Friday, May 8, 2020

The Procedure For An Outpatient Liposuction Procedure Is...

Liposuction is a procedure that is becoming very popular and common. Liposuction is a surgery to remove unwanted excess fat from the body such as the stomach, hips, thighs, buttocks, face and neck. This type of surgery is most commonly known for being a cosmetic type of surgery but is also done to those who need it to maintain a healthier lifestyle. Liposuction can be a lengthy process but there are also liposuctions that are done quickly and are outpatient procedures. Before you have the procedure done you must first consult your doctor and see if this surgery is right for you. The doctor will then conduct and interview with you and ask you simple questions regarding your daily activities such as eating habits, amount of exercise you do, if you smoke or drink, and if you are currently on any medications, along with many more questions. During the interview you will also be able to ask the doctor any questions regarding the procedure and what specific procedure will be right for you. An outpatient liposuction procedure is single procedures done in simple areas such as the face, arms, and neck. An inpatient procedure usually take hours and afterwards you must stay in the hospital for at least one day if there are no complications but with an outpatient procedure you can be done and out with everything in an hour or two depending on how long it takes for the anesthesia to ware off. The basic steps are the same with all liposuction procedures; there are several differentShow MoreRelated The Truth about Cosmetic Surgery Essay1150 Words   |  5 Pagesmost popular trends in America today. Whether you are reading a magazine, watching the news, or a television program, you are likely to see something about cosmetic surgery. Within the past year, there have been several television programs dedicated to people â€Å"bettering† themselves through body augmenting surgeries. Millions of people undergo risky surgery every year simply to improve or enhance a feature or body part. While the results may seem foolproof and glamorous, it is actually a very risky

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Erythropoietin and Athletes Free Essays

Erythropoietin and Athletes Steven D. Jackson Student, American Military University Abstract Erythropoietin (EPO) use as a performance enhancing agent in sport carries both significant and detrimental risks to go along with its suggested benefits. As such, it was banned by the International Olympic Committee in 1990. We will write a custom essay sample on Erythropoietin and Athletes or any similar topic only for you Order Now Shortly thereafter, successful and reliable testing methods have been developed to test athletes for its potential use. Despite widespread knowledge of its potential adverse effects and the testing for its attempted use, EPO use remains substantial amongst endurance athletes of nearly all ages and disciplines, both professional and amateur. This paper will provide a history of EPO as a performance enhancing substance, explain its associated risks and perceived and actual benefits, attempt to analyze why athletes feel compelled to use it, and examine the sanctions, regulations, and weighty repercussions associated with its use. Erythropoietin and Athletes In sport, there are a virtually limitless number of ways in which one can influence or positively impact physical or mental performance. These methods can come in the form of mechanical aids, pharmacological aids, physiological aids, nutritional aids, and psychological aids. Regardless of its source, any means by which one seeks to improve performance by enhancing the physiological capacity of a particular system of the body, removing psychological constraints which adversely affect performance, or by accelerating recovery from training or competition is called an ergogenic aid (MacKenzie, 2001). These may include something as simple and innocuous as a healthy meal consumed the night prior to a competition, but seemingly, the ergogenic aids which athletes are turning to more increasingly are those that have been banned by organizations such as the World Anti-Doping Agency, the International Olympic Committee, and the like. Often, these substances have been banned because they not only represent perverse and unethical behavior, but also, as is the case for a substance like recombinant erythropoietin, because they can have serious adverse health effects for heir users. Over time, these substances have changed, but the desire to gain an unfair competitive advantage remains. Hematopoiesis is the process which involves the production of mature cells in the blood and in lymphoid organs. Mature erythrocytes, or red blood cells, have no nucleus, so they cannot reproduce in the traditional fashion as other cells can. Erythropoiesis, then, is the process by which erythrocytes are produ ced. Erythropoietin is a naturally occurring hormone found within the human body which controls this red blood cell production. It is released by the kidneys, and to a lesser extent the liver, and in very little quantities in the brain in response to a negative feedback. The physiological stimulus of erythropoietin production is hypoxia, or prolonged oxygen deficiency in body tissue, and in the majority of instances is related to the number of circulating erythrocytes within the kidneys. At high altitudes, for example, where the pressure oxygen in the air is reduced, oxygen delivery to the body’s tissues initially decreases. This drop in oxygen triggers the release of erythropoietin, which travels via the blood to the red bone marrow and stimulates red blood cell production (Shier, Butler, Lewis, 2011). This is important to note, as this negative feedback of loss in oxygen is essentially no different than the body observing a loss in blood, which also necessitates the release of erythropoietin. In cases of hemolysis or hemorrhage, erythrocyte production will also increase rapidly and substantially for the body to attempt to accommodate for the amount of blood lost. However, overproduction of erythrocytes does not occur, both in extreme hypoxic environments and even after the most severe loss of erythrocytes (Robinson, et al. , 2006). This balance is very important, because adequate oxygen delivery to tissues depends on having a sufficient number of red blood cells to transport oxygen. Decreases in their number or function can hinder oxygen delivery and thus affect exercise performance. Red blood cells serve a primary function of facilitating this transport of oxygen, which is bound to the hemoglobin found in red blood cells. Hemoglobin contains iron, which binds oxygen. As such, the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood is determined by its hemoglobin content. Accordingly, when hemoglobin levels fall, exercise performance is subsequently impaired. Being familiar with this, athletes, trainers, and coaches often practice iron supplementation in an effort to prevent anemia and attempt to boost hemoglobin levels. However, this supplementation cannot boost the blood’s oxygen carrying capacity beyond that which is normal. Consequently, doctors, trainers, and athletes have come up with various alternative means to try to boost blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity, and in turn boost performance (Mottram, 2011). In traditional medical settings, the need for a means to raise red blood cell counts in patients suffering from kidney failure in order to alleviate their extreme anemia, as they have so few red blood cells that they typically experience near-permanent exhaustion. The demand for a way to treat these kidney patients precipitated the development of synthesized erythropoietin. There was no question that they needed red blood cells, and the proposition of providing them via erythropoietin seemed logically safer than the more natural and traditional repeated transfusions and dialysis. The same logic applied to the much larger number of people whose kidneys were weak or damaged, but not yet failing. Raising their red blood cell count, and subsequently their hemoglobin levels, up to a normal amount like the more attractive option, and it was only a matter of time before it could be discovered (Burch, 2011). In 1985, the gene responsible for the synthesis of erythropoietin was successfully cloned for the first time. This synthesized erythropoietin is known as recombinant erythropoietin, and first became available in Europe in 1987 and was later patented by Amgen in 1989 (Mottram). With this development, it quickly became evident that recombinant erythropoietin would be used illegally as a performance enhancer in endurance sports. As such, the International Olympic Committee elected to ban this drug in 1990, even though all forms of blood doping had been officially banned since 1984 (Robinson, et al. ). In its earliest clinical trials, recombinant erythropoietin proved very successful, and it was quickly put to use with patients requiring their hemoglobin be raised to normal levels. The trials showed the drug’s benefits outweighed its risks, but not by much. In 2005, researchers and kidney specialists concluded their trials ahead of schedule when they were stunned by what they found. After years of raising red blood cell counts in patients to normal healthy levels, which also raised their hematocrit—the proportion of red blood cells to total blood volume—doctors were not seeing decreased occurrences of troke, heart complications, and even death. These rates were actually increasing. Therein laid the problem with EPO use, especially in uncontrolled environments and when used by athletes (Burch). Before EPO’s adverse effects were widely known, and to a great extent even today, its proposed benefits led to its immediate abuse by endurance athletes. The first cases were reported in several newspapers within the four years after recombinant EPO appeared in Europe. These articles claimed a link between rumored EPO abuse and the deaths of 18 Belgian and Dutch cyclists. This unfortunate wave seemed to roll on for some time, seemingly striking hardest amongst in the sport of cycling, and often resulting in death. For some time, cyclists publicly denied using EPO, but at the 1998 Tour de France, a masseuse for the Festina team was caught with EPO and several other banned drugs. The entire team and its staff were ejected from the Tour, and eventually seven of the nine Festina riders admitted to doping. Even the winner that year, Marco Pantani, was ejected the following year for signs of EPO use in an earlier drug test (Eichner, 2007). Though the bulk of EPO use reported in the media comes from cycling, other sports are not free from it. Chinese runners, swimmers, and rowers, Russia’s top female cross-country skiers, Finland’s tops skiers, and Germany’s top runners all have been caught for suspected EPO use of some kind or another. Russian and American runners and sprinters, including American sprinter Kelli White, have been stripped of medals and handed bans for their admitted EPO use after failing drug tests. Even Lance Armstrong—who has always denied any EPO use—has been suspected of illegal EPO use brought about by claims of his former teammates (Eichner). Perhaps the greatest contributing factor for the prevalence of continued illegal EPO use is in its difficulty of detection. While some athletes may think that they are using a drug for which there is no means of detection, which is not the case, others may simply know that EPO can be a very elusive drug to detect. Early detection strategies for EPO use as a drug were limited to blood testing only. Though blood tests could confirm inconsistent hematocrit levels and other blood markers compared to base samples in athletes who may have been using EPO supplementation up to, and sometimes over, a week prior, or those that had been using EPO when they originally provided a base sample and had discontinued its use, a direct method for detection in urine had yet to be established. Furthermore, early attempts at developing a urine test proved to be expensive, overly sensitive, and unreliable. Since blood doping had been common practice in some endurance sports for decades due to its clear performance advantages, it regrettably became even more attractive once recombinant EPO became available. Athletes have exploited these limitations of testing, particularly in sports that relied solely on urine specimen testing (Robinson, et al. . Successful urine testing had finally been developed and came into the picture in 2000. Serving as the only direct method of recombinant erythropoietin detection approved by the Court of Arbitration for sport, this method utilized electrophoretic techniques to separate the isoform profiles of recombinant and endogenous erythropoietin found in urine according to their isoelectric points (Diamanti-Kandarakis, et al. , 2005). Not only could this newly approved testing mathematically and scientifically identify EPO use—or discontinuation of its use—but it could also isolate the various forms of forms of EPO, including erythropoietin alpha, beta, omega, and delta, as well as newer generations of EPO analogues like darbepoetin and mimetic peptides. The disadvantage of such an effective urine testing method, however, was that it discouraged athletes from recombinant EPO use. Athletes now fearful of getting caught moved back to using—or rather misusing—blood doping and transfusions in an attempt to raise hematocrit and hemoglobin levels. For that reason, some international sports federations elected to limit their testing to either blood or urine. However, more recently the trend has been to attempt to keep their current testing procedures randomized (Robinson, et al. ). The risks of illegal EPO use remain high. Some athletes choose to supplement with EPO in smaller doses with the intent of limiting their potential exposure in drug tests, and, just as likely, with the expectation that this practice would be â€Å"safer. Regardless, the results of EPO use are largely unpredictable, and tests have revealed that hematocrit values in EPO users can greatly exceed what is considered the healthy or normal upper limit of 50 percent. Once the hormone has been put in the body, the athlete is at great risk for substantial increases in blood viscosity. This places the individual in danger of thrombosis, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, hypertension, stroke, and pulmonary embolism. However, with the ever-increasi ng pressures to excel in competition, and the draw of larger rizes, purses, sponsorships, and notoriety in sport today it is not beyond reason as to why teams, athletes, trainers, and coaches would feel compelled to explore an option which may offer athletes a clinically documented six to eight percent increase in their VO2max and 13 to 17 percent increased time to exhaustion (Kenney, Wilmore, Costill, 2012). Athletes who use banned EPO also risk disqualification from a particular competition, with the risk apparently greater if the athlete’s result is good, as the top-placing finishers in competitions almost certainly are subject to testing more and more frequently. They can also be banned from their sport, typically for a minimum of a year, but potentially for life. In their quest for enhanced performance, athletes can easily get caught up in the hype surrounding these sorts of substances and the purported benefits they might bestow. Unfortunately, too many athletes are blinded by ambition and do not consider the consequences of their actions until their careers have become jeopardized or their health has been seriously affected. Considering recent reports of even amateur athletes being dealt bans and imposed fines after testing positive for EPO use in events that are considered recreational, the need is definitely present for the likes of the World Anti-Doping Agency and the International Olympic Committee to take more aggressive and decisive action in the battle against doping and illegal drug use. The misuse of medical and biotechnological advancements to enhance athletic performance is an issue that will clearly not go away on its own. It is imperative for sports federations to be able to collect blood samples from their competitors and institute a continuity system which keeps track of appropriate individual values. The appropriate way to fight blood doping and EPO use is to markers for each individual athlete to have a record of each marker and measure of their blood. In this way it will not be necessary to take into account complicating factors during testing and analysis such as sex, ethnic origin, and the kind of sport in which the athlete is participating. With a system such as this, it would be possible to identify which athletes are manipulating their bodies based on their own set reference values and markers over time. This, combined random, unannounced testing is the only way currently possible to effectively mitigate doping. Even still, it is supremely difficult for sports organizations and control agencies in sport to stay ahead of the always sophisticated doping methods. Summary Erythropoietin and all of its forms were developed with the intent of rehabilitating and alleviating the extreme symptoms of kidney patients. Their appeal is strong to competitive athletes, especially with more and more on the line each year. Despite their undeniable ability to enhance performance, EPO can cause serious negative health effects. In an era where performance-enhancing drug abuse is rampant across nearly all disciplines of sports despite rigorous legislation and testing throughout the world, it is necessary to understand the harmful effects of all substances when considering their use. The undesirable effects of EPO use are virtually countless, but—and perhaps worse yet—the potential long-term effects of chronic use are not well known. References Burch, D. (2011). Blood sports. Natural History 119(6), 14-16. Diamanti-Kandarakis, E. , Konstantinopoulos, P. , Papiliou, J. , Kandarakis, S. , Andreopoulos, A. , Sykiotis, G. (2005). Erythropoietin abuse and erythropoietin gene doping. Sports Medicine, 35(10), 831-840. Eichner, E. (2007). Blood doping. Sports Medicine, 37(4/5), 389-391. Kenney, L. W. , Wilmore, J. H. , Costill, D. L. (2012). Physiology of sport and exercise (5th ed. ). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics Mackenzie, B (2001). Ergogenic aids. Retrieved from http://www. brianmac. co. uk/ergoaids. htm Mottram, D. R. (2011) Drugs in sport (5th ed. ). New York: Routledge. Robinson, N. N. , Giraud, S. S. , Saudan, C. C, Baume, N. N. , Avois, L. L, Mangin, P. P. , Saugy, M. M. (2006). Erythropoietin and blood doping. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 40, i30- i34. Shier, D. , Butler, J. , Lewis, R. (2012). Hole’s essentials of human anatomy physiology (11th ed. ). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill How to cite Erythropoietin and Athletes, Essay examples

Monday, April 27, 2020

Male Domination In Othello Essay Example

Male Domination In Othello Paper Male domination in society is a stigma, which has always existed, and one that may not cease to exist. However, the difference does exist in the way the women of the different ages chose to accept such behaviour and render themselves victims of such circumstance. In relation to the Elizabethan period, and having the characters of Desdemona, Emilia, and Bianca in mind it can be true to say it may have been harder for them not to accept it than it is today. In reality, it was not even noticed by some of the women and for the few who noticed it, they could do nothing more than accepting it as their fate and trying to live with it. In discussing the victimisation of the above named women in this male dominated society, both sides of the argument for each character would be explored with emphasis on their individual struggles for independence. The fair warrior Desdemona as referred to by her husband Othello undoubtedly struggles throughout the play. From her struggle for independence from her father Brabantio, to the struggle for her life from her husband Othello. Shakespeare seems to deceive the audience to think that Desdemona may be one of his unique female characters who fight for the rights of women. However, this power which we see her possess at the beginning of the play as she tells her father that she did love the moor to live with him, to the ones which has been endowed on her as she is referred to as the general gradually fades away. The first indication of Desdemonas victimisation in this male dominated society is evident when Iago refers to her body as if it was the property of Brabantio. He says to him your heart is burst, you have lost half your soul, even now, now, very now an old black ram is tupping your white ewe. We will write a custom essay sample on Male Domination In Othello specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Male Domination In Othello specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Male Domination In Othello specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer This signifies that in the Elizabethan society, Brabantio like other fathers considered Desdemonas body and life to be their full possession. Furthermore, the use of an animal imagery to describe her white ewe does not only reflect Iagos underestimation of human nature but the degradation of women in the society by men. This is clearly the case for the fact that he could say it while talking to her father. Desdemona on the other hand, like almost every other woman in the Elizabethan period seems to have accepted the convention that women are inferior to men and are the properties of either her father or husband. This is shown when she says I do perceive here a divided duty. I am hitherto your daughter. But heres my husband. The audience would initially admire her bravery towards her father, but after getting a deeper understanding of the plot, it becomes evident that her marriage to Othello was not a sign of freedom but rather a change from one dominator to another. Desdemonas suffering and humiliation in Cyprus is deeply rooted in the villainous actions of another man called Iago. Iago convinces Othello that Desdemona is making him a cuckold by sleeping with Cassio. She suffers from this false accusation because it is a world dominated by men. It is possible that Othello takes Iagos words over that of Desdemona not because he is truly convinced that she is unfaithful, but because it is a word of a man over that of a woman. Desdemona just like Hero in the play Much Ado about Nothing shows total submissiveness even at the point of death. Even after receiving a very undeserving slap from Othello in public, all she says is I will not stay to offend you. At this point, the women in the audience may feel more embarrassed and less sympathetic at the timidity of Desdemona. Desdemona voices out her pains through the willow song that she narrates to Emilia. Her reference to her mothers maid called Barbary who died singing it signifies not just her own pain and suffering but one that has been passed down from generation to generation. Regardless of Desdemonas eventual defeat as she dies in the hands of Othello, she does deserve some credit for some of her few acts of bravery. Her rebellion against her father is an act that may not have been very common during the Elizabethan period because the fathers had the right to discipline them when they deemed it fit and virtually had power over them. She did not only get married out of her fathers will but she married an African. This would have been extremely rare especially for someone of her social class. Finally, as she passes out her last response to Emilia when being asked who killed her I myself shows her refusal to accept to be a victim of this male dominated society. Emilia is used by Shakespeare to balance the contrast between the other victims of this male dominance. That is, Desdemona the very chaste one and Bianca the prostitute. Emilia is one character who is not just a victim of this male dominated society but is clearly aware of her position. This is shown clearly in her relationship and attitude towards her husband Iago and her conversation with Desdemona. Emilias marriage is one we see to lack some of the main components of holy matrimony, as Iago is neither protective nor loving to her. The few dialogues that she has with Iago are filled with scorn and insults. He says to her it is a common thing to have a foolish wife, This shows the standards which the men gave their wives. The use of Emilia by Iago as an instrument for destroying Desdemonas marriage and eventually her death is the peak of her victimisation. This is because it is one thing that she would do anything to stop. Her desperation for attention and affection from Iago may have pushed her to act blindly. On stealing the handkerchief, she says my wayward husband hath a hundred times wooed me to steal it. I know nothing than to please his fantasy Her language is usually in an angry tone and underneath it lies her regret at marriage and all the insults that come with it. In response to Othellos maltreatment of Desdemona she says I will be hanged if some eternal villain, some busy and insinuating rogue, some cogging, cozening slave to get some office have not devised this slander. It seems like she finds it acceptable for her to be victimised but not an in innocent and self-sacrificing person like Desdemona. Like Beatrice in Shakespeares Much Ado about nothing, Emilia justifies the case for the women who are involved in extra marital affairs. This is clearly shown in her speech while discussing with Desdemona. Critics have called this speech the renaissance plea to womens liberation. In this speech, she says it is the husbands fault that their wives cheat on them. She systematically points out each of the things which the women have to go through. From when husbands slack their duties by pouring our treasures in foreign laps, break out in peevish jealousies, throwing restraint upon us or when they strike us. This feminine speech is like a cry out for all women and one can imagine the relief and pleasure, which it would have given the women in the audience. Through this Shakespeare shows empathy for the women. He also indirectly cautions the men in the audience and tells them that the women have as much reason as they do to cheat on them. It is no mistake that Emilia , like her mistress is killed by her husband. Shakespeare emphasises the point that they are victims of this male dominated society by juxtaposing their deaths. Prior to Emilias death, she ensures that she speaks defends Desdemonas chastity and regains her dignity by exposing Cassio to Othello. She says I will speak as liberal as the north;let Heaven and the men and devils, let them all cry shame against me yet I will speak. The use of the word men just between Heaven and devil suggests that some of the men like Cassio and lodovico may possess heaven like characters while others like Iago and Othello may act devilish. Bianca seems to be less of a less of a victim in this society if compared to Emilia and Desdemona. At the end of the plot, she is the last woman standing and the chances are that her status would be elevated in the society if all goes well in her relationship with Cassio. Although it can be said that her profession gives her more insults than Emilia and Desdemona would have ever received. However, it would be unfair to assume that it would be a womans desire to sell her body and dignity for money. For this reason, we can say that she is forced into this circumstance. In a society where men saw women as nothing more than instruments of satisfying their bodily pleasures, prostitution was one of the very desperate measures which the very less privileged women would have to take up. This generates insults not only from the men but also from her fellow woman. Emilia says to her O fie upon thee strumpet! Her reply to this statement gains the sympathy of the audience as it indicates her struggle to be tagged as something beyond what she does. She says to her I am no strumpet, but of life as honest as you that thus abuse me. On a deeper note, this may also be a confirmation of Iagos suspicion that Emilia may have had an affair with Othello. Bianca also has her time of rebellion when she tells Cassio if youll come to supper tonight,you may;if you will not, come when you are next prepared for. In this statement, she shows that she perceives a little power left in her possession regardless of how she is looked at in the society. Cassios exit to run after her emphasises this point. And this may cause the audience to look at her with a little more respect. Ultimately, Shakespeare exposes the circumstances which the women in the Elizabethan period faces and also presents it in a way which shows his opposition to it. Furthermore, his use of these three characters who are of different social standings illustrates that no woman was free from being victimised in this male dominated society.

Thursday, March 19, 2020

Company Profile Kia Lim Berhad Essays

Company Profile Kia Lim Berhad Essays Company Profile Kia Lim Berhad Essay Company Profile Kia Lim Berhad Essay Kia Lim Berhad was set up as the holding company of Syarikat Kia Lim Kilang Batu Bata Sdn Bhd (SKL) and Kangkar Raya Batu Bata Sdn Bhd (KRBB) bricks manufacturers, which had been operating since 1973. SKL has set up a fully automated plant employing German technology. It was incorporated in Malaysia on 8 May 1995 as public limited company and listed in the KLSE Main Board (Industrial Products) on 29 May 1996. Commercial production commenced in mid 1999. KRBB installed a second plant in late 1991, which is fully automated and capable of producing common, block and facing bricks. The Group has diversified its range of products to include clay-roofing tiles, facing bricks and pavers. The Groups products are exported to regional markets like Singapore, Japan, Taiwan and Qatar. Kian Joo Can Factory Berhad Kian Joo Can Factory Berhad is manufacturer and distributor of tin cans and 2-piece aluminium beverage cans. They also produced polyethelene terephalate products, corrugated fibreboard cartons, provision of engineering services, letting of property, provision of share registration and provided management services. Kim Hin Industry Berhad The Company (KHI), which is Kuching-based, started operations in 1975 as a small-scale manufacturer of clay bricks. In 1979 it ceased this activity and ventured into the manufacture of mosaic tiles. It changes its name from Kim Hin Industry Sdn Bhd to present form on conversion. From a single production line, the Company now has three factories with 24 production lines. Today, KHI is one of Malaysias largest integrated ceramics manufacturers. The Group is a fully integrated manufacturer of wall, floor and homogeneous tiles, with installed production capacity of 19m sq m p.a. The Group has invested approximately RM266m in state-of-the-art Italian tile manufacturing plant and equipment. Kris Components Berhad Kris Components Bhd was incorporated on 9 September 1975 in Malaysia as a private limited company but converted to a public company on 2 November in year 1995. Its principal activities are manufacturing and stamping of precision metal parts and anodizing high-end cosmetic surface-finishing metal parts. YTL Cement Berhad YTL Cement Berhad listed on KLSE Second Board on September 6, 1993 and transferred to Main Board (Industrial Products) on June 26, 1997. It is incorporated on 29 January 1977 in Malaysia as a private limited company and converted into a public limited company on 4 May 1992. It change its name from Buildcon Sdn Bhd to Buildcon Bhd on conversion and to YTL Cement Bhd on 26, February in year 1997. The Company manufactures and supplies ready-mixed concrete to the construction industry. The Groups operations are located in Westport, Selangor, Bukit Sagu, Pahang and Pasir Gudang, Johor. Body of Contents Company Analysis Kia Lim Berhad Refer to Table 1, common-size analysis of capital structure shows that the liabilities constitute 76% and equity 24% of the companys financing in 2001 compare with 30% of total liabilities and 70% equity in the companys financing in 1996. Debt ratio and total to debt equity ratio increases sharply in 2001 compare to the previous years. In 2001, the company financed its assets approximately 72% of its debt. It was supported when the trend index of long-term liabilities (391.926%) exceeds its current liabilities (308.003%) and shareholders equity (55.331%) ( refer to Table 2). From Table 2, we can see that cash and bank balances decreases sharply from 99.356% to 2.813%. Yet the companys the companys cash flow adequacy ratio is 0.745, which is less than 1. This implies that the internal cash sources in the company were insufficient to maintain its dividend and current operating growth levels. There is a need for the company to seek for external financing in order to fulfill the requirement of the company. Table 3 shows the financial ratios of Kia Lim Berhad, which indicates that the company is facing liquidity needs. The current ratio of the company dropped over the past 5 years and the inventory turnover decreases. Kia Lim Berhads return on invested capital showed unfavorable level, where every unit of invested capital generates less profits to the company from 1998 onwards. The return on common equity also decreases over the past 5 years. The growth rate is decreasing, which the SEGR drop from 0.062% in Year 1997 to 0.185% in Year 2001. This can be seen from Table 1, which total equity capital is 28% in 2001 compare to 70% in 1996. This indicates that when the indebtedness of the company reaches a risky point, the more financial leverage the company has. The company sales show an average declining trend, which it decreases sharply in Year 2000 (-32.084%) and rebound to 100.529% in Year 2001. The forecasted sales for the next year are RM 32062120.43, which the sales are dropping and the companys net profit is forecasted to decline in Year 2003. The dollar of amount earned on behalf of each share decreases from RM 0.08 (1998) to RM 0.04 (1999) and further decreases to nil. This means there is no earning generate for each share of the company. Similar behavior was found in dividends yield, in which it decreases from 3.14 in year 1997 to 1.58 in year 1999. Kian Joo Can Factory Berhad From Table 4, we can conclude that the highest proportion of total liabilities and equity to total equity capital, are recorded in year 1999. As an overall, the average of total liabilities and total equity constitutes 41.6% and 78.37% each year of Kian Joos financing. Besides that, Table 5 reveals the trend of selected accounts, which year 1996 as the base year. The highest record of net income is in year 1997, which is 80.839%. However, the performance of Kian Joo Can Factory in year 1999 is worsening due to the net income earned are decrease for two consecutive years. A tremendous drop in net income in year 2000, which is almost 44.8% less than previous year reflect the company is overcapacity and may attract the new competitors enter into this industry. In year 1998, we can see that the trends of almost all the account selected are downturn because financial crisis occur in that year. Over these five years, the average of sales is 22.18%. Since the inventory growth is more than sales growth over the 5 years period, the company has more funds to invest in inventory. By reviewing Table 6, we find out the return on invested capital is in increasing trend except for year 1997 and 1998. The highest ratio is in year 1997. A large portion variability of the return on common equity of this company is due to changes in return on assets. Notice that the sustainable equity growth ratio, which relative to the prior year is shrink over the four years period except for year 2001. However, the average of this measurement over the five years period is 0.36%. For the debt ratio, there is a sudden drop between year 1998 and 1999 due to 23.6% increase in long term debts. The total debt to equity ratio record the highest amount in year 1998 due to the economic crisis and the company increase their credit line. In year 2000, there is a sudden drop from RM2 dividends yield to RM1.52. After year 1999, earnings per share are decrease for two consecutive years. This is because reducing in net profit over the years. There is an improvement in PE ratio except the year 20 01. Since economic recession in year 1998, the company must sell their stock in higher price, that is RM28.3 in order to get RM1 earnings. The forecasted sales of this company for year 2003 are RM473, 509,169, which is 1.17% less compare with previous year. However, net income is expected increase 5.97%, which is from RM28, 220,000 raise to RM29, 904,528. In summary, the company will performed better in year 2003 since the forecasted net income is higher. Kim Hin Industry Berhad Table 7 shows a common size analysis of capital structure for Kim Hin Industry Berhad. For year 1996, liabilities constitute 16.702% and this percentage decreases to 0.099% in year 2000, which indicates that the obligations of Kim Hin Industry are reducing. However, in year 2001, this amount increases 0.015% to 0.114%. From the table, it shows the shareholders equity of Kim Hin industry Berhad is stable over years. The reserve of this company reaches its peak in year 1998. This may be due to the economic crisis that makes the company to increase their reserve in the bank to face the contingency in the future. From Table 8, we can see that cash and bank balances increase the most in year 2001 (2492.699%) if compared with the other short-term assets. This indicates that Kim Hin Industry Berhads liquidity needs is improving over the year. Although long term asset and long term liability show a downturn from year to year, they are still remained above the level of total long term assets based on year 1996. From here we can see that sales growth are faster than the inventory growth. This is a good sign for Kim Hin Industry Berhad. This may be due to the better inventory system in this company. Net income shows a rising trend over these six consecutive years except in year 1998, the net income decreased 33.954% if compared with year 1996. Besides, account receivables are growing faster than the sales (118.975% versus 110.042%), this is suggestive for a more aggressive credit policy. After doing the time series forecasting of the value of sales and net income in year 2003, we predict that both categories will be in a decreasing trend, which reach an amount of RM 15,561,322.19 for net income and RM 150,277,952 of sales. From Table 9, the value of cash flow adequacy ratio (CFAR), which is 1.01606, indicates that this company is able to cover these cash without a need for external financing. The debt ratio of this company over five years is decreasing from year to year. This implies that the portion of assets that are being financed by the creditors are keep on dropping. Furthermore, the debt to equity is decreasing from year 1997 (0.352044 times) to 2001 (0.161399 times). The highest ROCE over these five business-operating years is in year 1997 which yield an amount of 27.8%. The growth rate is decreasing, which shows by the SEGR, from 25.03% in year 1997 to -5.827% in year 1998. After year 1998, the growth rate increase steadily from year 1999 (7.116%) to 2001(11.35%). Although the companys earning per share decreases from 0.18 in year 1997 to 0.05 in year 2001, the dividend yield increases from 0.53 in year 1997 to 0.98 in year 2001. In year 1998, dividend yield comes to it highest point of 3.23 which designates that the selling price of each share, the company will get RM 3.23 dividend in return. The PE ratios of Kim Hin Industry Berhad fluctuate over time. The highest PE ratio among these five years is in year 2000, which yields that the company should sell its share for RM 27.90 in order to earn RM 1.00. Kris Components Berhad Table 10 shows a common-size analysis of capital structure for Kris Components Berhad. For year 2001, liabilities constitute 52.1% and equity 47.9% of Kriss financing, while long term liabilities equal l2.41%. Total liabilities is increase from 22.44% in year 1997 to 52.1% in year 2001, whereas total equity capital has decreased from 77.56% to 47.9%. This shows that there is a greater likelihood of insolvency in company since the higher the proportion of debt, the larger the interest charges and debt repayment. Table 11 shows the trend index of selected accounts of Kris Components Berhad. The cash and cash balances was decrease dramatically from 864% in year 2000 to 530.3% in year 2001, whereas inventory is increase substantially from 639.3% to 1049.8%. This shows that the company has more funds invested in inventory in year 2001. However, the inventory growth is less than sales growth from year 1998 to year 2001. Net income is in an increasing trend except from year 1999 to 2000. Therefore, we have forecasted the sales and net income using regression model for year 2003. As the result, estimated sales in 2003 is RM 484,523,776.2 while the estimated net income is RM46,118,828.51. Refer to Table 12, the total debt to equity ratio shows an increasing trend during the 5 years period. This indicates the proportion of the companys capital that derived from debt is larger compared to other sources of capital. The total debt to equity ratio in year 2001 (108.475%) shows that the likelihood of insolvency in the company is greater especially during periods of earnings decline. The debt ratio of the company also increases over the 5 years period. It shows the portion of assets that is financed by creditors is increase from year to year. The return on invested capital ratio is fluctuated over the 5 years period. It shows 12.43% in 1999 indicates the company is able to attract financing compare with previous year. Kriss higher return on common shareholders equity as compared to its return on invested capital reflects the favourable effects of financial leverage. That is, Kris is successfully trading on the equity. Kriss cash flow adequacy ratio for the five-year period is 0.364, implying that funds generated from operations are insufficient to maintain dividends and current operating growth levels and there is a need for external financing. Kris sustainable equity growth rate in year 2001 is 12.14% compare with 10.01% in year 2000, markedly improve relative to prior years. This indicates better future growth in sales and earning. The year 2001 net income of RM19.771 million and dividend of RM 3.711 million leave sufficient funds for reinvestment and internally financed growth. While earnings per share increase from RM0.20 in year 1998 to RM0.42 in year 2001, the PE ratio was fluctuate during that period. Dividend yield was decline. Declining in dividend yield is attributable mainly to increase in PE ratio. YTL Cement Berhad Refer to Table 13, the company total liabilities decreased since 1999 with 65.1% compare to 36.36% (2002). Besides that, the overall total shareholders equity fluctuates each year with a moderate high percentage (63.64%) in 2002. The total debt to equity ratio is decreased from year 1999 to 2002. There is a sudden decreased of almost 70% from 186.506% in 1999 to 57.139% in 2002. Table 14 indicates that the sales and the net income of the company was in good condition for 4 consecutive years with an increment from 79% (1999) to 188% (2002) and net income increased from 21% (1999) to 438% (2002). In addition, we have forecasted the sales and net income using regression model for year 2003. As the result, estimated sales for year 2003 slightly decrease with the amount of RM 382,055,745.50 compare to 2002 with the amount of RM 422,639,071 while there is a rise in estimated net income for 2003 with RM7,454,009.69 (refer to Appendix). From the short-term liquidity ratio of YTL Cement Berhad, we analyze the companys inventory turnover. From Table 14, we can see that the companys inventory turnover increased over 4 consecutive years from year 1999 to 2002. We can also see that there is a sudden increased of almost 50% in 2000 due to an increased in YTL Cement Berhads sales from 109% in 2000 to 188% in 2002. This shows that there is effectiveness in managing inventory by YTL Cement Bhd. Besides that, CFAR for YTL Cement Berhad for 5 years period is 2.33 (refer to Table15). This ratio indicates that the company is able to cover cash needs without a need for external financing. The return on invested capital (ROIC) is increased from year 2000 to 2002. This is cause by the increment in the net income of the company over the past 3 years. Similar to ROIC, return on common equity (ROCE) of the company also increased. This is cause by the rise of the net income of the company over the past 3 years from 113% (2000) to 438% (2002) (refer to Table14). Sustainable equity growth rate (SEGR) recognizes the internal growth for YTL Cement Bhd depends on both earnings retention and return earned on earnings retained. There is an improvement on SEGR for 5 consecutive years from 1998 to 2002 after a sudden drop from 13.52% in 1997 to 1.58% in 1998 due to the occurrence of financial crisis (refer to Table15). From the view of financial market measures, YTL Cement Berhad EPS increased for 4 consecutive years from 0.03 in 1999 to 0.479 in 2002. This shows that the company earnings had improved over the periods. The company had lower PE ratio during year 2002, 2001, 2000 compare with the previous 3 years. This is good for the company. The company highest DY (5.12) was in 1998 compare to other years (refer to Table 15).

Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Black Inventors - Patent Holders List Index R

Black Inventors - Patent Holders List Index R Black history inventors are listed alphabetically: use the A to Z index bar to navigate and select or just browse the many listings. Each listing has the name of the black inventor followed by the patent number(s) which is the unique number assigned to an invention when a patent is issued, the date the patent was issued, and a description of the invention as written by the inventor. If available, links are provided to in-depth articles, biographies, illustrations and photos on each individual inventor or patent. How to submit to the database. Victor Llewellyn Ransom #3,231,866, 1/25/1966, Traffic data processing system#3,866,185, 2/11/1975, Method and apparatus for gathering peak load traffic data Debrilla M Ratchford #4,094,391, 6/13/1978, Suitcase with wheels and transporting hook Ernest P Ray #620,078, 2/21/1899, Chair supporting device Lloyd P Ray #587,607, 8/3/1897, Dust pan Andre Reboucas NA 1895 approx Torpedo Craig C Redmond, Sr. #6,085,356, 7/11/2000, Waist Band Expander Judy W Reed #305,474, 9/23/1884, Dough kneader and roller Humphrey H Reynolds #275,271, 10/7/1890, Window ventilator for railroad cars#437,937, 4/3/1883, Safety gate for bridges Mary Jane Reynolds #1,337,667, 4/20/1920, Hoisting and loading mechanism Robert Randolph Reynolds #624,092, 5/2/1899, Nonrefillable bottle Jerome Bonaparte Rhodes #639,290, 12/19/1899 Water closet Albert C Richardson #255,022, 3/14/1882, Hame fastener#446,470, 2/17/1891, Churn#529,311, 11/13/1894, Casket-lowering device#620,362, 2/28/1899, Insect destroyer#638,811, 12/12/1899, Bottle William H Richardson #343,140, 6/18/1889, Cotton chopper#405,599, 6/18/1889, Childs carriage#405,600, 6/1/1886, Childs carriage Charles V Richey #584,650, 8/3/1897, Car coupling#587,657, 10/26/1897, Railroad switch#592,448, 12/28/1897, Railroad switch#596,427, 12/13/1898, Fire escape bracket#615,907, 6/3/1913, Combined cot, hammock, and stretcher#1,063,599, 7/7/1931, Telephone register and lock-out device#1,812,984, 2/14/1933, Lockout for outgoing calls for telephone systems#1,897,533 6/15/1897, Time control system for telephones Alvin Longo Rickman #598,816, 2/8/1898, Overshoe James Ricks #338,781, 3/30/1886, Horseshoe#626,245, 6/6/1899, Overshoe for horses Norbert Rillieux #3,237, 8/26/1843, Improvement in sugar works#4,879, 12/10/1846, Sugar processing evaporator Cecil Rivers 6,731,483, 2/14/2003, Circuit breaker with single test button mechanism Louis W Roberts #3,072,865, 1/8/1963, Gaseous discharge device#3,257,620, 6/21/1966, Device for gas amplication by stimulated emission and radiation GASAR#3,377,576, 4/9/1968, Gallium-wetted movable electrode switch Elbert R Robinson #505,370, 9/19/1893, Electric railway trolley#594,286, 11/23/1897, Casting composite or other car wheels Hassel D Robinson #D 66,703, 2/24/1925, Design for a traffic signal casing#1,580,218, 4/13/1926, Traffic signal for automobiles Ira C Robinson #3,577,514, 5/4/1971, Sustained release pharmaceutical tablets James H Robinson #621,143, 3/14/1899, Lifesaving guard for locomotives#623,929, 4/25/1899, Lifesaving guard for street cars John Robinson #356,852, 2/1/1887, Dinner pail Neal Moore Robinson #1,422,479 7/11/1922 Vehicle wheel Arnold Romain #402,035 4/23/1889 Passenger register Raymond E Rose #3,618,388 11/9/1971 Control apparatus Archia L Ross #565,301, 8/4/1896, Runner for stoops#605,343, 6/7/1898, Bag closure#638,068, 11/28/1899, Trousers support or stretcher Joseph Ross #632,539, 9/5/1899, Hay press David N Roston #556,166, 3/10/1896, Feather curler Edwin R Russell #2,855,269, 10/7/1958, The separation of plutonium from uranium and fission products#2,992,249, 7/11/1961, Ion exchange absorption process for plutonium separation#3,296,123, 1/3/1967, Removal of cesium from aqueous solution by ion exchange#3,309,323, 3/14/1967, Thorium oxide or thorium-uranium oxide with magnesium oxide Jesse Eugene Russell #5,930,247, 7/27/1999, Broadband data reception system for Worldnet access#6,044,403, 3/28/2000, Network server platform for Internet, Java server and video application server John Russell #6,968,993, 11/17/2003, Mailbox assembly Joseph L Russell #3,995,011, 11/30/1976, Preparation of tungsten hexafluoride from halogen and hydrogen fluoride Lewis A Russell #544,381, 8/13/1895, Guard attachment for beds Earl Ryder #3,129,095, 4/14/1964, High silicon cast iron

Saturday, February 15, 2020

Global economy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 1

Global economy - Essay Example Nevertheless, the end of 2010 was marked with the U.S.’s decision to throw additional money into the domestic economy, to encourage economic growth and slow down the economic downturn. Controversial and radical, the decision to apply to quantitative easing became one of the most actively discussed issues in economics. That quantitative easing has far-reaching implications for the domestic and global economy cannot be denied, but its role in the development and expansion of the positive economic growth is yet to be defined. At the end of 2010, the Central Bank of America announced its decision to pump up additional $600bn into the domestic economy (Elliott & Inman 2010). The decision to use quantitative easing mechanisms was justified by the failure of the American federal authorities and the Fed to accelerate economic growth, encourage lending, and reduce unemployment (Elliott & Inman 2010). It should be noted, that the past recession became the worst economic downturn in Amer ica and the rest of the world since the Great Depression (Elliott & Inman 2010). As a result, traditional instruments of economic recovery failed to improve the situation. Quantitative decision for the U.S. was similar to the instrument of last resort, when there is nothing else the Fed can do to alleviate the burden of economic problems within the country. As part of its strategy, the Fed would purchase long-term Treasury bills every month, until the middle of the year, totaling to $75bn (Elliott & Inman 2010). The United States claims that quantitative easing is simply inevitable, when the state wants to preserve â€Å"ultra-low† interest rates for an extended period, thus keeping the amount of the borrowing costs unchanged for at least two years (Elliott & Inman 2010). The principal intentions of quantitative easing are but positive. The reality, however, is not as bright as economic theory tries to create it. Even if quantitative easing has a potential to support relative stability in the U.S., it may have damaging and even fracturing effects on the global economy. It should be noted, that economic theory treats quantitative easing as â€Å"the central bank’s asset purchases that are designed to inject money directly into the economy to raise asset prices, boost spending and so keep inflation on track to meet the 2% target† (Ganley 2010). The most probable sources of additional assets for the Central Bank include â€Å"insurance companies, banks and non-financial institutions, pension funds and firms† (Ganley 2010). Such injections directly into the economy are justified by the rapid contractions in the amount of spending that follow global financial crises (Ganley 2010). More often than not, quantitative easing is used to stop price deflation and encourage real output (Ganley 2010). The history of quantitative easing dates back to the beginning of the 1990s, when Japan found itself in the midst of a deep economic and financial crisis (Kurihara 2006). â€Å"The development and implementation of the zero interest policy had to encourage economic recovery but did not produce any real effect on the economic development in the country† (Kurihara 2006). Quantitative easing was introduced to initiate long-term economic growth in Japan. Unfortunately, and after so many years of economic recovery and growth in Japan, whether quantitative easi

Sunday, February 2, 2020

The Prefabricated Houses Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

The Prefabricated Houses - Term Paper Example One of these types of buildings is known as "prefabricated house" that kind of housing can be finished in short period and manufactured off-site in advance. It consists of standard sections that can be easily shipped, assembled, and dis-assembled. Moreover, the cost of  prefabricated  unit  is equivalent to  30-40%  of the cost of typical unit. This paper explores prefabricated housing, benefits, types, installation procedure, misconceptions, and future prospects. Prefabricated Houses Defined Prefabrication is a process of assembling the components of a particular structure in a factory and transporting the finished assemblies or sub-assemblies to the construction site where the final product is to be installed. The process is an alternative to the traditional on-site construction practice where raw material is gathered and assembled on location of construction (Daab, 2008). The primary principle of prefabrication is grouping comparable construction tasks and applying assem bly line techniques on construction site where skilled labor is available. The process is also called off-site manufacture (OSM). The practice is more effective when modularization is also employed, that is, the process of repeating units of form throughout the structure, or when several replica of the same basic structure are to be built (West 1). According to Callcutt Review of House building Delivery (2007) prefabrication is time-saving, economical, and provide high quality end product. In addition, the process has a potential to offer faster construction, cleaner and safer working conditions, reduced housing faults, reduced construction waste, and more energy efficient homes. On the other hand, some of the challenges of prefabricated housing include: interface detailing, handling and supply chain logistics, transportation to location, investment ability, and social stigma (West 1).Schweitzer and Michael state: "The earliest known examples of successful prefabricated housing in A merica came soon after, however, the "great house" of Edward Winslow was sent from England to Cape Ann northeast of Boston in 1624 to provide for the fishing fleet already operating there. The building was reportedly moved several times subsequently and parts of its supposedly were built into a house in Salem, Massachusetts, still standing today, more than 300 years later."(57) Types of Prefabricated Housing According to BRE and UK Department for Communities and Local Government (Callcutt, 2007) there are three types of prefabricated systems used by housing market. It includes volumetric systems, partial modularization, and prefabrication of elements. Volumetric systems include completely assembled three-dimensional modular units manufactured in a factory and installed on location. Partial modularization includes standardized units or elements while prefabrication of elements refers to an assortment of individual systems including 'frames' and 'structural insulated panels (SIP)'.Eac h of these systems has its own pros and cons, however, all of these are important for prefabricated housing market because of their use in isolation or combination as hybrid techniques(Callcutts,2007). Three types of prefabricated housing market sections include modular, penalized, and precut. A modular home system consists of three-dimensional unit. It includes interior and exterior walls, plumbing, wiring, and other kinds of utility