Substance Misuse Prevention: Needle Exchange

Substance Misuse taproom chivy ExchangePDGA case-by-case type of prevention or intervention st calculategy with regards to substance misuse. The provoke reciprocationThe UK currently has an ambiguous and sometimes conflicting set of policies with regards to some issues border dose use. In the words of Rice, the UK hasan uneasy consensus of conflicting forces, opinions and positions that have shaped the whole legislative frame induce and surrounding issues that govern the way that we, as a ordination, deal not only with controlled medicates, but the problems that they cause directly and that are associated with their use. (Rice et al 1991)If angiotensin-converting enzyme considers the motley ways in which this consensus has evolved over the last a few(prenominal) decades, one could suggest that there is a clear dichotomy between those who feel that the way forward is through dual mechanisms of enforcement and prohibition (sometimes referred to as the illegalisation moveme nt), and those who swear that systems employing legislation, harm reduction, empowerment and education comprise the rational way forward. Both parties appear to believe that their mechanism is the only way to protect society. (Holmberg SD 2006)Holmbergs imagine is further strengthened with an examination of recent events. The illegalisation movement has been demonstrated to be largely ineffective in countries where it has been employed on a large plateful (viz. USA) (NSDU 2004). The harm reduction movement, considered by some to have a defeatist doctrine, accepts that drug use leave behind still occur despite the imposition of the nearly draconian measures and therefore aims to reduce the potential levels of damage associated with drug use. (Reinaman Levine 2004)To summarise the thrust of Fordhams work, it is often the case that when there is multi-agency involvement in decision making and government by committee, we arrive at a collective consensus of varying opinions that g et amalgamated into some form of legislative framework that allows two the opposing factions to equally claim both victory and likewise to point to deficiencies in the scheme where they can manage to abdicate responsibility when it does not work effectively. (Fordham, F et al. 2007)If one considers the specific concept of the needle exchange, then this can be assessed on a variety of levels of differing complexity. At the most simplistic level, it is a mechanism of harm reduction. Bulmenthal documents the fact that IV drug abusers can go to extraordinary lengths to continue their habit if their equipment is confiscated thereby exposing themselves to illness transmission risks by sacramental manduction needles. (Bluthenthal R N et al. 2005). The stilboestrol Jarlais paper putting forward the premise that if they are going to persist in injecting then it should be in the safest mien possible. (Des Jarlais et al 1995)On a more complex level there are some that suggest that providi ng a needle exchange increases IV drug use. Such views are not based on available evidence. The Aggleton paper demonstrating clearly that syringe exchange centres, with access to clean and sterile equipment, neither increases the incidence of drug use, nor does it increase the frequency of injection of confirmed users (such operators are demonstrably far more dependent on the local availability of the drugs (CDCP 2002)) . More master(prenominal)ly, neither do they increase the number of new converts to drug injection (UNAIDS 2003)(Aggleton. P 2000)Arguably a more important consideration of a needle exchange is the potential benefit for improvement in the general health of the user (and some would argue in the Public Health). The Gostin study shows that use of a needle exchange implies contact between user and healthcare services who have the ability to place the user in contact with those services best suit to reduce high risk activities. (Gostin et al . 1997). This is also relev ant in consideration of the fact that the majority of drug abusers have at least one associated pathology (viz. mental illness, physical illness or other social pathologies). Because they will typically be a highly mobile and itinerant population, these individuals are easily lost to any type of organised healthcare follow up or intervention. The needle exchange can act as an opportunity to inject to try to assist the user deal with their problems. The simple provision of needles represents a lost opportunity in this respect.There are two other important elements relating to the needle exchange. By protecting an addict form HIV/AIDS one is also protecting their sexual partners from exposure. The second (often cited) element is one of cost. Needle exchanges are comparatively cheap to run and this must be compared to the social and financial costs of not running them. Aggleton concluded that each syringe exchange cost 18p. This equates to 13 per case of HIV/AIDS prevented. Compared to a lifetime of healthcare costs for a single HIV/AIDS case, the savings to society are incalculable. (Aggleton P 2000)ReferencesAggleton. P. (2000) UNAIDS, Report on the Global HIV/AIDS epidemic, June 2000 quoted in Success in HIV Prevention,. UNAIDS Best Practice Collection. Geneva, UNAIDS. 2000Bluthenthal RN, Kral AH, Erringer EA, et al. 2005, do drugs geartrain laws and injection-related infectious disease risk among drug injectors.Journal of Drug Issues. 2005 Vol.6CDCP (2002) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention HIV/AIDS Surveillance report 2002 14Des Jarlais DC, Hagan H, Friedman SR, et al. (1995) Maintaining low HIV sero prevalence in populations of injecting drug users. Journal of the American Medical Association. 1995 274 1226 1231.Fordham, F Jones L , Sumnall, H McVeigh J Bellis M (2007) The economics of preventing drug use An introduction to the issues National collaborating centre for drug Prevention for the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence HMSO London 2007Gostin L O, Lazzarini Z, Jones T S, et al. (1997) Prevention of HIV/AIDS and other blood-borne diseases among injection drug users a national survey on the regulation of syringes and needles. Journal of the American Medical Association. 1997 277 53 62.Holmberg SD. (2006) The estimated prevalence and incidence of HIV in 96 large US metropolitan areas. American Journal of Public Health. 2006 86 642 654.NSDU (2004) National Survey on Drug Use and Health 2003 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration. HMSO Sept 2004Reinarman, C., Levine H G. (2004) Crack in the Rearview Mirror Deconstructing Drug War Mythology. genial Justice 31 (2) 182 199Rice D P, Kelman S, Miller L S. (1991) Estimates of economic costs of alcohol and drug abuse and mental illness, 1985 and 1988. Public Health Reports. 1991 106 280 92.UNAIDS (2003) circumstance sheet High-income countries. WHO Publication 2003 mesh shopping Impact on consumer demeanourInternet shopping Impact on consumer behaviourElectronic commerce is bonny increasingly important to both corporations and individuals as a result of the dramatic development of engineering science and the emergency of a global economy. The expansion of the usage of the Internet by organisations and people is one of the main contributors to the development of e-commerce in terms of e-shopping, electronic business and profits commerce. Studies have shown that by the middle of the 1990s internet based services had rapidly emerged in usage and coverage leading to their application and deployment in the creation of a new method of shopping, (Wiggins, 1995). Thus online trade has rifle vital to new e-commerce and traditional offline companies in order to take advantage of these new technologies. However the essential ingredient of marketing and business chiefly is the satisfaction of customers needs hence a full understanding of consumer behaviour in terms of internet shopping is a critical success factor for any company making use of it as a form of doing business.Consumer behaviour is complex and can be described as a participating interaction between affect and cognition, behaviour, and environmental events, (Blythe, 1997). Due to the new characteristics of the global economy it has been contended that customers value immediate responses to their demands in terms of goods and information. A demand which technology based e-commerce is arguably able to meet. Therefore it is useful to explore the main determining factors on customers choice of e-retail site. Additionally look for has revealed that consumer acceptance of e-shopping in the UK is some(prenominal) higher than in many other European countries (Forrester Research, 2000). Literature also suggests as do previous studies that young educated people constitute a principal demographic engaging in online shopping. This research focuses on university students following other studies in arguing that they represent the principal dem ographic of online shoppers but also includes a sample representing other demographics in order to comparatively analyse behavioural patterns for shopping online between different groups.Due to the nature of internet there are critically problems related to shopping online the major ones suggested as being security and privacy problems. These originate and are due not only to the deficiencies innate within Internet and e-commerce security but also as a result of customer distrust of such measures as a result of perceived inadequacies with procedures, (Panko, 2001). Yet even with these problems online shopping has grown exponentially therefore an interesting interaction must be occurring between consumer behaviour and these factors, an interaction this research proposes to evidence and analyse.Research suggests that online sellers have made successful efforts to increase customers confidence and usage of shopping online through the improvement of security performance and privacy p rotection. Companies like eBay and Amazon.com enlarge successful examples of e-shopping which are argued benefit from a successful brand building strategy increasing customer loyalty. As a result it is suggested that online shopping has become and will continue to become a full and effective business model, (Black, 2005). However this depends to a large extent on the development of technology as well as effective marketing. This research then aims to examine consumer perceptions of business innovations and the nature of business innovations in terms of technology and marketing to altering these perceptions and behaviour resulting out of these perceptions.This project makes use of both qualitative and quantitative methods aiming at triangulating the research factors involved to provide useful information for analysis of relevance to the objectives listed above, (Gummeson, 2000). The research is divided into four phases. The first element is a lit review and analysis of secondary da ta forms dealing with both theory as it applies to online shopping, various business practices in terms of the environmental conditions of online shopping and general theories dealing with consumer behaviour, (Ghauri, 2005). The aim of this section in furtherance to reviewing literature in the area is to constitute patterns of congruence within theoretical literature not directly concerned with online shopping.An sign questionnaire will be conducted with a sample of 300, 250 of whom will be indiscriminately selected from a university campus and 50 from local city centre. The questionnaire is aimed at gathering descriptive data of use in modelling behavioural patterns while shopping online. An initial control question identifying those persons who have bought goods online will help identify a representative sample of consumers who are of relevance to the objectives of the research. The data from this will be analysed for come about themes, issues of differences and similarities i n behavioural patterns between students and other demographic groups and some common behavioural indicators for shopping online which in turn form the base of the investigation to be carried out in the ensuing qualitative research.In terms of qualitative data collection three focus groups will be held, each with 8 participants. The first two focus groups will be sampled from the 250 university student participants in the questionnaire who expressed willingness towards further participation in research. The third focus group will be drawn from the 50 non-student demographic and if necessary the sample will be supplemented through advertisements in local media and outlets. From the 24 participants in the focus group it is hoped that six participants two from each focus group will accept an invitation to participate in an interview to explore in more detail the issues arising from the questionnaire and the issues raise in the focus group sessions. It is obvious that the research may t ake up a certain amount of participants time and thus a elastic schedule for the interviews as well as inducements in the form of online shopping vouchers will be used to assist in increasing the response rate to these parts of the research. The primary focus of the semi-structured interviews is to follow up on specific themes highlighted in the previous forms of research and also allow time for the respondents to discuss freely and offer their insights into the relevant issues raised by the research so far, (Silverman, 2004).To conclude it is expected that this combination of research methods will yield fruitful and insightful data relevant to the objectives of the research. In particular the triangulation achieved through the supplementing of descriptive quantitative data with exploratory qualitative data will it is hoped illuminate specific interactions between theories from the literature and practice in day-to-day patterns of behaviour for online consumers and further explain specific and general elements particular to UK consumers.

Statistical Analysis: Causes and Death and Illness

Statistical Analysis Causes and Death and IllnessMeagan AtchesonThe statistics around arouses of finale be imperative as intimately as vital in determining and monitoring the haleness status of populations as tumefy as for identifying critical priorities for various health systems. Most industrialized countries impart effective systems in place to determine the main causes of conclusion. In business line to this, growing countries ar not as advanced in placing such(prenominal) systems which proves detrimental in laborious to improve the oerall health of the nation. Indeed, there are vast differences in the top causes of death within developed countries versus the developing countries. This essay exit compare and contrast the top five causes of death in the United States of America and in southernmost Africa as well as provide evidence and explanations for these differences. Moreover, it go out critically discuss the assay occurrenceors, health policy, ailment prog ression and handling advances or lack thereof with regard to particular causes in each context. Finally, it will address certain approaches needed to improve the health of populations.The most fundamental aspect of any health policy looks at methods to maintain as well as improve the health status of a population. Defining the health of a nation as well as how health is measured is critical to any health care system (Kronenfeld, 2002). The knowledge base wellness Organization defines health not scarcely in terms of the negative definition where health is seen as the absence of disease but overly incorporates physical, mental and social well being (World Health Organization, 1948). Mortality rates are the basic row of measurement needed to asses health status. By counting the number of deaths in a twelvemonth and comparing it to preceding eld, the health status of various populations force out be determined (Ogden, 2007).Health statistics make up shown that diseases, their occ urrence as well as deathrate rates differ from one country to the next much(prenominal) specifically developed countries as opposed to developing countries (Tool Tool, 2004). Developed or industrialised countries such as the USA are typically more economically advanced with a mel imprinted level of economic growth and standard of living as well as advanced technological infrastructure. In contrast to this, developing countries like South Africa have a lower standard of living, are under industrialised and have poorer economic growth (Szirmai, 2005).Ranking causes of death is an extremely useful method for representing mortality statistics (Ogden, 2007).The U.S department of health and human services released a report at the end of 2009 on the leading causes of death in the United States by age, sex and race. The top five causes death in rank swan were erect to be diseases of the substance malignant neoplasms degenerative lower respiratory diseases cerebrovascular disease an d accidents (unintentional injury). It is imperative to note the differences in ranks for age. For example the leading causes of death for infants were accidents congenital malformations deformations chromosomal abnormalities and malignant neoplasms. This differed to the age separate of surrounded by 2-44 years where the leading causes were unintentional injuries, homicide as well as suicide. For individuals over 45, the primary causes of mortality respectively were heart disease and fuckingcer. Certain variations and similarities come through between the different genders. For both genders, heart disease and stoogecer were the first and guerrilla leading causes of death. The third cause for men was unintentional injury versus guess for women. The fourth leading cause for both sexes was chronic lower respiratory disease followed by stroke for men and Alzheimers for women. Little deviation was found among the different races (Heron, 2012). These results remained the same for data collected in 2011 (Hoyert Xu, 2012).The South African statistical release for 2010 showed Tuberculosis (TB) to be the leading natural cause of death. The second leading cause of death was influenza and pneumonia. The third primary cause was enteric infectious diseases followed by other forms of heart disease (not Ischaemic) and wherefore cerebrovascular diseases. The first two causes tuberculosis and influenza and pneumonia were the top two causes for both male and female. The third leading cause for women was cerebrovascular disease followed by intestinal infectious disease and then other forms of heart disease. This differed to that of the male group whose third leading cause of death was intestinal infectious disease followed by other forms of heart disease and then cerebrovascular disease. The age group as well as the various provinces in South Africa were included in this statistical report to illustrate slight differences in the top causes of death. In the Free State as well as in Limpopo, the leading cause of death was influenza and pneumonia unlike all other demesnes where tuberculosis remained the main cause of death. The major death cause for children below the age of fifteen years was intestinal infectious disease compared to the age group 15-64 whose main reason for death was cod to TB. For those aged over 65, cerebrovascular disease caused the most deaths (Statistics South Africa, 2010).Being a developing country, South African individuals face a high risk of contracting and dying from Tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is a disease where bacterium enters and invades various body tissue papers such as the lungs, brain and kidney. It is spread from individuals who contain the untreated, active form of the Tuberculosis bacteria through droplets releases into the air via coughing, sneezing or speaking (Wouk, 2010). Although there are numerous risk factors for TB, it mostly affects poorer individuals who are living in rural areas with a lack of affo rdability for transport as well as discourse, people with weak immune systems, those who lack access to Directly Observed Treatment, Short course (DOTS) as well as those who are uninsured. Furthermore, the strongest risk factor for the development of TB is HIV. These two diseases pertain to have a deadly association as each drives the development of the other. Drug resistant strains of the TB bacteria is a huge risk factor leading to the enormous amounts of deaths in South Africa (Davies, 2005). Moreover, the poor health care system as well as the limited number of properly trained health workers in South Africa threatens the majority of people who contract Tuberculosis (Downing, Gwyther, Mwangi-Powell, 2012).The National Department of Health in South Africa implemented the National Tuberculosis check into programme which aimed to reduce mortality due to TB as well as streak of drug resistance development by 2005. However, the health policy surrounding TB in South Africa needs to be strengthened considerably in various areas. Firstly, public health services need to improve DOTS implementation as well as more emphasis needs to be located on access and utilisation of health services (World Health Organization, 2009). Moreover, different approaches need to be taken in regard to the HIV on TB relationship. Furthermore, higher quality strategies are needed for better TB diagnosis and treatment (South African Department of health, 2004)Although TB is curable, it is the progression from latent TB transmitting to multidrug- resistant TB that results in the high mortality figures in South Africa. Individuals with latent TB transmittance show no signs and symptoms of the disease as it is salvage in the harmless stage. However, if these individuals do not receive proper treatment, reflecting majority of the crusades present in South Africa, it develops into TB disease. It usually starts out with damage to lung tissue but often lands up affecting many body tissu es and organs. Moreover, TB is extremely resilient and adaptable. Often in developing countries, the right combination of drugs are not taken for the right amount of time due to a large number of reasons such as poverty and this then leads to multidrug-resistant TB. If left untreated multi-drug resistant TB can be fatal (Dyer, 2010).There have been major efforts to improve TB ascertain and treatment in South Africa. glacial dose combination tablets (FDCS) were introduced in 2000 in the hope of pr all the sametion of resistance and easier administration. Together with the combination tablets, directly observed treatment is enforced to ensure treatment adherence and to assist pr reddent bug outnce of drug resistance (South African Department of health, 2004). Despite these efforts, the TB incidence and fatality rates whitewash continue to increase. It is consequently not a lack of treatment that hinders South Africa from reaching their target for TB control, but rather a lack of appropriate infection control measures in public health settings together with the high prevalence of HIV that results in increased numbers of drug resistant TB cases (Weyer, 2007). center disease in developed countries like the United States is mostly attributed to individual behaviour and lifestyle unlike TB in South Africa. This disease can be linked to risk factors such as smoking, unhealthy diet, alcohol abuse, diabetes, lack of physical activity as well as high stock certificate cholesterol and blood pressure. Age, heredity and gender besides play a role in the development of heart disease (Brannon Feist, 2010). In contrast to developing countries, Americans face very different risk factors which can often be attributed to their fast paced and busy lifestyles.America implemented a public health pull through plan to prevent heart disease and stroke which addresses an urgent need for the action of bar. This is in contrast to South Africas health policy that still needs to be strengthened. Public health agencies together with the general public of America are needed to help promote the national goals of preventing heart disease as support for these health programmes continue to remain low. The American health action plan aims to improve cardiovascular health through prevention, early detecting as well as treatment of various risk factors. This plan alike includes developing new health policies that includes innovative intervention programmes for especially high risk groups that will result in measurable impacts (U.S. department of health and human services, n.d.)Heart disease is a chronic condition that tends to get worse over time. Unlike TB, heart disease is not infectious and cannot be spread from one person to the next which is often the case in niggling areas such as the townships in developing countries. Heart disease is mostly a direct result of lifestyle choices. Furthermore, the progression of heart disease can become extremely unpredicta ble as it is different for each person. In just about instances, the symptoms of the disease can remain stable over months or even years before becoming worse, while in others these symptoms may rapidly development. In America, early stages of heart disease are seen as early as age 15. Hypertension as well as other cardiovascular risk factors has all been linked to the progression of heart failure (Abraham, 2001).New treatments for heart disease have dramatically improved the life expectancy of these individuals in America. Drugs such as statins, antihypertensive agents, thrombolytic agents, anti-platelet as well as anti-coagulation therapies have all proved to be effective treatments. Moreover, novel device based therapies is an advancement in treatment that has contributed to a decline in cardiac mortality in the United States. Through being a developed country, they have access to modern genetics and genomics that will lighten for more targeted use of drugs to emerge in the fu ture which will greatly improve the effectiveness of therapy. This is in contrast to South Africas limited resources and modern medical advances that still allow drug resistant TB to be a major cause of death (Weisfeldt Zieman, 2007).Apart from cerebrovascular disease and some forms of heart disease, the leading causes of mortality differed significantly between the United States and South Africa. These variations can be explained by the different risk factors, health policies, disease progressions as well as treatment advances or a lack thereof between the two countries. In contrast to developed countries, developing countries have vastly different health priorities due to a diverse set of risks. The many factors such under industrialization, high unemployment rates, underdeveloped health care system as well as the low standards of living is the answer to why causes of death are so unalike. Moreover, the problems in the quality of health care need to be addressed in order to see t he health of South Africans improve. In America, additional intervention programmes need to be introduced to help better the health status of the nation. Furthermore, through the comparisons of the approaches South Africa takes in regard to Tuberculosis versus the approach to heart disease taken in America, proper explanations of the mortality cause differences can be seen.ReferencesAbraham, W. T. (2001). Anti- adrenergic therapy in hypertensive patients with concomitantdisease. In L. Ryden (Eds.). Disease progression throughout the cardiovascular continuum. (pp. 25-26 ). Germany Springer- Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.Brannon, L., Feist, J. (2010). Health psychology an introduction to behaviour and health(7th Ed.). USA Wadsworth Cengage Learning.Davies, P.O. (2005). Risk factors for Tuberculosis. Monaldi Arch agency Dis, 63(1), 37-46.Downing, J., Gwyther, L., Mwangi- Powell, F. (2012). Public health and palliative care aperspective from Africa. In L. Sallnow, S. Kumar, A.Kellehear ( Eds.). International perspectives on public health and palliative care. (pp. 69- 84). Oxon Routledge.Dyer, C.A. (2010). Biographies of disease Tuberculosis. California Greenwood Press.Heron, M. (2012). Deaths ahead(p) causes for 2009. National vital statistics reports, 61(7).Hyattsville, MD National fondness for Health Statistics.Hoyert, D.L., Xu, J.Q. (2012). Deaths Preliminary data for 2011. National vital statisticsreports vol 61 no 6. Hyattsville, MD National Centre for Health Statistics.Kronenfeld, J.J. (2002). Health care policy issues and trend.USA Praeger Publishers.Ogden, J. (2007). Health Psychology (4th Ed.). England Open University Press.South African Department of Health. (2004). The South African National Tuberculosis halt Programme Practical guidelines. Retrieved from http//www.kznhealth.gov.za/Statistics South Africa. (2010). Mortality and causes of death in South Africa findings fromdeath notification (P0309.3). Pretoria Statistics South Africa. Retrieved from ww w.statssa.gov.za/publications/P03093/P030932010.pdfSzirmai, A. (2005). The dynamics of socio-economic development. UK CambridgeUniversity Press.Toole, G., Toole, S. (2004). Essential AS biology for OCR. UK Nelson Thornes Ltd.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for disease control andPrevention.(n.d.). A public health action plan to prevent heart disease and stroke. Retrieved from www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/action_plan/pdfs/action_plan_full.pdfWeisfeldt, M. L., Zieman, S.J. (2007). Advances in the prevention and treatment ofcardiovascular disease. Health Affairs, 26(1), 25-37. doi 10.1377/hlthaff.26.1.25Weyer, K. (2007). Case study South Africa. Bulletin of the World Health Organization,85(5), 325-420.World Health Organization. (1948) Preamble of the Constitution of the World HealthOrganisation as adopted by the International Health Conference. Geneva Switzerland.World Health Organization. (2009). WHO policy on TB infection control in health carefacilities. Geneva WHOWouk , H. (2010). Tuberculosis.NY Marshall Cavendish Corporation.Is Globalisation Undermining State Sovereignty?Is Globalisation Undermining State Sovereignty?Is globalization undermining country reign?throughout the years it has been argued that globalization has a significant effect on tell apart sovereignty. That ongoing debate between scholars and social scientists is trying to determine whether or not carry can still maintain its own sovereignty. Weiss (1998) suggests that there are certain factors such as investments in supranational economy, transnational corporations and non- brassal organizations which cave the tell apart sovereignty. On the other hand, Krasner (2001) argues that in the past similar things such as free trade existed and give in sovereignty was able to dominate. The essay will way on defining globalization and sovereignty. Then it will observe how multinational corporations, inter-governmental organizations, open market economy and foreign crime can redu ce states power and therefore undermine sovereignty.Sovereignty is a very broad term which Barkin and Cronin (1994, p.107-30) simply defines as the power of state to make and break any law within its own state boundaries. Moreover, sovereignty is defined as the unassailable supremacy over privileged affairs within its territory, absolute right to govern its people, and freedom from any external interference in the above matters (Martinez, 1996 Wang, 2004, p.473). The state is the supreme political authority within its territory and therefore it does not recognize any higher political authority outside it. With this definition it would be easier to determine whether or not globalization affects certain aspects of it. Beekens (2003, p.130) illustrates globalization as the world-wide interconnectedness between nation states supplemented by globalization as a process in which basic social arrangements (such as power, culture, markets, politics, rights, values, norms, ideology, identi ty, citizenship, and solidarity) become disembedded from their spatial context (mainly, the nation-state) because of the acceleration, massification, flexibilisation, diffusion, and expansion of transnational flows of people, products, finance, images, and information. Therefore, first we are going to observe how economic factors of globalization free market, increasing power of multinational corporations affect the state sovereignty.The end of the World War Two and the Cold War led to a more open world economy market to countries and individuals as a result of globalization. Therefore, international trade between countries increased significantly where foreign direct investments and multinational corporations participated too. Since there was an open free market some countries reached gross domestic product as never seen before. For example, a drastic changes can be seen in countries such as France where the GDP export ration rose almost four times and in the United States where i t doubled (Michie, 2011, p.30-40). Michie (2011, p.40-43) also mentions that these examples show us that international trade has grown with time leading to economic dependency between countries which undermine state sovereignty. This dependency gives the power of other countries to manipulate and control the economy of another country. For example, in order to attract more consumers for its goods and services, China buys US bonds to maintain the US dollar currency high. This undermines states sovereignty, because it undermines the absolute power of a state over internal and foreign affairs within its own boundaries (Wang, 2004, p.474-76). In this way US is underage on China to buy their bonds.Multinational corporations and their foreign direct investments are another part of globalization which undermines state sovereignty. The investments only in the developed countries have risen from 17 to 25 percent between 1990 and 2000 which simply shows that the multinational corporations ar e a big part of the take and manufacturing of goods and services in few countries (Michie, 2011, p.45-50). Furthermore, between 1960s and 1970s there was an increase in foreign direct investments by EU and US multinational corporations which attracted other countries to get involved too. Strange (1996, p160-80) argues that globalization has increased the powers of multinational corporations making the state sovereignty weaker. Furthermore, Strange notes that the advancements in technology, wider communications, international trade and raptus are move of the globalization process which is also seen as an impact on state sovereignty. For instance, states do not have full authority over individual businesses which operate in the free market economy. As a result of globalization there is an increased competition between international businesses and therefore, state sovereignty is undermined because it questions the power of the state over its internal affairs (Strange, 1996, p181-99) .The biggest challenge which state sovereignty is facing even now is international crime. This is when the state cannot hold dear its citizens from external or internal affairs as for example terrorism. To prevent that governments form inter-governmental organizations. These organizations are not profit organizations and their target is to resolve concerns and problems that affect the world. much(prenominal) organisation is the United Nations. A good present example of an international group which pose a threat to state sovereignty is Al Qaeda. As Aydinli (2006, p.35-45) says, the attacks on US and Spain in 2000 undermined their state sovereignty because they were not able to protect their citizens. On the other hand, in the same year the United States also intervened Iraq and Afghanistan ignoring the United Nations. This could also be seen as international crime because they ignored state sovereignty and just went into these Middle East countries blaming them for supporting terro rism. Despite the fact that the inter-governmental organizations are supposed to promote peace, sometimes they violate state sovereignty too. For example, in 1999 NATO intervened Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in order to prevent more humanitarian suffering and more repression and violence against the civilian population (Solana, 1999). This can be seen as an example of countries, members of NATO, trying to stop this humanitarian catastrophe. Although NATOs actions were legal and justified, the government of Yugoslavia undermined sovereignty by putting its own citizens in danger. This contradicts to one of the aspects of state sovereignty in which the state should protect its own population.Another example is Mali. France, which is a key ally in NATO and UN, started a military campaign in Mali again the jihadists which led to an intensive airstrikes in order to block them (Hammond, 2013). In this case NATO affects the state sovereignty because they intervene to protect the people, whereas the state has to govern and protect its own citizens. This intervention might lead to further violations of human rights or even ethnic conflicts, even though the purpose of this intervention was to stabilize the country. Therefore, as Albala (2005) says, the actions of these inter-governmental organizations undermine the aspects of state sovereignty as they move into other states territory and also participate in the internal and external affairs of the state. Also the international community is currently condemning Russia for undermining the sovereignty of Ukraine. It is unclear if internal sovereignty will be possible. Furthermore, Russia will support protests against the new government even if they have to use military power. Russia has also withdrawn their loans from Ukraine making them dependent on Western financial support. At the same time, the territorial integrity of the country is partly at stake as long as pro-Russian parts of Ukraine might feel threatened by the clear pro-Western course of the new intermediate government.This can also be seen as another example of undermining state sovereignty.Globalization is not just a threat to state sovereignty, it is more like a threat to culture and national identity. For example, at no conduct in the history of the EU or ECC as it was called erasing borders and merging states have been seriously considered. Despite the fact that the European Union is an inter-governmental organization desire for peace and development, it opens the borders between the member countries. Free market economy, free trade and immigration have shaped the EU more as one state than an organization. That occurs because the open boundaries lead to merging the cultures and national identity is fading away. All this can raise questions to Member states whether or not their national identities and state sovereignty are undermined. Moreover, it does undermine the state sovereignty but in a different way throughout international law.International law has been affected by globalization in terms that it makes the international law into a global public law (Garcia, 2005, p.1-2). What it means is that globalization is actually trying to expand the worldly concern of justice (Garcia, 2005) from domestic to global. An example is the European Union. When a country in the EU wants to make a law, firstly they have to follow the agreements on European Law and regulations. Garcia (2005, p3) says that International harms to individuals are understood within a framework of harm to a states rights. Simply, the state cannot claim laws as it wishes and it also has no sovereign power on internal and external affairsFurthermore, other form of international organizations are the international non-governmental organizations. They start as microscopical community groups where some of them work also with the government, aiming to help where the government is struggling (Baylis, Smith Owens 2011). However, these organizations have spread their work on a global photographic plate and their influence has risen. Inter-governmental and international non-governmental organizations have one target which is global governance where transnational actors aim to solve problems that affect more than one state. Such organizations are the Red Cross, Care International, Oxfarm International. When one of these international NGO goes into a country with a stated purpose as for example to give medical help or fight against violence as Amnesty International does in Somalia, they agree not to get politically involved in anyway. If their work is, for example, then stopped by the government who accuses them of showing a bias in which they treat and expel them from the country then the NGO can complain to the UN and hire for support to continue their work. Recently, Amnesty International has requested the UN Security Council to tighten arms control embargo on Somalia (Amnesty International publication 2014). Last year the UN Security Council allowed Somalia to import small arms and light weapons (Amnesty International publication 2014)). The intergovernmental organization weakens the state sovereignty in that case because despite the fact that they have stabilized the country on first place, their actions have made the government weaker to defend its sovereignty.To summarize, we first looked at what state sovereignty and globalization mean followed by criticism about the influence of globalization over states. We saw how foreign investments by the multinational corporations and the increasing dependency between economics markets as such as the case with United States and China. State sovereignty was undermined because governments became more unstable and lost control over international businesses becoming dependent on them for proving jobs and taxes. This also undermines one of the main principles of state sovereignty which was the absolute power of the state over its internal affairs, citizens and f reedom (Martinez, 1996 Wang, 2004, p.473). Globalization has also brought international crime and international organizations which undermine state sovereignty in different aspects. Terrorism as we mentioned weakens the state making it unable to protect its own citizens. Globalization has been also seen to undermine national identity and state values as with European Union where the European Supreme Court acts as highest law within the European Union. Since some governments cannot guarantee protection there are inter-governmental and international non-governmental organization such as NATO, Amnesty International, United Nations which intervene to help those countries such as Yugoslavia, Mali and more recently Ukraine and Somalia. Although they have been also seen to undermine state sovereignty because sometimes as with Somalia, the international organizations have even worsen the situation. With all these factors of globalization free market economy, multinational corporations, for eign direct investments, international crime and international law it can be concluded that states sovereignty and control over its territory has declined throughout the years due globalization.BibliographyAmnesty International, (2014) UN Security Council urged to tighten arms embargo on Somalia Press release 04/03/2014 visible(prenominal) on http//amnesty.org/en/news/un-security-council-urged-tighten-arms-embargo-somalia-2014-03-04 Last accessed 05/03/2014Albala, N. (2005) We the peoples, not the states, Available on http//mondediplo.com/2005/09/06people Last Access on 04/03/2014Aydinli, E (2013) Assessing violent nonstate actorness in global politics a framework for analysis, Cambridge Review of International Affairs, DOI10.1080/09557571.2013.819316 Available on http//www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09557571.2013.819316.Uxez-Pl_uSo Last Accessed on 04/03/2014Barkin, J. and Cronin, B. (1994). The state and the nation changing norms and the rules of sovereignty in international relations. International Organization, 48, pp 107-130. doi10.1017/S0020818300000837. Available on http//journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=onlineaid=1583540fulltextType=RAfileId=S0020818300000837 Last accessed 04/03/2014Baylis J., Smith S. and Owens P. (2011) The globalization of world poltics Oxford University pressDr. Javier Solana, (1999) Press Statement on Yugoslavia case Available on http//www.nato.int/docu/pr/1999/p99-040e.htm Last accessed 05/03/2014Garcia, F. (2005) Globalization and the Theory of International Law International Legal Theory 11, (2005) 9-26. Available online on http//lawdigitalcommons.bc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1093context=lsfp Last accessed 05/03/2014Hammond, J. (2013) Mali forgotten Lessons in Humanitarian Intervention Available on http//www.jeremyrhammond.com/2013/01/23/mali-disregarded-lessons-in-humanitarian-intervention/ Last Accessed 05/03/2014Krasner S. SOVEREIGNTY.Foreign Policyserial online. January 2001(122)20. Availab le from Business Source Complete, Ipswich, MA http//web.a.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=2emailprotectedhid=4214bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ==db=bthAN=3934097. Accessed March 5, 2014.Michie, J. (2011), The handbook of Globalisation, e-book, accessed 05 March 2014, http//rhul.eblib.com/patron/FullRecord.aspx?p=685074.Strange, S. (1996). The retreat of the State. 1st ed. Cambridge Cambridge University Press. Who is really in charge of the world economy? Not only governments, argues Susan Strange in The Retreat of the State. Big businesses, drug barons, insurers, accountants and international bureaucrats all encroach on the so-called sovereignty of the state. Professor Strange examines the implications of this rivalry and points to some new directions for research in international relations, international business and economics. Cambridge Books Online. Web. 05 March 2014.http//dx.doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511559143Wang, G. (2004) The Impact of Globalization on State SovereigntyJF Chines e Journal of International Law Available on http//chinesejil.oxfordjournals.org/content/3/2/473.shortLast Accessed 04/03/2014Weiss, L. (1998) Themythofthepowerlessstate governingtheeconomy in a global era Oxford Polity Press

Do objects exist independent of the mind?

Do target aras exist nonsymbiotic of the spirit?This essay will investigate the question of whether caput self-employed person objects exist according to John Locke and George Berkeley. John Locke reasons that objects do exist independently of our school principal but this is non with come in both(prenominal) caveat. George Berkeley on the otherwise legislate begs that no significant substances exist other than judgements or perceptions in our minds. Hence there atomic number 18 no mind independent objects.I will argue that John Lockes reasoning is actually stronger than Berkeleys and therefore the case for mind independent objects existing is coincidentally stronger as well. Lockes argument in support is that we can be sure of the limits of our noesis of their existence beca enforce of the ideas we obtain from our senses. I will firstly detail how Lockes reasoning supports this contention. Secondly I will explore Berkeleys study which denies that whatsoever form o f material substance and hence mind independent objects do non exist independently. I will argue that Berkeleys claim fails because of inadequacies raised during his rejection of Lockes argument. Berkeley relies on an appeal to the supernatural (e.g. God) to counter the universal proposition that he inevitably draws himself into with the existence of other minds in orthogonal human bodies and in his contention that foreign objects only exist as ideas in the mind.Locke adopts a pragmatic approach to this inquiry because he uses the senses in a pragmatic everyday way to esteem the degree of evidence of knowledge. Importantly, Locke accepts the limitations of human knowledge which therefore(prenominal) defines the inquiry question of what level of certainty there is for the existence of out-of-door objects (Bennett, two hundred7).Locke says that an idea is whatever is the object of the understanding when a man thinks (Bennett 2007 p2). This is an important definition because it suggests an idea to be more than just a representation of an external object. What Locke alludes to here is that we hold in a cognitive ability to obtain knowledge of the external world through a relationship in our mind between simple (sensations from experience) and complex (abstracted from point to universal principles) ideas and are thus able to pass judgement (subjective) about the certainty of that knowledge. Locke states thatKnowledge, then, seems to me to be nothing but the perception of the connection and organization, or unlikeness and incompatibility, of both of our ideas. That is all it is (Bennett, 2007, p196).So knowledge then becomes the outcome of complex ideas created in our mind from sensations. The mind has no innate ideas and starts out as a tabula rasa (or blank sheet) but with mental faculties which thus enable the creation of ideas from experiences of the external world (Bennett, 2007). This is not unproblematic though because it raises the question of exactly which faculties are then innate. However, the ideas created come into world from when a person first has sensations. Locke says thatSince there appear not to be any ideas in the mind before the senses hold back conveyed any in, I think that ideas in the understanding arise at the same time as sensation (Bennett, 2007 p22).These ideas fashioning our knowledge are thus derived from our experience. They are also built upon the immediate impression of external objects in our mind through our senses. More complex and abstract concepts result from our own introspection.Locke then duologue about three types of knowledge which are important in our understanding of the certainty of the existence mind independent objects. He claims that these three types of knowledge are1. Intuitive Knowledge which is the immediate agreement or disagreement between ideas without an intervention of other ideas2. Demonstrative Knowledge which does not directly perceive the agreement or disagreement of ideas. It therefore brings into itself more ideas and creating complex ideas thus calling it reasoning3. Sensitive Knowledge which is knowledge gained through the senses (Bennett, 2007 p22).Sensitive knowledge is the discern element of his claim that external objects exist independent of the mind.Whilst it is readily conceded by Locke that sensitive knowledge is not as certain as intuitive knowledge or demonstrative knowledge, it nevertheless goes beyond probability (Bennett, 2007, p202). It follows then that the level of certainty in establishing a case for the existence of external objects knowledge apply the senses is limited. But I con unravel that the degree to which it is limited does not discount its use. Locke also asserts that whilst some philosophers question whether external objects exist even though they may have an idea in their mind, there is a degree of evidentness which puts the question beyond doubt (Bennett, 2007, p202). So he postulates that we can feel the sun, notice the discrimination at night without the sun and appreciate the contrast between a dream and an idea coming into our mind through the senses (Bennett, 2007, p202).So for all practical purposes, I contend along with Locke that this is all we need to establish a high level of certainty about the existence of mind-independent objects. This is not to say, that his logic is not without some openings for criticism such as the probabilistic certainty of sensitive knowledge.However I argue that the strength of Lockes reasoning for the existence of mind independent objects lies in its pragmatic simplicity. If we have the idea that something exists independently of our mind and we confirm this with our senses, then it is highly probable that it does exist independently of our mind. If we have the idea that the free-base we walk upon is solid, then the idea comes from our experience of solid ground through our walking upon it. victimisation Lockes reasoning then, the idea of sol id ground (as a mind independent object) can be held to be certain to the limit that sensitive knowledge allows.In contrast to Locke, one can postulate as does George Berkeley, that material substances (and hence mind independent objects) do not exist. In his inquiry, scepticism surfaces amidst the proposition that we think only about the idea and not the actual external object. This scepticism charges the materialism of Locke for example, with implying that it leads to disavowing God (Downing, 2011). This aspect of Berkeleys rejection of Lockes materialist conceptions of the existence of external objects is also a key element of my rejection of Berkeleys I holdism.Berkeleys main argument for the mind independent objects not existing is structured thusThat we perceive ordinary objects and I wouldnt have known them if I hadnt perceived them by my sensesThings perceived by the senses are immediately perceived andThings that are immediately perceived are ideas andIdeas cant exist outsi de the mind.So it follows thatThe existence of things I perceive by my senses consists in being perceived.When they are actually perceived the existence of things, therefore, there can be no doubt about their existence (Berkeley P41).Unfolding what Berkeley means by this hinges upon his use of the word perceive. If the definition of perceiving is to become alive(predicate) of something through the senses, then it seems that what Berkeley is dictum is that we can have knowledge of the existence of external objects. But in incident that is not what he is saying. In 1, 2, 3 4 he is arguing that our perception or awareness of ordinary objects (external) is based upon the use of our senses creating ideas which can then only exist in our minds. Premise 5 makes his argument look remarkably circular but I will grant that it isnt for this purpose. What he is saying is that external objects only exist because we are able to be aware of them. His conclusion at 6 reite roves the thrust of hi s claim that when we are made aware of external objects by our senses, then we cannot doubt their existence. He does not mean the external object. He means the idea of the external object.So, if the external object is not a representation and it is not anything other than an idea brought about by a perception or awareness through the senses, how is it that we come by the idea of knowledge of the external world? And more so, how is it that when we are not present or are denied our senses for any reason, that other people continue to experience the external world. Berkeley answers this by saying that When I say that sensible things external objects cant exist out of the mind, I dont mean my mind in particular, but all minds. Now, they distinctly have an existence exterior to my mind, since I find by experience that they are independent of it (Berkeley p42).I argue here that this sentence inherently disrupts Berkeleys claim that there are no mind independent objects. How is it that th ere can be other independent minds (assuming them to be inside external human bodies) which have an existence exterior to his and which perceive external objects whilst Berkeley is say, asleep? How is it that they are not considered to be external mind independent objects? There must be some other explanation.So Berkeley finds himself having to refer to the supernatural deity for relief God. There is therefore some other mind in which they external objects exist during the intervals between the time when I perceive them .. it necessarily follows that there is an omnipresent, eternal Mind which knows and comprehends all things and lets us experience them in a certain manner (Berkeley p42).In my estimation this appeal to the omnipotence of God diminishes Berkeleys argument dramatically. It is not a question of having or not having a belief in God. It is about establishing a level of certainty that the external world exists independently of our mind. In contrast to Lockes argument wh ich allows for a probabilistic conside dimensionn about the certainty of knowledge Berkeley simply refutes the external mind independent world and fills the void he creates with that of a supernatural deity. It is contextually understandable but I argue that it severely reduces the plausibility and explanatory causality of his claim that mind independent objects do not exist.This essay has argued that Lockes assertions about the existence of mind independent objects are stronger than Berkeleys claim that no mind independent objects exist and to this I offer my support. Lockes probabilistic approach to sensitive knowledge assists him to overcome the vicarious connections between the mind and the external world. This is not without its problems though as I have discussed in the paper. Locke struggles with innateness of ideas and faculties along with proving the level of certainty against a measure of probability.In contrast, Berkeley simply rejects mind independent objects outright, which leaves him with the problem of how to then deal with the issue of other minds and human bodies. To this he simply defers to a supernatural deity in God. This I contend creates a most significant flunk in his argument and causes me to reject it.ConAgra Foods, Inc Economic AnalysisConAgra Foods, Inc Economic AnalysisAuthor Artem Zaiets(36981)SummaryThis papers purpose is to look through and tumble the activities of ConAgra Foods within food processing patience. It will touch the areas of the financing of the familiarity as well as those of the business st posegies and compare the guilds study competitors operations over the past 5 classs. The statistics will also project the expected future growth under the rate of 5% over a 3 year period and look at the sensitivity analysis. Using the projected data, this paper will also show the internal growth rate of the corporation as well as the external funds required for the future.IntroductionConAgra Foods, Inc. is an American p ackaged foods party that is located in Omaha, Nebraska that was founded a whole century ago in 1919. The social club produces and sells products under 27 different brand names, most of which are popular and known only within the North America. Some of ConAgras major brands include Hunts, Healthy Choice, Marie Callenders, Orville Redenbacher, Slim Jim (snack food), Reddi-wip, Egg Beaters, Hebrew National, P. F. Changs, and Bertolli ready meals. The products of the company diverse from cooking oil to hot dogs, fixed dinners, peanut butter, hot cocoa and many a(prenominal) more.As was mentioned earlier, the companys brands are known mostly in North American, including Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, nevertheless, the company still competes with European and Asian packaging food companies in the market and holds a quite strong position in the list.Financial StrategyThere are many tools and ratios that can be useful in order to find out a firms financing strategy over a race of period. In this passage, I will be discussing 3 of them debt to equity ratio, payout ratio and kept up(p) earnings during the period from 2010 to 2014, and will compare them with other major competitors that the company has in the food processing industry.The first tool that will be used is debt to equity ratio. This ratio indicates the proportion of equity and debt that a company uses to finance its assets to know whether it is conducting a riskier but more profitable business or vice versa. From the chart we can encounter the comparison of this ratio with 2 other industry-related companies (Appendix Table 1). As can be seen from the chart, over the course of these 5 years, the ratio for ConAgra Foods, Inc. jumped drastically from 0.7862 to 1.752 in December 31st of year 2013. This can be explained by the fact that the company decided that it did not have sufficient revenue in order to operate further, and as was mentioned earlier the higher the ratio is, the more risk the company takes but the more money it receives as a turn-over at the same time. We can observe the same situation with kraft paper Foods, an American company which was founded in year 2012 as a grocery manufacturing and processing conglomerate. A new company has comparatively less to lose than an aged(a) one, especially when a company such as ConAgra Foods is nearly 100 years old. Indeed, in the short run, according to microeconomic rules of companies, the latter need to have as much revenue as possible in order to operate in the long run. That is why the ratio for the second company is relatively high. As for snuggle which was founded in year 1905 and that is headquartered in Switzerland, we can observer that the situation is rather more stable compared to the 2 other companies. In year 2012, it reached a maximum of 0.4494 ratio in debt to equity which is quite low considering this industry is capital-intensive.The payout ratio, on the other hand, shows the summate of dividends per share to ear nings per share that a company makes. For investors, the ratio can show whether the companys dividend payments seem to be appropriate and sustainable or whether the companys paying out more than it can sustain. New and-or fast growing companies usually focus on re-investing their earnings so the business can grow, and as a result, tend to have lower dividend payout ratios. Conversely, larger companies usually have a higher payout ratio. Let us analyze the data from Table 2 (Appendix Table 2).ConAgra Foods companys payout ratio during the period of 2010 to 2011 has been always higher than 40%, and in 2012 even reached 84.8%. This shows that the company decided to increase the relations with their shareholders, or increase the amount of people contributing to the company by having a more attractive dividend payment. As for the new company Kraft Foods, in 2012 the ratio was at 18.2% which is not surprising. However, the company in the next year decided to increase the dividend payments to 48.2%. The reasons may be the same as ConAgra Foods companys and also that the company does not have much operating cost at this stage. draw near in years 2010 to 2011 was quite low, but increased to a reasonable amount in the next years.Yet another tool can be used in defining a companys financial strategy and it is the well-kept earnings. Retained earnings are usually used to pay off debts and/or gain additional assets (Appendix Table 3). Table shows the relationship between the retained earnings with long-term, short-term debts, as well as non-current assets and stockholders equity for ConAgra Foods company. The short-term debt in the company is kept relatively low at all times in the company, which shows that it spends its earnings to keep them down. Non-current assets, however, get increased by twice as much in year 2013. The explanation for this may be that the company decided to increase investments for its many brands recognition, as well as some new equipment.1.2. The relationship between the financing strategy and the business strategySince ConAgra Foods, Inc. has so many brands under its name, a wise strategy for the company would be to increase their investments on those brands that have the highest potential, make them more recognizable around the U.S. The company has, therefore, undertaken a few financial actions that would reflect on their business operations. An example of that is the dividend action. The dividend continues to represent one of the highest payout levels among consumer food companies today. As was shown earlier in the chart with the payout ratios of the company and its competitors, we could indeed see that the ratio was the highest for ConAgra Foods, Inc. Restructuring charges is the next strategy that the company recently implemented. The balance of this charge will reflect upon the volatile and non-volatile costs relating to the implementation of restructuring activities, including programs designed to reduce the companys ongoing operating costs. In other words, the company also focuses on reducing operating costs. This does make sense, knowing that this industry is quite capital-intensive. The company also announced plans to divest its seafood and domestic imported cheese businesses.1.3. Internal Growth RateThe internal growth rate of a company illustrates the highest level of growth which is achievable by the company without obtaining external financing. The formula for calculating the growth rate is as following IGR = Plowback ratio pay on equity . The plowback ratio is simply 1 subtracted by the payout ratio (1 payout ratio), and the return on equity is the net income divided by the shareholders equity (ROE = ). Using the latest financial data of the company for year 2014, we get that IGR = (1 0.527) =0.4730.0580.272=0.00746 or roughly 0.75%.A conclusion of this is that without external financing, the growth rate of the company is mediocre. In case of any questions considering number (Ap pendix B Balance sheet of the company).2.1. ConAgra Foods spreadsheetAssumed growth rate0,05CommentsCommentsIncome statement2014201520162017Revenue17 702 60018 587 73019 517 11720 492 9725% increaseCost of goods sold13 980 00060,4% of sales14 679 00015 412 95016 183 5985% increaseEBIT955 4001 003 1701 053 3291 105 9955% increaseInterest expense379 000379 000379 000379 000Earnings before taxes576 400EBIT-I.expense624 170674 329726 995Taxes298 00051,7% of EBT322 696348 628375 856 crystalize income315 100EBIT I.expense taxes301 474325 701351 139Dividents166 057Payout ratio = 0,527158 877171 644185 050Reatined earnings149 043Net income-dividents142 597154 056166 089Balance sheetAssetsNet working capital1 588 4001 667 8201 751 2111 838 7725% increaseFixed assets15 123 60015 879 78016 673 76917 507 4575% increase summate assets16 724 00017 547 60018 424 98019 346 229Equity and liabilitiesLong-term debt8 767 6008 767 6008 767 6008 767 600Shareholders equity5 258 5005 401 0975 555 1545 72 1 242Increase due to Retained earningsOther liabilities2 601 2002 601 2002 601 2002 601 200 minority interest96 70096 70096 70096 700Total liability and s.equity16 724 300 get even to total assets16 866 59717 020 65417 186 742Required external finance0681 0031 404 3262 159 487Total assets Total liab. and s.equityFrom this table we can observe how much external finance company needed to maintain future growth. It means that company will either sell equity or take up debt to obtain extra cash for future growth. Required external finance was calculated, simply, by subtracting future total assets from future total liabilities and shareholders equity. In case of any questions considering number (Appendix B Balance sheet of the company).Appendix A2.1. Financing strategyTable 1DEBT TO EQUITY20102011201220132014ConAgra Foods (CAG)0.65430.61830.78621.7521.522Kraft Foods (KRFT)N/A0.00212.791.9242.298Nestle (NSRGY)0.32490.39280.44940.34750.3024The numbers were taken from December 31st of eac h consecutive year.Table 2PAYOUT, %20102011201220132014ConAgra Foods (CAG)4346.884.882.152.7Kraft Foods (KRFT)N/AN/A18.248.253.1Nestle (NSRGY)1718.560.672.247.5Table 3Year20102011201220132014Retained Earnings44174854476551305011Short-term Debt26136478703226Long-term Debt32262870285988878768Non-current Assets7778750982231602615136 stockholders Equity49244702444052645259Appendix B1.3. Internal growth rate 2.1. ConAgra Foods spreadsheetBalance sheet of the company2014AssetsCurrent AssetsCash And Cash Equivalents183,100Net Receivables1,393,200Inventory2,292,600Other Current Assets361,900Total Current Assets4,230,800Property Plant and Equipment3,822,800 state of grace7,836,500Intangible Assets3,205,800Other Assets270,500Total Assets19,366,400LiabilitiesCurrent LiabilitiesAccounts Payable2,416,400Short/Current Long Term Debt226,000Total Current Liabilities2,642,400Long Term Debt8,767,600Other Liabilities2,601,200Minority Interest96,700Total Liabilities14,107,900Stockholders EquityCommon S tock2,839,700Retained Earnings5,010,600Treasury Stock(3,494,400)Capital Surplus1,036,900Other Stockholder Equity-134,3Total Stockholder Equity5,258,500Referencesconagrafoods, (2015).Investor Relations and Investor Information ConAgra Foods. online Available at http//www.conagrafoods.com/news-room/news-ConAgra-Foods-Announces-Strategy-for-Strengthening-Long-Term-Operating-PerformanceStreamlined-PortfolioIncreased-Marketing-on-Key-BrandsAggressive-Cost-Programs-and-Lower-Dividend-Shape-New-Financial-Profile-1008563 Accessed 29 Jun. 2015.Financials.morningstar.com, (2015).Balance Sheet for ConAgra Foods Inc (CAG) from Morningstar.com. online Available at http//financials.morningstar.com/balance-sheet/bs.html?t=CAGregion=usaculture=en-US Accessed 29 Jun. 2015.Gurufocus.com, (2015).ConAgra Foods Inc (CAG) Debt to Equity (%). online Available at http//www.gurufocus.com/term/deb2equity/CAG/Debt+to+Equity+%28%25%29/ConAgra+Foods+Inc Accessed 29 Jun. 2015.Markets.ft.com, (2015).Nestle SA, N ESNVTX financials FT.com. online Available at http//markets.ft.com/research/Markets/Tearsheets/Financials?s=NESNVTX Accessed 29 Jun. 2015.Finance.yahoo.com, (2015).CAG Balance Sheet ConAgra Foods, Inc. Common Stoc Stock Yahoo Finance. online Available at https//finance.yahoo.com/q/bs?s=CAG+Balance+Sheetannual Accessed 30 Jun. 2015.Finance.yahoo.com, (2015).CAG Income Statement ConAgra Foods, Inc. Common Stoc Stock Yahoo Finance. online Available at https//finance.yahoo.com/q/is?s=CAG+Income+Statementannual Accessed 30 Jun. 2015.

Symbols of Alienation and Loneliness Essay -- Literary Analysis, John

Symbols of Loneliness and AlienationAccording to DiYanni, Symbols in fiction are simply objects, actions, or even events that convey import. The meaning they convey extends beyond their literal significance, beyond their more obvious actual reason for being included in the story (Literature 95). In The Chrysanthemums, John Steinbeck reveals the subject field of loneliness and alienation of a woman from her save through his symbolic use of a realistic setting, character, tinker, chrysanthemums, and conversations.In The Chrysanthemums, Steinbeck paints a vivid picture of Salinas v wholeeys landscape and climate to reflect the gloomy mood of the main character Elisa. The introduction of the story conveys a disturbing separation of Salina Valley from the ataraxis of the world. Just as the high grey-flannel fog of winter closes off Salinas Valley from the rest of the world so is Elisa isolated from Harry. Similarly, the fog and rain foreshadows the move out relationship that exist s between Elisa and Harry (Steinbeck 192).Elisa is a thirty-five year old handsome wife who lives on a ranch with her husband Harry. At the beginning of the story, little interaction is demonstrated between the couple, except for glances Elisa casts across the yard to see Henry, her husband, talk to two men in business suits he is trying to sell some property to without the knowledge of his wife (193). It is evident Elisa feels lonely so she channels all her time, energy and love towards peak her chrysanthemums in her wire fence garden. Not only does the wire fence protect Elisas flower garden from cattle and dogs and chicken hardly it also serves as a barrier between Elisa and Harry and removes all opportunity from the couple to... ...o be opened for any eventualities. And for Elisa every lingering hope for a passionate and nurturing relationship with Harry is a fiasco as she realizes that the glowing the tinker leaves behind is just a apologue of her imagination. Her inner pa ssion may never be released around Harry but will be strong in her garden as she pours it all out on her chrysanthemums (197). So she requests for a wine in a tone that is devoid of affection between the couple. Elisa probably hopes that when she wakes up aft(prenominal) the drink wears off everything will be a dream.Indeed John Steinbecks Chrysanthemums is a symbolic demonstration of the loneliness and alienation that continues to plague many another(prenominal) relationships leading to unsatisfied marriages. By using a realistic setting and typical characters Steinbeck makes the story relevant to many generations to come.

Scarlet Letter Symbols :: essays research papers

Nathaniel Hawthorne uses many symbols to add meaning to his legend, The Scarlet Letter. This novel was written in 1850 by Nathaniel Hawthorne. This novel is classified as a romance due to the events that happen by means of out the book. The book takes place in 1640s Boston. Nathaniel Hawthorne uses many symbols to give the book potentiality and power over the reader. Two symbols that Hawthorne uses are the rosebush, and Pearl. These two symbols help in the revelation of the story, from beginning to end.     Hester is kept in the prison due to her sin of adultery that she has committed. As she walks herself from the prison doors to the scaffold, the readers become acquainted with the rose-bush . This rose bush is said to be kept alive with history. Hawthorne says how he plucks one of the rose-bush flowers and presents it to the reader. "It may serve, let us hope, to symbolize some sweet moral blossom, that may be found along the track, or relieve the darke ning close tale of human tenuity and sorrow." (p. 46) When Hawthorne shows the reader the rose bloom, he point out that beauty comes with a price, but also it is next to the prison door. The rose-bush symbolizes the pain and joy that come through Hesters sin.           One of the most painful yet most important thing to Hester is Pearl. Pearl is also a very important symbol though the story. She is Hesters gazump and joy that leads her through the day., but also her full time reminder of the sin she has committed.      "Therefore it is good for this poor, sinful woman that she hath an infant      immortality, a beingness capable of eternal joy or sorrow, confided to her care,-to at      ever moment, of her fall,-but yet to teach her, as it were by the Creators sacred      pledge, that if she bring the child to heaven, that child allow also bring the par ent      thither"(p.105)Here Mr. Dimmesdale explains how Pearl, is the eternal joy and sorrow of Hesters life. Also how Pearl can save her mothers soul, if Hester can save Pearls first. Hawthorne says at the end of the story that Pearl grew up and took her mothers sin into consideration in her life, and grew up to have a happy family.

The Alamo Essay -- History Historical Mexican Essays

The Alamo The events that began on February 23, 1836 have roots that span as far back as 1808. This exploration into the events and carnage that took place before, during and aft(prenominal) the Alamo will only go back to the events immediately leading up to the Alamo. Mainly the frame of head teacher the Mexican government had regarding the Texas settlers and the reasons leading to the confrontation at the Alamo. In times before the confrontation at the Alamo, the Mexican government welcomed settlers into Texas. The motive behind Mexicos act was to create a buffer geographical zone between Mexican settlements and the Indians. Settlers were able to come to Texas as long as they promised to convert to Catholicism and become Mexican citizens among other stipulations. Moreover, Mexico had further problems, the most noted was Mexico s financial standing. The independence movement that freed Mexico from Spain also left Mexico dead broke furthermore, they had no real way of watching or parenting the fledgling Texas. Hence, Texas became alter to doing involvements without Mexico interfering. Soon after Mexico opened the door to Texas the population of settlers grew to make up 75 per cent of the whole population. This could be seen as a bad thing to the Mexican government because if Texas became entirely made up of settlers what was to stop Texas from breaking away from Mexico for good. To add to the pressure pot the settlers were nefariously trading, and engaging in illegal slavery, among other illegal acts. According to Walter Lord the American Settlers refused to pay any form of tax, in fact according to Lords figures only 1,665 pesos where dispassionate from Texas in Two years.These factors and many more including America herself showing interest in Texas, led Mexico to institute a restriction of the number of settlers allowed into Texas. In addition, Mexico hang all unfilled colonization contracts, and required passports issued by Mexican Consulate at th eir place of residence, these policies alone angered the settlers who have been accustomed to a lazie fair approach. In addition troops were now being used to see that the laws were enforced and obeyed. As Myers points outThe North Americans had reason to protest. They had gone through the bad years when fieldshad to be chopped out of the woods and when an Indian raid was commoner that a square meal. An... ...nd bloody tiger to name a few. many an(prenominal) Americans had been opposed to the Texas cause, but no longer were they thinking about that, now they were thinking about revenge. Mexicans had slain American citizens and this had to be avenged in the mind of most Americans. The call to arms had now been rung, Remember the Alamo. The Alamo had been a total loss on the field of physical war fair, but on the compete ground of the mind the Alamo had seized the minds and hearts of every American and sympathizer alike, to rally to its call. So in the end I believe the Alamo was a total achievement for the settlers cause. Works CitedGeneral Antonio Lopez De Santa-Anna, D. Ramon Martinez Caro, General Vicente Filisola, General Jose Urrea, and General Jose Maria Tornel Translated by Carlos Castaneda.The Mexican Side of the Texas Revolution. Dallas. P.L. Turner Company,1956General Miguel Sanchez Lamego Translated by Consuelo Velasco. The Siege and Taking of The Alamo. pertly Mexico. Sunstone Press, 1968.Lord, Walter. A Time to Stand. Lincolon. University of Nebraska Press. 1978.Matovina, Timothy. The Alamo Remembered. Austin. University of Texas Press. 1995.

Causes of World War Two Essay -- WWII WW2 World War 2

World War two has to be the most famous war of all in all time. It was the orotundst, most tragic, horrifying of them all, and the first to have millions of people killed in the duration of it. Is it just me, or does it seem rather ironic that the very thing that was meant to solve the first World War is the most important of all of the causes of the second? And that the people who were supposed to fix the problems that that war caused were only really helping another along? The war to end all wars did not do that at all. Things like expansion and appeasement and the rise of dictators were obviously all for the war as well.So. Let me start with appeasement. Why was it such a large part of this war? There were so many people wanting so much that others had, and those that had it were forced to roll over and let it be taken. Because they were frightened. They were so scared of getting blown up that they would have handed over just about anything if it kept them alive.And mainly what people wanted was? more polish of course That was the expansionism part. They were the two things tha...