Literature Review Learning Environments - 1841 Words

Literature Review Learning environments are important spaces because these are where students spend most hours trying to finish tasks. It is said that almost 20,000 hours students spend by the completion of university (Fraser 2015). University spaces and home learning spaces are separate areas for learning (Grant 2011), students tend create a relationship between both and make their own â€Å"Personal Learning Agendas†. Learning spaces can vary from single cells to modern day learning studios, the designs of these studios effect the learning outcomes of students (Alsaif 2014). â€Å"Learning environment† refers to a place or space, school, library: social, physical, psychological ad pedagogical context in which learning takes place and inversely affects student outcomes (Afari 2013). Furthermore, in reality 21st century learning takes place in physical environment like these, it envisions a place where students are involved in self-directed and co-operative learning activities (Lippman 2010). Although this review will cover various themes related to new learning environments, this review will focus on some major themes which emerge ( SKIP INTRO WRITE IN THE LAST, REFER ONLINE) Education for 21st century Students – Exploration. As the rate of change constantly increases in the 21st century, the world is moving into becoming more interconnected and complex. John Seely Brown says that it is very important to shift our focus from education to lifelong learning (Brown 2005). The growingShow MoreRelatedSkills in Employees and Managers1165 Words   |  5 Pagestraining by the supervisors and managers through using field test. ïÆ'Ëœ Different personality traits of individuals also cause individuals to respond improvement on content that is not learned in training on self reported transfer of training. Literature Review: The participants who are high on conscientiousness, agreeableness, and emotional stability dimensions of personality are more likely to show improvement on content not learned during training in training transfer.( Dan S. Chiaburu*, Katina BRead MoreThe Use of Online Games within the Classroom Essay1099 Words   |  5 PagesArticle The article, â€Å"How a Mobile Social Media Game Can Enhance the Educational Experience† by Parise and Crosina (2012), provides a case study on the use of gaming in a learning environment. The authors wanted to know if on-line learning elements integrated into a traditional face to face course would allow for enhanced learning outcomes. They created a game using a social media gaming platform called SCVNGR where they essentially created a week long scavenger hunt for the students to do. TheRead MoreThe Field Of Virtual Environments ( Ve ) And Education1259 Words   |  6 PagesThe intent of this work is to review and analyze the literature available in the field of virtual environments (VE) and education. In particular, the author will look at VE in the military education of seniors noncommissioned officers (NCO) at the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy (USASMA). This review investigates what are the developments in VE with emphasis in military education, what cost benefits (in any) VE provide, the professional development of facilitators who use VE in theirRead MoreCollege Retention Strategy And Csr Incorporating Strategy859 Words   |  4 Pages Literature Review Sajan G C Millennial also known as generation Y or the net generation are demographic group that follows generation x. Individuals who reached adulthood around the turn of the 21st century are millennial. Millennial, who were born in the late 80s and early 90s, has parents who span two generation (generation x and baby boomers) each with its own approach to higher education. Millennial face a lot of problems while shifting from high school to university. They had to dealRead MoreReflective Practice in the Classroom1629 Words   |  7 PagesReflective practice – A tool for learning Introduction/Rationale When something goes wrong or something unexpected happens during a lesson or activity, we ask ourselves questions such as, could I have done something to avoid it? These experiences usually make us grow and we learn from experience, and we will be better prepared to face the situation if it happened again. This introspection is generally called â€Å"reflection†, and all professionals have adopted it in order to improve their practiceRead MoreThe Theoretical Framework For My Research Is Adult Learning Theory Essay1607 Words   |  7 PagesTheoretical Framework The theoretical framework for my research is adult learning theory incorporates the basic concepts of behavioral change and experience in learning. â€Å"Emerging theories of adult learning are based on the unique characteristics of adults as learners† (Knowles, 1970, section 1, para 1). There are two categories with respect to the theory of adult learning: how an adult processes knowledge, which in turn produces change for the individual, and how an adult processes knowledge toRead MoreHow To Be an Active Leaner in a Group Environment 1639 Words   |  7 PagesThis essay aims to highlight the various ways in which to be an active learner in a group environment, I will be doing this by using different theories and relevant experiences of both myself and others. It will specifically focus on the Bandura’s social learning theory and situated learning by Lave and Wenger. The essay itself will consist firstly of a Literature review where I will be using third party sources for support, next there will also be a critical analysis section which will further developRead MoreUsing Ipads With Students With Disabilities : Lessons Learned From Students, Teachers, And Parents844 Words   |  4 PagesClinic, 1053451213509488. This article was found in the University of North Florida online library through the journal databases. The search terms used were iPad, disabilities, education, and classroom. I chose this article because it has literature review of previous studies, but most importantly it includes information and research on how to integrate the use of iPads and other similar devices in the special education classroom. This is unique to the other articles I have reviewed and offersRead MoreA Study On Refining Organizational Training Essay951 Words   |  4 Pagescapabilities is at the core front of any organization. This capstone literature review plan focuses on refining organizational training research, demonstrating an understanding of current organizational environment and limitations, and how the capstone project can fit in the global context of training. II. Describe a plan to collect and organize literature that explains the history of the topic. This capstone project literature review will consist of historic and present studies of employee trainingRead MoreEducators Perceptions Of Debriefing1613 Words   |  7 Pagesof Debriefing While developing and completing a simulation experience for students is an significant role for educators, knowing how to debrief students following a simulation has been deemed as equal if not more important because the majority of learning occurs during this time period (Mariani, et al., 2013). Educators have identified varying methods of debriefing, but most of them have central themes. Most methods include some form of â€Å"critique, correction, evaluation and open discussion† (Neill

William Shakespeare s The Red Cedar - 934 Words

In reality the world needed another Olivia Benson and I believed I would be just that. However I wanted a challenge so I decided to be Imani Horne the Criminal Attorney. After years of watching intense show downs in the courtroom I thought I’d found my calling. I was selected for an internship with Samuel Terry. While attending several murder cases it took one family court case to drive me away from being a Criminal Attorney. I can still imagine the uttering cries of the mother and her children. There I found my calling, adolescents! Throughout high school my passion were the greats, Shakespeare, Poe, Hemingway, Dickens, Twain, and the list goes on. In particular Shakespeare picked my brain constantly. His works have survived and remain triumphant even today. Though teachings were shallow I still remained engulfed by his works. Which lead me to dive into English on the banks of the Red Cedar. My plan was to begin with the foundations of my literary study to sharpen my skills. This meant the introduction of how we read and what to look for also known as â€Å"close reading.† The Introduction to Reading Poetry with Mr.Pogue equipped me to understand the poets hidden persona and how to make sense of it. As this was a challenging course I believed I still wanted to embark on this journey. The Foundations of Literary study with Mrs.Barksdale-Shaw molded me to decipher all types of works. Literary works ranged from poems, music lyrics, and even plays. By the time I completed theShow MoreRelatedStephen P. Robbins Timothy A. Judge (2011) Organizational Behaviour 15th Edition New Jersey: Prentice Hall393164 Words   |  1573 Pagesand permission should be obtained from the publisher prior to any prohibited reproduction, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or likewise. To obtain permiss ion(s) to use material from this work, please submit a written request to Pearson Education, Inc., Permissions Department, One Lake Street, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458, or you may fax your request to 201-236-3290. Many of the designations by manufacturers

The Metamorphosis - Essay Example

The Metamorphosis is a fiction novel that attempts to explore idealism concealed in fantasy. The protagonist, Gregory is a sales man who is the bread winner of the family. He is a child of the family, but works hard to take care of his family, including his parents. We will write a custom essay sample on Essay on The Metamorphosis or any similar topic only for you Order Now He has a very busy and tiring life. He is ever out on business trips or at work. His hard work is not in vain, he is able to meet the needs of his family. He does not like the job however, he is only striving to clear his parents’ debts, after which he intends to quit. It is at this point that the story gets dramatic suddenly, he metamorphoses into a vermin. The family is shocked at first, then when they realize he is no longer beneficial, they decide to get rid of him. The novel does not dwell on the event. The reader is faced with the aftermath. The whole happening, the how, is missing from the text. Perhaps the account of this is missing because Gregory must have been asleep, therefore could not decipher changes in his body. The main theme in the story is alienation. The story follows a simple straight forward plot which present the reader with a chance to easily comprehend. Gregory is alienated from the society, his family and himself. He opts for a permanent elimination after his metamorphosis. This is due to the fact that life becomes almost unbearable. He is an insect with a human identity. The Alienation in the Story The story appears simple and superfluous. From the onset, where Gregory turns into a vermin, the reader’s spirit is invoked into deep thought. The whole ideas seems irrational if not illogical, at least by the laws of science. We get to interact with the life of a business man, who can no longer fend for the family due to his new state. The whole story appears metaphoric as it goes beyond natural instincts. The story is carefully designed to make the user come to terms with it citation. This is to illustrate the truth of metamorphosis. Scientifically, metamorphosis is a process of irreversible transfiguration from one less developed form to a more developed form. In a story that attempts to create a fantasy in a real world, the reader is thrown into an unreal world that is unrecognizable by the mind. How can a man change into a Vermin overnight? As the story progresses, it gets clearer when compared with the present day industrial revolution. The advancement in technology makes the metamorphosis ‘real’. The story is symbolic and it gives a forecast into the future. The present day levels of alienation will be surpassed. The more the social Medias grow the more individualism grows. This shoots alienation to a whole new level. Much of the story is based on the after metamorphosis has taken place.it is only after he has turned into a gigantic insect that he begins to analyze his life. He had never thought about his interests at deep length. His main goal had been to work as hard as possible for the family. His parents had a debt which he had purposed to clear. When he turns into a vermin, he does not even for a moment ponder over the possibility. He is only thinking about how he is going to get to his job. To be able to sustain the family. He relates the situation with his inability to work, and laments about that only. He does not worry about how it happened. He quickly adapts to being an insect and hides behind the couch. He takes the whole life of an insect and alienates himself further. At the realization that he is no longer human, his family develops hostility. He becomes an enemy. The father wants to kill him while the mother faints. He is further alienated when the family gets ashamed of being with him. The members of his family thinks he is very ugly, dirty and scary. He also gets to develop the same attitude towards himself. We are showed how much serious it gets after metamorphosis has had effect. He is denied his rights. He is not a family member anymore. He has to adjust to a new life. Eating like an insect, sleeping under the couch among other sad realities. He has never had a chance to be close to anybody, since he has always been busy working. He had no personal life, his had been just work. It is only with his sister, Grete, whom he is a bit close with.He has always wanted to advance her studies in violin. He loved the way she played it. But now he could not even get a chance to watch her play, he was considered a nuisance. He loses track of his old life. He instead finds himself as a human being trapped in an insect body. He still yearns for his human lifestyle and hopes to incorporate it in his insect life. For instance, he does not approve of the decision by his family to remove the furniture from his room. His family assumes that he does not need them anymore since he is not a human now. But he does not cherish the idea of running around in an empty room. He however, is unable to make his wish known to them. His is an insect, with an ugly appearance. If he shows up to try to prove a point, it would only scare them and perhaps attract more hostility. Therefore he decides to maintain a passive nature. He prefers his room as it was previously as it reminds him that he is human. He wants to feel that he is still human, with feelings. He is not yet ready to lose his human identity as of yet. Earlier, he had a job and he was human, however, he was still alienated. He had work to attend to since he was the breadwinner of the family. Gregory was naturally motivated by the suffering of others. He didn’t want any other member of the family struggling. He worried about their wellbeing and for this cause, he was always alone working. He would either be in restaurant rooms on business trips or at work on his own. His urge to help his family is crystal clear, although this contributes actively to his alienation. The novel vividly describes Gregory’s plight before he undergoes metamorphosis. He starts lowly, then with hard work and great effort, he is able finally, to feed the family comfortably. The family is happy at his efforts, but does not make any attempts to understand his personal life. The family gets used to the provisions he makes. The family alienates him and does not see beyond the money he makes. Gregory dislikes his job. The job prevents him from living a life true to his lifestyle. He is forced into the job by circumstances. He plans on walking out, but cannot do so presently because he has a debt to clear. A debt he is paying for his parents. His selfless nature adds more to his personal sufferings as man. This makes his life unbearable even before his metamorphosis. He sticks to job he hates not because he wants to, but because of a more honorable cause. This, as expected, alienates him further. The protagonist, Gregory agrees to die, when the sister, with whom he had ever managed an intimate relationship with, finally decides that they need to get rid of him. â€Å"The decision that he must disappear was one that he held to even more strongly than his sister if that were possible. In this state of vacant and peaceful meditation, he remained until the tower clock struck three in the morning. The first broadening of light in the world outside the window entered his consciousness once more. Then his head sank to the floor of its own accord and from his nostrils came the last flicker of his breath.† (135pg). He approves of the idea partly because he thinks that it would do the family good. He thought he was already becoming a burden, and one who is used to reaching out to people, promptly approves of his death. This is the final stage and the most fatal permanent alienation he subjects himself to. The novel brings Gregory’s alienation to light before and after metamorphosis. He suffers both as a human and as an insect. He suffers more as a vermin as compared to when he was still human. He can no longer go to work, thus the guilt weighs more heavily on him. He is now an insect and feels that he needs to disappear from the lives of his family members, therefore he opts for a permanent method. He dies, thereby alienating himself permanently. How to cite Essay on The Metamorphosis, Essays

The Bill of Rights Essay Example For Students

The Bill of Rights Essay How many rights do you have? You should check, because it might not be as many today as it was a few years ago, or even a few months ago. Some people I talk to are not concerned that police will execute a search warrant without knocking or that they set up roadblocks and stop and interrogate innocent citizens. They do not regard these as great infringements on their rights. But when you put current events together, there is information that may be surprising to people who have not yet been concerned: The amount of The Bill of Rights Essay that is under attack is alarming. Lets take a look at the Bill of Rights and see which aspects are being pushed on or threatened. The point here is not the degree of each attack or its rightness or wrongness, but the sheer number of rights that are under attack. Amendment I Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. ESTABLISHING RELIGION: While campaigning for his first term, George Bush said ;I dont know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots. Bush has not retracted, commented on, or clarified this statement, in spite of requests to do so. According to Bush, this is one nation under God. And apparently if you are not within Bushs religious beliefs, you are not a citizen. Federal, state, and local governments also promote a particular religion (or, occasionally, religions) by spending public money on religious displays. FREE EXERCISE OF RELIGION: Robert Newmeyer and Glenn Braunstein were jailed in 1988 for refusing to stand in respect for a judge. Braunstein says the tradition of rising in court started decades ago when judges entered carrying Bibles. Since judges no longer carry Bibles, Braunstein says there is no reason to stand and his Bible tells him to honor no other God. For this religious practice, Newmeyer and Braunstein were jailed and are now suing. FREE SPEECH: We find that technology has given the government an excuse to interfere with free speech. Claiming that radio frequencies are a limited resource, the government tells broadcasters what to say (such as news and public and local service programming) and what not to say (obscenity, as defined by the Federal Communications Commission FCC). The FCC is investigating Boston PBS station WGBH-TV for broadcasting photographs from the Mapplethorpe exhibit. FREE SPEECH: There are also laws to limit political statements and contributions to political activities. In 1985, the Michigan Chamber of Commerce wanted to take out an advertisement supporting a candidate in the state house of representatives. But a 1976 Michigan law prohibits a corporation from using its general treasury funds to make independent expenditures in a political campaign. In March, the Supreme Court upheld that law. According to dissenting Justice Kennedy, it is now a felony in Michigan for the Sierra Club, the American Civil Liberties Union, or the Chamber of Commerce to advise the public how a candidate voted on issues of urgent concern to their members. FREE PRESS: As in speech, technology has provided another excuse for government intrusion in the press. If you distribute a magazine electronically and do not print copies, the government doesnt consider you a press and does not give you the same protections courts have extended to printed news. The equipment used to publish Phrack, a worldwide electronic magazine about phones and hacking, was confiscated after publishing a document copied from a Bell South computer entitled A Bell South Standard Practice (BSP) 660-225-104SV Control Office Administration of Enhanced 911 Services for Special Services and Major Account Centers, March, 1988. All of the information in this document was publicly available from Bell South in other documents. The government has not alleged that the publisher of Phrack, Craig Neidorf, was involved with or participated in the copying of the document. Flight In Song Of Solomon EssayMississippi river. Needless to say, the treaty was never ratified, and only served to foreshadow the hostility the South was capable of when sufficiently antagonize as would be further illustrated by the events preceding the Civil War. This situation was just one more that the framers of the Constitution had in mind as they convened in Philadelphia to amend the Articles of the Confederation. These 55 delegates from all over the new republic were aware of the lack of support for an Army or Navy for the national defense, and lack of power to tax and manage trade enough to pull itself out of .

IELTS Practice Tests are Available Here Essay Example

IELTS Practice Tests are Available Here Paper The most frequently, IELTS is needed for entering foreign universities. Among other things, they evaluate student performance in accordance with their IELTS practice tests. The more you practice, the better result will be. This truth is well-known even for kids. Our website will help with achieving your dream to study abroad. So, below this page, you’ll find IELTS sample test to examine the knowledge, train yourself, and study to the IELTS Reading Practice Test. Remember, that you have only one hour, so manage your time. Here, reading practice test has three parts, that’s why you may symbolically divide one hour into 20 minutes for each part. If you are worrying while working so fast now, you may download and work offline. But try to train for time-management as well. While reading passages with questions stay focused on each little detail. Also, after finishing all the tasks, you will find test answers below the page. But don’t look there before; it is to your advantage. Getting started for real reading practice test During the real IELTS practice text, instructors will give you several guidelines which you must follow in case you don’t want to be expelled. IELTS reading test is not an exception. Before the reading practice test begins, instructors will tell you the next things: Write down your name and surname with block letters. Do not open the question paper until you are Read carefully, answer all the questions, and write them down into the blank using a pencil only. Manage your time! No one will wait for you even a minute more. We will write a custom essay sample on IELTS Practice Tests are Available Here specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on IELTS Practice Tests are Available Here specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on IELTS Practice Tests are Available Here specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Hope after training on our site, completing all IELTS reading texts you are ready for passing the real IELTS test. Remember, everything is in your hands, don’t worry and study hard to bring to life your dream! Academic Reading Time 1 hour READING PASSAGE 1 You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 1–13, which are based on Reading Passage 1 below. MAKING TIME FOR SCIENCE Chronobiology might sound a little futuristic – like something from a science fiction novel, perhaps – but it’s actually a field of study that concerns one of the oldest processes life on this planet has ever known: short-term rhythms of time and their effect on flora and fauna. This can take many forms. Marine life, for example, is influenced by tidal patterns. Animals tend to be active or inactive depending on the position of the sun or moon. Numerous creatures, humans included, are largely diurnal – that is, they like to come out during the hours of sunlight. Nocturnal animals, such as bats and possums, prefer to forage by night. A third group are known as crepuscular: they thrive in the lowlight of dawn and dusk and remain inactive at other hours. When it comes to humans, chronobiologists are interested in what is known as the circadian rhythm. This is the complete cycle our bodies are naturally geared to undergo within the passage of a twenty-four hour day. Aside from sleeping at night and waking during the day, each cycle involves many other factors such as changes in blood pressure and body temperature. Not everyone has an identical circadian rhythm. ‘Night people’, for example, often describe how they find it very hard to operate during the morning, but become alert and focused by evening. This is a benign variation within circadian rhythms known as a chronotype. Scientists have limited abilities to create durable modifications of chronobiological demands. Recent therapeutic developments for humans such as artificial light machines and melatonin administration can reset our circadian rhythms, for example, but our bodies can tell the difference and health suffers when we breach these natural rhythms for extended periods of time. Plants appear no more malleable in this 3 respect; studies demonstrate that vegetables grown in season and ripened on the tree are far higher in essential nutrients than those grown in greenhouses and ripened by laser. Knowledge of chronobiological patterns can have many pragmatic implications for our day-to-day lives. While contemporary living can sometimes appear to subjugate biology – after all, who needs circadian rhythms when we have caffeine pills, energy drinks, shift work and cities that never sleep? – keeping in synch with our body clock is important. The average urban resident, for example, rouses at the eye-blearing time of 6.04 a.m., which researchers believe to be far too early. One study found that even rising at 7.00 a.m. has deleterious effects on health unless exercise is performed for 30 minutes afterward. The optimum moment has been whittled down to 7.22 a.m.; muscle aches, headaches and moodiness were reported to be lowest by participants in the study who awoke then. Once you’re up and ready to go, what then? If you’re trying to shed some extra pounds, dieticians are adamant: never skip breakfast. This disorients your circadian rhythm and puts your body in starvation mode. The recommended course of action is to follow an intense workout with a carbohydrate-rich breakfast; the other way round and weight loss results are not as pronounced. Morning is also great for breaking out the vitamins. Supplement absorption by the body is not temporal-dependent, but naturopath Pam Stone notes that the extra boost at breakfast helps us get energised for the day ahead. For improved absorption, Stone suggests pairing supplements with a food in which they are soluble and steering clear of caffeinated beverages. Finally, Stone warns to take care with storage; high potency is best for absorption, and warmth and humidity are known to deplete the potency of a supplement. After-dinner espressos are becoming more of a tradition – we have the Italians to thank for that – but to prepare for a good night’s sleep we are better off putting the brakes on caffeine consumption as early as 3 p.m. With a seven hour half-life, a cup of coffee containing 90 mg of caffeine taken at this hour could still leave 45 mg of caffeine in your nervous system at ten o’clock that evening. It is essential that, by the time you are ready to sleep, your body is rid of all traces. Evenings are important for winding down before sleep; however, dietician Geraldine Georgeou warns that an after-five carbohydrate-fast is more cultural myth than chronobiological demand. This will deprive your body of vital energy needs. Overloading your gut could lead to indigestion, though. Our digestive tracts do not shut down for the night entirely, but their work slows to a crawl as our bodies prepare for sleep. Consuming a modest snack should be entirely sufficient. Questions 1–7 Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage 1? In boxes 1–7 on your answer sheet, write TRUE    if the statement agrees with the information FALSE    if the statement contradicts the information NOT GIVEN    if there is no information on this 1. Chronobiology is the study of how living things have evolved over time. 2. The rise and fall of sea levels affects how sea creatures behave. 3. Most animals are active during the daytime. 4. Circadian rhythms identify how we do different things on different days. 5. A ‘night person’ can still have a healthy circadian rhythm. 6. New therapies can permanently change circadian rhythms without causing harm. 7. Naturally-produced vegetables have more nutritional value. Questions 8–13 Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D. Write the correct letter in boxes 8–13 on your answer sheet. 8. What did researchers identify as the ideal time to wake up in the morning? A 6.04 B 7.00 C 7.22 D 7.30 9. In order to lose weight, we should A avoid eating breakfast B eat a low carbohydrate breakfast C exercise before breakfast D exercise after breakfast 10. Which is NOT mentioned as a way to improve supplement absorption? A avoiding drinks containing caffeine while taking supplements B taking supplements at breakfast C taking supplements with foods that can dissolve them D storing supplements in a cool, dry environment 11. The best time to stop drinking coffee is A mid-afternoon B 10 p.m. C only when feeling anxious D after dinner 12. In the evening, we should A stay away from carbohydrates B stop exercising C eat as much as possible D eat a light meal 13. Which of the following phrases best describes the main aim of Reading Passage 1? A to suggest healthier ways of eating, sleeping and exercising B to describe how modern life has made chronobiology largely irrelevant C to introduce chronobiology and describe some practical applications D to plan a daily schedule that can alter our natural chronobiological rhythms READING PASSAGE 2 You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 14–26, which are based on Reading Passage 2 below. The Triune Brain The first of our three brains to evolve is what scientists call the reptilian cortex. This brain sustains the elementary activities of animal survival such as respiration, adequate rest and a beating heart. We are not required to consciously â€Å"think† about these activities. The reptilian cortex also houses the â€Å"startle centre†, a mechanism that facilitates swift reactions to unexpected occurrences in our surroundings. That panicked lurch you experience when a door slams shut somewhere in the house, or the heightened awareness you feel when a twig cracks in a nearby bush while out on an evening stroll are both examples of the reptilian cortex at work. When it comes to our interaction with others, the reptilian brain offers up only the most basic impulses: aggression, mating, and territorial defence. There is no great difference, in this sense, between a crocodile defending its spot along the river and a turf war between two urban gangs. Although the lizard may stake a claim to its habitat, it exerts total indifference toward the well-being of its young. Listen to the anguished squeal of a dolphin separated from its pod or witness the sight of elephants mourning their dead, however, and it is clear that a new development is at play. Scientists have identified this as the limbic cortex. Unique to mammals, the limbic cortex impels creatures to nurture their offspring by delivering feelings of tenderness and warmth to the parent when children are nearby. These same sensations also cause mammals to develop various types of social relations and kinship networks. When we are with others of â€Å"our kind† – be it at soccer practice, church, school or a nightclub – we experience positive sensations of togetherness, solidarity and comfort. If we spend too long away from these networks, then loneliness sets in and encourages us to seek companionship. Only human capabilities extend far beyond the scope of these two cortexes. Humans eat, sleep and play, but we also speak, plot, rationalise and debate finer points of morality. Our unique abilities are the result of an expansive third brain – the neocortex –   which engages with logic, reason and ideas. The power of the neocortex comes from its ability to think beyond the present, concrete moment. While other mammals are mainly restricted to impulsive actions (although some, such as apes, can learn and remember simple lessons), humans can think about the â€Å"big picture†. We can string together simple lessons (for example, an apple drops downwards from a tree; hurting others causes unhappiness) to develop complex theories of physical or social phenomena (such as the laws of gravity and a concern for human rights). The neocortex is also responsible for the process by which we decide on and commit to particular courses of action. Strung together over time, these choices can accumulate into feats of progress unknown to other animals. Anticipating a better grade on the following morning’s exam, a student can ignore the limbic urge to socialise and go to sleep early instead. Over three years, this ongoing sacrifice translates into a first class degree and a scholarship to graduate school; over a lifetime, it can mean groundbreaking contributions to human knowledge and development. The ability to sacrifice our drive for immediate satisfaction in order to benefit later is a product of the neocortex. Understanding the triune brain can help us appreciate the different natures of brain damage and psychological disorders. The most devastating form of brain damage, for example, is a condition in which someone is understood to be brain dead. In this state a person appears merely unconscious – sleeping, perhaps – but this is illusory. Here, the reptilian brain is functioning on autopilot despite the permanent loss of other cortexes. Disturbances to the limbic cortex are registered in a different manner. Pups with limbic damage can move around and feed themselves well enough but do not register the presence of their littermates. Scientists have observed how, after a limbic lobotomy2 , â€Å"one impaired monkey stepped on his outraged peers as if treading on a log or a rock†. In our own species, limbic damage is closely related to sociopathic behaviour. Sociopaths in possession of fully-functioning neocortexes are often shrewd and emotionally intelligent people but lack any ability to relate to, empathise with or express concern for others. One of the neurological wonders of history occurred when a railway worker named Phineas Gage survived an incident during which a metal rod skewered his skull, taking a considerable amount of his neocortex with it. Though Gage continued to live and work as before, his fellow employees observed a shift in the equilibrium of his personality. Gage’s animal propensities were now sharply pronounced while his intellectual abilities suffered; garrulous or obscene jokes replaced his once quick wit. New findings suggest, however, that Gage managed to soften these abrupt changes over time and rediscover an appropriate social manner. This would indicate that reparative therapy has the potential to help patients with advanced brain trauma to gain an improved quality of life. Questions 14–22 Classify the following as typical of A the reptilian cortex B the limbic cortex C the neocortex Write the correct letter, A, B or C, in boxes 14–22 on your answer sheet. 14. giving up short-term happiness for future gains 15. maintaining the bodily functions necessary for life 16. experiencing the pain of losing another 17. forming communities and social groups 18. making a decision and carrying it out 19. guarding areas of land 20. developing explanations for things 21. looking after one’s young 22. responding quickly to sudden movement and noise Questions 23–26 Complete the sentences below. Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer. Write your answers in boxes 23–26 on your answer sheet. 23. A person with only a functioning reptilian cortex is known as †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 24. †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ in humans is associated with limbic disruption. 25. An industrial accident caused Phineas Gage to lose part of his †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 26. After his accident, co-workers noticed an imbalance between Gage’s †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ and higher-order thinking. READING PASSAGE 3 You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 27–40, which are based on Reading Passage 3 below. HELIUM’S FUTURE UP IN THE AIR A      In recent years we have all been exposed to dire media reports concerning the impending demise of global coal and oil reserves, but the depletion of another key nonrenewable resource continues without receiving much press at all. Helium – an inert, odourless, monatomic element known to lay people as the substance that makes balloons float and voices squeak when inhaled – could be gone from this planet within a generation. B      Helium itself is not rare; there is actually a plentiful supply of it in the cosmos. In fact, 24 per cent of our galaxy’s elemental mass consists of helium, which makes it the second most abundant element in our universe. Because of its lightness, however, most helium vanished from our own planet many years ago. Consequently, only a miniscule proportion – 0.00052%, to be exact – remains in earth’s atmosphere. Helium is the byproduct of millennia of radioactive decay from the elements thorium and uranium. The helium is mostly trapped in subterranean natural gas bunkers and commercially extracted through a method known as fractional distillation. C      The loss of helium on Earth would affect society greatly. Defying the perception of it as a novelty substance for parties and gimmicks, the element actually has many vital applications in society. Probably the most well known commercial usage is in airships and blimps (non-flammable helium replaced hydrogen as the lifting gas du jour after the Hindenburg catastrophe in 1932, during which an airship burst into flames and crashed to the ground killing some passengers and crew). But helium is also instrumental in deep-sea diving, where it is blended with nitrogen to mitigate the dangers of inhaling ordinary air under high pressure; as a cleaning agent for rocket engines; and, in its most prevalent use, as a coolant for superconducting magnets in hospital MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scanners. D     The possibility of losing helium forever poses the threat of a real crisis because its unique qualities are extraordinarily difficult, if not impossible to duplicate (certainly, no biosynthetic ersatz product is close to approaching the point of feasibility for helium, even as similar developments continue apace for oil and coal). Helium is even cheerfully derided as a â€Å"loner† element since it does not adhere to other molecules like its cousin, hydrogen. According to Dr. Lee Sobotka, helium is the â€Å"most noble of gases, meaning it’s very stable and non-reactive for the most part †¦ it has a closed electronic  configuration, a very tightly bound atom. It is this coveting of its own electrons that prevents combination with other elements’. Another important attribute is helium’s unique boiling point, which is lower than that for any other element. The worsening global shortage could render millions of dollars of high-value, life-sa ving equipment totally useless. The dwindling supplies have already resulted in the postponement of research and development projects in physics laboratories and manufacturing plants around the world. There is an enormous supply and demand imbalance partly brought about by the expansion of high-tech manufacturing in Asia. E     The source of the problem is the Helium Privatisation Act (HPA), an American law passed in 1996 that requires the U.S. National Helium Reserve to liquidate its helium assets by 2015 regardless of the market price. Although intended to settle the original cost of the reserve by a U.S. Congress ignorant of its ramifications, the result of this fire sale is that global helium prices are so artificially deflated that few can be bothered recycling the substance or using it judiciously. Deflated values also mean that natural gas extractors see no reason to capture helium. Much is lost in the process of extraction. As Sobotka notes: [t]he government had the good vision to store helium, and the question now is: Will the corporations have the vision to capture it when extracting natural gas, and consumers the wisdom to recycle? This takes long-term vision because present market forces are not sufficient to compel prudent practice†. For Nobel-prize laureate Robert Richardson, t he U.S. government must be prevailed upon to repeal its privatisation policy as the country supplies over 80 per cent of global helium, mostly from the National Helium Reserve. For Richardson, a twenty- to fifty-fold increase in prices would provide incentives to recycle. F      A number of steps need to be taken in order to avert a costly predicament in the coming decades. Firstly, all existing supplies of helium ought to be conserved and released only by permit, with medical uses receiving precedence over other commercial or recreational demands. Secondly, conservation should be obligatory and enforced by a regulatory agency. At the moment some users, such as hospitals, tend to recycle diligently while others, such as NASA, squander massive amounts of helium. Lastly, research into alternatives to helium must begin in earnest. Questions 27–31 Reading Passage 3 has six paragraphs, A–F. Which paragraph contains the following information? Write the correct letter, A–F, in boxes 27–31 on your answer sheet. 27. a use for helium which makes an activity safer 28. the possibility of creating an alternative to helium 29. a term which describes the process of how helium is taken out of the ground 30. a reason why users of helium do not make efforts to conserve it 31. a contrast between helium’s chemical properties and how non-scientists think about it Questions 32–35 Do the following statements agree with the claims of the writer in Reading Passage 3? In boxes 32–35 on your answer sheet, write YES   if the statement agrees with the claims of the writer NO    if the statement contradicts the claims of the writer NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this 32. Helium chooses to be on its own. 33. Helium is a very cold substance. 34. High-tech industries in Asia use more helium than laboratories and manufacturers in other parts of the world. 35. The US Congress understood the possible consequences of the HPA. Questions 36–40 Complete the summary below. Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer. Write your answers in boxes 36–40 on your answer sheet. Sobotka argues that big business and users of helium need to help look after helium stocks because 36 †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. will not be encouraged through buying and selling alone. Richardson believes that the 37 †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. needs to be withdrawn, as the U.S. provides most of the world’s helium. He argues that higher costs would mean people have 38 †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. to use the resource many times over. People should need a 39 †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. to access helium that we still have. Furthermore, a 40 †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. should ensure that helium is used carefully. ANSWERS Section 1 1. FALSE 2. TRUE 3. NOT GIVEN 4. FALSE 5. TRUE 6. FALSE 7. TRUE 8. C 9. C 10. B 11. A 12. D 13. C Section 2 14. C 15. A 16. B 17. B 18. C 19. A 20. C 21. B 22. A 23. brain dead 24. sociopathic behaviour 25. neocortex 26. animal propensities Section 3 27. C 28. D 29. B 30. E 31. A 32. Yes 33. Not given 34. Not given 35. No 36. prudent practice 37. privatisation policy 38. incentives 39. permit 40. regulatory agency

Constantan and Nichrome Essay Example

Constantan and Nichrome Essay Example Constantan and Nichrome Paper Constantan and Nichrome Paper If the length of the wire is doubled, the electrons bump into twice as many ions so there will be twice as much resistance. Im going to summary my prediction to make it very clear. Longer the wire the more resistance the material has to electrical current compared to the short wire. This is so because the longer the wire, means more material and particles are included in the face of electrical current which has to struggle more to overcome these particles. Variables The key variables in my experiment include the three materials (Copper, Nichrome and Constantan, length of wire, and diameter (or thickness) of wire. First I will investigate the effect of material on resistance by measuring the resistance of the three materials while keeping the length of wire (10cm) and diameter of the wire (30cm) the same. This will allow me to see which material offers the highest and lowest resistance. From my experiment set-up I shall read the voltage and current using the voltmeter and ammeter, respectively. From these readings I can calculate the respective resistance of each material. . In this experiment I will be observing and repeating this experiment 3 times to give a much more accurate set of results. Secondly I shall vary the length of the wire while keeping the diameter of wire (30 cm) and type of wire as fixed variables, in order to investigate the effect of wire length on the resistance. Again I shall measure the voltage and current using the voltmeter and ammeter, respectively to allow me to calculate the wire resistance at various wire lengths. The range of wire length I am going to investigate varies from 10 cm to 100 cm. This allows me to have a fair test on the effect of wire length on resistance. Also In this experiment I will be observing and repeating this experiment 3 times to give a much more accurate set of results. I will take the average of the three measurements for each material in order to get reliable results to calculate the resistance. Since there are three materials there will be nine measurements for voltage and current. Fair Test To make my experiment a fair test I will need to keep certain variables the same, and in this experiment, the effect of material on resistance, I will keep the following variables the same. Constant variables   Length of wire the same (10cm)   The diameter of the wire (30cm)   Temperature Current The importance of keeping the variable the same is vital, because it might effect our results. Also Im going to explain whys its important to keep this variables and explain how this would effect my set of results Temperature We must keep the surrounding room temperature the same or the particles in the wire will move faster (if the temperature is increased) and this will therefore have an effect on the resistance. Length of wire the same I must keep the length of the wire the same because As the length of the wire is increased the number of collisions the current carrying charged particles make with fixed particles also increases and therefore the value for the resistance of the wire becomes higher, and effect our results. Material of wire The material of the wire must also be kept the same as different materials have different conductivity and this will therefore have an effect on the resistance, which might effect our results. Current The current that we pass through the wire is to be kept the same, also. If this is changed the temperature of the wire might change in a way that is not constant making the results more difficult and confusing, which might affect my results Experiment 2. In my second experiment, to make it a fair test, is by keeping the length of the wire the same. Also Im going to explain whys its important to keep this variables and explain how this would effect my set of results. Constant Variables   Temperature   The diameter the same     Current Temperature We must keep the surrounding room temperature the same or the particles in the wire will move faster (if the temperature is increased) and this will therefore have an effect on the resistance. The Diameter The Same. We must keep the diameter the same because it will affect the resistance because the wider a wire the more space in the net for the charged electrons to get through without colliding with the net and therefore decreasing the resistance and effects our results. Material of wire The material of the wire must also be kept the same as different materials have different conductivity and this will therefore have an effect on the resistance, which might effect our results. Current The current that we pass through the wire is to be kept the same, also. If this is changed the temperature of the wire might change in a way that is not constant making the results more difficult and confusing, which might affect my results. Method Firstly, I will collect together the following equipment such as Ammeter, Batteries, Wires and voltage. Next step is to connect all the equipment together to produce a circuit, like the one shown below. Then I will record my readings on the different types of materials (Copper, Constantan and Nichrome) to see the effect of each type of material on the resistance. I will then repeat each experiment 3 times. Finally when I have repeated the process three times, then soon I will want to compare it to see if it was equal to the first experiment. This is how I will collect my results; place different material in the circuit and the record the results (current and voltage). I will take 3 numbers of readings. In the other Experiment First thing that Im going to do is to find a suitable metre ruler which matchs my requirements and then place a length of wire over a metre long and sellotaped it to a metre rule. Then Im going clip a crocodile clip at the reading, which say 0cm. And then attached another crocodile clip which moves up and down the wire, stopping at 10,20,30,40,50, 60, 80, 90 and 100cm. In this experiment Im going to read the voltage and the current from its ammeter and voltage meter very carefully, this is because it will allow me to calculate the resistance of each length, Each time reading the ammeter and voltmeter to work out resistance R = V/I. Ranges of numbers and readings The range of wire length I am going to investigate varies from 10 cm to 100 cm. This allows me to have a fair test on the effect of wire length on resistance. Also In this experiment I will be observing and repeating this experiment 3 times to give a much more accurate set of results. I will take the average of the three measurements for each material in order to get reliable results to calculate the resistance. Since there are three materials there will be nine measurements for voltage and current. Accuracy To keep this experiment as accurate as possible we need to make sure, firstly, that the length of the wire is measured precisely from the inside edge of the crocodile clips, making sure that the wire is straight when we do this. We must also make sure that the wire is straight when we conduct the experiment. If it is not, short circuits may occur and bends in the wire may effect the resistance, also. The reading that we take of the voltage should be done fairly promptly after the circuit is connected. This is because as soon as a current is put through the wire it will get hotter and we want to test it when heat is effecting it the least, Analysis The way I calculated the resistance on each materials (Copper, Constantan and Nichrome) and on the length of wire was by using Ohms law, which is given as: Table 2: Resistance of three Materials at fixed length and diameter First Try Material Voltage (v) Current (I) Resistance () Constantan 10 4. 5 2. 2 Copper 3. 2 5 0. 64 Nichrome 10 3. 8 2. 6 Second Try Material Voltage (v) Current (I) Resistance () Constantan 10. 1 4. 4 2. 3 Copper 3. 2 5 0. 64 Nichrome 10 3. 9 2. 6 Third Try Material Voltage (v) Current (I) Resistance () Constantan 10 4. 5 2. 2 Copper 3. 1 5 0. 62 Nichrome 10 3. 8 2. 6 Material Graph A Table 3: Effect of wire Length on resistance at fixed diameter and material First Try Length of wire (cm) Current(I).

Huntington, on Political Development and Political Decay Essay

Huntington, on Political Development and Political Decay - Essay Example Using the case of Argentina as an example, Samuel Huntington emphatically argued that political development is a complex term predicated upon a variety of factors. Accordingly, this essay will be guided by the following quote: â€Å"So long as a country like Argentina retains a politics of coup and countercoup and a feeble state surrounded by massive social forces, it cannot be considered politically developed, no matter how urban and prosperous and educated are its citizen.† (Huntington 1965: 409). Seeking to provide a thorough yet concise of analysis of the aforementioned quote by renowned political scientist Samuel Huntington, the following will analyze the content of this sentence and provide a personal analysis of his claims. Furthermore, this essay will elaborate upon this quote using examples from East Asia. What are the perquisites of political development? It is to this question that we now turn. According to Samuel Huntington, there are a variety of important antecedents that are integral to our understanding of political development and modernization. While the two concepts frequently go hand in hand, it is not always the case. Accordingly, Huntington utilizes the case of Argentina, which displayed a wealthy and educated public at the time, to demonstrate that political development is related to a variety of important factors both endogenous to the political system as well as exogenous to it as well. Furthermore, for Huntington political development refers to the institutionalization of political organizations and procedures (1965: 393). From this perspective then, political institutions are not created overnight and the embeddedness of a particular political system is tied to its longevity as well as its composition. Accordingly, Huntington finds that complex systems of government are likely to be the most stable (1965: 395) and that the social mobilization is an importan t component in the development of a mature and well-developed

Case study in business at college level Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Case study in business at college level - Essay Example Penetration or predatory pricing is the opposite and means setting a low price in anticipation of future cost declines in order to grab a bigger share of a growing market (Bagozzi 54-55). Price skimming works for the products Gadgets2u.com sells (line 58). Predatory pricing works best once the level of sales starts to decline, with the effect of discouraging any potential competitors. 2.a) Gadgets2u.com's problem (lines 44-46) is not in the structure but in the lines of communication between project teams and staff (lines 39-43). This is common in fast-growing e-businesses and the solution is "not to automatically transform the flat structure into a formal hierarchy, but to make the hyperarchical system efficient by making it easier for project team leaders to communicate with each other, collect and evaluate the relevant information, and make decisions" (Amor 48). Gadgets2u.com's matrix structure is hyperarchical1 and characterized by flexibility, fast information flow, and quick decision-making. Improving communication efficiency will make the structure scalable or adaptable to growth. 2.b) Homeworking (or telecommuting) is done by five employees (line 138), but if their productivity is low and having them in the office will improve it, or if they have new assignments where their office presence is needed, then bringing them to the office is acceptable. Otherwise, this will backfire. The employee(s) may resign or be demotivated, leading to lower productivity and worse problems. Homeworking is a good way to keep and motivate good employees, especially creative types or those with health problems or multiple roles2 (family or community). Good employees are satisfied if they know they are more productive working from home and their contributions to the company's success are recognized. It is assumed that workers are given full management support and resources (communication lines, clear assignments, etc.). The appraisal system (line 137) will give Tom and the management more information on this matter (if homeworking is productive, motivating, or not). 3.a) Holding too much stock is a problem because stock costs money and space (which costs something and is therefore also money). Declining future sales may affect profits. Holding too little stock is also a problem because if the goods sell very well, the market will be frustrated with the company. Market satisfaction seems to be a problem lately (lines 119-120), although distribution is the main reason for that. 3.b) Just-in-time (JIT) stock control, currently under study by the management (lines 98-99) is one of the ultimate goals of any e-business (Amor 49). JIT is a system where inflow and outflow of stocks are balanced, or where the company has almost exactly the amount of goods that the market wants to buy (Germane 192). JIT requires near-perfect coordination between Gadgets2u.com and the suppliers, and demands accurate knowledge of market behavior which, because it is very dynamic, is difficult to predict. This ideal of

Statement of Purpose for university Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Statement of Purpose for university - Essay Example I took the Nemune Dolati junior high school examination at the tender age of 11 years. At the age of 11 and 14 years, I obtained the first rank among all the primary and junior high school students in the painting competition of the province. I had always been keenly interested in industrial design, and this developed into a passion by the time I reached high school. Accordingly, I selected mathematics and physics at high school, in order to obtain a firm grounding in the fundamentals of industrial design. In the nationwide entrance examination of state universities, I stood 1,058 out of the 150,000 total participants. This enabled me to gain admission to the Islamic Art University of [city], which constitutes one of the most prestigious art universities of Iran. The extensive nature of the syllabus of the undergraduate studies undertaken by me at the Islamic Art University of [city], served to provide me with a comprehensive exposure to the core areas of industrial design. In addition, I obtained a strong conceptual understanding of these core areas. During the course of my undergraduate studies, I attended a number of workshops. Some of these had involved working with wood, metal, and plastics. To my great fortune, the Islamic University of [city] has been blessed with state of the art workshops. Moreover, these workshops have been supervised by highly skilled and experienced professors. This exposure rendered me conversant with the rudiments of craftwork and design. Due to my keenness to learn, I completed most of the projects stipulated by my professors. This raised my esteem with them, and they rewarded my perseverance by making me a teaching assistant for the Creativity course. This course had been prescribed for the students of the Industrial Design Department, and was for a duration of four semesters. During my last semester of study, I commenced to assist the Leather Design group in my university, as it was my intention to set up

Brazils Banking Infrastructure and Business Structures

Brazils Banking Infrastructure and Business Structures Business Environment: Brazil is ranked 116th in World Bank’s Ease of doing business ranking. The infrastructure changes that have been done over the past few years have helped Brazil move up in the listing. It can be seen that Brazil ranks the highest in Getting Electricity (14th) and the lowest in Paying Taxes. It can be seen that the Brazilian government has been bringing out a lot of policies in order to makethe business environment easier. There have been vast changes in the category of resolving insolvency and as a result it has moved further towards the standards of the developed countries. Business Structure: Organizational and Managerial Factors Most companies in Brazil tend to be organized and stick to strict hierarchy in the organization. The information flows in a strict and structured way up down the various chains of command. Most of the decisions are made by the top most officials in the organization chart. While dealing with a Brazilian company it is always best to first understand the flow of command in the firm and get to know who makes the ultimate decision. Since most of the time a lot of foreign firms waste their time negotiating with someone who is not the deciding authority. Another point to remember is that most of the time the organizational chart shown by a Brazilian firm does not exactly depict the flow of command. There may be a few who hold more power than the person above them due to various reasons like internal politics, power of personal relationships etc. Environmental Factors: History: Brazil was under the rule of the Portuguese until the early 1800s. It was discovered by the Portuguese explorer Pedro Alvares Cabral. Brazil was broken into colonies and the colonies contributed their revenues to both the colony and the state. Coffee, Sugar and gold were the primary products exported from Brazil during this period. As the 18th century dawned Brazil was influenced by its neighboring states and fought for its independence. On September 7, 1822 Brazil was declared independence and was led by King Joà £o’s son Pedro as the regent. He was a liberal leader. He promoted education, improved communications, developed agriculture and encouraged immigration from Europe. The coffee boom began during his period. He abolished slavery. After Pedro Brazil was under the rule of both communist ruler, military rulers like Castello Branco who was pro-US and pro capitalist ruler like De Silva. Cardoso played an important role in the history of Brazil. He was at the helm of Plano Real which drastically reduced the inflation. The president , Dilam Rousseff of the Worker’s party, followed De silva in 2011. Many were skeptical about her being the candidate to fill De Silva’s shoes but she has been quite effective. Demographic: The population of Brazil is about 198.7million with most of them in the South East region (42.58%) and the north east region (27.50%). The North and the North east are underdeveloped regions of the country. The industrial and the commercial activities are concentrated in the south and the south eastern regions. Despite the vast territory of Brazil more than 80% of its population lives in the urban areas. The major cities of Brazil are Sà £o Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Salvador. Political: Brazil is a federal presidential representative democratic republic state. The president acts as the head of both the state and the government. The current President is President Dilma Rousseff, who came into power in 2011 after President De Silva. She belongs to the Workers’ Party and she is up for elections this year. She was the first woman president of Brazil. She faced a lot of challenges during a four year period. 2013 protests in Brazil: The 2013 protest was also called the 2013 federation cup riots or june journeys or the V for Vinegar Movement. This is an ongoing public demonstration in most of the Brazilian cities led by the MOVIMENTO PASSE LIVRE (Free Fare Movement). The riot started off as a small protest against the increase in bus, air and metro tickets. But as time and the support by masses increased it went on to become a riot against bigger problems like corruption and police brutality. During this riot President Rousseff was also blamed for using public funds for preparations for the 2014 World Cup. There was general dissatisfaction among the masses about the lack of social services in the country. 2014 Elections: The Presidential elections in Brazil will be held on October 5, 2014. There are four contenders: Dilma Rouseseff of the Workers’ Party, Eduardo Campos of the Brazilian Socialist Party, Aà ©cio Neves of Brazilian Social Democracy Party and Randolfe Rodrigues of the Socialism and Freedom Party. Prior to the June protests, current President Rousseff had exceeded approval ratings of 60%. But after the riots the ratings fell to a devastating 38%. But the polls increased to about 53% after her promise of spending 50 Brazilian reais in infrastructure. As of now President Rousseff is leading the polls. Economy: The currency of Brazil is the Brazilian Real. The GDP growth rate is about 1.9%. The GDP(PPP) per capita is about USD 11340. Inflation rate is about 5.68%. The post war Brazilian economic policy has been designed to accept high levels of inflation. It was found that high levels of government deficit were the reason for the inflation. Plano real and the new currency have reduced the inflation drastically. The GDP of Brazil is about USD 2.435trillion and has a current account deficit of 3.66% of the GDP. Brazil has always been a welfare state. With poilicies like the Bolosa Familia the state provides numerous benefit offerings to it citizens. This helped in bringing thousands of people out of poverty. The north eastern region that is poorest in Brazil was the most beneficial out of this program. Brazil was once called the Belinda, a country where a small part of the country is well off like Belgium and the rest are poor like India. But this is fast changing thanks to welfare programs like Bolsa familia and Fome Zero. About 50 million people were pulled out of poverty. This has helped the country climd the imcome level ladder internationally. A country that once looked like Congo looks like the Brazil that everyone wished to see. The income level of the country has increased substantially. Despite this there has been a slowdown in the country’s economic growth due to various reasons such as lack of proper infrastructure and withholding of investments by investors. The 2013 riots enhanced this further since the investors are skeptical about investing in a country that is going through a civil unrest. The drop in investments was the main reason for the slowdown in the economic growth. Custo Brazil or the â€Å"Brazil Cost† is one of the primary reasons for the reduction in investments. Brazil Cost includes high taxes, red tape, faulty infrastructure and scarcity of qualified labor. The 2014 presidential election of Brazil might have an impact on the investment scenario of the Brazilian economy. Many investors are withholding their investments, waiting for the new government to form. Infrastructure: The Brazilian economy was a consumption led one for the past four years. It followed what is now popularly called as the 3Cs model ( credit, consumption and commodities).Now that he demand has been created and people’s livelihood has become better they expect more. The per capita income of the country has increased which means that he lifestyle has changed. Now that they make a better living than before they are not just satisfied with the basic necessities but they want better roads, airports, ports, etc. Thus the government has to shift to a more pro infrastructure investment policies. The 2013 riots in Sao Paolo was solely due to the lack of infrastructure and increase in bus, air and metro tickets. Following which President Rousseff promised to spend 50 million Reais in improving urban public transportation. Market Opportunities: Sectors like air transportation, telecom industry, oil and gas and mining have been experiencing higher than average over the last few years. The government of Brazil also spent around $470 million in developing the airports, roads, ports, energy generation and distribution systems as well as the infrastructure necessary for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics. Petrobas, the Brazilian oil company, is planning for expansion and this will create a lot of opportunities for global businesses. The reserves found in 2006 and 2007 exceeded 60 million barrels which put Brazil among the top oil producing companies. Brazil is also one of the largest IT markets among the other emerging markets. The largest spending in this sector was the telecom followed by IT services and computing hardware. Big events like the papal visit in 2013 and World Youth Day created a lot of opportunities the past years. And future events like the 2016 Olympics and 2014 Football world cup is expected to create even wider platform for markets to flourish. FDI: Brazil is the leader among the Latin American countries for FDI. It contributed about 43.8% of the total investments in the region in 2011. Its geographical location is an important factor for this rise in investments. The economy of Brazil is diversified and hence is an attractive location for investments. It has abundant natural resources, flourishing tourism and a wide range of exports. A large portion of the investments into the country is in the IT sector and the industrial sector comes second to it. Risks and Potential Bottlenecks: Infrastructure: Infrastructure has always been a problem in Brazil. In the past government spending on infrastructure was about 0.6% of the GDP. This was way lesser than what would be required for a 4.5% GDP growth rate. Realizing this, the government of Brazil has decided to invest heavily in infrastructure. Although this sounds reassuring the reality is that most of the projects are still in the analysis stage and execution of public investments have proven to be ineffective. The airports and roads are congested, ports are clogged, the railroads are obsolete and the other forms of transportations are inadequate. The sales of light vehicles have been five times higher than that ten years ago thus increasing existing urban traffic. However the government does not seem to have recognized this, as the investments have not been in pace with the growing economic development. The inefficiencies created due to infrastructure bottlenecks subtract about 10-15% of the country’s GDP. Labor union: The employee interests in Brazil are protected by its constitution under the Consolidation of Labor Laws and the Social Security funding and Benefit Plan. There are mainly four labor unions in Brazil. Sindicato dos bancà ¡rios ( banker’s Assoscation) Sindicato dos metalà ºrgicos ( metal workers’ assosciation) Sindicato dos comercià ¡rios ( Commerce Workers’ Assosciation) Sindicato dos professores (Teachers’ Union) The labor unions for liberal professionals are not very well known due to its small number of participants. Every labor union is associated with one of the three main organizations: CUT- Central à ºnica dos Trabalhadores Conlutas- Central Sindical e Popular- Coordenaà §ao Nacional de Lutas Forà §a Sindical Financial Market: Capital Market: Brazil’s capital Market development is a key issue in fostering savings and investment. The savings and investment levels of Brazil as a percentage of GDP are very low. Thus developing the capital markets would provide incentive for savings and help in allocating the investments efficiently. Developing the liquid markets would also mean that the absorptivity capacity of the economy gets better. Most of Brazil’s capital markets are mainly focused on short term instruments. It can be seen that the yieldd curve is flat indicating that the short term interest rates are high and the degree of indexation of debt holders are high too. This flat yield curve contributes to a low secondary market turnover ratio thereby restricting overall market development. Equity Market: Brazil’s stock exchange is BOVESPA. The Brazilian equity market has been growing at a fast rate both in market capitalization and transaction volumes. The equity market capitalization of Brazil as percentage of its GDP was about 49.62% in 2011. This included investments form all kinds of investors like individuals, institutional investors, financial institutions and foreign investors. The NOVA MERCADO was a list of corporate governance practices that have to be followed by the companies that are trading on the BOVESPA in addition to the practices that are to be followed by the law. The NOVA MERCADO helped in raising the standards of corporate governance practices in the Brazilian companies. It brought transparency and minority shareholder protection as a requirement in the way the companies ran their organizations. Despite this the number of companies listed on the BOVESPA is very less. Especially industry composition in the stock exchange is focused only in some key areas. Ov erall the equity market development in Brazil is very low when compared to its neighbors and other developed countries (Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, US, UK, Germany, China and Korea). Public Policies: Fome Zero: Foem Zero is a government program started by President De Silva in order to eradicate hunger and extreme poverty in Brazil. It covers a wide range of fields such as education by starting schools in remote areas, low cost restaurants ( similar to soup kitchens in the US), creating water cisterns in Brail’s semi-arid areas, educating people about healthy eating habits, distributing free medicine, eradicating malnutrition, and giving access to microcredit. There are a few criticisms about the program. Some experts say that the program did not take effective steps to combat the income inequality in Brazil. Bolsa Familia: Bolsa Familia is the largest social welfare program in the world. Around 26% of Brazil’s population benefit out of this program. About 13.8 million families are benefited by this scheme. It was under President De Silva under the Fome Zero program. The main aim of this program is to eradicate poverty and hunger in Brazil. Under this program, families below a certain income level receive cash payments from the government on the condition that the children be sent to school and vaccinated regularly. It has been 11 years since the program was started and it still continues to benefit most of Brazilian citizens. It gives 10 to 100 Euros per month depending on the income level of the family and the size of the family. Although the scheme has been beneficial to millions of family there are criticisms about its effect on productivity on the country. The scheme was able to pull most of Brazilian population out of poverty but there has been a decline in the factor productivity of the country. Criticisms: Although these programs have reduced the poverty levels significantly there have been criticisms that these programs are being used as an electoral strategy by the Workers’ party and there is no real benefit out of them. This shows that there is definite hierarchical work environment in organizations. Telecom Industry: The telecom sector is the most promising sector in Brazil. Brazil has modern technologies in the center and the south portion of the country but the north and the north eastern regions lack even the basic analog PSTN telephone lines. The government is trying to correct this. The total market revenue in the telecom industry is about $116billion. Within the telecom industry the telecom equipment market is the largest with a total market size of $13.674millions. Opportunities: The Brazilian market for telecommunications is expected to grow. The mobile market is on the verge of a boom. The number of Facebook and twitter users has increased vastly. Brazil has 50 million clients on Facebook, with a development rate of 144% for every year, making it the second biggest nation on Facebook after the U.S. The Apple Application Store in Brazil as of late started offering games in April 2012, and not just is Brazil now the greatest application advertises in Latin America, yet its year-on-year income outpaced the U.S. Application Stores income development. Brazilian application deals developed 83% in the most recent year, contrasted with 44% development in the U.S. Brazil positions sixth on the planet for App Store income development. Information expenses costs are dropping in Brazil as bearers offer aggressive estimating arrangements. With prepaid arrangements as the most famous model, the significant carriers are putting forth information plans from 20 to 25 cents for every day. A few carriers are actually offering no-charge access to information substantial administrations like versatile feature streaming. Because of government backing as barters that sway telecom transporters to buy 4G data transfer capacity at focused costs, Brazil is laying the preparation for across the board 4g right to gain entrance. Each of the four of Brazils significant telecom organizations acquired licenses for 4G rapid Internet capacities in the late closeout and have vowed to prepared their 4G systems by 2013, preceding the World Cup. Over the long run, these telecoms organizations are relied upon to offer 4g in all Brazilian urban communities with a populace of 100,000 or all the more by the end of 2016. Brazil is creating the conditions to have a prevailing portable market: the legislature is supporting new activities, imperative Oems have plants in the nation and the customer base is monstrous. As its put in the worldwide versatile business develops through the following few years, designers, ambitious people and gurus might be savvy to acquire a stake in this versatile outskirts before the aggressive scene gets immersed. Competitors: Akwan Information Technology AstraSat Global Village telecom TIM Brasil Brasil Telecom Intelig Telecom Oi Telecommunications Star One Why Brazil? : Brazil is one of the fast growing economies in the world. The huge population creates a large market for any kind of industry. Demand has already been created and any new product will be accepted. Although the economic growth has slowed down the upcoming infrastructure projects will give a reason for the investors to invest in the country. President Rousseff, after the june riots, has promised to spend about 50 million reais in infrastructure. Upcoming event like the 2014 Football World Cup and the 2016 Olympics will create a lot of job opportunities in the country. The property market is also booming as the livelihoods of people have become better they are not just satisfied with mediocre things but they crave for more thus generating ore demand for properties. Tourism is also a booming sector in Brazil. More specifically ecotourism is being vigorously promoted in Brazil and it is one of the world’s fast growing industries. Thus these reasons makes Brazil an attractive market for investment.

Mans Search for Meaning in Fight Club and Siddhartha Essay -- Comparin

In 1922, Hermann Hesse set the youth of Germany free with the glorious peace of Siddhartha. Nearly a century later, Chuck Palahniuk opened the eyes of countless Americans with his nihilistic masterpiece, Fight Club. These two novels were written in different times, in different cultures, for different readers, and for different purposes. One is the poster child for love of self and nature; the other focuses on the destruction of both man and culture, yet the two hold a startling similarity in their underlying meaning, that in a darkening world of sin and distraction, letting go is the only true path to freedom, peace, and happiness. Though vastly different, Fight Club and Siddhartha both essentially tell the same story of man's search for personal meaning. Siddhartha is the story of a young man who leaves established society to find and create for himself a true doctrine for bliss. Raised and trained as a Brahman in a well-established religious family, Siddhartha feels vain and incomplete. He departs from his people and their lore, peacefully searching for his own dogma, what Hesse refers to as "The Self". "Siddhartha embarks on a journey of self-discovery that takes him through a period of asceticism and self denial followed by one of sensual indulgence ("Siddhartha" 255)." Siddhartha soon finds, however, that nirvana is not so easily attained. Hesse follows Siddhartha through his lifelong journey of mental confusion, emotional turmoil, physical pain and pleasure, and, ultimately, spiritual unity between himself and the world. In short, it is "Hesse's attempt to restore his faith in mankind, to regain his lost peace of mind, and to find again a harmonious relationship with his world ("Siddhartha" 262)." Fight Club also is... ...uary 2003. http://www.newimprovedhead.com/club.htm Freedman, Ralph. "Hermann Hesse". Contemporary Literature. 10: 3 (1969): 421-426. Rpt. In Contemporary Literary Criticism. Ed. Carolyn Riley. Vol. 1. Detroit: Gale, 1973. 146-147. Hesse, Hermann. Siddhartha. New York: Bantam, 1971. Margetts, Jayne. "Fight Club". Between the Lines. Ed. Wendy Cavenett. 27 April 1998. 19 February 2003. http://www.thei.aust.com/tssmusic1/contents.html Palahniuk, Chuck. Fight Club. New York: Henry Holt, 1997. Sahni, Chaman L. "Siddhartha". Masterplots Complete. CD-ROM. Englewood Cliffs: Salem, 2000. "Siddhartha". Novels for Students. Ed. David Galens. Vol. 6. New York: Thomson Gale, 1997. 255-275. 16 vols. Wake, Bob. "Fight Club". Culture Vulture. Ed. Arthur Lazere. 21 September 1998. 19 February 2003. http://www.culturevulture.net/Books/FightClub.htm

Macbeth Apperance vs Reality

?The world is governed more by appearances than by realities. Throughout society people are judged based on their appearance. This is unfortunate because appearance can be deceiving. In William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth appearances are not what they seem. Some people may change because they think that their true self does not fit in society while others pretend to be something they are not. In the theme of appearance versus reality Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have an image but as the time passes by their true personalities began to show. Macbeth portrays himself differently from his true inner self.He pretends to be a strong and intelligent person but from inside he is weak and indecisive. When Macbeth first confronts the witches’ prophecies he says, â€Å"Come what may, time and the hour runs through the roughest day† (1. 3. 152-153). Macbeth is leaving his future to ‘chance’. He wants to appear noble and strong but in the end he refutes his statement by killing Duncan and Banquo to get to the throne. Also, when Lady Macbeth explains the plan to Macbeth he asks â€Å"If we should fail? † (1. 7. 59). He is still afraid of the consequences of his actions. His actions look pungent but he does not have any reason to kill Duncan.Macbeth has a debate within himself to murder King Duncan or to spare his life. Macbeth hesitation to kill Duncan proves in realty he is a weak man. Lady Macbeth represents herself as a beautiful and powerful woman in society but she is as weak as her husband Macbeth. To convince Macbeth to follow the plan she says â€Å"I have given suck, and know how tender ’tis to love the babe that milks me. I would, while it was smiling in my face, have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums and dashed the brains out, had I so sworn† (1. 7. 54-58). Macbeth asks for her help, but she responds by being harsh to him to keep up her appearances.Even when Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost, instead of he lping him, she tells him to go to bed and stop imagining weird things. Lady Macbeth appears heartless toward others. However, one night a gentlewomen and a doctor see her sleep waking and mumbling â€Å"Out, damned spot! Out, I say! † (5. 1. 25). She appears to be wide awake but she is unconsciously revealing her true self. Her guilty conscious leads to her downfall through suicide. In this scene her appearance crumbles. She seemed powerful and unsympathetic, but in reality her guilt of Duncan’s murder driver her crazy proving she has become weak.In Macbeth the theme of appearance versus reality is shown through the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. They both revealed a fictitious picture of their personality even though on the inside they are different people. Macbeth’s indecisive personality leads to his destruction. The iron lady, Lady Macbeth appears to be a tough woman, who feels no guilt. But in the ending she shatters to pieces because of her guilt- ridden conscious. No matter what one appears to be reality will defeat appearance. People can put disguise on reality for time being but in the end truth reveals itself.

Hi Frequency Marketing Essays - Marketing, Music Industry

Hi Frequency Marketing Essays - Marketing, Music Industry Hi Frequency Marketing Music Marketing: Hi Frequency Concepts In today's business world, everyone knows that the hardest industry to break into is the music industry. The music industry has evolved from being made up of many independent labels to being run by major corporations such as Warner Brothers and Universal Music Group. Music marketing is the one aspect of the industry that has not gone corporate. While record label marketing departments are running out of ideas, independent marketing firms are taking over their business. Music marketing differs from most other fields in marketing because it does not have one orientation but still uses the fundamentals like conception, pricing, promotion, and distribution (Lamb 6). I was researching the music industry online when I ran into a company called Hi Frequency started by a young entrepreneur named Ron Vos. Hi Frequency is an independent music-marketing firm that promotes for labels, concert halls, and distributors. Hi Frequency uses their financial status to help young musical entrepreneurs like Vos break into the music industry. The company has over 60 field representatives that are unpaid and doing quality promoting in 50 markets across the country. Vos educates his reps so that they will have not only use the position as a resume builder but as a solid background in music to help further their careers. The first thing that Vos realized about the music industry is that although being very corporate, a grassroots marketing campaign is the largest step towards success. Promotions mean more to music than any other aspect of marketing. The record labels fight against the technological advancements such as mp3s gets harder every day. The only thing that can influence people more than computers is other people (Kashif 176). Vos has recruited people all across the country to embrace other people and get the word out on up-and-coming bands and concerts. The different types of promotions by Hi Frequency reps are handouts, poster placement at local music stores, and the always-effective word of mouth. As you can see the music industry is much different from other industries when it comes to promotions. Distribution on the other hand is done in a very similar fashion. The distribution begins with the label recording the tracks of music then making a full CD. After the CD is created it is sent to the middleman, in this case, the labels all have their own manufacturing plants where the CDs are mass-produced. After these CDs are manufactured, they are split up by the middlemen and shipped to record stores. The record store receives them and sells them with the help of people like Hi Frequency field reps. As the number of CDs in distribution increases, so does the price. The record labels spend as low as $.12 for a CD to be made. The middleman, who most of the time is owned by the label, will hike the price up to $3-5.00 for the most popular CDs. Once the retailer receives these, they will raise the price to as much as $17-20.00. The label makes money off the middleman, while the middleman makes money off the retailer, who in turn makes money off us. Hi Frequency has to aid the retailer in selling these CDs. Think of how much the label makes if they own the middleman, it is quite a lucrative business. Record labels do not just rely on marketing firms to sell their CDs, they have to be the conceptual masterminds behind the artist development. Even after all of these years the one thing that sells records is talent (Passman 167). The music industry is not just hard to break into on the business side but has become virtually impossible to get into on the performance end. Record labels have a whole department devoted to finding talent. This department is called A&R. A&R is a group of people that can make or break you and decide if you are something that is worth a completely new marketing concept. Hi Frequency gets the task many times of testing A&R departments by pushing new musicians and proving their worth. The promotions, distribution, pricing, and conceptions that deal with marketing in general agree with musical marketing. Hi Frequency realizes the similarities of music with other

In Vitro Fertilization essays

In Vitro Fertilization essays Many individuals are looking to alternatives in child bearing, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) being one of the most popular. IVF in the United States is a costly procedure. It can cost up to $12,000 for one attempt and that is not adding the cost of additional attempts should the first one fail. There are individuals who are in debt for $60,000 in attempting to get pregnant through IVF. Fertility treatments are now a hot commodity, especially in the global marketplace. Many women are looking to oversea options in having IVF done. One major factor in women going overseas is the price tag. IVF overseas is about  ¼ of the price it is in the US. Price Tag of One Cycle of IVF (*Estimated prices, not including donor eggs or fertility drugs, based on costs from top clinics and converted to US dollars.) Brief History of In Vitro Fertilization In Vitro Fertilization is a fertility procedure in which medical physicians remove eggs from the ovaries of a female, fertilize them in a laboratory, and then replace the embryos back into the females uterus where they implant and mature. In Vitro literally mean in glass meaning the Petri dishes that the eggs are placed into for fertilization. This procedure first came into place in England about 25 years ago by the late Dr. Patrick Steptoe and Dr. Robert Edwards. The first successfully delivered baby through IVF is Louise Brown on July 25, 1978. She is considered the worlds first test tube baby. IVF was introduced, as a means to assist couples who were not successful in becoming pregnant. It has proven to be a successful means of having child for those couples who had ovulation disorders, unexplained fertility, endometriosis, and male factor problems. The IVF procedure is responsible for the birth of more than 500,000 healthy children around the world. While it may seem that IVF is the answer there are risks involved in this miracle procedure...

The First Great Compromise in US History Research Paper

The First Great Compromise in US History - Research Paper Example The answer to the deadlock came from Roger Sherman, a delegate from Connecticut. Delegates and the media referred to the proposal as the Connecticut Compromise while others called it the Great Compromise. It was the brainchild of the existing federal government. The Congress would have two houses namely, the House of Representatives and the Senate. The population of each state would determine the number of members in the House of Representatives. On the other hand, each state would send two members to the Senate. State legislators received the powers to elect the Senators. Somehow, Sherman gave delegates what they wanted. Whereas large states got more members in the House of Representatives, small states got equal representation in the Senate. The writing and creation of bills became a preserve of the House of Representatives in the Congress, something that made large states happy. Small states derived further satisfaction from the fact that the Senate became officially, The Upper Ho use. The Biggest problem came from the powers of the Presidency. Resistance came from Anti-Federalists. The terminology Anti-federalists referred to a group of people who opposed the ratification of the constitution vehemently. This coalition of people continues to remain subservient to the Federalists. This is despite the fact that the group had famous political leaders in national politics. Anti-federalists were very popular towards the end of the eighteenth century. The same time the people of America were struggling to promulgate their supreme law. This source clearly indicates that the leading pack of this team included among others James Winthrop a delegate from Massachusetts, George Mason, who hailed from Virginia, as well as Patrick Henry a representative from Virginia as well, in addition to the New York representative, Melanchthon Smith1.

Summary for Data Comparison of Sprint and TMobil Case Study

Summary for Data Comparison of Sprint and TMobil - Case Study Example There can be different types of leverage involved in a financial sector. It can be a financial leverage, operating leverage, combined stand-alone or even correlation leverage. Leverage is generally measured by leverage ratios. For example, financial leverage can be determine either by debt-to-equity ratio, debt-to-value ratio or interest coverage ratio. Sprint Nextel and T-Mobile.USA (a subsidiary of T-Mobile International AG) are the third and fourth largest carrier in the United States, serving over 82.8 customers across United States. Being close competitors both companies are trying to surpass each other both in terms of investment and its returns. On Feb 28th, 2008 SmartBrief Inc.released the fourth quarter and full year 2007 results of both companies. According to press leases, for fiscal year 2007, Sprint Nextel revenues decreased about 2.2% reaching to $40.1 billion versus $41.0 billion in 2006. The decline in revenue was due to a reduced contribution from Wireless, partially offset by an improved contribution from Wireline, an investment gain and an income tax benefit in the fourth quarter of 2007. Its net assets declined to $64,109 millions in 2007 compared to $97,161 millions in previous year. Compared to Sprint Nextel "T-Mobile continues to drive strong year-over-year growth by pioneering innovation that matters to consumers," said Robert Dotson, CEO and President, T-Mobile USA. In years 2007, T-Mobile total revenues and asserts have raised to $19,288 millions and $43,359 - a 1.2% and 1.7% increase compared to 2006. The major contributing factors for an increase in revenue were contract, equipment sales, roaming and few other services, while short-term affiliate receivable loan and current portion of net deferred taxes resulted an increase in assets. For 2007, Sprint Nextel's debt to equity ratio - a measure of financial leverage - remained 0.34 compared to 0.22 for 2006. The total decrease in liabilities was 4.4% ($42,110 millions, for 2007, $44,030 millions for 2006) .This decrease was due to a decrease in accrued expenses liabilities, Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, deferred tax and other current year liabilities. Overall the for 2007, average financial leverage was 2.91 compared to 1.83 in previous year (Sprint Nextel Corporation: Profitability, 2008). During year 2007, T - Mobile total liabilities reduced too $5,297 millions compare $5,648 for 2006 (T-Mobile USA Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year, 2008).Sprint Nextel's total operating costs for 2007, has increased to $69,056 million compared to $38,519 millions for 2006. Costs of services increased 3% annually and 1% sequentially. The increase is primarily due to a larger number of cell sites on air. Cost of products was 7% below the fourth quarter of 2006 due to the decrease in the cost we pay for handsets. Cost of products in the quarter was flat with the third quarter. The ratio of fixed costs to total costs- an operating leverage measure was recorded to 0.78 compared to 0.60. The difference between

The social issues of the roaring twenties ( Art and Ideas, Economy, Essay

The social issues of the roaring twenties ( Art and Ideas, Economy, Technology, Science, and the Social Ferment) - Essay Example 58). This discrimination was upheld by the US Supreme Court in Plessy v. Ferguson in 1896. This decision, which supported racial segregation, was reversed in 1954, and the government made racial segregation and discrimination in any form, illegal. However, discrimination persists and until 1920, women were not permitted to exercise their franchise, when Congress passed the Nineteenth Amendment to the US Constitution that provided women with the right to vote. Despite these measures, women in the US are still subjected to discrimination (Pozzuto & Arnd-Caddigan, Mar2008, P. 58). From the early 1900s till the Second World War, the US witnessed modernism in art, design and architecture. The first skyscrapers were constructed in the 1870s. These structures generated considerable competition from architects. The first successful design was New York’s Woolworth Building. The Architects Anderson Graham, Probst, and White designed and constructed the Wrigley Building in Chicago. Howells and Hood designed the Chicago Tribune Tower. Chrysler and the Empire State Building displayed the Art Deco design. Architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed several houses in California and Japan. Art Deco lasted from 1925 to 1950. It was called as modern construction and emerged from the 1925 International Art Exposition in Paris (Whitley, 2008). Opposition to communism reached fanatical levels in the US during the 1920s. Communism was referred to as Red Scares, and communists were referred to as anarchists. In 1920, there were an estimated 150,000 communists in the nation, which was just 0.1 percent of the population. People subscribing to radical views were persecuted, as evident from the case of Sacco and Vanzetti. Americans of that period adopted provincialism, as depicted by the reemergence of the Ku Klux Klan, restrictive immigration laws and Prohibition (Roaring Twenties). The 1919, 18th amendment to the Constitution,