The Current Economic Situation Of The Euro Area - 1161 Words

The Current Economic Situation in the Euro Area The euro area, which will hereafter be referred to as the Eurozone, remains in a state of post-recession recovery. Following the financial crisis that began in late-2008 in the United States and the ensuing global fallout, the Eurozone had an economic crisis of its own that is known as the sovereign debt crisis. Precipitated by the vast debt a number of Eurozone constituent countries had accumulated with respect to their GDP, the sovereign debt crisis involved risk of default in several countries and a series of bailouts to some. Economies shrank as GDPs declined, unemployment rose, and deflation occurred. To combat this crisis, in addition to the aforementioned bailouts, the European Central Bank, which will henceforth be called the ECB, drastically lowered interest rates and engaged in the unconventional practice of buying securities as one way to accomplish this. Through its program known as Outright Monetary Transactions (OMT), the ECB offered to purchase government debt (from private banks) of member states that request assistance. Due to the associated conditionality, however, it was never implemented across the entire Eurozone. Also created by the ECB was long-term refinancing operations (LTROs) program in which long-term, low-interest loans were made to Eurozone banks and used government bonds and other securities as collateral. However, the Eurozone is a region of great contrast, whichShow MoreRelatedChadwick983 Words   |  4 PagesEuro Challenge 2012 The Current Economic Situation The Euro Area Economic Situation – March 2012 The euro area economy as a whole contracted (i.e., growth was negative) at the end of 2011. In 2012, the euro area will likely undergo a mild recession (a period of negative growth) but is expected to stage a gradual recovery in the second half of this year. Already, there are signs of stabilization, and recent measures taken by the ECB and European leaders are helping to overcome the euroRead MoreGroupe Ariel Sa Case Essay1170 Words   |  5 Pagesmind the exchange rates between Mexican Pesos and Euros in order to maximize their return. They also need to keep in mind the inflation rates over time and the risks involved with this type of investment. Analysis Number 1. Groupe Ariel is recycling old equipment in Mexico. They will need to use pesos to calculate their cash flows to see how this part of their project will impact their finances. They also need to convert this peso amount into Euros. We began the analysis by computing the Net PresentRead MoreFactors Affecting The Foreign Exchange Market1008 Words   |  5 Pagesan impact on currencies. The effect of these factors is reflected in the nation’s current account balance, so it’s worth watching and analyzing. When we speak about forecasting the future values of currencies, it’s necessary to watch the central banks’ policy in the first place. Central banks make decisions which set trends at the foreign exchange markets. These institutions have far more information about the economic state and developments. So, following central banks pretty much comprises informationRead MoreThe Should A Solitary Currency For Europe Has Come From The Following Six Major Factors1569 Words   |  7 Pagesplatform for carrying out internal trades within the Euro zone itself. This would also result in greater transparency in currency transactions across the individual country borders, as the underlying currency would now be the same. Fourthly, it was also needed to give the citizens of the European Union, stability in terms of prices, more choices and range in products. For any economical shock that would be experienced by the external world economies, the Euro zone would be more immune, and have enhancedRead MoreGreek Government s Debt Has Been Around Since 20101346 Words   |  6 Pagesentered the Eurozone. There are several events that led to Greece being bankrupt, but for a better understating let’s start in the year 2001. This year they entered the Eurozone, which is one of the biggest economic regions that consists on all the European Union countries and its currency is the euro. Two years later people found out that Greece â€Å"cooked their books† in order to enter the Eurozone, meaning that Greek altered its numbers and debt. Entering the Eurozone might have been their biggest mistakeRead MoreIs a Common Currency in Europe Sustainable? Essay1701 Words   |  7 Pagesnations and even the United States. Originally designed to ensure financial stability, the common currency area appears to restrain policymakers both fiscally and monetarily in these times of economic depression when they might benefit most from expansionary policies. A key problem exists with the European Central Bank dictating a unified monetary policy for states experiencing different economic scena rios. How could the European Central Bank effectively meet the needs of Greece and Italy by providingRead MoreFederal Reserve Bank Of New York Essay1620 Words   |  7 Pages(credits) and liabilities (debits) should balance; however, in the reality, this is rarely the case. The BOP is divided into 3 main categories: the current account, the capital account, and the financial account (Reem Heakle, 2015). 1. The Current Account The current account refers to the export and import of goods and services into a country. Within the current account are credits and debits on the trade of merchandise, including goods such as raw materials and manufactured goods that are bought, soldRead MoreThe Balance Of Payment ( Bop ) Essay1621 Words   |  7 Pagesassets (credits) and liabilities (debits) should balance; however, in the reality, this is rarely the case. The BOP is divided into 3 main categories: the current account, the capital account, and the financial account: 1. The Current Account The current account refers to the export and import of goods and services into a country. Within the current account are credits and debits on the trade of merchandise, including goods such as raw materials and manufactured goods that are bought, sold or givenRead MoreThe Eurozone And Its Impact On The European Economy952 Words   |  4 Pagesrecently, it was believed that the euro provided a stable currency with low inflation and low interest rates and encouraged sound public finance. That the use of a single currency increases price transparency, eliminates currency exchange costs, oils the wheels of the European economy, facilitates international trade, and gives the European Union a more powerful voice in the world. That the size and strength Eurozone would better protect it from external economic shocks, and provide the EU’s citizensRead MoreThe European Union: Economics, Policy and History’ by Susan Senior Nello1737 Words   |  7 Pagesessay is called ‘Th e European Union: Economics, Policy and History’ by Susan Senior Nello. This book takes into account the different disciplines of economics, policy-making and therefore including a great deal of politics, and the history of the institution of the European Union as we know it today. The broad multi-disciplinary perspective makes this a comprehensive book that combines different aspects together making this particularly useful in the current debate about the future of the European

Two Kinds vs. Yellow Wallpaper - 1599 Words

Two Kinds vs. The Yellow Wallpaper Literature 210 After reading two very different pieces of literature one could come to the conclusion that there are many similarities and many differences between them. By comparing and contrasting the two short stories Two Kinds by Amy Tan, and The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilmans we can better see how they are similar and different. Both authors of these short stories seemed to have created their stories a bit from their own lives, and through that made some very interesting characters. The authors also seemed to have thought very well about their characters personas. The first story is Amy Tan’s Two Kinds starts out with a girl explaining her mother, and what†¦show more content†¦I also see the wife and little girl trying as hard as they can to impress the other two characters but eventually giving up and not caring about pleasing them as much. Both authors did a great job with settings as I could always perfectly picture where everything was taking place and how all of the rooms that they were in looked. Aside from the stories being completely different in plot, theme, and settings another main difference between the two is the perspective from which they are written. Two Kinds is written from a girl who is looking back on her life and remembering things that happened when she was a little girl. On the other hand The Yellow Wallpaper was written more like journal that had been written every once and a while by Johns wife. They are also different because Gilmans seemed to make use of the imagery literary device a lot more then Tan did. As I read The Yellow Wallpaper I was constantly thinking about the scenery and picturing it in my head. Amy Tan also used imagery, but it seemed like she used emotions between the mother and daughter more. The author of The Yellow Wallpaper, Charlotte Perkins Gilmans, was born in Connecticut in 1860. Charlotte’s father left her shortly after she was born. She married an artist in 1884, and gave birth to her first and only child the following year. Gilman suffered from deep depression, which eventuallyShow MoreRelatedComparing the Plots of The Yellow Wallpaper and The Story of an Hour875 Words   |  4 PagesWhen we compare contrast the two stories The Yellow Wallpaper vs. The Story of an Hour†. If we first look at the similarities that they have, they are both about women who are controlled by their husbands, and who desired freedom. But both women had different reasons for their freedom. It sounds as though both husbands had control over their lives and both women had an illness. But I don’t believe the husbands knew their wives were so miserable. So as we look at the lives of women back in theRead MoreThe Yellow Wallpaper1798 Words   |  8 Pagesâ€Å"The yel low wallpaper† was published in 1892 as part of Charlotte Perkins Gilman work. Its prominence is great because of its theme which sought to liberate women who at the time were dominated by their male counterparts. In the 1800’s women never enjoyed the privileges they do in the contemporary world but were greatly dominated by the patriarch society. By late 1800’s women had slowly and determinedly started to fight for their position, this was through literature and seeking positions that wereRead MoreStifled Women in Yellow Wallpaper, Rappaccinis Daughter, and Beloved2739 Words   |  11 PagesStifled Women in The Yellow Wallpaper, Rappaccinis Daughter, and Beloved   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   A connection can be drawn among the stories listed above regarding women who live as prisoners. Beatrice, of Rappaccinis Daughter, is confined to a garden because of her fathers love of science, and she becomes the pawn to several mens egos. The woman of The Yellow Wallpaper is trapped by her own familys idea of how she should conduct herself, because her mood and habit of writing are not normal to them.Read MoreAs English Short Stories Summary2723 Words   |  11 PagesAND NOVEMBER 2010, 2011 AND 2012 CONTENTS Introduction: How to use these notes 1. The Fall of the House of Usher Edgar Allen Poe 2. The Open Boat Stephen Crane 3. The Door in the Wall HG Wells 4. The People Before Maurice Shadbolt 5. A Horse and Two Goats RK Narayan 6. Journey Patricia Grace 7. To Da-Duh, In Memoriam Paule Marshall 8. Of White Hairs and Cricket Rohinton Mistry 9. Sandpiper Ahdaf Soueif 10. Tyres Adam Thorpe These notes are intended to give some background information on eachRead MoreLidl Retail Scan8477 Words   |  34 Pages 5. Appendixes 16 5.1 Store layout (visited Lidl Store) 16 5.2 Chart relationship store loyalty- store brand 17 5.3 microeconomics-price promotions 18 5.4 Location of the visited store 18 5.5 Share of trade Lidl 19 5.6 Red Bull vs. House brand 19 5.7 Price Tags 20 5.8 Information board 20 5.9 Lidl-Orange Partnership 21 6. References 22 Introduction Introduction Lidl is a successful chain of grocery stores, expanding strongly throughout Europe. Lidl StiftungRead MoreMba Papers7691 Words   |  31 Pagesraincoat company or a galoshes company,† remembers Michael Eckert, The Weather Channel’s CEO. Besides pondering where advertising support would come from, critics questioned what kind of audience was going to tune in to a channel that boasts wall-to-wall weather, a topic that sounds as interesting as staring at wallpaper. So far, the answers to these questions have been quite surprising. In its over twenty years of broadcasting, the channel has gained support from a cadre of deep-pocket advertisersRead MoreLidl Retail10971 Words   |  44 Pagesthe visited store .............................................................................20    5.5    Share of trade Lidl .............................................................................................21    5.6    Red Bull vs. House brand .................................................................................21    5.7    Price Tags ......................................................................................................... 22    5.8    InformationRead MoreSanitary Napkins Situational Analysis13655 Words   |  55 Pagesaisles within chemists/drugstores offer an increasing variety of products as well. 1 Industry Review: Size, Growth Trend Overall Size The Philippine Total Feminine Protection market is only flat at 3% comparing JanJun accumulated pieces (pads) of 2005 vs 2006. In 2005, feminine protection is at 1.06 bio pcs at Php 543 mio of which sanitary napkin segment contributes 70% of total volume, while panty liners is at 30%. Johnson Johnson (JJ) continues to take far lead of 41.3% for Modess in the totalRead MoreDieting Makes People Fat Essay19490 Words   |  78 Pagesmore! Kullasatree 010 3EN WHAT KIND OF INSTRUMENT DO YOU LIKE? I really like guitar so much but I cant play. Guitar is the best instrument for me. I try to practiced lots of time but I cant play. Playing the guitar is an enjoyable endeavor especially when you do it with friends. Moreover, it is both spiritually and socially rewarding as it gives you a sense of self-worth. However if I have my own guitar, I will practice everyday. Kullasatree 010 3EN WHAT KIND OF HERB DO YOU LIKE? For me, IRead MoreEssay about Summary of History of Graphic Design by Meggs14945 Words   |  60 Pagespictographs. - With the discovery of cuneiform, there was a knowledge explosion, where libraries were organized filling with tablets about religion, mathematics, and history. Writing enabled society to stabilize itself, and laws were created. - Two by-products of the rise of village culture were the ownership of property and the specialization of trades. - Egyptians used hieroglyphics. - The Rosetta Stone, which was created in 196 or 197 BC, contains writing in Egyptian Hieroglyphics, Egyptian

Processes Project Management Methodologies-Myassignmenthelp.Com

Question: Discuss About The Processes Project Management Methodologies? Answer: Introducation Project methodology is the collection of practices, processes, methods and others in the logical manner for accumulating the best output from the successful implementation of the plan. It is the scientific and systematic approach for the execution and completion of project. Project management methodologies: PMBOK guide: It is the methodology which is based on planning, execution, controlling, and termination of the project (Rosa, 2014). It is the collection of the process groups and knowledge areas for retrieving better results. PRINCE2: Projects in controlled environment is used for representing the process driven methods in the private sector. Critical path method: This method is used for defining the activity sequence for longer duration of the project. The work and tasks should be completed within the prescribed scope of the project. The duration of the activities can be estimated by deploying the critical path method. Traditional method or waterfall method: The phases involved in the waterfall methodology are specification of the requirement, designing, construction, integration, debugging and testing, installation, and maintenance. Agile methodology: This method is used delivering the product at the rapid rate to the customers. The outcome is measured for the success of the project. SDLC: The SDLC is the methodology which is derived from the amalgamation of different methodologies together. Each phase of the cycle are associated with the priority. The two chosen methodologies are Agile and PMBOK. The two methodologies are similar to each other with respect to requirement specification, risks identification, quality management, customer participation, communication management, and interrelationship between different modules, and others. The set of rules is followed for managing the project. The changes can be accelerated according to the requirement of the project (Obrutsky, 2016). The difference between the two methodologies is described in the tabular format: Peculiarities Agile method PMBOK method Essentials It is value driven, change driven, and shared value concept It is plan driven and change driven concept Project nature It follows the iterative nature It follows the sequential nature Changes Attitude Changes can be embraced Changes can be controlled Customers involvement Customers should actively participate for setting the requirement specification plan The customers are authorised and authenticated for the approval of the requirement Project requirement plan The detailed structure of the requirement is given in the initial stage of the project The detailed structure of the requirement is given before starting the project Document The documents are not well designed in the agile methodology for future reference (Sliger, 2015) The documents are well-designed in the PMBOK which acts as a guide for future reference Project success The project success can be calculated in terms of final product delivered to the customers The project success can be calculated in terms of matching the final product delivered to the customers and the plan. Advantages The rapid changes can be occurred in the project according to the customer demand The processes are used for identifying the quality of the project. Disadvantages The plan and product delivered can be different It is a costly method Project life cycle and PMBOK The implementation of PMBOK methodology in the completion of project life cycle helps in determining the implementation of scrupulous planning, controlling the project rigorously, clear definition of the roles and responsibilities, communication process is emphasised, and validated products are delivered to the customers. It is the collection of the process groups and knowledge areas for retrieving better results (Fitsilis, 2014). Conclusion: The PMBOK is preferred over other methodologies because it offers a detailed structure and clear formulation of processes involved in achieving the objective of the project. It is the best practice for the administration of the project. References: Sliger, M. (2015).Agile project management and PMBoK guide. Retrieved from https://www.educause.edu/visuals/shared/pd/Agile_project_management.pdf Fitsilis, P. (2014).Comparing PMBOK and agile project management software development process. Retrieved from https://www.academia.edu/2953419/Comparing_PMBOK_and_Agile_Project_Management_software_development_processes Rosa, T. (2014).Agile and traditional methodologies: An investigation in the light of experience. Retrieved from https://www.ijirset.com/upload/2014/december/5_Agile.pdf Obrutsky, S. (2016).Comparison and contrast of project management methodologies. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/305969672_Comparison_and_contrast_of_project_management_methodologies_PMBOK_and_SCRU

The Dead Essays - English-language Films, The Dead, Epiphany

The Dead 8. Where does epiphany occur in ?The Dead Who has the epiphany? What is the emotional state it creates? How does it compare to other epiphanies in Dubliners? Is there an Irony in the story as well? Epiphany of the Soul In ?The Dead,? Gabriel has the epiphany. The epiphany occurs when Gretta was telling Gabriel the story of a young boy she used to know. Jealousy, Anger, and yet compassion are the emotional state it creates. The epiphany of ?The Dead? is basically about death of the soul and person. This epiphany is different to other epiphanies in Dubliners because instead of feeling good towards one-self, Gabriel feels sorry towards himself. In this epiphany, the story starts off with irony. After the party, Gabriel looked at his wife Gretta and found out how much he loved her. He had seen how beautiful she was that night of the party at Aunt Julia and Aunt Kate's house. It was like lust all over again for him when he saw her standing at the stairs and singing the song Mr.D'Arcy was playing. He was thinking of how both of them would be alone in the hotel and they would spend time together. He had thought about her a lot that evening and he assumed that she was also thinking about him. When he had asked her what was on her mind, she had answered something that he would never have expected her to say. ?While he had been full of memories of their secret life together, full of tenderness and joy and desire, she had been comparing him with another? (179). This is the Irony of the story because he had thought that they were both truly happy. He had always thought that Gretta was happy with him. The epiphany of the story occurs when Gabriel had asked her what was on her mind. She told him that she was thinking of the song that Mr.D'Arcy was playing. That song, ?The Lass of Aughrim,? had reminded her about a boy named Michael Furrey. She had cared about him deeply and they had been young lovers when she was a child. Gabriel tries listening to Gretta but deep inside he was jealous and full of anger. He started questioning her about the man and by her words, Gabriel knew he had lost touch with his wife. When Gretta explains to him that he had died at the age of seventeen and that he had died for her, Gabriel got a sudden insight. Joyce writes, ? So she had had that romance in her life: a man had died for her sake. It hardly pained him now to think how poor a part he, her husband, had played in her life? (181). His anger and jealousy soon turns to compassion as he tries once again to regain the lost intimacy with his wife. In the epiphany, Gabriel realized how many people had died. When saying how many people died, this does not necessarily mean that the person doesn't exist anymore. In this case, he means the soul of the person. For example, Gabriel realized that part of Gretta is dead because she had always and will always compare him to Michael Furrey, even though he is gone. This is one thing that you can never bring back to life because the situation is not the same now and time has changed. Part of Gabriel himself is dead because he knew that one of his Aunt would soon pass away. He would regret that he had never really appreciated Aunt Julie's and Aunt Kate's traditions and culture of having that family dinner together. Later in the end of the story, Gabriel thought to himself, ?His soul swooned slowly as he heard the snow falling faintly through the universe and faintly falling, like the descent of their last end, upon all the living and the dead? (182). This was the epiphany of Gabriel and the epiphany of the story because the whole theme of the story is about death. This may not necessary mean death of the body but the soul. When he said, faintly falling, like the descent of their last end, upon all the living and the

261 Peer Review and Intro to Unit 2 1914 1945 Professor Ramos Blog

261 Peer Review and Intro to Unit 2 1914 1945 Cultural Conflict Essay Quick Write What questions do you have about the essay? Cultural Conflict Essay Cultural Conflict Essay Prompt Focus on conflict or cultural conflict Clear thesis/argument Close reading of text: Focus on scenes, lines, characters, etc. that highlight the conflict or cultural conflict in the text you are analyzing. Peer Review Research for Cultural Conflict Essay Scholarly research to help us understand and analyze the text. You can research the cultural conflict you are writing about. Example: Slavery Slavery in Huck Finn Racism and Huck Finn Racism and Mark Twain Reconstruction and racism Civilized and savage Civilized and savage and Huck Finn You can research the author Mark Twain Mark Twain and Society Twain and Huck Finn Twain and Cultural Criticism The text Huckleberry Finn Huck Finn and racism Huck Finn and Jim Huck Finn and Race Conflict and Huck Finn Culture in Huck Finn Conflict and Cultural Conflict Cultural conflict and Twain Cultural conflict and Huck Finn Cultural Conflict and American Literature Conflict and American Lit Conflict and Huck Finn Intro to Unit 2: 1914 1945 In small groups, go through your section and figure out the important aspects we need to understand. Write down three or four takeaways, or important points we need to know. The Two Wars as Historical Markers Changing Times Science and Technology The 1930s American Versions of Modernism Modernism Abroad and On Native Grounds Modern Literature on Stage and Screen

Characteristics of Psychopathic Personalities

Characteristics of Psychopathic Personalities Psychopaths are incapable of feeling guilt, remorse, or empathy for their actions or the objects of their actions. They are generally cunning and manipulative. They know the difference between right and wrong but dont believe the rules apply to them. First Encounter With a Psychopath On first impression, psychopaths generally appear charming, engaged, caring, friendly, logical, and reasonable, with well thought-out goals. They give the impression that they can reason, that they know the consequences for antisocial and unlawful behavior and will  react appropriately. They appear capable of self-examination and will criticize  themselves for mistakes. Under clinical evaluation, psychopaths dont show  common symptoms associated with neurotic behavior: nervousness, high anxiety, hysteria, mood swings,  extreme fatigue, and headaches. In situations that most normal people would find upsetting, psychopaths appear calm and void of fear and anxiety. An About-Face Initially,  psychopaths appear  reliable, devoted, and trustworthy, but, suddenly and without provocation, become unreliable, with no regard for how their actions affect the situation, regardless of its importance. Once viewed as honest and sincere, they do a sudden about-face and begin lying without concern, even in small matters when there is no benefit in lying. Because psychopaths have mastered the art of deception, those around them are slow to accept the abrupt change. When psychopaths are confronted with their lack of responsibility, honesty or loyalty, it generally has no impact on their attitude or future performance. They are unable to perceive that other people value  truthfulness and integrity. Cant Accept Responsibility for Failure Psychopaths turn into performers who can mimic normal human emotions that they have never felt. This holds true when theyre faced with failure. If they appear to be humble and own up to their mistakes, their true goal is to be perceived as the martyr or sacrificial lamb willing to accept blame so others dont have to. If the ploy fails and they are blamed, they will emphatically deny any responsibility and, without feeling shame, turn to lies, manipulation, and finger-pointing. When psychopaths cant convince others that they are innocent, they fume and obsess over it, often murmuring sarcastic comments and plotting revenge. Risky  Behavior With No Gain Antisocial behavior- cheating, lying, robbing, stealing, agitating, fighting, committing adultery, killing- appeals to psychopaths, whether or not they reap any rewards.  They appear drawn to high-risk antisocial behavior that has no apparent goal. Some experts theorize that psychopaths like to put themselves into dangerous situations because of the  adrenaline rush they experience. Because psychopaths generally dont feel many emotions that normal people do, any extreme sensation feels good. Others believe that they do it to reinforce their sense of superiority and to prove that they are smarter than everyone, including the police. Horrible Judgment Although psychopaths are logical thinkers and view themselves as highly intelligent, they consistently exhibit bad judgment. Faced with two paths, one to gold and the other to ashes, the psychopath will take the latter. Because psychopaths cant learn from their experiences, they are prone to taking the same path again and again. Egocentric and Unable to Love Psychopaths are highly egomaniacal, to the point that a  normal person has difficulty comprehending it. Their  self-centeredness  is so deeply rooted that it renders them incapable of loving others, including parents, spouses, and their own children. The only time psychopaths show an ordinary response to kindness or special treatment by others is when it can be used to their advantage. For example,  a psychopathic father still loved by his children despite the deep  suffering he has caused them  may put on a show of appreciation so that they continue to put money into his prison account or pay his legal fees. Conventional Treatment Empowers Psychopaths Most studies indicate that there are no conventional methods to cure psychopathic behavior. When conventional methods have been used, psychopaths become empowered  and react by improving their cunning, manipulative methods and their ability to conceal their true personality, even from trained eyes. Difference Between Psychopaths and Sociopaths Psychopaths and sociopaths share a diagnosis as having antisocial personality disorder and similar traits, but there are significant differences. Psychopaths are more deceptive and manipulative and maintain more control over their outward personas. They are able to lead what appear to be normal lives, sometimes throughout their lifetime. When psychopaths become criminals they believe they are smarter than the average person and invincible. Sociopaths often let their inner rage surface with violent episodes, verbally and physically. They become reckless and spontaneous and have little control over what they say or how they act. Because they are impulse driven, they rarely consider the consequences of their actions. It is difficult for sociopaths to live normal lives, and because of their imprudence many of them drop out of school, cant hold jobs, turn to crime, and end up in prison. Which Is More Dangerous? Sociopaths have a difficult time hiding their disorder, while psychopaths pride themselves on their manipulative abilities. Psychopaths are masters of disassociation and less likely to feel guilt or remorse for their actions or for the pain that they cause others. Because of this, psychopaths are considered to be more dangerous than sociopaths. Source:  The Mask of Sanity,  by  Hervey M. Cleckley

Tax Havens or Offshore Financial Centre Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Tax Havens or Offshore Financial Centre - Essay Example in Europe, Hong Kong and Singapore in Asia, and various Caribbean island nations in the Americas.† (2004: p 2) The study makes a comparative analysis of the tax haven regions with heavy tax zones to project the differences economies examine in respect of laving taxes on the companies and firms. The present study has also been supported by the literature relevant to the topic of the research. The research also contains theoretical framework in its fold that is helpful in elucidating the topic under study. Different economies of the world at large have offered a variety of incentives to the corporations, organisations, and firms so that investment can be made within their economic set up, and economy could observe an imperative boost in the state of perfect competition created all over the globe in the aftermath of globalisation. The UK, USA, the UAE and other countries have established offshore centres for the local, national and multinational firms and brands, where the firms of sound reputation are offered considerable concessions in taxes and tolls, which encourages more and more firms make investment under rules and regulations designed by the governments for the offshore centres. â€Å"According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development†, Almeida submits, â€Å"international tax competition is lowering tax rates and making government expenditure more efficient worldwide.† (2004: p 2) Though tax havens do not exist in China and Germany in their t rue definition, yet there exist several low tax authorities in many countries of the world. These include Italy, the USA, Canada, China, Germany, France, Australia and others. â€Å"About a quarter of US and UK FDI†, Dharmapala notices, â€Å"is located in tax havens. By way of comparison, tax havens are home to only 0.7 per cent of the worlds population when havens are defined as in DH (2006), or just 0.2 per cent when using the OECD definition.† (2008: p 4) Since low tax rates leave indelible

Assesment of Wal-Mart's international expansion strategy Essay

Assesment of Wal-Mart's international expansion strategy - Essay Example These locations where Wal-Mart has a well-established or newly-established presence were the product of joint ventures, foreign direct investment for wholly-owned Wal-Mart cash and carry stores, and through intense acquisition strategies. Wal-Mart in China Wal-Mart chose an export-led growth strategy in China as well as foreign direct investment for wholly-owned Wal-Mart stores. One of the main reasons for selecting this particular entry strategy is the difference in currency value between the Yuan and the U.S. Dollar, especially at the time of market entry in the 1990s before China became its current industrialized entity. Chinese domestic firms, additionally, have significant credit restraints for business development that restricts international trade activities (Manova, Wei and Zhang 2010). Limited credit availability gives Wal-Mart a significant advantage as it can procure capital from its domestic operational environment (i.e. The United States) to perform expansion, improve op erations, and also ensure better procurement of international goods for sale in China. Limited credit availability in China gives Wal-Mart a significant competitive advantage as research data shows that exporting or foreign-owned businesses perform better than domestic Chinese firms (Manova, et al). Having access to more capital and credit gives Wal-Mart the ability to set lower prices as a means to outperform domestic firms operating in the same sales industry as Wal-Mart in China. Further, Chinese consumers are extremely price sensitive and a recent survey indicated that Chinese consumers consider pricing above all other factors when buying merchandise (Suessmuth-Dyckerhoff, Hexter and St-Maurice 2008). Chinese consumer willingness to defect to another brand is significant when prices rise by a mere five percent (Suessmuth-Dyckerhoff, et al). Wal-Mart is a well-established promotional leader in the United States and other Westernized countries, thus it has an immediate advantage i n talent expertise upon entry into a foreign market. Coupled with price-sensitive buyers, Wal-Mart can simply transfer its existing everyday-low-price model directly in the new region without significant costs of redesigning organisational structure or service delivery design. Long-run operational cost reduction is the methodology for entering China under direct investment in wholly-owned businesses due to environmental and social conditions in this country. Additionally, Chinese consumers learn a great deal about Western culture through media exposure and their personal travels which has led to a great demand for Western brands (Emmons 2002). This determined the export-led strategy for taking domestic product and flooding it into the Chinese market based on social demographic characteristics of the Chinese consumer. The high Chinese demand for U.S.-produced products is also supported by a vast global infrastructure for procurement needs, thus satisfying budget related to the supply chain. Furthermore, the political environment in China is growing ever-more favourable for foreign direct investment, such as reducing the tariff rates associated with foreign exports (Carbaugh 2009). Governmental restrictions and supplemental

Character Compare and Contrast Essay Example for Free

Character Compare and Contrast Essay The 2 characters that are the main spotlight in this story are Jack and Ralph. They are great leaders but they have different ways of leading others. However they have different goals and that leads to arguments and in the end separation. Even in all the hardships, the littleuns still caused Ralph and Jack to add another worry about the â€Å"beast† into their list of worries Even though Jack and Ralph are innocent and mature at the start, they will break mentally in the end without civilisation to keep them sane. Jack and Ralph are great leaders but they have different ways of leading. Jack’s way of leading is more into the dictator type but Ralph is more into the democracy type. Ralph likes to get ideas and ask for volunteers to do them while Jack likes to tell others what to do.Even though they all agreed to the cliffs and the outhouses and there always has to be water in the coconut shells, but they all forgot about it and do it everywhere. As time passes arguments happens and they fought for leadership. Even though Jack and Ralph work well together but different goals caused them to separate. Jack’s goal is to hunt pigs and go wild in the forest ,but Ralph’s goal is to get off the island and stay alive. They are enthusiastic about the idea of building a signal fire to go back home, the hunters who are supposed to look after it were too focused on hunting the pig for food and left it to go out at the most crucial point. While they are hunting and the fire went out, a ship came pass by and went past them like they didn’t even exist.This accident caused Ralph and Jack into an argument that would eventually lead to separation. The littleuns like to play around but even though they they don’t have to do anything, they also have to make Jack and Ralph worry about the â€Å"beast.† Even though the littleums don’t have to do anything, they still have to create problems by lighting a spark of fear into others by the story of the â€Å"beast.† The day after the kid with the birthmark told them about the  Ã¢â‚¬Å"beast,† he’s gone and no one has yet seen him and they just took him out of their memories and made him disappear like he never existed. Even though the fear of the â€Å"beast’s† gone, once a fear of it is lit it would stay there forever and hunt them even in their dreams. Once they all are mentally broken, Jack took action and rebelled, overthrowing Ralph’s leadership. Even though both Jack and Ralph has the same background and have a similar life style, they still argue with each other and fought over the conch, the symbol of leadership. Jack and Ralph are great leaders but they have different ways of leading and thinking. They also have 2 different priorities which Ralph’s is staying alive and getting off the island back to their homes, but Jack’s priority is to hunt and go wild. Even though they have to worry about who’s in power constantly, the littleuns still have to light a spark of fear that gradually built up like pressure in a pressure tank and once it went over the limit, it blew. Even though they fought and argued they still did well staying alive even with out adults. Works Cited Golding, William. Lord of the flies. London: Faber and Faber Limited, 2012. Print

The Synthesis of Actualizing and Escaping the Self in Christian Identity and Conversion :: Essays Papers

The Synthesis of Actualizing and Escaping the Self in Christian Identity and Conversion Ever since encountering Socrates’ simplistic but profound maxim, â€Å"know thyself,† I have taken intentional steps along the journey of my own self-discovery. However, the more I attempt to analyze the complex integration of motives, thoughts, actions, unconscious memories, sensual experiences, emotional reactions, etc. that composes my â€Å"self,† the more I realize the infinite depths into which Socrates’ seemingly simple saying has plunged me. Nevertheless, my curious mind, whether a curse or a gift, craves any tidbit of wisdom someone wishes to impart about how/where/with what means one can come to â€Å"know thyself† better. Perhaps it’s a result of growing up in a capitalistic, progressive, individualistic society, but my continual search proves I believe more knowledge will somehow lead to a fuller life. I want to improve, upgrade, supersize, maximize! Along this journey, I have stumbled upon many recent psychologists who propose that to help someone know the self more fully, the psychologist must provide â€Å"unconditional positive regard† for the personhood of the other, that is, identify with the client without questioning the position from which she or he speaks (McAdams 440-1). Allowing clients to talk, these psychologists believe, provides them opportunity to access their own self-knowledge. They already possess the answers they need to improve their lives; they simply need someone to affirm that truth so they can begin to believe it themselves. No outside authority needs to tell them what they’re thinking or feeling, let alone what they ought to do to change themselves. Since I believe in and have experienced unconditional positive regard as a catalyst to personal empowerment, I wanted to stand up and cheer, â€Å"Yes!† with these professionals. But another professional caused me to reconsider. Paul Vitz, a Christian psychologist, authors Psychology as Religion: The Cult of Self-Worship, a response to the self-actualization and self-help movements popularized by these psychologists. He criticizes Rogers’ client-centered therapy as encouraging a narrowly-focused, self-centered lifestyle that excludes broader cultural and historical themes (Vitz 21). â€Å"Selfism† as he labels this movement, simply encourages people to feed their own egos and ignore both the reality of their fallenness and the responsibility to love others. Not only that, but selfism defames God, for it places self at the center of one’s focus, thus creating an idol: â€Å"To worship one’s self (in self-realization) or to worship all humanity is, in Christian terms, simple idolatry operating from the usual motive of unconscious egotism†(Vitz 93).

Investigating the Effects of Surface Area on the Rate of Reaction Essay

Aim: To study the effects of changing the surface area on the rate of a chemical reaction Hypothesis: This hypothesis is based on the Collision Theory, where in order to react, the two particles involved must: 1. Collide with each other 2. The collision must be energetic enough to overcome the activation energy of the reaction 3. The collision must bring the reactive parts of the molecule into contact the correct way – they must collide with appropriate geometry (the reactive parts) Considering that the surface area of a particle is a factor that mainly affects the collision rate of particles, it would be safe to assume that as the surface area increases, the reaction rate increases. The graph should turn out to be something like this: 1. the reaction is the fastest at the start 2. The reaction is slowing down here 3. No more product is formed Amount of product Time Variables: Variable Factor What is manipulated Dependent Time The time it takes for the reaction to complete depends on the surface area of the compounds being used, because it determines the rate in which the reaction will occur. Independent Volume of the gas collected (H2, CO2) The amount of gas collected for each experiment will depend on the Controlled 1. Mass of Calcium Carbonate (both marble chips and powdered form) 2. Mass of Magnesium (both ribbon and powder) 3. Volume of Hydrochloric Acid 4. Apparatus Used 1. The masses of the substances utilized will remain constantly fixed during the experiment 2. 50 cm3 of HCl will be used for every trial – 550 cm3 in total 3. The apparatus used will remain the same throughout the whole experiment Chemical Reactions: Mg + 2HCl → MgCl2 + H2 1. Magnesium ribbon 2. Hydrogen Gas will be the gas collected 1. 3 Trials will take place 1. Mass of Magnesium ribbon in: 1. Trial 1: 0.064 grams 2. Trial 2: 0.063 grams 3. Trial 3: 0.065 grams CaCO3 + 2HCl → CaCl2 + H2O + CO2 1. Marble Chips 2. Carbon Dioxide will be the gas collected 1. 2 Trials will take place 1. Mass of Marble Chips in: 1. Trial 1: 3.998 grams 2. Trial 2: 3.988 grams Na2CO3 + 2HCl → 2NaCl + H2O + CO2 1. Sodium Carbonate (Powdered) 2. Carbon Dioxide will be the gas collected 1. 2 Trials will take place 1. Mass of Sodium Carbonate 1. Trial 1: 0.504 grams 2. Trial 2: 0.505 grams Apparatus: 1. Eye-Protection – 1 pair of Safety Glasses 2. 1 pair of Scissors 3. 1 Electronic Scale 4. 1 Conical Flask (100cm3) 5. 1 Single-holed rubber bung and delivery tube to fit conical flask 6. 1 Measuring cylinder (100cm3) 7. Stopwatch Chemicals: 1. 12cm of Magnesium Ribbon 2. 550 cm3 of Hydrochloric Acid 3. Marble Chips 4. Sodium Carbonate (Powdered) Method: 1. Set up apparatus as shown 2. Fill the conical flask with 50cm3 of HCl 3. Insert the end of the syringe into the hole on top of the stopper 4. Add the magnesium ribbon 5. Seal the flask with a rubber stopper as quickly as you can, at the same time have someone else present to start the stop watch once the magnesium ribbon has been added to the hydrochloric acid 6. As the reaction takes place, note down the time it takes for the gas collected to reach a multiple of 5 (i.e. 5mL, 10mL †¦.50,55,60,65 etc) 7. Keep measuring until the reaction has stopped, or you are unable to measure anymore 8. Repeat each experiment 3 times, just to be sure the data collected is accurate 9. At step 4, replace the underlined compound with the next compound after one experiment is completed Data Recorded Magnesium Ribbon – Mg + 2HCl → MgCl2 + H2 Trial 1 (0.064  ± 0.005 grams) Time (in seconds)  ± 0.05 s Volume (in cm3)  ± 2.5 cm3 Conclusion Unfortunately I was unable to create a graph using time as the independent variable, because the lab that I had utilized did not have the equipment available to accurately to record the data if time were to be the independent variable. Another factor that played into my decision was the fact that the smallest calibration of the glass syringe I used was 5 cm3. Since the only visible measurements shown on the syringe were multiples of 5, it would only seem reasonable that I switch around the variables, making time the dependent variable, and the volume collected the independent variable, since I couldn’t exactly measure how much gas would be collected every 5 seconds; otherwise the relationship the graph would depict would be completely incorrect. As you can see on the graphs, the slightly steep slopes show when the reaction is the quickest, as it should be in the beginning. The curve shows the reaction slowing down, but unfortunately the curve continues. This is because the reaction is still taking place. I was unable to record the rest of the data because the measuring tools that were available weren’t able to record to such a high degree. In some cases though, like in the powdered sodium carbonate experiment, the reaction began so quickly that I wasn’t able to record the time in most cases, so I just stuck with those that I had managed to note down. In other cases, there were so many distractions in the lab that it was difficult to remain focused. My classmates kept removing some if the items that I was using. The idea was to see how the rate of reaction changed when the surface area of a substance was increased. Initially, my plan was to react magnesium ribbon and magnesium powder with 1 mole of Hydrochloric acid; so I could compare and contrast how the surface area of the substance affected the rate of reaction. I had planned to keep everything about the two substances the same. Its element, mass, the amount of Hydrochloric acid I was going to react with it; the only thing different would be its surface area. Unfortunately the Lab didn’t have any available. So I decided to do the same experiment to Calcium Carbonate, this time using marble chips and powdered calcium carbonate. To my dismay I found that the powdered calcium carbonate wasn’t reacting at all. So I had to change it to sodium carbonate. There is skepticism about using different elements, seeing as they have different orders of reactivity. These factors, including the concentration of the acid used, could also affect the rate of reaction. However, the same acid concentration was used for all experiments, in all trials; so we can dismiss that. However, sodium is much higher up the reactivity series than calcium, which is higher up the reactivity series than magnesium. This is the problem with this experiment; the elements positions in the reactivity series could have really altered the rate of reaction. However, the experiments still prove that when the surface area of a substance is increased, the rate of reaction increases as well. This happens because, when two substances react only the surface particles of the substances can come into direct contact with the reactant particles. Increasing a substance’s surface area, like turning big solid chunks of calcium carbonate into powder, leaves more solid particles available to react. The more particles available to react at one time, the faster the rate of the reaction. Like this: Only atoms on the surface can react If you break the substance down, more atoms are exposed and ready to react. Evaluation Considering the lack of material available, I think I was able to manage the experiment fairly enough to produce results. However, I am not pleased with the factors that may or may not have affected my results, and the circumstances in which I had to switch my variables around. Therefore I would like to state a few things I would like to alter, if ever I got the change to do this experiment again. 1. Apparatus 1. Next time, instead of using a stopwatch, I would like to use a digital device, like a laptop for example, that was somehow connected to the glass syringe, which was programmed to record the volume of the gas collected every 5 seconds. This time the graph would turn out the way it should be. 2. Instead of using a measuring cylinder, I would replace it with a burette, as it takes more accurate measurements of liquids. 1. Chemicals Used 1. I would try and used the same element next time; the only difference would be the surface area. For example, if I used magnesium, to study the effects of surface area on the rate of reaction, I would only you magnesium ribbon and magnesium powder. Studying different elements with different reactivity’s would dismiss any data already collected because an element’s position on the reactivity series may also determine the rate of reaction. Use the same element. 1. Amount of People involved in the experiment 1. If I had to do the experiment again, with the same apparatus, I think I would like to have 3 people participating in the collection of data. 1 person would be watching the syringe rise and call out to record whenever it rose, the 2nd person would time it, and the 3rd person would record it. This time, the data may be even more accurate, because no one is taking their eye off the experiment, like I was doing during my experiment just to record data. I feel that altering these aspects of the experiment would increase the level of accuracy, as to get more substantial data to calculate the order of reaction. Unfortunately with the data I have so far, I am unable to derive the concentrations of the substances I had utilized in my experiment. However, as the objective was to investigate whether or not different surface areas affected the rate of the reaction, I think that I have produced enough data to support my theory.

Neural Markers of Categorization

In 2006, University of Delaware’s Paul C. Quinn and Harvard Medical School’s Alissa Westerlund, and Charles A. Nelson study titled â€Å"Neural Markers of Categorization in 6-Month-Old Infants† was published in Psychological Science. The study was motivated by the lack of existing literature on neural markers in infants. These neural markers have been seen as critical in developing an underpinning concept-formation in infants which in turn influences perception and cognitive development. Despite the importance of the neural markers of categorization to various fields of study, there is limited existing literature about it. Furthermore, existing literatures have not yet determined the neural markers and conditional determinants that can be associated with category formation. Most studies on infants have focused on the use of novel stimuli or the use of behavioral indicators to indicate categorization or concept formation. Study Objectives The main objective of the study was to identify neural activity involved in concept-formation in infants. By analyzing learning a category during familiarization, behavioral performance preference for a novel category global-level category learning, neural determinants will be identified. This will then enhance existing methodologies and research regarding concept formation, in particular, category-learning processes in infants. In doing so, the study will be able to not only further knowledge in neural markers and development but also serve as a means to verify conclusions regarding the topic determined outside of neural indicators (Quinn et al 58). Furthermore, the study is to serve as a foundation for further studies focusing on infant development and learning. Methodology Ten infants were included in the study that was selected from an original group of twenty one. Criteria for inclusion included were the child’s ability to stay focused on the stimuli and behavior. The mean age of participants was 198.8 days and 70% of the selected participant were female (60). The stimuli used for testing were colored photos featuring various breeds of cats and dogs assuming different postures. Luminosity of the photographs was based from analysis of the pictures using Adobe Photoshop: luminosity of the pictures ranged from 225.54 to 248.42 for pictures depicting dogs, for cats 226.05 to 249.57. Shape values ranged from 20.03 to 56.88 for cats and 24.28 to 61.65 for dogs. While the area and perimeter of the pictures was based on LASICO 1281 Area/Line Meter. Testing procedures included event-related potential (ERP) Testing, ERP Waveform Analysis and Behavioral Testing. ERP Testing was conducted in an acoustically shielded and light-controlled room. The infants sat with a respective parent in front of a monitor measuring 48 centimeters across and 31 centimeters tall. The infants viewed the pictures randomly from a distance of 60 centimeters with each picture being flashed for 500 ms. Adjustments were made based on observations on the child through video monitors. The results were then recorded and amplified onto a vertex reference at 0.1- to 100-Hz band-pass filtering and digitized at 250-Hz. Electroencephalographic data was handled through NetStation 4.0.1. Adjustments were made as baseline correction to 100-ms prestimulus recording interval. Final phase of testing was done to determine behavioral evidences for category learning. Two 5-s test trials during which a novel cat was paired with a novel dog in a left-right arrangement with two independent observers, both blind to the lateral position of the animals shown to the infant. Results The study concluded that infants, in the processes of learning a category, exhibited higher negative amplitude on left occipital-parietal scalp in response indicating initial experience with category exemplars with the first cat pictures 1 to 18 and novel dogs. Furthermore, comparisons of average amplitude of ERP signals between 1,000 and 1,500 ms after each picture was shown did not vary in cats 1 to 18. this indicates that neural instantiation of are key behavioral indicants of categorization implying that the infants respond to the novel as something familiar. With regards to novel categories, the results indicated the infants’ preference for such (61). This was indicated by the infants’ response to the novel dogs: negative amplitude over left-central became more pronounced. The implications is that Nc component or negative central component of the ERP  waveform can be e a neural marker of infants’ novel-category preference. Behavioral Performance tests from the looking-time data recorded when paired-preference was conducted indicated the infants’ preference for the novel dog versus the novel cat. The infants also showed novel-category preference by 62.52%. Since this value exceeds probability thresholds which in the study are divided equally between cats and dogs, the researchers are confident in concluding that the infants learned category representation for cats that included novel cats without the exclusion of the dogs. The results also yielded conclusions regarding global-level category learning. The researches believe that global-coding nodes are quickly learned as a means to represent or map large differences when there are a limited number of attributes that distinguished the global level Significance and Implications The discrimination of entities categorically is believed to have its roots during development. Therefore, determining the mechanism of category representations develop together with knowledge structures, vocabulary development and expressions that influence cognition, thus, the importance of measuring infants’ visual timing and recognition when presented with both realistic and abstract figures. This will allow for insights to not only in visual and cognitive development but also provide critical information in the overall development mapping of an individual (59). However, since there are no previous studies existing to evaluate the conclusions of the study to, the determination made by the paper will need further research, a constraint that the researchers themselves recognized (61). Despite this constraint, the study was able to provided significant evidence using neural markers using ERP and brain wave mapping that infants learning a category through the process of familiarization have a preference for novel category and respond to category exemplars at multiple levels of inclusiveness. Therefore, neural architecture required for object categorization processes is present in infants aged six months and below which in turn is giving greater insight to the neurological developments critical to learning and development. Work Cited Quinn, Paul C., Westerlund, Alissa and Nelson, Charles A. Neural Markers of Categorization in  6-Month-Old Infants. Psychological Science 17 (1) (2006), 59–66.

Classic British and American Essays and Speeches

Classic British and American Essays and Speeches From the works and musings of Walt  Witman to those of Virginia Woolf, some of the cultural heroes and prolific artists of prose are listed belowalong with some of the worlds greatest essays and speeches  ever composed by these British and American literary treasures. George Ade (1866-1944) George Ade was an America playwright, newspaper columnist and humorist whose greatest recognition was Fables in Slang (1899), a satire that explored the colloquial vernacular of America. Ade eventually succeeded in doing what he set out to do: Make America laugh. The Difference Between Learning and Learning How:In due time the Faculty gave the Degree of M.A. to what was left of Otis and still his Ambition was not satisfied.Luxuries: About sixty-five per cent of all the people in the world think they are getting along great when they are not starving to death.Vacations: The planet you are now visiting may be the only one you ever see. Susan B. Anthony (1820-1906) American activist Susan B. Anthony crusaded for the womens suffrage movement, making way for the Nineteenth Amendment to the US Constitution in 1920, giving women the right to vote. Anthony is principally known for the six-volume History of Woman Suffrage.   On Womens Right to Vote: The only question left to be settled now is: Are women persons? Robert Benchley (1889-1945) The writings of American humorist, actor and drama critic Robert Benchley are considered his best achievement. His socially awkward, slightly confused persona allowed him to write about the inanity of the world to great effect. Advice to Writers: A terrible plague of insufferably artificial and affected authorsBusiness Letters: As it stands now things are pretty black for the boy.Christmas Afternoon: Done in the Manner, If Not in the Spirit of DickensDo Insects Think?: It really was more like a child of our own than a wasp, except that it looked more like a wasp than a child of our own.The Most Popular Book of the Month: In practice, the book is not flawless. There are five hundred thousand names, each with a corresponding telephone number. Joseph Conrad (1857-1924) British novelist and short-story writer Joseph Conrad rendered about the tragedy of loneliness at sea and became known for his colorful, rich descriptions about the sea and other exotic places. He is regarded as one of the greatest English novelists of all time. Outside Literature: A sea voyage would have done him good. But it was I who went to seathis time bound to Calcutta. Frederick Douglass (1818-1895) American Frederick Douglass great oratory and literary skills helped him to  become the first African-American citizen to hold high office in the US government. He was one of the 19th centurys most prominent human rights activist, and his autobiography, Life and Times of Frederick Douglass (1882), became an American literary classic. The Destiny of Colored Americans:  Slavery is the peculiar weakness of America, as well as its peculiar crime.A Glorious Resurrection: My long-crushed spirit rose. W.E.B. Du Bois (1868-1963) W.E.B. Du Bois was an American scholar and human rights activist, a respected author and historian of literature. His literature and studies analyzed the unreachable depths of American racism. Du Bois seminal work is a collection of 14 essays titled The Souls of Black Folk (1903).   Of Mr. Booker T. Washington and Others: Mr. Washington represents in Negro thought the old attitude of adjustment and submission.Of the Passing of the First-Born: He knew no color-line, poor dearand the Veil, though it shadowed him, had not yet darkened half his sun. F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896-1940) Known foremost for his novel The Great Gatsby, American novelist and short-story writer F. Scott Fitzgerald was also a renown playboy and had a tumultuous life compounded by alcoholism and depression. Only after his death did he become known as a preeminent American literary author.   What I Think and Feel at 25: The main thing is to be your own kind of a darn fool. Ben Hecht  (1894-1964) American novelist, short-story writer and playwright Ben Hecht is remembered as one of Hollywoods greatest screenplay writers and may best be remembered for Scarface, Wuthering Heights and Guys and Dolls. Fog Patterns: Yes, we are all lost and wandering in the thick mists. We have no destinations.Letters: You would see a procession of mysterious figures flitting through the streets, an unending swarm of dim ones, queer ones. Ernest Hemingway  (1899-1961) American novelist Ernest Hemingway won the 1954 Nobel Prize in Literature for his mastery of the art of narrative ... and for the influence he has exerted on contemporary style as demonstrated in his brilliant novel The Old Man and the Sea. American Bohemians in Paris: The scum of Greenwich Village, New York, has been skimmed off and deposited in large  ladles  on that section of Paris adjacent to the Cafà © Rotonde.Camping Out: Any man of average office intelligence can make at least as good a pie as his wife. Martin Luther King Jr.  (1929-1968) Civil rights activist and minister Martin Luther King Jr., winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, may be best known for I Have A Dream, in which he wrote about love, peace, nonviolent activism and equality between all races. I Have a Dream: Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of Gods children.Reading Quiz on I Have a DreamTen Things You Should Know About Dr. Kings I Have a Dream Speech Jack London  (1876-1916) Nineteenth-century American author and journalist Jack London is best known for his adventures White Fang and The Call of the Wild. London published more than 50 books over the last 16 years of his life, including John Barleycorn, which was somewhat of a memoir about his lifelong battle with alcohol. The Somnambulists: [T]his archdeceiver believes all that they tell him. He reads only the newspapers and magazines that tell him what he wants to be told.The Story of an Eyewitness: The San Francisco Earthquake: Not in history has a modern imperial city been so completely destroyed.Reading Quiz on The San Francisco EarthquakeWhat Life Means to Me: I accepted that up above me was all that was fine and noble and gracious, all that gave decency and dignity to life. H.L. Mencken  (1880-1956) American journalist, activist and editor H.L. Mencken was also a very influential literary critic. His columns were popular not only for their literary criticism, but also for their questioning of popular political, social and cultural views. The Hills of Zion: Dayton was having a roaring time. It was better than the circus.The Libido for the Ugly: Out of the melting pot emerges a race which hates beauty.Literature and the  Schoolmam: The essence of a sound style is that it cannot be reduced to rules.The Lower Depths: The worst idiots, even among pedagogues, are the teachers of English.Portrait of an Ideal World: All the great villainies of history have been perpetrated by sober men, and chiefly by teetotalers. Christopher Morley  (1890-1957) American writer Christopher Morley was popular for his literary columns in the New York Evening Post, among other literary magazines. His many collections of essays and columns were lighthearted, vigorous displays of the English language.    1100 Words: Let us be brief, crisp, packed with thought.The Art of Walking: Sometimes it seems as though literature were a co-product of legs and head.A Morning in Marathon: [W]e flashed onto the Hackensack marshes and into the fully minted gold of superb morning.On Going to Bed: The happier creatures ... take the tide of sleep at the flood and are borne calmly and with gracious gentleness out to great waters of nothingness. George Orwell  (1903-1950) This British novelist, essayist and critic is best known for his novels 1984 and Animal Farm. George Orwells disdain for imperialism (he considered himself an anarchist) guided him in his life as well as through some of his writings. A Hanging: We all began laughing again. ... The dead man was a hundred yards away.Why Are Beggars Despised?: A beggar, looked at realistically, is simply a businessman, getting his living. Dorothy Parker  (1893-1967) Witty American poet and short-story writer Dorothy Parker began as an editorial assistant at Vogue and eventually became the book reviewer known as the Constant Reader for The New Yorker. Among her hundreds of works, Parker won the 1929 O. Henry Award for her short story Big Blond. Good Souls: They are fated to go through life, congenial pariahs. They live out their little lives, mingling with the world, yet never a part of it.Mrs. Post Enlarges on Etiquette: As one delves deeper and deeper into  Etiquette, disquieting thoughts come. Bertrand Russell  (1872-1970) British philosopher and social reformer Bertrand Russell won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1950 in recognition of his varied and significant writings in which he champions humanitarian ideals and freedom of thought. Russell was one of the foremost philosophers of the 20th century. In Praise of Idleness: The road to happiness and prosperity lies in an organized diminution of work. Margaret Sanger  (1879-1966) American activist Margaret Sanger was a sex educator, nurse and womens rights advocate. She began the first feminist publication, The Woman Rebel, in 1914.    The Turbid Ebb and Flow of Misery: My own cozy and comfortable family existence  was  becoming a reproach to me. George Bernard Shaw  (1856-1950) An Irish dramatist and critic, George Bernard Shaw was also a socialist propagandist and winner of the 1925 Nobel Prize in Literature (which he didnt receive until 1926) for his work which is marked by both idealism and beauty. Shaw wrote more than 60 plays during his lifetime. Preface to  Pygmalion: It is impossible for an Englishman to open his mouth without making some other Englishman hate or despise him.She Would Have Enjoyed It: Why does a funeral always sharpen ones sense of humor?Why Law Is Indispensable: Laws deaden the conscience of individuals by relieving them of responsibility.The Art of Political Lying: Considering that natural disposition in many men to lie, and in multitudes to believe, I have been perplexed what to do with that maxim so frequent in everybodys mouth, that truth will at last prevail.Hints Toward an Essay on Conversation: This degeneracy of conversation ... hath been owing, among other causes, to the custom arisen, for sometime past, of excluding women from any share in our society.A Meditation Upon a Broomstick: But a broomstick is an emblem of a tree standing on its head. Henry David Thoreau  (1817-1862) American essayist, poet and philosopher Henry David Thoreau is most known for his masterful work, Walden, about living a life close to nature. He was a dedicated abolitionist and a strong practitioner of civil disobedience. The Battle of the Ants: I never learned which party was victorious, nor the cause of the war.The Landlord: If we do not look up to the Landlord, we look round for him on all emergencies, for he is a man of infinite experience, who unites hands with wit.The Last Days of John Brown: [T]he one great rule of compositionand if I were a professor of rhetoric I should insist on thisis, to  speak the truth. James Thurber  (1894-1961) American author and illustrator James Thurber is best known for his contributions to The New Yorker. Via his contributions to the magazine, his cartoons became some of the most popular in the United States. The Subjunctive Mood: Husbands are suspicious of all subjunctives. Wives should avoid them.Which: Never monkey with which. Anthony Trollope  (1815-1882) British author Anthony Trollope is best known for his writing in the Victorian Erasome of his work includes a series of novels known as The Chronicles of Barsetshire. Trollope also wrote on political, social and gender issues. The Plumber: The plumber is doubtless aware that he is odious. He feels himself, like Dickenss turnpike-man, to be the enemy of mankind. Mark Twain  (1835-1910) Mark Twain was an American humorist, journalist, lecturer and novelist best known for his classic American novels The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. With his wit and grand telling of tales, Twain is nothing short of an American national treasure.   Advice to Youth: Always obey your parents, when they are present.Corn-Pone Opinions: Tell me whar a man gits his  corn pone, en Ill tell you what his pinions  is.The Danger of Lying in Bed: The danger isnt in traveling by rail, but in trusting to those deadly beds.A Fable: You can find in a text whatever you bring.Fenimore Coopers Literary Offences: Deerslayer  is just simply a literary delirium tremens.The Lowest Animal: [W]e have descended and degenerated ... till we have reached the bottom stage of development.On the Decay of the Art of Lying: Lying is universal: we all do it; we all must do it.Two Ways of Seeing a River: All the grace, the beauty, the poetry had gone out of the majestic river!Unconscious Plagiarism: [P]ride protects a man from deliberately stealing other peoples ideas. H.G. Wells  (1866-1944) British author and historian H.G. Wells is best known for his works of science fiction, including The Time Machine, The First Men in the Moon and The War of the Worlds. Wells wrote an astounding 161 full-length books.   For Freedom of Spelling: The Discovery of an Art: Why should correct spelling be the one absolutely essential literary merit?Of Conversation: An Apology: I am no blowfly to buzz my way through the universe.The Pleasure of Quarrelling: Without  quarreling  you have not fully appreciated your fellow-man.The Possible Collapse of Civilisation: Modern warfare is an insanity, not a sane business proposition.The Writing of Essays: The art of the essayist ... may be learnt in a brief ten minutes or so. Walt Whitman  (1819-1892) American poet and journalist Walt Whitmans verse collection Leaves of Grass is an American literature landmark. Ralph Waldo Emerson praised the collection as the most extraordinary piece of wit and wisdom America had yet contributed. A Glimpse of Wars Hell Scenes: There was no exultation, very little said, almost nothing, yet every man there contributed his shot.Slang in America: Language in the largest sense ... is really the greatest of studies.Street Yarn: Come and walk in New York streets. Virginia Woolf  (1882-1941) British author Virginia Woolf  may be best known for her modernist classics Mrs. Dalloway and To the Lighthouse. But she also produced feminist texts such as A Room of Ones Own and Three Guineas and wrote pioneering essays on the politics of power, artistic theory and literary history. The Decay of Essay Writing: Under the decent veil of print one can indulge ones egoism to the full.The Modern Essay: The essay must lap us about and draw its curtain across the world.The Patron and the Crocus: Be sure you choose your patron wisely.Street Haunting: A London Adventure: Into each of these lives one could penetrate a little way.Writing for My Eye Only: I can trace some increase of ease in my professional writing which I attribute to my casual half hours after tea.

Programming Exercise for Odd Magic Squares in Java

Programming Exercise for Odd Magic Squares in Java Its unclear who first came up with a magic square. There is a story about a huge flood in China a long time ago. The people were worried they would be washed away and tried to appease the river god by making sacrifices. Nothing seemed to work until a child noticed a turtle sporting a magic square on its back that kept circling the sacrifice. The square told the people how big their sacrifice needed to be in order to save themselves. Since then magic squares have been the height of fashion for any discerning turtle. Level: Beginner Focus: Logic, Arrays, Methods Odd Magic Squares In case youve never come across one before, a magic square is an arrangement of sequential numbers in a square so that the rows, columns, and diagonals all add up to the same number. For instance, a 3x3 magic square is: 8 1 6 3 5 7 4 9 2 Each row, column and diagonal adds up to 15. Odd Magic Squares Question This programming exercise is concerned with creating odd sized magic squares (i.e., the size of the square can only be an odd number, 3x3, 5x5, 7x7, 9x9, and so on). The trick with making such a square is to place the number 1 in the first row and middle column. To find where to place the next number, move diagonally upwards to the right (i.e., one row up, one column across). If such a move means you fall off the square, wrap around to the row or column on the opposite side. Finally, if the move takes you to a square that is already filled, go back to the original square and move downwards by one. Repeat the process until all the squares are filled. For example, a 3x3 magic square would start like so: 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 A move diagonally upwards means we wrap around to the bottom of the square: 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 Likewise, the next diagonal move upwards means we wrap around to the first column: 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 0 2 Now the diagonal move upwards results in a square that is already filled, so we go back to where we came from and drop down a row: 0 1 0 3 0 0 4 0 2 and it continues on and on until all the squares are full. Program Requirements a user must be able to enter in the size of the magic square.they must only be allowed to enter in an odd number.use a method to create the magic square.use a method to display the magic square. The question is can your program create a 5x5 magic square like the one below? 17 24   1   Ã‚  8 15 23   5   Ã‚  7 14 16   4   Ã‚  6 13 20 22 10 12 19 21   3 11 18 25   2   Ã‚  9 Hint: Apart from the programming aspects of this exercise its also a test of logic. Take each step of creating the magic square in turn and figure how it can be done with a two-dimensional array. Odd Magic Square Solution Your program should have been capable of creating the 5x5 magic square below: 17 24   1   Ã‚  8 15 23   5   Ã‚  7 14 16   4   Ã‚  6 13 20 22 10 12 19 21   3 11 18 25   2   Ã‚  9 Heres my version: import java.util.Scanner; public class MagicOddSquare {   Ã‚  public static void main(String[] args) {   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Scanner input new Scanner(System.in);   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  int[][] magicSquare;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  boolean isAcceptableNumber false;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  int size -1;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  //only accept odd numbers   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  while (isAcceptableNumber false)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  {   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  System.out.println(Enter in size of square: );   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  String sizeText input.nextLine();   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  size Integer.parseInt(sizeText);   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  if (size % 2 0)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  {   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  System.out.println(The size must be an odd number);   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  isAcceptableNumber false;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  }   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  else   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  {   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  isAcceptableNumber true;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  }   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  }   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  magicSqua re createOddSquare(size);   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  displaySquare(magicSquare);   Ã‚  }   Ã‚  private static int[][] createOddSquare(int size)   Ã‚  {   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  int[][] magicSq new int[size][size];   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  int row 0;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  int column size/2;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  int lastRow row;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  int lastColumn column;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  int matrixSize size*size;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  magicSq[row][column] 1;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  for (int k2;k matrixSize1;k)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  {   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  //check if we need to wrap to opposite row   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  if (row - 1 0)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  {   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  row size-1;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  }   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  else   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  {   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  row;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  }   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  //check if we need to wrap to opposite column   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  if (column 1 size)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  {   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  column 0;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  }   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  else   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  {   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  column;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  }   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  //if this position isnt empty then go back to where we   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  //started and move one row down   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  if (magicSq[row][column] 0)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  {   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  magicSq[row][column] k;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  }   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  els e   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  {   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  row lastRow;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  column lastColumn;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  if (row 1 size)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  {   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  row0;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  }   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   else   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  {   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  row;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  }   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  magicSq[row][column] k;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  }   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  lastRow row;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  lastColumn column;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  }   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  return magicSq;   Ã‚  }   Ã‚  private static void displaySquare(int[][] magicSq)   Ã‚  {   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  int magicConstant 0;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  for (int j0;j(magicSq.length);j)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  {   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  for (int k0;k(magicSq[j].length);k)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  {   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  System.out.print(magicSq[j][k] );   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  }   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  System.out.print;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  magicConstant magicConstant magicSq[j][0];   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  }   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   System.out.print(The magic constant is magicConstant);   Ã‚  } }

Cultural Literature Review Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Cultural Literature Review - Article Example Looking back at the historical development of the nursing profession to give the nurses and those planning to become one, insight for a best health care system today and in the future, is the main objective of Karen J. Egenes in her article History of Nursing (n.d), as she stated in her summary (p.23). In her introductory words, she implied that understanding the history of nursing would highlight the importance of this profession in the health care system of the nation. That’s why the article presented an overview of the history of nursing, especially with the nursing in the United States, with the contributions of selected leaders and influence of the societal trends (p.2). It is impossible to speak of the history of nursing without mentioning Florence Nightingale. Egenes’ article remarked that Nightingale laid the foundation of nursing as a profession. She turned down offers of marriage and pursued studies in health, despite her parents opposition, because â€Å"she believed that she had been called to dedicate her life to the service of humanity†(p.4). This is the same spirit that dominates the nurses today. Egenes’ objective in writing her article is considerably achievable. In fact, according to Jeff Durham (2010), in his discussion of the duties and responsibilities of a nurse, in his article The Role of a Nurse, he emphasized the important role of a nurse in the patient’s recovery, as well as protecting the patient. Actually, many nurses go above and beyond their call of duty. Durham realistically outlined in his article the nurse’s emotional involvement in their patient. Besides being a caregiver, a nurse also portrays the role as patient’s teacher, a counselor, and a trusted friend. This article of Durham evidently shows that nurses are being appreciated and their importance in health care system is being recognized. In a personal interview to Donna E. Shalala, the appointed chair in the year 2009 of th e Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Initiative on the Future of Nursing at the Institute of Medicine (IOM), regarding committee’s report â€Å"about transforming the health care system within the newly legislated Affordable Care Act†, she openly acknowledged that â€Å"unless people understand that nursing is central to improving the quality of health care, we will never be able to improve that quality in this country† (Nickitas, 2011). Since nurses role are being appreciated, much is expected in their competence amidst the increased migration of varied cultural background in the United States nowadays. A nurse flexibility face the challenge while adapting to different culture, beliefs and practices of their immigrant patient. So the key method to maintain efficiency on nursing is to familiarize oneself of the cultural background of the immigrant patient. Acquiring knowledge and understanding of their social structure, their medical practices and even their religious beliefs are extremely important in giving appropriate care to a patient with such cultural background. According to a module for study article, entitled Health and Health Care of Filipino American Elders, â€Å"Filipino Americans now rank as the second largest Asian group in the United States with over 1.8 million individuals reported in 2000 census† (McBride, n.d.). Thus, the article equipped us knowledge on their cultural backgroun

Death Penalty Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Death Penalty - Essay Example While some arguments are about moral judgments, others are disagreements about empirical trends, such as whether the death penalty is a more effective deterrent than life imprisonment. Ethical debate of the death penalty can be split into two main philosophical contexts, a deontological (a priori) context and a consequentiality context. A priori argument can be further subcategorized into a right argument and a virtue argument. Legal debate also generally falls into prior argument based on legal text. Consequentiality argument can be largely reduced to utilitarian formula through what amount to costs or benefits of the death penalty in terms of human lives and welfare. The deontological objection to the death penalty asserts that the death penalty is totally not correct by its nature, mostly due to the fact that it amounts to the violation of the right to life, which should be universal. In philosophical debate, however, the virtue school tends to argue that the death penalty is also "wrong" on the ground that the process is cruel and inhumane. It brutalizes the society at large and desensitizes and dehumanizes participants of the judicial process. In particular, it extinguishes the possibility of rehabilitation and redemption of the perpetrator(s). Deon tic justification to the death penalty, on the other hand, argues that the death penalty is "right" by nature, mostly on the ground that retribution against the violator of another life or liberty is "just". It naturally follows that not applying death penalty to heinous murder would be unjust. In the context of virtue, they point out that without proper retribution, the judicial system further brutalizes the victim or victim's family and friends, which amounts to secondary victimization. Moreover, the judicial process which applies the death penalty reinforces the sense of justice among participants as well as the citizens as a whole, and might even provide incentive for the perpetrator to own up to their crim e. Many argue that there are advantages of looking at capital punishment from a utilitarian perspective, that is, one which looks at costs and benefits for human welfare. The deontological debate helps to clarify the respective positions of the debate, but offers no way to reach consensus because each argument stands on different a priori ground. Similarly, legal argument can clarify a priori legal or constitutional grounds of the death penalty. However, it offers no insight over whether such law or constitutional clause can be justified on its merit. A utilitarian approach is attractive because the issue is more easily resolved through the examination of empirical evidence, such as evidence about the penalty's effectiveness as a deterrent. Opponents of the utilitarian approach argue that it is flawed for the very reason that it does not take into consideration the complicating ideas which deontology considers, such as the right to life or just retribution. The death penalty is often opposed on the grounds that, because every criminal justice system is fallible, innocent people will inevitably be executed by mistake, and the death penalty is both irreversible and more severe than lesser punishments. The supporters of the death penalty point out that lesser punishments, including life imprisonment, can also be imposed in error and incarceration is also irreversible if the innocent dies in prison. Moreover, whether money is an acceptable compensation for long period of incarceration is a matter of

Agile versus Waterfall Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Agile versus Waterfall - Essay Example System development is a team based activity which is completed by following a particular project management approach. In this scenario, a project management approach is a map which guides the software development team all the way through the project life cycle. This paper presents an analysis of two different project management approaches in the context of an e-commerce web site. This paper basically compares and contrasts agile and traditional project management approaches. In this scenario, we are going to manage the development of an e-commerce web site. I have been assigned the responsibility of a project manager to manage our company’s e-commerce Website where customers can browse the company’s products, place orders, and interact with the company’s customer service representatives. We have been given a deadline of three months to complete this project and we have approximately twelve people in the team. There are three offshore developers in Ireland and two QA testers in Dallas, TX. In addition, the remaining project team and the product owner are in San Diego, CA. 1. Comparative Analysis of Agile and Traditional Project Management Without a doubt, agile project management approach has been developed to deal with a variety of issues and pitfalls those were not addressed by the traditional project management approach effectively. In this scenario, some of the important issues can include delivering high quality software promptly under quickly and continuously changing business environment and requirements. It is believed that agile project management approaches have an excellent reputation in the IT and software sector. The research has shown than more than 69% of IT firms are adapting one or more of agile methodologies for use in common project management as well as organizational development (Lucia & Qusef, 2010). In spite of all the attractions that have been brought by the agile project management approaches, a large portion of sta te-of-the-art organizations (in all the categories e.g. packaged software, web-based software, or software/hardware systems) still adopt the traditional approaches to project management that have already been used for so many years. One of the most attractive features of this traditional project management approach is its support for the requirements documentation. In this scenario, this documentation includes requirements documents and specification documents. However, it depends on the firms who they use these terms. In fact, in many cases these two terms may indicate the same thing and are identical, or in some cases they can indicate the completely different parts of the process. In this scenario, the title of the document is not important, however its intended idea and information is delivered in some way with the purpose that the technical team could get an idea of the intended solution to a market problem that is being resolved with what goals. Normally, smaller project and u pdates can have a limited set of documents, while a larger, riskier project can require more documentation (Product Arts1, 2012; Kotonya & Sommerville, 1998; Product Arts, 2009). The research has shown that the requirements engineering process heavily depends on documentation for knowledge sharing while agile project management approaches are based on face-to-face collaboration and communication between developers and customers in order to reach similar goals. In this scenario, agile project management approaches do not take into consideration the documentation aspect effectively. On the other hand, in traditional proje

Operational Management approaches by Shell Company

Operational Management approaches by Shell Company The chosen company to evaluate the operation management approaches employed in an energy company is Royal Dutch Shell Company. Shell a British-Dutch company that provides oil, gas, petroleum products and renewable source of energy to the world. This company is one of the largest companies around the world that maintains and supplies the world with its fuel, oil and petrochemical products. The Royal Dutch/Shell Group is the worlds biggest and oldest joint venture, formed in 1907 when the Royal Dutch Petroleum Company and the Shell Transport and Trading Company Ltd of the United Kingdom merged their operations. It operates in over 140 countries, providing fossil fuels and green fuels like Hydrogen fuel cells. Some of the facts related to Shell are: has 102,000 number of employees worldwide, provides 2% of oil worldwide and 3% of gas, has 45,000 service stations, 10 million customers worldwide and one of the top fortune 500 companies. Shell has five core businesses: exploration and production, gas and power, refining and marketing, chemicals, and trading and shipping. Source: http://www.annualreview.shell.com/2008/servicepages/downloads/files/entire_shell_review_08.pdf 2 Shells Operation Management System Operation management: Definitions: Management Of the conversion process which transforms inputs such as raw materials and labour into outputs in the form of finished goods and services (Davis, Aquilano Chase, 1999). Schroder (2007) defined operation management as: Operations is responsible for supplying the product or service of the organization. Operations managers make decisions regarding the operations function and its connection with other functions. The operations managers plan and control the production process and its interfaces within the organization and with the external environment (Schroder, 2007). Operation management (OM) is basically the set of activities that creates goods and services by transforming input into output. Activities creating goods and services take place in all organization. In manufacturing firms, the production activities that create goods are usually quite obvious. In them we can see the creation of a tangible product such as Sony TV or a ford Taurus. In organizations that do not create physical products, the production function may be less obvious. It may be hidden from the public and even from the customers. An example is the transformation that takes place at a bank, hospital, airline office, or college. Regardless of whether the end product is a good or service, the production activities that go on in the organization are often referred to as operations or operation management. Operation management is associated with number of areas linked with an organization as how does the organization establish customers requirements, transformation of customers requirement in to product and services, what operations systems/ processes are in place to satisfy the product/services requirement of customer, decision associated with capacity planning, inventory, quality of product etc All these decisions come under the umbrella of operation management. Identification of Customer Requirements: We know that the basic existence of an organization depends upon the product or services it provides to the society. However, with the changing consumer taste and the limited lifecycle of products companies must be looking for new product development. It is a companys life blood. Both profits and growth are affected without aggressive product development. Operation managers give high value to the strong communication between customers, product, processes and suppliers that result in a high success rate for their products. All companies need to search out their customers wants and requirements in order to fill any gaps in the market. A successful market research for new product development comes from knowing what customers value. 3 Shells Operation Management System Product decision: One of the important decisions of operation management is the selection, definition, and design of products. Heizer and Render (2005, pp-132) discussed the product decision in their work as it concerned with the development and implementation of a product strategy that meets the demands of the marketplace with a competitive advantage that can be achieved via differentiation, low cost, rapid response, or a combination of these. Product development system: Product development system may well determine not only product success but also the firms future. Product development goes through a series of steps, starting with ideas that may come from either internal or external sources and ending with the evaluation of new products. Heizer and Render (2005, pp-137) considers two tools that are particularly helpful in the early stages of product development are (1) creativity and (2) identifying customer wants. The former can be addressed via creative, open organizations and brain storming and the second with quality function development. Organizing for product development: According Heizer and Render (2005, pp-141), There are different approaches to the product development. The traditional U.S approach to product development is an organization with distinct departments. These departments are: First research and development department to do the necessary research; then an engineering department to design the product: then a manufacturing engineering department to design a product that can be produced; and finally, a production department that produced the product. A second and popular approach is to assign a product manager to champion the product through the product development system and related organization The third and perhaps the best, product development approach used in the U.S. is the use of teams. Such teams are known variously as product development teams, design for manufacturability teams, and value engineering teams. The Japanese bypass the team issue by not subdividing organization into research and development, engineering, production and so forth. Consistent with the Japanese style of group effort and team work, these activities are all in one organization. Game Changer: Shell Game changer is an internal shell organization which looks for new and innovative ideas that addresses a demand or significant problem in the energy industry. Game changer helps entrepreneurs to convert ideas into products by sponsoring them. Ideas can range from new oil exploration techniques to improved production tools, or even new form of energy. It provides a sheltered testing zone where an idea is developed, tried and improved upon. It also helps to get it to market. 4 Shells Operation Management System Areas of focus are: Increasing energy production Carbon management Energy conversion, storage and distribution Fuelling transportation Working of Game changer: Game Changer screens the novel, early stage idea. If the idea has any potential and game changer agree, it will take it through some important steps and provide the funding and support to get it to proof-of concept. Although game changer grew up on ideas from Shell employees, it also invests in those originating from beyond Shell such as from academics and other entrepreneurs. Game changer primary criteria: Novelty Is the idea truly and fundamentally new and different? Value Could the idea create substantial new value if it works? Credible Plan Is there a plan to manage primary risks prudently by qualified people? Game changer process: The first step in entering the GameChanger process is submission of a short description of the idea through the shell website. A selection panel formed by a group of full-time Shell professionals with diverse backgrounds in the energy industry carries out assessment of all proposals. They assess the proposal at three different levels [7]: Pre-Screening: If a person is an entrepreneur from outside Shell then, after the initial assessment of the idea, a member of the panel will contact the entrepreneur to allocate a Shell technical counterpart to him. This person will then be entrepreneurs co-proponent of the idea and help him through the screening process. Screening Panel: The Screening Panel consists of (any) two members of the GameChanger team. They will listen to the presentation of inventors idea and ask questions in order to obtain a complete understanding of the proposal. The GameChanger panellists will consider the merits of the proposal and within 48 hours decide if the idea could potentially mature into a GameChanger project. If this is the result, the inventor will then be invited to prepare a more detailed presentation for the Extended Panel. Extended Panel: The Extended Panel consists of three members of the GameChanger team and at least three experts who are not members of the GameChanger team. This group will attend the presentation on the inventors proposal and work plan. The panellists will ask questions and the experts will give opinions on the merits of the proposal. The GameChanger panel will then come to a decision on whether to go ahead and fund the development of the 5 Shells Operation Management System idea. Game changer will strive to communicate this decision to the inventor and the co-proponent within 48 hours. If funding is awarded, it is often with a time span of 2- 3 years. The inventor will then use the funds to develop the idea in accordance with an agreed plan. At agreed tollgates, progress and continuation are discussed with proponents and panel experts. Selection Criteria: GameChanger ideas have the potential to effect a significant improvement in the profitability of a business or open up opportunities for growth. The GameChanger panel funds these projects through to their proof-of-concept stage. The final step: Going to the market place If proof-of-concept is reached successfully, GameChanger may also be able to help take the invention a further stage. There are three potential forward paths [7]: Proprietary -The idea is graduated into Shells internal RD funnel or another Shell business for direct use by Shell. Licensing -The idea is licensed to an existing technology provider other than Shell. This is usually applied when complementary capabilities are required to further develop and deploy the idea. Venturing -A new company might be set up to bring the idea to commercial market. In short, once an idea is considered a true GameChanger it will not be shelved and all options will be considered to ensure the GameChanger idea reaches the marketplace. Before digging deep into the operation management system employed within Shell, we need to first understand the following concepts: Process: Process refers to the physical process or facility used to produce the product or service. It includes the type of equipment and technology, process flows, layout of the facility, job design, and workforce policies. Process strategy: A process or (transformation) strategy is an organizations approach to transform resources into goods and services. The objective of the process strategy is to find a way to produce goods and services that meet customers requirements and product specification within cost and other managerial constraints. Virtually every good or service is made by using some variation of one of the four process strategies Process focus: A production facility organized around processes to facilitate low volumes, high variety production.75% of all global production is devoted to making low volumes, high variety products in places called job shops. Such facilities are organized around performing processes. In factory, these processes might be departments devoted to welding, grinding, and painting. In office, the processes might be account payable, 6 Shells Operation Management System sales and payroll. Such facilities are process focused in terms of equipment, layout and supervision Repetitive focus: A product-oriented production process that uses modules (parts or components of a product previously prepared, often in a continuous process. It falls between the product and process focuses. The repetitive process line is the classic assembly line. Widely used in the assembly of virtually all automobiles and household appliances. Fast food firms are an example of a repetitive process using modules Product focus: a facility organized around products; a product oriented, high volume, low variety process. They are also called continuous process, because they have long continues production runs. Shell uses product focused approach for its oil refinery processes. Mass customization: rapid, low cost production that caters to constantly changing unique customers desires.Mass customization brings us the variety of products traditionally provided by low volume manufacturer (a process focused) at the cost of standardized high volume (product focused) production. Operational Systems and Processes at Shell: Shell is involved in production of many products and services. It claims that We provide transport fuel to around 10 million customers each day through our 45,000 service stations worldwide. We are working to deliver cleaner burning and more efficient fuels. Our products and services are also designed to meet the needs of businesses from the construction industry to aviation, chemicals to shipping. [1] (Shell.com) Shell is best known for its service stations and for exploring and producing oil gas on land and at sea. Shell delivers a vast range of energy solutions and petrochemicals to customers; produce and sell petrochemical building blocks to industrial customers on a global scale; invest in making renewable and lower-carbon energy sources; involved in transporting and trading oil and gas; marketing natural gas; producing and selling fuel for ships and planes and generating electricity and providing energy efficiency advice. As mentioned earlier, shell is involved in five core businesses and each business involves number of processes within. To limit our scope, we will discuss the oil gas exploration and production business. Oil Gas exploration and production cycle involves oil exploration, drilling, refining and production of petroleum products. Oil exploration process: In this phase, the initial step is to find the oil. This is of huge importance and Shell invests a lot of money to use statistical analysis to determine the location of oil. This survey process is known as Seismic Surveying. There are three components in Seismic Surveying: 7 Shells Operation Management System A seismic source Sensors Recording equipment During this survey, the scientists create a picture of the rock layer structure beneath the earth and the data collected is carefully examined and interpreted to decide whether to further analysis would be need or to start the exploration process. Once the location of oil is determined, Shell draw up exploration contracts with the countries within whose boundaries the oil was first established. Once the contracts have been approved and negotiations agreed the company can then start its drilling process. Drilling process: Once the oils location is identified, the next step is to drill. Well play fundamental role in recovering oil and gas. With the advancement of technology, new drilling techniques and technology has been developed that helped Shell in drilling wells from few metres to more than 10 kilometers. Wells are not only drilled vertically but also horizontally, can turn corners and snake from one pocket of oil to another. Souce: http://www.shell.com/home/content/innovation/meeting_demand/getting_more/smartfields/smartfields.html As drilling is vital part during oil extraction process, however the issue of planning and operating of wells is of greater importance. Shell realizes that as part of its operations it needs to research into whether a well would produce oil, gas or both. During the late 90s Shell introduced Drilling the Limit methodology which allowed the company to focus attention on how efficiently wells are planned, drilled and managed as a process. The main reason for introducing such a scheme was to limit costs and reduced to time it take to drill. Shell also have introduced a Smart Fields ® program providing both the knowledge and the control by integrating digital information technology with the latest drilling, seismic and reservoir monitoring techniques. 8 Shells Operation Management System Furthermore, Shell has introduced the Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) technology to squeeze out the extra oil that would have been left behind in the oil fields due limited access and hard to get them out. Estimation shows that by recovering just 1% extra throughout the world would equate to 20-30 billion barrels of oil oil that may have been left behind. [5] (Shell.com) Scouce: http://www.shell.com/home/content/innovation/meeting_demand/getting_more/eor_ccs/eor.html Shell is using three techniques: injecting steam into reservoirs to heat and make the oil more fluid, and ease its flow; injecting gas to push oil out or to thin it, or injecting chemicals that free trapped oil. Refining process: Refining is the manufacture of petroleum products from crude oil extracted in the drilling process. Refining process can be classified into three major processes: separation processes, conversion processes and the chemical treatment processes. Refining involves separating crude oil into the desired components depending on the final processes chosen and the available crude oil selected. Separation Processes: Its the first stage of petroleum refining. During this process the crude oil is separated into some of its fractions. This stage involves three separation processes: Fractional Distillation: In the process, the crude oil, which is a mixture of many types of hydrocarbons, is boiled and re-condensed to separate the crude oil into components based on ranges of boiling points. The components with low boiling point are evaporated and collected in the upper part of the chamber known as Distillation column, while the component with higher boiling points are heavier and collected in the 9 Shells Operation Management System lower part of the distillation column. The components collected at the top of the chamber are known as Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). Solvent Extraction: This process involves the separation of oil into parts by adding chemicals to dissolve the unwanted substances to the crude oil. The main solvents used in this process are furfural, phenol and benzene. Refineries use this method to improve the quality of lubricating oils. Crystallization: This method is mainly used to remove wax and other semi-solid substances from heavy fractions or components. The components are cooled to a temperature at which them become solidify or crystal. They are then put through a filter that separates the solid. Conversion Processes: Petrol is obtained through this process. Conversion process involves to processes: Cracking process and combining process. Cracking Process: It involves breaking up of large hydrocarbon molecules into smaller molecules using a combination of heat and catalytic action. These processes not only increase the production of petrol but also improve its quality and results in products like Cat Cracked Gasoline (CCG) etc. Combining Process: This process is the opposite of cracking. It combines simple hydrocarbons to form more complex fractions. This process results in different products like LPG, Coke (used to generate steam and electricity). Chemical Treatment Processes: Hydrogen Treatment: This process is used to remove the impurities like sulphur compounds by mixing the components with hydrogen. Blending: This is the last stage of refining process. This stage dealt with the mixing of various hydrocarbons, formed in the refining processes, together to make the final product as required by the customer. The final product is tested before sold to the consumer. Capacity Planning and Inventory Management System: Inventory represents a major investment for many firms. Inventories are of four types (Heizer, Render 2005) Raw material and purchased components Work-in-process (WIP) Maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) Finished goods 10 Shells Operation Management System All organizations have some type of inventory planning and control system. In case of physical products, the organization must determine whether to produce goods or purchase them. Once the decision is made, the next step is to forecast demand. Then operation managers determine the inventory necessary to service that demand. Operation manager establish systems for managing inventory. Vendor Managed Inventory: VMI is an abbreviation of vendor- managed inventory. Shell offer VMI. Vendor-managed inventory (VMI) is more beneficial for the chemical buyers. In this system supplier warehouses the product till customer uses it. In this way Buyers are able to reduce a large portion of inventory from their books. They also benefit from the reduced paperwork, phoning in product orders and following up to see that they are delivered where and when theyre needed. VMI often results in the development of more efficient inventory and supply management, which can shave significant savings off the total cost. VMI takes inventory out of the production equation for buyers. Buyers no longer have to worry about tank levels or when to schedule new shipments. The supplier handles that. By monitoring the customers tank (often using sophisticated telemetry equipment), suppliers know when inventory levels are low. When they reach a certain point, usually agreed upon with the customer, the supplier schedules a deliv ery and the truck shows up at the customers site to replenish the tank. In November of last year, Shell Chemical Corp., Herndon, Va., went into an agreement with ControlSAT, under which ControlSAT would be Shells exclusive telemetry supplier. The agreement has helped the shell a lot because of the compatibility of ControlSATs technology to Shells Supplier Inventory Management Order Network (SIMON), which was developed by Shell Services, the technology arm of Shell Corp. (Reilly, 2000) ControlSAT Telemetry system: ControlSAT, is a technology company that manufactures and markets satellite -based inventory monitoring telemetry systems (system based on cellular and radio wave transmission). Working of ControlSATs System: Orbocomm Global, L.P., ControlSATs parent company, owns a network of 36 del fluorocarbon satellites orbiting the Earth. The satellites are spaced to orbit the polar planes, tropical planes, equatorial plane and about 45 degrees in between, providing total coverage of the Earth. (Reilly, 2000) ControlSAT installs hardware on customers tanks designed to relay inventory data to those satellites. Then, once per day, data is sent via the satellite network to a central monitoring computer, then on to the supplier through a secure Internet link. Data that suppliers receive show their customers inventory levels in tanks around the world. When product inventory levels fall below a certain point, the supplier receives notification to replenish the material in the tanks. In this way, the supplier can proactively 11 Shells Operation Management System schedule its own deliveries. With its daily running inventory and materials needs forecast it can streamline supply. SIMON: SIMON is a Lotus Notes-based software program that provides process industry suppliers with information and analysis tools. SIMON monitors and tracks inventory and consumption and then generates demand forecasts, minimum inventory requirements and re-supplies schedules. As a result, suppliers benefit from an improved ability to control facility and warehouse costs, increased inventory turns, streamlined administrative processes, and better focus on production capabilities. Through ControlSATs tank telemetry service, the SIMON database automatically incorporates timely, accurate and reliable inventory data without the need for manual intervention. Before SIMON and the telemetry supplied by ControlSAT, Shells inventory monitoring used to require a lot of phone calls, faxes and interaction between the customer and Shell. Any Information related to the customers inventory position would be initiated by the customer. Automating the process allowed the supplier to be more proactive in meeting the customers needs (in terms of getting the right product in the right location at the right time) and eliminate the need for time spent faxing and phoning in orders, etc. Shell currently provides the service only to customers that are sole-supplied by Shell, where a very strong business relationship has been developed and where there is a strong, demonstrated opportunity for cost savings through inventory monitoring. One of Shells customers currently using the program agrees that it can save a lot of time in product procurement. Balmoral Marine Inc., a petroleum and industrial gas drilling company based in Houston, Texas, is supplied by Shell and is currently using Shells SIMON and ControlSATs inventory management systems for supply of a particular resin product. (Reilly, 2000) Feature of the new system: Through SIMON, Shell Chemical keeps vital inventory; customers pay upon use for what is consumed. Shell Chemical is the sole source supplier, tied to a supplier/customer business model. Customers reduce safety stocks to bare minimums. Lotus-based SIMON Extracts data on amount of product consumed in past 24 hours. Determines the amount of new product that arrived and was unloaded in same period. Draws information on current and anticipated product schedules. Compares data against known changes to schedules. Data is replicated back to central customer service centre for automatic reconciliation with SAP/MRP systems, generating an automatic re-supply plan. 12 Shells Operation Management System SIMON Features: †¢ When plan indicates a stocking level below accepted minimum, electronic purchase order and shipment is initiated. All information pertaining to status is accessible to customers. Invoices are issued monthly, based on consumption, not shipments. Introduced to 23 of the most strategic customers. Short-term (12 months) results were plus $20 million in product sales. Customer Benefits: Eliminates excess safety stock, reducing working capital and carrying costs. Facilitates timely, low-cost re-synchronization of supply chain. Ensures product is on site when needed. Creates shorter response time to changing conditions. Reduces transaction costs data entry, invoicing, payables, etc. Smoothes erratic order patterns. Reduces order management costs. Streamlines financial accounting. Monitoring and Evaluation of Operations at Shell: Shell has heavily invested in monitoring and evaluation of each of its processes and operations because every process in this business is very much crucial and need careful attention. During the initial stage of oil exploration and production cycle, Shell conducts Seismic Surveying to confirm the presence of oil beds beneath the earth. Otherwise drilling is very much cost intensive process and failure to the initial stage may results in heavy lose to the organization. To determine whether the well would produce oil, gas or both Shell introduced Drilling the Limit methodology which allowed the company to focus attention on how efficiently wells are planned, drilled and managed as a process. Significant reduction both in drilling cost and drilling time has been seen over the decades with the introduction of Drilling the Limit methodology. Shell has introduced a Smart Field program which controls the ongoing drilling, seismic and reservoir monitoring from the separate place equipped with information technology. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Combined with the experience of geologists, engineers and others, Smart Fields ® can help increase the total amount of oil recovered from a field by 10 per cent and gas recovery by 5 per cent, while also boosting the rate of production. [4] (Shell.com) Furthermore, Shell has formed a department under the name Shell Global Solution. Shell Global Solution provide business and operational consultancy, technical services, catalyst and research development expertise to its global customers as well as provide its assistance to Shell in many operational areas such as exploration and production, refining, gas and LNG etc. 13 Shells Operation Management System Conclusion: Shell is one of the largest companies around the world that maintains and supplies the world with its fuel, oil and petrochemical products. In this report we tried to explain how Shell establish its customer requirements, its product development decisions, different operational systems involved in oil and gas exploration and production, inventory management systems and monitoring and evaluation strategy by Shell. As Shell is involved in number of businesses (exploration and production, gas and power, refining and marketing, chemicals, and trading and shipping) and each business has number of operations and processes that need to be maintained. To limit the scope of this report, we only focused our study on the oil exploration and production business.