Advanced Consumer Behavior Consumer Decision

Advanced Consumer Behavior consumer decision

The Bus Network essays

The Bus Network essays The world revolves around technology. Everywhere we go we are affected either directly or indirectly by technology. In fact, almost everything that surrounds us is a product of technology. Cell phones, beepers, television, radio; these are just a few basic examples of technological advancement in our human history. Of the many remarkable achievements of technology, there is one that stands out on all of them: Computers. Computers started out as very complex machines to use and can only perform limited tasks for the user. However, as time passed by, computers evolved as very useful machines and, moreover, became user-friendlier. Still, man did not stop there. For mans need of sharing information, they found a way of setting up computer networks. A network can be defined as an interconnection of two or more communicating entities, or simply, a computer system that links two or more computers. Networks can either be a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), or an Enterprise Network. A LAN is a data communications network in which the computers are close to each other, usually in the same office or building. LAN typically includes a collection of computers and peripherals; each computer and shared peripheral is an individual node on the network. A WAN is a communications network that extends over a long distance. WAN uses devices such as telepho ne networks, satellite dishes, or radio waves to span a larger geographic area than can be covered by a LAN. A MAN is a data network intended to serve an area the size of a large city. An Enterprise Network can either be a LAN, WAN, or MAN, however, an Enterprise Network is restricted to one organization. Now that we know the kinds of computer networks, have we ever wondered how these networks are connected to one another? Are these computers just plugged-in together by some kind of wire and then they ...

Applying a program-oriented approaches model to create a program Essay

Applying a program-oriented approaches model to create a program evaluation plan - Essay Example The Provus’s Discrepancy evaluation model goes through 4 stages with the 5th stage which is optional. The stages are definition, installation, process, product and cost benefit analysis which is optional. The definition stage involves defining the goals, processes, activities and identifying the different resources required to carry out the activities and accomplish the set goals e.g. financial resources. The installation stage the program definition is used to determine the relationship between the definition and the actual implementation of the program to be certain that the program is installed as it has been designed. This may result to making adjustments to the program definition or terminating the activity.The process stage involves gathering information of the participants to determine whether their behavior changed as expected to ensure certainty of achieving the set objectives.At the product stage, the evaluator determines whether the terminal objectives of the progra m have been achieved to determine the realization of the ultimate objectives. The fifth optional stage of cost benefit analysis involves comparison of the results and the costs with the costs of similar comparable programs. Cost benefit analysis is important in determining the cost ratios of different programs and distribution of funds. The main advantage of Provus’s Discrepancy evaluation model is that at every stage there is identification of differences that may hinder attainment of the set objectives thus allowing corrections before proceeding of the program. The disadvantage of this model is it may take a longer duration than specified due to the different corrections at every stage thus causing delay. Evaluation is the systematic collection of information, activities and characteristics of a program. The main aim of program evaluation is to gather the collected information to

Why You Should Adopt dogs and not buy them Assignment

Why You Should Adopt dogs and not buy them - Assignment Example ally many benefits that can be enjoyed by both the person in question and the dog that will be adopted if the individual chooses to acquire a pet from a shelter. For example, adopting a pet is more cost effective than buying one. Many rescue groups and city shelters tend to spend a great deal of money on aspects such as regular visits to the veterinarian, boarding costs, and grooming. Many people also do not realize that adopting a pet leaves them with many options in regards generating support groups that help them to live in harmony with their new pet. If an individual buys a dog from a store, he or she assumes all responsibilities for that pet, even with the absence of any past records on the animal. The process of adopting a pet enables the new owner to be furnished with critical information with regard to the animal’s history. Adoption centers such as rescue groups are also more likely to help the new owner with responsibilities through the familiarization period as they are as interested as the owner in ensuring that the dog finds a good home. Service enterprises, such as the Beagle Freedom Project, that deal in the sheltering of dogs are worth researching to discover the different aspects involved in adopting or purchasing dogs. Such organizations tend to keep records on each of their pets, their acclimatization to their new surroundings when they are adopted, and the extent to which they are successfully integrated into their new families. Sarah Kalnajs - Certified Dog Behavior Consultant with the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, who also works with shelters provided by associations such as the Beagle Freedom

Key Concepts of Leadership Theories Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Key Concepts of Leadership Theories - Term Paper Example The purpose of this paper is to examine the key concepts of leadership theories by assessing the principle in a multidimensional manner. To achieve this objective, the trait and personality theories of leadership have been applied to an organization which operates in the logistics industry and provides aircraft parts supports on a global scale. The primary reason behind the selection of this business is the association that I share with the organization by serving in the capacity of Workplace Superintendent which is a consideration that would play a critical role in developing the analysis that has been conducted in the paper. According to Lussier and Achua (2009), the motivation behind the development of the trait theory paradigm was that researchers wanted to categorize the individuals who assume the role of leaders and those who act as their followers. Moreover, theorists also embarked upon the journey of developing trait and personality theories to differentiate between successfu l leaders and those who fail to effectively guide their organizations towards the achievement of desired corporate objectives or the realization of an organization’s vision. Henceforth, the primary premise on which the trait and personality theories have been established aims to discover a set of characteristics and features that can fundamentally define individuals as effective leaders (Lussier and Achua 2009). Moreover, Robbins (2001) adds that trait theories of leadership are also linked with the physical, psychological and personal qualities and attributes of leaders. Even though, research on personality and trait theories acted as the cornerstone of subsequent research that was conducted on the phenomenon of leadership, a significant proportion of conclusions that were drawn from the assessments failed to provide a clear and unambiguous picture. Robbins (2001) notes that it was not until the development of the Big Five personality

Chemistry Essays Essential Fatty Acids

Chemistry Essays Essential Fatty Acids A discussion on the role of essential fatty acids in human health. Introduction: Fatty acids are important components of lipids (fat-soluble components of living cells) in plants, animals, and microorganisms.   Generally, a fatty acid consists of a straight hydrocarbon chain and a terminal carboxyl (-COOH) group.   It is the carboxyl group that makes it an acid.   If the carbon-to-carbon bonds are all single, the acid is saturated; if any of the bonds is double or triple, the acid is unsaturated and is more reactive.   The physical properties of fatty acids are determined by chain length, degree of unsaturation, and chain branching. This essay focuses on the role of essential fatty acids, i.e. fatty acids that must normally be present in the diet of certain animals including man.   These acids occur in body structures, especially the different membranes inside and around cells, and cannot be synthesised in the body from other fats.   Essential fatty acids all possess double bonds at the same two positions along their hydrocarbon chain and so can act as precursors of prostaglandins, thromboxanes and leukotrines.   Deficiency of essential fatty acids can cause dermatosis, weight loss, irregular oestrus etc.   Table 1 shows the most important natural fatty acids. Acid Number of Carbon Atoms Number of Double Bonds Saturated acids Butyric 4 0 Caproic 6 0 Caprylic 8 0 Capric 10 0 Lauric 12 0 Myristic 14 0 Palmitic 16 0 Stearic 18 0 Arachidic 20 0 Behenic 22 0 Monounsaturated acids Palmitoleic 16 1 Oleic 18 1 Erucic 22 1 Polyunsaturated acids Linoleic (w6) 18 2 a-Linolenic (w3) 18 3 g-Linolenic (w6) 18 3 Arachidonic (w6) 20 4 Eicosapentaenoic (w3) 20 5 Docosahexaenoic (w3) 22 6 Table 1: The most important natural fatty acids. Omega-3 (w3) Omega-6 (w6) fatty acids: The Western Diet There is an absolute requirement for a dietary intake of w3 and w6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), because of their role in constructing cell membranes, and also as precursors for the prostaglandins and other eicosanoids.   In fact, w3 fatty acids are particularly prevalent in the brain, retina, and spermatozoa, in which docosahexanoic acid (see table 1) constitutes approximately 36.4% of total fatty acids.   The two parent compounds, which are considered to be dietary essentials, are linoleic acid (w6) and a-linolenic acid (w3).   These two can undergo chain elongation and further desaturation to yield arachidonic acid (w6) and docosahexaenoic acid (w3) respectively, which are both precursors to two families of prostaglandins.   There is no requirement for a dietary source of the longer chain PUFA, but they are potentially desirable in the diet, since their formation from linoleic or linolenic acids is a rate-limiting step.   So, what is the desirable level of w3 and w6 fatty acid intake and does the western diet meet this level?   Ideally, the body requires a near balanced intake of both w3 and w6 fatty acids since the eicosanoids derived from w3 fatty acids have opposing metabolic properties to those derived from w6 fatty acids.   Omega-3 fatty acids, on the one hand, have anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, antiarrhythmic, hypolipidemic, and vasodilatory properties.   For example, they have the ability to make blood thinner by reducing platelet aggregation (this is particularly beneficial in reducing blood clots and stroke).   They also play an important role in the modulation and prevention of human diseases, particularly coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and renal disease, and there is strong evidence that w3 fatty acids are essential for human development from infancy onwards.   On the other hand, w6 fatty acids promote platelet aggregation and vasoconstriction, as well as increasing blood viscosity and bleeding time. The western diet is far richer in w6 fatty acids than w3.   This is due to the increased intake of w6-rich foods such as cereals, fried foods, baked foods etc.   In fact, in today’s western diet, the ratio of w6 to w3 fatty acids ranges from @20-30:1 instead of the traditional, and optimum, range of 1-2:1.   This means that the eicosanoids produced from the metabolism of w6 fatty acids are formed in greater amounts than those derived from the w3 fatty acids, specifically eicosapentaenoic acid.   The result is an increase in allergies, inflammation, type 2 diabetes, and the formation of thrombi and atheromas.   This explains why cardiovascular diseases are far more prevalent in the west.   Consequently, people should be encouraged to eat more w3-rich foods (such as cold-water fish, flaxseed, rapeseed etc) in order to make the ratio more even.   Figure 1 shows the relationship between the ratio of w6 to w3 fatty acids in dietary lipids in the Indian diet and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes.   It is clear that, as the ratio of w6 PUFAs to w3 PUFAs increases, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes also increases. Figure 2: Data obtained from Raheja BS, Sadikot SM, Phatak RB, Rao MB. Significance of the n-6/n-3 ratio for insulin action in diabetes. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1993, 683, 258-7. As far as cardiovascular diseases are concerned, a more even w6 to w3 ratio (i.e. greater w3 fatty acid intake or decreased w6 intake) has been shown to contribute to keeping cholesterol low, stabilising arrhythmia, and keeping blood pressure low. Fatty Acids, Inflammation Autoimmune Diseases Omega-3 PUFAs, in particular eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, have been shown to have potent immunomodulatory effects.   Some of the effects of w3 PUFA are induced by modulation of the amount and types of eicosanoids made, and other effects are triggered by alternative mechanisms that do not involve eicosanoids, for example actions upon intracellular signalling pathways, transcription factor activity and gene expression. Eicosapentaenoic acid (w3) competes with arachidonic acid (w6) for the enzymatic metabolism (by cyclooxygenases) that results in prostaglandin formation.   The eicosanoid metabolites of eicosapentaenoic acid produce fewer inflammatory and chemotactic derivatives than the arachidonic acid metabolites.   Therefore, increasing the dietary intake of w3 fatty acids reduces the likelihood of inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids have also been shown to slow down the production of interleukin 1 (IL-1b) by suppressing the IL-1b mRNA, as well as the Cox2 (cytooxygenase) mRNA that is induced by IL-1b.   Cox2 is overexpressed in colon cancer cells.   Furthermore, research also suggests that a high dose of a-linolenic acid can suppress the formation of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF), which is implicated in causing some of the pathological responses that occur in inflammatory conditions.   Hence, it appears that by improving diet management, and ingesting more w3 (as opposed to w6) fatty acids, we could significantly reduce inflammatory disorders and the 40% of cancers that are caused by diet alone.   Managing autoimmune and inflammatory conditions in this way is clearly beneficial since it eliminates many of the side effects associated with the available drug therapies. Fatty Acids and Mental Health Given the fact that around 60% of the brain is composed of fat, it is not surprising that the organ needs w3 fatty acids to function properly.   There is evidence that links mood disorders with low concentrations of w3 fatty acids in the body.   According to certain theories of depression, w3 fatty acids help to regulate mental health problems by improving the ability of the brain’s serotonin (5-HT) receptors to understand mood-related signals from other neurones.   These theories are being investigated further. Conclusion Essential fatty acids have justifiably been linked with a plethora of health issues affecting society at large today.   What is most evident is that, in the western world, we are failing to ensure that we make optimum use of the benefits that w3 fatty acids have to offer.   In order to benefit more, we must take action to balance our intake of w3 and w6 fatty acids.   At present, the balance is tipped too greatly towards w6 fatty acids.   Consequently, heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, depression, inflammatory disorders, cancer etc are on the increase.   That is not to say that w6 fatty acids are totally bad for us: the body requires reasonable amounts for the purposes of vasoconstriction etc.   The ratio of w6/w3 essential fatty acids can be improved by reducing our intake of w6 fatty acids from vegetable oils and increasing our intake of w3 fatty acids from foods such as oily fish, leafy green vegetables, wild game etc. What is clear is that new benefits of w3 fatty acids are being discovered every day.   This is evident from the masses of literature on the subject.   But it is one thing to learn about the benefits of w3 fatty acids and a completely other to use this information effectively.   This is the area that needs to be addressed.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   REFERENCES Journal Articles Referred to in the text: Neuringer M et al., Biochemical functional effects of prenatal and postnatal omega-3 fatty acid deficiency on retina and brain in rhesus monkeys, Proc Natl Acad USA 1986, 83, 4021-5 Connor W.E., Importance of n-3 fatty acids in health and disease, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2000, 71(1), 171-5 Simopoulos A.P, Essential fatty acids in health and chronic disease, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1999, 70(3), 560-569 Raheja BS, Sadikot SM, Phatak RB, Rao MB. Significance of the n-6/n-3 ratio for insulin action in diabetes. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1993, 683, 258-7 Harris WS et al., Effect of fish oil on VLDL triglyceride kinetics in man, J Lipid Res 1990, 31: 1549-58 McLennan PL, Relative effects of dietary saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids on cardiac arrhythmias in rats, Am J Clin Nutr, 1993, 57, 207-12 Charnock, JS, Antiarrhythmic effects of fish oils, World Rev Nutr Diet, 1991, 66: 278-91 Berry EM, Hirsch J., Does dietary linolenic acid influence blood pressure? Am J Clin Nutr, 1986, 44: 336-40 Simopoulos, AP., Omega-3 Fatty acids in inflammation and autoimmune diseases, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2002, vol 21(6), 495-505 Maes M et al., Fatty acid composition in major depression: decreased omega-3 fractions in cholesteryl esters†¦, J Affect Disord, 1996, 38, 35-46

Analysis of the Character Hamlet in William Shakespeares Hamlet, The Prince of Denmark :: Papers

Analysis of the Character Hamlet in William Shakespeare's Hamlet, The Prince of Denmark First performed in 1603, Hamlet, The Prince of Denmark is probably the best known of William Shakespeare's works, and may well be the most famous English language play ever written. The character, Hamlet, is one of the most compelling characters to ever emerge from the pages of English literature. Hamlet has been the center of admiring critical commentaries. It has also developed a reputation as a difficult work to analyze. Hamlet features a very complicated character, with many complex themes, and presents the reader with a multi-layered text, which defies easy reading. He has been subjected to numerous interpretations and studies over the centuries, his actions and thoughts analyzed again and again. Probably more than anything else is the reason for Hamlet's charismatic appeal. In the first scene Hamlets father, the king, dies mysteriously just two months prior. Claudius, has taken the throne and has married the dead king's wife, Queen Gertrude. The members of the watch, including Prince Hamlet's loyal friend Horatio, are alarmed over the recent appearance of a ghost who resembles Hamlet's late father, and they plan to tell Hamlet about this eerie visitations. The Ghost of Hamlet's father speaks to his son directly and urges him to follow him to a one-on-one encounter. There he explains in detail of his horrid death and tells Hamlet that this heinous crime must be avenged and that it is up to his son to justify this by killing Claudius. â€Å"I am thy father's spirit; Doom'd for a certain term to walk the night, And for the day confin'd to wastein fires, Till the foul crimes done in my days of nature Are burnt and purg'd away.† Hamlet (Act I, Sc. V) Hamlet has trouble depicting truth from fantasy in this scene, whether or not to believe the ghost who assumes the form of his deceased father. The death of his father leads Hamlet down the road to insanity. With his mother marrying his uncle only a month after King Hamlets death, makes the road a one way street. To confirm the truth Hamlet puts on a play, inspired by his father’s unfortunate, to get an reaction from his Uncle. After witnessing his Uncle’s expression towards the play