Benefits Of Running As Exercise English Language Essay

Benefits Of Running As Exercise English Language Essay Your top should be a wicking fabric, not cotton. Cotton will trap moisture, get heavy, chafe more. A wicking material will draw the moisture away from your skin, making it easier to get rid of excess heat and also offering some protection from rain. Examples include Nike Dri-fit, Adidas Climalite, Mizuno Drylite you get the idea. A lot of races will give running tops to entrants, so you dont need to buy too many. You will warm up pretty quickly when youre running, so for most of the year a shortsleeved top is fine. For your lower half shorts or running tights Running shorts should be light and also made of wicking material. If its colder, you could wear some running tights or running trousers Everyday tracksuit bottoms will have the problem that theyre not made of the right material, so theyll get heavy and cling when theyre wet, and be too hot when its warm. Socks dont have to be anything special. The Aldi and Lidl running socks are very popular, though some people swear by more expensive brands. The key consideration is protection from blisters, so you need socks that will help get rid of moisture, and fit well. Speaking of blisters, they are caused by a combination of three things: heat, moisture, and friction. Cut out one of those and you wonà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢t get blisters. Heat is hard to eliminate completely, but make sure your shoes have some ventilation. Wicking socks will draw moisture away from your feet. Well-fitting shoes and socks will reduce friction. If you do get blisters, compeed plasters are the best treatment. Shoes Dont buy some runners because a friend wears them and says theyre good. There is no right pair of runners for everyone. The right pair for you depends on the shape of your foot your gait the amount of miles you intend to run in them your weight the conditions youll run in Go to a shop where you can get expert advice, not some random tracksuits-and-runners shop. Gait analysis is a useful tool, but the main thing is that the staff in the shop know what theyre talking about. Running in Winter Remember that you will generate heat from running, so you dont need to pile on too many layers. A long-sleeved top and running tights might be enough. You could add gloves, hats, and a jacket things that you can take off when youve warmed up. Reflective material is a priority in winter either bright clothes, or a reflective belt/jacket on top. If possible make sure that the reflectives are on the moving parts of your body, arms and legs. A headlamp is useful if youre not running in daylight, or under streetlamps. Getting started Not really equipment, but there are a few common mistakes people make when they start running they dash off on a run, get out of breath and shuffle home thinking they cant do it they train too much, get hurt, stop running they train too little, get out of the habit, stop running they settle on an easy routine, and never improve All of these problems have the same solution. Set yourself a target, and follow a proper training plan to get there. If you are just starting out, follow the couch25k running plan. This is a simple programme, that anyone can follow, works for any standard, and will get you to the point where you can run a 5k. Loads of people have followed it successfully. Its three sessions a week, no more than 30 minutes each session, which is enough to keep you improving but should be easy to fit into your life. (If you need to repeat a week, repeat a week. If youre having trouble completing the runs, slow down) Find a 5k a few months away, and make that your target. Having a target in mind will make it easier to stick with the programme. If youve run your first 5k and want to get faster, or run further, then set another target and follow a training plan. There are plans out there for every distance (the Hal Higdon ones are very beginner-friendly), and following a good plan will ensure you get the right mix of training and build consistently. Running further As you run longer distances, three issues will become more important hydration, nutrition, and chafing. Hydration If youre running for less than an hour, a drink of water before you start and more water when you finish is probably enough. If youre running for longer, you should plan to drink some water on your way around. Very roughly, a 500 mls bottle of water if youre running up to 2 hours, another if you run up to 3 hours. But this will depend on how fit you are, how fast youre running, how hot the day is, and your general condition. You should be well-hydrated before your run (straw-coloured urine), drink when youre thirsty on your run, and drink when you get back. If you weigh yourself immediately before and after your run, the weight loss you see is down to loss of water that will give you an idea of how much you should be drinking. In a race (over 5 miles distance), there should be water stations every 3 miles. On a training run, your options are to bring water with you (in a camelbak or waist pack), bring money with you and stop into a shop on the way, or go out beforehand and stash water along the route. Nutrition You will also have to think more about nutrition for longer runs. You have to make sure you have energy to run the best source is slow-release carbohydrates, such as porridge. But you dont want to run too soon after eating, because the food will sit uncomfortably in your stomach. Most people prefer not to run for an hour after eating something substantial, but everyone is different. Over longer distances, many people use energy gels. These are carbohydrate rich, and fairly easy to digest while running. There are a lot of different brands and flavours, but two basic types the standard gels, that should be washed down with water, and isogels, that can be taken on their own. Everyone has their own preferences, so try a few different types. And try them in a training run before using them in a race. Finally, remember that you put in is going to come out again, one way or another, so plan ahead. You dont want to have to make a pit-stop halfway through your run. Know what schedule your body is on, and what food your stomach will react to. Chafing As you run longer distances, youll notice you start to get sore in different places where theres a seam in your clothes, and around the nips (for men) Use Bodyglide (or vaseline, but its bad for your clothes?) around the affected areas. Use plasters, micropore tape, or nipguards to prevent the dreading bleeding nipples. Timing The cheapest option is to use a stopwatch to time your run, and use mapmyrun (or a similar site) to measure the distance. Next cheapest is a watch linked to a pedometer (the Nike + for example) The pedometer isnt great for accuracy basically you calibrate it by running a known distance, it says okay, that km took X steps and from then on calculates distance run by counting steps and comparing to X. Which is fine, as long as your stride length doesnt change. If you recalibrate regularly, it should be within 5-10% of your actual distance. When you upload your run it will tell you (roughly) how fast you were going at different stages. A GPS watch (such as a Garmin) uses a satellite signal to calculate your position and your position a second later and another second later and so on. It uses this data to calculate how far youve travelled, and how fast (and will usually have a range of other features such as programmed workouts, heart rate monitors, etc). They usually cost at least 150 quid. If you have an iPhone, there are several apps you can use to track your time and distance, such as Runmeter.

Analysis of Singapore Airlines Limited

Analysis of Singapore Airlines Limited Air travel remains a large and rapidly growing industry. It promotes the world trade, enhances economic growth, international investment, tourism and this perhaps makes it key to the globalisation process in other industries. The airline industry has been weighed down by numerous macro-level socio-economic factors which include rise in oil price, the Tsunami case, increase in terrorism, SARS epidemic and these have been of negative influence to the profit level of the industry (Journal of Air Transport management, 2010). Singapore Airline Limited which is the worlds second biggest airline by market capitalization with its headquarters in Singapore was formed in 1947 by British interests as the Malayan Airways but became SIA in 1972 after it split from the Malaysian airline. The company along with its subsidiaries is engaged in airlines operations, airport terminal services, engineering services and other related activities with more than 30,088 employees as at March 31, 2010. The group operates in East Asia, south west pacific, Europe, the Americas, west Asia and Africa, with 66 destinations in 36 countries on 726 weekly flights with about 106 fleets (DATAMONITOR, 2010). The group which is owned by the Singapore Government through its parent company Temasek Group owns 54.5% of the company shares. The group recorded revenues of S$12,707.3 million during the financial year ended, as on march 31, 2010 with a 20.56% decrease from the previous year. Its operating profit was S$63.2 million during the 2010 fiscal year ended which was represents a 93.0% change from the previous year also. Profit attributable to equity share holders of the company was at S$216 million with a 79.7% decrease from the 2009 financial year ended.(Singapore airlines, 2010). The decrease was as a result of low demand for airline and cargo operations as a result of the economic crisis. The primary objective of this report is to analyse the airline industry, its major market players, and alliances, examine the key driving forces of change and assess the present state of the sector in relation with Singapore airline limited. Finally this report will also concentrate on the analysis of Singapore airline limited financial statements and compare its records with one of its main competitors. 1. BACKGROUND TO THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY The airline industry had total revenue of $1380.5 in 2009 which represents an annual growth rate of 2.5% between 2005 and 2009. The airline industry volume also increased its growth between 2005 and 2009 by 2.56% to get a total of $2,002.9 million passengers in 2009(DATAMONITOR, online). The global airline industry reduced in 2009 due to the global recession but from forecasts it will develop strong growth by 5% before 2014(DATAMONITOR, online). Some of the major passenger airlines include Cathay pacific, the emirates, U.S airways, Japan airlines; air France-Klm and south west airlines e.t.c. Cathay pacific won the 2009 airline of the year title in the famous world awards replacing Singapore airlines. 1.1 AIRLINE INDUSTRY MERGERS AND ALLIANCES Deresky (2006), defined strategic alliances as partnership between two or more firms that decide they can better pursue their mutual goals by combining their resources as well as their existing distinctive competitive advantages. Airline industry mergers are formed in response to the dynamic economic conditions of the aviation industry and determine cooperate aims of competitive ratios (ECONOMIC WATCH, online). This involves leasing of airplanes and purchasing airplanes as well. For instance the case of Air France takeover of Klm in 2004 by acquiring 89% of its shares has enhanced the number of flights and offers various flight options to select from. In addition to mergers, airlines are forming alliances with one another in order to achieve network size economies through code sharing as well as scale economies in the purchase of fuel and aircraft, combining forces to make purchases serves to increase the industry players bargaining power and therefore reduce supplier power. There are 3 major passenger alliances in the airline industry which are SKY TEAM founded in 2000, ONE WORLD founded in 1999 and STAR ALLIANCE founded in 1997 with 27 members and a market share of 29.3% of whom Singapore airlines joined the group in 2000 in order to broaden its flights network and to increase its competitive advantage. Thus, this has increased SIAs global presence through code sharing as their star alliance network covers 1,160 destinations in 181 countries. 2. DRIVING FORCES FOR CHANGE/ LIMITATION Key driving forces for change within an industry are external factors which cause change to the system of interest to stakeholders in that they are considered to be beyond the control of these stakeholders. Driving forces can include changes in social, technological, environmental, economic and political factors. An examination of the factors influencing an industry is a general way to begin the industry analysis and such a study is used to develop the competitive advantage of the organization to enable it defeat its rivals. (lynch, 2006:93). This is always done by the porters five forces framework analysis. The external environment has an enormous impact on the airline industry. There has been unstable time for the airline industry. It has been confronted with a market decline in international tourism in the aftermath of September 2011 terrorist attack in the united states and more recently traffic loss attributable to the war in Iraq and several terrorist activities. 2.1 Porters 5 Forces frame work on Airline industry Threat of New Entrants. Youll need to look at whether there are substantial costs to access bank loans and credit. If borrowing is cheap, then the likelihood of more airliners entering the industry is higher. The more new airlines that enter the market, the more saturated it becomes for everyone. Brand name recognition and frequent fliers point also play a role in the airline industry. An airline with a strong brand name and incentives can often lure a customer even if its prices are higher. Distribution is not easy for new entrants as there is need for establishment of online booking system, and relationships with the sales intermediaries. Power of Suppliers. The airline supply business is mainly dominated by Boeing and Airbus which has high power. Supplier power in this industry is so much that airlines have to go into contract with the suppliers of the aircraft. Constant increase in oil price also tends to boost the supplier power of the industry. In 2010 year ended, Singapore airlines reported that 33% of its cost was fuel (DATAMONITOR 2010). Another factor that boosts the supplier power has to do with the maintenance of the aircraft as a result of cost of funding staffs, mechanics for routine check on aircraft. Power of Buyers. The bargaining power of buyers in the airline industry is on the high side. There are over a hundred of airlines companies which operate in the Asian region and as a result of this, there are numerous choices for the individual to choose from and at most times would go for the low carriers. Availability of Substitutes. For regional airlines, the threat might be a little higher than international carriers. When determining this you should consider time, money, personal preference and convenience in the air travel industry. Competitive Rivalry. Highly competitive industries generally earn low returns because the cost of competition is high. This can spell disaster when times get tough in the economy. 3. SINGAPORE AIRLINES STRATEGIC POSITION. As Porter (1986, cited in Philips and Fox, 2003) stressed that, Competing internationally is a necessity rather than a matter of discretion for many firms, this states that the success of almost every international company will depend on how effectively they can compete on an international scale. This section aims to identify the current strategic posture used by Singapore airlines limited successfully, within the era of globalisation. In the airline environment, Singapore airline has always outperformed its competitors. It has never posted a loss on annual basis, has achieved substantial and superior returns compared to its industry and has received hundreds of achievements awards for its service quality. This success has been achieved by the company through the dual process of differentiation through service excellence and innovation coupled with cost leadership among its peers. Singapore airline has achieved sustainable competitive advantage and has consistently out performed its competitors through out its three and half decade history. The key success to this may be said to be the fact that it manages to navigate through two poles which most companies think are distinct. At cooperate level, Singapore airlines works with diversification. The airline group has 36 direct subsidiaries and associated companies which includes Singapore airline terminal, Singapore engineering company and Singapore airlines cargo.(Singapore airlines,2008). Its airline subsidiaries which include 100% ownership of Silk air, 49% of Tiger airways and 49% of Virgin Atlantic is said to cover the customer areas within the industry in terms of domestic and international distance. As part of its international strategy, SIA in 2000 joined the star alliance which has been noted earlier in the report. Strategies of differentiation and cost leadership have necessitated different and incompatible investments and organizational models. A strategy of differentiation implies high quality offering and significant investment in innovation, staff development and branding which results to high cost. SIA achieves these but with a low cost. The table below outlines many of elements in relation to the dual strategy of integrating elements of differentiation and cost leadership in SIA. Table 1 Elements of differentiation and cost leadership strategies at SIA Differentiation Positioning of service excellence and superior quality, brad equity(marketing strategy) Developing the Singapore girl( hr development policies) In-flight experience(young fleet, entertainment system, gourmet cuisine-operations strategy) Cultural values and practice of constant innovation and learning. Changi airport one of the worlds best(related infrastructure) Premium pricing in Singapore and in business/first class and higher load factor as differentiation indicators. Cost Leadership Young fleet (fuel efficiency, lower maintenance costs, effective fuel hedging, paying cash for planes. Labour costs compared to major competitors (16.6% vs. 30%); continuous drive for productivity, cost reduction programmes. Related diversification through efficient subsidiaries that contribute to bottom line. Cultural values; cost consciousness, obsession with reducing wastage. Innovations not only to increase differentiation but also efficiency. Changi airport as one of the most efficient(related infrastructure) L.heracleous, J.Witz. Journal of air transport management (2009) Singapore Airlines Ltd maintained its leading position in air through stellar marketing campaigns, cutting capacity while increasing passenger load and by constantly innovating in offering the latest technology for its new products and services in-flight 4. SINGAPORE AIRLINES FINANCIAL ANALYSIS IN THE LAST 5 YEARS. Singapore airline over the past 5 years has experienced growth until the 2008 economic crisis which decreased its revenue growth by 20.56%. In terms of return on assets, the airline company experienced a downturn last year. Despite this they still show a decent ability to generate profit from each asset controlled. The 2010 ROA figure which is 1.13 is lower due to the previous years economic crisis. This is also the case of ROIC which stood at 1.71 at the end of the FY 2010(Thomson one banker), showing that the allocation of resources and investments has justified Singapore airlines. From the view point of last five years; the company has experienced growth. From the gross profit margin point-of-view the company has experienced a slight increase to 14.75 over last years 12.83. 4.1 QUICK AND CURRENT RATIO OF SIA OVER THE PAST 5 YEARS SIA over the past 5 years has made an increase in its acid ration other than in 2009 when it dropped due to the global economic crisis. in the year ended march 2010, they were able to operate a ration of 1:33 which makes it able to meet current obligations using liquid assets. on the other hand, the current ratio of 1.45 as at march 2010, is acceptable. From the financial analysis it is clear to see that even though the Singapore airlines enjoyed constant growth almost in every aspect in the analysis, the year 2009 was very difficult as earlier noted due to the financial crisis but records from the FY ended march 2010 shows its on the recovery. 4.2 COMPARISON OF SIA FINANCIALS TO CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS Following the financial analysis of Singapore airlines highlighted above, a brief comparison of its finances with Cathay pacific Airways with regards to Sales, Return on Assets and Return on invested capital. SIA recorded a net sale increase of 0.15% in 2009 and 20.56% decline in 2010 where as Cathay Pacific Airways recorded a net sales decline of 22.63% in 2009 financial year. On Returns on Invested Capital, SIA recorded a 1.71% growth rate in 2010 over the 6.69% growth rate in 2009 whereas Cathay Pacific recorded 7.31% growth on Return on Invested Capital. (Thomson One Banker, 2010). This record perhaps shows the effect of SIAs business strategy and its effects on competitive advantage in the airline industry. 5 SINGAPORE AIRLINES AND ITS SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY This is concerned with company ethics and social responsibility. Singapore airlines took many activities to maintain company ethics. For instance it is the first airline in the world to fly the new Airbus A380 which is preparing for the first commercial flight of the double Decker jumbo jet from Singapore to Sidney and return. It took place in October 2007 and in a first time move, all proceeds from the sale of tickets on the first flight was donated to charity organisations. Singapore Airlines Ltd considers environmental awareness to be very important, and in 2009 introduced initiatives to reduce 550, 000 tons of carbon emissions (Singapore Airlines,2010) The companys efforts included studies on the effectiveness of carbon offsets, the maintenance of a young and modern fleet of aircraft which was environmentally efficient and the establishment of a Fuel Conservation Committee that looked into fuel efficiency, waste management and water-saving devices. SIA also took delivery of 12 new aircraft which are quieter and boast substantially lower fuel burn per-seat-kilometre and lower carbon emissions. CONCLUSION In response to the adverse business conditions within airlines, SIA planned to reduce capacity by 11% to match demand, translating to suspensions of flights on a range of routes such as to Amritsar, and use of smaller aircraft on others. Secondly, it reduced fuel surcharges on short and medium-haul segments by around 5% to 21%, with highest reduction for short haul segments in economy class, which was the most active segment in the downturn. Thirdly, it negotiated a delay of delivery for eight A380 aircraft on firm order with Airbus. Fourthly, it drastically reduced airfares and engaged in various promotional activities. This has continually kept it in top priority among its peers in the airline industry and perhaps there has been a positive forecast of the companys growth in few years time.

The Power of Language in American Culture Essay -- Term Papers Researc

The Power of Language in American Culture Culture is a part of everyone's life, whether we choose to express it in our everyday lives or to just be aware of its presence. A major part of one's culture is a defining language. The topic of assimilation versus multiculturalism directly relates to culture in America, and even more specifically to the power of language in American culture. Since language is the basis of communication I think that all immigrants must assimilate to a certain degree by speaking English, while preserving their heritage if they choose to do so. Language is a very powerful thing. It is the way that people communicate with each other. For a foreigner living in America I think that this is essential. This is why I believe that if a foreigner only attempts to learn English, then they are already assimilating to American culture. Whether or not they choose to change their whole lifestyle into an American way of life, if they take on the English language then they are assimilating to a certain extent. Amy Tan is the author of the essay Mother Tongue. In this essay, she explains how the power of language has influenced her life through her mother and the experiences they have had together concerning her mother's English-speaking ability, or lack there of. She was born into a Chinese family where both Chinese and English were spoken. She is sensitive to and accepting of people's lingual differences. She talks about how the inability to speak English well in America gives others the wrong impression: "...everything is limited, including people's perceptions of the limited English speaker" (Tan 13). She is saying here that prolific English speakers place limitations on people who have limited English-speak... ...who you ask. It can mean many different things to many different people. I don't think that there is one right answer to the question: What is American culture? One thing for sure is that in order to truly be a part of a culture, you must be able to communicate with those around you. Therefore, I think it is essential that foreigners learn and speak English while preserving their heritage in America. The English language is a very powerful and useful tool. To those who enter this country, it can mean the difference between taken seriously or being taken for granted. Sources Cited Bray, Thomas. "Memorial Day and Multiculturalism." Detroit News 24 May 1998. 25 September 2005. . Tan, Amy. "Mother Tongue." Across Cultures. Eds. Sheena Gillespie and Robert Singleton. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1999. 26-31.

Edar Allan Poe Essay -- essays research papers

A Reflection of the Life and Works of Edgar Allan Poe  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Edgar Allan Poe is a name even the literary illiterate know, but not many people know Edgar Allan Poe the person. When reading the works of this poetic genius many might think that he had a vivid imagination or just a morbid soul. The truth is that the works of Poe are based on his own life, the life of an orphan who suffered from an obsessive compulsive disorder and who eventually became diseased by alcoholism. Understanding Poe the man, who had true medical problems that caused erratic behavior and depression among many other things, is to have an understanding of the true meaning hidden behind the words of his poetry.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Poe earned his place as a major figure in American letters for his tales of the bizarre and fantastic, short stories that are structurally brilliant and considered precursors of many forms and themes in subsequent American and European literature (Bloom, Harold p.491). Born of impoverished parents and orphaned at the age of two, Poe lived a brief and tragic life: a life whose legend has often proved an overpowering influence on the critical reception of his work (Bloom, Harold p.491). Before Poe was three years old both of his parents died, and he was raised in the house of John Allan, a prosperous exporter from Richmond, Virginia, who never legally adopted his foster son. Poe attended many of the best schools at that time. At the University of Virginia he distinguished himself academically, but after little more than only one year he had to leave because of financial debt and lack of adequate funds from Allan. Poe went on to enlist himself in the army where he finished and published his first poetry collection Tamerlane and Other Poems. These works received no recognition. When his second set of works appeared in 1829, it received only slight attention. Also in 1829 Poe was honorably discharged from the army, having attained the rank of regimental sergeant major, and was then admitted to the United States Military Academy at West Point (Gale Research p.1). However because Allan would neither provide Poe with sufficient funds to maintain himself as a cadet nor giv e the consent necessary to resign from the Academy, Poe gained a dismissal by ignoring his duties and violating regulations (Gale Research p.1). H... ...roversy over the sanity, or at best the maturity of Poe (Paul Elmer More called him â€Å"the poet of unripe boys and unsound men†), it was the question of the value of Poe’s works as serious literature (Gale Research p.5). Edgar Allan Poe’s personal life, especially the stories surrounding his drinking and early death, are dealt with extensively by Poe’s contemporary critics as well as those writing in the twentieth century (Bloom, Harold p. 491). In their confusion of the man and his literary creations, certain critics have ascribed to Poe a morbidity of character and a cruel and unnatural temperament. (Bloom, Harold p. 491). This critical attitude was adumbrated by the publication of Poe’s letters under the direction of R.W. Griswold, his literary executor (Bloom, Harold p.491). Griswold, for reasons unknown, sought to defame Poe by falsifying his letters and printing forged material that portrayed Poe as a bizarre and menacing character (Bloom, Harold p. 491). Although he was ultimately vindicated through the scholarship of A.H. Quinn and others, it has been the work of modern scholars to reestablish Poe’s reputation based on the work and not the man (Bloom, Harold p. 491 ). Edar Allan Poe Essay -- essays research papers A Reflection of the Life and Works of Edgar Allan Poe  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Edgar Allan Poe is a name even the literary illiterate know, but not many people know Edgar Allan Poe the person. When reading the works of this poetic genius many might think that he had a vivid imagination or just a morbid soul. The truth is that the works of Poe are based on his own life, the life of an orphan who suffered from an obsessive compulsive disorder and who eventually became diseased by alcoholism. Understanding Poe the man, who had true medical problems that caused erratic behavior and depression among many other things, is to have an understanding of the true meaning hidden behind the words of his poetry.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Poe earned his place as a major figure in American letters for his tales of the bizarre and fantastic, short stories that are structurally brilliant and considered precursors of many forms and themes in subsequent American and European literature (Bloom, Harold p.491). Born of impoverished parents and orphaned at the age of two, Poe lived a brief and tragic life: a life whose legend has often proved an overpowering influence on the critical reception of his work (Bloom, Harold p.491). Before Poe was three years old both of his parents died, and he was raised in the house of John Allan, a prosperous exporter from Richmond, Virginia, who never legally adopted his foster son. Poe attended many of the best schools at that time. At the University of Virginia he distinguished himself academically, but after little more than only one year he had to leave because of financial debt and lack of adequate funds from Allan. Poe went on to enlist himself in the army where he finished and published his first poetry collection Tamerlane and Other Poems. These works received no recognition. When his second set of works appeared in 1829, it received only slight attention. Also in 1829 Poe was honorably discharged from the army, having attained the rank of regimental sergeant major, and was then admitted to the United States Military Academy at West Point (Gale Research p.1). However because Allan would neither provide Poe with sufficient funds to maintain himself as a cadet nor giv e the consent necessary to resign from the Academy, Poe gained a dismissal by ignoring his duties and violating regulations (Gale Research p.1). H... ...roversy over the sanity, or at best the maturity of Poe (Paul Elmer More called him â€Å"the poet of unripe boys and unsound men†), it was the question of the value of Poe’s works as serious literature (Gale Research p.5). Edgar Allan Poe’s personal life, especially the stories surrounding his drinking and early death, are dealt with extensively by Poe’s contemporary critics as well as those writing in the twentieth century (Bloom, Harold p. 491). In their confusion of the man and his literary creations, certain critics have ascribed to Poe a morbidity of character and a cruel and unnatural temperament. (Bloom, Harold p. 491). This critical attitude was adumbrated by the publication of Poe’s letters under the direction of R.W. Griswold, his literary executor (Bloom, Harold p.491). Griswold, for reasons unknown, sought to defame Poe by falsifying his letters and printing forged material that portrayed Poe as a bizarre and menacing character (Bloom, Harold p. 491). Although he was ultimately vindicated through the scholarship of A.H. Quinn and others, it has been the work of modern scholars to reestablish Poe’s reputation based on the work and not the man (Bloom, Harold p. 491 ).

Foreign Exchange Essay -- Argumentative Persuasive Culture Essays

Foreign Exchange One of the greatest experiences that a college student can have is that of studying abroad. It is one of the most enlightening experiences one can ever become involved in. It is a wonderful way to learn about another culture. Unfortunately, many of the foreign exchange students at State University have a difficult time interacting with the American students on campus. This lack of interaction is causing all students at State to miss out on a very important experience. Although there is currently a program for learning about foreigners and there foods, it is not an on-going program. State University should set up new programs to ensure that the foreign exchange students are able to socialize with the non-foreign exchange students. The non-communication between the Americans and the foreign students that is currently going on at Iowa State University is a problem in many ways. When the foreign exchange students do not have much interaction with the American students, they miss experiencing the things they came here experience. "I only have seven months here, and two are already gone. And, well, I don’t know any Americans," said a foreign exchange student. Wasting time while here is a major concern for many of these foreign exchange students. They only have a small amount of time to soak in an entirely different culture. Foreign exchange students want to experience what it is like to be part of our culture. For the foreign exchange students to learn what it is like to be a part of our culture, they must first be accepted into the culture. If this new culture does not accept them, they can not learn what it is like to be a part of the new culture. Without being able to become a part of our society, they ar e un... ...at Iowa State, but it is one of the best also. It is State University’s responsibility to make sure that its students grow not only academically but culturally as well. Iowa State should make sure that its students broaden their own horizons and learn to open their minds to new and different things. By setting up some of the afore-mentioned programs, Iowa State would do its part in helping us learn culturally. The study abroad program is a wonderful program, but it could be made much more beneficial. It could better benefit both the Americans and the foreign exchange students if the roads of communication were more open. Works Cited: 1. Study Abroad Center. Iowa State University. <http.//www.iastate.edu/~cip/INTL/Project_Assist.html> 2. Harcourt Brace and Company. "The Nature of Culture." United States of America, 1999. Cultural Anthropology.

Premier Furniture

Premier Furniture Company It was mid-Aprll. and Richard Zimmerman, credit analyst for the Premier Furniture Company, was completing his first round of credit reviews for 1984. Two of his accounts†Deslgners, Inc. of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Walcott Department Stores of Hartford, Connecticut†had moved well beyond the credit limits set by Premier. It was Zimmerman's Job to determine the appropriate corrective steps. After his third look at the customer file for Designers, Inc. Zimmerman was still undecided. He had evaluated the account as â€Å"satisfactory† In his annual review in early 1983, but his reservations at that time were not lessened by the performance in fiscal 1984. It was evident that the substantial sales to Designers in the last three months did not necessarily signal an Improved relationship. Zimmerman was also troubled by the most recent numbers of Walcott Department Stores. Walcott had been a reliable account since 1951 but had posted a large o perating loss in fiscal 1984.His review was further complicated by the tact that the owners had recently opened stores in Worcester and Springfield, Massachusetts. Although Walcott's future obviously depended on how the branch stores fared, Zimmerman had no reason to assume their success or failure. 4h*fi, Designers (ffL+Uee, , FM-x-r eve, It was obvious to Zimmerman that the Designers and Walcott accounts invited a raised eyebrow, but given Premier's credit policy the numbers came as no surprise. quality home furniture for distribution to dealer cooperatives, independent home furnishing retailers, and regional furniture chains.The company advertised its lines nationally and attempted to maintain intensive coverage of trading areas by istributing through stores strategically located with a particular marketing area. Beginning in 1975, however, Premier found that product quality and service no longer assured success in the broad range of outlets the company had cultivated. Credit ter ms and financing of dealers became a critical marketing tool, and in the words of credit manager Karl Freund, â€Å"Premier soon found itself backed into the position of supporting numerous customers in order to maintain adequate distribution for its products. Unfortunately, Premier's heavy financing of dealers coincided with a national credit squeeze and higher interest rates on borrowed money. tg ¦, Zimmerman was also aware that many of Premier's customers had waited out more than seven years of a relatively soft market only to suffer a noticeable decline in sales in the late summerand early fall of 1983. As in previous downturns, stores featuring lower-priced lines were hit first, followed by quality retailers at the end of the year.Although the decline in sales was not severe, the drop in volume and subsequent price cutting reduced the profit margins of some retailers enough to offset profits earned in the first half of 1983. As might be expected, the downturn in the market w as quickly passed on to manufacturers. Many of Premier's customers tightened their belts by reducing orders for new lines and reorders for established lines. They believed that the price cutting in the second half of 1983 had resulted in considerable overbuying by consumers, and they were therefore anticipating a downturn in sales.The dramatic drop in orders affected manufacturers across the country. Orders for shipment fell 10% from February to March, and then an additional 20% from March to April. E-fifi f&fllikh, lit, Alpha The Designers and Walcott files sat on his desk awaiting his decision, but Zimmerman was still mulling over the contradictions posed by the files. He knew, for instance, that Walcott enjoyed fairly steady sales throughout the year and that 50% were cash or charge sales. The remaining sales were installment purchases which called for 25% down and the balance in 6 monthly payments.Premier, on the other hand, supposedly sold on terms of 3% in 10 days, net in 60 d ays†and had established a $50,000 limit on Designers and a $75,000 limit on Walcott. In truth, Premier's terms had become negotiable. Zimmerman was also frustrated by the fact that Karl Freund expected to see a foot on the brake while the sales manager was pressuring him to ut both feet on the gas. Given his Job, Zimmerman believed that it was in the company's interest to know the difference between a good customer and a bad risk.But with the sales manager insisting that liberal financing was the only way to spark an upturn in orders, Zimmerman felt caught in an impossible position. The time had come to seek the advice of the company's credit manager. Five minutes after collecting the essential information from each file (see Exhibits 1 through 5), Zimmerman placed the folder in the hands of Karl Freund. f&RhF, 1511? ±0, , premier, â€Å"†fifi, Q, fi-nmew,?- ¦, fi-nmeilfr, A credit analyst for a furniture manufacturer is confronted with two customers who have exceed ed their credit limits.The financial performance of each has been weak, and one of the customers has a highly leveraged balance sheet. Industry conditions are weak; the manufacturer apparently has excess capacity; and the credit analyst is caught between the conflicting demands of the sales managers and the credit manager. The case provides an opportunity for ratio analysis. The Premier Furniture Company of Newfield, North Carolina, centers on manufacturing high-quality home furniture for distribution.By 1975, Premier found that product quality and service no longer assured success in the markets they were in; therefore, credit terms and financing of dealers became a critical marketing tool. Regrettably, Premier's weighty financing of dealers corresponded with a national credit squeeze and higher interest rates on borrowed money. In 1984, Richard Zimmerman, the credit analyst for the Premier Furniture Company, took over the task of assessing the financial health of Premier's custome rs. Two of their accounts, exceeded the credit limits previously set by Premier. Premier had to make a decision on Designers Inc. d Walcott†they needed to fgure out the difference between good customers and bad credit risk. premiefiwzb,

Sci 275 Week 8 Assignment Energy Resource Plan

Water Resource Plan Written by EMMANUEL MCCLAIN Axia University of Phoenix SCI 275 Instructor TED BREWSTER Eutrophication is the depletion of oxygen in an aquatic ecosystem. Eutrophication occurs when a body of water enriched with excess nutrients, nitrogen and phosphorus from dead plant material and waste. Nitrogen pollution largely derived from agricultural fertilizers and emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels. Phosphorus pollution comes from wastewater treatment and detergents. These elements and compounds make their way to coastal areas through the drainage networks of rivers and streams. This nutrient and phosphorus mix results in increased algae growth that makes water cloudy and unhealthy. There are two ways for eutrophication to occur; the first is artificial eutrophication through the release of sewage, fertilizers and grey water into natural waterways. The second occurs is naturally occurring over lakes and tributaries that flood and pick up dead vegetation, cattle manure and fertilizer. This can lead to loss of biodiversity, global warming, and pollution of drinking water, fish kills, acid rain, and ozone depletion. However, the main culprit behind human caused eutrophication is the phosphorus released from sewage, septic systems and fertilizers. This point source pollution enriches the water and causes a buildup of algae and cyanobacteria in the ecosystem. The process of photosynthesis then starts as the begin feeding on the nitrogen and phosphorus enriched environment leading to murky and hard to see through water this is a sign of eutrophication. My sustainability plan is to educate others on the causes of eutrophication and the effects it has on ecosystems. Increasing awareness will allow many to pinpoint possible sources and causes of eutrophication in their local ecosystems. My first step is to educate myself on the causes and effects of eutrophication. I will research the internet as well as peers reviewed articles. I will then develop an educational tool such as a PowerPoint Presentation to highlight how humans through artificial eutrophication add to the already naturally occurring process. I will include how eutrophication affects humans, animals, fish and plant life. I will then schedule a meeting with the community board members and invite local residents to discuss eutrophication. 1) I will spend the first three months studying and learning about the cause and effects of eutrophication on ecosystems. 2) I will use the library to research the topic to find peer reviewed articles. Using the internet to research magazine, newspaper articles, and DOH and EPA websites, I will gather information regarding how phosphorous and nitrogen get into ecosystems what it involves and how to stop them from forming. ) I will spend several weeks creating a PowerPoint presentation that explains what eutrophication is how it develops, what cause it, and how to prevent it. 4) In the final month, I will schedule the time and day of the presentation. 5) I will invite the community and homeowners. I will first spend time at home gathering the necessary information and research. I will then incorporate this data together to create a cohesive story involving eutrophicati on. I will then place all this into speaker notes and find scenes for use as pictures in the presentation. In order to schedule a meeting with the Homeowners Association I will first create time to introduce myself to the homeowner’s committee. I will use several friends and associates to make introduction easier. I will then request permission to present information to the committee at the next available meeting. After scheduling the meeting, I will proceed to invite fellow businesses and homeowners to attend. The research will require anywhere from 1-3 months to finish while the PowerPoint presentation will take anywhere from 1-3 weeks. Scheduling time with the homeowners association will be at the next scheduled meeting. Overall, it will be an ongoing process but should take no more than 5 months to complete altogether. The problems that may occur are that point source pollution is not the only cause of eutrophication. There can be several causes of eutrophication including nonpoint source pollution such as urban runoff. There are areas that have limited supplies of drinking water and count on areas infiltrated by eutrophication. The local vegetation that live and thrive in this infected ecosystems are choked and killed off. The dead vegetation allows many different species of algae to thrive and form. While the lack of oxygen created from the photosynthesis kills many species of fish. There is an upside to this plan the excess phosphorous taken from these areas can be placed into landfills. There is a shortage of phosphorus on land and this would help revitalize many fields. There are several limitations to the plan the plan would need the community as a whole to effectively combat eutrophication. This would require not only the cooperation of the local Home Owners Association but every local business in the community. Eutrophication also increases with the rising demand of meats and fossil fuels. Developed nations and developing nations alike will see a rise in eutrophication. The problem overall would be resources funding an operation to clean up local waterways and make local industry and sewage systems compliable can cost millions of dollars easily many cities and states are cash strapped and tightening their budgets. References Eisberg, N. (2009, August 10). Getting to the clean point of use. Chemistry & Industry , 11. retrieved from Pheonix University online library website Powersearch . Welch, M. A. (2009). Lake Clean up Plan Panned. Winnepeg Free Press , B. 2. retrieved from Pheonix University online library website Powersearch . Writers, S. (2009). Nutrient Pollution Chokes Marine And Freshwater Ecosystems. Space Daily . retrieved from Pheonix University online library website Powersearch .