Silver-graphene Oxide Composite for Optical Sensor

Silver-graphene Oxide Composite for Optical Sensor KHOSRO ZANGENEH KAMALI Unique LITERARY WORK DECLARATION FORM Unique In this work, a [emailprotected] oxide ([emailprotected]) nanocomposite-based optical sensor was produced for the recognition of biomolecules, for example, dopamine (DA), ascorbic corrosive (AA), and uric corrosive (UA). A watery arrangement of [emailprotected] was readied utilizing a basic compound decrease strategy, and it indicated a trademark surface plasmon reverberation (SPR) band at 402 nm. The SPR highlights of the [emailprotected] nanocomposite were utilized for the recognition of DA, AA, and UA. The SPR force based constraints of identification (LoDs) of DA, AA, and UA were 49 nM, 634 nM, and 927 nM, individually. The SPR band position-based LoDs of DA, AA, and UA were 30 nM, 1.64 à ¯Ã‚ Ã‚ ­M, and 2.15 à ¯Ã‚ Ã‚ ­M, individually. The present optical sensor was more touchy to DA than to UA and AA. The collaborations of the biomolecules with [emailprotected] were considered dependent on the thickness utilitarian hypothesis (DFT), and it was discovered that DA had more conn ection than AA and UA. This epic [emailprotected] nanocomposite is easy to get ready and demonstrated brilliant strength and affectability toward the location of biomolecules. The comparable material is utilized for colorimetric location of Mercury(II) particles (Hg(II)) that can show presence of 100  µM Hg(II) particles in arrangement by unaided eyes. The advancement of this optical sensor for Hg(II) utilizing silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) depends on the decrement in the limited surface plasmon reverberation (LSPR) assimilation of the Ag NPs and the development of silver-mercury (AgHg) amalgam. It is seen that expanding Hg(II) particles fixation in the arrangement brings about the diminishing of LSPR power and decolouration of the arrangement. The presence of GO forestalls the agglomeration of Ag NPs and improves the strength of the nanocomposite material, empowering this material to be utilized in modern and genuine example applications. ABSTRAK Di sini, oksida perak @ graphene (Ag @ GO) berdasarkan nanokomposit-sensor optik telah dibangunkan untuk mengesan biomolekul seperti dopamine (DA), asid askorbik (AA), dan asid urik (UA). Larutan akueus Ag @ GO telah disediakan dengan menggunakan kaedah pengurangan kimia yang mudah, dan ia menunjukkan satu ciri plasmon permukaan resonans (SPR) band di 402 nm. Ciri-ciri SPR daripada Ag @ GO nanokomposit telah digunakan untuk mengesan DA, AA, dan UA. Had keamatan-pengesanan (LoDs) bagi SPR berdasarkan daripada DA, AA, dan UA adalah masing-masing 49 nM, 634 nM, dan 927 nM,. The band SPR berdasarkan kedudukan-LoDS daripada DA, AA, dan UA adalah masing-masing 30 nM, 1.64 uM, dan 2.15 uM. Sensor optik masa kini adalah lebih sensitif kepada DA daripada UA dan AA. Interaksi daripada biomolekul dengan Ag @ GO dikaji berdasarkan ketumpatan teori fungsional (DFT), dan didapati bahawa DA mempunyai interaksi lebih daripada AA dan UA. Novel ini Ag @ GO nanokomposit adalah mudah untuk menyediakan d an menunjukkan kestabilan yang sangat baik dan kepekaan terhadap pengesanan biomolekul.Bahan yang sama telah digunakan untuk pengesanan colorimetric particle Mercury(II), (Hg(II)) yang mampu dilihat dengan kewujudan 100 ÃŽÂ ¼M particle Hg(II) dalam larutan dengan mata kasar. Pembangunan sensor optik bagi Hg(II) menggunakan nanozarah perak (Ag NPS) adalah berdasarkan pengurangan pada penyerapan Ag NPs resonan plasmon permukaan setempat (LSPR) dan pembentukan amalgam perak-merkuri (AgHg). Dapat diperhatikan bahawa peningkatan kepekatan particle Hg(II) memberikan hasil pengurangan pada intensiti LSPR dan perubahan warna. Peningkatan jumlah particle Hg(II) pada satu tahap membawa perubahan dalam morfologi Ag NPs dan pembentukan amalgam AgHg yang mempengaruhi LSPR Ag NPS dan menjadikan perubahan warna pada [emailprotected] Kehadiran GO menghalang penggumpalan Ag NPS dan meningkatkan kestabilan bahan nanokomposit yang membolehkan bahan ini untuk digunakan dalam industri dan aplikasi sa mpel sebenar. Affirmations/DEDICATION Chapter by chapter guide Chapter by chapter guide SILVER-GRAPHENE OXIDE COMPOSITE FOR OPTICAL SENSOR APPLICATIONS Unique LITERARY WORK DECLARATION FORM Conceptual ABSTRAK Affirmations/DEDICATION Chapter by chapter guide Rundown OF FIGURES Rundown OF TABLES Rundown OF SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS Rundown OF APPENDICES Part 1: INTRODUCTION Section 2: LITRETURE REVIEW 2.1. Plasmonic band of metal Nanoparticles 2.2. Graphene Oxide 2.3. Sensor 2.3.1. Electrochemical sensor 2.3.2. Surface improved Raman dissipating 2.3.3. Optical sensor 2.4.2 Amalgamation and LSPR Section 3: MATERIALS AND METHODS 3.1. Synthetic substances and Reagents 3.2. Arrangement of [emailprotected] Nanocomposite 3.3. Portrayal Techniques 3.4. Optical Detection of Biomolecules 3.5. Optical Detection of Hg(II) particles Section 4: RESULTS AND DESCUSSIONS 4.2. Optical Sensing of Biomolecules utilizing [emailprotected] Nanocomposite 4.2.1. Morphological Studies of [emailprotected] after Addition of Biomolecules 4.2.2. Raman Studies of [emailprotected] Nanocomposite 4.2.3. Computational Studies 4.3. Optical detecting of Hg(II) particles 4.3.1. Optical properties of [emailprotected] nanocomposites 4.3.2. Optical detecting of Hg(II) particles by [emailprotected] nanocomposite 4.3.3. Component for the Amalgamation based location of Hg(II) particles with [emailprotected] nanocomposite 4.3.4. Portrayal of [emailprotected] nanocomposite when expansion of Hg(II) particles 4.3.5. Selectivity of [emailprotected] nanocomposite based optical sensor 4.3.6. Useful application Section 5: CONCLUSION AND DISCISSION REFERENCES Strengthening Addendum Rundown OF FIGURES Figure 1: UV-vis ingestion spectra of (an) AgNO3 (b) GO, and (c) [emailprotected] nanocomposite. Inset: Photograph got for the fluid arrangement of blended [emailprotected] nanocomposite. Figure 2: (An) Absorption spectra got for [emailprotected] nanocomposite upon every expansion of 100 nM DA. (B) Plot of ingestion force versus DA focus. (C) Plot of Id versus DA focus. (D) Plot of ÃŽ »max versus DA focus. Figure 3: (An) Absorption spectra got for [emailprotected] nanocomposite upon every expansion of 5  µM AA. (B) Plot of ingestion force versus AA focus. (C) Plot of Id versus AA focus. (D) Plot of ÃŽ »max versus AA focus. Figure 4: (An) Absorption spectra got for [emailprotected] nanocomposite upon every expansion of 5  µM UA. (B) Plot of ingestion force versus UA focus. (C) Plot of Id versus UA focus. (D) Plot of ÃŽ »max versus UA focus. Figure 5: TEM pictures of (An) as-arranged [emailprotected] nanocomposite and after augmentations of (B) AA, (C) UA, and (D) DA. Figure 6: Raman spectra of (a) [emailprotected] and (b) [emailprotected] with 1-à ¯Ã‚ Ã‚ ­M increments of (b) DA, (c) UA, and (d) AA. Figure 7: Electron thickness guide and vitality hole of HOMO and LUMO vitality levels for Ag and DA, UA, and AA adducts, individually determined by DFT strategies. Figure 8: Absorption spectra for the (an) AgNO3, (b) GO and [emailprotected] nanocomposite. Figure 9: Absorption ghastly changes watched for the [emailprotected] nanocomposite (A) preceding and (B) after the expansion of 200  µM Hg(II) particles. Inset: The computerized photographic pictures taken for the relating arrangement. Figure 10: (An) Absorption otherworldly changes watched for [emailprotected] nanocomposite upon every expansion of 100 nm ÃŽ ¼M of Hg(II) particles to the arrangement. (B) Plot of changes in the assimilation force most extreme at ÃŽ »LSPR of [emailprotected] nanocomposite against different Hg(II) particles concentr Figure 11: (A) Schematic clarify the capacity of GO in the discovery Hg(II) particles. (an) Addition of Hg(II) particles into an answer containing [emailprotected] nanocomposite. (b) Adsorption of Hg(II) particles on the outside of GO. (c) Interaction of Hg(II) particles with Ag NPs and development of AgHg amalgam. (B) Schematic portrayal for the arrangement of AgHg amalgam and its impact in assimilation spectra of the Ag NPs present in the [emailprotected] nanoparticles. Figure 12: Overview and high amplification TEM pictures got for the [emailprotected] nanocomposite previously (An andB) and after expansion of 200  µM Hg(II) particles (C and D). Figure 13: X-beam diffraction designs got for the [emailprotected] nanocomposite (a) preceding and (b) after expansion of 200  µM Hg(II) particles. Figure 14: XPS spectra got for the AgHg amalgam particles and their comparing (An) Ag 3d and (B) Hg 4f districts of center level spectra. Figure 15: Cyclic voltammograms recorded in 0.1 M phosphate cushion arrangement with pH 7.0 at an output pace of 50 mV sâˆ'1 for the GC terminal covered with the arrangement containing [emailprotected] nanocomposite (A) preceding and (B) after expansion of 200  µM Hg(II) particles. Figure 16: Difference in level of Ag NPs absorbance top decrease watched for [emailprotected] nanocomposite within the sight of 200  µM Hg(II), Na(I), K(I), Mn(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Fe(II) and Fe(III) into the individual arrangements. Inset: Photograph taken after the expansion of 200  µM of Hg(II) ), Na(I), K(I), Mn(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Fe(II) and Fe(III) into the individual arrangement. Rundown OF TABLES Table 1: Analytical exhibitions of [emailprotected] nanocomposite for the identification of DA, UA and AA in human pee test. Table 2: Comparison of the detecting execution of a portion of the Ag NPs towards Hg(II) particles. Table 3: Determination of Hg(II) particles in various water tests by utilizing [emailprotected] nanocomposite. Rundown OF SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS DAdopamine UAuric corrosive AAascorbic corrosive LoD breaking point of Detection LSPRlocalized surface plasmon reverberation SPRsurface plasmon reverberation SERSsurface upgraded reverberation plasmon dissipating mmili  µmicro nnano Mmolar HPLChigh-execution fluid chromatography NPsnanoparticles Hg(II) ionmercury (II) particle GOgraphene oxide rGOreduced graphene oxide GCEglassy carbon e

Chem Sba 1

Name: Derell Ruan Form: 4B1 SBA: Chemistry Aim: To figure out which gas, Ammonia or hydrogen chloride defuses quicker. Speculation: Ammonia will defuse quicker than hydrogen chloride. Materials Equipment: Chemicals: * 2 answer clip and stand Ammonia * 1 ? m glass tube * 2 250cm3 recepticles * Cotton Wool * Stop clock * Meter rule * Tweezers * 2 Rubber bum Method: The hardware was gathered. * The glass tube was put between the two cinches guaranteeing that it was leveled. * A limited quantity of hydrochloric corrosive was filled the measuring glass. * The cotton fleece was put toward one side of the glass tube utilizing tweezers. Close it with an elastic bum. * Repeating stages 3-5 at the same time. * The stop clock was begun, keeping record of time taken to the white cloud to frame. * The meter rule was utilized to gauge the separation of the white cloud from each finish of the cylinder. ResultsChemical| Distance| Time ( in sec)| Rate of Diffusion| Molecular weight | Ammonia| 90| 285 | 0. 315| 17. 03| Hydrochloric acid| 60| 285| 0. 210| 36. 46| Interpretation of results: The reason for the glass tube is to take out air flows and to let the gas atoms will proceed onward their own. The gas atoms finish a way the cylinder as they slam into the air particles in the cylinder. Alkali will diffuses quicker in light of the fact that it has a quicker pace of dissemination and it is twice a light as Hydrochloric acid.A cloud like figure should show up when the gases impact. End: The response which is occurring is: alkali + hydrogen chloride > ammonium chloride NH3Â (g) + HCl (g) > NH4Cl (s) The specific time taken for the cloud to shape relied upon the components of the cylinder, and the measure of the arrangements which are put on the cotton fleece. The cloud framed closer to the hydrochloric corrosive finish of the cylinder since smelling salts diffuses quicker than hydrochloric acid.This is on the grounds that hydrogen chloride has double the atomic load of alka li, and the pace of dissemination is contrarily corresponding to the square base of the sub-atomic mass of the gas. The theory was right and is demonstrated by the consequences of the examination and what was deciphered was likewise demonstrated by the aftereffects of the trial. Impediments: The investigation couldn't have been directed a few times empowering the outcomes to be progressively exact, as a result of the high hazard that it could have done to the human body.

On Egypt and other Toppling Towers Richmond Writing

On Egypt and other Toppling Towers Richmond Writing Fast on the heels of the Wikileaks scandal, Web 2.0 media have also been central to the massive protests by the Egyptian people against their President of 30 years, Hosni Mubarak. The Egyptian leader came to power after the 1981 assassination of Anwar al-Sadat a co-winner of the 1978 Nobel Peace Prize along with Israeli Menachem Begin for their collaboration on President Carters   Camp David Peace Accords.   In response to the assassination, President Mubarak enacted Egyptian Emergency Law No. 162 of 1958 through which he has justified and maintained his decades of power and position in the name of fighting terrorism and drug trafficking.   While it is not clear what touched off the protests at this particular time, it is clear that new social media tools on the Web have played a central part in challenging controlling regimes of all types, political, economic or academic that resist the obvious flow of history towards greater openness, connection and democratic participation. In response to the democratic use of technology by protesters, Egypt attempted to shut off all web access in the country via a Web blackout, a feat possible only with the cooperation of private corporations.   True to the nature of the Web, protesters were able to do a work around by using their cell phones to access the web by the elder technology of a dial up connection. This is not only a prime example of the ultimate uncontrollability of the Web but also a reminder of the wisdom of keeping in touch with elder technologies   that may continue to be useful when newer, more complex systems fail or are shut down by those who wish to control the flow of information because they cannot stand up to public scrutiny. For Mubarak the excuse to stifle web access was to combat terror but we neednt be too smug at this familiar ploy such stifling happens in America as well. Recent US attempts to limit access are claimed to be instituted to fight piracy or to increase the corporate profits of companies like Verizon with a hierarchical plan to enclose parts of the Web from those unable or unwilling to pay higher service fees for the fast and capacious connection speeds that are currently our common level playing field. One of the most insightful observations William Burroughs ever made certainly applies here: Control is controlled by the need to control. Maybe the OCD control freaks of the world should re-read the recent news from Egypt and reconsider their ill-advised and ultimately futile fight against the unstoppable evolution of freedom NPR Anti-Government Protests Roil Egypt Aljazeera reports in Talks fail to end Egypt protests

Faculty Professionalism, Respect, And Trust - 1359 Words

Program Director of Music at Dawson Community College Dr. Deb Eastwood Faculty Professionalism, Respect, and Trust - Why I am interested? I believe that as a faculty member I am here to promote and encourage our students as well as the faculty. When we are professional, we earn the respect and trust of our colleagues. Respect as a faculty member is demonstrated when we help each other meet our professional goals. This may be through providing teaching lecture materials, texts, assignment copies, exam copies, duplicating Blackboard Shells, providing the best classroom for success, and locating class rosters on the web for any new faculty member joining our team. During my time at MSU, I have been granted many opportunities beyond the†¦show more content†¦This type of professor contributes through teaching, research/creative endeavors, and service. My personal commitment to academia includes recruiting and performing with a variety of ensembles, pursuing scholarship through mentoring undergraduate fellowships, faculty collaborative grants, and teaching courses in the general education and music core, undergradua te, and graduate curriculum in the disciplines of Music Theory, Music History, Music Research, Music Technology, as well as Applied Music and Music Ensembles. Leadership and Vision – What do I see for the future of DCC’S music program? A Community College should provide an opportunity for everyone to experience music including young college adults, retired members of the community who are lifelong learners, and K-12 students. I noticed that DCC offers a Gold Card for retired adults to participate in events at the college. Initiatives for Music My understanding is that DCC’s current course offerings in music for the Fall Semester are: From Core II and VI †¢ MUSI 101 Enjoyment of Music-Suela Cela †¢ MUSI 112 Choir Dawson- Susan Strehlow †¢ MUSI 203 American Popular Music- Susan Strehlow †¢ MUSI 212 Choir II Dawson-Susan Strehlow My Initiatives include: †¢ Continue audition, admission, and possible scholarship discussions. †¢ Review any accreditation issues that might exist; begin recommended changes †¢ Collect data needed to sustain existing facultyShow MoreRelatedDean Of The School Of Business Leadership1211 Words   |  5 PagesDean of the school of Business Leadership has copious and diverse responsibilities. The Dean will align their behavior and performance with mission statement of the university as a whole. It is vital for the Dean to provide a stellar example of professionalism within both the University and the community as a whole. 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Matrix Clause Definition and Examples

Development of Islamic Banking and Finance in Singapore Free Essays

In the context of economy, Singapore s a trade-oriented market economy that basically practices conventional banking system. However, the Islamic banking system has slowly entering the Singapore banking system since the year 2005. The Islamic banking system was not rapidly executed nor accepted because the conventional banking sector has developed well over the period of time. We will write a custom essay sample on Development of Islamic Banking and Finance in Singapore or any similar topic only for you Order Now The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MASS) is the responsible entity in helping the progress of Islamic finance in the country. The table provided below is to show some of the comparison between conventional banking system and Islamic banking system Singapore. Additional buyer’s stamp duty needs to be paid off by certain groups of people that want to obtain real estates. Additional buyer’s stamp duty for certain Islamic transactions involving real estates is removed. Using the usual structures used for tax treatment in conventional banking system. Using Maharajah, Muhammad, and ‘Jar WA lasting structures on the tax treatment for Islamic financing since 2006. Contribute 75% for annual growth rate of Singapore. Contribute for annual growth rate of Singapore since established and still growing at a fast rate. BACKGROUND Singapore is a highly developed trade-oriented market economy. Singapore economy has been ranked as the most open in the world, least corrupt, most pro- business, with low tax rates (14. 2% of Gross Domestic Product, GAP) and has the third highest GAP in the world; in terms of Purchasing Power Parity (POP), of $318. 9 billion in 2011. Singapore initiated its Islamic finance Journey at the start of the millennium with the watershed decision to give preferential tax treatment for Islamic finance. The Singapore government, in tabling its 2002 budget, announced fiscal incentives under he Financial Sector Incentive (IFS) scheme after realizing the great potential of Islamic finance, especially as a reliable alternative assets class. These fiscal incentives have prompt the establishment of several Islamic window operations in the republic, including Standard Charted Bank, HASH, COB, COMB and Mbabane. In 2005, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MASS) refined its regulations to facilitate the growth of Islamic finance. It also removed the additional stamp duties for certain Islamic transactions involving real estate. To contribute to the development of Islamic nuance, MASS Joined the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFS) and has participated actively in its various working groups and task forces in areas like supervisory review, Islamic money markets, capital adequacy, liquidity management and solvency requirements for tactful operations. In 2006, clarifications were made on the tax treatment for Islamic financing using Maharajah and Sarah with Assistant structures. Singapore-based banks began to offer Maharajah investments and Maharajah financing. In 2007, retail Maharajah investors were accorded the same regulatory protection as conventional depositors. In 2008, a concessionary tax rate was introduced for qualifying Shari-compliant lending, fund management, tactful and retrieval activities. MAIN PRODUCT Penthouse Singapore is having small domestic market and competition compare to other country, it can still position itself in a niche market in the region. In Islamic finance area, Singapore, through the integrated financial and economic development, can create new opportunities for Islamic finance and other financial products. Monetary Authority of Singapore (MASS) has recognized the characteristic of Singapore policy approach has been to align tax treatment of Islamic contracts with the treatment of conventional financing contracts. Singapore has refined its regulatory framework and tax structures over the years to strengthen its Islamic Finance. In the recent years, Singapore has their eyes on Islamic Finance. There are four profit sharing financial products offered by Islamic financial institution in Singapore which are muskrat, maturated, maharajah and Sarah. Islamic financial institution in Singapore also offers insurance product namely Tactful. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MASS) gave its approval to bank to engage in non-financial activities such as commodity trading to promote maharajah transactions. Maharajah is also commonly used in home financing and car financing. Islamic insurance or Tactful is the insurance products of Islamic finance. With more than S$50 million Tactful funds, the Islamic insurance or Tactful has been successful in Singapore. MASS has issued SKU program to provide Shari compliant regulatory assets. The Joint arrangers of the SKU program are the Standard Chartered Bank and The Islamic Bank of Asia (B Asia) and the legal counsel advising the transactions is Allen Eggshell. The chairman of B Asia, Abdullah Has USAF has stated that this program is significant for being the first reverse inquiry Sarah based SKU from such a high quality issuer in the world and it reflects Singapore growing competence in support functions for Islamic finance, such as providing the required legal services. Besides that, Singapore has been introduced to the Singapore Unit Trusts Ethical Growth Fund that complies with principle of Shari by Mbabane. Moreover, in May 2008, Singapore was the first-listing of a Shari-compliant exchanged traded fund FEET). MASS Joined the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFS) and participated in various working groups and task forces to contribute to the development of Islamic PROMOTING MARKETING The global Islamic finance industry has grown to reach some US$I . 3 trillion in total asset size, Singapore has remained committed in introducing Islamic Finance to the island’s monetary system when the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MASS) established its S$200 million SKU AAA-Sarah Trust Certificate Issuance Program. The program marked the highest credit quality in the first Islamic finance market of SKU. To view it in a larger context, it is an extremely huge effort from Singapore Monetary Authority to foster the growth of the country Islamic Finance market. This SKU AAA-Sarah Trust Certificate Issuance Program is one part of a bilateral approach of providing both a favorable regulatory framework and high quality liquidity assets for financial institutions to commerce Islamic Finance transactions, with the main objective of promoting the Islamic Finance market in Singapore. The government’s aim is to control the country strength in wholesale banking, asset management and UAPITA markets to tallow Islamic financial service to prosper, in conjunction with the already established conventional financial services available in the island. According to the speech given by Assistant Managing Director of Monetary Authority of Singapore (MASS), Mr.. Eng Sam Sin, the authority hosted initiatives to create an encouraging environment for Islamic financial activities to grow in Singapore. Their basic approach was to level the playing field between Islamic and conventional finance as many of the same risks can be found in both. Since 2004, their body has revived clarifications for an increasing number of Shari-compliant financing arrangements and had worked with the industry and other government agencies to ensure that Islamic financial players and end-users are not disadvantaged in terms of taxation. In respond, the range of Islamic financial products available in Singapore has expanded beyond Shari-compliant credit facilities such as SKU. There has been a steady issuance of Sucks and they were aware there are more incoming. Tax incentives were actively introduced by Singapore government to harmonies the tax retirement of certain Shari-compliant financing instruments including the imposition of double stamp duties in Islamic transactions involving real estate in Singapore, and providing the same concessionary tax treatment to income from SKU. In Singapore 2013 Budget, Singapore government has stated about the widening of Financial Sector Incentive (IFS) Scheme which was forecasted to bright a new light to the island’s already established Islamic Finance market. Qualifying Islamic Finance activities under the FSML-lilacs Finance award will be incentive at a 12 percent concessionary tax rate. In 2001, Malaysia’s largest bank, Mbabane, started Islamic banking in Singapore with the introduction of Singapore Unit Trusts Ethical Growth Fund while in 2006, the bank introduced a Shari-compliant online savings account and savings UCM checking account that is also complied with the principles of the Shari. Another significant move in the development of Islamic finance was through education. The Singapore Islamic Scholars and Religious Teachers Association (PEERAGES) has announced that some Islamic religious scholars would be trained in banking and finance to assist Singapore aim of becoming a hub for Islamic Finance. RECEPTION PROBLEMS Singapore financial markets start to see a gradual increase in the Islamic financial products. The global Islamic financial markets are estimated to be valued at approximately IIS$ 1 trillion and also are expected to grow rapidly at an annual rate of 25 per cent. In 2009, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MASS) is S$ 200 million through SKU AAA-Sarah Trust Certificate Issuance Program. On the next year, the financial market of the Khans National Beebread’s increases to S$ 1. 5 billion through SKU Wake. The MASS has adopted a fractional approach by insert new revisions relating to Islamic banking and finance to develop the regulatory framework of Islamic banking and finance in Singapore. They abide the legislation, the Banking Act and Securities and Futures Act and regulations to accommodate and focus the regulation of Islamic banking and finance within the conventional banking in Singapore without any specific reference to Shari. Similarly, the income tax legislation and regulation in Singapore have been adjusted in order to establish a level playing field through practicing same tax treatments and incentives as it is part f conventional financing arrangements. However, there are some barrier that needs to overcome before Singapore developed as an international financial centre for Islamic banking and finance. Firstly, there is still a lack of friendliness of issuers and investors in Singapore with the detailed components and mechanics of Islamic financial products. Thus, they need to increase the financial incentives offered to issuers to attract them to invest more time and resources in practicing themselves on Islamic financial products. Secondly, Islamic banking and finance legal framework in Singapore has not been tasted. While in Malaysia, the Central Bank of Malaysia Act 2009 renders the Central Bank of Malaysia’s Shari Advisory Council as the sole authority relating to Islamic banking and finance in Malaysia. Conversely, due to Singapore position as a non-Muslim country, the legislation and regulations touching on Islamic financial instruments are sterilized from religious reference. Singapore also did not have a party that can compliance with the application of Shari principles in the Islamic banking and finance sector. Natural advantages hat are given in Singapore is due to its strong banking regulatory framework, political ability and high-skilled professional workers. How to cite Development of Islamic Banking and Finance in Singapore, Papers

The G8-G20 Roles and Relationship free essay sample

The 68-620 Roles and Relationship John Kirton Director, 68 Research Group; Co-director, 620 Research Group john. [emailprotected] ca Paper prepared for a panel on The Future of the 68 and 620 Possible Scenarios at an expert seminar on The Future of the 68 and 620, sponsored by the Universiteit Gent and Egmont, Fondation Universitaire/universitaire Stichting, Brussels, April 26, 2010. Version of May 13, 2010. Introduction Now that the Group of Twenty (620) summit has arisen as the self-proclaimed permanent, premier forum for international economic governance, a lively debate as erupted about its relationship with the old Group of Eight (68) and the role of both bodies in the years ahead. Many assume or argue that the 68 will and should fade away, fast, and the 620 assume all the broad agenda and functions the former has long had. Far fewer assert openly that that the new and diverse 620 may itself fade away along with the galvanizing economic crisis that gave it birth, leaving the 68 with its inner Group of Seven (67) finance ministers to continue as the global steering group that counts. Given the durability of international institutions, it is more likely hat both, rather than either or neither, will continue for the foreseeable future, in a relationship that could take several forms. The major possibilities are competition, passive mutual coexistence by dividing up the global policy agenda and governance functions, or active cooperation that brings the comparative advantage of each to reap the global governance synergies that await (Kirton 2009). After less than two years of 620 summitry, it is still too soon to conclude with complete confidence which scenario will spring to life. But there is already substantial evidence to suggest that he system is moving toward synergistic cooperation between the two Gs that will strengthen each and both in the medium term. The global demand for governance is pulling the system in that direction and the old 68 great powers and new G20-only systemically significant ones are starting to supply that demand by working together in this way. However, its realization will take smart, strategic leadership from the 68 and G20s coming hosts and chairs, starting with Canada in June 2010. And if they provide it properly, in the longer term, the 68 and its 620 creation could become one, nited above all by the values that the G8 has successfully pioneered since its start. The Strengthening Success of the 68 and 620 Summits The prospect that both the 68 and 620 summits will continue rests in the first instance on the fact that few international institutions, even informal plurilateral, globally-relevant summit-level ones, tend to fade away. As Appendix A exhibits, many such institutions show impressive longevity, dating back a century or more. The 68, born in 1975, is one of the oldest such bodies of global relevance and reach. After 36 years in operation, it is unlikely to disappear soon. Kirton: The G8-G20 Roles and Relationship Moreover, as Appendix B indicates, the G8 shows a substantial and strengthening performance over these years on all six dominant dimensions of governance which such bodies are expected to perform. It has an improving and now respectable record in delivering its commitments, by having its members comply with them within the year after they are made. It has also become, from its summit centre, a full-strength governance system, with a broad array of G8-centred bodies at the ministerial, official and civil society levels below. There are no signs that it is a global overnance system on the wane. The 620, in its first two years of summit life, also shows signs of strengthening, even if it is still far less potent in its performance than the 68 has become. The 620 has beaten the 68 in the frequency of its summit meetings † having had five scheduled within its first two calendar years. Yet, as Appendix C shows, on all six dimensions of global governance, the 620 remains far behind the 68. 620 summits last about half as long as 68 ones, generate only one- third as many decisional commitments, and have a compliance record that, while still n the positive range, is well behind that of the 68 and of the 68 members within the 620 itself. The future demand for global governance thus seems likely to be met by both bodies, rather than either or neither. In the case of the latter scenario, it is striking how the successful MEF/M-16 that arose as a core component of the last two 68 summits has disappeared from the 2010 one, even with the failure of the UNs Copenhagen COPMOP to effectively deal with climate change. The traditional preference of France and a few others for a 613 is voiced far less frequently now, ven as Frances turn to host both the 68 and 620 summits in 2011 draws near. The group of Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC), now having had two summits, remain largely members of both the 620 and G8 and have expressed support for the 620 itself. Shaping the G8-G20 Relationship If both bodies seem likely to continue and even strengthen, then given their high similarity in membership/participation, top tier plurilateralism, informality, summit centricity and global governance orientation, they will increasingly need to define and develop the relationship between the two. In the realm of competition there have been few substantial signs of rivalry. There is an ongoing desire on the part of several, largely Asian members that 620 summits precede 68 ones each year, to avoid any impression that the old 68 club is pre-defining or dictating to the newer, broader 620 one. But here the 67/8 has prevailed, in holding its June 2010 summit before the 620 one, in holding the 67 finance ministers meeting in late April 2010 just before the 620 one at the semi-annual Bank-Fund meetings in Washington, and thus far for 2011 in France, having the 68 summit in its normal summer slot receding the 620 in newly normal (for leaders but not finance ministers) November one. There has been only minor competition over issues each wish to take up, with a Sherpa-level tussle over which group will speak about the Haitian earthquake on January 12, 2010, serving as the major case to date. 2 Passive mutual coexistence is more evident, especially in dividing up the global policy agenda so that the 620 governs finance and economics and the 68 social, political and security issues. It is striking how easily the 68 in 2010, if not in 2009 has abandoned its finance and economic agenda in favour of the 620.

Massey Essay Example

Massey Essay The high level of debt must be reduced but due to the financial distress the company is facing most options are not feasible They should hedge their foreign currencies used in their global operations so to reduce the exchange rate risk they are currently facing Hypothetically the best option would be to reduce debt by paying the bank borrowings. Especially their short-term debt in order to ease operations and reduce liquidity risk They could also issue more equity in order to improve their DIE ratio and therefore seem more solvent to the market players Q: Describe briefly Massey capital structure in 1976. In your view, is this a good capital structure for Massey? ; Massey capital structure: debt (40% SST, LTD) to 40% equity. ; Far from optimal structure as Massey was financed by too much debt and also too much of it was short term. Even worse when taking into account the multiple risks of its business Reason: debt cheaper than equity, tax savings and helped Massey achieve the objective of rapid growth and gain world market share (really successful up to 1976). However, this resulted in more risky equity and financial distress in the end ; Mackeys financial strategy during 1 976 had higher financial leverage than its competitors. Observable from all liquidity ratios, especially coverage ratio ; During Mackeys good times, because of all the involved risks and the capital intensiveness of the industry, Massey should have taken advantage of its healthy financial position and issue more equity instead of debt, which would have been closer to its optimal capital structure. We will write a custom essay sample on Massey specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Massey specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Massey specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer

Personal Selling and Sales Management Essay Example

Personal Selling and Sales Management Essay Example Personal Selling and Sales Management Essay Personal Selling and Sales Management Essay Global Perspective INTERNATIONAL ASSIGNMENTS ARE GLAMOROUS, RIGHT? Some challenges associated with an international assignment include job security, readjustment upon return to the U. S. and adjustment to other cultures. Given these kinds of problems, is that international sales position being offered to we as attractive as it looks? Will it really help wer career? Particularly in relationship cultures such as China, relationship marketing, built on effective communications between the seller and buyer, focuses on building long-term alliances rather than treating each sale as a one-time event. Designing the Sales Force Based on analyses of current and potential customers, the selling environment, competition, and the firms resources and capabilities, decisions must be made regarding the numbers, characteristics, and assignments of sales personnel. Distribution strategies will often vary from country to country. Some markets may require a direct sales force, whereas others may not. How customers are approached can differ as well. Once decisions have been made about how many expatriates, local nationals, or third=country nationals a particular market requires, then more intricate aspects of design can be undertaken, such as territory allocation and customer call plans. Recruiting Marketing and Sales Personnel Expatriates Virtual Expatriates Local Nationals Third Country Nationals Host Country Restrictions Expatriates The largest personnel requirement abroad for most companies is the sales force. The number of companies relying on expatriate personnel is declining as the volume of world trade increases and as more companies use locals to fill marketing positions. However, when products are highly technical, or when selling requires an extensive background of information and applications, an expatriate sales force remains the best choice. The chief disadvantages of an expatriate sales force are the high cost, cultural and legal barriers, and the limited number of high-caliber personnel willing to live abroad for extended periods. Virtual Expatriates The Internet and other advances in communications technologies, along with the growing reluctance of executives to move abroad, are creating a new breed of expatriate, the virtual one. Virtual expatriates manage operations in other countries but dont move there. Local Nationals The historical preference for expatriate managers and salespeople from the home country is giving way to a preference for local nationals. At the sales level, the picture is clearly biased in favor of the locals because they transcend both cultural and legal barriers. They are also familiar with distribution systems and referral networks. The main disadvantage of hiring local nationals is the tendency of headquarters personnel to ignore their advice. Another key disadvantage can be their lack of availability. In many countries, sales positions are viewed negatively. Third Country Nationals Third-country nationals (TCNs), are expatriates from their own countries working for a foreign company in a third country. Host Country Restrictions The host governments attitudes toward foreign workers often complicate selecting expatriate U. S. nationals over locals. Concerns about foreign corporate domination, local unemployment, and other issues cause some countries to restrict the number of non-nationals allowed to work within the ountry. Selecting Sales and Marketing Personnel To select personnel for international marketing positions effectively, management must define precisely what is expected of its people. Effective executives and salespeople, regardless of what foreign country they are operating in, share certain personal characteristics, skills, and orientations such as maturity, emotional stability, breadth of knowledge, positive o utlook, flexibility, cultural empathy, energetic, and enjoy travel. Selection mistakes are costly. When an expatriate assignment does not work out, hundreds of thousands of dollars are wasted in expenses and lost time. Mew evidence indicates that a managers culture affects personnel decisions. Training for International Marketing The nature of a training program depends largely on both the home culture of the sales person and the culture of the business system in the foreign market. Continual training may be more important in foreign markets than in domestic ones because of the lack of routine contact with the parent company and its marketing personnel. One aspect of training is frequently overlooked: Home-office personnel dealing with international marketing operations need training designed to make them responsive to the needs of the foreign operations. The Internet now makes some kinds of sales training much more efficient. Motivating Sales Personnel Motivation is especially complicated because the firm is dealing with different cultures, different sources, and different philosophies. Because cultural differences affect the motivational patterns of a sales force, a manager must be extremely sensitive to the personal behavior patterns of employees. Individual incentives that work effectively in the United States can fail completely in other cultures. Communications are also important in maintaining high levels of motivation; foreign managers need to know that the home office is interested in their operations. Because promotion and the opportunity to improve status are important motivators, a company needs to make clear the opportunities for growth within the firm. In one study, sales representatives in comparable Japanese and American sales organizations were asked to allocate 100 points across an array of potential rewards from work. As shown in Exhibit 17. 4, the results were surprisingly similar. The Sales People Were Asked to: ‘Distribute 100 Points among the Rewards in Terms of their Importance to You. ’ SOURCE: R. Bruce Money and John L. Graham, â€Å"Salesperson Performance,Pay, and Job Satisfaction: Tests of a Model Using Data Collected in the U. S. and Japan,† Journal of International Business Studies, 1999. Designing Compensation Systems For Expatriates Developing an equitable and functional compensation plan that combines balance, consistent motivation, and flexibility is extremely challenging in international operations. Fringe benefits play a major role in many countries. Pay can be a significant factor in making it difficult for a person to be repatriated. Often those returning home realize they have been making considerably more money with a lower cost of living in the overseas market; returning to the home country means a cut in pay and a cut in standard of living. In general, short-term assignments involve payments of overseas premiums (sometimes called separation allowances if the family does not go along), all excess expenses, and allowances for tax differentials. Besides rewarding an individuals contribution to the firm, a compensation program can be used effectively to recruit, develop, motivate, or retain personnel. For a Global Sales Force – The Do’s Compensation plans of American companies vary substantially around the globe, reflecting the economic and cultural differences in the diverse markets served. Some experts feel compensation plans in Japan and Southern Europe are most different from the standard U. S. approach. Those same experts believe that generally compensation schemes around the world are becoming more similar to the U. S. systems with its emphasis on commissions based on individual performance. Global Similarity to U. S. Compensations Plans SOURCE: David G. Schick and David J. Cichelli, â€Å"Developing Incentive Compensation Strategies in a Global Sales Environment,† ACA Journal, Autumn 1996. The Dos for designing compensation systems for a global sales force: Do involve representatives from key countries. Do allow local managers to decide the mix between base and incentive pay. Do use consistent performance measures (results paid for) and emphasis on each measure. Do allow local countries flexibility in implementations. Do use consistent communication and training themes worldwide. The Donts for designing compensation systems for a global sales force: Dont design the plan centrally and dictate to local offices. Dont create a similar framework for jobs with different responsibilities. Dont require consistency on every performance measure within the incentive plan. Dont assume cultural diffe rences can be managed through the incentive plan. Dont proceed without the support of senior sales executives worldwide. A compensation Blueprint: How IBM Pays 140,000 Sales Executives Worldwide Beginning in the late 1990s IBM rolled out what is perhaps the most global approach to compensating a worldwide sales force. The main features of that plan, which applies to 140,000 sales executives in 165 countries, are presented in Exhibit 17. 6. SOURCE: Michele Marchetti and Antonio Langemi, â€Å"Gamble,† Sales and Marketing Management, July 1996, p. 65-69. Evaluating and Controlling Sales Representatives In the U. S. , emphasis is placed on individual performance, which can easily be measured by sales revenues generated. In many countries evaluation is more complex where teamwork is favored over individual effort. The primary control tool used by American sales managers is the incentive system. In other countries, corporate control and frequent interactions with peers and supervisors are the means of motivation and control. Preparing U. S. Personnel for Foreign Assignments Foreign assignments typically cost from 150-400 percent of the annual base salary. This cost increases if the expatriate returns home before completing the scheduled assignment. The planning process must begin prior to the selection of those going abroad and extend to their specific assignments after returning home. Overcoming Reluctance to Accept a Foreign Assignment Concerns for career and family are the most frequently mentioned reasons for a manager to refuse a foreign assignment. The most important career-related reservation is the fear that a two- or three-year absence will adversely affect opportunities for advancement. Concern for family may interfere with many accepting an assignment abroad. Initially, most potential candidates are worried about uprooting a family and settling into a strange environment. Questions about the education of the children, isolation from family and friends, proper health care, and, in some countries, the potential for violence reflect the misgivings a family faces when relocating to a foreign country. Reducing the Rate of Early Returns Once the employee and family accept the assignment abroad, the next problem is keeping them there for the assigned time. One researcher estimated that 75 percent of families sent to a foreign post experience adjustment problems with children or have marital discord. Before going abroad, cross-cultural training should be provided for families as well as the employee. Once the family is abroad, some companies even provide a local ombudsman (someone experienced in the country) to whom members can take their problems and get immediate assistance. Successful Expartiate Preparation Returnees should know where they are going and what they will be doing next month and several years ahead. A report on what MNCs are doing to improve the reentry process suggests five steps: 1. Commit to reassigning expatriates to meaningful positions. 2. Create a mentor program. Mentors are typically senior executives who monitor company activities, keep the expatriate informed on company activities, and act as liaison between the expatriate and various headquarters departments. 3. Offer a written job guarantee stating what the company is obligated to do for the expatriate on return. 4. Keep the expatriate in touch with headquarters through periodic briefings and headquarters visits. 5. Prepare the expatriate and family for repatriation once a return date is set. Developing Cultural Awareness Most expatriate failures are cause by lack of an understanding of cultural differences and their effect on management skills. Good cultural skills can be learned and developed. Cultural skills provide the individual with the ability to relate to a different culture even when the individual is unfamiliar with the details of that particular culture. The Changing Profile of the Global Manager Fewer companies today limit their search for senior-level executive talent to their home countries. Some companies believe that it is important to have international assignments early in a persons career, and international training is an integral part of their entry-level development programs. Many companies are active in making the foreign experience an integrated part of a successful corporate career. Foreign Language Skills Many believe that learning a language improves cultural understanding and business relationships. Many believe that to be taken seriously in the business community, the expatriate must be at least conversational in the host language. Many companies are making stronger efforts to recruit people who are bilingual or multilingual. Summary The companys sales force is on the front line of a marketing organization. The role of marketers in both domestic and foreign markets along with the composition of international managerial and sales forces is rapidly changing. The recent emphasis on using local personnel operating in their own lands has highlighted the importance of adapting U. S. managerial techniques to local needs. The development of an effective marketing organization calls for careful recruiting, selecting, training, motivating, and compensating o f expatriate personnel and their families. The most practical method of maintaining an efficient international sales and marketing force is careful, concerted planning at all stages of career development. An effective international sales force constitutes one of the international marketers greatest concerns. The companys sales force represents the major alternative method of organizing a company for foreign distribution and, as such, is on the front line of a marketing organization. The role of marketers in both domestic and foreign markets is rapidly changing, along with the composition of international managerial and sales forces. Such forces have many unique requirements that are being filled by expatriates, locals, third-country nationals, or a combination of the three. In recent years, the pattern of development has been to place more emphasis on local personnel operating in their own lands. This, in turn, has highlighted the importance of adapting U. S. managerial techniques to local needs. The development of an effective marketing organization calls for careful recruiting, selecting, training, motivating, and compensating of expatriate personnel and their families to ensure maximization of a companys return on its personnel expenditures. The most practical method of maintaining an efficient international sales and marketing force is careful, concerted planning at all stages of career development. Bibliography: International Marketing, Cateora P. R. , Graham J. L. , 12th ed, pp 500-525. Michele Marchetti and Antonio Langemi, â€Å"Gamble,† Sales and Marketing Management, July 1996, p. 65-69. David G. Schick and David J. Cichelli, â€Å"Developing Incentive Compensation Strategies in a Global Sales Environment,† ACA Journal, Autumn 1996.

Critical Appraisal of a Piece of Research Essay

Critical Appraisal of a Piece of Research - Essay Example Yes. The research questions focused on the reasons for long-term older smokers with arterial disease to continue to smoke; and what the implications were to current smoking behaviour and future smoking intent. Do they perceive a relationship between smoking and the events and circumstances of their lives? What, according to them, is the part played by dependency in their smoking behaviour? Are their beliefs about the reasons for their smoking, reflected in their patterns and levels of smoking? Will these beliefs have an impact on their intentions regarding smoking? semi-structured, face-to-face interviews using â€Å"life grids†. Changes in levels and patterns of smoking against events and circumstances of respondents’ lives were charted by â€Å"life grids†, which were incorporated in the study. An experimental group of current smokers were studied alongside a control group of ex-smokers. The total number of 70 respondents were recruited from the Edinburgh Artery Study, a longitudinal study supported by the British Heart Foundation (Fowkes, 1995). This paper is based on a two-year qualitative study on â€Å"Life course influences on patterns of persistent smoking among older smokers and exsmokers with arterial disease.† The research sample consisted of 22 current smokers and 48 ex-smokers, aged between 65 and 84 years, with a minimum of 10 years smoking history, who smoked an average of at least 10 cigarettes a week throughout their smoking histories, and suffered from arterial disease (Parry et al 2001). The method of selecting the two groups was at random. No particular method of allocation such as stratification was described. The groups were not well balanced, since the number of current smokers were less than half that of the ex-smokers. For the purpose of eliminating â€Å"observer bias† it is essential to

Literature Review of Implementation of Balanced Scorecard

Of Implementation of Balanced Scorecard - Literature review Example This essay stresses that performance management can be described as a process by which supervisors tries to measure and control the performance of the employees. With this process, both the involved parties try to get a shared understanding of the goals and work expectations. This also facilitates exchange of performance feedbacks, evaluate the performance results and at the same time identify the learning and development opportunities. This study however, principally focused on balanced scorecard as a performance measurement tool. Dechow enumerates that balanced scorecard is a key tool that assists a company in transforming the talent of people thereby enhancing their level of expertise and skills. This paper rmakes a conclusion that Some companies considers only the financial perspective in reviewing the performance of the firm, whereas some companies takes a holistic approach and give importance to the factors such as financial perspective, customer perspective, innovation and learning perspective, internal business perspective. The study found that among the available forms of performance measurement like total quality management (TQM), activity-based costing, benchmarking, balanced scorecard and capital budgeting, the most common one is balanced scorecard. However, clear differences in the methodologies of performance measurement in the not for profit making organizations were identified.

Cyber Crimes and Cyber Security

Cyber Crimes and Cyber Security Jackalynn E. Sellers Abstract Cyber related crimes are increasing at a rapid rate across the world. Hacking and viruses are used to steal important personal information. Understanding cyber-crime is essential to understand how criminals are using the Internet to commit various crimes and what can be done to prevent these crimes from happening. This paper will cover different cyber-crimes and information on what the average Internet user can do to protect themselves from falling victim to cyber-crimes. Keywords: Cyber Security, Cyber Crime The Internet is a place saturated with information and over the years, information has become more easily accessible than ever before. How much information that is chosen to be shared on the Internet should be carefully considered. A simple post to any social media site could give out more personal information than originally intended. Cyber security is a priority with the growing use and ease of access of the Internet. If an internet user is not careful about the information given over to cyberspace, the users identity could easily be stolen or their finances drained. Cyber security is important not just to the government but also to the average user. Cyber Crime To understand why cyber security is needed and important, an understanding of cybercrime is required. Cybercrime is any illicit activity that is performed on the Internet or any network-based device. These crimes include identity theft, viruses, cyber stalking, and phishing. Identity Theft Identity theft occurs when a hacker steals information from personal accounts such as banking information, social security numbers, and addresses. The hacker will then use this information to create accounts in the victims name. Being aware of encrypted websites and having adequate measures of protection when imputing this information into websites is essential to even the less-than average user of internet. Viruses Computer viruses are pieces of code that are usually attached to downloadable files. When the file is running the code of the virus activates and proceeds to spread throughout computer files. These viruses infect vital information and can lead to deletion or corruption of important system files. Some viruses will also allow personal information and files to be accessed by another user. Cyber Stalking Cyber stalking is a crime that occurs when a person is being harassed by another person in an online setting. The victim is often bombarded with messages not just to themselves, but also to family members or friends. Threats are often received by the victim as a tactic to get the victim to reply. Often the victim will suffer from anxiety and fear. Phishing Phishing is a crime where electronic mail is sent to the victim that mimics banking institutions or other financial or personal information accounts. The victim, if not careful, will enter their personal information on a site that mimics very closely the website used for personal information. It is important for a potential victim to be aware of email addresses associated with bank accounts and other sites that may contain personal information. Conclusion The increase on cyber-attacks all over the world is pressing the need for updated cyber security. The United States created the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) in 1988 after a wide-spread break in of the Internet. The CERT has no authority to arrest or prosecute hackers but it does provide constant security of international information on the Internet. Interpol has also set up the I-24/7 communication system for internet-based policing to report any crimes found. Altogether, the average user of the Internet can protect themselves from cyber-crimes by being aware of what information is being put on the Internet and being aware that the information can be seen at any time by any person in the world. There are departments of security in place for the more serious cyber-crimes and reports can be made to these departments of any cyber-attacks. Advances are constantly being made to police the Internet and cyberspace. References Goutam, R. K. (2015). Importance of Cyber Security. International Journal of Computer Applications, 111(7) doi:10.5120/19550-1250 Williams, B. K. Sawyer, S. C. (2015) Using Information Technology. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Education  

Pfizer Industry Analysis

An Economy and Industry Analysis Focus Industry: Pharmaceutical Industry Focus Company: Pfizer, Inc. (PFE – NYSE) Pharmaceutical Industry Classification The pharmaceutical industry seems to be an intermingling of growth and expansion stage. This is mainly due to the fact that there are so much research and development (R&D) work being conducted in the industry, creating growth in the industry. At the same time, various players in this industry have started to acquire or merge with their respective competitors, in order to expand and diversify product line, market share, or new markets. The worldwide pharmaceutical sales has continued to grow faster than most segments of the world economy – driven by strong demographic trends of the world population: aging population in many countries, lengthening of average life expectancy, and rising incidence of chronic diseases. This industry is a non-cyclical industry, as the products, drugs and medication, are geared towards consumers and markets that are not prone to price changes, inflation, or economy fluctuations. Consumers in the market might lean towards product lines in the lower end of the affordability spectrum, rather than higher end – purchasing generic products in the market. Pharmaceutical Industry Application of Porter’s Five Forces Industry Competitors and Intensity of Rivalry In general, the main competitors for the pharmaceutical industry are Pfizer ($45. 2B in 2003 sales), GlaxoSmithKline ($35. 2B), Merck ($22. 5B), Bristol-Myers Squibb ($20. 7B), Abbott Laboratories ($19. 7B), and Johnson & Johnson ($19. B). However, with the recent spur in mergers and acquisition (M&A) activities in various industries, the pharmaceutical industry had a significant merger in August 2004 between two France competitors – Sanofi-Synthelabo and Aventis – creating Sanofi-Aventis, one of the top three pharmaceutical companies with Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline. The rivalry among the current competitors in this industry is intense due to the competitive nature of product develo pment and patent profitability. Each competitor is spending billions of dollars in their respective R&D efforts to discover new products and patents to continue the stream of prescribed and over-the-counter drugs produced and sold to consumers in the market. The rivalry is also intense due to the regulation set forth by Federal Drug Administration (FDA) in US and other governmental regulators in various countries of the world, where stringent requirements and scarce allocation of patents are given out to companies developing new drug products. However, due to such intense rivalry, numerous companies have started to merge (like Sanofi-Aventis), or form alliances or joint-ventures in creating new products, to compete with other competitors. Bargaining Power of Buyers In the world of pharmaceutical, the buyers are basically wholesale distributors such as Cardinal Health Inc. , McKesson, and AmeriSourceBergen. These wholesale distributors play the middle-man role in selling and distributing all pharmaceutical products to various buyers like pharmacies, hospitals, HMOs, clinics, and mail-order companies. The concentration of buyers are high due to the fact that there are only a select few key buyers that make huge purchases from all the players in the pharmaceutical industry. As such, buyers do have above average bargaining power that allows the wholesale distributors to dictate the price of the products. However, all the pharmaceutical companies have distributor agreements that help curb the bargaining from being overzealous. Bargaining Power of Suppliers Suppliers to the pharmaceutical industry players are in abundance. The industry does not suffer from scarce resources as the raw materials (both active and inactive ingredients) are always available from various drug ingredient makers and distributors. As such, the suppliers are low in concentration and without much bargaining power. Most of the suppliers are similar and as such, easily interchangeable, without much risk or hassle. With the globalization of economy, the market of available suppliers is even bigger than it used to be – resulting in even lower concentration of suppliers and giving the pharmaceutical industry more power in bargaining for the prices of drug ingredients. Threat from Substitute Products For the brand prescription drugs, the main substitute would be the generics or competitors’ similar prescription drugs. However, this internal threat between competing products does not change the dynamics of drugs that are produce in the safety of patent. The larger threat that the pharmaceutical industry faces is from alternative medicine such as herbal medicine, acupressure, acupuncture, massage therapy, homeopathic medicine, and other growing fads of self-remedy. The effect of alternative medicine is limited however to the critical and chronic degree of the diseases and illnesses that could be treated or prevented. Threat of Potential Entry The threat of potential entry for this industry at this stage (growth and expansion) is definitely low. This is mainly due to the enormously high barrier to entry in obtaining capital and resources for R&D efforts to produce patents. Due to the scarcity of patents and large amount of capital required for the numerous years of research and development, it is close to impossible for new smaller companies to enter this industry at this time. Each of the players in this industry is spending billions of dollars each year just to conduct researches and perform studies, which hopefully will result in the development of an effective and efficient drug that can be patent. Other than that, there are also legal and regulatory obstacles that prevent new competitors, from the FDA and other governmental structures. Other Influencing Forces Due to the nature of the drug products, there is intensive regulatory and legal implication that affects this industry. A good example of how the government and political environment influence and dictate the direction of the pharmaceutical industry is through various regulations by the FDA and Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), involving patent protection, product approvals, pricing controls, and product liability. The demographic evolvement in the world is another factor that should be considered. As the baby boom generation ages and life expectancy rises, demand for pharmaceuticals are soaring. In the US, seniors aged 65 and older currently represent only 13% of the population but account for 34% of all prescriptions written and more than 40% of drug sales. Approximately 80% of seniors in the US use prescription drugs on a regular basis. According to a United Nations study, the number of people worldwide aged 60 or older will grow from 593 million in 1999 to close to 2 billion by 2050. Recent technological developments and breakthroughs have changed the way new drugs are discovered, how they are tested, the precision that it affects the diseases, and how the drugs are being delivered or distributed to patients. The recent development in stem cell research will definitely create more opportunity for growth in the pharmaceutical industry, especially in the European Union a

Chris Mccandless Essay

People travel into the wild prepared to face the worst; they do not want to encounter a deadly situation. The man in Jack London’s â€Å"To Build a Fire† went into the cold prepared for nothing, he felt that he was above nature and it could not affect him. Chris McCandless in Jon Krakauer’s â€Å"Into The Wild† went into the wild unprepared for the conditions he was about to face. As a person who read the writings of Jack London, his death seems somewhat ironic. â€Å"To Build a Fire† by Jack London brings out the irony even more, we see how London wrote and how it relates to how Chris died. Chris McCandless is a person who did not believe in rules of society. He believed that he was above rules. He even felt he could defeat nature; he went into the wild expecting to come out alive while he lived on what nature gave him. â€Å"Alaska has long been a magnet for dreamers and misfits, people who think the unsullied enormity of the Last Frontier will patch all the holes in their lives† (Krakauer, 6). This is exactly what Chris was trying to do when he went into the Alaskan wilderness. He wanted to escape the rules and suffering he faced in society. Jim Gallien recalled, â€Å"He wasn’t carrying anywhere near as much food and gear as you’d expect a guy to be carrying for that kind of trip† (Krakauer, 5). The man in â€Å"To Build a Fire† went to go meet his friends in the cold with nothing to protect him or keep him warm except the clothes on his back, and a dog that accompanied him. Chris and the man both went into the wilderness underprepared for the challenges they would face. Chris read Jack London throughout his life, he knew about his stories and this is how he learned about the beauty of the Alaskan wilderness, but as he read he should have also learned of the dangers. Even though he read these stories by Jack London he still went into the wild unprepared. Chris McCandless spent most of his life in a warm climate. He was born in California, grew up in Virginia, and went to college in Georgia. Chris has never experienced anything relatively close to the Alaskan climate. Through reading stories about people experiencing the Alaskan wilderness Chris should have learned about the dangers that people faced in the cold temperature. The man was not scared of the cold at all, he felt as if he was above it and ended up dying. This shows the dangers of undermining the climate of the north and Chris did the same. He tried to live off of the land that was barren. The man was not concerned with â€Å"the absence of sun from the sky, the tremendous cold, and the strangeness and weirdness of it all—made no impression on the man† (London). The man in â€Å"To Build a Fire† was a representation of rational thinking, and how people in society believe mankind is more powerful than the world. This thinking was evident in Chris’s life. He felt that he was above the laws of the government. He did what he wanted, â€Å"On December 2, he reached the Morelos Dam and the Mexican border. Worried that he would be denied entry because he was carrying no identification, he sneaked into Mexico by paddling through the dam’s open floodgates and shooting the spillway below† (Krakauer, 25). There are resemblances between the qualities of the man and Chris McCandless. Chris’s death was not ironic but the reason he died was ironic. To Build a Fire† is a story about a man who is a very rational thinker who died because he felt he was better than nature and it could not kill him, the dog he traveled with lived because it relied on instincts. Chris went into the wild with a mindset similar to this man’s mindset. This is what brought out the irony of Chris’s death, he was an avid reader of Jack London and by reading his stories he should have been able to conclude that in order to survive in this climate he needed to be more prepared for difficult situations than he was.

Single Parent vs. Traditional Family Essays - 1844 Words

Which behalf is the best side, the single parent versus the traditional family? A traditional family is defined or described as two parents working together to solve anything that goes on in their house. The advantage of a traditional family is that they are going to have a more stable income that will buy them a reasonable house or an apartment. â€Å"The traditional families have two parents, the mom and the dad, jointly raising kids with help and advice from each other† (Magnier). An accustomed family also expresses their feelings towards one another and has respect among others in their home. A dysfunctional family is usually described as conflicted adults living on their own. Although a dysfunctional family may sound inadequate, it is†¦show more content†¦Particular individual parents often enter schools to get a better job to support their child. Being a single parent, the individual can control how their money is spent. The parent also does not have to wo rry about the other mate losing it by having a problem. â€Å"A single parent must have a flexible job that allows her to leave work for sick children, doctor’s appointments, parent conferences and school performances†(McGrath). If that parent does not get a flexible job, then it will hurt the child in the long run. A solution to the flexible job is to maybe stay at home where an individual can work from home and still get their expected income. On the other hand, a traditional family can easily handle their financial state. They have two steady incomes to support their household and life. Single parents also have troubles with childcare. If their child is young, they will need somebody to take care of that child. Traditional families do not have to worry as much. It is more of an outcome that the father is there if the mother is not. When an individual has a child and they are a single parent, they have to pay attention to the child and the child’s nee ds. There are few advantages for a child living in a single parent home. They often get to live in two houses and fluctuate between houses. They get two holiday celebrations with the parents. This kind ofShow MoreRelatedTraditional Families Vs Single Parent Families1615 Words   |  7 PagesTraditional families versus single parent families. A traditional family household is a household with two parents, mother and father. A single parent family household is a one parent household a mother, or father. This household is usually occurs when a parent dies, parents divorce, or the parents was never married and separated after having a child together. The question at hand is would a child be more successful and mentally stable in life growing up in a traditional family household, or singleRead MoreEssay Advantages of Living in a Modern Family734 Words   |  3 PagesModern Family Nowadays, it seems that the traditional family structure is disappearing and the modern family is replacing it. The family used to be formed by the grandparents, the parents, their brothers and sisters and their kids, living together in the same house, but now the nuclear family formed by the father, the mother and their children, live in a single house without the rest of the family (â€Å"Nuclear Family†). I believe that some of the advantages of living in a modern family are: educationalRead MoreThe Role Of Family Structure And Youth Essay1678 Words   |  7 Pagesthe home. Not all families are nuclear families consisting of a mother and father. 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Recently theRead MoreErik Erikson s Development Theory1603 Words   |  7 Pagesfocus on Erikson’s last four stages of development, and discuss how each stage may be impacted by these various factors. Identity vs. Role Confusion The adolescence stage of development in Erikson’s theory was labeled as identity vs. role confusion. Teenagers begin developing a sense of who they are in the world by testing different roles and forming them into a single identity (Erikson Handout, 2017). However, Erikson’s idea of the typical adolescent and identity does not completely take into accountRead More Adolescence and Juvenile Delinquency Essay1644 Words   |  7 Pagesthat it cannot be controlled or corrected by the parents, endangers others in the community, and becomes the concern of a law enforcement agency(1994). I found that most theories about what causes delinquency in children and adolescents originate with families and parenting. 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