currently help to fund this project. Nevertheless, the funding is not enough to meet all the necessary measures. For example, the Galapagos Conservation project, Charles Darwin Foundation, The Galapagos Conservatory etc cannot meet these challenges without aid from donor funds. This is because to educate the whole nation about the importance of conservation, and other necessary measures is a big issue that requires donor’s aid. Actually, you should propose on external exhibitions on the needs to conserve the biodiversity, another suggestion is experienced experts need to be produced, proper fishing items that cannot fish on small or immature fishes are supposed to be bought, some motor boats should be available to control and survey fishing mechanism of both legitimate and illegitimate fishermen. Propose on preservative fringes and other necessary items bearing in mind that some items are expensive for the local people.               The government should implement measures to curtail behaviors that can lead to eradication of endangered species. These measures should include controlling pouching, smuggling, pirating and illegal immigration. In this case, Patrolling water navy and vigilante groups should be brought up in order to mitigate fishing of sharks. The use of this system for monitoring fishing vessels would enhance trapping the vessels that carry out these highly destructive fishing practices and thus provide evidence to the port police authorities so that the illegal fishing activities may be stopped. This process can only succeed with the help of local anglers of the islands and our long efforts to promote sustainable fishing practices, to limit the use of destructive fishing techniques.           Boundaries need to be restricted and observed to avoid importation of foreign organisms. This should be a foundation to remove corrupt inhabitants off the islands. People should be educated through civic education that incorporates biological and social sciences to create awareness on conservation biology. Farming methods that protect the environment should be implemented e.g. restrict any use of harmful farming methods.  Institution of higher learning should be set up to offer degree courses on conservation biology. This is because local young Ecuadorian conservationists do not have the necessary qualifications to move forward in their careers. Galapagos scientists need to be empowered with doctors of philosophy to rise to the positions of future responsibility. Surprisingly, the Charles Darwin Foundation comprises foreign scientists such as American or European as the most learned barons who cannot dedicate their service fully. The government through its own funding or by donors fund should focus on establishing environmental exhibition and communication activities. This is a valid proposal to create awareness and to inspire stewardship on Island farming and cultural behaviors that can enhance conservation. Some of the undertakings that the government should do is protecting the national parks and resorts. Furthermore, conservationist and other well-wishers have supported by saving giant tortoise from extinction. They should focus on methods of interval counting of the endangered species and reduction of their predators.            The national Park Service and the Ecuadorian government are reforming a bit of clauses that safeguard wildlife. Restrictions are imposed against the residents of the islands in the form of pouching restrictions. This include, restrict fishing within certain miles of the shores and out of the swimming patterns of the endangered species in the islands. It is also illegal on the island to hunt any terrestrial animals and the offence is jail term and revocation of the citizenship on the island. These are among the tough measures that ministry of wild life in conjunction with the environmentalist are imposing to conserve the endangered species. You should pressurize on review of important sections in the country constitution that safeguard the wild life. Some nuisance pests need to be eradicated for example, rats, parasitic weeds and plants, since some fish such as sharks suffer from animal stress due to tourism visitors. These areas have been classified as non-go zones, which mean that the number of motor boats and visitors in the water can be regulated. However, many areas have still to be restricted. People should be sensitized on zonotic infections caused by some of these foreign organisms. Funding to help identification of breeding zones for sharks and the monitoring of population increase in coastal areas are important areas of research that can aid in conservation. Breeding and nestling parameters, which are essential for shark conservation, are not yet understood. In case of preserving sharks that attract a lot of tourism, conservation funds would assist in monitoring and identifying sharks movements and breeding patterns. Eradication of animals and plants, which pose a threat to the existing of the eco system, is a noble idea that is facilitated by the National Park service.                             Conclusion.         Conservation biology in the Galapagos is important because the work done by the Galapagos National Park to protect the biodiversity of the Galapagos Islands is unique. What to protect and the methods to be used depend on scientific knowledge and government back up. This will include careful study, research and interpretation of existing data on wildlife. The funding requested will be required to help local residents to become a leader of their own future. Without the necessary research, awareness, funds and dedication provided by the Galapagos Conservation Trust, this valuable habitat and its unique wildlife will become a history.       The fact is extinction would be due to human intrusion. This adversely leads to loss of biodiversity. The consequences are loss of marine life and disappearance of native terrestrial animals and plants.  Many species of wildlife will be extinct, species that have been a pivotal point in the discovery of natural selection. The advancement of these studies that is so important to science will be lost. There are many species in Galapagos Islands that are not analyzed. The destruction of the sensitive ecosystem could destroy these species forever.  Apparently, tourism sector would be greatly affected this Island biodiversity becomes extinct. Tourism is growing at an enormous rate of 4% per year and is expected to continue at this rate. The need for support functions in the industry continues to provide significant job opportunities for the local residents. Indirectly, the national economy would be greatly affected hence currency fluctuation and instability.        To avoid this disastrous situation, conservation biology should be addressed from all perspective. Reference: Sharon L. Spray, Karen Leah (2003) Revelation of species: Loss of Biodiversity Pg 34, Row man and Littlefield – Publisher The islands’ biodiversity, retrieved on 31st August 2007, available at  www.tiscali.co.uk The Galapagos Islands, retrieved on 31st  August 2007, available at   www.darwinfoundation.org/ Galapagos biodiversity vision, retrieved on 31st   August 2007, available at www.worldwildlife.org/ Unique biodiversity of the islands, retrieved on 31st  August 2007, available at  www.gct.org Galapagos conservation, available at  www.wam.umd.edu  Environmental solutions, available at www.environment [3] [1] Tick- and flea-borne rickettsial emerging zoonoses File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat – View as HTML The rat flea, Xenop-. sylla cheopis, is the main vector of murine †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Not well characterized Molecular evidence of infection †¦ www.vetres.org/articles/vetres/pdf/2005/03/v4057. [2] zole, levamisole) of helminths coupled with improved man- †¦ effect on nematode. Four dilutions of each plant extract (0.5–2.0 mg/mL) available at www.liebertonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1089/acm.2006.12 [3]
Saturday, September 28, 2019
The Roman Empire experienced a period of greatness before it Essay
The Roman Empire experienced a period of greatness before it eventually declined and fell in 476 A.D. Discuss the reasons for th - Essay Example Some reasons are definite and some remains a mystery. Among the greatest empires known is the Roman Empire and just like any other empire, it also experienced its rise, peak as well as its decline and fall. The Roman Empire began in 27 BC, coming after the Roman Republic which lasted for about five hundred years. It experienced great expansion and a burst of a rich culture. After many great years of rising to greatness in name and number, the Roman Empire began to decline. There were also a number of different grounds of its disintegration and eventually, its collapse and end. One of the supposed main reasons was the coming apart of the Roman Empire, separating and dividing the West and the East, which is also known as the Byzantium Empire. During its time, there were also more than a few civil wars that occurred repeatedly and frequently which caused disarray and unruliness in the people. Some of the Roman emperors like Commodus indulged in the life filled with immorality. He also p racticed violence, which brought about his murder and assassination. This resulted in the beginning of the collapse of the empire. The Roman people in the end lost their power and rule as barbaric groups and rebels in the North often assaulted and attacked. The Roman army started to become unfaithful and disloyal to the empire.
Friday, September 27, 2019
Forbidden practices, food, and drinks in Islam Research Paper
Forbidden practices, food, and drinks in Islam - Research Paper Example In the western world and in other major religion dating and premarital sex is generally accepted but this is a forbidden act among Muslims. Young persons of the opposite sex are not allowed to be together by themselves. One could question how does a relationship develops between young persons which can lead to marriage. There is a systematic way in which this can be done. Persons of the same sex are encouraged to foster good friendships that they will have for a lifetime. Through these friendships they will get to know families of their friends and this can lead to potential marriage at the appropriate time. Marriage just does not happen as is the practice of couples who are non-Muslims. It follows a pattern. Firstly the young person inquires of Allah as to who the person should be. He asks for spiritual help in finding the right person. On a personal level the family communicates among the members of the family who the partner should be. It is normal for the parents to approach anot her family where there is a potential partner. Even after the couple and the family decide that the marriage should take place, the two persons who have decided to marry will never meet alone, by themselves. They always have to be accompanied by others. This action is a direct command given by the Prophet Muhammad who warns against the potential danger of two unmarried persons of the opposite sex meeting alone. â€Å"Not one of you should meet a woman alone unless she is accompanied by a relative. Whenever a man is alone with a woman, Satan is the third among them.†Muslims are forbidden to marry blood relatives or persons from another religion. Blood relatives include parents, sisters, brothers, foster parents, in-laws, maternal and paternal uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews. There are some days which Muslims do not chose to get married. Days such as the day when the death of the Prophet is commemorated and other days of mourning are forbidden days for persons who are gettin g married. There are some sexual acts that are forbidden even between married couples. One of the most common one is the law of Islam that forbids men to have sexual intercourse with their wives during the time of their menstrual periods. This law is mentioned in the Quran. â€Å"Menstruation is a discomfort. Do not establish sexual relations with them during their menses and do not approach them until the blood stops. Then when they have cleansed themselves, you go into them as Allah has commanded you. There is a technical period and terminology that goes with the definition for menstruation. It is not considered to be menstruation if the bleeding occurs less than three day. It is called menstruation if it runs between three and ten days. Similarly a woman who has a menstrual period for over ten days can have sexual relations with her husband on the eleventh day since this would be termed as irregular bleeding. Husbands are also not allowed to have sex with their wives during the day in the month of Ramadan, for ten days after the woman has given birth and also during the time the couple is on pilgrimage to Mecca. Homosexuality and other unnatural sexual acts are strictly forbidden in Islam. There is also reference in the Quran about homosexuality. â€Å"Do ye commit lewdness such as no people in creation committed before you? For ye practice your lusts on men in preference to women: ye are indeed a people transgressing beyond bounds.â€
Thursday, September 26, 2019
Outsourcing of US Jobs Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words
Outsourcing of US Jobs - Essay Example omotes efficiency and cost reduction so companies can maintain their competitiveness, sending American jobs overseas hurts America because our economy depends on jobs at all levels in order to continue functioning. The economy is suffering from this practice and it will continue to do so because Americans are forced to compete for jobs at pay levels well below the standard of living. The secondary problem with outsourcing is that companies can visit abuse on their employees and the workers have no way of protecting themselves. Even some companies have found that outsourcing isn’t as profitable as they had once thought it would be. When American businesses outsource, it seems that everyone loses. As Americans began to raise concerns about job losses, major companies gave their reassurances that this was only happening to the â€Å"low-end†jobs. This would weed out the lower end, highly repetitive and unskilled labor, leaving better jobs for Americans to fill. These early rounds of "globalization" cost millions of U.S. jobs, but various experts assured Americans that this should not be a major concern because these were blue collar "rust belt" jobs. Old technology, they claimed. Manufacturing is passà ©. The U.S. would enter the new global economy with the new technology. Information, services, cutting-edge research and developmentâ€â€these would be the clean, high-paying jobs that would keep America on top. (Jasper, 2006) This promise has been revealed to be an empty one as Americans watch more jobs leave the United States as outsourcers move up the ladder to target higher skilled jobs such as engineering, medicine and legal research. Between 2003 and 2008 finan cial service companies have moved approximately 500,000 American jobs overseas. Seen in the chart below are the companies with the highest numbers of outsourced workers overseas. These 10 companies alone are responsible for outsourcing nearly 200,000 jobs. These certainly aren’t the only companies
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
VP candidates Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words
VP candidates - Essay Example This would result in Medicare going bankrupt by 2016, and this shows that they do not want to preserve Medicare at all. Biden claims that their new plan will be called voucher care. Biden then continues to attack Republicans by putting down their idea of needing to act now. They want to reduce the national debt, but they have rejected all proposals brought forward by the Democrats. Biden finishes on the same theme of courage by saying that the Republican plan is not courage and it is not fair. Joe Biden seems to be Obama’s attack dog in that all he ever does is come out and criticize Republicans. This speech showed that he did not offer any way forward and only dismissed the Republicans’ claims. Paul Ryan begins by saying that American values remain as strong as they were during the days of the founding fathers. He also says that Republicans’ rights come from nature and god and not from government. Going back to his theme of the founding fathers, Ryan says that the nation’s founding father secured these rights and it is up to people today to uphold those ideals. Ryan also says that we have the right to choose our own leaders. Something interesting that he says is that he refers to â€Å"you,†which is something that Biden did not do when speaking. Other values that Ryan talks about include leadership and responsibility. A stark contrast is made over the issues of America’s founding principles. Ryan says that Republicans will reapply the founding principles while, without referring to them by name, Ryan says that the Democrats will replace America’s founding principles. Ryan uses repetition at one stage to get a point across (he repeats the words ‘we can do this’ over and over again). Ryan then makes an appeal for everyone to work together to build a better future, and he says that Romney and himself will do just that. Paul Ryan came across as a
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
Tikka enterprise and saffronspices Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words
Tikka enterprise and saffronspices - Essay Example the population of Indians in Scotland is large, the deal between the Tikka enterprises and Saffron Spice’s was that Tikka will be taught on how to prepare Indian foods. The task given to the Scottish company is the causative element of the conflict. In this case, socialization and interaction between team members dictate that there must be a hierarchy among the group members. Also, there must exist a limited resource/ need that every group member is struggling to attain (Furnell, 17). The conflict can be solved easily if both parties, especially, the Saffron Spice’s enterprise moves to court and make agreements with Barbara in the presence of the justice system. Naresh will, therefore, have a filed document that can sue the counterpart enterprise if they do not adhere to the agreement and make the required payments. For Tikka enterprises, both Indians and Scottish can be prepared different meals so that they can keep authentic food preferred by each race. Hence, this will improve the business (Furnell 7). In conclusion, satisfaction is the key factor in every business. On the other hand, every company wants to make maximum profits out of the ready market. Therefore, both companies can decide to operate the business together such that Indians are employed to cook for their fellow
Monday, September 23, 2019
The Bauhaus Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words
The Bauhaus - Research Paper Example Most of these were political in nature, and this is the difference between the German art of this period, and the one that was being advocated by Walter Gropius. Therefore, the principle of Bauhaus was not political, and this was able to appeal to a large group of people, which in turn led to the embrace of these principles of Bauhaus. Furthermore, the influence of Bauhaus is depicted on the works of William Morris. William Morris denoted that there is no need of creating a boundary between function and form, and art should always carter for the needs of the society. This was a major principle and teachings of art that was advocated by the Bauhaus. Another important achievement of Bauhaus is modernism. Modernism was a cultural movement tracing its origins from the late 1880s. For instance, before the set up of the institution, the principles of functionality, mass production, and the merger of arts, and crafts had began in Germany. These are some of the ideals of Bauhaus. In the year 1907, Deutscher Werkbund, a German national designer’s organization had been formed under the leadership of Herman Muthesius to harness and collect the potentials of mass production with the single aim of maintaining Germans economy in its competitiveness with the English economy. Over the first few years the organization came to be known as the authoritative body on design in within Germany and was emulated by many other countries . The Bauhaus was founded when most of the German designers had moved.
Sunday, September 22, 2019
Estimating the Ebola Epidemic by Kai Kupferschmidt Case Study - 81
Estimating the Ebola Epidemic by Kai Kupferschmidt - Case Study Example Because of this, society should be open to multiple points of view and cultures, that is, have the characteristics of pluralism and multiculturalism.  Medicine has no boundaries, but people build them and then break them every day. The Ebola disease is a very acute problem of the last half of a year. Scientists and doctors create computer models to predict the countries which may next fall the victims to Ebola. Its rapid spread is a result of: â€Å"the modelers are hampered by the paucity of data on the current outbreak and lack of knowledge about how Ebola spreads." (Kupferschmidt 2014). But it is not only the problem of scientists but only of the governments.  So here we can say that the theory of a flexible political system and pluralism within the country, brought to life, could have been much more useful than creating models. If all the countries were able to cooperate in spite of the political/cultural and other disagreements the vaccine could have been found many years ago. The World’s Contest between the countries slows down their ability to cooperate. And one thing more, Popper was also a proponent of critical rationalism, the main ideas of which are based on the fact that: â€Å"the knowledge must be as objective as possible and doesn't depend on the judgment of individuals or groups†(Popper 1966) So, we can make an inference that if the modern scientists were more critical when studying some problems they may get better results. In the case of Ebola disease, here we can say that critical and much broader view on this case could help.  So, in conclusion, I would like to point out, that the problem of Ebola disease may be eliminated much earlier if the humanity would have accepted the point of view of K. Popper; medicine could develop quicker and better; the countries interrelations on the field of science would be better.
Saturday, September 21, 2019
Contemporary Canadian Business Law Essay Example for Free
Contemporary Canadian Business Law Essay A minor named Alice entered into a contract with Silver Flatware Ltd. for purchasing silverware on a long-term credit contract. The goods was delivered but the payment was not yet been fully made by Alice. Before she attain the age of majority, Alice repudiated the contract and refused to return the silverware. The company demanded a return of the silverware and refused to refund. The company sued Alice for the balance of purchase price. The legal issues in this case are whether Alice has the legal capacity to the contract and whether Alice has the right to repudiate the contract. If the second question is answered affirmative, what the effect of repudiation will occur in this case? Should Alice return the silverware and should she be liable to the lost of teaspoons? Finally, should the Silver Flatware Ltd. Refund the money had been paid by Alice? The plaintiff’s argument would be that the defendant must return the goods if she wants to repudiate the contract. The lost of teaspoons should be counted as damage to the goods and the plaintiff is entitled to recover the loss by charging compensation from the defendant. The defendant’s argument would be that she has the right to repudiate the contract since she was a minor while entering into the contract and she repudiated the contract before her attaining of the age of majority. The defendant has the option to repudiate the contract because the contract has not been fully performed and it was signed for purchasing non-necessary goods. The defendant was entitled to a return of the payment as she was a minor at the time she entered into the contract. The defendant was not liable to the lost of teaspoons since it was not a direct result of the minor’s deliberate act and it was not recoverable by the merchant. In my opinion, the probable decision of the court would be that the defendant must return the goods and the plaintiff must refund all the monies paid by the defendant. The defendant must return the goods before the plaintiff is obliged to return the monies paid. The defendant is not liable to the lost parts of the goods. The reasons for the probable decisions are as follows. Firstly, public policy dictates that minors should not be bound by their promises. The defendant did not have the legal capacity to a contract since she entered into the contract and repudiated the contract before her attaining of the age of majority. Secondly, the contract has not been fully performed as the defendant has not made full payment of the goods, so the contract is voidable at the defendant’s option. Thirdly, the goods purchased was a non-necessary goods since the silverwork is commonly considered as luxury but not necessary. Therefore, the plaintiff is not liable on such contract. According to the reasons stated above, the defendant who is a minor has the right to repudiate the contract at any time and at her option, for the reason of the contract has not been fully performed and it was for purchasing non-necessary goods. Additionally, once the contract has been repudiated, the minor is entitled to a return of any deposit paid to the adult contractor. Since the minor has purchased the goods on credit and taken delivery, the minor must return the goods before the merchant is obliged to return any monies paid. Finally, the loss of loosing teaspoons is not recoverable by the merchant because there is no evidence provided to proof that the loss is a direct result of the minor’s deliberate act.
Friday, September 20, 2019
Causes of Whooping Cough
Causes of Whooping Cough Abstract Introduction The genus Bordetella contains species of bacteria which are related serologically each displaying similar characteristics such as morphology, size and staining reactions (Website 1). The Bordetella genus is responsible for respiratory infections that are common in both people and animals (journal 1); Bordetella pertussis was first isolated in pure culture in 1906 and was long considered the sole causing factor of whooping cough. However, further studies revealed that mild forms of whooping cough could be caused by Bordetella parapertussis and on occasions Bordetella bronchiseptica (website 1). Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory illness that affects humans caused by the gram negative bacterial pathogen Bordetella pertussis. This particular pathogen is a strict human pathogen with no evidence of an impact on animals or the environment (journal 1). The disease can be characterised by bronchopneumonia, paroxysmal coughing and the distinctive ‘whooping’ intake of air. Pertussis is more prevelant in developing countries where essential medical care is often not available and disease (journal 2) Species Associated with Bordetella Bacteria that belong to the genus Bordetella are of importance to both paediatric and veterinary medicine due to their ability to colonise and multiply on the ciliated epithelial cells of the respiratory tract (journal 4) Nine species have been identified within the Bordetella genus to date, only three additional members, B. bronchiseptica, B. parapertussis and b. homlessi (journal 3). B. pertussis and B. parapertussis are extremely closely related according to their genomes; B. bronchiseptica, which by DNA-DNA and DNA-rRNA hybridisation are also closely related to the two previous species. A more recent addition to the genus includes B. avium (formerly known as Alceligenes faecalis) (website 1) which is described as a bird pathogen causes turkey coryza and other respiratory infections in fowl (journal 2). Another late addition includes B. hinzii (formerly known as A. faecalis type II), which can lead to respiratory disease in poultry and is very rarely found in humans (website 1). B. trematum has recently been proposed for a novel species isolated from human wounds and ear infections; although none of the new species identified were associated with respiratory infections, they are phylogenetically si milar to other members of the genus (journal 2). Transmission Infection typically begins with the bacterium entering the airways of the host via airborne droplets derived from the cough of an infected individual. The pathogen proceeds down the respiratory tract and adhering to ciliated epithelial cells of the trachea and nasopharnyx in the host. Once attachment has occurred, the pathogen proceeds to replicate and colonise any adjacent areas. As part of Bordetella’s extensive range of virulence factors, it secretes toxins that damage the epithelial cells, which results in the loss of ciliated cells; this process induces the characteristic coughing (journal 2). Virulence Factors The main objective of any pathogenic bacterium is to colonise and replicate by exploiting its environment to the fullest extent. This can be achieved by the bacterium controlling and producing specific factors that enable it to infect the host (journal 2). Many of the virulence factors characterised in the bordetellae are common across the three species (B. pertussis, B parapertussis and B. bronchiseptica). These include adhesions such as filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA), pertactin tracheal colonisation factor and fimbriae, and toxins including adenylate cyclasehemolysin, dermonecrotic and tracheal cytotoxin. Other virulence factors are expressed by just one of the species, such as the pertussis toxin and serum resistant protein secreted by B. pertussis or a type III secretion system expressed by the species B. bronchiseptica (Journal 5) Bvg Regulation The majority of virulence factors displaced by this genus are controlled by BvgAS regulatory locus, a two-component regulatory system. BvgA is a 23 kDa (journal 9) DNA binding response regulator (journal 8). BvgS is a 135 kDa (journal 9) transmembrane sensor protein kinase (journal 8). This system assists the transition of B. pertussis between its virulent phase of Bvg+ and its Bvg phase which is avirulent (JOURNAL 10). For both B. bronchiseptica and B. pertussis, in order for sufficient respiratory tract colonisation the Bvg+ phase is necessary (journal 8), this phase can be demonstrated when bacteria is grown on a rich media at 37Â °C (journal 11) BvgAS undergoes a series of phosphorelay signal transduction events in response to an environmental stimulus that leads to differential transcriptions of target genes. This regulatory system has a distinct intermediate phase, Bvg1 that can be achieved with the growth of bacteria in that conditions are between Bvg+ and Bvg phases (journal 11). BvgS undergoes autophosphorylation when there is an absence of modulators, after several steps the phosphate group is transferred to the amino terminal domain of the second component. The phosphorylation activates BvgA and binds to promoter regions located on B.pertussis virulence activated genes (Journal 12). Filamentous Haemagglutinin Many virulence factors of Bordetella pertussis are well characterised and any mutations in these factors causes significant reduction or complete loss of virulence. The bacteria adhere to ciliated cells of the epithelium in the upper section of the respiratory tract. The filamentous haemagglutinin (FHA) is the major adhesion present across B. pertussis, B. parapertussis and B. bronchiseptica (journal 6). This particular virulence factor is crucial in order for B. pertussis to attach the pathogen to the host cell. FHA is a 220-kDA surface associated protein that is secreted to the extracellular environment to assist the adherence to ciliated epithelial cells, therefore initiating the pathogenic cycle (Journal 2). However, in recent studies using the closely related species Bordetella bronchiseptica it has shown that other adhesions are just as important in initiating an infection; any deletion of any of the four adhesions (FHA, Pertactin, fimbriae, Brk A) results in the decreased abil ity of B. bronchiseptica to bind to host cells (Book 1) Pertactin Pertactin can also be known as aliases p.69 and OMP 68 due to its electrophoretic mobility in SDS-Page, pertactin is a 60-kDa outer membrane protein which assists bacterial adherence. Similar molecules are produced by other members of the same genus; B. parapertussis produces p.70 and p.68 in B. bronchiseptica (Journal 2). In a comparison of the prn gene sequences of B. bronchiseptica, B. pertussis and B. parapertussis, the precursors were found to be homologous (journal 6). The mechanism in which pertactin promotes the adherence to the ciliated epithelial cells is unknown and no receptor has been found, It has been demonstrated by a number of groups that pertactin can be described as an immunoprotective antigen (Journal 2). Adenylate cyclase toxin/haemolysin Adenylate cyclase toxin, a 177 kDa polypeptide (book 1) is a highly toxic potent repeats in toxin (RTX) family and is a substrate of T1SS. This particular toxin consists of two functional molecules; adenylate cyclase domain which binds calmodulin and catalyses unregulated conversion of ATP to cAMP, and an RTX haemolytic domain which is responsible for the binding to target cells and translocating adenylate domain into the cytosol (journal 7). Evidence suggests that the increasing levels of cAMP produced can lead to a decrease in phagocytosis as well as inhibition of chemotaxis; this therefore affects a major part of the innate immune response book 1). ACT has the potential to play a role in adhesion by modifying a carbohydrate binding domain of FHA leading to an increased ability to bind to host cells. However, the main function of ACT appears to be its ability to inhibit the function of neutrophils (book 1). Pertussis Toxin (PT) – Type IV Secretion Pertussis toxin is a member of the AB5 toxin family, indicating it consists of five different subunits (book 2), with two copies of the subunit 2 together with single copies of S 2, 3 and 5 forming a pentameric ring. This mediates host cell receptor binding and the translocation of the S 1 subunit (ADP ribosyltransferase) (BOOK 4), it is considered the most complex bacterial toxin. Pertussis toxin is essential for bacterial virulence; it interferes with the mechanism used by host cells to remain in communication with the rest of the host’s body. Other affects include weight loss, elevated igE production, and increased sensitivity to histamine, serotonin and cold. While the pertussis toxin alters the behaviour of both human and animal cells, its ability to inhibit activation of the immune system in response to infection best explains its role in human whooping cough (book 2). A full understanding of Type IV secretion is yet to be achieved; however, it does provide a good example of the ability of bacteria to adapt groups of proteins to its new needs (book 4). Epidemiology In terms of epidemiological quantities, there are two fundamental aspects: the transmission rate and the length of the infectious period; these values determine the basic reproductive rate R0 (journal 13). The mucous membranes of the human respiratory tract are the natural habitat for Bordetella bacteria, although B. pertussis can survive outside the body for up to a few days and can be transmitted via contaminated items. Majority of infectors occur through direct contact with an infected individual (website 1). Prior to the 20th century was considered a terrible childhood disease, in 2008 it still occurs for approximately 195,000 deaths worldwide. Of these fatal cases 95% occurred in developing countries. Outbreaks have been found to be linked with incomplete or reduced immunisation of individuals. The vaccine formerly used was known as DTP and included antibodies diphtheria toxin (D), tetanus toxin (T) and pertussis (P); however, this vaccine has been replaced with a safer DTaP vaccine, reducing the side effects (website 2). Discussion Although many advances have been made, much remains to be discovered as to how the adhesions and toxins produced by the Bordetella species establish and maintain infection and development of disease.in host cell organisms. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK7813/ WEBSITE 1 http://www.who.int/immunization/topics/pertussis/en/index.html WEBSITE 2 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1082800/ JOURNAL 1 JOURNAL 2 http://cmr.asm.org/content/18/2/326.full.pdf+html JOURNAL 3 JOURNAL 4 JOURNAL 5 http://ac.els-cdn.com.ezproxy.tees.ac.uk/S1438422104700168/1-s2.0-S1438422104700168-main.pdf?_tid=39b13536-78ce-11e3-a0ea-00000aab0f6bacdnat=1389231467_08ec4f32bf03d5b1bbcd2962a3d8df69 JOURNAL 6 http://ac.els-cdn.com.ezproxy.tees.ac.uk/S1369527409000022/1-s2.0-S1369527409000022-main.pdf?_tid=5086535e-78ce-11e3-a61d-00000aacb35eacdnat=1389231506_264d1d5985a0ebc34a51cd5e2841829b JOURNAL 7 http://jb.asm.org/content/189/10/3695.long JOURNAL 8 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC108527/pdf/ii004367.pdf JOURNAL 9 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC98121/pdf/ii001983.pdf JOURNAL 10 http://jb.asm.org/content/186/17/5692.full.pdf JOURNAL 11 http://ac.els-cdn.com/S1369527400001697/1-s2.0-S1369527400001697-main.pdf?_tid=51d25790-79a9-11e3-86be-00000aab0f02acdnat=1389325568_31e8be38dfd04481d06fa83d877cb8dd JOURNAL 12 http://ac.els-cdn.com/S0966842X05001654/1-s2.0-S0966842X05001654-main.pdf?_tid=4baef94c-79ac-11e3-a8e6-00000aacb361acdnat=1389326846_4eecbd9c825cd7b16b288d3acc79fd7e JOURNAL 13 http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=axeJ8Q9eJ3kCprintsec=frontcoverdq=bordetellahl=ensa=Xei=PlHNUqfFJMSt7Qa_-YCQCAredir_esc=y#v=onepageq=bordetellaf=false BOOK 1 http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=sTsC65kCJbUCpg=PA648dq=bordetellahl=ensa=Xei=PlHNUqfFJMSt7Qa_-YCQCAredir_esc=y#v=onepageq=bordetellaf=false BOOK 2 http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=FwGmyh2OUToCpg=PT575dq=bordetellahl=ensa=Xei=PlHNUqfFJMSt7Qa_-YCQCAredir_esc=y#v=onepageq=bordetellaf=false BOOK 3 BOOK 4 BACTERIAL MECHANISMS
Thursday, September 19, 2019
Kanes Blasted Essay -- Theater Play Analysis
â€Å"I’ve only ever written to escape from hell-and it’s never worked-but at the other end of it when you sit there and watch something and think that’s the most perfect expression of the hell that I felt then maybe it was worth it. (Sarah Kane, Royal Holloway College, London, 3 November 1998).†(Saunders. 2002: 1). Both representative and reflected in this statement made by the British playwright Sarah Kane (1971-1999) (Sierz. 2001: 90-91) is the state of being human. In its literal sense the state of being human could be illustrated as an expression of existence. That of the individual and characteristics and traits experienced through the life of mortal man. (Oxford English Dictionary. 2006: 61 & 366). In addition to this, the associated meaning with the word ‘tested’ suggests ‘a difficult situation that reveals the strength or quality of someone or something.’ (Oxford English Dictionary. 2006: 785). When defined in t hese terms, this then opens up the question to how an expression of human-existence is revealed under pressure in Sarah Kane’s play Blasted (1995). The twentieth century British playwright Sarah Kane’s (1971-1999) first and sensational drama Blasted opened in the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs, London, in January 1995. (Saunders. 2002: 2). From the outset Kane’s play stirred much controversy within the media. The title itself had a great impact upon its audience, as blasted through its formed meaning and literal association is a term ‘expressing annoyance.’ (Oxford English Dictionary. 2006: 70). As stated by the British theatre critic Aleks Sierz, Kane’s Blasted is â€Å"a shocking play whose raw language and powerful images of rape, eye-gouging and cannibalism provoked critical outrage†¦Kane exploded theatri... ...tp://www.robertsilverstone.com/wp-content/articles/Art_of_Being_Human_Part1.pdf. [Accessed 21st April 2012] Stephens, S. (2010) Sarah Kane’s debut play Blasted returns. [On-line] Available from: http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2010/oct/24/sarah-kane-blasted. [Accessed 21st April 2012] The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, (2009) War. [On-line] Available from: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/war. [Accessed 21st April 2012] The Guardian, (2005) ‘Suicide art? She’s better than that.’ [On-line] Available from: http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2005/oct/12/theatre. [Accessed 21st April 2012] Wixson, C. (2005) â€Å"In Better Places†: Space, Identity, and Alienation in Sarah Kane’s Blasted. [On-line] Available from: http://muse.jhu.edu.ezproxy.falmouth.ac.uk/journals/comparative_drama/summary/v039/39.1.wixson.html. [Accessed 19th April 2012]
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
Mohandas Ghandi Essay -- Biography Biographies Bio
Mohandas â€Å"Mahatma†Gandhi Mohandas Gandhi was easily one of the greatest political leaders of the twentieth century, yet he had no power what so ever. He was just a man, who influenced a non-violent revolt to gain India’s independence. Unfortunately after India did gain their independence, the struggle was not over. Gandhi was still in no form of power, and only was an adviser. As he had struggled throughout his life for India, been imprisoned for many years for India, it is interesting how on the evening of one of his usual prayers, an Indian waits in the crowd to kill him. On January 30th 1948, Bapu (Sanskrit for â€Å"father†commonly used with Gandhi and the â€Å"father of India†) was shot and killed, while having his nightly public walk. Mohandas Gandhi was one of the most powerful political leaders of the twentieth century, because of his strives for the independence of India through non-violent consent. Mohandas’ first enthusiasms towards non-violent resistance was discovered in South Africa when he was severely discriminated and realized something had to be done about the harsh discrimination towards blacks and Indians in South Africa. In South Africa he adopted his ideology of the devotion to the ‘truth’. â€Å"Gandhi launched his first civil disobedience campaign, using a technique he called Satyagraha, a Sanskrit word. Satya means truth and love; agraha means firmness or force. Satyagraha is often translated as â€Å"truth force.††1 He began to create a peaceful resistance, and using no violent measures. Many Indians and blacks were jailed but in the face of peaceful blacks and Indians simply trying to get more rights peacefully, the South African General had no choice but to negotiate with Gandhi, giving him his first of many vi... ...d advise violence.†5 Gandhi did not advicate cowardism, and certainly was not one. Infact Gandhi was never afraid. â€Å"If I die by the bullet of a madman, I must do so smiling. Should such a thing happen to me, you are not to shed one tear.†6 Mohandas Gandhi’s strive towards the independence and freedom of the Indian people, elevated him to being one of the most powerful and influential people in the twentieth century. Not only has he inspired people in his nation, but in countries around the world, in the struggle in peaceful and non-violent civil disobedience, instead of bloodshed. Bibliography Cheney, Glenn Alan, Mohandas Gandhi. New York: Grouer Company, 1983. Malaspina, Ann, Mahatma Gandhi: and India’s Independence. Berkeley Heights: Enslow Publishers, 2000. Mohandas Gandhi,†Wikipedia, 27th September 2007 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahatma_Gandhi
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
To what extent do pressure groups undermine democracy
It is a varied opinion in society that pressure groups undermine democracy: some people believe strongly, some people don’t. It is hard to begin to analyse whether this is the case or not, as there are a varying amount of factors that need to be considered before a final decision and be made. In the first instance of answering this question, we need to find out the two types of pressure groups; elitist pressure groups and pluralist pressure groups.Elitism is the theory that political power is concentrated in the hands of a few, which therefore sort of emphasises a dictatorship in some instances. Whereas the other type of pressure group ideology is the theory of the distribution of political power that holds that power is widely and evenly dispersed in society, rather than concentrated in the hands of an elite or ruling class, which from an outside point of view, would look like it promotes democracy.Supporters of pressure group would lead this on to say that pressure groups en hance this sense of pluralism in our democracy and make our democratic system much more effective. Although the opposite argument to this is that people claim that many organized groups can undermine the policy making process because they are dominated by people with vested interests concerned only to improve the position of certain groups within society, not the welfare of the whole country.Pressure groups also help to promote democracy because they widen the distribution of political power because pressure groups compete against one another and this ensures that no group can remain on top of all the others, so prevents an elitist situation whereby the ideologies pluralism is completely outcast from the situation. However as one group begins to turn more influential, other groups come into existence to combat them and offer rival viewpoints.Due to this, public policy is created through an ongoing debate between rival groups that ensures that political influence is widely and evenly dispersed. However, as we already know, a healthy democracy needs a high level of political participation in order to function correctly. Pressure groups are thought to have a positive effect on political participation because pressure groups support single issue politics because most pressure group are seen to be fighting for one issue, and people like this sense of working to one targeted issue and it has become popular amongst young people to join in with the grass-roots activism that pressure groups are promoting, so supporters of pressure groups say that they increase political participation.Evidence for this increase in political participation is that in the 2005 general election the turnout was 61. 4%, however the 2010 general election saw a 2 million increase in the electoral turnout to 65%: from 2005 to now, there has been an ever-increasing number of pressure group memberships, so this may show a positive correlation between pressure group memberships and political par ticipation.Supporters of pressure groups would also say that pressure groups are good for democracy as they educate the electorate. Pressure groups promote political debate and argument and in doing this, they give birth to a more educated voter and this then leads to and improved quality of public policy. Without this education, it would be simply down to the media to educate the electorate on this issue, which is a very flimsy way of doing so. Pressure groups also offer alternative view points and widen information available to the public.For example the NSPCC offers a huge education programme on their website in order to educate their members on the wider issues of child cruelty. In many ways, pressure groups are able to raise the quality of political debate by introducing specialist knowledge and greater expertise. However pressure groups do hinder democracy in the sense that they sometimes hold a disproportionate influence over the government due to the power which particular g roups hold. For example the BMA represents only a small proportion of the country.Yet it has great influence over the government because its members provide an important service. A further example of this factor is the NFU. Again, they represent a small proportion of the country, but retain a huge influence over the government as they provide Britain's food supply. Another undemocratic feature of pressure groups is the way in which their influence can rely on financial clout rather than the proportion of public support. This theory applies to many of the protection groups whom have greater capital than many well supported causal groups.An example is Bernie Ecclestone who used to have connections with Tony Blair to arrange a meeting in which the prime minister agreed to extend the deadline for the removal of tobacco advertising in formula one racing by 5 years, a few months later Ecclestone made a 1 million pound donation to the labour party, so connections like this from pressure gr oup members to high profile people, lead to undemocratic things like this occurring. In addition to this, power held by pressure groups can depend on the size of the membership.Initially, this many seem more of a democratic factor rather than a undemocratic feature; surely if a group has a large membership it represents more of public opinion than one which has fewer members. An example which proves this is that of Anti-vivsection. The anti vivisection group has a reasonably large membership, yet the vast majority of the public support animal testing for medical purposes. In fact, up until 2005 no pressure group which opposed the views of anti vivisection even existed. If we were to go purely by the membership of these group prior to 2005, the data would indicate that 100% of the pubic supported anti vivisection.One of the main reasons as to why the pluralist image of group politics is bad, is that it doesn’t simply just disperse power more widely and empower ordinary citizen s, pressure groups simply tend to empower the powerful even more and it therefore increases political inequality. Pluralists argue back and say that political in equality is broadly democratic, in that most successful groups are the ones with the large membership base however in reality, the most powerful pressure groups are the one which have the most money, so this is another reason as to why pressure groups undermine democracy, because they increase political inequality.In conclusion I believe that there are several ways in which pressure groups do undermine democracy, however I agree with the pluralist view that allowing a wide range of beliefs and ideologies to flourish promotes democracy, mainly by educating the public into making informal judgements on current affairs.
Monday, September 16, 2019
Dialogue as Empathic Conversation
Organizational communication : balancing creativity and constraint / Eric M. Eisenberg, H. L. Goodall, Jr. , Angela Trethewey. Boston : Bedford/St. Martin's, c2010. ISBN: 9780312574864 ; Pages: 26-52 M IMIII;WJI D efining Organizational Communication As stated in the last chapter, as long as t here have been humans, there has been organizing, and with organizing comes a concern about how to do better, whether the task is hunting, coaching a sports team, o r r unning a multinational corporation . Unfortunately, those with practical interest in improving organizational communication have n ot always adopted the same definitions and assumptions.F or example, when engineers speak o f t he importance o f communication, they often (but not always) refer t o its role in promoting clarity and consensus. I n contrast, a group o f clergy ca lling for improved communication would likely focus o n the evocative and emotional power o f discourse. I n this chapter, we describe some common approach es t o organizational communication, including models o f commtmication as information transfer, transactional process, strategic control, and a balance o f creativity and constraint. W e conclude with a model o f communication as mindful dialogue as well as a discussion o f integrity and ethics.  §J APPROAC HE S T O O RGANIZATIONAL C OMMUNICATION O f the various conceptions o f organizational communication, four have attracted the greatest number o f adherents: ( l) communication as information transfer, (2) communication as transactional process, (3) communication as strategic control, and (4) communication as a balance o f creativity and constraint. 26 Chapter 2: Defining Org:mizarion in many people's u nderstanding o f o rganizational c ommunicar:ion. F or example, the general m anager o f a large aerospace company hired several pilots ro fly over his manufacturing p lant and d rop h undreds o f Hyers with the message: â€Å"S
Sunday, September 15, 2019
Porpyria’s Lover
Porphyria’s Lover – Critical Essay by Scott Jackson Q – Choose a poem that is written in the form of a dramatic monologue. Explain how the poet exploits the features of a Dramatic Monologue in order to create a memorable impression of a character or event. In the poem ‘Porphyria’s Lover’ by Robert Browning the poet exploits the features of the of the poem style of dramatic monologue to create a memorable impression of the main character.The first device used to create the memorable impression is pathetic fallacy in lines two, three and four where the writer says; â€Å"The sullen wind†¦Ã¢â‚¬ â€Å"†¦Tore the elm tops down for spite†¦Ã¢â‚¬ and â€Å"†¦Did its worst to vex the lake:†respectively. These techniques are used to show the main character’s very negative and very depressed emotions at the start of the poem before he sees Porphyria.The effectiveness of this being in a dramatic monologue is we are able to view all of his emotions on a more personal level this in turn makes the character of the lover more memorable to the reader. This idea continues onto line five where the reader says, â€Å"†¦With heart fit to break†this is again another insight on a personal level to the characters emotions showing that he is extremely saddened and it emphasizes the character more within the reader as we are seeing things purely from the character’s point of view.Another device used to create an impression of the character within the reader was in line six when the writer says â€Å"and glided in Porphyria†this shows that the character of Porphyria is very gracious and also very beautiful through the eyes of the main character it also shows the character has emotional feeling towards Porphyria in the sense that he is in love with her which gives the reader insight into the mind of the main character and aids in making them more memorable to the reader through th e use of dramatic monologue to display emotions.The main characters emotions are displayed through onto line 7 when the main character feels now quite pleased that Porphyria has arrived; the writer says, â€Å"She shut the cold out and the storm, And kneeled and made the cheeriness grate. †This again shows that the main character is in love with Porphyria as it has been shown through the dramatic monologue that she was able to change his mood from being somewhat depressed and unhappy to suddenly becoming quite cheerful.The reader is able to notice the strong emotional changes that occur in the main character and this helps create a more memorable impression of him. The main character develops a high level of sexual excitement and felt like the character of Porphyria was finally falling in love with him. In lines fourteen to twenty-one the writer says, â€Å"†¦ She sat down by my side And called me. When no voice replied, She put my arm around her waist, And made her sm ooth white shoulder bare, And all her yellow hair displaced,And stooping, made my cheek lie there, And spread o’er all, her yellow hair, murmuring how she loved me†Repetition of the word ‘and’ at the start of every line is used to display the build up of excitement within the main character as he watches every movement of Porphyria the main character believes that Porphyria is now in love with him and later in the poem even expresses that she now ‘worships’ the main character this is said at the pinnacle of the main characters sexual excitement.The writer uses the dramatic monologue to exploit the sexual feelings that the main character has towards Porphyria and thus the reader knows more about the character from an emotional perspective and this aids in creating a lasting impression on the reader. The tone of the poem changes in line 40 when a new development occurs and the reader is given more of an insight into the main character in the sen se that he has a psychotic impulse to murder Porphyria the writer says in line 40, â€Å"†¦ And strangled her; no pain she felt. The motive behind the strangulation of Porphyria is possible to have been a sexual incompetence in the main character and due to this it is required if he is to have any sexual pleasure at all he must inflict pain on the victim, in this case Porphyria. Also another way of knowing he is insane is when he says she felt no pain, he of course would not know if she had felt any pain however the reason given in the poem is in line 43 where the writer says, â€Å" I warily opened her lids: againLaughed the blue eyes without a stain. †The main character uses this as justification as to why she felt know pain it also in a way shows that he still cares for Porphyria, as he was concerned about her feeling pain when he took her life. The writer has used dramatic monologue to display the insanity within the main character the shock of this development has created a new impression of the main character on the reader and this was only done through the narrative style of the poem.In conclusion the narrative style of dramatic monologue has been exploited by the writer to create a lasting impression of the main character on the reader and has been done very effectively through the use of pathetic fallacy in the first few lines to display the characters emotions and the sudden change of personality in the character to create a lasting effect and made the character more memorable to readers.
Aircraft Maintenance manuals
An airport cannot function without management. An airport manager may work for a large international airport or they may work for a small municipal airport, but generally the job duties and description will be almost the same. The main responsibility of the airport manager is to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the airport on a daily basis.This includes supporting staff and making sure that all staff is able to provide polite, prompt and correct information to travels, know airport policies and procedures, scheduling the appropriate number of staff, ensuring that all ticketing and security systems are in excellent working condition and troubleshooting any problems are all part of the airport managers job. The airport manager works closely with federal and state aviation committees and department that generate rules and regulations for all aspects of airport business and security.The airport manager must ensure that all aspects of the airport are functioning within these reg ulations or he or she must take the necessary actions to bring them into compliance. This may mean directly working with airport staff or working with the employees or businesses that rent space in the airport terminal. With working with airport staff, the manager must have a good amount of knowledge to understand the issues the staff is working with, such as aircraft maintenance. Aircraft maintenance is an important matter in which managers should have a good understanding of.Without good management in aircraft maintenance, conflicts can damage the safety and efficiency of an airport. As a manager, it is important to hire the most qualified technician and mechanic for operating on aircraft systems and maintenance. The aviation technician should be able to catch up with the new technologies as quickly as possible. New aircraft technology is brought in regularly, aircraft are regularly upgraded. Choosing the appropriate training methods and developing efficient and helpful training m aterial presumes an improved level of significance in current aviation maintenance atmosphere.Training and management entail the capability to evaluate workers' needs, assess personality traits, and develop challenging performance requirements. Training should be regarded as an integral part of the aviation management for attaining the safest maintenance. Having a maintenance program is also essential for achieving the highest possible level of safety for an airport. Managers should know if each of their aircraft is airworthy and properly maintained for operations in air transportation.The aircraft maintenance manual is a great guide in performing in accordance to for all maintenance on the aircrafts. Aircraft maintenance manuals must comply with FAR Parts 135 and 121, which is required by the Federal Aviation Administration regulations. In this manual, a manager can find sections of administrative policies and procedures, detailed instructions for administration, management, and ac complishment of the maintenance program, and technical manuals that describe maintenance standards, methods, techniques, and procedures (Aircraft Maintenance, 8).In addition to knowing maintenance regulations, a manager should also know and understand inspection regulations as well. It is highly important to have the correct inspections and know when to have those inspections for each aircraft in order for them to be airworthy. Having this knowledge will help maintain a safer and more efficient program, because if there were some aircrafts that are unairworthy, then that would waste time and costs for getting out of the way and getting it done. It is always important to sustain an inspected and maintained aircraft for the safety of the air transportation environment.Aging aircraft could also present particular dangers to personnel and passengers. Some aircraft remain in use far beyond the lifetimes initially envisioned when they were manufactured (Ells). Aircraft managers, therefore , should have a thorough plan in place for the maintenance of aircraft that are aging. In such a case, particular teams of people could also be assigned to the regular inspection and repair of such aircraft. The AOPA (Ells) provides a list of sources that should be inherent in a maintenance plan for aging aircraft.A complete list of logbook entries, for example, could provide valuable information relating to maintenance trends and the probably current level of repair. Major repairs should also be listed in such a logbook. Aircraft records from the FAA are also an important component of this investigation and can provide information such as bills-of-sale, repair, and alterations to the aircraft. Having such information on hand will make it much easier to investigate the state of repair of aging aircraft and also to plan for future inspection and repair efforts.It is vital that aging aircraft and all other aircraft to be kept in good working condition to minimize breakdown and acciden ts. Managers have the responsibility to ensure that all maintenance is performed in accordance with FAA and company guidelines. It is always important to know the aircraft systems, how they function and their errors, and know when aircraft inspections and maintenance should occur. Having a well-organized maintenance program will guarantee a safe and efficient airport. References (2012). Airport Management Jobs.Retrieved from http://www. avjobs. com/careers/detail. asp? RecID=65#. UHTLvFEkosw (2011). Federal Aviation Regulations. Retrieved from , http://www. risingup. com/fars/info/part121-135-FAR. shtml (2012). Aircraft Maintenance. Retrieved from https://erau. blackboard. com/bbcswebdav/institution/Worldwide_Online/MGMT_203/pre sentations/mgmt_203_m5_aiircraft_maintenance. pdf Ells, Steven. (2011). Retieved from http://www. aopa. org/members/files/pilot/2000/aging0006. html
Saturday, September 14, 2019
Market Research on Luxury Watches Essay
Market Trend There was a slow-down in the growth in sales of premium and luxury watches in India in 2008-’09. It prompted the market leader Titan industries to enter the economy market. Following the footsteps, luxury watch brands like Tag Heuer and Rolex introduced low-price models. But in recent years, mobile phones may also have dampened growth in the penetration of watches in India, as they provide a time read-out as well as alarm and other time-related functions. Watch industry experts believe that their product’s original function is increasingly losing importance, and that wristwatches are now being bought as fashion accessories. Owning more than one watch is like owning different pieces of jewellery. Competitive landscape The economy watch demand is being met for the most part by the unorganised sector and by direct imports. The premium segment is increasingly being peppered by fashion brands such as Esprit, Swatch, Fossil and Tommy Hilfiger. There has also been strong value growth for these brands, with growing demand from middle- and upper-income groups in urban India. Titan, HMT and Maxima are the leading Indian players and Timex, Casio and Swatch are now the strong multinational players in the market. More multinationals are entering the retail market, but no new domestic companies have done so, and the multinationals’ share of value sales has increased over the review period. Premium Brand & Product Perception With the watches market in India now becoming fashion and style driven, especially at the premium end, companies now launch models and designs every six months. International brands such as Fossil launch spring/summer and winter ranges. Titan, on the other hand, times its launches to fit in with the Indian festive season – Deepavali and weddings. Companies like Casio and Swatch and luxury brands like Rolex are exploring a niche market for chronographs, but this is currently negligible. Companies also need to respond to product innovations. The Citizen eco-friendly watch has been well received in India and is reportedly selling well in its price bracket, eliminating the trouble of replacing batteries and encouraging the use of multiple watches. Apparel brands such as Esprit, Tommy Hilfiger, Benetton and Levi’s have all gained familiarity among India’s urban youth, who may become more willing to try these brands’ premium watches. Affluent, urban Indians may feel more comfortable about buying premium watches, while continuing to regard luxury watches as examples of overindulgent or insensitive spending. ‘New’ Rich India : The ‘New’ rich India is now indulging into the experience of owning Luxury Brands. India’s rapidly growing high-end retail market is expected to increase from the around $3. 5 billion in 2008 to $30 billion by 2015. Luxury clothing, fragrances, premium wine, high-end watches have achieved good penetration among male Indian consumers. Among women, jewellery and cosmetics can already boast high levels of awareness, followed by categories such as handbags and mobile phones. These items, while not necessarily being better (in quality, performance, or appearance) than their less expensive substitutes, are purchased with the main purpose of displaying wealth or income or status symbol of their owners. There is a distinct shift from ‘Old luxury’ to ‘New luxury’. Old luxury is defined by the attributes, qualities and features of the product, whilst ‘New luxury’ is defined by the consumer’s point of focus on the experience that their purchase stimulates and not in ownership or possession of the product itself. †The customers Redefined luxury as they believe it to be a sign of self worth – â€Å"They are worth it;†it authenticates the buyer’s success and status; it is a signal to others that the owner is a member of an exclusive group; They require flawless performance in this application, the cost of product malfunction is too high to buy anything but the best. Motivation of Study: The matter of wearing and enjoying fine timepieces is a passion that these days must be justified. We like nice expensive watches even though cheap watches exist to do the same thing. Hence like any other luxury good , today modern shoppers buy luxury goods to reward themselves, to satisfy psychological needs or to make themselves feel good to show off their personality or to boost their self-esteem. Contribution of the research: This study aims to understand the above said consumer buying behaviour which will help the present marketing Managers to better reposition their branding and advertising strategy to capture the correct target market for luxury products to boost the sales in times where economy are at a challenge. Literature Review: Research Objective: This study intends to find out if consumer buying behaviour of young purchasers are influenced by factors such as premium price of luxury watches, perceived quality of luxury watches, societal status and brand loyalty associated with the consumption of luxury brand. This study also intends to evaluate whether perceived qualities of the luxury branded watch have influence on the buying decision of consumer. It is also intended to determine whether the high quality standards of luxury watches are the reasoning consumers opt for the luxury watches. Affiliations of social status of acquiring certain luxury branded goods will also be studied to understand whether consumer buying luxury branded goods just for the matter of being affiliate with certain quarters of people having the same luxury brand of goods. This study also will also evaluate whether brand loyalty of luxury brand will influence the buying decision of consumer. This study also aims to uncover whether a person who has been abroad is a reason for the consumer purchasing a luxury watch Research Question: The purpose of this study is to evaluate what motivational factors encourage consumers into purchasing luxury brand watches . In evaluating this statement , this study aims to answer the following questions : †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Is it the price or the type of users of the brand that drives the buying behaviour of the consumer for luxury branded goods? Is it the strong emotion of discriminating themselves with the lower class consumers that drives higher class consumers to turn to luxury brands? Is it the tag name of a mega brand that drives the long term demand for that luxury brand? Is gender a deterministic factor in deciding the purchase of a luxury brand? If yes then what factors are important gender wise ? Is it the product utility or the brand perception that is key for luxury watch brands? Will a person’s visit abroad influence his decision to purchase a luxury watch? Previous Research contribution : Findings of overall previous research indicate that individual’s preferences plays a key role in purchasing luxury goods. Individual’s preferences may be based on desire and non-desires, which are based on experience in purchasing luxury items from their satisfaction, or nondesire such as bias towards brand products. Leibenstein (1950, p. 188) classified demand of goods and services consumption in relevant to motivation into two main aspects: functional and non-functional. Functional demand is â€Å"demand for a commodity which is due to the qualities inherent in the commodity itself†. On the contrary, demand of goods consumption that comes from other factors, which is not the product quality, is defined non-functional demand. The outcome from Leibenstein’s (1950) study especially stresses the role of interpersonal effects towards luxury brands consumption, and derived three main effects; Veblen, Snob, and Bandwagon INTERPERSONAL EFFECTS Perceived Conspicuous Value Perceived unique Value Perceived Social Value Ostentation Non-Conformity Conformity VEBLENIAN SNOB BANDWAGON Interpersonal effects (Vigenron & Johnson) (1999 p. 7) Veblen Effect: The Veblen effect can be explained through conspicuous consumption in which people feel that it is necessary to purchase luxury products because they have a high price tag (Leibenstein, 1950). Conspicuous consumption is use by people to show wealth, power and status (Veblen, 1899). Prices of product have a significant aspect in consumers’ opinion of quality (Vigneron & Johnson, 1999). Studies by Erickson & Johansson (1995) have shown that price is used to judge quality of luxury products between a range of brands. Usually people would associate high prices with better quality. Additionally, those who do associate high prices with better quality would also suggest that high prices show a considerable amount of prestige (Lichtenstein et al. , 1993). Snob Effect: The snob effect takes into account personal and emotional desires (personal effects), and the influence of other people’s behaviour (interpersonal effects) towards the purchasing of luxury brand products (see Figure 1). The snob effect can be further explained through two circumstances. Firstly, the launch on new products which creates exclusivity in which the snob would purchase the product immediately because a minor amount of consumers at that particular time would have acquired it. Snob consumers only purchase â€Å"limited items that have a high value, whereas those readily available are less desirable. Rare items demand respect and prestige†(Solomon, 1994,p. 570). Products that are viewed as unique, popular, and expensive causes a higher demand for consumers (Verhallen & Robben, 1994), especially snob consumers. Snyder and Fromkin (1977) support the statement by Verhallen and Robben (1994) suggesting that people have the desire to be unique. India:The Affluent Masses: Luxury volumes have been spurred by a significant growth in the rich in recent past. The new rich come in varied shapes, sizes and style quotients. Exporters, multinational bankers, college kids earning plum salaries at call centers or BPO operations, well-heeled corporate wives, and successful entrepreneurs. What they have in common is that they have very high purchasing power Bandwagon Effect : The bandwagon effect represents consumers who purchase luxury products because they wish to fit in with a particular group. For example, people would consume products that are fashionable and stylish to associate themselves to similar people (Berry, 1994). Dubois & Duquesne (1993) explains that the snob and bandwagon effect are not alike. Although the similarity between the bandwagon and the snob effect is that people wish to enhance their self-concepts, the differentiation is that they purchase luxury items for different reasons. Bandwagon consumers purchase items to be fit in with others, whereas snob consumers purchase items to be unique and stand out. Individuals who fit in with groups that purchase luxury brand products and/ or wish to differentiate themselves from people who do not purchase luxury brands are influenced by the bandwagon effect (Vigneron & Johnson,1999) Luxury is reward :First time/New Purchasers :They use luxury goods as a status symbol to say â€Å"I’ve made it! †. They are motivated by their desire to be successful and demonstrate this to others. Luxury brands that have widespread recognition are popular; however they don’t wish to appear lavish or hedonistic in their appearance. They want to purchase â€Å"smart†luxury that exhibit importance while not leaving them open to criticism. Personal Effects : Consuming luxury products can also be from personal desires and taste. PERSONAL EFFECTS Perceived Emotional Value Perceived Quality Value Self-Actualization Reassurance HEDONIST PERFECTIONIST Personal effects (Vigenron & Johnson) (1999 p. 8) Hedonic Effect The hedonic effect occurs when consumers purchase luxury products and value the item. People who purchase items for self-fulfillment (e. g.inner direct consumers, Riesman, et al. , 1950, or role relaxed consumers, Kahle, 1995), and those who are not affected by interpersonal influences (e. g. conforming to group norms,Bearden, et al. , 1989) represent the hedonic effect. Dichter (1960) explains that motivation of noncognitive and unconscious is able to persuade consumer preference of products. Products that are consumed are known to have an emotional value that is added to their character (Vigneron & Johnson, 1999). When consumers purchase luxury products they expect that the item will offer benefits such as exclusiveness. Dubois & Laurent, (1994) stated that if products create an emotional value for consumers, it represents that the product is beneficial and holds an important characteristic. Perfectionist Effect The perfectionist effect exists when consumers purchase luxury items and expects superior products and performance as well as quality (Vigneron & Johnson,1999). People who represent the perfectionist effect are those who are associated to personal values and judge a product according to their value of a luxury band product. An example of the perfectionist effect is when consumers are purchasing a luxury watch they expect it to be accurate. According to Groth and McDaniel, (1993, p. 10) stated that â€Å"high prices may even make certain products or service more desirable†, because people view products with high prices with great quality (Rao & Monroe, 1989). Additionally, consumers may assess the level of how luxury a product is by its quality (Vigneron and Johnson, 1999). Methodology Research Method: Quantitative data consists of closed end information that includes numerical figures. The study has collected quantitative data by applying closed-end questions towards a questionnaire. Focus Group Discussion to understand attributes both physical and emotional that influence the purchase of a luxury watch. The group comprised of 7 individuals , 3 female and 4 male participants who have been users of luxury watches. Data Collection: Primary Data collection: Gathering information from consumers of luxury watches through online questionnaire survey Secondary Data Collection: Research insights and hypothesis design with the help of previously published research work on luxury goods buying behaviour. Sampling: Non-probability sampling method is adopted. Since the target audience or respondents of interest are consumers of premium or luxury watches, the sampling method adopted here is convenience sampling and snow-ball sampling. Measurement & Scaling: Measurement Techniques used ? Perception map : ? Utility of features in the watch : Chronograph, Double dial, Indicator light etc. ? Stylish Designs that make the watch a fashion statement Respondents were asked to rate the 10 different brands in order to obtain their perception of these brands on the above defined dimensions Based on two predefined dimensions i. e ? ? ? Exploratory Factor Analysis : To understand the underlying factors influencing the purchase behaviour of luxury watch for men & women and overall Regression: To understand which interpersonal & personal effect is critical when consumers make a luxury watch purchase decision Discriminant Analysis: To understand the group behaviours based on the following discriminating variable ? Gender ? Trip abroad ? Work Experience:Purchasing power ? AMOS : Confirmatory Factor analysis to ascertain the Exploratory Factor Analysis RESULT AND ANALYSIS 1. Discriminant Analysis: Work-Ex & Fresher Inference: Wilk’s lambda (0.627) is more than 0. 4 which is not significant; Box M test is also insignificant However based on analysis top 5 attributes discriminating work ex & fresher are Attributes Q5_7_attribute_analog Q5_2_attribute_alarm Q5_12_attribute_torch Q5_9__attribute_calculator Q4_8_attribute_celebrity_endorsement Variable weight of discriminating function -. 366 . 361 . 331 . 271 . 262 2. Discriminant Analysis: Gender Inference: Wilk’s lambda (0. 578) is more than 0. 4 which is not significant; based on analysis top 5 attributes discriminating males & females Attributes Variable weight of discriminating function. Q4_3_attrifashion_statement Q5_3_attribute_dualclock Q5_13_attribute_barometer Q5_8_attribute_motionsensor Q9_2_buy_in_store .329 -. 285 -. 269 -. 259 -. 255 3. Discriminant Analysis: Abroad Visit Inference: Wilk’s lambda (0. 573) is more than 0. 4 which is not significant; however based on analysis top 5 attributes discriminating foreign visited and not visited people Attributes Q5_9__attribute_calculator Q5_6_attribute_color Q5_16_attribute_warranty Q5_11_attribute_straptype Q4_9_attribute_brand_image Variable weight of discriminating function . 228 . 225 . 221 -. 207 -. 205 3) Exploratory Factor Analysis-(Male & Female) Research Question:- Is gender a deterministic factor in deciding the purchase of the luxury watch. If yes what factors are important gender wise? Hypothesis:- Women while making luxury goods purchase give more importance to emotional factors whereas Men go for Physical Utility features Factor analysis for male respndents(58 males) Results:? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Fac1(Ostentation): o o o o o o o o ? ? ? ? ? ? Sth to remmeber, hand gesture, to be unique Fac2(value added feature) Calculator,digital,compass. Fac3(Generic requirements) Shape, water resistance Fac4(Economic requirements) Discounts Fac 5(Tech savvy) Compass, Motion sensor Fac 6(basic) Analog,water resistance Fac 7(Wrist suitability) Strap type Fac 8(extra feautres):Date and day display, brand image Exploratory factor analysis female Respondents (23 females):Fac1(Economical): o o o o o o Warranty, after sales, analog, emotional satisfaction Fac2(Style) Social status, to be unique, fashion statement Fac3(Special requirements) Alarm,altimeter, digital,dual clock Fac4(value added feature) Calculator,compass,barometer, torch Fac 5(Tech savvy) Hand gesture,discount Fac 6(Exclusivity) Motion sensor,alarm,brand image Result Analysis:? Men:o Attach importance to Ostentaion, value added feaures and style(veblenian effect and perfectionist effect are dominating) ? Women:o Style, Economic attributes an generic requirements ( Hedonist and snob effects dominate 4. Checking the Interpersonal and personal effects shown by males and female while purchase of luxury watch in Store Research Question:o Is it the price or the type of users of the brand that drives the buying behaviour of the consumer for luxury branded goods? o Is it the strong emotion of discriminating themselves with the lower class consumers that drives higher class consumers to turn to luxury brands? o Is it the product utility or the brand perception that is key for luxury watch brands? Hypothesis:-Luxury watch purchase is primarily to show off and as an indicator of status symbol: veneblian effect. Users also buy luxury watches due to perceived emotional value or for hedonist reasons Veneblian Effect:- Snob Effect Bandwagon Effect Hedonistic effect Type of effect Veneblian snob Bandwagon Hedonistic Coefficient 0. 517 0. 499 0. 274 0. 305. Inference:- As we can clearly observe from the above table that the veneblian effect is very prominent in all cases of interpersonal or personal effects. That means People tend to buy Luxury watches to show off of their Public and Social Status. Snob and Bandwagon effect follows Veneblian effect. 5. Regression Analysis to check whether long term demand for luxury watches is driven by brand image Research Question : Is it the brand image that drives the long term demand for that luxury brand? Hypothesis : Brand Image for lucury brands is responsible for the long term demand of these watches. Inference : Regression is insignificant with respect to the variables that drive brand image. Even the R^square value is 0. 071. Hence we can infer that brand image is not a good factor to explain the long term demand for luxury watches. 6. AMOS The default model is created based on exploratory factor analysis and taking research literature into account. Model Fit Summary Check: Cmin/DF 2-5 OK GFI > 0. 9 Not OK PGFI>0. 5 OK NFI,TLI,CFI>0. 9 Not OK RMSEA max 0. 1 Not OK Model is comparatively fit as such But Goodness of fit index is not holding well. Validity & Construct Reliability S No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Attributes Q4_1_attribute_social_status Q4_3_attribute_fashion_statement Q4_2_attribute_to_be_unique Q4_6_attribute_emotional_satisfaction Q4_9_attribute_brand_image Q5_9__attribute_calculator Q5_10_attribute_compass Q5_12_attribute_torch Q5_13_attribute_barometer Q5_3_attribute_dualclock Q5_4_attribute_altimeter Q5_2_attribute_alarm Q5_5_attribute_digital Q5_7_attribute_analog Q5_8_attribute_motionsensor Q5_16_attribute_warranty Q4_10_attribute_secon_time_brandpurchase Q4_4_attribute_premiumwatch_collection Q4_8_attribute_celebrity_endorsements. Constructs Error e1 e2 Delta 1. 028 1. 079 0. 608 0. 635 1. 282 1. 323 1. 687 1. 473 1. 793 1. 816 1. 032 2. 133 1. 407 1. 074 2. 078 0. 179 1. 402 1. 367 2. 019 Lambda 1 0. 67 0. 922 0. 884 0. 997 1 0. 912 0. 971 0. 774 1 1. 135 1. 005 1. 258 1 0. 876 0. 84 0. 403 1. 231 1 AVE CR Exclusivity e3 e4 e5 e6 e7 0. 81 0. 81 Tech_Savvy e8 e9 e14 0. 84 0. 68 Value_Added _Feature e15 e16 e17 e21 1. 22 0. 75 Reliability e22 e23 e26 0. 82 0. 69 Brand_Perce ption.
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