System Feedback Loops Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

System Feedback Loops - Essay Example The archetypes identified here are reinforcing loop and balancing loop. The Balancing Loop attempts to move some current state to a desired or reference state though some Action (Bellinger, 2004). A Gap is produced when the desired state interacts with the current state. When the gap is larger, it means the influence is stronger and produces Action which then causes current state to move towards desired state. According to Bellinger (2004), this is done until the Gap is reduced to zero where there is no more influence toward Action. A Reinforcing Loop is a structure which feeds on itself to produce growth or decline (Bellinger, 2004). State 1 either increases or decreases which influences State 2 to move in the same direction. This structure produces growth or decline, hence, it is reinforcing it. Learning Organizations for NutriSystem The increasing demand for healthy diet in U.S. has an impact in weight loss market. NutriSystem has been a leading provider of weight management. Usin g the system feedback loops, events can be affected by determining the patterns observed in behaviors and desired outcomes. These feedback loops illustrate the interactions between events or states. Based on the example of diabetes cases, many people are diagnosed with diabetes and NutriSystem is aiming at promoting health for diabetics. Sytems Feedback Loops 2 Figure 1 - Reinforcing Loop In this diagram, it shows one example of the relationship between diagnosis for diabetes and the number of potential diabetic customers. The more people who are diagnosed with diabetes, the greater the number of potential diabetic customers are for NutriSystem. In other words, the potential diabetic customers increase when more people are likely to be diagnosed with diabetes. The potential diabetic customers can be predicted because the likelihood of people having diabetes is evident. Getting a diagnosis for individuals is likely to be an outcome of predicted potential diabetic customers who are at high risk due to factors such as pregnancy, pre-diabetes conditions, or trends in sugar intake. In 2011, statistics from National Diabetes Fact Sheet show that there are about 25.8 million or 8.3% of U.S. population that have diabetes. There are 18.8 million people diagnosed with diabetes, 7.0 million who are undiagnosed, and 79 million who have pre-diabetes. There are millions of new cases of diabetes every year (American Diabetes Association, 1995-2011). This System Feedback Loops 3 was become an opportunity for NutriSystem to serve diabetics as they have formed a strategic alliance with American Diabetes Association to promote weight loss for people with Type 2 diabetes. A view of benefits of health and nutrition using NutriSystem can be depicted in the following diagram: Figure 2 – Reinforcing Loop NutriSystem offers over 100 food items designed to combine â€Å"good† carbohydrates, proteins and fats (Pechman, 2011) in addition to glycemic index (GI) prepared meal s for diabetics. They provide customers with home delivery meal program that includes balanced, pre-prepared, and portion-controlled meals. (Pechman, 2011). Demand for products such as that of NutriSystem has increased with the growth of obesity epidemic. System Feedback Loops 4 To make a profit, NutriSystem must target potential customers by using new and improved marketing strategies

The case of cadmium poisoning in japan Research Paper

The case of cadmium poisoning in japan - Research Paper Example In most zinc ores, this element occurs in minute quantities. Excessive exposure to the Cadmium chemical is the result of Cadmium Poisoning. Human exposure to Cadmium causes damage to the body. The high levels of toxic compounds in Cadmium are dangerous to humans and the environment. If the chemical is taken orally or inhaled, it can cause tremendous health issues for the human body, and there have been numerous reports of fatalities after exposure to the body. Immediately after contact of large amounts of Cadmium with the body, the Cadmium poisoning poses a threat to the body. Small amounts of the chemical do not require much to detox the body. However, according to reports, 10 milligrams of cadmium is dangerous to the body. The most common disease associated with Cadmium is the Itai-itai disease. It is a severe form of chronic Cadmium poisoning, and it is caused by prolonged oral Cadmium ingestion. It harms the body by causing renal and bone injury. During the initial stage, femoral pain and lumbago are present. This pain gradually spreads t hroughout the body. If pressure is applied to the bones, the pain increases. Additional damage to the bones can cause the body to worsen. If the patient is bed-ridden, the body continues to deteriorate. The first study presented in this research analysis of Cadmium Poisoning in Japan is a study on the â€Å"Influence of Drinking and/or Cooking with Jinzu River Water on the Development of Itai-Itai Disease.† The second study is a Comparison between â€Å"Cadmium in Rice and Renal Effects among inhabitants of the Jinzu River Basin.† The third study focuses on the â€Å"Influence of Consumption of Cadmium-Polluted Rice or Jinzu River Water on Occurrence of Renal Tubular Dysfunction and/or Itai-itai Disease.† According to the study on the â€Å"Influence of Drinking and/or Cooking with Jinzu River Water on the Development of Itai-itai Disease,† the authors’ focus was on evaluating the amount