Marriott Corporation: The Cost of Capital

In April 1988, Dan Cohrs, vice president of project finance at the Marriott Corporation, was preparing his annual recommendations for the hurdle rates at each of the firm's three divisions. Investment projects at Marriott were selected by discounting the appropriate cash flows by the appropriate hurdle rate for each division. In 1987, Marriott's sales grew by 24% and its return on equity stood at 22%. Sales and earnings per share had doubled over the previous four years, and the operating strategy was aimed at continuing this trend. Marriott's 1987 annual report stated: We intend to remain a premier growth company. This means aggressively developing appropriate opportunities within our chosen lines of business—lodging, contract services, and related businesses. In each of these areas our goal is to be the preferred employer, the preferred provider, and the most profitable company. Mr. Cohrs recognized that the divisional hurdle rates at Marriott would have a significant effect on the firm's financial and operating strategies. As a rule of thumb, increasing the hurdle rate by 1% (for example, from 12% to 12. 12%), decreases the present value of project inflows by 1%. Because costs remained roughly fixed, these changes in the value of inflows translated into changes in the net present value of projects . Figure A shows the substantial effect of hurdle rates on the anticipated net present value of projects. If hurdle rates were to increase, Marriott's growth would be reduced as once profitable projects no longer met the hurdle rates. Alternatively, if hurdle rates decreased, Marriott's growth would accelerate. Marriott also considered using the hurdle rates to determine incentive compensation. Annual incentive compensation constituted a significant portion of total compensation, ranging from 30% to 50% of base pay. Criteria for bonus awards depended on specific job responsibilities but often included the earnings level, the ability of managers to meet budgets, and overall corporate performance. There was some interest, however, in basing the incentive compensation, in part, on a comparison of the divisional return on net assets and the market-based divisional hurdle rate. The compensation plan would then reflect hurdle rates, making managers more sensitive to Marriott's financial strategy and capital market conditions. Professor Richard Ruback prepared this case as the basis for class discussion rather than to illustrate either effective or ineffective handling of an administrative situation. Copyright  © 1998 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College. To order copies or request permission to reproduce materials, call 1-800-545-7685, write Harvard Business School Publishing, Boston, MA 02163, or go to http://www. hbsp. harvard. edu. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, used in a spreadsheet, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without the permi ssion of Harvard Business School. Marriott Corporation: the Cost of Capital 1. How does Marriott use its estimate of its cost of capital? Does this make sense? Marriott has defined a clear financial strategy containing four elements. To determine the cost of capital, which also acted as hurdle rate for investment decision, cost of capital estimates were generated from each of the three business divisions; lodging, contract services and restaurants. Each division estimates its cost of capital based on: Debt Capacity Cost of Debt Cost of EquityAll of the above are calculated individually for each of the three divisions, and this is a critical aspect due to the varying cost of debt in particular for each division. Marriott then calculate company wide cost of capital using weighted average of the individual divisions cost of capital. This is a very clever approach, particularly as we see that for example the lodging unit, has a 74% debt percentage in the capital structure, and the fact that Marriott use long term cost of debt for lodging (which in this case is c lose to Government debt 110 bps margin) demonstrates the low risk investors perceive this side of the business to haveWe believe this approach is sound due to the difference in the cost of capital between the divisions being a function of the risk associated with the investments considered so this approach incorporates the fact that risk between the divisions varies. Given this we believe the method chosen by Marriott is compliant with the â€Å"Marriott Financial Strategy† as the capital costing approach is due diligent and reflect the single entity risk (bottom-up) rather than an estimated top-down.We believe this approach enables Marriott to optimize the financial performance and in turn increase the shareholder value. 2. If Marriott used a single corporate hurdle rate for evaluating investment opportunities in each of its lines of business, what would happen to the company over time? Marriott's three divisions are very different in terms of business area, business risk an d capital structure (debt capacity). The result is varying capital costs between the divisions. For instance Lodging has a significant lower cost of capital (WACC) than the Restaurant and even than the company as a whole.Using a single company-wide hurdle rate would create an uneven process in assessing investment opportunities across the divisions. In practical terms the accept/reject decision would not reflect the inherent business risk of the division, which could lead to investments being accepted, while they should have been rejected. Given the WACC calculations in the following questions, we see there is a significant difference in the cost of capital between the different divisions varying from 8. 85% (Lodging) to 12. 11% (Restaurants)Therefore, if we were to use one single corporate hurdle rate, we would assume in this instance that we would use the Marriott WACC of 10. 01%, then we may reject an investment in ‘Lodging’ which would yield a positive NPV and vice versa, we may accept an investment opportunities in ‘Restaurants’ which potentially would yield a negative NPV. Going back to the brief, we know that typically an increase in hurdle rate of 1% will decrease present value of project inflows by 1%. If we were to then use one hurdle rate (10. 1%) and take the lodging hurdle rate (8. 85%) this would be an increase in WACC of 13. 10% (lodging) and would therefore decrease PV of project inflows by the same 13. 10% – so the effect of using a single rate is compounded, firstly it impacts the decision, and the PV due to the discount impact. Over time a single hurdle rate (if consistently higher than the existing approach) would significantly hurt the performance of company as the approach could lead Marriott to reject (or accept) investment opportunities which should have been accepted (or rejected).This would destroy shareholder value. 3. What is Marriott’s Weighted Average Cost of Capital? What types of investmen ts would you value using Marriott’s WACC? To calculate Marriott’s WACC, we need to assess three factors 1) Capital structure, 2) Cost of debt, 3) Cost of Equity. As the corporate tax rate is given we will not manually calculate it. If required we would have used the financial statement in appendix 1 to do so.After having calculated the three factors mentioned above we employ the following formula to find WACC: WACC = (1-t)*rD*(D/V) + rE*(E/V) where Re = After tax cost of equity, Rd = pre tax cost of debt, E = market value of the firm's equity, D = market value of the firm's debt, V = E + D = firm value, E/V = percentage of financing that is equity, D/V = percentage of financing that is debt and t = corporate tax rate. 1) Capital Structure We find the capital structure in Table A on page 4 in the case. As the â€Å"debt percentage in capital† – D/V in the WACC formula – is given we find the equity percentage in capital (E/V) as: E/V= 1 – D/V. Using this we see Marriott is funded using 60% debt and 40% equity. We do realize the data in Table A is the target-leverage ratio, but we are comfortable using the target capital structure for this purpose instead of the current capital structure. 2) Cost of Debt The cost of debt is mathematically defined as Cost of Debt = (1-t) rD, where rD is the rate for pretax cost of debt and (1-t) represents the tax shield via the corporate tax rate. In the following rD is calculated, while the tax shield is not included until the final WACC calculation.Marriott’s debt was divided into two different segments; floating rate and fixed rate. 40% of Marriott’s debt was floating rate where the interest rate payment changes with changes in the market interest rates, while 60% was fixed rate. The case gives a â€Å"debt rate premium above government†, but information about term structure or other features of the floating debt are limited. We believe the correct way to estimate t he cost of debt is to estimate the cost per debt type/segment and then in a second step weigh the costs using the debt structure.To do this we estimate that the floating debt rate is best estimated using the 1yr government rate in Table B – for the reason that we do not have any shorter term data or average, and this most closely would represent floating. While for the fixed debt portion we have selected the 10yr government rate. Again, this is due to a mix of long term and shorter term fixed debit. This is the best assumption we can take using the data provided. Given the above the cost of debt of Marriott is: [Average((1yr Gov. ate)*(Floating debt fraction) + (10yr Gov. rate)*(Fixed Debt Fraction)) + â€Å"Debt Rate Premium Above Government†] [Average((6. 90%)(40%) + (8. 72%)(60%)) +1. 30%] = 9. 29% 3) Cost of Equity Cost of Equity is found using the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) or rE = RF+ ? i(E[RM] – RF), Where rF is the risk free rate we estimated ear lier, ? is the systematic risk or the overall risk factor and (E[RM] – RF) is the ‘price of risk’ or ‘market risk premium’ (MRP) investors expect over and above what the risk free securities yield.To be consistent in selecting expected market return and the risk free rate, we have selected to use the same time period for both estimates. Using Exhibit 4 and 5 we find the appropriate data. We take the longest time period available as we believe this is the conservative method as outliers in the data is crowded out due to the law of large numbers, which increases the empirical probability of accuracy. Given this we have selected 1926-87 average returns of the long-term U. S government bond as the risk free rate (RF) thus RF is 4. 58%. (Exhibit 4).The MRP is estimated using Exhibit 5, where we use the S excess return over the long term U. S government bond over the same time period as the risk premium (E[RM] – RF) = MRP = 7. 43%. S is chosen as th e â€Å"market return† as the stock index represents a wide and diversified range of equity across different sectors and industries. Given this we believe it is fair to use the S excess return over the risk free rate as the market risk premium (MRP) To find the ? we need to adjust the equity ? given in Exhibit 3 as it reflects the current capital structure and not the target structure.To re-calculate in order for the ? to reflect the Marriott target capital structure, we first calculate the unleveraged ? and then re-leverage it with the target capital structure. The unleveraged ? is calculated using: Unlevered ? = Equity ? / (1 + (1 – t) x (Debt/Equity)). As all data is given in Exhibit 3, we find unleveraged ? = 0. 7610. (See detailed calculations in excel sheet under tab â€Å"Exhibit 3†). To re-leverage the data we re-write the formula: Equity ? = Unlevered ? * (1 + (1 – Tc) x (Debt/Equity)) = 0. 7610 *(1+(1-34%)*(60%/(1-60%)) = 1. 514.We now have all the data need to calculate the cost of equity: rE = RF + ? (E[RM] – RF ) 4. 58%+ 1. 514(7. 43) =15. 83%. Finally we find WACC by employing the formula: WACC = E/V ? rE + D/V ? rD ? (1 – t) 40%*15. 83% + 60% *(9. 29%(1-34%)) = 10. 01%. Please find all detailed calculations in the attracted excel sheet under tab â€Å"Table A†. We would value an investment of similar risk, which would offer us a return higher than the WACC of 10. 01%, as anything over and above this in terms of return would be adding value as the present value of the future cash flows in that case would be positive.In otherwords, we could use WACC as our discount rate and hurdle rate to calculate NPV of potential investment projects of physical asset, where it is expected the financing will be similar to the financing of the company conducting the investment. 4. What is the cost of capital for the lodging and restaurant divisions? The WACC calculation methodology is the same for the divisions as t he calculations under question 3. However the inputs are changed to mirror the attributes and characteristics of the divisions.Please also see excel spreadsheet included within this submission for breakdown of the calculations. Lodging: Cost of debt: For the calculations of the fixed rate debt, we are using the 30 year government bond rate instead of the 10 year. This is a reflection of the comments in the case about the longer durability of the asset and longer financing. For the floating leg of the debt, we continue to use the 1 year government bond rate. rD = Average((1year US (Table B)*Fraction of Floating Debt + 30 Year US*Fraction of Fixed Debt) + 1. 10% rD = Average((6. 90%*50% + 8. 5%*50%) + 1. 10% = 9. 03% Cost of equity: To be consistent we opt for the long-term securities and long-dated data just as we did when calculation the cost of equity in question 3. As for the ? we use the peer group as presented in Exhibit 3. Hence to find the unleveraged beta, we take the average of the equity ? s of the peer group the average debt/equity ratio. After having calculated the unleveraged ? , we re-leverage using the target capital structure of the lodging division. We realize the limitations of using comparable companies to estimate the ? nd understand the criticality of defining the right peer group of comparable companies. We could most likely have increased the accuracy of our calculations by being more due diligent in the selection to find companies that were a closer match to the Lodging (and restaurant) division. However, for the purpose of the calculations in this case, we use the peer group defined in the exhibit. Restaurants: Cost of debt: For the calculations of the fixed rate debt the 10 year government bond is used. rD = Average((1year US (Table B)*Fraction of Floating Debt + 10 Year US*Fraction of Fixed Debt) + 1. 10% D = Average((6. 90%*25% + 8. 72%*75%) + 1. 10% = 10. 07% Cost of equity: To reflect the shorter nature of the assets in the restaur ant business division, we use short-term securities to estimate the risk free rate and the risk premium. We use the same method for estimating ? as we did for the Lodging calculations. Using the data described above, we find WACCLodging to be 8. 85% and WACCRestaurants to be 12. 11%. These findings support the notion that incorporating debt will lower the cost of capital due to the tax shield. Lodging has a debt/equity ratio of 74/26 against the 42/58 in the restaurant division. See detailed calculations in the attached excel sheet) We would also like to point out that of the restaurants given in the brief, many of these would in essence not necessarily be our peer group per se and we would be more selective over the restaurants we would selected to more closely mirror Marriott’s restaurants. With our aim to ensure we have the closest peer group possible for comparison. 5. What is the cost of capital for Marriott’s contract services division? How can you estimate its e quity cost without publicly traded comparable companies?We use the same framework as for the WACC calculations under Q3 and Q4. However, as we do not have a defined ? for the Contract Service division or an adequate peer group, we will estimate the ? using the existing data for Marriott and the two divisions. We know from the literature that a (holding) company’s ? is the weighted ? ’s of the individual business divisions. We use the revenue as the catalyst for the weighing of the ?. For the purpose of the calculations we use the unleveraged ? ’s. Mathematical this can be expressed as: ?(Marriott) = Revenue Weight (Lodging)* ? Lodging) + Revenue Weight (Contract Division)* ? (Contract Division) + Revenue Weight (Restaurants)*? (Restaurants). To find the ? (Contract Division) we re-write the formula to: ?(Contract Division) = [? (Marriott) – Revenue Weight (Lodging)* ? (Lodging) – Revenue Weight (Restaurants)*? (Restaurants)]/ Revenue Weight (Contra ct Division) ?(Contract Division) = [0. 7610 – 40. 99%*0. 5841 – 13. 49%*1. 0014]/45. 52% = 0. 8490 Adjusting for the target capital structure we find ? (Contract Division) equals 1. 223 Using this data, we find WACC for the Contract Service division to be 10. 82%.

What Actions Might Be Taken Limit Price Fluctuations?

Title: Distinguish between price elasticity of demand, cross elasticity of demand and income elasticity of demand. What actions might be taken by countries and companies to reduce or limit price fluctuations? Class: Business J Student: Ibrokhim Parviz Student ID: 99592 Tutor name: Sally Word account: Introduction: Nowadays in modern developed market change in prices and other factors are very expected. The change in one of the factors for instance price and effect of it on another factor like demand or supply are measured by elasticity. Elasticity is the measure of how the change in one of the factor will be affected on the other factors.Elasticity measures extent to which demand will change. Measure easily can be calculated in percentage (Anderton 2008). After a calculation of elasticity, it’s divided into three types which are classified by values of elasticity: perfectly elastic-infinity; elastic – if value is greater than one; perfectly inelastic- equals zero; inela stic – if the value of elasticity less than one; unitary elasticity – if the value is exactly one (Anderton 2008). There are four basic types of elasticity measure: Price elasticity of demand; Income elasticity of demand; Cross elasticity of demand and Price elasticity of supply.In this essay will be discussed types of elasticity and government intervention in the open market, benefits and negative impacts (Anderton 2008). Note: New quantity demanded – ^Q; New price – ^P; Original Demand – Q; Original Price – P; Percentage change in quantity demanded-%Q; Percentage change in quantity of supply-%S; Percentage change in Price-%P Formula: P (times) ^Q (over) Q (times) ^P Price Elasticity of Demand: Price Elasticity of Demand or also known as Own Price Elasticity of Demand (PED), measures the responsiveness of change in quantity demanded to change in price.The formula is: percentage change in quantity demanded over the percentage change in price . PED has – (negative) sign in front of it; because as price rises demand falls and vice-versa (inverse relationship between price and demand). Determinants of PED are the availability of substitutes and time. PED have some links with changes in total expenditure (Anderton 2008). Example: After increasing price from P1 to P percentage change in price was 10, demand for good X is decreased from Q1 to Q and percentage change in quantity demanded is 60, what is price elasticity of this good?Solution: Formula is %Q / %D, so 60/10=6. PED is greater than one so its elastic good. Elastic demand curve of the Good X Price P P1 0 Q Q1 Quantity Income Elasticity of Demand: Changes in real income of individuals can change the spending pattern of consumers. For instance if the consumer use to buy ketchup made by supermarket which is Normal good, after the increasing of income he can buy a Heinz ketchup so, Heinz will come as normal good, and the ketchup of supermarket production will be i nferior good (Anderton 2008).This change measured by Income Elasticity of Demand (Anderton 2008). The formula is percentage change in quantity demanded over percentage change in income. If the answer will be positive sign it means its normal good; if negative sign, inferior good. Difference between inferior good and normal is by their income elasticity of demand. For instance holidays and recreational activities are with high income elasticity of demand, whereas washing up liquid have a low income elasticity of demand. If the value of income elasticity is lies between +1 and -1 so its inelastic.If it greater +1 or less than -1 so it is elastic. Example: Demand for housing increase by 10 per cent, simultaneous income of consumers rises by 5 per cent. Calculate income elasticity of demand. Solution: Formula is percentage change in quantity demanded over percentage change in income, so 10/5 = 2. The value of income elasticity of demand is greater than one, so it is elastic. Cross elast icity of demand: As it knows change in price of good can affect change in demand of that good. However, if the goods are substitute or complements, the change of price in one of them, may lead to change in another.Cross elasticity of demand measures this kind of changes (Anderton 2008). Good which are substitutes will have a positive cross elasticity, and if goods are complement, it will have a negative cross elasticity. If the goods have a small relationship between each other the may have a zero cross elasticity. For instance a rise in demand for luxury cars, likely may have no effect on Tipp-Ex. Demand is cross elastic if it is between +1 and -1, if cross elasticity is greater than +1 or less than -1, then it is elastic.Example: Price of macaroni was increased by 10 per cent. Quantity demanded for cheese was increased by 20 per cent. What is cross elasticity of demand. Solution: The formula is Percentage change in quantity demanded of Good X over percentage change in price of Goo d Y. So, 20/10=2. Value is greater than one, so it is elastic. Price elasticity of supply: Also can be measured the responsiveness of quantity supplied to changes in price, this is called Price Elasticity of Supply (Anderton 2008). The formula is: percentage change in supply over percentage change in price.The curve of supply is upward sloping; it means an increase in price leads to an increase in quantity supplied. An elasticity of supply equal one can have a straight line which passes supply curve. For instance if the price of shoes goes up, producers to make more profit produce more shoes which leads to increase the supply. Example: The percentage change in price is 10, the percentage change in quantity supplied is 20. Calculate the price elasticity of supply. Solution: 20/10=2, so product is elastic. Elastic demand curve of the Good X P P1 Price / Q Q1 Quantity The prices of commodity goods are going up and down. The reason of price fluctuation is changes in supply or demand. Eq uilibrium in price find when supply and demand will intersect each other. The change in one of them will cause price fluctuate. For instance the problem with supply may cause poor harvest or loss in production. Change in demand can be caused by change in technology, income or substitutes (Parkin 2010). Mostly in agricultural or commodity markets there is large price fluctuation in price in very short time.This can give negative impact on producers, for instance they may have over or under production in short term; or calculate over or under investment in long terms. Also prices can be too high for essential goods, like bread or rice, problem with this goods can cause a disorder in country caused by young adults which not satisfied with high prices, similar situation was in Egypt in 2011. On the other hand prices can be too low, for instance cigarettes, its generally known that smoking harms health, governments to protect citizens making new rules, for which they spend money, for tha t reason it can make negative impact on governments economic.Another example can be farmers, if the incomes of farmers will be too low, they can leave the land and stop production, so governments needs to decide to increase their incomes (Parkin 2010). Although there is also other motives of intervention government to market. Government can intervene market for benefits of their citizens or themselves. For instance, Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries or OPEC, this organization is a group of countries which sets prices high in long term to increase their revenues (Parkin 2010). By the way theoretically it can increase living standard of citizens that country.Stable prices: The reason why stable prices are important for companies or government is that big firms can have a plan on a long term basis; if consumer spend on one good more than on another it may cause problem for other part of economy of country. Governments of each country decide how to reduce or limit fluctu ation. There are few ways that government can equalize the price and keep it stable. For instance: maximum/minimum prices; encourage the development of substitutes; establish buffer stock; use of subsides; devote more factor resources; export bans or changes in import tariffs.Now will be discussed they ways of intervention with the positive and negative sides. Maximum prices: Government can intervene market and set up new maximum price which will be lover then previous to help consumers in short term be available to purchase that good. In long term in can cause problem, because consumer will demand more, but sellers will supply as usually, so there may be arise problem with excess demand. Minimum prices: Minimum prices are usually to help producers increase their incomes.Negative impact of this change is that consumers can react on higher price of good, and decrease the demand, so in the end there will be excess supply (Parkin 2010). However, there is two solutions for excess supply . One of them is to buy the extra production by the government and sell it back in low prices, sale it to farmers for their animals, offering it to those who in need this good in EU or to sell it to Third World countries at rock bottom prices (Parkin 2010). Another way to solve it is to restrict the production. The government can force the farmers to leave the part of their land uncultivated(Parkin 2010).This can lead to shifting the supply curve to the left. Reducing output to achieve higher prices is the way in which OPEC works(Parkin 2010). New substitutes: Government can encourage new substitutes. For instance substitutes for coal energy can be solar energy or wind energy (Parkin 2010). New substitutes can increase supply, by shifting it to the right and decrease the price. These substitutes at beginning need a lot of investment. They need to be invested in long term to keep it working. Also there is other factors which can decrease or increase spending.For instance if it is dus ty country government need to keep clean the solar energy equipment. So there is needed machinery and people who will keep it clean in every period that needed. Buffer stock: Buffer stock is an organization which buys and sells goods in the open market to stable price in the market. If the price of goods goes down, buffer stock, buys the goods for stabilizing price, if the price goes up, buffer stock sells good, to take price down. The way buffer stock theoretically seems to be easy in practise, but actually it needs a lot of investment (Sloman 2006).First needs in money is for the goods that must be bought in market. Secondly goods must be stored at condition that can keep it over long time for use. For instance rice must be kept in place with access to fresh air in +15 +20 temperature. Thirdly goods must be under security. On the other hand, theoretically buffer stock can bring profit, because the goods are bought in low market price where was intervention and sold below the inter vention. This is mostly with primary products, such as gold, tin and agricultural-wheat and beef. This mainly due to supply side influences.For instance demand and supply for canned tomatoes can be staying same for long term, nearly one year. If there excess in supply, canned tomatoes can be stored, if demand increase they can sell from stored. However, this is different for fresh tomatoes, for instance supply in summer time is great and price relatively low, but in winter time the supply is low and prices are high. Example for intervention of buffer stock on market can be olive oil. In European Union there is excess supply and prices of oil going down. Farmers are disappointed because they lose profits. European Union decided to buy olive oil for 24$ million dollars.Use of subsidies: Government to stabilize the price can use of subsidies. Subsidies is the money which is granted to producers to reduce the production, or to decrease the price. For instance producers of the rice have excess supply over long term which leads to decreasing the price. Next time government gives money for farmers to leave a piece of land uncultivated so there will be no excess supply. The different interventions are likely to be: The different interventions are likely to have some advantages and disadvantages. Government should make a research before starting intervention on market (McDowell 2012).It must be taken into account every question which can be come up in realisation of the project. For instance before encourage new substitutes how it can effect market, is it effective, or how much needed investment for start-up. All this question must be seem from every sides so in the future there will not be problem. Bibliography: Anderton, A (2008). Economics Fifth Edition AQA. 5th ed. Essex: Pearson education. P30-132. McDowell, M. (2012). Economics. London: McGraw-Hill Higher Education. p45-62. Parkin M. (2010). Economics. 9th ed. US: Pearson. p56-60. Sloman, J. (2006). Economics. 6t h ed. London: Financial Times Prentice Hall. p89-104.

A Research On Native Americans: Origin, Culture, Way Of Life And Contribution To The United States

The origin and presence of Native Americans in the Western Hemisphere has been one of the most debatable issues in both American and world historical studies. European invaders entering the new land were quite challenged to find about 100 million inhabitants in the Americas; a land they had always presumed was vast and vacant.These European settlers as well as scientists believed that the American natives belonged to the biblical Lost Tribes of the nation of Israel, while others fancifully argued that these natives could have been the remnant of lost civilizations such as Mu or Atlantis.Early European settlers insisted that Native Americans must have had their origin in ancient Israel, Rome, the Irish, Welsh or Viking lands. Scientists have however changed their perspective over recent times and joined Native American voices to support the notion that these people are indigenous to the Americas.Tied into the issue of native origin are legal standings regarding Native sovereignty, pos session of sacred artifacts and Native remains, Native American spokesman-ship or representation, as well as the rules that should be used to analyze the evidence deduced from history and science about their indigenous status in this land (Carliste & Golson 2006, p.1).Native Americans in the United StatesHistorically, the earliest Native tribes to inhabit the Americas are the Athapascans and Inuits who are believed to have entered the land through the Bering Strait that connects Alaska and Siberia. Others are said to have traveled by boat or canoe around the North American Pacific coast and Arctic Circle to predominate North America and parts of South America.But the Native American people have together with others. Always questioned the Bering Strait theory and gone ahead to insist that they have inhabited the Americas as far back as their origin can be traced.Researchers into the origins of Native Americans have suggested that these people could have entered the Americas through m ultiple migrations not only by the land bridge or boat at the Bering Strait; but also through sea from Polynesia and parts of Europe.Genetic evidence has also come up with suggestions that Native Americans had already arrived in the Americas about 15,000 to 30,000 years long before the Bering Strait had been exposed by lowering sea levels. Recent discoveries have found genetic evidence of Polynesian origin among five Native tribes like the Mapuche, Cayapa of Ecuador, Huilleche, Nuu-Chal-Nulth in Canada, and the Atacameno of Chile.Native oral traditions tell about a journey to the Americas by boat and the present-day continent popularly referred to as the United States of America is an ancestral home to over 500 Indian nations. The state of California alone was home to over 60 tribes of between 30,000 – 40,000 Native people before the early European invasion (Stubben & Sokolow 2005, p.1-3; Carliste & Golson 2006, p.1-6).Native American tribes spoke a variety of languages but m ost of the northeastern tribes lived in semi-permanent and permanent dwellings, socially organized under clan membership.The clans were matrilineal and young men were raised in the households of their mothers by their maternal uncles. Daily Native American life revolved around hunting, gathering, farming and fishing, the main crops being maize, beans and squash.Native Americans moved in groups of about 50 – 100 people because such a group could manage reasonable hunting exploits especially when hunting large buffalo herds. Family was very important to the Native Americans and all members of a family ranging from grandparents, parents and the children shared a very special bond. Family and tribal elders were highly respected and their decisions in various matters were crucial to the existence of a clan or entire tribe.Men did the hunting and took care of other tribal matters such as maintenance of tribal boundaries while the women provide labor for tilling the fields as well a s doing several other chores. In some tribes like the Iroquois, women also held powerful positions whereby they controlled the election and removal of clan chiefs.These gender based cultural traits were to create a lot of cross-cultural conflict when the European arrived in the Americas (Stubben & Sokolow 2005, p.57; Carliste & Golson 2006, p.113).Life for the Native Americans however changed drastically with the arrival of European settlers to America especially during the early 1800s, when the Americas experienced an influx of European settlers.The need to supply the American nation with foodstuffs, clothing and lumber led to the displacement of Native people and immediately, plans got under way to resettle them to reservations. European invasion is said to have led to the extinct of some Native tribes like the Beothuk who are said to have been wiped out completely.Most other tribes lost over 90% of their people to European genocide because the white settlers had better weapons of warfare that were also more extreme and violent than the native peoples could resist.In their conquests, European invaders murdered noncombatants as well as used biological warfare such as deliberate spread of disease and starvation. 75 million Indians are estimated to have died with some estimates going as high as 112 million (Pritzker 2000, p.162; Carliste & Golson 2006, p.9, 26).European settlement was detrimental to Native American existence because it disrupted every aspect of their lives. The relocation f Native tribes from their native lands disrupted their way of life.Between 1854 and 1855 for example, Washington governor Isaac I. Stevens signed four treaties in quick succession with the Waka Walla Cayuse, Yakima, Makah, Nez Perce, Lushootsedd and Coer d’ Alene Native tribes around the Oregon and Washington territories.Through these treaties, Native lands were ceded back to the government which included the choicest lands of Tacoma, Seattle and Olympia. In return, th ese tribes were allotted tracts of lands although the government held the right over waterways and public transportation throughout these territories.Although native tribes retained such rights as fishing, hunting and grazing rights, these allotments marked the beginning of a restricted lifestyle for the Native tribes.These treaties not only eroded native culture but their lifestyle as well, and forced their assimilation into reservations (Hoxie, Mancall & Merrell 2001, p. 67; Pritzer 2000, p. 5, 214; Carliste & Golson 2006, p.29, 75, 111).

Part 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Part 2 - Essay Example Initially after Lyndon was elected, he did not pay much attention to Vietnam but soon started claiming that they would fight communism in North Vietnam. He started sending in more and more troops to fight on air but soon sent even the marines to fight on the ground. From 1965, the marine troops were increased to around 200,000 and they continued to fight the North Vietnamese. The war escalated because the North was refusing to stop the fight against the South, which the American government was supporting. Therefore, more troops were needed to curb the north and destabilize them completely. Bush’s doctrine was on preventing war against those countries threatening America or who harm America. This happened after the September 11 attack by terrorists. This was different from the doctrines of Monroe, Roosevelt and Truman because their doctrines were based on threats and instilling fear but never action or a preventative

In the paper, analyze Vincents claims about how men and women are Essay

In the paper, analyze Vincents claims about how men and women are differentsimilar from the book, SelfMade Man by Norah Vincent - Essay Example Disguised as "Ned," Vincent entered an all-male world in which she joined a bowling league, dated women, worked as a door-to-door salesman, spent almost a month in a male catholic monastery, visited strip clubs and, to put the cherry on the top of the cake, joined a men-only therapy group. I her book, Vincent creates rich, experience-proof portraits of all the men she met in all these places and managed to describe male behavior in a very pictorial way. One should not forget though, that being a lesbian, she successfully separates sexuality from gender issues. It is fascinating how Vincent describes the internal reflections of this experiment on her self image. The result from censoring her emotions, while hiding under the mask of a male, was a deep psychological breakdown, a crisis of identity, which threw her into the depths of depression. Vincent's first daring act as a newborn male was to join a bastion of male friendship - she became a member of a local bowling team in a typical working-class Pennsylvania neighborhood. Her major problem was that she was a terrible bowler. Astonishingly, the men accepted her in the team. From this point on, her observations on the male world could begin. Among the first things to notice were the amazing generosity and support that they had. The bowling experience turned some of Vincent's perceptions about men being cruel and rejecting and women being warm and welcoming upside down. After nine months with the bowling team Vincent gained entrance to the inner sanctum of the masculine world. She found out that cursing and what seems to be verbal aggression among men is just a way for them to show affection for each another, without being too intimate. Her in-depth exploration of male friendship doesn't stop here. Unveiling the mystery of boys' nights out is one thing, but explaining the explicit nature of male sexuality is quite another. In order to gain a deeper understanding of the male sex drive, Vincent visited several strip clubs, accompanied by a male friend. She describes this experience as hellish. According to her, it was very demeaning for the strippers, but even worse for the men. Vincent says that the activities she witnessed there describe the essence of pure, male sex drive. Men who visit these clubs are completely depraved of any meaningful interaction, although naked women are dancing in their laps. Though she is attracted to women as a lesbian, she could never get sexually aroused from these visits. Vincent realized that there are major differences between male and female sexuality. According to her, female sexuality is a mental experience, while for a man, it is physical urge. This primitive urge can be a great disadvantage for men in modern society. Vincent claims that the act of simply hearing "no" from a woman can devastate a man. Women don't have to cope with the humiliating part of fighting for female approval. Men have to gather a lot of self esteem and courage, in order to cross the room and to introduce themselves to a total stranger who can easily degrade them in front of everybody by rejection. Saying the first words is a task which men are expected to fulfill and it is not a simple task. In most cases, she found out, saying those first words is very hard without sounding like a total jerk. If the opposite side is cruel enough, consequences can be very harmful

Wal-Mart Stores Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Wal-Mart Stores - Research Paper Example The perpetual inventory system, according to Buckfelder (2010) requires advanced technology such that a company should have the POS system or aided by the presence of RFID (radio frequency identification) checkers allowing the sale of the products to be recorded immediately.  The use of RFID checkers is introduced by the company in 2003 in its efforts to overhaul the world’s supply chain.   According to Chim (2003), RFID is expensive (costing about 30 cents per electronic tag) and Wal-Mart is expected to throw in a lot of investment for this inventory system.   However, Chim believes that there are more considerable paybacks that could be gained by Wal-Mart in return for its costs.   RFID, according to him is a system that makes inventory management more efficient by allowing manufacturers to trail the flow of goods.   Advantages of REID to Wal-Mart, according to Chim (2003), is the substantial cost savings of about 6 % to 7% that would amount to $1.2 to $1.3 billion (using the 2002 financial figures as basis) This savings would come from costs associated from transporting, storing and keeping track of goods that has been estimated at 10% of overall sales.   Kang, P. (2006) reported benefits gained by Wal-Mart in sales growth are due to significant inventory reduction, among others. The effectiveness of the Wal-Mart Inventory system could also be measured by its inventory turnover that means the relative amount of the cost of goods sold to inventory. It is also an indication of the effectiveness of inventory management.... Advantages of REID to Wal-Mart, according to Chim (2003), is the substantial cost savings of about 6 % to 7% that would amount to $1.2 to $1.3 billion (using the 2002 financial figures as basis) This savings would come from costs associated from transporting, storing and keeping track of goods that has been estimated at 10% of overall sales. Kang, P. (2006) reported benefits gained by Wal-Mart in sales growth are due to significant inventory reduction, among others. The effectiveness of Wal-Mart Inventory system could also be measured by its inventory turnover that means the relative amount of the cost of goods sold to inventory. It is also an indication of the effectiveness of inventory management as it shows of the number of times the inventory is created and bought by customers at a specified time. It is computed by getting the cost of goods sold divided by inventory. The inventory turn over of Wal-Mart for 5 years is presented below: In million $ 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 Revenue 408,214.0 404,374.0 377,023.0 348,368.0 312,101.0 Cost of goods sold 304,657.0 304,056.0 284,137.0 263,979.0 237,649.0 Inventory 33,160.0 34,500.0 35,159.0 33,685.0 31,910.0 Inventory turn- over 9.18 8.81 8.08 7.83 7.44 Source of financial data: msn.com. (2010) Wal Mart Stores, Inc. Financial Statement. As compared to the benchmark of competitors in the industry that is 7.9 %, Wal-Mart has a higher turn-over ratio that emphasizes efficiency in turning inventories into cash faster (msn.com. 2010). It is observed that the inventory level of Wal-Mart gets lower over the five years operations and at the same time, its inventory turn over gets higher. Disadvantages.

Chloride Contamination on the Groundwater, Soil and Plants Coursework

Chloride Contamination on the Groundwater, Soil and Plants - Coursework Example Water from sumps has been taken for measuring the surface water content and from deeper wells for sub surface water salinity. Finally, the soil was also sampled and the salinity of the soil was also measured. This was found to still be elevated though it has come down drastically on an average in all the three cases. The sub surface water sample was normally taken after bailing out the water in the sampling wells. Similarly, the soil samples are taken at a depth of 60 centimetres in line with the standard soil sampling technique. Surface water samples were picked up from the sump that was available. The sampled values were then used for analysis to find out the rate of chloride reduction in the sub surface water and soil. This would help in indicating to what extent the vegetation can grow in the soil at the heath. It was found that the soil conditions are not particularly, right for the tree growth. Though, even up to 20000 ppm in the tree, it was found that the presence of chloride may not adversely affect tree growth. The ideal ppm, however, is 4 to 8 ppm and that is the figure really looked at for vegetation to thrive anywhere. It is therefore, important that the work is completed by reducing the presence of chlorides further. ... 2. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 3. DEDICATION 4. GENERAL INTRODUCTION The following placement project was carried out within the British Petroleum (BP), at Wytch Farm, which is an oil field and oil and natural gas processing facility in the Purbeck district of Dorset, England from 11th June to 1st September 2007. 4.1 Existing situation The Wytch Farm Oilfield, is the largest known onshore field in the UK, it lies beneath the southern shores of Poole harbour in an area of outstanding natural beauty famous for its landscape, ecology and amenity value (BP Petroleum Development, 1986). The Wytch Farm Oilfield, with its approximately 300 million barrels of recoverable oil, is a useful to the oil industry and to the local and national economy. It produces in present time around 70,000 barrels (approximately 11,365,000 litres) of oil per day. The oilfield consists of two major reservoirs, the shallower Birdport reservoir at 900 meters under the surface (BP Exploration, 1994) this reservoir was discovered in 1974, and later, it was developed to produce 4,000 barrels of crude oil per day (BP Petroleum Development, 1986). The larger and more productive reservoir is Sherwood reservoir, which is about 1500 meters below the surface (BP Exploration, 1994). The deeper reservoir (Sherwood reservoir) was discovered in 1978 but it remains under-developed. Production testing from one Sherwood well has increased and nowadays production is about 5,500 barrels of oil per day (BP Petroleum Development, 1986). The location of Wytch Farm is on the southern shores of Pool Harbour. This area is sensitive landscape that includes a number of conversation designations. Crude oil is extracted from the Wytch Farm, Wareham and Kimmeridge

International Monetary Fund Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

International Monetary Fund - Essay Example The International Monetary Fund (IMF) was established in July 1944, under the ‘Bretton Woods System’ which comprised of three international organizations, those were:The International Monetary Fund (IMF): It was established with a purpose of developing International Monetary Cooperation. The International Bank of Reconstruction and Development: This was established with a motive of International Development Assistance and Investment. The International Trade Organization: It was established with a motive to develop International Trade. The above three components of The Bretton Woods System were entertained in the context of war, high unemployment, depression, hyper inflation and high fluctuating exchange rates which effected the global economy in the 1930s (Sykes, â€Å"Organisational Information†).A Brief Overview of The International Monetary Fund (IMF): Membership Currently: 187 countriesManaging Director: Madame Christine Lagarde, from GermanyStaff: 2,470, from 141 different countriesTotal Quotas: US$383 Billion as on 18/08/2011.Loans Outstanding: US$282 BillionTechnical assistance provided: Field delievery in FY 2010 – 192.5 person years.Surveillance Consultations: Consultations concluded for 120 countries in FY 2010 and for 88 countries in FY 2011 as on 11/02/2011 (The International Monetary Fund, â€Å"The IMF at a Glance†).The IMF’s governing body essentially, is the board of governors. Each state is being represented by their respective elected governor (member of the Board of Governor, IMF).

Compare and contrast at least two types of industrialization strategy Coursework

Compare and contrast at least two types of industrialization strategy - Coursework Example Further more, it will explain the advantages of the strategies and how different countries have used them to ensure that they are doing well economically. At the end of it all, it will give a clear picture to which strategy can work best for countries thus the comparison of the two strategies. Industrialisation is a process that allows people within a society to change their social and economic status. Industrialisation is a great contributor to modernisation of an area. People go through changes like better and stronger buildings, more intensified machines for processing things, better technology, and large scale production of energy like electricity and better communication and transportation channels. It is also a major contributor to cultural changes that is, with industrialisation, many people change how they view and do things. Their attitudes change completely. Industrialisation comes in with the influence of politics, skilled labour and large scale production with low costs. Industrialization is a major contributor to the economic welfare of a country. Thus many economists attribute economic success to good industrialisation processes1. There are two main industrialization strategies that can be discussed and have been used by many countries to uplift their econom ic status. The ISI strategy is also known as the import substitution industrialisation while, the EOI strategy that is also known as export-oriented industrialization1. Import substitution is an economic strategy that involves a country coming up with trade policies. It is the attempt a country makes to ensure that it produces its own materials instead of importing. It tries to copy how other countries are producing certain goods and products thus start its own production within the country. It involves a lot of government spending in producing the goods. It requires acquiring the

The Respiratory System Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The Respiratory System - Assignment Example Lungs and open airways are the fundamental components of human respiration. Air gets into and leaves the body via the nose. The nasal lining is has hairs and a mucous lining that helps to filter out solid particles that are contained in the inhaled air. Air moves to the pharynx from the nasal cavity. Pharynx opens to larynx which is an air way and the esophagus that leads to the stomach. At this point, an epiglottis closes the respiratory tract when swallowing food to prevent it from entering the respiratory system by way of trachea (Starr & McMillan, 2012). Trachea divides into two major airways referred to as bronchus, with each entering one lung. Bronchi further divide in the lungs to form several bronchioles. The bronchioles have air sacs referred to as alveoli. Each lung is made up of approximately 150 million alveoli. Through these air sacs is where air exchange between lungs and blood circulation system takes place. Oxygen that has been inhaled crosses the thin walls of the alveoli to the blood supply system. Carbon dioxide that has been collected from all body organs also crosses this wall from the circulation system to lungs so that it is expelled from the body via the nose (Starr & McMillan, 2012). Oxygen and carbon dioxide diffuse depending on their difference in concentration. Surface area in addition to partial pressure difference across the alveoli are the two major factors that affect the number of gas molecules that can move into and out the lungs in a given period of time. Hemoglobin present in red blood cells helps to facilitate the process of air exchange. Molecules of hemoglobin bind oxygen in the lungs where there is a high concentration of oxygen. Blood carries hemoglobin with bound oxygen to various body organs (Starr & McMillan, 2012). In the body tissues, oxygen concentration is low as compared to concentration within blood

Banking finance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Banking finance - Essay Example /books.google.com/books?id=Qs38vbHHOtUC&pg=PA128&dq=banking+and+emerging+markets+and+financial+crisis&hl=en&ei=EOiRTO-CMI_eOMHfuYsH&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CD8Q6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=banking%20and%20emerging%20markets%20and%20financial%20crisis&f=false http://books.google.com/books?id=yozQAazKzKIC&pg=PA213&dq=banking+and+emerging+markets+and+financial+crisis&hl=en&ei=keiRTL-oGsKlOLO6vP8G&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CDgQ6AEwAjgK#v=onepage&q=banking%20and%20emerging%20markets%20and%20financial%20crisis&f=false http://books.google.com/books?id=5AVUxdfrYoYC&pg=PA92&dq=banking+and+emerging+markets+and+financial+crisis&hl=en&ei=keiRTL-oGsKlOLO6vP8G&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CEQQ6AEwBDgK#v=onepage&q=banking%20and%20emerging%20markets%20and%20financial%20crisis&f=false http://books.google.com/books?id=Zjqh5AH1VAUC&pg=PA75&dq=banking+and+emerging+markets+and+financial+crisis&hl=en&ei=3-iRTKWGOcLfOJSY6N0H&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CDgQ6AEwAjgU#v=onepage&q=banking%20and%20emerging%20markets%20and%20financial%20crisis&f=false http://books.google.com/books?id=J7axGThpaQcC&pg=PA151&dq=banking+and+emerging+markets+and+financial+crisis&hl=en&ei=3-iRTKWGOcLfOJSY6N0H&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CEIQ6AEwBDgU#v=onepage&q=banking%20and%20emerging%20markets%20and%20financial%20crisis&f=false http://books.google.com/books?id=O99_n-1hLGgC&pg=PA212&dq=banking+and+emerging+markets+and+financial+crisis&hl=en&ei=LumRTOmuLo2AOK_xyIYI&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CDgQ6AEwAzge#v=onepage&q=banking%20and%20emerging%20markets%20and%20financial%20crisis&f=false http://books.google.com/books?id=Y5nFJXzfsZ4C&pg=PA98&dq=banking+and+emerging+markets+and+financial+crisis&hl=en&ei=XumRTMS8NYzyOYTjoOIH&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CDIQ6AEwATgo#v=onepage&q=banking%20and%20emerging%20markets%20and%20financial%20crisis&f=false http://books.google.com/books?id=NUsoeeI7O8sC&pg=PA199&dq=banking

Critical Analysis of Dualism, Monism, and Solipsism Essay Example for Free

Critical Analysis of Dualism, Monism, and Solipsism Essay November 12, 2008 Intro to Philosophy Critical Analysis of Dualism, Monism, and Solipsism In this report I will give my critical analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, and clarity of dualism, monism, and solipsism. According to dualists, a human being is both a physical body, and a non-physical mind. We can easily determine properties that are physical. Anything that takes up space can be considered a physical property. However, it is nearly impossible to determine exactly what non-physical properties are. Without knowing exactly what non-physical properties are, it is difficult to etermine if both physical and non physical properties can work together. If we can not see the mind or soul in nature, can we be sure it exists? If the non-physical soul does exist, can it affect the physical body? Can a non-physical mind cause the physical body to move? For example, if I decide to go to a football game, and do so, then physical energy must increase in and around my body, since I got up and went to the football game. Where did this physical energy come from? Since we know that energy can be neither created nor destroyed, in order for physical energy to increase n any system, it has to be transferred from another physical system. Dualism suggests that the mind is not a physical system. If the mind is not a physical system, how does energy transfer from it? If energy is not transferred, then it must be created. Can the soul create new energy to move the body? Since energy cannot be created, this would be impossible to prove. Maybe thinking that our mind is different from our body is similar to Lois Lane thinking that Clark Kent is different than Superman. Is it possible for the mind to exist without the body? According to dualists, yes, it is possible. So if the mind can exist without the body, can any part of the physical body exist without the physical body? No matter what we do to the body, the energy will still exist in some form or another. This would make it impossible for any part of the physical body to exist without the physical body. Since the mind can exist without the physical body, the mind is not part of the physical body. Can our physical body exist without the mind? For example, if someone dies and their body is still laying there, it is evident that the body still exists. But how can you tell if their mind still exists? At this point we can fgure that the mind must be somewhere else. Its hard to imagine ourselves becoming separate from the body. But believing in this separation is what determines the difference between one whole body and mind, and a body separate from the mind. According to monists, a human being is identical with their body. In a monist state of mind the body is made up of one whole, rather than of many pieces. The body originally exists as a whole, and particles can be derived from it. If this is true, how do we know which is prior? For example, imagine a circle. Now imagine it divided into two semicircles. Which is prior? The whole circle, or the two semicircles? Did the two semicircles adjoin to make a whole circle? Or did the whole circle divide to make two semicircles? According to monists have to disprove that the circle was originally two semicircles. This would be impossible to do, which makes the theory of monism unclear. If a monist believes that a whole circle is prior, this means that they believe the whole body is one prior. Since monists believe that only either mind or matter can make up existence, does this mean that the mind cannot exist? Or does it mean than the mind and body annot exist separately? Solipsism is the belief that only the self is real. Solipsists believe this because they suppose that we can only verify our own experiences, and no one elses. Therefore they believe that we create our own experiences. If this is true, where do the experiences come from? If they are self generated, how did the self come into existence? If the belief that creating our own experience is true, wouldnt that mean that only one person in the world can be a solipsist and be correct in believing so? If two Solipsists ever meet, one of them are wrong in their belief. For example, if I am a solipsists and I am standing in line at the grocery store, and I speak to someone else who claims to be a solipsist then one of us is Just a creation of the others imagination. There is no way to verify if I am correct, or if the other person is correct. Solipsists also believe that what we are currently experiencing is the only thing that exists. So the grocery store that I was standing in didnt exist until I made it exist in my mind. If all we have is what is current, how can we have built what is here? Another problem I see with the belief of solipsism is that t seems that solipsists believe that the world is more complicated than solipsism. If solipsism is true, then the world must be a dream in our own mind. If this is true, then our mind must be complex enough to stimulate an entire world. Wouldnt you believe that something strong enough to stimulate an entire world must be more complicated than the world itself? I believe that it is extremely difficult to validate solipsism. However, the only difficulty I have in refuting solipsism is that it is impossible to validate any experiences other than your own. Therefore it is mpossible to prove any life is actually alive and not Just a creation of our mind that acts as if it was alive. After collecting so many thoughts about dualism, monism, and solipsism it is easiest for me to identify most with dualism. I know that the theory has its blemishes, but I find it difficult for me to believe that our mind or soul does not exist. I believe that our physical being is made up of more than Just our body. I have trouble agreeing with monists that we can be made up of only mind OR matter. For me, it is unfathomable to believe that we exist primarily because we created everything ourselves.

Duty To Ones Family And Heritage English Literature Essay

Duty To Ones Family And Heritage English Literature Essay Sense of duty and honor to ones heritage and family! What is it about that feeling that beckons individuals to fulfill that responsibility? Is it because they feel pressured to do so by their family, or is it the culture of a family that pressures the individual into fulfilling that duty. Whatever the reason, this idea of ones responsibility to their heritage and family is the most evident and arguably the most important theme in Alice Walkers Everyday Use and Eudora Weltys A Worn Path. Both narratives provide and in depth look at the barriers that divide families, and the challenges they go through to overcome them. The main theme in the short story Everyday Use concerns the characters connections to their ancestral roots. In Everyday Use, Dees beliefs about her heritage and family contrast those of her mother and little sister Maggie. Maggie and her mothers connection to their heritage lie in their memories and traditions of their foremothers. They would rather remember their ancestors for who they were as people, not as members of a specific society. Dees bond to her heritage comes from collecting and displaying her ancestors possessions as African art. Dee believes that she is asserting her African heritage by changing her appearance, her personality, and even her name, in spite of the fact that her family has lived in the America for several decades. Her mother states that when Dee sees the new house, a three-room shack with no real windows and a tin roof, she will want to tear it down. (Walker 445) When Dee arrives at her mothers house her appearance confirms this trend. She is dressed in i ntricate clothing with an assortment of gold jewelry and she crudely informs her mother and sister thats she now goes by the name of Wangero. Maggie and her mother are bemused and somewhat intimidated by Dees new image as Wangero. Dees selfishness and need for independence is demonstrated at a young age when she watches her humble home burn to the ground, with a look of concentration on her face. (Walker 444) Later, Dee wanted nice things (Walker 445), particularly clothes, and was obsessed with capturing a fashion and lifestyle that contrasted with her humble roots. In contrast to Dees material life is Maggies and her mothers pride in their home and heritage, and their satisfaction with their own lives. They have made the front yard clean and wavy, a yard like this is more comfortable than most people know. (Walker 443) Because of their opposing views, each member of the Johnson family values their possessions for different reasons. Dee searches the house for objects she can display in her own home as examples of African-American folk art. Maggie and her mother value the same objects not for their artistic value, but because they remind them of their loved ones. Dee admires a butter churn, and when Maggie says it was carved by their aunts husband His name was Henry, but they called him Stash (Walker 447) Dee replies mockingly that her sister has a memory like an elephants. (Walker 447) But the story implies that Maggies elephant-like memory for her loved ones and her appreciation for their handiwork is a more authentic way to celebrate their heritage than Dees artistic interests. Dees interest in the butter churn and the quilts is brought up because they are priceless objects. She wants to have them as antiques and would not think of using them for everyday use. However, everyday use in the narrator s opinion is the best way to value the past, and to keep it alive. Phoenix Jackson, the protagonist in the short story A Worn Path, is a character who defines the theme of duty to ones family. She is the symbol of determination, endurance, and the will to survive in the face of adversity and death. In the character of Phoenix, Welty is able convey the virtue in doing selfless things for others. Her selfless concern for her grandson is the most powerful representation of giving and self-sacrifice. Critics have noted that her total determination in making the long journey on foot and alone points to these qualities, as does the mythological meaning of her name Phoenix, an Egyptian bird symbolizing resurrection. Christian symbolism is also quite clear in the narrative. For example, the fact that the story is set during the Christmas has led many critics to parallel Phoenixs journey with that of a religious pilgrimage. Phoenix Jacksons overwhelming sense of duty to her grandson is the only thing that seems to keep her focused on the long and hazardous j ourney to town. Because she is the only person her grandson has to rely on, We is the only two left in the world, (Welty 69) she tells the nurse, she is determined to make the trip to town to get the medicine that will relieve his injured throat. Her responsibility dominates her personality, overcoming her progressing senility, her poor eyesight, and her difficulty in walking. Phoenix again demonstrates her dedication to her grandson when she speaks to the hunter about her journey into town, she tells the hunter I bound to go to town, mister, the times come around.(Welty 67) While much of the storys power comes from the imagistic and symbolic use of language, the action in the story shows Phoenix in direct conflict with the outside world, a society run by white people who have little respect or understanding for her situation. A man hunting in the woods assumes that she is going to town simply to see Santa Claus, while a nurse somewhat politely calls her as a charity case and offers little compassion for the troubles of Phoenix or her sick grandson. The nurse however has a duty and a responsibility to keep giving Phoenix the medicine as long as she keeps coming to get it. She says that, the doctor said as long as you came to get it, you could have it, but its an obstinate case.(Welty 69) Even the hunter who helps Phoenix out of the ditch, and the young woman on the street, who ties up her shoes, seem to act purely out of duty, not out of compassion or love. Only Phoenixs actions, making the difficult journey into town for her grandson, are due to a true sense of responsibility and are motivated by a true love. Most people are compelled by this sense of duty and responsibility for their families and their heritage at some point in their lives. People wouldnt be who they are today if it wasnt for their ancestors and those that came before them, and if it wasnt for the love and life lessons that families provide for each other then individuals would have no idea where their place in the world is, or what to do with the gift that is life. People will often go to extreme lengths to prove or simply fulfill their own sense of duty to the ones they love. Some might argue that they only do this because they feel that they must, or that there will be some unknown consequence if they dont, but I would like to think that people do what they do for the ones they love because it has positive effects for them, as well as themselves. Its human nature to want carry out responsibilities that have been laid down and set before us, not just the need to please others. Works Cited Page Gioia, Dana and X.J. Kennedy, eds. Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing. Tenth ed. New York: Pearson Longman, 2007. Tom Hopkens. A Worn Path Critical Analysis. Eudora Welty Literary Criticism. 14 Oct. 2002. Google. 15 Apr. 2010. Anthony David. Everyday Use Literary Criticism. Women Literature Newsweek. 7 May. 2004. Google. 15 Apr. 2010 Walker, Alice. Everyday Use. Literature: Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing. New York: Pearson Longman, 2007. 64-68. Print. Welty, Eudora. A Worn Path. Literature: Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing. New York: Pearson Longman, 2007. 443-447. Print.

Effect Of Exercise On The Human Body Physical Education Essay

Effect Of Exercise On The Human Body Physical Education Essay The increase in the prevalence of obesity has seemed to lead to an increase in the trend of healthy eating and exercise over the years (Flegal, Carroll, Ogden Johnson, 2002). Interestingly, exercise is actually considered a form of stress, as it is a disruption of homoeostasis (Plowman Smith, 2011, p.22). Exercise is defined as a single acute bout of bodily exertion or muscular activity that requires an expenditure of energy above resting level and that in most, but not all, cases results in voluntary movement (Plowman Smith, 2011, p.705). When we run our heart rate rises, our muscles move faster, our respiratory rate increase, and so on. When we lift weights our muscles are pushed to work harder either via repetition and sets or the amount we lift. During these time periods, our body is struggling to maintain homoeostasis; a healthy form of stress that can make the human body more efficient and productive. Exercise will affect each system differently and different exercise will affect the different systems differently. It is said that health-related physical fitness is composed of components representing cardiovascular-respiratory endurance, metabolism and muscular fitness (Plowman Smith, 2011, p.22). In other words, the main systems that are affected by exercise are our cardiovascular, respiratory, and muscular systems. Exercise also affects our metabolism, which is not a system on its own; however is a key component to provided energy for our body. When we exercise, we need energy. Therefore energy production, or metabolism, is affected by exercise. Metabolism is defined as the the total of all energy transformations that occur in the body (Plowman Smith, 2011, p. 27). To make adenosine tripohophate (ATP), the bodys form of energy, from the food we consume we use a process called cellular respiration. Our resources included carbohydrates, triglycerides and amino acids. Through carbohydrate metabolism, we are able to break down carbohydrates into glucose or glycogen. From there our glucose or glycogen will go through the process of glycolysis to make pyruvate or lactic acid. The acids then become acetyl coenzyme A, which would then go through the Kreb cycle and the electron transport system to create ATP. From our carbohydrate we get a range of thirty to thirty-three ATPs; depending on the muscle group and if glucose on glycogen was used. With triglycerides, we must break it down into fatty acids and glycerol. The fatty acids t hen go through the process of beta oxidation to create acetyl coenzyme A. The number of ATP formed depends on the number of carbon pairs found in the triglyceride. Amino acids make about ten to fifteen percent of our energy supply; and therefore are used as a last resort (Plowman Smith, 2011). During exercise, the goal of metabolism is to do three things. First, increase mobilisation and usage of the free fatty acids in adipose tissue and intramuscular stores. Second, decrease the amount of glucose sent to muscles that are not being used while still sending some to our nervous system; particularly our brain. Third, increase the breakdown of glucose stores in the liver and muscles. This creates glucose from non-carbohydrate sources (Plowman Smith, 2011). We used a different source of energy depending on the type of exercise. If the duration of the exercise were to decrease and or if there is an increase in intensity then carbohydrates would become our main source. However, if we increased our duration and decreased our intensity the many sources would be triglycerides. When the duration is longer than an hour that is when amino acids make a small contribution to the energy production. The effects of exercise on our metabolism, in turn, affect the efficiency of other systems in the body, such as the respiratory system. While exercising, one of the first things we mentally note is a change in is our Respiratory System. This is quite simply because of the high demand for energy, exercise creates. Our respiratory system is used to provided energy via aerobic metabolism, in other words, it brings in the oxygen we need to create ATP. Therefore, it makes sense that we breathe more frequently to help our body get the energy it needs. To speed up the process, it would be best if the rate at which oxygen disassociated from haemoglobin increased. This is exactly what happens. Here is how: as we create more energy the waste product, carbon dioxide, also increases. Therefore our partial pressure of carbon dioxide increase; and because of the carbonic acid-bicarbonate buffer system, there is also a decrease in the pH levels (Martini, Ober Nath, 2012). There is also an increase in body temperatures, which is a byproduct of energy production. These conditions increase the rate of dissociation of oxygen from the protein haemoglobin. What is interesting is our misconception with the idea of our respiratory system as a limiting factor. The phrase, I am out of breath, is commonly heard by runners and gym goers. However, our level of respiratory activity is almost equal to the rate of work being done. If we take our increased activity into hand and our respiratory systems large reserve, we find that the respiratory system does not limit our ability to exercise in any way (Plowman Smith, 2011, p.385). We do not see many adaptions in the respiratory system as a result of training. As a stressor, exercise does not stress the limitations of the respiratory system; and as a result, we do not see any long or short term changes. There are some changes in the respiratory system as a result of water based exercises. We find that they have a higher lung volume and capacities. The reason for this is unknown. However, there is a theory that swimmerà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦breath against the resistance of water, using a restricted breathing pattern with repeated expansion of the lungs to total capacity (Plowman Smith, 2011, p.305). Swimmers also do work in the horizontal position; a position optimal for perfusion of the lung and diffusion of respiratory gases (Plowman Smith, 2011, p.307). In swimmers, we also find that there is a report of higher diffusion capacity. This is also seen in runners. However, this is more likely due to circulatory changes. A slight increase in our minute ventilation is also seen as a result of training adaptation. Minute ventilation or minute volume is defined as the amount of air coming into and leaving the respiratory system per minute (Martini, Ober Nath, 2012). It is the components of minute volume that we see the change in, which affects the minute volume. Minute volume equals to how many breaths we take per minute times our tidal volume. Our tidal volume is the amount of air you move into or out of your lungs during a single respiratory cycle under resting conditions; in other words, it is quite breathing (Martini, Ober Nath, 2012, p. 739). With exercise, our tidal volume adapts and increases at rest. Therefore, individual who frequently exercise  will develop a large tidal volume. As a result, the minute volume is higher after training than before, allowing for the ability to increase our endurance (Plowman Smith, 2011). Besides these changes, we do not see a lot of long-term adaptations in the respiratory system as a result of exercise. The changes mentioned are also very minimal. An area we see a lot changes in response to exercise is our cardiovascular system and muscular system. The ability to deliver oxygen (and other substances) depends on the proper functioning of the cardiovascular system (Plowman Smith, 2011, p.323). As we exercise the need for oxygen increases and carbon dioxide concentration in our blood increase. Chemoreceptor and baroreceptors detect this change in the blood. To get the proper resources to the proper place certain factors of our cardiovascular system start to increase during exercise. These factors include our stroke volume, heart rate, cardiac output, and systolic blood pressure. Stroke volume is the amount of blood that is ejected from the heart after every beat; the amount per minute is the cardiac output. Systolic blood pressure is the blood pressure during a contra ction (Plowman Smith, 2011). The kind of exercise will affect how much these factors will increase or how rapidly it will increase. For example, during the short term, light to moderate aerobic exercise make our factors increase rapidly. However, during incremental exercise, our factors will increase in a rectilinear fashion as the workload increases. Our vascular system also plays an important role as we exercise. When exercising we find that there is a decrease in resistance of the arteries and veins, in other words, we see an increase in vasodilatation. This allows for more blood to go to working muscle, while making sure the blood pressure does not rise excessively (Plowman Smith, 2011). Our cardiovascular system will also contribute to maintaining homoeostasis of our body temperatures. When it comes to thermoregulation the environment surrounding our bodies can be very influential. However, our body is able to maintain an internal temperature via metabolic heat production, body heat radiation, conduction, convection and evaporation. Our cardiovascular system plays a role by capturing the heat exerted by our muscular system and sending them to be released via our peripheral vascular system. One of our primary defences against heat stress, especially while exercising, is sweating. However, there are situations where the thermoregulatory and metabolic demands are not meet by the cardiovascular systems. In this case, an individual can develop heat illness such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke. That is why it is important for those who exercise to keep hydrated before, during and after exercise (Plowman Smith, 2011). Over time we will find that exercise will cause our cardiovascular system to adapt. With endurance training, we will see an increase in blood volume and plasma volume. However, the increase in plasma volume will be seen at the beginning of the training while blood volume increase will not happen until much later. As a result of endurance training, individuals develop a lower heart rate at rest as well as the maximal oxygen consumption (Plowman Smith, 2011). Approximately forty percent of the deaths in America are caused by cardiovascular disease. One of the top cardiovascular diseases is coronary heart disease. However, there are studies that show exercise can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Exercise can even reduce the risk of factors that cause cardiovascular diseases; such as properties of metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is characterised by high visceral abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, reduced glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, and hypertension. Together, these are factors that can cause cardiovascular diseases. By exercising, we can reduce the risk of many diseases, not just one (Plowman Smith, 2011). The second system that is largely affected by exercise is our skeletal muscular system. Generally, our skeletal muscles are important for posture, heat generation, and motion. To help perform these actions our nervous system plays the control our skeletal muscles. A motor unit is the combinations of the motor neurone and the muscle fibres it stimulates. ATP plays an important role here. This is because one neurone gives the signal for the muscle fibres to contract; the muscle fibres will need the energy to contract and then relax (Plowman Smith, 2011). Human muscle fibres are categorised by contractile properties and metabolic properties. From the contractile perspective, we have fast-twitch fibres and slow-twitch fibres. The ability for the fibre to contract slowly or quickly has more to do with the motor neurone then the fibre. Alpha-1 motor neurones are larger, have high recruitment threshold, and faster conductivity velocity; innervate fast twitch fibres. Alpha 2 motor neurones are smaller, have slower conduction velocity and low recruitment threshold; innervate slow twitch fibres. Metabolically, fast twitch fibres can make energy via oxidation and glycolytic metabolism or just glycolytic metabolism. However, slow twitch fibres can only make energy via oxidative metabolism (Plowman Smith, 2011). Through studies, we have found that athletes that practice endurance activities will have a higher percentage of slow twitch fibres. Individuals who are involved in resistance activities will have a higher percentage of fast twitch fibres. However, it is believed that this is more genetically based, then based on nurture. That is to say, that it is easier for some who has a high amount of fast twitch fibres will be better at resistance activities. While those with high slow twitch fibres are better at endurance activities. Therefore, the contractile properties of muscle fibres cannot be changed via exercise; however, our metabolic properties can be. It is possible for training to cause enough fast twitch fibres to change metabolically, so that they switch from oxidative-glycolytic metabolism to glycolytic metabolism (Plowman Smith, 2011). While training and exercising, we must be aware of muscular fatigue and muscular soreness. Muscular fatigue results from a loss of muscle functions and is largely depend upon the type of muscle fibre being used. Different exercises will use different muscle fibres; therefore, different kinds of exercise will cause muscle fatigue differently. For example, in static activity hydrogen ions increase, glycolysis is inhibited, fewer calcium ions are released in the sarcoplasmic reticulum and there is an occlusion of blood flow. Any of these, if enough or a combination of all of them, can cause muscle fatigue. Muscle soreness is the same idea as overexertion (Plowman Smith, 2011, p. 547). There are two types: immediate-onset soreness and delayed-onset muscle soreness. Immediate-onset soreness is pain that occurs during and immediately after exercise. When over exercising hydrogen ion concentration and lactic acid levels increase, this increase causes an over stimulation of pain receptors. It is believed that this is what cause immediate-onset soreness. However, it is not sure what causes delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS). DOMS is the pain that is felt at least eight hours after exercising and, reaches peaks and falls over the next ninety-six hours. Athletes and trainers must beware to avoid these conditions because it can affect athletic participation and performance (Plowman Smith, 2011). Different exercises lead to muscle fatigue differently than another type of exercise. This is the same as the adaptations seen in our muscular system. Different kinds of exercises will lead to different adaptations. Resistance training is used to improve overall health, improve athletic performance; rehabilitate injuries, and change physical appearance (Plowman Smith, 2011, p. 580). Muscular adaptions, however, also rely heavily on their individual goals; and occur at different rates. Trainers must remember to apply a training program based on the individual or team and their capabilities (Plowman Smith, 2011). Metabolism, cardiovascular system, and the muscular system are the main aspects of our body that are affected by exercise. However, our other systems are also affected. Our skeletal system is important for protection, support, mineral storage, hematopoiesis and movement. Studies have shown that exercise has a positive effect on bone health and helps avoid disease such as osteoporosis. Physical activity creates an increase in mechanical force that leads to mechanotransduction. Mechanotransduction is the process of osteocytes modelling and remodelling the bones. This makes the bone stronger. Bending our bones also causes stress (compressive and tensile stress) that changes the hydrostatic pressure of our bones. The change in pressure increases the movement of the fluid within the bone. Fluid in the bone carries the nutrients and wastes; as well as results in the formation of new bone. Exercise helps the body to reach peak bone mass while still growing, offset menopause and slow down bo ne loss that occurs later in life. However, if exercise is done excessively their activity can exceed the adaptive ability of bone, resulting is overuse injury (Plowman Smith, 2011, p. 501). The nervous system was seen coming into play with our muscular system; however, our nervous system also works with our endocrine system when responding to exercise. When responding to stress in general, our nervous system and the endocrine systems will come into play. Since exercise is a stress, we see a response from the nervous system and the endocrine system. Specifically, the sympathetic and the parasympathetic come into play during different points of the exercise. The sympathetic nervous system (SNS), our fight or flight response, will come into play during exercise. While our parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), rest and digest, will be important for recovery; breaking down energy for our muscle recovery, taking deep slow breaths, and so on. The SNS will, during exercise, ensure to enhance our cardiovascular functions, regulate blood flow and maintain blood pressure and thermal balance, and increase fuel mobilisation (Plowman Smith, 2011. It has also been found that after lo ng bouts of exercise a group of neuropeptides called endogenous opioids is released in the central nervous system. Endogenous opioids, or opioids, are a famously know as opium from the best and for subsiding pain (Jonsdottir, 2002). While running as pain levels reach certain levels opioids are released, and are also known to cause runners second the wind or runners high (Widmaier, Raff Strang, 2008, p. 171). The endocrine system also plays a role when exercising. While exercising there is an increase in the release of our metabolic hormones; glucagon, insulin, growth hormone, epinephrine and norepinephrine. These hormones work together to maintain blood glucose levels and mobilise fuel for ATP production. Epinephrine and norepinephrine also help to enhance cardiac function and maintain fluid and electrolyte balance. Adaptive, our endocrine system may change due to exercise. However, it depends on the individual. The adaptation could make the individual more sensitive to lower levels of hormone so that the same effect occurs following training even without a changing baseline (Plowman Smith, 2011, p. 645). Our immune system will also respond to exercise. It has been found that will moderate exercise will lead to higher numbers and activity of neutrophils, natural killer cells, B and T cells, macrophages, and more. Thus making out immune system stronger. However, during excessive exercise, we see a decrease in natural killer cells, lymphocytes and neutrophils. It is believed that this is likely for the vulnerability to acute infections. No pain, no gain, is what is often said among friends when exercising. It is important to remember that exercise is a stressor, and that one will feel pain as a result. It is also important to beware of the effects of over-exercising. Exercise, if done right, can help avoid, delay and lessen the effects of disease; as well enhance our bodies to function to its prime.

Student :: essays research papers

Group: All-Stars Equity Theory Process theory is a commonly used form of scientific research study in which events or occurrences are said to be the result of certain input states leading to a certain outcome stat, following a set process. Process theory holds that of an outcome is to be duplicated, so too must the process which originally created it, and that there are certain constant necessary conditions for the outcomes to be reached. When the phrase is used in connection with human motivation, process theory attempts to explain the mechanism by which human needs changes. Equity theory falls into the process theory. John Stacey Adams, workplace and behavioral psychologist, put forward his Equity Theory on job motivation in 1963. There are similarities with Charles Handy's extension and interpretation of previous simpler theories of Maslow, Herzberg and other pioneers of workplace psychology, in that the theory acknowledges that subtle and variable factors affect each individual's assessment and perception of their relationship with their work, and thereby their employer. Awareness and cognizance feature more strongly than in earlier models, as does the influence of colleagues and friends, etc, in forming cognizance, and in this particular model, ‘a sense of what is fair and reasonable’. Equity or inequity is a psychological state residing within an individual. It creates a feeling of dissonance that the individual attempts to resolve in some manner. The notion of "equity" is associated with justice and fairness. The individual fundamentally believes that they are being treated fairly in comparison to what they see others receiving. Equity is a social comparison process, resulting when individuals compare their pay to the pay of others. There is no "rational" or single "equitable pay rate" for any given job or individual. Equity is a subjective evaluation, not an objective one. Based on the comparison that individuals use, each individual is likely to develop different perceptions of equity. The comparisons individuals use tend to fall into five classes of comparison: 1. Job Equity- Individuals compare their pay to the pay of other individuals in the same position they hold within their organization. 2. Company Equity- Individuals compare their pay to the pay of other individuals holding the different positions within their organization. 3. Occupational (Market) Equity- Individuals compare their pay to the pay of other individuals holding the same position in other 4. Cohort Equity- Individuals compare their pay to the pay of others in similar cohort groups, generally age and education.

Physics of Volcanoes :: physics volcano volcanic eruption

Volcanoes are one of natures most interesting and dangerous phenomenons. The way volcanoes operate can be understood, on a basic level, by just some simple physics and chemistry, this paper will investigate and explain some of the basic physics that govern the behavior of volcanoes. Magma is composed of three main components * viscous silicate melt * crystals * volatiles (gases) The way that these three components interact is one of the main focuses of petrologists and volcanologists. Also, the way that these components interact is govered by some of the basic laws of physics. Viscosity In layman's terms viscosity is a fluids resistance to flow and is important in many volcanic processes. Viscosity is defined as the internal resistance to flow by a substance when a shear stress is applied. Many factors affect a magma's viscosity. Temperature is one of them, as a with all fluids as a the temperature increases the viscosity also increases. This example can be seen when examining a rhyolitic melt, when the temperature decreases from 1300Â °C to 600Â °C the viscosity increases by more than eight orders of magnitude. The silica content and the water content also affect a magmas viscosity. The more silica is in a magma the more viscous the magma will be due to the strong silica-oxygen bonds. When water is added to a magma it has the ability to break the silica-oxygen bonds and therfore, the viscosity decreases. Rheology Rheology is the study of how materials flow and it is very important when examining volcanogenic processes. Two main types of flows can be defined: laminar and turbulent. Laminar flow occurs when the motion of the particles of fluid is very orderly with all particles moving in straight lines parallel to the walls. Turbulent flow occurs when the streamlines or flow patterns of a fluid are disorganized and there is an exchange of fluid between these areas. The Reynolds number (Re) can be calculated to determine whether a fluid is turbulent or laminar. When the Reynolds number is less than 10 .... it is considered laminar, when it is greater than 100 it is considered turbulent. The areas in between are defined as transitional and can go either way. Rheology and viscosity are imporatnat to volcanologists because it will determine if Magma Chambers will convect and overturn. When the Rayleigh's and Reynolds numbers are high enough it is possible for these chambers to over turn which can lead to volcanic eruptions.

Amy Tans The Joy Luck Club Essay -- Amy Tan Joy Luck Club Essays

Amy Tan's â€Å"The Joy Luck Club† The â€Å"Joy Luck Club,† by Amy Tan, is a collection of short stories about the relationships between Chinese born mothers and their American born daughters. The story called â€Å"Four Directions† is about a woman named Waverly Jong. The story is about Waverly trying to tell her mother that she is getting married to a American man named Richard. Waverly was a chess champion as while she was a young girl and she remembers the strategy that she used in her matches, and in her life, as she tries to tell her mother about a marriage to an American man. Waverly’s mother was raised in China under Chinese traditions. Waverly’s mother wants Waverly to marry a Chinese man and dos not want Waverly to marry an American man. As Waverly brings us through her decision making process, she questions the Chinese traditions that her mother strictly follows. Since Waverly grew up in an American society, she has lost the Chinese traditions that her mother has tried to teach her and therefore has weakened the bond between Waverly and her mother.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As Waverly brings her mother through her house, Waverly lets her mom see the male items that are around to hint to her mother that she is living with a man, like his clothes around the bedroom and his barbells on the floor. Waverly goes to her closet and shows her mother the fur coat that Richard had given to her. After seeing the coat, Waverly’s mom says: â€Å"This is not so good,’ she said at last. ‘It is just leftover...

How to Encourage More People to Donate Their Organs

1) Many of the people who receive organs have self-damaged their own organs such as by drug use or other irresponsible behaviors (eating patterns, sexual activity patterns, etc. ). There are measures taken by the medical community to ensure that they're not engaged in these behaviors while they're waiting for an organ but that doesn't change the history of the behaviors or how the damage was done. 2) Most of the people will have shortened lifespans anyway even if they receive the organ. ) Most of the people who receive organs will experience an array of complications which will reduce their quality of life and impose ongoing, often lifelong, financial costs. 4) The immediate and ongoing costs of transplanting organs is very high and that cost can often be spent better in other ways such as by improving health education and prevention, drug addiction treatment, neonatal care, nutrition, genetic research, artificial tissue research, etc. 5) Because of the high costs involved, organ tra nsplants are sometimes received via a black market in which you have the very rich benefiting and the very poor selling their organs. This discrepancy in access would, to some extent, remain even if everyone were an organ donor. 6) Some people are afraid that less than full efforts might be made to resuscitate them if they are a known organ donor. For example, they're involved in an accident and then after brief efforts are made to resuscitate them they are left to die and their organs harvested even though if someone had tried a little harder they'd be alive. Although this fear is basically unfounded at least in the majority of the developed world, it is not entirely an unreasonable fear and it would have some legitimacy in some parts of the world. ) Many people regard the body as sacred in such a way that we can never be morally obligated to part with any part of it or to receive any part of anothers. In fact some people strengthen this view from â€Å"not obligated† to â€Å"obligated to not†, and there are a range of views in between. This sense of the â€Å"sacredness† of the body need not manifest in any specifically religious way but simply as a visceral repugnance at the thought of disrupting ones ordinary bodily organization even after death. However it may manifest in religious ways as well and is why so many cultures have engaged in ritual entombment, mummification and embalming, and frown upon things like grave-robbing, cremation, etc. The intuition is, more or less, that when you violate the body, even in death, you show a disrespect both for the life of the person whose body it was and for life in general by making us all merely potential commodities for one another. This ties in with point 5. The converse of this comes at the beginning rather than the end of life and involves not the action of selling organs but of selling children and of conceiving children specifically for the purpose of harvesting their organs. These things actually do and have happened and, quite reasonably, they repulse many people. 8) The donater is usually unable to exercise any discretion as to who receives the organ or judge their merit to receive it. 9) The donater is usually totally unaware of the recipient and feels no obligation to them. This lack of felt obligation is, of course, reciprocated. 0) Although, just as with vaccination programs, the costs of donation could be lowered by making it mandatory, this is very unlikely to happen (see 7) and, if it did happen, would be very likely to be abused (see 5). Together these all provide formidable reasons to not donate. Although there may remain some cases to which some of the arguments don't equally apply, such as cornea transplants and skin grafts and transplants for the young and otherwise healthy and donations to those you know, the arguments against many forms of donation and many cases thereof are still weightier than you might think.

Today’s Country Differences in Accounting Standards

Todays soil Differences in Accounting Standards in that location be five main influences on a untaughts be formation. Having a different system of account is resembling having a different gloss for countries. There ar many different things that arrange how an accounting differs. The relationship between task and providers of cap, political and economic ties with other countries, largeness accounting, level of development, and the national culture be the five influences on accounting systems. kindred between business and providers of capitalFirms can absorb capital from numerous sources selling armoury and shares is one way or espousal from a bank is a nonher. How individually pastorals business firms gain capital has to do with what type of accounting system the rude has. The United States is full of people abstracted to authorise in a guild or buy stock in a company. Not only do we deliver television stations apply to the stock market, but as a business st udent we hear near it constantly. The U. S. tries to use their accounting system to predicate individual investors nigh the firms they want to invest in.There are other countries that use banks more than to gain capital. In these cases the accounting system is geared towards the government and the banks that provide the majority of the capital. Political and economic ties with other countries political sympathies and a kingdoms economic system can get under ones skin a massive effect on an accounting system. These two factors face to bring accounting system together rather than apart. NAFTA and EU have both brought the countries involved together. They have put into practice norms throughout each accounting system to make them more uniform.Inflation Accounting Inflation is a big factor when deciding how to approach an accounting system. Inflation accounting is all about the diachronic cost principle. It says that currency is non losing its value due to inflation. If in flation is high, the historic cost principle underestimates a firms assets, so the depreciation charges base on these underestimates can be forgetful for replacing assets when they wear out or become obsolete (Hill, 2011, p. 635). Level of emergence Developed countries seem to have everything easier.They are able to acquire more capital and business. They have more highly improve and skilled workers. The more genuine countries seem to have it all and the slight true countries with the smaller businesses have taken notice. Smaller, less developed countries tend to copy or attempt to copy the larger, more developed countries in their accounting systems. This can shake problems because the less developed countries do not have all of the resources necessary to have an accounting system fit for a well-developed soil. National CultureA countrys culture comes into play in accounting systems when thinking about precariousness avoidance. A countrys question avoidance is every hi gh or low. High uncertainty avoidance gist a country is less likely to take pretend and rules and regulations. Low uncertainty avoidance means the country is willing to take risk. The countrys with a low uncertainty risk need to make trustworthy that their finances are in die shape so they are more likely to have accountants audit their firms (Hill, 2011). whole kit and boodle Cited Hill, C. W. (2011). International Business. New York McGraw-Hill Irwin.