Operations Management in Southwest Airlines

Introduction Southwest Airlines was founded in 1976 and has its base at Dallas. The company has grown so much since its inception (Lee and Maxton, 2000). It is now serving fifty-nine airports and has three hundred and eighty one planes in operation. This expansion is ongoing and it is expected to grow further (Oldham, 1996). Southwest Airlines is well known for its number of offers and its uniqueness among other known airlines.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Operations Management in Southwest Airlines specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More These offers include the lowest fares among other airlines, its low costs, having the best labor relations, the level of asset usage that surpasses the rest and paying the highest wages to its staff. It seems to offer the best in everything! To some, the success of the company may be thought to have come from some malpractice from the side of management but in the contrary, everyth ing practiced there is legit. These are among the strategies that the airline has employed in order to achieve its success. It has also targeted and concentrated on markets that have been disregarded by other airlines as being unimportant. This paper will analyze the service delivery (and manufacturing process), identify what should be done to improve these processes and discuss the reasons why the Southwest Airlines is successful (Compart, 2009). Service delivery and manufacturing process One thing Southwest Airlines is known for in terms of service delivery is its very low fares. This has been made possible by the fact that the airline has targeted the middle-sized airports and hence experiences less competition. Less congestion in the airport also implies that service is fast. This helps eliminating queuing for services hence customer satisfaction (Blanco and Shimoda, 2005). The airline offers fares at competitive rates, provides swift and efficient service and hence encourages t ravelers to shift from other modes of transport including trains and vehicles to using air travel. This has led to the success of the airline in increasing the numbers of its passengers, which is one of the goals of the company. The company respects the customer’s choice and a passenger is allowed to leave the airport when they so desire. They operate more like buses. The passengers get to choose what time to leave and it is not the airline’s choice. This makes it very reliable and flexible and hence a choice for many.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Another aspect that makes the services attractive is the fact that the hustle of getting ticket reservation and collection is eliminated. People only need to swipe their cards at a dispenser and it takes only about twenty seconds before they are good to go. Another advantage of boarding the Southwest Airlines is t hat there are no connection flights. This also means that there is no need to transfer baggage. This eliminates the hustles and bustles associated with other airlines. The airline has clearly defined its niche as being the commuters since such people usually need to go places for particular reasons and need to do so as quick as possible and with the least distractions as possible. Reasons for company’s success One of the reasons for the success of Southwest Airlines can be attributed to its great management, courtesy of its president and founder, Herb Kelleher. This leader has been very inspirational and has influenced the company by maintaining a good working environment. He also created strong and lasting culture at the workplace. The other reason for its success is the fact that the activities in the company, since inception, have been based on some specific success principles. The airline also readily embraces change but at the same time, tries to avoid change in order to avoid some risks. Some of its basic strategies employed when the company is considering change include those that specifically touch on either cutting its costs or increasing the number of its passengers. Among its strategies in fighting off competition with other big airlines is the employment of what may be referred to as a guerilla war. This involves being anywhere but where the other airlines are. This is the reason why the airline is situated far from where the other airlines are. This included targeting airports and routes that were avoided by other airlines. They stayed apart and maintained routes located far from the overused airports. The airports mainly targeted by the airlines include the middle-sized ones.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Operations Management in Southwest Airlines specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This strategy of choosing mid-sized airports means that the airline faces less competi tion in terms of fares, faces less traffic and less congestion. With these conditions, the airline can easily compete with the other airlines by offering faster service and lower prices compared to the rest. Most of the flights by the company are short distance flights, which is avoided by other airlines. However, this strategy has worked for the airline since – in most of the airports it operates – it is the airlines with the largest number of passengers. Southwest Airlines has been identified for having the ability to enter a market and making it very profitable (Kaiser, 1997; Maxton, 1996). One example is given of a case where the airline established a new route between Oakland and Burbank in order to avoid other existing busy and congested routes (Mutzabaugh, 2011). Using its cheap fares, it was able to attract many passengers and made the route the 21st busiest, rising from the previous 200th position. Southwest Airlines has been regarded as not only competing wit h the airlines but with all other modes of transport including road and rail since they offer short trip flights (short-haul commuting). Another strategy employed by the airlines to ensure its success is the lack of a central base. There is no particular center of operations and its routes form a kind of a network that resembles a spider web. This way, the airline avoids the risks of being vulnerable to competition and consequently losing market. Southwest Airlines avoids several costs incurred by other airlines. One of them is the cost of selling tickets through agents since there is the payment of agents’ commissions. Another is the avoiding of costs incurred with the installation of computerized systems required to process reservations and other customer services.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More To cut down on costs incurred in maintenance of aircrafts, Southwest Airlines invested on only one type of aircraft. This is the Boeing 737. This ensures the maintenance practices are made standard (Ivanovich, 2008). The airline also works with new aircraft rather than maintain old fleet that is not fuel-efficient (Lunsford, 2008; Koenig, 2005). Kelleher, the founder, has contributed a lot to the success of the company by leading by example. He has practiced the art of employee motivation and made the working environment conducive. When an employee works over time, Kelleher goes there in person to thank him or her. This way, he maintains good relationships with the employees. Once in a while, he goes and works with the employees, serving drinks, moving baggage and selling tickets in order to lead by example instead of leading by direction. Another aspect that the company employs in order to be successful is the involvement of the customers. The customers are allowed to give feedback about the services and this helps the company to make adjustments where needed. Both the manager and the employers make a point of interacting with the clients at a more personal way and the staff members are often known by their first names by the customers. This allows them to report about their likes and dislikes about the staff and this gives the company good grounds on dealing with any form of misconduct. Thousands of letters stream into the company’s office every month and the company takes every issue very seriously and answers all of them (Sartain, 1998). What should be done to improve the services Too much has been done by the company already and that explains why it is very successful. It has exploited every aspect of service delivery and has succeeded in making an impact both within and without the company. I would only recommend that the company with the same team spirit and hard work. Conclusion Southwest Airlines is a company that has grown over the many years and has been one of the most successful airlines around. This success has been attributed to many factors, some of them including the good management, good working conditions and good working principles. The customer service is amazing and this has led many customers to choose Southwest Airlines. References Blanco, C Shimoda, N 2005. Airlines hedging strategies: The shareholder value perspective. Pearson Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ. Compart, A 2009. Southwest offers $170 Million for frontiers, The McGraw-Hill, New York. Ivanovich, D 2008. ‘Inspector: Southwest’s FAA ties let planes fly with cracks’, Houston Chronicles, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 12-15. Kaiser, R 1997. ‘Southwest may add cities to Iceland deal’, Baltimore Business Journal, vol. 15, no.1, p 131. Koenig, D 2005. ‘Airlines that hedged against fuel costs reap benefits’, The Washington Post, 21 October, p. 3. Lee, C Maxton, T 2000. ‘Southwest to announce expansion at the Love Fields $72 million project would add jobs, but no more flights’, The Dallas Morning News, 13 March, p.2. Lunsford, J 2008. ‘Airlines dip into hot water to save jet fuel’, Wall Street Journal, vol. 4, no. 3, pp 102-107. Maxton, T 1996. ‘Council OKs Southwest land lease Headquarters addition, training center planned’, The Dallas Morning News, 14 March, p. 4. Mutzabaugh, B 2011. ‘Oakland gets Mexico City nonstop on Volaris’, USA Today, 22 August, p.1. Oldham, J 1996. ‘Southwest Airlines expands its corporate headquarters to prepare for the next century’, Business Wire, 11 December, p.7. Sartain, L 1998. ‘Why and how Southwest Airlines uses consultants’, Journal of Management consulting, vol.21, no.3, pp.10-16. This report on Operations Management in Southwest Airlines was written and submitted by user Kayden Roth to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

black bears essays

black bears essays The presentation given on the black bears on April Second was generally to me at least too appeared almost fake. I didnt understand how he says they wouldnt attack you, and its just a bluff charge, when just this year a woman in Boonton was attacked as well as her dog by a black bear. I did realize more however upon how much we had imposed our selves on them. If I were a bear I would have attacked back or pushed back as well. It appeared that many of the people in there took this issue to heart, for example the salt and murdering man in the very beginning, though some of the people in there were stricken with ambivalency during his presentation. I see no wrong in hunting a bear, be it may a simple task you dont have make it one. The man who gave the presentation was refereed to as the Jane Goodwill of the bears, I see where they would have gotten that impression, I though that he was very knowledgeable about the Black Bear. While I was sitting down the woman in front of me said, Im so glad to see you young kids hear because you people are who this really will matter to and affect...also you are the ones that can help.... That didnt really click though until after the entire presentation, honestly I thought that she was some weird environmental lady. The presentation closed out more or less with the bear were here first, they wont try to conflict with your life but sometimes they will and well have to deal with that responsibly and respectfully and so will I. ...

What Kind of Diet Would Prolong a Healthy Life Essay

What Kind of Diet Would Prolong a Healthy Life - Essay Example He then beat all odds to live a long, productive and full life, well into his nineties; some sources claim that he died a centenarian. His writings recording his lifestyle are both interesting and illuminating. (Day - website) As for vegetarianism - this has become a way of life, as part of religious practice among several communities in the East. Buddhism advocates vegetarianism; the adherents of Jainism - a religion whose followers are mainly confined to western India - are vegetarian;(Culture Cuisine) some Hindus are lacto-vegetarian (taking milk and milk products, but not eating fowl/ fish)1, or ovo-lacto-vegetarian (eating eggs as well)2. Even before the recent interest displayed in vegetarian diets in the West, there have been several well-known advocates of the vegetarian way of life as both moral and healthy (e.g. Pythagoras - Greek mathematician, and George Bernard Shaw) (Melwani 2006) In the US, dieting became popular (starting of diet 'fads') with the Hollywood diet of the 1930's. This diet better known as the grapefruit diet involved eating only 585 calories per day, for 18 days including "only grapefruit, hard boiled eggs, green vegetables and melba toast." (Marples - website) Saccharine, a sugar substitute was introduced in 1958, and Aspartame in 1981. In 1919, the Continental Scale Company manufactured the first bathroom scales, and in 1942 the Metropolitan Insurance Company started using weight tables to decide insurance premiums - the closer you were to your ideal weight, the lower the premium. (Marples- website) The Atkins Diet (AD) was introduced in 1972, with the publication of Dr. Atkins' 'Diet Revolution'. This diet received quite a bit of criticism, as its methodology was contrary to the 'expertspeak' of the day. It recommended almost a complete cutting down of carbohydrates, and eating only protein and fat. A few vegetables, but only in small doses, were permitted, as veggies also contain carbs. (Marples-website) Let's look how the Atkins' Plan, as stated by Atkins, works. There are four phases in the operation of the AD. Anyone can commence using it by starting from any one phase and going on to the next. But it is advisable to start from Phase 1, as this phase "jump start(s) your weight loss". (The New Look of Nutrition Phase 1) The first phase is the induction phase of 14 days, when significant weight loss is achieved by reducing the consumption of carbohydrates drastically. A dieter is permitted to have only 20 grams of net carbs (total carb grams less fibre grams) from salad vegetables. All types of non-vegetarian food is permitted - fowl, fish, shellfish, eggs and cheese. Here, there are some restrictions depending on the exact calorie count of these. (For instance, mussels and oysters contain some carbs, so this should be factored in before having them). Artificial sweeteners (like spenta) are permitted, but their carb value should be considered, and added in the computation of total carbs. A total of 8 glasses of water are to be drunk, over and above any other liquids. Anyone with a coffee addiction should give it up and only decaffeinated drinks should be taken. Oils like olive oil, canola or safflower are permitted. No fruit, bread, pasta or starchy vegetables, and no nuts or seeds, nor legumes, whic h combine protein and carbohydrates, can be had. Have three meals daily or have several smaller meals; in any case, don't go for more than 6 hours without eating. Ensure not to get constipated. If you do, take psyllium husk in

Effects of Temperature on Potato Catalase Activity Essay

Effects of Temperature on Potato Catalase Activity - Essay Example In most cases, the catalase enzyme reacts with the hydrogen peroxide thus converting it into water and oxygen. To determine the effects of temperature on potato catalase, an experiment was done. To begin with, the potato was grated using a nutmeg grater while making sure that the grated surface frequently is exposed to the calcium carbonate. Thereafter, grinding of the pulp in a mortar, which had some quartz sand for about two minutes, was done. The pulp extract was placed in between an absorbent cotton and cheesecloth to get rid of the water. Thereafter, it was placed in a glass bottle with cold water. This was followed by placing it in a water bath at 200C. Five cubic centimeters of Oakland together with a three percent hydrogen peroxide was added immediately the mixture attained the water bath temperature. Shaking should continue to make sure the effect covers the whole mixture. In most experiments the catalase enzyme is destroyed at temperatures ranging between 660 C and 780 C. however, in a situation involving a potato catalase enzyme, destruction begins at 500 C. There is a correlation in the VANT HOFF velocity coefficient for hemase (Bunzell & Kenyon, 1933). It reads 1.5 in the potato catalase between 0 and 100 C. temperatures above 200 C already start to destroy the catalase enzyme, which in conjunction with the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide makes it difficult to keep the enzymes alive. This is because of the real and total destruction that happens to the catalase enzyme. Hydrogen impurities do not hinder its destruction even under medium temperatures. In the experiment, it is very clear that temperature is the independent variable while both the potato and hydrogen peroxide are the dependant variables. They are dependent on temperature of which has to take place in the glass bottle or a test tube in that matter. The amount of hydrogen peroxide,

SOC 111 LS1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

SOC 111 LS1 - Essay Example   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There was an individual who was a very close business associate with my father who I will identify as Mr. X. For reasons unbeknownst to me, Mr. X was as excellent sales associate and had a very successful professional career; however it is the case that this individual had a very task oriented/problem solving orientation when it came to personal matters. I knew Mr. X personally and (Successful as he may be) had a lot of difficulties in his social life and in general terms he was not a pleasant person to be around in social circumstances. Despite these problems Mr. X had been happily married until his wife suffered a brain aneurysm and passed away quite suddenly. Newly widowed, Mr. X had a great deal of difficulty in dealing with his grief and began to see much of his personal life spiraling out of control. As it is the case that most issues in Mr. X’s professional life were viewed as being a task oriented it could be the case that h e looked at his grief as a problem that he was trying to solve. It comes as no surprise that there was no solution to Mr. X’s Grief, and it was the case that he started to see his professional life start to decline as well, and around this time Mr. X was began battling with problematic drinking. On the advice of his work colleagues (Including my father), Mr. X started seeing a therapist. As I highlighted earlier, Mr. X always had a task oriented personality and by being active in his routines (Typically work routines) Mr. X on a personal level was in general terms happier. Mr.X was simply unable to handle the problem of his grief, and by failing in this aspect of his life it started to negatively affect other parts of his life and he was on track to seeing his life spiral out of control. The advice of the therapist was to simply not view his grief as some sort of failure on his behalf and from a stregnths based perspective his

Advantages and Disadvantages of Chromium Complexes

Advantages and Disadvantages of Chromium Complexes Chromium is one of the transition metal in periodic table that is known for its ability in improving one’s health condition by preventing diseases and gives treatment. However in human body, only very small amounts of chromium are required and they are often regarded as the essential trace element in human body. Back in 1950s, the uses of chromium as nutritional and medical enhancement to glucose metabolism was started when brewer’s yeast was suggested to contain a glucose tolerance factor (GTF) that prevented diabetes in experimental animals. (Schwarz k, Mertz W, 1959). It was only then this factor finally taken into consideration to be a biologically active form of trivalent chromium that could substantially lower the plasma glucose levels in diabetic mice based on studied done by Tuman RW and Doisy RJ in 1977. According to Fernando Guerrero and Martha Rodriguez-Moran, 2005, trivalent chromium (Cr3+) is an essential trace element required for the maintenance of normal glucose and fat metabolism. Because chromium potentiates the action of insulin, it was named from its recognition in the late 1950s as the glucose tolerance factor term that emphasizes its importance in glucose metabolism. Chromium is present in many foods, especially in liver, Brewer’s yeast, American cheese, w heat germ, vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, broccoli, and spinach, and is also present in alfalfa, brown sugar, molasses, dried beans, nuts, seeds, mushrooms, and animal fats. An organically dynamic type of chromium takes part in glucose digestion system by improving the impacts of insulin. Insulin is produced by particular cells in the pancreas in light of increasing blood glucose levels, for example, after eating. Insulin binds to insulin receptors on the surface of cells, which actuates the receptors and invigorates glucose uptake by cells. Blood glucose levels are prevented from being elevated when insullin interact with insulin receptors whereby insulin will provides cells with glucose. Apart from affecting carbohydrate (glucose) metabolism, metabolism of fat and protein is also influnced by insulin. Impaired glucose tolerance or type 2 diabetes which is also known as non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus may occur as the consequences of decrease response to insulin or decreased insulin sensitivity. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by elevated blood glucose levels and insulin resistance. The precise structure of the biologically active form of chromium is not known. Recent research suggests that a low-molecular-weight chromium-binding substance (LMWCr) may enhance the response of the insulin receptor to insulin. The following is a proposed model for the effect of chromium on insulin action. First, the inactive form of the insulin receptor is converted to the active form by binding insulin. The binding of insulin by the insulin receptor stimulates the movement of chromium into the cell and results in binding of chromium to apoLMWCr, a form of the LMWCr that lacks chromium. Once it binds chromium, the LMWCr binds to the insulin receptor and enhances its tyrosine kinase activity. The ability of the LMWCr to activate the insulin receptor is dependent on its chromium content. The LMWCr may be released from the cell in order to terminate its effects when insulin levels drop due to normalization of blood glucose levels. More recent studies have indicated that chromium enhances insulin action by increasing the insulin-stimulated translocation of glucose transporters to the cell membrane (Chen G, Liu P, Pattar GR, et al, 2006). Apart from type 2 diabetes, effects of chromium supplementation on gestational diabetes had also been examined. Gestational diabetes occurs in about 2% of pregnant women and usually appears in the second or third trimester of pregnancy. Adverse effects on the developing fetus must be prevent by tightly control the blood glucose levels in the body. Glucose tolerance usually turns back to normal after delivery. However, according to study, 30% to 40% of women who have had gestational diabetes develop type 2 diabetes within 5 to 10 years. An observational study in pregnant women did not find serum chromium levels to be associated with measures of glucose tolerance or insulin resistance in late pregnancy, although serum chromium levels may not reflect tissue chromium levels. Women with gestational diabetes whose diets were supplemented with 4 mcg of chromium per kilogram of body weight daily as chromium picolinate for eight weeks had decreased fasting blood glucose and insulin levels com pared with those who took a placebo. However, insulin therapy rather than chromium picolinate was required to normalize severely elevated blood glucose levels. Trivalent compounds (Cr III) do not cause any serious damage to body tissue, in fact, it is an important component of a balanced human and animal diet and its deficiency is detrimental to the glucose and lipid metabolism in mammals. The limitation of chromium in its application in human health is that it may cause different side effect to different person. The controversy surrounding chromium supplementation is due to the variability of the results gain from the evaluation of the effect of chromium in patients with diabetes and without diabetes. Some of them experienced positive improvement but some are only indicate little or no benefit at all. Most of the concerns regarding the long-term safety of chromium supplementation arise from several studies in cell culture, suggesting chromium (III), especially in the form of chromium picolinate, may increase DNA damage. Several studies have demonstrated the safety of daily doses of up to 1,000 mcg of chromium for several months. However, t here have been a few isolated reports of serious adverse reactions to chromium picolinate. Kidney failure was reported five months after a six-week course of 600 mcg of chromium/day in the form of chromium picolinate, while kidney failure and impaired liver function were reported after the use of 1,200-2,400 mcg/day of chromium in the form of chromium picolinate over a period of four to five months. Individuals with pre-existing kidney or liver disease may be at increased risk of adverse effects and should limit supplemental chromium intake. In addition, the use of the supplements of chromium over a prolonged period of time may result in a risk of chromium poisoning. This is due to chromium’s nuclear affinity, tending to result in its accumulation within cells. High doses of chromium which is about 600-2400 ÃŽ ¼g will makes rare side effects may occur such as damage to the liver, kidney, and bone marrow as well as rhabdomyolysis and psychiatric disturbances in some cases. The y have also been related to chromosomal damage and increased incidence of cervical arch defects as they are capable of cleaving DNA. Similar complex coumpound with Chromium Chromium vs vandium and zinc Apart of chromium, other transition metal that is found to have ability to be used as anti diabetic agent is vanadium and zinc. More than 2 8% of world’s population is suffering from diabetes (Wild et al., 2004). It is a condition in which body do not produce a hormone called insulin which is necessary for the absorption of glucose in cells (Rother, 2007). Scientists are looking for alternative approaches for the treatment of diabetes (Nahas et al., 2009). The glucose level in the blood plasma is controlled by uses of vanadium and zinc in form of inorganic salts. Research shows that undesireable side effets often associated with the elements that are poorly absorbed in their organic forms and required high doses. Research has been conducted to prove that vanadium complexes with organic ligands to be less toxic with improved solubility and lipophilicity. Thera are a few number of vanadium complex which posses the insulin-mimetic properties that have been produced. The molecular mechanism responsible for the insulin-like effects of vanadium compounds have been shown to involve the activation of several key components of insulin-signaling pathways. It is interesting that the vanadium effect on these signaling systems is independent of insulin receptor protein tyrosine kinase activity, but it is associated with enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate. Chromium supplementation significantly improved glycemia among patients with diabetes but do not show any significant effect on glucose metabolism in healthy individuals. Higher zinc intake has also been associated with a slightly lower risk of type 2 diabetes in women. Besides chromium and vanadium, there is also a strong connection between zinc and insulin. In fact, people with diabetes frequently have lower levels of zinc than those without diabetes. One reason for this is that diabetics tend to have increased excretion of zinc. Additionally, high blood sugar levels create significant oxidative stress. The use of antioxidants has been shown to help improve oxidation, while also enhancing the body’s response to insulin. Unfortunately, the risk of cardiovascular disease among diabetics is more difficult to address. Coronary heart disease is a major cause of death among people with type 2 diabetes. This, of course, is due in large part to obesity, but also to risk factors such as high blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol levels, and an imbalanced ratio of LDL to HDL cholesterol. Like chromium and vanadium, the body also can’t make zinc, so it must be taken from food sources. Zinc is stored in the muscles, blood cells, retina of the eye , skin, bone, kidney, liver, pancreas, and in men, prostate. Interestingly, zinc has long been an ingredient used in â€Å"older† insulins, such as Regular, NPH, and Lente. Zinc is also necessary for the formation of insulin in the pancreas’s beta cells. For these reasons, researchers have looked at the role of zinc supplementation in the prevention and treatment of Type 2 diabetes. Research shows that zinc, an essential trace element responsible for over 300 enzyme functions, can aid in normalizing the negative effects of diabetes mellitus. According to the study, zinc has been shown to mitigate the harmful effects of diabetes by improving glycemic control in type I and type II diabetes. Many of the enzyme systems in which zinc is a necessity for are involved with the metabolism of blood sugar, and therefore make zinc a natural catalyst for insulin secretion. The pancreas is an endocrine gland responsible for producing hormones like glucagon, somatostatin, and insulin. The beta cells that secrete insulin in the pancreas are also highly stored with zinc. The beta cells will suffer without the high concentrations of zinc. Fortunately, beta cells are equipped with their own special transporter called zinc transporter 8, which makes it easy for the beta cells to store the zinc. However, it is known that any metamorphosis of the genes in the zinc transporter 8 causes type 2 diabetes. It is also now known that antibodies against the zinc transporter are present in type 1 diabetic patients, which means that these antibodies are associated with type 1 diabetes. It is no wonder why zinc is as popular as it is for supplementation. In addition to mending the difficulties brought on by diabetes, zinc also serves to maintain a healthy immune system, controls hair loss, halts impotence, improves brain function, prevents loss of taste or smell, and much more. References Guerrero-Romero, F.; Rodrà ­guez-Morà ¡n, M. (2005). Complementary Therapies for Diabetes: The Case for Chromium, Magnesium, and Antioxidants. Archives of Medical Research 36 (3): 250–257 Massey, P. (2013). Diabetes and the Role of Dietary Supplements. Bioactive Food as Dietary Interventions for Diabetes. pp. 17–94. Schwarz K, Mertz W: Chromium (III) and the glucose tolerance factor. Arch Biochem Biophys 85: 292–295, 1959 Tuman RW, Doisy RJ: Metabolic effects of the glucose tolerance factor (GTF) in normal and genetically diabetic mice. Diabetes 26:820–826, 1977 Vincent JB. Elucidating a biological role for chromium at a molecular level. Acc Chem Res. 2000;33(7):503-510. Chen G, Liu P, Pattar GR, et al. Chromium activates glucose transporter 4 trafficking and enhances insulin-stimulated glucose transport in 3T3-L1 adipocytes via a cholesterol-dependent mechanism. Mol Endocrinol. 2006;20(4):857-870. Pattar GR, Tackett L, Liu P, Elmendorf JS. Chromium picolinate positively influences the glucose transporter system via affecting cholesterol homeostasis in adipocytes cultured under hyperglycemic diabetic conditions. Mutat Res. 2006;610(1-2):93-100 Wang H, Kruszewski A, Brautigan DL. Cellular chromium enhances activation of insulin receptor kinase. Biochemistry. 2005;44(22):8167-8175.

History of Computers: Microsoft Windows :: Computers Software Technology Essays

History of Computers: Microsoft Windows Every time I turn on my Dell computer the screen pops up that says loading Windows XP software. My roommate turns on her computer and it says the same thing, as with most people on my floor. Today this seems to be the trend with most computers no matter what brand of hardware. This was not always the case though, Windows software is actually a fairly new technology that has grown much over the years and continues to develop and change even today. I wouldn know where I would be without my Windows software, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc. This software is important in so many lives and companies today that it would be hard to imagine a time without it. Windows software was not always as popular as it is today. It took a lot of work to develop this complex software. Let start by taking a brief look back on the major software before Windows, to fully understand why Microsoft Windows gradually became a total hit. Before Microsoft Windows there was MS-DOS. MS-DOS was a highly complicated operating system that often frustrated its users and was difficult to learn. Interaction with the operating system was by command line interference. Every command had to be typed in exactly right and the system was case sensitive (Campbell-Kelly 264). If anything was incorrect in the command line, then the whole command had to be retyped (264). Not only did this prove to be frustrating, but once you got the hang of this type of command typing, you would go use another program and the command set would be totally different. There were not standard interference commands and therefore every company made theirs different (265). With the hope of inventing something better than MS-DOS, in 1985 Windows 1.0 was finally released after a preemptive marketing announcement three years earlier (Rojas 828). Windows 1.0 was not well received and was no where near the capabilities of the Macintosh software which offered clear graphics and fonts. Windows 1.0 still had many of the same type of problems encountered with MS-DOS (History of Microsoft Windows).