Horniman Horticulture Essay Example for Free

Horniman Horticulture Essay Executive Summary: Horniman Horticulture is a wholesale nursery located near Lynchburg, VA. Its owned by Bob and Maggie Brown. From 2002-2005, the nursery’s operations grew by more then 40%. Revenue growth has exceeded the industry benchmark. The nursery now consists of 52 greenhouses, 40 acres of land, and 12 full-time workers as well as 15 seasonal workers. Problem: While experiencing booming demand and improving margins, the Browns are confused by their plummeting cash balance. Analysis: Horniman’s current assets are growing over time, but in a less liquid fashion, less from cash and more from receivables and inventory. Horniman is not receiving money as quickly as they would hope, which is shown by the 9-day increase in receivable days since 2002 (exhibit 2 p.141). This figure is also well above its benchmark. The Inventory days increased every year as well and was well above the benchmark of 386.3. Payable days decreased much more than was expected, to 9.9 in 2005 when the benchmark was 27. What most likely happened is that as Horniman grew, it began selling inventories with higher margins and better financing options were being offered to its customers. Favorable terms are attractive to new clients but it can also increase risk of non-payment from customers. In terms of where the cash they have made is going, we must look at how they are distributing their cash flow. Most cash was invested back into the business itself to build capital. It seems as if every dollar of profit was put towards more net working capital. Recommendation: Increasing the payable days or lowering the day’s receivable outstanding would reduce the cash conversion cycle. Although it is important to invest cash back into the company for growth, a more conservative approach of holding on to more cash would benefit Horniman in the future.

Cushings Syndrome: Causes and Symptoms

Cushings Syndrome: Causes and Symptoms The human body is an advance piece of machinery which possesses many organs and systems that regulate the numerous processes that keeps every part functioning to sustain normal life or Homeostasis. In the event that any of these numerous processes occur unchecked with absolutely no controlling limits it results in a physiological disorder, syndrome or disease; each of these syndromes have characteristic effects on the human anatomy which can be manifested physically of which some can be controlled or cured. Cushings syndrome, which is a hormonal disorder caused by the prolonged exposure of body tissues to high levels of the hormone cortisol and is frequently referred to as hypercortisolism. Cushings syndrome is relatively rare and most commonly affects adults aged 20 to 50 years, people who are obese and have type 2 diabetes, along with poorly controlled blood glucose also called blood sugar-and high blood pressure, have an increased risk of developing the disorder. Cortisol is a very important hormone as job is to help the body respond to stress. Most people suffering from depression, alcoholism, malnutrition, or panic disorders also have increased cortisol levels. Causes Physiological The cause of Cushings syndrome is divided into two groups base upon whether the problem is being caused by a defective pituitary gland, which is a small gland located on the ventral side of the brain or by the adrenal glands which are located on the superior lopes of the kidneys. Cushings syndrome is caused when the bodys tissue are exposed high volumes of the hormone cortisol for extremely long durations of time. Many individuals have developed Cushings syndrome as a result of use or consumption of products that contain glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoids are steroid hormones that are structurally similar naturally produced to cortisol e.g. prednisone, which is contained in most asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and other inflammatory disease medications. Glucocorticoids also have properties which also allow them to be used to suppress the immune system after organ or tissue transplants to keep the body from rejecting the new organ or tissue. Some people develop Cushings syndrome as a result of their bodies inability to produce adequate amounts of the hormone cortisol. The normally production of cortisol follows an exact and precise chain of events. In the hypothalamus, a part of the brain the size of a small sugar cube, it releases corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH) to the pituitary gland. Corticotrophin causes the pituitary gland to secrete adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH), which in returns stimulates the adrenal glands. When the adrenals, which are located just above the superior lobes of the kidneys, receive the ACTH, they respond by releasing cortisol into the bloodstream. Cortisol is very important to the body because it is required to perform vital tasks in the body which include helping to maintain blood pressure and cardiovascular function, reduction of the immune systems inflammatory response, the balancing of the effects of insulin, which breaks down glucose for energy and the regulation of the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Cortisol is very important to the for its role in many processes but its most important role is to help the body cope with stress and it is for this reason well trained athletes and pregnant women have high levels of the hormone circulating within their blood. In most cases individuals suffering from alcoholism, malnutrition and or panic disorders may also have increased cortisol levels. Under normal circumstances, when the cortisol levels are near normal levels the hypothalamus and pituitary release less CRH and ACTH. This ensures that the level of cortisol in the blood released by the adrenals is the exact balance to meet the bodys normal requirements. There are four common types of Cushings syndrome and each is caused by different factors e.g. pituitary adenomas, adrenal tumors, ectopic ACTH syndrome and Familial Cushings syndrome. Of the four different types of cushings syndrome, cases of familial cushings syndrome occurs more frequently. Most cases of familial cushings syndrome are not are not inherited genetically, however some cases are the result of gene which causes the development of tumors on one or more glands of the endocrine system which releases hormones into the bloodstream. There are some exceptions e.g. with primary pigmented micronodular adrenal disease, which is developed in children or young adults which develop small cortisol producing tumors on the adrenal glands. There are occurrences where multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN), where hormone secreting tumors develop on the parathyroid glands, pancreas and pituitary. In cushings syndrome caused by adrenal tumors, an abnormality of the adrenal glands causes the cushings syndrome. The adrenal tumor develops four to five times more in females than in males and begins at approximately at age forty. Most cases of adrenal tumors involve noncancerous tissues of the adrenal glands and are called adrenal adenomas and are responsible for the release of additional cortisol into the blood. In the case of adrenocortical carcinomas, the cancerous form of adrenal tumors, the cancer cells release additional volumes of several types of adrenal androgens or male hormones which may include cortisol. The adrenocortical carcinomas are usually responsible for very high hormone levels and rapid development of symptoms. In Ectopic ACTH syndrome which is another cause of cushings syndrome, in some cases it is benign and in most caused by cancerous tumors that develop on the external surface of the pituitary and is capable of producing adrenocorticotropic hormone. Lung tumors are known to be associated with increased risks of development of ectopic ACTH as it was present in more than half of all occurrences and is known to be more prevalent males than in females. The most prolific form of adrenocorticotropic hormone producing tumors is minute cell lung cancer and accounts for approximately thirteen percent of all lung cancer cases and carcinoid tumors, which are small, slow growing tumors that develop from hormone producing cells in various parts of the body. There are other less common types of tumors which possess the ability to produce adrenocorticotropic hormone e.g. thymomas, medullary carcinomas of the thyroid and pancreatic islet cell tumors. In most cases of Cushings syndrome seventy percent are caused by the development of pituitary adenomas and these statistics excluded instances where it is caused by glucocorticoid use. This type of benign, or noncancerous tumor of the pituitary gland is responsible for the secretion of additional adrenocorticotropic hormone into the bloodstream. In most instances persons afflicted by this disorder have a single adenoma and is referred to as Cushings disease and it is known to affect women five more than men. Biochemical Diagnosis of Cushings syndrome To diagnose Cushings syndrome several factors are taken into consideration; a person medical history, physical examinations and laboratory test. In diagnosing cushings syndrome the most commonly used test are the 24-hour urinary free cortisol test, measurement of midnight plasma cortisol or late night salivary cortisol and low dose dexamethasone suppression test. In some instances an additional test dexamethasone corticotrophin releasing hormone test may be needed to differentiate Cushings syndrome from causes of excess. The 24 hour urinary cortisol level test consists of the collection of several urine samples over a 24 hour period and these samples are tested for cortisol. If the cortisol levels are higher than fifty to one hundred micrograms a day for an adult, this suggests that the individual has Cushings syndrome. From laboratory to laboratory the normal upper limit varies depending on which technique is used. The second test that may be used to diagnose Cushings syndrome is Midnight plasma cortisol and late-night salivary cortisol measurements. This test measures cortisol concentrations in the blood. In normal individuals Cortisol production is normally restricted at night, but in Cushings syndrome, this restriction does not occur. If cortisol level in the individual is more than 50 nano-moles per liter (nmol/L), then the individual may have Cushings syndrome. This test usually requires a 48-hour hospital stay to avoid falsely elevated cortisol levels due to stress. Another utilized I the diagnosis of Cushings is the Low-dose dexamethasone suppression test (LDDST). In this test, the individual is given a low dose of dexamethasone, which is a synthetic glucocorticoid, orally every 6 hours for 2 days. Urine samples are collected before dexamethasone is administered and several times on each day of the test. The modified Low-dose dexamethasone suppression test uses a onetime overnight dose. Cortisol and other glucocorticoids signal the pituitary to release less ACTH, so the normal response after taking dexamethasone is a drop in blood and urine cortisol levels. If cortisol levels do not drop, Cushings syndrome is suspected. In some instances Low-dose dexamethasone suppression test may not show a drop in cortisol levels in people with depression, alcoholism, high estrogen levels, acute illness, or stress, which will falsely indicate Cushings syndrome. In some instances, drugs such as phenytoin and phenobarbital may cause cortisol levels to drop, fal sely indicating that Cushings is not present in people who actually have the syndrome and it is for this reason, physicians usually advise their patients to stop taking these drugs at least 1 week before the test. The last test used to diagnose Cushings syndrome is the Dexamethasone-corticotrophin-releasing hormone (Crh) test. There are some exclusion to the rule as some individuals have high cortisol levels but do not develop the progressive effects of Cushings syndrome, such as muscle weakness, fractures, and thinning of the skin. These people may have pseudo-Cushings syndrome, which is a condition sometimes found in people who have depression or anxiety disorders, persons who drink alcohol excessively, have poorly controlled diabetes, or are severely obese. Pseudo-Cushings does not have the same long-term effects on health as Cushings syndrome and does not require treatment directed at the endocrine glands. The dexamethasone-CRH test is used to rapidly distinguish pseudo-Cushing from mild cases of Cushings syndrome. This test combines the Low-dose dexamethasone suppression test and a CRH stimulation test. In the CRH stimulation test, an injection of CRH causes the pituitary gland to secrete ACTH. Pretreatment with dexamethasone prevents CRH from causing an increase in cortisol in people with pseudo-Cushing. Elevations of cortisol during this test suggest usually Cushings syndrome. Tests to Find the Cause of Cushings Syndrome Once a positive diagnosis of Cushings syndrome has been obtained, other tests are performed to locate the cause of the abnormality that leads to excess cortisol production. The choice of test depends, in part, on the preference of the endocrinologist or the center where the test is performed. A CRH test is performed, without pretreatment with dexamethasone, this helps separate people with pituitary adenomas from those with ectopic ACTH syndrome or adrenal tumors. As a result of the CRH injection, people with pituitary adenomas usually experience a rise in blood levels of ACTH and cortisol because CRH acts directly on the pituitary. This response is rarely seen in people with ectopic ACTH syndrome and practically never in those with adrenal tumors. A high-dose dexamethasone suppression test (hDDST) may also be used as well. The A high-dose dexamethasone suppression test is the same as the LDDST, except it uses higher doses of dexamethasone. This test helps separate persons with excess ACTH due to pituitary adenomas from those with ectopic ACTH-producing tumors. A high dose of dexamethasone suppresses cortisol levels in people with pituitary adenomas but not in those with ectopic ACTH-producing tumors. Another test that may be used is radiological imaging of the endocrine glands. This test utilizes the use of computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to reveal the size and shape of the pituitary and adrenal glands to determine if a tumor is present. Imaging tools are used to locate the tumor after a positive diagnosis of Cushings syndrome. Imaging is not used to make the diagnosis of Cushings syndrome since benign tumors are commonly found in the pituitary and adrenal glands.

PSY 301, Introductory Psychology, 2004, Exam 2 :: UTEXAS Texas Psychology

Answers to questions are at the bottom of the exam PSY301-Pennebaker Exam 2 –October 13, 2004 1. Genny knows a lot about birds. But, recently, while she was on a late evening bird watching trip she saw a bat for the first time in her life. In order to cognitively process the new information, she will first try to understand the bat by ___________ it into her â€Å"bird† schema but then realize that there are many key differences between the bat and a bird and end up _________________ the bat by creating a new â€Å"bat† schema. a. Assimilating, accommodating b. Schematizing, changing her attachment to c. Reducing, running from d. Bargaining, psychologically consuming e. Operationalizing, rationalizing 2. Theory of mind, or TOM: a. is mastered during the concrete operations stage and is considered an example of the loss of egocentric thought. b. is a sign of general intelligence. c. seems to be a learned ability. d. is a philosophical movement based on Descartes. e. seeks to understand how people behave based on their mental states. 3. Joe Bob has been in a close relationship with Chauntelle for two years. When she announces that she will be going out of town for work, he gets extremely nervous and upset, begging her not to leave. While she is gone, he tries to call her several times a day. When she finally returns, his first reaction to seeing her is anger rather than happiness. An attachment expert would probably observe that Joe Bob: a. never resolved the trust versus mistrust stage b. serves as an excellent example of Parental Investment Theory c. grew up with an anxious relationship with his mother and/or father that has resulted in his having a preoccupied attachment style d. may have had an insecure attachment relationship with his parents as a child but his current issues with Chauntelle reflect common insecurities of new adult relationships e. is a serious nut and that Chauntelle would do well to find someone who was a little bit more stable 4. Which of the following groups exhibit parallel forms of babbling as compared to normal children? a. deaf children of parents who sign b. children with dyslexia c. autistic children d. infant chimpanzees e. children with Down syndrome

Capital Punishment Essays - For the Common Good :: Argumentative Persuasive Essays

Capital Punishment Essays - For the Common Good      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Putting to death people judged to have committed certain extremely terrible crimes is a practice of ancient standing, but in the United States in the second half of the twentieth century, it has become a very controversial issue.   Changing views on this difficult issue led the Supreme Court to abolish capital punishment in 1972 but later upheld it in 1977.   Although capital punishment is what the people want, there are many voices raised against it.   People all over the country debate this issue quite frequently.   They question the deterrent effect, morality, executions of innocents, and many more.   I have heard a lot about the death penalty and feel that the arguments against it are not at all convincing.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Some people argue that capital punishment is morally wrong.   They feel that killing some one for their crime is murder.   In any dictionary it states that murder is the unlawful act of killing.   Since capitol punishment is within the law it is not murder.   Also if executions   is murder then prison is kidnapping and charging taxes is extortion.   There is a difference between crime and punishment.   Are police officers wrong for speeding to enforce the speeding laws?   No.   They also say that we should value all human life.   Even the most despicable.   It is because we value human life so much that we put such a terrible consequence for taking it.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   One argument states that the death penalty does not deter people from murdering.   To abolish capital punishment on this basis would be way off base.   You would also have to get rid of prisons because they do not keep people from committing crimes also.   Texas A&M University collected data and the results are horrifying.   In 1960 there were 56 executions and 9,140 murders.   In 1964 there were 15 executions and 9, 250 murders.   In 1969 there were no executions and 14,590 murders.   Seven more years without executions and there was 20,510 murders.   As you can see the deterrent effect is there and works very well.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As you can see the death penalty is for the common good and it saves lives.   People out there say that the death penalty is wrong, but

This Is Audie Murphy Essay -- essays research papers

This is Audie Murphy's life story. At the tender age of 12, he becomes the head of the family after his father deserts them. He joins the army at the age of 18 and through the course of the war is decorated for valor nine times thus becoming the most decorated combat soldier in World War II. Audie does one of the bravest acts any soldier ever did during the war. He climbs aboard a burning tank destroyer and single handedly keeps the enemy from advancing on his position. He spends almost an hour on top of the tank destroyer until his ammunition is exhausted. Seconds later after climbing off the tank destroyer, it explodes. For this action, Audie receives the Medal of Honor. PVT, AUS  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  30 Jun 42 PFC, AUS  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  7 May 43 CPL, AUS  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  15 Jul 43 SGT, AUS  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  13 Dec 43 S/SGT, AUS  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  13 Jan 44 2d LT, AUS  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  14 Oct 44 1st LT, AUS  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  16 Feb 45 1st LT, INF, ORC  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  21 Aug 45 CAPT, INF, TEX NG (Federal Recognition)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  14 July 50 CAPT, INF, NGUS  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  19 Oct 50 MAJ, INF, TEX NG (Federal Recognition)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  14 Feb 56 MAJ, INF, NGUS  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  14 Feb 56 MAJ, INF, USAR  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  8 Nov 66 SERVICE Audie L. Murphy enlisted in the Army of the United States, 30 June 1942, at Dallas, Te...

Writing Paragraphs

Should boys and girls be in separate classes? 2. Should the government place a tax on Junk food and fatty foods? 3. Should students' textbooks be replaced by notebook computers? 4. Pretend you woke up one day and there were no rules. People could suddenly do whatever they wanted! Would this be a positive or negative outcome? Answers (jot notes): 1. No because†¦ A. When they're out of college, and they have a job, it's not going to be separated by gender.They need to learn how to communicate with the opposite gender. B. It will Increase more Judgment between genders. . For Example when you were a child you thought the opposite gender has some type of diseases except you will think that through most of your school years and this may cause a lot of misunderstanding between men and women. C. I believe If a child has been going to school with the opposite gender this child will grow up not know how to respond when they do come into contact with the opposite gender. . The opposite gen ders might start to think that they are better or smarter than the other gender which could cause conflicts between each other In the future. 2. No because†¦ A. People would still buy, I. Example Even though government has raised prices on tobacco and cigarettes people are still buying them b. Government shouldn't tell people what to eat. Let the people do what they want. C. Everyone shouldn't have to suffer due to some people being overweight. 3. No because†¦ A.If all the student's assignments, and textbooks, and other data is on the computer and the computer is lost, stolen, or all of its data somehow gets erased then the student's marks will suffer drastically. B. People may use computers inappropriately, and since the devices are very distracting students may not listen to the teacher. . A lot of people get headaches when stare at a computer screen for a long time and using computers the whole day is a long time. D. This could lead to a generation of people who rely on computers, and they may not be able to function without computers. . Negative because†¦ A. People will no longer be able to differentiate between bad and good b. People may decide to start doing bad things. 1 OFF to the teachers, they probably wouldn't finish their work and that may cause them to suffer in the future. C. Crime rates may also possibly increase as people would know hat if they were to do something bad there would be no punishment as there are no rules. Answers (paragraph form): 1. I don't think that boys and girls should be placed in separate classes. This may cause increased Judgment about the other gender.For example when you were a child you thought the opposite gender has some type of diseases except you will think that through most of your school years and this may cause a lot of misunderstanding between men and women. I believe if a child has been going to school with the opposite gender this child will grow up not know how to respond hen they do come into contact with the opposite gender. The opposite genders might start to think that they are better or smarter than the other gender which could cause conflicts between each other in the future.Also, when they are out of college, and they have a Job, it's not going to be separated by gender. They need to learn how to communicate with the opposite gender. These are the reasons why I think that boys and girls shouldn't be separated into different classes. 2. The government should not place a tax on Junk food and fatty foods. First of all, the government should not be telling people what to eat. Just let the people eat and do what they desire. I think that people would still buy the Junk and fatty food if their price was increased.For example when the prices of tobacco and cigarettes are raised, people don't stop smoking, they still continue to smoke and the same thing would probably happen with Junk food. And last of all, why should everyone be punished and have to pay more even if they are not overweight or obese. For example if you were innocent, but you the police thought you were the person who committed the crime and they punished you, would that be fair? No that wouldn't be, o are being punished for something you didn't do.It's the same thing with Junk food, why would the people who are not obese and overweight have to pay more for junk and fatty foods. This is why I believe the government should not place a tax on junk food and fatty foods. 3. I believe that student textbooks should not be replaced by note book computers. First of all, students may use these devices inappropriately during school time, and since the devices are distracting they may not pay attention to the teacher. For example many students who claim to be using their phones, or ablest for an assignment are actually playing games or testing, not doing the work they are given.Also, these devices aren't very trustworthy, and they could easily malfunction or be stolen, and it would cost a lot f or them to be replaced. For example if all of a student's work was on the computer, and the computer broke, got stolen, or malfunctioned then the student's marks may decrease drastically, and it wouldn't even be there fault. They would be getting punished for something that was not in their control. A lot of people tend to get headaches when staring at computer screens ND of the day, and this would be shown in their academic progress.This could also produce a generation of drone-like people who would not be able to function without computers, and people will no longer know how to do anything manually, like writing a sentence on a piece of paper with a pen. I think textbooks should not be replaced with notebook computers. 4. I think having no rules would have a negative outcome. First of all, people would not be able to differentiate between bad and good. These could lead to conflicts in the future. People may start to do bad things.For example if dents came to school one day and the y had no rules, like listening to the teachers, they probably wouldn't finish their work and that may cause them to suffer in the future. Crime rates may also possibly increase as people would know that if they were to do something bad there would be no punishment as there are no rules. For example if you were really greedy, and you wanted to be rich, then you would probably rob a bank, if there were no rules, because you would know there would be no punishment or consequences. This is why having no rules would have a negative outcome.

Neocolonialism

Introduction Neocolonialism is the practice of using capitalism, globalization, and cultural forces to control a country (usually former European colonies in Africa or Asia) in lieu of direct military or political control. Such control can be economic, cultural, or linguistic; by promoting one's own culture, language or media in the colony, corporations embedded in that culture can then make greater headway in opening the markets in those countries. Thus, neocolonialism would be the end result of relatively benign business interests leading to deleterious cultural effects.Neocolonialism describes certain economic operations at the international level which have alleged similarities to the traditional colonialism of the 16th to the 20th centuries. The contention is that governments have aimed to control other nations through indirect means; that in lieu of direct military-political control, neocolonialist powers employ economic, financial, and trade policies to dominate less powerful countries. What is the social phenomena neocolonialism?It is a set of political, economic, social and colonial arrangements or systems which continue to exist in a society, managed and controlled by little local property-ruling class on behalf of their corresponding foreign property-ruling class. The arrangement is a phenomenon which is heavily imposed on the majority of the people who remain poor, unemployed, low income-earned, unskilled, and uneducated. These arrangements designate a continuation of colonialism wherein the majority of the people are denied control and management of the bulk of their wealth. Describe the origins of neocolonialism.The political-science term neocolonialism became popular usage in reference to the continued European control the economic, cultural, of African countries that had been decolonized in the aftermath of the Second World War (1939–45). As a political scientist, Nkrumah theoretically developed and extended, to the post–War 20th c entury, the socio-economic and political arguments presented by Lenin in the pamphlet Imperialism, the Highest Stage of Capitalism (1917), about 19th-century imperialism as the logical extension of power to meet the financial investment needs of the political economy of capitalism.What are the effects of neocolonialism? In effect, third world rulers give concessions and monopolies to foreign corporations in return for consolidation of power and monetary bribes. In most cases, much of the money loaned to these LDCs is returned to the favored foreign corporations. Thus, these foreign loans are, in effect, subsidies to crony corporations of the loaning state's rulers. This collusion is sometimes referred to as â€Å"the corporatocracy. Organizations accused of participating in neo-imperialism include the World Bank, World Trade Organization and Group of Eight, and the World Economic Forum. Various â€Å"first world† states, notably the United States, are said to be involved. An insider's first-hand description of the corporatocracy is described in the book Confessions of an Economic Hitman by John Perkins. Name at least one way in which neocolonialism can be rectified?