Stellar Nucleosynthesis How Stars Make All of the Elements

Stellar nucleosynthesis is the process by which elements are created within stars by combining the protons and neutrons together from the nuclei of lighter elements. All of the atoms in the universe began as hydrogen. Fusion inside stars transforms hydrogen into helium, heat, and radiation. Heavier elements are created in different types of stars as they die or explode. History of the Theory The idea that stars fuse together the atoms of light elements was first proposed in the 1920s, by Einsteins strong supporter Arthur Eddington. However, the real credit for developing it into a coherent theory is given to Fred Hoyles work in the aftermath of World War II. Hoyles theory contained some significant differences from the current theory, most notably that he did not believe in the big bang theory but instead that hydrogen was continually being created within our universe. (This alternative theory was called a steady state theory and fell out of favor when the cosmic microwave background radiation was detected.) The Early Stars The simplest type of atom in the universe is a hydrogen atom, which contains a single proton in the nucleus (possibly with some neutrons hanging out, as well) with electrons circling that nucleus. These protons are now believed to have formed when the incredibly high energy quark-gluon plasma of the very early universe lost enough energy that quarks began bonding together to form protons (and other hadrons, like neutrons). Hydrogen formed pretty much instantly and even helium (with nuclei containing 2 protons) formed in relatively short order (part of a process referred to as Big Bang nucleosynthesis). As this hydrogen and helium began to form in the early universe, there were some areas where it was denser than in others. Gravity took over and eventually these atoms were pulled together into massive clouds gas in the vastness of space. Once these clouds became large enough, they were drawn together by gravity with enough force to actually cause the atomic nuclei to fuse, in a process called nuclear fusion. The result of this fusion process is that the two one-proton atoms have now formed a single two-proton atom. In other words, two hydrogen atoms have begun one single helium atom. The energy released during this process is what causes the sun (or any other star, for that matter) to burn. It takes nearly 10 million years to burn through the hydrogen and then things heat up and the helium begins fusing. Stellar nucleosynthesis continues to create heavier and heavier elements until you end up with iron. Creating the Heavier Elements The burning of helium to produce heavier elements then continues for about 1 million years. Largely, it is fused into carbon via the triple-alpha process in which three helium-4 nuclei (alpha particles) are transformed. The alpha process then combines helium with carbon to produce heavier elements, but only those with an even number of protons. The combinations go in this order: Carbon plus helium produces oxygen.Oxygen plus helium produces neon.Neon plus helium produces magnesium.Magnesium plus helium produces silicon.Silicon plus helium produces sulfur.Sulfur plus helium produces argon.Argon plus helium produces calcium.Calcium plus helium produces titanium.Titanium plus helium produces chromium.Chromium plus helium produces iron. Other fusion pathways create the elements with odd numbers of protons. Iron has such a tightly bound nucleus that there isnt further fusion once that point is reached. Without the heat of fusion, the star collapses and explodes in a shockwave. Physicist Lawrence Krauss notes that it takes 100,000 years for the carbon to burn into oxygen, 10,000 years for the oxygen to burn into silicon, and one day for the silicon to burn into iron and herald the collapse of the star. Astronomer Carl Sagan in the TV series Cosmos noted, We are made of star-stuff. Krauss agreed, stating that every atom in your body was once inside a star that exploded...The atoms in your left hand probably came from a different star than in your right hand, because 200 million stars have exploded to make up the atoms in your body.

The Art of Taxidermy and Why it Should Be Considered an Art

The Art of Taxidermy and Why it Should Be Considered an Art â€Å"Let’s say you’re watching an old horror movie, one about a crazy madman who lives in a spooky house up on a hill. Local kids will become curious and decide to step foot into the house. The majority of the time the creepy man will have two things; paintings with the eyes cut out and a nice collection of mounted animals to give intruders a sense of fear. Then all of a sudden lightning flashes and a growling black bear is lit up, sending the kids screaming into the front yard† (Bryant). It turns out that terrifying black bear is actually a valuable piece of artwork. Taxidermy has been an underrated art form throughout its history and it does not get the recognition it†¦show more content†¦With this being said, whether or not one uses a specimen for science, or for a trophy, it is still in a sense, a piece of artwork. Frederic Lucas, a former natural historian, taxidermist, and the Direc tor of the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) in New York said in 1927 that, â€Å"In spite of the thousands of words†¦ recorded in our ponderous dictionaries, there are some that still to be needed, among them one to define the modern taxidermist†¦ whose work can only be considered as art because it’s certainly not nature† (Xu). Lucas had a difficult time trying to give taxidermy a place in the art world yet taxidermy uses many principles of art such as painting and sculpting. Amy Stein, a New York based photographer who uses taxidermy in much of her work argued that clients and their trophies relate to art. â€Å"People who have taxidermied animals usually have more than one; it’s the evidence of their success. It is art collecting in a sense† (Xu). Art lovers all around the world collect the art work that they prefer whether it is painting, drawing, pottery, etc. Why not fit taxidermy in there among them? Seth Smith, owner of Wil dlife Expressions Taxidermy, a commercial taxidermist business, was asked what the criteria is for a good mount. He believes it should be as â€Å"Lifelike as much as possible. Customers want it to look as original as possible† (Smith Interview). Indeed, extraordinary taxidermy is qualified as being able to make a specimenShow MoreRelatedDo Tattoos Make A Mark On More Than Just Your Skin?4666 Words   |  19 Pagesevolving. There are currently 987 registered tattoo studios in Australia employing more than 2000 staff, many tattoo artists within Australia have a social media following on Facebook and Instagram of over 200,000 people and The Australian Tattoo Body Art Expo is the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere with over 40,000 visitors attending each year. I investigated my topic using a variety of primary research and secondary research methodologies; a questionnaire with open and closed endedRead MoreMary and Max9879 Words   |  40 PagesOver time, Marys increasingly sensitive questions about the adult world give Max progressively worse anxiety attacks, and he is ultimately institutionalized. During his time there, Max is diagnosed with depression and Asperger syndrome. Now aware of why he has difficulty relating to other people, Max finds a new lease on life and resumes his correspondence with Mary. The two remain friends for the next two decades, keeping one another updated on various events in their lives. Mary (Toni Colette), inspired

Digitally Divided Canada Free Essays

string(163) " that individuals from both rural and urban areas tend to have the same income, the availability of computers in cities is more prevalent compared to small towns\." Presently, the world experiences a major and radical transformation primarily because of information and technological revolution. Almost everyday, history witnesses the birth of highly sophisticated gadgets and equipments that have literally altered the lives of many individuals. Nowadays, the hindrances brought about by geographical, spatial and time constraints, no longer affect mankind. We will write a custom essay sample on Digitally Divided Canada or any similar topic only for you Order Now In a blink of an eye, tasks which usually take several days or months to be accomplished can be readily addressed with just a single click. Evidently, Marshall McLuhan’s notion of the global village (Baran Davis, 2006) is no longer a theoretical argument—the global village has readily developed, thus making each and every individual, regardless of their age, social status, race and ethnicity more connected and interactive than ever. Relatively, the establishment of the information superhighway did not only increase the connectedness of different groups and communities. More than anything else, such situation is instrumental in opening the doors for various opportunities for growth and development within the national level. Canada for example, experienced a major economic shift with the introduction of Information and Communications Technology, or more popularly known s ICT (â€Å"Canada’s Journey,† 2003). A country which was once heavily dependent on its marine and agricultural resources, is now capitalizing on the benefits and advantages of their so-called â€Å"knowledge economy (â€Å"Canada’s Journey,† 2003). † As a matter of fact, the country is considered as one of the most competitive forces within the information technology industry (â€Å"Canada’s Journey,† 2003). However, while it is true that technology fueled Canada’s economic expansion, one of the pressing issues that the country needs to confront is digital divide. Digital divide is a serious social concern that cannot be simply described as a battle between those who are considered as technologically rich and technologically poor. More than anything else, the implications of digital divide tend to contribute to the worsening of the social, economic and cultural gap. These kinds of division are most especially felt between rural and urban settlers. If technology is said to govern man’s life, clearly, those who cannot fully avail of modern tools and equipment are also denied of exploiting technology’s benefits. Evidently, those that are living in the rural area are placed in very uncompromising situations in as far as being â€Å"digitally-connected† is concerned. Given this situation at hand, one may readily ask, how does digital divide affect the marginalization of rural settlers in Canada? For this particular discussion, the statistics presented in the Canadian Social Trends and The Daily was primarily used. Information in such sites is highly significant since it basically provides a wider view on how the whole Canadian populace utilizes the internet. However, the above-mentioned sites do not only dabble with internet usage alone. They also provided substantial discussions regarding the availability of personal computers in both rural and urban Canada. On the other hand, another major source that is used to support the arguments of this report is the E-government studies of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). In OECD, however, the facts presented are comparisons of internet usage in the global scale. Such information is therefore necessary to be included in this analysis since it presents an overview on how far Canada has fared when it comes to global connectedness and how its current situation contributes to the digital divide experienced by the country. In understanding digital divide in Canada, it is highly important to first understand how information technology works in the country. It is also impetus to know the percentages of individuals who can readily access to have a substantial articulation of the matter. In addition to that, the inputs from the OECD contribute in a much deeper examination of how digital divide affects not only Canada, but also in other parts of the world. This Mc Laren (2002) discussed that mostly of the individuals who own computers are located in Census Metropolitan Areas (CMA) and Census Agglomerations (CA). This is in stark contrast to those who are residing in rural and small towns. More than 50 to 60% of those living in CMAs and CAs have computers at home, whereas, only 40 to 50% of those in the rural areas posses such equipment (please refer to Figure 1 of Appendix). There are two reasons that can possibly explain this particular situation. First, it can be argued in here that urban settings can easily adapt to major technological shifts and transformations. This would not come as much of a surprise since major cities and areas are considered as the center of commerce and trade. In an area looming with various business opportunities, the use of an efficient technological platform is a must. Business endeavors that aspire to be globally competitive must take advantage of technology’s positive effects and contributions. Thus, individuals in this area become more aware about the uses and purposes of any technologically-related material. Another reason behind that is the high purchasing power of urban settlers. Suppliers of high-end technological products readily targets consumers in the city since they know that highly urbanized areas can provide them with a solid market base. On the other hand, as for the case of rural residents, digital connectedness seems to fall short. This primarily stems from the existing income discrepancies between the two groups. McLaren (2002) found out that those who earn less than $20,000 in rural areas can hardly afford to have their own computer. Only 20% (please refer to Figure 2 of Appendix) of rural settlers are capable of purchasing personal computers. However, for urban dwellers who also earn less than $20,000, more than 30% (please refer to Figure 2 of Appendix) of the population has their own computers . The same situation is reflected as for the case of those who are earning beyond $20,000. Based from a critical perspective, if Canadians in rural are literally outnumbered when it comes to having access to computers, then it is also relative that is harder for them to acquire internet access as well. While it is true that individuals from both rural and urban areas tend to have the same income, the availability of computers in cities is more prevalent compared to small towns. You read "Digitally Divided Canada" in category "Papers" This means that an urban dweller, despite of the fact that he or she earns less than $20,000, can still own a computer primarily because in the city, one can always find cheaper alternatives. Computer providers in such areas are engaged into a stiff competition that compels them to lower their prices so that they can tap their potential markets. On the other hand, the availability of computer suppliers in rural areas is less than those in highly urbanized ones. Competition is hardly felt and therefore, these suppliers can demand their prices. Relatively, computers sold in rural sectors are literally more expensive than those that are found in the city. Given this aspect at hand, if Canadians in rural areas cannot avail of the basic equipment or material used in connecting via the internet, then it would be harder for them to participate into the digital world. It would be more difficult for these individuals to be updated on recent technological trends and developments. In addition to that, the lack of computers also prevents these individuals from making the most of Canada’s robust knowledge economy. Also, it is important to note that computers nowadays cannot only assist Canadians in connecting through the internet. Computers are also instrumental in making work processes and transactions much faster and easier as compared to manual work. One must always bear in mind that digital divide does not merely focus on the capacity to connect online; it is also the ability of owning the required technological platforms or materials. In the meantime, in as far as internet access is concerned, thus, it would not come as too much of a surprise of urban households are more connected. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (2003), from 1999 to 2001, 33. 6% of rural homes in Canada have internet connection, whereas a total of 44. 4% of urban settlers enjoy internet services (please see of Appendix). There is no doubt that the internet is a good source of knowledge and information. Relevant data and statistics found in the World Wide Web contribute to empowering and educating individuals. However, with the current situation of rural Canada, they are evidently left behind. Take for example the case of students which primarily uses the internet for research aid and purposes. The ones located in urban areas enjoy the benefits of acquiring significant facts and figures that cannot be ordinarily seen in local libraries and other academic sources. Individuals in the urban areas are also able to exploit government services via the internet. It is also important to note that online business opportunities are easily accessed by urban residents since they have the tool to do so. Apparently, the digital divide tends to exclude individuals from the rural sector from using technology to further empower themselves and seek for other opportunities for growth and development. There is an evident inequality in digital divide that basically originates from the unequal distribution of wealth and power. More than anything else, it should be always remembered that only those who have access to a wide array of providers and are financially adequate to participate into the digital arena, are the ones who are most likely to benefit from them. Relatively, these two conditions (access to providers and financial adequacy) are commonly found in metropolitan areas. Income disparity is indeed a key factor in the proliferation of digital divide and marginalization of rural Canada. As a matter of fact, one of the primary reasons that prohibit Canadians in rural areas from utilizing the internet is the â€Å"costs† associated with it (McLaren, 2002). The other reason corresponds to the absence of necessary skills and training (McLaren, 2002). In addition to that the geographical economic conditions of rural sectors in Canada are also important factors in analyzing digital divide and its implications. Transforming small towns into a digitally active community translates to building the necessary infrastructures. Thus, in as far as internet and communication providers are concerned; an area should be highly feasible for business operations and profitability before they finally consider the idea of building internet-related structures (Siegan Walzer, 2003). Unfortunately, if the concerned area does not qualify to the business needs of providers, then digital connectedness is less likely to grow and flourish. Not unless the Canadian government creates yet another solid and concrete plan to establish technological infrastructures in rural domains, then people living in these areas would remain digitally left behind. The effects of digital divide in rural Canada however cannot be only felt on the economic disadvantages of rural residents. Aside from the tacit or unconscious information monopoly of those that are technologically rich, there is also an apparent exclusion of the technologically inept from participating in issues that require utmost concerns (Jones, 2003). For how can somebody participate if he or she is not well-informed? Aside from that, rural residents are somehow denied of articulating their interests, views and opinions. It is no secret that the internet provides forums and sites wherein participants can express their sentiments and generate possible solutions. It is through the net that groups with similar orientations converge. However, it is pretty difficult for rural settlers to be involved if in the first place, they are not that digitally connected. Another thing to be considered is that the digital divide tends to delimit rural Canada from availing the services of the government on an easier pace (Marshall, Taylor Yu, 2003). The government use of internet is indeed commendable. However, this would be still useless if not the majority of the populace can readily utilize it. Digital divide between urban and rural residents require immediate action. The opportunities brought forth by technology should not be limited into very few hands. If there is anyone who must be technologically empowered, it is no other than the ones in rural settings primarily because they are the ones who really need it, not the other way around. In as much as technological infrastructures are progressively established in urban areas, then more efforts should be exerted in the rural sectors. How to cite Digitally Divided Canada, Papers

Concept of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Question: Discuss about the Concept of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Answer: Introduction This assignment has aimed to focus to the concept of innovation and the entrepreneurship. In this context, this study would make a business plan, which includes the innovation for this new business of health care centre. As per the case study, it can be mentioned that the members of this newly opened health care centre are looking for funding in order to explore their business in the market. In addition, this study is helpful to discuss the reason of choosing this business. On the other hand, this study tried to highlight the basic information regarding the location and the competitors, which are assumed to be important for a start up business. Investors also identify the competitive advantage of the start up business. Moreover, in this study a predicted financial budget plan has made, which would be benefitted to the investors and to the shareholders. From this budget plan, the shareholders could identify whether the health care organisation would be able to return their investment after one year. In this connection, this study also provides a SWOT analysis, which would be helpful to predict the strength, weakness, opportunity and the weakness of the organisation. Reason behind choosing the business CareUlta has planned to start a new health care centre in Queensland, Australia. Initially, it can be mentioned that they have a medical store in that region. In order to explore their business, they have planned to develop a new health care centre. As per the statement of Amit and Zott (2012), it can be stated that they are willing to provide health care service in turn of affordable prices to the patients. In addition, they have a competitive advantage in case of selling of medicines. Therefore, they aimed to start a new venture in the same field. Moreover, Beine and Parsons (2015) mentioned that CareUlta has a good reputation for their service in the market. On the other hand, it can be mentioned that the limitations of the health care industry are minimum due to the rising of demand from the patients for greater service provides. This will effectively enhance the profitability statement of the business and the organisation can generate higher revenue. Therefore, it can be stated that CareUlta is a good option to earn revenues as the start up venture. Basic information regarding the position and competition of the business According to Berman et al. (2012), it can be stated that a start up business is depending upon some important factors. In this connection, it can be mentioned that it is depending upon the location, competitors and regional support. Boons and Ludeke-Freund (2013) mentioned that Queensland is the second largest as well as third most population state of Australia. Queensland has a greater communication with the rest of the state of the country. Therefore, it can be added that an advertisement regarding this newly opened health care centre can promote about the service of CareUlta (Chesbrough 2013). In addition, it can be mentioned that the clients will be able to know about this health care centre. In this purpose, the organisation has planned to put hoardings in the congested roads, so that the customer attention will increase. It can be mentioned that CareUlta is quite popular for their previous business. They have been providing a greater service. Therefore, CareUlta will get the regional support, which very important for exploring a business and also important for a start up business. As opined by Dodgson, Gann and Phillips (2013), regional support is helpful for a start up business, which will encourage the organisation. The encouragement will be in terms of loan availability, rules and regulations, other local support groups among the others. These tools are necessary for the organisation by providing a greater business atmosphere. On the other hand, Halme, Lindeman and Linna (2012) mentioned that the presence of competitors in the market, may be critical for a start up business. In this context, it can be stated that MaxiHealth was performing the role of monopolist. It provided their health care services since five years. On the contrary, it can be mentioned that their customer service is not good; therefore, the service takers do not like to take the service from this service. Key objectives In this purpose, it can be mentioned that the investors will invest on a new project when they will be ensured that their investment will be returned from the business after one year. Moreover, the investors also aim to identify the future profitability statement. In this connection, it can be stated that CareUlta requires to highlight their competitive advantage and their business objectives, so that the investors will willing to fund in their business. According to Dodgson, Gann and Phillips (2013), it can be mentioned that there are a number of health care centres and MaxiHealth play the role of monopolist among them. Therefore, to make a good position in the market, CareUlta requires to take different strategies, which make the business successful and the investors also want to invest in this project. The business innovation of CareUlta, which they have planned to follow, can be highlighted briefly in the following: This organisation has already a good reputation in the market in case of selling medicines. This trust and loyalty of the consumers will be essential for starting a new business. The consumers will willing to take the service of CareUlta. There will no political partys intervention in case of the service of CareUlta. Careulta will try to provide practical and moral support and will also help to motivate the patients by taking of more responsibility. This will improve the continuous service of the organisation. These strategies will be helpful to enhance the consumers attention; therefore, they will want to take the treatment from this organisation compared to the other organisations. As a result, it can be predicted that the start business will be successful. The organisation will earn more profits. Based on this prediction and the business innovations, the organisation will invest in this project and will expect their return after a certain time. Impact of financial decision on business In the words of Johnston and Bate (2013), it can be stated that financial decision will help to maintain the flow of liquidity, which will be needed for exploring a business. Moreover, it can be mentioned that strong financial statement is also required for a business in order to operate the business performance optimally. In addition, Link, Ruhm and Siegel (2014) added that financial decision will be benefitted to evaluate the growth prospect of the organisation. Nevertheless, it can be argued that the forecasted financial budget will not consider the change of the inflation rate. SWOT analysis Strength CareUlta has good reputation in the medicine business. The organisation will hire experienced and skilful staffs, who have clinical knowledge. The organisation will use new and updated technology and machines. Weakness As it is a start up business, sometimes patients will feel reluctant to take the service from this health care centre. They do not have idea about the service. Opportunity Identifying all of the limitations of the other health care organisations, McGuirk and Jordan (2012) pointed that CareUlta will follow some innovative strategies. Therefore, it can be mentioned the organisation will have the opportunity to make the business successful. Threats Based on the weakness, it can be mentioned that the organisation may not earn higher level of revenue. As a result, the profitability earning of the organisation may be decreased. In addition, due to the presence of the competitors in the market, the revenue earning by CareUlta may be declined. Table 1: SWOT analysis (Source: Created by author) This SWOT analysis will be helpful to the investors. They will be able to identify the strength, opportunity, weakness of the organisation (Onetti et al. 2012). Identifying these factors, the investors will be capable to take decision whether they will invest in the start up business or not. In this connection, it can be mentioned that as the organisation will follow some innovative business strategy, therefore, it can be predicted that the investors will show their interest to invest in this new venture. Start up cost for the proposed business According to Qian and Haynes (2014), start up cost is required for the business of CareUlta in order to run the business operation smoothly. The elements are space for build the organisation, purchasing of new machineries, and payment to the staffs. Space for the organisation: In order to build the organisation, the CareUlta will initially require efficient space and then the organisation require huge money for developing the building. Moreover, it can be mentioned that initially the health care centre can take rent; however, the cost of rent is approximately 12,000 per year. This will be costlier to the organisation. Nevertheless, Rafols et al. (2012) criticised that the overall business turnover from the business will be decreased. Therefore, it can be inferred that instead of taking of rent, CareUlta needs to build new clinic or building to minimise the overall cost structure. Purchase of new machineries: In the point of Qian and Haynes (2014), it can be mentioned that CareUlta requires to purchase new machineries for the treatment and other scientific tests. Medical equipments are needed to monitor the treatment of the medical conditions. On the other hand, Trad and Kalpi (2013) mentioned that initial investment will be benefitted to maintain the work flow in case of start up business. However, it can be argued that increasing investment will minimise the liquidity of the start up business and therefore, it can be predicted that the service by the organisation will be damaged. Forecasted financial budget Year 2017 2018 2019 Total asset 25000 2000+ 30000 =32000 7500+ 40000 = 47500 Cost of machineries 5000 5200 5200 Cost of medicines 7500 7800 8500 Payment to the employees 8000 9000 12000 Other expenses 2500 2500 2700 Total profit = 25000-( 5000+7500+8000+2500) = 2000 = 32000-( 5200+7800+9000+2500) = 7500 = 47500- (5200+8500+9500+2700) = 19100 Table 2: Forecasted financial budget plan (Source: Created by author) From the above table, it can be predicted that the profitability statement of the business will be increased. In this context, it can be mentioned that, initially at the starting of business, total asset of CareUlta is 20000. At the end of the year, the revenue earning by the organisation will be 2000. This prediction has been made based on the present cost of the equipment. Therefore, the management of the organisation has planned about the cost structure and their expenses in the business (Schaltegger, Ludeke-Freund and Hansen 2012). On the other hand, it can be also predicted that after the first year of business, the investors will invest more in the business as they will get their share from the organisation. Moreover, it can be observed that the cost of the equipments will be increased with the rise in time. In this purpose, Trad and Kalpi (2013) added that the cost of medicines will also increase, as most of the patients will want to take the service from the organisation. Acc ording to Chesbrough (2013), it can be mentioned that by exploring the service of the organisation, the organisation will want to open their new branch to the several state of Australia. Conclusion This study has highlighted the concept of business and entrepreneurship. In this context, this study has mentioned some innovative business strategies for a health care start up business. The importance of the location of the business and how the presence of the competitors influences an organisation has been discussed. On the other hand, this study is also benefitted to highlight the forecasted budget plan. From this budget plan, it can be predicted that the organisation will earn more revenues with the rise in time. Recommendation In order to get greater source of funding, CareUlta requires to adapt the above mentioned strategies. In addition, it can be recommended that the organisation also requires to consult with a business expert, who is eligible to give ideal suggestions to make the business successful and the investors also invest in this new venture. References Amit, R. and Zott, C., 2012. Creating value through business model innovation.MIT Sloan Management Review,53(3), p.41. Beine, M. and Parsons, C., 2015. Climatic factors as determinants of international migration.The Scandinavian Journal of Economics,117(2), pp.723-767. Berman, S.J., Kesterson-Townes, L., Marshall, A. and Srivathsa, R., 2012. How cloud computing enables process and business model innovation.Strategy Leadership,40(4), pp.27-35. Boons, F. and Ludeke-Freund, F., 2013. Business models for sustainable innovation: state-of-the-art and steps towards a research agenda.Journal of Cleaner Production,45, pp.9-19. Chesbrough, H., 2013.Open business models: How to thrive in the new innovation landscape. Harvard Business Press. Dodgson, M., Gann, D.M. and Phillips, N. eds., 2013.The Oxford handbook of innovation management. OUP Oxford. Halme, M., Lindeman, S. and Linna, P., 2012. Innovation for inclusive business: Intrapreneurial bricolage in multinational corporations.Journal of Management Studies,49(4), pp.743-784. Johnston, R.E. and Bate, J.D., 2013.The power of strategy innovation: a new way of linking creativity and strategic planning to discover great business opportunities. AMACOM Div American Mgmt Assn. Link, A.N., Ruhm, C.J. and Siegel, D.S., 2014. Private equity and the innovation strategies of entrepreneurial firms: Empirical evidence from the Small Business Innovation Research Program.Managerial and Decision Economics,35(2), pp.103-113. McGuirk, H. and Jordan, D., 2012. Local labour market diversity and business innovation: evidence from Irish manufacturing businesses.European Planning Studies,20(12), pp.1945-1960. Onetti, A., Zucchella, A., Jones, M.V. and McDougall-Covin, P.P., 2012. Internationalization, innovation and entrepreneurship: business models for new technology-based firms.Journal of Management Governance,16(3), pp.337-368. Qian, H. and Haynes, K.E., 2014. Beyond innovation: the Small Business Innovation Research program as entrepreneurship policy.The Journal of Technology Transfer,39(4), pp.524-543. Rafols, I., Leydesdorff, L., OHare, A., Nightingale, P. and Stirling, A., 2012. How journal rankings can suppress interdisciplinary research: A comparison between innovation studies and business management.Research Policy,41(7), pp.1262-1282. Schaltegger, S., Ludeke-Freund, F. and Hansen, E.G., 2012. Business cases for sustainability: the role of business model innovation for corporate sustainability.International Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development,6(2), pp.95-119. Trad, A. and Kalpi, D., 2013. The Selection and Training Framework (STF) for Managers in in (e-) Business Innovation Transformation Projects-the Literature Review.Procedia Technology,9, pp.411-420.

Reflection on Running a Marathon free essay sample

The senior project I chose to do, was to compete in the John Muir Woods Marathon. I decided to run this marathon because running has always been a passion of mine, and I wanted to take it to the next level and compete in an official marathon. In training for the marathon, I learned self discipline, endurance, and how to have stamina. I also learned, that a marathon (26. 2 miles) is a lot longer than it actually seems! I was able to raise a total of $336. 0 towards the Danny Zabicki Foundation. Running a marathon was both the hardest, yet most rewarding thing I have ever done in my life. Although I knew that it would be a very long course, it lasted a lot longer than I had anticipated, and I was definitely not expecting so many stairs and hills in the run. I knew that the race would consist of 4,400 feet of climbing and descending, but until I actually started running the course, that number didn’t mean much to me. We will write a custom essay sample on Reflection on Running a Marathon or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page After the first three miles, I was fully aware of what 4,400 feet if climbing and descending entailed. It’s still too soon to tell if I would ever run another marathon. However, I have no regrets in doing so. My family and friends came along to support me, and I was able to see them at every check point for encouragement. It was more rewarding that I could have ever imagined. To top it off, I was actually able to run for a cause, which made it all the more meaningful to me.

Causes of the War of Jenkins Ear

Causes of the War of Jenkins' Ear Background: As part of the Treaty of Utrecht which ended the War of the Spanish Succession, Britain received a thirty-year trade agreement (an asiento) from Spain which permitted British merchants to trade up to 500 tons of goods per year in the Spanish colonies as well as sell an unlimited number of slaves. This asiento also provided inroads in Spanish America for British smugglers. Though the asiento was in effect, its operation was often hindered by military conflicts between the two nations which occurred in 1718-1720, 1726, and 1727-1729. In the wake of the Anglo-Spanish War (1727-1729), Britain granted Spain the right to stop British ships to ensure that the terms of the agreement were being respected. This right was included in the Treaty of Seville which ended the conflict. Believing that the British were taking advantage of the agreement and smuggling, Spanish authorities began boarding and seizing British ships, as well as holding and torturing their crews. This led to an increase in tensions and an up swell of anti-Spanish sentiment in Britain. Though issues were mitigated somewhat in the mid-1730s when British First Minister Sir Robert Walpole supported the Spanish position during the War of the Polish Succession, they continued to exist as the root causes had not been addressed. Though wishing to avoid war, Walpole was pressured into sending additional troops to the West Indies and dispatching Vice Admiral Nicholas Haddock to Gibraltar with a fleet. In return, King Philip V suspended the asiento and confiscated British ships in Spanish ports. Wishing to avoid a military conflict, both sides met at Pardo to seek a diplomatic resolution as Spain lacked the military resources to defend its colonies while Britain did not wish interfere with profits from the slave trade. The resulting Convention of Pardo, which was signed in early 1739, called for Britain to receive  Ã‚ £95,000 in compensation for damages to its shipping while paying  Ã‚ £68,000 in back revenue to Spain from the asiento. Additionally, Spain agree to territorial limits in regard to searching British merchant vessels. When the terms of the convention were released, they proved unpopular in Britain and the public clamored for war. By October, both sides had repeatedly violated the conventions terms. Though reluctant, Walpole officially declared war on October 23, 1739. The term War of Jenkins Ear derives from Captain Robert Jenkins who had his ear cut off by the Spanish Coast Guard in 1731. Asked to appear in Parliament to recount his tale, he reputedly displ ayed his ear during his testimony. Porto Bello In one of the first actions of the war, Vice Admiral Edward Vernon descended on Porto Bello, Panama with six ships of the line. Attacking the poorly defended Spanish town, he quickly captured it and remained there for three weeks. While there, Vernons men destroyed the citys fortifications, warehouses, and port facilities. The victory led to the naming of Portobello Road in London and public debut of the song Rule, Britannia! With the beginning of 1740, both sides anticipated that France would enter the war on the side of Spain. This led to invasion scares in Britain and resulted in the bulk of their military and naval strength being retained in Europe. Florida Overseas, Governor James Oglethorpe of Georgia mounted an expedition into Spanish Florida with the goal of capturing St. Augustine. Marching south with around 3,000 men, he arrived in June and commenced constructing batteries on  Anastasia Island. On June 24, Oglethorpe began a bombardment of the city while ships from the Royal Navy blockaded the port. In the source of the siege, British forces suffered a defeat at Fort Mose. Their situation worsened when the Spanish were able to penetrate the naval blockade to reinforce and resupply St. Augustines garrison. This action forced Oglethorpe to abandon the siege and withdraw back to Georgia. Ansons Cruise Though the Royal Navy was focusing on home defense, a squadron was formed in late 1740, under Commodore George Anson to raid Spanish possessions in the Pacific. Departing on September 18, 1740, Ansons squadron encountered severe weather and was plagued by disease. Reduced to his flagship, HMS Centurion (60 guns), Anson reached Macau where he was able to refit and rest his crew. Cruising off the Philippines, he encountered the treasure galleon Nuestra Seà ±ora de Covadonga on June 20, 1743. Overhauling the Spanish vessel, Centurion captured it after a brief fight. Completing a circumnavigation of the globe, Anson returned home a hero. Cartagena Encouraged by Vernons success against Porto Bello in 1739, efforts were made in 1741 to mount a larger expedition in Caribbean. Assembling a force of over 180 ships and 30,000 men, Vernon planed to attack Cartagena. Arriving in early March 1741, Vernons efforts to take the city were plagued by a lack of supplies, personal rivalries, and rampaging disease. Endeavoring to defeat the Spanish, Vernon was forced to withdraw after sixty-seven days which saw around a third of his force lost to enemy fire and disease. News of the defeat ultimately led to Walpole leaving office and being replaced by Lord Wilmington. More interested in pursuing campaigns in the Mediterranean, Wilmington began to wind down operations in the Americas. Repulsed at Cartagena, Vernon attempted to take Santiago de Cuba and landed his ground forces at Guantnamo Bay. Advancing against their objective, the British were soon bogged down by disease and fatigue. Though the British attempted to continue the invasion, they were forced to abandon the operation when they met heavier than anticipated opposition. In the Mediterranean, Vice Admiral Haddock worked to blockade the Spanish coast and though he took several valuable prizes, was unable to bring the Spanish fleet to action. British pride at sea was also marred by the damage inflicted by Spanish privateers which attacked unescorted merchantmen around the Atlantic. Georgia In Georgia, Oglethorpe remained in command of the colonys military forces despite his earlier failure at St. Augustine. In the summer of 1742, Governor Manuel de Montiano of Florida advanced north and landed on St. Simons Island. Moving to meet this threat, Oglethorpes forces won the Battles of Bloody Marsh and Gully Hole Creek which compelled Montiano to retreat back to Florida. Absorption into the War of the Austrian Succession While Britain and Spain were engaged in the War of Jenkins Ear, the War of the Austrian Succession had broken out in Europe. Soon drawn into the larger conflict, the war between Britain and Spain was subsumed by mid-1742. While the bulk of the fighting occurred in Europe, the French fortress at Louisbourg, Nova Scotia was captured by New England colonists in 1745. The War of the Austrian Succession came to an end in 1748 with the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle. While the settlement dealt with the issues of the wider conflict, it did little to specifically address the causes of the 1739 war. Meeting two years later, the British and Spanish concluded the Treaty of Madrid. In this document, Spain bought back the asiento for  £100,000 while agreeing to allow Britain to trade freely in its colonies. Selected Sources Global Security: War of Jenkins EarHistory of War: War of Jenkins EarNew Georgia Encyclopedia: War of Jenkins Ear

Wine Club Advert Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Wine Club Advert - Research Paper Example I consider the Wine Club advertisement on the New York Times newspaper as an appropriate article for rhetorical analysis. The basic message propagated by the advertisement is the 50% discount entitled for every member of the club for all their purchases on wine. The first approach towards rhetorical analysis is to consider the ethos aspect of the advertisement. In this case, ethos reflects the ethical and moral aspect of the advert (Faigley & Jack 2010). The people behind the advert believe that drinking of wine has health and lifestyles benefits. However, people do not benefit from the health and therapeutic value resulting from drinking of wine due to price factors. Thus reducing price through discount is the first strategy of eliminating cost burden. However, the advertisement considers price reduction strategy as a sufficient factor for encouraging wine drinking among the people. According to the advertisement, joining a wine-drinking club will contribute to the development of wi ne drinking habit among the people. The advertisement is trying to make the audience to reconsider their naivety towards their health. In addition, the advertisement is trying to erase people’s mentality towards wine drinking and the association of wine with immorality. Thus, the advertisement is trying to make people reconsider their attitude towards wine drinking. The advertisement is also trying to explore people’s ignorance that results from generalization. Although the advert is trying to pass credible information to the audience, it fails to set its facts straight. The advertisement illustrate useful information about drinking wine and encouraging people to drink wine by joining wine drinking clubs. However, the advert does not provide accurate information concerning the benefits of drinking wine and the role of wine drinking clubs in influencing people’s behaviors. The only evidence provided by the advertisement concerns the role of wine drinking club mem bership in eliminating consumer’s burden. For instance, the advertisement claims that all members of the wine drinking will obtain their favorite drink at a price 50% below the marked price. However, this price reduction does not imply that wine drinking will increase by 50%. Despite the controversies surrounding the advert concerning inadequate evidence, the advertisement has a high degree of persuasiveness. Firstly, the advertisement contains colorful pictures of different brands of wine. These pictures not only encourage the audience about wine drinking club membership but also the lifestyle that comes with wine drinking. The advertisement has significant claims concerning different lifestyle diseases and the recent discoveries on the benefits of drinking wine. However, the advert does not provide a clear link between its message and a solution to the problem. It is evident that the advertisement provides solution to the problem without setting appropriate strategies for s olving the problem. The advert has evident mythology aspects that relate to its intended message. Firstly, the advert relies on the power of association as a strategy towards elimination of people’s attitude towards drinking of wine. In addition, the advertisement relies on scientific discoveries and people’s observation. Although the advert creates a link between current scientific discovery and modern day medical problem, it is slightly unrealistic (Radway, 2010). This deficiency creates a basis for the cultural myth in the advertisement. In addition, the advertisement illustrates the numerous cultural myths associated with wine drinking. For instance, people associate wine drinking with the rich people. In addition, different brands of wine are associated with ancient European monarchies. For instance, the

Differentiate between neligence, intentional and constitutional torts Essay

Differentiate between neligence, intentional and constitutional torts. What act(s) can cause a tort liability - Essay Example For example: an employee of the criminal justice department conducted his duties without making sure that others are not harmed by his means of conducting duty, due to this others may have been inflicted with harm or injury, thus the official is held responsible for conducted his duties in a negligent manner. Criminal justice officers experience intentional torts when they indulge knowingly and freely indulge in activities due to which citizens or other individuals of a society may be harmed (Vaughn, 1999). For example: a police officer uses coercive methods to obtain a confession from a suspect, due to his act the suspect gets badly injured, the police official is held responsible for using coercion and the confession obtained from the suspect might not be used as evidence in the court of law. A criminal justice employee may be held responsible in a case of constitutional tort if he fails to conduct his duties in accordance to the constitution of the country (Carlson, 1985, p.342). For example: if a police official makes an arrest and forgets to read the Miranda rights to the suspect, the police official may be held responsible for acting according the constitution and the suspect may be free to leave as his Miranda rights were not read to him (Peak, 2011, p.281). Various activities conducted by the officials of the criminal justice system lead to tort liability, these activities includes: negligent behaviour, wrongful charges for arrest, breach of right of privacy, upholding information and evidence, and coercive interrogation. When an official of the criminal justice system is said to have acted in a negligent manner, he is said to have not exercised his duty of due care (Peak, 2011, p.341). This means that while conducting his duties, an official has not ensured to eradicate practices and procedures that may harm an individual and that are foreseen. Therefore a police official has to exercise his duty of care while conducting his

Multiple Regression and Correlation Techniques Assignment

Multiple Regression and Correlation Techniques - Assignment Example The controversy is likely to misinform a research basis and compromise research objectives through poor variable selection and validity issues. Researchers can however resolve the controversy by focusing on theory rather than uninformed bias to the divergent literatures. Effort for limiting the number of variables in a study, subject to influence of identified theory is another approach to resolving the controversy (Hot, Imel and Chan, 2008; Aparasu, 2011). Tests involving mediator and moderator variables generate diversified controversies with inclusion of time factor as the major source of controversy as researchers focus on cross sectional studies in the analyses. Determination of whether a variable is a moderator or a mediator variable is another major source of controversy and may misinform actual relationships among variables into invalid results research implications. A shift from focus on cross sectional studies and an open approach to critical perspectives to developed results are proposed as solution to the mediator and moderator controversy. Researcher integrity is therefore necessary in incorporating divergent views on a study (Hot, Imel and Chan, 2008; Yin,

Income and Government Services: A Review of the Literature

Income and Government Services: A Review of the Literature In 1935 the Social Security Act was signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Since then, it has grown into one of the largest government services offered by the Federal government. In order to fund government services like Social Security, taxes are levied on various income levels. This taxation is met with opposing viewpoints from various political perspectives. In general, conservatives oppose progressive taxation policies and programs that redistribute wealth while liberals typically support them (Chamber 2013). However, many people, regardless of income level, receive benefits from these government services or programs (Mettler 2008). Furthermore, across all income levels, participation and the array of use of these government programs is notably higher than one might expect (Mettler 2008) So this raises the question; does an individual’s level of income affect their perception of the country’s need for government services? It is important to answer this question because currently, the United States is battling a large amount of debt which some believe can be limited through reductions in spending on government services. By researching a possible link between an individual’s income level and their perception of government services, a more sophisticated conversation can take place regarding the significance of those services. In an earlier piece research conducted by Jeron Van Der Wall, Peter Achterberg, and Dick Houtman (2007) across fifteen countries found that income is a prominent indicator of perception. The countries included in the study were; Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, and the United States for the time period 1956 to 1990. They aim to try and provide an alternative explanation to Paul Nieuwbeerta’s (1996) research, which found that since the end of World War II voting for a specific political ideology based on one’s socioeconomic class, or class voting, was on the decline in Western civilization. To conduct their research, they rely on income as the primary indicator of class. They find that the patterns in class voting are driven by the cultural and educational differences across all incomes (Van Der Wall 2007). This indicates that class voting still exists and income l evel is still a relative factor to political ideology. Additionally Van Der Wall claims â€Å"class has been buried alive under the increasing weight of cultural voting, systematically misinterpreted as a decline in class voting† (Van Der Waal 417: 2007) when in fact class voting has become stronger since the pre-World War II era. (Van Der Wall 2007). However, because of the lack of accountability for variables like educational differences, working class, and just the evolution of political cultural in general, the findings raised by previous researchers are not entirely conclusive. By revealing these additional variables, a more thorough investigation can be conducted in regards to the relation between one’s income and their perception towards the necessity for government services. When discussing perception, personality traits must also be examined. Research conducted by Scott E. Seibert and Maria L. Kraimer (2001) examines how the Big Five personality traits are causally linked with extrinsic career success. They find that Extraverts, that are additionally psychologically more stable, are more likely to have extrinsic career success (Seibert 2001). Extraverts are outgoing and dominant individuals whose strive for success is driven by their personal ambition to come out on top. They have lower self-regard then introverts and are more willing to sacrifice better working conditions for the chance to rise above their peers. In regards to being agreeable and team players, extraverts are less likely to be agreeable and when working in organized conditions with others they are more likely to be more dominant and still try to stand out amongst their peers (Seibert 2001). Extraverts are rugged individualists, that is, they believe they are only ones who can determine how successful they are. This is a fundamental concept related to conservatism. And because extraverts are more likely to be successful and have higher incomes then introverts, Seibert and Kraimers’ (2007) findings reinforce the notion that individuals with higher levels of income are more conservative. Coinciding with personality, intelligence also affects the action and thought processes of people. Cognitive abilities are generally defined as the abilities one possesses to perform the simplest of tasks and the most difficult. They are the mechanisms of how we learn, remember, pay attention, and problem solve. They form together to create an individual’s intelligence quotient, which is generally linked with one’s overall level of intelligence. General mental ability (GMA), which was introduced by C. Spearman (1904), is also used to describe an individual’s level of intelligence. In their research, Frank Schmidt and John Hunter (2004) confirm that GMA sco res are strongly related to job performance and income level. Drawing from research conducted by Charles Murray(1998) that addition to examined GMA scores within families, â€Å"Murray found that the siblings with higher GMA scores received more education, entered more prestigious occupations, had higher income, and were employed more regularly† (Schmidt 2004). Using this evidence from Schmidt and Hunter’s research and correlating it with findings produced by Satoshi Kanazawa (2010) that show that more intelligent individuals are in fact more liberal, leads to the logical conclusion, assuming income is as related to intelligence as suggested, that higher income individuals are more likely to be liberal then conservative. Across the research provided, income is a relative factor in terms of political ideology. However, it is clear that a consensus on whether or not individuals with higher incomes are politically more liberal or conservative hasn’t been reached. Seibert and Kraimer’s (2001) research shows that the particular types of personalities that rise to the top in economic status are predominantly those of who, are more conservative in nature. What their research negates to account for is the level of intelligence possessed by those extraverts who are successful. Rather, they assume that they already have a high degree of intelligence because they possess the cognitive abilities to beat out their peers and earn higher incomes. Generally, this more than likely would be agreed upon. Furthering their point, intelligence as discussed in Schmidt and Hunter’s (2004) research, shows that intelligence is strongly linked to income level. However, the disparity in logic is introduced with Satoshi Kanazawa’s (2010) research which concludes that individuals, who possess a higher level of intelligence, are more liberal.   References Chambers, John R., Swan, Lawton K., and Heesacker, Martin. 2013. â€Å"Better Off Than We Know Distorted Perceptions of Incomes and Income Inequality in America† Jeroen van der Waal., Achterberg, Peter., and Houtman Dick. 2007. â€Å"Class Is Not Dead−−It HasBeen Buried Alive: Class Voting and Cultural Voting in Postwar Western Societies (1956−1990)†Ã‚  Politics Society  2007 35: 40. Kanazawa, Satoshi. 2010. â€Å"Why Liberals and Atheists Are More Intelligent†.  Social Psychology Quarterly,  Vol. 73, No. 1 (March 2010), pp. 33-57. Mettler, Suzanne., and Stonecash, Jeffrey M. 2008. â€Å"Government Program Usage and Political Voice†.  Social Science Quarterly: 89: 273–293. Murray, Charles. 1998.  Income Inequality and IQ.  Washington D.C: The AEI Press. Nieuwbeerta, P. (1996). â€Å"The Democratic Class Struggle in Postwar Societies: Class Voting in Twenty Countries, 1945-1990†.  Acta Sociologica  (Taylor Francis Ltd), 39(4), 345-383. Schmidt, Frank L., and Hunter, John. 2004. â€Å"General Mental Ability in the World of Work: Occupational Attainment and Job Performance.  Social Psychology  2004, Vol. 86, No.1, 162-173. Spearman, C. (1904). â€Å"General Intelligence, Objectively Determined and Measured.† American Journal of Psychology, 15, 201–293.

Essay --

The formula for baking soda is NaHCO3 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_bicarbonate_).The chemical formula for vinegar is CH3COOH (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acetic_acid). The chemical formula for the reaction is NaHCO3 + CH3COOH => CaCO3 + 2NaCl + H2O + CO2. The calcium atom from the calcium chloride molecule forms a new bond with the carbon trioxide form the sodium bicarbonate. This creates one of the product calcium carbonate, which is a covalent bond (https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070328160450AAVglRs). The two chlorine atoms left from the calcium chloride molecule is bonded with the sodium atom in the sodium bicarbonate to create sodium chloride, an ionic bond (http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/molecule/nacl.html). The left over atoms are two hydrogen atoms, three oxygen atoms, and one carbon atom. The two hydrogens form the water molecule with an oxygen atom, and ionic bond (comp book). Then all that is left is the carbon and the other two oxygen atoms. These three form the CO2 that is released. Below is a picture summarizing most of this paragraph. How would you give models or examples of any reaction? Well, in terms of 3D models, you should make sure that all the atoms in the product are equal to the number atoms in the reactants when they are combined. No atom is lost or created during the reaction. The same requirements go for writing an equation, as shown in the photo above. you can also write a formula for the product. Something that you must remember is that the metal reactant always comes first. The non metal reactant comes in second, and it usually end in -ide. (http://www.deltacollege.edu/emp/preedy/Handouts/Nomenclature%20Handout.pdf) Last, but not least, the easiest way to show a r... ... when a reaction happened and how to make it happen faster, but do you know to identify the reactants and the products, and how did it bonded? in terms of acid or base, you can use a pH meter or even some pH paper. After you use them, compare the color you get to the scale that should be included. You can also look at the formula for the product to find the reactants, telling you what is in it. The elements on the periodic table are organized based on the number of electron rings and valence electrons, which determine if they will bond and with what. The element carbon has biggest number of bonds, which is four. Carbon can be covalently bonded, meaning sharing electrons with another element, like in the calcium carbonate. Carbon can also be an ionically bonded, meaning the opposite charges of non metal ions and metal ions attract, like in sodium chloride. (comp book)

Capital One Bank Evaluation

Bank Performance Evaluation Project Capital One Bank Capital One Financial Corporation’s headquarters is in McLean, Virginia and in the Federal Reserve district five, The Federal Reserve of Richmond, Virginia. It is number 89 in peer group one with their consolidated assets of over $300 million. Peer group one banks are institutions that have equal to or greater than $10 million in consolidated assets. Capital One Bank specializes in credit cards, home loans, auto loans, while providing banking and savings products.They are a Fortune 500 company and have paved the way for mass credit card marketing in the 1990’s. Since its inception in 1988, Capital One has acquired numerous smaller banks and has kept growing to become one of the most well know bank holding companies in the United States. Unfortunately in November 2008, Capital One Bank suffered devastating losses and received $3. 5 billion bail-out funds from the Federal Emergency Economic Stabilization Act. But by mid 2009, Capital One Bank had bought back over 3. 5 million of their preferred stock shares from the United States Treasury.Although Capital One Bank has experienced some economic hardships in the recent past, it seems to be holding steady after the wake of the 2008 financial system meltdown. If we take a close look at this bank’s performance report, we can find some interesting information about their biggest asset components. For Capital One’s assets their percentage for loans to individuals is relatively high, 36. 77 percent compared to that of the peer group average of 4. 98 percent. This is indicative of a company that produces a large number of loans to individuals in the form of real estate, auto, and credit cards.This also indicates that this bank is interested in making profits from interest on loans. Real estate loans for this company are high with 22. 26 percent compared to the peer group average of 32. 89 percent. Although this bank dabbles in commercial bank ing, it keeps its commercial and industrial loans to a minimum in comparison to its other peer one counterparts. There are a few areas where Capital one shows virtually no interest such as; agricultural loans, investments in mutual funds and equity securities, and fed funds sold and reverse repos which are purchased under an agreement to resell.Federal funds sold are used for overnight funds that â€Å"keep balances on deposits at Federal Reserve Banks for purposes of clearing daily checks and deposits†(Olsen Research Associates). A reason Capital One Bank does not use this practice may be because it does not want to risk losing assets in the event that the borrowing bank defaults. Because Fed Funds Contracts are not secured they are always subject to loss if the borrowing bank defaults (Olsen Research Associates). Capital One Bank has relatively average percentages of debt securities of less than or more than one year.A debt security can be bought or sold between two parties , has defined amounts, rates, and maturities. As a whole, debt securities are relatively safer than equity securities because they have a principal amount that is returned to the lender at a specified maturity date. Moving on to the liquidity and funding of Capital One Bank, the core deposits are above those of other peer banks at 64. 84 percent compared to 55. 17 percent. Core deposits are comprised of demand deposits, deposit accounts that are subject to negotiable orders of withdrawal or automatic transfer from the savings accounts.This section also includes time deposits of less than $100,000, money market deposit accounts, other savings accounts, and other non-interest bearing deposit balances. Banks count on core deposits to fund loans while offering advantages â€Å"such as predictable costs and a measurement of the degree of customer loyalty† (Core Deposits). Core deposits are less vulnerable to short-term changes in the interest rates than CD’s or money market accounts (Core Deposits). The net loans and leases percentages of Capital One Bank are high as well compared to their competing banks.This is due to the high number of loans this bank awards to individuals in the form of mortgages, car loans, personal loans, and credit cards. Credit card loans blow the competition out of the water with an extremely high 40. 9 percent compared to peer group one’s average of 2. 41 percent. The liquid assets of Capital One are slightly lower in comparison to their peers by about 10 percentage point; this is another indicator that this bank produces numerous loans and has its assets â€Å"tied† up.Turning the attention to the relative income statement and marginal analysis portion of the report will describe the key components of earnings relative to average assets, margin analysis ratios, the yields or returns of specific assets, and the cost of funds. The report shows that Capital One’s main source of income is interest income in cluding; high interest income equaling a higher net interest income. Adjusted operating income, which is net interest income plus non-interest income, for Capital One Bank is 7. 45 percent to the peer group average of 4. 74.This is almost twice the amount of income from interest over its competitors. After accounting for operating expenses and realized gains and losses, the company has a pretax net income of 1. 82 percent and a net operating income of 1. 38 percent. The company’s interest expenses are insignificantly higher than those of its peers. Capital One has made provisions for loan and lease losses which are monies set aside for default loans. These provisions are greater than the competitors by 1. 25 percent and represent the bank’s desire to survive if loans default.Looking at the margin analysis portion of this section, you can note that the net interest income to average earning assets is twice as high as its competitors in peer group one at 6. 49 percent. I t is safe to say that Capital One Bank receives the majority of its income from interest. â€Å"Capitalization is the long-term funding that allows a business firm to operate. It is the investment that the business owner and any other investors make in the firm. It is a financial term which refers to the sum of the stockholder's equity of the firm and the firm's long-term debt, such as bonds or mortgages† (Peavler).Capitalization is also a measurement of business value based on the share price and number of shares outstanding. This is generally the market’s representation of the company’s value (Ycharts). For Capital One Bank, there capitalization is relatively similar to its counterparts. Equity capital to total asset ratio for Capital one is 13. 13 percent while the average for peer group one is 11. 30 and does not represent a substantial difference. Although Capital One Financial has seen its ups and downs over the past few years, it reports their â€Å"thir d quarter net income jumped 47 percent versus the prior year quarter†.This increase in profits is credited to the acquisition of ING Direct a financial institution of Dutch origin offering banking, insurance, and asset management services, and HSBC’s United States card business (Associated Press). Net income increased $357 million from this time last year and price per share went from $1. 77 to $2. 01, a 24 cent increase (Associated Press). Revenues also soared 39 percent to $5. 78 billion. Capital One Financial reports that it expects consumer demand to slow down soon, but they are prepared for what the future holds. ————————————————-Top of FormDec 10, 2012 12:17 p. m. ET| COF (Common Stock) | Exchange:NYSE (US Dollar)| Last Trade| $57. 77| Change| + 0. 70| | | | % Change| 1. 23%| | Volume| 1,167,465| Intraday High| $57. 80| | Open| $56. 91| Intraday Low| $56 . 78| | Minimum 20 minute delay Bottom of Form| | (Capital One: Stock Quote and Chart) Works Cited Associated Press. â€Å"News Summary:Capital One Posts Higher 3Q Profit. † Bloomberg Businessweek News. 18 2012: n. page. Web. 10 Dec. 2012. . â€Å"Capital One Financial Corporation Market Cap. Ycharts. N. p. , 06 2012. Web. 6 Dec 2012. . â€Å"Core Deposits. † Investopedia US. United States: 2012.

Supermax Prisons

Supermax Prisons and Their Adverse Effects Introduction Due to increasing crime rates and the extensive belief that rehabilitative programs for inmates do not work, a new and harsher method for prisons is being utilized. Instead of scattering the worst criminals, they are being consolidated into Supermax prisons. Supermax prisons are state of the art penitentiaries meant to hold only the worst of the worst criminals and inmates that cannot be trusted in regular prisons. There are strict regulations and policies to control inmates’ time for communication, recreation, visiting, religious practices, and education even more than regular prisons.More often than not, â€Å"inmates in supermax prisons spend 23 hours of every day locked in a small cell† (Hickey pg. 160). Supermax prisons work upon the premise that the most violent and disorderly inmates can be better controlled â€Å"by separation, restricted movement, and limited access to staff and other inmates† (Hick ey pg. 167). While supermax prisons are believed to reduce crime and increase safety, there are questions of whether or not this is actually the case. Compare/Contrast CritiqueSupermax prisons are considered effective because they consolidate the most violent criminals and allow for other prisons to function more safely and more normally for both staff and inmates. However the inmates cannot just be consolidated and held to the same standards as regular prisons, as was revealed at Marion in 1980 when the â€Å"operation began to show clear signs of the underlying stresses of using this quasi-normal system to deal with such aggressive offenders† (Hickey pg. 164). In response, a new and more sophisticated facility was created to cater to the high-security needs of a prison with extremely dangerous inmates.These newer facilities were created to â€Å"control the inmate’s behavior until they demonstrate that they can be moved back to a traditional open-population penitent iary† (Hickey pg. 165). While incarcerated at supermax prisons, the inmates are handcuffed around staff, eat and exercise alone, and are kept in their cells for most of the day. As prisoners behave well, they are given more and more privileges until they are deemed safe enough to return to regular prisons. Additionally, there is a much higher staff to inmate ratio than at normal prisons.All services that are required are available and â€Å"operations are consistent with constitutional requirements related to conditions and confinement† (Hickey pg. 166). After returning to regular penitentiaries from a supermax prison, 80% of former inmates behave well enough that they do not return to the supermax prison. Supermax prisons provide a level of safety and security for both staff and inmates that other prisons cannot provide. On the other hand, there is a dark side and harsh reality to supermax prisons besides the obvious high costs of maintaining the prisons that are funde d by tax payers.While supermax prisons claim to uphold the prisoner’s constitutional rights, there are many claims that state otherwise ranging from the denial of medical care to illegal censorship of mail—â€Å"prison guards have testified to shackling prisoners to their beds and spraying them with high-pressure fire hoses† (Hickey pg. 169). The placement of inmates at certain levels of security and confinement based upon behavior is arbitrary. The guards determine what is â€Å"good† and â€Å"bad† behavior, and their reasons could be as menial as â€Å"refusing to make beds or complaining about clogged and overflowing toilets† (Hickey pg. 169).Additionally, the amount of control that the inmates are placed under (near 24-hour isolation, little to no physical contact between visitors and inmates and highly limited and scheduled outdoor recreation time) creates an environment that is psychologically debilitating and harmful to personal and social identities. Rehabilitation is set aside and replaced with competition between the inmates for privileges, fostering a hostile environment. The amount of frustration, deprivation, and despair that inmates endure do not create less violent inmates, but something much more dangerous (at the least, more angry).Fighting violence with more violence is not working—supermax prisons are not reducing crime or safety. Critique of the Debate Supermax prisons are a good idea on paper. However, in practice, supermax prisons do not work. In a contrasting example, there are many soldiers returning from war. They are greeted by family, strangers buy food for them out of gratitude for their service, and there are programs and support groups that help them return to normal ways of life. Still, the transition from the life of a soldier in combat back to the civilian world is not easy. However, these issues are recognized and respected in many forms of support.On the other hand, for the in creasingly large amount of criminals who are sent to supermax prisons for breaking the law, the preparation and actual transition from prison life back to regular society is not widely recognized or respected, with little or no support. There are few credible methods or support groups that truly help previous convicts return to normal life, especially in comparison to a soldier returning from war. Additionally, individuals that are accepted members of society greet the returning convicts with trepidation and suspicion because of the belief â€Å"once a thief, always a thief. Consequently, the convict’s return to society and â€Å"normal† life is nearly impossible and recommitting criminal acts is expected. While the return of a criminal from prison should not be honored the way a soldier is honored when returning from deployment, a criminal should have similar rehabilitative and re-immersion programs and support groups. With the levels of confinement being dictated by arbitrary rules and expectations set in place by guards, inmates behave well only because they want privileges and rewards rather than to actually improve themselves.Using a reward-punishment system does not develop character or help prisoners in their eventual assimilation back into society. When inmates are released from prison, they need to return better than they were before prison or else they will just end up in prison again. In order for this to be accomplished, â€Å"a more holistic view of crime control† needs to be set in order and there needs to be more of a focus â€Å"on community and restoration and less on imprisonment† (Hickey pg. 174). The United States has been using prisons for centuries now and imprisonment rates have only increased throughout history.Perhaps the answer to reducing crime is not in the traditional idea of fear of punishment, but the United States seems to be stuck on the idea of using prisons and imprisonment to thwart crime neverth eless. In a perfect world, criminals will be sent to prison, spend their time there wisely, and return to society a changed people. However, in reality, inmates are being released from prison worse off than when they entered the prison. Not seeing or interacting with another human being creates a disconnection from humanity.For the inmate, being kept totally separated and isolated from everyone, there must inevitably be a sense of anger and resentment towards the system that should be helping them and at the very least be showing them how to act properly in society upon their release from prison. Additionally, controlling every aspect of a person’s life is not productive or educational. Learning from mistakes is a part of life, but supermax prisons have nothing to offer in terms of learning. Since the inmates have clearly made mistakes (they are in prison after all), they should be educated on how to learn and grow from their mistakes.Instead, they are just put down as failur es and expected to continue failing. However, as supermax prisons become more and more popular, rehabilitative programs and the inmate’s humanity are being set aside for safer conditions and security. The idea that you have to sacrifice either the humanity of the inmate or the safety of the staff would imply that the system is severely flawed. There has to be a better way to punish criminals, but also rehabilitate them. Conclusion The current penal system that the United States has is flawed and supermax prisons are simply not as effective as was expected.The traditional use of prisons and imprisonment as a way to deter crime is not (nor has it ever been) actually successful at reducing crime, but for some reason we keep to the same plan and modify it rather than take a whole new approach. A person who goes to prison should not want or need to commit deviance after leaving prison—they should leave a changed person. Society should strive to help the person returning fro m prison similar to the way soldiers are aided upon their return to the United States.Instead, society remains adamant in continuing to punish and then ignore those who commit crimes which in end creates a never ending cycle of deviance. The system for punishing criminals needs to change, but how society views the punishment of criminals needs to change as well. Instead of focusing on revenge and justice, the focus needs to be on rehabilitation and development. Works Cited Hickey, T. (2012). Taking sides: Clashing views in crime and criminology. (10th ed. ). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Companies Inc.

american indian essays

american indian essays It was approaching dusk as the conspicuous line of dark vans entered the reservation. These vehicles served the purpose of furnishing transportation for about 30 members of a Cleveland area youth group, whose mission was to bring good news to the badlands. In short, the group was ministering to the Indian children of the Pine Ridge Reservation, which was in close vicinity to the natural wonder found in the foothills of the badlands. The trip became a tradition for my church and I traveled there on three separate occasions. Each year, the team received a welcoming that could be described as anything but inviting. In fact, the first year the trip fell on the Fourth of July and as we drove in, our vehicles were bombarded with fireworks. I could never really grasp why we were so despised. After all, our intentions were commendable. The matter became clearer after I read Zitkala-sas American Indian Stories. Within this text, a Native American expresses her beliefs that actions s imilar to ours serve merely in altering culture. The main characters civilization had religious beliefs long before the white man presented his ideas. Essentially, the Sioux religion was based on nature. It is difficult to pinpoint the exact beliefs of the group because of the deficiency of information. However from the text, some aspects can be gathered. First, it appears as though everything in nature is believed to retain a spirit. Zitkala-Sa is observing the flowers and personifies them, assuming they are possessive of a spirit by saying, Their quaint round faces of varied hue convince the heart which leaps with glad surprise that they too, are living symbols of omnipotent thought. (102) Everything natural was incorporated into their religious beliefs. Thus, the people receive refreshment of the soul through companionship with the outdoors. The narrator describes a spiritual expe...

Strenght limitation ans challenge of ethically social responsible Coursework

Strenght limitation ans challenge of ethically social responsible business - Coursework Example increases the relationships and independence in all the business sectors and more so in dealing with the customers that are on daily basis generating from the business. Social responsibility issues as well as the ethical concerns are extremely sensitive especially to the managers running the business. Due to some of the pressures they often receive from the groups of interest, public, media coverage, governmental and other legal concerns, the managers ensure that they are solely responsible for any of the developments that are more likely in the social and ethical conducts of their people (Joshua 2000, pg.64). This is commonly challenging especially in the decision making of what and where to apply effectively a certain condition that ought to be in place. If there are any conflicting concerns and situations in the peoples and organizations conducts, then it remains a challenge of where to draw the line and make up for the necessary adjustments of the situation. Social responsibility and the ethical conducts of an individual are thus very important in order to avoid some of the conflicting concerns in ensuring a working business environment. In examining some of the common views of ethics that are standardized in the success of any business, that is how to get to the root causes of the challenges. Diagnosing the strengths that are involved in some of the questionings that involves business and the social ethical responsibility of it is just the beginning of a successful business-working environment. The utilitarianism ethics view whereby an ethical problem is likely to approach the question in considering which of the action course may do the least or rather a good harm. According to John Stuart Mill and Jeremy Bentham, the actions are more likely to categorize in a way that they either make many people satisfied and happy of the outcomes (Bowie 1987, pg.53). Further, they explain that a small number of people could be unhappy but so long as the majority is happy

Fuzzy Logic system Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Fuzzy Logic system - Essay Example The results of the analysis for different input and output conditions are compared and finally the best conditions are derived for the best performance of the machine. The given control system is a manufacturing machinery whose reliability can be analysed through the performance of three parts namely part A, part B and part C present in that machine. In order to diagnose faults in the components there are three sensors associated with them namely sensor 1, sensor 2 and sensor 3. A fault in any one of the three components may require either a cheap or expensive repair. The recovery time, the time that it takes the machine to return to full working order after repair, is either quick or slow or takes an intermediate amount of time. The output values of the sensors are to be controlled in a specific manner to evaluate the condition on the three parts on a scale 0 ( representing good condition – okay ) to 1( representing faulty condition). The given machinery can be represented and analysed using the Fuzzy Logic Tool Box available in MATLAB. Fuzzy logic starts with the concept of a fuzzy set. A fuzzy set is a set without a crisp, clearly defined boundary. It can contain elements with only a partial degree of membership. For the given system fuzzy variables are defined for each sensor and each part. The fuzzy variables for each sensor contain three equally sized, linear shaped, overlapping fuzzy sets comprising high, medium and low. The fuzzy variable for each machine part also contains three equally sized, linear shaped, overlapping fuzzy sets comprising of faulty, unreliable and okay. To construct the default system, the Mamdani Fuzzy Inference System in MATLAB GUI has been used. Mamdanis method was among the first control systems built using fuzzy set theory. It was proposed in 1975 by Ebrahim Mamdani (Sabeghi and Naghibzadeh , 2006,). In the FIS editor the default methods for AND , OR, implication, aggregation and defuzzification have been used. Three

Manufacturing, Raw Materials, and Geography Essay

Manufacturing, Raw Materials, and Geography - Essay Example The large geographical area also made it difficult for the colonists to stamp their influence since it required expertise and numerous resources. The proximity to numerous countries was a concept influenced manufacturing because of the large market base and investment opportunities in those nations (Lu, 2013). The country possesses natural resources such as Zinc and Coal among others that boosted its industrial productivity. The natural possessions affected decolonization and imperialism because it was not dependent on other countries. As a result, the colonists could not force their interests, in returns for the support extended, to the China (Lu, 2013). This is because China had the power to produce its own commodities and transport them to other regions, including the Western nations. In this regard, decolonization and imperialism were enhanced as the Western powers did not want to interfere with the supply of commodities from China for their industrial developments (Lu, 2013). This implies that China used its natural resources to support industries across the world with cheap raw materials and finished products. This influenced manufacturing in the region through the availability of raw materials to the local

Sources of Errors as a Student, Employee, Business Owner Essay Example for Free

Sources of Errors as a Student, Employee, Business Owner Essay Error Proofing/Poka-Yokes: The most useful mean for the lean incessant improvement is that of poka-yokes. The idea actually is to develop countermeasures that give protection against errors and mistakes that occur in a process. If we follow these countermeasures, we would be considered secure from many errors which can be disastrous for us. The idea to make every aspect of life error proof permeates our education sector, our attitude as employees, and as business owners. 1. Student Errors:Â  * The common error made by the students is to choice their profession, which may not be according to their capabilities and talent. Therefore, it is necessary to choose the profession according to the talent and abilities. * There are students, irregular in their studies because they do not manage a proper schedule for studies. To avoid this, they need to plan for their study goals properly. 2. Employees Errors: * The relationship of an employee with his boss and colleagues matters a lot in understanding his nature of working. He must have the ability to follow the management decisions and direct his subordinates properly. * Violation of rules from the employee’s side. Every organization has its rules and every employees needs to follow these rules in order to work for the benefit of the organization. 3. Business Owner Errors: * Failure of any business is that when business owners don’t set their goals to attain. So in order to avoid the failure there must be strategy and rules. * Business owner may not have strength to get the required quality of work from workers. He must have grip on every aspect of his business. 4. Personal Life Errors: * Some people do not have clarity in their life. It is one of the major error or mistake of life. One must set goals to enjoy a successful life. * Some people are trying to find the shortcuts for enjoying a successful life which may prove fatal for them. Therefore, go for hard work rather to find shortcut paths.

Symmetry and Group Theory in Relation to Wallpaper Groups

Symmetry and Group Theory in Relation to Wallpaper Groups Mark Anderson 1.1 Group Theory Group Theory was derived from three other areas of mathematics, number theory, the theory of algebraic equations and geometry. The first prominent mathematicians credited with studying group theory were A-L.Cauchy, E.Galois and J-L.Lagrange. Although Lagranges work with groups is probably the earliest research into groups, in the 18th century, his work was rather isolated and the mid-19th century works of Cauchy and Galois are often considered to be the origin of the study of group theory. In his 1770 paper, Lagrange was the first mathematician to study permutations. His objective for the study was to discover why cubic and quartic equations could be solved using the theory of algebra. During his work, while evident permutation group theory is being used in his work, the permutations are never composed and he never discusses groups themselves. Cauchy published his first paper on the topic of permutations in 1815, however, it was not until his work in 1844 that permutations were considered a subject in its own right by introducing many of the key aspects of permutation groups including the notation of positive and negative powers of groups, identifying the power 0 being the identity, the cycle and permutation notation of a group and the order of a permutation. He also proved the conjugacy of permutations if the permutations have the same cycle structure and Cauchys theorem If a prime divides the order of a group, that group has a subgroup of order . Galois had papers published posthumously in 1846 by Liouville after Liouville saw a connection between Galois work and the permutation work of Cauchy from 1844. This work showed that Galois understood the relationship between the structure of a group of permutations related to the equation and the algebraic solution of an equation. To fully show this he created the notion of a normal subgroup. This was the first time the term group had been used in a technical sense. 1.2 Wallpaper Groups The origins of the study of wallpaper groups began as the study of crystallography which was to determine the structure of crystalline solids at the atomic level. It was from this study that many of the proofs for symmetry were discovered and set the foundations for more advanced symmetry groups such as space group which led to the proof of wallpaper groups.          In 1830, J.F.C Hessel discovered the maximum unique combinations of reflections and rotations of a crystal around a fixed point such that the image created is symmetrical to be 32. He proves this using the law of indices which states that the intercepts, OP, OQ, OR, of the natural faces of a crystal form with the unit-cell axes a, b, c are inversely proportional to prime integers, h, k, l. (IUCR, 2016). This is illustrated in the image below. All 32 combinations with crystallographic symmetry were then found geometrically in 1835 by M.L Frankenheim. Using the theory of crystal classes discovered by Hessel, A. Bravais systemized the theory and classified the 14 spacial lattices, which we now know as Bravais Lattices. These lattices are defined as infinite arrays of discrete points in a 3-Dimensional plane created by a set of operations described by Using both Hessels and Bravais work E. Fedorov and A.M Schà ¶nflies proved the existence of the 230 space groups in 1891. These space groups are Bravais lattices that have been reflected or rotated in any of the 32 unique point groups discovered by Hessel. These space groups within a 2-dimensional plane are the 17 wallpaper groups, which although known for centuries was only proved after the proof of space groups was already completed. A group is defined as a non-empty set under a binary operation, i.e. addition, multiplication etc. In order to be classified as a group, it must maintain four conditions: closure, associativity, identity and inverse. Let be a group with a binary operation Closure: For every element belonging to the group , the result of every two elements under the binary operation on the group is equal to another element of the group. i.e. then . Associativity: If three elements belong to the group then the order the operation is performed on the three elements will not affect the outcome. i.e. If the . Identity: There exists an element in the group such that when the binary operation is applied to it and any other element in the group, the outcome is equal to the other element. i.e. such that . Inverse: For every element in the group there is another element in such that when the two elements are under the operation the outcome is equal to the identity. i.e. such that A simple example of a group is the group of integers under the operation of addition (. This can be proved by showing the group satisfies the four axioms as stated above. Any integer added to any other is another integer, so the group is closed. Addition is associative, the identity of the group is 0 as any , and the inverse of any integer is as . A basic symmetry group to understand how symmetry is related to group theory is the symmetries of the rectangle. This group contains the linear transformations that leave the rectangles origin in place i.e. rotations and reflections. This shows there are 4 symmetries of the rectangle as shown in Figure 2. This can be displayed in multiple ways including Cayley tables, matrices and as permutations References International Union of Crystallography, 2016. Law of Rational Indices. [Online] Available at: http://reference.iucr.org/dictionary/Law_of_rational_indices[Accessed 26 February 2017]. Kleiner, I., 2004. The Evolution of Group Theory: A Brief Survey. [Online] Available at: https://www.math.lsu.edu/~adkins/m7200/GroupHistory.pdf[Accessed 24 February 2017]. OConnor, J. J. Robertson, E. F., 1996. The Development of Group Theory. [Online] Available at: http://www-groups.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/history/HistTopics/Development_group_theory.html[Accessed 24 February 2017].

Interview Essays - A Local Rock Star -- Interview Essays - A Local Roc

Local Rock Star Sitting at the table with long, thick, blonde hair and a hint of Brad Pitt’s facial features sits Brian. He is a 17 year old high school junior, a guitarist in a local band, and he is my interview. He will begin nearly all his sentences with â€Å"uhh†¦Ã¢â‚¬  but then proceeds to long, interesting answers. I started by asking him about when he became interested in music, and who his influences were. â€Å"I’ve always listened to music,† he said, â€Å"my first album ever was Nirvana’s Nevermind; it was a cassette tape. I also listened to a lot of Michael Jackson—don’t laugh, I mean like Thriller and stuff.† What inspired you to play an instrument? â€Å"The Red Hot Chili Peppers’ CD Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magic was the first time I realized I wanted to play an instrument.† What instruments do you play? â€Å"I’ve played guitar for the last four years, saxophone for the last two—though only in the school band,† he said. â€Å"The keyboard, bass and drums I can ‘musically understand,’ though I don’t usually play them.† So tell me about the band. What’s the significance of the band’s name, No Name Charlies? â€Å"Uhh†¦ well we had, like, 100 names that we had gone through and we didn’t really like. Then Greg, our former trombone player, said that whenever his teacher in elementary school would get an essay without a name on it, she’d call it a ‘no name Charlie.’ We all kind of liked it; it’s definitely grown on us since then.† He told me the band came together in November 2001, and their first show was in spring 2002. There has been a lot of movement in terms of the band members: some have come and gone, some have come, gone and come back again, some switch instruments, and others have stepped in. The configuration, as i... ...ur first one,† he says, referring to their 2003 demo Shut Up and Listen! They met Pat Kays, bassist for the band Catch 22, when they opened for his band last year. Kays told the boys he liked their sound, and was interested in engineering and, to an extent, producing. â€Å"It was mutual,† Brian said, â€Å"because we had been wanting to record, and he had wanted to engineer. It all kind of fell into place.† Youthful endurance, continuing optimism and a small—but steadily growing—fan base have all contributed to the No Name Charlies’ local success. When asked whether the band would take the chance to become famous—if the chance was given—Brian said they would take it without question. However, he thinks balance is important, and would not sacrifice a college education for it. When asked if he thinks the band will make it big, Brian replied, â€Å"I’d like to think so.†