Alternative Pain Therapy Research Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Alternative Pain Therapy - Research Proposal Example Dishonest conduct comprises manipulation of design and methods, and manipulation or retention of data. The research will avoid all forms of dishonesty by truthfully recording the facts obtained from the primary, secondary and tertiary sources. Problem Background and Significance â€Å"Wars have always brought about significant improvements in medicine that also affect the civilian population†.4 Some early methods of cure are now being included to the treatments and prescriptions that are being used now. The armed forces apply acupuncture as a pain management therapy in the United States as well as in Germany. The objective is to offer a complete, holistic way to pain therapy for armed forces recruits. Acupuncturists are being appointed to practice together with a group of doctors and psychotherapists. Acupuncture is part of conventional Chinese medication. Acupuncture practitioners stimulate particular points on the body - mainly by â€Å"inserting thin needles through the sk in†5, which normalizes the flow of ‘vital energy’ along pathways called â€Å"meridians†.6 This method appears to be safe and effective for chronic orthopedic pain. Recent studies have found that acupuncture offers pain relief and enhances mobility for individuals with osteoarthritis of the knee. There are smaller number side effects linked with acupuncture than with various regular medications (for instance, anti-inflammatory drugs and steroid injections) for curing painful musculoskeletal.7 Another such alternative pain therapy, adopted by armed forces is transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Although it does have few side effects but it is extremely useful for curing chronic orthopedic pain. Taking into consideration the increase in amputations, nerve injury and other... The author of the essay assumes that soldiers utilize these drugs to deal with pain due to injury during the combat as well as to handle the emotional suffering of war fatigue or being compelled to observe wartime killings. A comprehensive study revealed a major setback with overmedication of soldiers pulling through combat wound. Overmedication can take the shape of various drugs that cause excessive doses. The Army is taking steps to rectify the situation by utilizing an automated patient record. This research will explicate in details the possible alternatives that military soldiers suffering from pain should use in order to have a wide range of choices in their pain management. This information will be beneficial since they will know how to handle themselves better in a safe and cost effective way. Scientific honesty is also regarded as an extremely essential ethical responsibility when conducting research. Dishonest conduct comprises manipulation of design and methods, and manipulation or retention of data. The research will avoid all forms of dishonesty by truthfully recording the facts obtained from the primary, secondary and tertiary sources. Alternative therapies have been used for curing pain in the field of war from around last ten years, and will now be â€Å"extended to post-acute care†.1 The military’s plan in using these therapies as an integrative pain management may initiate its use in additional civilian hospitals because they are safe as compared to taking high dosage of drugs, and are more cost-effective.

Refusal for Eating Disorders Essay Example for Free

Refusal for Eating Disorders Essay The controversial issue of insurance companies and mental health cost is an ongoing battle. Initially, I would like to say that eating disorders are emotionally based rather than physically. Emotions are from the mind where there are thoughts, perceptions, motivations, and imaginations. Emotions are what we feel inside of us that cause us to act in a certain manner, although some people’s emotions are so powerful that their actions are uncontrollable. This is the case with eating disorders. Therefore, how could anyone choose to ignore a victim with an emotional problem like eating disorders, and refuse 100 percent medical coverage for this ailment? The insurance company’s logic or ability to manipulate this refusal of medical coverage for eating disorders is due to the unregulated controls; by federal regulations that gives insurance companies all the administrative, and authority to refuse medical coverage for eating disorders. Over the years eating disorders have been misunderstood and poorly explained by insurance companies. It is included in the list of mental heath diseases, along with perceptions and distinguishing features that can be identified by medical personnel. However, today I sense eating disorders are renowned mental illnesses that affect all walks-of-lives, and should receive entire medical coverage. The National Organization for Women, 2007 stated that typically, insurance companies cover the cost of treating the physical symptoms such as heart failure, kidney failure, rupture of the esophagus, ulcers and high blood pressure. Yet, the treatments that address the mental health of the patient, and the root causes of the disorder, are not generally covered, or are only partially covered. However, I feel that the treatment to an illness is cured through its roots and perhaps there should be more financial support in the root of this illness. I thought the intent for health care was designed to make people healthier in opposition to extracting money from the faithful customers. It is obvious that â€Å"ten million Americans suffer from eating disorders† (Kramer, 2007) according to estimates from several known health groups. Moreover, nearly all of those victims felt powerless because of something they were feeling inside themselves. But what happened to the genuine care of others? Medical insurance companies have networks of physicians, and facilities with a wealth of knowledge that have served loyal families, companies, and athletes for years. Those physicians are also well trained within their particular field, and certainly know what is best for their patients. Some medical insurance companies do provide treatments to their members, however they are normally limited. Perhaps, this is the reason why â€Å"the effectiveness of a full recover after treatment for eating disorder is only 60 percent†. (Kramer, 2007). At one time eating disorders were rarely talked about, kept hidden from others and very poorly understood. Although, today medical experts now know that eating disorders are mental heath diseases since they have recognizable causes, clear symptoms, and predictable out comes; but Insurance companies consider an eating disorder â€Å"severe based on the number of times that it recurs† (Kramer Others, 2007), and I believe this is ridiculous. Surprisingly, there are â€Å"only 43 percent of the American population that are fully aware of the different types of eating disorders, and the resulting health complications that can occur with them. (NEDA. 2007). However, the other 57 percent could be the insurance companies, or even friends that could provide a strong shoulder with understanding during difficult times â€Å"An eating disorder occurs when a person ties his or her self-esteem, personality, and happiness, and their way of life with food† (Strada, 2001). Individuals who demonstrate those types of traits are known as having an eating disorder and distressing as it may sound, most victims and none victims are not fully mindful of this disease. A model of this unaware mindset of eating disorders is witness daily during a group discussion among friends. A group of acquaintances or insurance agents may have expressed their opinion of a friend by wording â€Å"John is obese because he always stays home and watches TV shows, he has no desire to lose any weight†. Another opinion from the group may be â€Å"Mary is a very tiny women, she probably wears a size two†. In both instances, John, Mary, and their acquaintances lack the knowledge of this life threatening illness; perhaps this is just one more reason why those illnesses should be covered via insurance. This well-known psychology has clearly demonstrated a concrete motive for eating; however insurance companies â€Å"continue to ignore the systematic symptoms of this dreadful illness in spite of its increases since the mid 1950s†. (Whelan, 2002). Eating disorders are not one particular illness; instead it is made-up of four different types of illnesses that consist of anorexia, bulimia nervosas, compulsive overeating, and binge eating. This constitutes the need to identity them separately, each one should be looked upon differently in order to gain a better understanding of them, and at this same hopefully this issue on insurance coverage should raise the level of unease and stress the need for more coverage and education regarding these disorders. †¢ â€Å"Anorexia nervosas, is a an illness which someone deliberately keeps their weight below a healthy level, often see themselves as fat and may look like a person of starvation. †¢ Bulimia nervosas is an illness in which people eat large amount of food in short time and get rid of it by purging themselves. Purging is usually by vomiting and/or taking laxatives. †¢ Compulsive overeating, it is driven by an urge that the person cannot control. It can be triggered by hunger but is often a response to negative thoughts or feeling. †¢ Binge eating disorder (BED), the binges involve at least three of the following, eating very quickly, eating until uncomfortable full, eating when not physically hungry, eating alone because of embarrassment about the amount eaten, felling disgusted, depressed, or very guilty afterwards (Whelan, 2001).† Eating disorders don’t discriminate, instead, affecting everyone from females to males, wrestlers, insurance agents, and celebrities. They have affected lightweight boxers, family and friends, even affecting Diana, Princess of Wales. She â€Å"suffered from bulimia and spoke to the public about the emotional aspects of her illness† (Whelan Others 2001). It was once believed that eating disorders begin in the teenage years to due to physical, emotion, and social changes that youth experience, and it was once known that women suffering from eating disorders did not speak out, and older women in their 40s and 50s rarely experienced symptoms of eating disorders although now circumstances have changed. There are still more reported cases of females suffering from eating disorders then men, however, there are now reported cases were a nine-year-old boy was diagnosed with eating order, and other boys and men are now stepping forward for help. Additionally, â€Å"older women in their mid 40s to 50s are also now experiencing relapse and new cases are surfacing within the same age groups for having eating disorders†. (Kramer Others, 2007). Accept as the truth, or not but ‘eating disorders are four mental illnesses’, and the American people including myself are unhappy with insurance company’s lack of support. Furthermore, there are insurance companies in this era that have been sued for millions of dollars, all for refusing to pay for treatment of 21-years-old anorexic [a type of eating disorder],a women who committed suicide because of her emotional shortfalls, and ignored cry for help.

Poor Reproductive Fitness of Sperm in Aging Males

Poor Reproductive Fitness of Sperm in Aging Males Deterioration of germline DNA found to produce low quality offspring in aged male houbara bustards. A study in houbara bustards, an African bird species gives insight on what is happening with aging men. The scientists suggest that the decline in hatching success observed is caused by senescent decline of both male and female gametes. On the other hand, the development of chicks within the egg appear to be influenced solely by maternal aging which can be explained by reduction in older females’ abilities to provision their eggs. The researchers then monitored the artificial insemination of houbara bustards ranging in age from 1 to 23, recorded the egg hatching success as well as the growth of resulting chicks. Their results found that eggs produced from inseminating older females with ejaculate from older males have lower hatching success as compared to eggs of parents at peak age. The scientists suggest that the decrease in hatching success observed is caused by senescent decline of both male and female gametes. Of the eggs that did hatch, it was discovered that the mass of chicks at hatching were heaviest in chicks born to young mothers, suggesting that the development of chicks within the egg appear to be influenced solely by maternal aging. This can be explained by reduction in older females’ abilities to provision their eggs. Additionally, it was found that chicks born to young fathers had the best overall growth within the first month of life than those born to older fathers. The reason for this is that since males only contribute their DNA to offspring, the growth of the How Reproductively Fit is the Sperm of Older Males? A study in houbara bustards, an African bird species gives insight on the production of low quality offspring in aging men. Gametes are reproductive cells such as ovum or sperm, containing the genetic material required to form a new organism. This genetic material is essential in determining the quality of offspring produced. According to the paper by Brian Preston and his colleagues in Nature Communications, gametes from animals of advanced years undergo degradation by a process called senescence. Senescence is a gradual decline of function and can occur by two mechanisms. The first is the decline in the performance of their spermatogenic machinery such that the sperm has difficulty in carrying out its function. The second mechanism involves the build-up of genetic mutations within the germline of gametes, resulting in the degradation of the DNA carried within. These mechanisms lead to a reduction in both the viability and quality of offspring produced. To determine whether male aging has influence on reproductive fitness, Brian Preston and his colleagues examined 10 years’ worth of data regarding the post insemination success of male houbara bustards part of a captive breeding programme. To begin with, female bustards were inseminated with ejaculates collected from males. The male and female bustards involved in this study ranged from 1 to 23 years of age. Eggs produced were collected and the hatching success recorded. The researchers found that eggs produced from inseminating older females with ejaculate from older males have lower hatching success as compared to eggs of parents at peak age, suggesting that this is caused by senescent decline of both male and female gametes. Furthermore, of the eggs that did hatch, it was discovered that the mass of chicks at hatching were heavier in chicks born to young fathers compared to older fathers. Additionally, a measure of overall growth within the first month of life showed that chicks born to old fathers had the worst overall growth. The scientists reasoned that the cause for growth patterns observed in chicks born to old fathers confirms that the dominant mechanism of senescence in the bird species is mutation-based aging of germline DNA. This is because, since males only contribute their DNA to offspring, the growth of the chicks is inhibited. Eggs produced were collected for incubation and hatched chicks were hand-reared so as to avoid any confounding variables. The researchers monitored the artificial insemination of houbara bustards ranging from 1 to 23 years old, recorded the egg hatching success as well as the growth of resulting chicks. Their results found that eggs produced from inseminating older females with ejaculate from older males have lower hatching success as compared to eggs of parents at peak age, suggesting that this is caused by senescent decline of both male and female gametes. Of the eggs that did hatch, it was discovered that the mass of chicks at hatching were heaviest in chicks born to young fathers. Furthermore, it was found that chicks born to old fathers had the worst overall growth within the first month of life than those born to younger fathers. The scientists suggest that the development of chicks within the egg appears to be influenced solely by maternal aging. This can be explained by reduction in older females’ abilities to provide their eggs with nutrients. On the other hand, the researchers reasoned that the cause for growth patterns observed in chicks born to old fathers confirms that the dominant mechanism of senescence in the bird species is mutation-based aging of germline DNA. This is because, since males only contribute their DNA to offspring, the growth of the chicks is inhibited. According to a recent study by Brian Preston and his colleagues in Nature Communications, gametes (ovum or sperm) from animals of advanced years undergo degradation by a process called senescence. Senescence is a gradual decline of function and occurs by two mechanisms. The first involves the decline of the spermatogenic machinery performance while the second mechanism involves the build-up of genetic mutations within the germline DNA of gametes. To determine whether male aging has influence on reproductive fitness, the researchers examined 10 years’ worth of data on the post insemination success of male houbara bustards aged between 1 to 23 years that were part of a captive breeding programme. First, female bustards were inseminated with the male ejaculates collected so that gametes are the only influencing factor on offspring quality. The eggs produced from older parents were seen to have lower hatching success when compared to eggs of peak age parents. Of the eggs that did hatch, researchers observed that the lightest chicks at hatching were a result of maternal aging. Alternatively, a measure of overall growth within the first month after hatching revealed that chicks born to older fathers had the worst overall growth. In other words, as males age, their ability to produce offspring that are viable and of high quality diminishes. These findings lead scientists to conclude that the dominant mechanism of senescence in the bird species is mutation-based aging of germline DNA. Additionally, it seems that the decline in offspring development linked to paternal aging is similar in scale to that linked to maternal aging. Interestingly, when findings were compared with that of human studies similar patterns were observed, deepening concern for the recent trend of delayed parenthood in both sexes. In future, Brian Preston and his colleagues wish to be able to identify and quantify the reproductive cost associated with male aging in a long-lived species. In their most recent work, published in Nature Communications, they found that, not only did males appear less able to produce offspring successfully as they aged, they also appeared to produce offspring that were of intrinsically lower quality. Perhaps most surprisingly, these declines in offspring quality were of a similar size to those resulting from maternal aging. Patterns observed in humans are in line with the findings in houbara bustards and their interpretation, with paternal aging being linked to adverse reproductive outcomes, a number of genetic diseases, and some mental disorders. The evidence is beginning to accumulate that delaying parenthood until later life can potentially have negative consequences for the children of both older men and women. Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2015-02-male-birds-reproduction-life.html#jCp

History, the Concatenation of Human Experiences :: European Europe History

History, the Concatenation of Human Experiences In June 1961, I left Berlin, Germany, with my parents, my sister, and my Swedish cousin enroute to Sweden for what was to be two weeks of Scandinavian fun. The Russian soldiers who processed us through the checkpoints were impeccably dressed in jodhpurs and the shiniest black riding boots I had ever seen. It was obvious they had been carefully selected for this job, which entailed a goodly measure of public relations; the Communists displayed only their best. The soldiers were not only good looking and efficient, processing our papers quickly; on that day they were noticeably relaxed, with genuine smiles on their faces. A week earlier than planned, my family returned to Berlin, driving through the same checkpoints. This time the atmosphere was tense. There were no smiles. Passports and other papers were scrutinized slowly, creating long delays, much to our discomfort. What had caused the change? An event that will be taught in history classes for hundreds of years. An event that even a thousand years from now will be at least a footnote in the history books. The East Germans had erected a wall, dividing one of the world’s most famous cities in two. Barbara Tuchman would argue—correctly, I think—that it is too soon to write the history of the Berlin Crisis. This contemporary generation, born and raised in the tensions of the Cold War, will record the facts and write the narrative, but we are too close to have a good perspective on it (Tuchman 27-28). For the interpretation of those facts, we will have to wait for the generation now being born, a generation which will have few, if any, emotional attachments to the event and therefore be better able to analyze it with some objectivity—or ignorance, as Edward H. Carr would call it (9). This is how history is written. It is a process—a recording of facts and later an interpreting of those facts to relate them to the future generations. The question, of course, is what history our descendants will write. Human beings are by nature egocentric. In the West we assume future historians will see the crisis as we do. The wall was not constructed for noble reasons; it was a manifestation of the evil empire, was it not?

Catcth Us If You Can Chapter 1-5

Chapter 1 Rory and his grandfather are waiting to see Dr Nicol, their  family doctor at the doctor’s waiting room. Rory calls his grandfather as Granda. Granda cannot sit still. He goes off to smoke his pipe and comes back. Granda walks over to the noticeboard. There is an old woman sitting beside it. Rory asks Granda to sit still. A young girl about sixteen years old comes in with a baby in her arms. Granda stands up and opens the door for her. Granda asks Rory to help to take her bag. Granda likes the baby and starts talking to it. The young girl giggles and says the baby name is Lorelei.Granda then asks if the young girl calls her baby after Marilyn Monroe and she is confused. The young girl again says that her baby’s name is Lorelei and not Marilyn. Granda is good about films and Marilyn Monroe is one of his favourites. Suddenly the old woman smells smoke. The young girl also smells it as well. She jumps up and shouts that Granda is on fire. Everyone in the doctor ’s waiting room sees that Granda’s pocket is burning. Then the smoke alarm begins to wail. The receptionist rushes to them yet Granda is still smiling. Rory grabs a vase filled with flowers from the receptionist’s counter and throws the water all over Granda.Dr Nicol is surprised to see Mister McIntosh wet. Granda complains that Rory is trying to drown him. Rory says that it is not the first time his grandfather sets something on fire. Dr Nicol likes Granda and Rory; both are like double act that always makes him laugh. Dr Nicol is glad that he has a grandson like Rory who looks after him and reminds him to take his medicine. Dr Nicol tries to get Rory a home help. Rory agrees that a home help will be a good idea but Granda does not like it. Granda’s memory is getting bad from worse. He leaves shoes in the fridge and milk at the bottom of the wardrobe.Rory needs help to look after his  grandfather who is very forgetful nowadays. CHAPTER 2 Rory’s grandfather likes to keep his homework ‘somewhere safe’ and Rory is trying hard to locate his homework. Granda remembers putting it in Rory’s school bag when he is putting the rubbish down the chute. Rory’s guess is right when he finds a bag of eggshells and potato peelings in his school bag. He imagines his homework lying among the rubbish. Rory does not know how to tell to his teacher, Mrs Foley. Darren Fisher, Rory’s best friend suggests to him by saying that aliens take it away.Rory’s other classmates gather around him at the playground trying to help him too. His friends like Granda and his stories. Granda is almost arrested for shoplifting when a hanger with a suit on it gets caught in the belt of his raincoat and he walks out of the shop without noticing it. Rory confesses to Mrs Foley about the loss of his homework. Mrs Foley asks about Granda’s condition and if he is coming to Parents’ Night. Granda never misses it befo re. Mrs Foley asks Rory to stay back and do the homework. However, Rory cannot stay back because Granda is making lunch and is waiting for him to have lunch together.Rory runs out of the playground towards his flats. He buys two hot pies, one for him and one for Granda. Granda does not cook at all; in fact Rory has to bring him lunch every day. Rory has to make sure Granda takes his medicine too. Granda is old now and Rory thinks that he has the responsibility to look after him. Chapter 3 Mr Hood, Rory, Darren and Mary Bailey are  at the  field where football practice is going on. Mr Hood  asks Rory to be in the football team. Rory refuses as he has to look after his Granda. Darren and Mary quarrel. Mr Hood drags Mary to the headmaster's office.Darren again suggests Rory to be on the team. Rory states the same reason. Darren thinks that Rory's Granda should be in a home and Rory is angry about it. Granda always talks about Rachnadar, the local old people's hospital to Rory. Hi s Granda would rather die than to live there. Darren's mother tells Darren that Rory's Granda will be better there. Rory runs off before Darren could say another word. Granda only has Rory and Rory only has granda as his kin. Rory tries his best to coach Granda on how to behave  as Parents' Night is coming up soon. He wants to reassure Mrs Foley that Granda has all his marbles.One day, Rory comes home to discover that Granda mistakenly peels a bag of apples and cuts them into chips. Granda thinks that the apples are potatoes! Granda also tries to help with the cooking but he leaves the electric rings switch on and burns out a pot. That night Rory and Granda are watching television when Granda watches Rory closely. Rory is thinking about his father. Granda is angry at the mention of Rory's father. Granda and Granny have spoilt him too much. He gets what he wants as a child. When he is tired of them, he throws them aside. He treats Rory's mother in  the same way.Rory's father leav es Rory's mother and Rory when he is a baby. Granda does not want to talk about Rory's father. Granda only has a son, none other than Rory! Chapter 4 Rory and his Granda walk to the school on Parents' Night. Granda wears slippers and they go back home again to change so they are the last to arrive. There are many parents waiting patiently in queue. Darren comes and greets Granda. Granda looks around ans asks where Holy Foley is. Granda then  goes to the toilet on his own. He does not want Rory to accompany him. Rory is worried about Granda.Luckily Granda  steps back into the classroom. It is Rory's turn and Mrs Foley talks to Granda about  Rory's homework. Granda leans forward and  says that Mrs Foley indeed has moustache, just as what Rory has told him! Suddenly, Mrs Foley smells that something is on fire. Clouds  of smoke is billowing from the pocket of Granda's coat hanging on a hook. Then Mrs Foley's coat, pale green with a little matching scarf  is on fire too becau se it is beside Granda's coat. People walk out of the  classroom into the playground as the caretaker ushers them. Granda goes to the toilet earlier  to take a puff.Then he puts his pipe in his pocket but he forgets about it. However, Granda finds the whole thing funny and exciting just like other boys feel. Luckily, Darren's father helps to put out the fire. Mrs Foley looks at Granda angrily. Chapter 5 Darren and Rory's other  friends  are delighted with Granda's attempt to ‘set the school on fire' and they exaggerate on it. Granda admits that it must have been his fault. Darren's mother is worried that it might happen again maybe in the middle of the night at Rory's home. She thinks that Rory should not shoulder  such big responsibility. He should be playing football!Rory confirms it will not happen as he hides Granda's pipe before he goes to bed. Meanwhile, Val Jessup, the social worker  comes to see Granda and Rory. She is sent by Dr Nicol. Val Jessup is trying to organise a home help who comes in at lunchtime and prepares food for Granda. She will also make sure Granda takes his medicine. With the home help, Rory dreams of joining the football team again. Val Jessup makes Granda thinks of Grace Kelly, a beautiful film star just because both have fair hair! Granda tucks Rory into bed and  Rory thinks life will be better as they have a social worker now.Mrs Foley asks Rory about things at home. Rory tells that now they have a social worker and will have a home help soon. One day after school, Rory runs for the bakery and two hot pies. The baker tells Rory about his flats which is on fire. Rory rushes to his flats. His neighbour, Mrs MacKay scolds Granda for causing the fire. Rory is very angry with her. He tries to defend his Granda. Rory throws himself at her and tries to kick her. The policemen stop him. One policeman informs Rory that Granda is in hospital now but he will be all right. Rory recalls that he hides his Granda's pipe.Howe ver, the policeman tells Rory that Granda leaves the chip an on and forgets about it. this causes the fire. Rory is perplexed as he does not know what is his Granda doing with a chip pan. CHAPTER 1 Characters: 1. Mister McIntosh (Granda) (Rory’s grandfather) 2. Rory 3. Dr Nicol (Granda’s and Rory’s family doctor) 4. old woman 5. young girl 6. baby (Lorelei) 7. Marilyn Monroe (was an American actress) 8. receptionist CHAPTER 2 Characters: 1. Mister McIntosh (Granda) (Rory’s grandfather) 2. Rory 3. Mrs Foley (Rory’s teacher) 4. Darren Fisher (Rory’s best friend) 5. Rory’s classmates CHAPTER 3 Characters: . Mr Hood 2. Rory McIntosh 3. Darren 4. Mary Bailey 5. Granda 6. Darren's mum 7. Mrs Foley 8. Rory's parents CHAPTER 4 Characters: 1. Granda (Mister McIntosh) 2. Parents 3. Mrs Foley (Holy Foley) 4. Darren 5. Darren's father CHAPTER 5 Characters: 1. Granda 2. Darren 3. Mrs Foley 4. Rory's friends 5. Some of the parents 6. the caretaker 7. Darren's mother 8. Rory 9. Val Jessup (the social worker) 10. Dr Nicol 11. a home help 12. Grace Kelly (a beautiful film star) 13. Mrs MacKay (Rory's neighbour) 14. the policemen CHAPTER 1 Settings: 1. doctor’s waiting room 2. toilet 3. the house 4. receptionist’s desk 5. he fridge 6. bottom of the wardrobe 7. Dr Nicol’s office 8. Rory’s pocket CHAPTER 2 Settings: 1. on the table 2. in the schoolbag 3. kitchen 4. chute 5. school 6. playground 7. road 8. across the street 9. block of flats 10. the bakers' CHAPTER 3 Settings: 1. Football field 2. playground 3. headmaster's office 4. Rachnadar, the local old people's hospital (home) 5. Rory's home CHAPTER 4 Settings: 1. school 2. the toilets 3. the classrooms 4. Rory's home 5. the playground CHAPTER 5 Settings: 1. the school 2. living room 3. Rory's bedroom 4. the toilet 5. Granda's bedroom 6. the bakery 7. flats 8. the hospital

Apple’s Strategies Since 1990

Apple Evaluate Apple’s strategies since 1990 and explain why Apple has been through difficult times. What made the â€Å"Apple turnaround† possible? After firing Steve Jobs, Apple has been trying to fit into many different markets. They started diversifying into many different areas and ended up with half a dozen products suitable for each area. But this was not what made Apple famous. In 1986 they were seen as a rebellious company trying to be different to IBM and Microsoft. Steve Jobs had the idea no to anticipate the same path as other companies in the computer industry but to create a company which is unique.Unfortunately the CEO of Apple at that time didn’t share the same perspective and forced Jobs out of the company. Apple was not able to keep up with IBM and Microsoft who had a far greater market share. In the period of 1990-1997 Apple had 3 different CEOs, which is a statement for itself. The era of Sculley, Spindler and Amelio was not a successful one. A company as big as Apple shouldn’t have had the necessity to change the CEO every 2 years. In this period Apple was seen as one of the worst managed companies in the industry.Apple’s image of being a simplistic company was hurt through different product lines varying only a little in the technical specifications. John Sculley, Apple’s CEO from 1985 to 1993, attempted to gain market share through lower priced products, alliances with IBM and outsourcing most of the manufacturing in order to cut costs. When Spindler became CEO he decided to withdraw all alliances that Sculley has anticipated and started out licensing Apple’s OS to companies who would then be working on Mac clones.Amelio replaced Spindler due to the flat performance of Apple. Further restructurings were undertaken but unfortunately they all lead to nothing. Probably one of the best decisions that Apple pursued was the acquisition of Next and the return of Steve Jobs. One of the first measur es, which were undertaken, is brining back the development in house. Jobs believed that it would be of far more benefit if Apple would develop Software, Hardware and Design all under one roof. The advantage was that everyone had a holistic idea of product development.This worked out very well and turned out to be one of the competitive advantages. Another important step, which made the ‘turnaround’ possible, was that Apple stopped outsourcing their Operating System. Steve Jobs was back, and Apple was in much greater shape than in any of the years without him. He demonstrated that he has learned from his mistakes through his willingness to co-operate with Microsoft allowing them to develop MS Office software for Macs. The first product, which was released after Steve Jobs’ arrival was the iMac in 1997.Many people at the company didn’t believe that this was going to be a success, but Steve Jobs proved everyone wrong. The iMac was a huge success and brought s ome market share back to Apple, but more importantly Apple gained the confidence and got back on the right track. During the development of the iMac, Steve Jobs decided to hang up the pirate flag. In one of his interviews he stated that ‘Apple forgot who Apple was’, and this marked the return of the rebellious company.

Buisness opportunity

This document can prove to be a major milestone with regards to the development of a marketing plan for the Electrolux Tumble dryers, a product of an American firm to be launched in the German market. This marketing plan intends to capture the German market with a full laid down disruptive marketing strategy. This marketing plan looks at the present market with all the existing market players in this field, and seeks to identify trends which will influence the market potential in the coming years.It looks at the position of the Electrolux brand in the German market, the strengths and weaknesses of the product under study – Tumble dryer. Moreover, these characteristics will be studied to know their influence on the customer and threats in the marketplace. The analysis of this plan identifies a number of probable target markets whose requirements very closely match by the advantages provided by the Electrolux tumble dryers. Finally the marketing plan will set penetration targets for the product and list down the main strategies that are needed to do so.This report lists down some major points that are needed to make a complete analysis of the American product for the German market. INTRODUCTION The Electrolux group was founded in the year 1910 as Elektromekaniska AB, and changed its name to Electrolux in 1919. The company was a holding company in 1928 and now is an independent company. The company has been highly successful in attracting the international customers, worldwide and has successfully gained a prominent market in the white goods industry.The concerned product – Electrolux is a mature product and reviewers acknowledge that it provides a decent amount of functionality that is needed by consumers. A PROPOSED MARKETING PLAN TEMPLATE A properly developed and executed marketing plan will outline the costs, sales, advertisements and promotional figures of the process of introducing Electrolux tumble dryers in the German market. These types of m arketing plans where disruptive marketing potential is being aimed at, it is better to help customers with less expensive and culturally adaptive products.The marketing plan starts with the thought process about the central business activities that will be involved in the marketing of the product. 1. Who are the potential customers and the targeted customers? 2. How will the company price the product after evaluating the buying potential of the buyer? 3. What are the possible channels, sales and methods that can be employed for the effective marketing of the Electrolux tumble dryers? 4. What is the time frame and plan to spend the marketing plans? A typical structure of a proposed marketing plan for the launch of the product in the German markets is represented below:A. Condition Analysis – In this part, the analysis of the targeted German market is done with references to the following issues. These issues may be related to the geographical image, present German market situa tion, competitive analysis of the different brands present in the German market, German customer or end user analysis, Electrolux tumble dryer product review and its distribution. Environment Analysis 1. German Demographic trends (age, gender, family size, family life cycle, income, occupation, education, religion, race, nationality) 2.German Economy and Financial trends 3. Technical Backdrops and Trends 4. Political Issues and Laws 5. German Communal Trends 6. Civilizing Trends within the societies 7. Material Supply Trends/Issues 8. Predictable impact of the Internet on the product marketing plan and Industry, both today and in the future Market Situation 1. German Market Situation 2. Size of total German market 3. Growth trend of total German market 4. Key elements that affect the German market scenario Competitive Situation 1. SWOT Analysis (strengths/weaknesses/opportunities/threats) 2.Listing down of key competitors and their market position with context to the German scenario 3. Evaluation of the size of the competitors and their revenue analysis 4. The German Market share of each of the key competitors 5. Sales trends of key competitors 6. Strong point of key competitors compared to the product or services. 7. Promotion strategies of key player and their likely impact on your product 8. Unique Selling Proposition of the product that can attract the customer 9. Competitors' likely response to your Advertising/Promotion program and your planned counter- measuresDistribution and Supply Situation 1. To organize an efficient distribution channel 2. significance of each distribution channel in terms of: – Percent of business sales – Development potential – Competitive status B. Goals and Objectives – The marketing plan also aims to define the goals of the company and devising the correct strategy. These include the following: 1. Financial objectives – under this, the following are to be considered: Gross sales, Cost of prod ucts, Gross margins, Net profit and ROI. 2.Marketing objectives – under this, the following are to be considered, sales revenue, total ales, and market share and distribution levels. This will also include a marketing timetable which lists all the marketing, advertising and promotional activities. CONCLUSION By choosing to invest in Germany, the investor would be able to be a pioneer in the international market that US is trying to establish. The investor would enjoy the benefits of low taxes, and easy penetration. The track record of the economic growth of Germany only shows that the company is worth investing in.There is a small risk of rental yields going down for the White goods market, this is because the country is improving on its international market and chances are, more and more people would come in the country. Comparing the risks and the benefits of investing in the German market, it is better to choose to invest than choosing not to. Reference List 1. Economist I ntelligence Unit. 2005. â€Å"Country Profile 2005: Germany †. The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2. Export Development United States 2006. â€Å"Exporting Globally : A Guide for White Goods Businesses †.