Cost Classification Hersheys Chocolates - 2168 Words

Table of ContentsIntroduction1Part 111.1 Product Chosen - Hersheys Kisses.11.2 Cost Classification21.3 Explanations3Part 252.1 Production process.52.2 Type of product costing - Process costing62.3 Differences between management accounting (MA) and financial accounting (FA) - cost of inventory7Part 38References10Appendices12IntroductionThe Hershey Company (Hershey) was the chosen listed manufacturing company which to be discussed in this assignment. They are the largest North American manufacturer of quality chocolate and sugar confectionery products (The Hershey Company, 2009a). Part 11.1 Product Chosen - Hersheys Kisses. Hersheys Kisses are a type of chocolate manufactured by The Hershey Company. The bite-sized pieces of chocolate†¦show more content†¦That is, the machines total depreciation expense is the same each year regardless of volume produced on the machine. Occasionally, there are also curvilinear costs, for example cost of electricity, when market demand for Hersheys Kisses rises, electricity costs will increase at an increasing rate and vice versa. Besides that, most of the variable costs within Hersheys production department are thought to be controllable in short period of time; conversely, many fixed costs areuncontrollable in the short term (U.S Department of Education, 2007). For instance, Hersheys production managers could make decision on resources allocations which may influence the efficiency such as reduce direct labours overtime or control of the quantity of raw materials used for production; however, Hersheys production manager may not be able to influence the factory rental charged by the landlord. The value chain is a set of linked processes or activities which includes the upstream costs, downstream costs and the production costs or manufacturing cost (Blocher, Stout, Cokins, Kung, 2005). Some upstream costs found in production of Hersheys Kisses would be Research and Development costs that conducted by Hershey to produce higher quality Hersheys Kisses; wages of the designer on designing new packaging of Hersheys Kisses would be the designShow MoreRelatedMarketing Is Discovering And Satisfying Consumer Needs1116 Words   |  5 Pages Question #1 (6 Marks) The first objective in marketing is discovering and satisfying consumer needs. Explain the consumer insight that led to the re-launch of Hershey’s new chocolate bar. The consumer’s of the Take 5 chocolate bar were in their late teens and young adulthood who still enjoyed their brakes with tasteful treats. The target users were asked to give a comparison between the other treats that were available along with the Take 5. 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Organizational buying is __________. a. the process by which organizations recognize their needs for goods and services b. a way a company can produce a greater variety of high-quality products at lower cost, in less time, with less labor c. the decision-making process by which organizations establish and satisfy their needs for goods and services (difficult) p. 102 d. the practice of establishing of strategic partnerships between manufacturers and theirRead MoreAccounting 1-4 Chapter100452 Words   |  402 Pagesbusiness decisions. Marketing: A marketing specialist at a company like Procter Gamble develops strategies to help the sales force be successful. But making a sale is meaningless unless it is a profitable sale. Marketing people must be sensitive to costs and benefits, which accounting helps them quantify and understand. Finance: Do you want to be a banker for Citicorp, an investment analyst for Goldman Sachs, a stock broker for Merrill Lynch? 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Steinberg V the Chicago Medical School Free Essays

string(205) " fee to the school amounted to an offer; that the school’s voluntary reception of his fee constituted an acceptance and because of these events a contract was created between the school and himself\." Steinberg v The Chicago Medical School Appellate Court of Illinois, First District, Third Division. Mejda, P. J. We will write a custom essay sample on Steinberg V the Chicago Medical School or any similar topic only for you Order Now , and McGloon, J DEMPSEY, Justice: In December 1973 the plaintiff, Robert Steinberg, applied for admission to the defendant, the Chicago Medical School, as a first-year student for the academic year 1974–75 and paid an application fee of $15. The Chicago Medical School is a private, not-for-profit educational institution, incorporated in the State of Illinois. His application for admission was rejected and Steinberg filed a class action against the school, claiming that it had failed to evaluate his application and those of other applicants according to the academic entrance criteria printed in the school’s bulletin. Specifically, his complaint alleged that the school’s decision to accept or reject a particular applicant for the first-year class was primarily based on such nonacademic considerations as the *806 prospective student’s familial relationship to members of the school’s faculty and to members of its board of trustees, and the ability of the applicant or his family to pledge or make payment of large sums of money to the school. The complaint further alleged that by using such unpublished criteria to evaluate applicants the school had breached the contract, which Steinberg contended was created when the school accepted his application fee. In his prayer for relief Steinberg sought an injunction against the school prohibiting the continuation of such admission practices, and an accounting of all application fees, donations, contributions and other sums of money collected by the school from its applicants during a ten-year period prior to the filing of his suit. He did not ask the court to direct the school to admit him, to review his application or to return his fee. The defendant filed a motion to dismiss, arguing that the complaint failed to state a cause of action because no contract came into existence during its transaction with Steinberg inasmuch as the school’s informational publication did not constitute a valid offer. The trial court sustained the motion to dismiss and Steinberg appeals from this order. The 1974–75 bulletin of the school, which was distributed to prospective students, epresented that the following criteria would be used by the school in determining whether applicants would be accepted as first-year medical students: ‘Students are selected on the basis of scholarship, character, and motivation without regard to race, creed, or sex. The student’s potential for the study and practice of medicine will be evaluated on the basis of academic achievement, Medical College Admission Test results, p ersonal appraisals by a pre-professional advisory committee or individual instructors, and the personal interview, if requested by the Committee on Admissions. In his four-count complaint Steinberg alleged, in addition to his claim that the school breached its contract (Count I), that the school’s practice of using selection standards which were not disclosed in the school’s informational brochure, constituted a violation of the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act (Ill. Rev. Stat. , **589 1973, ch. 121 1/2, par. 261, et seq. ) and of the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act (Ill. Rev. Stat. , 1973, ch. 121 1/2, par. 311, et seq. ) (Count II); fraud (Count III), and unjust enrichment (Count IV). Since we are in accord with the trial court’s decision that the complaint did not state a cause of action under Counts II, III and IV, we shall limit our discussion to Count I. A contract is an agreement between competent parties, based upon a consideration sufficient in law, to do or not do a particular thing. It is a promise or a set of promises for the breach of which the law gives a *807 remedy, or the performance of which the law in some way recognizes as a duty. Rynearson v. Odin-Svenson Development Corp. (1969), 108 Ill. App. 2d 125, 246 N. E. 2d 823. A contract’s essential requirements are: competent parties, valid subject matter, legal consideration, mutuality of obligation and mutuality of agreement. Generally, parties may contract in any situation where there is no legal prohibition, since the law acts by restraint and not by conferring rights. Berry v. De Bruyn (1898), 77 Ill. App. 359. However, it is basic contract law that in order for a contract to be binding the terms of the contract must be reasonably certain and definite. Kraftco Corp v. Koblus (1971), 1 Ill. App. 3d 635, 274 N. E. 2d 153. A contract, in order to be legally binding, must be based on consideration. Wickstrom v. Vern E. Alden Co. (1968), 99 Ill. App. 2d 254, 240 N. E. 2d 401. Consideration has been defined to consist of some right, interest, profit or benefit accruing to one party or some forbearance, disadvantage, detriment, loss or responsibility given, suffered or undertaken by the other. Riddle v. La Salle National Bank (1962), 34 Ill. App. 2d 116, 180 N. E. 2d 719. Money its a valuable consideration and its transfer or payment or promises to pay it or the benefit from the right to its use, will support a contract. In forming a contract, it is required that both parties assent to the same thing in the same sense (La Salle National Bank v. International Limited (1970), 129 Ill. App. 2d 381, 263 N. E. 2d 506) and that their minds meet on the essential terms and conditions. Richton v. Farina (1973), 14 Ill. App. 3d 697, 303 N. E. 2d 218. Furthermore, the mutual consent essential to the formation of a contract, must be gathered from the language employed by the parties or manifested by their words or acts. The intention of the parties gives character to the transaction and if either party contracts in good faith he is entitled to the benefit of his contract no matter what may have been the secret purpose or intention of the other party. Kelly v. Williams (1911), 162 Ill. App. 571. Steinberg contends that the Chicago Medical School’s informational brochure constituted an invitation to make an offer; that his subsequent application and the submission of his $15 fee to the school amounted to an offer; that the school’s voluntary reception of his fee constituted an acceptance and because of these events a contract was created between the school and himself. You read "Steinberg V the Chicago Medical School" in category "Papers" He contends that the school was duty bound under the terms of the contract to evaluate his application according to its stated standards and that the deviation from these standards not only breached the contract, but amounted to an arbitrary selection which constituted a violation of due process and equal protection. He concludes that such a breach did in fact take place each and every time during the past ten years that the school evaluated applicants according to their *808 relationship to the school’s faculty members or members of its board of trustees, or in accordance with their ability to make or pledge large sums of money to the school. Finally, he asserts that he is a member and a proper representative of the class that has been damaged by the school’s practice. The school counters that no contract came into being because informational brochures, such as its bulletin, do not constitute **590 offers, but are onstrued by the courts to be general proposals to consider, examine and negotiate. The school points out that this doctrine has been specifically applied in Illinois to university informational publications. People ex rel. Tinkoff v. Northwestern University (1947), 333 Ill. App. 224, 77 N. E. 2d 345. In Tinkoff, a rejected applicant sued to force Northwestern to admit him , claiming that the university had violated the contract that arose when he demonstrated that he had met the school’s academic entrance requirements and had submitted his application and fee. His primary contention was that the school’s brochure was an offer and that his completion of the acts, required by the bulletin for application, constituted his acceptance. In rejecting this argument, the court stated: ‘Plaintiffs complain Tinkoff, Jr. was denied the right to contract as guaranteed by the Illinois and United States constitutions. We need only say that he had no right to contract with the University. His right to contract for and pursue an education is limited by the right which the University has under its charter. We see no merit to plaintiff’s contention that the rules and regulations were an offer of contract and his compliance therewith and acceptance giving rise to a binding contract. The wording of the bulletin required further action by the University in admitting Tinkoff, Jr. before a contract between them would arise. ‘ The court based its holding on the fact that Northwestern, as a private educational institution, had reserved in its State charter the right to reject any application for any reason it deemed adequate. Although the facts of the Tinkoff case are similar to the present situation, we believe that the defendant’s reliance upon it is misplaced. First, Steinberg is not claiming that his submission of the application and the $15 constituted an acceptance by him; he is merely maintaining that it was an offer, which required the subsequent acceptance of the school to create a contract. Also, it is obvious that his assertion that the bulletin of the school only amounted to an invitation to make an offer, is consistent with the prevailing law and the school’s own position. More importantly, Steinberg is not requesting that the school be ordered to admit him as a student, pursuant to the contract, but only that the school be prohibited from misleading prospective students by stating *809 in its informational literature, evaluation standards that are not subsequently used in the selection of students. Furthermore, the school does not allege, nor did it demonstrate by way of its bulletin or its charter that it had reserved the right to reject any applicant for any reason. It only stated certain narrow standards by which each and every applicant was to be evaluated. In relation to the preceding argument, the school also maintains that the $15 application fee did not amount to a legal consideration, but only constituted a pre-contracting expense. Consequently, the school argues that as a matter of law the $15 is not recoverable as damage even if a contract was eventually entered into and breached. Chicago Coliseum Club v. Dempsey (1932), 265 Ill. App. 542. In the Dempsey case, boxing promoters incurred expenses and entered into several contracts that were necessary for the staging of a heavyweight championship fight. However, most of the contracts were entered into prior to signing Dempsey (the then heavywright champion) for the event. For example, approximately a week prior to Dempsey’s signing, the plaintiff entered into a contract with a fighter named Wills, who was to be the champion’s opponent. Dempsey signed a contract but later breached it, and the fight promoters sued him for expenses incurred by them under the Wills contract and under other contracts **591 which had been entered into by them in anticipation of the champion signing a contract and fulfilling his obligation thereunder. The court stated: ‘The general rule is that in an action for a breach of contract a party can recover only on damages which naturally flow from and are the result of the act complained of. . . . The Wills contract was entered into prior to the contract with the defendant and was not made contingent upon the plaintiff’s obtaining a similar agreement with the defendant Dempsey. Under the circumstances the plaintiff speculated as to the result of his efforts to procure the Dempsey contract. . . Any obligations assumed by the plaintiff prior to that time (of contracting with Mr. Dempsey) are not chargeable to the defendant. ‘ The defendant’s reliance on the Dempsey case is also misplaced. Although it is a leading case for the proposition that expenses incurred during preliminary negotiations to procure a contract are not recoverable as damages, it has no relevance to the allegations of Steinberg’s complaint. The defendant misconceives and misstates his po sition when it asserts that the Tinkoff and Dempsey cases ‘are completely ispositive of plaintiff’s argument that the informational brochure constituted an ‘offer’ to evaluate applicants solely on the basis of criteria set forth therein, and the submission of an application with the $15. 00 fee the ‘consideration’ *810 binding that offer and effecting a consummated contract. ‘ He does not claim that the brochure was an offer and his submission of a fee an acceptance of that offer. To repeat, what he does claim is that the brochure was an invitation to make an offer; that his response was an offer, and that the school’s retention of his fee was an acceptance of that offer. We agree with Steinberg’s position. We believe that he and the school entered into an enforceable contract; that the school’s obligation under the contract was stated in the school’s bulletin in a definitive the school’s stated criteria. application fee–a valuable consideration–the school bound itself to fulfill its promises. Steinberg accepted the school’s promises in good faith and he was entitled to have his application judged according to the school’s stated creiteria. The school argues that he should not be allowed to recover because his complaint did not state a causal connection between the rejection of his application and the school’s alleged use of unpublished evaluation criteria. It points out that there is an equal probability that his application was rejected for failing to meet the stated standards, and since the cause of his damages is left to conjecture they may be attributed as easily to a condition for which there is no liability as to one for which there is. This argument focuses on the wrong point. Once again, Steinberg did not allege that he was damaged when the school rejected his application. He alleged that he was damaged when the school used evaluation criteria other than those published in the school’s bulletin. This ultimate, well-pleaded allegation was admitted by the school’s motion to dismiss. Logan v. Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Hospital (1968), 92 Ill. App. 2d 68, 235 N. E. 2d 851. The primary purpose of pleadings is to inform the opposite party and the court of the nature of the action and the facts on which it is based. The Civil Practice Act of Illinois provides that pleadings shall be liberally construed to the end that controversies may be settled on their merits. Jorgensen v. Baker (1959), 21 Ill. App. 2d 196, 157 N. E. 2d 773; Ill. Rev. Stat. , 1973, ch. 110, par. 33(3). Therefore, a cause of action should not be dismissed unless it clearly appears that no set of facts can be proven under the pleadings which will entitle the plaintiff to recover. **592 Herman v. Prudence Mutual Casualty Co. (1968), 92 Ill. App. 2d 222, 235 N. E. 2d 346. Additionally, a complaint will not be dismissed for failure to state a cause of action if the facts essential to its claim appear by reasonable implication. Johnson v. Illini Mutual Insurance Co. (1958), 18 Ill. App. 2d 211, 151 N. E. 2d 634. A complaint is not required to make out a case which will entitle the plaintiff to all of the sought-after relief, but it need only raise a fair question as to the existence of the right. People ex rel. Clark v. McCurdie (1966), 75 Ill. App. 2d 217, 220 N. E. 2d 318. Count I of Steinberg’s complaint stated a valid cause of action, and the portion of the trial court’s order dismissing that count will be reversed and remanded. Alternatively, the school asserts that if Steinberg is entitled to recover, the recovery should be limited to $15 because he is not a proper representative of the class of applicants that was supposed to be damaged by the school’s use of unpublished entrance standards. Fundamentally, it argues that it had no contract with Steinberg and since he does not have a cause of action, he cannot represent a class of people who may have similar claims. We have found, however, that he does have a cause of action. The primary test for the validity of a class action is whether the members of the class have a community of interest in the subject matter and the remedy. Smyth v. Kaspar American State Bank (1956), 9 Ill. 2d 27, 136 N. E. 2d 796. Even if the wrongs were suffered in unrelated transactions, a class action may stand as long as there are common factual and legal issues. Gaffney v. Shell Oil Co. (1974), 19 Ill. App. 3d 987, 312 N. E. 2d 753. The legal issue in this case would be the same as to each member of the class, and the factual issue–the amount payed by each member, an application fee of $15– identical. Steinberg alleged that in applying for admission to the school, each member of the class assumed that the school would use the selection factors set out in its 1974–75 bulletin, and that admission fees were paid and contracts created, but that each contract we breached in the same manner as his. This allegation established a community of interest between him and the other members of the class in terms of subject matter and remedy, and since he has a valid cause of action against the school, the class has also. He is a proper representative of the class and his suit is a proper vehicle to resolve the common factual and legal issues involved even though the members of the class suffered damage in separate transactions. However, the class action cannot be as extensive as Steinberg’s complaint requested. Recovery cannot be had by everyone who applied to the medical school during the ten years prior to the filing of his complaint. His action was predicated on standards described in the school’s 1974–75 brochure; therefore, the class to be represented is restricted to those applicants who sought admission in reliance on the standards in that brochure. We agree with the school’s contention that a State through its courts does not have the authority to interfere with the power of the trustees of a private medical school to make rules concerning the admission of students. The requirement in the case of public schools, applicable because they belong to the public, that admission regulations *812 must be reasonable is not pertinent in the case of a private school or university. 33 I. L. P. Schools, s 312. We also agree that using unpublished entrance requirements would not violate an applicant’s right to due process and equal protection of law. The provisions of the due process clause of the Federal constitution are inhibitions upon the power of government and not upon the freedom of action of private individuals. 16 Am. Jur. 2d, **593 Constitutional Law, sec. 557. The equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment does not prohibit the individual invasion of individual rights. Gilmore v. City of Montgomery (1974), 417 U. S. 556, 94 S. Ct. 2416, 41 L. Ed. 2d 304. The order dismissing Counts II, III and IV is affirmed. The order dismissing Count I is reversed. The cause is remanded for further proceedings not inconsistent with the views expressed in this opinion. Affirmed in part; reversed in part and remanded with directions. MEJDA, P. J. , and McGLOON, J. , concur. How to cite Steinberg V the Chicago Medical School, Papers

Molecular Biology Genes & Diseases

Question: Discuss about theMolecular Biology for Genes Diseases. Answer: Introduction The insulin-like growth factor family consists of three peptide hormones that include insulin, IGF-1 and IGH-2. They have 50% of their amino acid sequences in common (Le Roith 1997). They play a critical role in growth, differentiation and metabolism in almost every cell of the human body. Due to its diverse and far reaching roles it has been associated with several diseases and disorders and is a potential target for therapeutic intervention (Forbes 2016). IGF signaling is associated with decreased cell death and increased cell proliferation. Activation of IGF-1R leads to the activation of two pathways, PI3K/AKT and Ras/MAPK. PI3K/AKT pathway ultimately leads to decreased apoptosis, increased glucose metabolism, increased protein synthesis. On the other hand Ras/MAPK pathway leads to increased cellular proliferation by activating different transcription factors, such as ELK1. Cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion have been related to the activation of IGF-1R in many studies previously (Sachdev and Yee 2007). Cancers in lung, breast, colon, prostate are showed to be associated with increased level of plasma IGF (Pollak, Schernhammer and Hankinson 2004). Other members of IGF pathway are also proved to be involved with malignancies. This provides a way to treat cancers via modulating IGF pathway and various ligands involved with it. Drug resistance by tumors is one of the critical conditions in new age cancer treatment. As IGF pathway is involved in cell proliferation it shows a new era of treating these kinds of situations. Many studies have shown that modulating IGF pathway has promising effect in these cases (Denduluri et al. 2015). Ovarian cancer is the fifth most frequent cause of cancer death in women. In nearly half of ovarian and breast cancer patients, RAB25 mRNAs were found to be selectivey overexpressed at stage 3 and 4 serous epitheli al ovarian cancers in comparison to other genes located in the amplified region. Decreased expression of two proteins BAK and BAX were found to be associated with an inhibition of apoptosis in such cells. Simultaneously activation of PI3K/AKT pathway provided potential mechanisms to employ the effects of RAB25 on tumor aggressiveness (Lee et al. 2015). Involvement of PI3k/AKT pathway in the RAB25 related tumor aggressiveness leads to the way to treatment by modulating this pathway. Recently various evidences show that IGF-1 promotes atherosclerotic plaque stability and consequently reduces atherosclerosis in animal models. IGF-1 induces reduction of oxidative stress, cell apoptosis, proinflammatory signaling, and endothelial dysfunction, that helps prevent the disease. Aging has been widely linked with increased vascular oxidative stress and certain vascular diseases (Barzilai et al. 2012). It has been postulated IGF-1 may play a crucial role on vascular aging processes. There are various evidences that IGF-1 exerts pleiotropic effects on the vasculature resulting in reduced vascular oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammatory signaling pathway (Higashi et al. 2012). By modulating IGF signaling disease related to stress or premature cell death or decreased cell death can be prevented in future. Further studies on signaling pathway of IGF show its potential role in regulation of autoimmune diseases. Though this area of treatment requires a lot more research and practical approaches, the role of IGF signaling is competent enough. Studies show that IGF-I can potentially protect animal models from developing insulin-deficient diabetes mellitus (Gao et al. 2011). On the contrary, patients with Graves disease have shown an overexpression of the IGF-1R in many cell types and antibodies against the receptor were prevalent in such patients. The frequency of IGF-IR positive B and T cells were found to be relatively high in patients with the disease. Hence, as IGF-1 and IGF-1R is found to be linked with the mentioned autoimmune disease modulation of the pathway might be a potential therapeutic target for managing the diseases and alleviating the health consequences (Smith 2010). The modulation of IGF pathway opens new ways to treat various diseases like different types of cancer, cellular stress-related diseases and immunological diseases also. It depends totally on massive research and practically showing the results on animal models to prove the modulation of IGF pathway actually showing some positive results. Comparative Genomic Hybridization: Comparative Genomic hybridization is a comparative study of two genomes by in situ hybridization technique that allows detection of differences in DNA sequences between the two genomes. Two genomes, one study and one reference genomes are differentially labeled after being denatured into single stranded DNA (Pinkel and Albertson 2005). These two genomes are then hybridized to normal metaphase spreads or to microarray. Ratio of the fluorescence intensity are then measured And plotted on a graphical manner. The graph can reveal locations of copy number changes in along the target chromosome or DNA sequences. It has been extensively used to identify genetic differences between normal cells and certain diseased cells mostly in cancer cell biology. It efficiently detects any gain or loss of genetic material in human genetic disorders by comparing the same with a reference genome, often a relevant normal cell genome. Primarily the effect of stable expression of Rab25, a hallmark of cancer has been assayed in all the parts of Figure 2. Other hallmarks that were also assayed were Bak and Bax nuclear proteins. Bak and Bax are two nuclear-encoded proteins that are capable of moving through mitochondrial membrane and induce cell death by apoptosis. Phosphorylation of AKT was also assayed during stable expression of Rab25 and in presence of RNAi. AKT or protein kinase B (PKB) is a protein kinase that plays key roles several cellular functions including apoptosis. Viral-mediated transduction is the most potent technique to produce stable cell lines with a overexpressing protein. Vectors are utilized for this purpose. Vectors are autonomously replicating DNA molecules that can be used to transfer DNA fragments to cells of interest. For transfecting mammalian cells, vectors derived from mammalian viruses are used that include Simian viruses (SV40), polyomavirus, herpesvirus and papovirus (Khan 2013). The Rab25 gene can be inserted into any one of the vector mentioned and the same gene can be transferred to an appropriate mammalian cell line by viral transfection. Mammalian cell lines that are extensively used for this purpose are HeLa, HEK293T, U2OS so on and so forth. Compared to transient transfection, stable transfected cell lines are produced to analyze impact of altered gene expression over a long time period. Generally, antibiotic resistance or fluorescent reporter cell markers are incorporated into plasmid or vector DNA to create selectio n criteria. Clonal Selection can be done by appropriate selection controls. The selected colony is used to produce monoclonal cell line development and consequently producing a stable cell line generation. The expression and stability is checked on a regular basis. The construct expression is then validated by qRT-PCR and/or Western blot techniques. Assay (e) was performed to evaluate the levels of Bak and Bax proteins in the four different ovarian cancer cell lines namely A2780 and hey and immortalized ovarian cancer cell lines T29 and T80 where there is overexpression of the protein Rab25. Bak protein levels are found to be lower in Rab25 expressing A2780, HEY and T29 cells as compared to pcDNA cells. In T80 cell lines Bak was overexpressed showing that Bak levels are regulated by other factors in certain cells. Bax levels were low in A2780 and Hey cells but not in T29 and T80 cells. In assay (f) Bak and Bax levels were measured in A2780 cells were Rab25 expression is downregulated by RNAi. The downregulation of Rab25 nullified Rab25 mediated inhibition of Bak and Bax and hence the two protein levels were found to be high in the cell lines. Bak and Bax are two nuclear proteins that can travel to mitochondrial outer membrane upon activation of relevant signaling pathway and is essential for mitochondrial permiabilisation during apoptosis (Dewson and Kluck 2009). These two proteins play a significant role in intrinsic apoptotic pathway in mammalian cells and as a result they have being extensively studied for therapeutic purposes to block apoptosis. Motility of cells where Rab25 is overexpressed or knocked down can be assayed by standard apoptotic assay methods. Cleavage of the genomic DNA into discrete fragments and consequently membrane disintegration are key features that occur during apoptosis and cell-mediated cytotoxicity. DNA cleavage being hallmark of apoptosis is often measured to assay apoptotic cell death. The DNA fragments can be assayed by ELISA quantification of histone-complexed DNA fragments. Furthermore, caspases are a class of protein that are expressed and involved in the early stages of apoptosis. Activation of the caspase proteins can be assay to determine the stage of apoptosis in a cell (Suzuki, Nakabayashi and Takahashi 2001). This can be done by in vitro enzyme assay or by detection of cleavage of an in vivo caspase substrate. Furthermore to assess the motility transwell migration assay can be performed to assess cell movement and migration. In Transwell migration assay there are two chambers; the cell s uspension placed on the upper chamber and chemoattractants are placed in the lower chamber. Cells that are motile will migrate through the membrane and get attached to the lower side of the upper chamber; non-migratory cells will remain on the upper chamber. The migratory cells can then be labeled and quantified to assess the motility of the cell lines with overexpressed and knocked out Rab25 protein. References Barzilai, N., Huffman, D.M., Muzumdar, R.H. and Bartke, A., 2012. The critical role of metabolic pathways in aging.Diabetes,61(6), pp.1315-1322. Denduluri, S.K., Idowu, O., Wang, Z., Liao, Z., Yan, Z., Mohammed, M.K., Ye, J., Wei, Q., Wang, J., Zhao, L. and Luu, H.H., 2015. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling in tumorigenesis and the development of cancer drug resistance.Genes Diseases,2(1), pp.13-25. Dewson, G. and Kluck, R.M., 2009. Mechanisms by which Bak and Bax permeabilise mitochondria during apoptosis.Journal of cell science,122(16), pp.2801-2808. Forbes, B.E., 2016. Two years in IGF research.Growth Hormone IGF Research. Gao, J., Chesebrough, J.W., Cartlidge, S.A., Ricketts, S.A., Incognito, L., Veldman-Jones, M., Blakey, D.C., Tabrizi, M., Jallal, B., Trail, P.A. and Coats, S., 2011. Dual IGF-I/IIneutralizing antibody MEDI-573 potently inhibits IGF signaling and tumor growth.Cancer research,71(3), pp.1029-1040. Higashi, Y., Sukhanov, S., Anwar, A., Shai, S.Y. and Delafontaine, P., 2012. Aging, atherosclerosis, and IGF-1.The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, p.gls102. Khan, K.H., 2013. Gene expression in mammalian cells and its applications.Adv Pharm Bull,3(2), pp.257-63. Lee, J.S., Kang, J.H., Boo, H.J., Hwang, S.J., Hong, S., Lee, S.C., Park, Y.J., Chung, T.M., Youn, H., Lee, S.M. and Kim, B.J., 2015. STAT3-mediated IGF-2 secretion in the tumour microenvironment elicits innate resistance to anti-IGF-1R antibody.Nature communications,6. Pinkel, D. and Albertson, D.G., 2005. Comparative genomic hybridization.Annu. Rev. Genomics Hum. Genet.,6, pp.331-354. Pollak, M.N., Schernhammer, E.S. and Hankinson, S.E., 2004. Insulin-like growth factors and neoplasia.Nature Reviews Cancer,4(7), pp.505-518. Sachdev, D. and Yee, D., 2007. Disrupting insulin-like growth factor signaling as a potential cancer therapy.Molecular cancer therapeutics,6(1), pp.1-12. Smith, T.J., 2010. Insulin-like growth factor-I regulation of immune function: a potential therapeutic target in autoimmune diseases?.Pharmacological reviews,62(2), pp.199-236. Suzuki, Y., Nakabayashi, Y. and Takahashi, R., 2001. Ubiquitin-protein ligase activity of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein promotes proteasomal degradation of caspase-3 and enhances its anti-apoptotic effect in Fas-induced cell death.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,98(15), pp.8662-8667.

My American Journey Essays - Recipients Of The Legion Of Merit

My American Journey Book Report on Colin Powell's My American Journey Introduction Retired General Colin Powell is the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He spent a career in the United States Army lasting 35 years. He retired at the rank of four star general. He started his military education and career at the City College of New York in 1954. He was the son of Luther and Arie Powell of New York, born on the 5th of April 1937. His parents were meager people and he lived in a rented apartment until the age of 4 when he moved to the South Bronx where he finished his lower education and received his high school diploma. Upon graduating high school he applied to two universities, New York University (NYU) and the City College of New York (CCNY). He was accepted to both of the colleges but due to a price difference, NYU was $750 and CCNY was $10 a Year, he enrolled in CCNY. He was commissioned out of the CCNY ROTC program 4 years later and entered the army in June of 1958. After the officer's basic course and various other military courses he received his fi rst duty station as a platoon leader in the 3rd Armor Division in West Germany. From here began what came to be a most illustrious military career, consisting of a command track from platoon level to the commander of FORSCOM with numerous White House positions. He retired from his last command, the Army's highest-ranking Military Officer, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was also asked by many of his supporters to run for the office of President, which he declined. The City College of New York ROTC The book contained information on Colin Powell that proved more interesting as the page number increased. Some of the events of his life were more interesting than other parts. How his Army career started as a ROTC cadet and not an academy student was surprising to find out. General Powell was also able to serve two tours of Duty in the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Racism also played a significant role in the career of this acclaimed Army general. The entire book is complete with many different scenarios with many of his different leadership, but these points provided a base for his career. At CCNY Colin Powell would get his first glimpse of the United States Army. He started his college education majoring in engineering and ended changing it to geology the second semester. He decided after an engineering class that engineering was not for him and needed to find something more suitable to his academic appetite. His parents and relatives were appalled by this decision because the job prospects for geologists weren't such a great aspect for a young black college graduate. He had found information on ROTC and decided to give the program a chance. Here he found his place in life and decided that he would receive the Army commission and become a lieutenant upon graduation. This also satisfied the worried family members because this job promised a pension after 20 years of service. While in ROTC he was asked to join a number of military clubs and fraternities. He accepted the invitation from the ?Pershing Rifles.? At this time this was the most elite of the military groups and had the most closeness between members. The ROTC program at CCNY consisted of fourteen hundred cadets and competition for the top positions was tight. It was in ROTC where Colin Powell experienced his first run in with racism in the military. He was chosen the best cadet of Company D and then from there went up for the best cadet of the entire program. He was able to take a secure second place in this competition. It was at this time one of the cadre came to him and told him that he knew why he did not get the first position. He told him that the reason was because the rest of the cadre did not want to admit that the best cadet at CCNY was a Negro. It didn't quite strike home upon hearing the statement, Colin had said that

Trajan, the Roman Empire and Soldier

Trajan, the Roman Empire and Soldier Born Marcus Ulpius Traianus, Trajan was a soldier who spent most of his life involved in campaigns. When delivered the news that he was adopted by Roman Emperor Nerva, and even after Nerva died, Trajan remained in Germany until he had completed his campaign. His major campaigns as emperor were against the Dacians, in 106, which vastly increased the Roman imperial coffers, and against the Parthians, beginning in 113, which was not a clear and decisive victory. His imperial name was Imperator Caesar Divi Nervae filius Nerva Traianus Optimus Augustus Germanicus Dacicus Parthicus. He reigned as Roman emperor from A.D. 98-117. Although we dont know the details, Trajan set up cash subsidies to help raise poor children. He is well known for his building projects. Trajan also built an artificial harbor at Ostia. Birth and Death Future Roman emperor, Marcus Ulpius Traianus or Trajan was born at Italica, in Spain, on September 18, A.D. 53. After having appointed Hadrian his successor, Trajan died while returning to Italy from the east. Trajan died on 9 August A.D. 117, after suffering a stroke, in the Cilician town of Selinus. Family of Origin His family came from Italica, in Spanish Baetica. His father was Ulpius Trajanaus and his mother was named Marcia. Trajan had a 5 year  older sister named Ulpia Marciana. Trajan was adopted by the Roman Emperor Nerva and made his heir, which entitled him to call himself the son of Nerva: CAESARI DIVI NERVAE F, literally, the son of the divine Caesar Nerva. Titles and Honors Trajan was officially designated optimus best or optimus princeps best chief in 114. He provided 123 days of public celebration for his Dacian triumph and had his Dacian and Germanic successes recorded in his official title. He was posthumously made divine (divus) as had his predecessor (Caesar Divus Nerva). Tacitus refers to the beginning of Trajans reign as a most blessed age (beatissimum saeculum). He was also made Pontifex Maximus. Sources Literary sources on Trajan include Pliny the Younger, Tacitus, Cassius Dio, Dio of Prusa, Aurelius Victor and Eutropius. Despite their number, there is little reliable written information about Trajans reign. Since Trajan sponsored building projects, there is archaeological and epigraphical (from inscriptions) testimony. Trajan Optimus Princeps - A Life and Times, by Julian Bennett. Indiana University Press, 1997. ISBN 0253332168. 318 Pages.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sexual Assault and Abuse

Frequently Asked Questions About Sexual Assault and Abuse Protecting your child from sexual assault or helping your child if they have been sexually abused can be traumatic and confusing. Many people share the same questions and concerns. Here are comments, frequently asked question, and feedback about the topic of child abuse and sexual assault. 11 Common Frequently Asked Questions About Sexual Assault I am afraid of scaring my children by talking to them about sexual abuse, but I am also afraid not to talk to them about it. What should I do? Answer: There are many things that we teach our children to be careful about or about how to react to different scary situations. For example, how to cross the street (looking both ways) and what to do in the case of a fire (drop and roll). Add the topic of sexual abuse to the other safety tips that you give to your children and remember, the subject is often more frightening to parents than to their children. I do not know how to tell if someone is a sex offender. Its not like they wear a sign around their neck. Is there any sure way to identify them? Answer:  There is no way to tell who is a sex offender, with the exception of offenders listed on sex offender registries online. Even then, the chances that would recognize the offenders in a public place is questionable. That is why it is important to trust your instincts, keep an open dialog with your children, stay aware of your surroundings and the people involved with your children, and follow general safety guidelines. People may falsely accuse someone of being a sex offender or of being sexually abused.  How do you know for sure what or who to believe? Answer:  According to research, the crime of sexual assault is no more falsely reported than other crimes. In fact, victims of sexual assault, especially children, will often hide that they have been victimized because of self-blame, guilt, shame or fear. If someone (an adult or child) tells you that they have been sexually abused or identifies the person that sexually abused them, it is best to believe them and offer your full support. Avoid interrogating them and allow them  to decide the details that they are comfortable sharing with you. Help guide them to the proper channels for finding help. How does a parent possibly handle knowing that their child was sexually assaulted? I am fearful that I would fall apart. Answer: A common fear with children who have been victimized, is how their parents will react when they find out what has happened. Children want to make their parents happy, not upset them. They may feel ashamed and fear that it will somehow alter how a parent feels about them or relates to them. That is why it is paramount that if you know or suspect that your child has been sexually assaulted that you remain in control, make them feel safe, nurture them and show them your love. You must be strong and remember that the trauma that your child has endured is the issue. Redirecting the focus away from them to you, by displaying out of control emotions, is not be helpful. Find a support team and counseling to help you deal with your emotions so that you can remain strong for your child. How can children ever recover from such an experience? Answer:  Children are resilient. It has been shown that children who can talk about their experience with someone that they trust, often heals more quickly than those that keep it inside or who are not believed. Offering full parental support and providing the child with professional care can help the child and family to heal. Is it true that some children willingly participate in sexual activities and are partly to blame for what happened? Answer: Children cannot legally consent to sexual activity, even if they say that it was consensual. It is important to remember that  sexual abusers use deviant ways to gain control over their victims. They are highly manipulative, and it is common for them to make victims feel that they are to blame for the assault. If the child feels that they somehow caused the sexual assault, they will be less likely to tell their parents about it. When dealing with a child that has been sexually assaulted, it is important to reassure them that nothing that was done to them by an adult was their fault, no matter what the abuser did or said to make them feel otherwise. There is so much about sex offenders on the news. How can parents avoid being overprotective with their children? Answer: It is important that children learn how to react to the possible dangers that they may be confronted with in life. By being overprotective or exhibiting irrational fear, children tend to become helpless. It is more productive to teach children common sense, provide them with the information that can help them, and keep an open and inviting dialog going so that they feel safe to talk about their problems. I am fearful that I will not know that my child has been a victim. How can a parent tell? Answer:   Unfortunately, some children never tell that they have been victims of sexual abuse. However, the more informed parents are about what to look for, the better the odds are that they will recognize that something has happened to their child. Learn to keep close tabs on your instincts and look for any change in your childs behavior that is concerning. Do not dismiss thoughts that something might be wrong.   Is the court process terribly traumatic for child victims? Are they forced to relive the abuse? Answer:  Ã‚  Children who go through the court process often feel that they had regained the control that was lost when they were sexually assaulted. The court process can become part of the healing process. In many states, there are professionally trained personnel and child-friendly places designed to help child victims through the interview process. If my child is a victim of sexual abuse, does talking to them about it afterward make it worse? Answer:  Ã‚  A child should not feel that they are being forced to talk about being sexually assaulted. Be careful that you are opening the door for them to talk, but not forcing them through the door. Most children will open up when they are ready. It will help them to get to that point by knowing that when that time comes, you will be there for them. What should I do if I suspect someone is sexually abusing my child or child in the neighborhood? Answer:  Ã‚  It is best to contact the authorities and let them investigate. If you suspect the abuse because of something your child or another child told you, your primary role is to believe the child and give them your support.

Organizational Behaviour Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Organizational Behaviour - Essay Example As a leader, it is essential to be accountable for any occurrences in the school. To fulfill my mission, I need to point the school where I think it should go and try to keep it on the correct path. As an agent of change, I aim to lead improvement and change in management of various critical schooling components through development of collectively held, strong, and clear institutional mission. My philosophy also improves management by being responsible for the school’s overall administration. Finally, I also aim to be a researcher who examines trends, comes up with hypotheses, predicts, and tests the hypotheses to improve administrative capabilities. Then, identify the five* most important leadership skills, competencies or attributes that you think will be required to succeed in your profession/occupation in the future. Oral communication is an important skill in a leader, of which one has to be articulate, able to make clearly oral presentations of ideas and facts, and make a good impression (Kouzes & Posner, 2012: p40). Another central attribute of an effective leader is vision, which is the ability to foresee the future, as well as predict the unknowable. It also allows the leader to come up with the business’ strategic view, as well as the role that effective leadership will play in this strategic viewpoint. Thirdly, Integrity and honesty is another important attribute for a leader. This is important for the employees to buy into the proposals made by the leader, especially because it is representative of the leader’s overall character and establishes their credibility. Fourthly, innovation as a skill is important for school leaders because the institution will only be as innovative as the leader since internal innovation begins with the leader (Kouzes & Posner, 2012: p42). Finally, one should also be self-motivated with a clear vision about the direction the institution is taking, as well as where their professional life is headed. Se lect three of these and describe why an understanding of these are important and/or of practical use to business leaders and/or their companies. It is important to understand the importance of self-motivation because it can be contagious to employees around, while also possessing the ability to draw them aboard the leader’s vision. A self-motivated leader also recognizes the need for employees to work as a team to increase their productivity (Kouzes & Posner, 2012: p51). Self-motivated leaders also push themselves and others to accomplish set goals and are able to gain the trust of employees. The use of innovation by leaders is also of utmost importance today, especially with the global nature of today’s institutions. The ability of the institution to innovate should start with the leader, especially in the tapping of new ideas from employees that create value, as well as that of parents, students, and the community (Kouzes & Posner, 2012: p54). Innovation today is a v ital driver of valuation, performance, and growth and leaders must ensure they are at the forefront. Finally, oral communication is of special importance to a school administrator to translate technical knowledge to staff in a way they can understand. It is also essential in communication of ideas so that the administrator’s idea is not dismissed or misinterpreted by their subordinates (Kouzes & Posner,

Inventory Management in the Supply Chain Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Inventory Management in the Supply Chain - Essay Example As the paper declares the supply chain begins with the extraction of the raw material, there are then value additions along the supply chain along with several production links before the product finally reaches the end consumer. The Global Supply Chain Forum introcduced a supply chain model which included the following business processes which are cross-functional and cross-firm in nature. These processes and components include; customer relationship management, customer service management, demand management, order fulfillment, manufacturing flow management, supplier relationship management, product development and commercialization and returns management/ reverse logistics. This discussion stresses that supply chains are an integral component of any business. The term ‘Supply Chain Management’ was coined in the 1980s to express the need of integrating the key business functions from the supplier to the end user. The original idea behind supply chain is that companies involve themselves in sharing of information regarding market dynamics and production capabilities. The automobile industry has experienced a boom in recent years with automobile demand soaring up. However today it faces a lot of challenges including ; cost reduction and performance improvement, emerging markets, excess labour, production capacity and inventory, retail and distribution performance and environmental sustainability. In this situation it has been imperative to examine all areas of the value chain in the industry including the supply chain. This is because companies

The Concept of Luxury Brands Essay Example for Free

The Concept of Luxury Brands Essay Paper about the Definition and Categorization of Luxury Products and Brands consisting of a Taxonomy of Luxury and a Handbook for the Creation of Luxury Products and Brands This paper defines both luxury products and brands and also distinguishes similar concepts such as premium and masstige and differentiates between major types of luxury products and brands such as accessible vs. exceptional luxury products and connoisseur vs. Star brands. In that way, it should create a better understanding of what actually constitutes luxury products and brands, and thus should be useful for both researchers and managers within the field of luxury brand management. As luxury is constantly on the move, this paper will be constantly up-dated. Therefore, please feel free to send me your feedback and ideas. The latest publication can be foundhere and previous publications below. According to its objectives, the paper is split into the following two major components: Taxonomy of Luxury: The tasks of distinguishing between luxury and non-luxury and of categorizing luxury into different types reminds one of the work of taxonomists, who try to order organisms into groups based on their similarities and differences. The classification of organisms is not that simple, not only because of their vast variety, but also because boundaries between species are diffuse. However, similarly to the taxonomy of organisms, the taxonomy of luxury should provide a definition of luxury products and luxury brands that, for any products and brands, allows one to decide as best as possible if they are part of what is meant by these terms. In addition, the taxonomy should give an overview of the major types of luxury products and brands, as well as of similar concepts. Handbook for the Creation of Luxury Products and Brands: For mankind, classification had to be carried out from the very beginning, because the accurate identification of food, predators, mates, fuel, building materials etc. was crucial to survival. This demonstrates that classification also leads to a better understanding about the objects of investigation. Besides their value in the classification of luxury, the characteristics of luxury products and brands thus also help to develop an understanding about how they are actually created. As this is a distinctive area of application, the explanations about their characteristics are consolidated in a separate part of the paper, which should serve as a handbook for the creation of luxury products and brands. PART I LUXONOMY The task of distinguishing between luxury and non-luxury and of categorizing luxury into different types is reminiscent of the job of taxonomists, who try to order organisms into groups based on their similarities and differences (Stace 1991, p. 5). Taxonomy is more generally used today for classifications of any types of objects of investigation, including, for instance, shopper motivations (Westbrook and Black 1985), vehicles (Pirotte and Massart 2004, p. 2) and luxury consumers (Han et al. 2010, p. 16). This part of the paper presents a taxonomy of luxury particularly for use within the field of luxury brand management. Starting from a basic definition of luxury, it distinguishes between the major understandings of luxury put forth by different areas of research, defines luxury products and brands and gives an overview of the major types of luxury products and brands and also of similar concepts. The definitions of luxury products and luxury brands should allow one to decide as best as possible, for any products and brands, if they are part of what is meant by these terms. 1. The Basic Definition of Luxury 1. 1. The Necessity-Luxury Continuum Despite confusions, researchers across all disciplines share a basic understanding of luxury. To begin with, luxury is defined as something that is more than necessary (e. g. by Bearden and Etzel 1982, p. 184; Muhlmann 1975, p. 69; Reith and Meyer 2003, p. 10; Sombart 1922, p. 85). In contrast to necessity, some authors also characterize luxury by non-necessity and superfluity (e. g. by De Barnier et al. 2006, p. 5; Dubois et al. 2001, p. 15; Csaba 2008, p. 3; Geerts and Veg 2010, p. 2; Jackel and Kochhan 2000, p. 75). The distinction between necessity and luxury is based on the availability or exclusivity of resources. While necessities are possessed by virtually everyone, luxuries are available exclusively to only a few people or at least only on rare occasions (Bearden and Etzel 1982, p. 184). Bearden and Etzel (1982, p. 186) imagined the necessity-luxury dimension as a continuum ranging from absolute necessity to absolute luxury. Accordingly, they developed a six-point Likert scale ranging from a necessity for everyone’ to a luxury for everyone in order to measure the luxuriousness of a number of product categories (see also Kemp 1998, p.594). Today however, people spend the biggest portion of their income on goods that satisfy more than their necessary or basic human needs, but most of these goods might still not be considered a luxury. Therefore, Chaudhuri (1998, p. 158 et seqq. ) criticized the necessity-luxury continuum produced by Bearden and Etzel (1982) and measured necessity and luxury as two separate variables on a seven-point agree/disagree scale (This product is a luxury [necessity] for me. ) No significant relationships were found among these variables (p.163), which supports the approach of these authors. However, there were goods with low ratings on both variables such as cornflakes, frozen dinners, and potato chips, indicating the need for another category of ordinary goods. Bearden and Etzel (1982, p. 186) actually already considered this category, as they defined luxuries as not needed for ordinary, day-to-day living. ’ Instead of subsuming ordinary goods into the necessity category, the scale can also be extended to the necessity-ordinary-luxury scale, which might be more intuitive for today’s consumers. In very old lexica, luxury is defined as anything that is more than necessary (e. g. Brockhaus 1846, p. 179). After the increase in the standard of living over many social classes in the late 19th century, the definition was further narrowed by luxury being also that which is more than ordinary (e. g. Meyers 1890, p. 1035). Since then, most lexica share the notion of luxury as anything that is more than necessary and ordinary (e. g. Meyers 1995, p. 189). However, not everything that is neither necessary nor ordinary is a luxury. For instance, most people rarely have moths in their wardrobe, but still do not consider this extraordinary occurrence a luxury. This demonstrates that the characterization of luxury as non-necessary and superfluous can be misleading because luxury is always meant to satisfy some human needs and desires (Berry 1994, p. 4 et seqq. ; Geerts and Veg 2010, p. 2; Giacalone 2006, p. 34; Goody 2006, p. 341). Accordingly, luxury is also associated with dream (e. g. by Seringhaus 2002, p. 5; Dubois and Paternault 1995, p. 69). While necessary and ordinary goods are also desirable (or required), a study by Kemp (1998, p. 599; 603) points out an essential difference: similar items [are] more likely to be perceived as a luxury if they [produce] a positive effect for the recipient than if they [relieve] a state of discomfort [†¦ so that luxuries are†¦] positive instead of negative reinforcements. Therefore, Kemp (1998, p. 592) compares the necessity-luxury continuum with the hierarchy of needs produced by Maslow (1970), which ranges from basic physiological needs such as hunger (necessities) up to needs of self-actualization (luxuries). These facts demonstrate that the luxuriousness of any resource is not only based on its availability, but also on peoples’ desire for it. Accordingly, the basic definition of luxury may be summarized as follows: Luxury is anything that is desirable and more than necessary and ordinary. | Luxury usually refers to single items, in which case it is described as qualitative luxury. In contrast, quantitative luxury refers to the profusion of an excessive amount of resources, which are not necessarily luxurious. For instance, this includes lighting a cigar with a handful of matches (Sombart 1922, p.86). 1. 2. The Relativity of Luxury The decision of what is desirable and more than necessary and ordinary is relative and depends on the perspective (Buttner et al. 2006, p. 9; Jackel and Kochhan 2000, p. 75; Kapferer 2008, p. 96; Nyeck 2004, p. 1; Sombart 1922, p. 85; Valtin 2004, p. 20 et seqq. ). The relativity of luxury splits into a regional, temporal, economic, cultural and situational relativity, which is illustrated in figure 1 and explained below. Regional relativity refers to the classification of resources on the necessity-luxury continuum depending on their local availability. Some goods are widely available and worth very little in some regions, but acquire luxury status by virtue of their rarity in another environment (Merki 2002, p. 85; Reith and Meyer 2003, p. 10). For instance, in the 19th century, kola nuts could be freely collected in the forests of West Africa and became a luxury in Europe, where they were used for kola biscuits and kola wine (Goody 2006, p. 347). In addition, a sunny day at the beach might be considered a luxury in most parts of Europe, while it is almost an everyday experience for people living in Miami. Temporal relativity refers to changes in the perception of the luxuriousness of resources over time, which are based on changes in their availability and desirability (Fuehrer 2008, p. 214; Kisabaka 2001, p. 119 et seqq. ; Matsuyama 2002, p. 1038). The major causes of these changes are technological progress and societal trends (see also Konig 2002, p. 118). Technological progress is also the main reason for the decreasing relevance of the regional relativity of luxury goods. For instance, modern production methods enabled the development from luxury kola to mass-marketed Coca-Cola (Goody 2006, p.348). There are many other examples of the metamorphosis of luxury goods into mass market commodities such as butter, chocolate, coffee, spices, sugar, and tea (Reith and Meyer 2003, p. 10). This process runs especially fast for technical products, as exemplified by TVs, PCs, and mobile phones. However, this process can also run in the opposite direction, as seen with some historically ordinary resources, such as clean air, silence and space, which have become increasingly rare, at least in some regions (see also Koschel 2005, p. 41). Temporal relativity represents the particular character of luxury as being not stable and constantly changing over time (Kapferer 2008, p. 96; see also Jackel and Kochhan 2000, p. 89; Mortelmans 2005, p. 504). Economic relativity refers to differences in peoples’ perceptions of luxuriousness depending on their access to resources (Kapferer 2008, p. 96; Kisabaka 2001, p. 121; Meffert and Lasslop 2003, p. 4; Vickers and Renand 2003, p. 461). While mostpeople consider a watch costing 50â‚ ¬ as an ordinary item, there are some who see it as a luxury, and still others who would not even regard a watch costing 5,000â‚ ¬ as a luxury. Economic relativity also refers to differences among countries with varying states of economic development. For instance, cars are generally considered as ordinary goods in Western Europe, but remain a luxury in developing countries (Christodoulides et al. 2009, p. 397; Matsuyama 2002, p. 1038). Culutural relativity: In any cultural context, luxury refers to something that exceeds necessity and ordinariness. However, in contrast to the previous categories, cultural relativity does not refer to the availability, but to the desirability of resources to people depending on their culture. The same resource might be considered luxurious in one culture, but just ordinary or even useless and undesirable in another culture (Kapferer and Bastien 2009b, p. 314; Kemp 1998, p. 604; Kisabaka 2001, p. 121 et seqq. ). For instance, champagne can be considered as a luxury in European countries, but generally is not desired in Islamic societies. The same is true for a Lamborghini from the perspective of someone from a secluded Amazon tribe (Berthon et al. 2009, p. 49). However, Mortelmans (2005, p. 497) argues that every social group can be said to have its own luxury. There are culture-specific symbols of good taste and luxury, which are determined by the elite of any cultural group or subculture and are used for social distinction (Bourdieu 1994, p. 64 et seqq. ; Fuehrer 2008, p. 135 et seqq. ; Merki 2002, p. 90; Reith and Meyer 2003, p. 24). While gold teeth grills are considered a luxury in the hip-hop scene, the majority of people do not find them desirable. The preferences of luxury are rooted to a great extent in cultural values (Kemp 1998, p. 596; Sombart 1922, p.87), which differ by demographic variables such as gender, age, and education (see studies by Hudders and Pandelaere 2009, p. 6 et seqq. ; Jackel and Kochhan 2000, p. 75). However, the members of a cultural group also differ in their knowledge of the symbols of luxury (Kisabaka 2001, p. 121). These facts demonstrate that there are also differences in the perception of luxury among the members of a cultural group. Therefore, Berthon et al. (2009, p. 47) state that luxury has an intensely individual component as well: what might be luxury to one person will be commonplace, or perhaps even irrelevant and valueless, to another. As the culture-specific symbols of luxury are a result of social learning, it must also be possible to influence peoples’ ideas of luxury using marketing measures (Jackel and Kochhan 2000, p. 81). For instance, De Beers managed to position diamonds as a symbol of love and luxury. Situational relativity implies that the same resource could be differently classified as necessary, ordinary or luxurious depending on the circumstances. For instance, ordinary food might become luxurious if a person has not eaten it for a long time, and any luxury food could be considered ordinary after eating it for several days (Kemp 1998, p.598). 1. 3. General Perspective for the Definition of Luxury These types of relativity can be used as follows to determine a general perspective from which luxury should be defined, particularly with regard to the requirements within the field of luxury brand management: Regional relativity: Due to the globalization of business, especially of the luxury industry, luxury should be defined from a global perspective, which leads to the omission of regional specialties from the definition of luxury for the sake of a broad international coverage. Temporal relativity: The definition of luxury should refer to the present. Economic relativity: Luxury should not be defined from the perspective of the very poor or the very rich, but of the entire society of developed regions. Despite the differences in the notion of luxury between the poor and the rich, Kemp (1998, p. 596) found that to a large extent, a gross-societal consensus exists concerning the classification of goods as either luxury or non-luxury. Culutural relativity: The desirability of resources and the appearance of luxury are determined by the upper class, which also includes the relatively homogeneous segment of the global elite (Vickers and Renand 2003, p.461). Consequently, hip hop-style gold teeth grills cannot be considered luxuries (as long as they are not adopted by the upper class). Basically, luxury appeals to everyone, if defined as something that is desirable and more than necessary and ordinary from his or her perspective. However, studies on the attitudes towards luxury usually refer to luxury as determined by the upper class. Consequently, the attitudes of respondents range from admiration to rejection (Reich 2005, p. 33), which often reflects their general opinion of the societal system. Besides that, the upper class also consists of different segments, which means that a variety of luxury tastes and lifestyles exists. Situational relativity: Finally, the definition of luxury should generally not consider any temporary or individual circumstances, but should be restricted to normal conditions. Accordingly, the basic definition of luxury may be complemented as follows: Luxury is anything that is desirable and which exceeds necessity and ordinariness. As a general rule, this is defined from a global perspective, for the present and for normal conditions. While the exclusivity of resources is evaluated by the entire society, the desirability of resources and the appearance of luxury are determined by the upper class. | Based on that, table 1 exemplifies some of the many resources that can be differentiated from luxury. Accordingly, theextended basic definition limits the scope of luxury from almost anything to a more reasonable level and therefore already helps to dissolve a large part of the controversies about its definition. Table 1: Examples of Non-Luxury Items| Example of Non-Luxury| Type of Relativity| Explanation|. Clean air| Regional relativity| A luxury in Jakarta, but not from the perspective of most people| Color TV| Temporal relativity| A luxury in the 1950’s, but not from today’s perspective| VW Polo| Economic relativity| A luxury for a student, but not from a gross-societal perspective| Gold teeth grill| Cultural relativity| A luxury in the hip-hop scene, but not from the perspective of the upper class| McDonald’s Hamburger| Situational relativity| Might be a luxury after a strict diet, but not under normal circumstances|. However, there are two limitations: First of all, the necessity-luxury continuum indicates that all luxuries are not equally luxurious, which means that there is also a hierarchical relativity. Consequently, it seems reasonable to distinguish different levels of luxury (see Kisabaka 2001, p. 120 et seq. ; and section 8. 4. 1). In addition, even though the extended basic definition limits the scope of luxury, it still covers a wide variety of resources such as musical talent, self-determination or Daikin air conditioning systems, which are not relevant within the field of luxury brand management research. Therefore, the scope of luxury will be limited further in the following chapter by differentiating the understandings of luxury by area of research. 2. The Major Understandings of Luxury The literature analysis suggests differentiating luxury definitions by area of research into three main categories, which will be explained below. 3. 1. The Philosophical-sociological Understanding of Luxury The proponents of a philosophical-sociological understanding of luxury concentrate mainly on the evolution of attitudes towards luxury and its societal benefits (e. g. Berry 1994; Mandeville 1724; Sombart 1922, p. 86 et seqq.) and on the changes in the appearance of luxury and preferences for luxury (e. g. Dohrn-van Rossum 2002; Fuehrer 2008, p. 185 et seqq. ; Koschel 2005 and Reitzle 2001, p. 26 et seqq. ). According to these research objectives, this understanding represents the broadest scope of luxury that can be referred to as luxuries or luxury resources. Examples include musical talent, time, and true love (see also Sombart 1922, p. 85). Luxuries are defined as follows: Luxuries correspond to the philosophical-sociological understanding and the broadest scope of luxury, comprising all resources which are desirable and exceed what is necessary and ordinary. | 2. 2. The Micro-economic Understanding of Luxury The proponents of a micro-economic understanding of luxury investigate the relationships between price and the demand for luxury (e. g. Chaudhuri 1998; Kemp 1998; Lipsey 1975, p. 107 et seqq. ; Poll 1980, p. 38), as well as between income and the demand for luxury (e. g. Deaton and Muellbauer 1980; Lancaster 1971, p. 68; Poll 1980, p. 30). There are also some researchers who focus on the moderating sociological effects (e. g. Bearden and Etzel 1982, Leibenstein 1950, Veblen 1899) and on the benefits of the luxury goods industry for the economy (e.g. Thomas 2007, p. 53 et seqq. ). In light of its research objectives, the micro-economic understanding of luxury represents a middle scope that is limited to goods that are suitable for exchange on the market. In microeconomics the term luxury goods was established for that and mainly refers to entire product categories (see Meffert and Lasslop 2003, p. 4; Reich 2005, p. 36). The marketability of micro-economic luxury represents its major difference from the philosophical-sociological understanding of luxury. According to Chaudhuri (1998, p.162), product categories such as barbecue and golf equipment are (still) regarded as luxury goods. The definition of luxury goods can be summarized as follows: Luxury goods correspond to the micro-economic understanding and the middle scope of luxury, comprising all goods which exceed what is necessary and ordinary, and are suitable for exchange on the market. | Luxury goods are distinguished from necessary or ordinary goods by consequence-related measures; thus the luxuriousness of any good is not determined by its characteristics, but by peoples’ reaction (changes in demand) to exogenous stimuli. These measures include price and income elasticity of demand (Poll 1980, p. 29). 2. 3. The Managerial Understanding of Luxury 2. 3. 1. Areas of Research The proponents of a managerial understanding of luxury focus on the development of business and in particular, on marketing strategy guidance for a relatively small group of luxury product manufacturers. The areas of research can be categorized into studies focusing on luxury brands (including products and industry segments) and on studies which rather focus on their consumers. The first group includes image analyses about luxury brands (e. g. Matthiesen and Phau 2005, Wong and Zaichkowsky 1999) and studies about the luxury brand identity (e. g. Dubois and Czellar 2002, Heine 2009a, 2010a,b, Heine and Trommsdorff 2010a). The existing studies about luxury consumer behavior focus on the characteristics of luxury consumers, their consumption preferences and on environmental influences affecting luxury consumption. Studies about luxury consumer characteristics cover consumers’ purchasing motives (e. g. Tsai 2005), attitudes (e. g. Dubois et al. 2005), values (e. g. Dubois and Duquesne 1993, Heine 2010a, Sukhdial et al.1995) and demographics (e. g. Dubois and Duquesne 1993). Results of these studies serve as a basis for the segmentation of luxury consumers (e. g. Dubois et al. 2005). Additionally, there are studies focusing on luxury consumer preferences (e. g. Nia and Zaichkowsky 2000, about country-of-origin preferences) and studies about environmental influences on luxury consumption incorporating the impact of reference groups (e. g. Bearden and Etzel 1982; Wiedmann et al. 2007), culture (e. g. Casaburi 2010), product types (e. g. social/private by Bearden and Etzel 1982) and situational factors (e. g.Dubois and Laurent 1996). On top of that, there is a growing interest in the phenomenon of counterfeit luxury products (e. g. Perez et al. 2010, Phan et al. 2010, Phan and Lu 2008, Phau and Teah 2008, 2009, Phau et al. 2009, Wilcox et al. 2009). 2. 3. 2. Scope of Luxury The managerial understanding represents the smallest scope of luxury. The major difference separating it from the micro-economic perspective is that the managerial understanding of luxury does not usually refer to entire product categories, but only to the best products of a category, or to products with certain characteristics. Accordingly, products that fall within the managerial scope of luxury should be referred to as luxury products. The broad definition of luxury products can be summarized as follows: Luxury products correspond to the managerial understanding and the smallest scope of luxury, comprising all products which exceed what is necessary and ordinary compared to the other products of their category. | The definition of luxury brands is closely linked to the definition of luxury products and usually refers to specific associations about their products’ characteristics. Accordingly, the broad definition of luxury brands is summarized as follows: Luxury brands are associated with products which exceed what is necessary and ordinary compared to the other products of their category. | These definitions allow one to state some typical examples of luxury products and brands including Louis Vuitton bags and Rolls-Royce automobiles. For the sake of simplicity, the luxury product business will be referred to as the luxury industry. The managerial scope of luxury becomes even clearer in comparison with the other understandings of luxury. This is not a horizontal differentiation (such as dog, cat and bird), but a vertical differentiation (such as dog, animal, living being), which refers to the relation between terms of different levels of abstraction (Eckes 1991, p. 120). As demonstrated in figure 1, luxury products constitute a subset of luxury goods, which, in turn, form a subset of luxuries. This means that the characteristics of luxuries also apply, to a large extent, to luxury products (see also Hoffmann 1986, p. 31 et seqq. ). 2. 3. 3. Limiting the Scope of Luxury. Despite its small scope in comparison to luxuries, the definition of luxury products still covers a wide variety of different products. Therefore, and according to the basic idea of definition by reduction sentences, the scope of luxury products is further limited by differentiating the major luxury market segments as follows: Luxury Products, Services and Real Estate: The managerial luxury understanding usually refers to movable assets (products in the classical sense), as the luxury industry was and is characterized by craftsmanship and engineering (Belz 1994, p.648; Berthon et al. 2009, p. 50). Beyond that, luxury services and luxury real estate form distinct luxury segments. Marketing knowledge about products offers a basis for other luxury segments, but still needs to be adapted to their specific characteristics. Branded vs. Unbranded Luxury Products: Unbranded luxury products are usually made on commission by craftsmen. Because of the high relevance of brands in the luxury segment, this paper considers only branded luxury products (see Kisabaka 2001, p.104; Vigneron and Johnson 2004, p. 486). Private vs. Public Luxury Products: Instead of public luxuries such as altar pieces or national monuments, the term luxury products usually refers to private luxury, which is owned by a person or a private organization (Sombart 1922, p. 86; see also McKinsey 1990, p. 13). B2B vs. B2C Luxury Products: B2C luxury products, also referred to as personal luxury products, are marketed to end consumers and can be used by a person to enhance his or her personal life (Sombart 1922, p.86; Reith and Meyer 2003, p. 10; Valtin 2004, p. 186). In contrast to that, there is a distinct B2B luxury segment, which includes luxury-specialized suppliers to luxury brands. One such supplier is Peter Bock, a manufacturer of nibs for luxury fountain pens. Founder-independent vs. Founder-dependent Luxury Products: This paper considers only founder-independent luxury products, which means that the existence of brands and the manufacturing of products should not depend on the life of their creators. The manufacturers of luxury products should possess a distinct brand personality and at least the capacity for infinite business operation. Although an artist could become a brand, these requirements are not fulfilled as he or she may only create founder-dependent products. Compared to other products, the luxury art market follows very specific rules and therefore forms a distinct luxury segment. The same is true for other industry segments such as (star) architect offices and the relatively complex and fast-changing market of (fashion) designer products. Uni-regional vs. Multi-regional Luxury Products: This paper disregards uni-regional luxury products, which are only available in specific regions. For instance, shopping in the KaDeWe is only possible in Berlin and spending the night in Le Bristol is only possible in Paris. However, many uni-regional luxury brands have the potential to become global. For instance, the luxury group Hilton developed the New York-based Waldorf Astoria into a global luxury hotel chain. Contemporary Luxury Products vs. Luxury Antiquities: With reference to temporal relativity (see above), only new products are considered. Luxury antiquities (including antique cars) form a distinct luxury segment. Accordingly, the broad definition of luxury products may be complemented as follows: Luxury products correspond to the managerial understanding and the smallest scope of luxury not comprising services or real estate, but products which exceed what is necessary and ordinary compared to the other products of their category. These products are branded, founder-independent, multi-regional, contemporary and possessed or used by a person to enhance his or her personal life. | Differentiating between the various understandings of luxury and major luxury market segments helps to further limit the scope of luxury in the area of management studies. Based on that, table 1 exemplifies some of the many luxuries that can be differentiated from luxury products. However, this is still not enough to distinguish clearly between ordinary and luxury products. Therefore, the broad definition of luxury products needs to be specified further, which will be addressed in the subsequent chapter. 3. Luxury Products 3. 1. The Definition of Luxury Products Although the term luxury products is broadly defined and therefore basically comprehensible (see previous section), it still needs to be operationalized because it is not yet clear which products are actually more than necessary and ordinary compared to the other products of their category. The broad definition of luxury products can be modified and further specified by an operational definition. For this purpose, adequate indicators for a term need to be determined. According to the dimensional analysis, it was decided to operationalize luxury products by their characteristics. The operationalization relies on a literature analysis and an empirical study (as outlined in the paper). The results suggest that consumers perceive that luxury products have six major characteristics including price, quality, aesthetics, rarity, extraordinariness and symbolism. These constitutive characteristics and their typical sub-categories are explained in detail in one of the following chapters. In that way, the operationalization helps to decide for most products if they are part of what is meant by the term luxury product (see also Kromrey 2009, p. 110). The definition of luxury products can be summarized as follows: Luxury products have more than necessary and ordinary characteristics compared to other products of their category, which include their relatively high level of price, quality, aesthetics, rarity, extraordinariness, and symbolic meaning. | Comparative terms such as luxury rely on continuous characteristics (as explained in the paper). Therefore, the major characteristics of luxury products can be considered as dimensions ranging from a minimum level that is also necessary for non-luxury products to a maximum level that corresponds to the highest form of luxury. As these major characteristics must apply to virtually all luxury products at least to some degree, they are therefore referred to as constitutive characteristics. Although luxury products require a relatively high rating for all of the major characteristics, there still exists a wide range of possible ratings within the luxury segment. According to the principles of the prototype theory, luxury products therefore differ in the degree to which they are qualified as representatives of their category. The luxuriousness of a product increases when the level of at least one of these characteristics increases. Not surprisingly, the luxury level therefore is one of the major means of differentiation for luxury products and brands (Esteve and Hieu-Dess 2005). The characteristics of luxury products are not independent of each other.

Graduation Speech -- Graduation Speech, Commencement Address

Thank you President Rou, Thank you County School of Education but more specifically, a special Thank You to the Human Services Department and that includes faculty, administration, and fellow students. Thank You! Parents, Family Members, Relatives, Friends, Educators, Alumni, Turner Kids, and Graduates, We made it! Everybody give these graduates a-round of applause. Graduates give yourselves a-round of applause. Yes, we made it. We made it through all those late nights studying, studying in the early mornings, and we made it through cramming studies all night long. We made it through many obstacles placed in front of us, that we thought we could never overcome, but we made it. We made it through all the tests and papers, the research, the reading, the reading, and more reading, which was assigned, to us, and somehow we made it. But how were we able to keep our lives somewhat manageable throughout all this you might have asked? The answer is simple, the Educators of Western Washington University has shaped us, molded us, and guided us to become the leaders that it took for us to become, to make it here today. There were times I wondered if it would ever end. Or, I would think, what am I doing? It seemed as though I was studying around the clock everyday. Days were rolling into days and I often asked different people, what day is it? I began questioning the amount of work, because my original intentions was to go to school so I could earn more money and work less, which begged the questions; was this a set-up? Am I being trained and conditioned to work this hard after I graduate? Is this normal? Well, my fellow Graduates, because of the hard work and the abnormal lifestyle it took to acquire this degree, I learned that the... ...bout to put each and every one of us in a category where we can say, I am one of the 20% all the citizens in the United States with a college degree, and I am one of the 2% of all the people in the whole world, with a college degree. So you see, we really do deserve to be congratulated. So when we leave here today and set out on our path toward serving others, and making a difference in our world, whether that be shaping, molding, and guiding our children for a better future, leaving the ballot box after casting our vote for whoever, or whatever issue, or leading a march for a worthy cause, whether we stand-alone or we stand as a part of multitudes, We Need To Lift Our Heads Up High, Stand Tall, And Stand Proud because we are now, graduates of Western Washington University, and for that I congratulate you. May GOD Bless You In All Your Future Endeavors! GO Vikings!

James Dickey Essay

James Dickey (1923 – 1997) is one of the outstanding modern American poets. His criticism provides a scope of ideas on what humanity has gained throughout the twentieth century. His viewpoint is likely to amaze an observer by constant critical notes on what is universally called â€Å"amenities of life.† Thus, the figure of James Dickey cannot be underestimated in terms of his poetical style and criticism of perpetually developing progressive life of the mankind during the twentieth century. His inclinations to make people understand the charms of primitivism and animalism were straightforward. He could put his reasoning over the entire life through the eyes of animals and nature. Thus, the environmental problem of humanity and morality worried him much. It is reflected in his poetry by making emphasis on the significance of return to the nature in order to think like a â€Å"child of nature.† Dickey’s main motivation for claiming the importance of return to primitivism was not spontaneous. He had got through participation in World War II and Korean War (Thesing and Wrede 151). In this respect the poet was highly depressed by losing his older brother. In fact, it turned into a cycle of poems on the main themes of family, survival, spiritual rebirth, love, war and some other (Vaughan 115). With multiple poems included in the compilation The Whole Motion, Dickey described war as the source for cruelty and disfigured estimation of humanity at large (Thesing and Wrede 153). In this very collection one embraces the evolution of Dickey as a poet. The author followed a specific for Modernism feature of the stream-of-consciousness technique. He introduced it in personal evaluation of human civilization, as a self-destructing unity of people. Moreover, Dickey was trying to make a set of interrelated topics interwoven in terms of their collision and approach toward the concept of a â€Å"natural man.† Attacking the problem of civilization, James Dickey is likely to blame world’s progress on the example of his best-known poem The Firebombing: The enemy-colored skin of families Determines to hold its color In sleep, as my hand turns whiter Than ever, clutches the toggle – The ship shakes bucks Fire hangs not yet fire In the air above Beppu For I am fulfilling An ‘anti-morale’ raid upon it (Kendall 511). Based on this single excerpt from the poem, Dickey brings the main problem of the mankind to notice. It is grounded on misunderstanding of where the edge between morality and violence takes place. The author perceives an enormous and ominous power of violence supported by humanity. He understands personal helplessness. Thus, he had no choice but to reflect his rumination in the form of a holistic criticism of the civilization and its consequences. Hence, Dickey is constantly critiquing civilization, and it feels like he never repeated the same theme colored by a banal estimation. It is also included into The Sheep Child. His poetic language was easy to comprehend. Thus, the readers and followers can easily take Dickey as he is. As a matter of fact, born in Atlanta, Georgia, Dickey was loosely related to the concept of nature as he lived, studied, and worked for some period of time in the south of the USA (O’Briant 158). His â€Å"southern† origin and what he once experienced in person gave him motivation for teaching the audience being glowering toward what the civilized life had fallen into (James Dickey 1). In this respect the primitivism and the concept of the â€Å"natural man† are the paramount alternatives represented in his poetry.

“Stray Dog” and “Lost in Transition”

The movie â€Å"Stray Dog† is the classical masterpiece directed by Akira Kurosawa. It is about a rookie homicide detective, played by Toshiro Mifune, who had a stolen Colt pistol. It is ironic how a homicide detective had lost his weapon due to pickpocketing. The Colt pistol stolen from the main character was used in a series of murders, which eventually troubled him. Due to this, Murukami started to hunt the guy who stole his weapon and used it for murder. Murukami who was in search was helped by Sato, played by Takashi Shimura, when the first victim was found. Sato was an old guy, but he was definitely clever. The movie or the manhunt occurs in post war Tokyo, with a partially bombed atmosphere or scenery. Furthermore, the search and the feat occur while a brutal and horrid heatwave is present. The heatwave somehow shows or reflects the living conditions of post war Tokyo, or Japan as a whole (Ishikawa and Tyler, 1998). Japan after the World War II was devastated wherein problems in communication and transportation are at large. Furthermore, living conditions are not that good. There was a severe shortage in the supply of food, and a very high demand for it, and this lasted not just for months but for years. â€Å"Stray Dog†, was filmed in the year 1949 which somehow relates to the time where the story itself took place. Furthermore, the setting or atmosphere in 1949 was evident in the film as justified by the presence of a lot of scenes showing cities or regions which requires rebuilding. The mark or indication of bombings was present in the setting of the movie, just like Japan after the bombings in 1945. Poverty and desolation are some of the things which can be depicted out of the movie and in a way, gives the movie watchers a little feeling of social consciousness. Aside from Japan being withered by the bombings, the harsh or horrible social conditions also depreciates or weakens the soul and morals of a man. This happened to Yasu, the killer or antagonist in the movie, who was once a good person. He shifted to a life of crime after experiencing the harsh effects of poverty and poor conditions of living. Somehow, it may tell the story of some individuals turning towards a life of crime and social evil to continue living in the post war Japan. As the title somehow suggest, â€Å"stray dogs† which could turn later on as rabid dogs, could be representations of a man or of a desolate individual who goes or turns to doing social crimes. Social awareness on Japan also increases as the movie ventures into the dark alleys and criminal or murder elements in the story. Generally, â€Å"Stray Dog† is a good movie, especially to those who love murder or crime-solving movies and even to those socially or slightly socially aware individuals. It is like coursing through history of Japan, without being actually there. The audience are entertained, at the same time taught good lessons. The second movie entitled â€Å"Lost in Translation† is basically a comedy-drama film which hit the box office hits in 2003. It is about an American action movie star, named Bob Harris, who was experiencing certain problems in his career and basically is losing it. Bob Harris, played by Bill Muray, went to Tokyo, Japan in order to shoot a film, more specifically a commercial on Suntory whisky wherein he met Charlotte, played by Scarlett Johansson. Bob and Charlotte went with each other, and experienced or shared an unconsummated romance. Though at some points, they were a little bit uncertain about the directions that they want to take or in their lives or how far they want to take their relationship. Life in Japan by 2003 is far different than that of the post-war Japan. Also, life in Japan is different as that of what Westerners experience. As such, the two characters had a feeling of being alienated as they both toured or explored the life in Tokyo, more specifically Japan’s culture. Since they were both Westerners and that they are in a different country, they both felt loneliness and wanted to be with each other. The second movie takes its audience to the new and modern Japanese cityscape, far beyond the scenery in the movie Stray Dog. After World War II, almost all the regions in Tokyo ware devastated and destroyed. By 2003, the city had risen from the ashes and had grown into a strong city with a lot of beautiful scenery. The scenes or views of the new Tokyo after the war can be observed by the audience not just in the movie alone, but even in the posters, teasers or in the trailer of the movie. Economically and socially, the movie tours its viewers to the new Japan after the devastating war and shows through the scenery, actions or movements and characters how it had recovered. The post war economic success was possible and helped Japan to reinvent itself and be the Japan that we know of it today (Neary, 1995). Just like the Stray Dog, Lost in Translation which was directed by Sofia Coppola, is very much entertaining. Lost in Translation was at first funny, but as the story goes on, audiences experience a unique drama. The ending of Lost in Translation was more mind boggling or intriguing as compared to the ending of the Stray Dog. The audiences in Lost in Translation are left thinking or imagining what the ending could have been. Both movies were able to show the old and new Japan, and if it was watched one after the other, the audience would be greatly aware of the huge transformation that Japan took or went to, before and after the war. Works Cited â€Å"Japanese History: Postwar†.   1996.   (December 18, 2002):   japan-guide.com. December 18, 2007. . â€Å"Lost in Translation†.   2003.   (December 18, 2007):   Focus Features. December 18, 2007. . â€Å"Lost in Translation (2003)†.   2007.   (December 18, 2007):   Internet Movie Database Incorporated. December 18, 2007. . Ishikawa, Jun, and William Jefferson Tyler. The Legend of Gold and Other Stories. Honolulu: HI University of Hawaii Press, 1998. Neary, Ian. War, Revolution and Japan. Richmond, Surrey, GBR: Curzon Press Limited, 1995.