A literature review about the role of nutrition information in Research Paper

A literature review about the role of nutrition information in influencing consumer choice - Research Paper Example The pieces of information are inclusive of brand name, price and search attributes that are within a store. There is also set levels of importance given to the visual aids within the product as well as the factual information given. It has been found (Degeratu et al, 55: 2000), that the factual information, such as fat levels, nutritional levels and other measurements, are the most important determinant of what consumers decide to buy from a supermarket (Degeratu et al, 55: 2000). While the nutritional value that is available through information is known as the most important aspect for those buying food, there are also differences in the decision making process. The demographics and expectations from different sets of individuals determine what the most popular items are in supermarkets. For instance, young adults often consume snacks that don’t have the same levels of nutritional values. The decision to choose the snacks is based on the taste, satisfaction and trends that ar e a part of the snacks. It was found through a recent study (Cranage et al, 125: 2003), that there wasn’t a difference in nutritional value when choosing different snacks. Two snacks were given, one with higher nutritional value than the other. ... From these two studies, it can be seen that the nutritional information depicts choices between various types of groups. However, there is a difference in whether the responses are positive or negative as well as what influences consumers with the enjoyment of the food. Through another study (Edwards et al, 332: 2005), there was a question of how negative or positive information influenced those that were deciding to take specific types of nutritional foods. A group was assisted with the purchases that they made by being given information on the food. The information was specifically designed to cause a positive, negative or neutral statement about the food. After eating the food, the participants were given a survey to define the quality of food with nutritional value as well as taste and satisfaction. It was found that the negative information or beliefs about the food caused the participants to be influenced by the food chosen. However, if the food was chosen, despite the negative comments, it didn’t create a negative response after eating the food in satisfaction or the taste value associated with the food (Edwards, et al, 332: 2005). This particular study shows that the information before giving individuals a type of food can influence their decision to buy the food. However, it doesn’t influence the responses that are given after eating the food and making the determination necessary for their own understanding of quality. The attitudes and behaviors that are created from quality have some dependence on the nutritional information. However, there are also cultural and societal trends that begin to influence the choices of those that are buying different types of food

Current Asset Management and Financing Research Paper

Current Asset Management and Financing - Research Paper Example d patient load affect their day to day operations of hospitals, but other systemic and structural factors outside their realm of control cause major operational limitations. For hospitals in general, rising operational costs and shrinking profit margins have negatively affected the industry. It is estimated that in the U.S. around a third of all hospitals are operating with negative profit margins (Sussman, Jordahl, 2010). Some of the major macroeconomic factors affecting their financial viability are: Outdated and Inefficient Administrative Processes- The lack of computerized payment process systems, manual procedures, repetitive rework of outstanding claims and redundant data collections have all contributed to the diminishing bottom line of most healthcare hospitals. It has been estimated that around 30% of all claims filed by physicians have errors with around 15% of claims disappearing or getting lost in the process. For many hospitals around 80% of their claims are for small secondary payments ($100-$200) which often times go unclaimed or result in lengthy reimbursement delays .The overall complexity of the system also contributes to its operational inefficiency. The need for extra sources of reliable short term capital sources with reasonable terms, costs and risks will increase in the future. Most small hospitals even with excellent credit ratings do not have the access to bank credit that top-tier hospitals enjoy. As a general rule taking advantage of alternative sources of short term operating capital is paramount to their long term viability. Even with the improved operating and liquidity positions of most hospitals, internal capital or operating cash flow alone, will not be enough to sustain the level of growth and capital investment necessary to maintain competitiveness. Philanthropic donations will play an increasing role in the funding of hospitals operations. The investment income can also play a major role in providing operating capital.

Stem Cell Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 4

Stem Cell - Research Paper Example Scientifically, stem cells can be defined as primitive unspecialized types of cells that can renew themselves and develop into more mature cells with specialized functions. They are fertilized eggs that are less than a week old. The typical scientific definition of stem cells describes them as "blank cells that can be turned into specialized cells such as heart cells, or any kind of tissue in the body, such as skin, muscle, or the brain" (Gupta). One of the distinguishing characteristics of stem cells is that they have the ability to renew themselves for long periods through the process of cell division. Also, stem cells can be converted to become cells with special functions, such as the lung cells, liver cells, the beating cells of the heart muscle or any other specialized cells (Rockville). There are primarily two types of them: embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. Each of these two types has its own functions and characteristics that are different from the other. Before stu dying stem cells of human beings, scientists made a lot of experiments on stem cells from mouse embryos for years. These experiments on the mouse embryos led to the successful discovery of the ways of isolating stem cells from human embryos and grow them in the laboratory. At the beginning, these human embryonic stem cells were created for infertility purposes through in vitro fertilization procedures. When they were no longer needed for that purpose, these stem cells are usually donated for research and experiment with the consent of the donor (Rockville). Due to the extreme importance of stem cells in organ transplantation and other medical purposes, it is ethical to conduct more research on stem cells, as long as these experiments do not distort any of the established religious beliefs. Objectives: Most scientists agree that stem cells have many medical advantages. Some scientists even regard stem cells as offering a great potential for the alleviation of human suffering, as they can provide cure for a number of diseases. Millions of people around the world suffer from diseases that may be treated more effectively with stem cells. These diseases include Alzheimer, Diabetes, Parkinson’s, and heart disease, and certain types of cancer (Takahashi et al.). In addition, stem cells can offer great help in many different areas of health and medical research. For example, studying stem cells helps us to understand the mechanism of their transformation into the various specialized cells that are essential for the existence of human beings. By becoming aware of the way they transform into other cells in the human body, scientists will gain better understanding of normal cell development, which will allow them to correct the errors in these sells, which cause the medical conditions from which human beings suffer. Besides, a third medical advantage of stem cells is that they provide an opportunity of making cells and tissues for medical therapies. In other words , stem cells can be used to replace those tissues or organs in the human body that are diseased or destroyed. Prior to the discovery of the stem cells technology, the only way to transplant a new organ in a human body was by donation from other persons. However, a new discovery about stem cells illuminated the scientists about the possibility of using these stem cells in transplantation. This use of stem cells in organ transplantation solves many of the problems caused by organ donation from oth

Private Finance Initiative and UKs Construction Industry Essay

Private Finance Initiative and UKs Construction Industry - Essay Example Private Finance Initiative (PFI) is a device employed by United Kingdom’s government to arguably to make the construction industry more competitive and more profitable. This does not come as a surprise since the UK construction industry provides a tenth of the UK's gross domestic product, employs 1.4 million people and is worth around  £65 billion per annum. With an output of  £81.9bn in 2006, the UK construction industry is ranked in the global top ten. Thus, it is only then logical to support the industry. PFI is a way of funding major new public building projects such as hospitals, schools, prisons and roads. Private consortiums, usually involving large construction firms, are contracted to both design and build a new project, and also to manage it. The contracts typically last for 30 years. The building is not publicly owned but leased by a public authority, such as a council or health trust, from the private consortium. The private consortium raises the cash to build the project. It is then paid back with interest by the government through regular payments over the period of the contract. PFI projects could be viewed as a means of enabling government services to be "outsourced" to private sector suppliers. PFI is not the same as privatization as the Government retains ultimate responsibility to the public for the service concerned. Outside the UK, PFI is more commonly known as Public Private Partnerships (PPP). The policy has not been without its critics. As with any form of hire purchase, buying something on tick is more expensive than paying for it up front. The Edinburgh Royal Infirmary is often cited as an example of how expensive the PFI can be. It cost  £180m to build and will cost  £900m to pay for. ... Use of PFI in the Construction Industry Since the advent of PFI, the construction industry has found itself on much more stable ground. Between 2001 and 2002, its output is estimated to have increased by 9.7%. According to the Major Contractors Group (MCG), a major construction trade association which represents UK firms such as Carillion (formerly part of Tarmac), Costain and Amec, construction companies engaged in the private finance initiative expect to make between three and ten times as much money as they do on traditional contracts. (Research and Markets Online, 2003) Bill Tallis, the director of MCG, said construction firms traditionally received rates of return of 1.5% to 2% on contracts but were now expecting margins of 7.5% to 15% on PFI building schemes. The high profit available to investors in PFI schemes explains why John Laing PLC has sold off its basic construction company and bought up stakes held in such projects by hard-pressed Amey PLC. (Macalister, 2003) This strategy is reinforced by figures from the European Construction Industry Federation (ECIF), which show that the UK construction sector grew by over 8% last year while its counterpart in Germany and France slumped by 2.5% and 0.7% respectively. (UK DTI Online, 2007) The UK government defends PFI by its use of something called the 'public sector comparator'. This shows whether or not privately financed schemes offer better value for money than conventional funding. The main problem with this is that the government has provided an accounting device called 'risk costing' which has meant that private firms generally emerge as winners. When a consortium of private companies agrees to build something for a public

Analysis and argumentative commentary for a case-study article Essay - 1

Analysis and argumentative commentary for a case-study article (provided) by answering questions at the end of the article - Essay Example Nation states can now freely purchase natural resources from companies such as Anglo American PLC and Unocal and this has worked completely well to almost all countries. Even the largest economy in the world has depended on trade for its need of raw materials to propel its economy. China on the other hand has a huge demand for natural resources due to its rapidly expanding economy (China Defence & Security 47). It also wants to secure the source of its raw materials by a series of acquisitions and joint ventures in the past several years (Concha 139). I also do not think China’s growth will be threatened if it needs to rely on foreign-owned sources of materials. All countries have dependended on other countries for natural materials in one way or another and no country in the world has the monopoly of all resources. Even United States is dependent on Middle East for its oil requirement. This explains why there is trade and trade agreements because each country has to depend upon another for its natural resources and vice versa. What China is trying to achieve is to secure the source of its natural resoures for the expansion of economy. It is not contented of developing its own natural resources but rather would acquire the natural resources of other countries either by acquisition, joint venture or ridiculous claim such as its nine dash claim in the Pacific which is known to rich in oil and gas and offending all its neighbors in the process. Regardless how much resources China will need, there will always be a company or companies that will provide because it is an opportunity to make business. Being such, it is never a threat to China to depend on foreign owned companies with its need of materials. Even the largest economy in the world which is United States also depends on other countries for many of its materials need but it does not feel threatened by its dependency knowing that it is also

The Battle of New Orleans Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Battle of New Orleans - Article Example The British moved in for a predawn attack, but due to problems crossing the river were delayed until daylight. Nonetheless, the forces of one of the three sections, under the command of General Gibbs, continued with the original plan. The attack began after a signal of one rocket being fired from each of the two attacking sections. The British then began to charge into the American position but were met quickly with artillery fire that ripped through their lines. American rifle fire along with a continued slew of artillery managed to stop this advance. The British losses continued to be heavy, as every wave that attacked the American lines was fiercely repelled. Many British officers were killed during this part of the battle, including Pakenham and Gibbs. Keanes, commanding the reserve force of Highlanders, saw the devastation and soon moved to reinforce the attacking element. His wave met the same fate as the others, however, and suffered heavy losses. The attacking section that had not yet been met with defeat, however, was still well hidden amongst the fogs near the river. This section, under General Lambert, made its advance and nearly took the right side of the American line. Quickly, however, American forces fired back on this section and again brought heavy casualties while suppressing their advance successfully. However, the British did see some success on the opposite bank of the river, where they landed and were opposed by fatigued militia forces. A weak line existed overall on this side of the river and was only of much use because its naval guns near the river had contributed to the artillery fire that repelled the British  attack against Jackson’s line. After the British broke this line, the success was short-lived, as the order to withdraw came in.  

My Sisters Keeper Essay Example for Free

My Sisters Keeper Essay My Sister’s Keeper is a movie about a young girl named Anna (Abigail Breslin) whose life was brought to be for a very important purpose. She was born into a loving family with two adoring parents that made the decision to have another child in the hopes of saving the life of older their daughter that has leukemia. Throughout the entire movie the family and therefore the audience is presented with love, laughter and many emotional moral issues. Just like in real life there are many ups and downs and obstacles to be overcome. Some of moral dilemmas the characters face include stem cell research, at what age can children start making life changing decisions life for themselves and euthanasia to an extent. Wikipedia defines stem cell controversy as â€Å"the ethical debate primarily concerning the creation, treatment, and destruction of human embryos incident to research involving embryonic stem cells†1. In this movie the creation of the human embryo was done by the parents and done so in the natural way. Although created from love, the results were still the same. From the time Anna was born she had gone through numerous and painful surgeries. In my opinion the surgeries were justified lifesaving and miraculous surgeries that provided the entire family with memories they can all cherish after Kate’s- Anna’s older sister (Sofia Vassilleva) passing. However as Kate got older and developed her own voice additional and perhaps unseen problems emerged. She was screaming to be heard about how she felt about the decisions made about her life and was being ignored. So she decided that Anna was old enough and strong enough to fight for her rights regardless of her age. The subject of what age a children can start making life altering choices fall upon two of the characters in this movie. We, the audience are lead to believe that Anna whom is eleven has decided that’s enough is enough- as she exclaims to an attorney that she’s trying to hire â€Å"I want to sue my parents for the right to my own body.† As the attorney, played by Alec Baldin read her medical history we get the sense that this all has gone too far. Something that was meant to be miraculous has somehow turned into something almost tortious and something that no parent in their right mind would put their child through. So therein lies the main debate of the move, Is Anna old enough and wise enough to make decisions about her own life and body. However later we discover it isn’t Anna who is seeking her independents, it’s her sister Kate. At 15, Kate has also spent the majority of her life in and out of surgery, as well as watching her family hurt from the pain that she’s experiencing. So she’s the one who is struggling to be heard since her parents are the ones able to make medical decisions for her and her sister. Kate has convinced her little sister Anna to no longer agree to any more surgeries to help prolong her life. This to many, including her mother (Cameron Diaz) is a form of suicide. There is such a fine line separating suicide from not accepting medical assistants to save your life. After my own life experiences I would have to agree that Kate has the right to choose when her life ends. I could only imagine, as we all could ONLY imagine not having been in that situation. I don’t honestly believe one would know how they would react until in that position themselves. There seem to be countless things to consider when considering ending your life. Mainly I would think it would be the loved ones you’re leaving behind. They will be the ones left her to face the pain of losing the person they love. In this movie the person that seems to struggle the most with the idea of loss is the person that seemed to fight the hardest, Sara, the mother. Thankfully they offer a light at the end of the tunnel. Although Kate is no longer alive her spirit seems to live. There is a new found sparkle that develops in her families eyes after time is allowed to heal some of their wounds. Leading the audience to believe that perhaps there is a peace that is brought when the suffering ends. This movie was nothing less than an emotional rollercoaster that left my mind spinning with questions for myself many hours after watching it. Although many people in class that felt a lot of anger towards the mother in the film, again I go back to no one would really know what they’d do until in that position. She was faced with an issue and dealt with it the best and only way she knew how- her way. In my opinion morality and ethics seem to come down to a lot of judgments and theories on what we’d do if that situation happened to us. As I’ve gotten older and with what I’ve experienced I believe that besides myself I only have one person to answer to and that’s my Lord and Savior and on the day I have to answer for what I’ve done, I truly believe if it was done with Him in my heart then I’ll have given the right answers.