1.Since Country A has a higher GDP than Country B then this must mean Essay - 2

1.Since Country A has a higher GDP than Country B then this must mean the residents of Country A are better off in terms of economic welfare. Discuss - Essay Example GDP also shows the productivity of a nation. Countries like China and India have better GDP rate compared to U.S. as per the latest studies. The recent television reports has shown that the American secret agency has submitted a report to the Bush government that India and China will become super powers within 20 years. â€Å"The monetary value of all the finished goods and services produced within a countrys borders in a specific time period, though GDP is usually calculated on an annual basis. It includes all of private and public  consumption, government outlays, investments and exports less imports that occur within a defined territory. From the above definition it is clear that if a country produces maximum finished goods within a time span (normally 1 year) the GDP will increases. From the above equation it is clear that GDP will increase when the consumer spending, government spending and sum of country’s business spending increases. The GDP will also increase when exports exceeds the imports (NX value). Now we can try to analyze GDP a little more deeply by studying the GDP rate of two countries; one with higher GDP rate and another with lower GDP rate. GDP incorporates many of the economic indicators of a country such as retail sales, personal consumption and wholesale inventories etc. â€Å"The general consensus is that 2.5-3.5% per year growth in real GDP is the range of best overall benefit; enough to provide for corporate profit and jobs growth yet moderate enough to not incite undue inflationary concerns. If the economy is just coming out of recession, it is  OK for the GDP figure to jump into th e 6-8% range briefly, but investors will look for the long-term rate to stay near the 3% level. The general definition of an economic recession is two consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth, which last occurred in the United States in 2001.  (Ryan Barnes). GDP is concerned with the region in which income is generated. It is the market value of

Mini Cooper: Expansion and Launch in India

Mini Cooper: Expansion and Launch in India THE PRODUCT: MINI COOPER IN INDIA INTRODUCTION: The Mini Cooper is a small car that was produced by the British Motor Corporation and its successors from 1959 until 2000. The original is considered an icon of the 1960s, and its space-saving front-wheel-drive layout that allowed 80% of the area of the cars floor pan to be used for passengers and luggage influenced a generation of car-makers. In 1999 the Mini was voted the second most influential car of the 20th Century, behind the Ford Model T[i]. This distinctive two-door car was designed for BMC by Sir Alec Issigonis. It was manufactured at the Long bridge and Cowley plants in England. The Mini Mark I had three major UK updates: the Mark II, the Clubman and the Mark III.The Mini Cooper is a sports car that was successful as rally cars, winning the Monte Carlo Rally four times from 1964 through to 1967. Initially Minis were marketed under the Austin and Morris names, as the Austin Seven and Morris Mini Minor, until Mini became a marquee in its own right in 1969. The Mini Cooper was again marketed under the Austin name in the 1980s. AWARDS AND POPULARITY: The Mini has won many awards over the years, perhaps the most notable includes: Car of the Century, Number One Classic Car of All Time and European Car of the Century. The Mini managed second place behind the Model T Ford for Global Car of the Century in that same poll. In the end 5.3 million Minis were sold, making it by far the most popular British car ever made. Thousands of these are still on the road, with the remaining pre-1980s versions being firmly established as collectors items. At its peak, the Mini was a strong seller in most of the countries where it was sold, with the United Kingdom inevitably receiving the highest volumes. It was a huge seller in the mini-car market. It was 16 years before the Mini received a serious threat to its sales success. INFORMATION ABOUT THE PRODUCTS: MINI HATCH: The new Mini First will be Minis most attractively-priced model on sale in India. Starting at just Rs.8, 76,000 OTR, and the Mini First offers customers the opportunity to get behind the wheel of a unique small premium car at an unbeatable price. Available only in Hatch form, the Mini First features the 1.4-litre petrol engine currently found in the Mini One, but with a power output of 75 hp. The frugal engine is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox as standard and great go-kart handling is ensured by the trademark sophisticated chassis of all Minis. A multi-link rear axle and independent front and rear suspension systems combine with Dynamic Stability Control to put a smile on the drivers face every time they get behind the wheel. SEGMENTING, TARGETING AND POSITIONING SEGMENTATION: refers to a marketing technique that targets a group of customers with specific characteristics. In the process of launching mini cooper in India the upper class people in the country are considered under segmentation. TARGETING: refers to the selection of a particular market towards which all marketing effort is directed. The targeted market for the mini cooper will be the young girls and the ladies sector in the country. POSITIONING: refers to the efforts of influencing a consumers perception of a brand or product relative to the perception of the competing brands or products. Its basic objective is to occupy a clear, advantageous and unique position in the minds of the consumers. With the help of newspapers, internet and hoardings the positioning will take place in the minds of consumers about the product. THE CONSUMERS: An individual who buys products or services for personal use and not for manufacture or resale. A consumer is someone who can make the decision whether or not to purchase an item at the store, and someone who can be influenced by marketing and advertisements. An official definition of consumer behaviour is The study of individuals, groups, or organizations and the processes they use to select, secure, use, and dispose of products, services, experiences, or ideas to satisfy needs and the impacts that these processes have on the consumer and society. Mini Cooper in India will be mostly preferred by the upper class people of the society. This is because of the cost of the product. As the cost is higher people would prefer to buy a bigger and luxury car instead of a small and sporty car. Those people who are more interested and knowledgeable in brands and values would be influenced to buy a Mini cooper in India. Mini cooper is recognized as a girly car all over the world. Mini cooper is a car of status and pride. The type of consumers who prefer a Mini cooper will be a consumer of status and pride. It a sporty car as well as a statement symbol of status. Consumers do not make their decision in a vacuum. Consumer purchases are influenced by four factors. They are as follows Cultural factors Social factors Personal factors Psychological factors. CULTURAL FACTORS: Culture is the part of the external influences that impact the consumer. That is, culture represents influences that are imposed on the consumer by other individuals. The definition of culture is That complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man person as a member of society Culture plays an important role in the buying behaviour of the consumers. As India s rich in culture and tradition, this factor acts as a major role in launching of Mini Cooper in India. As the product Mini Cooper is focused on the young girls and ladies of the society, their decisions are based on the family situations. Some women are not able to decide on their own products and services in India. They have to be depended on their family and society. SOCIAL FACTORS: A consumer may interact with several consumers before buying a product. They may be different type of groups like membership group and reference groups. Family decisions are also very important in choosing a product. Roles and status also play an important role in influencing the buying behaviour of a consumer. As Mini Cooper is the symbol of status and pride the consumers can show their ostentatious behaviour. Those are people who are concerned about image. PERSONAL FACTORS: Personal factors are based on economic situation like his income, occupation, personality and self confidence and age and family life cycle stages. In purchasing a Mini Cooper in India a consumer has to take into consideration his level of income as the price of the product is high. He also has to consider his age and economic situation in the society. The major part in the personal factor is a person should have a high level of personality and self confidence to buy a product. Psychological factors like motivating consumers are mainly done by advertisements, road shows and other motivating factors. Attitudes and beliefs are very important in the process of launching a product. The Consumers have to be given more knowledge about the products. The Mini Cooper will affect the psychological factors of the customers when they see the advertisements. DECISION MAKING PROCESS: The act of making up your mind about something, or a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration is called as decision making. It is the process of selecting a logical choice from among the available options. When trying to make a good decision, a person must weight the positives and negatives of each option, and consider all the alternatives. For effective decision making, a person must be able to forecast the outcome of each option as well, and based on all these items, determine which option is the best for that particular situation. The below diagram shows the process of decision making, and also will explain about how the decision making process affects the customers of Mini Cooper. In this model, the consumer passes through five stages: problem recognition, information search, evaluation and selection of alternatives, decision implementation, and post-purchase evaluation. Problem recognition or need recognition: In the problem recognition stage, the consumers buying process begins when the buyer recognizes the problem or need. When a consumer of an upper class society is in need of a car he recognizes the problems and the need of it. This is the first stage of decision making process. When the consumers find the difference between the actual state and the desired state, a problem is recognized. In other words a need is recognized to solve the problem. Information search: When the consumers discover the problem they are likely to search for information. In this case the consumers who recognized the need for a car would search for more information about the different type of cars and they would be more attentive to car advertisements, cars purchased by their friends or relatives, and peer conversation about cars. Or they may be more actively seeking information by visiting car showrooms, talking to friends and reading car magazines etc. Through gathering information, the consumer learns more about some brands that compete in the market and their features and characteristics. After the search of information the consumers go to the next stage of decision making process. Evaluation and search of alternatives: Under this stage a consumers try to solve the problem and ultimately satisfying their needs. In other words, the consumers will look for problem-solving benefits from the product. The consumer, then, looks for products with a certain set of attributes that deliver the benefits. Thus, the consumer sees each product as a bundle of attributes with different levels of ability of delivering the problem solving benefits to satisfy their need. The distinctions among the need, benefits, and attributes are very important. In this case a person who wants to purchase a car will evaluate and search of alternatives to satisfy his needs. Decision implementation: To actually implement the purchase decision, however, a consumer needs to select both specific items that are brands and specific outlets that is where to buy to resolve the problems. In many situations, consumers engage in a simultaneous selection process of stores and brands. In the case of purchasing car a consumer will search a brand and in that brand they will search for different varieties in the showroom. It is also possible, that the consumer decides where to buy and then chooses one or two brands the showroom carries. Once the brand and outlet have been decided, the consumer moves on to the transaction. Post purchase evaluation: The final stage in decision making process is post purchase evaluation. It is common for consumers to experience concerns after making a purchase decision. This arises from a concept that is known as cognitive dissonance. The consumer having bought a product may feel that an alternative would have been preferable. In these circumstances a consumer will not re-purchase immediately but is likely to switch brands next time. Post-purchase evaluation processes are directly influenced by the type of preceding decision-making process. Directly relevant here is the level of purchase involvement of the consumer. Purchase involvement is often referred to as the level of concern for or interest in the purchase situation and how extensively the consumer searches information in making a purchase decision. These are the different stages of decision making process. With these levels a consumer decides when, where, why and how they buy the product. Mini Cooper is to be launched in India in two major cities of Mumbai and Delhi. Showrooms will be opened in these cities and customers can buy Mini from the showrooms. Perceived risk: Perceived risk refers to a functional or a psychological risk a consumer feels he/she is taking when purchasing a product. Negative or unexpected consequences a consumer fears may occur as a result of making the wrong purchase decision. A high-priced, complex, durable good like an automobile has a higher perceived risk than a low-priced, consumable commodity like hand soap. The greater the perceived risk, the more likely it is that the consumer will seek information about the product and the recommendations and experiences of peers before Buying. Educated, self-confident, affluent consumers are less likely than others to perceive risk. In a situation with high perceived risk, the consumer is more likely to purchase the same brand repeatedly or to purchase a leading brand or one with performance guarantees and warranties. New products or brands will be avoided. 4.0 LAUNCHING THE PRODUCT The primary goal of marketing communications is to build awareness of the business, its products, and its position through customer-facing materials such as brochures, press releases, internet, media, billboards, and road shows. Planning an integrated and consistent cross-team approach to these activities, one that reinforces a companys message with target audiences and motivates customers to buy is very important in launching a product. Mini Cooper is being launched in Mumbai and Delhi by positioning through customer facing materials like brochures, press release, web sites, media and road shows etc. Advertising is a form of communication used to influence individuals to purchase products or services or support political candidates or ideas. Frequently it communicates a message that includes the name of the product or service and how that product or service could potentially benefit the consumer. Advertising often attempts to persuade potential customers to purchase or to consume a particular brand of product or service. Modern advertising developed with the rise of mass production in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The major part in launching of a product is opening of showrooms. Showrooms of Mini Cooper will be more attractive and impressive for the customers. A showroom is an area where merchandise such as car can be displayed. It can also be defined as a room in a business set aside for the display of th e companys products. The three models of Mini Coopers in different colors will be displayed in the showroom. Customers can visit the showroom and book their minis hassle free without any problems. Customers are also offered with test drives if required. This will help the customers to understand practically about Mini and will also be helpful for them to buy the car with a clear mind as a result they will be happy to purchase the car without having any perceived risks in mind. Showrooms will be opened at the commercial area of the cities so that it will be easy for the customers. BROCHURES: A small booklet or pamphlet containing promotional material or product information is known as a brochure. Its a type of folding leaflet, literary advertisement. A brochure advertises about the location, products and services. They are actually in attractive slogans and eye-catching designs. Direct mails and trade shows are common ways to distribute brochures to introduce a product or service. The two most common types of brochures styles are single sheet or folded booklet leaflet form. Compared with a flyer or a handbill, a brochure usually uses higher-quality paper, more color, and is folded. In launching the Mini in the market, brochures are being used as one of the customer facing materials or advertisements. With the help of brochures, the people will come to know about the product and will take an initiative to visit the showroom and to check with the websites. The brochures will be made of high quality and will be printed in attractive colors and impressive slogans will be given. Free test drives will be added in the brochures to attract the customers. The address of the showroom and a map will be printed in the brochures for the customers. These brochures will be supplied to the public in the commercial areas and city centre. PRESS RELEASE: A public relations announcement issued to the news media and other targeted publications for the purpose of letting the public know about the launching of product and services is known as press release. A press release is a written or recorded communication directed at members of the news media for the purpose of announcing something claimed as having news value. Typically, they are mailed, faxed, or e-mailed to assignment editors at newspapers, magazines, radio stations, television stations, and television networks. Commercial press-release distribution services are also used to distribute them. A press release will be taking place one the showrooms are opened. Only the basic informations will be relieved to the public. In the press Release, the description of the product and services will be described to the public. The location of the showroom will also be relieved. INTERNET advertising is rapidly growing and is said to be the fastest growing sector within the advertising industry. The Internet has brought media to a global audience. Internet advertising ties together creative and technical aspects of the Internet, including: design, development and sales. Internet advertising is relatively inexpensive when compared to the ratio of cost against the reach of the target audience. Companies can reach a wide audience with the help of internet advertising. The nature of the medium allows consumers to research and purchase products and services at their own convenience. Therefore, businesses have the advantage of appealing to consumers in a medium that can bring results quickly. A website is introduced in the name of Mini Cooper. All the informations regarding the product is included in the website. The different models and the colors will be shown attractively to grab the attention of the customers. The customers will be given an option to book their car online through the website. The customers can also book for the test drives online. MEDIA: Ever since mass media became mass media, companies have naturally used this means of communications to let a large number of people know about their products. Two types of media advertisements are as follows: published media and visual or aural media. Newspaper, magazines and internet comes under published media and television and radio comes under visual or aural media. Advertisements in famous newspapers and magazines will be given for the Mini Cooper. Attractive slogans like MINI HITS INDIAN ROADS will be given on magazines and newspapers with colourful pictures of Mini Cooper. Advertisements in televisions will become livelier with the presence of celebrities with the Mini Cooper. Radio advertisements will also be given. Media will cover the major part of advertisement compared to the other types. BILLBOARDS: are large outdoor advertising structures. A billboard presents large advertisements to passing pedestrians and drivers. It is highly visible in the top designated market areas. Billboard advertisements are designed to catch a persons attention and create a memorable impression very quickly, leaving the reader thinking about the advertisement after they have driven past it. They have to be readable in a very short time because they are usually read while being passed at high speeds. Thus there are usually only a few words, in large print, and a humorous or arresting image in brilliant color. Attractive billboards with impressive colors and slogans will be placed at many places in the city. These will help the consumers to be aware of the car. The billboards will be very simple and clear for the public. The cars will be printed on the billboards. Billboards are very useful for the public to know about the launching of the product. ROAD SHOWS: are kinds of advertisement of the product. Basically a road show is nothing but a show of cars on the road in the public. These road shows will be attractive to customers as they see them on the road. Some number of Minis will be driven on the road in the city so that people become familiarized with the product launch. And they will also be parked alongside the road as a road show. Different colors of Mini Cooper will also be on the road show. Discounts and offers will be given to the customers on the early stage for the development of product in the market. It is very important because customers are more attracted towards discount and offers. Surprise gifts will be given to the first fifty customers who book Mini Cooper. The customers will be provided with the facility of Mini Cooper service stations in Mumbai and Delhi. First two services will be free of cost for the car. Cars will be picked and dropped at the customers place for service and it will also be free of charge. Accessories like seat covers, alloy wheels, music player etc will be available at the showroom. Customers can buy them at lesser prices. CONCLUSION: Thus the launching of Mini Cooper will be done effectively and efficiently. Customer satisfaction is more important for a sound business. We will promise to give our best to our customers to satisfy them. Mini Cooper will maintain its level of brand and will become a great success in India. With its great success Mini Cooper will be launched in more cities with more models in India. REFERENCE How the MINI Cooper Works, by Jonathan Strickland, http://auto.howstuffworks.com/mini-cooper.htm, retrieved 2009-12-12

Chaucers Canterbury Tales Essay - The Powerful Wife of Bath

The Powerful Wife of Bath   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In Geoffrey Chacer's The Canterbury Tales we are introduced to 29 people who are going on a pilgrimage to St. Thomas a Becket in Canterbury. Each person is represented to fit a unique type of behavior as shown by people during the medieval ages.   My attention was drawn to the Wife of Bath through which Chaucer notes the gender inequalities.   Predominantly, women could either choose to marry and become a childbearing wife or go into a religious order.   Women were seen as property.   Women during this period of time, had limited choices when it came to societal roles.   The Wife of Bath exonerates the accepted roles of society, reflecting women's attempt to gain control during the medieval period.      Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The General Prologue presents an interesting description of The Wife of Bath.   Her character is noted to be strong and bold and we learn she is slightly deaf.   The Wife of Bath was married and widowed five times and has had numerous companions.   The Wife of Bath is a skilled cloth maker and a devoted Christian pilgrim who has made trips to several shrines.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Through her unique introduction in The General Prologue we learn much of her physical attributes.   The Wife of Bath is gapped tooth.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   "Gat-toothed was she, soothly for to saye.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Upon an amblere esily she sat" (p.91, ll. 470-471)    This physical feature is attributed to lust and passion.   The fact that she could ride a horse easily also could take on sexual connotations (Maclaine 32).   The horse she "rides" so well could actually be her husband.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Early in the Wife of Bath ... ... of Bath is unique in her style of thinking, which is what makes this character so interesting to study.    Works Cited and Consulted Bowden, Muriel.   A Reader's Guide to Geoffrey Chaucer.   New York:   Noonday Press, 1964. Hallissy, Margaret.   A Companion to Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.   London:   Greenwood Press, 1995. Herman, John P. and John J. Burke, Jr., ed.   Signs and Symbols in Chaucer's Poetry.   University, Alabama:   University of Alabama Press, 1981. Lambdin, Laura C. and Robert T. Lambdin, ed.   Chaucer's Pilgrims:   An Historical Guide to the Pilgrims in the Canterbury Tales.   London:   Greenwood Press, 1996.   Nardo, Don, ed.   Readings on the Canterbury Tales.   San Diego:   Greenhaven Press, 1997. Plummer, John F.   "The Wife of Bath's Hat as a Sexual Metaphor."   English Language Notes, 18 (1980-1981).      

Nature vs nurture Essay

There has always been a big debate on nature verses nurture. It is a debate that is still going on today. Many psychologist and other professions still trying make an agreement for one or the other. I believe that is it both nature and nurture because it cannot be just one overpowering the other. I believe that both nature and nurture intertwine with one another for every human since birth. Psychologists such as Erickson believed that nature determines the sequence of the stages and it sets the limits within which nurture operates. But is this really true? To me it felt that Erickson believed it intertwined some but he was more on the nature side more. I don’t think nature determines it mainly because nurture could do the same thing. It depends on the situation. One of the psychologists that I agree with the most is Vygotsky. Vygotsky is a developmental psychologist. Most developmental psychologist believe that nature and nurture combine to influence development, biological fa ctor play a stronger role in some aspects of development, such as physical development, and environmental factors playing a stronger role in others, such as moral development. His theories are theories that seem to be more relatable and approachable than the other psychologist who are leaning more to nature or more to nurture. Vygotsky views on cognitive development was Intellectual development can only be understood in terms of a child’s historical and cultural context. Also, Development depends on the sign systems that individuals have available to them. Vygotsky assumed that adults could convey children through conversations how their culture interpret and respond to the world. He believed that every culture has transmitted physical and cognitive tools that are used in daily lives. He believed that thoughts and languages become more interdependent in the first five years of a child’s life. There are complex mental processes that begin as a social activity and child are able to transform the processes that they use in a social activity in their own internalization of activity. He believed that children can perform more challenging activities when they have someone there to help them who are more competent (Ormrod,2008). Around the same time Vygotsky was doing this making his own theories, there was another man who was from Russia as well named, Piaget, who had his own ideas. Piaget and Vygotsky were similar in some ways but they also had some differences. Piaget assumed that children are active and motivated learners. He feels that children are curious about  their surroundings. He assumed that children construct knowledge through experience. He believed that they gained this by the physical and social environment, which is critical for cognitive growth. Piaget had his own stages of cognitive development. The first one is sensorimotor, which occurs from birth until the toddler is two years of age. Sensorimotor is when they start forming objec t permanence and they have progress from reflexive to goal-oriented behavior. Second, the preoperational stage which is from age two to seven years old. This is when they develop the ability to use symbol to represent an object. Third, is concrete operational from ages seven to eleven years of age. They are thinking more logically in this stage. They are less egocentric. Lastly, it is formal operation which starts at eleven and goes to adulthood. They are able to think abstract and can solve problems through a system of experimenting (Ormrod, 2008). I believe what Piaget and Vygotsky had implanted because when I am talking to little kids, it is easier to talk to them to see how they see things. Having that open communication as an adult, I get a feeling on where they are coming from and try to go from there. They are things that the environment cannot teach a child. I feel there are things that are already innate in them while they were in the womb and after they came out. It is ver y hard to choose that one conquers the other because they play out equally. Weather it is nature or nurture, it is very important when it comes to human development. It is very clear that they play a big role in everyday life and it will continue to play a role until the day that we pass away. I am a firm believer that both nature and nurture plays a role in life. Everything that Piaget and Vygotsky said is very true. Even other psychologists that are more on the nature side or more on the nurture side, they all bring valid points. References Ormrod, J. E. (2008). Educational Psychology: Developing Learners, 6th. Upper Saddle, NJ: Pearson. Merrill, Prentice-Hall. Slavin, R. (2003). Educational Psychology: Theory and Practice and Practice, 7th. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon. Miller, P. (1983). Theories of Developmental Psychology. San Francisco: W.H. Freeman and Company. Santrock, J.(1996). Child Development. Dubuque, IA: Brown and Benchmark Publishers.

Economic Effects of Immigration in the Philippines

Ten Economic Facts about Immigration INTRODUCTION The Hamilton Project believes it is important to ground the current immigration debate in an objective economic framework based on the best available evidence. In this policy memo, we explore some of the questions frequently raised around immigration in the United States and provide facts drawn from publicly available data sets and the academic literature. Most Americans agree that the current U. S. immigration system is flawed.Less clear, however, are the economic facts about immigration—the real effects that new immigrants have on wages, jobs, budgets, and the U. S. economy—facts that are essential to a constructive national debate. These facts paint a more nuanced portrait of American immigration than is portrayed in today’s debate. Recent immigrants hail from many more countries than prior immigrants; they carry with them a wide range of skills from new PhDs graduating from American universities to laborers wi thout a high school degree.Most recent immigrants have entered the United States legally, but around 11 million unauthorized immigrants currently live and work in America; the majority of these unauthorized workers settled here more than a decade ago. Each of these immigrant groups affects the U. S. economy in varied ways that should be considered in the current debate around immigration reform. Immigrants now comprise more than 12 percent of the American population, according to recent estimates, approaching levels not seen since the early 20th century.Today’s controversies over immigration echo arguments made a century ago during the last immigration peak. While the demographics of U. S. immigrants have shifted dramatically, the concerns voiced about the social and economic impacts of immigration strike a familiar chord. A major economic concern is how immigrants influence the wages and employment prospects of U. S. workers. The economic impacts of immigration vary tremendo usly, depending on whether immigrants are unskilled agricultural laborers, for example, or highly skilled PhD computer scientists.Although their consequences are often conflated, it is constructive to examine the impacts of low-skilled and high-skilled immigrants independently. Another point of controversy in today’s debate involves the impact of unauthorized immigrants on our economic wellbeing. The best estimates suggest that 28 percent of the total foreign-born population could be unauthorized. According to the Pew Hispanic Center, roughly 60 percent of these unauthorized immigrants are from Mexico. (However, unauthorized immigrants make up only about 21 percent of U. S. residents of Mexican heritage. When possible, we try to differentiate the figures to more closely understand the different effects—positive or negative—that unauthorized workers may have on the economy. Of course, there are many factors at play and the economic evidence is only one piece of t he puzzle. These facts are designed to provide a common ground that all participants in the policy debate can agree on. In the months and years ahead, The Hamilton Project will return to the issue of immigration as we offer policy recommendations on the economic issues facing the United States.

Dengue Fever Essays

Dengue Fever Essays Dengue Fever Essay Dengue Fever Essay In subtropical and tropical regions, the dengue virus represents a major threat to human health. The microorganisms natural hosts include mosquitoes, lower primates, and humans. Infection of the human host results in a biphasic fever with the potential to evolve into severe hemorrhagic disease. Over the past few decades, the virus genome structure, viral proteins, and viral antigens have been well characterized. Unfortunately though, the precise mechanisms by which the dengue virus causes disease remain unknown. Throughout history, major dengue fever epidemics have generally occurred at irregular intervals within the range of the mosquito vector. For instance, in 1922, one such epidemic may have affected between 1 and 2 million people in the southern United States. At present, dengue fever may cause more human morbidity and mortality than any other arthropod-borne viral disease (Henchal Putnak, 1990, pp. 376-396). The dengue viruses are currently endemic in most tropical areas of the world (Lanciotti, Lewis, Gubler, Trent, 1994, p. 65). It has been estimated that there could be as many as 100 million cases of dengue infection every year (Halstead, 1988, p. 476). The only natural hosts for dengue virus infections are mosquitoes, lower primates (e. g. , chimpanzees, rhesus monkeys, and macaques), and humans. Dengue Fever Dengue fever is a flu-like viral disease common throughout the tropical and sub-tropical regions around the world, mainly in urban and peri-urban areas. Today, it afflicts an estimated 50 million to 100 million in the tropics (Epstein, 2000). The virus has four antigenically related serotypes, which are named DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, and DEN-4. Each dengue serotype is a variation of the flavivrus genus. Dengue is spread by the aedes aegypti, a domestic, day-biting mosquito that prefers to bite humans. Currently, there is no vaccine available to prevent dengue. Each type of the dengue virus is re-emerging worldwide, especially in the Western Hemisphere. Research has shown that several factors are contributing to the resurgence of dengue fever such as uncontrolled urbanization, increased international travel, substandard socio-economical conditions, and finally global warming. Global warming has shown to be a major contributor o the spread of dengue fever. On a molecular level, dengue fever is classified as a flavivirus and appears as a spherical particle, about 40 to 50 nanometers in diameter Dengue fever Dengue fever, also known as break bone fever, is an acute febrile infectious disease caused by the dengue virus. Typical symptoms include headache, a petechial rash, and muscle and joint pains; in a small proportion the dis ease progresses to life-threatening complications such as dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome. Dengue is usually transmitted by the mosquito Aedes aegypti, and rarely Aedes albopictus. The virus has four different serotypes, and an infection with one usually gives lifelong immunity to it but only short-term immunity to the others. There is currently no available vaccine, but outbreaks can be prevented by reducing the habitat and number of mosquitoes, and limiting exposure to bites. Treatment of acute dengue is supportive, using either oral or intravenous rehydration for mild or moderate disease and blood transfusions for more severe cases. Rates of infection have increased dramatically over the last 50 years with approximate 50–100  million people being infected yearly. The disease has become global and is currently endemic in more than 110  countries with 2. 5  billion people living in areas where it is prevalent. Classification The World Health Organizations 2009 classification divides dengue fever into two groups: uncomplicated and severe. [1][2] This replaces the 1997 WHO classification, which was simplified as it was found to be too restrictive, but the older classification is still widely used. [2] The 1997 classification divided dengue into undifferentiated fever, dengue fever, and dengue hemorrhagic fever. 3] Dengue hemorrhagic fever was subdivided further into four grades (grade I–IV), with the two most severe being classified as dengue shock syndrome. [2] Signs and symptoms Infections from dengue virus range from asymptomatic, to a simple fever, to life threatening. [1] The incubation period (time between exposure and onset of symptoms) is 4–10 days. Most infections are very mild, and many probably experience no symptoms at all. [1][4] Most commonly symptoms include: sudden onset fever, headache (typically behind the eyes), muscle and joint pains, and a rash; the nickname break-bone fever comes from the associated muscle and joints pains. 1] If fever or other symptoms developed more than 14  days after returning from an endemic area, dengue is very unlikely. [3] The course of infection may be divided into three phases: febrile, critical, and recovery. [5] The febrile phase involves high fevers, frequently over 40  Ã‚ °C (104  Ã‚ °F) and associated with generalized pain and a headache; this usually lasts 2–7  days. [5] Flushed skin and some petechia (point-like hemorrhages in the skin) may occur at this point. [5] The critical phase follows the resolution of the high fevers and typically lasts one to two days. 5] During this phase there may be significant fluid accumulation into the thoracic cavity and abdominal cavity due to increased capillary permeability and leakage. This leads to depletion of fluid from the circulation and decreased blood supply to vital organs. [5] During this phase, organ dysfunction and severe bleeding (typically from the gastrointestinal tract) may occur. [3][5] Shock and hemorrhage occurs in less than 5% of all cases of dengue. [3] Those who have previously been infected with other serotypes of dengue (secondary infection) have an increased risk of developing severe complications. 3][6] The recovery phase occurs next if the person survives with resorption of the edematous fluids. [5] The improvement is often striking, but there may be striking itching and a slow heart rate. [3][5] It is during this stage that a fluid overload state may present with symptoms of cerebral edema such as an altered level of consciousness or seizures. [3] Prevention There are currently no approved vaccines for the dengue virus. [1] Prevention thus depends on control of and protection from the bites of the mosquito that transmits it. [7][17] The primary method of controlling Ae. aegypti is by eliminating its habitats. 7] This may be done by emptying containers of water or by adding insecticides or biological control agents to these areas. [7] Reducing open collections of water through environmental modification is the preferred method of control, given the concerns of negative health effect from insecticides and greater logistical difficulties with control agents. [7] People may prevent mosquito bites by wearing clothing that fully covers the skin and/or the application of insect repellent (DEET being the most effective). [8] There are ongoing programs working on a dengue vaccine to cover all four serotypes. 17] One of the concerns is, that a vaccine may increase the risk of severe disease through antibody-dependent enhancement. [18] The ideal vaccine is safe, effective after one or two injections, covers all serotypes, does not contribute to ADE, is easily transported and stored, and is both affordable and cost-effective. [18] A number of vaccines are currently undergoing testing. [13][18][19] It is hoped that the first products will be commercially available as early as 2015. Warning signs[2] Abdominal pain Ongoing vomiting Liver enlargement Mucosal bleeding High hematocrit with low platelets Lethargic Flood In Pakistan 2010 Flood In Pakistan The devastating flood in Pakistan had destroyed more than half of the economy of the country. The country which was already facing several other crises including terrorism,poverty,corruption,illiteracy    has now hit by another challenge in the form of flood. At this crucial time ,the world has pledge to help Pakistan in any form . U. N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrived in Pakistan on Sunday August 16 2010    to boost relief efforts as concerns grew about the 20 million people made homeless in one of the worst disasters to hit the country. Authorities said more flood surges were coursing down the River Indus and other waterways in southern Sindh province and were expected to peak later Sunday, causing fresh deluges. The river, which in better times irrigates the crops of millions of farmers, is 15 miles (25 kilometers) wide at some points- 25 times wider than during normal monsoon seasons. The United Nations said the rate of diarrheal disease continued to increase among survivors. Cholera, which can spread rapidly after floods and other disasters, had also been detected in the northwest, where the floods first hit more than two weeks ago. About 1,500 people have died in the disaster and more than 7. 9 million acres (3. 2 million hectares) of cotton, sugar cane and wheat crops destroyed. The International Monetary Fund has warned of dire economic consequences in a country already reliant on foreign aid to keep its economy afloat and one key to the U. S. -led war against al-Qaida and the Taliban. People are hesitating to give fund to Government    because of the corruption allegations against government as it was also seen at the time of Earth Quake disaster five years back.

Battle of Sullivans Island in the American Revolution

Battle of Sullivan's Island in the American Revolution The Battle of Sullivans Island took place June 28, 1776 near Charleston, SC, and was one of the early campaigns of the American Revolution (1775-1783). Following the beginning of hostilities at Lexington and Concord in April 1775, public sentiment in Charleston began to turn against the British. Though a new royal governor, Lord William Campbell, arrived in June, he was forced to flee that fall after Charlestons Council of Safety commenced raising troops for the American cause and seized Fort Johnson. Additionally, Loyalists in the city increasingly found themselves under attack and their homes raided.      The British Plan To the north, the British, who were engaged in the Siege of Boston in late 1775, began seeking other opportunities to strike a blow against the rebelling colonies. Believing the interior of the American South to be friendlier territory with a large number of Loyalists who would fight for the crown, plans moved forward for Major General Henry Clinton to embark forces and sail for Cape Fear, NC. Arriving, he was to meet a force of predominantly Scottish Loyalists raised in North Carolina as well as troops coming from Ireland under Commodore Peter Parker and Major General Lord Charles Cornwallis. Sailing south from Boston with two companies on January 20, 1776, Clinton called at New York City where he had difficulty obtaining provisions. In a failure of operational security, Clintons forces made no effort to hide their ultimate destination. To the east, Parker and Cornwallis endeavored to embark around 2,000 men on 30 transports. Departing Cork on February 13, the convoy encountered severe storms five days into the voyage. Scattered and damaged, Parkers ships continued their crossing individually and in small groups.   Reaching Cape Fear on March 12, Clinton found that Parkers squadron had been delayed and that the Loyalist forces had been defeated at Moores Creek Bridge on February 27. In the fighting, Brigadier General Donald MacDonalds Loyalists had been beaten by American forces led by Colonel James Moore. Loitering in the area, Clinton met the first of Parkers ships on April 18. The remainder straggled in later that month and in early May after enduring a rough crossing. Armies Commanders Americans Major General Charles LeeColonel William Moultrie435 men at Fort Sullivan, 6,000 around Charleston British Major General Henry ClintonCommodore Peter Parker2,200 infantry Next Steps Determining that Cape Fear would be a poor base of operations, Parker and Clinton commenced assessing their options and scouting the coast. After learning that the defenses at Charleston were incomplete and being lobbied by Campbell, the two officers elected to plan an attack with the goal of capturing the city and establishing a major base in South Carolina. Raising anchor, the combined squadron departed Cape Fear on May 30. Preparations at Charleston With the beginning of the conflict, the president of the South Carolina General Assembly, John Rutledge, called for the creation of five regiments of infantry and one of artillery. Numbering around 2,000 men, this force was augmented by the arrival of 1,900 Continental troops and 2,700 militia. Assessing the water approaches to Charleston, it was decided to construct a fort on Sullivans Island. A strategic location, ships entering the harbor were required to pass by the southern part of the island to avoid shoals and sandbars. Vessels that succeeded in breaching the defenses at Sullivans Island would then encounter Fort Johnson. The task of building Fort Sullivan was given to Colonel William Moultrie and the 2nd South Carolina Regiment. Commencing work in March 1776, they constructed 16-ft. thick, sand-filled walls which were faced with palmetto logs. Work moved slowly and by June only the seaward walls, mounting 31 guns, were complete with the remainder of the fort protected by a timber palisade. To aid in the defense, the Continental Congress dispatched Major General Charles Lee to take command. Arriving, Lee was dissatisfied with the state of the fort and recommended that it be abandoned. Interceding, Rutledge directed Moultrie to obey [Lee] in everything, except in leaving Fort Sullivan. The British Plan Parkers fleet reached Charleston on June 1 and over the next week began crossing the bar and anchoring around Five Fathom Hole. Scouting the area, Clinton decided to land on nearby Long Island. Located just north of Sullivans Island, he thought his men would be able wade across Breach Inlet to assault the fort. Assessing the incomplete Fort Sullivan, Parker believed that his force, consisting of the two 50-gun ships HMS Bristol and HMS Experiment, six frigates, and the bomb vessel HMS Thunderer, would easily be able to reduce its walls. The Battle of Sullivans Island Responding to the British maneuvers, Lee began reinforcing positions around Charleston and directed troops to entrench along the northern shore of Sullivans Island. On June 17, part of Clintons force attempted to wade across Breach Inlet and found it too deep to proceed. Thwarted, he began planning to make the crossing using longboats in concert with Parkers naval attack. After several days of poor weather, Parker moved forward on the morning on June 28. In position by 10:00 AM, he ordered the bomb vessel Thunderer to fire from extreme range while he closed on the fort with Bristol (50 guns), Experiment (50), Active (28), and Solebay (28). Coming under British fire, forts soft palmetto log walls absorbed the incoming cannon balls rather than splintering. Short on gunpowder, Moultrie directed his men in a deliberate, well-aimed fire against the British ships. As the battle progressed, Thunderer was forced to break off as its mortars had become dismounted. With the bombardment underway, Clinton began moving across Breach Inlet. Nearing the shore, his men came under heavy fire from American troops led by Colonel William Thomson. Unable to safely land, Clinton ordered a retreat to Long Island. Around noon, Parker directed the frigates Syren (28), Sphinx (20), and Actaeon (28) to circle to the south and assume a position from which they could flank Fort Sullivans batteries. Shortly after beginning this movement, all three grounded on an uncharted sandbar with the latter twos rigging becoming entangled. While Syren and Sphinx were able to be refloated, Actaeon remained stuck. Rejoining Parkers force, the two frigates added their weight to the attack. In the course of the bombardment, the forts flagstaff was severed causing the flag to fall. Jumping over the forts ramparts, Sergeant William Jasper retrieved the flag and jury-rigged a new flagpole from a sponge staff. In the fort, Moultrie instructed his gunners to focus their fire on Bristol and Experiment. Pummeling the British ships, they caused great damage to their rigging and lightly wounded Parker. As the afternoon passed, the forts fire slackened as ammunition ran low. This crisis was averted when Lee dispatched more from the mainland. Firing continued until 9:00 PM with Parkers ships unable to reduce the fort. With darkness falling, the British withdrew. Aftermath In the Battle of Sullivans Island, British forces sustained 220 killed and wounded. Unable to free Actaeon, British forces returned the next day and burned the stricken frigate. Moultries losses in the fighting were 12 killed and 25 wounded. Regrouping, Clinton and Parker remained in the area until late July before sailing north to aid in General Sir William Howes campaign against New York City. The victory at Sullivans Island saved Charleston and, along with the Declaration of Independence a few days later, provided a much needed boost to American morale. For the next few years, the war remained focused in the north until British forces returned to Charleston in 1780. In the resulting Siege of Charleston, British forces captured the city and held it until the end of the war.