Risk Control Systems and Performance

Risk Control Systems and Performance Critical control systems Critical risk control systems are essential in various infrastructures notably those in the energy sector.Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on Risk Control Systems and Performance specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Due to the increased integration in enterprise systems in modern settings, there is an increased need for the establishment of inherently secure risk control systems which are designed and implemented in such a way that they minimize vulnerabilities to constant threats being posed by both internal and external forces (Young et al 2005). Occurrence of these risks would heavily impact on the effectiveness and efficiency of the organization consequently impacting on the profitability as well as the outlook of the organization (Fraser 2010). Energy companies are often confronted by severe technical security risks due to the delicate nature of their operations. It is therefore the duty o f the organization’s owners and operators to establish the link between the prevailing risks in production and distribution process for energy products and vulnerabilities inherent in the risk control systems (Young et al 2005). Subsequently, the firm’s management should institute and integrate risk control systems, which should be continually improved in order to defend creation and distribution operations from any harm (unintentional and intentional). It is important for companies to implement efficient risk control systems since failure of the same may result in endangerment to human life and the environment, loss of profitability for the affected company, and harm to the nation’s energy production infrastructure (Young et al 2005). Risk refers to the possibility of occurrence of an event that could adversely affect the company’s personnel, assets, environment, reputation or even overflow to the external surroundings (Poupart-Lafarge 2007). Risk is the refore a necessary part of the organization which should be approached with a lot of caution.Advertising Looking for assessment on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Since risk taking is an inherent part of any business enterprise seeking to prosper in the market, it is important for the organization to embrace an amount of risk adequate for effective performance of the business. However, these risks require proper management and control in order to enhance the company’s ability to achieve its long term objectives and maintain its profitability. Risk management and critical control systems play an important role in directing organizations towards achieving operations safety by continually preventing and managing these risks (Poupart-Lafarge 2007). Risk control systems therefore refer to a dynamic system adopted by a specific organization to regulate and maintain risks in the company at certai n acceptable levels (Poupart-Lafarge 2007). Critical risks control systems entails a set of resources, procedures, guidelines and actions that are adopted by the organization in order to manage risks. The risk control systems play a major role in creating and preserving the organization’s values, assets as well as its reputation in both the internal and external environment (Poupart-Lafarge 2007). The risk control systems seek to identify and address the potential risks and opportunities that the company is likely to incur in the future on occurrence of risks after which they address and anticipate these risks rather than submitting them passively. The risk management systems assist in the process of decision making and the company’s processes to attain its objectives (Poupart-Lafarge 2007). Through the control systems, the organization seeks to identify the main incidences and events that are likely to influence the company’s long term performance and interfere with the attainment of the company’s objectives. Since it is every organization’s goal to reach the highest level of performance, controlling these risks promotes the company’s performance and enhances the attainment of the company’s objectives. Risk management is an integral part of any organization’s decision-making and operating processes since the decisions made by the organization have to be based on the possibility of occurrence of various risk. Risk control systems allows managers to gain a comprehensive outlook of the company’s threats an opportunities consequently enabling them to make informed decisions based on the probability of risk.Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on Risk Control Systems and Performance specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Risk control systems and risk management promote consistency of the company’s actions with its value (Poupart-Lafarge 2007). This is because they seek to address the issues likely to affect both the internal and external environment consequently demonstrating corporate responsibility. Occurrence of risks often threatens the company’s credibility and reflects the company’s lack of consistency between decision making process and critical risk costs. It is therefore important for organization’s to contain the effects of risks occurrence by ensuring that the risk is efficiently controlled. Sound risk control systems significantly reduce the probability of risk occurrence consequently promoting the image of the organization both internally and externally. In addition, risk management systems promote cohesion among company’s employees as well as other stakeholders as they work together behind a shared vision of reducing the incidences of risk occurrence in the organization. It is the duty of each organization therefore, to establish a risk control system that is applicable to its specific circumstances (Poupart-Lafarge 2007). The risk control system should incorporate an organizational framework that defines the roles and responsibilities of all the stakeholders, sets out the procedures, and clearly outlines the consistent standards of the system in order to enhance the attainment of its purpose. In addition, the framework should constitute a risk control policy that sets out the system’s objectives in accordance with the corporate culture that should highlight the company’s approach to the identification, analysis and management of risks in the organization. Further, the system should have an advanced information system that facilitates efficient and accurate dissemination of information within the organization. This ensures that the relevant information is transmitted intended recipient within the stipulated time which consequently enhances performance in the organization. An efficient risk control process manifests itself in a three sta ge process; the three stage process entails risk identification, risk analysis and risk management procedures (Poupart-Lafarge 2007). In risk identification, the company seeks to establish the main risks threatening the company’s attainment of its goals and objectives. These risks may derive from internal or external forces.Advertising Looking for assessment on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Risk analysis on the other hand involves the examination of the potential financial, personal, and environmental as well as the reputation implications of the risk occurrence on the company (Greenberg 1991). This enhances the company’s response to accidents upon occurrence. Further, the likelihood of risk occurrence should be assessed in order to award priority to events most likely to occur. The final step involves risk management procedures whereby the most appropriate action plans for the organization are chosen and executed (Poupart-Lafarge 2007). The organization adopts these measures in order to maintain a certain acceptable level of risk necessary for effective performance of the company. The organizations’ risk control systems seek to reduce the amount of risk, transfer the risk, and accept the risk or to completely eliminate the risks. The company makes the appropriate decision by weighing the costs and the opportunities of risk management measures with due co nsideration of their potential effects on the overall performance of the organization as well as its environs. The organization should subject the risk control systems to periodic supervision and reviews which facilitates constant performance improvement. Critical risk control systems for a nuclear plant Nuclear plant activities carry with them an inherent risk that may negatively affect people or the environment (Heinrichs and Fell 1995). Consequently, the aim of all risk managers in the industry is to maintain risks levels as low as possible. The governing bodies embark on extensive regulation and control of the plant in order to safeguard it from internal and external threats. The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission protects nuclear materials within the country from misappropriation, sensitive information from unauthorized disclosure, and regulates the use of radioactive materials in the plants in order to protect people and the environment (NRC 2010). Radioactive materia ls pose danger to human life and the environment through exposure to ionizing radiations. As defined by IAEA in 1988, one of the major goals of safety management in nuclear plants is ensuring the protection of the plant’s personnel, the general public, and the environment through extensive defence against radiological hazards (Neeb 2007). The US NRC has implemented various measures to attain this goal. The events of September 11th that resulted to massive losses of lives prompted US to increase its emphasis on security of radio active materials. Consequently, the NRC has been fully dedicated to the process of providing security to nuclear materials without discouraging their beneficial use through the office of federal and state materials and environmental management program and the office of nuclear security and incidence response (NRC 2010). In the modern global energy, nuclear plant management are confronted with numerous dimensions of risks other than radio active hazards . Therefore, the management has to address these risks in order to remain competitive in the global market (IAEA 2001). Due to major advancements in information technology, there is an increased need for securing sensitive information in nuclear plants. Both classified and sensitive information relating to nuclear operations must be protected by the governing bodies due to its delicate nature. This is important since leakage of information to unauthorized persons may in some instances result in threat to national security, or enable unauthorized people to design, utilize or manufacture nuclear weapons (NRC 2010). According to a report by IAEA (2001), the operating system of nuclear plant comprises of three major sectors; safety, productions, and commercial sectors which are embedded within a strategic outline and are interdependent of each other such that a decision made in one of the sectors consequently impacts on the performance of other sectors. An integrated risk control system therefore analyzes these factors and aims at minimizing or eliminating the risk associated with the same. Various bodies have been established to regulate nuclear activities in the world. These bodies award responsibility to the material licensees to maintain security and accountability of the radioactive material in their possession (NRC 2010). The nuclear licensees and security regulators have consequently agreed on a shared vision to ensure safe, secure and efficient utilization of nuclear materials under the Regulatory Nuclear Interface Protocol (HSE 2009). Plant protection and mitigation systems form an additional yet separated system of layers to the control systems by monitoring the nuclear plant variables (Chapin 1997). If these systems detect that the plant monitoring and control systems are not operating in line with the plant’s pre determined set of conditions, they proceed to shut down the plant. The systems (mitigation and protection) are discrete for the reason that they are physically detached from the software and hardware being employed by the firm’s control and operating systems. In addition, they are environmentally designed to survive in the harshest anticipated accident conditions e.g. earthquakes (Chapin 1997). Licensing of risk control systems is governed by the Regulatory Commission in United States. The federal government has established the (DHS) which has the overall responsibility among the federal agencies for assessing the vulnerability of the nation’s critical infrastructure to external threats and coordinating efforts to enhance security of the same. Back in 2005, DHS sought to inspect the nuclear sites in the United States in order to conduct security reviews which would assist them in assessing the risk and consequences of various events likely to affect the nuclear power plants (Wells 2007). This enabled the body to establish the most effective way of allocating federal resources to improve security in t he nuclear plants. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the primary focus is on the security of the sites and the protective measures applied to enhance such security. The NRC staffs possesses vast knowledge and experience on matters relating to threat assessment which comes in handy in the process of assessing the possibility of threat to the nuclear power plant. Through the use of reports and secure data bases, the NRC is able to analyze the information in order to identify specific references to nuclear power plants and to determine the possibility of terrorist attack to the nuclear plant (Wells 2007). Identification of risk control systems Flight control is an interesting yet a technically challenging subject for which a wide range of engineering disciplines have to align their skills and efforts in order to establish a successful control system that ensures that the aircrafts are operated in safe conditions (Pratt 2000). Since airline operations require maximum security and s afety conditions, it is important for the airline management to ensure that the safety standards are maintained at all levels in order to avoid accidents. The causes of accidents and incidents in aircraft operations refer to events or conditions that lead to occurrence of aircraft accident. Accidents on the other hand refer to occurrences that affect the normal operations of an air craft. Accidents may occur during the operations from the time a person boards an air craft to the time that all the people have disembarked from the plane that results into serious injuries to people, damage to the air craft and/or the disappearance of the aircraft (National research Council 1998). In the bowtie, the possible risks for the aircraft are clearly outlined. The causes of risks range from helicopter failure, overloading the helicopter, hazardous cargo on board which may result in aircraft accidents. In order to reduce the probability of such risk occurrences, the management should utilize pro per risk control systems. Aircraft operators should strictly adhere to quality control systems which considerably reduces cases of aircraft failures and accidents. Aircraft owners and operators should ensure that their suppliers are providing them with approved aircrafts which have undergone extensive inspection and approval by the governing bodies. Aviation contractors should ensure that the helicopters are maintained in good and safe working conditions in order to promote safety in the long run. Regulatory bodies should certify effective aircraft manufacturers and constantly inspect their production processes in order to promote continuous quality aircraft manufacturing. In addition, the manufacturers must incorporate the standards upheld by airline operators which ensure that high quality aircrafts are utilized consequently reducing the probability of aircraft failure. Governing bodies should ensure that safety procedures are followed at all levels of operations in order to preve nt helicopter. Aircrafts should be used for the appropriate duties and the operators should be highly qualified. Experienced and qualified pilots have the ability to execute their duties effectively and this significantly reduces the number of accidents. The pilots should accurately calculate the required weight and balance for each trip in order to avoid overloading the aircraft which often result in aircraft accidents. In case of adverse environmental conditions, the pilot has the authority to abort any take off or landing in order to prevent an accident. A competent pilot has the ability to adjust route in order to avoid sudden environmental changes such as storm. However, the airline operators should ensure continuous and accurate monitoring of environmental conditions in order to avoid such incidences. Effective communication among the relevant stakeholders is important in the coordination of aircraft operations. The helicopter landing officer should be in constant communicatio n with the pilot in order to promote safe landing and take off. Pre flight induction and video briefing should be highly emphasized in order to enlighten those on board on matters regarding safety and emergency procedures. Effective and constant communication between the pilot and air traffic controllers has been essential in tracing lost aircrafts in the past. Further, the communication enables the air traffic controllers to establish the accurate time for aircraft landing consequently reducing incidences of helicopter crash at the rig. Functional and survivability requirements Continuous monitoring of the performance and quality standards of aircrafts and airlines is necessary in order to ensure that safety performance is achieved and maintained in the long run (Heldman 2005). Adopting critical risk control systems in the short run reduces the effectiveness of risk control systems in achieving long term objectives of the airline. To avoid such incidences, the airline administratio n should make use of the AIR monitors to guarantee constant execution of safety standards and continuous scrutiny of the producer’s control systems in order to establish the level of protection and to incessantly validate that they are still abiding by terms of the documentation as well as the delegation that they hold. The airline companies should establish solid regulatory bodies which should govern the safety standards in aircraft operations. Regulatory bodies should ensure that the rules and regulations such as IATA which regulates transport of hazardous materials are strictly enforced in order to avoid aircraft accidents resulting from hazardous material onboard. Further, these bodies should ensure that aircraft operators are highly qualified. For instance, the regulatory bodies should ensure that the aviation personnel possess valid helicopter underwater training escape training which they must present before boarding the aircraft. Regulatory bodies should constantly in spect the quality standards in aircraft operations in order to ensure that they are implemented and practiced in the long run. Effective communication should be embraced at all levels of aircraft operations. The management should constantly motivate their fellow employees to maintain safe standards in aircraft operations. Both vertical and horizontal communication should be promoted in order to promote coordination of the operations as well as contribution by fellow employees. Risk control system should be based on the basic fundamental principles of risk identification, risk analysis, action plan, and continuous monitoring of the process. Communication between aircraft operators should be enhanced through the utilization of modern technology which has substantially improved communication in the modern world Performance assessment Although the airline management may implement risk control systems effectively, it is important for them to assess the effectiveness of the system in orde r to achieve the intended objectives. Integration of risk control systems and safety assurance enables the attainment of this goal within organizations. The risk control process enables the management to identify the hazards prevalent in airline operations and the subsequent assessments of these risks. Performance assurance on the other hand takes control of the process by ensuring that the risks controls continue to be practiced within the organization and that they continue to achieve their intended purpose. This system further provides for an opportunity for the assessment of the need for new controls arising as a result of changes in the operational environment (Halford 2008). The management should therefore review the long term objectives of risk control systems and assess the probability of achievement based on current performance. Reference List Chapin, D. M., 1997. Digital instrumentation and control systems in nuclear power plants: safety and reliability issues: final repor t, Washington D. C., National Academic Press. Fell, R., Heinrich, P., 1995. Acceptable risks for major infrastructures: proceedings of the seminar on acceptable risks for extreme events in planning and design of major infrastructures, Sydney, N.S.W., Australia, 26-27 April 1994. NY: Taylor and Francis. Fraser, J., 2010. Enterprise Risk Management: Today’s leading Research and Best Practices for Tomorrow’s Executives. Canada, John Wiley and Sons. Greenberg, R. H., 1991. Risk Assessment and Risk Management for the Chemical Process Industry. Canada, John Wiley and Sons. Halford, D. C., 2008. Safety Management Systems in Aviation. London, Ashgate Publishing Limited. Heldman, K., 2005. Projects Manager’s Spotlight on Right Management. Canada, John Wiley and Sons. HSE. 2009. Regulatory Nuclear Interface Protocol. Web. International Atomic Energy Agency. Risk Management: A Tool For Improving Nuclear Power Plant Performance, Austria: IAEA Web. National Academic Press, 1998. Improving the Continued Airworthiness of Civil Aircraft: a Strategy for the FAA’s Aircraft Certification Service. Washington DC, National Academies Press. Neeb, K., 1997. The Radio Chemistry of Nuclear Power Plants with Light Water Reactors. London, Walter de Gruyter. NRC. 2010. Ensuring the security of radio active materials. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Web. Pratt, R., 2000. Flight Control Systems: Practices Issues in Design and Implementation. London, Institution of electrical engineers. Telefonica, S.A., 2005. Annual Report on Corporate Governance 2005. Web. Wells, J., 2007. Nuclear Power Plants: Efforts Made To Upgrade Security, But the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s Design Basis Threat Process Should Be Improved. New York, Diane publishing. Young M L, Stoddard M, Watters J, Nitschke R, Bodeau D., Kertzner P., 2005. Process Control System Security Technical Risk Assessment: Analysis of The Problem Domain. Dartmouth, Dartmouth publishing.

Financial reporting and corporate governance disclosures of Saudi Essay

Financial reporting and corporate governance disclosures of Saudi banks - Essay Example The intention of this study is the corporate governance as â€Å"the set of institutions that determines how the residual claims are distributed between those who have participated in the generation of profits†. In respect of the corporate reproting Shleifer & Vishny provides a clear statement to elaborate corporate governance as â€Å"a form in which stakeholders make sure they will obtain a return of their investment†. This implies that companies need to develop and implement corporate governance policies and practices to ensure that shareholders can have the confidence in the decisions made by managers and expect returns on the investment. Overall good corporate governance could be viewed as â€Å"the subset of those practices that are welfare enhancing for the economy†. The emphasis on corporate governance took its lead when in the early 2000 the US corporate sector was hit by a series of major corporate scandals involving management and those who were respon sible for ensuring integrity in the financial reporting. These corporate failures were mainly argued as a resultant of not enough supervision and regulatory role played by the government. The accounting profession was also blamed for having weak conceptual framework allowing managers to manipulate their financial reporting in favor of attracting investment from shareholders and eventually collapsing due to unveiling of major frauds involving external auditors assisting managers to cover up the internal mismanagement of financial reporting.

Dr. Wakefields Research & Role Played by Media Essay

Dr. Wakefields Research & Role Played by Media - Essay Example Dr. Wakefield’s research employed rigorous tools and methodologies for which no proper ethical approval was obtained for invasive procedures on children. On the other hand, it was found that Dr. Wakefield had exchanged funds with the lawyers of children’s parents that were made part of the research. The research further employed references of other studies that were conducted by either the coauthors of the same research or his friends. Where autism is a disorder for which little information is present regarding its causative agents and cures, a theory supporting the idea that it is caused by MMR vaccination made many parents believe that prevention from vaccination can benefit their child despite having contradictory evidence in the rates of epidemiological increases after this research. The research was later on criticized by other independent studies which raised questions about the effectiveness of Dr. Wakefield’s work. Presence of a reputable medical journal The Lancet and other media bodies providing coverage to this research further aggravated the situation. A medical journal is usually used by medical practitioners, researchers, and educationists in the same field. However, vetting of Dr. Wakefield’s article by a medical journal allowed journalists and other media channels to disseminate information to local people. As a result, parents refused to provide vaccination to their children in large parts of the world with reported epidemics in the UK, US, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland.

Dysbiosis and the Risk of Developing Mental Disorders

Dysbiosis and the Risk of Developing Mental Disorders Topic: Dysbiosis increases the risk of developing mental disorders       Dysbiosis is recognized as a microbial imbalance on or inside the body like a damaged microbiota. It is the most generally known in gastrointestinal tract but also can take place everywhere with a defined mucous membrane such as skin flora and gut flora. The potential causes of dysbiosis are mainly induced from contaminated food or water and improper antibiotics dosage. For instance, taking antibiotics kills the sensitive bacteria but the resistant germs can also be left to grow and breed. There is significant information to show the dysbiosis of the gut microbiota is connected with the pathogenesis of extra intestinal disorders. The roles of gut microbiome in establishing brain development and neurological function, and the mechanisms that the gut microbiotic of dysbiosis contributing to two example of mental health disorders, depression and Irritable bowel syndrome are outlined. Figure 1. The bidirectional communication system between CNS and the gastrointestinal tract (Gut-Brain-Axis). The brain is able to influence the intestinal microbiota while the microbiota is capable to affect the brain development and functions, resulting in mental disorders. The gut microbiota correlates with central nervous system which is vital for the brain development and functions. The bidirectional communication system between CNS and the gastrointestinal tract is called Gut-Brain Axis since the CNS is capable of constantly altering the gut permeability, microbiota configuration and secretion via the initiation of the hypothalamus pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis [7]. Moreover, Gut-brain-Axis is responsible to coordinate gut actions in order to associate the emotional centres of the brain with external intestinal functions like immune initiation, intestinal permeability and entero-endocrine signalling. Furthermore, the gut microbiota is involved in maintaining an equilibrium of homeostasis and providing protection against outer pathogens by activating the integration of defensive mucus lining of the gut epithelial cells. When the microbial gut is lake of balance, dysbiosis would be occurred and inflammation is prompted by intestinal permeability change and damaged gut barrier with the access of external antigens such as toxins, microorganisms and gluten to the interior. Additionally, a number of pathogens of diseases are expressed to interrupt the epithelial tight junctions to increase the intestinal permeability and lead to leaky gut so as to launch autoimmunological responses and induce neurological disorders like the depressive-like behaviours by altering gut microbiota composition. Firstly, an example of the mental health disorder is Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) which is known as depression by minimum two weeks of low mood followed with declining of self-esteem. Depression-like alternations is examined in germ-free mice and indicated that the increased density of pro-inflammatory cytokines which is expressed in MDD  46 is resulted from the linkage with gut microbiome. Moreover, concentrations of serum antibodies countered to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from gram-negative enterobacteria are greater in patients with MDD than in control individuals  51. Thus, it would induce stress-related disorders by increasing gut permeability and bacterial translocation  22,  52.  Also, the altered microbiota configuration is suggested to promote depressive states and dysbiosis. Figure 2. The comparison of a healthy gut and a leaky gut. Under homeostasis, the intestinal epithelial linked with the tight function to inhibit gut microorganisms, food particles etc. to go across the barrier. There is normal intestinal permeability and intact intestinal barrier. When a leaky gut is occurred, the barrier is damaged and increase the intestinal permeability, allowing the undesired passage for the pathogen, gluten, casein etc, which can induce an inflammation and results in mental disorders. The major neuroendocrine mechanism in human is the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the activation of this axis stimulate various psychological stressors [130]. Additionally, the cells transfer the signaling molecules into gut lumen in the lamina propria which is under the regulation of the CNS, resulting in alternations in gastrointestinal motility and secretion and also the intestinal permeability in order to change the GIT system in which the bacteria existed in [2]. The mechanism of MDD linked with microbiota is evaluated by comparing the healthy gut and the gut with disease. From figure 2, the intestinal epithelium which is the largest mucosal surface in human body. It is used to provide an inhibition between the host and the environment and it is crucial in establishing the equilibrium of the organism with healthy condition. Under a healthy state, the intestinal epithelial associated with the tight function which prevent the undigested food particles from passing through and the absorptive cells fit close together with the mucus layer which can significantly act as a barrier to bacteria and antigens from outside. The reign of symbiotic microbiota, an intestinal barrier integrity is maintained and used to control pathobiont overgrowth inside the intestinal area and the function of a healthy gut establish the symbiotic relationship between CNS and gut microbiota. However, in the condition of pathological stress or disease, the epithelial barrier is damaged and the gaps between the cells are wider which leads to the increase of the intestinal permeability. Intestinal dysbiosis can negatively affect gut physiology causing improper brain-gut axis signalling and leading effects for CNS functions and disease conditions. Furthermore, stress linked with CNS can also influence gut function and contribute distress of the microbiota. An alternation in the balance of symbionts and pathobionts leads to pathobiont overgrowth and results in dysbiosis, allowing the channel for the translocation of pathological bacteria across the mucosal lining to sites where gives rise to the activation of an immune response recognized by increasing production of peripheral pro-inflammatory mediators and eventually the CNS, inflammation is initiated. When the inflammatory activity is launched, macrophages leads to pathogenesis through unsuitable responses to enteric microbial activation, incapable elimination of microbes from host organisms, defective pro-inflammatory, anti-inflammatory responses and also deficit of barriers role. This contributes to the greater translocation of pathogenic bacterial constituent from the intestinal mucosa to the systemic circuits where they can stimulate innate immunity and generate pro-inflammatory cytokines, causing the systemic inflammation with an abnormal gut. Therefore, a leaky gut or impaired intestinal permeability is associated the GI dysfunction and the impaired CNS function to induce psychiatric disorders such as depression. The mechanism shows that depression affect the composition and stability of gut microbiota and also the bidirectional communication between microbiota and the CNS arouse stress reactions. Figure 3. Pathways involved in communication between the gut microbiota and the brain including cortisol, cytokines, vagus and enteric nervous system. The brain requires theses pathways to alter the composition of gut microbiota with the state of stress-related disorders. The HPA axis control cortisol secretion and cortisol influence immune cells involving cytokine secretion. Cortisol changes gut permeability and barrier function and hence alter the gut microbiota composition. Moreover, the gut microbiota and probiotics can change the concentrations of circulating cytokines and this affects brain functions. The vagus nerve and regulation of tryptophan contribute to the influence of the gut microbiota to the brain. Also, SCFAs are neuroactive bacteria metabolites that regulate brain and behaviour. Secondly, another example of mental disorder is Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) which is a stress-related disorder linked with Gut-Brain- Axis in order to alter gut microbiota characterization (Carroll et al., 2011) and increase intestinal permeability (Dunlop et al., 2006). Moreover, depression or anxiety anticipate IBS symptoms in the high frequency of patients and psychological characterization incline earlier healthy people to cause IBS after gastroenteritis.[27][28] (Singh et al., 2012). These stress responses in the body associate with the HPA axis and the sympathetic nervous system to perform abnormally in IBS patients. It has a similar mechanism to the MDD and also adapt the HPA axis which modulate cortisol secretion and the cortisol influence immune cells involving cytokine secretion. Cortisol can alter gut permeability and permit bacteria or bacterial antigens to go through the epithelial barrier and this leads to mucosal immune response stimulated which can change the microbiome composition 131]. It is also indicated that a subtle impact on bacterial flora giving rise to greater adhesion and bacterial translocation owing to higher barrier permeability. Significantly, chronic stress damages the intestinal barrier, causing it leaky and raising the circulating level of immune modulator which is the element of bacterial cell wall called lipopolysaccharide (LPS) [134]. LPS transposition can switch on the inherited immune system and advancement of inflammatory actions to generate an autoimmune reaction such as the stress-related disorders. Additionally, the mechanism involves several molecules in the brain-gut-microbiota axis to induce physiological functions. The tryptophan metabolism is affected to brain function regulation which is induced by the gut microbiota (reviewed by OMahony ). Additionally, tryptophan is a crucial amino acid which is used to go through the blood brain barrier and involve in serotonin synthesis when the tryptophan is consumed from the gut. Furthermore, in the condition of pathogenic microbial infections in the gut, this pathway is triggered and the tryptophan from the body stock is depleted. Hence, this causes the deficiency of serotonin supply and result in IBS. Besides, the Short Chain Fatty Acids are known as butyrate, acetate, and propionate which act as signalling molecules and possess immunomodulatory characteristics. They cooperate with nerve cells by activating the sympathetic and autonomic nervous system through G-protein-coupled receptors.195 Furthermore, they can go across the Blood brain barrier to modulate brain development and behaviour19 6,  197,  198 in order to establish the IBS development.199 Besides, the serotonin, 5-HT, is a signalling molecule in the brain-gut-microbiota axis to regulate the intestinal permeability and use to stimulate sensory nerve to signal the CNS. Hence, this pathway involving different signalling molecules correlated with microbiota and initiated the leaky gut is significantly increase the risk of developing neurological disorder by dysbiosis. In conclusion, dysbiosis increases the risk of developing mental disorders such as the Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Both disorders linked with microbiota and require the similar pathways. Dysbiosis with an impaired microbiota correlated with the CNS significantly. The Gut-brain-Axis is responsible to coordinate gut actions and deliver the stress response to the brain by the HPA axis in order to increase the intestinal permeability and damage the intestinal barrier. Followed by several signalling molecules such as tryptophan, 5-HT and SCFAs, the resulted leaky gut and alternation in microbiota composition would contribute to the depressive like behaviours and other neurological disorders. For the future perspective, the mental illness induced by the dysbiosis with altered microbiota can be monitored with appropriate probiotic supplementation and change of metabolomics condition in order to influence the essential changes with both gastrointestina l and neurological significance. References: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Dr_Ajit_Thakur/publication/260425062_Gut-microbiota_and_mental_health_Current_and_future_perspectives/links/00b7d53134a2bcb221000000.pdf http://www.nature.com/mp/journal/v21/n6/full/mp201650a.html https://jphysiolanthropol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40101-015-0061-7 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0166223613000088 http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/16512235.2017.1281916 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nmo.12378/full http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0889159115001105 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S095816691400175X https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4879184/ https://www.jscimedcentral.com/Pharmacology/pharmacology-2-1016.php http://www.medscape.org/viewarticle/855131 https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/psychobiotics-a-promise-for-neurodevelopmental-therapy-2329-8901-1000146.php?aid=72039view=mobile http://www.yeastinfection.org/anxiety-depression-candida-connection/ http://www.healthygutbugs.com/probiotics-next-big-anti-anxiety-remedy/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4315779/

Marketing Nestle

Nestlà © Purina Pet Care Company (NPPC) has been in existence for 115 years. Nestle’ is a pioneer in pet food and the North American market leader and has consistently demonstrated solid financial results. In 2010 Nestle’ Purina Pet Care Co. or (NPPC) were the proud recipients of the Malcolm Bridge Award.Companies who are honored with this award are achievers of pure performance excellence. The president of the United States presents the Malcolm Bridge award to companies who have demonstrated quality management and therefore they are recognized in an effort raise the awareness of excellence within our business world (ASQ.org, 2013).What marketing elements did NPPC utilize as possible contributors to receiving such an honor? The product mix of this company is diverse and includes a product line consisting of items for both cats and dogs. The width of the product mix includes; dry dog food, wet dog food, dog treats, dog litter, dog training pads, dry cat food, wet cat fo od, cat treats and kitty litter (purina.com, 2013).The second part to the product mix is the depth. According to Lamb, Hair and McDaniel, â€Å"the product line depth is the number of product items in a product line† (2012, pg. 159). NPPC offers eleven products in the cat product line and thirteen products in the dog line. Together these make a good product mix.NCCP also has some major elements in their brand name, some of which are very familiar for those who have pets. The brand names include those such as Purina Alpo, Purina One, Purina Dog Chow, Friskies, Tidy Cats and Fancy Feast to name a few. The major elements of this brand would be the push for healthy pet food which in turn makes a healthy pet, all the while offering nutrition and making both the owner and the pet happy.In order to create a happy customer there are service characteristics that must be met. NPPC offers several. To mention a few let’s begin with the some of the most important service characteri stics. One critical intangible service would include NPPC’s quality. They provide large volumes of their products with a proven track record of consistently high quality and very limited defects or issues. NCCP also creates customer loyalty, healthier pets and longevity by providing a quality product (baldridge.nist.gov, 2010).Along with quality NCCP offers excellent customer service and provides dedicated service teams to insure this service is maintained. Ethics would be another intangible service possessed and research is done to ensure cat and dogs are always treated humane. NCCP participates in a formal ethics program and stays involved in the community. They are also listed as a best place to work (baldridge.nist.gov, 2010).Finally, the dedication to service quality is proven by five different components. The first of which is reliability. NPPC is labeled a most trusted pet care company and strive to earn to more every day by being reliable (baldridge.nist.gov, 2010). R esponsiveness and providing prompt service is measured continually and new innovation and new product development has helped continuous improvement in this area (baldridge.nist.gov, 2010).Assurance has been achieved by proving that NPPC cares about the costumers and their pets. The ethical research done to ensure the nutritional values of each and every product speaks volumes (baldridge.nist.gov, 2010).Empathy is very high on the list of ser quality objectives. This is proven by the massive research, surveys and studies done to make sure each customer has a voice and each pet gets the personal attention they need to have a long and prosperous life. The knowledge of the customers, pets and retailers is unparalleled (baldridge.nist.gov, 2010).Last but not least are the tangibles. The manufacturing and distribution of NPPC products are an example of a tangible service that is performed with excellence and technology of equipment and supplies are updated consistently and held at very hi gh standards. The customer service reps are also held to  standards and treat each retailer, customer and pet with the very highest regards at all times. It is very apparent looking at the track record of NPPC, why they received the Malcolm Baldrige Award. Every element of the company is held to the highest standards possible and the care and attention provided to their customers is phenomenal. Many companies could learn some valuable lessons by looking at the achievers of this highly honored award.

Explanation of the Multistep Synthesis of Benzilic Acid Essay

The synthesis of several complex organic compounds follows a multistep synthesis. â€Å"Multistep synthesis† refers to the procedure in which the product of one reaction serves as the starting material in the subsequent reaction. The multistep synthesis of benzilic acid begins with a conversion benzaldehyde to benzoin through a condensation reaction. The benzoin then oxidizes into benzil, which undergoes rearrangement to give benzilic acid. Benzoin Synthesis * When two benzaldehyde molecules condense in the presence of thiamine, it leads to the formation of a molecule of benzoin. The thiamine behaves as a coenzyme catalyst. This step of the reaction involves the addition of ethanol and sodium hydroxide into an aqueous solution of thiamine hydrochloride and creating a reaction with pure benzaldehyde. When you heat this mixture to a temperature of 60 degrees Celsius for about 90 minutes and then cool it in an ice bath, the benzoin crystallizes out. Recrystallization of these crystals from hot ethanol yields pure benzoin as a colorless powder. Benzil Synthesis * Benzoin undergoes oxidation in the presence of a mild oxidizing agent such as nitric acid to produce the alpha diketone known as benzil. When you heat benzoin with concentrated nitric acid using a reflux condenser, evolution of reddish brown nitrogen dioxide occurs and then stops. When you add cold water to the cooled reaction mixture, benzil precipitates out as a yellow solid. You can then recrystallize this substance from hot ethanol. 1. Benzilic Acid Synthesis * When you reflux a solution of benzil in ethyl alcohol with potassium hydroxide for 15 minutes and then cool it, it forms the carboxylate salt potassium benzilate. When you dissolve this salt in hot water in an Erlenmeyer flask and add hydrochloric acid to bring the pH down to 2, the salt becomes acidified to yield benzilic acid. Precautions * During the conversion of benzaldehyde to benzoin, you must maintain temperatures below 65 degrees Celsius to obtain benzoin. Take care when refluxing benzoin with nitric acid; the nitrogen dioxide fumes are extremely toxic and can cause lung damage. During the conversion of benzoin to benzil, some benzoin may remain unoxidized. Prevent this scenario by creating a reaction of an ethanolic solution of the benzil with 10 percent sodium hydroxide solution; if benzoin is present, a purple color develops.

The Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne - 1268 Words

â€Å"Her attire, which, indeed, she had wrought for the occasion, in prison†¦seemed to express the attitude of her spirit† (Hawthorne 51). The Scarlet Letter explores the strict relationship between religion and law. By the mid 1630’s many Puritans settled in Boston, Massachusetts, from England. The villages where they settled often included houses, a community garden and a meetinghouse where church services were held. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter utilizes the late 1600’s to reflect on how the church would deal with serious issues including adultery. This raises the question: how does Hawthorne develop characters to express the corruption of the 1600s and the relationship between church and government? Through the developing of key†¦show more content†¦Hester on the other hand is described with the words â€Å"pride† and â€Å"grace† because she faces against her accusation head on. Dimmesdale, who is equally guilty hides and puts on a faà §ade, whereas Hester is punished with her head held high. Hawthorne’s diction when describing Hester helps develop her sense of self. Although Hester in the beginning is ostracized for committing adultery, later in the novel she develops to becoming a person who helps other women in her position. Hawthorne continuously uses the same language when describing Hester because in a way she represents a shift towards the future, that future being Pearl. Hester encompasses a mind-set that surpasses the views of her fellow town’s people, and while this contradicts with everyone else she remains steady in her views. Hester remains a constant aspect in the town. In a sense Hester can be considered an outsider, almost â€Å"savage† to everyone else. Her stance resembles the larger stance between whites and the Native Americans. By using larger contracts such as â€Å"Vagrant Indian whom the white man’s fire-water†¦was to be driven wit h stripes into the shadow of the forest† Hawthorne is comparing Hester’s crime against society to the crime of society against Native Americans (Hawthorne 47). In this way Hawthorne displays irony, since the townspeople believe themselves to be pure, honest and upholding, yet