Character breakdown

Set at a fictional university, all the characters reside in a fraternity sponsored house within the confines of university grounds. All the characters are an attempt to break stereotypes, and come from regularly viewed backgrounds found in American society. Marcus Pullman Senior, African-American middle-class from New York. Marcus Pullman is not a star athlete, or the campus drug dealer. He is as about as average as they come, with a good GPA, an interest in football and baseball, but an even stronger interest in environmental issues and obtaining a degree in political science. He is one of many American families from the middle-income band, with a father who is a NY firefighter and a mother who works as a legal assistant at a law firm. Marcus is part of a small statistic, an alarming statistic of overall African-American males in universities in America. According to an article in 2004, â€Å"today, black men make up 41 percent of the inmates in federal state, and local prison, but black men are only 4 percent of all students in American institutions of higher education† (Maxwell). It has to be said, however, that circumstance is everything, and whilst Marcus is part of a 4% statistic, he is also one of   â€Å"17% of blacks age 25 and older who had a bachelor’s degree or more in 2005† (US Census, 2007). Marcus has been in the fraternity since his Freshman year and is seen as a figurehead of the house. Simon Li American-Asian, Freshman, music student from Louisiana. It isn’t unusual for there to be a diverse ethnicity in fraternities, but it is also been cited as something as irregular. According to some fraternity members, this comes down to simply just a matter of comfort. â€Å"Minorities don't rush because they are intimidated by the stereotypically white Greek system,† Ngan said. On the other hand, â€Å"a lot of minorities do rush, they are just more comfortable hanging out with people of the same ethnic background.†(Brubaker, 2000). Simon Li is a ‘Rushee’ and a freshman music student from Louisiana. He is a second generation American-Asian, with roots in China. According to the census bureau, Louisiana has a registered American-Asian population of 1.4% (2005) with 2.5% of firms owned by Asians in the state. Simon Li’s parents own and operate a chain of successful auto-part stores – and nothing related to restaurants or grocery stores, as is often the stereotype. Having grown-up in Louisiana, Simon has a soft spot for anything Cajun, as well as an interest in music – from country to bluegrass. His predominant interests do not lie with traditions, but with incorporating grassroot sounds with techno, or club music. Dermot â€Å"Ozzie† Sullivan Australian, Sophomore, medical student. International students continue to make-up a large percentage of undergraduates at American universities. According to Hahn-Koenig, within Philadelphia, â€Å"more than 11,000 are enrolled in the city alone, with thousands more studying elsewhere in Pennsylvania† (2007). Whilst the Australian university system is considerably good, Dermot has come to America to broaden his horizons. His family is part of the wealthy upper-class in Australia, which avails him the high tuition fees and ability to apply for a student visa. Despite Australia being a part of the Visa Waiver Program, Dermot would have had to apply for a F-1 visa in order to study in America (State Dept, 2007). Dermot is an easy-going guy who is hard-working but also knows how to enjoy life. He appears to be a well-liked sort on-campus. Victor Henson Sophomore, member of a neo-nazi group. The antagonist of the characters. Victor is a Caucasian American from a poor background in middle America. He has not known his father, and his mother continues to struggle to make ends meet and keeping a family. His family are like many who should have seen better times after Clinton’s welfare reforms, but still suffer from poverty conditions. The Anti-Defamation League have cited a 12% decline in anti-Semitic activities, in recent surveys, however â€Å"it is disturbing that there are still an average of about four anti-Semitic attacks per day in America† (ADL, 2007). Victor indulges in many on-campus parties, and unsurprising is his overindulgence in alcohol. He is the student who is trying to fit in, and is a â€Å"Rushee† of the fraternity. SCRIPT Scene: Outside the campus library. It is a noticeably Fall day, and overcast. Marcus (leaving the library): Hey, Ozzie! How’s it going? Ozzie (seated on the stairs of the library): Gudday, Marcus. Yeah, s’alright, I reckon. Weather’s a bit foul, eh? Marcus (looks up briefly, smiles): Definitely going to rain. Hey, you seen that new rushee? Uh, Victor I think his name is. Ozzie: Yeah, yeah, I have. Saw him last night. Was hammered something nasty, I tell ya. Looked real green in the bushes (laughs) Marcus: Drunk? Ozzie: Aw, totally smashed, mate. Marcus: Hm, well Freshman, I suppose. But, listen, you think you can have a talk with him? See what he wants from joining a fraternity, and if he’d fit in. (slaps Ozzie on the arm with a book) Be a spy, eh? Ozzie: Yeah, yeah. Sure. Check ya later, eh? Marcus and Ozzie part ways. Scene change: Ozzie is in the frat house with Simon, who is ‘plugged in’ to a laptop and appears to be listening to music. Ozzie throws a screwed up paper ball at him. Simon (loudly): What? Ozzie demonstrates to remove the earphones, and Simon does. Simon (normal volume): What? Ozzie: Ya seen that new kid? Victor? Simon: Yeah, he was looking a little rough in the kitchen. Told him to clean the dishes for us. Ozzie: Smooth move, mate, smooth move. Hey, what ya think of him? Simon: Meh, he’s okay, I guess. He doesn’t say much to me. Ozzie: Hm, fair enough. I’ll go talk to him. Marcus wants the scoop on him, see if he’ll fit. Simon nods and plugs back into his laptop. Ozzie goes to the kitchen where Victor is struggling in removing a pair of rubber gloves from his hands. Ozzie: Hey mate, lemme give ya a hand. Hah – get it. Victor: Yeah, I got it. Ozzie: Jeez, no humor, eh? Victor: Sorry, still hungover a bit.. and†¦ (voice trails off) Ozzie: What’s up? Feelin’ a bit crock still? Victor: Huh? Ozzie: Ill. The hangover†¦ Victor: Nah, not the hangover. Just†¦ hey, I can talk to you right, yeah? Ozzie: Sure, mate. We’re all brothers. Or, well.. you â€Å"might† be, eh? (smiles) Victor: Yeah, I guess.. well.. I don’t know. Seems really†¦ well†¦ Ozzie: What? Victor: Well, why are they in charge here? Ozzie: Who ya mean? The seniors? Victor: Nah.. well yeah.. but†¦ nevermind. Ozzie: Something bothering you, you know you can tell me. Or Marcus even, mate. Victor (sneers): I don’t think so. Ozzie: What? Marcus? Nah, he’s cool, mate. Don’t need to worry about him. He’s a good egg. Victor: Egg? Rotten, more like. His sort are nothing but trouble. Ozzie: His sort? What Greenpeace Al Gore types? (laughs) Victor: No†¦ his â€Å"sort†. Ozzie: Don’t get you mate†¦ you mean New Yorkers? Victor (laughs): Yeah†¦ New Yorkers. Whatever. Victor leaves, sees Simon still plugged in and shakes his head. Ozzie looks perplexed and follows Victor out of the house. Ozzie: Wait up. So, I don’t get what you meant in there. Victor: You want me say, for real? Ozzie: Yeah, mate. For real. Victor: I don’t trust Marcus. His type are nothing but trouble, they take advantage of everything. Ozzie: Wait, wait.. his type? What’s his type? Victor: Black, man. I got to spell it out, or what? You fucking blind? Blacks are nothing but trouble. Ozzie: Woah.. woah†¦ you can’t be serious†¦ Victor: Yeah†¦ well maybe I am. He’s always getting up in my business. Ozzie: Well you are trying to join the fraternity†¦ Victor: Yeah, well screw it. I don’t want to be a black man’s brother, ya know. Ozzie: Jesus†¦ well.. yeah, I don’t think I want you around either†¦ Marcus walks up to them outside the house. Victor falls silent but stares at Marcus. Ozzie is stunned, but looks serious. Marcus notices the uneasiness quickly. Marcus: Everything alright? Victor (snorts): Yeah, man. Victor walks away, and Marcus looks at Ozzie questioningly. Marcus: Ozzie? What happened? Ozzie: I dunno mate†¦ I really dunno†¦. References _. Lousiana State Quick Facts. Census Bureau. (available from: http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/22000.html ) _. New York City, Black History Month, 2007. Census Bureau Press Release, February, 2007. (available from: http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/007862.html ) _. Anti-Semitic Incidents in US. Press Release. Anti-Defamation League, 2007. (available: http://www.adl.org/PresRele/ASUS_12/4993-12.htm ) _ . Student Visas. US State Department, Bureau of Consular Affairs. (Available from: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1268.html ) Brubaker, C. â€Å"Greek system concerned with diversity† The Cavalier Daily, April 5, 2000. (available: http://www.cavalierdaily.com/CVArticle.asp?ID=3898&pid=564 ) Hahn-Koenig, A. â€Å"Coming to America.† OneBigCampus.com 2007 (available: http://www.onebigcampus.com/article_comingtoamerica.htm ) Maxwell, B. â€Å"On campus, grim statistics for African-American men.† St. Petersburg Times, January 4, 2004. (available from:

Mobile Device Software In Diabetes Health And Social Care Essay

To analyze the salient characteristics and measure grounds scientifically for the effectivity of mHealth engineering and results in diabetes patients self-management around the universe. Methods: A comprehensive electronic reappraisal was done through literature hunts related to diabetes nomadic applications, indexed in digital library, ProQuest, PubMed, Google Scholar, web of scientific discipline, published since 2007. Strategy used in seeking literature will include terms/synonyms: nomadic phone ; SmartPhone ; Apps ; Cellular phone ; and diabetes direction. We surveyed the undermentioned features:1. Behavioral alterations, 2. Management: 2.1 Blood glucose, 2.2 Weight, 2.3 Diet, 2.4 Insulin and medicine, 2.5 Blood force per unit area, 2.6 Physical activity, 3. Education. A Meta-analysis was conducted for surveies with HbA1c steps. Consequences: Around 40 articles identified and screened for retrieval from ISI publication, of which 18 met the choice standards. Sample sizes for this survey ranged from 11 to 37695 patients aged 7 to 70 old ages old. Intervention continuance ranges from 1 to 12months. Significant betterments found in HbA1c and their life style.Decision:We find spreads between the functionality used in survey intercessions and evidence-based recommendations. Monitoring, Health reminders and instruction utilizing nomadic engineering significantly better the diabetes wellness.KeywordsSmartPhone, mHealth, Diabetes Care, Mobile engineering, Blood glucose.IntroductionMobile engineering has been dramatically adopted around the world1,2. Report estimates that â€Å" planetary Mobile informations traffic will increase 18 times between 2011 and 2016 † . By the terminal of that clip period, it is projected that there will be 10billion nomadic devices in usage around the world3. Mobile engineering is t he fastest turning sector of communications industry in low income countries4,5. Electronic medical and personal wellness records grow as nomadic phone engineering continues to spread out ; for chronic disease direction nomadic phones become important1. Although several methods of patient attention have been good established to better clinical profile and complications associated with DM, effectivity of fresh intercessions remains to be evaluated6. The intent of this survey is to place the salient characteristics and measure grounds scientifically for the effectivity of mHealth engineering and results in diabetes patient ‘s self-management around the universe. Diabetess mellitus is a common, chronic upset of insulin metamorphosis, characterized by persistently elevated blood glucose degrees. The microvascular harm that consequences affects neurological map, the kidneys and bosom and via medias peripheral blood supply. Sick persons are at increased hazard of eyesight harm, nephritic failure, shot and bosom onslaught. Two major signifiers of the status are recognized. Type 1 diabetes is caused by autoimmune mediated pancreatic harm and attendant loss of insulin production. In the Type 2 status, insulin production may be unaffected but the endocrine is unable to suitably excite cells to use go arounding glucose, a phenomenon termed insulin opposition. Key intervention ends in diabetes are to normalise blood glucose degrees and cut down modifiable hazard factors for cardiovascular disease. Where insulin production continues ( Type 2 diabetes ) initial therapy may concentrate on behavioural intercessions to modulate diet and promote weight loss. Drug therapy consists of auxiliary insulin ( the pillar for Type 1 diabetes ) and agents that cut down peripheral insulin opposition.MethodsDatas Beginnings Computerized hunts were conducted to place systematic experimental and place randomized controlled clinical tests ( RCTs ) . Searched was done through literature hunts related to diabetes nomadic applications, indexed in digital library, ProQuest, PubMed, Google Scholar, web of scientific discipline, published since 2007. Strategy used in seeking literature will include terms/synonyms: nomadic phone ; SmartPhone ; Apps ; Cellular phone ; and diabetes direction. Study standards We surveyed the undermentioned features:1. Behavioral alterations, 2. Management: 2.1 Blood glucose, 2.2 Weight, 2.3 Diet, 2.4 Insulin and medicine, 2.5 Blood force per unit area, 2.6 Physical activity, 3. Education. A Meta-analysis was conducted for surveies with HbA1c steps. Data extraction To pull out findings require informations extraction in a consistent mode. It enables subsequently data synthesis and interpretation7. Created spreadsheet format to come in relevant informations which was extracted from published paper such as Writers, twelvemonth of publication, survey scene, sample size, survey design, age group, race, and continuance of intercession, outcomes, method of self-management, intercession inside informations, and reported consequences were reviewed. Meta-analysisStandards for executing a meta-analysisA subgroup/meta-analysis will be performed if three or more surveies are identified that satisfy the standards and statistical trials for homogeneousness. Homogeneity of intercession class type and result will be a necessary standard for representing a subgroup. Further division by demographic features and diabetes type will be merely considered if the grouping is of clinical/practical relevancy and if there are equal Numberss of surveies to make so. Subgroups will be constituted at a participant-level by including all relevant surveies. If farther informations is required, for illustration, to be able to divide out a peculiar patient group from informations that are reported in pooled signifier within a survey so we will reach the survey writers for elucidation. If this information can non be obtained so the survey will be excluded. The core measure of the systematic literature reappraisal is Data analysis. It involves roll uping a nd sum uping informations extracted from primary studies7.ConsequencesFeatures of included surveies In the initial reappraisal, around 40 articles were screened. After excepting surveies that did non run into the eligibility standards, 18 surveies were reviewed intensively. Of them, surveies took topographic point in several states including UK8,9,14, Italy9,14, Spain9,12,14, Australia10,14, New Zealand10, Korea11,14, multi centre ( Germany, India, Canada ) 11, US11,14, Norway13,15,17, multi centre ( Iran, Finland ) 14, Indiana16. Patients were recruited from primary clinics, third infirmaries and community scenes. Figure 1 shows the choice of surveies.Figure 1 – Documents chosen for the survey of diabetes attention and direction utilizing nomadic phone engineeringsOf the 18 surveies, 6 were excluded due non-availability of clinical informations, 12 were randomized controlled tests. The minimal continuance of intercession in these surveies was 1 month and upper limit of 12 months. Sample size ranged from 11 to 37695 patients at the terminal of the follow-up period and all su rveies included both males and females. Gender was distributed about every bit in all the surveies. Participants were aged 7-70 old ages old. Approach of nomadic phone intercession Mobile phone intercession in this survey showed assorted technological inventions. Six of the surveies developed package or an application plan for diabetes care management8,9,10,12,15,19. The others used bing nomadic phone engineering to supply support for self-monitoring blood glucose, instruction, diet, exercising, and medicine adjustment18 Among the 18 surveies, 2 used a nomadic phone Short Message Service ( SMS ) to present blood glucose trial consequences and self-management information8,10. These surveies adopted a short message service entirely, or SMS combined with other intercession schemes, which included conveying self-monitored blood glucose to mobile phone via a Bluetooth radio nexus. Apps emerged as a distinguishable package class in 2008 when Apple, Inc. launched its iPhone App Store, an on-line depository from which apps may be downloaded for free or purchased. While the class is new, customized package for consumer Mobile devices – pre-smartphone nomadic phones and personal digital helpers – already existed. However, the iPhone was the first of a new coevals of ‘convergence ‘ devices integrating characteristics of a nomadic phone with that of a personal computing machine, the apogee of a tendency of increasing edification in both traditional Mobiles and electronic personal digital helpers ( PDA ) . Since the 2007 launch of the iPhone there has been rapid development of smartphones and apps. All major nomadic device makers now offer their ain App Store-equivalents. In add-on, apps are now being made available on other portable computing machines and tablets and are likely to distribute to traditional desktop computers23. On one of degree of description, a wellness app is merely one of several possible bringing methods for the behavioural constituents of a self-care intercession and so defines ( portion of ) the context of those constituents ( Figure 1.3 ) . However, multifunction package may be capable of back uping several elements of intercession content that would usually hold defined distinct constituents. Our scoping reappraisal suggests that app-based constituents be given to be a dominant characteristic for which other constituents play back uping functions ( for illustration by supplying accomplishments to utilize the app ) . We therefore experience it besides correct to acknowledge a class of ‘app-based intercessions ‘ where an app is the chief agencies of content bringing. Why it is of import to make this reappraisal Apps may offer a possible low-priced solution for back uping self-care intercessions. For policy shapers and clinicians there is a demand to understand whether this is an intercession class that can be considered for real-world usage. No reappraisal has focussed specifically on issues of cost and efficaciousness utilizing wellness apps for cMEDs. Possible quality and safety impacts have been suggested but there has been no systematic consideration of these. Although smartphone app class is new, our recent scoping reappraisal shows that package intercessions utilizing MEDs are non. Bibliometric analysis of app-related publications ( Figure 1.4 ) identified in the scoping reappraisal suggests that there is now a ample accumulated principal of literature. Figure 1.4 Accumulative figure of health-app related commendations, 1992-2010 Based on 2186 surveies identified utilizing the hunt and inclusion standards for wellness apps and cMEDs defined in this protocol for which publications day of the month was available. Diabetes-specific and self-care standards, nevertheless, were non applied to this dataset and the graph therefore reflects publications for all conditions. Each information point represents the cumulative sum of all commendations published up to the terminal of that twelvemonth. The figure of new commendations generated in each twelvemonth is shown as an note above the informations pointDiscussionKeeping wellness life style in patients with DM is cardinal to their wellness position and public assistance. Mobile phone engineering may be indispensable in intercessions that target behavioural and lifestyle alterations, peculiarly, those associated with chronic diseases direction. Our survey reviewed 15 surveies that assessed the consequence of nomadic phone intercessions on the ego monitoring and direction of DM provides grounds that there is a important consequence on DM direction utilizing nomadic technique. This consequence is consistent with bing literature18. The chief part of the present reappraisal provides the most recent grounds of mHealth surveies, and the findings are based on surveies from different states. Among the reviewed surveies, most applied randomized controlled designs, which enhanced the comparison of the results. Besides, most surveies applied quantitative steps of cardinal results, including HbA1c, weight loss and serum glucose concentration measuring. Despite the strengths of nomadic phone engineering usage, several possible restrictions should be kept in head when construing these consequences. First, although findings from the reviewed surveies showed promise in nomadic phone usage and betterment of DM direction, some of these surveies had little sample sizes. Therefore, future surveies that utilize big sample size are needed to find whether the increased patient-providers ‘ communicating via mHealth have important impacts on clinical results and public wellness. Second, it is unknown what sort of modes of nomadic engineering ( SMS, nomadic phone calls, application, etc ) play a better function in bettering results in patients with DM. Third, since most surveies had a short period of intercession, the long-run effects of mHealth are still ill-defined. Fourthly, the current reappraisal paper is done by the writers in seeking for the relevant literatures. We may hold missed some documents during the hunt. If any, it will do possible choice prejudice. Further surveies should be continued to corroborate the findings. Last, as with all systematic reappraisals, the present survey is capable to publication bias14. It should be noted that our present survey purposes to reexamine the surveies in the last decennary and to measure the feasibleness of utilizing nomadic phone engineering to advance patients ‘ DM direction and better healthy life style. It is clear that although mHealth techniques may offer new chances in disease control, we still face several challenges. First, the application of mHealth is a new attack in existent universe pattern. Most surveies are still in the explorative phases. Therefore, it is indispensable to happen the nexus between pattern and scientific cognition, which come from surveies with vigorous survey designs and a large-scale sample size. Second, uninterrupted attachment and conformity to mobile phone engineering in DM direction is important to the results. The nomadic phone usage intercession relies to a great extent on behavioural alteration theory. In other words, the invention is based on a patient ‘s willingness to to the full take part in every f acet of the intercession. Therefore, the intercession may non be suited for all patients with DM, such as those who may hold troubles operate smart phone. Several surveies observed that some patients withdrew from an intercession survey due to the incommodiousness of utilizing the assigned nomadic phones on a regular daily footing. Therefore, findings observed in most surveies are based on participants who may be extremely motivated20. Third, nomadic phone engineering raises of import inquiries about how to protect patients with DM while at the same time advancing its development and implementation20. This includes challenges associated with privateness and confidentiality of information collected and stored by nomadic devices and/or transmitted to cyber substructure databases. For presentment and intercession intents, extra privateness and confidentiality concerns originate when directing health-related informations to mobile devices22. For illustration, intercessions can be interr upted and privateness may be breached if the nomadic phone is lost or stolen. However, similar restrictions are present with other communicating manners ( e.g. , postal mail or electronic mails may be delivered to the incorrect reference ) 21. It is of import to guarantee that information gathered and transmitted via nomadic devices remains secure20. Fourthly, although nomadic phone engineering promises unprecedented chances to make DM patients anytime and anyplace, mHealth intercessions may ensue in the marginalisation of certain populations, such as nonreaders or those without entree to a nomadic phone21. These drawbacks may greatly impact the impact of such intercessions in such population. In the United States, nomadic French telephone ownership differs among different cultural groups and entree is lower among those with lower socioeconomic position ( defined as those with less than a high school alumnus ) . Similarly, grounds points to disparity between younger and older patients20. Possible accounts for this disparity might be related to age, urban and r ural, and economic system ; although neither of these grounds has been definitively determined.DecisionThe consequences indicate important betterments in gylcaemic control and self-management with nomadic phone intercession methods for DM attention. Uses of nomadic phone engineering in mHealth significantly cut down HbA1c as most reviewed surveies demonstrated. Further research with a longer continuance and larger sample size is needed to analyze several cardinal issues including the benefits of mHealth intercessions for patients and healthcare supplier ‘s perceptual experiences, and the cost effectivity in bettering self-management in diabetic patients. mHealth engineering as a tool in diabetes direction maintaining shoulder to shoulder of new tendencies, medical device seller design better tools for disease direction. mHealth engineering offer important betterment in the diabetes attention and eventful intervention consequence.

Best Man Wedding Speech Essay -- Wedding Toasts Roasts Speeches

Good Evening everybody...I hope you are all enjoying everything so far...My name is Frank Levy, and I am Rick's Best Man for the evening. I happened to find out that there was a pool going on as to how long my Best Man's speech was going to be, and I was the only one who bought in at 60 minutes, so you might as well all just relax, sit back and enjoy the ride. When Rick first asked me to be a "Best Man", I wasn't really sure what my responsibilities were suppossed to be. I asked around, and was told that my main duties for today were: To ensure that the groom arrives on time, To make sure he is sober, And to make sure he is looking good. Well 2 out of 3 isn?t bad... After all I?m best man, not a plastic surgeon! I was also worried about how long... Best Man Wedding Speech Essay -- Wedding Toasts Roasts Speeches Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen – I'd like to start by saying that what a genuine honor it is to be part of Rick's wedding. Rick certainly is handsome tonight, with his fine rented tux and shoes. On a gala evening such as this, you may find it hard to believe that Rick has not always been so handsome. The truth is, Rick was so ugly at birth, the doctor slapped his mother! The nurses were no more sympathetic, they diapered poor little Rick’s face. The fact is, his parents were so embarrassed of Rick that they borrowed another baby for the baptism ceremony. When little Rick went to school, the situation didn’t improve at all. Yes, it is true that Rick was the teacher’s pet – but that was just because the teacher couldn’t afford a dog! Rick's appearance b... Best Man Wedding Speech Essay -- Wedding Toasts Roasts Speeches Well to be honest Steven I thought you would have spoken for longer today†¦.. as that was probably your last opportunity to speak for any length of time without interruption. Not that I’m saying Ellen talks a lot! Afternoon everybody†¦..or is it evening†¦.. seems so long ago that we started these proceedings†¦. For those of you that do not know me my name is Mark Although I’m sure you’ll have a few other names for me after I’ve finished this†¦. Although BIG NOSE is a little obvious! Also just a little soundcheck†¦.Can hear me at the back Good then put a bottle aside for me!!!! Well†¦I hope you’ve all been having a good time and enjoyed yourselves so far†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Good †¦..but as they say †¦.. every silver lining has a cloud†¦.. and I’m afraid it’s just got overcast! I must thank Ellen’s parents for their hospitality today and that really did look like a splendid meal†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. although I’m afraid mine should be just be hitting the city sewer system around †¦. About†¦.. now†¦ Response to Steven’s Toast To Bridesmaid First of all may I re-iterate and thank Steven for his complementary comments to the Bridesmaids, who have done a splendid job today at looking wonderful. Although†¦.. No-doubt my sister has already told you this†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Read CARDS / TELEGRAMS here! â€Å"Don’t forget dear †¦.. the slightest ill treatment and you come home to Mother! Closer Look†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Oh!! Its for m service lady will of course be puzzled by this request and ask him whether Mrs Scott might want something more substantial To which Steven will probably reply ‘No that’s ok I'm conducting an experiment to see if she eats like a rabbit as well!" Ladies and Gentlemen please†¦.. settle down†¦ Could you please stand now and join me in a toast to the bride’s parents for this special day. Thank you. And while you are all standing I’ve just got a few last things to say†¦.. Steven you are an excellent friend and it’s been an honour to be your best man. I wish you and Ellen all the very best for the future. If everyone could now join me in a toast to Mr and Mrs Steven and Ellen Scott. Congratulations!!!

Photojournalism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Photojournalism - Essay Example the local radio in Perth, we see the balanced interplay of photojournalistic element and recorded narration of the radio presenter, with the latter’s speech receiving immediate visual support of the photo material created by the photojournalists – from the studio environment the character from the video works in to the outdoor community festival photos. In fact, the viewer would be able to obtain rather sufficient information about the event even with the smaller amount of the speaking on the part of the radio presenter: the range of pictures has a clearly organized sequence and well-captured moments: dancing, martial arts demonstration, singing, food fair and so on. However, audio support provided by the speaker adds more information and raises informative value of the video clip, for the radio presenter gives detailed comments on what is going on in the pictures. Looking at the video, one could definitely state that the material is presented in a highly objective and neutral manner with photos being of good quality and their ‘stepping rate’ being rather suitable for the viewer (whose eye will be able to ‘examine’ the picture within the given interval), which indicates the good work of the photo

Panasonic- Participation Strategy in Brazil Essay

Panasonic- Participation Strategy in Brazil - Essay Example Organizations have a range of entry modes to choose from when entering a foreign market. The choice of entry mode depends on the specific requirements of the business. Primarily, it depends on the degree of control the business wants over its operations and the risk that the mode implies (Schmidt 2010, p.18). Depending on the level of control, entry modes can be grouped into high/full controls or low/shared controls. There are advantages and disadvantages to each mode of entry, which would be discussed subsequently. 3.1.1. Exporting Exporting is done by businesses who are intending to sell home-produced products in foreign countries. It is one of the most widely used modes of entry because of its simplicity. It saves the business the cost of setting up a production facility in the target country. It is preferable because it allows the business to penetrate the market slowly and steadily, without risking much. Although it gives an insight into future expansion, exporting, however, doe s not allow for a quick feedback to its customers. Exported products have tariffs levied on them and there are a number of logistical obstructions in delivering the product from the producer to the consumer (Ireland, Hoskisson and Hitt 2011, p.176). 3.1.2. Licensing Licensing is another choice, offering benefits such as lesser capital investment and evasion of trade barriers. It allows a firm operating in the target country to use the company’s intellectual property and resources for introducing the business; albeit under the control of the licensor. Thereby, licensing does not offering autonomy over operations; in fact it makes the licensee rely more on the licensor. Licensing has lesser risks associated with it but it does not promote profitability in the long run nor ensures if the licensor would not exploit the company’s resources, becoming a competitor itself (Ireland et al 2011, p.177). 3.1.3. Strategic alliances Strategic alliances are yet another form of entry mode whereby the business works together with a company based in the local market. On the foremost basis, it allows the firm to gain strategic advantages, bypass trade barriers and to gain economies of scale. However, it requires that a lot of research is undertaken to find a company with which to corroborate with. The consequences of working with a company whose values and core objectives are not aligned with the company expanding abroad can completely undermine the purpose of such a venture. The degree of control can also cause significant ripples (Anonym 2008, p.16). 3.1.4. Foreign Direct Investment Compared to other entry modes, this mode of entry is generally feasible and allows the organisation to gain complete ownership rights of the facility without any share with a partner. It offers the organisation greater control over its operations and allows a deeper insight into consumer behaviour in the target country. Companies which cannot export products due to their characteristi c nature benefit greatly from such direct investment (Cullen and Parboteeah 2008, p.283). However a major drawback of such a venture is that it is time-consuming and not only requires extensive knowledge and skills transfer, but is also demanding in terms of capital and management (Ireland et al 2009, p.159). It is also takes time to establish the brand

Consider the role that agriculture plays in our society, including its Essay

Consider the role that agriculture plays in our society, including its enviromental implications - Essay Example Farming, which supplies life itself to the human race also contributes to soil erosion and polluted water. Farmers and large agricultural corporations must clear trees to find land that will sustain crops. Wind and water passes over barren land which initiates erosion, a condition which has been caused by poor farming practices or deforestation. Cattle are generally raised on the eroded, previously farmed land which further degrades the soil. â€Å"Such practices tend to lead to rapid soil degradation as most soils are too poor to sustain agriculture† (â€Å"Underlying Causes,† 1999). Eroding soil mixes with clean water supplies thus reducing the amount of available, life-giving water for an increasing number of people. The soil that is washed into the drinking water contains toxins, pesticides, fertilizers and industrial wastes which not only restricts the supply of potable water but makes its way into the watershed underground, rivers, streams, lakes and eventually in to the ocean and gulf waters which creates large areas of ‘dead zones’ where no living thing can survive. Soil degradation occurs when using chemical fertilizers which break down the chemical composition of the soil. â€Å"Many scientists observed a gradual decrease of soil organic matter content in soils, as well as a decrease of soil biological activity in particular, in relation to chemical uses† (â€Å"Soils retrogression†, 2007). The combination of erosion and degradation results in desert-like conditions where neither plants nor animals can survive but this problem can be overcome by implementing proven agricultural practices which enhance and rebuild the soil. â€Å"Rebuilding is possible through the improvement of soil structure, addition of organic matter and limitation of runoff† (â€Å"Soils retrogression,† 2007). These erosion reducing

Statement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Statement - Essay Example However, even after trying to think really hard, I could not remember anything. As I tried to move on to the next questions, I realized that in order to complete the following questions, I have to clearly understand the meaning of nominal interest rate. I started to get nervous and worried. The more I tried thinking about the importance of the definition of nominal interest rate to the rest of the questions, the more I felt nervous and confused. I lost my mind, did not think straight, and made a terrible decision ever, which was using my cellphone to search the definition on the internet. Immediately I got out the classroom I realized that I just made a terrible mistake and felt that I had the responsibility to acknowledge the mistake. I went directly to TA’s office told her the truth as well as at May 10th meeting. I have been feeling so regretful and disturbed by what I did. Although the TA did not catch me, the grade I got from cheating is dishonest and I do not deserve it. I even brought shame to my family, as they were both very shocked and astonished about my action. I feel that my bad behavior deserves to be punished. However, I have been studying in NEU for three years and already had a strong personal connection with NEU and the city of Boston. Truly, this is the only place I want to stay and study. I can even remember the day I got admission letter from NEU and without any hesitation, I chose NEU over Ohio State. I always dream about wearing the trencher graduate cap from NEU proudly. I promise that I will not violate any other academic conduct in the future. To ensure that I will not cheat in the exam again, I will enroll in next year’s tutoring program. Additionally, I will get some private tutors so that I will be fully prepared for the exam. This will help me avoid more pan ic or confusion in the exam room. I promise that after this experience, I will never let the school, my parents, or myself down. I hope NEU can

Quantitative Research Statistics Project Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 6500 words

Quantitative Research - Statistics Project Example There are many different research designs that can be used by individuals asking research questions in LIS contexts, all of which provide credible evidence for improving practice. Qualitative approaches have been used in library and information settings to assess patron perceptions about library services, to examine the effectiveness of information literacy strategies and to address a host of other questions related to library and information work. In addition, a number of qualitatively based textual approaches (such as critical theory and discourse analysis) have been used to assess policy documents and organizational discourses, the construction of classification systems, and other questions that require an exploration of textual forms of data. Increasingly, researchers are also using these approaches in conjunction with one another (i.e. a "mixed methods" approach) to give a more complete picture of the state of LIS practice; for example, a recent study of mature university studen ts used qualitative interviews with students in conjunction with a textual discourse analysis of campus texts, as well as a manipulation of quantitative census data, to provide a broad contextual picture of students' academic information behaviors. In order to focus this discussion on qualitative research, in particular, it is necessary to draw lines between these different paradigms and to then examine qualitative work in more detail. However, it is important to note that research paradigms are quite fluid, and that many researchers are now trying to expand beyond a single approach to obtain the best possible evidence. The nature of qualitative resea

Harry Potter Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words

Harry Potter - Essay Example The present concept of psychology states that nature and nurture combine to influence our actions, thoughts, and feelings (p.316). In other words, if someone has the blood or the genes for such a personality to develop, he must be brought up or nurtured for that kind of personality, so there can be a combination of nature and nurture for the personality to effectively come out. According to the book, Harry Potter has roots in the Wizarding world that is composed of wizards and witches, both good and evil. This world also thinks that Harry will be a wizard someday. Or, to put it clearly, because of this blood that he inherited from his parents and from generations before, he is already a wizard (nature). But when the time comes, or when he's ripe of age, he has to be trained how to handle the traits to be a wizard (nurture), just like an ordinary human being, where one has to be trained and nurtured into what he or she wants to be. He has to be accustomed to the different techniques in the art of wizardry, learn magic and brew potions, etc. There have been mixed reviews on the Harry Potter fantasy series with respect to the main character of the boy Harry who has grown to be a young lad with a great following. He is a victim of circumstances, but in this situation he becomes a part of a whole plot to destroy evil. He inherited from his parents power - in the form of magic and wizardry - and prestige. How he is built up and how he uses this, are the subject for this paper. Introduction What forces cause Harry Potter to change as he passes through life What factors determine whether he grows up to be a wizard: nature or nurture The personality of Harry is clear in the minds of his millions of fans. But to a few skeptics and reviewers, Harry's personality is quite hidden and questionable. Harry Potter may be hiding behind a closet, as what is shown in the early part of the story - he was kept by his uncle in a closet under the stairs. Could this be the thing the author JK Rowling have in mind regarding the boy's sexuality Is Harry Potter a hero or heroine A sexual deviant or a bisexual Or is he just a normal boy who fought through the hard times and here becomes a hero seeking revenge against the evil that killed his parents These things have to be asked in the light of how Harry is being brought up in such a difficult and sacrificing environment. The situations that Harry is in are not ordinary situations. Day in and day out, he is in constant danger. The family that pretends to be a family is not supportive, and continues to push him to the limit. This essay will give an analysis on the many aspects surrounding the Harry Potter character, on how he became to be who he is in the story. Since this is a fictional character, we'll try to picture him as real or living - and not imaginary - as what the millions of Harry Potter fans regard of him. "The Harry Potter books are one of the only things I have not grown out of because they have grown with me, they have seen me through my different stages, my ups and downs and it is with a heavy heart that I am now forced to leave them behind," says Mimi Newman, 17, an avid Harry Potter fan (Telegraph.co.uk). Since he is supposed to be real in this essay, we'll try to delve on the

Criminal Justice and Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Criminal Justice and Law - Essay Example Mosaic Law forms a major core of interpretation of earlier criminal justice. Mosaic Law is implicit in the foremost five books of the Bible (Walklate 2007, p. 15). These laws were referred to as the Torah by the Jewish. It is discernible that the Ten Commandments have formed the core of notable law systems in the western world. In the Mosaic Law, crime was equated to sin thereby making a crime a sin against God. Besides, the Exodus concept of eye for eye meant that punishment could be in tandem with the crime that a person performed. In the 18th century, individuals perceived criminals, in England, as courageous and heroic. Criminals shared significant celebration in the popular culture thereby making crime a significant concern. Before the advent of police officers, prosecution of criminals was majorly in the hands of the victims. Punitive measures for crime were extreme forms of torture that could entail death. In 1764, Cesare Beccaria wrote a book regarding crime and punishment wh ich was also the same title. The book summarized its idea in the statement that highlighted certainty as more vital than severity in punishment. In addition, he invented the idea of severity to crimes that ranged from the least to the most serious. In turn, punishments could range from the least to most severe. Classical criminology This is an approach to criminal justice and the legal system that arose during the 1700’s Enlightenment age. Philosophers, such as Cesare Beccaria, Jeremy Bentham and John Locke employed the social contract theory to explain why individuals commit crime and how communities mitigate crime (Levinson 2002, p. 56). It is crucial to comprehend the context in which this concept was borne. In the enlightenment age, many European nations were changing radically as they emerged from feudal monarchies and reformed their laws. In Europe law was majorly inconsistent as legal officials and judges lacked extensive training. In the search, for a more effective a nd uniform justice system, classical criminology became a result. According to the principal ideas about classical criminology, individuals are self-interested and extremely rational individuals. In as much as individual conduct things as regards to their own self-interest, they realize that certain actions conflict with societal and self-interest. This suggests that a society develops a social contract whereby human beings behave according to certain confines and responsibilities as they avoid actions that harm the society. The two main contributors to this concept of criminal justice were Cesare de Beccaria and Jeremy Bentham. By using different philosophical stances, they strove to cut back on the harshness of 18th century judicial systems. Positivist criminology This is a school of criminology thought that employs scientific quantification and objectivity for the measurement of crime. Positivist school divides into psychological, social and biological perspectives (Padhy 2006, p . 89). The positivist school shares some assumptions as regards the concept of rationality, freewill and behavior. Besides, it strives to present the fundamentals of the nature to crime, primary crime motivational factors and reasons for committing crime. As classicism, positivism emerged out of the late eighteenth century that drew towards the early nineteenth century. This thought system was analytic in the sense that it value intelligence and scientific reasoning as a

Rocking Horse Winner Essay Example for Free

Rocking Horse Winner Essay Lawrence son of a coal miner and a school teacher, was born and grew up in Nottinghamshire, England. Lawrence was rejected for the military service in World War 1 because of lung trouble. This story took place just years after World War 1. It took place near London; London’s Richmond Park. There are a couple of characters in this story. They are Paul, Hester, Paul’s father, Bassett, Oscar Creswell, Miss Wilmot, Paul’s two younger sisters and Chief Artist. In the story â€Å"The Rocking Horse Winner† Lawrence uses the setting, the point of view and tragic irony to illustrate the theme that Paul was on quest to gain wealth, but lost his life. Lawrence chose London because of the different things going on in the city such, as the major races he mentioned that took place in England. â€Å"The child had never been to a horse race meeting before, and his eyes were blue fire. †(Lawrence p. 105). The horses that raced were Daffodil who came in first, Lancelot who came in second and Mirza who came in third. Lawrence wrote this story in omniscient third person point of view. This young women artist earned several thousand pounds a year, but Paul’s mother only made several hundreds, and she was again dissatisfied. † (Lawrence p. 261). Paul’s mother wanted to make more money, so she wanted to be the first in something but did not succeed. The tragic irony was when Paul picks the winning horse in the Derby but he loses his life. â€Å"But, poor devil, poor devil, he’s best gone out of a life where he rides his rocking horse to find a winner. † (Lawrence p. 266). The money he had combined was about eighty thousand pounds which is the equivalent of a million dollars today and that became his misfortune. In the story â€Å"The Rocking Horse Winner† Lawrence uses the setting, the point of view and tragic irony to tell the story. The theme of the story is a quest to find a winner. â€Å"But, poor devil, poor devil, he’s best gone out of a life where he rides hid rocking horse to find a winner. † (Lawrence p. 266). Before Paul died he is on a quest to find a great prize, luck that will let him win money to bet on horses and win to help his mom. Paul dies while he riding his horse like a knight on a quest to find a winner.

Pervious concrete and traditional concrete

Pervious concrete and traditional concrete CHAPTER 1 Introduction Background to Research Problem Once it has been established that a car park or driveway is required, it is then very important to ensure the client assesses which material of surfacing is required. The client needs to prioritise what is most important to them regarding time, cost, and availability and how sustainable the material may be. Majority of contractors within the UK construction industry will use traditional concrete with regular drainage systems unaware that pervious concrete is available (Offenburg 2008). Therefore, it is important to examine and perform a comparison between traditional and pervious concrete regarding cost, availability, durability, maintenance and sustainability. Pervious concrete is fairly easy to define; it is concrete that allows water to flow through it. Where traditional concrete is a very solid material, pervious concrete leaves void spaces throughout, allowing water to flow through it. Pervious concrete has a low water to cement ratio and contains none, or very little sand. It typically has a void content of 15% to 25% creating a structure resembling a Rice Krispies ® treat, allowing as much as eight gallons of water per square foot to pass through per minute (McMillan 2007). This type of concrete is traditionally used in driveways, car parks, greenhouses, pedestrian walkways and roads with light traffic. However, it can also be utilised for a variety of different paving projects. Pervious concrete has been around for approximately 20 years but has only recently started to expand further into the market due to the material meeting Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) storm water regulations. The increase in demand for pervious concrete used on projects has increased extensively in the US within the last three to four years, which during the last year has caught on here in the UK construction industry. The reason as to why the material has caught the eye of the UK construction industry may be due to the tremendous potential the material has had on scaling back the negative impact that traditional concrete has had on the environment, by eliminating storm water runoff, removing pollutants and even recycling the storm water captured. However, many developers fail to see beyond costs of impervious implementations and therefore adoption has been slow. Traditional concrete has been around for decades and has been the most popular type of concrete used in the UK, however a reform was needed as traditional concrete has many negative impacts such its negative effect on the climate and its ineffective drainage issues. Pervious concrete can be used in most situations as an alternative to traditional concrete. (Buller 2006). However the there are many issues which The core purpose of this research report aims to identify how pervious concrete compares to traditional concrete in relation to costs, availability, durability, maintenance and sustainability in the UK. Strategic Aim To conduct a survey to investigate how the pervious concrete has impacted the UK construction industry and how it compares to the already established traditional concrete in terms of cost, availability, durability, maintenance and sustainability. Tactical Objectives 1. To determine if pervious concrete is just as strong and durable as traditional concrete. 2. To analyse the costs involved in producing and constructing both materials. 3. To examine the available certified skilled contractors who are available to lay the products. 4. To critically analyse future outcomes of the pervious product and see if it measures up to traditional concrete in the long run in aspects of durability, maintenance and overall long term savings 5. To evaluate the sustainable properties between pervious and traditional concrete. Research Hypothesis The use of pervious concrete over the world has been on the increase over the past few years. While pervious concrete has become more and more popular, there are still many questions to be answered regarding the application of it before it becomes a widely accepted material. This dissertation will now go on with a critical review of the literature to investigate the real differences between pervious and traditional concrete. The methodology which has been used and the reasoning behind this will follow in a chapter. The final chapter of the dissertation will draw a conclusion from in depth information and results gathered subsequently recommendations will be made. CHAPTER 2 Literature Review Critical Review This section of the dissertation will look at the literature relating to pervious concrete and traditional concrete. It will review both materials in terms of terms of cost, availability, durability, maintenance and sustainability in the UK. Finally, this section seeks to understand if pervious concrete is just as good as traditional concrete and understand the subsequent attainments and problems with both materials. There has been a lot written on traditional concrete worldwide as its such a popular material however pervious concrete has little information available in the UK and most information is based from the USA where pervious concrete has been tried and tested and put into use. Concrete plays an essential part in civil engineering with most structures using it in one way or the other. Its evolution dates back to the Roman Empire as it was widely used in most Roman structures, thereby moving from stone and brick construction. However, since then the face of construction has radically changed with buildings built over tens of floors regularly and tunnels built underwater using pre-cast concrete. Hence, the array of construction materials available, including concrete, have evolved significantly since and improved. Concrete plays a very important role in the UK economy. It contributes to almost 10% of the overall economic growth and employs a significant amount of labour. According to Sustainable Concrete (2010), the UK exported 535,000 tonnes of ready-mixed concrete, which was worth  £9million to the economy. Traditional concrete is the most basic form of concrete and is very easily available for consumers. According to Popovics, S. (1992, pp. 1), concrete is composed of three to four basic ingredients. These include: * Hydraulic cement, otherwise known as Portland cement * Mineral aggregates * Water * Admixtures Hydraulic cement is one of the key constituents to forming concrete and greatly impacts the strength of the resulting mixture. Schwartz (1993, pp. 91) states ratio of Portland cement in concrete directly affects the strength and cost of the concrete. The more cement in a mix, the stronger and more expensive it is. Mineral aggregates typically consist of gravelled stones or stone-like solids. The purpose of aggregates is to significantly reduce the required content of cement, the costliest component within concrete. Additionally, it helps a constructor minimise the creep, or deformation caused over a long time, caused by the resulting mixture. Popovics, S. (1992, pp. 275) state that aggregates occupies roughly three-fourths of the total concrete volume. By adding water to this mix, the loose mixture of cement and mineral aggregates gel into a thicker and more solid mix. Schwartz (1993, pp. 91) states water/cement ratios may go from high-strength concrete, to 8.5 to 1 for a low-strength mix. By adding too little of the water, one can risk making the concrete too weak. Thus, based on the concretes usage and cost constraints the mixture of the underlying constituents can be varied. It is possible to engineer the mixtures property based on its intended use by adding admixtures. Perkins (1997, pp. 22) defines admixtures as a chemical compound that is added in small proportion to the concrete mixture to produce a desired characteristic. The types of admixtures used are accelerators, set retarders and water reducers. For example, the purpose of accelerators is to increase the initial reaction between the cement and the water, whereas the set retarders do the exact reverse. According to Perkins (1997, pp. 22), UK is well behind Continental Europe, USA and other developed markets in terms of extent of usage of admixtures within concrete. For decades, concrete has been one of the preferred construction materials owing to its excellent technical properties. One of its main traits is its high compressive strength due to which it is used in applications such as columns. However, its tensile strength is roughly one-tenths of its compressive strength. Thus, in order to improve its tensile strength it is reinforced with steel, which creates a strong bond with concrete. When loaded over a long period, traditional concrete can prove to be susceptible failure and in some case even eventual failure. From a UK context, concretes performance against cold and wet weather would be crucial. Pigeon et al (1995, pp 33) state that concrete can freeze in its saturated state and cause tensile stress within the material due to the formation of ice crystals in the pores of the concrete. However, if the concrete is not cured or reinforced effectively then it could cause its performance to weaken and, under worst cases, eventual failure. Typically, the strength of concrete is measured by its compressive strength, which is its strongest feature. According to Abeles et al (2003, pp. 21), strength of concrete increases with age, with the rate of increase dependent on the quality of cement and aggregates used. The content and cost of the concrete can be varied depending on its application. Commercially, the strength of concrete is quoted based on its weight and the compressive strength it would attain after 28 days. For example, C20 concrete would stand for a normal weight concrete and a compressive strength of 20 N/mm2. NRMCA (2003) quote that concretes compressive strength can be varied from 2500 psi, or 17 Mpa, for residential concrete to 4000 psi, or 28 Mpa, upwards for commercial structures. The variation in strength is primarily due to water-cement ratio, admixtures and curing process among others. Availability of concrete for commercial purposes typically depends on the constituents and the location of the building works. For example, admixtures work best when introduced immediately after the wetting of the cement and might require the mixing to be done on-site rather than in a factory. Additionally, the location of quarries and sourcing of materials (Contract Journal, 2008) is crucial in understanding availability and the distribution pipeline. Most UK concrete companies are fully capable of sourcing all components of concrete themselves. For example, Brett Group, one of UKs leading construction groups, provides customers with a wide range of options from type of aggregates to the type of job. However, it is even more dependent on its usage. For use in residential repairs, it is usually procured from local stores by components and mixed on-site, whereas if it is for a larger project then it would be pre-cast and delivered by the manufacturers. For example, the construction of Eurotunnel was made possible by use of pre-cast concrete supports embedded on a concrete track. Maintenance of traditional concrete is crucial to provide long-term serviceability for users. Failure to implement an adequate control process can result in expensive repairs. In some cases, cracks can start to appear on the concrete as load starts to increase over time. This would necessitate usage of sealants, which act to bridge the cracks with an adhesive material. In the UK, some of the common failures of concrete (St. Astier, 2009) are due to: * Poor maintenance incorrect diagnosis * Inefficient waterproofing capabilities causing excessive penetration of moisture * Excessive carbonation or chloride levels Traditional concrete is a resource and energy dependent material, as it requires material from large quarries and factories to prepare the concrete. The UK construction industry currently uses 400 million tonnes of resources per year, of which 10% are unused product going straight to a landfill (Sustainable Concrete, 2010). Additionally, each year structures that are beyond repair are demolished and taken to the landfills. All this combined, yield a large wastage of resources. However, instead of letting this waste go unused it is possible to re-cycle them by crushing them and using them as aggregates within the concrete mixture. According to the Concrete Centre (2010), it is their vision to ensure that by 2012, the UK concrete industry will be recognized as the leader in sustainable construction, by taking a dynamic role in delivering a sustainable built environment in a manner that is profitable, socially responsible and functions within environmental limits. Traditional concrete, despite its many advantages, does not perform well in precipitous environment. Pervious concrete allows for air and water to flow freely through the mixture. This limits the runoff from its surface and enhances drainage features. SE Cement (2008) defines pervious concrete as a mixture of Portland cement, water, coarse aggregate and almost no sand. The key feature of this mixture is that it has 15-25% void within its volume. The air pockets within the concrete allow for water to seep through the structure and perform as normal. It is also necessary to ensure that the coarse aggregates are not too loose and get carried away with water. Thus, the mixing and placing process has to be carefully carried out such that the water and Portland cement are coagulated well to form a thick paste around the aggregates. This is crucial to maintain a well-connected system of voids to ensure effective drainage of water. Pervious concrete is particularly useful in parking lots, riverbanks and areas that are highly precipitous as it limits the interference of water and easy drainage of water. According to Limbachiya (2009, pp.554), the use of pervious concrete dates back to 1852. Its use became further widespread following the Second World War and increased construction activity. According to Brandt (2009, pp. 63), the porous nature of pervious concrete makes it less strong than traditional concrete. Even then, compressive strength of 50 MPa can be reached with small size aggregates and usage of the right admixtures. The reduced compressive strength has led to its restrictive use such as roadways with low to medium traffic. However, SE Cement (2010) estimates that for most applications compressive strengths of 3.5 to 27.5 MPa will suffice. Despite its strong performance in precipitous climate, there are questions that remain to be answered regarding its durability in colder climates. Traditional concrete is subject to cracking through the normal thaw and freeze cycle that occurs in colder areas of the country. Such conditions have been simulated to test the performance of pervious concrete and it was found by Delatte (2008, pp. 118) that the durability of pervious concrete was poor when the void system was filled with water. They have also indicated that the durability was improved when the moisture in the voids was drained and the cement paste air-entrained. The mixing process and labour costs for pervious concrete are far more involved than that of traditional concrete. Thus, Limbachiya (2009, pp. 556) expects the initial costs of pervious concrete to be higher than those for traditional concrete because of the thicker installed size of pervious concrete. However, it is worth noting that the additional investment made is for a particular purpose, i.e. the porous structure of the concrete. Thus, the extra cost should be weighed against this advantage gained over its lifetime. Since pervious concrete would need to be customised for the region and application by customers, most manufacturing companies use a large distribution system to minimize delays in batching for customers. Limbachiya (2009, pp. 556) states that maintenance of pervious concrete pavements is a highly debatable subject. They proceed to state that structures not maintained well continue to perform well, although not at the initial infiltration rates which is its key objective. However, one key concern within pervious concrete is to prevent any clogging of void structures within it, as this would fail one of its objectives, i.e. to be porous. Typically, proper maintenance of pervious concrete pavements includes vacuum sweeping or power washing. Pressure washing of a clogged pervious concrete pavement has restored it to 80-90% of its original permeability (Pervious Concrete, 2009). Structures such as shopping malls and buildings have roadways and parking lots around for vehicle use. If these pavements are built using traditional concrete, then they risk flooding under heavy rain. Thus, zoning regulations necessitate controls such as retention ponds, which essentially collect the excess water on the pavements from the rain. This requires extra capital investment and resources for setting up. However, if instead of traditional concrete, pervious concrete is used to create the pavements, then the excess water on the surface percolates through the voids in the concrete into the soil underneath. This eliminates ponding on the pavement and preserves more land, capital and resources for alternate use. However, the basic configuration of pervious concrete allows all liquids to go through the voids. A more environment friendly version of pervious concrete was developed in the UK, in 1999, where in surface water is allowed to pass through to a specially engineered sub-base while oils and other water pollutants are retained (Concrete Products, 1999). This ensures that the water table under the pavement does not get contaminated. Within the UK, a unique standard for drainage technology called Concrete Block Permeable Paving (CBPP) has been set-up. According to Paving (2010), this code has been championed by all the major pre-cast concrete paving manufacturers in the UK. Such developments will be positive for the progress of the sustainability within UKs pavement community and minimise damage to the environment from constructions. Critical Appraisal This literature review has analysed the features of two popular variants of concrete traditional and pervious. In particular, it has discussed the basic composition, durability, availability costs, and finally sustainability. It has been identified that both types of concrete have their advantages and drawbacks. Sustainability remains a very important subject within the construction industry in the UK, with the government imposing landfill and aggregate taxes to discourage resource-intensive manufacturers. Additionally, manufacturers are paying increasing attention towards climate change in order to provide protection to the pavements over the life cycle rather than repairing or replacing the structure frequently. Concrete repairs have been a major issue for the UK economy. This has been further accentuated by the rapid expansion of the UK construction industry, which contributes to roughly 10% of the GDP. According to Mays (1992, pp XI), approximately  £500 million is being spent annual on concrete repairs in the UK. This clearly stresses the fact that it is essential to understand the context of concretes application, as it is better to install the right type of concrete rather than to repair and re-install at a later stage. Product Design and Methodology Scope of the Chapter In order to investigate pervious and traditional concrete a suitable and relevant methodology had to be adopted to collect information required. For this procedure the most appropriate procedures seen were a combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches. This allowed quantitative information to be collected on the respondents individual experiences with both pervious and traditional concrete together with their qualitative views on its effectiveness. The data collected was from a primary source. Rationale of the Research Questionnaire To investigate pervious and traditional concrete a number of different groups within the UK Construction industry could have been sampled such as contractors, clients and designers. A poor targeting of questionnaires would have revealed a lower response rate. A person with a limited knowledge of pervious and traditional concrete could have completed the questionnaire but this would have given misleading set of results. The best solution to overcome this would be to go straight to the correct References Popovics, S. (1992), Concrete materials: properties, specifications, and testing, 2nd Edition, Noyes Publication, New Jersey Schwartz, M. (1993), Basic Engineering for Builders, Craftsman Book Company, USA Perkins, P.H., (1997), Repair, protection and waterproofing of concrete structures, 3rd Edition, Chapman Hall, UK Pigeon, M., Pleau, R., (1995), Durability of concrete in cold climates, 1st Edition, Chapman Hall, UK St. Astier (2009), Concrete Repairs FAQs, http://www.st-astier.co.uk/concrete-repair-coatings/concrete-repair-faqs (Date viewed, 24 Jan 2010) Contract Journal (2008), The market for concrete products is ever-changing, 9 July 2008, http://www.contractjournal.com/Articles/2008/07/09/60162/the-market-for-concrete-products-is-ever-changing.html (Date viewed, 27 Jan 2010) Sustainable Concrete (2009), Sustainable Concrete, http://www.sustainableconcrete.org.uk/main.asp?page=4 (Date viewed, 26 Jan 2010) Abeles, P.W., Bardhan-Roy, B.K., (2003), Prestressed concrete designers handbook, 3rd Edition, Spon Press, London Brandt, A. M., (2009), Cement Based Composites: Materials, Mechanical Properties, and Performance, 2nd Edition, Taylor Francis, UK Mays, G., (2001), Durability of concrete structures: investigation, repair, protection,2nd Edition, Spon Press, London Southeast Cement (2010), What is pervious concrete?, Portland Cement Association, Concrete Products (1999), Porous concrete promotes greener water system, 1 December 1999, http://concreteproducts.com/mag/concrete_porous_concrete_promotes/ Pervious Pavements (2009), Inspection and Maintenance, 2009, http://www.perviouspavement.org/inspection%20and%20maintenance.htm (Date viewed, 26 Jan 2010) Limbachiya, M.C., (2009), Excellence in Concrete Construction Through Innovation, Taylor Francis Group, UK Delatte, N., (2008), Concrete Pavement, Design, Construction and Performance, 1st Edition, Taylor Francis Group, UK Paving (2009), Block Paving, http://www.paving.org.uk/block_paving.php (Date viewed, 27 Jan 2010) Offenburg, M. (2008, March). Producing Pervious Pavement. Concrete International. March, 2005, p 50, Retrieved 1 November, 2009 from proqest database, p 50. Schueler, T. R, (1994). The importance of imperviousness. Watershed Protection Techniques 1(3):100-111, pp 100-105 Ready mixed concrete (n.d), Retrieved 1 November 2007 from the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association Web Site: http://nrmca.org/aboutconcrete/types.asp Naoum, S G (2006), Dissertation research and writing for construction students, 2nd Edition. EPA Storm water technology fact sheet porous pavement (1999). Retrieved 5 December, 2009 from http://www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/porouspa.pdf Natural approaches to storm water management permeable pavement. (n.d.) Puget Sound Action Team Publications. Retrieved October 2009 from the Puget Sound Action Team Online Website: http://www.psat.wa.gov/Publications/LID_studies/permeable_pavement.htm McMillian, T (2007), Comparing Traditional Concrete to Permeable Concrete for a Community College Pavement Application. 8.0 Further Reading Richard Kirkham. (2007), Ferry and Brandons Cost Planning of Buildings, Blackwell Publishing, London Chudley, R. (2002), Building Construction Handbook: Incorporating Current Building and Construction Regulations. Spons Press, London Construction News (2008), Pervious Pavements : 1st October, p32. Stenmark, C. 1995. An Alternative Road Construction for Stormwater Management. Water Science and Technology, 32(1): 79-84.

Key Trends In Footwear Industry

Key Trends In Footwear Industry The key trends currently affecting this industry can be seen in both the macro and micro environments. Firstly, alongside Government health campaigns, consumers are exercising more (Bauer 2008, p.14). Dichotomously, the World Health Organization predicts that there will be 2.3 billion overweight adults in the world by 2015 (BBC News, 2008). Therefore an interesting paradox is emerging between consumers becoming more fitness-oriented and those who are being pushed to exercise more. Bauer further reports that an increase in health-club memberships has driven sales of sportswear. More specific to the sportswear sector, an initial trend is the rise of consumer nostalgia, which has led to many brands re-releasing heritage or retro products for fashion-related purposes. Another key trend is the merging of sportswear and technology as brands develop advanced fabrics and continue to develop activity-specific technologies in each sport (Pedersen, Parks, Quaterman and Thibault 2010, p. 80). Bauer also reports that these companies have a bias towards male consumers, but this being addressed by more attention to womens sporting needs and tastes. Moreover, in response to a higher bargaining power of retailers, sportswear companies are opening their own concept stores. Company Background Puma AG can be considered as one the leading manufacturers of athletic shoes, sportswear, as well as accessories in the world. It is best known for its products like soccer shoes, and uses sponsorship for its marketing strategy. The company had already done several sponsorship for different international sports super stars like Diego Armando Maradonna and offer different line of sport clothing that designed by renowned designers such as Lamine Kouyate. The company was first founded in 1924, as Gebruder Dassler Schuhfabrik, in English, the Dassler Brothers Shoe Factory by the Dassler brothers, Adi and Rudi. But the partnership ended during the World War II, when the brothers had a great fight, that lead for separation of the business. Adi continue the business and renamed it from his nickname and first 3 letters of his surname: Adidas. On the other hand, Rudi founded his own company named, Puma AG Schufabrik Rudolf Dassles, on the other side of Aurach, in 1948 (Pedersen 2006, p.513). The company had become famous due to their innovative products such as the process of vulcanization in producing their soccer shoes that had become the standard process for the soccer shoes during that time. The company had also introduced their innovation in running shoes with the help of the unique shape sole and the Velcro strap. Puma brand differentiation In recent years, the Puma brand has become synonymous with fashion, style, and sport. Through fresh design, co-branding and partnerships with celebrities and famous designers, Puma has elevated their brand image so that it now competes with fashion brands as well as their traditional rivals in the sporting footwear industry. The Puma brand communication strategy is flexible across multiple categories, yet communicates innovation for an active lifestyle (Sports in America 2008). Puma communicates with each category in a unique manner, but the tone is distinctly tied back to the overall brand through the overarching brand personality and identity. To extend their brand Puma has created concept retail stores that enable people to experience the brand in engaging and compelling ways (Cassidy 2001, p.31). Puma also engages customers through their Mongolian barbeque concept that enables customers to design and build their own footwear from scratch. Further differentiating the brand from traditional rivals, Puma frequently hosts promotional events that are based around active lifestyle themes based on dining, entertainment, fashion, and music. Puma creative advertising Puma has emphasized its position as a trendy brand. For example, during the 2002 World Cup in Japan, while Nike and Adidas spent millions of dollars on conventional advertising, Puma used sushi bars in fifteen cities around the world including New York, Hong Kong, and Madrid to showcase its product. Puma branding director Antonio Bertone noted that Pumas target market of fashion-conscious customers are eating sushi anyway. The company also began running a commercial that featured former English soccer player Vinnie Jones and other Puma sponsored athletes in a sushi restaurant (Tkacik 2002, p. B8). Not all major ad campaigns feature celebrity athlete endorsements. New Balance has a long standing policy against such endorsements. Instead, it relies on campaigns featuring every day people. One of their most recent campaigns ran under the slogan There are two motivations in sports. Which is yours? For love or money? which emphasized their focus on producing shoes for everyone who enjoys sports, not just star athletes (White 2005, p. 13). This strategy complements their original product positioning as a company for serious runners that also makes shoes in all widths, for athletes of different abilities and shoes sizes. Fashionization Style-conscious consumers, guided in part by effective marketing, want shoes that will enhance their image and not just cover their toes. Customers notice whether their shoes have a swoosh or a lack thereof, thus entrants will have difficulty winning them over without these symbols and the cool-factor that goes with them. Even in the athletic shoe sector, the importance of fashion over function is rising. The fashionization of shoes took off in 1997, when Puma enlisted designer Jil Sander to create a limited-edition womens running shoe to ignite its lackluster image and sales (Orecklin 2002, p. Y4). Celebrity advertising The effectiveness of celebrity advertising has been linked by some authors, to the process of social influence (All-Star Athletes Reveal -Almost- All for Puma TV Campaign 2005, p.9). In a seminal work, authors had it distinguished two forms of social influence. The first, termed informational social influence, refers to influence to accept information obtained from another as evidence about reality. The second, normative social influence, refers to the influence to conform to another person or group (Pedersen, Parks, Quaterman and Thibault 2010, p. 112). Using celebrity advertising is necessary, since Puma shoes stick to its goal to mix sports, lifestyle, and fashion. New Stuff campaign PUMA decided to communicate their brand image through a product-focused campaign that conveys cutting edge style to a 16-34 year old audience (Sports Industry Trends 2008). Puma introduced the award winning New Stuff campaign as a way to showcase their design leadership. New stuff print executions highlighted the freshest new Puma styles and the commitment that Puma has to providing customers with innovative sport lifestyle products. A core objective of the campaign was to increase sales, increase the mainstream audiences knowledge of Puma ranges and project the brands core values as being different. New products needed to be showcased to the mainstream audience in a creative and unique way that was unexpected, unique and different (Sports Industry Trends 2008). To communicate this concept, animated animals such as monkeys, bats, bees, mice, and fish are depicted as playfully interacting with Puma products in an engaging and fresh manner. Puma first introduced this campaign in 15 second television advertisements (Thompson and Baden-Fuller 2010, p. 118). The campaign was visually fresh and clean with crisp photography that drew attention to the products. The print advertising that followed reflects the focused simplicity and whimsical nature of the TV spots. Building momentum from the holiday season TV spots were run in November and they drew inspiration from Aesops fables by depicting two typical adversaries gifting each other Puma presents. Based upon the success of the TV ads, print ads were run into the following two seasons highlighting new Puma products. Elements of the ad migrated into surrounding media environments, engaging advertising savvy young adults who might be suspicious of broadcast advertising (Pedersen, Parks, Quaterman and Thibault 2010, p. 218).

Bears :: essays research papers

Traveling in bear country can be quite thrilling. Coming face to face with a bear would be terrifying. Most bear attacks can be avoided, but there is always a chance of encountering a bear. Although nothing is one hundred percent guaranteed effective, here are a list of some tips that might prove to be useful in a bear encounter. Be Alert in Bear Country . Always have Bear Deterrent Pepper Spray in its holster ready for immediate use. Don\'t bury it in your pack. . Be alert where recent bear activity has been documented by park officials: Fish and Game, Forest Service, and other Public Service people. Some Common areas where bears like to roam are: avalanche chutes, stream beds, dense edge cover and, in late summer, berry patches. . Use extreme caution when traveling on trails at night or at either end of the day. . Be careful with food smells - never cook close to camp. Store all foods in plastic away from camp at night when camp is unattended. Store them at least 100 yards away from camp. Hang them at least 14 feet up a tree and hung 4 feet away from the trunk. . Watch for fresh bear scant or tracks on the trail or near possible camp sites. . If possible, make plenty of noise on the trail, especially on blind curves, in dense vegetation or areas with limited vision.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   . Be aware of the wind - bears have an excellent sense of smell. If the wind is at your back, the chances are a bear will smell you and leave well before you reach it. If the wind is blowing in your face, the chances of an encounter will greatly increase. In high wind situations or along creeks and streams, a bear might not hear you coming or you might not hear it. . Dead animal carcass - If you come upon a dead animal carcass, immediately leave the area. Bears will often feed on a carcass for days and also stay in the area to protect their food. . Bear cubs - If you see a bear cub, chances are the mother is not far away. Female bears will fiercely defend the young, so it is best you leave the area and find a different path. . Keep dogs under control - dogs can lead an angry bear back to you. . Do not travel alone in bear country. Invite a friend.

Wind Power as the Future Energy Source Essay -- Energy Power Global Wa

Wind Power- the Future Energy Source Abstract: We are facing an energy crisis on Earth. Burning fossil fuels are harming the atmosphere; this global warming and affects produces chemicals that hurt our body. People are starting to think about using alternative energy. Wind power would be our first choice, because it’s clean, inexhaustible and renewable. Today, wind power is mainly used in Europe. We believed wind power would be the main source of alternative energy for world use. Introduction: Since 400-500A.D, people used windmill energy in farms for grain grinding and water pumping. In 1888, the first wind turbine that generated electricity was discovered by Charles F.Brush in Ohio, USA. However, there are limitations on speed. People did not pay much attention to it; rather, they used fossil fuels. In the 1920s, the improvement of windmill energy was widespread in some rural area in the U.S. and Europe. (Dodge 2006). Later in the 1970s, people realized the shortcomings of fossil fuels; they started looking to alternative energy. Wind is costless, clean and renewable. (Brown 2005). When sun heats on the earth, wind cools down the surface of the Earth. Thus, as the sun shines, there will be inexhaustible wind blowing. Windmill energy uses the power of wind through a generator to generate electricity to urban areas. (2005). Wind Power 3 Results and Discussion: Currently over 50 percent of the electric energy is comes from coal. (See Figure 1). The oil prices started to increase dramatically in 2000. Many people can’t afford it. The capacity of using this energy was low. Coal uses grows 2.5 percent annually. However, wind power grows almost 30 percent annually. (Brown 2006). In the early 1980s, the wind generator in Califo... ...Power Expand in 2006 Earth Policy Institute retrieved July 30, 2006 http://www.earth-policy.org/Indicators/Wind/2006.htm GWEC (2006, February) Record year for wind energy: Global wind power market increased by 40.5% in 2005 Global Energy Council retrieved July 30, 2006 http://www.gwec.net/index.php?id=30&no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=21&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=4&cHash=d0118b8972 No author (2005, September) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy U.S department of energy retrieved July 30, 2006 http://www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/wind_technologies.html No author(July 2006) Electric Power Monthly Energy Administration Information http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epm/epm_sum.html retrieved July 30th, 2006 No author (2005, December) Wind Energy- Energy from moving Air Energy Kid’s Page http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/renewable/wind.html

Lobby Groups Essay -- Government Politics Political Lobbying Essays

Lobby Groups In this comparison between David B. Truman and V.O. Key, Jr.’s views on lobby groups they have different interpretations on role and interaction of these groups in government. In a democratic system there is bound to be resentment and desire for change because it is impossible to satisfy everybody. Truman and Key describe how those individuals try to be recognized while forming groups for â€Å"strength in numbers†. In the comparison of interest and pressure groups it is apparent that although they created resentment in the inner layers of government, they were necessary to the development and progress of the political system.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  According to David B. Truman in the excerpt from The Governmental Process he demonstrates the need, influence and the importance of containment of lobby groups. Although lobby groups are separated into organized groups and unofficial groups, he considers them both equally important and dangerous interest groups. Through his writings he also demonstrates his opinion that political parties are only a large form of an interest group. Political parties don’t have as many concurrent attitudes because of its influence on impressionable people and its size, but nevertheless it is an interest group. The small, either unofficial or official interest groups usually have influence upon various members of the political parties and use their influence to infiltrate their attitudes to the National Government. Both interest groups and political parties have played a large impact on the development of the governmental system and it is noticeable because although they are n ot the group that obtained the control and power of the operation, many of their proposals have been put into existence. They were not incorporated into the government because of the people’s constant fear or losing the ideal of democracy and the threat of becoming too socialistic. Therefore it was important to have individuals representing their groups (states) in the government. The establishment of interest groups was necessary because â€Å"We do not, in fact, find individuals otherwise than in groups†. Interest groups were only a means for influential powerful people to be able to gain recognition from the government by obtaining a following. It is essential in the democratic process to have the individual’s interaction and as a result of having a large complex ... .... Political parties are an example of interest groups because they have specific ideas which they reinforce. However, the diversity and size of the political parties usually makes the members not agreed upon many issues. Therefore the members sustain their interests until they gain power in the government where they are able to act upon their previous intentions. This has been the cause of many political figures actually supporting the other political party than the one they were selected from on many issues. All interest and pressure groups contain a small group of enthusiast leaders and a mass of either indifferent or inactive members. Therefore it is not an act of socialism or political takeover of the government because they are pushing for an issue with a small group.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Lobby groups are essential in the functioning of the government as a whole. They could never replace government but through V.O.Key, Jr. and David B. Truman’s analysis on the importance of lobby groups in government functions it shows that they are necessary. They demonstrate that lobby groups represent the people and are an establishment that helps facilitate individual interaction with the government.

Apple’s Financial Analysis Part 2

APPLE’S FINANCIAL ANALYSIS FOR THE YEAR ENDED September 27, 2008 Income Statement: a) Apple Inc uses multi-step income statement format. It organizes its operating section by using functional expense classification. b)There are no unusual items presented in Apple’s income statement. Also the company did not discontinue any of its operations, neither had any changes in accounting principles. The net income for 2008, 2007, and 200 is $4,834, $3,496, and $1,989 respectively. The net income has increased continually in past three years. Net income increased 38. 3% in 2008. Apple’s net income growth for 2007 was 75. 7%. The income statement doesn’t need restating. I also believe that Apple is not managing their earnings. The company’s revenue and earnings per share are undervalued and Apple's financials appear radically weaker than they actually are. It is because in April, 2007 they made a bad decision when announced that Apple will be using what is commonly referred to as the â€Å"subscription method of accounting† for sales of the iPhone where the sales revenue from the iPhone is deferred and recognized over a 24-month period instead of at the point of sale. When disregarding the deferred revenue mechanism of subscription accounting, Apple actually earned $7. 48 in EPS on $38. 041 billion in revenue. That compares to the $5. 36 in EPS on $32. 479 billion in revenue that Apple reported on a GAAP-basis. During 2008, the Company adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (â€Å"FASB†) Financial Interpretation No. (â€Å"FIN†) 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109. FIN 48 changes the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes by creating a new framework for how companies should recognize, measure, present, and disclose uncertain tax positions in their financial statements. 09/27/08Restated 09/27/09 Net Sales32,47932,479 Cost Of Goods21,33421,334 Gross Profit11,14511,145 Selling & Adminstrative & Depr. & Amort Expenses4,8704,870 Income After Depreciation & Amortization6,2756,275 Non-Operating Income620620 Pretax Income6,8956,895 Income Taxes2,0612,061 Investment Gains/Losses00 Other Income/Charges00 Income From Cont. Operations4,8344,834 Extras & Discontinued Operations00 Net Income4,8344,834 2) Apple Inc recognizes revenue from sales when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collection is probable. Revenue from service and support contracts is deferred and recognized ratably over the service coverage periods. Revenue is deferred for the fair value of the specified upgrade rights when offered. i. A/R turnover=Net Sales/Average A/R(net) A/R turnover2007=24,066/1637=14. 70 times A/R turnover2008=32,479/2422=13. 41 times ii. Allowance % A/R=Allowance/ Gross A/R Allowance % A/R2007=47/24,066=0. 0195 Allowance % A/R2008=47/32,479=0. 001445 iii. Average collection period= 365/ A/R turnover (or 365*A/R/Net Sales) Average collection period2007=365/14. 70=24. 82 (every 25 days) Average collection period2008=365/13. 41=27. 22 (every 22 days) The total sales revenues increased consistently for the past years. Net sales increased 43. 86% in 2008 compared with 2007 ($24,006 and $ 32,479 respectively), A/R have increased too by 47. 95% in 2007 compared to 20056 ($1637and $2,422 respectively). The company does not have looser credit policy, since it does not have credit accounts whatsoever. Apple has an ncreasing accounts receivable turnover which is a positive sign – showing the company is successfully executing its credit policies and quickly turning its accounts receivables into cash. The ratios calculated above cannot be taken into account because they do not represent the actual A/R for the company for entire year. 3)Inventory Costing: a)The company uses FIFO in costing its inventory. I believe that the company uses this method, because even though tax expense are higher, since the Cost of Goods Sold decrease by using the lower cost items, the net effect on the net income still result it net increase. The earnings per share also increase, as well as inventory in the balance sheet. If the cost of the inventories exceeds their market value, provisions are made currently for the difference between the cost and the market value. The Company’s inventories consist primarily of finished goods for all periods presented. If they use LIFO the net income would have been higher, it can benefit from tax savings and improve its cash flow. On other hand average cost achieves a net income somewhere in the middle. b)Looking at the vertical analysis of the Income Statement cost of goods sold has decreased to 0. 34% (from 66. 3 % in 2007to 65. 69% in 2008), and net sales increased by $8475. At the same time, looking at the horizontal analysis, while in 2008 COGS increased by nearly 39. 97% compared to 2007, sales increased only by 43. 86%, and in 2007 while GOGS increased by 15. 56%, sales increased by 24. 29%. This, in my opinion indicates inventory stock (50 items), and fast moving inventor y (7days). i. Inventory Turnover=(COGS)/(Ave. Inventory) Inventory Turnover2007= 15,852/(270+346)/2=51. 047? 51 items Inventory Turnover2008= 21,334/(509+346)/2=49. 904? 50 items ii. Gross Profit Percentage=Gross Profit/Net Sales Gross Profit Percentage2007=8,154/24,006=0. 3397? 33. 97% Gross Profit Percentage2008=11,145/32,479=. 3431? 34. 31% iii. Average Days in Inventory=365/Inventory Turnover Average Days in Inventory2007=365/51=7. 16 days Average Days in Inventory2008=365/50=7. 3 days c) Apple is doing extremely well in terms of inventory turnover, which is one of the lowest in the industry only 7days . While a sizable inventory can be important to coping with sudden surges in demand, excessive inventory is wasteful and can exacerbate financial problems if a new product is introduced before old inventory is cleared. Inventory is increased from 346 million in 2007 to 509 million in 2008. Because the sales are increased too, therefore it is an indication of heavy business activities, rather than the problem with sale of existing products. Gross profit margin is flat for year 2007 and 2008 at 34%. 4)Property, plant and equipment: a)Apple Inc uses the straight-line method of depreciation based upon the asset’s estimated useful life. b)Asset Turnover=Net Sales/Ave total assets Asset Turnover2007=24,006/[(25,347+17,205)/2)]=1. 1283 Asset Turnover2008=32,479/[(39,572+25,347)/2]=1. 0006 c)PPE has increased in the last year by $632 million. The company has purchased PPE in 2007 in the amount of $735 million and $1,091 million in 2008. In 2008 Apple declared a loss on disposition of property, plant, and equipment for $22 million, which has increased by $10 million since 2007(12million) 5) Liabilities a)Apple’s liabilities are composed by short-term debt, Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses, Long-term debt, non-current liabilities. The major current and non-current liabilities accounts for the years of 2007 and 2008 are shown in the table below: September 27, 2008 September 29, 2007_ Current liabilities: Accounts payable $5,520 $4,970 Accrued expenses 8,572 4,310 Total current liabilities 14,092 9,280 Non-current liabilities 4,450 1,535 Total liabilities 18,542 10,815 b)Ratios: i. Debt Ratio=Total Liabilities/Total Assets Debt Ratio2008=18,542/39,572=0. 468564 or 46. 86% ii. Debt to Equity=Total Liabilities/Stockholders Equity Debt to Equity2008=18,542/21,030=. 8817 iii. Times interest earned=Income before income taxes and interest expense/Interest Expense Times interest earned2008=6,275/ 0 c)Ratios for Microsoft’s for year ended 06/30/2008 i. Debt Ratio2008=36,507/72,793=0. 015 or 50. 15% ii. Debt to Equity2008=36,507/ 36,286=1. 0061 iii Times interest earned2006=22,492/0 These ratios are derived from Dillard’s financial statements that can be found on http://www. sec. gov/Archives/edgar/data/789019/000119312508162768/d10k. htm. Looking at Apple’s and Microsoft’s debt ratios, I can say that Microsoft’s debt ratio is 3. 29% higher, or it has 3. 29% more debt compared to its total assets. I think that 50. 15% indicates that Apple’s can be categorized a company of moderate risk level. Comparing Apple’s debt to equity ratio of . 8817% to Microsoft’s ratio of 1. 61%, I can tell that Apple’s are doing well, since it uses $. 88 derived from liability in addition to every $1 of equity in its business, taking advantage of the lower cost of debt for financing projects to relatively more expensive equity financing. Microsoft’s ration is only 0. 1793% lower, which indicates a normal debt ratio for Apple Inc. Comparing Apple’s ratio results to Microsoft’s, gives me the confidence to say that Apple’s liabilities fall into the industry’s average. 6)Stock price a)Yahoo Finance chart PRICE DateOpenHighLowCloseAvg VolAdj Close* Sep-08172. 40173. 50120. 68128. 439,370,800128. 24 Aug-08159. 90180. 45152. 91169. 5323,273,800169. 53 Jul-08164. 23180. 91146. 53158. 9533,096,200158. 95 J un-08188. 60189. 95164. 15167. 4434,281,100167. 44 May-08174. 96192. 24172. 00188. 7532,650,300188. 75 Apr-08146. 30180. 00143. 61173. 9538,841,700173. 95 Mar-08124. 44145. 74118. 00143. 5042,313,100143. 50 Feb-08136. 24136. 59115. 44125. 0246,645,400125. 02 Jan-08199. 27200. 26126. 14135. 3662,108,100135. 36 Dec-07181. 86202. 96176. 99198. 0831,771,400198. 08 Nov-07188. 60192. 68150. 63182. 2246,553,700182. 22 Oct-07154. 63190. 12152. 93189. 9537,438,400189. 95 Sep-07153. 44154. 60152. 75153. 4743,935,800153. 47 b)In my opinion there is a strong positive correlation between the two charts. There are several noticeable changes of Apple’s stock price over the last year. In October,2007 Apple’s stocks increases to $189. 95 from $153. 47in Sept. The increase was due people’ interest to get their hands on Mac OS X Leopard, the newest version of Apple's operating system. After that since markets in general, and tech stocks in particular, were hit hard by poor earnings reports posted by Intel, Apple’s stock price dropped in first weeks of November. In the begging of January 2007 the stock dropped to $126. 14 after Jobs announced iphone sales to date of 4 million, and AT&T said that only 3. 9 million were activated, which means 100,000 iphones still in their Christmas wrapping or more likely unlocked. The company’s stock decline in the first quarter was due to an antitrust suit which has been filed against Apple accusing the company of illegally maintaining a monopoly in the digital music market by failing to support Microsoft’s Windows Media Audio format. In May Stock reached $188. 55 because Apple reported its second quarter earnings, and its revenues of $7. 05 billion and a net profit of $1. 05 billion for the quarter. In second quarter Apple had slightly decreases and increases in stock value. On July 22, 2008 Apple reported its third quarter earnings results. The company earned $7. 46 billion during the quarter, a 37% increase from the same quarter 2007. Last month of the third quarter the company had a down t urn to $ 120. 68 per stock. 7) Final Review I believe that the company has strong results in the industry that it operates. Compared to its direct competition, Apple Inc is doing well. I also believe that Apple Inc is trying to grow, and became a leader in consumer electronics market. Based on my analysis, I agree with the company’s strategy of increasing investment in Research and Development. Specifically, I suggest the sometime down the line after provider contracts are over and equipment and technology costs have gone down Apple should enter the wireless cellular provider arena. This would allow Apple to recoup all profits instead of sharing/splitting profits with the providers. Customer’s buy the hardware/phone at cost rather than the current model of wireless provider subsidized phones at the expense of expensive plans. They should offer a quality engineered, eco-friendly, workplace computer that is economically practical for corporations and large organizations. However due to Apple’s unique designing nitch and brand loyalty we feel they have the ability to capture a portion of the bottom market that has always wished to own an Apple without diluting its luxury products image. Apple Inc would do a lot better if it was not in the declining economic environment as of now. Increasing questions about Jobs' health and lack of transparency into a succession plan are decreasing the company’s stability. Contrary of Wall Street's expectations Apple reports earnings of $1. 61 billion ($1. 78 per share), which was up 2 cents a share from the year earlier period. Revenue also increased from $9. 6 billion to $10. 17 billion. With stock price of $102 â€Å"Apple Inc. shares have catapulted back atop the century mark today after brokerage firm FTN Equity upgraded the stock from â€Å"neutral† to â€Å"buy. â€Å"We now believe investors are more prepared for the Chief Executive taking a smaller role and we have not seen the multiple compression we expected,† wrote analyst Bill Fearnley, Jr. † I believe that by looking at the past performance of Apple, one can derive a future prognosis of Apple’s performance, bound to the industry development. I believe that an investor may want to buy Apple’s shares, since it looks like i t is a strong company, and take advantage of the current low stock prices. I also would recommend to an investor not to invest all of his money in Apple, because of the uncertainty of the market.