Play in Early Years Example For Free - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 7 Words: 2240 Downloads: 5 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Education Essay Type Analytical essay Tags: Children Essay Did you like this example? In the 18th-19th centuries, industrialisation caused some serious changes in the lives of people (Knight, 2009). In the UK, for instance, industrialisation significantly decreased the schools provision of outdoor activities. However, such educators as Friedrich Froebel, Margaret McMillan and Maria Montessori contributed much to the revival of interest in outdoor play. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Play in Early Years Example For Free" essay for you Create order Due to their efforts, the outdoor play provision occupies a crucial place in a contemporary early years setting. This essay analyses the issue of outdoor play in an early years setting. It will start with the definition of the concept of outdoor play and will proceed with the discussion of the first early-years practitioners who accentuated the need to integrate outdoor play into the curriculum. The analysis will then discuss in more detail the significance and use of outdoor play in an early years setting, juxtaposing theoretical and empirical evidence. Finally, the essay will identify the challenges to the successful provision of outdoor play in an early years setting. In view of the fact that children perceive and interact with the world using different senses, it is essential for early years practitioners to use the methods which provide children with an opportunity to learn through these senses (Ouvry, 2000). Play is especially effective for learning because play evokes posit ive feelings in children and thus motivates them to learn (Ouvry, 2000). According to Johnston and Nahmad-Williams (2014), it is rather difficult to understand what constitutes play within an early years setting because educators and researchers cannot agree on whether to consider structured play (e.g. play activities developed by early years practitioners) as play. Johnston and Nahmad-Williams (2014, p.273) define outdoor play as a carefully planned outdoor environment that covers the six areas of learning. These six areas include: 1) physical development; 2) creative development; 3) social, personal, and emotional development; 4) understanding of the world; 5) literacy, language, and communication; 6) reasoning, problem solving, and numeracy (DCSF, 2008). In contemporary early years settings, two types of outdoor play are used: free play and structured play (Johnston and Nahmad-Williams, 2014). Free play is initiated by children: in free play, children choose the resources and mat erials to play with, although early years practitioners are responsible for preparing the materials. In free play, early years practitioners do not control play; however, they supervise children and provide necessary support. In this regard, free play reinforces childrens independence and their interactions with each other (Johnston and Nahmad-Williams, 2014). In structured play, it is an early years practitioner who chooses the resources and materials and who prepares specific tasks for children to complete (Johnston and Nahmad-Williams, 2014). Although structured play activities are created taking into account childrens interests and needs, structured play is controlled by an early years practitioner who ensures that specific learning outcomes are met. Friedrich Froebel (1782-1852) was one of the first advocates of outdoor play in an early years setting (Riddall-Leech, 2002; Knight, 2009). According to Froebel, outdoor play contributes to the development of childrens imaginatio n which is essential for successful learning and healthy growth. It was Froebel who opened a kindergarten in Germany to integrate the outdoor play provision. A significant focus in this provision was put on imaginative play and play with wooden blocks (Tassoni, 2007). In contrast to Froebel, Maria Montessori (1870-1952) did not consider imaginative play as crucial for childrens development. A doctor and educator who mainly worked with children with specific learning needs and who opened Childrens Houses for working class children, Montessori stimulated young children to actively participate in real life outdoor activities and thus acquire knowledge and develop diverse skills (Tassoni, 2007). She strongly believed that the best way for children to learn was through their interactions with the environment. Montessori put a particular emphasis on structured play, endowing children with constructive play materials and intentionally designed equipment to facilitate their learning (Tasson i, 2007). However, according to Montessori philosophy, early years practitioners are not allowed to interfere into childrens play. In this regard, children learn to develop decision-making skills, independent thinking, and confidence through outdoor play activities. Many contemporary early years settings are organised, drawing on Montessoris ideas of structured outdoor play environment (Tassoni, 2007). Margaret McMillan (1860-1931), a social reformer who worked with children from poor families, significantly highlighted the value of outdoor play (Knight, 2009; Ouvry, 2000). In the viewpoint of McMillan, outdoor play is essential for the healthy development of children. She especially emphasised such aspects of outdoor play as fresh air and movement. McMillan contributed much to the spread of a play-centred approach by opening several outdoor nurseries (Knight, 2009). Her first nursery school was opened in Deptford and was organised as a garden with children flowing freely between inside and out (Ouvry, 2000, p.5). For McMillan, a professionally structured outdoor setting satisfied all learning needs of children. One of McMillans major requirements towards a professionally structured outdoor setting was to create a provocative challenging environment (Tovey, 2010, p.79). It is in such a challenging environment that children acquire rich and diverse experience and thus uncover their true identities (Garrick, 2009). It is in such a challenging environment that children engage in adventurous and creative activities and acquire understanding of the natural world. This environment motivates children to learn. Drawing on the ideas of early years practitioners on outdoor play, contemporary researchers and authors also widely discuss the significance of outdoor play in an early years setting. For instance, Garrick (2009) acknowledges that outdoor play significantly reinforces childrens physical development. Baldock (2001) accentuates the ability of outdoor play t o shape childrens spatial skills and decision-making skills due to the acquired independence. In her action research, Nind (2003) drew the parallels between independent outdoor play and improved language competence. The findings of Ninds (2003) study showed that children who had problems with English as a foreign language more actively engaged in communication in the outdoor play setting. Playing outdoors, they behaved in a more independent way and employed a variety of communication strategies to share their views with peers. However, Manning-Morton and Thorp (2003) and Siraj-Blatchford and Sylva (2004) point at the need to create a balance between outdoor activities planned by early years practitioners and childrens free activities. In the case of free activities, children acquire an opportunity to explore the outer world and express their selves through these activities. Planned outdoor activities are also crucial as they improve childrens cognitive skills, social skills, and cre ativity. In their study of early years settings, Siraj-Blatchford et al. (2002, p.8) have found that outdoor play activities are especially effective if they are based on the adult-child interaction because such interaction reinforces sustained shared thinking, an episode in which two or more individuals work together in an intellectual way to solve a problem, clarify a concept, evaluate activities, extend a narrative. Despite the discussed positive effects of outdoor play on children in an early years setting, there are some factors that prevent its successful provision. According to Garrick (2009, p.x), although UK statutory guidance recognises outdoor play as a crucial aspect of an early years curriculum, currently there is no requirement in England to develop outdoor areas as a condition of registration. According to UK statutory guidance, early years practitioners are recommended to use parks and similar facilities for outdoor play if early years settings lack outdoor areas (DCSF, 2008). Garrick (2009) goes further by claiming that early years settings with outdoor areas are often poorly equipped and thus do not provide many possibilities for learning. Ouvry (2000), Maynard and Waters (2007), and Johnston and Nahmad-Williams (2014) have found out that early years practitioners in English settings are often reluctant to integrate the outdoor play provision because they are too obsessed with health and safety issues. In more specific terms, they are afraid that cold and windy weather is detrimental to childrens health and thus rarely allow young children to play outdoors. The study of Ellis (2002) has brought into light the opinions of ATL (Association of Teachers and Lecturers) members on the outdoor play provision. In the viewpoints of more than 60 percent of teachers, it is difficult to integrate the outdoor play provision because of poor management and the lack of adequate support. Unlike the UK, Scandinavian countries widely integrate the outdoor play provision which draws on Froebel philosophy (Knight, 2009). In particular, a range of Forest Schools have been opened in Denmark, Sweden, and other Scandinavian countries. In these schools, the emphasis is put on free outdoor activities, the development of social skills and creativity in children, and childrens emotional well-being (Knight, 2009). In these schools, children engage in outdoor activities in different weather conditions. In the 1990s, the early years practitioners from Bridgwater College visited the Danish Forest School and greatly admired the way children acquire their skills and knowledge (Knight, 2009). Upon their return, these early years practitioners decided to open a similar school in the UK. They found outdoor areas not far from Bridgwater College and created the outdoor play provision for early years children and children with special needs. The provision has improved childrens overall well-being and has increased childrens confidence, self-esteem, and i ndependent thinking (Knight, 2009). Due to its great achievements in the development of young children, Bridgwater College has received the Queens Anniversary Prizes Award. The difference between Forest Schools in Scandinavian countries and Forest Schools in the UK is that UK early years practitioners allow children to play outdoors only in warm weather. Moreover, UK early years practitioners prefer structured play; thus, learning in these early years setting is more formal than learning in Scandinavian Forest Schools (Knight, 2009). According to Tovey (2010, p.79), children in the UK are limited by a culture of risk aversion, risk anxiety, restrictions on childrens freedoms to play outdoors and increased regulation. In Scandinavian countries, children possess more freedom in their outdoor play. Some recent research provides conclusive evidence that young children prefer playing in dangerous and challenging outdoor settings. For instance, Stephenson (2003) and Sandseter (2007), w ho studied outdoor play in early years settings of Norway and New Zealand, revealed that children specifically chose dangerous, risky, and scary places for their outdoor play. Such places motivated children to engage in the exploration of the unknown and thus overcome their fears. More importantly, Stephenson (2003) and Sandseter (2007) found that each time children played, they intentionally increased risk. Tovey (2010, p.80) specifies that the findings of Stephenson (2003) and Sandseter (2007) suggest that it is not just the feelings of joy that motivate children but the desire to experience the borderlines of fear and exhilaration. Taking into account these crucial findings, it is obvious that instead of creating a safe outdoor environment for young children, it is more effective to create a significantly challenging environment in which children are able to uncover all their potential. While acknowledging the importance of safety issues, Sandseter (2007, p.104) nevertheless prov es that early years practitioners should pay equal attention to the benefits of risky play. Drawing on the findings of Stephenson (2003) and Sandseter (2007), UK policy makers and early years practitioners should reconsider their views on the outdoor play provision and gradually shift towards the creation of the environment which benefits children rather than hinders their learning and overall development. As the essay has clearly shown, both first early years practitioners and contemporary researchers have accentuated the significance of outdoor play in the development of children. Outdoor play is thought to positively affect childrens spatial skills, social skills, decision-making skills, language competence, and physical health. On the basis of the acquired evidence, it is obvious that the juxtaposition of structured and free outdoor activities is especially effective. Unfortunately, as the analysis has revealed, there are some serious obstacles to the successful integration o f the outdoor play provision in the UK, including the lack of outdoor areas in early years settings, the educators obsession with safety and health issues, inadequate support and poor management. Scandinavian countries, however, have significant experience in the integration of the outdoor play provision. Recently, UK early years practitioners have borrowed this experience and have opened several Forest Schools in which children successfully learn through outdoor play. Bibliography Baldock, P. (2001). Regulating early years services. London: David Fulton. DCSF (2008). Practice guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage. Nottingham: Department for Children, Schools and Families. Ellis, N. (2002). Firm foundations? A survey of ATL members working in the Foundation Stage. London: Association of Teachers and Lecturers. Garrick, R. (2009). Playing outdoors in the early years. London: Continuum International Publishing Group. Johnston, J. Nahmad-Williams, L. (2014). Early childhood studies. Abington: Routledge. Knight, S. (2009). Forest schools and outdoor learning in the early years. London: Sage. Manning-Morton, M. Thorp, M. (2003). Key times for play. Maidenhead: Open University. Maynard, T. Waters, J. (2007). Learning in the outdoor environment: A missed opportunity. Early Years, 27 (3), 255-265. Nind, M. (2003). Enhancing the communication learning environment of an early years unit through action research. Educational Action Rese arch, 11 (3), 347-363. Ouvry, M. (2000). Exercising muscles and minds: Outdoor play and the early years curriculum. London: The National Early Years Network. Riddall-Leech, S. (2002). Childminding: A coursebook for the CACHE certificate in childminding practice (CCP). Oxford: Heinemann. Sandseter, E. (2007). Childrens expressions of exhilaration and fear in risky play. Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood, 10 (2), 92-106. Siraj-Blatchford, I. Sylva, K. (2004). Researching pedagogy in English pre-schools. British Educational Research Journal, 30 (5), 713-730. Siraj-Blatchford, I., Sylva, K., Muttock, S., Gilden, R., Bell, D. (2002). Researching effective pedagogy in the early years. London: Institute of Education. Stephenson, A. (2003). Physical risk taking: Dangerous or endangered. Early Years, 23 (1), 35-43. Tassoni, P. (2007). Child care and education: Cache level 3. Oxford: Heinemann. Tovey, H. (2010). Playing on the edge: Perceptions of risk and dange r in outdoor play. In: P. Broadhead, J. Howard, E. Wood (Eds.), Play and learning in the early years: From research to practice (pp.79-94). London: Sage.

The World Of Global Warming - 1012 Words

The eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon once said, â€Å"The clear and present danger of climate change means we cannot burn our way to prosperity. We already rely too heavily on fossil fuels. We need to find a new, sustainable path to the future we want. We need a clean industrial revolution† (Ban Ki-moon). Collectively, we burn fossil fuels without recognition of the repercussions it has on the environment and our well-being. Air pollution causes climate change, shown through the increase in greenhouse gases, and environmental and health effects. Although global warming is a relatively newly found epidemic, it has the support of science and should no longer be a topic of debate. Svante Arrhenius warned the world of†¦show more content†¦Although Keeling’s research was conducted on carbon-dioxide levels, other greenhouse gases have seen a large increase since the industrial revolution. Water vapor is the most copious greenhouse gas. Water vapor is only termed as a greenhouse gas for its strong correlation with the average worldwide temperature. Similar to Earth’s temperature, water vapor levels have gradually been increasing, leading to an increase in precipitation. Another greenhouse gas is methane, a hydrocarbon gas. Methane levels are heavily influenced by human activities, such as rice cultivation and manure management. Methane is a deadlier gas to the atmosphere than carbon dioxide is, but carbon dioxide is more abundant in the atmosphere (â€Å"Global Climate Change†). As these greenhouse gases continue to permeate the atmosphere, they absorb heat normally radiated back toward space and release this heat to the surface of th e Earth. Air pollution creates a variety of different effects on the environment. Many of air pollution’s effects are visible: the loss of ice on ice caps and the premature flowering of plants and trees. Air pollution has a great effect on the weather forecast. 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Coke vs Pepsi Free Essays

string(25) " to buy at lower prices\." The soft drink industry is very competitive for all companies involved. Recently the competition between established firms has only increased with the market nearing its saturation point. All companies in the industry, especially those thinking about entering, have to think about: rivalry among establish firms, risk of entry by potential competitors, substitute products, suppliers, and buyers. We will write a custom essay sample on Coke vs Pepsi or any similar topic only for you Order Now When talking about market share, PepsiCo and Coca-Cola have the lions share. They have dominated the industry over the past 40 years with Coca-Cola leading in the category in 2004.With little resistance from Cadbury Schweppes, the distant third largest company in the industry, the two companies’ main focus was to increase market demand by outdoing each other in promotions, advertisements, and corporate acquisitions. Rivalry and power struggle have defined the existence of PepsiCo and Coca-Cola, looking for a competitive advantage to gain an edge on the competition. This rivalry has been to the benefit to the companies, the industry, and its consumers as a whole. Both have learned to not only stay afloat, but flourish in an industry that has constantly grown since Coca-Cola began advertising in 1891.They did this by increasing the demand in their products, and gaining brand loyalty by their consumers. In some instances, they were selling cases of Dasani (Coca-Cola) and Aquafina (PepsiCo) for less than the cost of bottling it. The risk of entry by potential competitors isn’t a strong competitive pressure in the industry. PepsiCo and Coca-Cola dominate the industry with their brand name and distribution channels, which makes it difficult for new entrants to compete with these existing firms. High fixed costs of production facilities, logistics, and economies of scale also deter entry.It’s difficult for a new firm with a small production capacity, and a high cost structure to compete when, as soon as their product is introduced to the market, the two leading firms drop prices below your cost structure. Pepsi and Coke’s economies of scale allows them to do this since it costs so much less for them to produce their products than it would a new company. Substitute products come from competitors outside of the soft drink industry. These include: coffee, sports drinks, bottled water, tea, and juices. This is an increasingly growing force since consumers are becoming more health conscious in society.Most people are thinking about what carbonated soft drinks do to their bodies and replace them with sports drinks which appear to be healthier. These drinks also allow for a larger variety of flavors the appeal to different consumers. Coffee and tea may also be substitutes for the consumer who drinks soda for the caffeine they contain. Consumers can switch to coffee to decrease the amount of sugar and carbonation. These also come in a larger variety of flavors provided companies, such as Starbucks, that have become extremely popular over the past 20 years.These substitutes are a large and powerful force in the industry, especially since the switching costs (the cost to switch from one product to the next) are essentially zero. In the beginning of 1990 Roberto Goizueta developed the following mission statement: â€Å"To create consumer products, services and communications, customer service and bottling system strategies, processes and tools in order to create competitive advantage and deliver superior value to: * Consumers as a superior beverage experience Consumers as an opportunity to grow profits through the use of finished drinks * Bottlers as an opportunity to grow profits in volumes * Bottlers as a trademark enhancement and positive economic value added * Suppliers as an opportunity to make reasonable profi ts when creating real value-added in an environment of system-wide team work, flexible business system and continuous improvement * Indian society in the form of a contribution to economic and social development. * Refresh the World†¦ In body, mind, and spirit * Inspire Moments of Optimism†¦Through our brands and our actions * Create Value and Make a Difference†¦ Everywhere we engage. † (coca-colacompany. com, 2010) â€Å"The companies values statements have guided their employees and include 7 separate ideals: (1) leadership: â€Å"The courage to shape a better future† (2) passion: â€Å"Committed in heart and mind† (3) integrity: â€Å"Be real† (4) accountability: â€Å"If it is to be, it’s up to me† (5) collaboration: â€Å"Leverage collective genius† (6) innovation: â€Å"seek, imagine, create, delight† (7) quality: â€Å"What we do, we do well† (Coca-cola. com). The company as been built upon ethically sound principles which are timeless in nature and has guided them to the top of the beverage market. †( thecoca-colacompany. com, 2010) The goals Coca-Cola in the early 1990 were: increasing our numbers of consumers who enjoy the Coca-Cola products and brands and expand the global business. To be reaching these goals the company would effectively use their financial resources: capital, brands , and customers. These resources are already in existence, one may think that we need only to draw on them to reach these goals, but this is completely wrong.Supplies to the industry don’t hold much competitive pressure. Bottling and packaging of the product don’t hold much of a bargaining position in the industry. Coca-Cola’s CEO Roberto Goizueta looked to consolidate a large number of bottlers in 1986, creating an independent bottling subsidiary called Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE), went public and sold 51% of its shares while retaining the remaining which enables Coke to have separate financial statements from CCE. This vertical integration essentially made Coke its own bottler, which almost cut out suppliers entirely.Pepsi Co soon followed suit in the late 1980s with the Pepsi Bottling Group (PBG) and went public in 1999, retaining 35% of its shares. By 2004 Coca-Cola had CCE bottling 80% of its North American bottle and can volume, while PepsiCo had PBG bottling 57% of their beverages in the region. These consolidations took away much of suppliers’ bargaining power. (pepsico. com, 2010) The buyers of soft drinks range from Supermarkets, to mass retailers and supercenters, to gas stations. Soft drinks are sold to these stores which are, in turn, resold to consumers.The power that buyers have in the industry is very strong. Larger stores like Wal-Mart purchase soft drink in large volumes allowing them to buy at lower prices. You read "Coke vs Pepsi" in category "Papers" Gas stations have lower bargaining power since they buy smaller quantities. Although soft drink demand is beginning to plateau which could cause a shift in bargaining power to the buyer because of decreasing demands in both Pepsi and Coke. Porter’s 5-Forces model completely encompasses all factors of the soft drink industry. It has shown that industry has been very profitable in earlier years, especially to Pepsi and Coke.Demand for soft drinks is beginning to level off because of a new health conscious trend by the consumer will inevitably affect profits. The industry has also been defined by intense rivalry by the two largest firms which leave little room for new entrants. The soft drink industry has reached its peak in society and will soon begin to decline soon because of the consumers decrease in demand for the product and increased demand in other healthier products. For both companies to stay profitable, they will have to curtail their products to the new health conscious trend of the consumer. The value created by the soft drink industry is distributed and apparent across the industry in a variety of ways. Pepsi and Coke at first only produced their cola products, two companies each with one product line. The success of both companies led them to diversify their production capabilities and produce different flavors of soda; Fanta, Sprite, and Tab (1960-63) from Coke, and Teem, Mountain Dew, and Diet Pepsi (1960-64) from Pepsi. These expanded product lines proved to be highly profitable and were continued and expanded on in the years to come.By the late 1980s Coke and Pepsi each offered more than 10 major brands of soda in 17 or more sizes. This product proliferation increased profitability, rivalry, and barriers to entry. Soon drinks sports drinks such as Gatorade and PowerAde, juices and juice drinks, energy drinks, tea based drinks, and bottled water will break into the industry. These new product lines all had substitute products from the other company to battle with. Pepsi and Coke had a vast understanding on game theory and demonstrated it with their sequential and simultaneous move games.This led to an enormous selection for the consumer, whose only problem was choosing a flavor. Both Pepsi and Coke both have secret recipes to their flagship cola. Coke was the first to be imitated in its early years. The company constantly fought trademark infringements in court. There were as many as 153 barred imitation of Coca-Cola in 1916 alone. When Pepsi proved to be a viable competitor to Coke, the company filed a suit against Pepsi claiming it was an infringement on the Coca-Cola Trademark. From that point on the two companies engaged in competitive marketing campaigns to gain market share.In 1950, Coke controlled 47% of the US market, while Pepsi’s was only 10%. Coke and Pepsi are two gigantic companies that have flourished throughout their existence. They can be described as the definition of rivalry and competition in the modern business world. They are exact substitutes of each other and have battled to control the carbonated soft drink industry for over a century. From the 1950s-present, the carbonated soft drink industry has steadily increased in terms of consumption by person in the US. Both companies have spent billions in marketing, research, acquisitions, and promotions to meticulously exchange percentage points in the $66 billion a year industry that they have created. Unfortunately times are changing, and the superiority that the carbonated soft drink industry once held among beverages is slowly fading. Schools are banning sodas from being sold in them, claiming they are unhealthy for children. People in today’s society are more health conscious than they were in prior years. This is why you see a health clubs left and right, and â€Å"0g Trans Fat† labeled on snack foods.A majority of the US population is very health conscious, which leaves little room for the sugary carbonated soft drinks that used to dominated beverage consumption. The stability of the Soft drink Industry as a whole is in jeopardy. Coke and Pepsi will have to find alternatives to increase market share, or break into new markets, if they want sales to keep increasing like they have in the past. Non-carbonated beverages, such as juices, sports drinks, and energy drinks, are beginning to grow more rapidly than when they first were introduced, while carbonated beverages are leveling off.This health conscious shift will lead Coca-Cola and Pepsi executives to focus in these once thought auxiliary components of their business to pick up the slack that the carbonated industry is leaving behind. Coke and Pepsi will not be able to repeat their success with carbonated beverages in the water segment. Water can’t differ like soft drinks can. There are simply too many similar substitutes for customers to turn to, and the brand loyalty diminishes. A mere 10% of consumers say they choose a brand of water because â€Å"it’s my favorite brand† when compared to the 37% of carbonated beverage consumers. To compete in this new market, Coke and Pepsi will need a new competitive dynamic to stay profitable, one that won’t end in price wars. Fortunately for the market it is much cheaper to bottle and sell water than it is carbonated soft drinks, so competitive advantage will need to inevitably be realized in other parts of the business. Environmental factors A growing trend in the world today as we move into the future is in regards to the environmental factors that businesses have on the planet.Coca-Cola is no exception in that they have developed awareness programs and have taken action in regards to reducing waste and energy. As such a large corporation Coca-Cola is aware the effect that little things such as water conservation has on the global environment. Water is vital to Coca-cola’s business and the company has donated their time and resources in streamlining operations to utilize their water waste. The company also has developed partnerships with companies such as the World Wildlife Fund, the CEO Water Mandate, and the United Nations Global Compact which helps to preserve freshwater. Goodman, 2007)   Several years ago a ban has been placed on Coca-Cola from doing animal experimentation. The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) had discovered that the company’s labs had used animals for taste testing and health claims. Coca-Cola also was providing scholarships and grants to colleges which were conducting tests and research on rats with their products. Because of the pressures of PETA and the negative publicity that has arisen, both Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Co have agreed to ban any future testing of their products on animals.Coca-Cola has also discontinued their grant programs (Goodman, 2007). Macroeconomic outlook The financial outlook for Coca-Cola is a promising one apart from the turmoil of the United States financial markets. The company’s stocks stand at 7 out of 10 rating because of Coca-Cola’s high ranking in the soda industry. They have a steady growth rate. Economists are expecting the beverage industry to climb to $650 billing on revenue by 2010. (Goodman, 2007) Therefore, Coca-Cola Company believes that their company will experience steady growth for five to ten years to come.In order to achieve sustained growth the company believes they must address five key opportunities where they believe will have the most growth impact. First off the company believes that they will need to sustain growth in â€Å"sparkling beverages†. Sparkling beverages are the carbonated drinks such as their Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Coca-Cola Zero, Sprite, Fanta, etc. The sparkling beverages have been Coca-Cola’s largest selling products since the company’s inception. Recently, however the company has experienced a decline in sales and growth across the US in the sparkling beverage market.Coca-Cola Company is concerned on what the effects of the current social health trends will have on their company. Besides the current slide in the US market overall the company increase the sales of these beverages by 5% in the second quarter of 2008 due to the emerging markets such as China, Russia, Europe, and South Africa where volume sales grew at double digits rates (coca-cola. com, 2010). Coca-Cola Company believes that the company will continue to experience growth in the foreign markets despite the poorer performance in America.Secondly, a great opportunity for Coca-Cola Company is to expand into many of the emerging markets such as the sports drinks, coffees, teas, juices which many of these drinks because of their natures are high margin products. Coca-Cola Company believes the largest opportunity of growth in the company is in the area of the still b rands. These items include the coffees, teas, waters, energy, and juice products. In the recent quarterly statement the volume of sales in these areas increased 13% which is an indicator of the company’s current buying trend (coca-cola. com, 2010).Third, the company plans on renewing their strength in their flagship market, North America, through advertising and marketing their products to the ever growing middle class consumers. Fourth, the company will continue to develop streamlining of their inventory’s to be more profitable and develop machinery and innovations to speed up processing and improve processes. Recent information the company has disclosed is that Coca-Cola Company forecasts an annual savings of between $400 to $500 million dollars due to productivity initiatives the company has begun to implement relating to the streamlining of processes and redesigning key processes.Other areas included in these initiatives include aggressively managing the company’s operating expenses. This cost savings will allow the company to be able to invest in growth of the company (coca-cola. com, 2010). And lastly the company wants to focus on building deeper customer relationships with their clients, franchise owners, bottlers, and employees to ensure lasting growth. The company’s five vision reminders of people, planet, portfolio, partners, and profit are in line with the company’s five largest opportunities listed above.As the company strives to build deeper relationships with their clients and customers they relate to how Coca-Cola wants their customers to feel and to be inspired. Their relationships with their partnerships and franchisers and influenced by a strong focus on people. The company is mindful of maximizing profit and recognizing their responsibility and relationship to the shareholders. As the company continues to strive to engineer and pose new products on the market and focus on their current opportunities in foreign markets Coca-Cola Company strives to build a stronger portfolio.And the company’s environmental awareness through streamlining processes and minimizing resources help to build a better planet. Long Range Objectives Coca-Cola Company’s opportunities have opened up a path to a set of long range objectives the company should strive to achieve that can be measured. First off, the company measures sales growth in unit case volumes (coca-cola. com, 2008). With the potential growth of sparkling beverages in the international market Coca-Cola Company’s wants to achieve an increase of 3% growth in unit case volume globally in the next five years which would be a total growth of 15%.Secondly, in still products the company is growing 13% per year; however Coca-Cola Company wants to see this at 15% per year unit case volume increase in still products each year for a total growth of 75% by 2012. Next the company has forecasted a reduction in costs by $400 to $500 million per year by 2011. Coca-Cola Company is recognizing the potential impact of this savings and believes that the projection is probable. Coca-Cola Company wants to move forward with the implementation of these initiatives and take advantage of these new technologies and process improvements.And lastly, the company feels that in order to stay competitive in this market they need to be constantly bringing new technologies and products to market. Coca-Cola believes that the current trends in the marketplace are moving in the direction of the healthier line of products. Therefore, Coca-Cola Company proposes that they company will introduce a new line of drinks that are zero to low calorie, that have healthy effects on the body and are able to provide energy without the use of caffeine and other controversial ingredients and brought to market by the year 2012.Coke-Cola should strengthen the brand image for examples ; dispose of a global brand architecture, and Coca-Cola should keep the local markets to help develop their own brand strategies and adapt more quickly and efficiently to the ever changing customer demands. According to a recent surveys customers’ will buy is based on products, which are, familiar to however, keep offering different tastes like Cherry or other flavor. The key however, is the original brand and taste that the customers are familiar with. Consumers also purchase with the similar look f the product. The soft drink industries are continuing to change the look of the can and bottles. This keeps the consumers buying the product. The industry changes the look of the cans with the seasons, sporting events, ect. Middle managers will need to concentrate on the points of weakness, competitors, and what the consumers needs and want. They need to focus on the organization’s marketing strategies and the improvements to the product. Middle managers at Coke-Cola need eliminate the much of the downsizing and re-engineering in the global market. How to cite Coke vs Pepsi, Papers

Solution of Baggage Blunder for Million Passengers - myassignmenthelp

Question: Write about theSolution of Baggage Blunder for Million Passengers. Answer: Introduction: One of the most common problems now-a-days in the airports is blunders in baggage. Enormous and busy airports like Heathrow can handle several million passengers in a year. To handle this huge number of passengers airport authorities build more than one terminals of the airport. With this many passengers, a huge amount luggage come into consideration. Often it has been seen that airports are short-staffed for passenger and baggage handling. For that various problems arise. Passengers have to wait for long time to receive their luggage. This causes many problems for passengers who are arriving as well as departing (Cook et al., 2012). Other issues like in-experienced workers, faulty systems escalate the problems of the passengers further. Terminal 5 had been built by British Airways due to excessive congestion at Heathrow Airport, but the new state-of-the-art facility has faced several issues like baggage problems and others. The purpose of the following report is to find out proper s olution to the problems according to the case study. Discussion: To understand various type of control the first thing that needs to be cleared conceptually is control. Management of various function linked with the procedure of monitoring over different activities to keep a check that whether all the activities are progressing according to the plan and to check for any digression of the activities from the projected path. The effectiveness of a control system can be measured from various viewpoints (Davies, Dodgson and Gann 2016). Goals of any organisation are achieved by maintain all the activities in a controlled way. A control system can only be said efficient if it is appropriate enough to complete the objectives of the organisation. More efficiently an organisation fulfils its targets, more efficient its control system is (Skorupski and Uchro?ski 2014). In this discussion three different types of control system have been discussed. A specific type of control is feed-forward control which acts as a network for processing of signals between the source and the external environment (Graham 2013). In feed-forward control system the variables of control adjustments depend in the procedure information as a quantitative model structure along with the measurements of procedural disturbances (Grundy and Moxon 2013). This control system performs instantly with any disturbance in any process without waiting for any digression that can be occurred within the process. This control acts faster than the feedback control (Rawson, Duncan and Jones 2013). Following the case study, the implementation of feed-forward control can be suggested primarily. This control acts rapidly before the actual disturbance is occurred. Terminal 5 has been built in order to release the congestion in the airport and diminish the fundamental baggage problems due to short-staffed workers (Britishairways.com, 2017). Terminal 5 of the airport is facing baggage problems even in the ninth day which will affect the reputation as well as profitability of the organisation (De Neufville 2016). Therefore, the problem needs to be sorted out at the earliest and feed-forward system can eliminate those problems faster than the others and diminish passenger frustration due baggage blunders. Concurrent control is a specific control technique that generates within the procedures of activities. The technique employs the tools of monitoring and direct supervision on the work procedure to prevent the errors those are occurred during the procedure. This control can be identified as quality assurance (strm and Wittenmark 2013). This control system evaluates the current activities, incorporates rules and regulations for employee behavioural guidance. The system depends on the standards of performance. This control system can mainly be applied during the activity (Zhang and Wang 2014). Another important control is feedback control or post-action control. This control evaluates the activities after the completion of the procedure. This control evaluates the end-services or end-products of any organisation as the major focus of this control system is the output of any organisation (Zhang and Wang 2014). The two types of advantages of this control mechanism are firstly, information about the effectiveness of planning and strategies of the manager and the benefits of those is provide through this control and secondly, feedback control supplies the report on the performance of the employees according to the objective of any organisation (El-deen et al., 2016). Both concurrent and feedback control are not suitable in this case as Heathrow Airport is one of the most renowned airports in the world and the work pressure is huge. Therefore to maintain the reputation and productivity of the airport the problems need to be solved at the earliest. Toronto Pearson Airport has faced similar kind of problems and neutralizes the problems applying various control measurements. These controls can be identified as concurrent of feedback controls as they are applied after the activity. Corrective actions are the employment of several activities including the concepts of improvement and productivity enhancement that remove the basic reasons for undesirable or un-comforting situations in an organisation. Different sectors of an organisation need to be associated with this set of plans so that the issues of non-performance within the organisation eliminate quickly (Gil, Miozzo and Massini 2012). These non-performance issues are evaluated by systematic assessment of non-conformance generated due to the complaints from the consumers or clients. The procedures of an organisation are improved by the implementation of these actions (Skorupski and Uchro?ski 2014). Corrective actions are designed by organisation authorities including the members of quality assurance department. Corrective actions can be classified into two categories, which are basic corrective action and immediate corrective action (Lavin 2013). Basic corrective actions investigate the roots of the problems and fixe those from the basic level of correction (Airways and Williams, 2017). On the other hand immediate corrective actions provide methods for quick fix of the problems that have arrived during any procedure. In this case study, the implementation way of immediate corrective action is to hire additional staffs in baggage handling at terminal 5. Improved check-in services, updated computer system that can sort out the baggage are the immediate corrective actions. Errors in the computer system must be removed (Grundy and Moxon 2013). The basic corrective plans that can be applied in this case are to change the way of management of passengers for the flights arriving and departing (Lavin 2013). The procedure of baggage handling needs to be remodelled (El-deen et al., 2016). The staffs need to be properly trained in their departments of work, especially luggage handling. The whole computer system of the terminal should be updated and scanned as no malfunctions can happen. Baggage problems have occurred at Gatwick Airport due to failure of technical department as well as human errors. The problems have been solved after a certain period of time which places the control activities of the airport in feedback control group. The controls applied bi British Airport Authority could have been more effective utilizing proper strategies. Terminal 5 is built to reduce the congestion at Heathrow Airport and to give the passengers comfort by improved services (Britishairways.com, 2017). However, the functional design did not align with the objectives. The controlling parameters failed quickly during the first few hours and continued proving the in-effectiveness of the actions and strategies of British Airways. The fundamental thing that should be done before opening the terminal is to check whether each department is properly staffed and whether the staffs are well trained or not. The computer system should be checked accurately before opening. For this, British Airways should have involved the top IT experts around the country (Davies, Dodgson and Gann 2016). The field testing of software as well as human performance should be done in the other airports so that the authority can understand the impacts and weaknesses and prepare back-up plans (strm and Wittenmark 2013). A few other problems that have been noticed are malfunctioned escalators and doors, non-working hand driers and some workers who did not have sufficient knowledge about their work. These issues point out the drawbacks in facilities and in planning British Airways Authority. A test run should have been implied to the terminal to check the pressure handling capacity of the terminal (Gil, Miozzo and Massini 2012). Employees sh ould be distributed into different departments according to the requirement. There are certain factors that other organisations can learn from this situation like information controlling, benchmarking, control of customer communication and some other. Information controlling is a factor that provides appropriate information, both qualitative and quantitative, to the managers of the organisation about various procedural problems faced by passengers (De Neufville 2016). Managers can have a clear idea about the events those are occurring at the terminal and can understand the deviation in the activities those are following the objectives. Customer interaction is another major factor. From this case study, a brief overview of the effects of passenger dissatisfaction on the reputation and profitability of British Airports Authority has been obtained (Airways and Williams, 2017). Baggage handling issue is not only the problem, inexperienced staffs, issues in maintenance and technical systems are also key problem factors. Due to various performance issues passengers have faced time delays and several other problems, which affected the overall reputation of the organisation (Rawson, Duncan and Jones 2013). Quality assurance of any organisation depends on this communication with the customers. This interaction should accurately follow the objectives of the organisation (Cook et al., 2012). This communication helps any organisation to find out the drawbacks in its strategy or performance and the organisation can enhance its performance by preparing plans to eliminate the drawbacks. Benchmarking is another factor that can be determined from this case study. It provides the result of comparison of the business and performance of any organisation with its competitors in order to evaluate the planning process and productivity of the organisation (Graham 2013). This is a performance measurement tool using various indicators and other organisations for comparison. This tool helps the managers to select better techniques to prevent problems in the organisation. Conclusion: Therefore, from the discussion, baggage blunder issue at terminal 5 of Heathrow Airport is understood. Due to short-staffing, lot of activities in an organisation are subjected to troubles. From the case study, it can be said that the experience among staffs helps an organisation to perform its activities properly and to generate customer satisfaction, which increases the reputation as well as profit of the organisation. It is also seen that for proper working of any sector of an organisation, that sector is needed to be field tested, so that the estimations can be backed up with appropriate data and the organisation can make comparative action plans to eliminate any problems before, during and after an activity. References: Airways, B. and Williams, R. (2017).The questions that will haunt British Airways. [online] iNews. Available at: https://inews.co.uk/essentials/news/technology/british-airways-delays-questions-need-answering/ [Accessed 12 Sep. 2017]. strm, K.J. and Wittenmark, B., 2013.Adaptive control. Courier Corporation. Britishairways.com. (2017).Book Flights, Holidays Check In Online | British Airways. [online] Available at: https://www.britishairways.com/travel/home/public/en_in [Accessed 12 Sep. 2017]. Cook, A., Tanner, G., Cristbal, S. and Zanin, M., 2012. Passenger-oriented enhanced metrics.Second SESAR Innovation Days. Davies, A., Dodgson, M. and Gann, D., 2016. Dynamic capabilities in complex projects: the case of London Heathrow Terminal 5.Project management journal,47(2), pp.26-46. De Neufville, R., 2016. Airport systems planning and design.Air Transport Management: An International Perspective, p.61. El-deen, R.M.B., Hasan, S.B. and Fawzy, N.M., 2016. The effect of airport and in-flight service quality on customer satisfaction.International Journal of Heritage, Tourism, and Hospitality,10(1/2). Gil, N., Miozzo, M. and Massini, S., 2012. The innovation potential of new infrastructure development: An empirical study of Heathrow airport's T5 project.Research Policy,41(2), pp.452-466. Graham, A., 2013.Managing Airports 4th edition: An international perspective. Routledge. Grundy, M. and Moxon, R., 2013. The effectiveness of airline crisis management on brand protection: A case study of British Airways.Journal of Air Transport Management,28, pp.55-61. Lavin, D., 2013. Must there be basic action?.Nos,47(2), pp.273-301. Rawson, A., Duncan, E. and Jones, C., 2013. The truth about customer experience.Harvard Business Review,91(9), pp.90-98. Skorupski, J. and Uchro?ski, P., 2014. A fuzzy system for evaluation of baggage screening devices at an airport. InSafety and Reliability: Methodology and ApplicationsProceedings of the European Safety and Reliability Conference ESREL(pp. 797-804). Zhang, H. and Wang, J., 2014. Combined feedbackfeedforward tracking control for networked control systems with probabilistic delays.Journal of the Franklin Institute,351(6), pp.3477-3489.

Truman, The Ideal Man Essay Example For Students

Truman, The Ideal Man? Essay In the same motion as putting on his jacket Truman reaches for his suitcase. He walks through his perfect house nice, tidy and spacious. Exiting the front door he sees his neighbors across the road  Morning Truman, Morning, and in case I dont see ya good afternoon, good evening and goodnight.  The white picket fences run down the street further then the eye can see its a perfect street of perfect houses with perfect neighbors in a perfect world. This isnt one of your typical Jim Carey movies; its a Peter Weir (Director) masterpiece. Truman Burbank (Jim Carey) plays a middle class husband who lives in a world inside a world. He lives in a studio where everything is fake and everyone fakes who they are. He is married to a fake wife and works for a fake company. He is unaware that his life is broadcast around the world twenty-four hours a day seven days a week. The only thing real in his life is him and his emotions. We will write a custom essay on Truman, The Ideal Man? specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now The Truman show appears to be placed in a very definitive discourse The middle class, double income, one or no child discourse. The discourse is so obvious throughout the film cause it works on the stereotypical views that we all hold. Living in a beautiful neighborhood were everyone knows everyone and get along with no problems, the beautiful houses but not mansion that look alike to the one next door and the highways of white picket fences that bring a sense of purity to the whole place. This is all the features of a middle class family or couple. Its what everyone wants but little can have. The film boarders on being very much like a normal soapie it goes through the lives of a middle class family showing off there highs and lows and the riches they earn an excellent example would be Neighbors. Neighbors focuses on middle class families living on Ramsey Street and just like the Truman show shows each and every part of there lives everyday. A movie duplicate of the Truman show would be American Beauty. The main character lives in a white picket world, he defies his reality by escaping what everyone else has set for him and his life. All this links give a deeper look into a middle class life and how its always controlled by an outer factor. The obvious foregrounding present is the White picket fence world a perfect world with everything that we all want, stability, nice jobs, nice house and nice neighborhood. The whats privileged is what we dont see the reality of the whole thing the crime, the homeless, the problems families face its all not shown in the light, all kept away to make it a happy lifestyle with not a problem in the world. In the crucial scene, which also happens to be one of the last scenes of the film, Truman defies his reality and finally comes to the end of his search for meaning.  Truman literally sails to the end of his world finding out the real truth behind his life when he finally gets to talk to Christof (Ed Harris) the creator of the Truman Show. The music and sound play a large part in the emotional side of the film. When Truman touches the wall of stadium and starts punching it all you can hear is the music and no sound of crying or pounding. This allows the audience to reflect on what is happening and to make up there own emotions. The camera work in relation to where Truman is standing is always looking down at him to signify that when Christof speaks that he is a higher being living up to his name of Christ_of Truman. The lighting also helps in this cause as its bright and a beautiful day to represent the beginning of a new life, in this case Trumans new life in the real world. The dialogue in this scene is where most people finally find out the truth behind the whole film: .u87da81a82d64b5b8ebef93ee8162e0f1 , .u87da81a82d64b5b8ebef93ee8162e0f1 .postImageUrl , .u87da81a82d64b5b8ebef93ee8162e0f1 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u87da81a82d64b5b8ebef93ee8162e0f1 , .u87da81a82d64b5b8ebef93ee8162e0f1:hover , .u87da81a82d64b5b8ebef93ee8162e0f1:visited , .u87da81a82d64b5b8ebef93ee8162e0f1:active { border:0!important; } .u87da81a82d64b5b8ebef93ee8162e0f1 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u87da81a82d64b5b8ebef93ee8162e0f1 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u87da81a82d64b5b8ebef93ee8162e0f1:active , .u87da81a82d64b5b8ebef93ee8162e0f1:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u87da81a82d64b5b8ebef93ee8162e0f1 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u87da81a82d64b5b8ebef93ee8162e0f1 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u87da81a82d64b5b8ebef93ee8162e0f1 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u87da81a82d64b5b8ebef93ee8162e0f1 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u87da81a82d64b5b8ebef93ee8162e0f1:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u87da81a82d64b5b8ebef93ee8162e0f1 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u87da81a82d64b5b8ebef93ee8162e0f1 .u87da81a82d64b5b8ebef93ee8162e0f1-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u87da81a82d64b5b8ebef93ee8162e0f1:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Christian symbolism, especially images that refer to the crucifixion of Christ, is present throughout The Old Man and the Sea EssayIam the creator of a TV show that gives hope, joy and inspiration to millions  and Truman finally finds out the truth about himself:  Was nothing real?  You were real thats what made you so good to watch. Listen to me Truman theres no more truth out there then there is in the world I created for you. Same lies, same deceit but in my world you have nothing to fear. I know you better then you know yourself. The whole film runs around lies and deceit wrapped up in a pretty cover of a white picket fenced world. The world couldnt exist for long as it was too perfect and in time it all fell apart. We all want to have a double income family, live in a beautiful house, get along with our neighbors but for Truman that wasnt enough he wanted everything else that came along with life, the problems and pains. So when the end drew nearer he got what he wanted in one way and the other.

Difference Between Celsius and Centigrade

Difference Between Celsius and Centigrade Depending on how old you are, you might read 38 °C as 38 degrees Celsius or 38 degrees centigrade. Why are there two names for  °C and whats the difference? Heres the answer: Celsius and centigrade are two names for essentially the same temperature scale (with slight differences). The centigrade scale is divided into degrees based on dividing the temperature between which water freezes and boils into 100 equal gradients or degrees. The word centigrade comes from centi- for 100 and grade for gradients. The centigrade scale was introduced in 1744 and remained the primary scale of temperature until 1948. In 1948 the CGPM (Conference General des Poids et Measures) decided to standardize several units of measurement, including the temperature scale. Since the grade was in use as a unit (including the centigrade), a new name was chosen for the temperature scale: Celsius. Key Takeaways: Celsius vs. Centigrade The Celsius scale is a type of centigrade scale.A centigrade scale has 100 degrees between the freezing and boiling points of water.The original Celsius scale actually had a boiling point of 0 degrees and freezing point of 100 degrees. It ran in the opposite direction of the modern scale! The Celsius scale remains a centigrade scale in which there are 100 degrees from the freezing point (0 °C) and boiling point (100 °C) of water, though the size of the degree has been more precisely defined. A degree Celsius (or a Kelvin) is what you get when divide the thermodynamic range between absolute zero and the triple point of a specific type of water into 273.16 equal parts. There is a 0.01 °C difference between the triple point of water and the freezing point of water at standard pressure. Interesting Facts About Celsius and Centigrade The temperature scale created by Anders Celsius in 1742 was actually the reverse of the modern Celsius scale. Celsius original scale had water boil at 0 degrees and freeze at 100 degrees. Jean-Pierre Christin independently proposed at a temperature scale with zero at the freezing point of water and 100 was the boiling point (1743). Celsius original scale was reversed by Carolus Linnaeus in 1744, the year in which Celsius died. The centigrade scale was confusing because centigrade was also the Spanish and French term for a unit of angular measurement equal to 1/100 of a right angle. When the scale was extended from 0 to 100 degrees for temperature, centigrade was more properly hectograde. The public was largely unaffected by the confusion. Even though the degree Celsius was adopted by international committees in 1948, weather forecasts issued by the BBC continued to use degrees centigrade until February 1985!

Technology and culture class Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Technology and culture class - Essay Example Still, Ullman feels that man is not able to live without computers, and expresses her love for the programmer’s world. Bill Joy, in his book, writes that technology has endangered human species though the introduction of robotics, genetic engineering, and nanotechnology. Like Ullman, Joy has also stated the repercussions of letting machines do all the work, since it will lead to humans not doing any work in future, and all decisions will be made by machines. This brings human beings at mercy of machines. He admits that since machine made decisions are and will continue to be better that human decisions, man will continue to rely on machines, which is fatal for man’s independence in the long run. So, we see that both Ullman and Joy have talked about repercussions of computers, while admitting to their usefulness at the same time; but unlike Ullman, Joy has quoted works of famous people to support his argument, as he thinks that his argument relates to a minority of

Normalization of Deviance CJ403 WK 6 Research Paper

Normalization of Deviance CJ403 WK 6 - Research Paper Example Vaughan cited the space shuttle Challenger disaster as an example. It led to the loss of 7 crew members because of the failure of the vehicle’s O-ring seal. There were already apparent flaws regarding its design in the early stages of the project. The first time that it was damaged, experts found a way to repair it. However, intermittent failures occurred in the testing stages. Besides the evident danger, the engineers decided that the Challenger was ready to be launched with â€Å"acceptable risk†. Then, after it fragmented 73 seconds into its flight, they were completely staggered. Basing on the aforementioned discussions, both the offender and the organization share the responsibilities. Using the Challenger example, the engineers on the project should have been sensitive enough while the observers and other individuals in NASA should have pointed out the obvious concerns. Since the offender is mostly unaware of the gravity of the situation, the organization must take aggressive measures. Hence, stopping the normalization of deviance is quite important in preventing mishaps. Astronaut Mullane (2009) specifically identifies several ways on how to deal with this phenomenon. It is significant to be acquainted with one’s susceptibility to it. Furthermore, planning the work and working the plan must be a religion. It is also valuable to contemplate on one’s instincts and to review past mistakes as well as near-misses. In general, the normalization of deviance has negative effects. If left unchecked, sizeable losses may ensue. Thus, individuals must be vigilant in addressing this social concern. Those who are affected must be wise. And those who are uninvolved must be courageous enough to point out the

Entrepreneurial Innovations Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Entrepreneurial Innovations - Research Paper Example In addition, the wide-ranging availability of the Internet for performing business-related tasks of the businesses, sellers, and buyers is the primary reason behind the development of electronic commerce (or simply e-commerce). Actually, â€Å"electronic commerce is the method of selling and purchasing services and goods and products performed electronically by means of computerized business transactions over the Internet, networks, and other digital technologies† (Laudon & Laudon, 1999, p. 25; Stair & Reynolds, 2003, p. 19). There are different kinds of innovations in the context of IT, which can be implemented by an organization to upgrade their business processes. For instance, an organization can automate their business process, implement an e-commerce portal or use the Internet for marketing strategies and so on. Innovation in the context of organizational change also plays a significant function in the business organizations. No matter, whether a business organization is going to formulate or launch a new product, or going to introduce a new service, or going to invent and put into practice a technological invention that can change the business processes or a new management tool or technique, innovation, and organizational change helps the business organization develop and put into operation a business strategy and infrastructure. In fact, many business organizations invest a higher proportion of their finances in forming and implementing an innovation strategy than others.  

Leukopenia And Leukemia Risk Factors Biology Essay

Leukopenia And Leukemia Risk Factors Biology Essay A clinical condition, known as leukopenia occasionally occurs in which the bone marrow produces very few white blood cells, leaving the body unprotected against many bacteria and other agents that might invade the tissues. Normally, the human body lives in symbiosis with many bacteria, because all the mucous membranes of the body are constantly exposed to large numbers of bacteria. The mouth almost always contains various spirochetal, pneumococcal, and streptococcal bacteria, and these same bacteria are present to a lesser extent in the entire respiratory tract. The distal gastrointestinal tract is especially loaded with colon bacilli. Furthermore, one can always find bacteria on the surfaces of the eyes, urethra, and vagina. Any decrease in the number of white blood cells immediately allows invasion of adjacent tissues by bacteria that are already present. Within 2 days after the bone marrow stops producing white blood cells, ulcers may appear in the mouth and colon, or the person might develop some form of severe respiratory infection. Bacteria from the ulcers rapidly invade surrounding tissues and the blood. Without treatment, death often ensues in less than a week after acute total leukopenia begins. Irradiation of the body by x-rays or gamma rays, or exposure to drugs and chemicals that contain benzene or anthracene nuclei, is likely to cause aplasia of the bone marrow. Indeed, some common drugs, such as chloramphenicol (an antibiotic), thiouracil (used to treat thyrotoxicosis), and even various barbiturate hypnotics, on very rare occasions cause leukopenia, thus setting off the entire infectious sequence of this malady. After moderate irradiation injury to the bone marrow, some stem cells, myeloblasts, and hemocytoblasts may remain undestroyed in the marrow and are capable of regenerating the bone marrow, provided sufficient time is available. A patient properly treated with transfusions, plus antibiotics and other drugs to ward off infection, usually develops enough new bone marrow within weeks to months for blood cell concentrations to return to normal. Leukemia Leukemia is a cancer of one class of white blood cells in the bone marrow, which results in the proliferation of that cell type to the exclusion of other types. Leukemia appears to be a clonal disorder, meaning one abnormal cancerous cell proliferates without control, producing an abnormal group of daughter cells. These cells prevent other blood cells in the bone marrow from developing normally, causing them to accumulate in the marrow. Because of these factors, leukemia is called an accumulation and a clonal disorder. Eventually, leukemic cells take over the bone marrow. This reduces blood levels of all nonleukemic cells, causing the many generalized symptoms of leukemia. Types of Leukemia Leukemia is described as acute or chronic, depending on the suddenness of appearance and how well differentiated the cancerous cells are. The cells of acute leukemia are poorly differentiated, whereas those of chronic leukemia are usually well differentiated. Leukemia is also described based on the proliferating cell type. For instance, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common childhood leukemia, describes a cancer of a primitive lymphocyte cell line. Granulocytic leukemias are leukemias of the eosinophils, neutrophils, or basophils. Leukemia in adults is usually chronic lymphocytic or acute myeloblastic. Long-term survival rates for leukemia depend on the involved cell type, but range to more than 75% for childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia, which is a remarkable statistic for what was once a nearly always fatal disease. Risk Factors for Developing Leukemia Risk factors for leukemia include a genetic predisposition coupled with a known or unknown initiator (mutating) event. Siblings of children with leukemia are 2 to 4 times more likely to develop the disease than other children. Certain abnormal chromosomes are seen in a high percentage of patients with leukemia. Likewise, individuals with certain chromosomal abnormalities, including Down syndrome, have an increased risk of developing leukemia. Exposures to radiation, some drugs that depress the bone marrow, and various chemotherapeutic agents have been suggested to increase the risk of leukemia. Environmental agents such as pesticides and certain viral infections also have been implicated. Previous illness with a variety of diseases associated with hematopoiesis (blood cell production) has been shown to increase the risk of leukemia. These diseases include Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma, polycythemia vera, sideroblastic anemia, and myelodysplastic syndromes. Chronic leukemia may sometimes transform into acute leukemia. Clinical Manifestations Acute leukemia has marked clinical manifestations. Chronic leukemia progresses slowly and may have few symptoms until advanced. Pallor and fatigue from anemia. Frequent infections caused by a decrease in white blood cells. Bleeding and bruising caused by thrombocytopenia and coagulation disorders. Bone pain caused by accumulation of cells in the marrow, which leads to increased pressure and cell death. Unlike growing pains, bone pain related to leukemia is usually progressive. Weight loss caused by poor appetite and increased caloric consumption by neoplastic cells. Lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, and hepatomegaly caused by leukemic cell infiltration of these lymphoid organs may develop. Central nervous system symptoms may occur. Diagnostic Tools Laboratory findings include alterations in specific blood cell counts, with overall elevation or deficiency in white blood cell count variable, depending on the type of cell affected. Bone marrow tests demonstrate clonal proliferation and blood cell accumulation. Cerebral spinal fluid is examined to rule out central nervous system involvement. Complications Children who survive leukemia have an increased risk of developing a new malignancy later on in life when compared to children who have never had leukemia, most likely related to the aggressiveness of chemotherapeutic (or radiological) regimens. Treatment regimens, including bone marrow transplant, are associated with temporary bone marrow depression, and increase the risk of developing a severe infection that could lead to death. Even with successful treatment and remission, leukemic cells may still persist, suggesting residual disease. Implications for prognosis and cure are unclear. Treatment Multiple drug chemotherapy. Antibiotics to prevent infection. Transfusions of red blood cells and platelets to reverse anemia and prevent bleeding. Bone marrow transplant may successfully treat the disease. Blood products and broad spectrum antibiotics are provided during bone marrow transplant procedures to fight and prevent infection. Immunotherapy, including interferons and other cytokines, is used to improve outcome. Therapy may be more conservative for chronic leukemia. The treatments described earlier may contribute to the symptoms by causing further bone marrow depression, nausea, and vomiting. Nausea and vomiting may be controlled or reduced by pharmacologic and behavioral intervention. Anthocyanins (chemicals with known antioxidant and liver protecting properties) isolated from the plant Hibiscus sabdariffa are being studied as chemopreventive agents in that they cause cancer cell apoptosis (death) in human promyelocytic leukemia cells. Anemia Anemia is a condition in which there is a reduced number of red blood cells or decreased concentration of hemoglobin in those cells or both. Anemia is often a manifestation of some disease process or abnormality within the body. Although there are many causes of anemia, the actual mechanism by which the anemia results is generally due to (1) excess loss or destruction of red blood cells and (2) reduced or defective production of red blood cells. Anemias may be classified according to cause or effect on red cell morphology Size changes Normocytic anemia RBC size is unchanged Example: Blood loss anemia Macrocytic anemia RBC size is increased Example: B12/folic acid deficiency anemia Microcytic anemia RBC size is reduced Example: Iron deficiency anemia Color changes (due to altered hemoglobin content) Normochromic Normal hemoglobin concentration Hypochromic Reduced hemoglobin concentration Example: Iron deficiency anemia may be classified as a microcytic, hypochromic anemia as both red blood cell size and hemoglobin content are reduced General manifestations of anemia A major feature of anemia is a reduced capacity for the transport of oxygen to tissues. This reduced oxygen delivery can result in the following: Ischemia Fatigability Breathlessness upon exertion Exercise intolerance Pallor Increased susceptibility to infection Types of anemia Hemolytic anemia Anemia that results from excess destruction of red blood cells (hemolysis). Factors that may cause hemolysis include the following: Autoimmune destruction of red blood cells Certain drugs (example: quinine) or toxins Cancers such as lymphoma and leukemia Rheumatoid arthritis Certain viral infections (parvovirus) Parasitic infections (malaria) Blood loss anemia Anemia that results from acute blood loss. With acute loss of large amounts of blood, shock is the major concern. With chronic loss of smaller amounts of blood, iron deficiency is a chief concern. Causes of acute and chronic blood loss may include the following: Trauma and hemorrhage Malignancy Peptic ulcers Iron-deficiency anemia Iron-deficiency anemia is a major cause of anemia worldwide. It can occur as a result of iron-deficient diets. Vegetarians are at particular risk for iron deficiency as are menstruating or pregnant women due to increased requirement for iron. Iron-deficiency anemia may also result from poor absorption of iron from the intestine or persistent blood loss (e.g., ulcers, neoplasia). Because iron is the functional component of hemoglobin, lack of available iron will result in a decreased hemoglobin synthesis and subsequent impairment of red blood cell oxygen-carrying capacity. Cobalamin-deficiency or folate-deficiency anemia Cobalamin (vitamin B 12) and folic acid are essential nutrients required for DNA synthesis and red cell maturation, respectively. Deficiency of these nutrients will lead to the formation of red blood cells that are of abnormal shape with shortened life spans due to weakened cell membranes. One important cause of vitamin B 12 deficiency is pernicious anemia that results from a lack of intrinsic factor production by the gastric mucosa. Intrinsic factor is required for normal absorption of vitamin B 12 from the intestine. Any intestinal abnormalities (e.g., neoplasia, inflammation) that interfere with the production of intrinsic factor can lead to vitamin B 12 deficiency. Folic acid deficiency most commonly results from poor diet, malnutrition or intestinal malabsorption. Inherited anemia Anemia may also result from genetic defects in red blood cell structure or function. Two common genetic disorders of erythrocytes are sickle cell anemia and thalassemia. Both of these disorders result from abnormal or absent genes for the production of hemoglobin. Sickle cell disease Sickle cell disease is a group of autosomal recessive disorders characterized by abnormal hemoglobin production. In the United States the highest prevalence of sickle cell disease is in blacks with a reported incidence of approximately 1 in 500 births. Sickle cell disease has several patterns of inheritance that determine the severity of the disease in afflicted individuals. In the homozygous form of the disease, most of the hemoglobin formed is defective and the clinical presentation is most severe. With the heterozygous form of the disease, less than half of the red cell hemoglobin is affected and the presentation is significantly milder. Individuals may also inherit the sickle cell trait and be carriers of the defective hemoglobin gene without significant clinical manifestations. Manifestations of sickle cell disease: The abnormal hemoglobin formed in sickle cell disease results from a substitution mutation of a single amino acid. This mutation causes the deoxygenated hemoglobin to clump and become abnormally rigid. The rigidity of the defective hemoglobin deforms the pliable red blood cell membrane and causes erythrocytes to take on sickled or half-moon appearance. The degree of sickling that occurs is determined by the amount of abnormal hemoglobin within the red blood cell and only occurs when the abnormal hemoglobin is deoxygenated. As a result of their elongated shape and rigidity, affected blood cells do not pass easily through narrow blood vessels. Hemolysis of sickled red blood cells is also common. The spleen is a major site of red cell hemolysis since the blood vessels found within this organ are narrow and convoluted. As a result of the sluggish blood flow, many tissues and organs of the body are eventually affected by this disorder. Specific manifestations may include the following: Impaired oxygen-carrying capacity resulting in fatigue, pallor Occlusion of blood vessels leading to ischemia, hypoxia, pain Organ damage Splenomegaly due to increased destruction of red blood cells in this organ Jaundice as a result of increased amounts of hemoglobin released into circulation Increased risk of infection and possible septicemia due to stagnation of blood Thalassemia Thalassemia is a genetic disorder characterized by absent or defective production of hemoglobin ÃŽÂ ± or ÃŽÂ ² chains. As with sickle cell anemia, afflicted individuals may be heterozygous for the trait and have a milder presentation of the disease or homozygous and have a more severe form of the disorder. The ÃŽÂ ² form of thalassemia (defective formation of ÃŽÂ ² hemoglobin chains) is most common in individuals from Mediterranean populations, whereas the ÃŽÂ ± form of thalassemia (defective formation of ÃŽÂ ± hemoglobin chains) occurs mostly in Asians. Both the ÃŽÂ ± and ÃŽÂ ² forms of thalassemia are common in blacks. Manifestations of thalassemia In heterozygous individuals enough normal hemoglobin is usually synthesized to prevent significant anemia. In these individuals symptoms of anemia may appear only with exercise or physiologic stress. Homozygous individuals are often dependent on frequent transfusions to treat the resulting severe anemia. Children affected with the homozygous form may suffer severe growth retardation. The widespread hypoxia that can result from impaired oxygen-carrying capacity leads to erythropoietin-induced increases in hematopoiesis that can eventually affect the structure of the long bones. Severe anemia may also lead to congestive heart failure and marked hepatosplenomegaly. Excessive hemolysis of red blood cells may occur in severe forms of the disease due to overproduction of the normal hemoglobin subunit. Iron deposits from increased absorption and frequent transfusions may injure the liver and heart as well. Treatment of sickle cell anemia and thalassemia Individuals with inherited anemia should avoid physiologic stresses that might exacerbate hypoxia. Infections should be avoided and promptly treated if they occur to prevent a possible hypoxic crisis. Proper immunizations and vaccinations should be administered to lessen the chance of infection. Frequent transfusions of normal erythrocytes are commonly used in individuals with severe forms of inherited anemia during periods of crisis. These individuals are at risk for iron accumulation as well as contracting blood-borne pathogens such as hepatitis and HIV from improperly screened blood. Bone marrow transplant may be utilized effectively to cure patients with genetic anemias; however, the procedure carries considerable risk of its own. Aplastic anemia Aplastic anemia results from a lack of red blood cell production by the bone marrow. If erythrocyte stem cell precursors are lacking or destroyed, the process of erythropoiesis will be severely impaired. Aplastic anemia may result from a congenital defect in stem cell production or can be caused by exposure to agents that damage the bone marrow such as Chemicals (organic solvents, heavy metals), radiation, toxins, HIV infection, chemotherapeutic drugs and certain antibiotics (Chloramphenicol). Drug-induced aplastic anemia is usually a dose-dependent phenomenon. The clinical manifestations of aplastic anemia will depend on the extent to which hematopoiesis is impaired. General symptoms of anemia such as pallor, fatigue and lethargy can occur initially. Bleeding in the skin and from the nose, mouth and body orifices may also occur from a lack of platelet production by the abnormal bone marrow. Increased susceptibility to infection is also seen as a result of diminished white blood cell production. The underlying cause of the aplastic anemia needs to be identified and further exposure prevented. Treatment should also include avoidance of physiologic stresses and infection. Transfusions are effective for temporarily improving oxygen-carrying capacity. In severe cases, bone marrow transplant may offer a cure. Polycythemia Polycythemia is a disorder in which the number of red blood cells in circulation is greatly increased. There are two categories of polycythemia: relative and primary. Relative polycythemia results from an increase in the concentration of red blood cells due to a loss of plasma volume. In contrast, primary polycythemia (polycythemia vera) is caused by excessive proliferation of bone marrow stem cells. Polycythemia vera is a rare neoplastic disorder that occurs in men between the ages of 40 and 60. A secondary form of polycythemia may occur from excess erythropoietin production as a physiologic response to hypoxia. Secondary polycythemia may be seen in individuals living at high altitudes, in chronic smokers or in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Manifestations Increased blood volume and viscosity Increased risk of thrombus Occlusion of small blood vessels Hepatosplenomegaly from pooling of blood Impaired blood flow to tissues (ischemia) Treatment Increasing fluid volume in relative polycythemia Periodic removal of blood to reduce viscosity and volume in primary polycythemia Chemotherapy or radiation to suppress activity of bone marrow stem cells in polycythemia vera Thrombocytopenia (Purpura) Thrombocytopenia represents a decrease in the number of circulating platelets (usually less than 100,000/mm3). It can result from decreased platelet production by the bone marrow, increased pooling of platelets in the spleen, or decreased platelet survival caused by immune or nonimmune mechanisms. Dilutional thrombocytopenia can result from massive transfusions because blood stored for more that 24 hours has virtually no platelets. Decreased platelet production can result from suppression or failure of bone marrow function, such as occurs in aplastic anemia, or from replacement of bone marrow by malignant cells, such as occurs in leukemia. Infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) suppresses the production of megakaryocytes. Radiation therapy and drugs such as those used in the treatment of cancer may suppress bone marrow function and reduce platelet production. There may be normal production of platelets but excessive pooling of platelets in the spleen. The spleen normally sequesters approximately 30% to 40% of the platelets. However, as much as 80% of the platelets can be sequestered when the spleen is enlarged (splenomegaly). Splenomegaly occurs in cirrhosis with portal hypertension and in lymphomas. Decreased platelet survival is an important cause of thrombocytopenia. In many cases, premature destruction of platelets is caused by antiplatelet antibodies or immune complexes. The antibodies can be directed against self-antigens (autoimmunity) or against nonself platelet antigens (from blood transfusions). Autoimmune thrombocytopenias include idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and HIV-associated thrombocytopenias. Decreased platelet survival may also occur as the result of mechanical injury associated with prosthetic heart valves. Drug-Induced Thrombocytopenia Some drugs, such as quinine, quinidine, and certain sulfa-containing antibiotics, may induce thrombocytopenia. These drugs act as a hapten and induce antigen-antibody response and formation of immune complexes that cause platelet destruction by complement-mediated lysis. In persons with drug-associated thrombocytopenia, there is a rapid fall in platelet count within 2 to 3 days of resuming use of a drug or 7 or more days (i.e., the time needed to mount an immune response) after starting use of a drug for the first time. The platelet count rises rapidly after the drug use is discontinued. The anticoagulant drug heparin has been increasingly implicated in thrombocytopenia and, paradoxically, in thrombosis. The complications typically occur 5 days after the start of therapy and result from production of heparin-dependent antiplatelet antibodies that cause aggregation of platelets and their removal from the circulation. The antibodies often bind to vessel walls, causing injury and thrombosis. The newer, low-molecular-weight heparin has been shown to be effective in reducing the incidence of heparin-induced complications compared with the older, high-molecular-weight form of the drug. Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, an autoimmune disorder, results in platelet antibody formation and excess destruction of platelets. The IgG antibody binds to two identified membrane glycoproteins while in the circulation. The platelets, which are made more susceptible to phagocytosis because of the antibody, are destroyed in the spleen. Acute idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is more common in children and usually follows a viral infection. It is characterized by sudden onset of petechiae and purpura and is a self-limited disorder with no treatment. In contrast, the chronic form is usually seen in adults and seldom follows an infection. It is a disease of young people, with a peak incidence between the ages of 20 and 50 years, and is seen twice as often in women as in men. It may be associated with other immune disorders such as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or systemic lupus erythematosus. The condition occasionally presents precipitously with signs of bleeding, often into the skin (i.e., purpura and petechiae) or oral mucosa. There is commonly a history of bruising, bleeding from gums, epistaxis (i.e., nosebleeds), and abnormal menstrual bleeding. Because the spleen is the site of platelet destruction, splenic enlargement may occur. Diagnosis usually is based on severe thrombocytopenia (platelet counts Treatment includes the initial use of corticosteroid drugs, often followed by splenectomy and the use of immunosuppressive agents. Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TPP) is a combination of thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, signs of vascular occlusion, fever, and neurologic abnormalities. The onset is abrupt, and the outcome may be fatal. Widespread vascular occlusions consist of thrombi in arterioles and capillaries of many organs, including the heart, brain, and kidneys. Erythrocytes become fragmented as they circulate through the partly occluded vessels and cause the hemolytic anemia. The clinical manifestations include purpura and petechiae and neurologic symptoms ranging from headache to seizures and altered consciousness. Although TTP may have diverse causes, the initiating event seems to be widespread endothelial damage and activation of intravascular thrombosis. Toxins produced by certain strains of Escherichia coli (e.g., E. coli O157:H7) are a trigger for endothelial damage and an associated condition called the hemolytic-uremic syndrome. Treatment for TTP includes plasmapheresis, a procedure that involves removal of plasma from withdrawn blood and replacement with fresh-frozen plasma. The treatment is continued until remission occurs. With plasmapheresis treatment, there is a complete recovery in 80% to 90% of cases. Fibrinogen Deficiency Factor I (or fibrinogen) deficiency is a very rare inherited disorder with complications that vary with the severity of the disorder. It is not well known, even among health professionals. Discovery Factor I deficiency was described for the first time in 1920 by Fritz Rabe and Eugene Salomon. These two German physicians are credited with discovering the disorder. They studied the case of a 9-year-old boy who presented unexplained bleeding problems from birth. Blood tests finally demonstrated the absence of fibrinogen in the childs blood. His parents were first cousins, but they showed no bleeding problems. The two researchers established that it was an inherited disorder often found in subjects whose parents were blood relatives. Since then, knowledge about the condition has advanced considerably. What is Fibrinogen? Fibrinogen, also called Factor I, is a blood plasma protein produced by the liver that plays an important role in blood coagulation. Blood coagulation is a process in which several components of the blood form a clot. When blood escapes from a rupture in a blood vessel, coagulation is triggered. Several proteins, called coagulation factors, go into action to produce thrombin. The thrombin then converts fibrinogen to fibrin. Fibrin produced from fibrinogen is the main protein in a blood clot. It surrounds the cells in the blood and plasma and helps form the clot. The resulting clot, which is stabilized by Factor XIII, remains intact from 10 to 14 days, the time required for healing to take place. When there is a problem with fibrinogen, i.e., either it is missing or it does not function properly, the clot has difficulty forming. This can result in hemorrhaging or thrombosis. The normal volume of fibrinogen in the blood is from 2 to 4 g/l (grams/litre). The amount of fibrinogen in blood can be measured from a blood sample. The following diagram was devised by a Toronto laboratory technician. It shows the stages in clot formation in a way that makes it easier to understand the theoretical notions explained above. Types of Fibrinogen Deficiency There are three types of deficiency: Afibrinogenemia: (absence of fibrinogen) In this type of factor I deficiency, there is a complete absence of fibrinogen. The fibrinogen level is Hypofibrinogenemia (lower than normal level) Dysfibrinogenemia (improper functioning) Transmission of Fibrinogen Deficiency Fibrinogen deficiency is a very rare inherited bleeding disorder. It is transmitted from parent to child at conception. The disorder is caused by an abnormal gene. It affects both men and women, as well as people of all races and ethnic origins. Every cell of the body contains chromosomes. A chromosome is a long chain of a substance called DNA. DNA is organized in 30,000 units: these are called genes. The genes determine physical characteristics, such as eye colour. In the case of fibrinogen deficiency, one of the genes involved is defective. The defective gene in fibrinogen deficiency is located on a chromosome that is not responsible for the childs sex (autosomal). As a result, both girls and boys can be affected equally. Afibrinogenemia (absence of fibrinogen) This is a recessive disorder, which means that both parents must be carriers. In order for a person to inherit fibrinogen deficiency, he must receive two defective genes, one from the mother and the other from the father. A carrier is a person who has only one of the two defective genes, but is not affected by the disorder: the second gene enables just enough fibrinogen to be made for good coagulation. The fibrinogen level will be lower than normal, but there will be no symptoms of the disorder. Hypofibrinogenemia and dysfibrinogenemia These are inherited disorders that can be either dominant or recessive. Dominant means that a single parent can transmit the disorder if he or she is a carrier. Recessive means that both parents must be carriers of the disorder in order to transmit it. Symptoms Afibrinogenemia (absence of fibrinogen) In congenital afibrinogenemia (fibrinogen level Other types of bleeding have been described: bruises bleeding from the gums epistaxis (nosebleeds) gastrointestinal hemorrhage genito-urinary hemorrhage intra-cranial hemorrhage rupture of the spleen and hemorrhage in the spleen About 20% of those suffering from afibrinogenemia present hemarthroses (bleeding in the joints). Because of this particular feature, the disorder may be confused with hemophilia A or B. Hypofibrinogenemia (lower than normal level) Bleeding in hypofibrinogenemia is much like what is seen in afibrinogenemia. It can be more or less serious, depending on fibrinogen levels, which can vary from 0.2 to 0.8 g/L of plasma. The higher the fibrinogen level, the less bleeding. The lower the fibrinogen level, the more bleeding. Dysfibrinogenemia (improper functioning) In dysfibrinogenemia, the quantity of fibrinogen is normal, which means between 2 and 4 g/L. Bleeding can vary depending on how the fibrinogen is functioning. Bleeding may: be absent (no symptoms) show a tendency toward hemorrhage (as described in afibrinogenemia) show a tendency toward thrombosis How to Recognize Bleeding It is strongly recommended that people who suffer from afibrinogenemia or severe hypofibrinogenemia learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of bleeding that could threaten their lives or the integrity of a limb, so they can react adequately and in a reasonable time. The information below describes the main types of bleeding that may occur in someone with a coagulation disorder. Bleeding that affects the head, neck, thorax (chest) or abdomen can be life-threatening and may require immediate medical attention. Bear in mind that this kind of bleeding can occur either following an injury or spontaneously (without injury). Head The brain, which is protected by the skull, controls all bodily functions that are essential to life. Bleeding in the brain is very serious. Signs and symptoms: Heada