Sunday, August 29, 2010

Pharmaceutical Engineering and Biopharmaceutical Plants


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Biopharmaceuticals is one of the related branches of pharmaceutical engineering. This branch uses the concepts of biotechnology for the development of medicines. These plants mainly use the living organisms and biological sources that are rich in those substances that can be used in developing useful medicines.

The therapeutic proteins that are restorative and secure are in high demand as they have great healing capacity and can be used for the manufacture of important medicines. In the last two decades, Biotechnology has earned a lot of popularity and is now ruling the medical world. The red-blood-cell stimulating agents, growth hormones and insulin etc are heavily used in the preclusion of several diseases such as various orphan diseases, arthritis, multiple sclerosis etc.

In biopharmaceutical plants, almost all the important drugs are produced using the ideas of biotechnology. The life expectancy can be greatly amplified by the progression of pathogenesis that can give efficient solutions to almost all life- threatening diseases. Using biopharmaceutical products, efficient treatment of innumerable diseases and traumas have been made possible. But the fact is that, it requires large investments and prolonged development time. The production costs can be significantly reduced by the production of efficient biopharmaceuticals in the plants with an additional advantage of higher safety. Blood disorders and oncology that are a menace to the mankind can be effectively cured by the help of vaccines and other anti-infective. This has been made possible only by the biopharmaceuticals.

Different healthcare organizations have published numerous strategies that can be used for the effective production of the substances that are biologically active. All these strategies are very important and useful in the production process of different important medicines. Biopharmaceutical plants have developed many useful medicines that can effectively fight against both common as well as crucial diseases and are still thriving hard to do more for the medical world.




For more information on Pharmaceutical engineering and the benefits of Biopharmaceutical plants please visit the mentioned website

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Biopharmaceutical Plants and Their Clinical Success


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Biopharmaceuticals are nothing but a related branch of pharmaceutical Engineering. They deal with the production of medicines by applying the concepts of biotechnology. Some of the living organisms' including plants are great source of substances used to prepare several medications. These plants deal with such organisms and botanical sources.

The demand for safe, recombinant pharmaceutical proteins is a rapidly expanding field. The world market for biotech has undergone rapid expansion since its emergence about two decades ago and it is still thriving. There has been a huge profit obtained from growth hormones, insulin and red-blood-cell stimulating agents and accelerating the R&D and the market in targeting a wider range of diseases, from growth deficiency to arthritis, multiple sclerosis and orphan diseases.

Currently, some 80 biopharmaceuticals are already in the market and more than 500 are under development stage at different clinical level. Among them, the recombinant antibodies (rAbs) and their derivative are finding even more promising clinical uses. Biotechnological advances have enabled the development of humanized and fully human antibodies, with improved therapeutic potential. Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) have immense potential and accounts for around 40% of total production of biopharmaceuticals. Clear clinical applications have been identified in cancer and other key medical areas such as transplants, auto-immunity and cardiovascular disorders.

Biotechnology virtually holds unlimited potential for drug production. Constant advances in pathogenesis can potentially solve any diseases, with a continuous increase in life expectancy. In principle, all diseases and traumas might be successfully treated with specific biopharma. However, this requires a long development time and high investment cost. But, the production of biopharmaceuticals in plants may be able to significantly reduce the production costs with increased safety. At present, major therapeutic areas include biopharmaceuticals for oncology and blood disorders which are market leaders as well as anti-infectives and vaccines.

Guidelines for the quality of biological active substances produced by stable transgene expression in higher plants have been published by medicine agencies. These guidelines regulate each step of production process, from biopharma genetic development to manufacturing and controls. These guidelines are expected to provide directives and regulations to attract investors and to boost research.




For more information on Biopharmaceutical plants and the benefits of Pharmaceutical engineering please visit the mentioned website.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

POET - The Largest US Producer of Fuel Ethanol


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POET is somewhat more publicity-shy than its competitors, but it is decidedly aggressive when it comes to its ethanol business. You might not know it, but POET is far and away the largest US-based ethanol producer currently, operating 26 plants producing 1.5 billion gallons annually. The technology is surprisingly pedestrian, based on conversion of starch, entirely derived from corn, fermented by yeast. Based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and with plants scattered throughout the corn belt, POET's business model is built around partnerships with farmers and small communities, where there is a lot of available crop land.

Although current production is corn-based, POET sees the writing on the wall as regards to the use of food crops for fuel ethanol production. The company has been busy developing a cellulose-based alternative feedstock: corn cobs. According to CEO Jeff Broin, enough corn cobs are available in the USA to produce 5 billion gallons of ethanol each year. A pilot plant in Scotland, SD is already operating to develop the process to accomplish this, and POET is partnering with Novozymes to commercialize cellulose to ethanol plant in Emmetsburg, Iowa. In addition to all the corn at POET, there is some apple pie as well.

POET announced its selection by the DOE for Project LIBERTY, which came complete with American flags and, more importantly an $80 million grant to demonstrate the cellulose to ethanol conversion. POET does not talk about its methods for pre-treatment of cellulose to be able to convert it into fermentable sugars, but one can infer that it is some sort of already available steam explosion method combined with enzymes. Plant construction is scheduled over the next 2 years. As far as costs, go, POET's own blog says that the cost of its cellulosic ethanol is now about $1 per gallon more costly than ethanol produced from starch, and projects that the gap will be closed to about $0.50 by the time the first commercial plant commences operation in 2011. That is a surprisingly honest self-assessment!

Copyright 2009 by David Rozzell




David Rozzell maintains a web site and blog dedicated to the latest developments and news in biofuels, biocatalysis, and industrial biotechnology. For informative, sometimes amusing, always opinionated analysis go to http://www.bio-catalyst.com He has 25 years of experience in biocatalysis and industrial biotechnology, and speaks frequently at international symposia. He is available for consulting projects. Contact him at david@bio-catalyst.com.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Manipulation in Relationships - The Seven Psychological Buttons on Our Backs


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Are you particularly vulnerable to manipulation? Or, are you stressed by feeling constantly like you are dancing to someone's strings. Maybe at work, at home, or amongst your 'friends'. Chronically manipulated people tend to have a range of related personality styles that are both identified and used by manipulators. These are like buttons of control for the manipulator. The first step to reducing manipulation in your life is to recognize the buttons in you.

What are the main psychological buttons?

1 Having a very strong need for approval and acceptance

Nearly everyone wants to be liked and accepted. That is healthy and normal. But, many people, perhaps because of their genetic background and/or life circumstances, have a much higher need for approval than others. The higher your need, the more prone you are to manipulation.

A manipulator may keep those with a strong need for approval in a constant state of anxiety by never paying you compliments or finding anything good in what you do. Think of yourself as working hard all day to get a perfunctory pat on the head, or to get a disparaging remark about one minor fault after a whole heap of great work.

2 Fearing negative emotions

Some people are very sensitive to strong negative emotions, conflict, or confrontation. This means they modify their behaviour to avoid the anger or conflict. Nearly always at a cost to themselves or someone they are representing.

Some manipulators purposefully put on an angry look, or start to raise their voice, simply to cause confusion or stress in their victim. Think of the whipped dog, that cringes when a hand is slightly raised. It makes itself small and low, adjusting its behaviour in an attempt to reduce the perceived threat.

3 Being a people pleaser and hung up on being nice

There is nothing wrong with being nice. But, there is a problem when you constantly ignore your own needs for the sake of others. How do you know if you are a people pleaser?

Do you burst into a frenzy of activity to help someone just because they mentioned a need, then curse under your breath about how little time you have to get your own things done? Do you give much more to others than is given to you? Then you may be a people pleaser.

There is usually a strong element of "if I am nice to others- then they wont hurt me" in chronic people pleasers.

What about Mother Theresa? She gave a great deal of herself for others.

Mother Theresa was not a people pleaser (just ask those she negotiated with to get support for her efforts). People like Mother Theresa help others on their own terms and are in control of their share of any relationships.

4 Lacking assertiveness

If you find it difficult to say no, you may suffer from a lack of assertiveness. People who are poorly assertive are also likely to be people pleasers. You are in double trouble when you also have strong aversion to negative feelings as well.

Often, a lack of assertiveness is linked with sensitivity, and a fear of negative responses to your needs or wants. Saying no may make you feel anxious, nervous or uncomfortable. Also, you may feel exasperated and angry with yourself for being taken advantage of each time.

Many people have these feelings to some degree, but they say no anyway, when it is appropriate for them.

5 Having low self-reliance

People with low self reliance are very uncertain about their own judgment and abilities. Often, they have very little self direction in their lives. In previous generations, many married and highly capable women had reduced self reliance as they had not been raised to expect to be a master of their own destiny, especially outside of the home.

People with low self-reliance can usually be spotted by the way they constantly seek input into most of their pending decisions, often even simple ones.

Low self reliance makes you an easy mark for a manipulator as they will be there to control and direct you.

You can expect a manipulator to denigrate your areas of expertise and any decisions you make. Manipulators will often quickly steer you to areas of their own competence where they can demonstrate their vastly superior 'mastery' and add to your feelings of inadequacy.

6 Feeling like you have little control over your destiny

This is related to low-self reliance but differs in that the person feels the external world has much more control over how their life turns out than they do. In contrast, people with a more internal focus have a greater belief that they have a large degree of control over what happens to them.

Having an external control view of the world makes you both vulnerable to manipulation and depression.

A major factor in depression is feeling that you have little or no control over an ongoing unpleasant or dangerous situation. Being with a manipulator and believing that you have little control over life is a recipe for depression. Their manipulations and your beliefs will lead you onto a path of learned helplessness.

7 Having an under-developed sense of identity

Do you feel like you are somewhat insubstantial and that your character is small and insignificant compared with those around you? Are you uncertain about who you really are and what you stand for. Do you live your life more through others (including those on television) than yourself?

Many people have had a childhood in which their worth was continually denigrated. Or, in their sensitive teens, received continual negative feedback and comments. Such a background can stunt a person's development and weaken their sense of identity.

To a manipulator, such people are a wonderful amorphous lump of clay, upon which they can craft their own designs. Usually, to make you more compliant to their will and to get you to live your life more through them.

Summary

No doubt many of you reading this article will recognize that you have several of these buttons, These buttons tend to be interlinked around a lack of self confidence and related states. Most people have these traits to varying degree and this makes them vulnerable to manipulation. Being aware of these traits is the start to increased resistance to manipulation. The real problem for people occurs when these buttons are dominant parts of their personality. It is especially important for the victims of manipulators to realize that they can and should change.

It is much easier to change yourself than a manipulator.




Dr Ian King (ADBLT MSc DPhil PGC Bus Man) - gives up to date information specifically researched for mature adults on how they can seize back their lives at http://masteringmaturity.com

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Monday, August 23, 2010

Most Sought-After Jobs in USA


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The power capital of the world holds the potential to make impact on rest of the world. The prominent country headquarters most out of the biggest names in world. A leader in almost every sector, USA provides miraculous opportunities of professional and personal growth.

Nevertheless, there is a wide-spread notion about USA jobs, which says 'USA hires only those who deal with highest level of intellect. USA is a place for everybody with competence. It calls to enjoy a lucrative offer, which is coined with glittering life-style and best of the luxury...

It's an haute job market for almost every sector but in present scenario, the most sought-after sections are

o Biotechnology Jobs
o Telecom Jobs
o Sales & Marketing Jobs

Home of many top level pharmaceuticals companies, United States of America is the leader in technology and health care; thus, it is a leading provider of Biotechnology Jobs too. Providing great opportunities of exploration, these jobs are responsible for innovation of effective ranges of medicines, diagnosis of several diseases, identification of genetic disorders and search of its curative measures.

In the present scenario due to changing environmental conditions and dangers of global warming, a great need of bio-tech researchers is sensed; hence, openings for Biotechnology jobs in USA much increased.

USA is experiencing a boom in the telecom industry; telecom sector contributes for a large percentile of total revenue generated in USA. Taken as the first step towards gigantic Information Technology Industry, telecom industry is full of growth opportunity. Employing multitude of people, the sector deals latest communication technologies and its application to make the normal lifestyle better and more luxurious.

People hired on the Telecommunication jobs in USA handle numerous responsibilities including installation activities, financial management, premises management, official management, security of the technology and its spread to the remotest area.

Sales and marketing jobs in USA are important for expansion of industries supporting the booming economy of the country.

Many consumer products companies are offering career opportunities in sales and marketing field. It offers jobs on position such as Director of Sales, Sales and Marketing Manager, Marketing Analytics Manager, Sales and Marketing Specialist, Sales and Marketing Officer, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Advertising Sales Manager, Sales Associate, Retail Sales and Marketing Manager, Technical Sales Representative, Senior Sales Support Associate incorporating many more job openings

Enjoy the best of USA jobs....




Nicholas tan is Associated with Sales and marketing jobs in USA are important for expansion of industries supporting the booming economy of the country.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Role of MIS in Business Management


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Despite the vast improvements in information technology, computers (on which modern IT is based) cannot as yet take over business management. However, business information systems have transformed the effectiveness, power and efficiency of management.

In an earlier article on business management software, we looked at surface aspects of how modern management information systems help businesses. We saw how computers speeded up and improved the quality of operations. We also mentioned the existence of broad categories of business software - office suites, functional software such as accounting and inventory, and industry software such as retail management software. In this article, we seek to look more analytically at the role of information management systems.

Decision Support, Problem Analysis and Overall Control

Business managers often need to make decisions that can affect the business' fortunes one way or other. For example, a company with sales outlets or distributors spread over a wide geographic area might want to optimize the logistical operations of delivering merchandise to the outlets. The best solution might be affected by numerous factors such as demand patterns, availability of merchandise, distances involved and the option of using external carriers (who can find two way loads and might prove a lesser cost option over long distances) instead of own vehicles.

While it might be possible to use complex mathematical formulas by hand to compute the best solution, computers transform the whole process into a routine task of feeding certain information as input and obtaining suggestions for best solutions as output. The task can typically be done in a few minutes (instead of hours or even days) and it becomes possible to examine several alternatives before deciding upon one that seems most realistic.

Identifying problems and analyzing the factors that cause them also has been transformed by modern computer information systems. In a typical MIS environment, standard reports are generated in a routine manner comparing actual performance against original estimates. The software that generates the report can be instructed to highlight exceptions, i.e. significant variations between original estimates and actual performance. Managers will thus become aware of problem areas in the daily course of their work simply by looking at the reports they receive, without having to do detailed data collection and computations themselves.

Identifying the factors responsible for the problem can also be routinized to some extent by using such tools as variance analysis. Variance analysis is an element of standard costing system that splits deviations from estimates (or standards) into causative factors such as increase in price of materials used, excessive usage of materials, unexpected machine downtimes, etc. With such a detailed report, managers can delve deeper into the problem factor, such as why there was excessive usage of materials.

Control is also exercised through variance analysis. Budgets are prepared for all business operations by concerned managers working in a coordinated fashion. For example, estimated sales volumes will determine the levels of production; production levels will determine raw material purchases; and so on. With good information system management, it then becomes possible to generate timely reports comparing actual sales, production, raw material deliveries, etc against estimated levels.

The reports will help managers to keep a watch on things and take corrective action quickly. For example, the production manager will become aware of falling sales (or rising sales) of particular products and can prepare to make adjustments in production schedules, and purchasing and inventory managers will become quickly aware of any mounting inventories of unused materials. MIS thus enhances the quality of communication all around and can significantly improve the effectiveness of operations control.

Effective MIS Involves Humans and Computers Working together

The major aspect to note is that MIS provides only the information; it is the responsibility of concerned managers to act on the information. It is the synergy between efficient, accurate and speedy equipment and humans with commonsense, intelligence and judgment that really gives power to MIS.




Gopi Nathan is the feature writer on Business Management at Suite101.com. His business writing is based on insights gained from formal professional training, decades of experience in executive roles in different business organizations and as an entrepreneur himself, and continuing research into current management issues.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

13 Different Types of Engineering Explained


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As a student considering your options for college or university, the choices can be overwhelming. This is the case even within certain disciplines where there might be a dozen different subcategories and / or specialties within the profession. Let's explore some of the more popular Engineering disciplines, shall we?

Agricultural Engineering is the engineering discipline that strives to apply engineering science to agricultural production and farming. In some circles it is commonly accepted that the scope of agricultural engineering is broader than all other forms of engineering, as it combines elements of mechanical, civil, and chemical engineering with animal and plant biology.

Architectural Engineering involves the application of engineering principles to building construction and design. In some parts of the world, the words architect and architectural engineer are used interchangeably.

Biomedical Engineering strives to apply engineering principles and technology to the field of medicine. Originally considered an interdisciplinary specialization, biomedical eng has grown to become a respected discipline of its own. Tissue engineering, while also considered a specialization within biotechnology, is one such example of biomedical engineering in action.

Ceramic Engineering relates to the practice of designing and creating objects from inorganic, non-metallic materials. The process generally includes the purification of raw materials, the production of compounds, their formation into components, and the study of their composition, properties and structure.

Civil Engineering is a discipline that deals primarily with the design, construction and maintenance of bridges, roads, canals, and the like. As a point of interest, this engineering discipline was enshrined to distinguish itself from military engineering. It is considered the second-oldest discipline, after military.

Computer Engineering is a combination of computer science and electronic engineering. Computer engineers design both computer software and computer hardware, in addition to developing solutions for the integration of the two.

Electrical Engineering is the study and application of electromagnetism, electronics, and electricity. It's a broad-based discipline that encompasses the design and implementation of various electronic / electrical systems such as circuits, generators, motors, and transformers.

Environmental Engineering refers to the application of scientific principles to environmental improvement. Generally speaking, this discipline attempts to provide healthy air, water and land for safe habitation. Additionally, this particular discipline attempts to find ways to reverse environmental damages caused by pollution.

Industrial Engineering is a discipline concerned with the development and ongoing improvement of integrated systems. In manufacturing systems, focus is placed on finding ways to eliminate waste (time, money, materials, energy, etc). Industrial engineering is not necessarily limited to manufacturing, however.

Manufacturing Engineering, on the other hand, deals almost exclusively with the design and maintenance of different manufacturing processes, tools, equipment and machines. Lean manufacturing principles are one such example of scientific manufacturing in action.

Materials Engineering is concerned with the properties of matter and it's application to science and technology. This generally refers to the study of the structure of materials at the molecular level, and includes elements of applied physics and chemistry. Nanotechnology is one such example of materials engineering in action.

Mechanical Engineering is one of the oldest disciplines, and is primarily concerned with the design, production and use of tools and machines. It is primarily concerned with the generation and application of mechanical power.

Nuclear Engineering is a discipline that is primarily concerned with finding practical applications of nuclear energy. This includes the development and maintenance of nuclear reactors, power plants, and weapons.




Brandon Weber likes to tinker with things in his workshop when he's not busy helping his clients solve complex technology problems. To explore the latest mechanical engineering jobs or to learn more about engineering in general, he encourages you to join the conversation at Engineering dot com.