Mats Berglund Essay Example for Free

Mats Berglund Essay At BioMedCental, an online peer-reviewed journal, the research article entitled â€Å"Repetition and severity of suicide attempts across the life cycle: a comparison by age group between suicide victims and controls with severe depression† was submitted on 22 February 2009, and after a number of revisions was accepted on 29 September 2009, and published the same day. Written by Louise Bradvik and Mats Berglund (2009), researchers for the Department of Clinical Sciences and the Department of Clinical Alcohol Research, respectively, of the Division of Psychology of the Lund University Hospital, the study investigates the â€Å"reduced incidence for initial, repeated, or severe suicide attempts† for accomplished suicides according to age and gender controls. The initial hypothesis is that age has a predictive value on multiple and severe suicide attempts for accomplished suicides by gender; for this, the histories of past suicide victims as well as matched controls needed to be reviewed and analyzed. Due to the introduction of the diagnosis of severe depression/melancholia in 1956, and the practice of rating inpatients on a multiaxial diagnostic schedule at discharge at the Department of Psychiatry of the Lund University Hospital in Sweden until 1969, the sample consisted of 100 records of suicide victims, 44 men and 56 women, with severe depression and matched controls who were admitted in the hospital between 1956 and 1969. Since this study involved retrospective evaluation, a blindfolded procedure was used to choose the sample case records from the total sample wherein three evaluations of the cases were performed with the evaluator unaware of the outcomes of the suicides. The selections of matched controls, one for each suicide victim within the sample population, were based on the sex, age, and diagnosis. The retrospective evaluations of these records of the sample subjects were for the entire course of the depressions up to the deaths of the victims; these were monitored up to 2006. The evaluations and analysis of the records were based on the occurrence of the suicide attempts, whether they were first, repeated, or severe, and the main considerations were based on their age groups and respective genders, with the number of observations years also factored in. For the quantitative part of the analysis, a Poisson regression was used to compare between age groups (5-year intervals) for both suicide victims and controls by gender, and between the sample of suicide victims and controls, also by gender. With a significance level set at 5%, two-tailed tests were used for this analysis. After the evaluations and corresponding analyses, the researchers found that for both suicide victims and controls, older females had a reduced risk for initial suicide attempts, while only the controls and not the suicide victims showed this reduced risk in older males. On the other hand, repeated suicide attempts for older age groups appeared to be reduced for the female controls when compared to the female suicide victims. Lastly, for severe suicide attempts, a reduction in this risk appeared in the older age groups of female suicide victims, as well as the male controls relative to the male suicide victims. Thus, taking all of these into consideration, it appears that in the older age groups, repeated suicide attempts can be predictive in women and severe suicide attempts can be predictive in men. Works Cited: Bradvik, L. and Berglund, M. (2009, September 29). Repetition and severity of suicide attempts across the life cycle: a comparison by age group between suicide victims and controls with severe depression. BMC Psychiatry, 9:62. doi:10. 1186/1471-244X-9-62 Retrieved from http://www. biomedcentral. com/1471-244X/9/62

Event planning: The Southeast Asian Games

Event planning: The Southeast Asian Games Introduction to event The 2015 Southeast Asian Games, officially known as the 28th Southeast Asian Games or 28th Sea Games is a multi-sport event hosted by the city-state of Singapore. Sea games is held once in two years since 1959 and the first time is held in Thailand, Bangkok. The games are under regulation of the Southeast Asian Games Federation with supervision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Olympic Council of Asia. The games are participated by 11 countries which are Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Brunei and Laos (28th SEA Games, 2015). Singapore is the fourth time has hosted Southeast Asian Games since 1993, after a 22-year long hiatus. The 28th Southeast Asian Games was held from 5th June 2015 until 16th June 2015 at the Singapore Sports Hub as main sporting location. The SEA Games was conceived as an expedient to avail forge vigorous regional cooperation, understanding and unity within the South East Asian community. It was established to be a bi-annual multi-sports event to take place between the years when the Olympic Games and the Asian Games were held. In addition to that, about 7000 athletes from 11 participating nations with 36 sports and 402 events will feature in the 28th Southeast Asian Games Singapore 2015. In 2011 during the 26th Southeast Asian Games, held in Indonesian cities Palembang and Jakarta, as the host of the 28th Southeast Asian Games of 2015, Singapore has been nominated to host the event in 2007 and 2013 before, but turned down both opportunities referring to costs connected with the construction of the new Singapore Sports Hub. The 28th SEA Games will show the people of the Southeast Asia that success ultimately comes to ordinary people with extraordinary dreams. It’s not about having a champion, but inspiring the champion that is inside each of us. Stakeholder of the event People and organisations with a legitimate interest in the outcomes of an event are known as stakeholders. The successful event manager must be able to identify the range of stakeholders in an event and manage their individual needs, which will sometimes overlap and conflict (Johnny et al, 2007). As with event impacts, the event will be judged by its success in balancing the competing needs, expectations and interests of a diverse range of stakeholders. When asked the question ‘what makes an event successful’, there are now numerous shareholders that are key components of modern major events that are looking at a whole range of different measures of success. Thus, the stakeholders that I have chosen for discussion of the event impacts are the government and the sponsorship. The first stakeholders that I have chosen is the organizer of the 28th Southeast Asian Games, which is the Singapore Sports Council (SSC) as it relates to stakeholders of government of Singapore. The Singapore Sports Council (SSC) is the national sports agency responsible for engendering access, opportunities and capabilities for individuals to live better through sports. Through Vision 2030, Singapore Sports Council seeks to employ sports as a national strategy to stimulate positive, deeply embedded values for Singaporeans and Singapore. Singapore Sports Council was founded in 1973, through the merger of the National Sports Promotion Board (NSPB) and the National Stadium Corporation (NSC). It engenders opportunities for people to excel in sports; opportunities for people to be engaged in sports as, coaches, officials, volunteers or fans and opportunities for people to do business in sports as sponsors and investors. Singapore is a sovereign republic, with a legal system based on the English common law. The Constitution lays down the fundamental principles and basic framework for the three organs of state, namely, the Executive, the Legislative and the Judiciary. The Executive comprises the Cabinet, which is responsible for the general direction of the Government and accountable to Parliament. The Legislature comprises the Parliament and is the legislative authority responsible for enacting legislation. More information on the history of Parliament, Parliament House and activities of the House can be obtained from its website. The Judiciarys function is to independently administer justice. The Judiciary is safeguarded by the Constitution. The Prime Minister of Singapore is appointed by the President of Singapore under Article 25 of the Constitution. The President, acting on the advice of the Prime Minister, also appoints other Ministers from among the Members of Parliament. The Prime Minister is the effective head of the executive branch of government. He chairs the Cabinet, which is the central decision-making body of the executive government. It is an organ of state and central to Singapores system of government. Click for more information on the Cabinet appointments. In order to attract sponsorships, event managers must offer tangible benefits to sponsors, and effective programs to deliver them. Large corporations such as Coca-Cola, 100 Plus and Telstra receive hundreds of sponsorship applications each week, and only consider those events that have a close fit with corporate objectives and a demonstrable ability to deliver benefits. For the event, sponsorship is therefore much more than a means of boosting revenues, but must also meet the needs and objectives of its sponsors (William et al, 2007). Therefore, the second stakeholders that I have chosen is the main sponsor of 28th Southeast Asian Games, which is the NTUC FairPrice and NTUC FairPrice Foundation. NTUC Fairprice Co-operative Ltd was founded by the labour movement in 1973, with a social mission to moderate the cost of living in Singapore. From one supermarket, it has grown to become Singapore’s largest retailer serving about 430,000 shoppers daily, with a network of over 120 outlets, comprising FairPrice supermarkets, FairPrice Finest and FairPriceXtra. Its convenience stores, FairPrice Xpress and Cheers, has a network spanning over 160 convenience stores island wide and serves over 100,000 customers daily. NTUC FairPrice also owns a Fresh Food Distribution Centre and a centralised warehousing and distribution company. Today, with its multiple retail formats serving the varied needs and interests of people from all walks of life, NTUC FairPrice has kept pace with the changing needs of its customers while remaining committed to its social mission and its aspiration to be Singapore’s leading world-class retailer with a heart. Guided by the philosophy to do well in order to do good for the community, NTUC FairPrice set up the FairPrice Foundation in 2008 to focus its giving efforts to provide a better life for the community. FairPrice Foundation focuses its giving on three strategic thrusts – the poor and needy, nation building and community bonding, and advancing workers’ welfare. FairPrice has since donated $76 million to the Foundation to further these three areas of focus. Political benefits of the event towards chosen stakeholder Based on the details above, political benefits towards NTUC FairPrice and NTUC FairPrice Foundation is increase international prestige. In Singapore, NTUC FairPrice’s sponsorship of 28th Sea Games gave it the benefits of getting its brand name quickly recognised in the Singapore market. It is important for event managers to identify exactly what NTUC FairPrice want from 28th Sea Games and what the 28th Sea Games can deliver for them. They may be seeking mechanisms to drive sales, or want to strengthen client relationships through 28th Sea Games to increase their international prestige and to attract more new customer. Besides, political benefits towards NTUC FairPrice and NTUC FairPrice Foundation and the government of Singapore is promoting social cohesion. The sponsorship will include SGD $2 million cash from FairPrice Foundation and SGD $3 million value in kind from NTUC FairPrice to the 28th Sea Games in support of the region’s most prestigious multisport event. This is the largest donation FairPrice and FairPrice Foundation have made to a sporting event to date. This is an ideal partnership for the organizer of 28th SEA Games which are Singapore Sports Council (SSC) as NTUC FairPrice has a strong relationship with the community. As part of FairPrice Foundation’s aim to create a better life for the community, the Foundation supports major activities and social community projects that cater to Singaporeans at large, to foster closer relationships among the community. Economic benefits of the event towards chosen stakeholder A primary concern of an event entrepreneur or host organisation is whether an event is within budget and, hopefully, results in a surplus or profit. This is a simple matter of whether the income from sponsorship, merchandise and ticket sales exceeds the costs of conducting and marketing the event. However, from the perspectives of the host communities and governments, a wider range of economic impacts is often of equal or greater significance. Therefore, economic benefits towards government are business opportunities and employment creation. Events can provide their host communities with a strong platform for showcasing their expertise, hosting potential investors and promoting new business opportunities. During the 28th SEA Games, the government of Singapore spent Environmental benefits of the event towards chosen stakeholder A major event may require an environmental impact assessment before council permission is granted for it to proceed. Even if a formal study is not required, the event manager should carefully consider the likely impact of the event on the environment. This impact will be fairly contained if the event is to be held in a suitable purpose-built venue, for example, a stadium, sportsground, showground or entertainment centre, but may be much greater if the event is to be held in a public space not ordinarily reserved for events such as a park, town square or street. Crowd movement and control, noise levels, access and parking will often be important considerations. Therefore, environmental benefits towards government is increased environmental awareness and urban transformation and renewal. Firstly, environmental benefits towards government is increased environmental awareness. Governments of Singapore in 28th Sea Games, are increasingly using public education and legislation to promote the recycling of waste materials and reduce the amount of waste going to landfill. 28th Sea Games are targeted as opportunities to demonstrate best practice models in waste management and to change public attitudes and habits. Incorporating a waste management plan into the overall event plan has become increasingly good policy. Audience of the 28th Sea Games expectations and the health of the environment require that events demonstrate good waste management principles and provide models for recycling. The waste-wise event manager (government) will reap not only economic benefits, but also the approval of an increasing environmentally aware public. Secondly, environmental benefits towards government is urban transformation and renewal. In the staging of large events in Singapore such as this 28th Sea Games, the provision of infrastructure is often a costly budget component, but this expenditure usually results in an improved environment and facilities for Singapore, and provides a strong incentive for Singapore to act as host. The government of Singapore has been constructed the original stadium to a new sport complex, which is the Singapore Sports Hub and it will be Singapores premier land and sea sports, entertainment and lifestyle destination. The Singapore Sports Hub is a state-of-the-art, fully integrated sports, entertainment and lifestyle hub that will allow everyone in Singapore to watch, play and support sports and entertainment. Featuring a unique cluster development of integrated world-class sports facilities within the city, it will not only spur the development of the sports industry, excellence and participation, but also take sports to the next level in Singapore. Other Related Information Reference List 28th SEA Games. Available from: https://www.seagames2015.com > NTUC FairPrice. Available from: www.fairprice.com.sg > Government Singapore. Available from: www.fairprice.com.sg > Johnny Allen, William O’Toole, Robert Harris, Ian McDonnell, 2007. Festival Special Event Management, Irwin, Sydney. Jonathan Wong, 2015. Singapore SEA Games Budget. Available from: http://www.gov.sg/government/web/content/61466480471bdd139c90dc5660466bae/20150129_ST_SporesSEAGamesbudget3245m.pdf?MOD=AJPERESuseDefaultText=0useDefaultDesc=0> Gene Deletion Strategy: Identify Function of Non-Coding RNA Gene Deletion Strategy: Identify Function of Non-Coding RNA Molecular Biology mainly Non coding RNA Project Contents (Jump to) Non coding RNA Small Nuclear RNA genes Materials and Methods Media YPD and YPD+G418 plates Strain confirmation References A Gene Deletion Strategy to Identify the Function of Non-Coding RNA in the Eukaryotic Genome, Using the Model Organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae Abstract The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a key model organism for investigating cellular processes. While it is important to determine the role protein-coding genes play in biological, it is now clear that RNA also plays an important role in these cellular processes. Deletion cassettes were constructed successfully by a PCR based strategy for 12 ncRNAs, which are snR19, snR20, snR14, snR6, snR7, TLC1, SCR1, NME1, RPR1, RUF20, RUF21, and RUF22. Deletions cassettes were transformed into the diploid reference strain BY4743 and the ncRNA gene replaced with the KanMX marker byhomologous recombination. Heterozygous deletion strains were confirmed for each of the 12 genes by extensive PCR analysis and showed positive results for the insertion of the cassette. Following sporulation and tetrad dissection to segregate haploid spores and growth on different selective media, 10 of the 12 ncRNAs were shown to be essential for cell survival by producing 2 viable spores. These include snR19, snR20, sn R14, snR6, snR7, TLC1, SCR1, NME1, RPR1 and RUF20.However, RUF21 and RUF 22 produced four viable haploid spores indicating that these are non-essential genes for the cell.This resource will now enable the role of ncRNAs in cellular processes to be determined, by growth of these deletion strains in a range of different conditions and in different genetic backgrounds. Non coding RNA The term non-coding RNA (ncrna) is usually utilized for RNA that does not encode a protein, however this does not imply that such Rnas dont contain data nor have capacity. In spite of the fact that it has been by and large accepted that most hereditary data is transacted by proteins, late proof proposes that most of the genomes of vertebrates and other complex life forms is indeed translated into ncrnas, a considerable lot of which are alternatively joined and/or transformed into more diminutive items. These ncrnas incorporate micrornas and snornas (numerous if not a large portion of which stay to be distinguished), and likely different classes of yet-to-be-found little administrative Rnas, and a huge number of longer transcripts (counting complex examples of intertwining and covering sense and antisense transcripts), the vast majority of whose capacities are obscure. These Rnas (counting those inferred from introns) seem to embody a shrouded layer of internal signs that control diff erent levels of quality articulation in physiology and advancement, including chromatin structural engineering/epigenetic memory, translation, RNA grafting, altering, interpretation and turnover. RNA administrative systems may focus a large portion of our complex attributes, assume a critical part in ailment and constitute an unexplored universe of hereditary variety both inside and between species. (Mattick JS, 2006) In this project, the functionality of the following non-coding RNA genes in S.cerevisiae will be determined. The non-coding RNA genes mentioned in this study have significant importance in the yeast genome and the determination of functionality of these genes will unveil their exact contribution to eukaryotic cellular function. Non coding RNA genes are those that are transcribed but not translated. They code for either long (>200) or short (200et al., 2012). The highly abundant short non coding RNA genes have been well characterized and are known to play an important role in various cellular functions such as transcriptional regulation, translation regulation, RNA editing etc. Both long and short non coding RNAs are mostly transcribed by RNA polymerase II. However, some species of non coding RNAs are also transcribed by RNA pol III and I. Small Nuclear RNA genes The review article by Guthrie explains the steps that were undertaken to identify the snRNAs associated with the spliceosome (Guthrie and Patterson, 1988) and work carried out by the same group revealed that many of the ‘U-RNAs’ were encoded by single-copy genes, such as U5 which is encoded by snR7 (Riedel et al., 1986). ‘U’ in RNA stand for Uracil, each nucleotide in RNA encloses a ribose sugar, with carbons numbered 1 throughout 5. A base is appended to the 1 position, all in all, cytosine (C), adenine (A), uracil (U), or guanine (G). Cytosine and uracil are pyrimidines, Adenine and guanine are purines. Materials and Methods Media YPD and YPD+G418 plates YPD media were made from 2% D-glucose, 1% Bacto yeast extract, 2% Bacto-peptone. YPD plates were prepared by adding 2% agar to the YPD media. Agar (2%) and G418 Geneticin (200Â µg/ml) was supplement in the YPD media for the preparation YPD+G418 plates. The recepie for YPD+G418 plates is: Bacto Peptone Difco 10g Bacto Yeast Extract Difco 10g Glucose 20g Bacto Agar (if plates) 20g Distilled water qsp 1L Autoclave at 0,5bar After autoclavage let cool down until 55Â °C Add G418 to have a final concentration of 200mg/L (1 mL of 200mg/mL G418 in 1L of YPD) (Genetics of Intra Specie Variations) Identification of mating types and cross mating Using 96 well plate, colonies of G418 resistance spores, which have been isolated from replica platting method, were inoculated in 100ul of YPD and 7ulof DMSO and incubated overnight at 30Â °C. This stock can be stored at -20Â °C. The RT2 a strain and RT3 ÃŽ ± strain were allowed to grow in 5ml YPD culture overnight at 30Â °C. Following that two separated 96 well plates were used by filling each well with 10Â µl of the RT2 a strain or RT3 ÃŽ ± strain separately. Then 10Â µl of the tested samples were added each well of the known strains. These were then incubated overnight at 30oC. Following incubation, metal frogger was used to replica plate the crosses onto deficiency plates without leucine and tryptophan. The incubation period was allowed until the colonies were able to be obtained on the deficient media. For crossing, 2ul of the stock spores were pipetted on to deficiency plates without methionine and deficient plates without lysine. This was incubated at 30Â °C until the growth was determined. When all data of the deficiency plates and mating types was known, cross spores of opposite mating type and one defficiency was done by adding 10ul of each mating stock culture into an eppendrof tube and incubated overnight at 30Â °C. Strain confirmation To confirm that the picked cells were haploid spores and that the cells were originally BY4743 yeast, all dissected spores were grown on different SD media. RUF22 G418 -URA -HIS -LEU LYS -MET 1A + + + 1B + 1C 1D + + 2A + + + 2B + + 2C 2D + 3A + + 3B + 3C + 3D + + 4A + + 4B 4C + + 4D + + 5A + 5B + 5C + 5D + + + 6A + + 6B + + 6C + 6D + 7A + 7B + 7C + + 7D + + Table 2: Growth of the deletion strain tetrads on different SD media for RUF22 gene. Each colony was scored for significant growth (+) or no/poor growth (-) on each medium. RUF21 G418 -URA -HIS -LEU LYS -MET 1A + 1B + 1C + + 1D + + 2A + 2B + + 2C + + 2D + 3A + + 3B + 3C + 3D + + 4A + + 4B + + 4C + + 4D 5A + 5B + + 5C 5D + + + 6A + + 6B + + 6C + 6D + Table 3: Growth of the deletion strain tetrads on different SD media for RUF21 gene. Each colony was scored for significant growth (+) or no/poor growth (-) on each medium. TLC1 G418 -URA -HIS -LEU LYS -MET 1A + + 1B + + 1C 1D + + 2A + + 2B + + + 2C 2D + 3A + + + 3B + 3C + 3D + 4A + + 4B + 4C + 4D + + 5A 5B + + 5C + 5D + + + 6A + + 6B + + 6C 6D + + 7A 7B 7C + + + 7D + + + Table 4: Growth of the deletion strain tetrads on different SD media for TL gene. Each colony was scored for significant growth (+) or no/poor growth (-) on each medium. The data in Tables 2 and 3 shows the results of the dissected RUF22 and RUF21 spores after being given the required time to grow. It was found that there was no growth in the SD(-URA), SD(-HIS) and SD(-LEU) plates indicating that they were BY4743-derived tetrads. Moreover, the growth of the spores observed in the YPD+G418, SD(-MET) and SD(-LYS) in the case of RUF22 and RUF21 deleted strains indicating that these cells derived from tetrads and were haploid knockouts. References Genetics of Intra Specie Variations. (n.d.). Retrieved September 19, 2014, from http://www.ens-lyon.fr/LBMC/gisv/index.php/en/protocols/yeast-methods/72-yeast-media-recipes Mattick JS, M. I. (2006, April 15). Pub Med. Retrieved September 19, 2014, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16651366

Application of Matrices in Real-Life

Application of Matrices in Real-Life Application of matrix in daily life Matrices are used much more in daily life than people would have thought. In fact it is in front of us every day when going to work, at the university and even at home. Graphic software such as Adobe Photoshop on your personal computer uses matrices to process linear transformations to render images. A square matrix can represent a linear transformation of a geometric object. For example, in the Cartesian X-Y plane, the matrix reflects an object in the vertical Y axis. In a video game, this would render the upside-down mirror image of an assassin reflected in a pond of blood. If the video game has curved reflecting surfaces, such as a shiny metal shield, the matrix would be more complicated, to stretch or shrink the reflection. In physics related applications, matrices are used in the study of electrical circuits, quantum mechanics and optics. Engineers use matrices to model physical systems and perform accurate calculations needed for complex mechanics to work. Electronics networks, airplane and spacecraft, and in chemical engineering all require perfectly calibrated computations which are obtained from matrix transformations. In hospitals, medical imaging, CAT scans and MRIs, use matrices to operate. Whereas in programming which is taught at the university, matrices and inverse matrices are used for coding and encrypting messages. A message is made as a sequence of numbers in a binary format for communication and it follows code theory for solving. In robotics and automation, matrices are the basic components for the robot movements. The inputs for controlling robots are obtained based on the calculations from matrices and these are very accurate movements. Many IT companies also use matrices as data structures to track user information, perform search queries, and manage databases. In the world of information security, many systems are designed to work with matrices. Matrices are used in the compression of electronic information, for example in the storage of biometric data in the new Identity Card in Mauritius. In geology, matrices are used for making seismic surveys. They are used for plotting graphs, statistics and also to do scientific studies and research in almost different fields. Matrices are also used in representing the real world data’s like the population of people, infant mortality rate, etc. They are best representation methods for plotting surveys. In economics very large matrices are used for optimization of problems, for example in making the best use of assets, whether labour or capital, in the manufacturing of a product and managing very large supply chains. Application of Statistics in real-life problems. Statistics can be defined as a type of mathematical analysis which involves the method of collecting and analyzing data and then summing up the data into a numerical form for a given set of factual data or real world observations. In our daily life, we collect information which helps us in resolving questions regarding the world in which we live, that is statistics. One main example is weather forecast. These charts and information that you see on the television are obtained using statistics that compare last weather conditions with current weather to predict future weather. Whenever theres an election as the one coming in a few days in Mauritius, the press consult statistical surveys with the population when they try to predict the winner. Candidates use statistics to know for example that 20,000 of these voters will be between the age of 18 and 22, that is this will be their first election and thus try to focus their campaign more on benefits for these young adults. Statistics play a part in which your elected government will be consisted of. In industries and businesses it is crucial to be fast and accurate in decision making. They use statistics to know what customers want and therefore know what to produce and sell and in what quantities. Statistics helps to plan production according to the taste of the customers, the quality of the products or availability of materials. Good decisions can be made about the location of business, marketing of the products, financial resources etc†¦ Statistics are also used in agriculture to know what amount of crops is grown this year in comparison to previous years or what has been the demand for a certain crop during the past 5 years or quality and size of vegetables grown due to use of different fertilizers. Last Friday was the results day for the CPE exams in Mauritius and statistics were used to compare the different pass rates for girls compared to boys and how the whole pass rate have evolved during the past years. These statistics helps the government to determine whether the education system in the country needs to be modified or completely re-implemented. In medical studies scientists must show a statistically valid rate of efficacy before any drug can start to be prescribed in hospitals and pharmacies. Statistics are behind every medical study you hear about. For example an ongoing case, the Ebola virus. Statistics are used to determine the number of infected persons in different countries and these data helps to warn neighbouring countries about the risks they are exposed to. Application of Regression in real-life problems. Correlation and regression are largely used methods to look into the relationships between quantitative variables. A correlation looks at the validity of the relationship between variables and regression helps to determine the nature of the relationship, or how it behaves. This allows predictions to be made. These methods are very useful, but easily misused. Regressions can be used in business to evaluate trends and make estimates. For e.g. if a companys sales have increased rapidly every month for the past years, using a linear regression on the sales data with monthly sales on the y-axis and time on the x-axis would produce a line that illustrates the ascending trend in sales. After obtaining the trend line, the company could use the slope of the line to anticipate sales in future months. A company can use linear regression to determine the best sale price for a certain product bought by customers. This can be done by plotting a graph of price against quantity. The resulting line would denote how customers reduce their consumption of the product as the price increases. This could help in decision making of the prices of future products. Linear regression can be used in assessing risk. For e.g. a health insurance company shall plot number of claims per customer against age and by reading the graph deduce that older customers tend to make more health insurance claims. The results of such an analysis might lead to important business decisions made to account for risks. Application of Correlation in real-life problems. For e.g. a researcher suggested that taller people have higher self-esteem. After analyzing his data and coming up with an r-value of .08, he abandons his hypothesis because the two variables do not appear to be strongly related at all. Another area where correlation is used is in the study of intelligence where research has been carried out to test the strength of the relationship between the I.Q. levels of identical and non-identical twins. In medical studies, correlation is used widely and one e.g. is the study to test if glucose level is related to the age of a person. Correlation is mostly used in research studies. In schools for e.g. a use of correlation would be the study of how a student who has many absences has a decrease in grades or the more years of education you complete, the higher your earning potential will be. In the sports area correlation is used broadly by coaches to develop workout routines. Some common correlations are: the more time a person spends running on a treadmill, the more calories he will burn or the more you exercise your core muscles, the more stable your body gets.

The Hidden Meaning of Robert Frosts Mending Wall :: Mending Wall Essays

The Hidden Meaning  of Robert Frost's Mending Wall   "Mending Wall" is a poem written by the poet Robert Frost. The poem describes two neighbors who repair a fence between their estates. It is, however, obvious that this situation is a metaphor for the relationship between two people. The wall is the manifestation of the emotional barricade that separates them. In this situation the "I" voice wants to tear down this barricade while his "neighbor" wants to keep it. "Neighbor" is here a metaphor for two people who are emotionally close to each other. "Good fences make good neighbors", is a line the author emphasizes by using it two times. The "neighbor" says the line while the main character does not agree with it. He can not see that there is something between them they need to be "walling in or walling out". The "I"-voice sees himself as a good spirited person. He is obviously worried because a person he cares about is shutting him out. He thinks that his "neighbor" is of a dark disposition. "He is all pine and I am apple orchard", the poem says. Pine is a dark tree while apple trees have white flowers. In "Mending Wall" the main character finds gaps in the fence. I believe the emotions between the characters make these gaps. He informs the neighbor and together they repair the fence with boulders. When they meet they argue or have communication problems. This is why they manage to repair the barricade between them. However, I would say that their emotions, especially the main character’s, try to get the boulders off balance so the wall can be leveled with the ground. The balancing of boulders is a symbol of their meetings; "We have to use a spell to make them balance". "We wear our fingers rough", the author writes about the handling of the boulders. One may interpret this to signify that the meetings between these two "neighbors" are very hard on them. This is a long one-stanza narrative poem. All the lines have five stresses and are written in iambic pentameter or blank verse, which was also Shakespeare's chosen meter in his plays.

Importance of Self-Image in the Loman Family Essay example -- Literary

Published in 1949, Arthur Miller’s Death of Salesman is a post Second World War American drama that highlights the plight of isolation and desolation experienced by the common man, as symbolized by Willy. The play deals with the society, life’s absurdity, various internal and external conflicts, death and above all, the tragedy of existence. It is located in the industrial society of the twentieth century where the pressure to succeed and the financial difficulties seem insurmountable. The play depicts America as the land of opportunity as well as a place where the society has acquired a new set of values that threatens to destroy those who cannot abide by new changes. This paper discusses the importance of self-image in the Loman family and how the conceptions of self-image fuel the destruction of the characters. To begin with, the plot structure of the play does not follow a logical sense of development; rather the progression has an aesthetic appeal, which is similar to the concept of the â€Å"stream of consciousness† as propounded by Virginia Woolf. The main protagonist, Willy, is shown in a state of mind where time does not exist and his memories come in the ebb and flow of consciousness. The perception of facts, life, ideas, hopes, dreams and ambitions are shown personified in its characters whose maturity and immaturity determine the course of their lives. The protagonist is a deranged and disillusioned character who cannot come into terms with his life’s failures, compounded with the unstable life of his sons, Biff and Happy. This is a play which shows how the self perception of a character not only develops misleading self image in the mind of the character but influences how other characters perceive them. First... ...r the protagonist, his self image leads him to suicide. Willy Loman is neither a king nor a pauper, he is a common man who wanted to lead a life of self respect and own adequate material comforts for himself and his family. The Death of a Salesman is a tragic story. Works Cited Bloom, Harold. Arthur Miller. Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishers, 2003. Print. Foster, Richard J. Confusion and Tragedy: The Failure of Miller's 'Salesman'. Detroit: Gale Research, 1983. Print. Gordon, Lois. â€Å"Death of a Salesman": An Appreciation, in the Forties. Detroit: Gale Research, 1983. Print. Miller, Arthur. Death of a Salesman. New York: Penguin Books, 1998. Print. Murphy, Brenda. Miller: Death of a Salesman. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1995. Print. Terkel, Studs. American Dreams Lost and Found. New York: Pantheon Books, 1980. Print.

Customer Service and Company Essay

1. Is it easy to become enamored with a company when it has enjoyed so much success over the years? What are Wal-Mart’s weaknesses? Becoming enamored with a company should not depend on the amount of success it may or may not have had. I like a company that I can stand behind and support. The question isn’t whether a company is successful or not, it should be how did the company get to the level of success it is at. Wal-Mart’s name has recently been synonymous with controversy. Wal-Mart’s founder was known for his charismatic style, emphasis on customer service, and high esteem for Wal-Mart employees; however it can be argued that none of these exist within the company today. From personal experience, I can attest that there is no longer an emphasis on customer service, and employee morale is low. The company also has a negative corporate image amongst potential customers partially due to the controversy around the treatment of employees and the conditions under which many of their products are manufactured. Because of these factors, it is difficult for me to become enamored over a company who has had as much success as they have had. 2. Does Wal-Mart’s new neighborhood store format run counter to the cost-cutting emphasis that is at least partially responsible for the success of its traditional stores? Explain. Wal-Mart’s new neighborhood store format do not run counter to the cost-cutting emphasis responsible for the success of its traditional stores. Wal-Mart still offers the same low cost products at these neighborhood stores, with the only difference being they offer groceries in addition to their other low cost products. This new store format makes it more convenient for customers in the vicinity to shop at their stores versus local mom and pop shops offering products at higher costs.

Cake Making

The Event: The mixer beats the egg yolks in a spiral motion, as the sugar is being added to the eggs. Due to the fat content of the egg yolks, the yolks are isolated from the egg whites to avoid the deflation in the rising of the whites. Two separate batters consisting of the egg whites which were whisked until it became frothy and the egg yolks were then mixed together with butter using a spatula in folding motion. After which a sifter was used to add the flour and the cocoa powder into the mixture while it was being whisked in the mixer.The oven was pre-heated to a temperature of 175F. The combined batter was then poured into a buttered spring-form pan which had been smoothly brushed with butter to avoid having the batter stick to the pan. The batter slowly started to solidify and rise higher. The point at which the cake starts to become golden in color is the sign to get the cake out of oven, since it is completely baked. Alongside, the juice of the cherries was being drained and the whipped cream was mixed with the vanilla sugar to form the blobs on the surface of the cake.The chocolate was separately being melted to get the icing ready. The melted chocolate was allowed to cool down and then started the process of assembling the cake. The Process: The success of the cake depends on the measurements used for the ingredients. The measurements needed should be taken carefully to prevent flaws in the outcome of the cake. If for any reason there is a mistake in the measurement of one or more of the ingredients, this may result in batter being too parched or too soggy. In which case, the batter will not be able to bake properly.The perfect outcome of the sponge of the cake depends on the uniformity and width of the batter, which will only be precise if the ingredients are perfectly measured. It is preferable to melt the butter first and then pour the egg mixture into the pan because it becomes easier for the baker to smoothly fold the mixture with the other ingre dients or else the mixture could stick to the pan and negatively affect the rising of the cake. Using a sifter to add in the dry ingredients such as the flour and cocoa powder, will control the amount of air that is in the batter, which is crucial in order to achieve the lightness of the sponge.Also, to achieve the perfect golden color of the sponge and the lightness, the heat of the oven should be set at a perfect temperature. While preparing the batter, the oven must be pre-heated to a temperature of 175F. To be totally ascertained that the sponge has cooked completely, a knife is popped in the centre of the cake, if it comes out without any batter stuck to it that means the sponge is baked and ready to be decorated. The sponge is then cut into three layers. The bottom two layers are sprinkled with kirsch and whipped cream mixed with vanilla sugar.Dried cherries are evenly placed on the whipped cream. The side of the top layer of the cake is then covered with the whipped cream and the surface is coated with chocolate icing. Finally, the blobs of whipped cream are evenly placed on the icing and a cherry is placed on each blob. The Procedure: The baker must have all ingredients measured and ready prior to the baking to ease the process of making the cake. He will then melt the butter in a pan and add the egg mixtures to it by carefully folding it with a spatula to stop the negative effect on the rising of the sponge.The baker will then make use of a sifter to add in the flour and the cocoa powder into the batter and combine the above mentioned dry ingredients. Then, he will pour the combined mixture in a buttered spring-form pan. Then, he will place the pan in the oven, which has been preheated at a temperature of 175F. After the cake is done, the baker will take it out and insert a knife in the sponge to test whether or not the batter has baked thoroughly, if the knife comes out without any batter stuck to it, then the cake is ready to be decorated.The baker will then cut the sponge into three layers and then place kirsch on the bottom layer. Spread the whipped cream mixed with vanilla sugar and place cherries on it and repeat the process with the middle layer. The sides of the top layer are then covered with the whipped cream mix and the surface has chocolate icing applied on it. Then the whipped cream blobs with cherries on top are made on the surface to make it look pretty. The cake is then ready to be served. Ingredients: -butter -175 g sugar – 6 eggs – 145 g flour 40 g margarine – 35 g cocoa powder – 1 jar of cherries – 2 tbs potato starch – 3 tbs sugar – 7 tbs kirsch – 500 ml whipping cream – 100 g chocolate confetti – 75 g chocolate – 8 g vanilla sugar (1 packing) Instructions: 1. Preheat the oven at 175 Â °C. 2. Sift the flour together with the cocoa powder. 3. Stir the sugar and the eggs with a mixer. 4. Melt the butter in a little pan. Pour the butte r to the egg mixture and fold it softly with a spatula. Add the flour and fold it again until you get a smooth mixture.Pour the batter into a buttered spring-form pan. 5. Place the spring-form in the middle of the oven. 6. Bake the cake for 45 minutes. 7. Take it out of the oven, let it cool down and turn it around. 8. Cut the cake horizontally into three layers. 9. Sprinkle these layers with kirsch (6 tbs in total). Drain the cherries and keep the juice. Bring the juice to the boil. Add the potato starch and keep on stirring to mix it. Add 3 tbs sugar, the drained cherries and 1 tbs kirsch to the juice. 10. Beat the whipping cream with the vanilla sugar.Cover the lowest layer of the cake with half the cherries and one-third of the whipped cream. Add the second layer. Cover it with the remaining cherries and the whipped cream. Add the third layer. Spread the side of the cake with the remaining whipped cream. 11. Melt the chocolate on a low fire. Let it cool down. Reheat the chocolat e until 37Â °C (99Â °F). Top the cake with the chocolate icing. 12. Cover the side of the cake with chocolate confetti. 13. Put blobs of whipped cream on the cake and put a cherry on each blob.