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Learning from our success and our failure Essay

Gaining from our prosperity and our disappointment - Essay Example He believes that he won since no one else merited it, which is frequen...

Thursday, October 31, 2019

Choose 1 public Uk company and 1 charity company Assignment

Choose 1 public Uk company and 1 charity company - Assignment Example Today, the firm sells tens of thousands of products and operates in over 12 countries in the Euro and Asia markets. The mission of Tesco is to offer its customers the best products at the best prices ever. It intends to help its customers to save some money on grocery shopping through providing pocket-friendlily high quality prices (Rohwedder, 2006). Tearfund is a UK nongovernmental organization and a Christian charity fund that was founded in 1968 in London (Hollow, 2008). From the organization some more charity organizations have been formed such as the Disaster Emergency Committee and the Micah Network. Tearfund was created from an already existing organization called the Evangelical Alliance as well as the evangelical Refugee Fund which were initially created by the UN. Its initial name was Evangelical Alliance Fund Committee and was headed by George Hoffman. The mission for Tearfund is to give relief funds in places that face some sort of disaster whether it is poverty, war or natural calamity (Barry, 2000). Tearfund also gives funds for development purposes in places where there is minimal development. A look at these two firms reveals that there is a different between nonprofit firms and the for profit firms. The growth rate for the two firms is different. The private for profit firms seem to grow faster as they look for more market. A good example is the Tesco which has been exploring markets outside UK, even in the US where it failed dramatically (Kamal, 2014). The other difference that comes between these two firms is with regard to their expansion strategy. While a profit oriented firm seeks to expand to the markets where the economies are doing well in order to profit from the economy, a charity organization like Tearfund seeks to expand to areas where the economy is not doing so well, because their intention of to give money rather

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

1.4 Individual Share Portfolio Review assessment brief Essay

1.4 Individual Share Portfolio Review assessment brief - Essay Example In this regard, there is regulation of any form of fraud. The form of payment mode that the targeted shareholders prefer determines the strategies to be adopted by the arbitrageur in the trading process. There are two types of payment methods in a share performance analysis. In a stock merger, there is receipt of bid stocks by the targeted shareholders. On the other hand, share portfolio review shows how a share trader buys and sells stock to the highest bidder at the offer price after the completion of the bid exercise (Fernholz, 2012, 34). This type of investment entails the buying of stock and consequent selling of the bid stock at a suitable offer price. After the trading is completed, the target stock is exchanged for the bidder stock in order to cover the short position. The stock analyst can benefit from the trading when the bid succeeds. Therefore, if the bid does not go through, then the investor remains at the break-even state. The disclosure of information used by the stock analyst in decision-making is crucial because it makes him more a versed with the bid in quest. The graph indicates the fluctuation in prices of the shares within the share portfolio over the period. Share portfolio review uses of only public information with regard to bids. Therefore, it is not a covert deal with concealed information. Guiso (2012, 47) asserts that the trading is not subject to rumor information but investors only respond when a sealed deal on a bid has been announced to the public domain. Stock analysts believe that profitable trading is not contingent on a bid occurrence. The period set for the bid to be consummated is the overriding factor in the business. Risk is a crucial aspect in risk arbitrage because the whole process of risk spread involves some element of uncertainty. The result of the bid is usually unknown to the public. This owes to the fact that it may result to a profit or loss. For instance,

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Straw Bale Home Construction

Straw Bale Home Construction Straw bale home construction is a green building method that uses bales of straw as structural support, insulation, or both. Generally, this method of building has numerous advantages over conventional building systems because straw is a renewable source, low cost, easily available, and has a high insulation value. The two forms of straw bale construction are load-bearing (Nebraska style) which uses the bales of straw as structural support and non-load bearing (infill) which uses the bales of straw as insulation between traditional wood framed walls. Non-load bearing straw bale homes is easier to obtain permits and working with building code officials because officials view straw bales as an alternative insulation material, but since the structural elements are familiar, infill straw bale is less intimidating to contractors not already familiar with this type of construction. The construction process for a non-load bearing straw bale home is very similar to a convention home build, a nd it is typically less expensive to build. During the 21st century, society is aware of climate change, more intense storm systems (i.e. hurricane Katrina), and other environmental impacts that could potentially harm mankind. In an effort to combat such impacts, technology is now even more present in the construction industry, and society is beginning to turn towards sustainable resources and green building materials as an alternative to conventional construction. While buildings are our place of residency, employment, and playground that protect us from natures extremes, green building is the practice of creating and using healthier and more resource-efficient models of construction, renovation, operation, maintenance, and demolition (Green Building, 2009). In the United States, buildings account for 39% of total energy use, 12% of total water consumption, 68% of total electricity consumption, and 38% of carbon dioxide emissions (Why Build Green, 2009). Construction has an impact on the natural environment, human health, and the economy. By utilizing an alternative more sustainable resources into building construction, buildings will benefit society, the economy, and the environment from minimizing strain on local infrastructure, reducing operating costs while optimizing life-cycle performance, and preserving our natural resources from protecting ecosystems, reducing waste streams, and improving air and water quality (Why Build Green, 2009). Straw bale home construction is an example of a green building method. Straw is a renewable resource, relatively inexpensive, and when put into practical use, extremely energy efficient (Choosing Green Materials and Products, 2009). Straw bale construction uses bales of straw as structural elements, insulation, or both (Straw Bale Construction, 2009). Straw has been used in construction since the early 20th century in many types of buildings because it provides excellent tensile strength, great insulation value, and additional structural integrity. There are some 75+ year-old buildings still inhabited today (Jacoby, 2001). Straw bale home construction started in the Midwestern United States, especially in Nebraska because the grass in plentiful (Straw Bale Construction, 2009). This green building approach has been put into more practical use at the turn of the 21st century. The United States currently wastes 200 million tons of straw each year, and the United States Department of Agriculture indicates that American farmers annually harvest enough straw to build about 4 million, 2,000 square foot homes each year which is roughly 4 times the number of houses currently constructed (Jacoby, 2001). Generally, straw bale construction has numerous advantages over conventional building systems because straw is a renewable resource, eco-fr iendly, strong and durable, completely biodegradable, inexpensive, readily available, and has a high insulation value (Straw Bale Construction, 2009). Currently, there are two forms of straw bale home construction. The most common, load-bearing or Nebraska style, uses the bales of straw as structural support while non-load bearing or infill uses the bales of straw as insulation between traditional posts and beamed framed walls (Hart, 2009). Non-load bearing straw bale construction is more beneficial than conventional home construction because straw bales has a high sound absorption coefficient, high insulating qualities with an average R-values of 42 while an R-value of 19 is considered to be super insulated, and this method of construction can incorporate conventional building methods as well (Jacoby, 2001). However straw bale builders face many drawbacks. The design and construction of the straw bale home requires careful detailing to prevent liquid water infiltration, requires breathable finishes, generally plaster over the straw, requires educating the owner, the builder, permitting officials, and requires close interaction with building code officials in regions that do not currently have codes for straw bale home construction. Financing a straw bale home is rather difficult because banks are less likely to lend because it is an alternative method, unknown conditions exist, or there is a lack of building codes in p lace (Phyers, n.d.). In the recent years, this is rapidly changing, and building code officials are more likely to permit non-load bearing straw homes because the structural system is an independent element, because it utilizes conventional techniques, and it can be engineered according to load requirements and building codes (Jacoby, 2001). Most residential post and beam house framing in North America today is built using stud construction or timber framing, and it could incorporate exposed timber throughout the structure (Post And Beam House: Timber Framing versus Standard Stud Construction, 2008). Non-load bearing straw bale construction uses post and beam framing and/or stud construction as the structural support then uses straw bales to infill as an independent element. This method of construction does not rely on bales to carry any of the building loads other than the weight of the bales themselves (Jacoby, 2001). Figure 1 on the proceeding page is a detail of a non-load bearing house. The drawing depicts a slab-on-grade foundation, size of timber to be used, orientation of the straw bales, and number of straw bale layers needed to reach the height of the ceiling. Non-load bearing straw bale construction is easier obtaining permits and working with building code officials because officials view straw bales as an al ternative insulation material, and since the structural elements are familiar, infill straw bale is less intimidating to contractors not already familiar with this type of construction (Overview of Straw Bale Construction, 2000). The construction process for a non-load bearing straw bale home is relatively simple. This process is not much different than a conventional home build. In a non-load bearing straw bale home build, typically just the perimeter walls are infilled with straw bales, and all structural components must be constructed first. This includes the foundation (this could vary depending on the current building code as noted in the building code section in the proceeding pages), the  stud walls and floor joists are constructed, and finally the roof is installed. Interior walls can be constructed before or after the straw bales are infilled. Some building codes require non-load bearing straw bale structure to install the straw bales in the dry. Simply stated, the straw bales can only be placed once the roof is constructed and finished roofing is installed. Then, the straw bales can then be placed between the structural elements and around all openings including windows and doors. Depending on the ceiling height, there are typically about 7-8 straw bale layers needed to reach the ceiling height. Any remaining interior walls will then be constructed to allow for electrical and plumbing rough-in. Electrical can be installed two different ways, hidden or exposed. If the electrical is to be hidden, conduit is run between the straw bale layers per building code while if the electrical is to be exposed, the conduit is run above the ceiling, in the roof before being exposed down the side of the wall. A cement/lime plaster and stucco is to be applied to the interior and exterior respectively. All windows and doors are installed before the remaining finishes are applied (i.e. drywall, trim, paint). Finish plaster is applied to the interior and exterior before the remaining finish elements are completed. (Overview of Straw Bale Construction, 2000). Straw bales are an inexpensive building material. The material cost for straw bales walls are substantially lower than conventional stud walls. Generally, the cost of a straw bale wall is approximately 1/5 of the total home construction cost opposed to 1/2 of conventional home construction cost (Overview of Straw Bale Construction, 2000). However hired labor is very expensive (Jacoby, 2001). It is especially in the plastering process because it is a technical and time consuming process, but it is recommended to have community helpers or volunteers to assist with the plastering process to reduce labor costs (Overview of Straw Bale Construction, 2000). In comparison to the actual cost of a non-load bearing straw bale home to a conventional home, it depends on the how green the building will be. A straw bale home can be built for as little as $15 a square foot, to a typical range of $43-$73 a square foot, to upwards of $100 a square foot (Phyers, n.d.). In relation to the average home s ize of 2200 square feet, the cost of a straw bale home is $33,000, $94,600-$160,600, and $220,000 respectively. Non-load bearing straw bale homes is typically higher in cost because stud framing does still exist in the exterior to carry the load. Non-load bearing and load-bearing straw bale houses each have individual structural characteristics but while under testing conditions, have similar results. Researchers have been testing straw bales or straw bale structures in comparison to convention homes while under extreme wind conditions (i.e. hurricane), fire rating properties, and during an earthquake. All of these are acceptable tests depending on the region the home is to be built. Straw bales have a unique characteristic. Architects and Engineers have considered straw bales to be a seismic resistant building material (Morrison, 2009). Researching and testing has shown that while induced in gale force winds of up to 75mph, a straw bale structure will have no movement, but when tested in winds of up to 100mph, the structure only moves 1/16 (Morrison, 2009). Furthermore, straw bales are dried straw, 3 times as fire resist as current building material finishes used in conventional homes. Dried straw only contains 8% moisture a nd lack the oxygen needed to ignite a flame (Morrison, 2009). Straw bales act as a shock absorber rather than rigid and breaking. In non-load bearing straw bales structures, the straw rests against the stud construction to absorb the shock of the earthquake. Even more astonishing, a straw bale cabin was built and placed on an earthquake testing machine. The cabin was tested in conditions many people have not experienced. The machine induced an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6 on the Richter scale (Ecoville Architecs, 2009). Many regions of the United States do not have building codes that apply to green materials or straw bale structures. Many building officials lack the knowledge needed to approve a green building, in particular, straw bale housing. The approval rate in an area with insufficient or no green building codes is 50% among the code officials surveyed (DCAT, 2005). Nevertheless, the Midwest and West Coast contain the most straw bale building codes. Typically these codes are for both load-bearing and non-load bearing straw bale houses while some codes only focus on non-load bearing straw bale walls. The cities that currently have straw bale building codes are: Austin, Texas, multiple cities and counties in the state of California, Cortez, Colorado, parts of Nevada, Tucson, Arizona, parts of Nebraska, and the entire state of Oregon (Skillful Means, 2000). Tucson, Arizona is noted for requiring all straw bale houses to house doubled stem concrete block foundation walls filled with concrete rath er than a slab-on-grade foundation (Phyers, n.d.). Regions that do not currently have straw bale building code like parts of Maryland and Pennsylvania are likely to adopt a code similar to Cortez, Colorado due to the nature and climate of the region, and they will typically require the use of non-load bearing straw bale structures while referring to load-bearing straw bale walls as experimental. Load-bearing straw bale walls are subject to the interpretation of the Uniform Building (Cortez SB Codes, 1997). Non-load bearing straw bale home construction is relatively similar to conventional home construction. Straw bales give owners the opportunity to use a renewable resource, which is eco-friendly, strong and durable, completely biodegradable, inexpensive, readily available, and has a high insulation value on the perimeter of the building (Straw Bale Construction, 2009). This will help reduce energy costs substantially. The overall cost is very similar to a conventional home, but by utilizing an alternative more sustainable resource into home construction, houses will benefit society, the economy, and the environment from minimizing strain on local infrastructure, reducing operating costs while optimizing life-cycle performance, and preserving our natural resources from protecting ecosystems, reducing waste streams, and improving air and water quality (Why Build Green, 2009). Building codes are starting to accept alternative green building methods, and a strong recommendation for a new home builder is to elect to use a non-load bearing straw bale system. The owner will not be disappointed.

Friday, October 25, 2019

the wilsons disease :: essays research papers

The Wilson’s Disease   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Wilson’s disease is a genetic disorder of the thirteenth chromosome. This disease is an inherited disease and it is mostly likely to be in all of the offspring if a parent had it. It is the unnecessary increase of copper in the liver and brain. This is cause by a defect in the transport of copper. Wilson’s disease is a rare autosomal recessive disorder of the copper transport resulting in the copper buildup. It is also known as Hepatolenticular Degeneration as the scientific name. This mutation prevents the body from eliminating the extra copper.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The symptoms include quivering in the upper extremities, Slowness of movement and changes in personality. They will be exceptionally argumentative and overly emotional. They will have a Decrease in mental capabilities and Speech disorders. Liver damage will be one of the first things to go wrong and needs mandatory attention. There will be Neurological disturbances like dementia and leading to deterioration of your coordination. Corneal markings occur along with a Rusty brown discoloration at the rims of the corneas. These are major problems that can’t be gotten rid of easily. There are very few ways to get rid of the symptoms of Wilson’s disease. It is necessary to get at least one liver transplant during their life. Most patients get chelation therapy to remove different amounts of copper. To remove copper penicillamine, zinc salts and/or trientine are used. Galzin is used to get rid of some physical symptoms of the Wilson’s disease. It is necessary to take 50MG of Galzine three times a day for it to work properly. Sometimes Zinc Acetate is given to block the absorption of extra copper. It is also necessary for a person with Wilson’s disease to have a different diet. They often have a depletion of pyridoxine or B-6 and need supplements of 25MG daily. The food they eat should stay low in copper, at less than 0.1MG per portion. They could probably handle about 0.7MGs a day. People with Wilson’s disease can’t eat a number of foods like tofu, mushrooms, and raisins, any kind of beans, chocolate, soy milk, nuts, or mineral water.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

The Vietnam War Essay

The Vietnam War is a struggle with Vietnamese against itself. North Vietnam or the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam. wherein the Americans got involved erroneously and uprightly. ( see Wikipedia ) It is an attempt to unite Vietnam into a individual province. But so it is considered as false and dishonest theory. As per John Pilger. this war is an invasion of Vietnam’s fatherland and lives. ( see Global Issues ) It is by far the longest war in the century of America against North and South of Vietnam. The Vietnam struggle with America is included in the Second Indochina dated 1954-1975 that grew out from the long struggle between France and Vietnam. ( see Wikipedia ) It is widely reflected in history and media that America lost this war because of the guerrilla motion in Vietnam. ( see Global Issues ) It is besides believed that America lost this war due to the part of media that is against it. ( see Global Issues ) Actually. Vietnam approached US for aid in constructing a state from the Second Word War and chiefly from Gallic imperialism to accomplish control for South Vietnam. ( see Global Issues ) It is believed that US supported Vietnam’s independency and finding. But so. US turned down the aid that is why they turned to the other world power at that clip. the Soviet Union. ( see Global Issues ) Ho Chi Minh. communist leader. appealed to President Truman for aid because Vietnamese wanted to model their fundamental law with the American authorities. ( see Global Issues ) But America declined to back up their freedom and alternatively allied with the Gallic. Vietnam was so forced to turn to China and the Soviet Union. ( see Global Issues ) United States is believed to give support to South Vietnam. They deployed forces and US military advisors in 1956 to be responsible for developing the ground forces of South Vietnam. ( see Global Issues ) President Nixon intent was to beef up South Vietnam. US declined to back up North Vietnam due to their communist belief to which US is non partaking. They came to help the government in the South who were said to be attacked by the North Vietnamese. ( see Global Issues ) The resistance said that America truly lost the war. It is included in the unfavorable judgment of the media. There are two most influential beliefs on why America lost this war. First. media undermined the military and political attempt through media coverage. particularly on telecasting. in America. ( see Global Issues ) Second is that most of the journalists and broadcasters were against the war. It is on the whole of American media which resulted that war is a â€Å"failed campaign. † ( see Global Issues ) It has been reported that South Vietnamese had taken up weaponries to support their small towns and fatherland. The North Vietnam Government was non recognized by the United States and the ground why US declined to help because it is believe to be â€Å"improper† to admit such correspondence. ( see Global Issues ) During the war. it is believed that it was the clip where US dispatched its greatest of all time land ground forces and even offered the Gallic two atomic bombs to utilize anterior to its licking in 1954. ( see Global Issues ) They pursued military schemes designed for people to abandon places like use of chemicals. Millions of people were killed and maimed. some were Americans and the remainder are Vietnamese. The understanding to stop the war included $ 3. 25 billion of grant assistance for 5 old ages to which was ne'er paid. ( see Global Issues ) It is supposed to be for the postwar Reconstruction but Vietnam did non uncover all the captives of the war who were purportedly portion of the trade to assistance. ( see Global Issues ) This is a tragic issue for Americans who have been incognizant of the destiny of their loved 1s. ( see Global Issues ) The Vietnam struggle with the intercession of America is non truly a war between the two states. It is said that America lost this war. But America did non truly lose it because in the first topographic point. America was at that place to go an ally and merely to back up South Vietnamese for their battle against aggression from the North. Ineffectiveness is a more appropriate term. The manner that Americans implemented their policy is uneffective in this struggle. America’s chief end is to unify Vietnam into one province. ( see Global Issues ) America failed to accomplish that end. The struggle highlighted more on the Cold War ideological conflict. It reported and portrayed on the violent deaths and calamities that happened in the War. It focused more on the bad error. The good purposes were seldom questioned and carried out ill. The media made coverage of America in an highly nonreversible narrative. ( see Global Issues ) It resulted to inaccurate coverage because lone fragments were told. They chiefly focused on the nature of the war. The atrociousness of the war were erroneously branded and blundered. Americans are on the side of South Vietnam that opposed the aggression from the Communist. the North Vietnam. What truly happened in this war was â€Å"internal aggression. † ( see Global Issues ) Wherein they invaded and attacked their ain state and people. But so there were confusion on who truly were â€Å"allies† on this war. The non-communist South Vietnam was said to be invaded by the Communist. North Vietnam. ( see Global Issues ) United States hence came to the side of the â€Å"democratic† government in the South. But it was reported untrue. It is because Ho Chi Minh sent regular forces to help the American onslaughts. ( see Global Issues ) He was persuaded to direct regular ground forcess to back up the South in their resistance to American invasion. ( see Global Issues ) America lost the war in Vietnam. But 1000000s of estates of forest were destroyed through weedkillers poisoning. 1000000s of people were slaughtered. rice Fieldss were left with musca volitanss of bomb craters after â€Å"winning† its freedom. It is believed that in a war. no 1 truly win or lose. Though they achieved what they are contending for. they lose a great trade every bit good. Vietnam might hold the independency and freedom they wanted but it caused them a batch before they achieved it. In contrast. America is still one of the most powerful states in the universe. They still aid and back up other states. But what is the measuring of triumph? Is it shown in wealth or stuff ownerships? Or is it measured by power? Or accomplishing what we truly wanted though nil was left afterwards? Wining does non stop or accomplish from a certain period of clip. Victorious winning is seen on how you live after or if you were able to get by up with life after the conflict. Contending for what you desire and accomplishing it is a great wages for winning. On the procedure of accomplishing for these ends. you may lose some. but gain some every bit good. It truly doesn’t affair if Vietnam struggle is a Winnable War. What matters most is the lesson learned from this war. The experiences happened. whether good or bad. Making things better and trusting that none of this will go on once more in the hereafter. To be able to hold a peaceable universe that can merely be attained if we will non allow selfishness regulation over us. Most people believed that US lost the war. But Vietnam was destroyed to its nucleus where it could be a pool of hope for the following coevals and development option in Asia. If merely programs were made and done efficaciously. things might hold been different or it could be better than what happened. Mentions: Shah. Anup ( 29 December 2002 ) . Media Propaganda and Vietnam. Retrieved October 15. 2006. from War. Propaganda and the Media Website: hypertext transfer protocol: //www. globalissues. org/HumanRights/Media/Propaganda/Vietnam. asp # ThemedialostthewarforAmerica Vietnam War Retrieved October 15. 2006. from Wikipedia Website: hypertext transfer protocol: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Vietnam_war # Richard_Nixon_and_Vietnam_ . 281969. E2. 80. 931974. 29

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Human history Essay

Human history has witnessed numerous examples of wars. Our history has taught us that wars are unique by nature. Different philosophers at different times were trying to generate solid philosophical understandings of what war and strategy were. As a result, we possess sufficient theoretical basis for discussing the philosophical foundations of war, yet we have not been able to predict our military failures. After the end of WWII the world has finally taken a deep breath, and people were confident that violence would never enter their lives again. However, we are still surrounded by constant risks of war, and continue witnessing the acts of violence, and murders. Certainly, contemporary wars are completely different from those at the beginning of the 20th century: the development of the new weaponry types and communication technologies, have turned the simplest military actions into highly sophisticated acts. The war in Iraq has critically impacted the military balance in the world, and it is interesting to see, how Iraqi war would be explained through the prism of various philosophic works. Clausewitz: On War Carl von Clausewitz has written a well grounded research on the philosophy of war. His theoretical assumptions make it possible to distinguish philosophic implications of military actions. Having evaluated what war is, Clausewitz was able to create a general structure of war, and I think that his ideas are easily applied to the issues of the war in Iraq. â€Å"War is nothing but a duel on an extreme scale. If we would conceive as a unit the countless number of duels which make up a war, we shall do so best by supposing to ourselves two wrestlers. Each strives by physical force to compel the other to submit his will to his will: each endeavours to throw his adversary, and thus render him incapable of further resistance† (Clausewitz 1989, p. 4). Although, this Clausewitz’ definition is very objective, grounded, and universally applicable (any war implies the fight of several opponents for power), there are some amendments which should be made in terms of war in Iraq. It is difficult to admit, but it is true, that the war in Iraq is nothing more than the fight for power: Clausewitz does not distinguish whether this might be economic, social, or military power, or some other different aspect of political superiority. Clausewitz risks applying limited perspectives to discussing what war is. In the fight between the two wrestlers, only one of them initially seeks superiority. As a result, at the initial stage of war, only one of the opponents fights for power and superiority. Clausewitz supports this line stating that â€Å"two motives lead men to war: instinctive hostility and hostile intention. In our definition of war, we have chosen as its characteristic the latter of these elements, because it is the most general†. Has the U. S. started the war in Iraq with hostile intentions? Probably, it has. Many of us argue the fact that the U. S. military actions in Iraq were primarily aimed at promoting democracy in the country. To be objective, hardly any democracy can survive in the whirl of blood, murders, terrorist acts and violence caused by military actions. However, in the fight between Iraq and the U. S. Clausewitz seems to have neglected one essential stage of developing military actions: the first stage is the military intervention, and it hardly looks as the fight of the two wrestlers. On the contrary, its image is similar to unexpected blow on the side of the opponent to which another wrestler cannot stand and falls. The situation described by Clausewitz is actually the next stage of war. Iraq required certain period of time to gather it strength and to enter the war as an equal. At the stage when we started to receive the reports on murders and terrorist acts against American soldiers, one could suggest that the war has turned into the discussed fight. However, in this fight one of the opponents was trying to prove his superiority, while the other tried his best to defend the integrity of his physical territory and peace in the country. We cannot but agree with Clausewitz that war is never an isolated act, and it is never a separated single military blow. â€Å"War does not spring up suddenly, it does not spread to the full in a moment; each of the two opponents can, therefore, form an opinion of the other, in a great measure, from what he is and what he does, instead of judging of him according to what he, strictly speaking, should be or should do† (Clausewitz 1989, 5) The war in Iraq had long prehistory. The United States were continuously trying to defend their position in this military conflict. It was evident that the war was inevitable. As a result it is difficult to argue the position of Clausewitz. Actually, the work of Clausewitz seems to be very close to what we currently witness in Iraq. Of course, we do not know much as none of us has fortunately participated in this campaign. All we have at our disposal are news reports and other secondary information, but this secondary information allows analyzing the events in Iraq from the viewpoints of several philosophers. Clausewitz creates a philosophic picture of war. He implies that war does not change its face, and the structure of military actions and interactions remains unchanged, no matter at what historical period of our development a war may occur. This does not really matter, whether we use nuclear weapons or fight in the open sea – the war is always the utmost use of force, which does not break out of sudden, and which is the means of proving one’s superiority. Jablonski: Roots of Strategy In his work, David Jablonski has evaluated the works of the four theorists, as applied to military actions and military strategies. It is surprising, that Jablonski was able to avoid bias in his discussion. It is even more surprising, that the works of philosophers written at the beginning of the 20th century seem to have predicted the exact course of events during the war in Iraq. This, on the one hand, continues the line found in the work of Clausewitz: the essence of military actions remains unchanged through the centuries. On the other hand, Jablonski’s selection helps us understand WHY the U. S. was involved into the war in Iraq, and has actually initiated it. â€Å"In the United States our people have been slow to realize the changed conditions. Isolated as we have been from possible enemies, the people could see little chance for aggression by others. Separated as we are from Europe by the Atlantic, and from Asia by the Pacific which form most certain and tremendously strong defensive barriers, we seemed to be protected by the design of the Almighty. [†¦] The vulnerability of the whole country to aircraft as distinguished from the old conditions that obtained when the frontiers or the coast had to be penetrated before an invasion of the country could be made, has greatly interested the people of the nation† (Jablonski 1999, 452) What facts do we have in the war against Iraq? First, the U. S. has for long been isolated from others’ aggression. Even during WWII the U. S. was not directly involved into military actions. The terrorist acts of 2001 have been a tremendous shocking therapy to the whole American nation. The continuous isolation from the direct aggression has made the U. S. senseless towards possible military and terrorist threats. The image of the almighty nation was rather exaggerated, and the events of 9/11 have proved this assumption. The terrorist attacks had to attract the attention of the U. S. to its vulnerability and to eliminate the discussed senselessness, but the country has misinterpreted these events. The senselessness has turned into aggression against the states which were suspected in promoting terrorism (Iraq is in the top list of such ‘promoters’). As far as the United States has not experienced any acts of continuous aggression, which it could not stand, it has not fully realized the continuous effects of military actions brought into Iraqi land. In the introduction to his book, David Jablonski puts emphases on the most critical elements of war. â€Å"Modern military forces normally work in an environment in which the major dilemma is that of properly matching continuity and change. [†¦] the core attribute to such thinking is to imagine the future as it may be when it becomes the past – a thing of complex continuity. † Thus, planning continuity and looking at military actions through the prism of the past is the crucial element in making this strategy reasonable and justified. What are continuous impacts that the U. S. has caused onto the Iraqi population? These are economic defeat, and the need to restore all social and political structures of the country. It is still unclear whether the U. S. was able to promote democratic ideals in Iraq, but it is evident that it has failed to apply the principles of â€Å"continuity through the past† to planning the Iraqi military strategy. Jablonski states that the significance of the theoretical works he discussed in his book is in that they are presented in a structured manner, and can be easily understood and applied in practice. It seems that both the U. S. in its war in Iraq, and the terrorists in their 9/11 attacks have applied the principles discussed by Jablonski: â€Å"sometimes implicitly, more often explicitly, they created images of how aerial destruction of ‘vital centers’, could bring a nation to its knees. After all, there were the examples of mass panic on the home fronts and mutiny in the trenches during the recent war. † Similar to Clausewitz, who creates parallels between military actions and wrestling, Jablonski also underlines the importance of the sudden effect. Consequentially, we come to understanding an interesting military controversy: military campaigns cannot be sudden, but the â€Å"sudden effect† of aerial or other destruction often determines the success of the planned military campaign. These two elements are integral to the U. S. intervention to Iraq, too. Liddell-Hart: Strategy There are the two crucial elements which make Liddell-Hart’s view applicable to the war in Iraq: first, the author extensively researches the historical implications of specific military actions, and second, he does not expand his research to broader notions, but is rather concentrated on the ‘cause-effect’ research. His book is in many instances similar to that of Clausewitz. This is why the author is initially biased. In both works the reader meets identical philosophical parallels: â€Å"To move along the line of natural expectation consolidates the opponent’s balance and thus increases his resisting power. In war, as in wrestling, the attempt to throw the opponent without loosening his foothold and upsetting the balance results in self-exhaustion, increasing in disproportionate ration to the effective strain upon him. Success by such method only becomes possible through an immense margin of superior strength in some form – and, even so, tends to lose decisiveness. † (Liddell-Hart 1991, 5) In this citation, we find many elements which have already been found in other philosophical works: loosening foothold may be paralleled to the sudden aerial attacks, while moving along the line of natural expectation is similar to complying with the principles of continuity and thorough planning. Simultaneously, it is difficult to apply this statement to the military actions in Iraq. If the U. S. used Liddell-Hart’s philosophical implications in developing its strategy in Iraq, it would never apply the means of sudden attack against the Iraqi nation. People in Iraq would not know what means being bombed. As a result, the U. S. would risk losing its powerful positions. The philosophic perspective created by Liddell-Hart is hardly applicable to the war in Iraq or to any other military campaign in contemporary world. In addition, when Liddell-Hart speaks about morale in war, he represents its too idealistic image: the violence of American soldiers against Iraqi people eliminates any possibility to link morale to the war in Iraq. Niccolo Machiavelli: The Prince â€Å"A prince ought to have no other aim or thought, nor select anything else for his study, than war and its rules and discipline; for this is the sole art that belongs to him who rules, and it is of such force that it not only upholds those who are born princes, but it often enables men to rise from a private station to that rank. † This is another aspect of the war in Iraq, described in the terms of Niccolo Machiavelli’s â€Å"The Prince†. As Hitler used the war to prove his superiority and to create the nation of Aryans, the U. S. seems to be in constant need to prove its superiority to other nations. Several recent decades have turned into the years of constant fight, in which the U. S. always positioned itself as the leading and powerful nation: Vietnam, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Yugoslavia, and finally, Iraq; who is going to be the next? Machiavelli makes special emphasis on the importance for the prince to understand and to possess the art of war: â€Å"a prince who does not understand the art of war, over and above other misfortunes already mentioned, cannot be respected by his soldiers, nor can he rely on them. † (Machiavelli, 2006) The best information and intelligence resources have been employed to develop a sound military strategy towards Iraq, yet the U. S. was not able to display a skilful approach towards Iraqi intervention. Numerous deaths of the American soldiers and their inability to find common language with the native population, whom they had to protect, suggest that the United States did not possess any sound military skills. Expectation of easy victory usually leads to easy failure. The war in Iraq has displayed the U. S. inability to analyze the world military history, about which Machiavelli speaks. The author refers to the importance for the prince to study the actions of illustrious men and to see how they behaved themselves during war. Being powerful does not mean being non-educated; being powerful means being skillful, reasonable, and objective. Military failures in Vietnam and Yugoslavia have not taught the U. S. any meaningful lessons. In distinction from Clausewitz, Liddell-Hart, and Jablonski, Machiavelli did not apply any historical perspectives to evaluating military strategies, but he was wise enough to emphasize the importance of historical lessons, and of the ability to properly evaluate these lessons. Peter Paret: Makers of Modern Strategy While Clausewitz applied the painting parallels to researching war, Paret has performed a profound research of several philosophic writings related to the topic of war. All authors he discussed in his book sought to answer several crucial questions: whether it was possible to evaluate war, whether it was a viable tool of foreign policy, and how ethical war was. Paret’s views are directly connected with the understanding of nuclear threats as applied to military strategies. Paret’s book is actually the selection of the major philosophic works and their evaluation. It seems that modern philosophers try to distance themselves from creating their own ideas about war, but prefer analyzing the ideas of others as applied to contemporary political and military environment. In the introduction to his book, Paret writes that â€Å"strategy is the use of armed force to achieve the military objectives and, by extension, the political purpose of the war. To those engaged in the direction and conduct of war, strategy has often appeared more simply, in Moltke’s phrase, as a system of expedients† Thus, war is initially the conjunction of political and military ideas. The war in Iraq is also the combination of political and military aims, but which of them prevails? In his book, Paret often cannot make a case. He states that Machiavelli lived during the time when warfare was unregulated and thus the relevance of his assumptions could decrease. However, who says that our warfare is regulated? Paret suggests that while Clausewitz supported the idea of war to be limited in time, goals, and strategies, there was no place to global military campaigns. Does this mean that local military conflicts similar to those in Iraq cannot expand beyond the geographical borders of the Iraqi nation? They can, and the conflict in Iraq has already stretched itself across the world. The war in Iraq has already turned into the political fight between the two opposing political camps, and the perspective of the global war has never been so close since the end of WWII. This is why it is difficult to understand the aim of Paret’s analysis. For the aims of objective military research, one should rather read the original works of philosophers, than their subjective interpretations made by contemporary authors. Sun Tzu: The Art of War â€Å"Whoever is first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy, will be fresh for the fight; whoever is second in the field and has to hasten to battle will arrive exhausted. Therefore the clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy’s will to be imposed on him. [†¦] If we do not wish to fight, we can prevent the enemy from engaging us even though the lines of our encampment be merely traced out on the ground. All we need do is to throw something odd and unaccountable in his way† (Sun Tzu 1971, 24) The ideas of war produced by Sun Tzu, partially seem as odd as the instruments he offers to use if one does not want to fight. On the one hand, being first to the field also implies using ‘sudden’ tactics. On the other hand, what odd instruments could Iraqi people use to openly claim their desire not to start war with the U. S.? One should not repeat its tactics which had been successful earlier, but it should be regulated according to the constantly changing military environments. Moreover, using the tactics which has already proved to be a failure is a guaranteed double failure. The U. S. has not taken into account numerous important elements of an effective military strategy: being sudden does not always mean being successful. Aerial attacks make people fall to their knees, but do not break them completely. The U. S. develops a sound strategy of removing its military from the Iraqi territory. The aim is to turn retreat into a victory, which is virtually impossible. Until the U. S. is able to re-evaluate its defeats and tactics in previous military campaigns, it will have to be prepared to new military failures. Conclusion I think that each of the analyzed philosophers has something to say about the war in Iraq. Each of them discussed interesting elements of military strategy which could be applied to Iraqi military campaigns. Although certain views are limited, some risk being biased, and some cannot make the case at all, all of them deserve attention at least for having researched the question which we will hardly ever answer: What is War? It is never stable, it is always changeable, it always has a different face, and sometimes we even fail to recognize it from the start. One thing is evident: no matter how difficult a war can be, no excuses can justify our inability to fight well. BIBLIOGRAPHY Clausewitz, C. On War. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1989. Jablonski, D. Roots of Strategy. Book 4. Merchanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 1999. Liddel-Hart, Basil H. Strategy: Second Revised Edition. New York: Meridian Books, 1991. Machiavelli, N. The Prince. The Project Gutenberg, 2006. Available from http://www. gutenberg. org/files/1232/1232-h/1232-h. htm Paret, P. , G. A. Craig & F. Gilbert. Makers of Modern Strategy: From Machiavelli to the Nuclear Age. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1986. Sun Tzu. The Art of War. Translated by Samueal B. Griffith. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1971.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

List of Phrases Shakespeare Invented

List of Phrases Shakespeare Invented Four centuries after his death, we are still using Shakespeares phrases in our everyday speech. This list of phrases Shakespeare invented is a  testament that the Bard  has had a huge influence on the English language. Some people today reading Shakespeare for the first time complain that the language is difficult to understand, yet we are still using hundreds of words and phrases coined by him in our everyday conversation. You have probably quoted Shakespeare thousands of times without realizing it. If your homework gets you â€Å"in a pickle,† your friends have you â€Å"in stitches,† or your guests â€Å"eat you out of house and home,† then you’re quoting Shakespeare. The Most Popular Shakespearean Phrases A laughing stock (The Merry Wives of Windsor)A sorry sight (Macbeth)As dead as a doornail (Henry VI)Eaten out of house and home (Henry V, Part 2)Fair play (The Tempest)I will wear my heart upon my sleeve (Othello)In a pickle (The Tempest)In stitches (Twelfth Night)In the twinkling of an eye (The Merchant Of Venice)Mums the word (Henry VI, Part 2)Neither here nor there (Othello)Send him packing (Henry IV)Set your teeth on edge (Henry IV)Theres method in my madness (Hamlet)Too much of a good thing (As You Like It)Vanish into thin air (Othello) Origins and Legacy In many cases, scholars do not know if Shakespeare actually invented these phrases or if they were already in use during his lifetime. In fact, it is almost impossible to identify when a word or phrase was first used, but Shakespeare’s plays often provide the earliest citation. Shakespeare was writing for the mass audience, and his plays were incredibly popular in his own lifetime ... popular enough to enable him to perform for  Queen Elizabeth I and to retire a wealthy gentleman. It is unsurprising therefore that many phrases from his plays stuck in the popular consciousness and subsequently embedded themselves into everyday language. In many ways, it is like a catchphrase from a popular television show becoming part of everyday speech. Shakespeare was, after all, in the business of mass entertainment. In his day, the theater was the most effective way to entertain and communicate with large audiences. Language changes and evolves over time, so the original meanings may have been lost to language. Changing Meanings Over time, many of the original meanings behind Shakespeares words have evolved. For example, the phrase sweets to the sweet from Hamlet has since become a commonly used romantic phrase. In the original play, the line is uttered by Hamlet’s mother as she scatters funeral flowers across Ophelia’s grave in Act 5, Scene 1: Queen: (Scattering flowers) Sweets to the sweet, farewell!I hopd thou shouldst have been my Hamlets wife:I thought thy bride-bed to have deckd, sweet maid,And not have strewd thy grave. This passage hardly shares the romantic sentiment in today’s use of the phrase. Shakespeare’s writing lives on in today’s language, culture, and literary traditions because his influence (and the influence of the ​Renaissance) became an essential building block in the development of the English language. His writing is so deeply ingrained in the culture that it is impossible to imagine modern literature without his influence.

Monday, October 21, 2019

6 Entry-Level Biology Jobs to Explore

6 Entry-Level Biology Jobs to Explore So you majored in biology. The good news is, you’ll have a ton of job prospects in a variety of different fields: research, technology, education, business- and much more. All you need to do is figure out how to set yourself up with something entry-level that will get you where you inevitably want to go. If you’ve chosen not to specialize and go for post-graduate studies in a particular field of biology, then you’ll be looking at an entry-level median salary around $51k.Here are a few good first gigs to consider.Biologist TechnicianMedian pay: $37k. You’ll use a ton of the skills you’ve just cultivated in your undergrad career, analyzing data, doing tests and experiments, working with a team of other techs reporting to a biologist in charge. These jobs are available in healthcare, research, pharmaceutical, university, and RD settings- and require only the skills you already have plus attention to detail and data and the ability to work well on a tea m.Conservation ScientistMedian pay: $62k. The environment is going to be a major consideration in the next few decades. You might as well be on the side of the angels. Collect samples and perform analysis, and get to spend some great QT in the great outdoors.NutritionistMedian pay: $45k. You might not think of this immediately as a dream career, but you’re well equipped to help people make wise choices when it comes to what they eat. Apply what you’ve learned about the human body and its environment to help people become healthier. If you find you like it, you can get certified or pursue post-graduate study in nutrition and set yourself up with an excellent career.High School Biology TeacherMedian pay: $56k. Work in public, private, religious, or charter schools. As long as you have the communication skills and patience necessary to teach, you can just stay in your biology happy place forever.Medical/Clinical Lab TechMedian pay: $59k. This job outlook is about as fast in growth as the average, and you can take your pick of work environment: hospitals, medical and diagnostic labs, doctors’ offices, and academic environments. You’ll want to cultivate physical stamina, as well as good attention to detail, technology, and data.Pharmaceutical Sales RepMedian pay: $75k. If you have great people skills and stamina and don’t feel like being cooped up in a lab all day, this might be the gig for you. Your knowledge of biology will take you far. Your sales abilities will take you farther.All that said, your biology major actually sets you up with an incredibly versatile skill set. You’ve learned to conduct experiments from scratch, observe phenomena, test hypotheses, draw conclusions, analyze data, synthesize your findings into reports, papers, and presentations, and to interpret others’ work. You’ve also learned valuable analysis and critical thinking skills that will serve you well no matter where you end up.You s hould also consider going into different fields such as Genetics, Agriculture, Botany, Biomedical Engineering, Research, Medicine, Animal science, even Education. Just remember to pick something that you see yourself loving doing five years down the line and you’ll be fine.

Sunday, October 20, 2019

Blah, Blah, Blah

Blah, Blah, Blah Blah, Blah, Blah Blah, Blah, Blah By Maeve Maddox Since ancient times, speakers of every language have made up nonsense syllables to indicate contempt for what other people were saying to them. We’ve even inherited the ancient Greek nonsense syllables bar-bar-bar in the word barbarian: The Greek word barbaros meant â€Å"foreign, strange, ignorant.† According to the OnlineEtymology Dictionary, the word barbaros was an onomatopoeic formation echoing the unintelligible speech of a foreigner. The most common nonsense syllable used to represent empty talk in the United States is blah: The earliest OED documentation of blah in the sense of â€Å"meaningless, insincere, or pretentious talk or writing; nonsense, bunkum† is 1918. Blah is usually repeated when the sense is â€Å"empty talk†: When big data is just so much â€Å"blah, blah, blah† Getting Past â€Å"Blah, Blah, Blah† When Talking to Prospects Sometimes a single blah means the same thing: Ive been overwhelmed by the amount of jabber in the world – its a vast cloud of blah. As a plural noun, â€Å"the blahs† are a state of despondency: You’ve got the blahs.   You’re not feeling hopeless, but you’re not feeling good either. As an adjective, blah means â€Å"lethargic, unenthusiastic, listless, or torpid†: What to Do When You Feel Blah About Your Job â€Å"Blah, blah, blah† recently found its way into the news when a political candidate in Oregon blasted a newspaper reporter who demonstrated his lack of interest in what another candidate was saying by writing down â€Å"blah, blah, blah† instead of her actual words. And perhaps the longest sequence to date of this string of nonsense syllables occurs in a television ad in which actor Gary Oldman holds a telephone to his ear and says â€Å"blah blah blah† for five seconds straight. Another set of nonsense syllables is â€Å"yada yada yada.† Variations of this utterance are documented in the OED beginning in 1947. I first heard it on the Jerry Seinfeld show where I understood it to mean â€Å"details too boring to mention.† Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Expressions category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:50 Incorrect Pronunciations That You Should AvoidThe Four Sounds of the Spelling OU"To Tide You Over"

Saturday, October 19, 2019

Shell Group Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Shell Group - Case Study Example ns, but business sector-led, one which each operation along the supply chain works to be competitive and accountable in its field (Grant 2002 p. 16). While Shell has diversified into other businesses, such as petrochemicals and renewable energy, the former is a natural extension of its involvement in oil, while forays into renewable energy forms are quite negligible to the company's overall investment and assets pie. And yet, Shell by starting to invest in cleaner, non-hydrocarbon energy will be one with among with first mover advantage, in terms of technology and know-how should the time come when such energy forms become affordable for the market, and thus, profitable, for the company. Today, Shell, operating in 140 countries, with revenues of US$318.8 billion in 2006 makes it the third biggest multinational corporation in the world and with profits of US$26 billion, the second most profitable - has stuck to its main business of exploration of oil and gas, that serves the downstream sector of the industry, including its own operations in production, processing, transportation and marketing (Royal Dutch Shell, Wikipedia entry, 2007). Shell's total oil market share as of 2004 stood at 11.6% and which in combination with those of other oil majors such as ExxonMobil, BP (British Petroleum), TFE (TotalFinaElf) and Chevron Texaco control almost 60% of the world's oil and gas markets (The Energy Insider, July14, 2004). The group seeks to capitalize on what it calls its current business strategy of "more upstream and profitable downstream" which basically sees that it would continue to look for and pursue sources of gas and oil all over the world while it considers the demand side covered by the growing appetite for oil by the developing countries, especially Asia Pacific (Shell.com 2007). Honed by 100 years of experience in oil and gas exploration, with its technological expertise, Shell's viability on both ends of the supply chain remains due very much to the continuing demand for energy mainly coming from China's growth as a manufacturing behemoth, still mainly, oil and gas. This is the reason why Shell, despite the giant mergers that occurred in the oil industry in the recent years resulting in bigger rivals, remains very much profitable. Since oil, a fuel whose sources could be depleted anytime and only found only in certain parts of the world - its supply has been subject to political forces that companies engaged in oil production naturally must build economies of scale to recover high costs of investment. At the end of the supply chain, markets are expanding in developing economies especially China which has only begun its manufacturing stage of development in which oil and gas are necessary fuels. Thus for a corporation with an international scope of operation like Shell, vertical integration remains a viable strategy. In recent decades, however, the Shell Group responded to the changes in the industry by focusing to maintain its foothold on the upstream, while downstream operations were

Friday, October 18, 2019

Space Exploration Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Space Exploration - Research Paper Example The pen worked and also enjoyed some modest success at a novelty item back here on earth. The Soviet Union, faced with the same problem, used a pencil. ABSTRACT NASA and its voluminous funding by the US government have been burning questions from day one. While the proponents of NASA funding have a firm belief that even a penny invested in its prolific research programs will reap insurmountable benefits for the world and humanity in general, the people who condemn NASA and its so-called good for nothing activities have a strong contention that that the profusion of funds that NASA uses are neither worth it nor serviceable for mankind. In this research paper we try to analyse both sides of the argument and try to reach a conclusion as to why the US government should work to dilate the funding of NASA programs, and what should be the role of NASA administration in this regard. NASA AND ITS PROJECT HISTORY In the period starting from 1958 till 2008, the total spending on NASA has been $471.23 billion dollars, which makes an average of $9.06 billion per year. NASA's budget for FY 2008 sums up to $17.318 billion, which is almost 0.6% of the $2.9 trillion United States federal budget for the year, and almost about 35% total academic scientific research spending in the United States. These figures might look huge but the point of consideration is that they have enabled NASA to provide humanity with some emphatic developments and research successes. The most prominent discoveries and developments of NASA are the Pioneer 10, Voyager 1 and 2, Hubble Telescope, Space Shuttle Program, Apollo 13, Mars Pathfinder, and Moon Landing. These benchmarks have proved that the funding provided to the agency was fully utilized for productive purposes. These days there is a contention about whether NASA would be able to carry out on its latest Constellation Program that aims at retiring the space shuttle this year, replacing it Orion (capsule- based vehicles), and luner landers and Space Launch System, etc. But all these prospects rest on the simple debate that whether the amount being spent in this area is really worth it, especially when American debt is making life tougher for the Finance Ministry day in and day out. THE DARK SIDE OF NASA OPERATIONS: It is a known fact that most of NASA’s projects face huge research flaws and take a lot of effort and financial input to rectify those flaws. For example, the Space Launch system that is currently being worked on has billion dollars and still, there are massive security and sustainability issues popping up that place doubts in the minds of the government as to whether the mission would remain viable or not. Another major loss incurred by NASA was the loss of the Mars Climate Orbiter in 1999 in which $327.6 million was invested for the orbiter and Lander and $193.1 million was invested for spacecraft development. Also, $91.7 mi llion and $42.8 million were incurred in launching the mission and operating the activities respectively. This shows that the NASA operations and research efforts, no matter how object oriented they are, always carry huge risks that could not be averted at any cost. This, however, can only be considered an overgeneralization because the success rate of some of NASA’s operations is very high. For example, NASA’s launch service program enjoys 98% success rate that is unparalleled. Similarly, the ULA, United Launch Alliance, has made 50 Delta II launches with 100% success rate completing a wide array of exceptionally imperative science missions. Also with the long list of accomplishments like those mentioned above,

Actors and Acting Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Actors and Acting - Research Paper Example Antony Sher is another known impersonator. Similarly, Nancy, Bill Sykes and Fagin are also famous impersonators and played in the Dickens’ novel ‘Oliver’. 2. PERSONALITY: Personality actors are the actors who play themselves in different parts again and again. John Wayne, Jack Nicholson and Tom Cruise are famous personality characters. Tony Danza is also a personality actor and played in different parts in ‘on Taxi’ and ‘Who’s the Boss’. The personality actor must naturally have strong personalities and coinciding with the roles in which he is acting. Some actors, such as Jack Nicholson, possess such a personality that one can even know the meaning of his non-verbal cues by mere movement of his position or lift of an eye-brow. 3. STARS: Mark Harris, in his article, says that star is a person who can draw and actuate the audience to see a movie where there is no convincing reason to watch it. An ideal example of a star is Arnold Schwarzenegger. His films are very much liked by the audiences and the public is itself drawn to see the movie. The star is deemed to possess a charismatic personality and influences the audience. The stars are very popular off-screen also. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are also famous stars of this age. 4. WILD CARDS: Wild cards are the category of actors who can perform several different roles, all equally well and therefore, cannot be regarded as a one specific type of actors. Philip Hoffman is a known name in wild card. However, he is also considered as impersonator. Helen Mirren is another impersonator who is also considered wild card. Meryl Streep is also a famous wild card. The wild cards usually interpret roles. They often bring themselves in different personalities. The crux and art of acting lies in it as to behave in a number of distinctive roles is not an easy task. 5. CHARACTERS: Here are

The Argentinian Tango Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Argentinian Tango - Research Paper Example This paper focuses on the Argentinean tango (Groppa, 2004). Tango has transformed and influenced Argentinean cultural landscape since it is one of the Argentina cultural identification pillar. Being a nation constituted by immigrants, cultural identification is hard to come by, thus Tango forms their cultural pillar (Gannon, 2004). The Tango emerged from a passionate emotion of Italian and Spanish immigrants, who were hard working. On this basis, the hard working culture of Argentineans is made known to the world because of a musical genre. Initially, the Argentinean elites were reluctant to embrace the Tango due to its association with the middle class and disadvantaged citizen. However, the unique and powerful expressiveness of Tango overcame the barrier and it became more than just a music genre (Gannon, 2004). The music surfaced an Argentina’s cultural traits of devotion and loyalty associated with courage and pride. These are culture traits associated with every Argentinean. Tango reflects Argentinean culture as a nation full of energetic, communal and fun loving people. Despite the turmoil of economic strain, Tango still unit the people through the cultural trait of devotion and loyalty (Gannon, 2004). The development of working class group in Argentina is associated with Tango. Despite the restrictions put by the military, during the golden age of Tango, the cultural inspiration associated with the dance soldiered on (Gannon, 2004). It is documented that the military were afraid of Tango and knew it can be used as revolution channel. The predominant cultures of Argentineans such as seeking stability, uncertainty avoidance, risk taking and risk avoidance can be linked to tango cultural traits (Gannon, 2004). It has been a driving force for justice and the utmost admiration for the fragile balance that sustains community in check. The struggle for unity and just system in Argentina is

Thursday, October 17, 2019

JetBlue Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

JetBlue - Case Study Example The interest payments would not show on the balance sheet while the increased assets would, making JetBlue look like a viable investment opportunity. Thus a decision needs to be made on the mode of financing that will lend strength to JetBlue's capital structure. However before analyzing the options of financing and recommending the most suitable alternative, it is imperative hat the current situation of the company be analyzed so that the structure can be evaluated for the option most suitable to it. To evaluate the current financial position based on the published data, the company will be evalaluated based on its profitability, its financial strength, the adequacy of its cash flows and its leverage and relationship between the fixed and variable costs of operating the airline. On the basis of profitability, assuming that salaries and related costs along with fuel are variable costs, JetBlue's contribution margin ratio indicates that the contribution of revenue to variable costs was 52% in 2000, 61% in 2001, and 62% in 2002 and by 64% in the first half of 2003. However, a more detailed look at the profitability indicates that the operating margin, which considers the contribution of revenue to total operating costs, is much lower. In fact, operating costs were higher than revenue in 2000. But this is because the revenue earnings of the airline were much lower in 2000, than in consequent years. The shortfall in revenue and its failure to cover operating costs can be attributed to the fact that the airline had just started and customers, wary of trying out a new airline might have preferred travelling on the older airlines. Moreover the airline might not have had the proper connections and incentives in place for travel agents, which it covered for in later periods, leading to an increase in sales revenues. Comparing operating and contribution margin, an analysis of the two indicates that fixed costs account for a large portion of the airlines costs. The operating margins for the years 2000, 2001, 2002 and half year ended June 2003 were -20%, 8%, 17% and 18% respectively, indicating that fixed costs pulled down the profit amounts. The graph below illustrates the Net Profit Margin, before and after taxes and shows the impact that tax has on the net profit margin. As it can be observed, taxes pull down the net profit margin in periods where there is revenue growth but in periods where there is a loss the tax waivers do not further the losses. However the taxes when carried forward in the next year increase the difference in before and after tax margins, the consequent year remedies this. Upon further scrutiny we can observe that the return on assets (ROA) for JetBlue has been positive from 2001 onwards, with a -6% return in the starting year. For the rest of the periods return on assets was 6%, 7% and 3% (till June 2003). The returns on investment (ROI) were much higher than the returns on assets, being 24%, 23% and 10% in 2001, 2002 and half year ended June 2003 while negative returns were posted in the initial year of

The Rebirth of a Fallen Man Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Rebirth of a Fallen Man - Essay Example The narrator undergoes externally and internally significant changes because he drugs, cares about other people, and desires to live a common lifestyle in the end of the collection (Johnson, â€Å"Jesus’ Son: Stories†). The narrator experiences positive external and physical changes as he recuperates from drug addiction. Because of drugs and alcohol, the health condition of the narrator becomes worse and worse. Before the car crash happens, the narrator cannot even stand up because a college man gives him drugs. He loses his consciousness and passes out in the grass off the exit ramp. His exhausted and weak body compels him to feel the world negatively, owing to his emotional behavior. Once, he said, â€Å"I hadn’t been anywhere near it in over a year, but I was just getting sicker. When I coughed I saw fireflies†. The aforementioned statement can be attributed with the context that the over the years, the narrator had been growing sicker, resulting in the development of chronic cough. Drug overdose during talking medications places him in a severe condition, and he is almost dead. However, things are changing...

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

JetBlue Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

JetBlue - Case Study Example The interest payments would not show on the balance sheet while the increased assets would, making JetBlue look like a viable investment opportunity. Thus a decision needs to be made on the mode of financing that will lend strength to JetBlue's capital structure. However before analyzing the options of financing and recommending the most suitable alternative, it is imperative hat the current situation of the company be analyzed so that the structure can be evaluated for the option most suitable to it. To evaluate the current financial position based on the published data, the company will be evalaluated based on its profitability, its financial strength, the adequacy of its cash flows and its leverage and relationship between the fixed and variable costs of operating the airline. On the basis of profitability, assuming that salaries and related costs along with fuel are variable costs, JetBlue's contribution margin ratio indicates that the contribution of revenue to variable costs was 52% in 2000, 61% in 2001, and 62% in 2002 and by 64% in the first half of 2003. However, a more detailed look at the profitability indicates that the operating margin, which considers the contribution of revenue to total operating costs, is much lower. In fact, operating costs were higher than revenue in 2000. But this is because the revenue earnings of the airline were much lower in 2000, than in consequent years. The shortfall in revenue and its failure to cover operating costs can be attributed to the fact that the airline had just started and customers, wary of trying out a new airline might have preferred travelling on the older airlines. Moreover the airline might not have had the proper connections and incentives in place for travel agents, which it covered for in later periods, leading to an increase in sales revenues. Comparing operating and contribution margin, an analysis of the two indicates that fixed costs account for a large portion of the airlines costs. The operating margins for the years 2000, 2001, 2002 and half year ended June 2003 were -20%, 8%, 17% and 18% respectively, indicating that fixed costs pulled down the profit amounts. The graph below illustrates the Net Profit Margin, before and after taxes and shows the impact that tax has on the net profit margin. As it can be observed, taxes pull down the net profit margin in periods where there is revenue growth but in periods where there is a loss the tax waivers do not further the losses. However the taxes when carried forward in the next year increase the difference in before and after tax margins, the consequent year remedies this. Upon further scrutiny we can observe that the return on assets (ROA) for JetBlue has been positive from 2001 onwards, with a -6% return in the starting year. For the rest of the periods return on assets was 6%, 7% and 3% (till June 2003). The returns on investment (ROI) were much higher than the returns on assets, being 24%, 23% and 10% in 2001, 2002 and half year ended June 2003 while negative returns were posted in the initial year of

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Microsoft PowerPoint Essay Example for Free

Microsoft PowerPoint Essay The place below describes the hardware and software that I will use to have my project done: 1. A monitor is an important output hardware, a monitor screen consists of very tiny dots called pixels, these pixels are divided into three colours (Red, Green, and Blue). When a specific amount of electricity goes through these pixels, they change colours; these colours are shown on screen as images, writings, programs, windows, etc. 2. I will use a scanner to transfer real images into the computer. A scanner works when rays of light are reflected from the paper to a small camera that is sensitive to colours, and transmits all the colours in a data format to the computer. 3. A keyboard is the second most useful item, when you press a key; the keyboard gives a coded number (such as o11ooo11). The CPU receives that number and changes it into a letter (01100011=a), and I will use it to include writings into my database assignment. 4. The most useful hardware I will use is the mouse, it is very useful and simple to use. A mouse cursor moves when you move a mouse, the ball in the mouse moves which controls a laser beam that flashes into a device similar to an LDR (Light Dependant Resistor) to give orders of moving the mouse, and it will be used to control my cursor and build up my database. 5. A Hard disk stores information when data are travelled through cables in the CPU. A Hard Disk consists of several surfaces, which are divided into tracks magnetically sensitive. The read/ write head writes on these tracks magnetically. So, you can obtain data from Disk whenever you want. 6. A floppy disk is a good way of back-upping my files in case of loss or damage. It works in a way similar to the Hard Disk, the read/ write head writes and reads to/from a floppy disks tracks. 7. I will use Microsoft Word for accomplishing my work and text writings will be mixed with images, and Microsoft PowerPoint for the poster because it has a lot of good tools, such as drawing, background effects, etc. 8. I can use Microsoft Word for my poster but I preferred Power Point because its a lot easier and more powerful. 9. I will use the command insert, picture, from file, to transfer the Outlook logo to my project, as well as I used font size 14 and 16,some are bold and normal with abit underlining. In addition, I used the Times New Roman writing style because its very clear. 10. I used a laser jet printer because it prints out better than any normal printer, but I was only able to print black and white. 11. I used the tabs to separate writings in a clear way, e. g. Leaflet. I think I will approach my target/task if I simplified my work, for instance, if I want to create an easy and good poster, I will use Microsoft PowerPoint. A good way of brighten up my work is to add borders. Borders may be added by clicking on format, then borders and shadings and then selecting your border. A good way of mixing text writings and images is to use Microsoft Word. You can mix include the image in the paragraph by right clicking on the image, select text wrapping and choose through. Ideas: 1. Add colours to the poster so most people will notice it. 2. You may add borders to the leaflet. 3. Images would be great if they are mixed with text writings in a good way. Headed letter should include the logo of the company and information to contact them. Steps of Making: Headed Letter: Begin with a new word document and name it (e. g. Letter). Add the logo of the company by copying the image and paste it on your document, upper right-hand side is always the best. It is always good to type information about the company and how to contact them under the logo. Now write your letter and begin with Dear Sir/Madam. In the end of your letter you may want add the word Yours Sincerely or Your Faithful, and put your signature under your name. Leaflet: Begin with a new word document and name it (e. g. leaflet). Add a border to your leaflet by clicking on format, borders and shadings and selecting the border you want. Begin with the name of company; you may add the logo of your company above or under the name. If your doing a leaflet about a restaurant menu, you may add the name of item (e. g. French Fries) and type the price next to it (e. g. $12), or to make it even better it is preferable to add the size (e. g. S $3, M$7, L$12). Begin by launching Microsoft PowerPoint, and opening a new presentation. Choose the text layout title slide. Type the name of company or the offer in the title bar. Add information under the title. You may want to include Telephone number and address of company. Copy and paste images to your poster to brighten your work. Design: PC Design Poster Headed Letter Leaflet Flow Charts Poster Headed letter Leaflet Implement: Finally I finished my poster, headed letter and the leaflet, and then printed them out. I think my work will be used mainly in restaurants. My poster can be used to advertise special offers, my leaflet to view restaurant menu, and headed letter to be used in the restaurants office. I produced my work and took it to gather some information from some friends, Riasat Afzal said that my work could be better if I printed it in colours and made the poster a little bigger. Tanveer said that my leaflets currency should be in pounds (or euros these days), in addition to that, your headed letter should be formal and it will be better if it contained more than 50 words.

Monday, October 14, 2019

Threat Analysis and Risk assessment

Threat Analysis and Risk assessment Case articulation Staysure.co.uk Ltd specialises in insurance and financial services in the UK and Europe. It was formed in 2004 to provide travel insurance and expanded further to provide home, motor, health and life insurance along with some insurance products. In October 2013 Staysure.co.uk faced a security breach wherein over 100,00 live credit card details along with other personal details of the customers were compromised. This security breach affected 7% of the customers who had purchased insurance from Staysure before May 2012. Before May 2012 the firm stored the card numbers of the customers along with the CVV numbers and other personal details like customer name and addresses. The card details were encrypted but the CVV numbers were fed as plain text into the database even though the card security details should not have been stored at all according to the industry rules. The chief executive of the company said that these details were stored in the system to help customers in their renewal process. After May 2012 the company ceased storing these details. The server on which the website server was based had a software vulnerability and even though a software patch was published in 2010 and 2013 the data controller failed to update software both the times due to lack of formal process to review and apply software updates. The failure to update the database software and the security flaws in the IT security system made the company very vulnerable to a cyber-attack. The security flaws in the companys JBoss Application web server were exploited between 14th and 28th October 2013. The attacker used the vulnerability in the application server to inject a malicious JavaScript code called JSPSpy on the firms website. JSPSpy enabled the attackers to remotely view and modify the source code of the website and query the database containing the details of the customers. It also let the attackers open a command shell allowing them to remotely execute privileged operating system commands. The attackers specifically targeted and downloaded the payment card details. Even though the card numbers were encrypted the attackers were able to identify the keys used in the encryption and hence could decrypt the card numbers. At the time of the attack the database contained a total of 110,096 live card details, which were at a risk of being accessed and used in fraudulent transactions. The firm became aware of the attack on 14th November 2013 and immediately hired in dependent forensic data experts and wrote to 93,389 affected customers, to make them aware of the attack. The company also offered the affected customers free access to Data Patrol, which is an identity fraud monitoring service. After the attack Staysure was fined with an amount of  £175,00 by the   ICO since the company did not comply to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) , which is a standard administered by PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) to increase payment card security and decrease the transaction frauds over the internet. References: http://www.itgovernance.co.uk/blog/staysure-fails-to-comply-with-the-pci-dss-and-is-fined-175000-by-the-ico/ http://www.insurancetimes.co.uk/broker-fined-175000-by-information-watchdog-after-cyber-criminals-raid-customer-records/1411917.article http://securityaffairs.co/wordpress/21002/cyber-crime/staysure-hacked.html https://ico.org.uk/about-the-ico/news-and-events/news-and-blogs/2015/02/ico-fines-insurance-firm-after-hacked-card-details-used-for-fraud/ http://www.insuranceage.co.uk/insurance-age/news/2396976/staysure-fined-gbp175k-for-it-security-failings http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2321017/staysure-travel-insurer-admits-to-credit-card-theft http://trainsure.com/news-posts/insurance-times-reports-another-cyber-attack/ http://www.moneywise.co.uk/news/2014-01-06/staysure-insurance-customer-data-stolen-hackers http://www.computerworlduk.com/it-vendors/travel-insurer-reveals-almost-100000-customer-details-in-cyber-attack-3495625/ Threat Analysis and Risk assessment The purpose of threat analysis and risk assessment is to maximize the protection of the three main pillars of security namely confidentiality, Integrity and Accessibility while still providing usability and functionality. A Risk to any organization or an individual is an interactive relationship of threat, asset and vulnerability. The various levels of risk can be represented as the product of the impact and probability (likelihood). Quantitative Measure Qualitattive Measure Description 5 High A high level risk can occur frequently and can have a drastic effect on the organization. Sever measures will be needed in order to mitigate a high level risk. 4 Medium High A medium high risk can occur/recur with high probability but might not persist. If it occurs the organization can have a significant or sever effect. 3 Medium A medium level risk is likely to occur   under many circumstances and if a medium level attack occurs it can have moderate to severe effects on the organization. 2 Low Medium A low medium risk can be considered when the organization will have a minor or moderate impact as a result of an attack. A low medium risk can occur occasionally or might not occur at all and can be mitigated easily. 1 Low The risk is considered to be low when the likelihood of an attack on an entity is low and the impact of the attack on the entity is negligible or minor. Low risks will never or rarely happen and can be mitigated easily. Table 1: Risk Rating Scale Figure1. Figure 1 shows a risk matrix which represents the various levels of risk. A vulnerability is a weakness in the system that can be exploited by an attacker or can be unintentionally triggered by a person within the organization. The likelihood is the possibility that any vulnerability will be taken advantage of or the vulnerability will be triggered by someone unintentionally. The likelihood is related to attackers intent, attackers ability and attackers target. If a certain vulnerability is exploited the impact on an organization can be expressed in terms like Negligible, Minor, Moderate, Significant, Severe. The table below shows a risk assessment architecture for Staysure.co.uk. The Firm had several security flaws in the system, which the attackers exploited to gain access to customer information. Asset Threat Vulnerability Threat Actor Threat vector Consequences Likeli hood Impact Risk Customer Personal details Can be assessed and manipulated The database had no security procedure in place hence the data was highly accessible. Hackers or a person within the organization (insider). Gaining access to the database by getting access to the webserver or SQL injections. Personal   details of the employees like name, address, phone can be accessed and used or even modified. Possible (3/5) Significant (4/5) Medium High Company website Source code of the website can be modified and malicious code can be injected and made to run on the browser (Cross site scripting). Cross site scripting can be performed on the website if security measures are not taken care of while developing the website. Hackers or an insider. Web pages Malicious code can be injected into the web pages thus allowing access to the web server and the database. Very Likely (5/5) Severe   Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚   (5/5) High Data controllers system No intrusion detection system. A system with no proper security measures can be easily penetrated. Hackers or an insider trying to get unauthorized access. Backdoor created in the web server. Getting access to the data controllers system enables the threat actor to execute Privileged operating system commands Very likely (5/5) Severe (5/5) High Financial card details Storing financial data incorrectly. Unencrypted card details stored in the database Hackers or an insider trying to get unauthorized access. Web site source code can be used to query the database Card details can be used to make fraudulent transaction and cloning. Very likely (5/5) Severe (5/5) High Encryption key Encryption algorithms   can be used to calculate the encryption key Simple encryption algorithm used to form an encryption key. Hackers or an insider. Reverse engineering. If the encryption key is compromised all the encrypted data can be decrypted. Possible (3/5) Severe (5/5) Medium High CVV number Storing CVV numbers in the database is a high risk. CVV numbers if not encrypted can be easily read if the attacker gets access to the database. Hackers or an insider. Web site source code can be used to query the database for CVV numbers. CVV numbers can be used to prove authentication while doing online transactions. Very likely (5/5) Severe (5/5) High JBoss Application Server Unpatched and out of date softwares and no intrusion detection system Scripts can be uploaded to the server which when executed gives remote administration access to the server. Hackers or an unauthorised insider. Backdoors created on the server via malicious script. Once administration access is acquired on the server various admin activities can be initiated and the hosted web servers can be accessed. Likely (4/5) Severe (5/5) High Database Database injections and unmanaged data The data in the database can highly vulnerable to SQL injections and can be highly inconsistent. Hackers SQL injections Data can be erased and stolen from the database and used in a fraudulent manner. Likely (4/5) Severe (5/5) High https://www.towergateinsurance.co.uk/liability-insurance/smes-and-cyber-attacks remove later http://resources.infosecinstitute.com/how-to-prevent-cross-site-scripting-attacks/ remove later Security Architecture Figure: 2 Figure 2 shows security architecture for Staysure during the time of the attack Security Recommendations Staysure.co.uk had no security policies in place which can be sited as the base for the cyber-attack. Being an insurance company and holding personal records of millions of customers the company should have had security procedures in place. It is important that the employees of a company are trained and made aware of the importance of information data security. The fact that the attackers took advantage of the software vulnerability in the JBoss application server even though there were patches available to fix the vulnerabilities shows the ignorance of the data controller towards information security. Table 2 lists security recommendations which would have prevented the attack. Security Recommendations Descriptions Security policies Security policies is an integral part of any organization. Staysure being an insurance company and handling millions of customer records should have had strict company security policies which could have prevented the attack. Security training and awareness The employees of Staysure were clearly not aware of the importance of data security and management. The employees should have been provided good data security and data management training and made aware of information security. Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) add appendix When an organization handles personal records of customers it is necessary that the organization follows certain industry standards for data storage. According to PCI DSS the CVV numbers should not have been stored in the database. If the standards were followed the attack would not have a major impact. Data storage and data security Data storage has both physical and logical security aspects.   The logical aspect being data authorization, authentication and encryption. The physical aspects include the place in which the servers are placed, it should be safe from heat-waves, power fluctuations and other physical elements. In case of Staysure the payment card details and the CVV numbers should have been encrypted with a strong encryption algorithm from the very beginning and the database server should have had an intrusion detection and prevention system which would have prevented access to the database. Patch management Unpatched systems and softwares pose a big threat to an organization. The most efficient way to shield from attacks is to have patch management procedure to make sure that all the systems and softwares are patched on regular basis. If Staysure had patched the vulnerabilities in the Jboss application server and software, the attackers would not have been able to exploit the vulnerability. DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) The servers that are faced towards the public should be kept in the DMZ, so that they can be separated from the private network. If a malicious party gains access to the server, he will be isolated in the DMZ and will not be able to attack the private network. If Staysure had a DMZ the attackers would not be able to access data on the private network. Encryption Encrypting any valuable information of customers is necessary in order to protect customer data from being accessible and using a strong encryption key is vital to serve the purpose of encryption. The data controller should have had made sure to encrypt the CVV and the card number and should have used a strong encryption key. IDS Staysure should have had Intrusion detection systems   so that the intrusion by the attacker could have been detected and would alert the authorities thus preventing high impact Firewalls Prevention of human errors http://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/SSTFWG_4.3.1/com.ibm.tivoli.itcm.doc/CMPMmst20.htm patch management policy. High level security diagram to prevent attacks

Sunday, October 13, 2019

Personal Strengths and Weaknesses Essay -- essays research papers

Personal Strengths and Weaknesses What are my personal strengths and weaknesses? When I think about this question, the first thing that comes to mind is a job interview. I, like most people, find this simple question to be the most stressful moment of any interview. I want to give an answer that is imaginative but does not give the interviewer a bad impression of myself. In this paper, I will describe my strengths and weaknesses as I would to a job interviewer. I will give specific examples of my strengths and place a positive spin on my weaknesses. When deciding which strengths you want describe to an interviewer, you should make a list, choose three to five of those strengths that match the job posting, and give specific examples of that strength (Martin, 2005). I can easily tell you that my greatest strengths are the core values that I was instilled with during my service with the United States Air Force. Integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all [I] do (USAF, 1997); these are my strengths that I bring to every job or task I do. Integrity first refers to a willingness to do what is right, even when no one is looking (USAF, 1997). Integrity also means optimizing your job tasks and assisting coworkers in optimizing their job tasks. For a manager, integrity is motivating your team so that they understand the importance of their job so that they are willing to do their jobs, even when you are not looking. Service before self refers to the fact that professional duties take precedence over personal desires (USAF, 1997). In the business setting, service before self means finishing tasks or jobs before you go home at the end of your shift and not leaving them for someone else to finish up. If it is Friday afternoon and I have been given a task, I will always finish my job then, even if it means starting my weekend late. Service before self also means that you should never call in to work just because you do not feel like coming in. I have never taken a personal day at any job I have ever worked. Excellence in all [I] do refers to the development of a sustained passion for continuous improvement and innovation (USAF, 1997). One example of this is my attending the University of Phoenix; I wish to improve my job skills and marketability. In the business setting, this also means that if there is ever a task that I did not complete to the stan... ...eople for the first time. Interpersonal skills, like any skills, will only improve with practice and feed back. One nice aspect of my current position is that it requires me to speak with new people on a daily basis to accomplish my job assignments. I also get a chance to practice my interpersonal skills while attending the University of Phoenix. With every new class I enter, I am required to deal with new people in different settings. In summary, assessing strengths and weaknesses during a job interview is something that no one should take lightly. By giving my interviewer a well thought-out response, I can let the interviewer know more about myself and help he or she see that I am the right fit for the job. By letting my interviewer know about my weaknesses, I let him or her know that I am not perfect but that I am continually working to improve myself (Martin, 2005). References Martin, L. (2005). What Are Your Greatest Strengths and Weaknesses? Retrieved on June 5, 2005, from http://interview.monster.com/articles/biggest/. United States Air Force. (1997). United States Air Force Core Values. Retrieved on June 5, 2005, from http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/cv-mastr.htm.

Saturday, October 12, 2019

Dr. Seuss The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins Essay -- Dr. Seuss The

Narrative Style and Structure of Dr. Seuss'The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins, told in folktale style, was written by Dr. Seuss in 1938. According to Charity Belle Mays, â€Å"Folktales deal with adventures both plausible and implausible wrapped in the forms of human or animal abilities. They are the simple tales that have truly evil people or animals, and truly good people or animals, and the good always wins out in the end in these stories, giving way to the child's version of fairness.† This story recounts young Bartholomew Cubbin’s misadventures while going to market in town. Bartholomew, a paragon of politeness and obedience, unwittingly finds trouble when he is unable to keep a hat off his head and offends King Derwin. The folktale begins with introductions to Bartholomew and King Derwin, the potential â€Å"hero† and â€Å"villain.† The first several pages emphasize the great contrasts between their lives; Bartholomew is poor and feels insignificant versus the King’s wealth and mighty self-image. With such opposite lifestyles, Seuss must create a...