Bike renting service Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Bike renting service - Essay Example At the same time, survey data in 2008 Olympic Scientific Congress showed that 65.68% University students lack of exercise (). Accompanied with the increasing environmental awareness and the economic crisis, biking has become more and more the preferred method of transportation. Even disregarding the savings potential, cycling also has many health benefits. As more oxygen is intake it speeds up blood circulation; this can also prevent of brain aging. Periodic aerobic exercise consumes many calories and can affect significant weight loss as well. Moreover, due to the improvements in one’s muscle, heart and lungs, cycling aids longevity. In a recent survey by the International Health Commission, postmen live longer than any other occupation. One of the major reasons is because they often deliver letters by bike. Following these reasons, it is useful to build a bike rental service in Scarborough campus. Not only can this make the traffic more convenient but it also can protect the environment and help students stay fit. The purpose of this research was first to investigate whether the respondents would be interested in a bike renting service. Secondly, to try and find out a suitable price that could be accepted by the renters and what accessories should be afforded, to target future campaigns effectively. Furthermore, it will assess the limitations of the plan and the feasibility of the project. The purpose of this report was to carry out an independent investigation on a feasible and practical service or facility that you feel could be introduced to enhance life on Scarborough Campus. Most of the data used in this research report was primary data collected through on-line questionnaires and some interviews. The reason for this is that primary data is more suitable to research on campus service planning. Data can be collected from the target market,

Best marketing practices in travel trade industry Essay

Best marketing practices in travel trade industry - Essay Example In this "Best marketing practices in travel trade industry" essay, the author describes the changes that the Internet has brought into travel industry and also possibilities that it gave. This work also portrays the best examples of travel marketing on the Internet. To get an idea about the optimal and more advanced way of travel marketing through internet an example of YellowstonePark.com is cited. The online travel company YellowstonePark.com is voted the number one tourism site of the world with about 60 million hits recorded. (â€Å"Online Marketing Strategies for Travel USA 2009†, 2009) The company focuses on a policy where it does not only promotes the trip planning to the customers but eventually inspires them. The tourism site intelligently uses destination-focuses travel notes which engage the customers more. The average time spent by any customer is about 15 minutes. (â€Å"Online Marketing Strategies for Travel USA 2009†, 2009) The company also uses email as one of the major cost effective sources to turn the web browsers into actual visitors and finally converting them into customers. (â€Å"Online Marketing Strategies for Travel USA 2009†, 2009) The feedback process and the other interactive internet uses actually increase the popularity of the site and also for the company. It should be noted that the level of negotiation between the different service providers will influence the electronic business transactions to a significant level. (Velasquez, Rios, Howlett, Jain, 2009, p.103).

A Spatial Median Filter for Noise Removal in Digital Images Essay Example for Free

A Spatial Median Filter for Noise Removal in Digital Images Essay With each snap of a digital photograph, a signal is transmitted from photon sensor to a memory chip embedded inside a camera. Transmission technology is prone to a degree of error, and noise is added to each photograph. Signi? cant work has been done in both hardware and software to improve the signal-to-noise ratio in digital photography. In software, a smoothing ? lter is used to remove noise from an image. Each pixel is represented by three scalar values representing the red, green, and blue chromatic intensities. At each pixel studied, a smoothing ? lter takes into account the surrounding pixels to derive a more accurate version of this pixel. By taking neighboring pixels into consideration, extreme â€Å"noisy† pixels can be replaced. However, outlier pixels may represent uncorrupted ? ne details, which may be lost due to the smoothing process. This paper examines four common smoothing algorithms and introduces a new smoothing algorithm. These algorithms can be applied to one-dimensional as well as two-dimensional signals. Figure 1. Examples of common ? ltering approaches. (a) Original Image (b) Mean Filtering (c) Median Filtering (d) Root Signal of Median Filtering (e) Component wise Median Filtering (f) Vector Median Filtering. The simplest of these algorithms is the Mean Filter as de? ned in (1). The Mean Filter is a linear ? lter which uses a mask over each pixel in the signal. Each of the components of the pixels which fall under the mask are averaged together to form a single pixel. This new pixel is then used to replace the pixel in the signal studied. The Mean Filter is poor at maintaining edges within the image. 1 N ? xi N i=1 MEANFILT ER(x1 , , xN ) = (1) The use of the median in signal processing was ? rst introduced by J. W. Tukey [1]. When ? ltering using the Simple Median Filter, an original pixel and the resulting ? ltered pixel of the sample studied are sometimes the same pixel. A pixel that does not change due to ? ltering is known as the root of the mask. It can be shown that after suf? cient iterations of median ? ltering, every signal converges to a root signal [2]. The Component Median Filter, de? ned in (3), also relies on the statistical median concept. In the Simple Median Filter, each point in the signal is converted to a single magnitude. In the Component Median Filter each scalar component is treated independently. A ? lter mask is placed over a point in the signal. For each component of each point under the mask, a single median component is determined. These components are then combined to form a new point, which is then used to represent the point in the signal studied. When working with color images, however, this ? lter regularly outperforms the Simple Median Filter. When noise affects a point in a grayscale image, the result is called â€Å"salt and pepper† noise. In color images, this property of â€Å"salt and pepper† noise is typical of noise models where only one scalar value of a point is affected.

Evaluation Of Progesterone And Estrogen Biology Essay

Evaluation Of Progesterone And Estrogen Biology Essay Steroid hormones viz. progesterone, estrogen were estimated through TLC in a concentration and time dependent manner i.e. 2.5mg/ml, 5.0mg/ml for 30 45 minutes and, 0.2mg/ml, 0.4mg/ml for 30 45 minutes respectively. Progesterone and estrogen were stained with 50% v/v aq. solution of Conc. H2SO4 and were estimated through TLC in a concentration and time dependent manner.Different steroid hormones travel at different rates due to the differences in their attraction to the stationary phase and because of differences in solubility in the solvent. These Rf values obtained from both the hormones were then compared and it was found that there was a reasonable difference. Further, a study on the interaction of steroid hormones with fatty acids and proteins was undertaken using a spectrophotometer. Steroid hormones viz. progesterone and estrogen were made to interact with measured amounts of alcohol, stearic acid and bovine serum albumin (BSA) and their absorbance were recorded at the excita tion wavelength of 410 nm using a spectrophotometer. Progesterone (conc.2mg/ml) and estrogen (conc. 0.5mg/ml) were each mixed with 0.1 ml, 0.2ml and 0.4ml of stearic acid (conc. 0.5mg/ml) and 5 mg, 10 mg and 15 mg of BSA separately and their absorbance were noted at 410nm. A slight shift in the absorbance was found on the overall interaction of steroids: progesterone and estrogen with alcohol, stearic acid and BSA respectively, when excited to 410 nm. Thus an attempt was made to establish a valid spectrophotometric procedure for the study of interaction of steroid hormones with fatty acids and proteins. Key words: Progesterone, estrogen, stearic acid, bovine serum albumin, chromatography Running title : Evaluation of progesterone and estrogen Introduction: Steroids are a class of compounds that have a cyclopentano-perhydro-phenanthrene skeleton and that occur in nature and in synthetic products. The bile acids, androgens, estrogens, corticosteroids, ecdysteroids, sterols and vitamin D are compounds included in the class of steroids. Steroids and their metabolites are analyzed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) in a variety of samples such as biological samples or plants and pharmaceutical formulations. TLC continues to be an important method for the determination of steroids because of its advantages. Many samples can be analyzed simultaneously and quickly at relatively low cost, multiple separation techniques and detection procedures can be applied and the detection limits are often in the low nanogram range and quantitative densitometric methods are accurate. The albumin-mediated hepatic uptakes of free fatty acids [1], bile acids and Rose Bengal [2] have been reported, but the kinetics are not sufficiently clear. It was suggested by some experimental results in vitro using a liquid membrane system (hexane source phase/bovine serum/hexane receiving phase) that the rate of uptake of steroids from blood to intracellular space is controlled not only in the free form but also in forms bound with serum proteins such as albumin [3]. Nowadays, it is commonly accepted that the fractions of steroids which bind with high affinity to plasma proteins such as globulins are less easily available to tissues. Although steroids bind with low affinity to human serum albumin (HSA), most of the circulating steroids were bound to HSA due to the high concentration of albumin [4]. Recent studies have shown that, in addition to free steroids, those bound to albumin in plasma may also be available to tissues [5]. The binding of steroids to albumin is affected by temperature, pH, fatty acid and competing ligands. Plasma levels of FFA vary throughout the day [6] and the availability of steroids to tissues is changed by FFA binding to alb umin. Serum albumin is the most abundant protein in the circulatory system, accounting for 60% of the total serum protein . In mammals, albumin is synthesized by the liver and possesses a half-life in circulation of 19 days. Its principal function is to transport fatty acids, a great variety of metabolites and drugs such as anti-coagulants, tranquilizers and general anesthetics. Serum albumin has been one of the most studied proteins for over 40 years because its primary structure is very well known for a long time and its tertiary structure was determined a few years ago by X-ray crystallography. It is known that progesterone and estrogen were bound to the same site on serum albumin (SA) [7] and consequently a competition effect exist probably between these two steroid sex-hormones. Then, even if in vivo, the balance between the progesterone and the estrogen rate was controlled by multiple mechanisms and Gleasons observation could be explained by an enhancement of the progesterone displacement to its SA binding site by estrogen when Mg2+ cation concentration increased [8]. SA is the major plasma protein responsible for the reversible binding of a wide range of drugs [9]. Extensive studies on different aspects of drug-SA interactions are still in progress because of the clinical significance of the process, especially in the case of tightly bound drugs (K > 105Mà ¢Ã‹â€ Ã¢â‚¬â„¢1) [10]. Numerous analytical techniques are used for protein binding studies and they are continuously being added to, along with extending knowledge about the complex mechanisms involved in the drug-SA binding process [11]. It has recognized that an inverse relationship exists between the number of polar groups in a steroid and the strength of interaction with serum albumin. With the aid of a spectrophotometric procedure (12), the validity of which was established by a comparison with the method of equilibrium dialysis, the influence of structural alterations in sex steroids on the interaction with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated. It was found that introduction of 0x0 or hydroxyl groups in various positions weakens this interaction, and that introduction of methyl groups has the opposite effect. Characteristic differences were noted for CY substituents in their influence on the strength of association. Furthermore, the elution profiles of gel-filtration chromatography clearly showed that progesterone and testosterone are easily liberated from the steroid/BSA complexes and that FFA potentiates the binding of these steroids to BSA. In the case of HSA, the binding affini ties of progesterone and testosterone were not greatly affected by bound FFA [13,14]. This study was undertaken towards chromatographic evaluation of progesterone and estrogen using the H2SO4 staining method and spectrophotometric analysis of the interaction of both the sex steroids with BSA and stearic acid. Materials and Methods: Drugs and chemicals: Progesterone, Estrogen, Silica gel (ACME Chemicals, India) Sulphuric acid reagent, benzene, ethyl acetate, bovine serum albumin, stearic acid, ethanol, propylene glycol TLC Equipment: All the equipments used for TLC used were from ACME synthetics, Mumbai, India. Acme applicator, TLC glass plates, Beakers, Capillary pipettes for spotting solutions, Rulers, hot plates, Gloves were used for all chemical usage. Thin layer chromatography: This  is a chromatography  technique used to separate mixtures.  Thin layer chromatography is performed on a sheet of glass, plastic, or aluminum foil, which is coated with a thin layer of  adsorbent  material, usually  silica gel, aluminium oxide, or  cellulose. This layer of adsorbent is known as the  stationary phase. After the sample has been applied on the plate, a  solvent  or solvent mixture (known as the  mobile phase) is drawn up by the plate via  capillary action. Because different  analytes ascend the TLC plate at different rates, separation is achieved. In steroid analysis, TLC is the method of choice, especially when many simultaneous analyses have to be carried out, hundreds of analyses can be performed in a short time and with small demands on equipment and space. Samples can be analyzed with minimal clean up, and analyzing a sample by the use of multiple separation steps and static post-chromatographic detection procedure is also possible because all sample components are stored on the layer without the chance of loss. The time required in TLC analysis is about 10-60 min. As little as 0.001  µg of steroids/spot can be can be detected by TLC. Using a TLC plate with thicker adsorbent layers (0.5-2 min), several grams of substance can be isolated. Sulphuric acid staining method: After plate development, the plate is dried and sprayed with a 50% v/v aqueous solution of sulfuric acid in a fume hood. The hood was exposed to extremely corrosive materials and, thus, all fittings were made of glass or acid resistant plastic. After spraying, and while still in the fume hood, the plate is heated to about 80ËÅ ¡C for about 45 minutes on a hot plate or in an oven. The solutes are partially oxidized leaving behind a charred deposit of black carbon that is easy to distinguish. This method will detect most in volatile organic compounds. Sulfuric acid spray reagent was found to be particularly suitable for differentiating natural estrogens from diethylstilbestrol in both a mixture of natural steroids and in biologic preparations under daylight as well as ultraviolet light. Solvent system: Benzene and Ethyl acetate in the ratio of 5:1 Spectrophotometric evaluation: Spectrophotometric techniques are used to measure the concentration of solutes in solution by measuring the amount of light that is absorbed by the solution in a cuvette placed in the spectrophotometer. Spectrophotometry takes advantage of the dual nature of light. Namely, light has: 1. A particle nature which gives rise to the photoelectric effect 2. A wave nature which gives rise to the visible spectrum of light. The spectrophotometer can measure the amount of light (of certain frequency) transmitted or adsorbed by the solution. This light that has not been absorbed by the solution in the cuvette, will strike the phototube. The photons of light that strike the phototube will be converted into electrical energy. This current that is produced is very small and must be amplified before it can be efficiently detected. The signal is proportional to the amount of light which originally struck the phototube and is thus an accurate measurement of the amount of light which has passed through (been transmitted by) the sample. Different compounds having dissimilar atomic and molecular interactions have characteristic absorption phenomena and absorption spectra. Concentration of every component may be found from the spectrophotometer measurements and calibration curve made using the samples of known concentration. In this study the spectrophotometer used was Ultrospec III (Pharmacia). All samples were an alysed at an absorbance of 410 nm and optical density was recorded. SULFURIC ACID SPRAY CABINET Experimental Protocols: 1) INTERACTION OF STEROIDS WITH BOVINE SERUM ALBUMIN (BSA) The sample solution consists of progesterone and estrogen mixed each with stearic acid and BSA in three different concentrations and the absorbance is noted at 410 nm. 2ml progesterone (2mg/ml) + 1 ml stearic acid (0.5mg/ml) + 5mg BSA 2ml progesterone (2mg/ml) + 1 ml stearic acid (0.5mg/ml) + 10mg BSA 2ml progesterone (2mg/ml) + 1 ml stearic acid (0.5mg/ml) + 15mg BSA 2ml estrogen (0.5mg/ml) + 1 ml stearic acid (0.5mg/ml) + 5mg BSA 2ml estrogen (0.5mg/ml) + 1 ml stearic acid (0.5mg/ml) + 10mg BSA 2ml estrogen (0.5mg/ml) + 1 ml stearic acid (0.5mg/ml) + 15mg BSA 2) INTERACTION OF STEROIDS WITH ALCOHOLS The sample solution consists of progesterone and estrogen mixed each with ethanol and propylene glycol in the following concentrations and the absorbance of each sample is noted at 410nm. 0.5ml progesterone (2mg/ml) + 2 ml ethanol 0.5ml progesterone (2mg/ml) + 2 ml propylene glycol 0.5ml estrogen (0.5mg/ml) + 2 ml ethanol 0.5ml estrogen (0.5mg/ml) + 2 ml propylene glycol 3) INTERACTION OF STEROIDS WITH STEARIC ACID The sample solution consists of progesterone and estrogen mixed each with ethanol and stearic acid in three different concentrations and the absorbance is noted at 410 nm. 0.5ml progesterone (2mg/ml) + 2 ml ethanol + 0.1 ml stearic acid(0.5mg/ml) 0.5ml progesterone (2mg/ml) + 2 ml ethanol + 0.2 ml stearic acid(0.5mg/ml) 0.5ml progesterone (2mg/ml) + 2 ml ethanol + 0.4 ml stearic acid(0.5mg/ml) 0.5ml estrogen (0.5mg/ml) + 2 ml ethanol + 0.1 ml stearic acid(0.5mg/ml) 0.5ml estrogen (0.5mg/ml) + 2 ml ethanol + 0.2 ml stearic acid(0.5mg/ml) 0.5ml estrogen (0.5mg/ml) + 2 ml ethanol + 0.4 ml stearic acid(0.5mg/ml) Results: The results of experiments conducted with chromatographic and spectrophotometric evaluation of progesterone and estrogen are depicted in Table 1 2 and Figures 1 2. The results show appreciable difference in Rf values of progesterone and estrogen depending on the elution time. Similarly the addition of BSA to the reaction mixture of progesterone and estrogen showed appreciable difference in optical density as depicted in Figures 1 2. Stearic acid (0.5mg) was also able to shift the absorbance values of progesterone. TABLE 1: Conc. H2SO4 STAINED PROGESTERONE S.NO PROGESTE- RON CONC. (mg/ml) TIME DURATION (min) DIST. MOVED BY SOLUTE (cm) DIST. MOVED BY SOLVENT (cm) RETENTION FACTOR (Rf) 1 2.5 30 6.6 7.2 0.916 2 2.5 45 9.3 9.8 0.948 3 5.0 30 6.7 7.2 0.930 4 5.0 45 9.5 9.8 0.969 0.1ml progesterone (25mg/ml) + 50% v/v aq. solution of Conc. H2SO4 0.2ml progesterone (25mg/ml) + 50% v/v aq. solution of Conc. H2SO4 SOLVENT SYSTEM: Benzene and Ethyl acetate in the ratio of 5:1 TABLE 2: Conc. H2SO4 STAINED ESTROGEN S.NO ESTROGEN CONC. (mg/ml) TIME DURATION (min) DIST. MOVED BY SOLUTE (cm) DIST. MOVED BY SOLVENT (cm) RETENTION FACTOR (Rf) 1 0.2 30 6.6 7.8 0.858 2 0.2 45 6.7 8.2 0.804 3 0.4 30 6.8 7.8 0871 4 0.4 45 6.8 8.2 0.829 0.2ml estrogen (1mg/ml) + 50% v/v aq. solution of Conc. H2SO4 0.4ml estrogen (1mg/ml) + 50% v/v aq. solution of Conc. H2SO4 SOLVENT SYSTEM: Benzene and Ethyl acetate in the ratio of 5:1 Figure 1 Figure 2 Discussion: Steroids and their metabolites are analyzed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) in a variety of samples such as biological samples or plants and pharmaceutical formulations. TLC continues to be an important method for the determination of steroids because of its advantages [15].Many samples can be analyzed simultaneously and quickly at relatively low cost, multiple separation techniques and detection procedures can be applied and the detection limits are often in the low nanogram range and quantitative densitometric methods are accurate. The results of this study suggest the novel mechanism using concentrated H2SO4 to identify the eluted progesterone and estrogen on a thin layer chromatography plate. The results of the TLC obtained were satisfactory and although this technique is comparatively old but can be applied to find out the Rf values of the steroids in a simple manner. The benzene and ethyl acetate combination proved to be an effective mobile phase. There was some difference i n the Rf values based on the time duration of TLC but it was marginal. The results are shown in Table 1 and Table 2. To evaluate the effect of fatty acid and protein, stearic acid and BSA, we conducted studies on the absorbance using the spectrophotometer. Our results suggest that addition of BSA to the reaction mixture caused significant change in optical density in both steroids i.e progesterone and estrogen (Fig.1 2). The cellular effects elicited by estrogen and progesterone [16] covalently conjugated to membrane impermeable BSA have been attributed to non-genomic actions mediated by membrane associated hormone receptors. It has previously been established that for physiological concentrations of progesterone and albumin in the circulating blood, approximately 99% of the steroid is bound to albumin. If more than one molecule of the protein participated in the binding of one molecule of progesterone, dimerization or complexing of more than two albumin molecules would result and should be demonstrable by the viscosity and by the sedimentation behavior of the system. Determination of viscosity an d sedimentation constants under the conditions outlined in the experimental part failed to reveal any differences between the albumin solutions with and without progesterone. It was concluded from these findings that only one molecule of human serum albumin complexes with one molecule of progesterone. It would seem reasonable to assume that a similar molar relationship exists in the interaction of other steroid molecules with serum albumin. The steric relationship between the two components in the complex was investigated by measuring the strength of interaction between albumin and epimeric steroids. Such a comparison should permit conclusions as to the spatial arrangement of the interacting molecules. Thus there are multiple reasons for the change in absorbance with addition of BSA to the reaction mixture [17]. Furthermore, fatty acid tends to minimize or eliminate the well-known differences in affinity between bovine and human albumin for interactions with these two steroids [18]. The values for binding affinity in the interaction of testosterone with these batches of human serum albumin are significantly higher than those previously published by some authors and the value for progesterone-bovine albumin interaction is not in accordance with the polarity rule. Studies of these same interactions by ultraviolet difference spectroscopy give further evidence of the augmentation in binding but, in the case of defatted bovine albumin only, the aromatic difference troughs are indicative of tyrosine perturbation whereas refatted bovine albumin, defatted and refatted human albumin manifest tryptophan perturbation. Quantitative correlation of perturbation with level of bound steroid suggests that fatty acid alters the ratio (possibly hydrogen-bonded to non hydrogen-bonded) of two forms of bound ster oid. This concept gains in validity when one considers the nature of the binding forces between steroid and protein. For lack of specific knowledge as to these forces, the binding between neutral steroids and proteins may best be interpreted as mediated by hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces [19]. Common to both of these binding mechanisms is the low energy of the bond, of the order of 5 to 10 kcal per mole, which explains the ready dissociation of the complexes. Furthermore, they are highly dependent upon the distance; the van der Waals forces for spherical atoms are inversely proportional to the seventh power of the distance between the atomic centers. For efficient interaction, therefore, a close fit of the steroid and protein surfaces would be required. Whether the presence of stearic acid alone in any way alters chemical configuration and affects the absorbance by spectrophotometer can only be ascertained by specific chemical tests The change in stearic acid mediated absorbance with progesterone can be attributed to interplay of chemical forces between the steroid and the fatty acid. Studies with lauric, myristic, and palmitic acid showed that the decrease of binding affinity for progesterone was proportional to the amount of fatty acid added to albumin, and to its chain length. These results confirm and extend other findings of inhibition of progesterone binding to human albumin by saturated fatty acids. In conclusion this study describes a novel H2SO4 staining technique to visualize the sex steroids, progesterone and estrogen and a change in spectrophotometric absorbance of progesterone and estrogen by BSA and stearic acid. Legend for Figures and Tables Table 1: Table 1 describes the thin layer chromatographic evaluation of progesterone (2.5 5 mg) conducted using the concentrated H2SO4 staining technique and eluted for a duration of 30 and 45 minutes. The last column of the table shows the Rf values obtained. Table 2: Table 2 describes the thin layer chromatographic evaluation of estrogen (0.2 0.4 mg) conducted using the concentrated H2SO4 staining technique and eluted for a duration of 30 and 45 minutes. The last column of the table shows the Rf values obtained. Figure 1: Figure 2 describes the optical density values at absorbance of 410 nm obtained with estrogen (0.25 1 mg), ethanol (2ml), bovine serum albumin (10mg) and stearic acid (0.5 mg) alone or in combination. Figure 2: This figure describes the optical density values at absorbance of 410 nm obtained with progesterone (1 4 mg), ethanol (2ml), bovine serum albumin (10mg) and stearic acid (0.5 mg) alone or in combination.

Korean Immigrants to America Essay example -- Immigration Essays

Korean Immigrants to America On January 13, 1903, the first Korean Immigrants set foot in Hawaii. There were eighty six people on that first voyage, and since then there have been over 550,000 Koreans who have made the journey to the United States over the past 100 years. The original immigrants and their descendants now total over 1.6 million. Korean Americans make up one of the most prominent Asian communities in the United States. Many elements of Korean Culture, ranging from Kim Chee to Tae Kwon Do, have made their way into the American Lifestyle. There have been many events that have shaped the Korean American community and there are many current issues that affect Korean Americans. Aboard the S.S. Gaelic, the first ship to bring Korean immigrants to the United States, there were only 102 men, women and children (Chow). However, over the next two years, over seven thousand Koreans moved to Hawaii (Kim, 367). Most were young men who came to look for a new life on the sugar cane plantations that needed labor. These plantation workers had hard lives, working to save money to bring their families over from Korea or in hopes of someday returning to their homeland. The period from 1905 to 1924 is characterized by quite a different group of Korean Immigrants. One part of this group was made up of Koreans who were running from their government and students who were studying in the US. Syngman Rhee, who would become the leader of South Korea during the Korean War, was earning his Ph.D. at Princeton University during this time. About 500 students and political refugees arrived in America (... ...st to America: Korean American Life Stories. New York: The New Press, 1996. The pictures used are from the following sites: Adamnski, Mary. â€Å"A Better Life.† The Honolulu Star Bulletin. 12 Jan. 2003. 22. Nov. 2003. (http://starbulletin.com/2003/01/12/news/story3.html) Adamnski, Mary. â€Å"Korean Immigration to Hawaii at a Glance .† The Honolulu Star Bulletin. 12 Jan. 2003. 22. Nov. 2003. (http://starbulletin.com/2003/01/12/news/story3.html) Dayton, Kevin. â€Å"KIM.† The Honolulu Advertiser. 22 Nov. 2003. (http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/specials/korean100/kim/) â€Å"Korean American Archive Photograph Sets.† 12 June, 2003. 22, Nov. 2003. (http://www.usc.edu/isd/archives/arc/findingaids/kaaphotos/index.html) â€Å"Margaret Cho Hires Photo Gallery, Misc.† The Official Margaret Cho Website. 22 Nov. 2003. (http://video.margaretcho.net/margaret_cho_photos/misc.htm)

Regression Results :: Research Analysis

3.3.4. Results For the purpose of finding a suitable function for benefits transfer, different meta-regression models become specified: (i) different functional forms (e.g., a simple linear form versus semi-log form); (ii) a fully specified model including all independent variables and a restricted model on grounds of statistical significance or econometric problems (e.g., multicollinearity); (iii) robust consistent standard errors to correct for heteroskedasticity. As shown by the test for heteroskedasticity (see Table 3.7), a simple linear form has heteroskedasticity. There are several ways to correct for heteroskedasticity (e.g., GLS, WLS, robust consistent errors, and data transformation). For this study, robust consistent standard errors and data transformation (e.g., the log transformation of the dependent variable) are utilized. All independent variables initially are considered, even if later dropped on grounds of statistical significance or econometric problems (e.g., multicollinearity). Some variables (e.g., MSW and ACTIV) are dropped because the variables have multicollinearity and/or are statistically insignificant at the 20% level for optimizing the meta-regression transfer model (suggested by Rosenberger and Loomis (2001, 2003). A wide range of diagnostic tests has been conducted on each regression for benefits transfer (suggested by Walton et al. 2006). The R^2 for the overall fit of the regression, hypothesis tests (F tests and t tests), and diagnostic works (e.g., skewness-kurtosis normality test, Ramsey’s RESET test for the specification error bias, heteroskedasticity test, and multicollinearity assessment) are reported. The F test assesses the null hypothesis that all or some coefficients ( ) on the model’s explanatory variables equal zero i.e., ã€â€"H_0: ÃŽ ² ã€â€"_1= ÃŽ ²_2=â‹ ¯= ÃŽ ²_k=0 for all or some coefficients (Wooldridge 2003). A linear restriction test on some coefficients is useful before dropping the variables when some variables are unreliable due to multicollinearity (Hamilton 2004). An important issue when handling small samples is the potential for multicollinearity which has a high degree of linear relationships between explanatory variables (Walton et al. 2006). The high correlation between estimated coefficients on explanatory variables in small samples can produce possible concerns: (i) substantially higher standard errors with lower t statistics (a greater chance of falsely accepting the null hypothesis in standard significance tests); (ii) unexpected changes in coefficient magnitudes or signs; and (iii) statistically insignificant coefficients despite the high R^2 (Hamilton 2004). A number of tests to indicate the presence and severity of multicollinearity exist (e.g., Durbin-Watson tests, VIF, Tolerance, and a correlation matrix between estimated coefficients). One test is the variance inflation factor (VIF) which measures the degree to which the variance and standard error of an estimated coefficient increase because of the inclusion of the explanatory variable (i.

BP Crisis Communication

A crisis was exactly what British Petroleum (referred to as ‘BP throughout the paper) went through in 2010. It was particularly important to communicate the right way taking all considerations into account. We were wondering how the specific crisis went so wrong and if the use of specific communication strategy was beneficial or not. Hence, the communication strategies used to overcome the crisis can be used by many other companies in the future as guidelines of how to do and, maybe more important, how not to.Also, the intervention from the American government, the pressure from the local community and how the media was used, is extremely important in the BP case. This paper intends to show how BP communicated and reacted throughout the crisis. It will discuss the challenges BP had and it will especially focus on how BP actually reacted to the crisis and how they perhaps should have reacted differently, including the use of communication theories. Finally, the paper will outlin e the consequences of the crisis on both organization and communication strategy.On April 20, 2010, the Departed Horizon oil-drilling rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico resulted in the deaths of 11 rig workers, but public attention quickly shifted from their deaths to the following environmental and economic damages – the incident was described as the worst maritime oil spill accident in history, as the accident released over 18 million gallons of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico. Three months passed before BP substantially stopped the leak, all the while the crisis was evilly covered by all news media in the United States as well as internationally.As a result of this, the BP oil spill case serves an excellent example of analysis of BSP crisis communication. L The total cost of BP to indemnify the clean up of the environment and funds to affected workers has reached almost two billion dollars. 2 2 www. Guardian. Co. UK/business/2012/July/31 /BP-departed-horizon-costs Page 4 of 28 Incorporated in 1909 in England , BP has become one of the world's largest multinational companies operating in more than 80 countries 4, leading in oil and as industry, including exploration and production, refining, distribution, extracting and producing renewable energy.The company provides their customers with energy for heating and lighting, fuel for transportation and energy for retail services and petrochemical products. BP employs approximately 80,000 employees, and sales and other operating revenues add up to $375,517 million in 20116 . Finally BP is also a conglomerate owning several brands such as: ORAL, ARC, Castro, amp and The Wild Bean Cafe ©. Having settled â€Å"BP and the Departed Horizon Crisis† as the case, which this paper ill centre around, the problem statement is as follows: To which extent has BP successfully communicated during the Departed Horizon Crisis?In order to examine the problem statement the paper will attempt to address the followi ng issues: I) Characterize how BP communicated during the crisis. It) Analyses the effects of BSP communicative strategies. Iii) Discuss and evaluate whether or not BP has been successful in dealing with the crisis seen from a communicative perspective. In this paper a broad spectrum of empirical data has been used. However, most of the empirical data has been found through articles in different newspapers – the use f different newspapers and their viewpoints has given us very diversified inputs throughout the paper.But this does not exclude a use of quantitative data which, amongst other things, have been used to illuminate the several attempts of BP to use CARS-strategies, and underline the immense loss of fiscal funds the crisis has caused. The rather specific choices of qualitative data have been used to shed light on the different views of the crisis – and the several statements pointing toward similar conclusions have helped to support the points made and clarify a rather eventful crisis.In addition, the conclusions deducted throughout the paper have been supported by theories worked with in classes and the additional http://www. BP. Com/liveliness/BP_internet/global/Stating/global_assets/ downloads/F/ OFF_2007_2011 _full_book. PDF 4 http://www. BP. Com/liveliness/BP_internet/global/Stating/global_assets/ downloads/l/BP_20-F_2009. PDF 5 http://www. BP. Com/Congregationalists. Do? Category=3&contentld=2006926 6 http://www. BP. Com/Congregationalists. Do? Category=3&contentld=2006926 page 5 of 28 theories which proved to be necessary or helpful.In the beginning of the work with he case study of BSP crisis response, a pretty sufficient understanding of the crisis as a whole was in place, we assumed, but as the paper progressed and different theories were applied our understanding of BP and the relationship to their stakeholders grew. The quantitative data used also comes from BSP own publications as well as articles from different internationa l online newspapers. Of course, the reader must have in mind that BSP own figures, occasionally, might have been used to strengthen their image and not only inform the reader.When examining and analyzing the Deep Water Horizon oil spill crisis, this paper is et out to delimit the case by answering our initial problem statement. To narrow our focus down to the relevant aspects in the case we have decided to delimit our analysis to the main stakeholders, including: (I) the American government; (it) the local society; and (iii) the media. This has been done not only due to the formal constraints of the paper, but also in order to go into depth with these stakeholders, who we reckon to be, of major importance to this crisis within the given delimitation's of this paper.In order to answer this paper we find it necessary to make a common definition of a crisis. Extensive studies have been carried out on crisis communications over the past two decades. A brief review of literature on this subject reveals that there are several definitions of organizational crisis, depending on theorists' different viewpoints on what constitutes a crisis. Herman claimed that to reach the level of a crisis, the event must contain three negative attributes: surprise, threat, and short response time.Surprise means that the organization did not prepare for the magnitude of the crisis. Threat means that the event poses a threat to the organization's financial security, customers, surrounding environment etc. Short response time refers to the urgent need of preventive action in order to stop an intensification of the crisis. 7 For the purpose of this paper the following deduction of a definition off crisis is found useful: Hermann, C. F. , 1963. Some consequences of crisis which limit the viability of organizations. Administrative Science Quarterly, 8, p. 61-82. Page 6 of 28 W.Timothy Combs utilizes the interconnectivity of these three attributes to make his definition of a crisis: â€Å"A crisis can be defined as an event that is an unpredictable, major threat that can have a negative effect on the organization, industry, or takeovers if handled improperly. â€Å"8 Furthermore, according to the very same book, organizations frequently find themselves in situations that can be identified as crisis. There are no exceptions; â€Å"We must accept that no organization is immune from a crisis anywhere in the world even if that organization is vigilant and actively seeks to prevent crises. † (Combs & Holiday, 2010: p. 7). This reality urges the need for preparation and readiness to respond – what is called crisis management. The major difference between handling an issue and an actual crisis is that an issue turns into crisis when it goes from the company domain into the public domain; a situation, which sometimes is inevitable no matter how competent the management is. 9 10 The term ‘a crisis within a crisis', or a so-called ‘double-crisis', as coined by Danish professors Finn Freedmen and Winning Johannes, refers to a situation where a company experiences a communication crisis that overshadows the initial crisis. 1 A crisis within a crisis naturally has negative implications for a company since it emphasizes weaknesses in the company's internal structure and/or interactions with stakeholders. The term is relevant to apply to this particular case because its give an accurate description of the consequences of BSP communicative strategy. The agenda setting theory distinguishes between two levels of agenda setting in the media. The first level deals with the significance of an organization where an organization receives more media attention then other related organizations.The second level relates to associations or topics that the public associates with a particular organization. 12 One of the important aspects when dealing with the media is the agenda, which stakeholders often associate to organizations. The agenda settin g theory is related to this assumption and therefore is significant to apply when analyzing BSP media relations. Combs, T. W. & Holiday, S. J. 2010. The Handbook of Crisis Communications. Wiley- Blackwell, p. 18. Benches, Claus. Guest Lecturer, Global Media Relations Manager at Damon.Gave a lecture on crisis communication on Tuesday the 20th of November. 10 Benches, Claus. Guest Lecturer, Global Media Relations Manager at Damon. Gave a lecture on crisis communication on Tuesday the 20th of November. From his PDF on Crisis Communication. 11 http://pure. AU. Dc/portal-cab-student/files/10106/ Crisis_communication_-_Not_Just_peanuts. PDF 12 Cornelius, Jeep. 2011. Corporate Communication – A Guide to Theory and Practice. Page 146. 9 page 7 of 28 An important element for an organization, according to protect its own reputation, is the communication with stakeholders.As a company might have many different stakeholders it is important to have a tool to categories them. Once the stak eholders are categorized the organization will be able to decide, how and how much it should communicate with this stakeholder. In general when describing stakeholders this paper is using Edward Freeman's definition of a stakeholder: A stakeholder is any group or individual who can affect or is affected but the achievement of the organization's purpose and objectives†. 3 In order to categories stakeholders this assignment will use the ‘Stakeholder salience model'. The superiority of this model is that while being extremely simple to use it is also extremely precise when in its finding of how much effort the organization should use when communicating with each category of stakeholder, and even more important; how the company should communicate with its various stakeholders.The model is based on â€Å"salience†, defined as the visibility of the stakeholder to the organization using three parameters; (a) the power of the stakeholder group, (b) the legitimacy of the c laim laid upon the organization, and (c) the urgency of how important the claim is according to the need of an immediate action. The purpose of the model is to define how salient a stakeholder group is. The model is based on seven different types of stakeholder groups; (1) Dormant stakeholders are the ones with dominant power and the ability to affect other groups of stakeholders.They are not able to legitimate their claims, and power will only be dormant but have an influence anyway. Mostly, this would be wealthy stakeholders. (2) Discretionary stakeholders are stakeholders with a high degree of legitimacy but without the necessary power to influence the organization. (3) Demand stakeholders are the ones with urgent claims but without power and the necessary legitimacy to enforce them. (4) Dominant stakeholders are the group of stakeholders representing both legitimacy and power.These are stakeholders having great influence on the organization, e. G. Owners and big investors. (5) D angerous stakeholders are people with both urgent and claims on power. In addition, these will often attempt to use unfair† means. (6) Dependent stakeholders are those who rely on others to get their claims carried out – mostly because of the lack of power. Finally, (7) Definitive stakeholders can be identified as the ones having both legitimacy and urgency as well as power. These are the most powerful stakeholders and it is strictly Cornelius, Jeep. 011. Corporate Communication – A Guide to Theory and Practice. Page 42. Page 8 of 28 necessary for the organization to keep close communication with these. Normally, it would be definitive stakeholders who can also be classified as the shareholders. Once the stakeholders are categorized, the firm can now decide on strategy of communication. When researching strategies of communication, this paper has used the basic framework of communicative strategy given to us in â€Å"Corporate Communication – A Guide to T heory and Practice†14 .The framework generally provides three different strategies. This framework is chosen because of its simplicity when it comes to numbers of strategies and complexity when it comes to ways of communicating within each strategy, hence the framework provide an extremely useful tool when analyzing and discussing what mind of communication BP has conducted, how it worked, why the strategy did not work and why it might have worked better: Informal strategy is a strategy of simple informing about something through; newsletters, press releases etc.This strategy is hence based on the idea that objective information about the organization should be passed on to the relevant stakeholders. Persuasive strategy uses tools such as advertising and meetings/discussions with stakeholders. The general aim of this strategy is to change the stakeholders' image into a more favorable one or to create particular understanding with the organization's decisions. The strategy will not create change in the organization, but rather aims to create change in the stakeholders' perception of the organization and its decisions.Dialogue strategy aims to create a mutual understanding and/or mutual decisions between stakeholders and the organization. Timothy Combs divides a crisis into four different types with two different aspects. The four types are; faux pas, terrorism, accidents and transgressions. In addition, a crisis in this matrix can be of either internal or external, and intentional or unintentional characteristics. 1 5