Girl with a Pearl Earing Essay

Those who don’t have power seek to gain power through others Griet gains power through Vermer in the household and through his death when she receives earrings over Catherina†¦and through Pieter when she marries him Frans gains power over his own life when he runs away Catherina in having children gets power Van Ruven maintains power over family and Griet – painting only Catherina loses power over Griet as Vermer constantly chooses to support Griet. Vermer loses power over Griet and his household because of money and Griet Tanneke loses power when Griet comes and takes her place Van Ruven loses power over Griet Griet gains power for her life but she does not have the power to make the decisions she truly wants to. Agnes loses her sister to the family Chevalier is trying to say: There is no such thing as completely powerful or powerless in the novel, sometimes power requires action and some conforming to society’s actions and expectations, with intelligence comes power, manipulation can bring power, status gives inherent power. Themed base: Power is gained through status Power is gained through manipulation Power is gained through intelligence Character based: Griet Catherina Tanneke 2. Conflict between responsibilities and desires Vermer – To be responsible for being a loving husband and provide for the family but he just wants to be with Griet and paint. Needs to keep Van Ruven happy but doesn’t wasn’t to lose Griet. Griet – Supposed to be a maid but wants to be free to be with Vermer and to help him paint, marry Pieter and provide for her family but wants to be free of male dominance and make her own decisions. (Wants to be her own person – paying the price of being maid-earrings). Hair – supposed to be a good girl but doesn’t want to be. Frans – The mini story of Griet used as a foreshadowing technique (same conflicts) Catherina – Wants to be rich, surrounded by people and loved but is supposed to be a good wife and mother. 3. A maid came free Find three parts that state – Discus it (why Chevalier included it and what she wants the audience/reader to take from it)

Electronic Commerce in Malaysia

LAWS OF MALAYSIA Act 658 ELECTRONIC COMMERCE ACT 2006 2 Laws of Malaysia ACT 658 Date of Royal Assent Date of publication in the Gazette †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ 30 August 2006 31 August 2006 Publisher’s Copyright C PERCETAKAN NASIONAL MALAYSIA BERHAD All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording and/or otherwise without the prior permission of Percetakan Nasional Malaysia Berhad (Appointed Printer to the Government of Malaysia).Electronic Commerce LAWS OF MALAYSIA Act 658 ELECTRONIC COMMERCE ACT 2006 3 ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS PART I PRELIMINARY Section 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Short title and commencement Application Use not mandatory Reference to other written laws Interpretation PART II LEGAL RECOGNITION OF ELECTRONIC MESSAGE 6. 7. Legal recognition of electronic message Formation and validity of contract PART III FULFILMENT OF LEGAL REQ UIREMENTS BY ELECTRONIC MEANS 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.Writing Signature Seal Witness Original Retention of document 4 Section Laws of Malaysia 14. 15. 16. Copy Prescribed form Service and delivery PART IV COMMUNICATION OF ELECTRONIC MESSAGE ACT 658 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. Attribution of electronic message Contents of electronic message Each electronic message to be regarded separately Time of dispatch Time of receipt Place of dispatch Place of receipt Acknowledgement of receipt PART V MISCELLANEOUS 25. Regulations SCHEDULEElectronic Commerce LAWS OF MALAYSIA Act 658 ELECTRONIC COMMERCE ACT 2006 5 An Act to provide for legal recognition of electronic messages in commercial transactions, the use of the electronic messages to fulfill legal requirements and to enable and facilitate commercial transactions through the use of electronic means and other matters connected therewith. [ ENACTED by the Parliament of Malaysia as follows: PART I PRELIMINARY ] Short title and commencement 1. (1) This Act may be cited as the Electronic Commerce Act 2006. 2) This Act comes into operation on a date to be appointed by the Minister by notification in the Gazette. Application 2. (1) Subject to section 3, this Act shall apply to any commercial transaction conducted through electronic means including commercial transactions by the Federal and State Governments. (2) This Act shall not apply to the transactions or documents specified in the Schedule. 6 Laws of Malaysia ACT 658 (3) The Minister may by order amend, vary, delete from or add to the Schedule. Use not mandatory 3. 1) Nothing in this Act shall make it mandatory for a person to use, provide or accept any electronic message in any commercial transaction unless the person consents to the using, providing or accepting of the electronic message. (2) A person’s consent to use, provide or accept any electronic message in any commercial transaction may be inferred from the person’s conduct. Reference to other wri tten laws 4. The application of this Act shall be supplemental and without prejudice to any other laws regulating commercial transactions. Interpretation 5.In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires— â€Å"electronic† means the technology of utilizing electrical, optical, magnetic, electromagnetic, biometric, photonic or other similar technology; â€Å"Minister† means the Minister charged with the responsibility for domestic trade and consumer affairs; â€Å"electronic message† means an information generated, sent, received or stored by electronic means; â€Å"originator† means a person by whom or on whose behalf, the electronic message is generated or sent; â€Å"addressee† means a person who is intended by the originator to receive the electronic message; Electronic Commerce â€Å"information processing system† means an electronic system for generating, sending, receiving, storing or processing the electronic message;  "electronic signature† means any letter, character, number, sound or any other symbol or any combination thereof created in an electronic form adopted by a person as a signature; â€Å"commercial transactions† means a single communication or multiple communications of a commercial nature, whether contractual or not, which includes any matters relating to the supply or exchange of goods or services, agency, investments, financing, banking and insurance. PART IILEGAL RECOGNITION OF ELECTRONIC MESSAGE Legal recognition of electronic message 6. (1) Any information shall not be denied legal effect, validity or enforceability on the ground that it is wholly or partly in an electronic form. (2) Any information shall not be denied legal effect, validity or enforceability on the ground that the information is not contained in the electronic message that gives rise to such legal effect, but is merely referred to in that electronic message, provided that the information being refe rred to is accessible to the person against whom the referred information might be used.Formation and validity of contract 7. (1) In the formation of a contract, the communication of proposals, acceptance of proposals, and revocation of proposals and acceptances or any related communication may be expressed by an electronic message. (2) A contract shall not be denied legal effect, validity or enforceability on the ground that an electronic message is used in its formation. Laws of Malaysia PART III FULFILMENT OF LEGAL REQUIREMENTS BY ELECTRONIC MEANS ACT 658 Writing 8. Where any law requires information to be in writing, the requirement of the law is fulfilled if the information is contained in an electronic message that is accessible and intelligible so as to be usable for subsequent reference. Signature 9. 1) Where any law requires a signature of a person on a document, the requirement of the law is fulfilled, if the document is in the form of an electronic message, by an electron ic signature which— (a) is attached to or is logically associated with the electronic message; (b) adequately identifies the person and adequately indicates the person’s approval of the information to which the signature relates; and (c) is as reliable as is appropriate given the purpose for which, and the circumstances in which, the signature is required. 2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(c), an electronic signature is as reliable as is appropriate if— (a) the means of creating the electronic signature is linked to and under the control of that person only; (b) any alteration made to the electronic signature after the time of signing is detectable; and (c) any alteration made to that document after the time of signing is detectable. 3) The Digital Signature Act 1997 [Act 562] shall continue to apply to any digital signature used as an electronic signature in any commercial transaction. Electronic Commerce Seal 9 10. (1) Where any law requires a seal to be af fixed to a document, the requirement of the law is fulfilled, if the document is in the form of an electronic message, by a digital signature as provided under the Digital Signature Act 1997. 2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the Minister may, by order in the Gazette, prescribe any other electronic signature that fulfills the requirement of affixing a seal in an electronic message. Witness 11. Where any law requires the signature of a witness on a document, the requirement of the law is fulfilled, if the document is in the form of an electronic message, by an electronic signature of the witness that complies with the requirements of section 9.Original 12. (1) Where any law requires any document to be in its original form, the requirement of the law is fulfilled by a document in the form of an electronic message if— (a) there exists a reliable assurance as to the integrity of the information contained in the electronic message from the time it is first generated in its final form; and (b) the electronic message is accessible and intelligible so as to be usable for subsequent reference. 2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(a)— (a) the criteria for assessing the integrity of the information shall be whether the information has remained complete and unaltered, apart from the addition of any endorsement or any change which arises in the normal course of communication, storage and display; and (b) the standard of reliability required shall be assessed in the light of the purpose for which the document was generated and in the light of all other relevant circumstances. 10 Laws of Malaysia ACT 658 Retention of document 13.Where any law requires any document to be retained, the requirement of the law is fulfilled by retaining the document in the form of an electronic message if the electronic message— (a) is retained in the format in which it is generated, sent or received, or in a format that does not materially change the information contained i n the electronic message that was originally generated, sent or received; (b) is accessible and intelligible so as to be usable for subsequent reference; and (c) identifies the origin and destination of the electronic message and the date and time it is sent or received.Copy 14. Where any law requires any document to be retained, served, sent or delivered in more than one copy, the requirement of the law is fulfilled, if the document is in the form of an electronic message, by retention, service, sending or delivery of the document in one copy. Prescribed form 15.Where any law requires any document to be in a prescribed form, the requirement of the law is fulfilled by a document in the form of an electronic message if the electronic message is— (a) formatted in the same or substantially the same way as the prescribed form; (b) accessible and intelligible so as to be usable for subsequent reference; and (c) capable of being retained by the other person. Service and delivery 16 . (1) Where any law requires any document to be served, sent or delivered, the requirement of the law is fulfilled by the Electronic Commerce 11 ervice, sending or delivery of the document by an electronic means if an information processing system is in place— (a) to identify the origin, destination, time and date of service, sending or delivery; and (b) for the acknowledgement of receipt, of the document. (2) This section does not apply to— (a) any notice of default, notice of demand, notice to show cause, notice of repossession or any similar notices which are required to be served prior to commencing a legal proceeding; and (b) any originating process, pleading, affidavit or other documents which are required to be served pursuant to a legal proceeding.PART IV COMMUNICATION OF ELECTRONIC MESSAGE Attribution of electronic message 17. (1) An electronic message is that of the originator if it is sent by the originator himself. (2) As between the originator and the addr essee, an electronic message is deemed to be that of the originator if it is sent by— (a) a person who has the authority to act on behalf of the originator in respect of that electronic message; or (b) an information processing system programmed by, or on behalf of, the originator to operate automatically. 3) As between the originator and the addressee, the addressee is entitled to regard an electronic message as being that of the originator, and to act on that presumption, if— (a) the addressee properly applies an authentication method agreed between the originator and the addressee for ascertaining whether the electronic message was that of the originator; or 2 Laws of Malaysia ACT 658 (b) the electronic message as received by the addressee resulted from the actions of a person whose relationship with the originator or any agent of the originator enabled that person to gain access to an authentication method used by the originator to identify electronic message as it s own. 4) Subsection (3) does not apply if— (a) the addressee has received a notice from the originator that the electronic message is not that of the originator and has reasonable time to act accordingly; or (b) the addressee knew or should have known that the electronic message was not that of the originator had he exercised reasonable care or used any authentication method agreed between the originator and the addressee. Contents of electronic message 18.Where an addressee receives an electronic message, the addressee is entitled to regard the electronic message as being what the originator intended to send, and to act on that presumption, unless the addressee knew or should have known, had he exercised reasonable care or used any agreed procedure, that the transmission resulted in any error in the electronic message as received. Each electronic message to be regarded separately 19.Where an addressee receives an electronic message, the addressee is entitled to regard each electronic message received as a separate electronic message and to act on that presumption, unless the addressee knew or should have known, had he exercised reasonable care or used any agreed procedure, that the electronic message was a duplicate. Time of dispatch 20. Unless otherwise agreed between the originator and the addressee, an electronic message is deemed sent when it enters an information processing system outside the control of the originator.Electronic Commerce Time of receipt 13 21. Unless otherwise agreed between the originator and the addressee, an electronic message is deemed received— (a) where the addressee has designated an information processing system for the purpose of receiving electronic messages, when the electronic message enters the designated information processing system; or (b) where the addressee has not designated an information processing system for the purpose of receiving electronic messages, when the electronic message comes to the knowled ge of the addressee. Place of dispatch 22.Unless otherwise agreed between the originator and the addressee, an electronic message is deemed sent from the originator’s place of business, and— (a) where the originator has more than one place of business, from the place of business that has the closest relationship with the transaction or where there is no place of business that has the closest relationship with the transaction, from the originator’s principal place of business; or (b) where the originator does not have a place of business, from the originator’s ordinary place of residence. Place of receipt 23.Unless otherwise agreed between the originator and the addressee, an electronic message is deemed received at the addressee’s place of business, and— (a) where the addressee has more than one place of business, at the place of business that has the closest relationship with the transaction or where there is no place of business that has t he closest relationship with the underlying transaction, at the addressee’s principal place of business; or (b) where the addressee does not have a place of business, at the addressee’s ordinary place of residence. 4 Laws of Malaysia ACT 658 Acknowledgement of receipt 24. (1) This section applies where, on or before sending an electronic message, or in the electronic message, the originator has requested or agreed with the addressee that receipt of the electronic message is to be acknowledged. (2) Where the originator has requested or agreed with the addressee that receipt of the electronic message is to be acknowledged, the electronic message is treated as though it has never been sent until the acknowledgement is received. 3) Where the originator has not agreed with the addressee that the acknowledgement be given in a particular form or by a particular method, an acknowledgement may be given by— (a) any communication by the addressee, automated or otherwise; o r (b) any conduct of the addressee sufficient to indicate to the originator that the electronic message has been received. 4) Where the acknowledgement has not been received by the originator within the time specified or agreed or, if no time has been specified or agreed, within a reasonable time, the originator may— (a) give notice to the addressee stating that no acknowledgement has been received and specifying a reasonable time by which the acknowledgement must be received; and (b) if the acknowledgement is not received within the time specified in paragraph (a), give notice to the addressee to treat the electronic message as though it had never been sent and exercise any other rights he may have. 5) Where the originator receives the addressee’s acknowledgement of receipt, it is presumed that the addressee received the related electronic message. (6) Where the received acknowledgement states that the related electronic message fulfills technical requirements, either agreed upon or set forth in applicable standards, it is presumed that those requirements have been fulfilled. Electronic Commerce PART V MISCELLANEOUS 15 Regulations 25.The Minister may make such regulations as are necessary or expedient for giving full effect to the provisions of this Act. SCHEDULE (Section 2) This Act shall not apply to the following transactions or documents: 1. 2. 3. 4. Power of attorney The creation of wills and codicils The creation of trusts Negotiable instruments DICETAK OLEH PERCETAKAN NASIONAL MALAYSIA BERHAD, KUALA LUMPUR BAGI PIHAK DAN DENGAN PERINTAH KERAJAAN MALAYSIA

Links Between Criminality and Psysical Body Type Term Paper

Links Between Criminality and Psysical Body Type - Term Paper Example Links between criminality and physical body type Criminality was explained purely in moral and physical terms a couple of centuries before. However, in during the latter part of nineteenth century, criminologists, sociologists and psychologists started to develop more comprehensive theories with respect to criminality. The connection of physiology or physical body type with criminality was first proposed by Italian anthropologist Cesare Lomboso in 1876. â€Å"Lombroso started a tradition of physiological theories of criminality. These have in common a focus on the person’s physical form as a marker of criminality†(Sammons, n.d., p.1). Lomboso argued that criminals can be identified or distinguished from a mass population if we analyze the body shapes of people. In his opinion, strong jaws and heavy brows are signs of aggressiveness. Even though Cesare Lomboso’s theories were taken as a joke by many people initially, later his theories started to catch the attenti on of the people. According to modern researches, there are certain people with a particular body type who show more aggressive behaviors than others. â€Å"Lomboso suggested that different types of criminal had different features, so murderers had bloodshot eyes and curly hair, whilst sex offenders had thick lips and protruding ears† (Sammons, n.d., p.1). ... Lomboso believed that people with thick lip may show more sexual desire than other people because of their genetic peculiarities. Sheldon (1949) distinguished between three basic types of bodily build: ectomorph (thin), endomorph (fat) and mesomorph (muscular). Sheldon believed that bodily build was linked to personality and temperament so ectomorphs were solitary and restrained, endomorphs relaxed and hedonistic and mesomorphs energetic and adventurous (Sammons, n.d., p.1). Sheldon described the characteristics of different body types as follows: â€Å"Endomorphs- rounder, relaxed comfortable, extroverted; Mesomorphs- muscular, active, assertive, lust for power; Ectomorphs- lean, thin, introverted, overly sensitive, love privacy† (Regoli & Hewitt, 2008, p.93). Endomorphs are people with normal body structure. They don’t have any complaints about their body shape or appearance. Therefore they will behave normally in the society. These people would like to engage in more socializing activities because of their lack of concerns about their appearances. On the other hand, ectomorphs are not much satisfied with their physical appearances. They will always like to stay away from the eyes of the society because of their inferiority feeling in appearances. On the other hand, mesomorphs have strong body and they are proud of their body shape and strength. Over confidence about body shapes and physical strength may force mesomorphs to increase their dominating mentality towards others. They consider themselves as privileged people and all others as second class citizens. People with muscular body will definitely have more confidence in their physical abilities than other people. Genetically, all people like to dominate others. However, intelligence

Fundraising Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Fundraising - Coursework Example Sudden cardiac arrests causing sudden death have mainly occurred due to incompetency and ignorance of individuals witnessing cardiac arrests. Thus, if more people are aware of cardiac arrests and know what to do in case they are around a person having cardiac attack, more chances would be to grant those suffering their survival. VSF is one organization, whose aim is to raise awareness of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome and cardiac arrests. However, there are some other charity organizations involved in raising awareness Sudden Adult Death Syndrome and developing action guidelines. NHS and Raising Awareness of SADS Although logically would be to suggest that the major organization to raise awareness of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome and ways to prevent or diagnose it early would be National Healthcare System, the truth is that NHS establishments are preoccupied with a vast variety of diseases and their treatment. Consequently, less attention is paid to the problem of Sudden Adult Death Syndr ome solely. ... Organizations involved in raising awareness of SADS Despite that NHS is not actively involved in raising awareness of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome and developing guidelines on how to act, there are charitable organizations that are devoted to the cause. These organizations were established majorly by relatives of those who died in result of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome. Among such organizations are Sudden Death Support Association and SADS – Sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (http://www.sads.org.uk/), who raise awareness and provide support for families, and Ashley Jolly Sudden Adult Death Trust (http://www.sadsuk.org/), Cardiac Risk in Young (CRY: http://www.c-r-y.org.uk/) who raise awareness of the disease, support the families who have gone through deaths of loves ones, and are involved in fundraising for the cause to equip local communities, colleges, schools with automated external defibrillators (Patient UK, 2011). Awareness of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome is also raised thr ough booklets and events from British Heart Foundation, which provides information on cardiac illnesses including SADS. SADS UK – The Ashley Jolly Sad Trust According to the official website, â€Å"The Ashley Jolly Sad Trust (SADS UK) is a voluntary organization that exists to raise awareness about little known heart conditions in young people and provides information and support to families who have experienced the sudden unexpected death of a loved one due to such a condition. The Trust fundraises to purchase and donate heart monitoring equipment to detect potentially fatal heart conditions in order that once a condition is identified the patient can be referred to a cardiologist for treatment, to minimize the risk of sudden premature death.†

Race. Race as an Essentialist Concept & Race as a Social Construction Essay

Race. Race as an Essentialist Concept & Race as a Social Construction - Essay Example This paper will give a describe ethnicity and race through the social construction approach and primadialist approach. Social constructionist perspective states that the idea of race, which is best understood as the classification of individuals in terms of skin color, hair or body shape, is a biological concept employed when rationalizing and approving the unjust behavior towards groups of individuals by others. The instrumentalist approach further asserts that, social environments enhance the concept of races. Race only exists as long as it is in the collective agreement, imposition and agreement among people. Even if, race fall short of ontological existence, in the society it is real (Ishiyama & Breuning 218). According to social constructionist approach, ethnicity is viewed to be a contemporary instrumentalist symbol that advances the materialistic interests of different groups. These groups’ composition is subject to change due to competitive opportunities. Through this theory, ethnicity and ethnic groups are inventions or creations by opportunistic elites with the intention of manipulating the concept of ethnicity for their personal gain (Ishiyama & Breuning 222). The essentialist theory is based on the principles that, race is a reflection of essence intertwined in biological genes. It further states that race is an indication of traits or abilities, and it is unchangeable. Race to a primordialist is inborn, and a natural phenomenon which man cannot influence (Spencer 43). The primordialist approach is embedded in the view that ethnicity is a permanent feature which is rooted deeply in all essential experiences and activities performed by groups of persons. The approach asserts that individuals in society are divided on a permanent basis and in a manner that is unchangeable. Ethnic groups according to essentialist perspective are unique units categorized on the concept of a common origin. The concept of a common

MKTG 4050- The Marketing of Osteoporosis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

MKTG 4050- The Marketing of Osteoporosis - Essay Example asers) that there is efficacy in taking these products as shown from the improved health condition that alleviates pain and suffering from osteoporosis. From the point of view of manufacturers, for instance, the critical positioning or selection process to be decided on would include price of the product, efficacy, propensities for side-effects (safety), and availability (or ease of access) and the overall satisfaction to be derived from the drug. If one were to manufacture the most effective drug for osteoporosis, given the product feature characteristics and the value positioning noted above, the most important value that one would focus on is efficacy, or the ability of the drug to provide the desired effect (as promised) at the most immediate time frame, with the least side-effects. Focusing on this product feature would ensure that the customers would be satisfied with the drug, and would essentially purchase it despite applying premium strategies in price or place, as needed. Meaning, even if one would position the brand to be a little higher priced and to be offered in locations that are far or limited, customers would still seek to purchase this product due to the effectiveness of alleviating pain and improving the health condition of patients with osteoporosis, when compared to other drugs. Lessons to Learn From Traditional B2B Marketing." 11 January 2010. Slide Share, Inc. 9 October 2012

Negotiate Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Negotiate - Assignment Example The negotiation processes would be discussed, compared and contrasted in the light of the applicability to one’s work setting. A car dealer in Denver, Colorado pegs the price of a second hand vehicle at a certain amount or level. Buyers, usually opt to negotiate purchasing that commodity at a lower price. For example, I was looking for a second-hand van to purchase. The car dealer offers the van for sale at $5000. I try to negotiate to purchase the van at a lower price, say $4000. The negotiation style most appropriately applied is the compromising style. Compromising usually requires that both people give up something in order to reach an agreement. It seems fair because both sides win and lose. This style of conflict resolution is common. Unfortunately, neither person usually gets exactly what one wants. This can sometimes lead to angry feelings later. Since I wanted a lower price for the van, say $4000, then, this would immediately be relayed and the seller would immediately respond by their agreeing or disagreeing on the suggested buying price. The end result of a compromise agreement is a solution that is acceptable to both sides. We eventually ended up on agreeing at a price of $4500 for the van – which is a midpoint of the pegged prices. By utilizing the compromising approach, face-to-face negotiations are applied. This would directly pinpoint the source of the problem by identifying the situation and the options. Meeting halfway is the most effective solution to this negotiation approach. Although both parties did not get their original intended prices for the van, we were able to work out an agreeable price which is amenable to

Statistical Reasoning Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Statistical Reasoning - Assignment Example In strategic communication, statistics is also vital in formulation of policies and plans that require knowhow of further trends. For example, a business entity with a strategic intent of launching a new product and increasing production by 80% within the next 5 years needs statistics to achieve this. Using statistics, the business can plan concerning clients’ needs and likes. Checks on the quality of the product are more effective when using statistical methods. Decisions on new markets, site locations and profit estimation of the new products become easier with statistics. The government also relies heavily on statistical data and methods in laying down its economic strategies and budgets. Statistical data is most accurate information available when they are estimating expected revenues and expenditures (Sridhar, 2011). Statistics therefore, is vital in strategic communication as it provides facts to support the communicated concepts, statements and processes that are intended for an organization’s strategic goal by providing grounds for advanced planning (Sridhar, 2011). It facilitates forecasting based on current data and expected changes in the environment. A sample is taken from the population. A population is the sum of all individuals carries certain characteristics and to whom a researcher has interest in. A population can be a community of students in a college, teachers or even care racers. A sample refers to a subject of the population that is used to draw inferences regarding the entire population under study, considering some conditions. A sample constitutes different values from those of the population, and it is important for a researcher to minimize sampling error as much as possible (Hayes, 2009). A sample is important because, it is impossible to study the entire population. This would cost

Integration of Evidence-Based Practice into Professional Nursing Research Paper

Integration of Evidence-Based Practice into Professional Nursing Practice - Research Paper Example Evidence based practice for nursing implies not merely using only the best research evidence in patient care decisions, but also includes the factors of clinical expertise, patient values and preferences or circumstances, and clinical assessment and history of the patient in these decisions (Finkelman & Kenner, 2010, p.380-381). Presented here is an example of evidence based clinical nursing practice. A patient was admitted to the ICU subsequent to a cardiac arrest. The patient arrived at the ICU on a mechanical ventilator, basically stabilized, and appeared to have no problems of ventilation and oxygenation. After a short while the clinical experience of the staff nurse prompted her to call for support from an advanced nurse practitioner (APN), as she was not happy with the increased effort that the patient was showing in breathing. The APN arrived and found the patient struggling slightly in breathing, and the first impulse was to check, if the ventilator settings were okay and the ventilator was functioning satisfactorily. All was fine on that front, and though there seemed no reason for alarm, as the patient did not appear hemodynamically compromised, the APN decided to examine the patient closely relying on the experience of the staff nurse.

Dickens skill Essay Example for Free

Dickens skill Essay Dickens skill is especially shown in his creation of Magwitch. Discuss the convicts importance both as a key figure in Pips life and as a means of criticising society. Dickens uses his skill to make the reader believe that Magwitch is an evil person at the beginning of the novel. Dickens describes Magwitch as seen through a childs eye, which is Pip. The first image of Magwitch is exaggerated because of a childs imagination and terror. Dickens uses sounds and smells to remember people. For example Jaggers always smells of scented soap after court and when Magwitch is emotional there is a click in his throat. Although these are minor details we recognise people quicker. At the beginning of the novel we associate Magwitch with animal and beast like manners. This is because the first impression of Magwitch through the young Pip and then the hunt for Magwitch by the soldiers. In chapter 28 while Pip is travelling to Satis House he hears a conversation between two convicts who are being transported by coach under guard. Here the convicts are described as a most disagreeable and degraded spectacle. Dickens uses words like growling to covey the impression that these convicts are animal like. Dickens describes the convicts as, Then they both laughed, and began cracking nuts, and spitting the shells about. Dickens is making the point that if you treat some one like animals then they will act like animals. This shows how convicts were treated in society and Magwitch was also a convict. The ship that Magwitch boarded was ironically called Noahs Ark. This is where animals boarded in biblical time. Magwitchs true personality slowly shows through the novel. For example in chapter 5 Magwitch tells Joe that he stole his pie and file. Magwitch even apologises to Joe when he says, Then Im sorry to say, Ive eat your pie. Joe replies with a compassion answer saying, we wouldnt have let you starved to death for it would us Pip? Then Magwitch throat clicks. Here I think that this shows the two real gentlemen of the story. Although their grammar is not the best one shows remorse and guilt and the other shows compassion. I am very surprised when Magwitch says he stole the file and pie. This is because firstly he did not do it he only said this to divert suspicion from Pip, a boy he never really knew. Secondly in Victoria time people could be hanged for stealing and this shows that Magwitch is a very selfless person. In the most influencing chapter of the novel, chapter 39 where Magwitch returns Pip life changes. Magwitchs arrival has mixed feelings and mixed blessings. Here we find out that Magwitch is Pip benefactor and Pip feels revulsion and disgust, which is also shared by us the readers, that his expectations have been paid for by a convict. This is when Pip realises that he never had any Great Expectations, that Estella and Satis House were never intended for him and Miss Havisham was never his benefactress. In the chapter we now see Magwitch through an adults eye where he does not seem violence or evil. Pip uses words like I shuddered, abhorrence, dread and repugnance in this chapter but soon later change. Dickens skill is shown through this book very well because although Magwitch is one of the most important characters he disappears for a long time in the book. Magwitch is a key character in the novel to unveiling all of the mysterious in it. There is a gradual uncovering a denouement by him in chapter 42 called Compeyson. We find out a lot about Magwitchs heritage that he was born poor and that he had no family. Magwitch talks of his first memories as a young child he says, I first become aware of myself A thieving turnips for my living. Someone had run away from me and hed took the fire with him and left me very cold. This shows how society has neglected orphans his first memories is of stealing and being betrayal. Magwitch talks about his trial where Compeyson got 7 years and Magwitch got 14 years. Compeyson got half the sentence because, First of all what a gentleman Compeyson looked with his curly hair and black clothes and his white pocket handkerchief and what a common sort of wretch I (Magwitch) looked. Magwitch said that he had given up all hope when he said, I was hiding among the graves there envying them as was in them. This definitely shows how poor people and convicts were treated that society did not look after them and that these people felt no sense of place or belonging n the world. Dickens uses this chapter to show the inadequacy in the legal system and also that there is a lot wrong with society. Magwitch was not legally married to Molly but only married over the broomstick this shows that there is no legal marriage or protection for the poor. I think that society is using Magwitch, as a scapegoat so that they can charge him for crimes he did not commit so they can feel better about their society thinking it is safer. Whereas the real criminals in the novel are free, for example Compeyson a forger, Orlick a murderer and Drummle a wife beater. Magwitch clearly has an impact in Pip life for good and bad reasons. If Pip had never met Magwitch he would still live at the forge with Joe and probably in the future married Biddy. So basically Magwitch seems to have ruined Pips life. Although Magwitch does more harm then good he does not do it intentionally whereas Miss Havisham did. I think Miss Havisham is, in a way, a victim because she was left at the altar on her wedding day and cuts herself off from society. Miss Havisham got her revenge on men, which was Pip through Estella but later regrets what she has done. Although Miss Havisham has ruined his life he can still forgive her. I think Pip forgives her because although Miss Havisham is eccentric he has learnt that there can be another side to a person. I think that Pip found this out when looking after Magwitch first he is repulsed and now he loves and pity him. Magwitch brings out the good qualities in Pip he is his moral educator. For example Pip looks after Magwitch but does not take any more money off him. Here Dickens is idealising Pip through Magwitch. At the beginning of the novel Pip was child but now Magwitch has become the child because he needs looking after. From the part of the novel when Pip is with Magwitch he grows morally. He learns that a gentleman is not just a good education, wealth and stature it is about self-sacrifice, loyalty and compassion. Pip even risks his life for Magwitch when there is a note saying someone has news on Magwitch. Pip goes straight away even with an injured arm and there he finds it to be a trap that it is Orlick who tries to kill him. He learns the great value of friendship and he buys Herbert branch of Clarrikers business. I think Pip does this because he feels guilty for getting Herbert into debt in the first place. Not only did Pip feels pity for Magwitch when he is dying so did Jaggers. For example Jaggers tries to push back Magwitchs trial date back so he can die in peace but it fails. This is shown when it says, Mr Jaggers caused an application to be made for the postponement of his trial. Again Dickens makes a point about the legal system when he says, The trial was very short and very clear. Basically Dickens is criticising how he poor were judged in court; it was guilty until proven innocent for them. At Magwitchs trial he is condemned to death and he says, My Lord, I have received my sentence of Death from the Almighty, but I bow to yours. Magwitch says this in the most elegance way and shows his courage in accepting his death sentence. By the time of his trial and death he has acquired a dignity which did not seem to be evident when he was the animal which glared and growled and frightened Pip half to death at the beginning of the novel.

Direct to consumer advertising

Direct to consumer advertising DTCA of prescription drugs has increased enormously over the past decade in the United States and New Zealand, the 2 countries where it is legal. In 2005, more than $4.2 billion (US) was spent on DTCA in the United States, and Americans spent an average of 16 hours watching televised drug advertisements-far more time than they spent with family doctors. Mintzes (2009) Whereas advertising for non-prescription pharmaceuticals has been directed to consumers for decades, direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising for prescription drugs is a relatively recent phenomenon. Regulation of pharmaceutical advertising varies significantly around the globe. Diehl et al (2008) Currently, direct-to-consumer advertising is only allowed in the US and New Zealand, but is banned throughout Europe and the rest of the world. Diehl et al (2008) Despite the ban, a number of pharmaceutical companies have already begun to conduct consumer-targeted campaigns in the EU, which comply with current restrictions (Hone Benson 2004). Like KSA Diehl et al (2008) In the next part, I will start with academic review of marketing communication tools and advertising in general. 2.2 Marketing Communications tools Marketing Communication Marketing communications as defined by Kotler (2007) are the means by which firms attempt to inform, persuade, and remind consumers directly or indirectly about the products and brands that they sell. They are considered the voice of the brand and by which the companies can build a relationship with customers. Marketing communications mix consists of six major modes of communication, and according to Kotler (2007) it can be classified to mass or personal communications. Mass communications are advertising, public relation and publicity, events, and sales promotion. While, personal communications are personal selling and direct marketing. In this paper, I will focus on advertising, public relations and publicity, and direct marketing. 2.2.1 Personal Selling Personal selling is a face to face interaction with one or more prospective purchasers for the purpose of making presentations, answering questions, and procuring orders. For example, sales presentation, sales meeting, and samples. 2.2.2 Direct Selling Direct marketing is the use of consumer-direct channels to reach and deliver goods and services to customer without using marketing middlemen. These channels include catalogs, mailing, telemarketing, TV shopping, e-mail, or internet to communicate directly with customers. 2.2.3 Sales Promotion Sales promotion is a variety of short term incentives to encourage trial or purchase of a product or service. For example, coupons, lotteries and gifts. On the contrary, sales promotion is the appropriate tool, if the intention is to deliver quicker results, thus, it could be thought of as a short term incentive to stimulate sales (Sandhusen, 2008), however, despite the fact that it has taken over advertising in recent years, if used more frequently it may has a damaging impact on the brand being promoted. 2.2.4 Events Events and experiences are company sponsored activities and programs designed to create daily or special brand related interactions. For example, sports, festivals, arts, factory tours, and company museum. These marketing communications must be integrated to deliver a consistent message and achieve the strategic positioning. 2.2.5 Public Relations and Publicity Public relation and publicity is a variety of programs designed to promote or protect a company image or its individual products. For example, press kits, speeches, seminars, annual reports, charitable donations, publications, community relations, lobbying, identity media, and company magazine. Public relations carries identical definition as that for advertising except for the part of being paid by the company, and on the contrary, public relation has a distinctive quality over advertising, which is being perceived as more credible (Sandhusen, 2008). The appeal of public relations is based on three distinctive qualities; high credibility than ads, ability to catch buyers off guard who prefer to avoid salespeople and advertisements, and the potential for dramatizing a company or a product. Many companies are turning to marketing public relations (MPR) to support corporate or product promotion and image making. The old name of MPR was publicity, which was seen as the task of securing editorial space as opposed to paid spaces in print and broadcast media to promote a product, service, idea, place, person, or organization. MPR goes beyond simple publicity and plays an important role in assisting in the launch of new products, assisting in repositioning of a mature product, building interest in a product category, influencing specific target groups, defending products that have encountered public problems, and building the corporate image in the way that reflects favourably on its products. 2.2.6 Advertising Advertising as claimed by Pickton Broderick (2006) is considered as the senior element of the marketing communications mix which defined as the use of paid mass media, by an identified sponsor, to deliver marketing communications to target audiences to persuade or influence an audience. Whereas media is considered as the carriers of message that it should include TV, radio, press, posters, direct mail and the internet. Advertising according to the media and the purpose can be classified into many types. For example, based on the type of media there are many types of advertisement like television ads, press and magazine advertisements, posters, radio, internet and out of home advertising which includes billboards, transit, street furniture, and alternative outdoor like cinema advertising, stadium advertising, and airport advertising (Wilson, et al., 2008). In addition to the previous classification, Eldridge (1958) argued that according to the purpose of the advertising there are three different kinds. The first one is the immediate action advertising like that of retail food advertising, special deals and coupon offers that push customers to take immediate actions. Whereas the second category is the awareness advertising like the announcements of a new product or model. As an example of this category is that of direct-to-consumer advertising of the pharmaceutical products, especially See your doctor campaigns that increase public awareness for new products or even refreshing the customer memory toward old product. Finally, the third category is the creation or change of an image advertising which is considered the most difficult category to be measured. For example, campaigns that made by oil companies to improve their images as environment pollutants through increasing their social responsibilities. There is some confusion between advertising, direct marketing, and public relation. (Tamer) Advertising has a lot of advantages. As mentioned in Leicester (2009) it can reach mass audiences through media and press. In addition it is able to reach mass audiences selectively like advertising in specialized magazines. Moreover, it has low unit cost, efficient and effective at reaching large audiences. In addition to the previous advantages, as claimed by Eechambadi and Naras V. (1994), it is expected to change perceptions, maintain awareness, reinforce brand loyalty, encourage switching, or influence frequency of purchase. After showing the different types and advantages of advertising in the next part I will present how advertising works. As mentioned by Miller, et al., (1998) over the past several decades most advertisers and academics believed that advertising primarily worked by changing consumer attitudes toward a brand through the (Awareness, Interest, Desire Action) AIDA model. This simple model says that awareness of a brand precedes interest, which in turn precedes desire and action. Thus, awareness plays a role in this theory, it is primarily a gatekeeper. However, Pickton Broderick (2006) argued that, advertising works through three ways. The first way considers the concepts of advertising as a strong or a weak force. Advertising seen as a strong force suggests that it has a direct and positive impact on sales through persuading people to buy, creating and building brands, differentiating between brands and increasing sales. While those see advertising as a weak force suggests that advertising works through maintaining brand values and defending market share, so its effect on sales is therefore less direct. A second way considers the concept of salience which is the sum total of brand attributes, not any single element, that creates a positive attitude towards the brand. The goal is not so much how well your brand is regarded, but how many consumers regard your brand well. In this way, brand shares are maintained. The third approach is a simple causal hierarchy of effects that claimed by Vakratsas and Ambler (1999) which is little changed in its essentials from the AIDA model. In this approach, consumers change their minds about a product, then they change their attitude, and then they act. In other words, the process begins with cognition, which translates to affect, which then translates to behaviour. The purpose of advertising in that model is primarily to drive trial by inserting the brand into the consumers head and keeping it there. To increase the advertising effectiveness, it is better to use advertising in more than one media to gain the advantages of each one. For example, the most effective see your doctor campaigns usually use more than one media, like TV, radio, posters, flyers and internet. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ 2.3 Overview of DTCA . à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ 2.3.1. Definition of DTCA . Direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) is the promotion of prescription drugs through newspaper, magazine, television and internet marketing. Drug companies also produce a range of other materials, including brochures and videos, that are available in doctors offices or designed to be given to patients by medical professionals or via patient groups. Vann(2010) The only two developed countries where DTCA is currently legal are the U.S. and New Zealand. While banned elsewhere, the drug industry is mounting major lobbying campaigns to have DTCA allowed in Europe and Canada. Vann(2010) DTCA advertising is just one strand in the marketing and PR efforts of drug companies to promote brand-name prescription drugs. Some aimed at potential consumers are video news releases for use in television news bulletins and programs. Vann(2010) Prescription drug advertising is very different from any other type of product advertising in that the product cannot be purchased without the cooperation of others (doctor, pharmacist, insurer, health maintenance organisations, etc.) and thus the purpose of advertising is different from most other product advertising. Becker et al, (2005) The advertisers want consumers to do one of the following; seek more information, talk to a doctor about the drug, talk to a pharmacist about the drug and tell family and friends about the drug. Basically, what consumers are expected to do after viewing prescription drug ads is to seek information and talk to others. Becker et al, (2005) à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ 2.3.2. A History of DTCA . The idea of DTCA started in the early 1980s when some of pharmaceutical companies decided to find a new model of promotion rather than the traditional one that rely on promotion for physician. They started firstly with public relations techniques rather than paid advertising as mentioned by Donohue and Julie (2006). From the 1950s to the early 1980s, no pharmaceutical companies were running product-specific ads in the mass media. Then, two product marketing campaigns broke with tradition and pursued a marketing strategy that depended on consumers taking a more active role in prescribing decisions. In 1981, Boots pharmaceuticals used print and television ads to promote Rufen, a prescription pain reliever. The marketing strategy was to position Rufen as a cheaper alternative to the leading brand. Donohue and Julie (2006) In the early 1980s most pharmaceutical companies avoided DTCA of prescription drugs, according to a survey conducted in 1984 of pharmaceutical marketing executives. Pharmaceutical executives argued that DTCA would hurt the doctor-patient relationship, confuse an unsophisticated public, and lead to higher drug costs. Donohue and Julie (2006) The increased use of DTCA in the early 1990s may have been related to the introduction of lifestyle drugs for which no market yet existed like hair restoration products or those requiring consumers to self-identify, either because physicians feel uncomfortable discussing the product like drugs that treat erectile dysfunction. Donohue and Julie (2006) In 1997, The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) relaxed its rules on mass media advertising for prescription drugs. This action made it easier for pharmaceutical companies to promote their products in 30- or 60-second TV ads without giving detailed medical information on the indications, potential side effects, or proper use. Findlay and Steven (2002) Pharmaceutical firms, which in 1984 had feared the impact of DTCA on the doctor-patient relationship, now argued that prescription drug advertising empowered consumers. The president of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America stated, Direct-to-consumer advertising is an excellent way to meet the growing demand for medical information, empowering consumers by educating them about health conditions and possible treatments. Donohue and Julie (2006) à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ 2.3.3. Why pharmaceutical companies might use DTCA?. There are several factors in the prescription drug industry that might induce manufacturers to advertise directly to consumers. In general, certain characteristics of the market, the disease to be treated, the stage of the product life cycle (PLC) and the drug treatment itself. Sheffet et al, (1990) As the size of the potential market increases, so does the probability that manufacturers will advertise to medical professionals and consumers, because the larger the potential market for a drug treatment, the lower the cost per treatment to advertise. For example, the current broadcasting and print media advertising for ulcer treatments is aimed at a large potential market. In the case of a drug to treat a disease that afflicts far fewer people (e.g., hemophilia), it is unlikely that DTC advertising would be used because of the high cost of reaching the relatively small number of people in that market. Sheffet et al, (1990) The stage of the PLC will also influence the likelihood that a firm will participate in DTC advertising. In a mature product category, a function of advertising is to allow a firm to differentiate its product from competing brands. Early in the PLC, advertising is more likely to increase the relative size of the total market. A unique characteristic of the prescription drug industry is that the stages of the PLC are significantly dictated by the patent structure. A firm whose brand is protected by a patent has a greater incentive to increase the total market size than a firm whose product is competing in a stable, mature market. Sheffet et al, (1990) The nature of the disease and the frequency of treatment will also affect the attractiveness of DTC advertising for a particular drug. For example, a disease that requires constant long-term medication (e.g., Dilantin for epilepsy), will have the same patient population in the market for years. Sheffet et al, (1990) 2.4 The role of DTC advertising in the healthcare system.. 2.4.1 push/pull strategic mix:.. The introduction of DTC advertising brought the consumer into the brand stimulation equation, eroding some of the physicians market control and giving prescription drug manufacturers more control of the marketplace. Where once the manufacturer was at the total mercy of the physician, DTC advertising put the prescription drug manufacturer in a position to exert some influence in the patient-doctor relationship. Becker et al, (2005) pharmaceutical industry has traditionally used a push strategy to promote their products but report that there has been a break from this traditional push strategy to a more aggressive pull strategy. Parker et al, (2003) Therefore, pharmaceutical companies advertising shifted from a push promotion strategy to a combination of a push/pull strategic mix. Becker et al, (2005) 2.4.2 Doctor-Patient Relationship. During the past two decades, there has been an irreversible change in the nature of the doctor-patient relationship. Patients are seeking much more medical information and are actively participating in decisions affecting their health. Wolfe (2002) in terms of the impacts on doctor-patient relationships, on the positive side, Peyrot, Alperstein, Van Doren, and Poli (1998) found that media exposure and awareness of DTCA appeared to be associated with higher consumer drug knowledge and greater levels of discussion with physicians regarding treatment, this leading to strengthening of the relationship between doctor and patients (Bonaccorso and Sturchio, 2002). Reast et al, (2008) Conversely, Mechanic (1996), in line with prior research by Perri and Nelson (1987), took the position that the relationship between doctor and patient would be undermined by the increasing consumerization of the doctor-patient relationship, and various studies have pointed to potential conflicts in the relationship between doctor and patient, with undue pressure on doctors to prescribe advertised drugs (Foley and Gross, 2000; Mintzes et al, 2002; Prince, 2003), and patients considering switching doctors if specific drug requests are denied (Kravitz, 2000). Reast et al, (2008) The irritation felt by many physicians when patients approach them after seeing a direct-to-consumer advertisement may derive from the fact that such advertisements, with their powerful, emotion-arousing images and frequently unbalanced information on safety and effectiveness, mislead patients into believing that drugs are better than they actually are. Wolfe (2002) This puts physicians in a quandary, facing 3 conflicting ethical obligations. First, physicians aim to do no harm. Second, physicians seek to maintain and develop a strong doctor-patient relationship because it enhances future care and health outcomes, in addition to patient satisfaction. Third, physicians have a duty to ensure fair allocation of health care resources and avoid wasteful expenditure. Murray et al, (2003) We found that physicians find responding to inappropriate requests time-consuming and that they often seem to acquiesce to such requests as long as the patient is not harmed. Furthermore, more doctors perceive the effect on the relationship as beneficial than harmful, but this is dependent on physicians doing what the patient wants. Murray et al, (2003) DTCA can have good and bad effects on quality of care, the doctor-patient relationship, and health service utilization. The benefits might be maximized, and the harms minimized, by increasing the accuracy of information in advertisements; enhancing physicians communication and negotiation skills; and encouraging patients to respect physicians clinical expertise. Murray et al, (2003) 2.4.3 Do Ads Really Drive Pharmaceutical Sales?. The reviewed research finds that DTCA leads to increased demand for the advertised drug. Atherly and Rubin (2009) Evidence suggests that direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs increases pharmaceutical sales and helps to avert underuse of medicines and leads to potential overuse. Donohue, Cevasco and Rosenthal (2007) 2.5 Overview of the global doctors` attitude toward DTCA Increasingly consistent US, New Zealand and UK medical opinion While a USA study prior to the boom in DTCA had found that physicians were broadly supportive of advertising to consumers (Petroshius et al. 1995), more recent evidence with very few contradictions now suggests that many USA physicians are unhappy with DTCA (Reast et al., 2004). The picture within New Zealand, on balance, cautiously supported the continuation of DTC advertising (Reast et al., 2004). UK physicians also as mentioned by Reast et al., (2004) opposed to the introduction of DTCA, which they feel is unethical, and is likely to have various negative impacts. Concern was expressed about DTCA causing damage to physicians` relationship with pharmaceutical companies, and perhaps more importantly, damage to their relationship with patients (Reast et al., 2004). à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ 2.5.1 The USA Situation Medical opinion towards DTC within the USA, having apparently been quite supportive prior to the rapid expansion of DTC in the mid- 1990s (Petroshius et al. 1995), appears now to be hardening. A US study, published in the Journal of Family Practice in 1997, found that 80% of surveyed members of the American Academy of Family Physicians believed that DTC was not a good idea and 84% expressed negative feelings about television DTC advertising (Mitka 2003). In contrast, the FDA study, a survey of 500 general practitioners (GPs) and hospital doctors, found a much more positive view of DTC advertising, whereby 37% said the overall impact of DTC advertising on their patients and practice had a somewhat positive effect, 28% said that there was no effect at all, and 27% said that DTC advertising had a somewhat negative effect. Only 3% felt it had a very positive effect and 5% said it had a very negative effect (Thomaselli 2003). Reast et al, (2004) There have been a substantial number of published studies on DTCA in the USA. These include a Harvard Medical School report by Weissman et al. (2004). This national study of 643 physicians on events where patients discussed advertised drugs found both positive and negative effects on patients and physician practices. Positive effects were: improved communication (67%), patient education (70%) and improved compliance (46%). Negative effects included: patients led to seek unnecessary treatments (80%) and a perceived lack of balance in risk/benefits (80%). Auton and Frank (2006) à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ 2.5.2 The New Zealand and Australia Situation In New Zealand also, opposition to DTC remains high among physicians, with recent high-profile reports from New Zealands top medical schools condemning the practice (Scrip 2003). Reast et al, (2004) Despite this, a review of physician opinion conducted by the New Zealand Ministry of Health in 2001 (Hoek Gendall 2002) found that doctors` groups acknowledged both the benefits and issues associated with DTC advertising. A qualitative research study conducted in New Zealand by Maubach and Hoek (2005) suggests that doctors views are complex. Doctors were found to have serious concerns about DTCA but also saw some benefits from it. Respondents viewed favourably DTCAs ability to increase awareness of certain medical conditions. However, there were concerns about the poor level of information provided and many doctors spent time dispelling incorrect patient perceptions. There was also concern that risk information was not felt to be balanced. The majority did not support a ban on DTCA but nearly all considered that stricter regulation was required. Auton and Frank (2006) A study of attitudes towards DTCA in Australia by Miller and Waller (2004) found that four factors were important: information, quality, credibility and price. Auton and Frank (2006) DTCA is banned in Australia but the pharmaceutical industry is still lobbying to have the ban lifted, despite the strong opposition of doctors and consumer groups. Auton and Frank (2006) à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ 2.5.3 The European Situation .. There is little published quantitative research concerning the attitudes towards DTC of European health professionals, but Reast and Carson (2000) conducted a rare survey into UK physician opinion towards DTC soon after the start of generic see your doctor campaigns in Europe, in 1999. The exploratory study of 68 GPs and hospital doctors, a partial replication of the USA study by Petroshius et al. (1995), found UK physicians highly opposed to the concept and likely impacts of DTC advertising, 62% disagreeing with the ethics of DTC advertising, and 72% opposing the introduction of DTC advertising in Europe. Seeing certain benefits of a limited introduction of DTC communication, the European Commission presented plans to the European Parliament in November 2002, allowing further information on three chronic disease conditions (Aids, diabetes, and asthma) to pass directly to consumers. While the European Commission plans were rejected, educational see your doctor campaigns, carrying the manufacturers name and logo, but not the product brand name, are still allowed. Reast et al, (2004) In the UK disease-awareness campaigns are being mounted by pharmaceutical companies in conjunction with patient organisations through sponsorship and grants which recognises UK and EU law prohibiting pharmaceutical companies undertaking activity which is deemed to be promoting a prescription-only medicine to the public. Auton and Frank (2006) Pfizer launched a  £30 million Europe-wide male impotence disease-awareness campaign, including sponsorship of a St Valentine.s Day radio and press campaign, in conjunction with the Impotence Association. Reast et al, (2004) à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ 2.5.4 The Middle East Situation .. Actually, after a lot of research, I did not find any articles talk about DTCA in Middle East. DTCA is banned in Australia but the pharmaceutical industry is still lobbying to have the ban lifted, despite the strong opposition of doctors and consumer groups. Auton and Frank (2006) There is little published quantitative research concerning the attitudes towards DTC of European health professionals, but Reast and Carson (2000) conducted a rare survey into UK physician opinion towards DTC soon after the start of generic see your doctor campaigns in Europe, in 1999. 2.6 Critical views of doctors attitudes towards DTCA . Recent surveys of physicians indicate that even though many still oppose the practice of DTCA in general, they also point to some positive effects. Donohue and Julie (2006) 2.6.1 Why DTCA is viewed as positive by doctors? . Supporters claim that DTC advertising has an educational value. It may cause consumers to seek advice on diseases or problems that have been previously undiagnosed, thus creating a more informed consumer (Parker et al, 2003). In addition, it can play an important role in improving healthcare by giving consumers the information they need to discuss medical symptoms and treatment options with their doctors. Becker et al, (2005) Moreover, DTCA is necessary to provide pharmaceutical firms with an incentive to develop prescription drugs to treat new ailments, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), or more effective treatments for established ailments and conditions. Research and development costs are high, but pharmaceutical firms have only a limited amount of time in which their prescription drugs are patent-protected. As regulatory approval times have lengthened, the amount of time that pharmaceutical firms have to recoup their research and development costs before being faced with competition from generic versions of their drugs has decreased (Meek 2001). Therefore, pharmaceutical firms believe that creating consumer awareness of patent-protected prescription drugs is the quickest way to increase sales. Main et al, (2004) Supporters further claim that DTC advertising will lead to improved products and lower prices as pharmaceutical firms compete for consumer patronage in the open market. In this view, more knowledgeable consumers will select the best treatment available; thus, bans on DTC advertising deprive consumers of information needed to make the best choice (Meek 2001). Main et al, (2004) Furthermore, as mentioned by Auton and Frank (2006), a national study of 643 physicians found positive effects were: improved communication (67%), patient education (70%) and improved compliance (46%). Finally, to summarize the benefits of DTCA, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) in 2005 announced approval of new industry guidelines for DTC advertising. The fourteen principles outlined in these guidelines are based on the premise that: DTC advertising of prescription medicines can benefit the public health by increasing awareness about diseases, educating patients about treatment options, motivating patients to contact their physicians and engage in a dialogue about health concerns, increasing the likelihood that patients will receive appropriate care for conditions that are frequently under-diagnosed and under-treated, and encouraging compliance with prescription drug treatment regimens. Royne and Myers (2008) 2.6.2 Why DTCA is viewed as negative by doctors? . Critics of DTC advertising maintain that prescription drugs differ from other products and, therefore, should not be advertised in a similar way to increase consumption. Instead of being sold to increase profits, prescription drugs should be sold only when a doctor believes the medication will be the best way to reduce a patients suffering (Findlay 2001). In addition, DTCA intrudes into the doctor-patient relationship and confuses patients by representing promotional messages as educational (Wolfe 2002). Further, opponents believe that DTC advertising increases demand for more expensive medications and medicalizes normal human experience (Mintzes 2002), rather than providing consumers with information needed to make better health-care decisions. Critics also contend that the increase in patient requests for advertised medications (Peyrot et al. 1998) leads to preference toward branded, advertised prescriptions over more affordable and effective treatments (Dyer 2002; Findlay 2002). Some also argue that such advertising is inappropriate because patients are not in a position to diagnose conditions or judge the relative safety, effectiveness and appropriateness of alternative treatments. This practice can lead to prescription drug misuse and abuse (Becker et al, 2005). In addition, evidence on clinical outcomes is often inadequate when drugs first come on to the market, at times leading to false impressions. COX 2 inhibitors (Vioxx), for example, were widely believed to be safer than other non-steroidal anti-inflammatories when first launched. An assessment of the full experience of serious adverse events in comparative trials suggests the contrary. Mintzes and Barbara (2002)

Berghaus’ Case Study :: Business Management Studies

Berghaus’ Case Study 1) Berghaus is very successful business having an annual growth rate of 25%. This indicates that there is an increasing demand for their products. They also have an export ratio of 50% meaning that their distribution rates are very good. Last year alone their per-tax profits were  £750,000 and a large amount of this money can, most probably, will be reinvested into the company for further development. Also, its pre-tax profits in 1991 were  £750,000 which is obviously not a small amount, Berghaus clearly mean business. By the sound of it, that number is only expected to increase in the years to come. It has an export ratio of 1988-9 of more than 50%, which is the vast majority, within the whole of Europe, meaning that its export increased by a great deal during those years specifically, and we assume it still increases in other years too, although maybe not as much as between 1988-9. 2) In the context of Berghaus, market differences mean many things. Berghaus currently conduct sales through large number of countries, from Germany through the United Kingdom and Switzerland, and as a result Berghaus have found out that the world cannot be treated as though as one market. Each country has its own customer preferences and may have certain social attitudes to a certain type of clothing, and these are known as market differences. Due to this Berghaus has to develop a certain product for a specific country and then modify that product or completely reconstruct it for another country. This as a result means higher costs are involved in research and development and also different advertising methods would have to be implemented. This market difference has meant Berghaus have had to operate quickly and efficiently to design, produce and distribute the product across all the parts of the world, beating all opposition and this is obviously very difficult for Berghaus. 3) There are many different reasons for the success of Berghaus, and these can be mainly divided into four parts, Production, Finance, Marketing and Management. Production is simply the fundamental part of the company, without it no product would exist to sell. Designing new products is what makes people want a certain product and Berghaus have strategically produced a wide range of products meaning that they will be able to successfully cover the different fields in the market. This means that they have more areas for money coming; by having more units and product innovation is an essential key t their success. Production has also been economised by the introduction automated production with continual processes. This allows an easy and flexible method to

Radioactive Isotopes Essay -- Chemistry Atoms Energy Essays

Radioactive Isotopes I never thought nuclear energy would play a role in my life, but that was until two years ago when my family was hit with horrifying news. A close friend of ours was diagnosed with breast cancer. Because of a new technology called radiation therapy or radiotherapy, my mother’s best friend is alive today. Radiotherapy is produced by a form of nuclear energy called radioactive isotopes. The class EGEE 101 has educated me about the subject of nuclear energy, but I wanted to take it a step further and discover how nuclear energy plays a role in medicine. Radioactive isotopes are radioactive atoms of common elements like carbon, cobalt, phosphorus, or sodium. Radioactive isotopes are located in â€Å"atomic ash† that is left behind after uranium atoms are split in a â€Å"nuclear pile.† Some radioactive isotopes are produced from the exposure of common elements to powerful radiation inside a nuclear reactor during fission (Nuclear Energy 2005). Fission occurs when an atom’s nucleus splits into two or more smaller nuclei, producing a large amount of energy. Radioactive isotopes release radiation in the form of beta and gamma rays. The strength of the radiation is relative to the rate where radioactive material decays. Because of this, different radioisotopes can be used for different purposes, depending on their strength. (Nuclear Energy 2005). Radioactive isotopes have led to what some are calling â€Å"nuclear medicine.† This type of medicine uses the radioactive isotopes to prevent, diagnose, and treat many diseases. During nuclear medicine diagnosing methods, a small amount of radioactive matter is penetrated into the body. The radioactive materials are attracted to cer... .... Radioisotopes in Medicine. May 2004. Uranium Information Centre Ltd. 4 Apr. 2005 . â€Å"Nuclear Energy.† Britannica Student Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia Britannica Online 4 Apr. 2005 . â€Å"Nuclear Engineering.† Encyclopedia Britannica. 2005. Encyclopedia Britannica Online 4 Apr. 2005 . Schenter, Robert. Nuclear Medicine Research Council. 18 Nov. 1998. Nuclear Medicine Research Council. 4 Apr. 2005 . Schenter, Robert. What Is Nuclear Medicine. 21 Sept. 1999. Nuclear Medicine Research Council. 4 Apr. 2005 . What Is Radiation Therapy. Dec. 2003. Your Medical Source. 4 Apr. 2005 .

Management Of Pacific Douglas-Fir Stands To Maintain Black-Tailed Deer Populations :: Environment Animals Environmental Essays

Management Of Pacific Douglas-Fir Stands To Maintain Black-Tailed Deer Populations Introduction Within the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, intensive, even-aged silviculture has simplified the structure and species composition of native forest stands. Within the range of the coastal Pacific Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), old-growth forests presently cover only 13 percent of the region; 60 percent of these remnants occur in patches less than 40 hectares in size. In this region, total land area consisting of old-growth forest before extensive logging has been estimated at 60-90 percent (Williams and Marcot 1991). As a result of intense clearcutting practices, early successional stages have become predominant and later stages have declined. Shifts in age classes of forests have been accompanied by changes in composition and abundance of fauna. Declines in population numbers, changes in conception dates, and an increase to 27 percent annual mortality (vs 5% in higher elevation old-growth stands) are a cause for implementing appropriate silvicultural practices in Douglas-fir stands managed for both timber production and a stable black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) population (McNay and Voller 1995, Brown 1992). This report will attempt to describe a fairly new and promising silvicultural method that can potentially be able to satisfy both of these criteria. Coastal Douglas-Fir Characteristics The habitat type that this report is concerned with is the Tsuga heterophylla zone which contains a large geographical area west of the crest of the Cascade Mountains. Much of the central portion of this zone is occupied by subclimax forests dominated by coastal Douglas-fir (Williamson 1983, Scott 1980). The rest is dominated by western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla). The original old-growth forest, whose origin was primarily periodic, catastrophic fire, frequently had understory components of western hemlock and western redcedar (Thuja plicata). On very xeric soils, Douglas-fir may be the major species of the climax stand. Douglas-fir is a species of medium tolerance, long life, large size, and rapid juvenile height growth. It does not sprout, but after 25 years of age bears good seed crops every 5 to 7 years. The seed disseminates well to about six tree lengths and up to one-half mile. Unmanaged stands vary between 81 and 190 cubic feet mean-annual increment at age sixty. Scott (1980) suggests that average yields of about 300 cubic feet per acre are possible in managed stands. For maximum yield, Douglas-fir is commonly grown on rotations of 40 to 60 years, depending on the site and the landowners' objectives.

Enterprise Strategy Essay

Vision Our Enterprise Strategy sets out our vision for the Opera House as a dynamic and evolving organisation now and into the future. Our mission and values lie at the heart of our Enterprise Strategy, guiding our plans to ensure the Opera House retains its essential role in Australia’s life and identity. Mission The Sydney Opera house embodies beauty, inspiration and the liberating power of art and ideas. It is a masterpiece that belongs to all Australians. We will treasure and renew the Opera house for future generations of artists, audiences and visitors. Everything we do will engage and inspire people through its excellence, ambition and breadth. We will strengthen our central role in Australia’s life and identity. POLICIES Our Code of Conduct is a set of guidelines that connect our daily behaviour, decisions and actions to the vision, goals and values of Sydney Opera House. 1. We act in the best interests of Sydney Opera House and value our reputation. As a cultural icon and internationally recognized symbol of Australia, Sydney Opera House’s reputation is one of our most valuable assets. As representatives for Sydney Opera House we all have a responsibility to build our reputation and protect it against harm. 2. We act with personal integrity & honesty. Integrity and honesty underpin everything we do. The trust of our customers, partners, colleagues and the community can only be achieved through ensuring all our decisions and actions are honest and made in the best interests of the organization and its stakeholders. 3. We maintain a healthy and safe work environment. Safety and security in our workplace is of vital importance to Sydney Opera House.  Everyone is expected to contribute to creating and maintaining a safe and secure workplace by observing safety and security procedures and policies. 4. We have respect for others & maintain a fair and harmonious workplace. Sydney Opera House is committed to maintaining an inclusive workplace that values the contributions of everyone and is respectful of difference. We all must behave fairly, respectfully and without discrimination to any person we deal with in our work, including other employees, customers and business partners at all times. 5. We value our customers & are committed to service excellence at all times. Customer First: â€Å"In all our endeavours, we are committed to placing the needs and views of our customers first†. 6. We work with economy & efficiency. You must use all Sydney Opera House resources lawfully, ethically and as economically as possible in your work. All equipment, facilities and property should only be used for work purposes and the business of Sydney Opera House unless otherwise approved by your manager. Use of Sydney Opera House information systems must be carried out in accordance with relevant policies and procedures. Use of information systems is monitored. Serious breaches of Sydney Opera House policies and guidelines will result in disciplinary action and may lead to dismissal. 7. We perform our work unimpaired by the consumption of alcohol or use of drugs. Sydney Opera House requires all staff to be unimpaired by alcohol or other drugs that may affect your ability to work safely and effectively.It is important to advise management if you are concerned your work performance may be impaired by medication. Attendance at work while affected by prior use of alcohol or other drugs is not permitted. GOals The Access Strategic Plan has been developed with a focus on Sydney Opera House’s strategic goals: Artistic Excellence Produce and present imaginative and engaging performing arts events from Australia and around the world. Community Engagement and Access Sydney Opera House belongs to everyone and all communities have access to experiences. A Vibrant and Sustainable Site Intensifying customer engagement and ensuring progress works in harmony with heritage values. Earning Our Way remain relevant, contemporary and leverage our position as a critical tourism and cultural asset.

Mobile Commerce in Developing Countries Essay

Mobile Commerce or M-commerce as it is more commonly referred to is simply the ability to do business electronically without any physical limitations or barriers. This is more popular with the use of smartphones today and other mobile devices. After researching several journals and articles, it is obvious at this point that there is no standard definition of the term â€Å"Mobile Commerce. † Many authors and writers have coined phrases and come up with definitions that are similar to each other; the general idea is similar but the words in the different definitions vary somewhat. However, one acceptable definition is used and this comes from Liang and Wei (2004), â€Å"M-Commerce generally refers to the use of wireless devices (particularly mobile phones) to conduct electronic business transactions, such as product ordering, fund transfers, and stock trading† (p. 7). M-Commerce was formed as a result of the Internet and mobile computing coming together to create a new business area. The benefits of Mobile Commerce are almost endless and a few will be discussed later in the analysis. However, the focus of this paper is the emergence of this trend in developing countries with emphasis on Africa- Nigeria to be precise. The population of Nigeria is over 150 million boasting one of the largest markets in Africa. Akpan-Obong (2009) states that â€Å"Nigeria is a major actor in the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) sector in Africa, Nigeria has so far recorded significant achievements in ICT utilization, and has recorded higher growth rates in the penetration and diffusion levels of ICT† (p. 208). With Mobile Commerce rapidly taking over the business world, it is important to gain an understanding of how the so called major actors are fairing on the playing field hence the emphasis on Nigeria in the topic of Mobile Commerce. Article Summaries Liang (2004) and Akpan-Obong (2009) in their separate articles introduce the concept of Mobile Commerce and present generally accepted definitions of the term. While Liang focuses on the likely successes and failures of M-Commerce applications, Akpan-Obong specifically suggests electricity and infrastructural inadequacies as the reasons for the underutilization of M-Commerce in Nigeria. Greengard (2008) goes on to discuss the general impact of mobile phones on the world as a whole. He talks about the development opportunities that the presence of mobile phone technologies has created with the transformation of commerce, banking and healthcare. In his article, he states that the most profound changes and biggest dividends are being realized in developing countries. Formulation of a series of hypotheses from a research model developed by Peter, Philip and Victor (2005) identifies some of the factors affecting the use of mobile ICT in the least developed countries. Ayo and Agboola (2006) delve into the uses of M-commerce in Nigeria and how this technology is becoming widespread in the country. Solutions are also offered to deal with the issues of underutilization of the technology. Generally, these articles discuss the current practices and also anticipated future implementations of M-Commerce. The Internet, which is a form of electronic commerce has been in existence for years but it has been difficult to cover as much of the market as it could especially in some parts of the world where amenities like a computer are not only unaffordable but considered a luxury. With the emergence of mobile phones, â€Å"an important fact to consider is that M-Commerce is gaining relevance because the penetration of mobile phones is much larger than the penetration of Internet access (Duffey, 1998) in most countries. Greengard (2008), highlights a few of the relevant uses of this technology: â€Å"Although mobile phones have already transformed the more affluent nations, they are ringing up some of the most profound changes- and biggest dividends- in developing countries. Today, people are using mobile phones to track crop prices in Kenya and manage micropayments in the Philippines. They are tapping into these devices to handle healthcare information in Nicaragua and oversee bakery orders in Nigeria† (p. 17). Gone are the days when Africa as a whole was considered backward and inconsequential when it came to matters of technological advancements, infrastructure and amenities. Like most developing countries, Nigeria in particular has not yet implemented M-Commerce on a full scale. However, the trend is beginning to emerge with the appearance of mobile phones in every nook and cranny of the country. Now, unlike before, devices like mobile phones are no longer seen as sacred or only for the rich and famous in society. Rotberg was spot on when he stated, â€Å"it is the first time in the history of technology that social class and geography are largely irrelevant† (as cited in Greengard, 2008, p. 18). Almost anyone who is of talking age owns a cell phone in Nigeria. From the executives at the renowned industrious firms, the students attending public schools who cant even afford to buy textbooks and even the farmers in the villages and rural areas; the fishermen selling fish at the local market and even the housewives who grow vegetables and cultivate livestock in their backyards. Owning a mobile phone is no longer considered a luxury and does not cost an arm and a leg like it used to only a few years ago. This singular reason that the phones are now easily affordable and available for purchase by every Tom, Dick and Harry is what has fostered the emergence of Mobile Commerce in Africa, Nigeria to be precise. With the mobile phones gaining more popularity with the people in Nigeria, so also has the technological benefits been exploited. The wireless handheld devices have orchestrated the use of e-banking services in Nigeria. According to Ayo et al. (2007), â€Å"virtually all the 25 banks that survived the recent capitalization exercise engage the use of ICT as a platform for effective and efficient delivery of banking services. Consequently, electronic cards, Internet banking and mobile banking services are gradually being introduced. However, M-Banking activities are limited to mobile finance information, download or ringing tones and music as well as telematic services, particularly, vehicle tracking, theft protection and emergency services† (p. 13). As more and more advancements are pursued, banking will become not only flexible but also more convenient. Customers now have the luxury of checking their bank accounts on their mobile device without having to take a trip to the local branch of their banks nearest to them. They also enjoy the comfort of immediacy, information at their fingertips. The banking sector is one of the first and more important aspects of Mobile Commerce that has emerged in Nigeria. However, there is also much hype about the little things that are being derived from this technological advancement. Ayo et al. (2007) states emphatically â€Å"the success of M-Commerce has partly been due to developments in mobile communication techniques. Cellular networks were originally designed for voice-only communication. To support M-Commerce transactions, which are data based, there has been an evolution of these networks from analogue to digital and from circuit switched to packet switched networks. Today a number of these mobile communication technologies are available† (p. 11). Some of the strengths of Mobile Commerce in Nigeria are attributed to the GSM operators and the services that they render to their customers. The three major operators are MTN, Celtel and Globacom. Their services include: Voicemail, WAP services, SMS, customer services, call forwarding, international dialing, Celtel mobile office, faxmail, roaming, customer care and Broadband Internet Access that offers Broadband Internet to residential users just to name a few. These services allow customers to derive utmost satisfaction from the emerging trends in the advancement of Mobile Commerce. In his article, Greengard (2008) talked about one incidence in particular. â€Å"A Nigerian baker started taking orders for cakes via SMS and quickly expanded his presence beyond his immediate neighborhood. He experienced a 30% increase in sales† (p. 17). Many small-scale businesses are now enjoying the benefits of this technological advancement and they are using its features to broaden the scope of their businesses and gain competitive advantage over their competitors in the industry. If not for anything else, the customer relationship that exists between the business owners and their customers has been strengthened by the ability of the owners in providing their services directly to the consumers via these mobile handheld devices. The emergence of Mobile Commerce in Nigeria has brought with it both advantages and disadvantages. As with the mobile banking, of course it is fast, convenient and nowadays very affordable, there is also the threat of security and the complex systems and expertise needed to run some of the programs. There is a gap between those who are more technologically savvy and the layman who grows crops on his farm. This gap in knowledge does not allow the features on some of these hand held devices to be fully utilized. The phones being so affordable that even the most basic of the devices could probably browse the Internet assuming all the features are purchased, makes it likely that the phones are being underutilized to the most of its capabilities. Most senior management and more well to do individuals are more concerned about the security of their transactions over this mobile devices. Research by Agboola (2006), revealed â€Å"38. 2% of the respondents considered security as a major threat, while 4. 3% and 5. 4% considered complication of services and cost respectively as other factors† (p. 3). Apparently, the cost of mobile telephone service is higher in Nigeria than other African countries so it only reasonable that the cost of this service would be a major threat to Mobile banking as a whole. Another threat is the unavailability of basic infrastructure to support this system such as electricity, among others. The lack of electricity as a basic infrastructure in Nigeria has a ripple effect because it affects every device that makes up the system. Without electricity, individuals cannot charge their mobile phones when the battery is depleted. This in itself, defeats the purpose of Mobile Commerce, as there is no fulfillment in owning a phone when you cannot use it when you want to. The systems in the banks that perform the updates to customer accounts and provide information to the customers would also shut down as a result of lack of electricity. Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), which are one of the first occurrences of Mobile Banking in Nigeria, would have to be shut down as well. With all the features of the mobile phones these days, it is only a matter of time before the developing countries of Africa begin to enjoy all of the benefits that countries like America are enjoying now. Although, seeing as how the advancement in America has not come to a halt, it is more than likely that developing countries would always play catch up. However, countries grow at different paces so it is only wise to perform according to the capabilities of the systems set up in the country until it can withstand the test of time. Synthesis Mobile Commerce as a concept has a lot of prospect for patronage dependent on the available services. First of all, there were no mobile phones at all in a country like Nigeria and then mobile phones were introduced and the craze cannot be contained. Now, the monumental growth of mobile devices all over the world, with over one-third of the world population having access to it has given prominence to M-Commerce. With technological advancements emerging everyday in different areas and industries, Mobile Commerce can only get better as more provisions are made to handle the loop holes and reduce the threat that are presently facing the market. There would most likely come a time when Mobile Commerce is not only the fastest way of doing business but the most common, the most trusted and also the safest. It would soon become a way of life. According to Peter et al (2005), â€Å"the country had experienced a phenomenal growth from a teledensity of 0. 49 in 2000 to 25. 22 in 2007. This trend has brought about a monumental development in the major sectors of the economy such as banking, telecoms and commerce in general† (p. 140). Nigeria, being the fastest growing telecoms nation in Africa and the third in the world, it is almost inconceivable to imagine how much is yet to come by way of technology and other infrastructure. Today, African countries may be struggling to hold their weight in the area of technological advancement in comparison with more advanced countries like the United States. Tomorrow, the tables might just be turned. One can only wait and see, behold the future!

A study of the catfishing scheme of hile according to special agent steve kim Essay

A 29-year-old man from Michigan intended to kill a woman and her boyfriend from San Diego who got unwittingly involved in the man’s virtual love affair. The man, by the name of Hile, had gotten himself involved in a â€Å"catfishing scheme†. A â€Å"catfishing scheme† is â€Å"when a person uses social media to pretend to be someone their not, typically to engage in misleading online romances†. Hile was involved in an Internet-only relationship for two years. He exchanged explicit photos and romantic communications with someone who he believed was a woman. When Hile learned that the â€Å"women† he thought he was in a relationship was a man living in South Africa he â€Å"became enraged and vowed to find the man who deceived him and the women when images played a role in the deception†. According to Special Agent Steve Kim in the San Diego Division, â€Å"The woman, in this case, was a victim twice†. Kim explains â€Å"when the woman was 18 years old, she took revealing pictures of herself for personal use, never intending for them to be seen publicly. Those photos were later stolen from her online account, which she was aware of, but she had no idea what was being done with them†. Hile’s primary target for the revenge was the man from South Africa who actually dumped him. According to Special Agent Steve Kim South Africa was too far away and using a process she described as â€Å"circular logic† he went after the women instead. Even though the women had nothing to do with this internet-only relationship scam with the man from South Africa and Hile, he still believed she had some kind of responsibility just because she was used in the pictures. Hile was determined to learn the woman’s identity he cyberstalked her, conducted extensive online searches, and used hacking tools. Special Agent Steve Kim said â€Å"Eventually, he was able to hack into her e-mail account,†Ã‚  Hile got a hole of very detailed personal information on the women. He found not only information about the women but her live-in boyfriend and also their extended family and friends. After finding out her Address, telephone numbers and even information such as her favorite restaurant he purchased a bus ticket from Michigan to San Diego to kill the women. â€Å"Fortunately, Hile’s family sensed that he was planning something and alerted authorities, which eventually led to Hile’s detention in San Diego, about a mile from the woman’s residence.† When hill was arrested he not only had all of the information he collected about the women but also had duct tape, zip ties, and a to-do list which included things such as obtai ning a knife and chloroform. Special Agent Steve Kim said, â€Å"Had he gotten there, we are convinced he would have hurt or killed the victims†. â€Å"Hile was found guilty by a San Diego jury in August 2013.† This case influences my ethics because I feel that what this man did was wrong. Hile had no reason to attack the girl in the pictures, she was unknowingly involved with the internet-only romantic affair Hile was having. If Hile chooses to get involved in an internet-only romantic affair with someone he should have known the risks of doing so. I also feel that from a standpoint of him being arrested 5 years is not enough time in prison. â€Å"The maximum allowed by law for interstate stalking is five years in federal prison,† I think this man should have been charged with intent to kill. I know each state has its own cyber laws but is their not a law covering this type of situation? I could only find information on laws with intent to kill that involved a type of battery or assault paired with it. I could not find any laws specifically relating to someone who was cyber-stalking someone with an intent to kill them. I think this man should have had a different sentence due to the circumstances of this crime. My own computer security of ethics would be as follows. I would not use any knowledge I have learned to break into any computer systems. I would not use computer systems in any way that may harm people. I would not snoop around in another person’s files. I would not use someone’s computer or computer resources without authorization. I would also never release malicious software on to others computer systems. I think that having a code of ethics when using computers can be as simple as being considerate and respect for your fellow computer users.    References The FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) (2013, December 23).  Cyber Stalker – Cautionary Tale of Online Romance and Revenge. Retrieved  March  2, 2014, from http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2013/december/cautionary-tale-of-online-romance-and-revenge/cautionary-tale-of-online-romance-and-revenge Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia (2014, February 26).  Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved  March  3, 2014, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_Commandments_of_Computer_Ethics