Communication in Economics Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Communication in Economics - Article Example â€Å"Dark pools† simply means the simulated exchanges that are created by banks through conjuring with big potential clients to buy or sell massive deals without changing the price as per the current financial market prices. These side deals are effectuated privately for the selfish benefits of the culprits in the banking industry and the deceitful clients. The main purpose of this vice is to cushion the clients from the possible losses of the main exchanges in a quest to reap profits that are equally shared by both perpetrators (Iniman para 1). The truth about dark pools is that it is a highly profitable venture. The illegality about it reveals that the sector is money-spinning occasioned by different transactions. The most predominant selling venture in â€Å"dark pools† is the attraction of massive share slugs that usually pools established shareholders into buying shares or trading their shares (Iniman para 3). However, there are no legitimate standards that are followed in these transactions of shares. The financial data about these transactions is only relayed to the public after the business is completed. The opportune reporting, which is done after the completion of the transaction, is always a tactical move to ensure that the perpetrators are not affected by the price. This is because an early report about the shares transactions usually raises attention to the truthful stakeholders in the industry to fluctuate the price basing on the buyers and sellers willingness to transact (Iniman para 3). The bigwigs who indulge in these illegal transactions are currently overriding in the U.S and Europe banking quarter. They utilize â€Å"dark pools† as a smokescreen on their way to raking millions of dollars from the shares business with no fear of making loses because of the nature of operations (Iniman para 3). It is palpable that most

Public policy-making and analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Public policy-making and analysis - Essay Example Michael Lipsky gave an argument that the implementation of policy, will in the end return to people who are responsible for implementing the policy (Lipsky, 1980). Michael Lipsky further argues that employees of the state, such as social workers, and the police are always regarded as part and parcel of a policy making community. These people are also regarded as implementers of political power. On this basis, Lipsky (1980) denotes that street level bureaucrats are people responsible for interacting with citizens on a daily basis, and they provide a force behind the laws and the given rules in their various areas of expertise. On this basis, this bureaucrat includes state officials who are always below the rank, and they have the opportunity of daily interacting with regular citizens. This paper gives an evaluation of the significance of these street level bureaucrats in the implementation of a government policy. Jones (2013) denotes that a policy is a set of protocols or principles responsible for guiding decisions regarding the methods to use for purposes of achieving a rational outcome. Jones (2013) denotes that one of the major significance of street level bureaucrats in the implementation of a policy is that they are accessible to the public, and citizens of the state. It is important to denote that street level bureaucrats consist of the police, health workers, social workers, and government officials who interact with citizens on a one to one basis. On this basis, these bureaucrats are able to make a representation of the frontline of the policy of the government. For example, scholar denotes that when a police officer carry’s out a security operation, with an aim of mopping out terrorism cells, then the officer under consideration only implements a government policy regarding fighting terrorism. Another example includes a situation whereby a school

How Social Media Influences Your Shopping Essay Example for Free

How Social Media Influences Your Shopping Essay At the present time social media is the one of the most powerful ways to shop and advertise online via the use of web-based and mobile technologies; it transforms online communication into an interactive dialogue. Quester, Pettigrew and Hawkins (2011) defined social media as â€Å"media for social interaction, using highly accessible and scalable communication techniques.† According to Vithoulkas, social media is more than just the hardware or software which enables it, instead he argues that it is more of a philosophy of communication where honest and transparency is required and information is shared and has the potential to â€Å"spread virally very quickly†. For the consumer, social media can be a continual bombardment of advertising and promotion every time we use communication modes, such as the internet or mobile, which may be infuriating for the consumer but increases the market exposure for the seller. This report intends to analyse the effectiveness of social media in influencing the general population to purchase more than presently before. When large companies, such as Pepsi, invest 50% of their annual advertising budget into Social Media it is obviously a worthy idea for the discussion of marketing professionals worldwide. The buyer behaviour system has been challenged in ranges of high involvement and low involvement alike. Consumer control is now the focus of consumption, when before it was heavily regulated institutionally. Although social media is an inescapable part of every day life it cannot be assumed that it will replace other forms of communication. A great number of people of all ages use social networking sites before purchasing a product, especially in high involvement purchases. Seidma (2010, p11) has demonstrated that the large majority of people are engaged in some form of social media, showing its considerable societal acceptance; Marketing magazine online tells us that â€Å"Facebook has more than 400 million active users. Every minute, 24 hours of video is uploaded to YouTube. An estimated 5–10 thousand Twitter accounts are opened per day,† showing that when information is directly found by a population 20 times that of Australia there is serious product awareness to gain . Quester et al. (2011) stated that there are fives stages of decisions making processes prior to making the choice in buying a product or service. These include problem recognition, information search, evaluation and selection, store choice and purchase and post purchase processes. When consumers’ recognise a need or identify a problem which may exist, they then undertake an information search on the product or service with their behaviour influenced by internal and external factors, Consumers evaluate the various alternatives after they have gathered all information, and afterwards they make a selection of retail outlets for the actual purchase of the good or service. Lastly, the consumer compares the product performance against their expectations and decide whether they satisfied or dissatisfied with it. In last few decades, traditional media such as television, radio, newspaper has been the only way to promote and communicate with the target market, but now it appears that the trend has changed. As seen in diagram one (below) consumer control is now the driver in the marketing segment. As seen in chart one (below), it can be seen that on average people spend more time when choosing and product and general spend more money, suggesting that when purchasing online the products will be a high involvement purchase. Marketing Magazine online tell us â€Å"For 35% of shoppers, the process starts with online search; 30% of consumers read user reviews on retailer websites as a part of the shopping process.† In the U.S.A. alone there are 95 million people who admit to frequently using social-media in their purchase decisions. Hub Magazine found that more than 40% of American adults currently use social media as part of their shopping experiences, with further data showing most consumers increased in use of social media for shopping within an annual period. Hub magazine also found that 39% have strongly agreed with the statement that ‘they can learn a lot more about a brand by seeing what everyday people are saying about it online’ in comparison with only 22% percent of non-social media shoppers agreeing with the statement. This clealy shows us that Social Media can obviously affect buying habits. However, social media may not be the first choice for every business or organisation for their marketing strategy. In December 2009, COM Score released a report of their customer survey that showed peoples views on social media in comparison to traditional forms of media. Overall, they found that 28% of respondents were likely to notice advertising on social media and less than that 23% are likely to trust the advertisements they notice. Those numbers put social media websites at #5 on the list behind television, print, news and corporate websites. In the same findings it also showed that only 28% of those who had began their holiday shopping this season indicated that social media has influenced their purchases specifically consumers said their influences were: †¢ Reading a consumer-generated product review (13% of respondents) †¢ Reading an expert product review (11 %)  Ã¢â‚¬ ¢ Following a fan page on Face book to take advantage of special offers and deals (7%) †¢ Influence by a friend’s Face book status update referring to a particular product (6%) †¢ Following a company on Twitter to take advantage of special offers and deals (5%) †¢ A friend’s â€Å"tweet† about a product influenced their purchase behaviour (3%) Given the exposure to the internet that we in the western world undergo every day versus time spend watching television, it is odd that only 13% saw the high consumer involvement in reading reviews of products. What is even stranger is that these consumers have shifted from trusting expert reviews to peer reviews. In traditional media reputable sources were usually quoted to give weight to a certain product. It seems in the days of social media, peer influence has replaced the trustworthiness of reputable sources. Thus changing the buyer behaviour process. Social Media may influence and change the buyer behaviour process but it is not necessarily a replacement for tradition media. Although it is a change to the normal standards of media, it will never replace traditional media given the system of interaction in our society. The interesting thing, as discussed in this essay, is the change in the high involvement purchase process and the consumer control over purchases. It is effective to some degree, given the right target audience and consumer group, but in our society with the lack of general literacy (21.1% of the world are internet literate) and dramatic choices for consumers it is not the answer to the change of the consumer buyer process.

Wilson Disease Genetic Tests

Wilson Disease Genetic Tests Clinical Features in Patients with Wilson Disease Hepatic Asymptomatic hepatomegaly Isolated splenomegaly Persistently elevated serum aminotransferase activity (AST, ALT) Fatty liver, Acute hepatitis, Resembling autoimmune hepatitis Cirrhosis: compensated or decompensated Acute liver failure Neurological Movement disorders (tremor, involuntary movements) Drooling, dysarthria, Rigid dystonia Pseudobulbar palsy, Dysautonomia, Migraine headaches, Insomnia, Seizures Psychiatric Depression, Neurotic behaviours, Personality changes, Psychosis Other Systems Ocular: Kayser-Fleischer rings, sunflower cataracts Cutaneous: lunulae ceruleae  · Renal abnormalities: aminoaciduria and nephrolithiasis Skeletal abnormalities: premature osteoporosis and arthritis  · Cardiomyopathy, dysrhythmias  · Pancreatitis  · Hypoparathyroidism Menstrual irregularities; infertility, repeated miscarriages How is Wilson disease diagnosed? The diagnosis of Wilson disease is made by relatively simple tests. The tests can diagnose the disease in both symptomatic patients and people who show no signs of the disease. These tests can include: Opthalmalogic slit lamp examination for Kayser-Fleischer rings Serum ceruloplasmin test 24-hour urine copper test Liver biopsy for histology and histochemistry and copper quantification Genetic testing, haplotype analysis for siblings and mutation analysis. It is important to diagnose Wilson disease as early as possible, since severe liver damage can occur before there are any signs of the disease. Individuals with Wilson disease may falsely appear to be in excellent health. Treatment of Wilson disease Wilson disease is a very treatable condition. With proper therapy, disease progress can be halted and oftentimes symptoms can be improved. Treatment is aimed at removing excess accumulated copper and preventing its reaccumulation. Treatment for Wilson disease is a lifelong process. Patients may become progressively sicker from day to day, so immediate treatment can be critical. Treatment delays may cause irreversible damage. Chelation therapy drugs approved for treating Wilson disease include penicillamine (Cuprimine ® and Depen ®) and trientine (Syprine ® and Trientine Dihydrochloride) Both of these drugs act by chelation or binding of copper, causing its increased urinary excretion. Mettalothionein inducer drugs approved for treating Wilson disease are (Galzinâ„ ¢) in the U.S. and (Wilzin ®)in Europe.Zinc acts by blocking the absorption of copper in the intestinal tract. This action both depletes accumulated copper and prevents its reaccumulation. Zincs effectiveness has been shown by more than 30 years of considerable experience overseas. A major advantage of zinc therapy is its lack of side effects. Patients with severe hepatitis or liver failure may require liver transplant. Patients being investigated or treated for Wilson disease should be cared for by specialists in Wilson disease or by specialists in consultation with their primary physicians. Stopping treatment completely will result in death, sometimes as quickly as within three months. Decreasing dosage of medications also can result in unnecessary disease progression. How is Wilson disease inherited? Wilson disease is an autosomal recessive disease, which means it occurs equally in men and women. In order to inherit Wilson disease, both parents must carry one genetic mutation (abnormal alteration in the gene) that each parent passes to the affected child. At least one in 30,000 people of all known races and nationalities has the disease. Of the 23 different human chromosomes, the gene responsible for Wilson disease is located on chromosome 13. The gene is called ATP7B and it contains the genetic information necessary to make a copper transport protein that plays a key role in incorporating copper into ceruloplasmin and moving excess copper out of the liver. Mutations in the gene lead to an abnormal copper transporter that cannot move copper effectively or at all. More than 300 genes of the ATB7B have been identified thus far.This excess copper accumulates in the liver and other organs. Most patients have no family history of Wilson disease. People with only one abnormal gene are called carriers. Carriers (heterozygotes) may have mild, but medically insignificant, abnormalities of copper metabolism. Carriers do not become ill and should not be treated. Wilson disease patients (homozygotes) do become ill and must receive treatment lifelong or eventually they will develop severe lethal disease. One in 100 individuals in the general population carries one abnormal copy of the Wilson disease gene. Carriers have one normal and one abnormal gene. All (100%) children of those afflicted with Wilson disease receive at least one abnormal copy of the Wilson disease gene. One half (50%) of a carriers children receive at least one abnormal copy of the Wilson disease gene. A genetic counselor can provide a more detailed pedigree of specific family relationships. Family Screening All siblings and children of Wilson disease patients should be tested for Wilson disease. Other relatives who have had symptoms or laboratory tests that indicate liver or neurological disease also should be tested for Wilson disease. Biochemical Testing Children of patient: Begin at age 2 if asymptomatic, repeat once in 5 years unless reasontopursue further. Siblings of patient: Physical examination and brief history of any liver or neurological symptoms. Liver Function Tests: ALT, AST, Albumin, Bilirubin. Ceruloplasmin and Serum Copper. 24 hour urine copper Slit-lamp exam of the eyes for Kayser-Fleischer rings. If no K-F rings, abnormal liver functions tests, and low ceruloplasmin: liver bio Information about Molecular Genetic Testing All siblings and children of Wilson disease patients should be tested for Wilson disease. Other relatives who have had symptoms or laboratory tests that indicate liver or neurological disease also should be tested for Wilson disease. More than 300 different mutations of the ATP7B gene have been identified thus far. Testing Methods Available: Linkage analysis (Haplotype analysis) Molecular genetic testing to identify a set of closely linked segments of DNA (a marker or set of markers), comparing the markers of family members to those of an affected patient. Useful for: screening siblings of an identified patient Gene sequencing (mutation screening of the entire ATP7B gene) Analysis of the entire ATP7B gene to detect and identify disease causing mutations. An individual with confirmed Wilson disease needs to be tested first. If both mutations are identified, other family members can then be offered testing. Gene sequencing will identify both mutations in most but not all cases of Wilson disease. Useful for: confirmation of the diagnosis in suspected patients, family members to learn if they could be affected but do not yet have symptoms, to learn they are carriers, or to allow for prenatal testing for confirmed carriers. Analysis of a specific location in the ATP7B gene for a known particular mutation. Useful for: specific populations of patients where the common mutations are known; for screening siblings of patients with two identified mutations. Genetic testing is best coordinated through a genetic counselor who can carefully discuss the best method of testing to perform and the benefits, limitations, and implications of each method. Genetic testing is best coordinated though a genetic counselor who can carefully discuss the best method of testing to perform and the benefits, limitations, and implications of each method. Your physician should be able to direct you to a qualified genetic counselor and genetic testing facility. Definition: Kayser-Fleischer Ring: Clinical sign. Brownish-yellow ring visible around the corneo-scleral junction (limbus). Consists of copper deposits in Descemet’s membrane, extending into the trabecular meshwork. Sign of Wilson’s disease. Description and Location: Golden to greenish-brown annular deposition of copper located in the periphery (limbus) of the cornea (Descemet’s membrane). First appears as a superior crescent, then develops inferiorly and ultimately becomes circumferential. Usually requires a slit-lamp examination to detect rings in their early stage of formation. Prevalence: Approximately 95% of WD patients presenting with neurological signs will have a K-F ring. Whereas approximately 65% of WD patients presenting with hepatic signs will present with a ring. Copper chelation therapy may cause fading and even disappearance of the corneal copper over time.

Religious Figures Who Defied Reason Through Faith: Saint Bernadette of Lourdes :: Essays Papers

Religious Figures Who Defied Reason Through Faith: Saint Bernadette of Lourdes Saint Bernadette of Lourdes is not originally one whom the people of her time would expect to become a religious figure that could see holy apparitions and guide others into miraculous experiences. Contrarily, she was born to a family that experiences hardships and a great deal of misfortunes. Her family loses their money through bad investments and kind-heartedness, three of her siblings die at birth, and her father passes away leaving the family to fend for themselves. It almost seems as if the family is "destined to relive the fate of Job".1 Like Job in the bible, they experience many trials and tribulations, but hold steadfast to their beliefs. Little did the Soubouris family know that Bernadette would become a saint loved and revered by thousands in the Catholic Church. Bernadette will become a subject of controversy to some, being tested by powers of authority in the church and community, but is able to prove herself true and sane through her unyielding faith. The apparitions that would change Bernadette’s life and cause others to question her integrity and sanity first appear to her on February of 1858. Bernadette, her sister Toinette, and a friend, Jeanne Abadie go out to find wood the grotto. Although Bernadette’s mother objects to her going out in the cold weather due to her asthma, Bernadette pleads and wins her way. While out searching for wood in the grotto, Bernadette hears a gust of wind but nothing is moving. She goes to investigate and reports seeing a "gentle light" which continues to brighten.2 Next, she sees an apparition of a girl or young lady dressed in white smiling at her. The apparition first causes Bernadette to doubt what she is seeing is real, but she soon realizes that it is. When that apparition ends, she has a feeling of happiness and continues about the task, perplexed to what she has just experienced. Bernadette later confides the secret of the apparition to Toinette, but Toinette betrays her and tells their mother of what Bernadette had witnessed. The mother is disturbed and doubtful of Bernadette’s vision, and forbids her to go back to the grotto again. The father feels the same, but also feels that the family, which is already experiencing a time of hardship, would be vulnerable to ridicule if Bernadette’s story were to get out.

Catabolic Relationships Essay example -- Literary Analysis, Bill Boast

As seen in many stories throughout history, love and relationships have perpetually been complicated. The themes of tragic sacrifices in the relationships of Marc Antony and Cleopatra, King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, and Layla and Majnun are continued in modern literature. Sacrifice is a theme that has, and forever will be prevalent in literature because it is an admirable deed, yet requires a perfect balance. Careful analysis of the relationships in the post-modern short stories Coda by Will Boast, How We Handle Pain by Evan James Roskos, and Okeechobee by Claudia Zuluaga, produces a rich understanding of the universal truth that relationships require not just sacrifice, but harmonious immolation. When introduced in Will Boast’s short story, Coda, Tim and Kate’s relationship has already failed. The couple dated for years and got engaged, but eventually called off the engagement. As the story progresses, Tim reflects on both the merit of the relationship and the cause of its failure. After breaking into Kate’s apartment, Tim searches for and finds his old engagement ring. He gazes at the gold symbol of unending love, and then sees a picture of him and Kate beside it. â€Å"I was looking straight into the camera, but Kate was turned to me with a shy smile on her face. My favorite picture of her. You could see she was in love† (Boast 4). Even after six months of separation, Tim thirsts for his lost love. Though he recognizes the chaotic, uncooperative environment, in which the relationship was nourished. Kate is a lawyer and Tim is a musician, leading them to live, â€Å"disjointed lives, but for a long time that didn’t matter. Kate would leave the apartment at seven every morning, eager to make an impression at her new practice. At noo... ...ely needed to accept her actions and participate in sacrifice by giving back. Indeed, love is often described as sacrifice, but a more fitting definition is unmistakably, a balance of sacrifice. In these short stories, the common failure of a relationship, due to the lack of sacrifice, the common unhappiness, as a result of too much (or undesired) sacrifice, and the common unworthy attitude and refusal to sacrifice, are all exemplified. In a relationship, the idea is that two become one -thus, requiring some surrender- but the two must not forget their former identities. Truly, for a successful relationship, sacrificial equilibrium must be found; for at equilibrium, the reactants and the product are able to coexist. Each person must give up parts of their former self for the relationship to properly function, but one’s own identity must not be completely forgone.

Marketing Brand Strategy The Proctor and Gamble Company

The Proctor and Gamble Company have its long held concern and a wide range of products in the market and the level of competitive advantages by the company will depend on the scale with which the marketing system of its products is ensured.   However, though branding important in the market system, it wages various inefficiencies in providing a good support for the company’s marketing plan. Though the product component of the company is broad, this memo will be limited to three products; where their brand slogans. â€Å"Silvikrin† is the slogan for hair care, â€Å"Vortex† is slogan for bleach, and â€Å"Born Blonde† is the slogan for hair dye.   Though these are slogans of product compounds, various inefficiencies are allied to their slogans and the broad product in general at the market.   Though the sales of the products are booming at the market, branding is allied to various inefficiencies as a tool for use in marketing of products. As a basic intend of a marketing, it helps in the creation, communication as well as delivering the value of an organizations product. This is the map which guides to the success of operations in a business.   It’s a force which will help to think about the basic strategies as well as the tactics to use in creating a high competition at the market.   Every choice of marketing plan should therefore provide standards with which the competitive advantage of the organization’s activity can be claimed in the highly competitive market. (Kitchen, Pelsmacker, 51) The process of branding in marketing plan is broad and perhaps cost inefficient if not well monitored.   Since the goal of the firm is to optimize its revenue through optimal costing, the success in this goal can only be through methods that ensure standard of high revenue at the most minimal cost activity.   However, the process of branding can rationally be uneconomical if not well monitored. Every adequate branding should involve a thorough activity of analyzing the SWOT analysis of its activity. Elsewhere, the organizations should adequately evaluate the comparative state between its activity within the market and the level of competition by its competitive rivals.   Generally, the success in the market should involve opportunities. This helps to evaluate the strengths within the market portfolio to be able to formulate the most admissible standards of activity. (Varey, Lewis, 96) However, every branding slogan or logo should be aimed at portraying and giving a certain message to the consumers within the market.   The basic problem in message delivery is the cost of competition state within the highly perfect competitive market.   In such a market, competitors ought to use methods of creating competitive advantages for the highest benefits and success in the market.   However, advertising is used as basic tool which helps to sell the state of organization’s product in the market with many product substitutes and complimentary goods. However, product branding is a basic inhibitor in the creation of an authentic message which helps to portray a good image and favorability of the product in the market.   The opportunity cost in the message inefficiency portrayed by a brand slogan or a logo is the success of the substitute or complementary products of the competitors within market. The message delivery by a brand logo or a slogan should be explicitly simple and entitled to portray a direct message about the product. However, the message held is such slogans or logos may be fundamentally ambiguous and chooses to provide difficulties in understanding the exactly scope, type, purpose and use of the product.   Other brand logos and slogans are synonymous to inadequate images that are portrayed by them.   Either, brand development posits a big problem in fighting for the product success in the market. This will cost an identification process of a brand slogan which would provide the greatest incentive to the customers. (Kotler, Keller, 52) Unlike other methods of marketing, branding will only be limited to scope and number of customer at every one moment. Every marketing activity should provide the most adequate and cost efficient method of attracting a huge customers’ population.   At the implementation process of a brand slogan or a logo, inadequacy in the nature of the product may be the basic resultant feature which would even threaten the relationship of attraction to customers use. Either, branding may be highly costly in its development which may imply un-optimal costing parameters.   Generally, brand slogans and logos are chief inhibitor of a products competitive advantage within the market which is endowed by high standards of competition.   One slogan may create a negative perspective of the product to the consumers which may necessary not be the case.   The opportunity cost of slogan/logo inefficiency by one organization’s product/service is the success of the close substitutes provided by the competitors. Summarily therefore, branding may be a basic inhibitor in the marketing plan which is aimed at creating standards of competitive advantages of one product in the market.   They may be inefficient in providing an authentic message that can portray the accurate sense of product in the market.   Hence therefore, rationality should always be provided in defining the status of slogans and logos to use for product in order to increase their competition. Work Cited Kitchen, P & Pelsmacker, P. Integrated marketing Communications:   A Primer, London,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Routledge, 2004 Kotler, P & Keller, K. Marketing Management, Amazon .Com, 2006 Varey, R & Lewis, B. Internal Marketing: Directions of Management. London, Routledge, 2000