Harley Davidson Inc. 2008 Thriving Through a Recession, Case 16 Essay Example

Harley Davidson Inc. 2008: Thriving Through a Recession, Case 16 Paper Harley Davidson Inc. 2008: Thriving Through a Recession, Case 16 Mgmt 479A, Week 3 Dropbox 1 November 13, 2011 Synopsis: Harley-Davidson is a 105 year old motorcycle manufacturer. William Harley and Arthur Davidson decided to design and build a motorcycle in 1901. By 1903, they had built and sold three motorcycles and in 1907, the Harley-Davidson Motor Company became incorporated. The company was acquired by AMF Inc in 1969, but the main focus was on short-term profits which inevitably sent consumers elsewhere and in 1981, Vaughn Beals lead a leveraged buyout to get Harley-Davidson out from under AMF. Under new management, the focus changed towards production and consumers. The research and development department picked up momentum and during the early 1990’s they decided to invest in Buell Motorcycle Company providing them entry into sport/performance motorcycle market. By 1996, the company decided to gear all of its attention to the motorcycle business. This meant eliminating the Transportation Vehicles segment which sold for about $105 million. 1997 brought significant changes internally and the launch of new products with the help of an intense procurement expert named Garry Berryman. James L. Ziemer worked for Harley-Davidson for 38 years before replacing CEO Jeffrey Bluestine when he retired in 2005. The Harley-Davidson name had been finding itself in places like Forbes â€Å"Company of the Year† and ranking on Business Week/Interbrand Annual Rankings Top 100 Global brands and on Fortune’s list for â€Å"Most Admired Companies. † By 2008, the recession was playing it toll and raising question about what was in store for the Harley-Davidson Company. Resources: Brand Name: Harley-DavidsonSuppliers International dealershipsFinancial Capital Buell Motorcycle CompanyManufacturing Locations H. O. G. BRAGE-Commerce We will write a custom essay sample on Harley Davidson Inc. 2008: Thriving Through a Recession, Case 16 specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Harley Davidson Inc. 2008: Thriving Through a Recession, Case 16 specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Harley Davidson Inc. 2008: Thriving Through a Recession, Case 16 specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Financial Services: HDFSJane Magazine Raw materialsInnovation: CAD System, MAN System Talented Managers: Ziemer, Berryman, Bluestine Human Resources: skilled employees, union non-union workforce, board of directors Technological Resources: patents, trademarks, trade name Capabilities RecruitingResearch Development Manufacturing MotorcyclesMotorcycling Lifestyle Marketing DistributionRider Training Safety Precise production schedulesStrategic Management Strategic Alliance Core Competencies Strategic AlliancesResearch Development Manufacturing MotorcyclesBrand Name H. O. G. ClubMotorcycling Lifestyle Rider Training SafetyPatents, Trademarks, Trade Names Financial Services: HDFS Finding of Fact #1: Harley-Davidson’s core customer base is shifting as the baby boomer population is aging. Recommendation/Justification: In 2006, the average age for purchasing a Harley-Davidson was about 47 years old with a median household income of $82,100. Of those purchased, 88% were made by men, while only 12% were purchased by women. Buell was off to a good start in 2000, by producing the Buell Blast because it was not only considerably smaller, it was more light weight in comparison to the traditional heavyweight models and it was less expensive. Statistics were showing the median age on this bike purchase was around 38 years old and 50% were purchased by females. Focus is turning to smaller segments for women and younger generations. I think these statistics could send Harley-Davidson down the right path. More time and money need to be put into research and development to figure out, not necessarily what females want, but what they physically need in order to have a safe and exciting ride. My co-worker and her husband purchased a Harley a few years ago and shortly afterward, she decided to get her motorcycle license. She never drove it however because the motorcycle was physically too heavy for her to operate. I believe Harley-Davidson needs to make more of a marketing effort to appeal to 20 something generation as well. In my opinion, Harley-Davidson has focused so much on appealing to the baby boom generation that it has become somewhat of a stigma. I associate Harley-Davidson with older men going through a mid-life crisis. One way would be to focus on social networking. Social networking sites like Facebook is a valuable way to advertise and reach consumers in a younger age group. There is no faster way to reach this generation then by asking them what they want. More and more sites are asking for participation in short surveys in exchange for being entered into a drawing. I also think their Rider’s Edge program should be geared specifically for different segments instead of lumping all riders into one rookie category. As a woman in my 30’s, I know I do not want to be taking a rider training and safety class with young males who have need for speed on the brain. I would rather be in a class with persons who understand my concerns for being safe on the roadway. Implementation: Harley-Davidson would need to start with the Strategic Management Model. They should be evaluating current results and I think the Blast is a good base model for statistics. Complete an environmental scan to determine all possible opportunities for developing the next generation of Harley’s not just female and younger persons and determine the competition in this market to address possible threats. Why do the younger people prefer crotch rockets? Determine the strengths and weaknesses internally and analyze SWOT factors. I would also survey the employees. Find out what they think it would take to get their son or daughter to purchase a motorcycle. What changes would they like to see to encourage drivers from a new generation? Finding of Fact #2: Harley-Davidson motorcycles are considered a recreational item or a deferred purchase. Ziemer made a comment regarding the recession, â€Å"recession-resistant, not recession-proof. † Recommendation/Justification: As United States currency weakens, it may be important to focus on countries where currency is more valuable. Foreign operations can provide significant investment capital. I was surprised that only 27% of revenue came from foreign markets and I was just as surprised that India was not in the list of foreign operations. Other countries use motorcycles as a form of transportation, not because they are fun, but because they are simpler when negotiating in traffic and motorcycles have better gas mileage. I had applied for a job position in Bermuda a few years ago and while doing my research on lifestyles and living conditions, it was strongly advised to purchase a motorcycle for transportation. With the recession and the cost of fuel rising, all vehicle manufacturers are struggling for a way to become more appealing in the marketplace. I think using these marketing strategies for motorcycles should not be underutilized. It is a matter of changing the way consumers view motorcycles. They do not have to be seen for merely recreation. Show consumers they are more environmentally friendly and many will jump on the band wagon. Implementation: I think this finding of fact is primarily a marketing issue for foreign markets and in the United States. Because the text was unclear about what is currently being done in foreign markets, I would choose now as the time to explore the marketing potential. Who is the biggest competitor in these markets and what do we need to do gain the competitive advantage? I would also start exploring entry barriers for India and perform a cost benefit analysis. In the United States I think Harley-Davidson needs to utilize a market development strategy for developing new uses for its current designs. I would find ways to incorporate the green movement and associate them with the motorcycles. I would use the rising gas prices as an advantage to promote MPG. I would research reasons why owning a motorcycle can save money and do a comparison to a car. I would focus on target groups. College students for example, need inexpensive transportation, ability to negotiate around college campuses and need to combat parking issues. What better way to solve all those problems then to buy a motorcycle. This not only changes the way consumers view the product it also reaches into markets outside of the baby boomer genre and address issues from finding of fact #1. Finding of Fact #3: BRAG was created over 10 years ago, but the 2007 profile only indicates 11,000 members. Development and marketing in this area is neglected. Recommendation/Justification: In the opening of the case, it states â€Å"It was a pretty amazing sight, dozens at a time, thousands in a day† to describe the thousands of Harley-Davidson bikers from all walks of life who come together for the love of the ride. When H. O. G. organization began in 1983, there were 33,000 members. This makes me question why BRAG membership is trailing so far behind. Included in Buell’s mission, it says Buell wants to provide its owners with an experience that is not provided by any other brand. Why hold a membership with BRAG if there is not much being offered? I think Buell Motorcycle Company is missing out on a very important opportunity to provide their owners that unique experience. Harley-Davidson invested in Buell specifically to gain entry into sport/performance niches that they had not previously had. With the question being raised now more than ever about how to penetrate the younger targeted groups, BRAG may be the ticket to promote such an idea. As Harley did, why not include one year membership with the purchase of every motorcycle? That is one way to get memberships up, but plans need to be made to keep it that way. Sturgis is a rally for Harley enthusiasts but there are many â€Å"motorcycle† rallies around the globe. Take annual bike week in Myrtle Beach, come to find out there are actually two because different cultures ride different bikes. The first week is the traditional bike week and then there is a second one for enthusiasts who prefer performance. Implementation: I would start with research on why the sport/performance market is four times larger in the European market than in the United States. I would also be going to Myrtle Beach during performance week and find out what enthusiasts are looking for. How can we make Buell the star of the show? Promote BRAG memberships and begin bigger, better rallies for Buell owners; get them excited about the brand. 11,000 members are not good enough; this is a large marketing opportunity. I feel like a strategic plan should have already have been put into motion. They want to penetrate the young and female population but there has not been much effort put forth. Here is an interesting thought. What if Harley-Davidson used Buell as a tool to condition entry riders and prepare them for the Harley experience as they age? Perhaps it is better to leave Harley-Davidson just the way it is because our tastes do change as we get older. We already know half of Buell Blast purchases were from first time buyers and women. BRAG could be marketed on different levels. Buell could be the key to getting people excited about riding and Harley could be where the pros go.

Growth strategies and key fundamentals

Growth strategies and key fundamentals Growth strategy is a tactical plan devised and executed for the purpose of business expansion. Growth strategies should be part and parcel of every business whether small or big.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Growth strategies and key fundamentals specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Expansion strategies are specifically essential for small business ventures which get easily influenced even by the slightest alterations in the market. Changes in the customers, price and competition can negatively affect the growth of any business. Having a strategic plan of growth provides a sense of direction for a business and helps a lot in the minimization of the effects of market place changes (Sabharwal, n.d). This paper compares and contrasts different growth strategies and key fundamentals that should be considered before embarking on an important strategy of growth and wealth building. Every organization has the responsibility of formulating its specific expansion strategy according to its own uniqueness in order to function more competitively. The main growth strategies include expansion, diversification and modernization. Expansion entails escalation of the market share and increasing profits and sales returns of present products and services. This can be successfully done through increased production of existing products and services so as to satisfy a larger market hence increase in sales and profit. The expansion strategy is beneficial especially for those businesses that have a smaller share in the market (Sabharwal, n.d).Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Besides expansion, diversification is a good growth strategy which involves the development of fresh products and services for fresh markets. It reaches a point where a business can no longer expand its existing products and servic es. Therefore, for the purpose of increasing sales, the business should opt for diversification as a growth strategy. Moreover, diversification is not only about changing the outlook of a product or service but also adding completely different products and services. It is evident that there is a major difference between expansion and diversification. Expansion involves an increase in the production and sales of existing products while diversification entails the addition of entirely fresh products and fresh markets. A business can also use modernization as a strategy to realize growth. Modernization involves the improvement of technology to intensify production, enrich value and to trim down wastage and production expenses. The dilapidated and old-fashioned machines and equipment are exchanged with recent ones in order to guarantee efficiency and effectiveness. Moreover, modernization enables a business to become more competitive and enhances acquisition of up to date skills by empl oyees. In addition, modernization enhances growth by ensuring that the profitability of a business is increased because of heightened efficiency and minimized wastage (Sabharwal, n.d). There are key fundamentals that should be considered in any business before embarking on the important strategy of growth.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Growth strategies and key fundamentals specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More They fundamentals include the people that make up the business, the purpose for operating the business, the business processes that are undertaken to fulfill the purpose, the physical resources required to accomplish the processes and the customer who is willing to buy the products and services of a business. All these factors should be considered in order to determine the success of any growth strategy (McKaskill, 2010). Conclusion Every business should have a strategic action plan for the purpose of achieving a competitive advantage and to acquire a good share in the market. Therefore, growth strategies should be included in future plans of a business in order to enhance efficiency. A business without a growth strategy will be unable to survive in the market in this technological era. Businesses always choose their growth strategies depending on their individual needs. For instance, a business that faces the risk of its products becoming obsolete should opt for diversification as a way out. It is evident from the research that there are key aspects that should be in place in order to ensure a successful implementation of a growth strategy. The aspects which include the people, the resources and the customers work hand in hand in ensuring the survival and success of any business venture. Reference List McKaskill, T. (2010, February). Ultimate Growth Strategies. Web.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Sabharwal, S. (n.d). Alternative Growth Strategies for Small Business. Web.

Exegetical paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Exegetical paper - Essay Example As Jesus proceeded with his teaching to Nicodemus, reveals to him that man would no longer be justified by the law alone, but by believing in him as the light of the world (Witt 65). This passage has had issues of misinterpretation especially on the issue of being born of water and the spirit. Jesus also emphasized that being redeemed was pegged on believing in him. A number of Christian faithful have misunderstood the salvation that Jesus Christ brought (Witt 72; and Engelsma 1). Many have misinterpreted the concept of believing that Jesus talked about. Some have not believed in Jesus, for instance Judaism. For such category of people, this passage has been applied within a narrow prism due poor understanding. This passage is of great importance as it emphasizes the central role of Jesus in the new covenant. The understanding of verse 16 that â€Å"whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life† speaks volumes. Confusion and misunderstanding arises when believ e has to be defined. Assess verse 16 in opposite implication also indicates that whoever does not believe in him will perish. What then is it to believe? The purpose of this study is to alert everyone, irrespective of their faith, that failing to believe in Jesus is an eternal spiritual suicide on humanity (Witt 72). By reading this paper, I hope that the reader will understand the importance of salvation by faith. In the above passage, Jesus tells Nicodemus that inheriting the kingdom of God requires one to be born again. Nicodemus has no understanding of what Jesus was speaking about at this time. Therefore, he put it to Jesus that it is impossible for one to be born again physically as he cannot enter into his mother’s womb again. In response, Jesus adds that inheriting the kingdom of God is tied together with being filled with the spirit. He proceeds to tell Nicodemus that there are heavenly things that would surprise him more if he tells him about them. Jesus

Comics History Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Comics History - Essay Example The book is mainly autobiographical, as it draws on the experiences of Spiegelman's father during the World War II, and his own story as a graphic artist. The main theme of the book is the Holocaust It narrates Spiegelman's father Vladek's traumatic experiences during and after the Holocaust., at the same time, showing the trauma which the son Artie is going through in the present time. Vladek, a Polish Jew, has survived the Holocaust in Auschwitz, but his experiences have not removed his own racist tendencies. His wife Anja, Artie's mother, commits suicide soon after they come to America., which leaves a deep scar on Artie's mind. Vladek marries Mala, whom he treats with the same insensitivity. Spiegelman uses allegory, portraying humans of different nationalities as different animals. In Maus, the Jews are depicted as mice, the Germans as cats, the Poles as pigs, the Americans as dogs. There are other animals like the reindeer, the bears depicting the Russians, frogs, the French and the English, fish. Maus takes its name from the German word for mouse. Mice, which are used to represent the Jews, are small, timid , harmless creatures the qualities which the Jews are supposed to possess. At the same time, they are dirty, disease carrying vermin according to the Nazis. Mice are also very resourceful, a characteristic of the Jews.

Please write a thoughtful response to one or more of the readings Essay

Please write a thoughtful response to one or more of the readings - Essay Example When the swordfish started attacking and killing the people of Singapore, Sultan Padouka Sri Maharadja became utterly devastated and hopeless. He did not know how to stop the mysterious swordfish attack. His first response was to use his soldiers as barricades against the attacking swordfishes. But this strategy seems so inhumane. So a young boy suggested using banana trees as barricades. The sultan accepted the suggestion and it proved to be a wise decision. The swordfishes attacked the banana trunks, and because these trunks were solid the people were eventually protected from the swordfishes’ deadly attacks. Fortunately, the swordfishes were not merely stopped, but their long snouts were also stuck in the banana trunks. The numerous swordfishes that were caught provided food for the people. On the surface, the story seems to promote wisdom and cooperation. The swordfish attack was successfully halted due to a young boy’s wisdom and the people’s cooperation. However, the story has an underlying moral message: valuing nature and other creatures of the earth. Asians, especially ethnic groups, are environmentalists by heart. The story expresses resistance to irresponsible fishing. The angry swordfishes symbolize how nature would take revenge if people do not change their attitude toward other creatures of the planet. It shows that the damages we do to the environment will return to us tenfold; it could be even lethal. The young boy’s suggestion, on the other hand, symbolizes effective ways of taking care of the environment. Our concern for the environment will definitely pay off in the end, just like how the swordfishes became a constant food supply for the people of Singapore. The second story, Kancil and Sang Buwaya, is a fable about wisdom, or, more specifically, shrewdness. Kancil, a mouse deer, usually goes to the river to drink. However, Sang Buwaya, a crocodile, wants to eat Kancil. And so the poor mouse deer has to

The Depletion Of Global Oil Reserves Environmental Sciences Essay

The Depletion Of Global Oil Reserves Environmental Sciences Essay The literature review summarized the research done on the problem that global oil reserves are depleting day by day and there is a dire need to find out and utilized alternate energy options especially for a developing country. The depletion of global oil reserves has led to conflicts between the nations and soaring of prices. Oil is the main source of energy and developing countries are facing lot of problems due to shortage of oil in providing their populations better living standards. The literature also covered situation of shortage of oil reserves and energy crises consequent to it. It identifies main consumers of oil in a country and alternate energy resources that could possibly be worked on to meet the energy requirement through sources other than oil. DEPLETION OF GLOBAL OIL RESERVES The API estimated in 1999 the worlds oil supply would be depleted between 2062 and 2094, assuming total world oil reserves between 1.4 and 2 trillion barrels and consumption at 80 million barrels per day. In 2004, total world reserves were estimated to be 1.25 trillion barrels and daily consumption was about 85 million barrels, shifting the estimated oil depletion year to 2057. The US EIA predicted that world consumption of oil will increase to 98.3 million barrels per day in 2015 and 118 in 2030. With 2009 world oil consumption at 84.4, reaching the projected 2015 level of consumption would represent an average annual increase between 2009 and 2015 of 2.7% per year while EIAs own figures show declining consumption and declining supplies during the 2005-2010 period. The worlds oil supply is fixed because petroleum is naturally formed far too slowly to be replaced at the rate at which it is being extracted. Over many millions of years, plankton, bacteria, and other plant and animal matter become buried in sediments on the ocean floor. When conditions are right a lack of oxygen for decomposition, and sufficient depth and temperature of burial these organic remains are converted into petroleum compounds, while the sediment accompanying them is converted into sandstone, siltstone, and other porous sedimentary rock. When capped by impermeable rocks such as shale, salt, or igneous intrusions, they form the petroleum reservoirs which are exploited today. 3.2 ENERGY SECTOR IN PAKISTAN Energy is considered as one of the most important inputs to economic growth and development. Its consumption is also one of the significant indicators of the level of development of any country. It is now well recognized that energy services play a crucial role in enhancing social and economic development. Energy has become an engine of economic growth at local and global level. It is needed worldwide for fostering and sustaining development process perspective of developing or developed states of the economy. Keeping in view the global economic growth coupled with an increase in population, the demand for energy is bound to increase and meeting this demand poses serious challenges at the global level. In coming decades, the demand for energy is expected to grow more rapidly in developing countries. Since independence, the central thrust of Pakistans energy policy has been on augmenting the countrys energy system. As a result of significant planning and public investment, there has been substantial expansion of energy sector. Despite the significant development in the energy sector, Pakistan yet suffers from energy shortage. This situation has been increasingly viewed as a bottleneck to industrial and agricultural sectors that in turn are seen critical in stimulating the economic and social development. Being a developing country, Pakistan has faced the challenge of fueling industry and agriculture sectors adequately for meeting growth targets and providing energy at affordable prices to poor especially those living in the rural areas. The availability of energy at affordable prices can be a major factor that determines a whole array of other productive activities leading to economic growth. NATIONAL ENERGY MIX Energy sector in Pakistan comprises electricity, gas, petroleum, coal and nuclear power. The share of natural gas in primary energy supplies during 2010 reached 45 percent followed by oil (28 percent), hydro electricity (15 percent), coal (10 percent) and nuclear electricity (2 percent). As can be seen Pakistan is dependent on oil and Gas, which together contribute around 73% of the total primary energy supplied. 3.4 POWER GENERATION, SECTORAL DISTRIBUTION AND CONSUMPTION The total installed capacity generation during 2006-07, was 19,440 MW. WAPDA generated 11,363 MW of which, hydle accounts for 56.9 percent or 6,463 MW, thermal accounts for 43.1 percent or 4,900 MW. IPPs generation was 5858 (MW) which constituted 30% of total installed capacity. KESC with 1756 (MW) contributed 9.1% share and nuclear added 2.4%.Number of WAPDA consumers stood at 17 million out of which household accounted for 84%,commercial 13%and industrial and agricultural1.4%each. As on 30th June, 2007 industrial sector consumed 26%, agriculture 12%and households 43% besides commercial and others. The annual per capita electricity consumption in Pakistan is around 320kwh, and this only caters for 60 percent of the population. Forty percent of Pakistanis still have no access to electricity. There is currently load shedding of up to 700 MW a day because of shortage poor transmission capabilities. Electricity demand is expected to grow by eight per cent a year during the period 2005 2015, requiring an annual installation capacity of about 2000 MW for the next 10 years. Currently about 45% of Pakistans power supply is based on natural gas, 28% on oil, 15% on hydro and remaining on coal, nuclear and renewable electricity. Keeping in view the current power mix, it is essential to concentrate on indigenous and cost effective sources for power generation. 3.5 CURRENT ENERGY GAP IN PAKISTAN Pakistan is currently facing electricity shortfall of around 4000-9000 MW. Everyone agrees that an essential precondition for industrial development is an uninterrupted supply of power.The installed capacity for generation of electricity in the country is 11,500 MW of which 82.7 per cent was thermal; 15.3 percent was hydroelectric and 2 percent was nuclear. Pakistan needs to sustain an annual economic growth rate of at least 6 to 7 percent to alleviate poverty and realize desirable socio-economic and human development. To achieve the growth target of GDP, it is absolutely essential that the minimum electricity growth rate is maintained. The provision of adequate and reliable supply of electricity at a reasonable cost is a prerequisite to attain this goal. Power is the prime mover. Any big push of the economy would need accelerated power development. But there is a likelihood that Pakistans current economic growth might not sustain in the absence of consistent and continuous devolvement of new power projects. 3.6 REVIEW OF PAKISTANS ENERGY PORTFOLIO Looking at the power portfolio of Pakistan it looks as if we are living in an oil rich country. Presently, Pakistan has lot of oil fired power plants. Continuous hike in furnace oil prices can make them unviable in near future. But even if circumstances are not extreme, even if there are no upheavals in producing countries, no terrorist attacks and supply disruptions, the prices will keep going up. Why? Because there is a fundamental imbalance for oil in the world economy. Production is just enough to meet demand. There is no spare capacity to take care of unforeseen shutdowns, supply disruption or a further rise in demand. Such an unbalance power profile carries serious repercussions. An evenhanded power portfolio would require a fair balance among various sources of power with no excessive reliance on any. One of the few matters which must be considered in establishing the power portfolio is that excessive reliance on any single source especially foreign source on which we have no control over supply and price can make things miserable any time. Oil import bill of more than $ 7 billion or around 50% of foreign exchange reserves of a developing economy with no hopes of creating exportable surplus in the near future is undoubtedly very alarming. As 28% of the power generation is based on oil therefore any hindrance in the transportation of oil can cause severe damage to the economy. In short, time has proved that the best solution for all such problems is encouragement and development of indigenous resource. Many countries, including the developed and emerging economies, have adopted extensive programs for increasing hydle and coal based power into their energy portfolios. It would not be wrong if we say that continuous negligence of indigenous resource has made Pakistans power policy directionless. This negligence, absence of priorities and focusing on expensive foreign fuel has made cheap electricity and self reliance a day dream. Pakistan is fortunate enough to have two cheap indigenous resources for power generation i.e. water and coal. But it is sheer bad luck that we have not been able to use both of these resources effectively. Estimated coal reserves of Pakistan are around 185,175 million tons which is one of the largest coal reserves of the world whereas their utilization for electricity generation is barely ten percent. Essentially indigenous coal-based power will bring various benefits for Pakistan; first and foremost benefit would be immense savings in foreign exchange on import of expensive oil. Coal based power plants are labor intensive and will create thousands of new jobs and various other new business opportunities at plant site in particular and in Pakistan in general. ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN PAKISTAN Like any other country, energy is vital for the economic development of Pakistan. Energy should not only be available but it must be ensured that it is available at a reasonable and affordable price and with out any interruption. For a developing country, like Pakistan where the main stress is on the poverty alleviation, energy plays a positive role. It is imperative that energy production should be environment friendly. More over a mix of energy sources will be helpful in diversification of the sector and would ensure the provision of this vital resource where it is required. The stage of economic development and the standard of living of individuals in a given region strongly influence the link between economic growth and energy demand. An increased use of energy, either through natural gas or electricity, impacts favourably on the living standards of the poor as they then spend less time looking for alternative forms of fuel such as firewood. Similarly, the provision of electricity to the rural areas can help in raising productivity levels of small-scale industry thereby indirectly raising income levels and in the longer term improving the quality of life for the rural poor. Rural electrification is important because it brings to the rural areas the benefits that urban consumers take for granted -an improvement in the standard of living with the associated socio-economic benefits. Provision of electric power also has a purely economic outcome that of increasing the productive capacity of the rural areas with increases in agricultural output. 3.7 PAKISTAN ENERGY SECURITY PLAN AND ENERGY MIX Pakistan historically has been subjected to energy demand suppression due to limited supplies and lack of infrastructure development for provision of energy to the industrial sector. The non availability of sustained and affordable energy to industry has suppressed economic growth and created declining tendency for industrial investment in the country. It is now more important then ever that an adequate supply be made available to industry to drive economic growth, and create employment opportunities. Energy has also to be made available to the domestic sector and the life line segments of society to provide economic support and the convenience of clean fuel for cooking and heating and prevent the continuing environmental degradation and deforestation by massive use of wood for domestic fuel. The commercial availability to various sector of the economy will help in increasing job opportunities, enhancing agriculture productivity, improving standard of living and preserving environmen t through reducing deforestation. A long term integrated National Energy Security Plan, covering the period up to 2030 has recently been approved by the Government vide Mid Term Development Framework (MTDF). The energy sector development is aimed at (i) enhancement in the exploitation of hydropower, and exploration and production activities of oil, gas and coal resources, and to increase the share of coal and alternative energy in the overall energy mix, (ii) optimum utilization of the countrys resources base to reduce dependence on imported oil through an institutionalized strategy, (iii) creating an environment conducive to the participation of the private sector, and (iv) developing the local energy scenario in the context of regional perspective. The current energy mix includes 28 percent oil, 45 percent natural gas, 10 percent coal, 15 percent hydro and 2 percent nuclear. By 2015, the share of oil and gas is targeted to be reduced to 25 percent and 42 percent respectively with corresponding increases in the shar e of coal to 12 percent, hydro to 17.6 percent, renewable to 1 percent and nuclear to 3 percent. Over the long term, the increase in other sources of energy, has been targeted with substantial reduction in the share of oil. EXISTING ENERGY RESOURCES IN PAKISTAN THE CONVENTIONAL RESOURCES 3.8 HYDROPOWER The identified hydro power potential of Pakistan is 46,000 MW, out of which only 14 per cent (6,500 MW) has been exploited so far. Despite this big potential, no hydro power project has been established by WAPDA since Tarbela Dam. The most feasible and economical project Kala Bagh Dam has become so controversial that it could not take off though successive governments wished so. There are plans to develop the hydro resources on a large scale through storage and run -of-the-river projects. Feasibility studies of several projects have already been prepared, while studies of several additional projects are in progress or planned. Hydro is one of the major economic energy supply options in Pakistan for increasing the energy security of the country. The experts caution that for the time horizons of around 100 years, hydro storage projects are non -renewable due to the silting of these reservoirs. For example, over the last 30 years, the storage capacity of Tarbela dam has been reduced by 27 per cent due to silting. Similarly, there is a world wide concern over the dislocation of population and the environmental hazards associated with large dams. Another issue related to the hydro power is that a large number of additional sites with major potential exist in the mountainous North, but the difficulty of access and the high cost of transmission to the populous South make the idea into a completed project a distant prospect. Not only, it means additional cost to build the transmission infrastructure but at the same time a huge loss occurs during the transmission (it is estimated to be between 28 to 30 percent). Another problem is the seasonal variation, where in winter the generation is reduced due to shortage of water in the storages. However, hydro is still the most economical energy resource in Pakistan. 3.9 OIL AND GAS There are considerable oil and gas reserves in Pakistan. The crude oil reserves are estimated at 27 billion barrels including 300 million barrels proven reserves. The level of production is presently 22.6 million barrels compared with the level of consumption of 100 million barrels. The natural gas reserves are 8 trillion cubic meters including the proven reserves of 0.8 trillion cubic meters. The level of production is presently 93 million cubic meters per day compared with the level of consumption of 82 million cubic meters per day. The oil sector has all along been heavily dependant on imports of about 85 percent of the national requirement. Annually about 7.8 million tonnes of crude oil, 5.2 million tonnes of oil products and 2.8 million tonnes of coal are being imported. The local production of oil and gas would start declining due to depletion of resources. There would also be a deficit of gas unless considerable contribution is made from new discoveries. In case the gap is not met through indigenous supply, there will be need to import gas, and the requisite infrastructure would have to be placed in a timely manner. 3.10 COAL Pakistans coal resources are estimated at 185 billion tonnes (82,700 MTOE, or 2 per cent of the world coal resources), out of which 95 per cent are in the Thar coal field in Sindh. This coal is of lignite rank having high moisture content and low heating value. So far only 3.3 billion tonnes of coal resources are in the measured category, and considering a recovery factor of 60 per cent, these correspond to some 2.0 billion tonnes of recoverable coal reserves. However, this coal is equivalent to the combined oil reserves of Saudi Arabia and Iran. As part of the strategy of increasing local energy content, a major emphasis is being placed on exploiting coal resources for large-scale use in power generation, and possibly for the production of coal bed methane. 3.11 NUCLEAR ENERGY Pakistan has two nuclear power plants, Chashma-1 and Kanupp, with 300 MW and 125 MW respectively, of installed capacity. The PAEC operates both nuclear plants. Pakistan is currently working on a third nuclear power plant (Chashma-2), with the help of China National Nuclear Corporation. The plant will have 325 MW of installed capacity expected to be completed by 2012. INTRODUCTION AND DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATE ENERGY Energy is one of the most important issues for all governments world over. Developed states need energy to sustain their advanced way of life and to cater to the every-changing needs of life dictated by technology. Developing countries need energy for it is the sine qua non for development. Alternative energy has been the most recent addition to the academic and practical aspects of the energy world. The concept is relevant but its importance is absolute. Developed states have begun to manage their energy sector in an increasingly alternative energy based perspective and, this has a great lessons for a country like Pakistan which is aspiring to develop into a healthy economy with an improved quality of life for its citizens. The theory and use of alternative energy is at the most introductory stage in Pakistan. However, in terms of resources and use of alternate energy, Pakistan stands well placed to employ this novel concept in the national policy framework Alternative or renewable energy, sources show significant promise in helping to reduce the amount of toxins that are by-products of energy use. Not only do they protect against harmful by-products, but using alternative energy helps to preserve many of the natural resources that we currently use as sources of energy. The Alternate Energy Development Board (AEDB) has been established to facilitate development of renewable energy projects. At least 5 per cent of the total electricity generating capacity of the country is targeted to be based on these sources by the year 2030. To understand how alternative energy use can help preserve the delicate ecological balance of the planet, and help us conserve the non-renewable energy sources like fossil fuels, it is important to know what types of alternative energy can be brought into reality in Pakistan. Renewable sources of energy like wind power, solar, geothermal energy, wave and tidal power, biomass energy, hydrogen and fuel cells, as well as hydropower are alternatives to fossil fuel and regarded as alternative sources of energy. 3.12 WIND POWER Wind power is one of the earliest forms of energy used by humankind. Windmills were used on farms in the early part of the twentieth century to pump water and generate electricity. Now considered an alternative energy source, wind power is being harnessed by modern windmills with lighter, stronger blades. In US states such as California, New Hampshire, Oregon, and Montana, up to several hundred windmills may operate together in open areas with steady winds. Single giant windmills capable of providing electricity to several thousand homes are also operating in the United States. With new technologies being developed to improve windmill performance and efficiency, wind power is a promising, clean, cheap, and abundant source of energy for the future. The wind power captured by turbines at is a source of energy that does not harm the environment. Wind energy harnesses the power of the wind to propel the blades of wind turbines. The rotation of turbine blades is converted into electrical current by means of an electrical generator. In the older windmills, wind energy was used to turn mechanical machinery to do physical work, like crushing grain or pumping water. Wind towers are usually built together on wind farms. Now, electrical currents are harnessed by large scale wind farms that are used by national electrical grids as well as small individual turbines used for providing electricity to isolated locations or individual homes. Wind power produces no pollution that can contaminate the environment. Since no chemical processes take place, like in the burning of fossil fuels, in wind power generation, there are no harmful by-products left over. Since wind generation is a renewable source of energy, Pakistan will never run out of it. Farming and grazing can still take place on land occupied by wind turbines which can help in the production of bio-fuels. Wind farms can be built off-shore. Since 2001, global wind capacity has nearly doubled to 47,760 megawatts and is cheaper than natural gas even without subsidies; on good sites, wind is even closing in on coal. Pakistan has potentials of wind energy ranging from 10000MW, yet power generation through wind is in intiaial stages in Pakistnan and currently 06 MW has been installed in first phase in Jhampir through a Turkish company and 50 MW will be installed shortly. More wind power plants will be built in Jhampir, Gharo, Keti Bandar and Bin Qasim Karachi. 3.13 SOLAR POWER Energy from the Sun is a free, abundant, and nonpolluting source of energy. Solar power involves using solar cells to convert sunlight into electricity, using sunlight hitting solar thermal panels to convert sunlight to heat water or air. Pakistan has potential of more than 100,000 MW from solar energy. Buildinn of solar power plants is underway in Kashmir, Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan. However, private vendors are importing panels/solar water heaters for consumption in the market. Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) is working for 20,000 solar water heaters in Gilgit Baltistan. Mobile companies have been asked by theh government to shift supply of energy to their transmission towers from petroleum to solar energy panels. 3.14 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY Geothermal energy harnesses the heat energy present underneath the Earth. Hot rocks under the ground heat water to produce steam. When holes are drilled in the region, the steam that shoots up is purified and is used to drive turbines, which power electric generators. If done correctly, geothermal energy produces no harmful by-products. Once a geothermal plant is build, it is generally self-sufficient energy wise. Geothermal power plants are generally small and have little effect on the natural landscape. Geothermal energy is the natural heat generated in the interior of Earth and released from volcanoes and hot springs or from geysers that shoot out heated water and steam. Reservoirs of hot water and steam under Earths surface can be accessed by drilling through the rock layer. The naturally heated water can be used to heat buildings, while the steam can be used to generate electricity. Steam can also be produced by pumping cold water into rock that is heated by geothermal energy; such steam is then used to produce electric power. Geothermal energy is an important alternative energy source in areas of geothermal activity, including parts of the United States, Iceland, and Italy. Homes in Boise, Idaho, are heated using geothermal energy, as are most buildings in Iceland. The Geysers in California is the largest steam field in the world and has been used to produce electricity since 1960. Unlike solar energy and wind power, however, the use of geothermal energy has an environmental impact. Chemicals in the steam contribute to air pollution, and water mixed with the steam contains dissolved salts that can corrode pipes and harm aquatic ecosystems. 3.15 TIDAL AND OCEAN ENERGY The rise and fall of ocean tides contain enormous amounts of energy that can be captured to produce electricity. Tidal power cab be extracted from Moon-gravity-powered tides by locating a water turbine in a tidal current. The turbine can turn an electrical generator, or a gas compressor, that can then store energy until needed. Coastal tides are a source of clean, free, renewable, and sustainable energy. Plans are underway in Pakistan to harness tidal energy, however, no implementation has been made so far. 3.16 AGRICULTURE BIOMASS/BIODIESEL Biomass production involves using garbage or other renewable resources such as sugarcane, corn or other vegetation to generate electricity. When garbage decomposes, methane is produced and captured in pipes and later burned to produce electricity. Vegetation and wood can be burned directly to generate energy, like fossil fuels, or processed to form alcohols. Brazil has one of the largest renewable energy programs from biomass/biodiesel in the world, followed by USA. Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) of Pakistann has planned to generate 10 MW of electricity from municipal waste in Karachi followed by similar projects in twenty cities of country.

Voices By Dacia Maraini - Book Essay -- essays research papers

Repeated images of Angela Bari living an imprisoned life in Voices by Dacia Maraini play an important role in book. The internal and external forces surrounding Angela Bari lead her to a life of confinement and domination. If Angela Bari had broken away from her confinement she may have prevented her untimely death by exposing the ill ways of her stepfather, Glauco Elia. Angela's secretiveness, self-doubt, and compliance with others lead her to victimization. It is not until her unfortunate murder that Angela's imprisonment gets unraveled. Her distorted emotions are revealed as this relatively unknown young woman's death is investigated. Journalists trample inside Ms. Bari's life without any regards to her in an attempt to solve this murder mystery (17). Angela's body was discovered by the porter of her apartment who is 'astonished that there should be so little blood on the floor'; when he discovers that she is lying on the ground dead after being stabbed several times (18). This is the first clue that Angela is cornered in her own little world. She has little blood, which is regarded as the seat of emotions, and her lack of such nourishment suggests that perhaps she was never nurtured. Furthermore, her cause of death, internal hemorrhage, suggests that those feelings imbedded within her were lost rapidly and uncontrollably (19). The obscure grasp Angela has of her emotions is just one facet of her imprisonment. Angela's imprisonment is traced back to its roots in adolescence, when at the young age of eight her father dies leaving an 'empty gap'; in her life 'that couldn't ever be filled'; (189). Shortly thereafter her mother remarries, and her bondage evolves. Her new family life is the main source of her isolation. It is, as though her family remained 'cocooned inside its own cultural and linguistic bunker'; (6). Similar to many, her family was like a 'minefield'; (39). The most explosive is Angela's new father who sexually abuses her (214-215). 'He loved her without respecting her . . . and treated her as if she belonged to him'; (213). He felt as though he were taming her (233). He obviously sees nothing wrong in what he is doing as he claims, 'I'm very content with my household of women'; (190) as though they were objects. In addition, he does not see anything wrong with Marco beating Angela's sister, Ludovica. 'I know he beats her up but I think wi... ...aked, would be overcome by an excruciating desire to touch her, caress her, to penetrate her, even to rape her because in some way she was really asking for this . . . at the same time that brought out the wish to kill her. (237) Angela's life was marked by this torture. Glauco Elia lived so that he could dominate and overpower Angela like so many people did, but in the end no one was able to really control her. Just as she began to truly break away from her prison by exposing the 'horrible things'; that encompassed her she is murdered by her stepfather because he loses all his sense of power. She tells him that he had 'ruined her life, her body was dead, forever, dead'; (241). Similar to Michela who has trouble finding Glauco's house even when she has directions (183-185) Angela is unable to find a path that will lead her past Glauco and his dominance. Even after her death Angela Bari's soul 'isn't at peace'; (55). Her body does not 'remain whole until the Day of Judgement';, (57) but similar to her life she is 'brutally torn apart'; (22) at her death. Even her family does not come to Angela's funeral (7) further illustrating the isolation Angela was bound to during her lifetime.

Education and Poverty Essay

Education of poor is a challenge that has kept American political and academic quarters on a precipitous edge. Although the government spends billions of dollars on various social welfare activities especially directed towards eradicating poverty and bridging up the enormous gap that exists poor have always found education a distant realm, where their access is limited and its longevity is in doubt. The issue takes a very drastic form when even the children of American poor are unable to avail available educational opportunities. Among all the developed countries, United States of America reports highest levels of child poverty where one child in every six children lives below poverty line. According to US Bureau of Census (1998), out of total 36 million poor living in USA, 15 million of them were children and among them, around 25 percent children face extreme poverty. Incidences of poverty among children have extremely negative implications for their academic and educational opportunities, seriously devastating their early formative years, that in turns jeopardize rest of their life. An overwhelming volume of research in the field brings out conclusive relationship between social economic status and educational opportunities. The relationship becomes more proportional with lowering economic status where academic underachievement and discrepancies in educational opportunities are very acute. This paper looks into the social, economic and political implications of under-education of poor children in USA and identify the ways that can prove effective in ensuring compulsory education for every American child, irrespective of their socio-economic status. Education as a social problem The issue of education has become a matter of great public and social concern due to the differential nature of the education policy and the school system, creating and an unbalanced and destabilized social structure. Moreover, as academicians, have indicated, the reason for worry is that while school system has been made elaborate, their deliverable content has been not, negating the purpose of the education and creating a society of literate but uneducated people (Kumar, 1997). Educationists and public policy makers, despite their claims and efforts of creating a world class school system and education model to cater to the needs of future America and meets the purpose of extending education’s benefits to every class of the society, have missed the beat by focusing more on academic parameters while ignoring the socio-economical-cultural aspects that play equally important part in determining the final outcome (Pipho, 1999). A failed socio-economical system, with widespread social evils and depleted living conditions, especially in the semi-urban areas and urban slums creates diversified pockets within the social structure that makes the possibility of any qualified education and school system a difficult proposition under the existing set of circumstances. The vicious cycle Education and poverty share a very deep, although inverse relation, each one determining the eventual impact and influence of other. For example, according to National Assessment of Educational Progress (2000) evaluation, educational outcomes is determined by birth weight, nutrition, housing quality, and access to health care. These factors have important bearing on cognitive functioning of child and quality of parenting, that in turn determines educational achievement. Low quality of educational attainment is a major cause of poverty, and poverty is a key determinant of academic performance. Therefore, poverty establishes a vicious cycle where it reinforces its effect in a continuing cycle to make educational underachievement chronic, inflicting heavy costs on social development. Educational standards are further effected by lower public funding for schools serving low-income group than schools serving higher-SES children. Funding equity is yet largely unimplemented , and a number of discrepancies, including differential state and federal policies in fund allotment comes in question to affect equitable distribution of resources. Need for Early Intervention One of the most important determining factors of effective education is children’s academic interest that has substantial impact on academic achievement ((Wagner, Spiker and Linn, 2002)). Children displaying interest, motivation, engagement, goals, values, and self-efficacy demonstrate higher degree of academic success, highlighting the importance of these factors in educational outcome. According to Chapman et al (2000), quoted by Wagner, Spiker and Linn, (2002) shows that the relation between interests and skills starts to develop in the early formative years, and it has crucial role in predicting future achievement and learning capabilities of children. (Chapman et al. 2000). Research has shown that in the early years of development, children from both lower and higher socio economic groups show comparable degrees of confidence level, learning attitude, grasping ability and concentration(Alexander & Entwisle 1988, Stipek & Ryan 1997). However, as they are denied further opportunities to pursue education in an orderly and timely manner, they lose interest in school within the first years and gradually their competence, self confidence and educational inclination dwindles, bringing instability and disorientation in their approach. (Stipek & Tannatt 1984, Wigfield et al. 1997 as quoted by Wagner, Spiker and Linn, 2002). Skills and interest are reciprocal in nature and their outcome is often influenced by the available exposure and opportunities. Thus children who read more, get to develop better reading habits and children who give more time to mathematics have their numerical skills sharpened. Similarly, children who do not get to read or do not get engaged in mathematical exercises are likely to stay behind others. Children also get discouraged from actively taking up education due to their repeated academic failures, increasing frustration levels, and lack of motivational educational guidance. Failure, distress and teachers’ negative attitude towards children from low socio-economic groups are the key de-motivational factors that severely affect poor children and keeps them at permanent disadvantage against children from higher soci-economic structure((Wagner, Spiker and Linn, 2002)). Lower levels of expectations; parents’ indifference, and ground economic condition are other demotivating factors. These problems take irrevocable form as children get older and form their own peer groups that create substantial barrier in their integration with educational mainstream. ((Wagner, Spiker and Linn, 2002)). Students from lower economic groups form a disadvantaged lot from the very beginning of their life. They have very few books, educational toys and experience with education. Research about poverty and educational facilities have shown that less than half the pre-school children from lower economic groups have access to educational books, while for better off families, almost 98 percent of pre school children have complete set of educational accessories. Children from poor families on average receive only 25 hours of book reading by the time of school entry, while the same figure is 1000 to 1700 hours for middle-class children. Poverty misshapes the entire educational construct and context of children. It substantially alters their emotional and behavioral function, relationships with adults and peers, and family, school, and community; In these key areas of development, low-SES children are placed at risk and disadvantage against their peers from higher income group (Stevenson, 1997) Poverty instigates a range of externalizing problems such as aggression, inattention, impulsivity and rebelliousness- all of these leading to gradual academic underachievement. Children become disruptive and noncompliant and develop behavior problems such as problems in paying attention, relating to others and controlling their emotion. This problem is further compounded by teachers’ reaction to situation, who adopt a stricter code of conduct for children displaying behavioral problems in attempt to bring their focus back on studies. However, more than often, children from lower socio-economic background are knowingly or inadvertently discriminated. It pushes them closer to each other and instigates rule breaking habits, indiscipline, disobedience and finally delinquent behavior-a process that completely sew off their connection with schools and academics ((Wagner, Spiker and Linn, 2002; Stevenson, 1997) Analysis of Academic Influence One of major initiative in bridging up the gap among children from middle and higher income group and children form lower income group is application of technology and science. It is envisaged that computers could play a important role in bringing about a harmonized and equitable educational structure. Although current computer access is very limited for low-income group children, the increasing pace of their expansion in educational framework holds many promises towards its re-design and restructure that could benefit large number of children from lower economic groups (Stevenson, 1997) Researchers have constantly identified need of integrating technology through the earliest phases of education to prepare them to compete with other children when they grown mature. Issues in improving public education to include Poor With huge investment and cash flow, but insignificant results to show for, following are the major issues in improving the American school system to orient them to needs of all the socio-economic group (Barnes, 1997)

Applications of Surface Plasmon Field

Applications of Surface Plasmon Field Introduction Surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy (SPR) represents an optical technique that is widely used in the classification of both thin films and interfaces. The underlying principles that are synonymous with this technique are widely reported in literature. Analyses that benefit from the sensitivity of this technique are those that are regarded to as bio-active in nature.Advertising We will write a custom book review sample on Applications of Surface Plasmon Field-enhanced Fluorescence specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More At this juncture, we have a reaction pair such that one partner chemically attaches itself to the biofunctional layer and the other partner carries the surface plasmon mode while maintaining contact with the analyte. As such, as the analyte molecules leave the solution they impart a corresponding change in the refractive index. This can be scrutinized in real-time and in an operation that is label-free. In a nu tshell, a quantifiable sensor signal is generated once the analyte molecules are detected. However, one setback of this technique is that the sensor signal might go unnoticed when the analyte enrichment (density) is extremely low or its molecules are tiny to generate signals. Among the techniques adopted to limit this problem is the application of a â€Å"quasi-three dimensional surface layer of a hydrogel or a polymer brush probed by surface plasmon wave leading to effective increase in binding site density† (Ford Weber, 2013). Even so, many relevant analyte concentrations go undetected. Recently, the launch of surface plasmon field-enhanced fluorescence spectroscopy (SPFS) has functioned to completely eliminate this detection limit. The underlying principle adopted in this technique is that a superior electromagnetic field emanating from a surface plasmon is used in the excitation of surface-bound fluorophores (Wolfgang Neumann, 2013). As a result, the emitted fluorescenc e is eventually analyzed to reflect the behavior of the analyte. The figure below is a schematic representation of the SPFS (Stewart Thompsons, 2008). Since its inception, SPFS technique has been used to achieve a number of milestones. It has successfully been used to: trace fluorophore-labeled molecules, analyze primer extension reaction-based studies, study interfacial hybridization analysis, perform imaging of surfaces, study antibody-antigen interaction, and perform colloids studies. However, its importance is not limited to the aforementioned applications. There are still many more areas where this technique has excelled. For the sake of this review, we limit our scope to the above mentioned applications.Advertising Looking for book review on natural sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Tracing of fluorophore-labeled molecules (Aflatoxin M1 in milk) Prior to the discovery of SPFS, the existing techniques were unable to probe miniature quantities of analytes in real-time. As a consequence, these techniques were rendered useless in analyses that required stringent measures, for instance, proteomics. Since its inception in the year 1999, SPFS has made possible these analyses giving accurate and reliable results. Apart from the conventional SPR spectroscopy probing of the thickness changes at the interface, SPFS offers â€Å"the fluorescence signal channel that can directly monitor biomolecular binding kinetics in a highly sensitive way† (Duque et al., 2012). Nonetheless, the incident fluorescence that emanate from the flourophores experience considerable quenching by metals in the order of less than 10 nm dye-to-metal distances. This limits the benefits that are achieved from the SPR field effects. Moreover, an imminent signal deviation, an undesirable effect is anticipated. This signal emanates from a combined effect of the fading â€Å"surface plasmon field and the metal-indu ced quenching† (Huang Yu, 2013). Recently, efforts have been put in place to reduce the problem posed by dye-to-metal distance. These strategies that include among others the layer-by-layer strategy are meant to optimize on the dye-to-metal allowance. For the sake of this analysis, a spatially extended matrix is adopted as a binding template vital in overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks. In order to detect aflatoxin M1 in milk, a novel biosensor that is extremely sensitive is employed. The biosensor is basically based on an already advanced SPFS courtesy â€Å"of the excitation of long range surface plasmons (LRSPs)† (Fang Bjorn, 2013). Whatever happens in the SPFS is that the flurophore-labeled elements get attached to the sensor surface. At the same time, this reaction is probed with surface plasmons (SPs) that result in fluorescence that sends signals to the detector. Like it has been mentioned before, the principle adopted utilizes the enhanced field intensity that result from the excitation of surface plasmons to amplify the ensuing fluorescence signal. In order to achieve detection effect, both the LRSP-enhanced fluorescence spectroscopy and an inhibitor immunoassay ought to be merged. At this juncture, the derivative aflatoxin M1 gets localized on the surface of the sensor. As such, the antibodies that are typically antagonistic to aflatoxin M1 come in handy as recognition elements. To this end, the aflatoxin M1 can easily be detected thanks to the biosensor.Advertising We will write a custom book review sample on Applications of Surface Plasmon Field-enhanced Fluorescence specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Primer extension reaction-based studies The enzyme DNA polymerase is one key catalyst that has been employed by biotechnologists in the in-vitro manufacture of double-stranded DNA. These enzymes come in handy in both DNA sequencing methodologies and in PCR-based procedures vital in pin pointing the occurrence of mutation. Vitally, methodologies that employ unique enzyme functions to ascertain the â€Å"identity of a base sequence, such as DNA ligation, digestion, restriction and primer extension, are generally more sensitive to base aberrations than those based on DNA hybridization reactions alone† (Giannini et al., 2012). The current procedures are aimed at improving both the operational competence and the sensitivity limits. One of the commonly used approaches analyzes DNA microarrays by exploring the fluorescence intensities. Contemporary procedures explore the surface attachment of the reacting compounds to execute their principles that are typically real-time methods. Among these procedures include quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR). These two have successfully been used to study both the RNA and DNA polymerase profiles. Basically, this procedure is more versatile visvis the previous DNA microarrays method since it pr ovides information on the enzyme kinetics. With this information one is better placed to understand the dynamics of the interaction. Even with their competences in analyzing DNA synthesis, they are short of monitoring nucleotide incorporation events. This is owed to the fact they fail to detect miniature corresponding mass changes. SPFS methodology comes in handy in detecting these negligible mass changes. For the sake of this report, we review a study that brings to light how SPFS was used to examine the catalytic action involved in the integration of â€Å"fluorescently labeled nucleotides into surface-attached oligonucleotides† (Dostlek Knoll, 2013). Of note, the catalyst that is involved in this study is DNA polymerase I. In SPFS, a brief electromagnetic field emanating from the surface plasmon mode and transmitting parallel to the gold-water interface enhances the excitation of surface-bound flourophores. The resonance of excitation is dependent on the refractive index of the interfacial layer. This can be enhanced by altering the angle of incident of the excitation light. At resonance, the resulting interfacial field is amplified two octaves higher than the incident light (when the interface ÃŽ » is set at 633 nm) (Tawa Knoll, 2013). The optimal strength that dies off exponentially to the surface is realized at the interface. The amplification of the evanescent field is what gives SPFS its great sensitivity, making it different from TIRF (total internal reflection fluorescence) spectroscopy.Advertising Looking for book review on natural sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More SPFS spectroscopy as applied in the interfacial hybridization analysis Advances made in the development of DNA biosensors that has enabled them exhibit unequalled sensitivity and selectivity is owed to the successes made in Human Genome Project (HGP). Some biosensors including acoustic waves, fiber optics and plasmon surface-based have successfully analyzed oligonucleotide, achieving immediate scrutiny of hybridization kinetics. Nonetheless, these techniques have failed to merit in the detection of PCR-amplified DNA. Ideally, oligonucleotides and PCR products are dissimilar analytes differing chiefly in two aspects (Knoll, 2012). First, the difference comes in the respective lengths of the bases forming them. Basically, oligonucleotides analytes that are utilized in biosensing analysis are normally less than 30 bases in length. This is dwarfed by the length of the PCR products that accommodate several kilo bases (kb). As such, this massive amount of bases coupled with complexity in sequencing has been a major hindrance in PCR product analysis. For example, some of the non-selective portions of the products may jeopardize the hybridization process by physically adhering to the surface-bound probes, exuding high background signals. Moreover, the existence of these non-selective pieces enhances the magnitude of steric hindrance which limits the effectiveness of binding of PCR products. Second, typically, PCR products are double-stranded in nature. This is a major setback that bars the recognition units from accessing the surface-bound probes. As a result, the sensitivity of the analysis is greatly reduced. For these techniques, only the end-point results are reported. As such, these techniques do not offer an in-depth analysis of the hybridization mechanism. This can only be offered by SPFS (Robelek et al., 2013). In this review, we analyze how SPFS can be used to inspect hybridization of PCR products using PNAs (peptide nucleic acids) probes. Here, the initial s tep was to clearly explain the importance of antisense strand as applied in hybridization. In this effect, three PCR products were developed and then distinguished by labeling. These included the sense, antisense and sense-antisense double strands. These were then subjected to heat denaturation process prior to a hybridization process with surface-bound PNA (at 10 mM NaOH). These were then monitored by SPFS in real-time. The results obtained showed that the sense-antisense strands exhibited a slightly higher hybridization signal visvis the sense strand. The lower signal as portrayed by the sense strand was caused by the antisense strands that elicited weak fluorescence. After denaturation process, the initially separated double strands re-associated courtesy of NaOH concentration (Kellis Poulose, 2012). Principally, higher salt concentration inhibits repulsion between denatured strands. As revealed by SPFS technique, only a few antisense strands were seen to have been bound on to t he surface during the entire hybridization process. This gives a glimpse of the importance of SPFS technique as used in monitoring hybridization process. This process deals with decimal components that require the sensitivity that is provided for by the aforementioned technique. SPFS-SPRM as used in surface imaging Simply put, surface plasmons are characterized by charge-density oscillations that occur at the boundary adjoining to media. The resonance that happens at the surface plasmons is achieved when two wave-vectors (p-polarized light and that of the surface plasmons) match. This result in a decrease in photon flux emanating from the media boundary. The fields generated â€Å"from the surface plasmons interact with the immediate media surrounding the interface, only to decay exponentially to the media, with the rate of decay depended on the media used† (Attridge et al., 2013). As it has clearly been explained by Attridge et al. (2013), SPRM (surface plasmon resonance mic roscopy) employs the activation of surface plasmons to concurrently inspect the near-superficial refractive index at several sites of a sample surface. The generated field can also be employed to activate flurophores as exhibited by SPFS or SPRF. The merits of this technique is that it displays high degree of sensitivity in real-time, it amplifies the intensity of the incident field up to 80 times, and the reflected field comes in handy in suppressing unwarranted background light. Previous SPRM/SPRF â€Å"quipped with lasers in their systems display excellent qualities including narrow bandwidth and enhanced power† (Huang Yu, 2013). Nonetheless, the effectiveness of SPRM/SPRF in accomplishing imaging has greatly been hampered owing to speckle artifacts that are brought about by laser illumination. This decreases the ability of the double−system to concurrently track and identify specific regions. For the sake of eliminating the aforementioned problems, the system assem bly incorporate convectional laser pointers and acoustic transducer (anti-despeckle). Notably, dark Mylar is incorporated on the flow−cell to enhance coherence of the emitted excitation light. This further goes on to enhance synchronization of measurement at specific locations on the flow−cell. This system is meant to â€Å"demonstrate a highly cost-effective system capable of simultaneously interrogating a sample under SPRM and SPRF, thus spatially discriminating between regions on the same sample† (Fort Grà ©sillon, 2013). In a synopsis, with the above adjustments done on the double−system, the two can concurrently and successfully achieve imaging of surfaces. The entire experiment demonstrating how this is achieved is available in literature. There are available instruments in the market that can individually achieve some of the above effects. Nonetheless, the SPRM/SPRF system presents the user with an opportunity to experience all the effects in a sing le application that is highly cost-efficient. The use of SPFS spectroscopy in analysis of antibody-antigen interaction The underlying principle adopted by SPFS spectroscopy technique is that a superior electromagnetic field emanating from a surface plasmon is used to enhance the excitation of surface-bound fluorophores. Whatever gives SPFS technique an upper hand in its application in surface immunoreactions analyses is that it has the capacity to concurrently inspect both the interfacial thickness variations and the incandescence signals in real-time. In view of this application, gold surfaces were activated courtesy of an admixture of self-assembled monolayer. This functioned to expose an antigen variably over a wide scale as regards its density. At this point, specific antibody-antigen reactions were registered for the anti-antigen antibody solutions traversing over the surfaces at high velocity thanks to SFPS-based immunoassays. Initial analysis investigated the significance of the â€Å"fluorophores Cy5 and Alexa Fluor 647 in SPFS-based immunoassays† (Cai Jun, 2012). The results revealed that Cy5 portrays an excellent self-quenching behavior, which negatively influence the quantitative measurements. Moreover, angular ‘detuning’ effects witnessed when taking the in−situ measurements as regards binding kinetics was confirmed to be a major hindrance. As such, they hamper with the incandescence signals at the point where huge SPR signals are recorded. In a synopsis, as it has been explained herein, SPFS-based immunoassays were vital in the analysis of the antibody-antigen interactions. SPFS as applied in colloids For this application the literature below describes the effect of merging surface plasmons and field-enhanced spectroscopy in sensor behavior. The resonance activation of PSP components at a metal/buffer boundary in flow−cell amplifies the optical field strength relative to the incident laser light. Fresnel formula co nfirmed that indeed for a gold-water boundary, the magnitude of the resulting field is enhanced 16 folds that of the incident light (Tawa Morigaki, 2013). The resulting field comes in handy in enhancing the sensitivity for inspecting binding effects of an analyte that traverses an aqueous phase at the functionalized gold-water interface to the detection sites (Liebermann Knoll, 2012). This would happen on condition that the previously fluorescent-labeled analyte particles wonder within the locus of an exponentially decaying temporal field that is generated by the PSP mode. This also bars these analyte molecules from approaching a metal, a recipe that is important in enhancing Forster quenching as regards the emitted fluorescence (Liebermann, 2012). In order to investigate the significance of SPFS, a quantitative analysis is done to investigate both the magnitude of fluorescence and the refractive index or layer thickness. The analysis answers the aforementioned questions by invest igating the binding process of fluorescently-doped latex molecules (Sonnefraud, 2012). These molecules possess extra superficial biotin-moieties that enable them to attach to a streptavidin phase at the gold-buffer boundary. The significance of SPFS technique is also echoed by its ability to detect fluorescence intensity emanating from negligible PSP resonance. To this end, this is exhibited by biotinylated chromophore which gives considerably dilute binding (Lakowicz et al., 2013). Conclusion In a conclusion, the achievements made by SPFS in optical techniques are unequalled. Since its inception, SPFS has taken the optical technique to new heights, making analyses that initially seemed difficult a success. By simply exciting the surface-bound fluorophores courtesy of a superior electromagnetic field emanating from surface plasmons, the behavior of the analyte can be determined thanks to the emitted fluorescence. One of the merits that give SPFS an edge over other optical techniques is that it exhibits unprecedented sensitivity in real-time. To this effect, major milestones have been achieved and as such one can use this technique to investigate behaviors of tiny components at the molecular level and beyond. References Attridge, J., Daniels, P., Deacon, J., Robinsons, D. (2012). â€Å"Sensitivity enhancement of optical immunosensors by the use of a surface-plasmon resonance fluoroimmunoassay.† Biosens. Bioelectron, 6 (3), 201–214. Cai, W. Jun, Y. (2012). â€Å"Plasmonics for extreme light concentration and manipulation.† Nat. Mater, 9 (3), 193–204. Dostlek, J., Knoll, W. (2013). â€Å"Biosensors based on surface plasmon-enhanced fluorescence spectroscopy.† Biointerphases, 3 (3), 12–22. Duque, L., Menges, B., Borros, S., Fà ¶rch, R. (2012). Biomacromolecules. Sydney, Australia: IDP Education Australia. Fang, Y., Bjorn, P.(2013). Attomolar Sensitivity in Bioassays Based on Surface Plasmon Fluorescence Spectroscopy . J. AM. CHEM. SOC., 9 (126), 29-30. Ford, G., Weber, W. (2013). â€Å"Electromagnetic interactions of molecules with metal surfaces.† Phys. Rep., 113 (4), 195–287. Fort, E., Grà ©sillon, S. (2013). â€Å"Surface enhanced fluorescence.† J. Phys. D Appl. Phys., 41(1), 1-13. Giannini, V., Fernndez-Domà ­nguez, A., Sonnefraud, Y., Roschuk, R. (2012). â€Å"Controlling light localization and light-matter interactions with nanoplasmonics.† Small, 6 (22), 2498–2507. Huang, B., Yu, F. (2013). Surface plasmon resonance imaging using a high numerical aperture microscope objective. Anal. Chem., 79 (1), 2979–2983. Kellis, T., Poulose, J. (2012). Surface plasmon resonance/surface plasmon enhanced fluorescence: An optical technique for the detection of multicomponent macromolecular adsorption at the solid/liquid interface. Langmuir, 18 (1), 6319– 6323. Knoll, W. (2012). Interfaces and thin films as seen by bound electromagnetic waves. Annua l Review of Physical Chemistry, 49, 569–638. Lakowicz, J., Chowdhury, M., Szmacinski, H., Fu, Y. (2013) â€Å"Plasmoncontrolled fluorescence: a new paradigm in fluorescence spectroscopy.† Chem. Rev., 133 (10), 1308–1346. Liebermann, T Knoll, W. (2012). â€Å"Surface-plasmon field-enhanced fluorescence spectroscopy,† Colloids Surf. A Physicochem. Eng. Asp., 171 (3), 115–130. Liebermann, T. (2012). Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochem. Eng. Aspects 171, (1), 115–130. Robelek, R., Niu, L., Schmid, E. L., Knoll, W. (2013). Multiplexed hybridization detection of quantum dot-conjugated DNA sequences using surface plasmon enhanced fluorescence microscopy and spectrometry. Anal. Chem., 76, 6160– 6165. Sonnefraud, Y. (2012). Surface-plasmon field-enhanced fluorescence spectroscopy. Colloids and Surfaces. Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 171, 115– 130. Stewart, M., Thompsons, B. (2013). â€Å"Nanostructured plasmonic sensors ,† Chem. Rev., 108 (2), 494–521. Tawa, K., Knoll, W. (2013). Mismatching base-pair dependence of the kinetics of DNA-DNA hybridization studied by surface plasmon fluorescence spectroscopy. Nucleic Acids Research, 32, 2372–2377. Tawa, K., Morigaki, K. (2013). Substrate-supported phospholipid membranes studied by surface plasmon resonance and surface plasmon fluorescence spectroscopy. Biophys. J., 89 (1), 2750–2758. Wolfgang, K., Neumann, T. (2013). Principles and applications of surface plasmons field-enhanced spectroscopy. New York, NY: New York University Press.

The Portrayal of Women In The Arabian Nights

The Portrayal of Women In The Arabian Nights Free Online Research Papers The women in Haddawy’s translation of The Arabian Nights are portrayed as lesser beings on one hand but as princesses on another. Much in the same way as women are treated in the modern day Islamic world. Women are treated as second-class citizens by most of the men in the stories, whereas; if the women do not act according to the men’s wishes they are killed, transformed into other beings or just discarded. In the story of King Shahrayar and Shahzaman, when Shahzaman while preparing to leave his country to visit his brother, finds that his wife â€Å"lying in the arms of one of the kitchen boys†¦his world turned black†. (Haddawy 6) He at once confronts his wife and states, â€Å"No. Women are not to be trusted† (6) at which time he pulls out his sword and kills both his wife and her lover. â€Å"Then he dragged them by the heels and threw them from the top of the palace to the trench below† (6), as if they were trash. Once Shahzaman arrived at his brother’s palace, King Shahrayar welcomed him with open arms and set him up in the guesthouse. Shahrazah was quite embarrassed by what had happened with his wife’s infidelity and felt that he could not express what had happened to him to his brother because he was the King and should not have been betrayed in such a manner. One day while Shahzaman was left behind at the palace he noticed his brother’s wife and his concubines in the garden having sex with slaves. Shahzaman is relieved that this betrayal has not only happened to him but to his brother, the King. Shahzaman, is troubled with what he has seen and under orders from his brother reveals to him what has happened with his wife. King Shahrayar is bothered by the actions of his brother’s wife and praises his brother for killing her, â€Å"Brother, you were fortunate in killing your wife and her lover, who gave you good reason to feel troubled, careworn, and ill† (9). He then goes on to say that if that were to happen to him, â€Å"I would have killed at least a hundred or even a thousand women † (9). But the King was not satisfied with the confession from his brother and demands to know what has changed Shahzaman’s demeanor since the King’s return. Shahzaman is forced to tell his brother, the King what he has witnessed with the King’s own wife and concubines. The form a plot to make the King’s wife believe that they will be leaving the palace for a few days, so that the King can witness this betrayal with his own eyes. Once King Shahrayar and Shahzaman witness this betrayal, they cannot bear to be near any women and decide to venture out on their own. While on their venture they come across a demon whom has his wife locked in a chest that he keeps under the sea. When the demon emerges from the sea to take a nap, his wife finds me to have sex with her. She encounters King Shahrayar and King Shahzaman who are terrified and hiding in a tree and orders them down from the tree to have sex with her. They plead with her to give them a reprieve but she threatens them with awaking her husband, the demon. They oblige her wishes and once they are finished she then orders them to hand over their rings to her, which she puts into a bag that contains 98 other men’s rings. In discussing this encounter with the demon’s wife they conclude that if this woman, who â€Å"is imprisoned in a glass chest, locked her up with four locks and kept in the middle of the sea†(14) cannot be trusted to be faithful than no woman can be trusted. They decide to return to their â€Å"kingdoms and cities, never to marry a woman again† (14). King Shahrayar decides that he is going to sleep with one woman each night and then have her put to death the following morning, therefore preventing himself from being betrayed by another woman. The women in The Arabian Nights are treated as princesses as long as they are young girls or as adults they behave according to their â€Å"masters† wishes. As soon as they betray the wishes of their male counterparts they are disposed of. Research Papers on The Portrayal of Women In The Arabian NightsComparison: Letter from Birmingham and CritoCanaanite Influence on the Early Israelite ReligionBringing Democracy to AfricaBook Review on The Autobiography of Malcolm XThe Fifth Horseman19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraHonest Iagos Truth through DeceptionHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows EssayAssess the importance of Nationalism 1815-1850 EuropeCapital Punishment

Nicaragua's vampire problem Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Nicaragua's vampire problem - Essay Example Killing vampire bats is a vicious chain of never-ending diseases because of the variety of bats both harmful and beneficial. Rogers masterfully explains the confusion caused by these vampire bats by first dealing with the problem caused by these bats in the poor town of Nicaragua. He reveals how people are scandalized by the presence of these bats and how eventually the bats are killed and wiped off from the community altogether. Here Roger introduces a method of awareness by telling his readers that there are beneficial bats as well who take care of humans as they are involved in consuming insects, leading to pollination of flowers and lead to increase in forestation by throwing the seeds at different points. As opposed to the vampire bats, these bats do not transmit rabies. Roger employs another method to introduce his main purpose of the article. He informs the readers that in the process of killing all the bats, one neglects the fact that mosquito bites are even more deadly as they cause dengue fever. Killing beneficial bats hence increases the risk of another noxious disease. According to Roger the death of the various species of bats is not a positive sign. He chooses to inform the readers of this negligence in a roundabout manner so that they understand the gravity of the

Policemen of the World Thesis and Outline Assignment - 1

Policemen of the World Thesis and Outline - Assignment Example The first war was between 1798 and 1800 with France. The war was instigated by land controversy in the now Dominican republic. In the 20th century, United States of America was involved in a fierce war against Cambodia and Vietnam (Collier, 1993). The most recent war between 1990 to date has been to nations such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Egypt among other countries. There have been controversies surrounding the USA involvement in the global wars. The controversies within the nation are on the constitutional mandates that give the president power to invade a nation without consulting the senate and the congress (Kornbluh, 2003). The congress demands for a proper clause that the president must always seek for their opinion before he execute his plan to attack a worrying nation. Controversies have also arose on the countries being attacked by the USA troops. There were controversies in Iraq when the USA troops invaded them and ousted Sadam Hussein that the country had nuclear weapons but the country never had any weapon. The question now is why did USA have to attack another nation on false claims? (Steinhauer, 2011) The united states of America need to have a clear investigation before attacking any nation. The wars usually lead to the deaths of many civilians majority of whom are innocent. It should be noted that war does not bring any benefit, but a loss to the life of human