Main Disadvantages of Wearing School Uniform

Main Disadvantages of Wearing School Uniform Imagine that you wake up every single day early in the morning, get up and put on the same clothes you had on yesterday, the day before yesterday, last week, last month and so on. And you’re not the only one who does the same routine every morning. School uniforms become more and more popular. They have left the walls of schools a long time ago. The problem is that along with the positive effects, a school uniform may have a lot of inconvenient aspects to it. Some of them are provided below. First of all, a big number of students and their parents complain that wearing a school uniform doesn’t let students express themselves. Students not wearing a school uniform can experiment with different clothing styles in order to find something that will suit them and their personas. Self-expression – that’s the first advantage of not wearing a school uniform. Moreover, not being allowed to wear what you want causes all sorts of stress. Teachers usually have to work with big groups of students. This means that they need to remember many different names. It is often so that they can recognize this or that student by look only. School uniform makes it impossible for the teacher to visually identify a certain student. A lot of low-income families cannot afford to buy a school uniform. Their kid not wearing a school uniform would only help their financial situation. People are different and their tastes are different as well. To some students it may be especially troubling to wear the clothes which don’t bring them any satisfaction. Furthermore, physical features of all are different and there’s no guarantee that the school uniform will suit all the students equally. To my point of view, it is extremely important to weigh the pros and cons before setting up school uniform rule at school.

Analysis Of The Movie The Leprechaun - 858 Words

Mark Jones’ â€Å"The Leprechaun† movie features a well-dressed Leprechaun with a gold buckled top hat, velvet green suit, and polished black shoes, also adorned with gold buckles. Underneath this ensemble is a beast with grimy skin, sharp, dirty nails, and rotten teeth. Jones portrays the Leprechaun to be a greedy and conniving little monster who will seek and destroy anyone who gets in the way between him and his precious gold. This is much like George W. Bush and his so-called war on Iraq. This is a man who to the normal eye appears to be well groomed and trust-worthy but in all actuality instilled fear in the American people and was driven by greed. The war on Iraq was in response to the imminent threat of Saddam Hussein’s weapons of mass destruction and ties to terrorism as reported by the United States government, or that’s what the citizens of the United States were told by George W. Bush. He told the world that the Iraq war was a war on terrorism f ollowing the September 11 attack of the World Trade Center in New York City. At some point during the war, Bush thought he could make a deal with Hussein that included allowing Hussein to stay in power in exchange for oil drilling rights for the United States. This was because Bush knew that if Saddam Hussein were to sign with members of the United Nations on oil drilling rights, the United States would lose all power to Iraq’s oil. â€Å"If those sanctions were removed while Saddam Hussein was still in power, companies from all of

Terms of Projects Profitability and Financing Issues

Question: Requirements 1 Calculate the post-tax cost of capital for the move of Arden Ltd into the air freight industry having incorporated both business and financial risk into this evaluation. Further evaluate why the air freight Industry may have a different Beta than the passenger airline industry. Requirement 2 Critically evaluate CAPM as a methodology to get a value for the cost of equity for a company. Explain to Steve Culley, the CEO, what unsystematic risk is and its relevance to the CAPM calculation. Discuss why increasing gearing links into an increasing cost of equity and then briefly whether this would then lead to an increasing WACC. Requirement 3 Evaluate the NPV on this project using your previously calculated WACC. Steve Culley is also interested in your views on some other financial evaluation techniques he has heard of, namely MIRR and discounted payback and would like you to explain two benefits of the use of each of the techniques for Arden. Finally Steve is intensely aware of the risks around sales falling in this project and would be interested in you helping him to understand the significance of this variable. Requirement 4 Steve is also interested in understanding the Black Scholes formula better and specifically how it could accommodate the air freight opportunity. He has seen the call option formula but would like your reasoning on the effect of the 5 components specifically the way a change in each of them individually would lead to a higher value for the call option on the potential expansion after the 4 year point. Reducing risk (details in Appendix 2) Requirement 1 Explain a range of internal techniques for mitigating risk on the fuel payments that Arden has to make. In discussing these techniques critically evaluate their use under the circumstances of Arden. Requirement 2 Evaluate the hedging options available to Arden (based on the data in appendix 2) for the $20,000,000 borrowing requirement, assuming that on Oct 1st 2016 US Libor equivalent is 6% and the closing Futures price available is 93.80. The evaluation should include a numerical analysis and an identification of the steps involved in each hedging strategy selected, along with any advantages and disadvantages of the selected strategy. Requirement 3 Evaluate the use of using US dollar denominated debt (as opposed to UK debt) to finance the potential new US operations. Your analysis should also include the potential benefits that may accrue from a currency swap with a US company who may be looking to borrow in UK pounds. Illustrative calculations can be used to show this benefit to Steve Culley. Financing issues (details in Appendix 3) Requirement 1 With respect to the Financing needs linked to the purchase of the new planes, critically evaluate the logic for using more Debt finance, versus equity, for Arden with particular focus on its own circumstances and the industry conditions of the Airline industry. Requirement 2 Critique the proposal to sell off the Hotel division of Arden as a way of raising finance but also as a long term commercially sensible solution for a business requiring accommodation for its employees. Requirement 3 Discuss the key reasons why Arden should list on a Stock exchange, focusing on benefits outside of just the raising initial finance through an Initial Public Offering (IPO). Detail for Steve responses on those areas of the IPO process that he doesnt fully understand and explain to him the benefits of a premium market listing on the London Stock exchange.(Premium listing versus Standard listing). Also briefly assess whether this will be a significant challenge for Arden in meeting these criteria for a premium listing. Answer: Air freight opportunity Requirement 1 Calculation of Post-tax Cost of Capital Cost of equity capital: It can be calculated by using the following CAPM formula: E (Ri) = Rf + i [E(Rm) - Rf] Here, Rf = 4% = 1.65 E(Rm) = 10% Thus, cost of equity will be: = 0.04 + 1.65(0.10 - 0.04) = 0.04 + 1.65(0.06) = 0.04+0.099 = 0.139 = 13.9% Cost of debt: It can be computed by using the below formula: Cost of debt = Here: I = Interest rate (Assumed as 10%) T = Tax rate (20%) = Market price of debt (Assumed as 125) Thus, debt cost will be: = 6.4% Now, WACC can be calculated as below: Source Value of share Weight After tax cost % Total capital cost Equity share capital 100m 0.33 0.139 0.04587 Debenture 200m 0.67 0.064 0.04288 Total 300m 1.00 0.08875 or 8.875% Thus, it is clear that the cost of capital for the company is 8.875% or 9%. The air freight industry must have a different beta than the passenger airline industry because beta is calculated from movements in the historical stock price that include both industry and finance risk. As industry risk is influenced by factors such as demand of the product, raw material prices, substitutes availability, etc., there must have a different beta for the air freight industry (Brown, 2010). Requirement 2 Evaluation of CAPM methodology to Obtain the Cost of Equity Value For the valuation of risky securities, capital asset pricing model (CAPM) is an effective framework. The CAPM model defines that an asset's expected return is related to its risk as measured by beta (Pratt and Grabowski, 2010). The below is the formula for CAPM model: E(Ri) = Rf + i [E(Rm) - Rf] (Stowe, 2007). Where E(Ri) = Expected return on asset Rf = Risk free rate of return (Stowe, 2007). E(Rm) = The expected return on the market portfolio i = beta, or the sensitivity of the assets to returns on the market portfolio (Stowe, 2007). CAPM based expected rate of return can be used for valuing the cost of equity for a company. It is because as the CAPM depicts equilibrium and all risks are captured by beta, risk adjustments can be made by the investors based on beta. In addition, as the calculation of CAPM requires only some inputs and based on some simplifying assumptions, it is a preferable method to calculate firm's cost of equity (Viebig, Poddig and Varmaz, 2008). But, at the same time, as this model only considers systematic market risk, such risks might not be the only factor for defining all the variations in share prices. It shows that the major disadvantage of this method is related to the ignorance of unsystematic risk. It is because due to the ignorance of the unsystematic risk, the CAPM and beta are unable to define the amount of significant differences in stock returns (Pratt and Grabowski , 2010). In contrast, this model views that all the firms face the systematic risk (identified through beta), whic h no investor can remove from their chosen portfolio investments. Therefore, CAPM method provides as effective measure to value the company's equity cost of capital. On the other hand, unsystematic risk is a company-specific risk that can be eliminated by the investors in their portfolio through diversification. The CAPM model also considers that by holding a broad portfolio that wipe out the effects of unsystematic risks, such risks can be eliminated. It reflects that CAPM methodology ignores the unsystematic risk and thus, this risk in not relevant to the CAPM calculation. It can also be discussed that increasing gearing results into an increasing cost of equity. Gearing refers 'to the ratio of borrowed capital by the firm at a fixed rate of interest to the firm's total capital' (Collin, 1998). The main reason behind this is that due to increasing gearing or issue of more debt, more interest is disbursed of profits before stockholders can get paid their dividends (Heffernan, 2005). Furthermore, bigger interest payments increase the unpredictability of payment of dividends to shareholders. It is because if the company has inadequate profits in a year, there is still need to pay increased interest payments, which may affect the ability of the company to pay dividends. Moreover, it increases the financial risk to shareholders, due to which they require more return on their investment to compensate the increased risk resulting in increasing the cost of equity (Heffernan, 2005). In addition, the increase in cost of equity due to increasing gearing would als o result in an increasing WACC. It is because WACC (weighted average cost of capital) is a simple average between the cost of debt and the cost of equity. Concurrently, as the cost of equity increases, it would also lead to increase in the WACC. Requirement 3 Calculation of NPV The below table shows the calculation of cash flows for the project: The following table summarizes the NPV calculations: It is clear that this project has positive NPV of 35.34. Thus, it can be stated that investment in this project would be beneficial to maximize the shareholder value and attain positive benefits. There are also other techniques, which can be used for assessing the viability of an investment project. The main techniques include modified internal rate of return (MIRR) and discount payback period. The benefits of these techniques for Arden is as below: MIRR: The main advantage of this technique is that it considers all the project's cash flows and also considers time value of money, which will be helpful for Arden to produce more effective results (Fabozzi, Drake, and Polimeni, 2007). It will also be beneficial to inform about the increase in the company's value through an investment. It also considers the risk of future cash flows through the cost of capital while making decisions (Brigham and Daves, 2014). Discount Payback: It also considers the concept of time value of money, thus it would be supportive for Arden to effectively evaluate the new project and produce valid results (Fabozzi and Drake, 2009). Another benefit is that it would also be advantageous for Arden to assess the risk of new business venture's cash flow through the cost of capital (Fabozzi, Drake, and Polimeni, 2007). Sales is an important variable while assessing the viability of a project. It is because sales figure is used to determine the cash flows from a project by reducing the operating expenses and making adjustments for depreciation and tax. Therefore, it is essential to accurately make assumptions regarding sales by considering the market and demand factors. Requirement 4 Black Scholes formula The Black-scholes formula was developed by the three economic experts including 'Fischer Black, Myron Scholes and Robert Merton' (CvitaniĆ¡ and Zapatero, 2004). The formula can be used for calculating the European put and call options' theoretical price. Similarly, it could accommodate the air freight opportunity by providing a way to evaluate call and put option. There are certain assumptions, on which the formula works. These include 'during the option's life no dividend is paid, the options are European and can only be worked at the end, no movement in the market, no commission, constant risk free rate and volatility, and normally distributed returns' (Mayo, 2016). The below is the Black-scholes formula: C = SN(d1) - N(d2)Ke-rt (Mayo, 2016). In this, d1 and d2 can be calculated as follow: d1 = d2 = d1 - s. Here, C = Call premium S = Current stock price T = time K = Striking prices of the option R = Risk-free interest rate N = Cumulative standard normal distribution e = Exponential term s = Standard deviation In = Natural log It shows that the formula has five main components including 'current underlying price, options strike price, time until expiration, which is expressed as a percent of a year, implied volatility, and risk-free interest rates'. There is a relationship between each independent variable and the call value due to which the changes in the each component leads to higher call option value. For example, An increase in the stock's price, increases the call options value. It is because the intrinsic option value rises as per the increase in the stock price (Mayo, 2016). Similarly, a decrease in the strike price, increases the call option's value. A gain in to the time to expiration also increases the value of a call option because as time decreases, the value of option also falls (Mayo, 2016). A rise in the stock's variability also increase the value. For the reason, a speculator will get an option more attractive with a volatile stock than an option with a stable stock price. Interest rate increase will also increase the call option value as higher interest rates are related with higher call option valuations (Mayo, 2016). Reducing Risk Requirement 1 The below are the techniques available that can be used by Arden for mitigating risk on the fuel payments. Internal Control Framework: Firstly, to mitigate the risk, Arden should establish a internal control framework approved by the company's management and board. The framework must ensure internal control in different areas including fraud prevention, exact management information, separatism of duties, execution of approved strategies, and fuel payment audit in order to mitigate the risk (HSBC Bank Middle East, 2014). For example, management must be provided accurate information about the fuel payments so that effective decisions can be made to control the risk related to fuel payment. This technique will be beneficial for Arden as by making an effective internal control system, the company can avoid the use of external hedging techniques. It would also be cost effective for the company due to assurance about the optimum utilization of available resources. Scenario Planning: It would also be an effective technique for Arden to mitigate the fuel payment risk. In this, the risk managers at Arden Ltd. can evaluate the business sensitivity to the changes in fuel prices and can develop contingency plans accordingly to reduce the adverse impact of the changes in the price of fuel (Kinder, 2008). The implementation of this technique can create additional cost for the company due to requirement of expertise people for scenario planning. Collaborative Technologies: The use of such technologies can also be beneficial to mitigate the risk effectively. For example, combined human knowledge and sharing of information can be beneficial for Arden to reduce the extent to which fuel payments can adversely affect the business (Kinder, 2008). Continuous Business Process Optimization: Implementation of effective risk management processes along with the use of proactive measures and technologies can be beneficial to get early information about the changes in fuel prices and thus, find suitable ways to control the situation in an effective and efficient manner (Kinder, 2008). Requirement 2 Calculation of interest =20,000,000*6%*90/360 =300,000 Profit earned on the future position = 100-6 = 94 Thus, profit earned will be = 94-93.80 = 0.20 Future Hedging Strategy The below are the pros and cons of the future hedge strategy: Advantage: Lack of credit risk, Possibility to extend the delivery date as well as closing out prior to maturity (Jovanovic, 2014). Limits price risk (Friedman and DeCorla-Souza, 2012). High Liquidity, and Extremely standardized contracts in the form of location delivery, quantity, and quality. Disadvantage: Require daily settlement, Likely profit is limited (Jovanovic, 2014). Uncertainty of future returns. Requirement 3 In order to finance the new US operations, the company can use US dollar denominated debt as opposed to UK debt. Such kind of transactions are known as SWAPs. Swaps are OTC products, which 'require the swapping of one future cash flow for a different future cash flow, where both flows are defined by a benchmark' (Loader, 2013). Equity, Currency, and interest rate swaps are common examples. 'A currency swap is an interchange of certain amount of cash flows in one currency for a series of cash flows in another currency at pre-defined period and interest rate basis' (Loader, 2007). For example, through currency swap with a US company, which is also searching to borrow in UK pounds, Arden Ltd. can borrow money cheaper. It is because with the help of currency swap, 'Arden will borrow British Pounds on a floating rate basis from its bank and then swap this GBP principle amount for USD with the swap bank counterparty' (Loader, 2013). Both the companies can agree to pay a fixed interest rate on the USD and recieve a floating interest rate on the GBP, which Arden can use to pay the floating rate interest on the original GBP loan from its bank. Another benefit of currency swap for Arden is that it will protect the company against changes in foreign exchange during the period of swap as well as defend against changes in the interest rate in the UK market throughout the borrowing period (Loader, 2007). The negative aspect of currency swap is that Arden may need to exchange the principle amount at both the swap term beginning and end at an fixed rate agreed. However, the positive aspect of currency swap outweigh its negatives, thus, it can be discussed that use of swap will be an effective option for the company. Financing Issues Requirement 1 In order to purchase the new planes, Arden require significant funds. There are several financial sources available including debt finance and equity finance that can be used by the Arden as per the suitability with its business nature. The below section critically evaluates the logic behind the use of more debt finance against equity for Arden: The meaning of debt financing is to borrow money from an external source with the assurance to pay back the borrowed money plus a specific interest on a particular date. Debt financing has many advantages over equity financing for a business like Arden. For example, as the Airline industry is a capital-intensive industry with the high cost, it is beneficial to maintain high debt-to-equity ratio to reduce the capital cost by obtaining the cheaper debt (Bloomberg, 2016). In addition, the another advantage of debt funding against equity is that it will provide range of choices to Arden in order to obtain the required finance. For example, Arden can get money either from bank loan, other financial institutions, corporations, and by issuing debentures. At the same time, debt would also be advantageous over equity for Arden in terms of lack of interference of the lenders in the business decisions and operations. In addition, as currently, Arden has a debt-equity ratio of 1:1, it would be easy for the company to raise more funds through debt financing. But, concurrently, the negative aspect of debt funding versus equity financing is that Arden will need to repay debt along with interest each month no matter what will be the performance in the end of the year. However, it can be discussed that due to high cost and huge capital investment requirement, the use of debt financing would be more beneficial for the company as compared to equity financing. Requirement 2 Arden is also considering the sell off the Hotel division in Paris in order to raise fund to finance the new project. This proposal can have both advantages and disadvantages for the company. The main benefit of raising finance through sell off the hotel part is that it can easily raise fund at comparatively less cost and with fewer legal requirements. In addition, this option would also be beneficial for Arden to gain access to money engaged in hotel division (Jowsey, 2014). It is because due to the reduced flight schedule in the last couple of years, Arden is planning to sale spare capacity in the hotel. Moreover, the released funds from the hotel division can also be beneficial to finance the new service business. In addition, Arden can also get other benefits from this option such as use of assets and transfer of the property value risk to a third party. In contrary, this option will also create disadvantage for the company as the hotel division will no longer be owned by Arden, which will weaken the company's balance sheet (Jowsey, 2014). At the same time, it will also close the option to gain access to the funds by securing a loan using the hotel division. Moreover, it is also possible that the long-term value of the property will be greater than if they remain in the company's ownership. Concurrently, it will also end of the option to use the hotel division 'as a long-term commercially sensible solution for a business requiring accommodation for its employees' and generate a new revenue source for the company. Thus, it shows that the option to sale the hotel division of Arden has both positive and negative aspects and as negative aspects outweigh positive aspects, it can be stated that this is not an effective proposal for the company. Requirement 3 An initial public offering (IPO) is the process by which a firm that is managed privately issues shares of the stock for the first time to the public (Gullifer and Payne, 2015). In the growth of a business, IPO is an important stage as it provides access to wide capital market and also increase the company's credibility and vulnerability. The below are the key benefits that reflect the reasons why Arden should list on a Stock exchange: Bettered Financial Position: In an immediate manner, an IPO can improve the financial condition of Arden. For the reason, sale of shares to the public brings in money that does not have to be repaid, thus it helps in improving the financial position of the company (Ernst and Hcker, 2012). Increased Shareholder Value Commencing with an IPO, may increase the stock's value unusually. In addition, publically traded shares also command upper prices in comparison of those that are not, thus, it would be beneficial for Arden to increase the total shareholder value. Investors are also willing to pay for listed companies due to shares liquidity, maturity, and the availability of more information (Gullifer and Payne, 2015). Variegation of Shareholder Portfolios IPO will also provide an opportunity to Arden to pull parts of its assets out of the company (Ernst and Hcker, 2012). In simple word, it can be stated that by going public, Arden can secure the company's future. Creates Opportunities for Future Fundings Through an IPO, Arden can improve the company's net worth as well as create a border equity base (Ernst and Hcker, 2012). Moreover, the bettered equity ratio will make easier the borrowing of additional money as requires and will also reduce the borrowing's current cost. More Capital The main benefit is that the net proceeds from the sale of shares through an IPO provides working capital for a firm (Gullifer and Payne, 2015). Similarly, in the case of Arden Ltd, the capital can be used to fulfil the financial needs to purchase new planes. Thus, it shows that in addition to raise initial finance, an IPO also provides other benefits related to ensure about future financiang requirements and improve current financial position. IPO Process Lead Manager The main logic for the lead manager is to prepare the company to go public in an effective manner. The lead manager has the responsibility to develop confidence and respect within the industry as well as provide innovative ideas to make sure about the future growth. Underwriting Underwriting is an important step in an IPO process as the underwriter act as a mediator between the company and the capital markets. There are different kinds of underwriting agreements such as best efforts, all or none, and firm commitment that can be used by the company to start with an IPO. For example, through a firm commitment agreement, the company can transfer the risk of not selling the shares to the underwriter, which is the main reason behind underwriting of the share issue. A prospectus is prepared by the company to attract investors and shareholders to invest in the company. Content of the Prospectus The following content should be included in a prospectus: Information about the group structure of the company and its subsidiaries, Company history and share capital, Details of the industry sector, in which the firm operates and its main competitors, Last three years financial information, Current and future business plans, Compensation of the directors and their interest in the company, Compliance with the UK corporate governance code (Withers Worldwide). Information about current or any planned share option schemes, Any ongoing judicial proceedings of a material value, Risk factors influencing business (Withers Worldwide). Material contracts including IPO advisers, Information about listing process. Benefits of a Premium Market Listing on the London Stock exchange Premium listing and standard listing are some of the main routes to join the main market of the London stock exchange. Premium market listing provides additional benefits including lower cost of capital, greater transparency, and improved investor confidence to the company (London Stock Exchange Plc, 2016). The main reason behind the availability of these benefits under premium listing is that it requires compliance with the highest standards of regulation of the UK as well as corporate governance (Poitras, 2012). In addition, companies with a premium listing are also required to comply with the 'UK's super-equivalent rules which are higher than the EU minimum requirements (required to comply under standard listing)' (London Stock Exchange Plc, 2016). Another difference in both listing routes is that premium route is only open to equity shares while standard listing route is open to the issuance of equity shares, debt securities, global depositary receipts, and securitised derivative s. In addition, it is also assessed that Arden will face considerable challenges in order to meet criteria for a premium listing. It is because it is difficult to understand and comply with the high standard UK's rules and regulations without the help of a right adviser. Moreover, the company also needs to be aware about different key obligations related to notice period, relationship agreement, directors' retirement, dealing restrictions, etc. in order to avoid corporate governance issues (Withers Worldwide). Thus, in order to ensure the success of an IPO through premium listing, the company should take the service of a adviser such as lawyers, PR consultants, and an investment bank. Conclusion From the above discussion, it can be summarized that the use of CAPM methodogy provides an effective tool to measure the firm's cost of equity capital. It can also be summarized that before using a particular finance source, the firm must evaluate each option available in terms of its costs and benefits so that an effective decision can be made. This can be also inferred that as the aviation industry involves high risk, the use of more debt finance would be appropriate to reduce the overall firm's cost of capital. References Bloomberg (2016) Available at: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2009-12-04/raising-capital-equity-vs-dot-debt [Accessed: 3rd August, 2016]. Brigham, E. F., and Daves, P. R. (2014) Intermediate Financial Management. USA: Cengage Learning. Brown, R. E. (2010) Business Essentials for Utility Engineers. USA: CRC Press. Collin, P. H. (1998) Dictionary of Business. UK: Taylor Francis. CvitaniĆ¡, J. and Zapatero, F. (2004) Introduction to the Economics and Mathematics of Financial Markets. USA: MIT Press. Ernst, D. and Hcker, J. (2012) Applied International Corporate Finance. Vahlen. Fabozzi, F. J. and Drake, P. P. (2009) Finance: Capital Markets, Financial Management, and Investment Management. USA: John Wiley Sons. Fabozzi, F. J., Drake, P. P., and Polimeni, R. S. (2007) The Complete CFO Handbook: From Accounting to Accountability. USA: John Wiley Sons. Friedman, D. M. and DeCorla-Souza, K. (2012) Guidebook for Evaluating Fuel Purchasing Strategies for Public Transit Agencies. Transportation Research Board. Gullifer, L. and Payne, J. (2015) Corporate Finance Law: Principles and Policy. UK: Bloomsbury Publishing. Heffernan, S. (2005) Modern Banking. USA: John Wiley Sons. HSBC Bank Middle East (2014) Managing and mitigating risks in treasury. Available at: https://globalconnections.hsbc.com/uae/en/articles/managing-and-mitigating-risks-treasury [Accessed: 3rd August, 2016]. Jovanovic, S. (2014) Hedging Commodities: A practical guide to hedging strategies with futures and options. Harriman House Limited. Jowsey, E. (2014) Real Estate Concepts: A Handbook. UK: Routledge. Kinder, A. (2008) Mitigating Risk through Best Practices. Available at: https://www.sdcexec.com/article/10289589/mitigating-risk-through-best-practices [Accessed: 3rd August, 2016]. Loader, D. (2007) Fundamentals of Global Operations Management. USA: John Wiley Sons. Loader, D. (2013) Clearing, Settlement and Custody. UK: Butterworth-Heinemann. London Stock Exchange Plc (2016) About the Main Market. Available at: https://www.londonstockexchange.com/companies-and-advisors/main-market/main/market.htm [Accessed: 3rd August, 2016]. Mayo, H. B. (2016) Investments: An Introduction. USA: Cengage Learning. Poitras, G. (2012) Handbook of Research on Stock Market Globalization. UK: Edward Elgar Publishing. Pratt, S. P. and Grabowski, R. J. (2010) Cost of Capital in Litigation: Applications and Examples. USA: John Wiley Sons. Pratt, S. P. and Grabowski, R. J. (2010) Cost of Capital: Applications and Examples. USA: John Wiley Sons. Stowe, J. D. (2007) Equity Asset Valuation. John Wiley Sons. Viebig, J., Poddig, T. and Varmaz, A. (2008) Equity Valuation: Models from Leading Investment Banks. USA: John Wiley Sons. Withers Worldwide (n.d) Obtaining a premium or standard listing on the London Stock Exchange. Available at: https://www.withersworldwide.com/system/files/3404/original/ObtainingAPremiumOrStandardListingOnTheLondonStockExchange.pdf [Accessed: 3rd August, 2016].

Problems of education

The fact that social classification stems from civilization and its many accomplices doesn’t mean that we have reached its peak thus far. One of the key pillars of civilization is and has been education. It is education which has facilitated the sharing of knowledge from a given generation to the next. Education therefore, if simply defined would mean a process of integrating relevant knowledge in a person so as to instill relevance in him or her.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Problems of education specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More That is my general understanding of the term education. Education has evolved from time immemorial, it has always been inspired by the quest for knowledge and as long as one gained knowledge about a given phenomena then that would denote learning. Education therefore has been there before the formality of reading and writing, and it has always achieved that purpose for which it has been intended for; passing down cultures and information and teaching norms through the generations that have been existent. Education is not a simple undertaking in itself. Formal education itself demands sacrifice monetary wise, it needs time and also needs investment in terms of the effort one puts in an endeavor to attain the same. One has to sacrifice so much and post pone activities just for the sake of gaining from education, but above all it is the promise that formal education presents. The promise of independence, a good stable family, a regular income and posterity motivate one to get education. It takes a lot of effort in itself, given the fact that it takes several years in a person’s life just to get through an educational system. It brings me to the idea that in a person’s life as long as they begin attending school, one will start preparing for the life he would wish to live and there after prepare the life he would want his kids to have. There is never rest at the end of this, rather one embark on another phase of life; family. As a result, life progresses as a rolling stone, just changing course and the players within the game. In that regard children grow to replace parents and the cycle would continue. Above all the sacrifice has always been worth it. The obstacles to the same are universal. The challenges have a pattern of semblance to each other and the resultant fruits also resemble. For instance, in several parts of the world, they have similar challenges such as scarce resources that would especially facilitate education. The above is evident in Africa and some parts of Asia. They also have issues with access to other resources such as water and good health; all these directly affect education in general and also the quality of education that is being administered. In developed countries such as ours, the challenges are simpler and are easier to sort.Advertising Looking for essay on education? Let's see if we ca n help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Some challenges education faces include lack of time. Education takes a lot of time and most people have to juggle been education and their job; however these happen in advanced stages such as in colleges and universities. In earlier stages they have to contend with academics because much of the time it is a fulltime engagement for them so their activities are limited. The other challenge for them is the fact that is expensive. The cumulative cost is expensive and this contributes to the drop outs that come about as a result of the same. The students are exposed to other challenges such as drugs, mob psychology and even harassment from both their seniors at school and peers. The overall impact to the above is a dismal performance which if unchecked would go a long way in affecting the personality of a student. They would in the long run look down on themselves due to a low self esteem. Problems of education The above is simply premise to the fact that education has helped nature characters, in generations of yore. But can the same be said of education as at now? What with a curriculum that is imposed on students and bent on teaching given norms as opposed to embracing virtues? It is true that civilization has shaped the level of thinking and technology as it is now, resulting to the competitive world that is today. It is also true that education is trying to teach us how to live and survive in the world that has emerged after, but education is prone to many other factors that have helped shaped society to what it is. First of this is the fact that at the moment education is relying on a given curriculum, drafted by the people and wired to instigate certain characteristics and uphold some of them. Before the current system of education which is majorly formal, there was informal education which was basically instincts. It was passed down through generations and was programmed basing on occurrence s of nature as it evolved. As such, it was basically life skills. Education as it stands has made societal gains and we can only marvel at the benefits it has brought about. For one, we have achieved the natural peaceful coexistence among nations. The presence of one common unitary language has achieved stability and enhanced trade and relations. It has also fostered the achievement of positive solutions in times of calamities. These are myriad achievements, communication in itself has been enhanced and the result thereof is the ability to conduct multinational trade and interactions on different platforms.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Problems of education specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Formal education, as we know it today and as has been explained above is the product of a curriculum that is drafted and implemented for teachers to pass over to their students. It could also imply that it instills life ski lls to a small extent but that is as it is; majorly it is used as a social control mechanism. The educational system in place at the moment trains one to think and act in a certain way, they also train the students to respond to situations in a given manner. This has been instrumental in gaining population control. It has facilitated tyranny in otherwise supposedly democratic states; the result to this has been revolutions and landmark incidences that have plagued these countries. The above is evident in several cases in history, for instance the French revolution resulted from an adjustment in the social control structures in place. The people were plagued by hunger yet the government that was supposed to provide for the people didn’t care. This and other atrocities by the government irked the people and they took to the streets, the result was a revolution from which emerged a new set of leadership. Education has brought the best and worst in everybody, however it has faile d to change humanity and the essence of it therefore. We are still plagued by our ancestral cosmos which dictate to us our most natural instincts; as such it is prudent that the things that excite human beings are still war, food and affection. These have been since the ancient of days and have never changed over time. Therefore, it is enough stated that education has yielded a totally different personality that could never have been, but it has also failed to ignite the embers of this new personality to take up on the primitive. The primitive is simply docile but very active within. To conclude on the above, personally education has been instrumental to me in attaining dreams I once had, but it is also true that it is as perennial as it stands. Education is only for presentation purposes, and hence social control. If there was an alternative to education that would teach one to not only bow to the whims of the powers that are existent but to break all the rules and live harmoniousl y in peace and coherence with the next human being, such as is taught by the monks there would be a totally different society. Self actualization would be easier to attain, wars would be a preserve of the past and there would be fewer calamities as have been witnessed.Advertising Looking for essay on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Education has brought us this far, but it is high time the systems incorporated teaching of virtues such as humility, patience and kindness unlike the present system which churns ambitious personalities that would stop at nothing in order to satisfy their cravings. The result to the above would be fewer incidents of inhuman acts such as cannibalism as was witnessed in some of our colleges or reduced shooting sprees in which students take up arms and decide to shoot their innocent colleagues. This would also shape the type of leadership and cultivate servant leadership among the leaders these institutions would churn out. This essay on Problems of education was written and submitted by user Doctor Spectrum to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

McDonalds Essays

McDonalds Essays McDonalds Essay McDonalds Essay McDonalds is the largest corporation globally which deals with a chain of the fast food restaurants. The company has been steadily expanding thus leading to its large global market base. The company has a competitive advantage over its competitors and this is due to its strategic management choices which have been made in the recent past.SWOT analysisMcDonalds has a very strong market position since it is the largest food service and the fast food retailing chain globally that is strengthened by the strong all round growth that is witnessed by the company. It is also important to note that the there is a growing health consciousness among the consumers and this has however added to the adversities of the company are brought to the business by a market that is saturated. With the combination of the rising beef prices there could be pressure margins for the company.Strengths.McDonalds has a market leading position in the industry and it also has a vigorous all round growth together wit h very strong brand equity. The company is also known for its consistency in its food industry and it also has very successful items such as fries and the Big Mac promotions. (Aaker, David 1984)Weaknesses.McDonalds also has some weaknesses which includes the operating losses in the Latin America region as well as the non McDonalds brand businesses. Similarly the company also has some relatively low productivity from the employees. The company also has some increased expenses in Europe. The company is also experiencing a decline in the market share and it also has a weak product development.Opportunities.McDonalds has very many opportunities including the alliance with the Warner home video as well as the new innovations in the menus which will further attract more consumers to visit the company’s chain stores globally. Similarly there is a rising Hispanic population in the United States of America and they are known as the best customers to the McDonalds chain stores because of the Hispanic foods which are prepared by the company. (Rowley Tashiro 2006)Threats.McDonalds is also faced with some threats such as the rising prices of the raw materials which further leads to the price increment of the food products and this further lowers the company’s consumer’s consumption. Similarly there exists a threat since most of the consumers of the company’s food products are becoming more health conscious and thus if the company fails to upgrade its products with health consciousness in mind then it might loose out on most of its consumers. On the other hand the company is further faced with a threat of market saturation and this will stiffen the competition that is experienced in the industry especially from McDonald’s main competitor Wal-Mart.Strategic choices for McDonaldsThe company has a growth strategy that is based on three main elements which areAdding the restaurantsMaximizing the profits and the sales at the existing restauran tsImproving the company’s international profitabilityBy the company maximizing its profits and also sales at its existing restaurants it can accomplish this through better operations, product refinement and development, reinvestment, effective marketing and also lowering the development and operating costs. This will however lead to the realization of an improved profitability internationally and the achievement of the economies of scale in the individual markets. This will also make the company highly benefit from infrastructure globally. (Arndt 2007)At the functional level McDonalds has adapted strategies which will lead to the expansion of the production of a wide range of food products by the promotion of new menu items. The company is also focusing on maintaining its quality and consistency of its food products as well as launch higher end restaurants under the new brands which would not be saddled with the company’s fast food image.At the global level McDonalds h as a strategy which has a global perspective thus the company has strategies which effectively integrates the three global forces which are the global business, the regional pressures and also the worldwide functions. The company at the global level wants to add more restaurants globally and this will expand its market base. (Anthony 1998)Comparisons between growth strategies at McDonalds and Wal-MartMcDonaldsThe company has a unique growth strategy which allows it to strategically locate its new stores across the nation in a leapfrogging manner unlike the other stores.The company’s growth strategy is not homegrown but rather international since it has bought some of its existing retail chains so as to preserve its control over its corporate culture.The company has a new strategy of leveraging its brand equity.The company’s strategy of product development focuses on the core business and it also covers the quality and taste issues.Another strategy that has been adapted by the company is the joint ventures and McDonald has changed the methods of dealing with its franchisees.McDonalds has a market penetration and development strategy that will allow it to continue with its international expansion.Wal-MartThe company has a unique growth strategy which allows it to strategically locate its new stores near the smaller towns and the distribution hubs.The company has a continued expansion of the super center format as well as the market share gains that are in the food business.The company has a strategy which focuses on the international growth and acquisitions.The company has a growth strategy that focuses on the expansion and the upgrading of its units in the Sams club division.The company has a strategy that is an eventual roll out of the neighborhood drugs store and market food format.The company has a strategy that leverages its productivity of the declining base in the discount stores with the food additional.The company also has a strategy of th e methodical approach to the on-line retailing. McDonalds Essays McDonalds Essay McDonalds Essay McDonalds has been a family name for the last many decades. It operates on a franchise based model which has enabled it to spread all over the globe. Its operations have been largely profitable. In fact, it was only in 2003 that McDonalds reported its first ever quarterly loss. Since then a lot has changed in the way McDonalds reaches out to the customer. This is the focus of the discussion here. James R. Cantaloupe, Chairman and CEO, McDonalds said in 2003 The world has changed. Our customers have changed. We have to change too. This laid the foundation for the change which McDonalds went through. A key aspect of understanding what strategy to follow is to re-assess the needs of the market. Also the companys relationship with the internal stakeholders like the franchisees needed to be reviewed. During the process of evaluation, McDonalds used the latest technological tools like the internet to enable their brand managers to communicate with the franchisees and compare and improve their services. McDonalds studied demographics to identify which customer profiles visited there franchises and for what reasons. They realized that kids were their biggest customers but to get the kids to come in to the restaurants the parents had to be convinced also. During the study they also identified health consciousness as a major factor driving people away from McDonalds. Another factor affecting sales was the products offered as customers were looking for options other than the complete meals offered. Delivery times also came up as important determinants of customer satisfaction. Based on the studies, McDonalds conducted SWOT analysis and came up with a new marketing strategy based on the marketing mix consisting of 4Ps Product, Price, Promotion and Place. They decided to focus on expanding the product range to include healthy and low cost options. They also reviewed their promotion strategy to target kids who belonged to the biggest consumer category. They also streamlined their processes to reduce delivery times. 2) Using relevant examples, evaluate how successful the organisations environmental scanning strategy is. Suggest how this strategy can be improved. The steps taken by McDonalds to change their marketing mix have been highly successful in getting the customers and the profit back. In 2006, McDonaldss had its best sales performance for 15 years in Europe. McDonalds decided to go in for a health conscious image. They offered a range of healthy food selections on their menu. They also started to publish the nutritional content details of the food items on the packaging. New Saver products were offered which promised a quick bite for a low price. These changes in the product offerings were supported by promotional campaigns designed win back the lost customers. The processes required for getting the product to the customer were also reviewed. This resulted in tie-ups with local vendors to ensure freshness of the inputs. McCafes were introduced as exclusive coffee shops to attract the young crowd which needed a meeting point to get together with friends. The advertisements which addressed kids specifically helped bring the kids back. Availability of healthier food options and information about the nutritional value of the available products has helped them win a large number of health conscious consumers. To increase customer satisfaction they also focussed on the time taken to deliver their products. McDonalds can take a number of steps to get a better understanding of the environment theyre a part of. This, if followed by appropriate changes to the marketing mix, can help enhance the sales performance and profitability in the future. Some of these possible steps are discussed below. The internet can be a very effective tool to reach the masses. McDonalds can use the internet to run online promotion and research campaigns. Also the use of the social networking options like Twitter and Facebook can be beneficial to understand their customers and their requirements better. Improved analysis of the supply chain processes can help in increasing their efficiency. This can result in reduced costs and therefore reduced prices for the customers thus increasing sales. McDonalds can also analyse the franchise locations so that they can be spaced more evenly compared to the current situation where the distribution is not so even.

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird Facts

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird Facts The ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is the only known species of hummingbird to breed or even regularly reside in eastern North America. The breeding range of ruby-throated hummingbirds is the largest of all the species of hummingbirds in North America. Fast Facts: Ruby-Throated Hummingbird Scientific Name: Archilochus colubrisCommon Name: Ruby-throated hummingbirdBasic Animal Group: BirdSize:  2.8–3.5 inches in lengthWeight: 0.1–0.2 ouncesLifespan: 5.3 yearsDiet:  OmnivoreHabitat: Summers in eastern North America; winters in Central AmericaPopulation: Estimated 7 millionConservation Status: Least Concern Description Male and female ruby-throated hummingbirds differ in their appearance in several ways. Males are more vibrantly colored than females. Males have metallic emerald-green plumage on their back and metallic red feathers on their throat (this patch of feathers is referred to as a gorget). Females are duller in color, with less vibrant green feathers on their back and no red gorget, their throat and belly plumage is a dull grey or white. Young ruby-throated hummingbirds of both sexes resemble the plumage of adult females. Like all hummingbirds, ruby-throated hummingbirds have small feet that are not well suited to perching or hopping from branch to branch. For this reason, ruby-throated hummingbirds use flight as their primary means of locomotion. They are superb aerialists and are capable of hovering with wingbeat frequencies of up to 53 beats per second. They can fly in a straight line, up, down, backward, or hover in place. The flight feathers of ruby-throated hummingbirds include 10 full-length primary feathers, six secondary feathers, and 10 rectrices (the largest feathers used for flight). Ruby-throated hummingbirds are tiny birds, they weigh between about 0.1 and 0.2 ounces and measure between 2.8 to 3.5 inches in length. Their wingspan is about 3.1 to 4.3 inches wide. Larry Keller, Lititz Pa.  / Getty Images Habitat and Range This hummer breeds in the summertime, throughout the eastern United States and Canada. In the autumn, the birds migrate to their wintering grounds in Central America from northern Panama to southern Mexico, although some winter in parts of South Florida, the Carolinas, and along the Gulf Coast of Louisiana. They prefer habitats which have lots of flowers, such as fields, parks, backyards, and open clearings in forests. Migration round-trips can be as long as 1,000 miles. Migration patterns of ruby-throated hummingbirds vary: Some migrate between their breeding and wintering grounds by flying across the Gulf of Mexico while others follow the Mexican gulf coastline. Males start their migration before females and juveniles (males and females) follow on after the females. They migrate south between August and November, and north again between March and May. Diet and Behavior Ruby-throated hummingbirds feed primarily on nectar and small insects. They occasionally supplement their diet with tree sap if nectar is not readily available. When gathering nectar, ruby-throated hummingbirds prefer to feed on red or orange flowers such as red buckeye, trumpet creeper, and red morning glory. They often feed while hovering at the flower but also land to drink nectar from a conveniently located perch. Scientists have long been fascinated by the hummingbirds hovering flight. Unlike larger birds, they can perform sustained hovering as well as regular cruise flight and maneuvering. Like insects, they use a leading edge vortex over their wing surfaces to gain lift in the flight, but unlike insects, they can invert their wings at the wrist joint (insects do that with a pulse of muscles).   Reproduction and Offspring During the June–July breeding season, ruby-throated hummingbirds are highly territorial, behavior which is reduced during other times of the year. The size of the territories that males establish during the breeding season varies based on the availability of food. Males and females do not form a pair bond and remain together only during courtship and mating. Female ruby-throated hummers lay up to three broods a year, in groups of one–three eggs, most typically two, which hatch after 10–14 days. The mother continues to feed the chicks for another four to seven days, and the chicks fledge and leave the nest 18–22 days after hatching. Hummingbirds become sexually mature the next season about one year of age. Studio One-One/Getty Images Threats There are an estimated 7 million ruby-throated hummingbirds in the world, and they are classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the ECOS Environmental Conservation Online System does not list them as endangered at all. However, continuing climate change affecting their migration patterns and those of related species may have impacts that are as yet unclear. Northern migration dates of ruby-throated hummingbirds have already been measurably impacted by global climate change, with warmer winter and spring temperatures correlating with earlier arrivals, especially at lower latitudes (below 41 degrees north, or generally south of Pennsylvania). In a 10-year study (2001–2010), the differences ranged from 11.4 to 18.2 days earlier in warmer years, leading to concerns about competition for food resources going forward. Sources Bertin, Robert I. The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird and Its Major Food Plants: Ranges, Flowering Phenology, and Migration. Canadian Journal of Zoology 60.2 (1982): 210–19. Print.BirdLife International. Archilochus colubris. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: e.T22688193A93186255, 2016.Courter, Jason R., et al. Assessing Migration of Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds (Archilochus Colubris) at Broad Spatial and Temporal Scales. The Auk: Ornithological Advances 130.1 (2013): 107–17. Print.Hilton, Bill, Jr., and Mark W. Miller. Annual Survival and Recruitment in a Ruby-Throated Hummingbird Population, Excluding the Effect of Transient Individuals. The Condor: Ornithological Applications 105.1 (2003): 54–62. Print.Kirschbaum, Kari, Marie S. Harris. and Robert Naumann. Archilochus colubris (ruby-throated hummingbird). Animal Diversity Web, 2000.  Leberman, Robert C., Robert S. Mulvihill, and D. Scott Wood. A Possible Relationship between Reversed Sexual Size Dimorphism an d Reduced Male Survivorship in the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird. The Condor: Ornithological Applications 94.2 (1992): 480–89. Print. Song, Jialei, Haoxiang Luo, and L. Hedrick Tyson. Three-Dimensional Flow and Lift Characteristics of a Hovering Ruby-Throated Hummingbird. Journal of The Royal Society Interface 11.98 (2014): 20140541. Print.Weidensaul, Scot et al. Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris). The Birds of North America Online. Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 2013.

Opinion about William Bennet's 1998 Quote on Education Essay

Opinion about William Bennet's 1998 Quote on Education - Essay Example This phenomenon is still, however; conceptually unclear to many people and few understand how it impacts the schools on which the legalization operates (Neal & Kirp, 1985; 2000). There are various aspects of the modern schooling which have been concealed. These include the deterioration such a legalization system imposes in the morality of students and teachers versus that of the parents. The parents have no say when it comes to choosing their children’s teachers. There is not much information given on teachers because of the protection of such information by law. Interestingly, the State knows so little about it. In this confusion, the teachers who are disposed have no idea of each other’s information (State University, 2011). Duplication of knowledge has been proposed as the best way to go for developing countries. Yet, we have restrictions on copyright materials. It is common knowledge that not every student will invent new ideas. Setting up legal restrictions on who can use the education materials and how, poses a great challenge for those who might not afford the cost. As can be seen, the Copyright Act gives a number of exceptional situations to the above law. Protecting the author’s work is good, but this has an effect on limiting the number of people who can access them. This brings about discrimination since not all students will have the money to afford purchase of such materials (Neal & Kirp, 1985; 2000). The legalization of education system in the 1950s brought about the entry of minorities into the public schools that practiced segregation. However; this exposed them to greater problems of chaos and constant violence, which in most cases went unpunished leading to the white flight to private institutions of learning (State University, 2011). Legalizations of education institutions are mostly aimed at making the schools a conducive place for all to acquire education. However; given the restrictions imposed on the teachers and the administration, the schools lose focus on their main missions and objectives. The legalization leads to the known de-emphasis on the teaching process and learning, which are meant to be the basic tenets of institutional establishments in the first place. With the growth of the state into a more litigious status, the schools have become even more bureaucratic in the process. It is truly appalling since learning institutions are supposed to be flexible and nurtures of change, efficiency and effectiveness. Yet many agree that schools, especially institutions of higher learning are the most bureaucratic establishments in the current society. It is like copying the government system and perfecting the art of bureaucracy (State University, 2011). Given the legalization processes, the school administrators turn institutions into fiefdoms as places of exercising their unchecked authority. Principals have had to meet out serious and unfair punishments to teachers who are in record for havin g questioned their status quo. The restrictions given to education institutions could still be looked at as one way of the government’s evasion of responsibility for what goes on in these schools. Instead of being fully involved in the process, the state takes an oversight role and leaves the backlog of problems to the school authorities who end up misusing such powers. Laws alone without a thorough implementation and

Social Inequality Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Social Inequality - Essay Example Dan Croteau, a roman catholic, a widower and father of two daughters coming from a working class has met Cate Woolner, a Jew, a widow and mother of two sons coming from a rich aristocratic family and they decided to tie their relationship through a marriage after a long dating session. Both of them had failed marriages and hence they have taken extreme care in knowing each other well, before engage in a marriage relationship. (LEWIN) This paper analyses different perspectives of this marriage of two un-equals. Dan Croteau was a normal person coming from a working class family where as Cate Woolner was coming from an aristocratic family. The difference in wealth is a major factor which can make or break a marriage relationship. A male and female irrespective of their financial capabilities may fall in love due to infatuation. But after marriage, these financial differences often come into play. But in Croteau’s and Woolner’s case, both of them have taken extreme care in order to remove the bad influences of differences in financial capabilities in their married life. Ms Woolner has taken measures to raise the standard of living of Croteau. â€Å"Ms. Woolner gave him money to buy a new car and pay off some debts.† (LEWIN) Another difference between these two was the difference in their educational levels and earnings. In order to reduce the gap in education and also to increase the earning potential of Croteau, she agreed to pay for a $10,000 computer course that helped prepare him for his current job as a software analyst at the Cheshire Medical Center in Keene. (LEWIN) It was another wise move from the part of Ms. Woolner as it increased the earning potentials of Croteau which made him more comfortable in their life. Both Croteau and Woolner were coming from different religions; Christian and Jew respectively. But both of them were able to convince their family members about the strength of

Term Paper About Sports Essay Example for Free

Term Paper About Sports Essay The sport datesback to the Egyptians, who played games involving the kicking of a ball. Now, the sport has grown to a global pastime, including men s and women steams, and the World Cup (which is played every four years). The sport is also known by other names in some parts of the English-speaking world, usually association football and its contraction, soccer. These names are often used to distinguish the game from other codes of football, since the word football may be used to refer to several quite different games. Football is a team sport played between two teams consisting of eleven players each. It is a ball game played on a rectangular grass field with a goal at each end. The objective of the game is to score by maneuvering the ball into the opposing goal. Other than the goalkeepers, players may not use their hands or arms to propel the ball in general play. The winner is the team which has scored most goals at the end of the match. Football is played at a professional level all over the world, and millions of people regularly go to football stadia to follow their favourite team, whilst billions more avidly watch the game on television. A very large number of people also play football at an amateur level. According to a survey conducted by Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), footballs governing body, published in the spring of 2001, over 240 million people regularly play football in more than 200 countries in every part of the world. Its simple rules and minimal equipment requirements have no doubt aided its spread and growth in popularity. In many parts of the world football evokes great passions and plays an important role in the life of individual fans, local communities, and even nations; it is therefore often claimed to be the most popular sport in the world. Because of this it is often dubbed as the Worlds Favorite Pastime. 1. Football is rougher than most people actually think. People usually dont see whats happening outside the television camera’s view or off the field. Off the screen, you have players kicking each other, exchanging words, or even pushing each other around. Dont feel bad, though, because the referees dont see it half the time either. Then, during the game you have players slide tackling and taking each other out for possession of the ball. These players are wearing nothing to protect them from serious injuries. According to a survey conducted by Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), footballs governing body, published in the spring of 2001, over 240 million people regularly play football in more than 200 countries in every part of the world. Its simple rules and minimal equipment requirements have no doubt aided its spread and growth in popularity. In many parts of the world football evokes great passions and plays an important role in the life of individual fans, local communities, and even nations; it is therefore often claimed to be the most popular sport in the world. Because of this it is often dubbed as the Worlds Favorite Pastime. 2. II. History of Football (Soccer) During the 1800s the people of England played a game similar to soccer. Many rules changed and each person interpreted the rules differently. The modern version came about in the early nineteenth century,in England. It started as a game involving kicking and handing, but later this branched off into two separate sports: rugby and football (which is what the English call soccer). In 1848 a group of school representatives met at Trinity College in Cambridge and drew up the first of soccer rules. In 1863 English soccer clubs founded the Football Association. By the late 1800s soccer began to spread to the rest of the world. The Canadian Soccer Association was established in 1912 while the United States Soccer Federation was set up in 1913. The first World Cup Championship was in Montevideo, Uruguay. Since then it has been played every four years except during WWII. The North American Soccer League (NASL) was formed in 1968 and the sport began to gain popularity in the 1970 s. Modern Game and Rules The modern game of soccer has a simple goal: kick or head the ball in to the goal of your opponent s team. Basically, there is also one simple rule: No one except the goalkeeper may use they rehands to play the ball. Soccer is a simplistic sport. Eleven members of each team defend their side of the field to prevent the ball from being forced into their goal, which results in a point scored by the team kicking the ball. There are only three officials involved during play: The referee, and two linesmen. The equipment used in soccer is also very simple. In addition to the field itself, all that is needed for a game is two goals (eight feet high and eight yards apart) and a ball. Each player wears hard plastic or padded shin guard, covered by long socks, for protection during play. Cleats are alsoworn for traction on the field. A goalie may also wear a special padded shirt,and gloves to protect his or her hands. A standard field, as regulated by the Federation International de Football Association (or FIFA), has a length between 100 and 130 yards,and a width of between 50 and 100 yards. The rules of play for soccer have deliberately been kept simple. The referee makes most of the decisions, and attempts to encourage fair play. A soccer or football game begins with a kickoff in the center of the field. A coin is flipped to decide which team will kickoff. The other team kicks off at the start of the second half when the teams switch sides or nets. 3. III. Nature of the game The game is played in accordance with a set of rules known as the Laws of the Game, which are summarised below. Two teams of eleven players each compete to get a round ball (itself known as a football) into the other teams goal, thereby scoring a goal. The team which has scored the most goals at the conclusion of the game is the winner; if both teams have an equal number of goals then the game is a draw. The primary rule for this objective is that players, other than the goalkeepers, may not intentionally touch the ball with their hands or arms during play (though they do use their hands during a throw-in restart). Although players mainly use their feet to move the ball around, they may use any part of their bodies other than their hands or arms. The physical contact between players is restricted: holding, tripping, kicking or excessively pushing opponents is not allowed. Such actions (along with handling the ball) are called fouls and are punishable by a free kick (or a penalty kick if commited in the vicinity of the offenders goal; see below for details). In typical game play, players attempt to move towards a goal through individual control of the ball, such as by dribbling (running with the ball close to their feet); by passing the ball from team-mate to team-mate; and by taking shots at the goal. Opposition players may try to regain control of the ball by intercepting a pass or through tackling the opponent who controls the ball. Football is generally a free-flowing game with the ball in play at all times except when the ball has left the field of play by wholly crossing over a boundary line (either on the ground or in the air), or play has been stopped by the referee. When play has been stopped, it recommences with a specified restart (see below). At a professional level, usually a few goals are scored during a match. For example, during 2004-05 season of the FA Premier League, an average of 2. 57 goals per match were scored, and 88% of the matches ended up with not more than 4 goals scored. However, only 8% of the matches finished goalless. 4. IV. Playing Area An  association football pitch  (also known as a  football pitch,  football field[1]  or  soccer field) is the playing surface for the game of  association football  made of turf. Its dimensions and markings are defined by Law 1 of the  Laws of the Game, The Field of Play. [2] All line markings on the  pitch  form part of the area which they define. For example, a ball on or above the  touchline  is still on the field of play; a ball on the line of the goal area is in the goal area; and a foul committed over the 16. -metre (18-yard) line has occurred in the  penalty area. Therefore a ball must completely cross the touchline to be out of play, and a ball must wholly cross the goal line (between the goal posts) before a goal is scored; if any part of the ball is still on or above the line, the ball is still in play. The field descriptions that apply to adult matches are described below. N ote that due to the original formulation of the Laws in England and the early supremacy of the four British football associations within IFAB, the standard dimensions of a football pitch were originally expressed in  imperial units. The Laws now express dimensions with approximate  metric  equivalents (followed by traditional units in brackets), but use of the imperial units remains common in some countries, especially in the United Kingdom. 5. V. Physical (Soccer/Football) Conditioning Soccer is a sport requiring high levels of physical fitness. It is one of those rare games which demands not only speed but agility, strength, power and endurance. Players at top levels can run over 14 km in a game whilst not forgetting the frequent accelerations, decelerations, changes of direction and jumps they must undertake. Fitness is important at all levels of the game, whilst being essential for top level players, it is beneficial for beginners who will improve both their effectiveness and enjoyment through good standards of fitness. The aim of fitness training in football is to enable a player to cope with the physical demands of the game as well as allowing the efficient use of his various technical and tactical competencies throughout the match. Fitness may be described as a set of attributes that an individual has or has acquired which help in their ability to perform physical activity. The diagram below (Fig 1) outlines the general components which make up and are required for physical fitness in sport. Mental fitness and diet could be included but the diagram refers to the main components of fitness which require physical activity and which bring about physiological changes in the body. | Fitness as mentioned earlier is based on the attributes an individual has, meaning what he is born with or has acquired, in other words through training. Thus, performance is influenced by inherited abilities (genetic) and training status. An individual who is naturally gifted will still need proper training to make the most of their talent. Different sports require different fitness components. Football players must be able to perform prolonged intermittent exercise (endurance), exercise at high-intensity, sprint, and develop high levels of power (force) when kicking and tackling. Good levels of agility and coordination are also necessary and distinguish between elite and average players. During a game the exercise intensity varies continually thus fitness training should be as realistic as possible. Training should also involve regular use of the ball as this will not only help develop the specific muscles involved in match play, but improve technical and tactical skills and help keep players interested. 6. Coaches such as Marcello Lippi formerly at Juventus, are big believers in individual fitness programs as every player has different needs. This is important as well when training women and youth players. Fig 2 details the major components involved in football specific training. | In all the different components of fitness mentioned above, there are certain basic principles that apply to football fitness training. Frequency   Refers to the quantity of training sessions during a defined period of time, often a week. For example, a professional player may train twice a day, 5 times a week. Intensity   Can be simply defined by how  hard  a player trains. Too much exercise can lead to injury and fatigue whereas too little will not have enough of an effect. Elite players can train longer and harder than players at a lower level. Intensity is often based on the number of repetitions and how many exercises/sets done. It is linked to the principle of progressive overload. Progressive overload amp; duration   Training programs should stress the players’ physiological mechanisms enough to cause an improvement in the desired area. This means that working on the same fitness programme for a long time will not bring about improvement. Therefore, training status will only be bettered by gradually increasing the load that the body is working against. Incorrect overload may bring injury and demotivation due to over-zealous targets. The duration is the time spent in a training session and is dependent upon the sport and individual.

The Iliad Essay -- Greece Greek Literature Essays

The Iliad Central to any study of the humanities is the human condition – our nature, which has historically shown that it is equally capable of both good and evil deeds – and the problem that arises from it; specifically, why do humans suffer? Many philosophies and religions have their own account for this aspect of humanity, and we find that what the accounts have in common is each explains the human condition in terms that are similar to how that institution of thought explains the true nature of reality. Homer’s The Iliad is an extravagant account of the Trojan War which describes many behavioral similarities between the gods and people. The name of Book 14: â€Å"Hera Outflanks Zeus† epitomizes the disparity between the gods; Hera first slyly convinces Aphrodite, Zeus’ daughter, to make her irresistible. â€Å"Quick with treachery noble Hera answered, ‘Give me Love, give me Longing now, the powers you use to overwhelm all gods and mortal men!’ / Aphrodite, smiling her everlasting smile, replied, ‘Impossible—worse, it’s wrong to deny your warm request†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢Ã¢â‚¬  (Homer, 376) Next, Hera allies with Sleep to deceive Zeus so that Poseidon can help the Achaeans. With the power of Aphrodite, she plans to seduce Zeus and have him put to sleep as they make love. â€Å"’Sleep, master of all gods and all mortal men,†¦ Put Zeus to sleep for me! Seal his shining eyes as soon as I’ve gone to bed with him, locked in love, and I will give you gifts†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢Ã¢â‚¬  (Homer, 377) We observe here that Hera tempts Sleep with bribes as people often do when they know something they want is difficult to obtain. These envious, deceitful, and other humanistic qualities of the gods inevitably produce disagreement amongst them, which is in turn manifested in the lives of mortals. In polytheistic Greek cultures such as that of the world of The Iliad, the gods affect the lives of mortals based primarily on the gods’ whims. Each people have their own contingent of gods who support them, but also other gods who dislike them and whom they do not worship. This conflict between the influences of one god’s favor and another’s menace on the Achaeans is portrayed in the death of Patroclus, Achilles’ brother-in-arms. Hera and Poseidon help enormously to keep the Trojans from burning the Achaeans’ ship. Patroclus, no longer able to sit by idly as his comrades die, ... ... It would be unfair to assume that, however, because it is no more provable or disprovable than any of the other theories. The only conclusion we can draw from this discussion of the human condition, therefore, is that there is no solution to its problem for whole of humanity. If people are troubled by the problem, they must adopt a theory for their own belief from those independently suggested by the philosophies and religions of the world. Or, they could turn to another of their own construction. Under this system, each person is individually correct and, as a whole, we should be satisfied with our abilities to cope with the human condition. Works Cited 1. Homer. The Iliad. Trans. Robert Fagles. New York: Penguin Books, 1990. 2. The Book of Job. Trans. Stephen Mitchell. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1992. 3. Plato. The Republic. Trans. Richard W. Sterling and William C. Scott. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1996. 4. Holy Bible (New International Version). International Bible Society, 1973, 1978, 1984. 5. The Meaning of the Glorious Koran. Trans. Mohammed Marmaduke Pickthall. Chicago: KAZI Publications.

Posadas

Did you know that a posada is one of the biggest celebrations that takes place in Mexico? A posada is a celebration that has been going on for years. I am going to talk to you about 3 main things about posadas. First of all I am going to talk to you about what a posada is. Secondly I am going to talk about when and where the posadas are celebrated. And thirdly about the importance of this topic. First of all im going to talk about what a posada is. A posada is a Traditional party that is held each night in a neighborhood home.According to Steven Hicks in the article Celebrate the posada in mexico It is a reenactment of the journey Joseph and Mary took to find shelter before the birth of their child, Jesus. At night people gather outside the house with children dressed as shepherds, angels and most importantly, Mary and Joseph. After the people divide into two groups known as the â€Å"pilgrims† and the â€Å"Hosts†. The â€Å"pilgrims† sing a song asking for shel ter, and the hosts sing a reply denying them shelter, at the end the hosts open the doors to the guests and offer them hot ponche, fried rosette cookies known as bunuelos, tamales and other foods.At the end the party ends with a pinata in the shape of the Christmas star. Secondly I am going to talk about when and where the posadas are celebrated. The posadas are mainly celebrated in Mexico and other parts of Central America. Such as: El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Honduras. To this day Las posadas is a tradition that still continue. They are celebrated 9 days before christmas from December the 16th to December the 24th.According to Dale Hoyt in the article Las posadas the posadas are also known as a novenario — nine days of religious observance based on the nine months that Maria carried Jesus in her womb. According to the article The significance And origin of the posadas there has been research that leads to the possibility that the posadas originated from san Agust in Acolman Mexico near the pyramids of Teotihuacan. Thirdly I am going to talk about why I chose this topic. I chose this topic because tradition is a very important thing to me it represents the values that we have as a country.It’s something that our ancestors have passed on to us for hundreds of years. I think it is essential for us to follow those traditions and pass them on to our younger generations. A posada is not just about throwing a party, it’s about celebrating god, spending time with our family and knowing the importance of traditions. In conclusion, In my essay I talked about three main things about posadas. First of all I talkes to you about what a posada is. Secondly I talked about when and where the posadas are celebrated. And thirdly about the importance of this topic.

The Importance of Medical Marijuana

Individual Project # 3 Erricka Mayfield Colorado Technical University ENGL126-1204A-03: Sound Writing October 29th, 2012 Professor: David Mulvihill Introduction: The use of medical marijuana has been a controversial issue since it has been suggested as a method for use as medication. Despite its dissention, it comes by patient recommendation and Doctors prescribe it to their patients based on its medical benefits.Marijuana has been classified as a Controlled Substance and there have been statements that it is a â€Å"gateway drug,† in spite of the accusations against it, patients who use medical marijuana opinions differ greatly. Although documented studies exist weighing the benefits or non-benefits of medical marijuana, it is heartfelt that it should be legalized on the basis that it helps those who are critically ill to cope with various side effects of the diseases like AIDS, Cancer, and Multiple Sclerosis by alleviating pain, vomiting, and nausea.While many patients are a fflicted with side effects from the medications that are used to treat their diseases, the United States Government approved marijuana in pill form called â€Å"marinol† which is available as a prescription and has been proven to not be as effective due to the synthetic ingredient known as delta-9-THC.Whereas, marijuana derived directly from the plant has the original ingredient of delta-9-THC which works with the body’s natural endorphins by working in direct correlation of the body’s opioids receptor system and creating benefits to the patients who use it be restoring ailing patients to some quality of life, while battling these life altering diseases. Body: In 1997, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy asked the Institute of Medicine to â€Å"review the scientific evidence on the potential health benefits and risks of marijuana† as a gateway drug.To the White House’s surprise and to the benefits of those who desperately need me dical marijuana, the Institute of Medicine proclaimed â€Å"that marijuana usually precedes rather that follows initiation of other illicit drug use. † The Institute of Medicine also states that â€Å"most users of illicit drugs had already used alcohol and nicotine while underage, before the use of marijuana. † In the opinion of the Institute of Medicine they feel that â€Å"because underage smoking and alcohol use typically precede marijuana use, marijuana is not the most common and rarely the first â€Å"gateway† to illicit drug use. In the studies completed by the Institute of Medicine they â€Å"found no conclusive evidence that the drug effects of marijuana are causally linked to the direct abuse of other illicit drugs. † The American College of Physicians also â€Å"urges the review of marijuana as a Schedule I Controlled Substance and its reclassification into a more appropriate schedule, given the scientific evidence concerning marijuanaâ€℠¢s safety and efficacy in some clinical conditions. In simpler terms the Institute of Medicine found no linkable evidence to â€Å"marijuana† being a gateway drug as most have claimed, stating that â€Å"most users of illicit drugs began using either alcohol or nicotine even before the legal age limit,† therefore stating that â€Å"they would not consider marijuana as a gateway drug. † Maybe the Institute of Medicine reaffirms some of the findings, studies, perceptions, and or opinions of others who agree that medical marijuana has some positive benefits.According to Medical Doctor and Former United States Surgeon General Dr. Joycelyn Elders asserts that â€Å"the evidence is overwhelming how marijuana can relieve certain types of pain, nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms caused by such illnesses as Multiple Sclerosis, Cancer, and AIDS or by the harsh drugs used to treat the diseases. † Dr. Elders firmly states â€Å"that marijuana can safely alleviate such symptoms in chronically ill patients and that marijuana is less toxic than many of the medications that Physicians prescribe their patients. The Institute of Medicine contributed information upon a study they completed called â€Å"The Efficacy of Cannabinoid Drugs† which is a study completed on the effects of cannabinoids on a range of symptoms in multiple patients who used medical marijuana. Their findings revealed that the cannabinoids were â€Å"effective in anxiety reduction, appetite stimulation, nausea reduction, and pain relief. † The Institute of Medicine strongly suggested that â€Å"cannabinoids would be well suited for particular conditions like chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and in the AIDS wasting syndrome.A study completed at the University of California at San Francisco â€Å"found that smoked marijuana was more effective at relieving extreme pain in a debilitating condition known as peripheral neuropathy, as well as those patients who have diabetes and multiple sclerosis. To gain a better understanding of how cannabinoids work, they work with specific endo- cannabinoids and are produced by the body and also interact with the body’s natural pain receptors. Based upon the opinion of Doctor Gregory T. Carter, who is Co-Director at the University of Washington Medical Center Muscular Dystrophy Association says that there are really no other medications that have the same mechanisms of actions as marijuana, although â€Å"Marinol† is available by prescription but lacks the advantages by containing only a synthetic ingredient of delta-9-THC, which is only one of many therapeutically beneficial cannabinoids found in the natural marijuana plant. † An advocate for the medical use of marijuana named Rudolph J. Gerber cited a number of independent studies that coincide with the therapeutic uses of marijuana in symptoms affiliated with AIDS, cancer, multiple sclerosis, Tourette’s syndrome and even anxiety.In Mr. Gerber’s citing he found that marijuana’s health benefits were greater opposed to those found in Marinol like â€Å"the onset of relief from the capsule which takes an hour or more, as with the effects of smoking marijuana are only within minutes. † Marinol which is oral form of marijuana and contains delt-9-THC which is metabolized through the liver and neutralizes more than 90 percent of the chemical, while smoked marijuana contains the direct ingredient of delta-9-THC providing the ingredient direct delivery to the bloodstream. Lastly, â€Å"an oral dose of Marinol lasts up to six unpredictable hours, with variable effects, while smoked marijuana lasts a more manageable and predictable hour or two. Conclusion: Overall the benefits of patient using medical marijuana personally out way the recourse of prescription drugs and all of its side effects. Consider this if you know someone personally who is battling a critically illness and regular pres cribed Medications do not suffice, and the patient has to deal with the adverse side effects of the prescribed medications would medical marijuana be an alternative to consider?Would you advocate for the use of medical marijuana to help provide relief to a loved one from crippling side effects of prescribed medication? If so, I urge you today to consider the medical benefits of medical marijuana. Consider how medical marijuana can alleviate pain, and stop vomiting, and relieve nausea by creating relief to a patient who is battling a life altering disease. Just consider the option of medical marijuana! References: http://medicalmarijuana. procon. org/view. resource. php? resourceID Retrieved from www. procons. org Gerber, Rudolph J. Beneficial Effects of Marijuana as a Medical Prescription. † Legalizing Marijuana: Drug Policy Reform and Prohibition Politics. Westport, CT: Praeger, 2004. Rpt. in Marijuana. Ed. Joseph Tardiff. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2008. Contemporary Issues Companion. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 29 Oct. 2012. Retrieved from http://ic. galegroup. com. proxy. cecybrary. com/ic/ovic/ViewpointsDetailsPage/Viewpoints Grinspoon, Lester. â€Å"Medical Marijuana Is an Effective Medicine. † Medicine. Ed. Louise Gerdes. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2008. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from â€Å"Marijuana

The eNotes Blog On the Nightstand What Books Did You Get ForChristmas

On the Nightstand What Books Did You Get ForChristmas One of the things I like best about Christmas is that I always get new books to read that I did not have to pay for myself. While I do have an e-Reader, there is still something about the heft, touch, and smell of a book that I especially prefer for a bit of pre-sleepytime reading. This year, I mustve been very good as I got several titles, among them two I am trying to savor slowly, like the last few Godiva chocolates left in the sampler (Oh, okaywho am I kidding? Those were consumed before the day was over). This Christmas, I got two books that I have been pawing over:   Arguably Essays by (the late, great,   much-missed) Christopher Hitchens and   Smoke and Mirrors by (the incomparable) Neil Gaiman. Here are a five of the most popular titles, likely given as gifts, culled from the New York Times Best Sellers list for the week of 12-11 to 12-25, about the time your own elves were out shopping and wrapping for you. Did you receive any of these books? If so, have you read them yet? What do you think? Or, what did works did you receive that you love (or hate)? Were interested to hear what everyone is reading! The Drop by Michael Connelly Description from Amazon.com:   Harry Bosch has been given three years before he must retire from the LAPD, and he wants cases more fiercely than ever. In one morning, he gets two. DNA from a 1989 rape and murder matches a 29-year-old convicted rapist. Was he an eight-year-old killer or has something gone terribly wrong in the new Regional Crime Lab? The latter possibility could compromise all of the labs DNA cases currently in court. Then Bosch and his partner are called to a death scene fraught with internal politics. Councilman Irvin Irvings son jumped or was pushed from a window at the Chateau Marmont. Irving, Boschs longtime nemesis, has demanded that Harry handle the investigation. Relentlessly pursuing both cases, Bosch makes two chilling discoveries: a killer operating unknown in the city for as many as three decades, and a political conspiracy that goes back into the dark history of the police department. 11/22/63: A Novel   by Stephen King Description from Amazon.com: On November 22, 1963, three shots rang out in Dallas, President Kennedy died, and the world changed. What if you could change it back? Stephen King’s heart-stoppingly dramatic new novel is about a man who travels back in time to prevent the JFK assassination- a thousand page tour de force. The Help by Kathryn Stockett Description/Review from Sybil Steinberg of   The Washington Post:   Southern whites guilt for not expressing gratitude to the black maids who raised them threatens to become a familiar refrain. But dont tell Kathryn Stockett because her first novel is a nuanced variation on the theme that strikes every note with authenticity. In a page-turner that brings new resonance to the moral issues involved, she spins a story of social awakening as seen from both sides of the American racial divide. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson Description from Publishers Weekly:   This first of a trilogy introduces a provocatively odd couple: disgraced financial journalist Mikael Blomkvist, freshly sentenced to jail for libeling a shady businessman, and the multipierced and tattooed Lisbeth Salander, a feral but vulnerable superhacker. Hired by octogenarian industrialist Henrik Vanger, who wants to find out what happened to his beloved great-niece before he dies, the duo gradually uncover a festering morass of familial corruption- at the same time, Larsson skillfully bares some of the similar horrors that have left Salander such a marked woman. Larsson died in 2004, shortly after handing in the manuscripts for what will be his legacy. Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson Description/Review from Janet Maslin, The New York Times: †Skeptic after skeptic made the mistake of underrating Steve Jobs, and Mr. Isaacson records the howlers who misjudged an unrivaled career. â€Å"Sorry Steve, Here’s Why Apple Stores Won’t Work,† Business Week wrote in a 2001 headline. â€Å"The iPod will likely become a niche product,† a Harvard Business School professor said. â€Å"High tech could not be designed and sold as a consumer product,† Mr. Sculley said in 1987. Mr. Jobs got the last laugh every time. â€Å"Steve Jobs† makes it all the sadder that his last laugh is over.

Solar Winds and Lightning Strikes

Solar Winds and Lightning Strikes When you go outdoors for play or work, it probably never occurs to you that the lovely yellow Sun that heats and warms our planet is also responsible for a whole raft of other actions that affect us and our planet. Its true - and without the Sun we wouldnt have the beauty of the northern and southern lights, or - as it turns out - some of the lightning strikes that come during thunderstorms. Lightning strikes?   Really? Lets take a look at how that might be a solar effect. The Sun-Earth Connection The Sun is a somewhat active star. It regularly sends out giant outbursts called solar flares and coronal mass ejections. The material from these events rides out from the Sun on the solar wind, which is a constant stream of energetic particles called electrons and protons. When those charged particles get to Earth, some interesting things can happen.   First, they encounter Earths magnetic field, which protects the surface and lower atmosphere from the solar wind by deflecting the energetic particles around the planet. Those particles DO interact with the topmost layers of the atmosphere, often creating northern and southern lights. If the solar storm is strong enough, our technology can be affected - telecommunications, GPS satellites, and electrical grids - can be disrupted or even shut down.   What About the Lightning? When these charged particles   have enough energy to penetrate down into the cloud-forming regions of the Earths atmosphere, they can affect our weather.  Scientists found evidence that some lightning strikes on Earth may well be triggered by energetic particles from the Sun that reach our planet via the solar wind. They measured significant increases in lightning rates across Europe (for example) that occurred for up to 40 days after the arrival of particles carried by high-speed solar winds.   Nobodys quite sure how this works, but scientists are working to understand the interactions. Their data show that electrical properties of the air are somehow changed as the incoming charged particles collide with the atmosphere. Can Solar Activity Help Weather Prediction? If you could predict an increase in lightning strikes by using solar wind streams, that would be a real boon to weather forecasters. Since the solar wind can be tracked by spacecraft, having advance knowledge of solar wind storms would give weather forecasters a significant  chance to warn people about upcoming thunder and lightning storms and their severity. It turns out that astronomers have long known that cosmic rays, which are tiny high-speed particles from across the universe have been thought to play a part in severe weather on Earth. The ongoing studies of charged particles and lightning shows that lower-energy particles created by our own Sun also affect lightning. This is related to a phenomenon called space weather which is defined as geomagnetic disturbances caused by solar activity.   It can affect us here on Earth and in near-Earth space.  This new edition of the Sun-Earth connection, lets astronomers and weather forecasters learn more about both space weather and Earth weather. How Did Scientists Figure This Out? The record lightning strikes over Europe was compared with data from NASAs Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) spacecraft, which lies between the Sun and the Earth and measures the characteristics of solar winds. It is one of NASAs workhorse space weather and solar activity observatories. After the arrival of the  solar wind at the Earth, the researchers showed there was an average of 422 lightning strikes across the UK in the following 40 days, compared to an average of 321 lightning strikes in the 40 days before the solar winds arrival. They noted that the rate of lightning strikes peaked between 12 and 18 days after the arrival of the solar wind. Long-term studies of the connection between the Suns activity and Earthly thunderstorms should give scientists useful tools not just for understanding the Sun, but also to help predict storms here at home.